Search Results (1,955)

Water resources in arid oases are extremely scarce, and the quality of irrigation water and groundwater depth are key factors affecting soil secondary salinization and maintaining high and stable crop yields. This study focuses on the oasis irrigation area of the 38th Regiment in Qiemo County, located in the extremely arid region at the southeastern edge of the Tarim Basin. For the first time, irrigation experiments with different water qualities, ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 g/L, were conducted under varying groundwater depths for multiple crops. Through indoor soil column experiments and numerical simulations of water and salt in the unsaturated zone, the study reveals the water and salt migration patterns in the root zones of watermelon, corn, jujube, and peanuts. It was found that the process of soil water and salt transport exhibits significant differentiation characteristics in the vertical direction, with the surface layer responding most rapidly to changes in moisture and salinity, while the middle and deep layers show certain lag and buffering effects. The study also examined the spatiotemporal distribution trends of soil water and salt under different water quality and quantity irrigation conditions, drawing nonlinear threshold response curves for groundwater depth and determining the optimal groundwater depth under various irrigation conditions. The results indicate: (1) for the four crops under freshwater (0.5 g/L) irrigation and actual irrigation water conditions, soil salinity is safe at groundwater depths of 1–2 m; (2) under slightly saline water (2.0 g/L) irrigation, the safe groundwater depth (GWD) ranges for corn, peanuts, watermelon, and jujube root zones are 3.5–4.2 m, 1.2–3.5 m, ≥2.9 m, and ≥1.6 m, respectively, with crop sensitivity ranking as “corn > peanuts > watermelon > jujube”; and (3) under saline water (3.0 g/L) irrigation, the salinity tolerance thresholds for corn and peanuts root zones are exceeded regardless of shallow or deep groundwater depths, while the upper limits of salinity tolerance thresholds for watermelon and jujube correspond to groundwater depths of 2.9 m and 2.1 m, respectively, with increased groundwater depth making soil salinity increasingly safe. The study proposes a “sensitive-suitable-reinforced” three-zone paradigm and constructs a threshold table for optimal crop layout in arid areas based on the synergistic dual factors of “water quality–water quantity,” providing a theoretical basis for crop layout considering the spatial heterogeneity of groundwater occurrence. This has guiding value for arid oases in addressing the dual stress of water quality deterioration and salinization. Full article

Maize is highly vulnerable to aflatoxin contamination, constituting a serious food safety and public health concern. This study explored the relationship of extreme flood events in September 2020 (Storm Ianos) and September 2023 (Storm Daniel) in the Thessaly region, Greece, which occurred post-harvest, and aflatoxin contamination patterns in maize harvests of both the flood years and the following years (2021 and 2024). A total of 573 maize samples collected between 2019 and 2024 were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A 10 μg/kg cutoff was used (the ELISA upper limit of quantification); results > 10 ppb were classified as elevated concentrations. Overall, aflatoxins were detected in 47.8% of samples, with 14.0% having concentrations exceeding 10 μg/kg. The 2021 harvest year exhibited an exceedance rate of 28.75% (23/80), while the 2024 harvest showed a rate of 14.68%, 37/252. Exceedance rates during flood years were comparatively low; however, the maize harvested in the years following the flood events demonstrated a two-fold increase in the detection rate (60.2% vs. 30.7%) and a significant increase in exceedance percentages (18.07% vs. 8.30%) relative to non-flood years in the preceding period. While drought and heat remain the primary field risk factors for aflatoxin production, the correlational findings suggest that extreme floods may indirectly influence aflatoxin risk by increasing kernel damage, prolonging grain moisture, and disrupting post-harvest handling and storage, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and robust mitigation strategies in flood-prone agricultural regions. Full article

Long-span concrete-filled steel tubular truss arch bridges are extremely sensitive to thermal effects during cantilever construction, with non-uniform temperature distributions arising from mutual shading between members. The current standard JTG/T D65-06—2015 employs a simple gradient model that struggles to capture the temperature gradient characteristics of complex spatial trusses, failing to meet the demands of high-precision construction. Based on a truss-type steel arch bridge in Yunnan, a thermal conduction analysis framework is proposed to calculate the temperature field of the arch rib truss and its effects, and is validated by long-term monitoring data. The results indicate that the maximum temperature difference between the upper and lower chord tubes reaches 14.53 °C, significantly changing the secondary stress distribution. There is a significant negative correlation mechanism between arch rib elevation and solar radiation temperature, necessitating consideration of solar radiation temperature effects during arch rib assembly and closure. This study establishes an analytical method for the thermal effects of long-span steel truss arch ribs, laying the foundation for arch rib profile control and stress analysis. Full article

Lake Faro (Cape Peloro coastal lagoon, NE Sicily, Italy) is a distinctive Mediterranean coastal lake characterized by the coexistence of a shallow platform and a steep-sided deep basin within a very limited area. This study provides a sedimentological and geological characterization of the present-day lake floor based on grain-size, petrographic, statistical, and GIS-based analyses, with the aim of clarifying the relationship between basin morphology and modern depositional processes. The lake floor is subdivided into two main bathymetric domains. The shallow platform (<10 m water depth) is dominated by modern coarse-grained, very poorly sorted sediments, including gravel and very coarse- to medium-grained sand, deposited under high-energy, low-confinement conditions comparable to beach and open-lagoon environments. In contrast, the deep basin (>10 m water depth) is characterized by modern finer, organic-rich sediments with extremely poor sorting, reflecting lower-energy and more confined depositional conditions. A key new finding is the identification of upper Holocene beachrocks beneath the modern unconsolidated sediments of the shallow platform, which likely exert a significant morpho-structural control on platform development. Overall, the results highlight the strong influence of bathymetry on sediment distribution in coastal lake systems and provide a reference framework for comparable Mediterranean lagoon environments. Full article

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) models in maritime and coastal engineering has gained increasing relevance, demonstrating performance comparable to traditional approaches in wave climate analysis and propagation. However, their use in climate change impact and adaptation studies remains limited, particularly for the design and upgrading of coastal protection structures. To address this gap, this study focuses on the development of an AI-based framework to support the adaptation of breakwaters to future climate conditions. A hybrid approach combining artificial neural networks (ANNs) and genetic algorithms (GAs) was implemented, with two feedforward neural networks-based models developed and applied to different sections of the north breakwater of the Port of Valencia, specifically a vertical section and a compound breakwater. The results indicate that, under future climate scenarios (2050), increases of up to 1.2 m in crest elevation, together with reinforcement of the armor layer, are required to ensure adequate structural performance. The analysis also highlights the critical role of extreme events, as approximately 60% of the model errors were concentrated in the upper 90th percentile of wave conditions. Overall, the proposed hybrid ANN-GA framework demonstrated very strong performance, achieving computational efficiencies 30 to 40 times greater than ANN-only models in terms of computational time. These findings underscore the necessity of adapting coastal structures to climate change and confirm the potential of AI-based models as effective tools for climate-resilient coastal engineering, while emphasizing the importance of accurately representing extreme wave conditions. Full article

Under global warming, the intensification of the hydrological cycle highlights evapotranspiration (ET) as a key process governing land–atmosphere water and energy exchanges. Understanding the spatiotemporal variability of ET and its driving mechanisms is essential for regional hydrological and ecological studies. Based on MOD16 evapotranspiration products, meteorological data, and multi-source remote sensing datasets, this study systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of evapotranspiration (ET) and its driving mechanisms in the Yellow River Basin during 2001–2022 using trend analysis, correlation analysis, and geographical detector methods. Results showed that ET exhibited a significant increasing trend across the YRB (5.29 mm·year⁻¹), with extremely significant increases (p < 0.01) observed in 61.93% of the basin. Among climatic factors, precipitation, temperature, and wind speed exhibited significant increasing trends. Human activities were characterized by a significant increase in NDVI and land-use transitions toward forest and built-up land. Geographical detector results identified NDVI and precipitation as the strongest explanatory factors controlling ET spatial heterogeneity, with distinct driving mechanisms across the upper, middle, and lower reaches. Interaction effects among factors were stronger than individual effects, indicating that the spatial differentiation of ET is jointly controlled by climatic conditions and human activities. These findings empirically characterize the spatial heterogeneity, temporal trends, factor hierarchy, and interaction strength of ET variability at the basin scale and provide basin-scale evidence for understanding hydrological cycle responses under the combined influences of climate change and anthropogenic activities. Full article

In the Yingjiang area of western Yunnan, precipitation is high throughout the year, making it one of the regions with the highest annual precipitation in mainland China. Extreme rainfall in this region often triggers severe flooding, yet the key mechanism of water vapor transport underlying abnormally heavy precipitation remains unclear. This study used automatic weather station observations of precipitation, the fifth-generation atmospheric reanalysis produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, and Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) data to analyze, for the first time, large-scale water vapor transport, precipitation mechanisms, and the primary water vapor sources and their contributions in this region. The results show the following: In the Yingjiang area, the water vapor sources at all height levels in summer are dominated by the southwest monsoon water vapor transport pathways, such as the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, with their total contributions to specific humidity and water vapor flux exceeding 70%. This indicates that low-latitude sea areas such as the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea serve as key moisture source regions for Yingjiang in the global water vapor cycle. Water vapor transport over the windward slope causes strong low-level convergence and high-level divergence phenomena, and the suction effect leads to strong upward motion near the 850 hPa level. The pseudo-equivalent potential temperature isolines tilt along the mountain slope, maintaining an unstable stratification characterized by warm, humid lower layers and cold, dry upper layers, providing favorable thermal conditions for precipitation. In addition, in the summer of 2020, abnormally high southwest seasonal wind and air transport, combined with strong low-level convergence and high-level divergence of the vertical circulation structure, were key factors causing the abnormally high precipitation. This study provides an important reference for the prediction of extreme precipitation and the early warning of rainstorm disasters in the southwest monsoon region in the context of global climate change. Full article

Robot-assisted therapy (RT) is increasingly implemented in rehabilitation, yet evidence on its effectiveness in improving upper extremity function after cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) remains limited. Therefore, this randomised crossover study aims to investigate the effects of unilateral RT compared to conventional unilateral occupational therapy (OT) on upper extremity function in individuals with cSCI. 40 participants with traumatic or non-traumatic cSCI (16–81 days post-injury, neurological level of injury: C1–T1) will be randomised (1:1), stratified by their predicted recovery profile, to receive 6 weeks of RT (ArmeoSpring) and 6 weeks of OT in random order, each 3 × 30 min/week in addition to the clinical routine therapy. Assessments are conducted before (t₀), between (t₁) and after both intervention blocks (t₂ and t₃). The primary outcome is the Quantitative Grasping Subtest of the Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility, and Prehension (GRASSP-QtG); primary analysis uses a linear mixed model to estimate the treatment effect based on change scores. Recruitment is currently ongoing. This randomised crossover study allows the collection of a comprehensive dataset to generate knowledge about treatment effectiveness, enabling future individuals with cSCI to benefit from improved and individualised therapy schedules. Full article

A 79-year-old former marathoner, with memory impairment since age 78, developed increasing stumbling and progressively worsening waddling gait. Three months after gait disturbance onset, she noted mild dysphagia. With declining walking distance and endurance, she presented to our hospital six months after onset, exhibiting frontal signs, Parkinsonism with marked trunk rigidity, and hyperreflexia of the jaw and limbs. L-dopa challenge tests showed no improvement. At seven months post-onset, she had difficulty rising. By nine months, she relied on a walker, and speech disturbance appeared. At 10–11 months, both dysarthria and dysphagia rapidly worsened, she became bed-ridden, and upper limb weakness developed (though she could still use chopsticks). Neurological examination at one year revealed severe dysarthria/dysphagia, four extremity fasciculations and muscle weakness (grade 2 in upper limbs, grade 1 in lower limbs), trunk-dominant rigidity, and hyperreflexia in the jaw and limbs. Brain MRI, specifically susceptibility-weighted imaging, revealed motor band signs. Cerebrospinal fluid study revealed albuminocytological dissociation. Needle electromyography revealed acute denervation and chronic reinnervation in the cranial nerve, cervical, and lumbar areas, which was suggestive of motor neuron disease (MND). Serum anti-GQ1b antibodies were detected. Immunotherapy was followed by mild improvement, which might suggest a reversible component, although definitive pathological overlap remains unconfirmed. This case highlights a diagnostic challenge where an acute immune-mediated neuropathy could potentially be superimposed on a chronic neurodegenerative process. Anti-GQ1b antibodies should be interpreted with caution, as they may reflect either a true clinicopathological overlap with Guillain-Barré syndrome or a secondary phenomenon (epiphenomenon) related to the primary neurodegenerative process. Full article

Background/Objectives: Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL-NT), is a rare and extremely aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that most frequently involves the nasal cavity and upper aerodigestive tract. Primary isolated oral manifestation is exceptionally uncommon and may mimic odontogenic or infectious diseases, delaying diagnosis. We report a case of ENKTCL-NT presenting initially as a destructive oral lesion without sinonasal involvement at diagnosis. Methods: A 32-year-old man with progressive palatal ulceration underwent clinical and imaging assessment (panoramic radiography and staging ^18F-FDG PET–CT) and repeated biopsies. Diagnosis was established using histopathology (H&E), immunohistochemistry (T-cell markers and cytotoxic profile), EBV detection by EBER in situ hybridization, and T-cell receptor gamma (TCRG) gene rearrangement analysis. Results: The lesion presented as a hemorrhagic, ulcerative palatal destruction covered by pseudomembranous exudate and was complicated by fungal infection, periostitis, and severe dental inflammatory foci, contributing to diagnostic delay. Histopathological examination revealed extensive necrosis with a dense atypical lymphoid infiltrate; angiocentric and angiodestructive growth was identified in one biopsy specimen. Tumor cells expressed T-cell markers (CD2, CD3, CD5, CD7; heterogeneous) and cytotoxic markers (TIA-1) and showed CD30 and CD56 positivity, with EBV positivity confirmed by EBER in situ hybridization. Molecular analysis demonstrated monoclonal TCRG rearrangement, and Ki-67 indicated high proliferative activity. Initial PET–CT demonstrated an intensely FDG-avid, locally invasive lesion without distant organ involvement. The patient was treated with L-asparaginase-based SMILE chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (50 Gy), achieving marked initial clinical improvement and partial metabolic response; however, systemic relapse subsequently occurred with refractory disease despite salvage therapy and immunotherapy. Conclusions: This case highlights the substantial diagnostic challenge posed by isolated oral extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, which may closely mimic benign inflammatory or infectious conditions and lead to significant diagnostic delay. Persistent, progressive, or therapy-resistant oral ulcerations should prompt early consideration of hematologic malignancy. Timely biopsy with comprehensive immunophenotyping, EBV testing, and close multidisciplinary collaboration are essential for accurate diagnosis and may contribute to earlier diagnosis and improved patient outcomes in these rare and atypical presentations. Full article

An injury to the elbow’s lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) is an orthopedic emergency that can impair joint stability and functional biomechanics throughout the upper extremity. The development and application of synthetic ligament substitutes, particularly short-chain-length and medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (SCL-PHA and MCL-PHA) co-polymers, represent a promising innovation for lateral elbow stabilization. This experimental cadaveric study aimed to (1) compare biomechanical parameters of torque and angular rotation among control, damage, repair, and reconstruction groups and (2) compare stress and strain responses across the same groups. Twenty-four cadaveric elbows were allocated among six experimental conditions. The control group consisted of intact elbows (n = 4), while the damage group (n = 4) involved transection of the anterior capsule and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) to simulate ligament injury. The repair group (n = 4) underwent anterior capsular suturing. The reconstruction group (n = 12) was divided into three subgroups: palmaris longus (PL) autograft alone, PL with SCL-PHA co-polymer augmentation, and PL with MCL-PHA augmentation. Biomechanical testing measured maximum torque, angular displacement, shear stress, and strain, with statistical analysis conducted using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc multiple comparisons. The results demonstrated that maximum torque (F = 24.930, p < 0.001) and maximum shear stress (F = 8.130, p < 0.001) significantly differed among groups. The control group exhibited the highest mechanical performance (30.700 ± 9.368 Nm and 0.880 ± 0.216 MPa), whereas the damage group showed the lowest values (10.300 ± 2.904 Nm and 0.210 ± 0.073 MPa). The reconstruction group using palmaris longus with SCL-PHA co-polymer reinforcement (RC-PLSCL) demonstrated torque (29.550 ± 7.656 Nm) and shear stress (0.610 ± 0.206 MPa) comparable to those of the control group (p > 0.05), indicating near-physiological mechanical behavior. These findings suggest that SCL-PHA co-polymer augmentation offers superior biomechanical restoration relative to standard repair and other reconstruction strategies, highlighting its potential as an advanced biomaterial for ligament reconstruction in LUCL injuries. Full article

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week core training program on the lower-extremity, upper-extremity, and core strength of judokas. Methods: This study is based on a pre-test/post-test experimental design involving repeated measures and a control group. The study was conducted with the voluntary participation of 20 judo athletes (10 females and 10 males) aged between 18 and 22 years (mean age: 18.60 years; height: 163 cm; body weight: 59.40 kg; BMI: 22.30 kg/m²). Participants were divided into two groups: a control group that continued routine judo training and an experimental group that performed core training in addition to routine judo training. Participants performed Medial Push-Ups (MPUs) to assess upper-extremity muscle strength; sit-ups and Plank Tests (PTs) to assess core strength; five different Single-Leg Hop Tests (SLHTs) to assess lower-extremity muscle strength; and the Y Balance Test (YBT) to assess balance. These tests were conducted before and after the 8-week core training program. Results: PT performance improved significantly in both groups, with a significant group × time interaction (p < 0.001, η²p = 0.623), indicating greater improvement in the core training group compared to the control group. No significant interaction was observed for MPU and Sit-up tests; however, a significant main effect of time was detected for MPU (p = 0.032, η²p = 0.231), suggesting general improvements in both groups. For SLHT parameters, no significant group × time interactions were detected (p > 0.050); improvements were observed over time across groups. In balance performance, a significant group × time interaction was found only in the NDS postero-medial (PM) direction (p = 0.020, η²p = 0.267), whereas the other parameters demonstrated time-related improvements without between-group differences. Conclusions: Core stability training resulted in greater improvements in PT performance and influenced balance performance in the NDS PM direction. Improvements observed in other performance parameters appeared to be time-related rather than intervention-specific. Overall, core stability training may contribute to core endurance and certain aspects of lower-extremity function in judokas. Full article

This study presents a comparative flood frequency analysis of annual maximum discharges for major Romanian river basins, assessing the performance of the Halphen-A distribution relative to the Pearson Type III distribution, the reference model in Romanian hydrological practice. Four long-term discharge series from the Siret, Ialomița, and Danube rivers are analyzed, covering diverse hydroclimatic conditions. Distribution parameters are estimated using the method of moments and maximum likelihood estimation. Model performance is evaluated using RMSE and MAE, complemented by an analysis of extreme quantile behavior. The results show that both distributions fit the observed data well, with only minor differences in global error metrics. However, for high return periods (T > 100 years), Halphen-A exhibits smoother extrapolation and yields more stable extreme quantile estimates, particularly when estimated by MLE. Although Pearson III often achieves slightly lower metrics values, its upper tail is more constrained and sensitive to skewness and record length. The study concludes that classical goodness-of-fit measures alone are insufficient for selecting models for design floods and that Halphen-A provides a robust complementary alternative for extreme flood estimation. Full article

Natural fractures are critical controls on shale oil storage and migration in the Upper Triassic Chang 7 Member of the Ordos Basin. However, conventional identification techniques—such as mud-invasion correction, R/S rescaled range analysis, and radioactive element analysis—are time-consuming, computationally intensive, and highly dependent on specialized logging data, limiting their large-scale application. To overcome these challenges, this study develops a multi-modal deep neural network that integrates conventional well logs with borehole imaging data. A coupled convolutional neural network (CNN) and deep neural network (DNN) architecture was constructed to predict fracture occurrence, dip angle, and aperture. The model achieves dip-angle prediction accuracies of 98.82% for both training and testing datasets, while aperture prediction accuracies reach 95.97% and 95.91%, respectively. Predicted dip angles are concentrated between 65° and 80°, deviating by less than 0.48° from measured values, whereas apertures fall mainly within 0.5–4.5 cm, with deviations below 0.21 cm except in extreme cases. The CNN branch effectively extracts spatial features from imaging logs, while the DNN branch captures nonlinear relationships in conventional logs. The integrated framework substantially improves fracture characterization accuracy and efficiency. This study provides a scalable and cost-effective approach for rapid fracture identification based on conventional logging data, reducing reliance on specialized imaging logs and supporting integrated geological and engineering evaluations in shale oil reservoirs. Full article

Background/Objectives: The impact of stroke on upper extremity function in the older adult population underscores the need for accurate recovery prediction. Motor evoked potential (MEP) has been explored as a predictor of upper extremity function recovery in patients with stroke. However, research specifically targeting the geriatric population remains limited. Therefore, this study focused specifically on patients aged 65 years and older to investigate correlations between MEP parameters and upper extremity function. This study investigates correlations between MEP parameters (amplitude and latency) and upper extremity function-related measures, including Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), and the Hand Function Test (HFT), including grip strength, pinch strength, the Box and Block Test, and the 9-Hole Peg Test, in older adults with stroke. Methods: A multiple linear regression model predicts upper extremity outcomes using initial MEP parameters, time, and function. The dataset includes 90 patients with stroke categorized by timing of the first MEP assessment: ≤3 months (n = 42) or >3 months (n = 48). Results: MEP amplitude and latency were significantly correlated with upper extremity function in both groups. No significant correlations were found between MEP amplitude or latency and outcome measures. Regression analysis showed that initial MEP amplitude had a limited association with outcomes, whereas latency was significantly associated with grip strength (β: −10.205, 95% CI: −19.374~−1.036) and the Box and Block Test (β: −10.204, 95% CI: −20.254~−0.154). Initial upper extremity parameters were significantly associated with K-MBI and HFT follow-up results (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Larger MEP amplitude and faster initial MEP latency were associated with improved upper extremity function in patients with stroke. In older patients, MEP latency, rather than amplitude, demonstrated greater predictive value for upper extremity function recovery, possibly due to age-related muscle atrophy, a factor not fully addressed in existing prognostic frameworks such as PREP2. These findings support the integration of MEP latency assessment into geriatric stroke prognostication, complementing existing frameworks such as PREP2, and may guide personalized rehabilitation planning to optimize functional recovery and independence. Full article