Search Results (35,394)

The efficient recovery of coalbed methane (CBM) is critically constrained by the inherent low permeability of coal reservoirs, a challenge predominantly attributed to mineral blockages within the pore-fracture structure. In this study, the deashing efficacy of several acid solutions (HCl, HNO₃, HF, and CH₃COOH) on bituminous coals from the Yushuwan (YSW) and Jiangna (JN) mines was initially assessed to determine the optimal acidizing system. Subsequently, the multi-scale evolution of pore-fracture structures and the fractal characteristics of coal samples treated with the optimized acids were systematically investigated. A multi-analytical approach, integrating scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) with microcrystalline peak-fitting, and low-temperature nitrogen gas adsorption (LT-N₂GA), was employed to quantitatively elucidate the underlying transformation mechanisms. The experimental results indicate that HCl and HNO₃ emerged as the most effective agents for the YSW and JN coals, respectively. Optimized acidification achieved significant reductions in ash content (specifically, an ash removal efficiency of 83.99% for HCl-treated YSW coal) through the selective dissolution of carbonate and clay minerals, thereby facilitating the exposure of the organic matrix and the induction of extensive dissolution pits and secondary fractures. Although the dissolution-induced collapse of mineral-supported fine pores led to a reduction in both total pore volume and BET specific surface area, the average pore diameter undergoes a substantial increase (e.g., nearly doubling from 9.0068 nm to 16.5126 nm for the JN coal). Furthermore, the reduction in Frenkel–Halsey–Hill (FHH) fractal dimensions (D₁ and D₂) indicates a decrease in pore-surface complexity and structural heterogeneity. These findings reveal that optimized acidification induces significant alterations in pore structure and mineral composition. The treatment facilitates the conversion of isolated pores into interconnected networks, accompanied by an increase in pore volume and a shift in pore size distribution toward larger dimensions. This research elucidates the mechanisms of mineral dissolution and pore expansion, providing a fundamental characterization of the microstructural evolution of coal in response to acid treatment. Full article

In 2024 Kenya had a population of 4.78 million camels that contributed to the livelihoods of pastoralist communities in northern Kenya. Previous studies in Kenya, Saudi Arabia and eastern Africa demonstrated high seroprevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)-specific antibodies in dromedary camels, as well as sporadic transmission of MERS-CoV from camels to humans. Based on the MERS-CoV data and the very close contact between owners and their camels in northern Kenya, we speculated that camels may also transmit other zoonotic viruses, such as Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). In this study, 493 camel and 197 human sera were collected in Marsabit, Kenya, through a cross-sectional survey in 2018 and analyzed for the presence of RVFV IgG antibodies using a laboratory-developed indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Overall, 15.6% of camels and 7.6% of humans were RVFV IgG-positive; IgG-positive camels were predominantly females in large population herds and IgG-positive humans were engaged in farming-related activities and were greater than 18 years old. Of the eight location groups sampled, two had high camel (site 2 and site 6) and two had high human (site 5 and site 6) RVFV seropositivity rates. These data suggest that camelids, such as dromedary camels, may serve as amplifying hosts for vector-borne zoonotic diseases, such as RVFV, and that humans with frequent farming and camel meat, milk, or camel product contact may have increased risk for RVFV exposure or infection. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in cacao agroecosystems are characterized by accumulating large amounts. They depend on the balance between organic matter inputs (plant residues, roots) and losses (decomposition, erosion), being closely related to climatic conditions, soil nature, vegetation type, topography, and land management practices. The objective of this study was to quantify SOC stocks (0–30 cm) and assess key soil fertility indicators across 107 georeferenced sampling locations in cacao production systems of Guamal (Meta, Colombian Llanos Piedmont). Soil pH varies between extremely acidic and moderately acidic (3.8–6.0; mean 4.57), while available P (Bray II) and exchangeable bases showed low concentrations. Organic carbon concentration averaged 1.18% and bulk density averaged 1.17 g cm⁻³. SOC stocks averaged 41.10 Mg C ha⁻¹, ranging from 7.49 to 81.55 Mg C ha⁻¹, evidencing marked spatial contrasts in carbon storage. Spearman correlations highlighted coupled soil chemical controls, including positive associations of pH with Ca²⁺ and P availability and strong negative associations of pH and P with exchangeable Al³⁺, consistent with acidity-driven fertility constraints. Principal component analysis (PCA) further identified a dominant fertility gradient structured by pH, P availability, and Ca²⁺, and a second axis related to organic carbon and cation retention. Spatial modeling using inverse distance weighting (IDW) in ArcGIS supported the visualization of SOC stock variability across the study area. Overall, the results indicate that SOC stocks in these predominantly sandy soils are strongly influenced by acidity-related constraints and heterogeneous nutrient status, underscoring the need for site-specific management to jointly enhance soil fertility and climate-mitigation potential in cacao systems. Therefore, it would be advisable in the future to address the study of differential variations in soil C storage related to chemical fertilizer application rates, especially in the long term. Full article

Background: Human cysticercosis, caused by the larval stage (cysticerci) of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, is an important zoonotic disease. The disease is prevalent in developing countries where porcine cysticercosis is common and undercooked pork is habitually consumed. Objective: This study aimed to develop an immunochromatography-based test kit for the rapid diagnosis of human cysticercosis using low-molecular-weight antigens purified from cyst fluid of the T. solium Asian genotype to detect specific IgG antibodies in whole blood. The kit was designated as “the cysticercosis whole-blood test kit (iCys WB kit).” Methods: It was evaluated under laboratory conditions using 164 whole-blood samples, of which 21 were from confirmed cysticercosis cases. The results of the iCys WB kit, which detects anti-T. solium (cysticercus) antibodies in simulated whole blood samples, were compared with results from corresponding human serum samples. Results: When using both sample types, iCys WB kit demonstrated an accuracy of 98.8%, a sensitivity of 91.7%, a specificity of 100%, a positive likelihood ratio of 0, a negative likelihood ratio of 0.083, and an ROC area of 0.96. The agreement between results obtained from simulated whole-blood and serum samples showed perfect concordance. Conclusions: The iCys WB kit is a valuable easy-to-handle diagnostic tool and may be applicable for supporting clinical diagnosis at the point of care. Full article

Due to long-term burial underground, oil and gas pipelines are susceptible to external surface corrosion influenced by time and soil conditions, which can lead to leakage and burst failures. Pipeline failure not only results in significant economic losses but also has catastrophic impacts on human safety and the environment. Therefore, modeling and analyzing the corrosion failure of these pipelines is of critical practical importance to ensure their safe operation during service. Addressing the insufficient research on correlation effects in current reliability evaluations of corroded pipelines, this paper proposes a calculation method for the failure probability of corroded oil and gas pipelines that considers the influence of two-layer correlations. Taking a specific segment of the Shaanxi–Beijing pipeline as a case study, the Monte Carlo sampling algorithm is employed to calculate the impact of two-layer correlations and the quantity of defect on the pipeline’s failure probability. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the correlation coefficients is conducted. The results indicate that the influence of defect correlation on pipeline failure probability is significantly more pronounced than that of random variable correlation. The probabilities of pinhole leakage and burst failure decrease as the correlation coefficient between defects increases, while they increase with the number of defects. Random variable correlation exhibits no impact on pinhole leakage probability; however, the burst failure probability decreases with an increasing correlation coefficient between wall thickness and pipe diameter, but increases as the correlation between initial defect length and depth grows. Furthermore, the correlation coefficient between axial and radial defect growth rates exerts a bidirectional effect on burst failure probability: during the first 25 years of the prediction period, the failure probability increases with the correlation coefficient, whereas it subsequently decreases after approximately 25 years. These findings are applicable to the reliability evaluation of oil and gas pipelines containing multiple corrosion defects, providing valuable technical references for ensuring safe operation and the steady supply of energy resources. Full article

Digital transformation is increasingly reshaping how tourism destinations enhance service quality and strengthen competitive positioning, particularly in developing economies characterized by heterogeneous digital maturity and structural constraints. This study develops and empirically tests a conceptual model examining the relationship between destination digital transformation, tourism supply quality, and destination competitiveness, with a specific focus on the mediating role of quality-oriented tourism supply. Survey data were collected from 242 tourism stakeholders and analyzed using hierarchical regression and bootstrapped mediation analysis (PROCESS Model 4, 5000 samples). The results show that digital transformation has a significant positive total effect on destination competitiveness (β = 0.48, p < 0.001), explaining 56% of the variance in competitiveness (R² = 0.56). However, a substantial portion of this effect is transmitted indirectly through tourism supply quality. The mediation analysis confirms a statistically significant partial mediation effect, with approximately 41% of the total effect operating through quality-oriented mechanisms. The findings demonstrate that digital transformation enhances competitiveness primarily when embedded within structured quality management, online reputation management, and smart governance practices, rather than through technological adoption alone. The study contributes to the literature by integrating digital transformation and tourism supply quality into a unified competitiveness framework tailored to developing economy contexts and provides practical guidance for policymakers and destination managers seeking inclusive and sustainable growth through quality-oriented digital strategies. Full article

In response to the shortcomings still observed in polyethylene (PE)/ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)/styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) composite modified bitumen regarding storage stratification and low-temperature performance, this paper further introduces furfural extract, elemental sulphur, stabilisers and Z-6036 into this ternary system, and employs orthogonal design to screen the additive ratios. Tests were conducted on conventional physical properties, rotational viscosity, dynamic shear rheology and bending beam rheology, focusing on the material’s temperature sensitivity, rheological behaviour, low-temperature creep resistance and phase characteristics. The modification effects were analysed using fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Compared with the control group composed of 4% PE, 4% EVA and 2% SBS, the samples obtained from the orthogonal design showed an increase in elongation at 5 °C ranging from 52.5% to 213.9%; the difference in softening points decreased from 35.2 °C to a minimum of 0.1 °C, indicating improved storage stability. The temperature sensitivity of all sample groups was reduced, with the optimal group achieving a VTS of −0.4413, representing a 46.7% improvement over the control group. At −12 °C, the m-values of all nine orthogonal samples were higher than those of the control group, with seven groups reaching m ≥ 0.3, indicating improved low-temperature stress relaxation capability. A comprehensive analysis of the experimental results indicates that the selected chemical additives are beneficial for optimising the dispersion state and compatibility of the SBS/PE/EVA ternary modified bitumen, whilst also balancing rheological properties and low-temperature crack resistance to a certain extent. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses further suggest that internal interactions within the system have been enhanced and the phase distribution has become more uniform; however, the current evidence is insufficient to conclusively determine that a specific form of chemical cross-linking reaction has occurred. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rise in healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units, has resulted in increased rates of morbidity and mortality, escalating costs, and has become a significant public health concern. In our Intensive Care Unit, we address healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, with a specific focus on those listed in the WHO 2024 List of Critically and Highly Prioritized Pathogens. Methods: Over the course of 1 year, from 1 January to 31 December 2024, we monitored the prevalence of healthcare-associated infections in the Intensive Care Unit of the Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Romania, and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria. Results: The majority of infections were caused by pathogens in the ESKAPEE group. The most frequently isolated microorganism was Klebsiella pneumoniae (36.8%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (24.5%), classified as a critical priority by the WHO in 2024. Most positive samples for critical priority pathogens, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, as well as all MRSA strains (high priority), were obtained from tracheal aspirates collected from intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. A significant proportion of the isolated bacteria were multidrug-resistant, including extensively drug-resistant and pan-drug-resistant strains. Conclusions: The increase in antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance among hospital strains raises serious concerns about limited treatment options. Full article

Architectural heritage plays a central role in shaping visitors’ emotional experiences within cultural tourism contexts. However, empirical research examining how specific architectural styles evoke emotional responses remains limited, particularly when using objective measurement techniques. This study investigates emotional reactions to architectural heritage by applying the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) theoretical framework. In this model, architectural styles act as environmental stimuli, emotional processing represents the organismic state, and the resulting emotional activation constitutes the response. An experimental protocol was conducted with a sample of 645 participants exposed to a series of standardized architectural heritage images representing different architectural styles and infrastructure types. Emotional reactions were captured in real time through facial emotion recognition technology, enabling the objective measurement of eight basic emotions: neutral, happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger, and contempt. The collected emotional data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify significant differences in emotional responses across architectural styles, heritage typologies, and gender. When significant differences were detected, Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests were applied to determine specific group contrasts. The findings reveal that different architectural styles generate distinct emotional patterns, highlighting the role of architectural aesthetics as a powerful mediator of affective engagement with heritage environments. From a theoretical perspective, this research contributes to heritage tourism and environmental psychology by integrating the SOR framework with real-time emotion detection technologies, providing a novel methodological approach for analyzing emotional responses to architectural heritage. Full article

The security of biometric data is a critical challenge in modern information security due to their uniqueness and non-revocability. Compromise of biometric characteristics leads to irreversible consequences; therefore, storing or transmitting them in plaintext is unacceptable. This paper addresses the confidentiality and integrity of fingerprint data using cryptographic protection methods. Considering the specific nature of biometrics, fingerprint features are used only to generate a cryptographic secret rather than being stored directly. To protect the derived secret, a modified threshold secret-sharing scheme based on non-positional polynomial notation and the Chinese Remainder Theorem is proposed. The method generates a cryptographic secret from fingerprint minutiae described by spatial coordinates and ridge orientation. Concatenating minutiae coordinates and converting them into binary form produces a unique value deterministically linked to a specific user. Compared to the classical Shamir scheme, the modified scheme reduces the computational complexity of secret reconstruction from O($n {log}^{2}n$) to O(k log k), decreases data storage requirements by 30–40% through compact polynomial remainders, and increases successful secret reconstruction by 12–15% in the presence of noise in biometric samples. The results show that the proposed algorithm can be effectively applied in biometric authentication systems to protect personal data in distributed environments. Security analysis confirms resistance to major attack classes and demonstrates practical applicability in real-world systems. Full article

Soil physicochemical and biochemical properties are fundamental to soil processes and ecosystem functioning in forest environments, yet their responses to dominant tree species in humid montane regions remain largely ununderstood. This study examined the effects of three widespread broadleaf species—Quercus pontica, Quercus petraea, and Fagus orientalis—on soil physical, chemical, and biochemical properties in natural forests in the Eastern Black Sea region, where these species play key ecological roles in structuring forest composition and biogeochemical processes. A total of 15 soil samples (5 per forest type) were collected under comparable climatic and geological conditions and analyzed for particle-size distribution, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon, and key microbial activity indicators. Significant differences in soil properties were detected among forest types. Soils under Q. pontica were characterized by the lowest silt content and pH, but the highest sand content, soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon (C_mic), and microbial respiration. In contrast, soils under Q. petraea exhibited the highest clay content and pH, whereas F. orientalis soils showed lower sand content, EC, soil organic carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen (N_mic), and basal respiration. Multivariate analyses revealed that soil texture, pH, and C_mic are key factors driving soil differentiation across forest types. These patterns indicate that species-specific litter inputs and belowground processes regulate soil biochemical functioning by altering resource availability and habitat conditions. Crucially, this study sheds light on the soil-forming responses of these ecologically dominant species and their impacts on carbon cycle pathways and microbial dynamics at the regional scale. Overall, the study shows that tree species identity is a critical factor influencing soil function, with significant consequences for forest management, carbon sequestration strategies, and ecosystem resilience to changing environmental conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Several methods have been proposed to assess lower limb-length discrepancies; however, none have demonstrated sufficient reliability and validity for diagnosing anatomical discrepancies (DA). Objectives: This study primarily aims to evaluate the accuracy of two traditional tests—the Modified Iliac Crests Palpation and Pelvimeter with Blocks test (ICPBL) and plantar pressure analysis—by comparing them with the gold standard telemetry (TE) method for diagnosing DA. The secondary objective is to assess the intra-rater reliability of these two tests and determine their potential applicability in clinical settings. Methods: Thirty subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 were enrolled in the present prospective, cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy pilot study; thirteen with a positive TE for DA of more than 3 mm were classified into the group with the condition DA, and 17 were classified into the group without the condition DA. Pelvic tilting and plantar pressures were evaluated. Results: The TE revealed a difference of 8.09 ± 3.24 mm between the short and long limbs, while subjects without DA had only a 0.41 mm difference (p < 0.001). Similarly, the Modified ICPBL test showed a 4.38 ± 2.10 mm difference in subjects with DA, compared to 0.51 ± 0.53 mm in those without DA (p < 0.001). Additionally, plantar pressure measurements supported these findings, with a difference of 5.17 ± 3.28 kg/cm² between the short and long limbs in subjects with DA, versus 2.28 ± 1.77 kg/cm² in subjects without DA (p < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.783 (95% CI: 0.456–0.877) for plantar pressures and 1.000 (95% CI: 0.742–0.942) for the Modified ICPBL test. Conclusions: The Modified ICPBL and plantar pressure tests demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy within the sample studied, suggesting they are useful tools for supporting the diagnosis of DA. In this pilot study, the Modified ICPBL showed very high discriminative ability, while plantar pressure testing demonstrated moderate sensitivity. Both methods may serve as preliminary practical alternatives to telemetry TE, potentially reducing X-ray exposure; however, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size and the specific clinical setting of this study. Full article

Background: While human cranial sutures are well-established indicators for age-at-death estimation in forensic anthropology, facial sutures remain an underutilized resource despite their critical role in facial growth and development. Macroscopic examination of craniofacial suture closure patterns reflects physiological aging processes and can provide valuable information at crime scenes. This study aimed to address the gap of knowledge by quantitatively evaluating the efficacy of facial suture closure patterns for age estimation. Methods: A sample consisting of 296 Thai skulls was analyzed to assess facial suture closure based on anatomical morphology. The sutures were evaluated using various established classification systems to determine the most effective method for predicting age ranges. To ensure consistency and reliability, the evaluations were conducted by three independent raters. Results: The assessment demonstrated good Intraclass Correlation (ICC = 0.755, df = 14, p < 0.05). Among the classification methods tested, the Modified Meindl and Lovejoy Scoring System yielded the highest sensitivity, ranging from 90.9% to 100% in males and 75.4% to 96.1% in females. Specifically, the zygomaticomaxillary suture showed the highest sensitivity in males, whereas the frontonasal and sphenozygomatic sutures were the most sensitive indicators in females. Utilizing the total sum score (TSS), the following sex-specific linear regression formulas for age-at-death were generated: (Males: Age-at-death = 1.7625(TSS) − 17.094. Females: Age-at-death = 1.7325(TSS) − 12.865). Conclusions: Facial sutures exhibit distinct, sex-specific closure patterns that serve as robust and reliable indicators for estimating age, with higher sensitivity generally observed in males. The utility of this novel method is heavily dependent on the scoring system employed, highlighting the critical importance of utilizing modified, sex-specific analyses. While these population-specific models tailored to the Thai demographic effectively refine age estimation outcomes, integrating this methodology with broader biological profiling remains essential for high-confidence forensic identification. Full article

Background: Severe burn injuries are associated with prolonged consequent wound healing, substantial symptoms burden, and delayed, sometimes incomplete, functional recovery. Photobiomodulation using Multiwave Locked System (MLS) LASER therapy has been proposed as an adjunctive intervention to support tissue repair and thereby improve rehabilitation outcomes, but related clinical evidence in burn populations remains limited. Materials and Methods: This comparative study included 65 patients with severe burn injuries, of whom 35 were prospectively treated with adjunctive MLS LASER therapy, in addition to standard care, and 30 retrospectively identified patients, who received standard care alone, served as controls. The primary outcome was the time until complete epithelialization, while secondary outcomes included: reduction in wound surface, pain intensity, pruritus severity, scar quality, and functional improvements. Assessments were performed at baseline and after a standardized follow-up period of up to 20 days. Results: Patients treated with MLS LASER therapy achieved complete epithelialization significantly earlier than controls (median 40 vs. 73 days, p < 0.001) and demonstrated greater wound area reduction (median 434 vs. 137 cm², p = 0.0012). In multivariable analyses adjusted for burn extent, burn depth, age, and diabetes mellitus, considered as factors worsening evolution, MLS LASER therapy remained independently associated with shorter time to epithelialization and greater reduction in wound dimension. Significant improvements favoring the MLS group were also observed regarding pain, pruritus, scar quality, and functional outcomes, all assessed using specific evaluation tools (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Adjunctive MLS LASER therapy appears to be associated with improved wound healing dynamics and enhanced rehabilitation outcomes in patients with severe burn injuries. These findings should be interpreted with caution given the study limitations, including the non-randomized design and relatively small sample size. MLS LASER therapy may represent a promising adjunctive option in the conservative management of burn injuries; however, further prospective randomized studies are required to confirm these results and to define optimal treatment protocols. Full article

Selective protein terminal labeling has become essential for system-wide studies of proteolytic mechanisms in disease. These methods enable precise tracking of cleavage dynamics, protease interactions, and cellular networks, offering transformative potential for proteolytic event analysis. This review explores recent advances in N-/C-terminal modification strategies, specifically for the applications in terminomics—the field focused on protein termini characterization. While protein termini provide valuable insights into functional proteome states, their low abundance in complex samples demands highly selective labeling approaches. We evaluate modern chemical and chemoenzymatic methods that leverage engineered chemical reactivity thresholds or enzymatic precision for site-specific modifications. Emerging strategies show enhanced substrate adaptability, reaction efficiency, and workflow compatibility, enabling broader applications in terminome studies. Full article