Deformation Rate Research Articles

Landslide Thickness Estimated from InSAR-Derived 2D Deformation: Application to the Xiongba Ancient Landslide, China

The thickness estimation of landslides is crucial for better landslide evaluation. Traditional non-contact mass conservation methods using 3D deformation may be unsuitable due to observation limitations. This study proposes a more feasible approach based on 2D deformation from two-track Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) observations, applied to the Xiongba landslide. The comparison with geological and drilling measurements confirms the reliability of this method. The mapped InSAR LOS deformation rate fields reveal two regions: a significantly deformed frontal zone and a relatively stable zone. Analysis suggests that surface uplift at the Xiongba-H2 landslide’s front edge results from rock–soil mass pushing in high-deformation areas. The estimated thickness ranges from 10 to 100 m, with an active volume of 6.17 × 107 m3. A thicker region is identified at the front edge along the Jinsha River, posing the potential for further failure. This low-cost, easily implemented approach enhances InSAR’s applicability for landslide analysis and hazard assessment.

MODELING OF HIGH-RATE HARDENING OF A POLYMER COMPOSITE MATERIAL UNDER LOADING ALONG THE REINFORCEMENT DIRECTION

Modeling the high-rate deformation of composite structures is of great interest in the industry. Moreover, some processes such as accidents, explosions and possible impact issues require analysis of composite materials at significantly high deformation rates. The paper considers the possibility of developing a model of deformation of a composite material based on a polymer matrix and carbon fiber taking into account high-rate hardening. A feature of the study is the development of a model that takes into account a wide range of deformation rates from static to several thousand reverse seconds. Thus, tests were carried out with special equipment and samples that allow us to obtain data with such high loading speeds. The model is based on an approach considering the use of damage parameters, the so-called class of models with progressive degradation. The main innovative part of the chosen model is the formalization of the rate of deformation on the material through the damage parameter, that is, the rate of change in damage values is considered. This approach makes it possible to make constitutive relations based only on the damage parameters, which modify the stiffness and strength characteristics of composites, which greatly simplifies the modeling and analysis of material deformation.

Effects of steel fibers and carbon nanotubes on the flexural behavior of hybrid GFRP/steel reinforced concrete beams

BackgroundGlass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars offer a superior alternative to steel bars in concrete reinforcement but are associated with wider cracks and higher deformation rates. This study introduces a novel approach by combining steel fibers (SFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to address these drawbacks and enhance the performance of GFRP-reinforced concrete beams. The unique contribution of this study lies in the simultaneous use of SFs and CNTs, which has not been extensively investigated, particularly in the context of GFRP-reinforced concrete. The study involved testing three sets of nine specimens with different concrete mixtures and reinforcement forms.ResultsThe results showed that adding 0.04% CNTs by cement weight and 0.6% SFs by volume fraction significantly improved the mechanical performance of GFRP and steel reinforced beams. GFRP reinforced beams with CNTs and SFs exhibited a reduction in crack width, a 20% increase in load-carrying capacity, and a 25% reduction in deflection compared to reference specimens. Scanning electron microscope analysis further revealed that CNTs effectively enhanced tensile load transfer, improving flexural behavior of the beams. The finite element analysis using ANSYS confirmed the experimental findings, highlighting the improved stress distribution in the modified concrete mixtures.ConclusionsIncorporating SFs and CNTs in concrete significantly improves the mechanical performance of GFRP-reinforced beams, making them more durable and resilient. These findings suggest that the proposed approach can enhance the longevity and sustainability of concrete structures, particularly in dynamic load applications such as bridges and high-rise buildings. Further experimental and analytical studies are recommended to assess the practical implications and cost-effectiveness of these materials in large-scale construction projects.

Study on Soil Freeze–Thaw and Surface Deformation Patterns in the Qilian Mountains Alpine Permafrost Region Using SBAS-InSAR Technique

The Qilian Mountains, located on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, are characterized by unique high-altitude and cold-climate terrain, where permafrost and seasonally frozen ground are extensively distributed. In recent years, with global warming and increasing precipitation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, permafrost degradation has become severe, further exacerbating the fragility of the ecological environment. Therefore, timely research on surface deformation and the freeze–thaw patterns of alpine permafrost in the Qilian Mountains is imperative. This study employs Sentinel-1A SAR data and the SBAS-InSAR technique to monitor surface deformation in the alpine permafrost regions of the Qilian Mountains from 2017 to 2023. A method for spatiotemporal interpolation of ascending and descending orbit results is proposed to calculate two-dimensional surface deformation fields further. Moreover, by constructing a dynamic periodic deformation model, the study more accurately summarizes the regular changes in permafrost freeze–thaw and the trends in seasonal deformation amplitudes. The results indicate that the surface deformation time series in both vertical and east–west directions obtained using this method show significant improvements in accuracy over the initial data, allowing for a more precise reflection of the dynamic processes of surface deformation in the study area. Subsidence is predominant in permafrost areas, while uplift mainly occurs in seasonally frozen ground areas near lakes and streams. The average vertical deformation rate is 1.56 mm/a, with seasonal amplitudes reaching 35 mm. Topographical (elevation; slope gradient; aspect) and climatic factors (temperature; soil moisture; precipitation) play key roles in deformation patterns. The deformation of permafrost follows five distinct phases: summer thawing; warm-season stability; frost heave; winter cooling; and spring thawing. This study enhances our understanding of permafrost deformation characteristics in high-latitude and high-altitude regions, providing a reference for preventing geological disasters in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau area and offering theoretical guidance for regional ecological environmental protection and infrastructure safety.

Crustal deformation in East of Cairo, Egypt, induced by rapid urbanization, as seen from remote sensing and GNSS data

Abstract The area located East to Cairo, the Capital of Egypt, represents an obvious example for the rapid urban expansion, as it contains many new housing cities. Beside its socio-economic importance, it’s located in the Cairo-Suez seismic zone. We utilized Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) of 2015–2021 Sentinel-1 SAR scenes along with two GNSS stations (KATA and PHLW) to assess the distribution and rates of crustal deformation of this region. The PSI analysis is applied to 140 Sentinel-1 SAR images collected from the ascending track number (58) and the descending track number (167). The Bernese software V. 5.0 is used for the processing of the GNSS data. A good agreement between the rates estimated from the PSI analysis and GNSS data is observed. Based on results, most of the new cities showing land subsidence with variable rates. The rates at Obour, New Cairo, Shorouk, Madinty, and Capital Gardens are 0.54 ± 0.30 mm/year, 0.58 ± 0.30 mm/year, 1.01 ± 0.30 mm/year, 0.58 ± 0.30 mm/year, and 0.99 ± 0.30 mm/year, respectively. The highest recorded subsidence rates are at Asher, Administrative Capital, and Badr with 2.18 ± 0.30 mm/year, 1.89 ± 0.30 mm/year, and 1.69 ± 0.30 mm/year, respectively. Nasr city is the only city with an uplift of 0.82 ± 0.30 mm/year. Our new findings introduce the probable use of integrated techniques such as GNSS and InSAR to evaluate the extent of crustal deformation connected to rapid urbanization in arid areas. Beside tectonic setting, it should be considered while executing mega-projects for sustainable development especially within Egypt’s Vision 2030.

Design innovative perspectives of thermally radiative flow of chemically reactive magnetized nanofluid capturing bioconvection and Joule heating aspects

The distinguishing thermophysical features of nanofluids make them possibly advantageous in enhancing transfer of heat. The applications of nanofluids in industrial cooling, cooling tower detection, imaging, microelectronic cooling, crossbreed motor proficiency, transparent sunscreen, crack-resistant paint, nuclear reactor cooling, thermal transport, enhanced oil recovery, and architecture have diversified extensively in recent years. Scientific research has shown an enormous spike in fascination with non-Newtonian nanofluids in the past few decades. The stress in non-Newtonian fluids varies nonlinearly with the rate of deformation. These fluids are used in material processing, bioengineering, polymeric fluids, oil reservoir design, and the chemical and nuclear industries. There have been several non-Newtonian models presented forth. The Williamson fluid model is one example of such a model that has a shear-thinning behavior. The current article explanate analysis of (3D) Williamson fluid flow considering various physical features which plays vital role to raise the heat transportation rate. Through transformations procedure the governing physical problem is simplified and then solved via bvp4c in MATLAB. Acquired data are tabulated and graphically presented, and the impacts of relevant parameters on concentration-microorganisms and temperature have been examined numerically. According to the accomplishments, the concentration profile is anticipated to decline as the stretching rate parameter and Brownian motion parameter values grow. By boosting the magnetic parameter, the microorganism profile advances, but the bioconvection Peclet number reveals an opposite tendency.

Clinical significance of myocardial deformation of a left ventricle in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Purpose: to evaluate the clinical significance of left ventricular myocardial deformation indicators, their relationship with the degree of heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Materials and methods. 61 patients with primary genetically confirmed asymmetric HCM aged 7 to 17 years underwent a comprehensive clinical and echocardiography. Echocardiography determined indicators of left ventricular systolic function: ejection and shortening fractions, global longitudinal, circular and radial myocardial deformations and deformations rates. The assessment of myocardial hypertrophy of left ventricular segments was performed taking into account absolute values in systole and diastole depending on age, recalculated per standard deviation units in the population (Z-score factor). Results. A more pronounced degree of heart failure, a decrease in ejection and shortening fractions, and indicators of left ventricular myocardial deformation were established in all children with non-obstructive and obstructive forms of HCM and an extreme degree of myocardial hypertrophy, in contrast to the non-obstructive form of the disease with a less pronounced degree of hypertrophy. An earlier decrease in myocardial deformation indices was revealed in comparison with ejection and shortening fractions, longitudinal deformation and its speed in comparison with radial and circular, their speeds. Conclusions. 1. In children with HCM and extreme degrees of left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, compared with mild and moderate hypertrophy, a more pronounced degree of heart failure is observed, which is accompanied by a decrease in left ventricular systolic function. Among them, a decrease in myocardial deformation rates and their velocities is more sensitive compared to left ventricular ejection fractions and shortening. 2. Reduction of left ventricular myocardial deformation in children with HCM depends on the degree of hypertrophy. The earliest, manifesting itself even with a mild degree of hypertrophy, is a decrease in longitudinal deformation and its speed compared to circular and radial deformations and their speeds. 3. Determining the indicators of left ventricular myocardial deformation in children with HCM in comparison with the degree of myocardial hypertrophy is of great clinical importance in assessing the systolic function of the left ventricle to optimize administration tactics and timely treatment of the disease.

Oxidation Behavior and Creep Resistance of Cast MC-Strengthened CoNiFeMnCr HEAs at 1100 °C

The reinforcement of cast Cantor’s-type high-entropy alloys by MC carbides and their effect on the hot oxidation behavior were investigated. Three equimolar CoNiFeMnCr alloys without or with carbon and with either hafnium or tantalum were elaborated. Their as-cast microstructures were specified. Oxidation tests were carried out in air at 1100 °C. Flexural creep tests were performed at 1100 °C at 10 MPa. The carbide-free CoNiFeMnCr alloy was single-phased. The version with Hf and C added and the one with Ta and C added contained interdendritic eutectic script HfC and TaC carbides, respectively. After oxidation for 50 h at 1100 °C, all alloys were covered by a (Cr,Mn)2O3 scale with various proportions of Cr and Mn. HfO2 or CrTaO4 also formed. Oxidation resulted in a deep depletion in Cr and in Mn in the subsurface. Oxidation is much faster for the three alloys by comparison with chromia-forming alloys. Their bad oxidation behavior is obviously due to Mn and protection by coating is to be considered. The creep deformation of the carbide-free CoNiFeMnCr alloy was very fast. The creep resistance of the two versions reinforced by either HfC or TaC deformed much slower. The addition of these MC carbides led to a deformation rate divided by five to ten times. Now, creep behavior comparisons with commercial alloys are to be conducted. They will be performed soon.

Biaxial Thermo–Mechanical Response of ABS Sheet Above Tg Using DIC–Based Bubble Inflation Technique

ABSTRACTIn this study, we examine the biaxial, large, and rapid deformation characteristics of heavy‐gauge ABS sheets within the temperature range of 120°C to 160°C, relevant to the industrial forming process. A custom‐built bubble inflation apparatus with a 300 mm diameter was designed for this purpose. Temperature uniformity across the sheet was verified using a thermal camera, while the temperature profile through the material's thickness was monitored during the heating using thermocouples near the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The bubble inflation test, combined with displacement, strain fields, and deformation rates at different locations, enables detailed characterization of the bubble's shape under large deformation. To address early‐stage geometric instabilities due to sagging from thermal expansion, airflow was regulated with a precise flow control valve before inflation, while 3D‐DIC monitored the real‐time displacements to correct for sag deformation. The inflation pressure profile was recorded and synchronized with 3D‐DIC strain evolution data for each test, allowing for analysis of the characteristic stress–strain curve at the pole. By evaluating the material's equi‐biaxial properties at the pole and biaxial strain measurements away from the pole, the collected data provides a strong basis for future calibration of constitutive material models through an inverse approach, enabling accurate integration into process simulations.

Elongational flow of arrested complex fluid under the suppression of osmotic effective diffusion by surrounding flow of miscible solvent

Nonequilibrium interface (NI) of miscible fluids has long been of great interest; however, the acting effective interfacial tension and the deformation rate of the suspended phase in a steady immiscible state (SIS) have yet been delineated. We investigate the deformation rate and diffusion of complex fluids with a miscible surrounding fluid in a rectangular microchannel. We show here that the NI acts as a moving osmotic membrane and maintains a stable two-phase flow at a flow rate faster than the diffusion rate proportional to the osmotic pressure of the complex fluid. We report for the first time that a complex fluid suspended within a flow rate faster than the osmotic diffusion rate exhibits wet capillary thinning (WCT) behavior at the SIS. We demonstrate that either acting effective interfacial tension caused by Korteweg stress or elongational viscosity is measurable from the WCT behavior, and it was shown to be applicable to polymer solutions, animal blood, and even pure water. Our findings provide new insight into the phase behavior and managing diffusion in the flow stream of miscible fluids. The WCT technique enables precise measurement of elongational viscosity of a small amount of complex fluid, about the size of a drop without contact with the gas phase, providing a safe method for toxic, gas reactive liquid, or infected biofluids.

Constitutive modelling of deformation rate dependent response of steel timber shear connections

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations into the deformation rate-dependent constitutive response of steel-timber shear connections with screws. After describing the test specimens and experimental arrangement, a detailed account of the complete deformation response and main mechanical parameters of the tested shear connections under three applied displacement rate levels are given. Specimens with small screw diameters had a relatively brittle response, failing shortly after yielding, whilst those with higher diameters showed ductile failure modes, with plastic hinges forming in the screws and concurrent extensive timber crushing. It was observed that the stiffness increases with the deformation rate due to the viscoelastic response of wood materials, whilst the peak load is largely constant. Nonlinear finite element simulations were carried out to validate the main numerical parameters for steel, timber, and interaction characteristics. After gaining confidence in the ability of the numerical models to predict closely the stiffness and peak load, numerical investigations were carried out to examine the influence of key material and geometric parameters on the stiffness, load resistance and deformation response. The studies showed that higher timber strength increases the initial stiffness and the peak load, while higher screw grades improved both stiffness and strength. Based on the results and observations, code-modified expressions for evaluating the stiffness and load resistance, as a function of the deformation rate, are proposed within the ranges considered, and validated against a collated database. Comparative assessments with existing literature indicate that the proposed equations provide improved estimates. Suggested closed-form relationships enable the characterisation of the full constitutive response of steel-timber shear connections, that can be adopted for discrete nonlinear modelling of connectors.

Effects of Recovery and Phase Transformation on the Recrystallization Kinetics of Ti-6Al-4V During β-Processing

This work unifies the description of microstructure evolution during dynamic and static recrystallization of Ti-6Al-4V in a single model. The developed model incorporates the role of dislocation interactions on the phenomenological concepts of dynamic and static recovery, continuous dynamic and static recrystallization, nucleation rate, and grain growth. The β-grain elongation during hot compression and the role of the deformed prior β-grain size on the number of potential nucleation sites are considered to visualize the influence of the initial grain size before deformation on the kinetics of static recrystallization. The model is calibrated and validated with experimental data from Ti-6Al-4V samples thermomechanically treated in the β-domain. Finally, the model is implemented as subroutines into the commercial FEM-based software DEFORM™ 2D. The proposed model accurately predicts I) the flow behavior and grain refinement during supertransus deformation, II) the influence of initial grain size, temperature, and deformation rate on the static recrystallization kinetics, and III) the grain growth kinetics. Simulations of hot forming followed by isothermal heat treatment and continuous cooling show that the Zener drag effect due to the formation of the α-phase has a greater influence on the kinetics of β-recrystallization than the cooling rate itself.

Influence of sweep angle on leading edge vortex dynamics of a fully passive oscillating-plate hydrokinetic turbine prototype

The present work assesses the use of spanwise flow in enhancing the performance of the fully passive oscillating-plate hydrokinetic turbine prototype by relating the dynamics of the leading edge vortex (LEV) to the power extraction performance. Two-dimensional (2D) planar and three-dimensional (3D) tomographic particle image velocimetry were employed to obtain quantitative flow structure of oscillating-plates undergoing heave and pitch motion in uniform inflow at Reynolds number of 21 000. A plate with a 6° sweep angle and an unswept plate (control case) were considered in the present study. Dynamics of the LEV were investigated using the patterns of the phase-averaged vorticity during the oscillation cycle. The 3D vector fields provided insights into the spanwise variation of the vortical structure and the rate of deformation of the vortex, which was determined by calculating the deformation terms in the vorticity transport equations which are related to the stability of the vortex. The results show evidence of a delay in the shedding of the LEV and an increase in its stability in the case of the swept plate, compared to the control case, which in turn benefit the power extraction performance at high inflow velocities.

Evaluation of effects on a viaduct affected by a snowmelt-induced landslide using AI-Driven Pattern Recognition

Over recent years, the worldwide increase in infrastructure failures due to natural hazards such as landslides and earthquakes has raised significant concern. Aggravated by the effects of climate change, this issue has had a considerable impact, particularly in Italy. This study focuses on the "Villa Ilii" Viaduct on the A24 highway to analyze landslide-structure interactions, emphasizing the significant deformation risks. The methodology includes comprehensive geological, morphometric, and geophysical analyses, with findings showing cumulative deformation rates up to +2.5 cm/year at critical points. Field surveys and high-resolution SAR data analysis have identified deformation patterns linked to seasonal snow melt and temperature variations, adding a quantitative dimension to the hazard assessment. A novel component of this study is the application of Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM) for automated pattern recognition within SAR data processed using the Differential Interferometry SAR (DInSAR) technique. By leveraging datasets on snow melting patterns and cumulative radar target deformation, GBMs uncover intricate, non-linear relationships between snowmelt dynamics and ground deformation. This integration of GBMs and DInSAR data advances landslide hazard assessment by providing a robust 87% accuracy predictive model, effectively capturing environmental triggers that impact infrastructure stability. These findings contribute to more effective hazard management strategies and inform resilient infrastructure design, highlighting the study's significance in addressing climate-driven geohazards.

High-Fidelity Pick-and-Place Transfer Printing of Colloidal Quantum Dot Pixel Arrays via a Composite Stamp.

Transfer printing can pattern emissive colloidal quantum dot (CQD) arrays with ultrahigh pixel density. However, the most used pick-and-place method has difficulty in achieving high pattern fidelity. Here, we report that the regularly used single-composite stamps cannot combine a low deformation rate and conformal contact, leading to the challenge. In response, we propose a composite stamp for the CQD transfer. Stacked with PDMS of different mechanical parameters, the composite stamp outperforms the single-component stamp composed of soft PDMS (Sylgard184) in deformation resistance and exhibits substantially higher contact conformality than that composed of harder PDMS. As a result, the composite stamp exhibits a 3.21-fold enhancement in transfer yield, delivering a pattern fidelity of 94.0% with a pixel diameter of 1.78 μm and a pixel density of 6350 per inch. The pick-and-place process also produces quantum dot light-emitting diode arrays with the same pattern and reasonable electroluminescence performance. This method provides insight into improving CQD arrays' pattern quality.

Mapping Surface Deformation in Rwanda and Neighboring Areas Using SBAS-InSAR

Surface deformation poses significant risks to urban infrastructure, agriculture, and the environment in many regions worldwide, including Rwanda and the neighboring areas. This study focuses on surface deformation mapping and time series analysis in Rwanda and the neighboring areas from 2 July 2016 to 8 June 2023 using the Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR). The influence of atmospheric delay error is effectively reduced by integrating the Generic Atmospheric Correction Online Service (GACOS), which provides precise atmospheric delay maps. Then the SBAS-InSAR method is utilized to generate surface deformation maps and displacement time series across the region. The results of this study indicated that the maximum deformation rate was −0.11 m/yr (subsidence) and +0.13 m/yr (uplift). Through time series analysis, we quantified subsidence and uplift areas and identified key drivers of surface deformation. Since subsidence or uplift varies across the region, we have summarized the different deformation patterns and briefly analyzed the factors that may lead to deformation. Finally, this study underscores the importance of SBAS-InSAR for tracking surface deformation in Rwanda and the neighboring areas, which offers valuable perspectives for sustainable land utilization strategizing and risk mitigation.

Evaluation of ring test with reference to deformation rate and specimen geometry in assessing the tensile behaviors of granite

Ring test for indirect tensile strength measurements utilizes disc specimens with a hole at the center of the disc. Such specimens are found to limit the stresses at the specimen-platen contact and transfer the tensile stress to the upper- and lower-hole boundaries in ring specimens. Researchers observed that the tensile strength of a ring specimen tends to decrease as the ratio of the hole-radius to the disc-radius (ρ) increases. However, there has been no research on how the tensile strength derived from ring specimens varies when loaded under different quasi-static strain rates or deformation rates. The strain analysis in case of ring tests also does not seem to have gained attention. In this study, ring specimens of Malanjkhand granite (India) with varying ρ (0.13, 0.17, 0.21 and 0.25) were quasi-statically loaded at 0.5 mm/min, 1.5 mm/min and 5.5 mm/min corresponding to strain rates of 1.75 × 10−4 s−1, 5.26 × 10−4 and 1.93 × 10−3 s−1, respectively. The combined effect of the deformation rate and specimen geometry (ρ) on the indirect tensile strength and deformation behavior was investigated. The Ring Tensile Strength (RTS) is found to be higher than the Brazilian Tensile Strength (BTS). RTS shows dependency on both the geometry of the ring specimen as well as the deformation rate. The tensile Tangent Deformation Modulus (Dv) and the ratio of the horizontal strain to vertical strain, coined as Ring Strain Ratio (RSR), were estimated in this study from the tensile stress and vertical-horizontal strain data. A numerical finite element analysis was also performed in Abaqus to observe the stress distribution in both ring and Brazilian discs, where the results were found to be broadly conformable.

Detecting infrastructure hazard potential change by SAR techniques on postseismic surface deformation: A case study of 2016 Meinong earthquake in southwestern Taiwan

Over the past two decades, multi-temporal InSAR techniques have been successfully utilized to monitor surface deformation throughout earthquake cycles. As sensor resolution and observation frequency of radar satellites have significantly improved, the spatial monitoring capability has expanded from tectonic to regional and local scales. Although regions with higher deformation rates are generally considered to have greater hazard potential, from an engineering perspective, locations with abrupt displacement rate changes may pose greater risks. This paper presents a robust method to transform tectonic-scale geodetic data into engineering-scale deformation tolerance ratios for assessing infrastructure safety during the postseismic period. Using the persistent scatterer InSAR (PSI) method, we measured line-of-sight (LOS) displacements from Sentinel-1 satellite images. By correcting LOS velocities with GNSS data and constraining the velocity in the N-S direction, we inverted the 2D (E-W and UD) postseismic deformation rates for the three years following the 2016 Meinong earthquake. The 2D rates were then converted into annual deformation tolerance ratios (ADTR), with a statistically established threshold to identify infrastructure segments with high hazard potential. Additionally, we conducted time-series variation analysis on the inherent pixel unit to evaluate the state of hazard potential and characterize the spatiotemporal behavior of fault systems during the postseismic period. Our results indicated that the postseismic deformation rates in the E-W and UD directions are 1.5 and 2–3 times higher, respectively, than those in the interseismic period. The horizontal ADTR index of high-speed railway infrastructures identified a high-hazard potential segment located on the Chegualin fault in Kaohsiung, while the vertical ADTR index highlighted a high-hazard potential segment at a junction between multiple fault extensions in Tainan. Moreover, statistical time-series variation analysis revealed a gradual decrease in hazard potential after 2017, which is related to a slow earthquake that occurred in early to mid-2018, modulating regional stress during the postseismic period. Our novel method not only highlights the impact of postseismic deformation on infrastructure but also provides a crucial basis for future earthquake hazard prevention and mitigation.

Hybrid 3D bioprinting for advanced tissue-engineered trachea: merging fused deposition modeling (FDM) and top–down digital light processing (DLP)

In this present study, we introduce an innovative hybrid 3D bioprinting methodology that integrates fused deposition modeling (FDM) with top-down digital light processing (DLP) for the fabrication of an artificial trachea. Initially, polycaprolactone (PCL) was incorporated using an FDM 3D printer to provide essential mechanical support, replicating the structure of tracheal cartilage. Subsequently, a chondrocyte-laden glycidyl methacrylated silk fibroin hydrogel was introduced via top-down DLP into the PCL scaffold (PCL-Sil scaffold). The mechanical evaluation of PCL-Sil scaffolds showed that they have greater flexibility than PCL scaffolds, with a higher deformation rate (PCL-Sil scaffolds: 140.9% ± 5.37% vs. PCL scaffolds: 124.3% ± 6.25%) and ability to withstand more force before fracturing (3.860 ± 0.140 N for PCL-Sil scaffolds vs. 2.502 ± 0.126 N for PCL scaffolds, ***P< 0.001). Both types of scaffolds showed similar axial compressive strengths (PCL-Sil scaffolds: 4.276 ± 0.127 MPa vs. PCL scaffolds: 4.291 ± 0.135 MPa). Additionally, PCL-Sil scaffolds supported fibroblast proliferation, indicating good biocompatibility.In vivotesting of PCL-Sil scaffolds in a partial tracheal defect rabbit model demonstrated effective tissue regeneration. The scaffolds were pre-cultured in the omentum for two weeks to promote vascularization before transplantation. Eight weeks after transplantation into the animal, bronchoscopy and histological analysis confirmed that the omentum-cultured PCL-Sil scaffolds facilitated rapid tissue regeneration and maintained the luminal diameter at the anastomosis site without signs of stenosis or inflammation. Validation study to assess the feasibility of our hybrid 3D bioprinting technique showed that structures, not only the trachea but also the vertebral bone-disc and trachea-lung complex, were successfully printed.

On the use of displaced river terraces to characterize active tectonics of the Zagros orogenic belt, SW Iran

Investigating fault deformation in Late-Quaternary sediments provide valuable data to seismic hazard analysis especially relevant for the urban areas. Integration of displacement of geomorphic markers and ages of Quaternary sediment is needed to measure deformation rates accurately. In order to produce data on intermediate-term deformation rates along the Sabzpoushan Fault Zone (SFZ) situated in the Zagros Mountains of south-west Iran, the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating technique was applied to the tectonically influenced terraces of the Mianrod River passing through the fault zone. Field evidence and satellite imagery revealed that geomorphic markers include strike-slip displacement of terraces, different levels of the fluvial markers, shifting in Bakhtiary Formation, fast change in trend of the river and expansion of erosional gully, deformed horizontally along the Fault Zone. These geomorphic indices suggest that Mianrod River deflected along the SFZ as a consequence of faulting during multiple faulting cycles. The OSL dates obtained from the study area indicate that strike-slip deformation rate along the Sabzpoushan Fault Zone is 1–2.8 ± 0.2 mm y−1 (for ∼100 ka). It is suggestive from the research that a significant part of this estimated rate of deformation results from aseismic crustal deformation, but the areas with the highest likelihood of the Sabzpoushan near-surface deformation, as well as the west parts of the city of Shiraz, should be considered as high seismic hazard areas.