Search Results (541)

This study predicts sedimentary architectures and facies distribution within the Pliocene prograding prism of the Roussillon Basin (Gulf of Lion, France), developed along an onshore–offshore continuum. Boreholes and outcrops provide facies-scale observations onshore, while seismic data capture basin-scale structures offshore. Forward seismic modeling bridges spatial and scale gaps between these datasets, yielding characteristic synthetic seismic signatures for the sedimentary facies associations observed onshore, used as analogs for offshore deposits. These signatures are then identified in offshore seismic data, allowing seismic profiles to be populated with sedimentary facies without a well tie. Predicted offshore architectures are consistent with shoreline trajectories and facies successions observed onshore. The Roussillon prism records passive margin reconstruction in the Mediterranean Basin following the Messinian Salinity Crisis, through the following three successive depositional profiles marking the onset of infilling: (1) Gilbert deltas, (2) wave- and storm-reworked fan deltas, and (3) a wave-dominated delta. Offshore, transitions in clinoform type modify sedimentary architectures, influenced by inherited Messinian paleotopography. This autogenic control generates spatial variability in accommodation, driving changes in depositional style. Overall, this multi-scale and integrative approach provides a robust framework for predicting offshore sedimentary architectures and can be applied to other deltaic settings with limited land–sea data continuity. Full article

The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters—such as floods, storms, droughts, and earthquakes—have created a growing demand for temporary housing. These facilities must be rapidly deployed to provide safe, functional living environments for displaced individuals. This study proposes a design methodology for temporary housing exteriors using the text-to-image capabilities of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to address urgent post-disaster housing needs. The approach aims to improve both the efficiency and practicality of early-stage design processes. The study reviews global trends in temporary housing and the architectural applications of GenAI, identifying five key environmental factors that influence design: type of disaster, location and climate, duration of residence, materials and structure, and housing design. Based on these factors, hypothetical disaster scenarios were developed using ChatGPT, and corresponding exterior designs were generated using Stable Diffusion. The results show that diverse, scenario-specific design alternatives can be effectively produced using GenAI, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool in architectural planning for disaster response. Expert evaluation of the generated designs confirmed their ability to adhere to text prompts but revealed a significant gap in terms of architectural plausibility and practical feasibility, highlighting the essential role of expert oversight. This study offers a foundation for expanding GenAI applications in emergency housing systems and supports the development of faster, more adaptable design solutions for communities affected by natural disasters. Full article

The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between hailstorm and hail intensity and describe their spatial distribution over the cultivation area of Central Macedonia, as captured by weather radar and hailpad data during six hail suppression seasons in 2019–2024. Storm radar characteristics can, to some extent, predict the hail size recorded, with an apparent discrimination on radar parameters among different observed hail sizes. Multicell hailstorms are the most common hailstorm types observed, and they mostly impact the west and northwest part, while supercells, although rare, are the most destructive to the eastern part of the area. Full article

Immune dysregulation presents a significant clinical challenge due to its rapid progression and complex interplay between hyperinflammatory and immunosuppressive responses. Different responses from the innate and adaptive immune systems can result in diseases such as immunoparalysis, cytokine storms, and secondary infections. Current diagnostic methods remain non-specific and time-consuming, delaying targeted interventions. A compartmentalized approach to immune monitoring, distinguishing innate and acquired immune response functional differentiation, is essential for distinguishing between hyperactivation and suppression. Key biomarkers, including cytokines, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF), and CD4/CD8 counts, as well as Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PDL-1) and V-type immunoglobulin domain-containing suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) regulators, can guide personalized treatment strategies. Although they need more clinical validation, novel therapeutic methods such as cytokine inhibitors, immunological stimulants, and immunomodulators have demonstrated promise. Early diagnosis and precision medicine developments could lead to better patient outcomes. Advances in non-coding RNAs have led to specific diagnostic panels based on microRNA (MiRNA) levels. A deeper understanding of immune imbalance in sepsis is critical for optimizing treatment and reducing mortality rates. This review highlights emerging diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to address the multifaceted nature of sepsis-related immune dysregulation. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous and persistent contaminants of the marine environment, but a clear understanding of their cycling, fate, and impacts in coastal zones is lacking. In this study, large MPs (1–5 mm) were sampled spatially and temporally from the strandline of a macrotidal, sandy beach (Polzeath) in southwest England. MPs encompassing a diversity of sources were categorised by morphology (foams, nurdles, biobeads, fragments, fibres, films) and quantified by number and mass, with a selection analysed for polymer type. A total of about 17,600 particles of around 350 g in mass were retrieved from 30 samples over a period of five months, with an abundance ranging from 35 and 2048 per m². The space- and time-integrated average mass of MPs on the beach strandline was about 2 kg and was dominated (>90%) by fragments, nurdles, and biobeads of polyethylene or polypropylene construction. Nurdles, biobeads, fragments, and, to a lesser extent, fibres were correlated with strandline seaweed abundance, which itself was correlated with previous storm activity. Relationships with seaweed abundance were also supported by visible associations of these MP morphologies with macroalgal deposits through entanglement and adhesion. These observations, coupled with a lack of MPs below the sand’s surface (50 cm depth), suggest that the majority of MPs are transported from an offshore stock with floating organic debris, resulting in a transitory strandline repository and a habitat enriched with small plastics. Full article

Coastal vegetated ecosystems, including tidal marshes, vegetated dunes, and shrub- and forest-dominated wetlands, can mitigate hurricane impacts such as coastal flooding and erosion by increasing surface roughness and reducing wave energy. Land cover maps can be used as input to improve simulations of surface roughness in advanced hydro-morphological models. Consequently, there is a need for efficient tools to develop up-to-date land cover maps that include the accurate distribution of vegetation types prior to an extreme storm. In response, we developed the RUSH tool (Rapid remote sensing Updates of land cover for Storm and Hurricane forecast models). RUSH delivers high-resolution maps of coastal vegetation for near-real-time or historical conditions via a Jupyter Notebook application and a graphical user interface (GUI). The application generates 3 m spatial resolution land cover maps with classes relevant to coastal settings, especially along mainland beaches, headlands, and barrier islands, as follows: (1) open water; (2) emergent wetlands; (3) dune grass; (4) woody wetlands; and (5) bare ground. These maps are developed by applying one of two seasonal random-forest machine learning models to Planet Labs SuperDove multispectral imagery. Cool Season and Warm Season Models were trained on 665 and 594 reference points, respectively, located across study regions in the North Carolina Outer Banks, the Mississippi Delta in Louisiana, and a portion of the Florida Gulf Coast near Apalachicola. Cool Season and Warm Season Models were tested with 666 and 595 independent points, with an overall accuracy of 93% and 94%, respectively. The Jupyter Notebook application provides users with a flexible platform for customization for advanced users, whereas the GUI, designed with user-experience feedback, provides non-experts access to remote sensing capabilities. This application can also be used for long-term coastal geomorphic and ecosystem change assessments. Full article

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed tumor type and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Despite recent improvements in the clinical management of CRC patients both before and after surgery, disease recurrence remains common, with an incidence of about 20–30% within 5 years. Current tissue biopsy techniques are invasive and inadequate for assessing tumor heterogeneity or capturing real-time disease dynamics. In contrast, liquid biopsy offers a promising, minimally invasive alternative. This study aimed to evaluate extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated protein markers, detected through super-resolution microscopy, as potential indicators of recurrence in CRC patients. Methods: We employed a novel liquid biopsy approach based on the super-resolution imaging (dSTORM) of specific protein markers carried by EVs isolated from the plasma of CRC patients. We analyzed combinations of both surface and intravesicular proteins, including EpCAM, PD-L1, CD81, IL-6, and Cyclin D1. Results: Specific combinations of EV-associated markers were able to distinguish patients with recurrence from those without residual disease. Additionally, we observed correlations between some marker profiles and tumor stage or lymph node involvement. No association was found with mismatch repair system status. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to propose the use of EV-bound proteins for recurrence detection in CRC using super-resolution microscopy within a liquid biopsy framework. These findings support the potential of this approach as a non-invasive tool for CRC monitoring. Full article

This study investigates the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the Tamarix chinensis forest ecosystem in Changyi National Marine Ecological Special Reserve, China. Five sampling routes and 32 sampling points were established; 293 soil samples were collected every 10 cm from the surface downwards. GIS spatial analysis techniques were employed to analyze the overall, horizontal, and vertical distribution characteristics of SOC within the 0–100 cm depth range. The results show that SOC content in the reserve ranges from 1.0 to 10.0 gC/kg, with an average of 2.5–8.2 gC/kg. High-SOC zones are in the southwest, where human disturbance is minimal and vegetation is dense, whereas low-SOC areas are in the west, and the north suffers from frequent tides and salinization. Horizontally, the surface SOC (0–10 cm) increased from 2.30 gC/kg in the east to 9.15 gC/kg in the western tidal flat. Vertically, six profile types were identified; the fluctuating type dominated (74.07%). Eight ecological zones were delineated based on land cover and function: the Tamarix core area exhibited surface aggregation with a depth-wise decline; the ecological restoration zone showed a mid-depth peak; and the moisture-proof dam zone displayed a “shallow-rise–deep-drop” pattern. Storm surges, moisture-proof dams, ecological zoning, and restoration projects were key drivers of SOC distribution. Full article

The negative consequences of climate change—such as heatwaves, storms, and floods—together with emerging threats including war, radiation, and pandemics, are increasingly affecting human health, ecosystems, economic stability, and the overall living environment. Consequently, enhancing preparedness has become a key task in shaping the spatial structure of cities. However, despite the growing negative impact and increasing frequency of climate change consequences, along with the prevailing risk of other threats, Lithuania is still not adequately prepared. The article examines the urban environment of Lithuanian cities and its local climatic assessment, aiming to develop proposals to enhance the sustainability and resilience of this environment in addressing the negative consequences of these threats. Three main climatic regions of the country were selected for the research, represented by cities: Klaipėda, Kaunas, and Vilnius. Urban and local climatic research was carried out in the selected cities to assess their spatial structure and environment and identify for microclimatic research the unified morphostructure types commonly used in the country. Accordingly, to selected morphotypes, correlations of the relationship between development density, building height, and the area of impervious surfaces with air and surface temperatures were carried. The most favourable microclimatic conditions were identified in morphotypes characterised by lower development density, more abundant green spaces, and a more open development pattern. Such characteristics of urban morphostructures, considering additional factors of land use such as land saving and the efficient functioning of the city, form the basis for developing the spatial structure of sustainable urban residential areas. Full article

Urban flooding and the management of stormwater present significant challenges that necessitate innovative and sustainable solutions. This research examines the effectiveness of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) for resilient storm sewer systems using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), based on customized local climate scenarios. Daily climate data downscaled by four CMIP6 models—CESM2, GFDL-CM4, GFDL-ESM4, and NorESM2-MM—was used. The daily data was disaggregated into 15 min temporal resolution using the HyetosMinute R-package. Two GSI types—bio-retention and rain gardens—were evaluated with a maximum coverage of 30%. The analysis focuses on two future climate scenarios, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, predicted under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) framework. The performance of the stormwater network was assessed for mid-century (2041–2060) and late century (2081–2100), both before and after integration of GSI. Three performance metrics were applied: node flooding volume, number of nodes flooded, and pipe surcharging duration. The simulation results showed an average reduction in flooding volumes ranging between 86 and 98% over the area after integration of GSI. Similarly, reductions ranging between 78 and 89% and between 75 and 90% were observed in pipe surcharging duration and number of nodes vulnerable to flooding, respectively, following GSI. These findings underscore the potential of GSI in fostering sustainable urban water management and enhancement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Full article

The relationship between concentration and discharge (C/Q) is widely studied to understand the behavior of solute transport in complex natural media during storm events. The causes of C/Q hysteresis are due to the delay between the signals of C and Q at a given observation point. Many indices are used to characterize the C/Q hysteresis curve, like the hysteresis index (HI) and the flushing index (FI). The limitation of relating C/Q hysteresis relationships or indices to storm event parameters is because, in real-world situations, we ignore and do not control storm event parameters. This paper is the first attempt to study the variability of C/Q relationships under a well-known storm event on a controlled experimental channel. We tested nine scenarios where the storm event consisted of a triangular input signal with a constant peak and a variable duration. The main parameter of this study is the storm event duration. We calculated known indices, like the hysteresis index (HI) and the flushing index (FI), and we introduced the following two new indices: the saturation index (SI) and the bisector index (BI). Then we related all calculated indices to the storm duration parameter. The importance of our study is that it presents, for the first time, a quantitative description of how the magnitude of the hysteresis indices varies with the storm duration parameter. We found that the most popular HI index does not follow a monotonic behavior for increasing storm duration. Conversely, the FI index and the two newly introduced indices (SI and BI) follow a monotonic behavior for increasing storm duration according to a Fermi-type function. The SI varies between 0.11 and 0.93, while the BI varies between 1 and 0.32 for an increasing storm event duration. Full article

Existing drainage systems have limited capacity to mitigate future climate change-induced flooding problems effectively. However, some studies have evaluated the effectiveness of integrating Water-Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) with existing drainage systems in mitigating flooding in tropical regions. This study examined the performance of drainage systems and integrated WSUD options under current and future climate scenarios in a sub-catchment of Saltwater Creek, a tropical catchment located in Cairns, Australia. A combination of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (1D2D) runoff generation and routing models (RORB, storm injector, and MIKE+) is used for simulating runoff and inundation. Several types of WSUDs are tested alongside different climate change scenarios to assess the impact of WSUD in flood mitigation. The results indicate that the existing grey infrastructure is insufficient to address the anticipated increase in precipitation intensity and the resulting flooding caused by climate change in the Engineers Park sub-catchment. Under future climate change scenarios, moderate rainfall events contribute to a 25% increase in peak flow (95% confidence interval = [1.5%, 0.8%]) and total runoff volume (95% confidence interval = [1.05%, 6.5%]), as per the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 in the 2090 scenario. Integrating WSUD with existing grey infrastructure positively contributed to reducing the flooded area by 18–54% under RCP 8.5 in 2090. However, the efficiency of these combined systems is governed by several factors such as rainfall characteristics, the climate change scenario, rain barrel and porous pavement systems, and the size and physical characteristics of the study area. In the tropics, the flooding problem is estimated to increase under future climatic conditions, and the integration of WSUD with grey infrastructure can play a positive role in reducing floods and their impacts. However, careful interpretation of results is required with an additional assessment clarifying how these systems perform in large catchments and their economic viability for extensive applications. Full article

This study investigates anomalous precipitation patterns in the Taihu Basin, located in the Yangtze River Delta of eastern China, using high-resolution daily data from 1960 to 2019. Leveraging a deep learning autoencoder and self-organizing map, three spatially distinct types are identified—north type (72%), south type (19.7%), and center type (8.3%). The north type exhibits a pronounced upward trend (+0.11 days/year, p < 0.05), indicating intensifying extreme rainfall under climate warming, while the south type displays a bimodal temporal structure, peaking in early summer and autumn. Composite analyses reveal that these patterns are closely associated with the westward extension of the Western North Pacific Subtropical High (WNPSH), meridional shifts of the East Asian Westerly Jet (EAJ), low-level moisture convergence, and SST–OLR anomalies. For instance, north-type events often coincide with strong anticyclonic anomalies and enhanced moisture transport from the Northwest Pacific and South China Sea, forming favorable convergence zones over the basin. For flood management in the Taihu Basin, the identified spatial patterns, particularly the bimodal south type, have clear implications. Their strong link to specific circulation features enables certain flood-prone scenarios to be anticipated 1–2 seasons in advance, supporting proactive measures such as reservoir scheduling. Overall, this classification framework deepens the understanding of atmospheric patterns associated with flood risk and provides practical guidance for storm design and adaptive flood risk management under a changing climate. Full article

The Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) aboard the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission provides valuable three-dimensional precipitation structure data on a global scale and has been widely used in hydrometeorological research. However, due to its spatial resolution limitations and inherent algorithmic assumptions, the accuracy of GPM precipitation estimates can exhibit systematic biases, especially under complex terrain conditions or in the presence of variable precipitation structures, such as light stratiform rain or intense convective storms. In this study, we evaluated the near-surface precipitation rate estimates from the GPM-DPR Level 2A product using over 1440 min of disdrometer observations collected across China from 2021 to 2023. Based on three years of stable stratiform precipitation data from the Jinghe station, we developed a least squares linear correction model for radar reflectivity. Independent validation using national disdrometer data from 2023 demonstrated that the corrected reflectivity significantly improved rainfall estimates under light precipitation conditions, although improvements were limited for convective events or in complex terrain. To further enhance retrieval accuracy, we introduced a regionally adaptive R–Z relationship scheme stratified by precipitation type and terrain category. Applying these localized relationships to the corrected reflectivity yielded more consistent rainfall estimates across diverse conditions, highlighting the importance of incorporating regional microphysical characteristics into satellite retrieval algorithms. The results indicate that the accuracy of GPM precipitation retrievals is more significantly influenced by precipitation type than by terrain complexity. Under stratiform precipitation conditions, the GPM-estimated precipitation data demonstrate the highest reliability. The correction framework proposed in this study is grounded on ground-based observations and integrates regional precipitation types with terrain characteristics. It effectively enhances the applicability of GPM-DPR products across diverse environmental conditions in China and offers a methodological reference for correcting satellite precipitation biases in other regions. Full article

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection, characterized by an initial hyperinflammatory phase frequently followed by compensatory immunosuppression (CARS). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical, biphasic role: inadequate suppression during early hyperinflammation fails to control cytokine storms, while excessive/persistent activity in late-phase immunosuppression drives immune paralysis and secondary infection susceptibility. This review explores advances in targeting Treg immunoregulation across bacterial, viral, and fungal sepsis, where pathogenic type critically influenced the types of immunoresponses, shaping Treg heterogeneity in terms of phenotype, survival, and function. Understanding this multifaceted Treg biology offers novel therapeutic avenues, highlighting the need to decipher functional heterogeneity and develop precisely timed, pathogen-tailored immunomodulation to safely harness beneficial Treg roles while mitigating detrimental immunosuppression. Full article