Adjacent Areas Research Articles

S-wave velocity structure beneath the eastern part of the Qinhang metallogenic belt and its adjacent areas

S-wave velocity structure beneath the eastern part of the Qinhang metallogenic belt and its adjacent areas

Statistical and source characterization of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Türkiye earthquake sequence

AbstractWe studied seismic features of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Türkiye earthquake sequence by analyzing the spatiotemporal behavior of the b- and -p values and source characteristics of the mainshocks. We complemented our study by determining the regional stress field. The b-values in the region varied from 0.45 to 1.15. We observed a slight b-value decrease (Δb≈0.2) months before the two mainshocks. Our results exhibited complex b-value patterns on the fault planes and regular aftershock productivity rates (1.14 < p < 1.25). We compare static stress drop estimates derived from effective fault dimensions to those of finite-fault dimensions. Total effective stress drops (the sum of the stress drops of all fault segments) for the earthquake doublet were almost identical (~ 2.05 MPa), while those from finite-fault dimensions are somewhat lower (0.35 and 0.96 MPa). Based on a complete stress drop case, effective seismic efficiency was 0.65 and 0.43 for both mainshocks. The amount of partial stress drop was used to discriminate between different stress drop models. No clear model is discerned for the first mainshock, but a partial or even complete stress drop, assuming finite-fault dimensions, is supported by our measurements. Stress drop estimations derived from spectral analysis (25.46 and 34.39 MPa) agreed with global studies but larger than finite and effective fault estimates. Stress inversion results indicated that in the fault segments where the mainshocks occurred, the orientation of principal axes was consistent with a strike-slip regime. Conversely, the normal-faulting regime dominates adjacent areas of the main fault system.

Assessment of the air pollutants on automobiles emission dispersion: the effects of barrier height and the road surface temperature.

In the paper, a mathematical model was constructed that describes the specifications of the wind flow and the dispersion of pollutants, taking into account the variable temperature on the roadway surface, which varies depending on the time for some quarter of the city of Almaty. The impact of the traffic tidal flow was studied based on the data of measuring passing vehicles as a source of pollution by the CFD and on the spatial distribution of pollutants for various types of pollution. A test problem was performed to validate the numerical algorithm and the mathematical model. From the obtained numerical solutions, it was determined that the existing barriers along the road have a positive effect on pedestrian zones regardless of the type of pollution. It was also found that, taking into account the variable temperature on the carriageway, the presence of barriers with a height of 4 m shows favorable behavior on the adjacent areas, in which the average concentration value drops by 6.4 times for the pedestrian zone, which is located on the left side and 2.9 times for the pedestrian zone, which is on the right side compared to the option without a barrier.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation of Socket Healing After Third Molar Germ Extraction: A Case Series Study Including Adolescents with Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type I Treated with Bisphosphonates and Healthy Age-Matched Subjects

Bisphophonates (BPs) are widely used in Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) shows clinical usefulness in evaluating impacted teeth and adjacent structure relationships, extraction socket healing, bone mineral density (BMD) and BP-related jaw osteonecrosis (BRONJ). The aim of the study was to compare alveolar sockets and the adjacent bone area before and after third molar extraction in OI type I (OI-I) adolescents treated with BPs and age-matched healthy subjects (HSs) by CBCT. Methods: Five adolescents with genetically proven OI-I treated with BPs (three males and two females, mean age: 15.2 ± 1.78 years) and four age-matched healthy subjects (two males and two females, mean age: 15.5 ± 1.29 years) were included in this study. Eight Regions of Interest (ROIs) were evaluated: between 3.7 and 3.8 (ROI-1) and 4.7 and 4.8 (ROI-2); after 3.8 (ROI-3) and 4.8 (ROI-4); alveolar sockets 3.8 (ROI-5) and 4.8 (ROI-6); left (ROI-7) and right (ROI-8) cortical bone. Results: ROIs were evaluated on both sides of the mandible for all the subjects except one OI patient in which CBCTs were performed pre- and-post third molar extraction only on the right side. CBCT was performed 12.8 ± 4.60 and 11.5 ± 2.51 days before and 8.0 ± 1.41 and 7.7 ± 0.5 months after extraction in OI-I and HSs, respectively. BPs were discontinued 62.0 ± 36.5 months before extraction. None of the OI-I adolescents developed BRONJ. Statistically significant greater values were observed in OI-I for ROI-1 and -2 (p = 0.0464), ROI-3 and -4 (p = 0.0037) and ROI-7 and -8 (p = 0.0079) after extraction. Conclusions: This descriptive study confirms that, in OI-I adolescents treated with BPs, third molar extraction is safe, and socket healing occurs properly. In addition, it demonstrates that, if the same device and imaging conditions are used and comparisons to predetermined standard values are avoided, CBCT can be used to monitor BMD changes. The significant greater BMD observed for different ROIs in OI-I could reflect the increased secondary mineralization related to the BP-dependent reduction in bone turnover.

Review of the Slender Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemiphyllodactylus) of the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia, with descriptions of two new species and one country record

The gekkonid lizard genus Hemiphyllodactylus contains small, secretive species that are often overlooked in their habitats. Recent molecular and morphological analyses have resulted in the descriptions of numerous new species of Hemiphyllodactylus in mainland Southeast Asia and southern China, many of which were historically hidden within the geographically widespread taxon H. yunnanensis (Boulenger, 1903). Little is known on species diversity and distributions of Hemiphyllodactylus in Cambodia, and all previous reports from the country have been limited to provisional identifications owing to collections containing only a single female or juvenile specimen. We report on new collections of Hemiphyllodactylus specimens from opposite ends of the Cardamom Mountain range in southwestern Cambodia. Morphological and molecular data support the hypothesis that these collections contain three distinct species, two of which are described as new species and one of which is assigned to the geographically widespread H. typus Bleeker, 1860 as a new country record for Cambodia. Hemiphyllodactylus bokor sp. nov. from Preah Monivong Bokor National Park in Kampot Province and Hemiphyllodactylus samkos sp. nov. from Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Pursat Province are related to species from adjacent areas in southern Vietnam, southern Laos, and southeastern Thailand, as well as a clade from India, but are readily differentiated in mitochondrial DNA and in having unique combinations of mensural and meristic morphological characters. Additional species diversity of Hemiphyllodactylus likely exists in Cambodia.

Anthropogenic Factor as a Relief-forming Factor of the Coastal Zone of the Black Sea Coast of the Krasnodar Territory (On the Example of the Tuapse-Adler Coastline)

The ever-increasing technogenic and anthropogenic load on the seacoasts, which significantly affects natural coastal processes, is increasingly beginning to act as a determining relief-forming factor. Hydraulic structures erected in the coastal zone have a dual effect on the natural coastal processes. On the one hand, they themselves are an artificially created relief, and on the other hand, the structures being erected have a significant effect on natural coastal processes. The example of the coastal section between Tuapse and Adler, located within the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Territory, which experiences enormous technogenic and anthropogenic load on the coast, shows the need to identify anthropogenic coastal dynamic systems as an independent relief-forming factor. At the same time, an assessment should be made of both the processes occurring within the system and its impact on the natural processes occurring in the adjacent coastal areas.

Numerical modelling for the distribution of 137Cs and 131I in the scheldt basin after a potential nuclear accident

Using the discontinuous Galerkin method in the SLIM modelling framework, we study the transport in the Scheldt basin and adjacent coastal area of radionuclides possibly emitted by Doel nuclear power plant in the aftermath of an accident. The contamination pathways taken into consideration are direct liquid releases into the water and deposition via the atmosphere. In past nuclear accidents, several radionuclides were released, among which, 131I and 137Cs were considered herein. The hydrodynamics and atmospheric conditions are selected to simulate the worst-case scenario in the domain of interest. The radionuclide deposition towards the North Sea results in 131I and 137Cs being transported to the Belgian coastal region. In case of deposition towards the river, radioactivity from upstream tributaries can reach the estuary within days. Direct liquid releases spread downstream until the mouth of the estuary after about few weeks and extend upstream into the Scheldt River. In all cases, due to tidal influence, the estuary becomes most vulnerable, with radioactivity potentially circulating for over a month. Additionally, higher river discharge resulted in decreased radioactivity levels in the estuary.

Monitoring of Overburden Failure with a Large Fractured-Height Working Face in a Deep Jurassic Coal Seam Based on the Electric Method

The development height of a water-flowing fractured zone is the key parameter to consider when carrying out mining under water pressure and coal mining with water conservation. In this paper, Jurassic coal seam 3-1 in the Menkeqing Coal Mine was taken as the research target, and a three-dimensional mining geological model was established by using FLAC3D to study the deformation and failure rules of overburden. Three roof boreholes were drilled in the auxiliary transportation roadway of adjacent working faces for dynamic monitoring by the resistivity method, which can better observe the whole process from failure to stability of the overburden. The results show that due to the complex sedimentary environment and large buried depth of coal seams in western China, there is a large deviation between the calculation results of the empirical formula of the fractured zone height under the “Regulations of buildings, water, railway and main well lane leaving coal pillar and press coal mining” (three regulations) and the simulation and on-site measurement. Based on the comprehensive analysis, the influence range of mining advance abutment pressure is approximately 60 m. The height of the water-flowing fractured zone is approximately 106 m, and it is located at the interface between sandy mudstone and mudstone. The height of the caving zone is approximately 22 m, and it is located at the interface between fine sandstone and medium sandstone. The ratio of the fractured height and coal seam thickness (Rf) reached 24.4, which was basically consistent with the test result of the adjacent Yushenfu mining area (which was 26 on average). There is no obvious change in the development height of the caving zone and water-flowing fracture zone from the working face to the drilling borehole position of more than 120 m, which reflects that the height of the overburden failure zone is related to the control of lithological combination.

The Impact of War on Heavy Metal Concentrations and the Seasonal Variation of Pollutants in Soils of the Conflict Zone and Adjacent Areas in Mosul City

The Impact of War on Heavy Metal Concentrations and the Seasonal Variation of Pollutants in Soils of the Conflict Zone and Adjacent Areas in Mosul City

DKK1+ tumor cells inhibited the infiltration of CCL19+ fibroblasts and plasma cells contributing to worse immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma

Intra-tumor immune infiltration plays a pivotal role in the interaction with tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its phenotype and related spatial structure remained elusive. To address these limitations, we conducted a comprehensive study combining spatial data (38,191 spots from eight samples) and single-cell data (56,022 cells from 20 samples). Our analysis revealed two distinct infiltration patterns: immune exclusion and immune activation. Plasma cells emerged as the primary cell type within intra-tumor immune clusters. Notably, we observed the co-location of CCL19+ fibroblasts with plasma cells, which secrete chemokines and promote T-cell activation and leukocyte migration. Conversely, in immune-exclusion samples, this co-location was primarily observed in the adjacent normal area. This co-localization correlated with T cell infiltration and the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures, validated by multiplex immunofluorescence conducted on twenty HCC samples. Both CCL19+ fibroblasts and plasma cells were associated with favorable survival outcomes. In an immunotherapy cohort, HCC patients who responded favorably exhibited higher infiltration of CCL19+ fibroblasts and plasma cells. Additionally, we observed the accumulation of DKK1+ tumor cells within the tumor area in immune-exclusion samples, particularly at the tumor boundary, which inhibited the infiltration of CCL19+ fibroblasts and plasma cells into the tumor area. Furthermore, in immune-exclusion samples, the SPP1 signaling pathway demonstrated the highest activity in communication between tumor and immune clusters, and CCL19-CCR7 played a pivotal role in the self-communication of immune clusters. This study elucidates immune exclusion and immune activation patterns in HCC and identifies relevant factors contributing to immune resistance.

Imaging Complex Structures of the Los Angeles Basin via Adjoint-State Travel-Time Tomography

ABSTRACT In this study, we present high-resolution seismic velocity models for the Los Angeles basin (LAB) and its adjacent area using adjoint-state travel-time tomography, fitting an extensive database of P- and S-wave travel times accumulated from 1980 to 2021. We select 151,193 first P-wave travel times and 149,997 first S-wave travel times from local earthquakes archived in the Southern California Earthquake Data Center to determine the velocity models, with earthquake locations updated at each iteration. With seismic stations spaced more than 3.5 km apart, our dataset has limited resolution in the uppermost 1–2 km. However, starting from three different initial models, our VP models, which are optimally imaged between 3 and 15 km, show similar velocity heterogeneity and provide a better fit to the observed first travel-time data compared to the Community Velocity Model-Harvard 15.1.0 and Community Velocity Model-Southern California Earthquake Center 4.26. Our models provide a detailed delineation of the subsurface structure beneath the LAB, revealing significant velocity variations across active faults, a 10-km-thick sequence of sedimentary rocks within the basin, and a distinct basin margin marked by transitions from low to high-velocities. In addition, these models highlight basement structures with elevated VP and VS located at depths of 9 to 12 km and beyond. Specifically, beneath the northeastern part of the basin, the models demonstrate improved accuracy and reliability in reflecting the linear relationship between VP and VS in mafic rocks. The accurate delineation of the basin’s structure provided by our models could also offer robust constraints for seismic response modeling and seismic hazard assessment in the region.

Multitask-Based Anti-Collision Trajectory Planning of Redundant Manipulators

During performing multiple tasks of a redundant manipulator, the obstacles affect the sequential order of task areas and the joint trajectories. The end-effector is constrained to visit multiple task areas with an optimal anti-collision path, while the joints are required to move smoothly and avoid predefined obstacles. A special encoding genetic algorithm (SEGA) is proposed for multitask-based anti-collision trajectory planning. Firstly, the spatial occupancy relationship between obstacles and manipulator is developed utilizing the theory of spherical enclosing box and spatial superposition. The obstacles are detected according to the relative position relationship between linear segments and spheres. Secondly, each joint trajectory between adjacent task areas is depicted with a sixth-degree polynomial. Additionally, each joint trajectory is improved via optimizing the unknown six-order coefficient. By searching for optimal sequential order of task areas, optimal collision detection results, and optimal joint trajectories, the multitask-based anti-collision trajectory planning problem is transformed into a parameter optimization problem. In SEGA, the cost function consists of two parts, including the end-effector path length and the variation of joint angles. Moreover, each chromosome consists of three categories of genes, including the sequential order of task areas, the sequential order of joint configurations corresponding to task areas, and the unknown coefficients for anti-collision joint trajectories. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to verify the proposed method.

The Cretaceous World (GSL SP544)

The Cretaceous System was first established by Jean Baptiste Julien d'Omalius d'Halloy based on his geological mapping of France and the adjacent areas of the Low Countries and Northern Italy. His map, which was published in 1822, has a legend with a rock unit identified as ‘ Terrain Crétacé ’ and that was the birth of the Cretaceous System that we still use today. Unlike many of the other geological systems, there was no definitive publication. The Cretaceous, as currently defined, occupies the interval of time from 145 Ma to 66 Ma, making it one of the longest in the Phanerozoic. The Cretaceous includes both icehouse and greenhouse (even hothouse) conditions and much of the time is characterised by exceptionally high sea levels.

Flood Mapping using HEC-RAS and GIS: A Case Study of Palembang Watersheds

Flooding is a significant issue in Palembang City, affecting areas such as Gandus, Lambidaro, Boang, Sekanak, Bendung, Kidul, Buah, Juaro, Selinca, Nyiur, Aur, Sriguna, Kedukan, Keramasan, Kertapati and Jakabaring watershed. This research contributes to flood control measures by providing flood mapping and modelling for decision-makers and local authorities. The main objective of this paper is to perform a steady flow analysis to study the hydraulic characteristics of flow; velocity and water surface profile of the adjacent research areas. There are three processes involved in the data analysis: hydrological, hydraulic and spatial. The calculation of average rainfall is performed using the Isohyet method with the assistance of the IDW 3D Analyst tool in ArcGIS and the design discharge is calculated using the HSS Nakayasu method. The hydraulic analyses involve river morphology extraction using RAS Mapper tools in HEC-RAS. Steady flow simulations are conducted for normal water depth conditions and the highest tidal conditions. The simulation result is then reclassified and the flood location points are verified with observed data. For normal water depth conditions, the maximum water level in the Lambidaro watershed reaches 2,09 meters, which covers a flood area of 721,53 ha. Meanwhile, based on the highest tidal simulations, the maximum water level in the Selinca watershed reaches 3,21 meters, covering a flood area of 209,36 ha.

Introduction to the Cretaceous System: Regional Studies (SP 545)

The Cretaceous System was first established by Jean Baptiste Julien d'Omalius d'Halloy based on his geological mapping of France and the adjacent areas of the Low Countries and Northern Italy. His map, which was published in 1822, has a legend with a rock unit identified as ‘ Terrain Crétacé ’ and that was the birth of the Cretaceous System that we still use today. Unlike many of the other geological systems, there was no definitive publication, only an account about the generation of the map. The Cretaceous, as currently defined, occupies the interval of time from 145 Ma to 66 Ma, making it one of the longest in the Phanerozoic. The Cretaceous includes both icehouse and greenhouse (even hothouse) conditions and much of the time is characterised by exceptionally high sea levels. These have provided us with widespread deposits of Cretaceous age, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and all latitudes between. The range of sediments, both marine and terrestrial, is also a backdrop to a range of faunas and floras, some of which are widespread while others are endemic as a result of the Cretaceous dispersion of the continents.

Fire in house - investigation of the outbreak and spread of the fire in a countryside house

Fire in houses are a significant hazard often resulting in loss of life and substantial repair costs due to damage to the structure and contents. There is a clear need to prevent its ignition and spread to adjacent areas. This article presents the steps taken, namely: contacts, data collection, tests, analysis, and conclusions regarding the accident resulting from the outbreak and spread of a fire, on December 25, 2020, in a traditional Portuguese house in Arganil, Portugal. An expert with specialized technical-scientific knowledge was requested to conduct this investigation, which involved observations and data analysis followed by laboratory tests the work consists of carrying out observations and data analysis. Then, the observed and analysed data were laboratory tested to consistently identify characteristics that lead to the ignition and propagation of the fire. This work identified construction problems, materials used and heat sources that are responsible for the accident. The conclusions may be used to avoid future incidents or accidents with houses of same construction type.

Influence of tectonic evolution processes on burial, thermal maturation and gas generation histories of the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale in the Sichuan Basin and adjacent areas

The Wufeng-Longmaxi (WL) shale is widely distributed in the Sichuan Basin and adjacent areas in southwest China. The basin experienced multiple-stage complex tectonic movements, whose influences on burial, thermal maturation and gas generation histories in different areas are poorly understood. Based on a detailed study of the denudation stages, strata thickness, and thermal history of the basin, burial and thermal maturation histories of seven wells in different areas were modelled using PetroMod software. Due to the high maturity of the WL shale, a low-maturity Silurian Polish Llandovery shale was used for gold tube closed-system pyrolysis experiments to obtain kinetic parameters for evaluating methane generation history. The Polish shale was selected due to its depositional age, sedimentary environment and organic type, which are similar to the WL shale. The burial history of the WL shale can be divided into five stages: I. Early to Middle Silurian rapid burial; II. Caledonian uplift and denudation; III. Permian to Triassic sustained burial and denudation; IV. sustained burial since the Late Triassic; and V. Late Cretaceous to present sustained uplift and denudation. The thermal maturity of the WL shale in all wells increased with burial depth during stage IV. In addition, high calculated reflectance increments in wells JY1 and N201 during stage III occurred due to the relatively high basal heat flow and deep burial depth, resulting in higher current thermal maturities than in the other wells. The late Permian–Early Triassic and the Middle Jurassic–Early (or Late) Cretaceous were the key methane generation periods for wells JY1 and N201. In contrast, the other five wells had a single methane generation stage, mainly determined by burial and thermal maturation processes. The time of uplift and the amount of denudation during stage V, the current burial depth, the development of faults and fractures, high proportion of retention and the seal capacity of the overlying caprock are key factors for shale gas preservation. Hence, this study will help guide future shale gas development in the Sichuan Basin.

Phylogeography of Pleurospermum foetens (Apiaceae) From the Sky Islands of Southwest China.

Sky islands provide insights on how glacial-interglacial cycles have shaped species distribution and help for predicting species' responses to climate warming. The alpine subnival belt of southwest China, especially in the Hengduan Mountains and adjacent areas, is sky island-like. Among them, the Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau harbors several isolated mountains with well-developed alpine subnival vegetation, sharing a similar species composition with the Hengduan Mountains. However, the relationship between the sky islands of the Hengduan Mountains and the Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau remains insufficiently explored. Pleurospermum foetens (Apiaceae) is a species endemic to the alpine screes of the Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains. We used DNA sequence data from 59 individuals across 9 populations, combined with ecological niche modeling, to investigate the evolution history and future distribution of P. foetens within this sky island region. The results indicate the following: (1) P. foetens exhibits a significant phylogeographic structure and can be classified into three nrDNA clades and two cpDNA clades, respectively, (2) a nuclear-plastid discordance observed in P. foetens and its relatives based on phylogenetic analysis. P. foetens is monophyletic in the nrDNA phylogeny, while two major clades (HDM and YGP) are present in the cpDNA phylogeny, each forming a clade with other congeneric species. (3) Ecological niche modeling of P. foetens indicated that the species had the most extensive suitable habitat during the last glacial maximum (LGM). However, anticipated climate warming in the coming decades is expected to reduce the suitable range of P. foetens, posing a significant threat to isolated marginal populations (e.g., Shizi Mountain) with restricted alpine scree habitats. In conclusion, our study highlights the substantial effect of sky island and glacial-interglacial cycles on the population divergence of P. foetens. Conservation efforts for marginal populations of alpine plants in the Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau require increased attention and prioritization.

Biogeochemical sulfur transformations in the cohesive and permeable tidal flat sediments of Jade Bay (North Sea)

Intertidal flats are highly productive coastal marine ecosystems which are affected by fast changes in environmental conditions and host dynamic biogeochemical cycles in their sediments. Bioturbation by burrowing organisms and roots of plants strongly affects speciation and cycling of redox-sensitive elements in intertidal sediments. In this work, we have studied the impact of sediment type and vegetation on the cycling of redox-sensitive elements including sulfur, iron, and manganese in sandy and muddy tidal flats sediments in the Jade Bay (North Sea) and adjacent area. The redox speciation of these elements was analyzed in the pore-waters and the total sediment. The isotopic compositions of sulfur species were measured in non-vegetated sediments and in sediments which are inhabited by various plants. In the cohesive sediments, which are not affected by vegetation, a decrease in sulfate concentration, coupled with the presence of relatively high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the pore-waters and the presence of sulfide minerals as well the isotopic compositions of sulfur species are consistent with fast rates of sulfate reduction in the sediments. In the cohesive sediments affected by roots of Salicornia stricta and sediments desiccation, a cryptic sulfur cycle, which is characterized by microbial sulfate reduction coupled to fast reoxidation of hydrogen sulfide by Fe(III) (hydr)oxides and, possibly, by oxygen is present. Below the roots penetration depth, speciation of redox-sensitive elements is similar to those in the baren sediments. In the cohesive sediments affected by the roots of Spartina anglica and Triglochin maritima, which have longer roots, a cryptic sulfur cycle was detected in the upper 30 cm of sediments. At the sites that are characterized by permeable surface sediments and alternating permeable and cohesive layers in the deeper sediments, the composition of the sediment has a similar or even more significant impact on the speciation of the redox-sensitive elements than penetration of relatively weak roots of Spartina anglica. These sediments are characterized by the formation of hydrogen sulfide and sulfide oxidation intermediates in the cohesive layers and their diffusion to (and oxidation at) the boundaries between cohesive and permeable sediments. We conclude that in the cohesive sediment, the penetration of roots and desiccation leads to the formation of overall oxidized conditions in the sediments, while in the sediments with alternating layers, permeability may provide a more significant control for speciation of redox-sensitive elements.

Three-dimensional velocity structure of the MS 6.0 Luxian earthquake source region and adjacent areas based on a dense seismic array

Three-dimensional velocity structure of the MS 6.0 Luxian earthquake source region and adjacent areas based on a dense seismic array