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Numerical investigation of radiation-assisted freezing in nanomaterial-enhanced porous enclosures
Socioeconomic inequalities in diabetes care cascade in Iran: STEPS 2016 and 2021
Dietary supplementation of lamiaceae aromatic oils: effects on performance, rumen fermentation, and ruminal microbiome in calves
Domesticated, not feral: Why evolvable AI is not yet a Darwinian threat
Genotype analysis of Fabry disease in a Spanish at-risk population reveals 10 novel GLA variants
Fossil wood cells recorded 300 million years of Europe’s tectonic history
Abstract Woody debris undergoes the same processes of deposition and diagenesis as its embedding sediments, making its fossilized products potentially good archives of basin evolution. We review this hypothesis by reconstructing the timelines, source and physicochemical conditions of mineralization in silicified Pennsylvanian wood from the Kyffhäuser, central Germany. Five stages of silicification are evidenced from quartz cathodoluminescence, fluid inclusions, triple-O and Si isotopes, Raman thermometry, electron-microprobe and scanning-electron analyses, and in situ U–Pb radiogenic isotope dating. (1) 304–299 Ma: permineralization of fluvial woody debris at near-surface conditions sourced from pedogenically altered pyroclasts; (2) 299–290 Ma: opal-quartz transformation during initial burial; (3) 257–260 Ma: quartz-hematite mineralization at 1 km depth related to thermal crustal relaxation; (4) c. 180 Ma: quartz formation from basinal brines upon maximum burial at 170–240°C and 3.5–5 km; and (5) 100 Ma: regional quartz-baryte mineralization following basin inversion before final exhumation in the Quaternary. The results expand the hitherto known timescales of wood mineralization, and reveal that fossil wood can record a basin’s burial history and disclose the tectonic events on the hundred-million-year timescale.
Assessment of climate-driven flood risks and damages in the Kashkan River floodplain
Abstract Flood losses in semi-arid Iran are expected to increase under climate change, yet quantitative projections remain limited for many interior basins. This study develops an integrated framework combining statistically downscaled CMIP6 projections, a hybrid HEC-HMS and LSTM rainfall–runoff model, non-stationary flood frequency analysis, one-dimensional HEC-RAS hydraulic modeling, and the DamageScanner module to appraise potential future fluvial flood economic damage and risk in the Kashkan River basin. Changes in flood frequency, intensity, inundation extent, and economic damages were assessed under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 for near (2030–2060) and far future (2060–2090). The findings indicate increasing flood hazard under both scenarios, with stronger increases under SSP5-8.5, particularly after mid-century. Annual maximum cumulative precipitation is projected to increase by up to 46% by the late century. This hydro-climatic shift is associated with an increase in maximum river discharge of approximately 66% in the near future and 107% in the far future under SSP5-8.5 compared to the historical baseline. Consequently, the projected flood hazards are expected to cause substantial economic losses; Expected Annual Damage (EAD) is estimated to grow from a 2015 baseline of about US$1 million to US$7.5 million under SSP1-2.6 and US$18 million under SSP5-8.5 by 2090. Losses are heavily concentrated along the densely settled east bank of Pole-Dokhtar. These findings support the integration of flood hazard and damage maps into spatial planning and the prioritisation of riverside hotspots for adaptation investment.
Ozone based advanced oxidation for antibiotic amoxicillin removal from aqueous environment with kinetic and economic evaluation
Reply to Boudry: The threat of evolvable AI is too grave to be left to intuition
Promoting effect of total nymphaea candida polyphenols on skin ulcer healing in diabetic rats
Reply to Yu et al.: Meteorological covariations do not reproduce diurnal cloud fraction response to aerosol
AI-based organ weight estimation from postmortem computed tomography
Abstract Accurate organ weight determination is essential in forensic autopsy. Postmortem computed tomography (CT) combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based segmentation allows automated, non-invasive organ delineation. This study evaluated the accuracy of CT-derived organ weights against conventional autopsy measurements. A total of 100 postmortem CT examinations (mean age 54 ± 21 years; 35 females, 65 males) were analyzed. Brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen were segmented automatically in two model resolutions, and organ weights were derived from voxel volumes and Hounsfield unit-based tissue densities. Across all organs, mean differences between CT- and autopsy-derived organ weights were − 12.69 ± 107.96 g (median − 2.95 g) for the 1.5 mm model and − 18.42 ± 116.67 g (median − 1.95 g) for the 3 mm model. Mean absolute differences were 70.76 ± 83.07 g (median 29.05 g) and 77.43 ± 90.60 g (median 30.50 g), respectively. Agreement was highest for the brain and liver, followed by the kidneys and spleen, whereas the heart showed the largest deviations. Segmentation failures were uncommon and were mainly associated with decomposition, trauma, or incomplete organ coverage. These findings indicate that AI-based segmentation enables reliable, largely non-invasive organ weight estimation in postmortem CT and may support forensic investigations and personal identification workflows based on antemortem imaging.
Bioinformatics analysis identifies a novel 4-gene signature associated with immune cell infiltration in osteoarthritis: a combined bioinformatics and experimental validation study
Integrated 3D static modeling approach for evaluating the Cenomanian Bahariya reservoir in Falak Field Shushan Basin northwestern desert Egypt
Abstract This study integrates petrophysical analysis, seismic interpretation, and 3D reservoir modeling to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the Albian-Cenomanian Bahariya Fm in the Falak Field. Seismic interpretation reveals a structurally compartmentalized field dominated by a NW-SE trending normal fault system, compartmentalizing the field into distinct up-thrown and down-thrown blocks. Time-to-depth conversion, validated by synthetic seismogram, check shot data that is used to build a velocity model, facilitated the construction of structural contour maps, identifying two primary three-way dip closure prospects. The Bahariya Fm exhibits significant thickness variation (568 ft to 861 ft), with net pay zones ranging from 47 ft to 197.5 ft. The average effective porosity is between 16.3% and 22.7%, while the average oil saturation is between 44.2% and 51.4%. Petrophysical evaluation based on well logs, cross-plots, well-to-well correlation and facies modeling (55.48% sandstone) indicates that sandstone represents the dominant modelled facies, followed by siltstone, shale, and minor carbonate/limestone facies. The sandstone-rich intervals are mainly associated with the lower Bahariya units and represent the most favorable reservoir zones. A 3D geocellular model, incorporating interpreted horizons, faults, facies distributions, and petrophysical properties (populated via Sequential Gaussian Simulation), visualizes the reservoir architecture, confirms superior reservoir quality (higher Ø eff , lower Sw/Vsh) within the central, northwestern, and southeastern areas, particularly in the lower fluvial sandstone units. These results prioritize the northern and southeastern structural closures for future development drilling targeting the Bahariya Fm due to optimal reservoir properties and hydrocarbon pore volumes. Model uncertainty is mainly related to sparse and uneven well control, facies distribution away from wells, log upscaling, and variogram-based property modelling. Volumetric calculations estimate the total OIIP/STOIIP of the Bahariya reservoir at approximately 160 MMSTB, with Bahariya-I contributing about 46 MMSTB and Bahariya-III contributing about 114 MMSTB. The workflow is extendable to analogue subsurface clastic reservoirs in the Northwestern Desert and North Africa.
Effect of enhanced dietary intake during the pre-weaning period on the subcutaneous adipose transcriptome and proteome of young bull calves
Abstract Adipose tissue represents a major endocrine organ, playing a central role in many biochemical systems regulating metabolic status and energy homeostasis, as well as the metabolic regulation of reproductive function in cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of differential plane of nutrition from 2 to 12 weeks of age on the molecular regulation of subcutaneous adipose in bull calves. Holstein-Friesian bull calves were offered either a high (HI; n = 15) or moderate (MOD; n = 15) plane of nutrition from 2 to 12 weeks of age. At 12 weeks of age all calves were euthanised and subcutaneous adipose samples harvested, which were then subjected to global transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Growth rates during the differential feeding period were 0.58 and 0.88 kg/day for MOD and HI groups, respectively. A total of 1,311 mRNA, 6 miRNA and 196 proteins displayed differential abundance (adj. P-value < 0.05; fold change > 1.5) between the HI and MOD treatment groups. Pathway analysis revealed enrichment of pathways related to cholesterol biosynthesis and PPAR signalling. Results from this study identify novel genes regulating the molecular response of subcutaneous adipose tissue to an elevated plane of nutrition during the pre-weaning period in bull calves.
Estimated HIV cases and costs in South Africa due to global warming from 2000 to 2050: a modeling study
Abstract The impact of global warming on HIV prevalence and costs in South Africa are not known. We estimated for 2000–2020 using recorded surface temperatures and for 2021–2050 using predicted temperatures from the MAGICC7.0 climate model. In the latter case we assumed that societal development and temperatures would follow the narrative of Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 2. We considered as a best-case, pathway 1 (SSP1). To estimate the number of people whose infection status can be associated with rising temperatures (PLHIV-T), we estimated temperature-related prevalence risks, which we applied to predicted prevalence from the Thembisa HIV transmission model. We derived incidence from prevalence using previously established methods. For the former, we also estimated follow-up antiretroviral therapy (ART) costs. PLHIV-T has increased by 7-fold from 2001 to 2020, from 1,712 to 13,254. ART costs for PLHIV-T have correspondingly increased from US$2.07 million in 2010 to US$2.89 million in 2015 and then declined to US$2.02 million in 2020. If societal development remained unchanged from 2020 to 2050, PLHIV-T associated with temperatures predicted by SSP2 increases by nearly 1.5-fold by 2050, to 14,033 (0.2% of all prevalent cases; incidence at a rate of 1.44 per 100-person-years) with US$2.25 million in ART costs. Alternatively, if societal development followed SSP1, then in 2050, the penalty would be nearly the same with 14,009 instead of 14,033 PLHIV-T and US$ 2.25 million in ART costs. Societal development alone does not sufficiently mitigate climate related health losses. Stakeholders must therefore prioritize health adaptation within climate financing and integrate HIV response planning into national climate resilience strategies.
Evaluating the clinical significance of tumor-expressed C-reactive protein in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma
Abstract C-reactive Protein (CRP) has been established as a prognostic biomarker in various malignancies, with elevated serum levels correlating with poorer outcomes. However, the significance of tissue-based CRP expression specifically in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), remains inadequately characterized. This study investigates the potential prognostic relevance of intratumoral CRP expression from a substantial cohort of chRCC patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical intervention for chRCC. Comprehensive clinical data was collected, and immunohistochemical evaluation of tumor specimens was performed to assess intratumoral CRP expression patterns. The study included 81 chRCC patients, with intratumoral CRP expression identified in 35 cases (43.2%). Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between CRP expression status and clinical parameters. While 5-year overall survival (OS) analysis showed no statistically significant difference between CRP-positive versus CRP-negative tumors (86.4% versus 100.0%; p = 0.106), overall follow-up demonstrated a significantly higher mortality rate in patients with CRP-positive tumors compared to those with CRP-negative tumors (22.9% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.013). Our findings suggest that intratumoral CRP expression in chRCC is not clearly associated with parameters of aggressiveness or survival. Further studies should assess the possible correlation between CRP tissue expression and blood levels. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited sample size, low event rate, and high loss to follow-up, and are best considered hypothesis-generating.