Search Results (5,716)

Deep-seated landslide complexes are widespread in soft-rock hill-country landscapes, yet their regional morphometric organisation and controlling factors remain insufficiently quantified. This study uses high-resolution (1 m) airborne LiDAR-derived terrain data integrated with geological and drainage-network datasets to investigate landslide complexes in the eastern Tararua District, New Zealand. A relative, unit-based morphometric framework is applied to compare terrain derivatives (including slope, aspect, and multi-scale relative relief) between mapped landslides and their host geological units. To isolate intrinsic lithological controls from geomorphic influences, the analysis is restricted to landslides occurring entirely within a single geological unit. The results indicate that lithology exerts first-order control on landslide morphometry, while fluvial incision and valley confinement regulate landslide initiation and persistence. Landslides are preferentially associated with low- to mid-order channels, indicating strong hillslope–channel coupling within a young, actively uplifting landscape. A conceptual threshold framework is proposed, showing that landslides develop where lithological susceptibility and relief amplification jointly exceed stability thresholds. By integrating geological information with LiDAR-based morphometric analysis, this study provides a transferable framework for distinguishing instability regimes and improving understanding of sediment dynamics and landscape evolution in soft-rock terrains. Full article

To address the difficulty of directionally cutting thick, hard key strata in gob-side entry retaining using conventional blasting or hydraulic fracturing, this paper proposes a high-pressure water-jet slotting-induced pre-cracked weakening belt (PCWB) roof-cutting technology. Several finite-length PCWBs are arranged within the key stratum and designed to coalesce into a plane, inducing through-going roof failure along a pre-determined path. A fixed–fixed key strata beam model combined with linear elastic fracture mechanics shows that the double-belt configuration forces the bending moment and shear force to concentrate in a thin rock bridge, where bending and shear stresses are amplified by about 1.5–2.8 times and 1.2–1.7 times, respectively, for 2–4 m thick key strata, providing a mechanical basis for preferential tensile–shear failure. Two-dimensional RFPA2D simulations reveal “width-dominated, length-assisted” control of cutting performance and identify an optimal weakening belt geometry of about 400 mm in width and 200 mm in length. Three-dimensional numerical modeling of parallel slot pairs indicates that intra-pair spacing of about 40 mm produces a continuous, directional weakening belt, whereas smaller or larger spacing causes, respectively, destructive interference or loss of connectivity. High-pressure water-jet tests (320 MPa, 0.33 mm nozzle, 1.30 mm/s traverse speed) on limestone blocks confirm that single slots can penetrate the full thickness and that cracks from adjacent slots coalesce through the rock bridge, forming a wide, straight fracture band. Field application in the Dongjiang Mine (3.5 m limestone key stratum, ~400 m depth) shows that the first weighting is advanced from the 7th to the 3rd day, peak support resistance is reduced from 8.8 to 7.4 MPa, and periodic weighting becomes more frequent and smoother. The PCWB technology is therefore suitable for panels with 2–4 m thick hard key strata at similar depths, offering precise key stratum severance, active stress relief, and safe, controllable construction. Full article

Granary systems formed a core institutional foundation of state governance, famine relief, and social stabilization in premodern China. Using the complete corpus of the Twenty-Six Dynastic Histories, this study employs digital humanities methods—including text preprocessing, word-frequency analysis, collocation analysis, time-series comparison, and geographic co-occurrence analysis—to examine the long-term evolution and institutional structure of three major granary types: ever-normal granaries (ChangpingCang), charitable granaries (Yicang), and community granaries (Shecang). The results reveal significant temporal and spatial variation closely associated with dynastic stability, fiscal capacity, and disaster conditions. Ever-normal granaries evolved from early formation in the Western Han to institutional consolidation in the Tang, peak expansion in the Song, and functional diversification thereafter, operating as a centralized mechanism integrating price regulation, fiscal management, and famine relief. Charitable and community granaries, by contrast, display increasingly differentiated roles, reflecting a shift toward localized and socially embedded relief in later periods. Spatial analysis further demonstrates a hierarchical deployment pattern centered on political and agrarian cores and extended through transport corridors and frontier zones. Overall, the study highlights a multilayered relief system combining state authority and social participation, offering a data-driven reinterpretation of Chinese charity and governance. Full article

Treatment for large critical-sized bone defects and impaired fracture healing remain challenging. Clinically used protein-based osteoinductive factors, such as recombinant bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), can be effective; however, they are costly and limited by stability, dose-delivery issues, and safety concerns. Preclinical small molecules offer an alternative because they are chemically stable, scalable to manufacture, and readily integrated for systemic administration or localized release from scaffolds, hydrogels, cements, and implant coatings. With an emphasis on delivery formats and mechanistic themes, this review examines small molecules that have been shown to improve bone regeneration in preclinical models, contrasting those of biological origin with synthetic and repurposed compounds. Across studies, these selected compounds promote osteoblast commitment, differentiation, and matrix mineralization via BMP/Smad signaling and Wnt/beta-catenin (β-catenin) activation, often through glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) inhibition or relief of pathway antagonism or Hedgehog (Hh) pathway stimulation. Beyond osteoinduction, several candidates address issues that commonly limit repair, including angiogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammatory tone, osteoimmune regulation, and suppression of osteoclast-mediated resorption. Direct head-to-head comparisons are rare across both classes and reporting heterogeneity complicates interpretation. Key translational gaps include limited cytotoxicity and immunologic profiling, dose and release optimization, durability of benefit, and insufficient evaluation of rational combinations. More rigorous in vivo studies, including larger animal models and standardized outcome metrics, are needed to prioritize promising candidates and guide clinical development. Full article

Although immunotherapy has shown great promise in treating various types of cancer, advanced tumors are often refractory due to a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). We previously engineered a cancer therapeutic vaccine platform, µGCVax, by co-loading tumor antigen peptides, STING and TLR9 agonists into porous silicon microparticles. While effective in models with lower disease burden, its efficacy against advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) was less promising due to the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in TMEs. In this study, we investigated whether µGCVax-based immunotherapy in advanced CRCs could be potentiated via regulating MDSCs to reprogram the TME. In an advanced CT26 murine CRC model, we assessed µGCVax in combination with oxaliplatin, a standard CRC chemotherapeutic with established immunomodulatory effects. We demonstrated that oxaliplatin was preferentially taken up by monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) and effectively reduced their abundance in the bone marrow, blood, spleen, and tumor. Relief of this immunosuppressive TME increased intratumoral infiltration of antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells. Ultimately, the combination of oxaliplatin with µGCVax induced robust regression of established CRC tumors. These findings highlight that oxaliplatin synergizes with µGCVax by overcoming MDSC-mediated immunosuppression and enhancing antitumor immunity, representing a promising chemo-immunotherapy strategy for advanced CRC. Full article

High-resolution soil depth maps are valuable for environmental modelling, yet reliable data remains scarce in the tropics. This study evaluates the feasibility of mapping depth to bedrock (DTB) in Sri Lanka using a legacy dataset (n = 88) and global environmental covariates (n = 247). A robust machine learning workflow was employed—including feature selection, hyperparameter tuning, and a stacked ensemble of four algorithms (Random Forest, XGBoost, Cubist, SVM)—to test the limits of global data for local mapping. Despite rigorous optimization, the final ensemble model achieved a performance of R² = 0.197 (RMSE = 35.4 cm) under spatial cross-validation. While still modest, this result significantly outperforms existing global products and quantifies the “prediction gap” inherent in using ~1 km resolution global covariates to model micro-scale soil variability. An initial exploration involved log-transforming the target variable; however, following rigorous testing, the untransformed depth was modelled directly to avoid bias in back-transformation. A robustness experiment was further conducted, reducing predictors from 24 to 12, which degraded performance, confirming that the model captures complex, physically meaningful climatic interactions rather than fitting noise. The study concludes that while global covariates can capture regional meso-scale trends (explaining ~20% of variance), they are insufficient for resolving local micro-relief (<50 m). The resulting map and uncertainty products provide a critical “baseline” for national planning, but effectively demonstrate that future improvements will require investment in higher-resolution local covariates (e.g., LiDAR) rather than more complex algorithms. Full article

Archaeological reports show that about 70% of Han dynasty pictorial stone sites feature historical figures, revealing a significant yet understudied aspect of tomb ritual practice (muji yishi). This study examines how these depictions may reflect ritual characteristics and their relationship to temple ritual practice (miaoji yishi). From the Qin to Han period (221 BCE–220 CE), tomb and temple rituals increasingly converged; temple rituals were sometimes performed by tombs, and the imagery incorporated cosmological models alongside representations of daily life, including clothing, diet, dwellings, and mobility. The historical figures depicted can be grouped into three categories: emperors and sages, loyal ministers and righteous heroes, and filial sons and chaste women. These figures were closely associated with ideals of transcendence and immortality, suggesting a ritual framework that connected temple and tomb practices, with emperors and sages appearing most frequently, accounting for about 80% of the depictions. Notably, these images occur predominantly in commoners’ tombs (approximately 95%), where fewer social restrictions may have allowed greater creative freedom. While research on tomb ritual practices has traditionally relied on textual sources, the present study emphasizes archaeological evidence, offering an analytical perspective on the relationship between temple and tomb rituals in Han funeral art and highlighting their potential role in shaping Han ritual logic and religious expression. Full article

Scorpion neurotoxins are small peptides that target ion channels and offer opportunities for novel therapeutic discovery. This study analyzed the functional effects of the venom and toxins from the Costa Rican endemic scorpion, Tityus championi. Initially, crude venom was tested on different isoforms of voltage-gated sodium channels. Our findings revealed that the venom contains toxins that affect mammalian Na_V1.6 and Na_V1.7, as well as the cockroach BgNa_V1 channel. Increased currents through Na_V1.6 and BgNa_V1 channels were associated with bigger window currents and inhibition of inactivation. Decreased Na_V1.7 currents were associated with smaller conductance. Crude venom and TCh3 toxin inhibited action potential generation in invertebrate neurons expressing Na_V1.7-like channels. In these neurons, Tch2 and Tch4 toxins shifted voltage sensitivity to more negative potentials, ultimately widening the window current but decreasing channel availability. Conversely, Tch3 behaved as an inhibitory toxin, closing window currents and decreasing channel availability. Structural modeling showed that Tch3 adopts an αββ fold and binds the S3–S4 loop of Domain II in human Na_V1.7. These data show the diverse effects of scorpion venoms on channels and neurons, characterize its principal toxins, and show that Tch3 has therapeutic potential for pain relief. Full article

Background/Objectives: Objective, non-invasive biomarkers are needed to track anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft maturation and support individualized return-to-sport decisions. This study evaluated a single-session multiparametric quantitative MRI (qMRI) protocol for longitudinal assessment of ACL graft microstructural evolution and its association with patient-reported outcomes. Methods: Twenty-eight patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts underwent multiparametric qMRI (T1, T2*, R2*, and PD mapping) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The contralateral native ACL served as a within-subject control. IKDC, Lysholm, and VAS scores were recorded at each visit. Linear mixed-effects models were used to test longitudinal changes. Correlations of baseline-normalized changes between adjacent visits were used to evaluate imaging–clinical associations. Results: All qMRI parameters changed significantly over time (all p < 0.001). At 1 month, T1, PD, and T2* were lower and R2* higher than the contralateral native ACL (all p < 0.001). Thereafter, T1, PD, and T2* increased and R2* decreased, with most metrics approaching contralateral values by 3–6 months (all p < 0.05), and changes entered a plateau after 6 months (all p > 0.05). IKDC, Lysholm, and VAS improved over time (all p < 0.001), mainly before 6 months. Greater early T2* increases and R2* decreases (1–3 months) were associated with less pain relief and smaller Lysholm improvement (p < 0.05); no significant associations were observed from 6–12 months. Conclusions: Single-session multiparametric qMRI sensitively captures ACL graft maturation and highlights 3–6 months as a critical remodeling window, providing objective biomarkers to complement clinical assessment for individualized rehabilitation monitoring and return-to-sport timing. Full article

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies. While surgical decompression is widely considered the definitive treatment, conservative options remain clinically relevant, particularly for symptom relief and functional recovery in the short term. Objectives: To update the evidence comparing surgical versus non-surgical interventions for CTS, assessing pain, function, and clinical recovery. Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Data Sources and Methods: Six databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Neuromuscular Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP) were searched for RCTs published between November 2022 and January 2025. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0 and certainty of evidence with GRADE. Due to clinical heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed. Results: Four RCTs (n = 1158) were included. Corticosteroid injection and percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) appeared to provide faster symptom relief than surgery at short-term follow-up. However, surgery was associated with a higher probability of sustained recovery at 12–18 months (RR 1.36; 95% CI 1.19–1.56). Evidence for PENS was limited to one female-only trial, which restricts generalisability. Certainty of evidence was moderate for long-term outcomes and low for short-term results and safety. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that surgery may offer more durable long-term recovery, whereas corticosteroids and PENS may be useful for short-term symptom relief. These findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited number of trials and the risk of bias in most included studies. Treatment choice should align with patient goals and recovery timelines. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD420250650789). Full article

Deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs are characterized by high in situ stress, and the effective stress during CBM production is significant, leading to substantial damage to reservoir permeability. Studying the variation patterns of coal permeability during stress unloading is crucial for revealing the mechanisms by which CBM stimulation through slotting and cavity creation modifies in situ stress. To understand the permeability variations in fractured coal under stress changes, gas seepage experiments were conducted using seven deep coal samples obtained from the Linxing–Shenfu mining area in the Ordos Basin of North China. Through these experiments, permeability variations in coal under different confining, axial, and gas pressures were investigated, and their implications for permeability enhancement through hydraulic slotting in deep coal seams were analyzed. The results show that during loading, permeability decreases with increasing effective stress, and the rate of permeability damage increases. During unloading, the changes in coal permeability transition from slow to rapid, with the stress sensitivity coefficient increasing and the stress sensitivity becoming more pronounced. Regardless of the loading or unloading process, lower axial pressure leads to higher permeability, greater permeability recovery and damage rate, a larger stress sensitivity coefficient, and stronger stress sensitivity of the coal. For every 4 MPa decrease in the axial pressure, the permeability increases by approximately 0–10%, and the permeability recovery rate increases by about 6%. This is because the lower axial pressure reduces the effective stress acting on the coal matrix and fractures, thereby widening the flow channels and enhancing both the permeability and its recovery capacity. In addition, for every 0.3 MPa increase in the gas pressure, the permeability increases by approximately 10–50%, and the permeability recovery rate increases by about 20%. This indicates that elevating pore pressure effectively counteracts effective stress, expands fracture apertures, and promotes fracture connectivity. This work demonstrates that fractured coal is highly sensitive to stress and that stress relief plays a crucial role in enhancing the permeability of deep coal seams. Full article

Ixora chinensis Lam. has traditionally been used to treat conditions such as acne, high blood pressure, bleeding, tuberculosis, and rheumatism. This study aimed to investigate the methanolic extract of I. chinensis leaves to determine their bioactive compounds and evaluate their effects on both central and peripheral pain using in vivo and in silico approaches. The GC-MS analysis revealed 41 phytochemicals, including 14 phenolics, 4 esters, 12 terpenoids, 8 alkaloids, and 3 sulfur-containing compounds. In the glucose tolerance test, both the chloroform-soluble fraction (CF) and n-hexane fraction (NHF) exhibited p < 0.05 reductions in blood glucose levels at a dosage of 400 mg/kg with decreases of 51.94% and 46.63%, respectively, compared to the positive control (64.02%). The central analgesic evaluation showed significant (p < 0.001) enhancements in tail-flick latency for the fraction (184.94%) and CF (170.51%) following 90 min. In the pain relief assay, NHF showed inhibition (64.33%, p < 0.001) followed by an aqueous fraction (57.35%). These pharmacological findings were supported by in silico analysis. Concerning activity, 5-(dimethylamino)-1- acid phenyl ester (−8.9 kcal/mol) and 9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluoren-3-ol (−8.4 kcal/mol) displayed the strongest binding affinity to AMPK. Additionally, 2,3-diphenyl-2-cyclopropen-1-one exhibited favorable interactions with α-amylase (−8.0 kcal/mol) and α-glucosidase (−8.3 kcal/mol). Similarly, the central analgesic effect correlated with the strong μ-opioid receptor affinity of s-Triazine, 2-amino-4-(piperidinomethyl)-4-piperidino (−8.8 kcal/mol). N-Methyl-N-(4-toluenesulfonyl)-benzamide (−8.6 kcal/mol) and s-Triazine derivative (−8.9 kcal/mol) demonstrated notable COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition potential. Overall, the findings indicate I. chinensis leaves as a promising source of bioactive compounds with significant antihyperglycemic and analgesic properties. Full article

This paper examines the iconography of the Mother of God holding a book in Early Christian and Medieval art, focusing on representations in which a book or scroll functions as an attribute of the Virgin Mary. Particular attention is given to scenes depicting Mary in relation to the Christ Child, Christ Pantocrator, and the Magnificat. The study explores the symbolic significance of the book and scroll through the textual tradition of the Church Fathers. Adopting the methodological approach to the iconographical structure developed by André Grabar, the paper centers on three interconnected case studies. First, it offers a close re-examination of a Marian scene on the ivory relief of the Werden casket (9th c.) of which the meaning is hard to understand. Second, it analyzes the depiction of the Mother of God in the vault of the crypt of Epiphanius at San Vincenzo al Volturno (9th c.), with particular emphasis on motifs that associate the image with the theme of Mary’s Triumph. Finally, it considers a fresco of Mary and Christ enthroned from the Egyptian monastery of Deir al-Suryan (10th c.), treating these works as semantically and conceptually related. Through this comparative analysis, the paper advances several interpretations of the Magnificat as articulated in Early Christian visual culture and developed in later periods with the contribution of the Byzantine theology. Given the well-established influence of Early Christian art on both the Carolingian Renaissance in the West and the Byzantine East, the shared iconographical details identified here—both formal and conceptual—are understood as deriving from a common visual tradition rooted in Antiquity. Full article

This study investigates the acceptance of an AI-powered decision-support chatbot among professionals in a marketing and sales context, addressing a gap in technology acceptance research by examining data-intensive decision environments that remain underexplored. Building on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the study proposes an extended model incorporating Behavioral Intention, Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Output Quality, Time Saving, Source Trustworthiness, Cognitive Load, and Chatbot Self-Efficacy. An experimental study was conducted with 106 professionals using a chatbot-enhanced business analytics platform to complete marketing KPI analysis tasks. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results demonstrate that Behavioral Intention to use decision-support chatbots is significantly influenced by Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, and Social Influence. Performance Expectancy is strongly driven by Output Quality, Time Saving, and Source Trustworthiness, while Effort Expectancy is significantly shaped by reduced Cognitive Load and higher Chatbot Self-Efficacy. The findings suggest that chatbot acceptance in professional decision-making depends not only on usability and performance beliefs but also on cognitive relief, trust in information sources, and efficiency gains, highlighting important implications for both theory and the design of AI-based decision-support systems. Full article

During coal mining, parallel voids ahead of an advancing working face often trigger intense dynamic loading and structural instability, posing significant risks to operational safety. Using the 43,201 working face of the Shiyangou Coal Mine as a case study, this research investigates the mechanisms of surrounding rock instability and proposes an integrated synergistic control strategy. Based on voussoir beam theory, a mechanical model of the roof structure—incorporating the nonlinear coupling between the gangue and immediate roof—was developed to establish the critical thresholds for the rotational instability of key blocks. Analytical results indicate that the limit breaking distance for “Key Block B” in the main roof is 24.49 m, which defines the primary zone for advanced reinforcement and hazard prevention. Furthermore, applying short-arm beam theory, this study clarifies how pre-split roof cutting disrupts the transmission of advance abutment pressure, identifying 8° as the optimal cutting angle. Building on these insights, a multi-faceted control system was implemented, combining hydraulic fracturing for pressure relief, pumpable backfill pillars, and an artificial false roof (utilizing a suspended I-beam structure 1.2 m above the floor). Field monitoring confirms that this collaborative approach effectively stabilizes the surrounding rock, ensuring the safe and continuous passage of the working face through parallel void areas. Full article