Search Results (6,915)

For mineral exploration, an increasing number of geophysical instruments have adopted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as their carrier platforms. The effective fusion of multi-modal geophysical information will be conducive to further enhancing the reliability of exploration results. However, the integration degree of UAVs and geophysical equipment is still low, and the advantages of UAVs as robots have not been fully exploited. In addition, the existing fusion methods are still difficult to use to establish the spatial distribution model of ore-bearing rock. Therefore, we reviewed the development status of UAVs and the geophysical instruments. We believe that only by integrating the system, designing the observation plan in accordance with the requirements of the fusion method, and treating the hardware part as an external extension of the algorithm, can high-matching data be provided for fusion. Subsequently, we analyzed the progress of the fusion methods, leading us to believe that the cross-dimensional and cross-abstract-level issues are major challenges in the algorithm aspect. Meanwhile, the fusion should be carried out simultaneously with the generation of the ore-bearing rock model, that is, to establish an integrated system of fusion and generation. It is hoped that this research can promote the development of UAV-borne multi-modal observation technology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Maternal overweight and obesity are critical factors increasing the risk of various pregnancy complications. Maternal obesity can lead to fetal macrosomia and a heightened risk of intrauterine death, with long-term implications for the child’s health. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of obesity and its impact on pregnancy outcomes in women who delivered by cesarean section at the University Hospital “St. George”, Plovdiv. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. The documentary method was used for gathering data. Records were randomly selected. The statistical methods used included mean values, confidence intervals (of mean), frequency, and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for normality of distribution. Data comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney test. Mean values of numerical variables were compared using the independent samples t-test. Results: In total, 46.36% of women in this study were affected by obesity to varying degrees, and the proportion of women who were overweight at the end of their pregnancy was 37.85%. In the studied cohort, 15.99% of women were affected by hypertensive complications. This significant prevalence of obesity highlights concerns regarding body weight among women of reproductive age. This study emphasized a strong correlation between maternal obesity, particularly severe obesity, and the occurrence of preeclampsia. Conclusions: In this study among women who delivered by cesarean section, a significant proportion of them were affected by overweight and obesity. Data for our country are insufficient, and a more in-depth study of this problem is needed. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of maternal obesity on the health of the mother and the newborn. Full article

Background: Treatment compliant with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) can promote more effective disease control. Single-inhaler triple therapy (SITT) is one method that is used to optimize therapy in this context, but TRIPLE therapy is still employed by physicians to a limited extent. Objective: This study aimed to describe the factors influencing challenges in optimizing asthma therapy. Methods: A 19-question survey, created via the CATI system, was distributed among pulmonologists, allergologists, general practitioners, and internal medicine specialists in Poland, Greece, Sweden, Slovenia, and Austria. Results: Statistically significant percentage differences in the use of TRIPLE therapy in the context of asthma management were observed among countries as well as between pulmonologists, allergists, and other specialists. Overuse of oral corticosteroids (OCSs) to treat nonsevere and severe asthma in the absence of an approach that focuses on optimizing inhalation therapy among asthma patients receiving TRIPLE therapy was observed in different countries as well as among physicians with different specialties. Twenty elements associated with the challenges involved in diagnosing and managing difficult-to-treat and severe asthma were identified. Six clinical categories for the optimization of asthma therapy via SITT were highlighted. The degree of therapeutic underestimation observed among severe asthma patients was assessed by comparing actual treatment with the recommendations of the GINA 2023 guidelines. Conclusions: Physicians of various specialties in Europe are subject to therapeutic inertia in terms of their compliance with the GINA 2023 guidelines. Full article

Freshwater surimi typically exhibits poor gel-forming capability and is prone to gel deterioration, limiting its applications in food products. This study successfully prepared silver carp surimi gels with improved gel strength and water-holding capacity (WHC) using carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CKGM) as a functional modifier. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of CKGM with different degrees of substitution (DS) on the gel properties of silver carp surimi was systematically investigated. Results demonstrated that DS significantly influenced gel strength, WHC, and microstructure. CKGM (DS = 0.21%) substantially enhanced the gel strength and WHC through strengthened hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen-bond networks. However, CKGM with a higher DS (0.41%) induced a steric hindrance effect, decreasing elastic modulus and WHC and resulting in a more porous gel network. Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed that CKGM facilitated the conformational transition of myofibrillar proteins from α-helix to β-sheet, thereby improving the density of the gel network. The study provides theoretical foundations and technical guidance for the quality improvement of surimi products. Full article

Urochloa brizantha (Brizantha) is cultivated under varying altitudinal and management conditions. Twelve full-sun (monoculture) plots and twelve shaded (silvopastoral) plots were established, proportionally distributed at 170, 503, 661, and 1110 masl. Evaluations were conducted 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days after establishment. The conservation and integration of trees in silvopastoral systems reflected a clear anthropogenic influence, evidenced by the preference for species of the Fabaceae family, likely due to their multipurpose nature. Although the altitudinal gradient did not show direct effects on soil properties, intermediate altitudes revealed a significant role of CaCO₃ in enhancing soil fertility. These edaphic conditions at mid-altitudes favored the leaf area development of Brizantha, particularly during the early growth stages, as indicated by significantly larger values (p < 0.05). However, at the harvest stage, no significant differences were observed in physiological or productive traits, nor in foliar chemical components, underscoring the species’ high hardiness and broad adaptation to both soil and altitude conditions. In Brizantha, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in stomatal size and density was observed under shade in silvopastoral areas, where solar radiation and air temperature decreased, while relative humidity increased. Nonetheless, these microclimatic variations did not lead to significant changes in foliar chemistry, growth variables, or biomass production, suggesting a high degree of adaptive plasticity to microclimatic fluctuations. Foliar ash content exhibited an increasing trend with altitude, indicating greater efficiency of Brizantha in absorbing calcium, phosphorus, and potassium at higher altitudes, possibly linked to more favorable edaphoclimatic conditions for nutrient uptake. Finally, forage quality declined with plant age, as evidenced by reductions in protein, ash, and In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD), alongside increases in fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF). These findings support the recommendation of cutting intervals between 30 and 45 days, during which Brizantha displays a more favorable nutritional profile, higher digestibility, and consequently, greater value for animal feeding. Full article

With the accelerating globalization and rapid development of science and technology, scientific collaboration has become a key driver of knowledge production, yet its patterns vary significantly across disciplines. This study aims to explore the disciplinary differences in scholars’ scientific collaboration patterns and their underlying mechanisms. Data were collected from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, covering papers from four disciplines: mathematics, mechanical engineering, philosophy, and sociology. Using social network analysis, we examined core network metrics (degree centrality, neighbor connectivity, clustering coefficient) in collaboration networks, analyzed collaboration patterns across scholars of different academic ages, and compared the academic age distribution of collaborators and network characteristics across career stages. Key findings include the following. (1) Mechanical engineering exhibits the highest and most stable clustering coefficient (mean 0.62) across all academic ages, reflecting tight team collaboration, with degree centrality increasing fastest with academic age (3.2 times higher for senior vs. beginner scholars), driven by its reliance on experimental resources and skill division. (2) Philosophy shows high degree centrality in early career stages (mean 0.38 for beginners) but a sharp decline in clustering coefficient in senior stages (from 0.42 to 0.17), indicating broad early collaboration but loose later ties due to individualized knowledge production. (3) Mathematics scholars prefer collaborating with high-centrality peers (higher neighbor connectivity, mean 0.51), while sociology shows more inclusive collaboration with dispersed partner centrality. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an important part of the global C pool and is sensitive to climate change. The SOC content and fractions of rice paddies along four elevations (250, 1150, 1600 and 1800 m) on the same slope in four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) at Yuanyang Terrace in southwest China were investigated, and their relationship with environmental factors was analyzed. The contents of SOC, unprotected SOC (uPOM), physically protected SOC (pPOM) and biochemically protected SOC (bcPOM) in rice paddies at a low elevation (250 m), were significantly lower by 49–51% than those at relatively high elevations (1600 m and 1800 m). Among the SOC fractions, the highest proportion (33–50%) was uPOM, followed by pPOM and bcPOM (accounting for 17–40%), and the lowest proportion was chemically protected SOC (cPOM). In addition, there were interseasonal differences among the contents of SOC fractions, with a significantly higher content of SOC, uPOM and pPOM at an elevation of 1600 m in summer than in the other three seasons, whereas the cPOM content at an elevation of 250 m in spring was significantly higher than in the other three higher elevations. According to the redundancy analysis (RDA), total nitrogen was the key environmental factor, with an explanatory degree of 56% affecting the contents of SOC and its fractions. Thus, the SOC content increased with increasing elevation, and physical and biochemical protection were potential stabilization mechanisms responsible for their stability in the rice paddy of Yuanyang Terrace. These results provides empirical evidence for the elevational distribution patterns and seasonal dynamics of SOC fractions in rice paddies across Yuanyang Terrace. These findings highlight the importance of physical and biochemical protection mechanisms in stabilizing SOC in rice paddies, which could enhance long-term C sequestration and contribute to climate change mitigation in terraced agroecosystems. Full article

The magnetic flux leakage (MFL) method is widely acknowledged as a highly effective non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique for detecting local damage in ferromagnetic structures such as steel wire ropes. In this study, a multi-channel MFL sensor module was developed, incorporating a purpose-designed Hall sensor array and magnetic yokes specifically shaped for steel cables. To validate the proposed damage detection method, artificial damages of varying degrees were inflicted on wire rope specimens through experimental testing. The MFL sensor module facilitated the scanning of the damaged specimens and measurement of the corresponding MFL signals. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, a comprehensive set of signal processing steps, including channel equalization and normalization, was implemented. Subsequently, the detected MFL distribution surrounding wire rope defects was transformed into MFL images. These images were then analyzed and processed utilizing an object detection method, specifically employing the YOLOv9 network, which enables accurate identification and localization of defects. Furthermore, a quantitative defect detection method based on image size was introduced, which is effective for quantifying defects using the dimensions of the anchor frame. The experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach in detecting and quantifying defects in steel cables, which combines deep learning-based analysis of MFL images with the non-destructive inspection of steel cables. Full article

We present a model that integrates the mapping of the phenology and climatic suitability for the spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (White, 1845) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), to provide guidance on when and where to conduct surveillance and management of this highly invasive pest. The model was designed for use in the Degree-Day, Establishment Risk, and Phenological Event Maps (DDRP) platform, which is an open-source decision support tool to help to detect, monitor, and manage invasive threats. We validated the model using presence records and phenological observations derived from monitoring studies and the iNaturalist database. The model performed well, with more than >99.9% of the presence records included in the potential distribution for North America, a large proportion of the iNaturalist observations correctly predicted, and a low error rate for dates of the first appearance of adults. Cold and heat stresses were insufficient to exclude the SLF from most areas of the conterminous United States (CONUS), but an inability for the pest to complete its life cycle in cold areas may hinder establishment. The appearance of adults occurred several months earlier in warmer regions of North America and Europe, which suggests that host plants in these areas may experience stronger feeding pressure. The near-real-time forecasts produced by the model are available at USPest.org and the USA National Phenology Network to support decision making for the CONUS. Forecasts of egg hatch and the appearance of adults are particularly relevant for surveillance to prevent new establishments and for managing existing populations. Full article

Australia has the highest per capita penetration of rooftop solar PV systems in the world. Integration of these systems has led to reverse power flow and associated voltage rise problems in residential low-voltage (LV) distribution networks. Furthermore, random, uncontrolled connection of single-phase solar systems can exacerbate voltage unbalance in these networks. This paper investigates the application of a Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) for the improvement of voltage regulation in four-wire LV distribution feeders through reactive power management as a means of mitigating voltage regulation and unbalance challenges. To demonstrate the performance of the STATCOM with varying loads and PV output, a Q-V droop curve is applied to specify the level of reactive power injection/absorption required to maintain appropriate voltage regulation. A practical four-wire feeder from New South Wales, Australia, has been used as a case study network to analyse improvements in system performance through the use of the STATCOM. The outcomes indicate that the STATCOM has a high degree of efficacy in mitigating voltage regulation and unbalance excursions. In addition, compared to other solutions identified in the existing literature, the STATCOM-based solution requires no sophisticated communication infrastructure. Full article

We investigated the dispersal ability of Euphydryas aurinia provincialis in a local-scale analysis within a single habitat patch of the Colfiorito highlands metapopulation. Our findings indicate that inside a single node, the organization of nesting patches can be conceptualized as a metapopulation itself, where reproductive sites, despite their spatial proximity, can act as either source or sink habitats depending on environmental conditions. We conducted fieldwork in six nesting patches inside a single node, capturing, marking, and recapturing individuals to assess their spatial distribution and movement tendencies at a large landscape scale. We found a high degree of site fidelity among individuals, with many recaptures occurring within the original marking site, but also a sex-based difference in movement patterns; females dispersed farther than males, likely driven by reproductive strategies, while males remained more localized, prioritizing mate-searching. Our findings suggest a complex dynamic in habitat connectivity: pastures and abandoned fields, despite being open, seem to act like sink areas, while breeding sites with shrub and tree cover act as source habitats, offering optimal conditions for reproduction. Individuals, especially females, from these source areas were later compelled to disperse into open habitats, highlighting a nuanced interaction between landscape structure and population dynamics. These results highlight the importance of maintaining habitat corridors to support metapopulation dynamics and prevent genetic isolation; the abandonment of traditional grazing practices is leading to the rapid closure of these source habitats, posing a severe risk of local extinction. Conservation efforts should prioritize the preservation of these source habitats to ensure the long-term viability of E. a. provincialis populations in fragmented landscapes. Full article

Background: COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC) is a complex condition, with high rates of thrombosis, high levels of inflammation markers and hypercoagulation (increased levels of fibrinogen and D-Dimer), as well as extensive microthrombosis in the lungs and other organs of the deceased. It resembles, without being identical, other coagulation disorders such as sepsis-DIC (SIC/DIC), hemophagocyte syndrome (HPS) and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Platelets (PLTs), key regulators of thrombosis, inflammation and immunity, are considered an important risk mediator in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Platelet index MPV/PLT ratio is reported in the literature as more specific in the prognosis of platelet-related systemic thrombogenicity. Studies of MPV/PLT ratio with regards to the severity of COVID-19 disease are limited, and there are no references regarding this ratio to the outcome of COVID-19 disease at specific time points of hospitalization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of COVID-19 mortality with the red cell distribution width–coefficient of variation (RDW-CV), platelets and MPV/PLT ratio parameters. Methods: Values of these parameters in 511 COVID-19 hospitalized patients were recorded (a) on admission, (b) as mean values of the 1st and 2nd week of hospitalization, (c) over the total duration of hospitalization, (d) as nadir and zenith values, and (e) at discharge. Results: As for mortality (survivors vs. deceased), statistical analysis with ROC curves showed that regarding the values of the parameters on admission, only the RDW-CV baseline was of prognostic value. Platelet parameters, absolute number and MPV/PLT ratio had predictive potential for the disease outcome only as 2nd week values. On the contrary, with regards to disease severity (mild/moderate versus severe/critical), only the MPV/PLT ratio on admission can be used for prognosis, and to a moderate degree. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, only the RDW-CV mean hospitalization value (RDW-CV mean) was an independent and prognostic variable for mortality. Regarding disease severity, the MPV/PLT ratio on admission and RDW-CV mean were independent and prognostic variables. Conclusions: RDW-CV, platelets and MPV/PLT ratio hematological parameters could be of predictive value for mortality and severity in COVID-19 disease, depending on the hospitalization timeline. Full article

Urban–rural integration realises the coordinated development and prosperity of urban and rural areas as a whole by optimising the allocation of resources and the flow of factors, and its connotations have been extended from a single dimension to multiple dimensions such as people, land and industry. The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region has a typical “Core–Periphery Structure”, and this paper took the 187 county units within the region as the research object, taking into account indicators of development and coordination to construct an evaluation index system of urban–rural integration of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region counties in the dimensions of “people–land–industry”. Global principal component analysis was used to measure the evolutionary pattern of the urban–rural integration level between 2005 and 2020, and its spatiotemporal drivers were analysed by using the Geographical and Temporal Weighted Regression model (GTWR). The results of the study show that (1) the level of urban–rural integration in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region showed an increasing trend during the 15-year study period, the high-value areas of urban–rural integration were mainly distributed in Beijing and the Bohai Rim region in the eastern part of the Tianjin–Hebei region, and the level of urban–rural integration of the peri-urban county units of the city was better than that of the remote counties and cities as a whole. (2) In terms of spatial agglomeration, all dimensions were characterised by significant spatial agglomeration. The degree of agglomeration was categorised as urban–rural comprehensive integration (U-RCI) > urban–rural industry integration (U-RII) > urban–rural land integration (U-RLI) > urban–rural people integration (U-RPI). (3) In terms of spatial and temporal driving factors for urban–rural integration, the driving role of U-RPI, U-RLI and U-RII for U-RCI has gradually weakened during the past 15 years, and urban–rural integration in the counties shifted from a single role to a more central coordinated and multidimensional driving role. Full article

The catalytic decomposition of CH₄ is a promising method for producing high-purity CO_x-free hydrogen. A Ni-Al-LDH catalyst synthesized via coprecipitation was modified with alkali metals (Mg, La, Ca, or Li) through reconstruction to enhance catalytic activity and resistance to deactivation during catalytic methane decomposition (CMD). The catalysts were evaluated by two activation methods: H₂ reduction and direct heating with CH₄. The MgNA-R catalyst achieved the highest CH₄ conversion (65%) at 600 °C when reduced with H₂, attributed to a stronger Ni-Al interaction. Under CH₄ activation, LaNA-C achieved a 55% conversion at the same temperature, associated with a smaller crystallite size and higher reducibility due to La incorporation. Although all catalysts deactivated due to carbon deposition and/or sintering, LaNA-C was the only sample that could resist deactivation for a longer period, as La appears to have a protective effect on the active phase. Post-reaction characterizations revealed the formation of graphitic and filamentous carbon. Raman spectroscopy exhibited a higher degree of graphitization and structural order in LaNA-C, whereas SEM showed a more uniform distribution of carbon filaments. TEM confirmed the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with encapsulated Ni particles in La-promoted samples. These results demonstrate that La addition improves the catalytic performance under CH₄ activation and carbon structure. This finding offers a practical advantage for CMD processes, as it reduces or eliminates the need to use hydrogen during catalyst activation. Full article

Cultivated land quality is a key factor in ensuring sustainable agricultural development. Exploring differences in cultivated land quality under distinct cropping systems is essential for developing targeted improvement strategies. This study takes place in Shenyang City—located in the typical black soil region of Northeast China—as a case area to construct a cultivated land quality evaluation system comprising 13 indicators, including organic matter, effective soil layer thickness, and texture configuration. A minimum data set (MDS) was separately extracted for paddy and upland fields using principal component analysis (PCA) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of cultivated land quality. Additionally, an obstacle degree model was employed to identify the limiting factors and quantify their impact. The results indicated the following. (1) Both MDSs consisted of seven indicators, among which five were common: ≥10 °C accumulated temperature, available phosphorus, arable layer thickness, irrigation capacity, and organic matter. Parent material and effective soil layer thickness were unique to paddy fields, while landform type and soil texture were unique to upland fields. (2) The cultivated land quality index (CQI) values at the sampling point level showed no significant difference between paddy (0.603) and upland (0.608) fields. However, their spatial distributions diverged significantly; paddy fields were dominated by high-grade land (Grades I and II) clustered in southern areas, whereas uplands were primarily of medium quality (Grades III and IV), with broader spatial coverage. (3) Major constraint factors for paddy fields were effective soil layer thickness (21.07%) and arable layer thickness (22.29%). For upland fields, the dominant constraints were arable layer thickness (27.57%), organic matter (25.40%), and ≥10 °C accumulated temperature (23.28%). Available phosphorus and ≥10 °C accumulated temperature were identified as shared constraint factors affecting quality classification in both systems. In summary, cultivated land quality under different cropping systems is influenced by distinct limiting factors. The construction of cropping-system-specific MDSs effectively improves the efficiency and accuracy of cultivated land quality assessment, offering theoretical and methodological support for land resource management in the black soil regions of China. Full article