Intermediate Flow Research Articles

Simulating hydrologic pathway contributions in fluvial and karst settings: An evaluation of conceptual, physically-based, and deep learning modeling approaches

Hydrologic models are robust tools for estimating key parameters in the management of water resources, including water inputs, storage, and pathway fluxes. The selection of process-based versus data-driven modeling structure is an important consideration, particularly as advancements in machine learning yield potential for improved model performance but at the cost of lacking physical analogues. Despite recent advancement, there exists an absence of cross-model comparison of the tradeoffs between process-based and data-driven model types in settings with varying hydrologic controls. In this study, we use physically-based (SWAT), conceptually-based (LUMP), and deep-learning (LSTM) models to simulate hydrologic pathway contributions for a fluvial watershed and a karst basin over a twenty-year period. We find that, while all models are satisfactory, the LSTM model outperformed both the SWAT and LUMP models in simulating total discharge and that the improved performance was more evident in the groundwater-dominated karst system than the surface-dominated fluvial stream. Further, the LSTM model was able to achieve this improved performance with only 10–25% of the observed time-series as training data. Regarding pathways, the LSTM model coupled with a recursive digital filter was able to successfully match the magnitude of process-based estimates of quick, intermediate, and slow flow contributions for both basins (ρ ranging from 0.58 to 0.71). However, the process-based models exhibited more realistic time-fractal scaling of hydrologic flow pathways compared to the LSTM model which, depending on project objectives, presents a potential drawback to the use of machine learning models for some hydrologic applications. This study demonstrates the utility and potential extraction of physical-analogues of LSTM modeling, which will be useful as deep learning approaches to hydrologic modeling become more prominent and modelers look for ways to infer physical information from data-driven predictions.

Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Hydrodynamic Inclined Fixed Pad Thrust Slider Bearing

Numerical calculations were made for the multiscale hydrodynamic inclined fixed pad thrust slider bearing where the nanoscale non-continuum adsorbed layer flow and the intermediate continuum fluid flow simultaneously occur. They were compared with the results calculated from the analytically derived pressure formulas in the earlier study for the same bearing, which are essentially approximate. It was found that when the surface separation on the exit of the bearing is no less than 13[Formula: see text]nm, the analytically derived pressure formulas are valid for the studied multiscale hydrodynamic bearing for the weak, medium and strong fluid-bearing surface interactions; otherwise, the numerical approach is mandatory for calculating the hydrodynamic pressures in the bearing.

Theoretical and numerical analysis of drag force at the interface between the dilute and dense phases

Resolving the sharp interface between the dilute and dense phases in gas–solid flows is a bottleneck in fine-grid simulations. This study addresses this issue through the theoretical analysis of an infinite gas–structure interface with arbitrary flow directions. The drag force at the interface is decomposed into three parts: the homogeneous drag forces of the dilute and dense regions and a stress divergence difference term. All the three parts are expressed as the functions of the solid volume fractions, particle Reynolds numbers, and stress divergences of the interface grid and its adjacent grids. The developed theoretical drag models at the interface are verified and improved based on particle-resolved direct numerical simulations (PR-DNSs) of flows past plug-like structures. The models are then tested against PR-DNSs of flows past bubble-containing, spherical, ellipsoidal structures. They yield significantly better performance than the traditional Beetstra et al.'s model [Beetstra et al., “Drag force of intermediate Reynolds number flow past mono- and bidisperse arrays of spheres,” AIChE J. 53(2), 489–501 (2007)].

Experimental Study of Electronic and Ionic Conductivity of a Carbon-Based Slurry Electrode Used in Advanced Electrochemical Energy Systems

Focusing on the application of carbon slurry electrodes in advanced electrochemical power and energy storage systems, the electrical conductivity of such electrodes is thoroughly investigated experimentally. A slurry electrode made from steam-activated Norit is analyzed to estimate its electronic and ionic conductivities separately. A single-pass rectangular flow channel with three different widths of 4.1, 3.6, and 3.1 cm is used to investigate the effect of the flow channel geometry on slurry electrode conductivity. Three different slurry concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 wt % are investigated, while electronic and ionic conductivities are separately measured using distilled water and sulfuric acid as electrolytes. The charge conduction improvement due to the availability of more charge-carrying particles in the slurry is quantified, and it is shown that up to about 220 and 120% increase in electronic conductivities can be achieved by increasing carbon loading from 5 to 10 and 15 wt %, respectively. Analysis of slurry conductivity variations from a static condition to a flow rate of 280 mL min–1 with different channel widths and concentrations shows that the slurry conductivity reaches a maximum value at an intermediate flow rate and is then gradually decreased. The optimum working condition of a slurry electrode is finally discussed.

Friction-dependent rheology of dry granular systems

Understanding the rheology of granular assemblies is important for natural and engineering systems, but the relationship between inter-particle friction (or microscopic friction) and macroscopic friction is still not well understood. In this study, using the discrete element method (DEM) with spherical particles and realistic contact laws, we investigate the mechanics of granular systems with a wide range of inter-particle frictional coefficients and aim to establish a friction-dependent rheology for dry granular flows. The corresponding results show that increasing inter-particle friction dramatically increases the effective frictional coefficient, μeff, while decreasing the solid fraction of the system and increasing the transitional inertial number that marks the division of quasi-static regimes and intermediate flow regimes. We further propose a new dimensionless number, $${\cal M}$$ , as a ratio between the inertial effect and frictional effect, which is similar to the effective aspect ratio in granular column collapses, and unifies the influence of inter-particle friction with the inertial number. We then establish a relationship between $${\cal M}$$ and the dimensionless granular temperature, Θ, to further universalize the influence of inter-particle frictions. Such study can broaden the application of the μ(I) rheology in natural and engineering systems and help establish a more general constitutive model for complex granular systems.

Effect of particle size on physical, techno‐functional and antioxidant properties of corn silk powder

SummaryThe aim of the study was to determine the effect of particle size dispersion of corn silk on physical, techno‐functional and antioxidant properties. Corn silk (variety: G5417) was processed into size fractions of 750, 425, 300, 212, 150 and 75 μm and were characterised. The average particle size of the soluble fraction was found to be 364.4 d.nm. The particle size distribution of corn silk powder was found to have a substantial impact on different physical parameters. The results showed a significant decrease in (0.595 ± 0.02 g cm−3) to 300 m (0.420 ± 0.02 g cm−3) and for tapped density, values decreased from 0.725 ± 0.04 (750 μm) to 0.580 ± 0.02 g cm−3 (75 μm). The corn silk powder showed intermediate flow with the values of Carr's index from 1.21± 0.03% to 1.48 ± 0.17% and Hausner ratio 17.83 ± 2.68% to 33.63 ± 0.42%, respectively, from coarser to finer particles. The water absorption capacity increased significantly and oil absorption capacity decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from coarser to finer particles. The antioxidant activity increased significantly when the particle size was reduced. The results obtained showed that corn silk powder has the potential to be used for the development of instant mixes, infant food formulas, bakery food items and value‐added products.

Influence of Oxygen Flow Rate on the Properties of FeOXNY Films Obtained by Magnetron Sputtering at High Nitrogen Pressure

Fe-O-N films were successfully deposited by magnetron sputtering of an iron target in Ar-N2-O2 reactive mixtures at high nitrogen partial pressure 1.11 Pa (Q(N2) = 8 sccm) using a constant flow rate of argon and an oxygen flow rate Q(O2) varying from 0 to 1.6 sccm. The chemical composition and the structural and microstructural nature of these films were characterized using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectrometry, respectively. The results showed that the films deposited without oxygen are composed of a single phase of γ″-FeN, whereas the other films do not consist of pure oxides but oxidelike oxynitrides. With higher oxygen content, the films are well-crystallized in the α-Fe2O3 structure. At intermediate oxygen flow rate, the films are rather poorly crystallized and can be described as a mixture of oxide γ-Fe2O3/Fe3O4. In addition, the electrical behavior of the films evolved from a metallic one to a semiconductor one, which is in total agreement with other investigations. Comparatively to a previous study carried out at low nitrogen partial pressure (0.25 Pa), this behavior of films prepared at higher nitrogen partial pressure (1.11 Pa) could be caused by a catalytic effect of nitrogen on the crystallization of the hematite structure.

Study on asymmetry and temperature difference between different strands in 7-outlets tundish

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the problem of temperature difference between the different strands in a 7-outlets tundish of a steel plant by using physical modelling and numerical simulation methods. The problem of large temperature difference between different strands was solved and stability was achieved in the field production process. The parameters such as stagnation time and peak time by each stream were calculated by physical modelling and the optimized parameters based on temperature difference were implemented in the actual production process, which could predict an accurate temperature difference between strands in multi-flow tundish. The average temperature difference between side flow and intermediate flow of tundish was reduced from 15°C to 5°C by reasonable adjustment of flow control device between different strands, which provides basic support for improved billet quality, prevents breakout accident during continuous casting operation, reduces the pouring temperature and ensures the low-temperature rapid casting.

Impact of natural conditions and anthropogenic activities on groundwater quality in Puntang volcanic area, West Java, Indonesia.

The Puntang area in the southern mountains of West Java has potential water resources that are used to fulfill the community's raw water. The rapid development of the region and tourism will affect the quality of groundwater. This research was conducted on the slopes of Mount Puntang with the aim of analyzing natural and anthropogenic conditions on groundwater quality. Measurements and groundwater samples are taken from 5 springs, 10 dug wells and 8 drilling wells. The research method begins with a literature study followed by data collection in the field and laboratory analysis. Data analysis used statistical analysis and hydrogeochemical spatial analysis. Hydrogeochemical analysis using Piper diagrams. Based on the analysis results, it is known that the groundwater facies are CaCl, CaMgCl CaHCO3, and NaHCO3. The CaCl facies, enrichment of Cl- is caused by contamination of volcanic domain. The CaMgCl facies has enrichment of Mg2+ cations in the process of groundwater and rock water interactions. The high Cl- value in the proximal area is influenced by volcanic domain, while the Cl- value in the medial and distal areas may be influenced by anthropogenic. The CaHCO3 facies is influenced by local meteoric water, with a high structural control that shows water flowing through the fracture. The NaHCO3 facies is a wellbore in the intermediate groundwater flow and anthropogenic influences have occurred. The hydrochemical evolution that occurs is that Ca2+ becomes Mg2+ and then turns into Na+. The CaMgHCO3 facies dominates the proximal to distal area. The presence of HCO3 - indicates that groundwater mixing has occurred and is influenced by the decomposition of organic matter. Indications of groundwater mixing can be seen in groundwater with NaKHCO3 facies in the distal area. The medial and distal areas are densely populated areas which also affect groundwater. Geological and environmental conditions around the water resources are one of the supporting data to determine polluting sources.

Write – off doubtful assets in financial institutions - with special referance to select banking sectors

The economic history of many countries reveals that financial sustainability provides not only economic development but also develops financial infrastructure, always both should go hand in hand” Now a days, financial institutions are playing vital role in the development of economy particularly banking sectors includes Commercial banks and Investment banks, leasing companies,microfinance institutions. All these forms of financial institutions are united for providing intermediate financial flow by accepting deposits from the individual depositors or wide range of Business Operations provided these financial flows to the individuals and corporate borrowers, mainly in the form of business and commercial lending in the form of short term and long-term basis and charge interest. Because of customers or clients just don’t pay what they owe, recession (trade and industrial activities are reduced) lower exports and restriction in cash withdrawals create high percentage of Non-Performing Assets (NPA). Particularly it creates Doubtful assets and loss assets. Usually banking sectors use the allowance method for purpose other than income tax and direct method to write off these assets. The finance minister informed the Lok Sabha that Schedule Commercial Banks have been written off loans worth Rs. 5.85-lakh crore. Due to large scale disruption caused by COVID- 19, bad loans in the banks are likely to increase by 200 to 300 bps by March 2021 this certainly call for special dispensation to deal with bad loans and to maintain financial health of banks. Towards this end Indian Bankers Association has again mooted a off balance sheet solution. This paper study the impact of these issues.

Characterizing the hierarchical groundwater flow systems in Karstic Xiangxi River Basin, West Hubei, Central China

Karstification degree is a key factor in controlling the characteristics of karst GFP. In this study, hydrogeology, karst development, hydrograph, artificial and natural tracers and hydrochemistry were integrated to characterize the groundwater flow patterns (GFP) in the Cambrian-Ordovician karst aquifer in Xiangxi River Basin. Groundwater samples were collected from three karst groundwater points: Wulongdong spring (WLD), Shuimoxi spring (SMX), and groundwater exposed by Borehole ZK03 (ZK03), which have different discharge variations. The hydrogeological analysis and the artificial tracer tests showed that groundwater runoff channel for WLD, SMX and ZK03 are dominated by conduits, fracture networks and micro fissures-matrix, respectively. The natural responses (discharge, electrical conductivity and temperature) of WLD to rainfall indicated that flow in this system is discharged by conduit, fracture and matrix, respectively. Stable isotopes (2H, 18O) of precipitation and groundwater suggested that the WLD and SMX recharge at the adjacent zone with mean elevations of 878 m and 676 m, respectively; while ZK03 recharge at mean elevations of 1338 m from thousands of meters away. Mean residence times calculated by artificial and natural tracers (18O, CFC) of conduit flow in WLD (7–19 h), fracture flow in WLD and SMX (243 and 600 days), and matrix flow in ZK03 (41 years) were obviously increased gradually. Hydro-chemical analysis shows that ZK03 has higher concentrations of ions that related to carbonate dissolution, indicating groundwater in ZK03 has longer time to interact with rocks. The results show that GFP in study aquifer are characterized by local fast conduit flow, local intermediate fracture networks flow and regional slow matrix flow with progressively slower groundwater refresh rate. The conceptual model was also proposed to enable a better understanding of groundwater circulation, water resources and vulnerability of the karst system in Central China.

The eruptive chronology of the Carihuairazo volcano (Ecuador): Recurrent sector collapses of a Middle Pleistocene stratovolcano of the northern andes

The eruptive chronology of arc volcanoes consists of construction stages usually punctuated by large collapse events affecting the edifice. In this paper, we reconstruct the eruptive chronology of Carihuairazo volcano, a Middle Pleistocene edifice from the Ecuadorian segment of the Andean Northern Volcanic Zone. This study is based on extensive fieldwork on both the proximal flanks of the volcano and the medial-to-distal deposits of the nearby Ambato basin, as well as a large dataset of geochronological (40K-40Ar, 14C) and geochemical (major and trace element) data. The Basal Carihuairazo edifice is mainly composed of an andesitic lava flow succession dated at 230–200 ka. The resulting edifice suffered a first sector collapse that was responsible for a relatively large (4 ± 1 km3) debris avalanche deposit (DAD-1) that covers the entire Ambato basin. This event occurred between 206 ± 4 and 216 ± 5 ka. Then, Carihuairazo started a succession of construction (Intermediate and Terminal lava flow successions) and destruction stages lasting about 50 ky (i.e., from 200 to 150 ka), which are composed by thick block-and-ash flow deposits (L- and U-BAFD) and debris avalanche deposits (DAD-2). This volcanic succession is recorded in the Ambato basin, interlayered with several tephra fallout deposits (TFD-1 to −4) whose source is the neighbouring Huisla-Mulmul volcanic complex. The current morphology of Carihuairazo results from two additional sector collapses (DAD-3 and -4) that occurred during the past 40–50 ka, i.e., following a long period (at least 100 ka) without volcanic activity. We stress these debris avalanches were not related with magmatic activity. Samples from the Carihuairazo volcano defines a medium-K magmatic trend composed of andesites and dacites with a mineral assemblage of plagioclase, amphibole, ortho- and clino-pyroxene, and Fe–Ti oxides. The evolution of the Carihuairazo edifice, recorded in the medial-distal deposits of the Ambato basin, represents a unique example in the Ecuadorian arc of an edifice that experienced successive destruction and construction stages during a major part of its volcanic history.

Finite Element Modeling of Electrochemical Polishing of Niobium in Hydrofluoric-Sulfuric Acid Electrolyte

Niobium (Nb) used in superconducting radio-frequency cavities requires smooth surface to achieve optimal performance. In this work, a finite element model that coupled electrochemistry, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics was developed to investigate the electrochemical polishing mechanisms of Nb, using experimentally measured polarization results of coupon samples as validations. The current and potential distribution, oxide growth kinetics of Nb in a complex cavity geometry was investigated as a function of temperature and coolant flow. A low temperature coolant with intermediate flow rate was found to reduce surface current and ensure oxide uniformity. These results could shed light on the design of future particle accelerators.

Effect of Gas Flow Rate in PECVD of Amorphous Silicon Thin Films for Interface Passivation of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

Precursor gas flow rate variation (30–80 sccm) in the plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process of intrinsic a‐Si:H layer deposition using SiH4/H2 (equal ratio) plasma is explored and its effect on the i‐a‐Si:H/c‐Si interface passivation is investigated. A window of intermediate gas flow rates is determined for good quality surface passivation of n‐type c‐Si. Maximum effective minority carrier lifetime (τeff) above 1 ms, implied open‐circuit voltage (iVoc) ≈ 710 mV, and low interface defect density (Dit) ≈3.5 × 109 cm−2 eV−1 are obtained at an intermediate gas flow rate. The SiH4:H2 discharge emission characteristics, and the a‐Si:H film characteristics such as hydrogen concentration, film density, optical band gap, and refractive index, are also investigated. To examine the effect of the flow rate variation on the performance of the final device, front‐junction silicon heterojunction solar cells are fabricated on n‐type Si wafers, and ≈17% efficient cells are fabricated with an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) close to 690 mV at an optimized gas flow rate. This study provided information related to the transient plasma instability, SiH4 depletion, secondary reactions in the plasma, and flux of radicals toward the substrate for the film growth with a good level of surface passivation.

Secretory Vesicle and Glucoamylase Distribution in Aspergillus niger and Macromorphology in Regions of Varying Shear Stress.

In technical fermentations, filamentous microorganisms are exposed to different forms of mechanical stress, among which shear stress is prevalent in turbulent broths. Whereas small-scale bioreactors allow for realistic turbulent flow field conditions, they are not well-suited to investigate the fungal response to shear stress in more detail, as they only reveal the integral effect of a highly dynamic stress stimulus. Therefore, the widely used model system for producing constant, but rather low shear forces, the parallel plate flow chamber, is extended in this work by adding a backward-facing step (BFS). The BFS induces vortex shedding in the wake of the step and brings out distinct areas of different shear stress levels at the bottom of the chamber where mycelia grow. This allows for a stress-dependent analysis of growing cells using a confocal laser-scanning microscope. As the real stress cannot be measured in the experiment, the wall shear stress is estimated numerically using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). As a first application of the experimental setup, the relative biomass concentration, the relative amount of secretory vesicles and the relative amount of the chosen product glucoamylase produced by the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger were measured. The obtained area scans show homogeneous mycelia growth in areas of low stress and cloud-like patterns downstream of the predicted flow reattachment length where high shear stress dominates. Quantitative analysis of the time course suggests that the amount of available secretory vesicles inside of A. niger decreases when the shear stress is increased, despite that no significant differences in biomass production could be found. In contrast, the highest level of glucoamylase was reached for intermediate volumetric flow rates, i.e., levels of shear stress.

A Unified Hydrogeological Conceptual Model of the Mexico Basin Aquifer after a Century of Groundwater Exploitation

The Mexico City Metropolitan Area, located within the Mexico Basin, is the most important economic center in Mexico. An ever-growing population, currently at 22 million with increasing water demands, has resulted in the overexploitation of groundwater with associated impacts to hydrological conditions for a century. Land subsidence due to chronic groundwater level declines has damaged infrastructure and increased water delivery and flood control challenges, causing loss of aquifer storage. An additional associated problem is groundwater quality deterioration, which reduces potable supplies due to increasing anthropogenic pollution and salinization. A new integrated conceptual model of the Mexico Basin Aquifer has been constructed based on a comprehensive compilation of existing and new hydrogeological knowledge. As a result, this conceptual model updates and improves the understanding of the characteristics of the aquifer and current hydrodynamic behavior of groundwater. Four hydrogeological units were identified, their heads and related flow system interdependencies were evaluated and their hydraulic properties associated; this allowed identifying local, intermediate and regional flow systems, aquifer transition from confined to unconfined conditions, changes to land subsidence and groundwater quality deterioration. This conceptual model could be the basis in building a numerical model, and as a powerful tool to test different management scenarios for decision-making.

Assessing the long-term hydrologic responses of river catchments in Taiwan using a multiple-component hydrograph approach

Taiwan is facing increasingly severe disasters, such as droughts and floods, which are affected by extreme weather. The assessment of hydrologic response characteristics provides helpful information for understanding catchment behavior and evaluating the ability of rivers to maintain streamflow during extended dry periods. Many studies have used the baseflow index to investigate the hydrologic response characteristics; however, the division of streamflow into two components, quickflow and baseflow, is oversimplified for real scenarios. The spectrum range of response timescales is wide, and the concept of a two-component hydrograph results in different hydrological processes becoming allocated to the baseflow component. To this end, this study selected 23 catchments in Taiwan with data covering the period 1953–2019 and separated streamflow into four components: fast runoff, intermediate interflow, slow runoff, and dry weather flow. The ratio of each component to streamflow was used an indicator of the hydrologic response characteristics of each catchment, and the rainfall–runoff process was presented more realistically. The results showed that baseflow was composed of intermediate interflow, slow runoff, and dry weather flow. According to correlation and regression analyses, rainfall intensity was the most important factor affecting the composition of streamflow, followed by the mean catchment elevation. In terms of regional characteristics, the proportion of dry weather flow in southern Taiwan was low (5%) compared with other regions. During the study period, the streamflow in southern Taiwan was mainly composed of fast runoff because this region had the highest rainfall intensity. The largest variability in the streamflow composition was observed in central Taiwan owing to the large variability in the mean catchment elevation. The results of this study are helpful for establishing rainfall–runoff models and provide a reference for sustainable water resource management.

Multiscale Analysis of Hydrodynamic Step Bearing with Ultra Low Surface Separations

The paper presents the multiscale analysis for the hydrodynamic step bearing with ultra low surface clearances where only the physical adsorbed layer is present in the outlet zone and the continuum fluid flow mainly occurs in the inlet zone. This bearing can occur under heavy loads. The flow in the outlet zone is described by the nanoscale flow equation, while the flow in the inlet zone is described by the multiscale flow equation incorporating both the adsorbed layer flow and the intermediate continuum fluid flow. The pressure and carried load of the bearing were derived. Exemplary calculations show that the fluid-bearing surface interaction has the strongest influence on the pressure and carried load of this bearing when the bearing surface clearance is as small as possible, the bearing step size is close to the surface clearance in the outlet zone and the value of the geometrical parameter is the optimum one, which depends on the fluid-bearing surface interaction. For the strong fluid-bearing surface interaction, the carried load of the bearing can be 10 times higher than that calculated from the classical hydrodynamic lubrication theory.

Differential Prognostic Value of Revascularization for Coronary Stenosis With Intermediate FFR by Coronary FlowReserve.

The authors sought to evaluate comparative prognosis between deferred versus performed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) according to coronary flow reserve (CFR) values of patients with intermediate fractional flow reserve (FFR). For coronary stenosis with intermediate FFR, the prognostic value of PCI remains controversial. The prognostic impact of PCI may be different according to CFR in patients with intermediate FFR. From the ILIAS Registry (Inclusive Invasive Physiological Assessment in Angina Syndromes Registry, N=2,322), 400 patients (412 vessels) with intermediate FFR (0.75-0.80) were selected. Patients were stratified into preserved CFR (>2.0, n=253) and depressed CFR (≤2.0, n=147) cohorts. Per-vessel clinical outcomes during 5 years of follow-up were compared between deferred versus performed PCI groups in both cohorts. The primary outcome was target vessel failure (TVF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization. Among the study population, PCI was deferred for 210 patients (219 vessels, 53.2%) (deferred group) and performed for 190 patients (193 vessels, 46.8%) (performed group). The risk of TVF was comparable between the deferred and performed groups (12.8% vs 14.2%; adjusted HR: 1.403; 95%CI: 0.584-3.369; P=0.448). When stratified by CFR, PCI was performed in 39.1% (100/261 vessels) of the preserved CFR cohort and 61.9% (93/151 vessels) of the depressed CFR cohort. Within the preserved CFR cohort, the risk of TVF did not differ significantly between the deferred and performed groups (11.0% vs 13.9%; adjusted HR: 0.770; 95%CI: 0.262-2.266; P=0.635). However, in the depressed CFR cohort, the deferred group had a significantly higher risk of TVF than the performed group (17.2% vs 14.2%; adjusted HR: 4.932; 95%CI: 1.312-18.53; P=0.018). A significant interaction was observed between CFR and the treatment decision (interaction P =0.049). Results were consistent after inverse probability weighting adjustment. In patients with intermediate FFR of 0.75 to 0.80, the prognostic value of PCI differed according to CFR, with a significant interaction. PCI was associated with a lower risk of TVF compared with the deferral strategy when CFR was depressed (≤2.0), but there was no difference when CFR was preserved (>2.0). CFR could be used as an additional risk stratification tool to determine treatment strategies in patients with intermediate FFR. (Inclusive Invasive Physiological Assessment in Angina Syndromes Registry [ILIAS Registry]; NCT04485234).

High-frequency modification of the central Mediterranean seafloor environment over the last 74 ka

Here we present a high-resolution record of benthic foraminiferal assemblages for the last 74 kyr from the Sicily Channel Ocean Drilling Program Leg 160 Site 963. Benthic foraminiferal results are compared with geochemical (benthic and planktic δ 18 O and δ 13 C) and calcareous plankton data, previously acquired on the same marine core sediments. Within the succession, three benthic foraminifera compositional zones were defined. Temporal changes in the assemblages are interpreted in the context of the modification of subtropical and temperate climate systems that affected the Mediterranean thermohaline circulation. A close connection between bottom conditions in the Sicily Channel and eastern Mediterranean Sea is evident in two intervals, characterized in the ODP Site 963 by reduced oxygen conditions. The first one, around 53–51 ka, is tentatively attributed to the ‘missing’ sapropel S2 while the second, between 35 and 29 ka, is marked by short and recurrent episodes of bottom-water oxygen decrease. Both are related to a weakening of the intermediate circulation in the Sicily Channel connected with relatively high northern hemisphere summer insolation and increase in Nile River discharge, which inhibited vertical mixing and intermediate water ventilation in Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Over the last deglaciation, the African humid period (AHP) and the sea level rise, also influenced the water mass structure in the Sicily Channel and a reduction of the bottom ventilation is suggested by a strong reduction of deep-water Miliolids. Decreased bottom oxygen levels, which testifies for a weakening of intermediate circulation in Sicily Strait, also characterized the interval corresponding to S1 deposition. Yet, the strong decrease of benthic foraminiferal abundance related to a low surface water trophic level, appears to be conditioned by the reduction of trophic levels in the western Mediterranean. The very high relative abundance of U. mediterranea recorded during this interval is explained by the availability of organic matter during a limited short year period and/or the availability of more degraded organic matter from river runoff. In general, compositional data analysis highlighted a quite complex response of benthic foraminifera to paleoclimatic changes. However, changes in the benthic foraminiferal assemblages recorded during the last glacial are coherent with surface paleoproductivity dynamics connected with D-O oscillation, and support oligotrophic, meso-eutrophic and oligo-mesotrophic conditions during the early interstadials, late interstadials and stadials, respectively. • High-resolution ODP963 (Sicily Channel) Last Glacial to Holocene benthic record. • Dansgaard-Oeschger imprints in bottom environments. • Connection between western and eastern Mediterranean dynamics. • Relationships between Levantine Intermediate Water flow and bottom ventilation.