Search Results (20,108)

Background and Objectives: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin carcinoma, mainly occurring in older individuals. The aim of this study was to document the immunohistochemical distribution of CD34 in different histopathological types of BCC, as well as in the peritumoral and uninvolved skin of biopsy samples. Materials and Methods: Excisional biopsies of skin BCCs were routinely processed into paraffin blocks, and microtome sections were stained immunohistochemically for CD34. Results: A consistent finding in skin samples containing BCC was the absence of CD34 in the following extravascular structures: neoplastic cells, epidermis and its derivatives (except for the cells of the isthmic part of the outer hair follicle sheath), fibroblast-like cells of BCC tumor stroma, as well as in the papillary dermis in the tumor region. Fibroblast-like cells of the tumor stroma were variably CD34 immunopositive only in the nodular type of BCC. In all examined biopsies, part of the dermis adjacent to the BCC tumor mass (juxtatumoral zone) was characterized by pronounced CD34 immunopositivity. In the transitional zone of peritumoral skin and in marginal skin, CD34-positive connective tissue cells were observed in the periadnexal dermis around: sebaceous gland lobules, the secretory coils of eccrine sweat glands, the pilosebaceous canal, as well as in the perimysium of the arrector pili muscle. Fibrocytes of fibrous sheaths encasing the isthmic part of hair follicles were CD34 negative, interposed between highly positive epithelial cells of the outer hair follicle sheath and the fibroblasts of the local reticular dermis. The transitional zone and uninvolved skin contained CD34-positive fibroblast-like cells situated between secondary bundles of reticular dermis, as well as CD34-positive cell processes within these bundles. Conclusions: The observed pattern of CD34 positivity within the examined regions shows a specific distribution, providing insight into the adaptive responses of the skin to the tumoral process. Full article

Despite their ecological and conservation significance, morphometric relations remain scarce for elasmobranch species in the Mediterranean. This study examined morphometric parameters of the eight elasmobranch species (one shark and seven batoids) presented in the Amvrakikos Gulf that has been designated as a National Park. A total of 1247 specimens were sampled between 2022 and 2025, caught by small-scale fishing vessels using trammel nets, gillnets or bottom longlines and collected through onboard surveys or landing sites monitoring. Linear regressions were applied to describe relations between total length and other body measures (disc length, disc width, fork length), and length measurements and body weight. Results showed strong relations across morphometric traits, with R² values exceeding 0.655 for most relations. Growth patterns varied: four species (Aetomylaeus bovinus, Dasyatis pastinaca, D. tortonesei, Mustelus mustelus) exhibited positive allometry, one species (D. marmorata) displayed negative allometry and Gymnura altavela showed near-isometric growth. Sexual dimorphism was generally absent, although significant differences were found between sex in disc width slopes for D. marmorata, Myliobatis aquila and Torpedo torpedo, and in length–weight relations for M. mustelus. These findings substantially fill regional data gaps, offering new baseline estimates for rare and threatened elasmobranchs. Full article

This study examines how Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is framed in Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean English-language mainstream media during four high-salience geopolitical events (2023–2025). Methodologically, it employs a qualitative comparative framing and discourse analysis of 28 systematically selected news articles from leading outlets in each media system, coded using Entman’s four framing functions (problem definition, causal attribution, moral evaluation, and treatment recommendation) and supplemented by representational logics and explicitly stated platform-governance indicators. Drawing on framing theory, representation, platform governance, and critical geopolitics, the analysis finds that ASEAN is portrayed not as an autonomous actor but as a flexible signifier within nationally inflected narratives. Chinese media emphasize regional cooperation and developmental connectivity, Japanese outlets foreground liberal-normative order and security alignment, and South Korean coverage prioritizes technocratic and pragmatic partnership. The study argues that ASEAN’s mediated visibility is shaped by recurring editorial framing patterns and, where explicitly invoked, by infrastructural and platform-related cues, revealing ongoing narrative contestation over regional power and legitimacy in East Asia. Full article

Intensified water consumption has driven rapid groundwater depletion globally, threatening economic and environmental sustainability. Understanding large-scale groundwater dynamics has been constrained by the scarcity of long-term, high-resolution records. This study uses multi-decadal, high-density groundwater level monitoring data from the Southern Hebei Plain (SHP) to analyze the evolution of the groundwater flow field and depression cones from 1959 to 2020. We quantitatively characterize trends over six decades and assess the impact of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWD). The regional flow field shifted from a natural topographic-driven pattern (foothills to coast) in the 1960s to localized systems centered on depression cones by the 1980s. Subsequent management policies and the SNWD have progressively reduced the extent of these cones, facilitating a partial recovery of the regional flow pattern towards its original direction. Shallow aquifer levels declined steeply from the 1980s until 2016, particularly along the Taihang Mountains’ alluvial fan margins, with cumulative drawdown of 20–60 m. After SNWD implementation, levels stabilized and began recovering in piedmont urban areas. Deep aquifer levels generally declined from the 1980s to 2016, with the most significant drawdown (40–90 m) occurring in the central–eastern plain. The recovery of deep aquifers lagged behind shallow ones. These results provide critical insights for supporting sustainable groundwater management and depression cone recovery in the Hebei Plain. Full article

In sub-Saharan Africa, land degradation and climate change continue to undermine agricultural productivity by reducing soil productivity and water availability. This review identifies soil and water conservation technologies successfully applied in climatically analogous regions of sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of informing effective technology transfer to Senegal, particularly Sédhiou and Tambacounda. Using K-means clustering on WorldClim bioclimatic variables, 35 comparable countries were identified, of which 17 met inclusion criteria based on data availability and ≥60% climatic similarity. Eighty-five technologies were documented and assessed for their compatibility across rainfall patterns, land gradients, and uses, with 12 emerging as consistently effective. Quantitative evidence shows that zai/tassa pits, stone bunds, and half-moons increase crop yields by 50–200%, while stone bunds and mulching reduce runoff by up to 80% and improve soil moisture retention. Terracing and tied-ridging were also linked to higher water-use efficiency, with tied-ridging increasing soil moisture by 13%. Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Malawi lead in adoption and diversity, whereas Senegal lags due to institutional gaps, limited funding, and weak extension systems. These technologies offer a readily available, evidence-based toolkit for building agricultural resilience in Senegal. However, their successful adoption requires stronger policy integration, stakeholder empowerment, cross-border learning, and private-sector engagement. Full article

Wildfire regimes are undergoing rapid transformation under anthropogenic climate change, with major implications for biodiversity, carbon cycling, and ecosystem resilience. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 42 studies across global, continental, and regional scales to assess emerging patterns in fire frequency, intensity, and seasonality, and to identify climatic, ecological, and anthropogenic drivers shaping these changes. Across biomes, evidence shows increasingly fire-conducive conditions driven by rising temperatures, vapor-pressure deficit, and intensifying drought, with climate model projections indicating amplification of extreme fire weather this century. Boreal ecosystems show heightened fire danger and carbon-cycle vulnerability; Mediterranean and Iberian regions face extended fire seasons and faster spread rates; tropical forests, particularly the Amazon, are shifting toward more flammable states due to drought–fragmentation interactions; and savannas display divergent moisture- and fuel-limited dynamics influenced by climate and land use. These results highlight the emergence of biome-specific fire–climate–fuel feedback that may push certain ecosystems toward alternative stable states. The review underscores the need for improved attribution frameworks, integration of fire–vegetation–carbon feedback into Earth system models, and development of adaptive, regionally tailored fire-management strategies. Full article

Background: Hemodynamic overload induces left ventricular remodeling and heart failure across various clinical presentations. While geometric remodeling is classically associated with increased vascular resistance in hypertension, distinct patterns emerge under the mechanical stress of aortic stenosis (AS). Concept: The “Stress Septal Sign” (Triple S) represents a marker of stress-mediated hemodynamic overload driven by diverse stimuli, ranging from mechanical stress in AS to emotional triggers in acute stress cardiomyopathy. Within this spectrum, Stressed Heart Morphology describes a specific phenotype characterized by a predominant and hyperdynamic LV septal base. Results: Chronic hemodynamic stress in severe AS results in prominent basal septal hypertrophy. This remodeling is characterized by distinct tissue energetics: hypermetabolic activity at the basal septum contrasted with reduced metabolic activity or hypokinesis in the apical regions. These findings on myocardial geometry, function, and energetics align with the adaptive phase of LV remodeling. Conclusions: The presence of adaptive myocardial basal tissue suggests an advanced remodeling stage that may require timely therapeutic intervention in severe AS. Therefore, identifying these specific tissue characteristics offers a unifying imaging paradigm (Triple S) for assessing cardiac stress, independent of the primary etiology. Full article

Introduction: The sustained global epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) necessitates comprehensive, region-specific surveillance to inform public health policy. This 30-year retrospective observational cohort study delineated the epidemiological patterns, transmission dynamics, treatment efficacy, and long-term clinical outcomes of HIV infection in Oman to strategically align preventative and therapeutic programs with Oman’s Vision 2040 framework. Methods: We analyzed the clinical and epidemiological data of 429 confirmed HIV-positive patients with a minimum follow-up period of six months, registered at a secondary care facility in North Batinah, Oman, between January 1995 and December 2024. Predictors of mortality were rigorously assessed utilizing Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Continuous variables were evaluated using independent sample t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests, while categorical variables employed chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The cohort exhibited a male predominance (70.6%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 32.8 years (SD ± 12.17). Heterosexual contact constituted the predominant mode of acquisition (56%), followed by bisexual (17%) and homosexual (12%) contacts. Although 67.1% of patients presented with early, asymptomatic disease (WHO Stage 1), opportunistic infections were evident in 28.1% of the cohort, with recurrent sepsis (8.4%) and bacterial pneumonia (3.5%) being the most frequent complications. The WHO clinical stage at presentation was confirmed as a highly significant predictor of survival (p < 0.0001). Stage 1 patients achieved excellent long-term prognosis (approximately 75% survival beyond 30 years), markedly contrasting with Stage 4 patients, whose survival declined sharply (median survival of approximately 8 years, and only 10–15% surviving past 20 years). The tenofovir/emtricitabine/efavirenz regimen showed superior efficacy, achieving 75% survival at 30 years, relative to zidovudine-based regimens, which showed significantly poorer performance (15–20% survival at 20 years). Conclusions: This investigation substantiates the shift toward predominant heterosexual transmission and emphasizes the critical prognostic significance of the clinical stage at diagnosis. Optimal long-term survival mandates prompt diagnosis, timely initiation of contemporary antiretroviral therapies, and sustained viral suppression. These findings offer crucial evidence to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment programs within Oman. Full article

Sealing tunnel portals is widely recognized as a pivotal strategy for mitigating fire hazards in tunnel safety management. Nevertheless, the interplay between fire source locations—both longitudinally and transversely—and its impact on flame behavior and ceiling temperature profiles within enclosed structures has not been fully elucidated. Utilizing a 1:15 reduced-scale rectangular tunnel model, this research investigates how varying the fire source position affects the maximum ceiling temperature under enclosed scenarios. Dimensionless parameters, including the longitudinal dimensionless distance D and transverse dimensionless distance Z′, were derived through dimensional analysis. Observations indicate that as the fire approaches the enclosed end, the flame initially leans toward the boundary, peaking in inclination at D = 0.73, and subsequently exhibits a “wall-attached combustion” pattern due to wall confinement. While lateral displacement of the fire source pushes the high-temperature zone toward the corresponding side wall, the longitudinal temperature rise follows a non-monotonic pattern: declining continuously in in Region I (0 ≤ D ≤ 0.73) and rebounding in Region II (0.73 < D < 1). Based on these findings, a dimensionless prediction model incorporating heat release rate (HRR), transverse offset, and longitudinal fire location was developed. Furthermore, a thermal accumulation factor was introduced to refine the predictive model in Region II. The results offer theoretical insights to support fire protection design and risk assessment in enclosed tunnels. Full article

While extant literature has thoroughly investigated carbon mitigation in grain production and agricultural infrastructure’s yield effects, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding their synergistic pathways for emission reduction. This empirical study examines how agricultural infrastructure contributes to carbon emission reduction in grain production across 30 Chinese provinces from 2009 to 2023. Using two-way fixed-effects and mediation-effect models, we demonstrate that agricultural infrastructure significantly inhibits carbon emissions intensity, with effects varying by type of infrastructure: agricultural water infrastructure, digital infrastructure, agricultural power infrastructure and rural transportation infrastructure, in descending order. We identify three key mechanisms: planting structure optimization, technological progress, and disaster incidence reduction. Specifically, agricultural water infrastructure and digital infrastructure operate through structural improvement and technological advancement, while agricultural water infrastructure and rural transportation infrastructure function through disaster mitigation. Heterogeneity analysis reveals distinct regional patterns: northern regions benefit more from agricultural water infrastructure and rural transportation infrastructure, while southern regions show stronger effects from agricultural water infrastructure and digital infrastructure. In major grain-producing areas, agricultural water infrastructure and agricultural power infrastructure demonstrate significant emissions reduction, whereas non-core production regions rely more on agricultural water infrastructure and digital infrastructure. Additionally, infrastructure generates greater yield-enhancing effects for rice and wheat versus corn. Policy implications include strengthening investments in agricultural water infrastructure, promoting digital agriculture, and developing region-specific infrastructure strategies. Full article

Understanding how strain is transferred across the interior of tectonic plates is fundamental to quantifying lithospheric deformation. The Central Anatolia Transition Zone (CATZ), situated between the North and East Anatolian fault systems, provides a unique natural laboratory for investigating how continental deformation evolves from localized faulting to distributed shear. In this study, we integrate InSAR analysis with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) velocity data, and stress tensor inversion with supporting gravity and seismic datasets to characterize the geometry, kinematics, and geodynamic significance of the CATZ. The combined geodetic and geophysical observations reveal that the CATZ is a persistent, left-lateral deformation corridor (i.e., elongated zone of Earth’s crust that accommodates movement where the landmass on the opposite side of a fault system moves to the left relative to an observer) accommodating ~4 mm/yr of shear between the oppositely moving eastern and western sectors of the Anatolian Plate. Spatial coherence among LiCSAR-derived shear patterns, GNSS velocity gradients, and regional stress-field rotations defines the CATZ as a crustal- to lithospheric-scale transition zone linking the strike-slip domains of central Anatolia with the subduction zones of the Hellenic and Cyprus arcs. Stress inversion analyses delineate four subzones with systematic kinematic transitions: compressional regimes in the north, extensional fields in the central domain, and complex compressional–transtensional deformation toward the south. The CATZ coincides with zones of variable Moho depth, crustal thickness, and inferred lithospheric tearing within the retreating African slab, indicating a deep-seated origin. Its S-shaped curvature and long-term evolution since the late Miocene reflect progressive coupling between upper-crustal faulting and deeper lithospheric reorganization. Recognition of the CATZ as a lithospheric-scale transition zone, rather than a discrete active fault, refines the current understanding of Anatolia’s kinematic framework. This study demonstrates the capability of integrated satellite geodesy and stress modeling to resolve diffuse intra-plate deformation, offering a transferable approach for delineating similar transition zones in other continental regions. Full article

In this study, using global liner shipping schedules, UNCTAD’s Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index and Liner Shipping Bilateral Connectivity Index, together with bilateral trade-value data for 2022–2024, we construct a multilayer weighted port-to-port network that explicitly embeds port-level cargo-handling and service organisation capabilities, as well as demand-side routing pressure, into node and edge weights. Building on this network, we apply CONCOR-based structural-equivalence analysis to delineate functionally homogeneous port clusters, and adopt a structural role identification framework that combines multi-indicator connectivity metrics with Rank-Sum Ratio–entropy weighting and Probit-based binning to classify ports into high-efficiency core, bridge-control, and free-form bridge roles, thereby tracing the reconfiguration of cluster-level functional structures before and after the Red Sea crisis. Empirically, the clustering identifies four persistent communities—the Intertropical Maritime Hub Corridor (IMHC), Pacific Rim Mega-Port Agglomeration (PRMPA), Southern Commodity Export Gateway (SCEG), and Euro-Asian Intermodal Chokepoints (EAIC)—and reveals a marked spatial and functional reorganisation between 2022 and 2024. IMHC expands from 96 to 113 ports and SCEG from 33 to 56, whereas EAIC contracts from 27 to 10 nodes as gateway functions are reallocated across clusters, and the combined share of bridge-control and free-form bridge ports increases from 9.6% to 15.5% of all nodes, demonstrating a thicker functional backbone under rerouting pressures. Spatially, IMHC extends from a Mediterranean-centred configuration into tropical, trans-equatorial routes; PRMPA consolidates its role as the densest trans-Pacific belt; SCEG evolves from a commodity-based export gateway into a cross-regional Southern Hemisphere hub; and EAIC reorients from an Atlantic-dominated structure towards Eurasian corridors and emerging bypass routes. Functionally, Singapore, Rotterdam, and Shanghai remain dominant high-efficiency cores, while several Mediterranean and Red Sea ports (e.g., Jeddah, Alexandria) lose centrality as East and Southeast Asian nodes gain prominence; bridge-control functions are increasingly taken up by European and East Asian hubs (e.g., Antwerp, Hamburg, Busan, Kobe), acting as secondary transshipment buffers; and free-form bridge ports such as Manila, Haiphong, and Genoa strengthen their roles as elastic connectors that enhance intra-cluster cohesion and provide redundancy for inter-cluster rerouting. Overall, these patterns show that resilience under the Red Sea crisis is expressed through the cluster-level rebalancing of core–control–bridge roles, suggesting that port managers should prioritise parallel gateways, short-sea and coastal buffers, and sea–land intermodality within clusters when designing capacity expansion, hinterland access, and rerouting strategies. Full article

Digital technologies have transformed the spatial organization of finance. As a result, geographic and virtual agglomerations co-exist. In this paper, we model the synergistic integration of geographic and virtual agglomerations within China’s financial industry from a systems perspective. Using provincial panel data from 2011 to 2023, we develop an entropy-weighted coupling coordination model to measure the interaction between the two agglomerations. Furthermore, we employ spatial and convergence analyses to reveal their evolutionary characteristics. Our findings reveal three key results. First, financial geographic agglomeration shows an overall increasing trend, with regional levels ranked as follows: eastern region, northeastern region, western region, and central region. It exhibits significant positive spatial correlation and convergence characteristics. Second, financial virtual agglomeration also continues to strengthen, with regional levels ranked as eastern, central, western, and northeastern regions. Its convergence patterns display regional heterogeneity, and no significant spatial correlation is observed. Third, the coupling coordination degree between the two agglomerations has steadily improved nationwide and across all four major regions with convergent trends. By 2023, the eastern region has entered a stage of primary coordination, while the central, western, and northeastern regions remain in a near-dysfunctional state. In terms of driving patterns, most provinces are primarily driven by geographic agglomeration. Hunan, Hainan, and Guizhou are driven by virtual agglomeration, whereas Beijing, Anhui, Shandong, Guangdong, and Yunnan demonstrate a synchronized pattern driven by both agglomeration types. Overall, our findings highlight the systemic nature of financial agglomeration in the digital economy and enrich the theoretical understanding of financial dual-agglomeration synergy. They provide an analytical framework and empirical evidence for designing differentiated regional financial development policies. Full article

Ecosystem health assessment is essential for informing ecological protection and sustainable management, yet current evaluation frameworks often overlook the foundational role of natural background conditions and struggle with methodological uncertainties in indicator weighting, particularly in ecologically fragile regions. To address these dual challenges, this study proposes a novel Base–Pressure–State–Response (BPSR) framework that systematically integrates key natural background factors as a fundamental “Base” layer. Focusing on the Qinling Mountains—a critical ecological barrier in China—we implemented this framework at the county scale using multi-source data (2000–2023) and introduced a Monte Carlo simulation with triangular probability distributions to quantify and synthesize weight uncertainties from multiple methods, thereby enhancing assessment robustness. Furthermore, the Geodetector method was employed to quantitatively identify the driving forces behind the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ecosystem health. Supported by 3S technology, our analysis demonstrates a sustained improvement in ecosystem health: the composite index rose from 0.723 to 0.916, healthy areas expanded from 60.17% to 68.48%, and nearly half of the region achieved a higher health grade. Spatially, a persistent “low–south, high–north” pattern was observed, shaped by human disturbance gradients, while temporally, the region evolved from localized improvement (2000–2010) to broad-scale recovery (2010–2023), despite lingering degradation in human-dominated zones. Driving force analysis revealed a shift from early dominance by natural and land use factors to a later complex interplay where urbanization pressure and climatic conditions jointly shaped the health pattern. The BPSR framework, combined with probabilistic weight optimization and driving force quantification, offers a methodologically robust and spatially explicit tool that advances ecosystem health evaluation and supports targeted ecological governance, policy formulation, and sustainable management in fragile mountain ecosystems, with transferable insights for similar regions globally. Full article

Accurate identification of oil–water two-phase flow patterns is essential for ensuring the safety and operational efficiency of oil and gas extraction systems. While traditional methods using empirical models and sensor technologies have provided basic insights, they often struggle to capture the nonlinear features of complex operational conditions. To address the challenge of data scarcity commonly found in experimental settings, this study employs a data augmentation strategy that combines the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) with Gaussian noise injection, effectively expanding the feature space from 60 original experimental nodes. Next, a physics-constrained attention mechanism model was developed that incorporates a physical constraint matrix to effectively mask irrelevant feature interactions. Experimental results show that while the standard attention model (83.88%) and the baseline BP neural network (84.25%) have limitations in generalizing to complex regimes, the proposed physics-constrained model achieves a peak test accuracy of 96.62%. Importantly, the model demonstrates exceptional robustness in identifying complex transition regions—specifically Dispersed Oil-in-Water (DO/W) flows—where it improved recall rates by about 24.6% compared to baselines. Additionally, visualization of attention scores confirms that the distribution of attention weights aligns closely with fluid-dynamic mechanisms—favoring inclination for stratified flows and flow rate for turbulence-dominated dispersions—thus validating the model’s interpretability. This research offers a novel, interpretable approach for modeling dynamic feature interactions in multiphase flows and provides valuable insights for intelligent oilfield development. Full article