Intact Areas Research Articles

Observation of uncommon elastic wave group velocity in common honeycomb structure and its potential for debonding detection

We report wave propagation with an uncommon negative group velocity (NGV) feature in the common honeycomb structure. Theoretical analysis indicates that the NGV feature arises from the repulsion between skin's localized resonance modes in the same family, influenced by the relative parameters between the core and skin, such as skin thickness. Experimental results show that the NGV feature in honeycomb structure is unlike in isotropic plates, and it only appears in the front half of the hexagon hollow unit, which is surrounded by the honeycomb core. More notably, the NGV feature disappears in the skin–core debonding area and reappears in the intact area, suggesting potential applicability for detecting debonding defects.

The Effects of Moderate to High Static Magnetic Fields on Pancreatic Damage.

Pancreatic damage is a common digestive system disease with no specific drugs. Static magnetic field (SMF), the key component of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has demonstrated prominent effects in various disease models. To study the effects of 0.1-9.4 T SMFs on pancreatic injury induced by alcohol, and acute pancreatitis (AP) induced by L-arginine (L-Arg). Prospective, animal model. Twelve healthy C57BL/6J male mice, 30 AP model male mice, and 30 alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD) model male mice. 1.5-9.4 T SMFs for 12 hours and 0.1 T SMF for 72 hours. No imaging sequence was used. Histological analysis on AALD mice pancreas was conducted. For L-Arg-induced AP mice, their body weight, food/water consumption, open field behavior, blood analysis, as well as histological analysis, inflammatory, oxidative stress of the pancreas were measured. In vitro cellular experiments were also conducted. Data are presented as means ± SD and analyzed using the two-tailed Student's t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. 1.5-7 T SMFs significantly reduced alcohol-induced pancreatic damage, increasing the structurally intact acinar area from 51.5% to 78.3%, whereas the effect of 9.4 T SMF is not obvious. 0.1 T SMF can reduce the AP mice lethality, increase the structurally intact acinar area from 31.0% to 59.7%, associated with the reduced pancreatic inflammatory responses (78.1% reduction of F4/80 and 80.0% reduction of MPO), 20.0% decreased oxidative stress and 53.2% reduced pancreatic cell apoptosis. High-field MRI may be safe for pancreatic-related diseases at the animal level. SMFs have a future potential to be developed as non-invasive and highly penetrating physical modalities for the treatment of pancreatic injury including AP. This study aims to evaluate the safety and potential therapeutic effects of moderate- to high-intensity static magnetic fields (SMFs) on mice with pancreatic injury. Their findings revealed that SMFs between 1.5 and 7 Tesla (T) helped reduce alcohol-induced pancreatic damage, while a stronger 9.4 T showed no effect. Interestingly, for mice with L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis, a weaker 0.1 T significantly increased the area of healthy acinar cells from 31.0% to 59.7%. These results not only suggest that MRI-related SMFs are safe for pancreatic diseases in animals, but also unravel the potential of SMFs as a future treatment option for pancreatic disorders. N/A TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Diversity patterns of herpetofauna communities along a habitat alteration gradient in an Afrotropical large wetland – a test of the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis

Abstract Whilst wetlands are vital ecosystems supporting natural cycles and biodiversity, intensive agricultural practices and land use have led to widespread degradation, particularly in tropical Africa. In Uganda’s ‘cattle corridor’, an agro-pastoral landscape stretching across 84 000 km2, natural wetlands have been largely destroyed, and their degradation exacerbated by climate change. The Rufuuha wetland, located in southwestern Uganda, provides a study model to examine biodiversity across different habitat sectors: (i) intact, (ii) degraded, and (iii) restored areas. We studied the amphibian and reptile communities in Rufuuha wetland, which had been heavily degraded due to local community activities, such as agriculture and cattle grazing, before restoration efforts began in 2015. We found significant differences in species richness and diversity between the three areas. While species richness was similar across the areas, diversity and evenness were highest in the intact sector, followed by the restored and degraded areas. There was no support for the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, whereas evenness clearly detected changes in the community structure of herpetofauna along the habitat gradient that species richness did not. Amphibians were well-represented in the survey, showing clear patterns related to habitat quality, while reptile sampling was less comprehensive. Our study demonstrates that restoration efforts can positively impact biodiversity in Afrotropical wetlands. However, it is not yet clear whether the same biodiversity levels as in the intact areas can be reached also in the restored areas. Further studies, particularly on reptiles, are needed to better understand the full ecological impacts of habitat restoration in this region.

Unlocking horizontal and vertical cropping intensification potentials to address landlessness and food security challenges of rainfed crop production systems in Ethiopia: potential, performance, and gap assessment

Knowledge-based evidence about potential and existing rainfed cropping is crucial for decision-making for sustainable land use and food security. Using multi-criteria spatial analysis techniques, this study assessed the current status of cropland availability and projected impacts on future crop production in Ethiopia. The study primarily defined the extent of the Rainfed Cropping Area (RCA) and assessed the performances of different cropping practices. After precisely mapping cultivated area, cropping intensification potentials were estimated. Subsequently, disregarding the existing cultivated area, completely unsuitable areas, and protected and intact forest areas, the potentially available arable land using suitability analysis techniques was determined. In addition, the performance of existing crop production systems was evaluated against the natural potential. The findings reveal that RCA covers ~60% of the country’s landmass, of which cropping is practiced in only 33%. The coverage of Potentially Available Cropland (yet uncultivated) accounts for 16% of the country’s RCA. This is dominantly located in sparsely populated western and southwestern parts of the country. This study confirms that Horizontal Cropping Intensification (HCI) in the RCA of Ethiopia reaches only 33%. On the other hand, Vertical Cropping Intensification (VCI) practices cover only 10%, while about 1/3 of the RCA is suitable for VCI strategies at various levels of suitability. The performance of existing VCI-oriented cropping (which covers only 10% of the RCA) is very poor. Challenges to the use of the available cropland and ways of addressing land shortage for needy farmers are highlighted to inform efforts to readdress landlessness and food insecurity in Ethiopia.

In-situ and experimental investigations of the failure characteristics of surrounding rock through granites with biotite interlayers in a tunnel

Significant differences in the failure characteristics of surrounding rocks caused by complex lithologies and geological conditions have been observed in deep tunnels. In this work, a failure involving rockburst and collapse observed in a deep tunnel excavated by a tunnel boring machine (TBM) was introduced. The in-situ failure characteristics of granite with biotite interlayers with different biotite contents and particle sizes were studied via field investigations and mineral composition analysis. The microseismic activity characteristics and fracture mechanisms at different failure zones were analyzed. The strength, failure, acoustic emission (AE) and brittleness characteristics of these types of granites were studied via true triaxial compression tests. The results showed that the biotite granite with biotite interlayers is prone to rockburst and that high-intensity rockburst may occur with less energy than in the intact biotite granite area. The rock fractures are mainly tensile failures, even in the biotite interlayer area. In contrast, the feldspar biotite schist surrounding rock is prone to collapse regardless of whether it contains biotite interlayers. The number of microseismic events during this collapse is relatively small, but the energy is relatively high compared with that of the rockburst at the biotite granite with biotite interlayers. The true triaxial strength and brittleness of the granite samples gradually decrease with increasing biotite content. The biotite granite exhibits very high AE activity, so it is prone to rockburst. The AE activity of medium-coarse grained monzogranite is relatively low; thus, both rockburst and collapse may occur. The strength, brittleness, and AE activity of feldspar biotite schist are very low, and its failure mode is mainly collapse. This study elucidates the typical failure modes and characteristics of different granites with biotite interlayers and can provide a basis and guidance for targeted failure warning and mitigation in tunnels with similar lithologies and geological conditions.

Regional variation in the landscape ecology of West Nile virus sentinel chicken seroconversion in Florida.

How landscape composition and configuration impact the distribution of multi-vector and multi-host mosquito vector-borne disease systems, such as West Nile virus (WNV), remains challenging because of complex habitat and resource requirements by hosts and vectors that affect transmission opportunities. We examined correlations between landscape composition and configuration and 2018 WNV sentinel chicken seroconversion in Florida, USA across the state and within five National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) bioclimatic regions to understand strength and variation of landscape effects during an elevated transmission year. Although few landscape studies have examined WNV in Florida, we expected higher percentages of residential or medium-developed landscapes and more fragmented landscapes would be positively correlated with WNV seroconversion owing to the main mosquito vector habitats and avian host distributions. However, we expected to find variation in the importance of forest, wetland, and agriculture landscapes across bioclimatic regions in the state. WNV seroconversion rates were calculated using Florida 2018 Department of Health WNV sentinel chicken seroconversion data from 187 flocks maintained by mosquito control programs. Percent land cover and edge density metrics were calculated for multiple land cover classes and within multiple buffer distances from chicken coops using 2019 National Land Cover Data. We used binomial generalized linear mixed effects models to calculate the importance of landscape metrics to WNV seroconversion. We found no statewide predictors of seroconversion, but as expected, the importance of landscape varied across regions. In the north-central part of the state, we found higher seroconversion in less populated suburban areas while higher seroconversion in south-central Florida was correlated with fragmented forested areas within 0.5 km of coops and intact woody wetland areas within 2 km of coops. This work corroborates previous findings that consistent landscape predictors of WNV are difficult to identify across broader geographic areas and sets the stage for additional work that incorporates climate and landscapes interactions for a greater understanding of WNV ecology in this geographic region.

Research on the relationship between comprehensive characteristics of cracks and stiffness of RC beams

The relationship between crack comprehensive characteristics and the stiffness of RC beams is investigated through experimental tests and numerical simulations. A synthetic parameter, the surface damage ratio (SDR), is proposed to represent the comprehensive characteristics of cracks, including crack width, length and location. Crack propagation in RC beams is simulated using a dual-damage parameter plastic damage model. A method for calculating the width and length of cracks is developed based on integral point strains and element equivalent length. The accuracy of this method is verified by comparing it with the results of four-point bending tests on RC T-beams and rectangular beams. Correlation analysis indicates that the cracks in different zones have varying impacts on beam stiffness, with crack length in the bending area and crack width in the shear area having a greater impact than others. To consider the comprehensive characteristics of cracks and their impact on beam stiffness, the SDR, the ratio between the entire crack area and the intact area of the beam surface, is proposed. The proposed parameter is shown to increase linearly with load, resulting in beam stiffness degradation following a power law. The accuracy and applicability of the proposed SDR and its correlation with load and stiffness are verified through load tests on rectangular beams with different reinforcement ratios using Cervenka’s test. Parameter analysis has shown that the section modulus, concrete strength, reinforcement arrangement, and ratios significantly influence how beam stiffness varies with SDR. The presented simulation model for concrete crack evolution, combined with the synthetic parameter of crack characteristics, and the correlation analysis, provide a valuable approach for the safety evaluation of concrete beams during their service life.

Clean and Complete Protein Digestion with an Autolysis Resistant Trypsin for Peptide Mapping.

Peptide mapping requires cleavage of proteins in a predictable fashion so that target protein-specific peptides can be reliably identified and quantified. Trypsin, a commonly used protease in this process, can also undergo self-cleavage or autolysis, thereby reducing the effectivity and even cleavage specificity at lysine and arginine residues. Here, we report highly efficient and reproducible peptide mapping of biotherapeutic monoclonal antibodies. We highlight the properties of a homogeneous chemically modified trypsin on thermal stability, a 54% increase in melting temperature with an 84% increase in energy required for unfolding, an indication of more thermally stable trypsin, >90% retained intact mass peak area after exposure to digestion conditions confirming autolysis resistance, 10× more intensity for intact enzyme compared to trypsin of similar source and narrower molecular weight distribution with LC-MS indicative of low degradation compared to 3 other types of trypsin. Finally, we show the utility of this autolysis-resistant trypsin in characterizing biotherapeutic monoclonal antibodies consistently and reliably showing a >30% reduction in missed cleavage for a short-duration protein digestion time of 30 min compared to heterogeneously modified trypsin of a similar source.

Habitat quality outweighs the human footprint in driving spatial patterns of Cetartiodactyla in the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau

The Human Footprint (HFP) and Habitat Quality (HQ) are critical factors influencing the species' distribution, yet their relation to biodiversity, particularly in mountainous regions, still remains inadequately understood. This study aims to identify the primary factor that affects the biodiversity by comparing the impact of the HFP and HQ on the species’ richness of Cetartiodactyla in the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau and four protected areas: The Pamir Plateau Wetland Nature Reserve, Taxkorgan Wildlife Nature Reserve, Middle Kunlun Nature Reserve and Arjinshan Nature Reserve through multi-source satellite remote sensing product data. By integrating satellite data with the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST)HQ model and utilizing residual and linear regression analysis, we found that: (1) The Wildness Area (WA) predominantly underwent a transition to a Highly Modified Area (HMA) and Intact Area (IA), with a notable 12.02% rise in stable regions, while 58.51% rather experienced a negligible decrease. (2) From 1985 to 2020, the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau has seen increases in the forestland, water, cropland and shrubland, alongside declines in bare land and grassland, denoting considerable land cover changes. (3) The HQ degradation was significant, with 79.81% of the area showing degradation compared to a 10.65% improvement, varying across the nature reserves. (4) The species richness of Cetartiodactyla was better explained by HQ than by HFP on the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau (52.99% vs. 47.01%), as well as in the Arjinshan Nature Reserve (81.57%) and Middle Kunlun Nature Reserve (56.41%). In contrast, HFP was more explanatory in the Pamir Plateau Wetland Nature Reserve (88.89%) and the Taxkorgan Wildlife Nature Reserve (54.55%). Prioritizing the restoration of degraded habitats areas of the Kunlun Pamir Plateau could enhance Cetartiodactyla species richness. These findings provide valuable insights for the biodiversity management and conservation strategies in the mountainous regions.

Reduced productivity and carbon drawdown of tropical forests from ground-level ozone exposure

AbstractElevated ground-level ozone, a result of human activity, is known to reduce plant productivity, but its influence on tropical forests remains unclear. Here we estimate how increased ozone exposure has affected tropical-forest productivity and the global carbon cycle. We experimentally measure the ozone susceptibility of various tropical tree species, and then incorporate these data into a dynamic global vegetation model. We find that current anthropogenic-derived ozone results in a substantial decline in annual net primary productivity (NPP) across all tropical forests, with some areas being particularly impacted. For example, Asia sees losses of 10.9% (7.2–19.7%) NPP. We calculate that this productivity decline has resulted in a cumulative loss in carbon drawdown of 0.29 PgC per year since 2000, equating to ~17% of the tropical contemporary annual land carbon sink in the twenty-first century. We also find that areas of current and future forest restoration are disproportionately affected by elevated ozone. Future socioeconomic pathways that reduce ozone formation in the tropics will incur benefits to the global carbon budget by relieving the current ozone impacts seen across both intact forest and areas of forest restoration, which are critical terrestrial regions for mitigation of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Morphometric and anatomic characteristics of pronator quadratus muscle

PurposeIn surgical procedures commonly employed for the management of scaphoid and distal radial fractures, the incision and dissection of the pronator quadratus muscle play a pivotal role. Nevertheless, comprehensive investigations into the anatomical intricacies of the pronator quadratus muscle have been relatively scarce within the clinical community. In light of this, our study endeavors to make a substantive contribution to the medical literature by conducting a meticulous examination of the morphology and morphometry of this muscle. MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional observational study conducted on 22 cadaveric upper extremities (44 sides) preserved between January 2005 and December 2018 at Istanbul University. The study included specimens with intact dissection areas and no prior surgical intervention. Observations focused on the morphometry of the pronator quadratus muscle and related anatomical structures. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23.0, employing Student's t-test and paired t-test, with significance set at p < 0.05. ResultsSignificant differences were found in the morphometric measurements of the pronator quadratus muscle between the right and left upper extremities, particularly in the vertical distance between the proximal and distal attachment points of the pronator quadratus to the radius (p = 0.008). Additionally, significant differences were observed between male and female samples for radius length (p < 0.001), ulna length (p < 0.001), pronator quadratus width (p < 0.001), and the vertical distance between pronator quadratus attachment points on both the radius (p = 0.001) and ulna (p = 0.001). Furthermore, significant correlations were identified between radius length and parameters such as the vertical distance between pronator quadratus attachment points on both the radius (p = 0.002) and pronator quadratus width (p = 0.03), and between ulna length and parameters including the vertical distances on the radius (p = 0.001) and ulna (p = 0.024). ConclusionIn light of our comprehensive analysis, which encompasses not only the anatomical features of the pronator quadratus muscle but also its vascular supply and the organization of its neurovascular structures, we posit that our study holds significant implications for the field of orthopedic surgery. We anticipate that this research will furnish valuable insights that can inform and enhance orthopedic procedures.

Biomimetic 3D printing: Cocoon-like silk reinforcements from discarded cocoons for hemispherical composite components

Silkworm cocoons serve as the primary raw material for silk fabric production. However, due to stringent quality requirements for silk products, only high-quality cocoons are selected, while defective ones such as spotted cocoons are relegated to low-value textile fillers or direct landfilling. To enhance the value of discarded cocoons, this study combines continuous fiber 3D printing technology with traditional molding techniques, using discarded cocoons as raw materials to create high-performance hemispherical composite materials that mimic the natural structure of silkworm cocoons, thereby achieving efficient resource reuse. Additionally, a novel random path algorithm for 3D printing was developed to address the issue of uneven fiber orientation in the manufacturing of curved composite materials. The vacuum bag molding method was utilized to combine silk-like hemispherical fiber-reinforced bodies with resin, producing hemispherical composites with a high fiber content. Extensive tensile testing on longitudinally and laterally cut cocoon fiber samples was conducted to explore the mechanical behavior in various directions, revealing unique anisotropic properties. Further tensile testing on homemade silk yarn confirmed the material's high strength and excellent toughness. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated good interfacial bonding between the silk and bio-based epoxy resin within the composites. Compression tests indicated a maximum load capacity of 6717 N, showcasing exceptional impact resistance and superior energy absorption in projectile impact tests. Even under extreme loads, the hemispherical composites maintained a substantial intact area, highlighting their structural integrity advantages. This study not only breathes new life into industrial waste but also provides a new direction for the manufacturing sector to achieve a greener and more sustainable development path.

A Case of Surgical Treatment for Advanced Papillary Thyroid Cancer with Tracheal Invasion

The trachea is in close to the thyroid gland and can be affected by thyroid cancer spreading beyond the gland. Tracheal invasion by invasive thyroid cancer is rare but life-threatening and important to manage. Hoarseness, hemoptysis, and respiratory distress have been reported in some patients with obvious tracheal invasion. The case we are presenting was a 69-year-old man with a papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) history and eight tracheal cartilages were affected by the malignancy. nevertheless, it was remarkable that in this case, seven centimeters of trachea was resected and then anastomosis was performed in intact area of trachea and the patient had no complaint. Then, anastomosis was performed in an intact area of the trachea. Surgery of PTC with tracheal invasion is challenging. Appropriate surgical management of tracheal invasion is important for the operation and prognosis. This demands a high level of proficiency and extreme care to avoid any damage to the trachea’s blood vessels.

An adaptive continuous scanning laser Doppler vibrometry technique for measuring vibrational mode shapes of structures with holes

Abstract Continuous Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry (CSLDV) enables fast and full-field vibration measurement in an intact area of a structure. This paper further proposes a novel adaptive CSLDV method that can obtain the Operational Deflection Shapes (ODS) and mode shape of structures with holes. Firstly, an adaptive path planning method is applied to the surface of the tested structure, which can automatically adapt to the size and position of round and square holes, as well as the resolution requirements for the measurement. Secondly, based on the symmetry and other characteristics of the planned path, the time domain signal is processed by delay optimization and demodulation to obtain the ODS of each vibration mode. Finally, a modal test is conducted on a flat structure with a square and circle holes as an example. A validation experiment is also performed using SLDV. The results show that the mode shapes obtained from both methods are consistent and the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) between them are all above 0.96. The method can realize CSLDV of flat plate structures with arbitrary square and round holes, and has the advantages of high efficiency and dense measurement points, which enhances its engineering applicability.

Unseen consequences: tracking soil water potential in forests influenced by coal mining

Abstract Over the past decades, anthropogenic disturbance of geological structures has been significantly documented in Slovakia, mainly driven by the national economy’s demand for mining resources. Among these resources, brown coal, primarily mined in the Upper Nitra coal basin in the Prievidza district (Slovakia), has been essential. Mining activities around town of Handlová, and villages of Koš, Cígeľ and Sebedražie, particularly at the Cígeľ coal mine, have induced several geological defects. These defects, characterised by large cracks and local landslides, disrupt the hydrogeological conditions, significantly impacting the soil water regime stability of the forest ecosystems in these damaged areas. This study investigates the variability and dynamics of the soil water potential in a mining-affected site (Račkov laz) compared to an intact reference area (Čertove chodníky) between 2020 and 2022. Our findings suggest that mining activities could have substantial implications for the soil water regime and, consequently, the ecological stability of forest ecosystems.

Spherical varus rotational osteotomy of the femur using a navigation system as extra-articular surgery for extensive osteonecrosis of femoral head: a case control study

BackgroundCurved varus osteotomy (CVO) is an effective femoral head-preserving surgical procedure for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) classified as type B or C1 according to the Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification; it reportedly provides better postoperative outcomes than transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy (TRO). We have developed a new procedure called spherical varus rotational osteotomy (SVRO) in which osteotomy of the femur into a spherical shape is followed by varus and anterior rotation using navigation to increase indications and improve postoperative outcomes.MethodsNine joints of eight patients who underwent SVRO and could be followed up for > 1 year were included in the study. Disease types determined preoperatively according to the JIC classification were type C1 for four joints and type C2 for five joints. Preoperative disease JIC classification stages were 3a for eight joints and 1 for one joint. SVRO was performed using OrthoMap® 3D Navigation software, and the following variables were measured: surgery time, intraoperative blood loss, difference between preoperative and postoperative angles of anteversion, postoperative lower limb length discrepancy, and postoperative intact area occupancy. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ) was used for clinical evaluation. Visual Analog Scale and JHEQ scores were evaluated preoperatively and at the final follow-up.ResultsThe measurement results were as follows: surgery time, 130 min; blood loss, 200 ml; angle of varus, 20°; angle of anterior rotation, 30°; preoperative angle of anteversion, 15°; postoperative angle of anteversion, 22°; lower limb shortening, 11 mm; preoperative intact area occupancy, 0%; and postoperative intact area occupancy, 74.2%. There were no cases of progression in the postoperative stages or re-collapse.ConclusionSVRO allows for the repositioning of the exterior and posterior intact areas, providing a broader intact region postoperatively. This technique is particularly beneficial for young patients with ONFH and extensive necrosis and is a less invasive alternative to TRO. This procedure has been shown to be effective in achieving favorable outcomes in patients with extensive necrosis who would have otherwise required rotational osteotomy, depending on the necrosis location. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to validate these findings and establish long-term benefits.

Experimental Study on Heat Transfer Characteristics of Hollowing Defect Areas on Building Facade

Infrared detection is more and more widely used in the field of non-destructive testing of buildings to detect whether there is a defect on the surface of the building facade. In many cases, it is necessary to obtain more information about the defect, such as the depth of the defect, so as to evaluate the severity of the defect and repair. The theoretical formula of hollowing defect depths was derived in this paper based on the heat transfer characteristics of the intact and defective areas on the building facade, and the influence of defects with different shapes, sizes and cavity thicknesses on the temperature distribution of the building facade was summarized quantitatively. Firstly, the theoretical formula of the hollowing defect depth and the factors affecting the distribution of the temperature gradient on the building facade excited by external thermal source was derived and restricted by the boundary condition. Secondly, three sets of physical building facade models that contained hollowing defects with different shapes, sizes and cavity thicknesses were fabricated and designed, and the experimental platform was built. The infrared thermograms and the temperature characteristic curves of the hollowing defect in a natural light environment were obtained and fitted according to the temperature differences of the defective area, while analyzing the influence of the size, shape and cavity thicknesses on surface temperature distribution. Finally, the theoretical formula of the defect depth that is applicable to the building façade was validated through the experimental simulation of 14 forms of hollowing. The experimental results demonstrated that the revised formula of defect depth is consistent with the actual defect depth, and the three-dimensional positioning of the hollow drum defect of the building facade can be effectively carried out and combined with the defect size taken from the obtained infrared thermal image.

The Progression of Stargardt Disease as Determined by Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography over a 24-Month Period (ProgStar Report No. 18)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of atrophy as determined by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with molecularly confirmed ABCA4-associated Stargardt disease type 1 (STGD1) over a 24-month period in a multicenter prospective cohort study. Methods: SD-OCT images from 428 eyes of 236 patients were analyzed. Change of mean thickness (MT) and intact area were estimated after semiautomated segmentation for the following individual layers in the central subfield (CS), inner ring (IR), and outer ring (OR) of the ETDRS grid: retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), outer segments (OSs), inner segments (IS), outer nuclear layer (ONL) inner retina (IR), and total retina. Results: Statistically significant decreases of all outer retinal layers (RPE, OS, IS, and ONL) could be observed over a 24-month period both in decline of mean retinal thickness and intact area (p < 0.0001, respectively), whereas the IR showed an increase of retinal thickness in the CS and IR and remained unchanged in the OR. Conclusions: Significant loss could be detected in outer retinal layers by SD-OCT over a 24-month period in patients with STGD1. Loss of thickness and/or intact area of such layers may serve as potential endpoints for clinical trials that aim to slow down the disease progression of STGD1.

The enduring world forest carbon sink.

The uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) by terrestrial ecosystems is critical for moderating climate change1. To provide a ground-based long-term assessment of the contribution of forests to terrestrial CO2 uptake, we synthesized in situ forest data from boreal, temperate and tropical biomes spanning three decades. We found that the carbon sink in global forests was steady, at 3.6 ± 0.4 Pg C yr-1 in the 1990s and 2000s, and 3.5 ± 0.4 Pg C yr-1 in the 2010s. Despite this global stability, our analysis revealed some major biome-level changes. Carbon sinks have increased in temperate (+30 ± 5%) and tropical regrowth (+29 ± 8%) forests owing to increases in forest area, but they decreased in boreal (-36 ± 6%) and tropical intact (-31 ± 7%) forests, as a result of intensified disturbances and losses in intact forest area, respectively. Mass-balance studies indicate that the global land carbon sink has increased2, implying an increase in the non-forest-land carbon sink. The global forest sink is equivalent to almost half of fossil-fuel emissions (7.8 ± 0.4 Pg C yr-1 in 1990-2019). However, two-thirds of the benefit from the sink has been negated by tropical deforestation (2.2 ± 0.5 Pg C yr-1 in 1990-2019). Although the global forest sink has endured undiminished for three decades, despite regional variations, it could be weakened by ageing forests, continuing deforestation and further intensification of disturbance regimes1. To protect the carbon sink, land management policies are needed to limit deforestation, promote forest restoration and improve timber-harvesting practices1,3.

Multi-scenario analysis and optimization strategy of ecological security pattern in the Weihe river basin

For many years, the Weihe River Basin (WRB) has struggled to achieve a balance between ecological protection and economic growth. Constructing an Ecological Security Pattern (ESP) is extremely important for ensuring ecological security (ES). This study employed a coupling of multi-objective programming (MOP) and the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model to project land use change (LUCC) in 2040 across three scenarios. Leveraging circuit theory, we generated ecological corridors and identified key ecological nodes, enabling a comparative analysis of ESPs within the WRB. The main results showed that: (1) The Ecological Protection (EP) scenario showed the highest proportions of forestland, grassland, and water, indicating an optimal ecological environment. Conversely, the Economic Development (ED) scenario features the greatest proportion of construction land, particularly evident in the rapid urban expansion. The Natural Development (ND) scenario exhibits a more balanced change, aligning closely with historical trends. (2) The ecological source areas in the EP scenario is 13,856.70 km2, with the largest and most intact patch area. The ecological source patches that have been identified in the ED scenario exhibit fragmentation and dispersion, encompassing a total area of 8018.82 km2. The ecological source areas in the ND scenario is most similar to the actual situation in 2020, encompassing 8474.99 km2. (3) The EP scenario demonstrates minimal landscape fragmentation. The ED scenario presents a more intricate corridor pattern, hindering species and energy flow efficiency. The ND scenario is more similar to the actual distribution in 2020. Protecting and restoring key ecological nodes, and ensuring the integrity and connectivity of ecological sources are crucial for ESP optimization in various scenarios. Combining all results, we categorize the WRB's spatial pattern into "three zones, three belts, and one center" and offer strategic suggestions for ecological preservation, promoting sustainable local ecological and socioeconomic development.