Coupled anammox and denitrification for advanced nitrogen removal from partial denitrification effluent of landfill leachate.

Benthic megafauna communities in the Arctic Ocean play a vital role in deep-sea ecosystem functioning by influencing the local biogeochemistry and the global carbon cycle. Their community structure is largely driven by phytodetrital fluxes from the surface ocean, increasing their susceptibility to environmental change. This study assessed short-term variability in benthic megafauna community composition, taxonomically and functionally, across three stations (N3, HG-IV, S3) situated within the lower bathyal zone (∼2500 m) at the LTER HAUSGARTEN site, in relation to environmental parameters such as biogenic sediment components and habitat features. The analysis was based on image data and sediment samples collected in consecutive years from 2016 to 2021. Additionally, long-term changes in the density of four selected taxa were examined by comparing two periods: 2002/2004-2015 (literature-based) and 2016-2021 (this study). Over the six-year period, the community structure showed considerable temporal variability, primarily driven by changes in the density of the opportunistic sea cucumber Elpidia heckeri. Environmental parameters explained spatial variation across stations more effectively than temporal variation across years. Long-term analyses revealed a general decline in density of the selected taxa, with average density decreases ranging from 28% for a crinoid to 93% for a soft coral. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of Arctic benthic megafauna communities and their complex responses to local environmental change. The pronounced temporal fluctuations and substantial population declines underscore the urgent need to extend time-series studies both temporally and spatially to enable accurate predictions of the future state of Arctic deep-sea ecosystems.

This study investigates the seismic response of a natural draft reinforced concrete cooling tower subjected to spatially varying earthquake ground motion, with particular emphasis on nonlinear material behavior, damage evolution, and stiffness degradation. The analysis is based on a constitutive description of concrete using the Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model, enabling the representation of tensile cracking, compressive crushing, and irreversible plastic deformation under cyclic dynamic loading. Two structural configurations of the lower shell region–a locally thickened shell and a bottom ring-stiffened solution–are examined from the perspective of material performance and damage control. Spatially varying seismic excitation is defined using a real earthquake record from the Carpathian Flysch region, with wave passage and incoherence effects calibrated from in-situ measurements. Nonlinear time-history analyses, performed to capture the coupling between material degradation mechanisms and global structural response, demonstrate that the seismic performance of the cooling tower is controlled primarily by local material behavior rather than global dynamic characteristics. Spatial variability of ground motion activates complex deformation modes, leading to pronounced tensile damage, plastic strain accumulation, and stiffness degradation in the lower shell region. The structural variant with thickened lower zone of the shell exhibits extensive material deterioration, including the formation of a continuous plastic zone and irreversible deformation associated with damage localization. In contrast, the ring-stiffened configuration effectively limits damage propagation, reduces plastic strain by up to 80%, and maintains predominantly elastic material response with significantly lower stiffness degradation. The bottom ring stiffener is shown to provide superior performance by mitigating damage evolution of the concrete structure under spatially non-uniform seismic loading. The study highlights the critical role of advanced constitutive material modeling in capturing the realistic seismic behavior of reinforced concrete shell structures and demonstrates that structural strengthening strategies should be evaluated based on their ability to control material degradation mechanisms.

Taxonomic and functional diversity patterns of nematode assemblages in a semi-enclosed coastal system (Pagasitikos gulf, Central Aegean Sea).

Blue light stimulates the release of humic-like substances in a marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana.

The article is devoted to the analysis of indicators of the microcirculatory bed on the face, determined using a widely used non-invasive method – laser Doppler flowmetry. In a group of practically healthy volunteers aged 20–21 years, the parameters of the «norm» of microcirculation on the face in the lower (submandibular region and chin), middle (cheek region), and upper zones of the face (frontal region) were revealed. The parameters were recorded in the corresponding symmetrical «healthy» areas of the face, and the average values of the «norm» allow us to interpret the results of microcirculation disorders detected in various pathological processes.

Dynamics and evolution of the Kı̄lauea lower East Rift Zone 2018 fissure 8 lava flow and implications for multiphase magma properties

The integration of ceiling fans with radiant systems remains underexplored despite their potential to address cooling capacity limitations. This study adopts a two-step approach to quantify the impact of elevated air movement on thermally activated building systems (TABS). First, we used OpenFOAM to calculate convective heat transfer coefficients under varying airflows, air-to-surface temperature differences, and zone sizes. These coefficients also apply to ceiling fans in buildings without radiant systems. Second, we implemented these coefficients in EnergyPlus to evaluate key radiant design parameters. Scenario 1 results show median steady-state cooling heat transfer rates increase of up to 47% relative to the no-fan cases when operative temperature is held constant. Scenario 2 demonstrates a median cooling effect of up to 4.8 K under fixed capacity, reflecting both lower zone temperatures and direct air movement on occupants. Overall, TABS-fans systems offer a scalable strategy to enhance comfort, increase capacity, and reduce energy demand. Highlights We use CFD to develop simplified surface convective heat transfer models that account for air movement with ceiling fans on room surfaces. We use simplified surface convective models in EnergyPlus to evaluate radiant system performance with ceiling fans. Ceiling fans increase the zone’s steady-state cooling heat transfer rate by a median of 47% at the highest fan speeds. Ceiling fans have a median cooling effect of up to 4.8 K at the highest fan speeds. A radiant and ceiling fan couple system has the potential to decrease HVAC energy use while maintaining occupant thermal comfort.

This study aimed to compare the accuracy of a residual neural network (ResNet) system with experienced dental technicians for gingival shade prediction. CIELab (L*, a*, b*) coordinates were measured from three adjacent 1 × 3 mm2 zones within the gingival region of 18 volunteers using a spectrophotometer (Crystaleye, Olympus). Zirconia-based prosthetic specimens (1.5-mm thickness) for the upper right central incisor were digitally designed and milled, with one fabricated using conventional visual shade matching (CZR; Kuraray Noritake Dental) by experienced technicians and the other using a ResNet-based shade prediction system. ΔE00 values were calculated relative to natural gingiva using the CIEDE2000 formula. ΔE00 were statistically analyzed using paired t-tests (overall comparison) and repeated measures analyses (regional comparison). One-sample t-tests compared values to acceptability (AT = 2.8) and perceptibility (PT = 1.1) thresholds (α = 0.05). The ResNet-based system demonstrated significantly lower overall ΔE00 (4.169 ± 2.048) compared to technicians (5.625 ± 1.967; p < 0.001), although both exceeded the acceptability threshold (AT = 2.8). Regionally, ResNet outperformed technicians in the middle (3.486 ± 1.310 vs. 5.724 ± 2.074; p < 0.001) and lower zones (3.509 ± 2.142 vs. 5.023 ± 1.883; p = 0.007), but not in the upper zone (5.511 ± 1.978 vs. 6.129 ± 1.886; p = 0.317). The ResNet-based system demonstrated statistically better shade-matching performance compared to experienced dental technicians for gingival shade matching, both in subjective evaluation and objective ΔE00 measurement, particularly in the middle and lower gingival zones. However, ΔE00 values for both methods exceeded clinical acceptability.

BackgroundT2* mapping provides objective data on chondromalacia. However, its reliability in evaluating both patellar and trochlear cartilages has not yet been established.PurposeTo evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of T2* mapping of patellar and trochlear cartilage in patients with patellofemoral maltracking, and to compare the reliability of axial and sagittal imaging planes for early detection of chondromalacia.Material and MethodsThis retrospective study included 106 knees from patients aged 18-40 years presenting with anterior knee pain and MRI evidence of patellofemoral malalignment between January 2023 and August 2025. T2* mapping was performed on a 3 T MRI scanner using standardized protocols. Patellar and trochlear cartilage were manually divided into 12 compartments in axial and sagittal planes. Regions of interest were placed manually, and T2* relaxation times were measured independently by a musculoskeletal radiologist and an orthopedic surgeon. Intra- and inter-observer reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).ResultsMost compartments demonstrated good-to-excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement (ICC ≥0.75), particularly in the upper and mid patellar cartilage zones. Axial-plane measurements consistently showed higher ICC values than sagittal-plane measurements. The lowest reliability was observed in lower cartilage zones and in sagittal-plane measurements. All results were statistically significant (P <0.001).ConclusionT2* mapping of the patellofemoral joint provides reliable measurements, with superior performance in the axial plane and in mid-upper zones. Routine use of axial-plane T2* mapping may facilitate early detection of chondromalacia in young adults with anterior knee pain, potentially improving clinical decision-making and preventing irreversible cartilage damage.

The robustness of cement slurry performance under extreme vertical temperature gradients is critical for ensuring cementing operation safety in ultra-deep wells. This study systematically investigates the interfacial behavior and hydration control mechanisms of a temperature-sensitive composite retarder, TL-2. Adsorption analysis via Total Organic Carbon (TOC) reveals that TL-2 exhibits unique non-isothermal adsorption characteristics, where its adsorption capacity slightly increases with temperature (40 °C-90 °C). This behavior overcomes the conventional limitation of drastic adsorption decline at elevated temperatures and serves as the physicochemical foundation for its wide-temperature adaptability. Performance evaluations simulated wide-temperature gradient conditions: TL-2 provided stable thickening times at 120 °C, and samples developed adequate compressive strength after 3 days of curing at lower temperatures (40 °C and 60 °C) following an initial 120 °C thickening simulation. Microstructural characterization (XRD, MIP) further elucidates the strength evolution logic across the gradient: in the lower temperature zone (40 °C-60 °C), adequate strength is established within 3 days through precise induction period control; meanwhile, at 120 °C, matrix densification is enhanced by promoting the well-crystallized tobermorite formation. The results demonstrate that TL-2 achieves a refined "buffering" effect on the liquid-to-solid transition through dynamic interfacial regulation, exhibiting superior wide-temperature adaptability across extreme thermal gradients (40 °C-120 °C) and providing essential technical support for the operational safety of ultra-deep well cementing.

Ballast fouling during spring thaw is a recurrent challenge in seasonally frozen regions and can seriously compromise track stability. This study combined one-dimensional freeze–thaw cycling and cyclic loading model tests to investigate moisture-driven deterioration at the ballast–subgrade interface and the mitigation effect of geotextile separation. Freeze–thaw cycling under a top-down thermal gradient drove upward moisture migration, forming a moisture-enriched upper soil zone. Based on the post-cycling water-content profiles, representative upper-layer water contents were selected to simulate progressively wetter spring-thaw conditions in cyclic loading tests on ballast–silty clay specimens. The results showed depth-dependent pore-pressure responses and staged water migration, with persistent upward seepage in the upper zone and limited movement in the lower zone. Geotextile installation reduced pore pressure in the lower layer and weakened the upper-zone hydraulic gradient, but also delayed pore-pressure dissipation near the interface, resulting in higher residual pore pressure in the top layer at the end of loading. The final difference between reinforced and unreinforced specimens increased from 4.2 to 20.1 kPa as the upper-layer water content increased from 22% to 34%, while the geotextile reduced the final volumetric water content in the top layer by 1.9%–4.7%. Post-test observations and layered sieve analyses showed that higher moisture intensified ballast penetration and fine intrusion in unreinforced specimens, whereas the geotextile prevented silty clay intrusion and largely preserved the initial ballast gradation. Overall, geotextile separation mitigated spring-thaw-induced interface degradation by suppressing fine migration while altering the interfacial hydraulic response.

Gravity maps of Bouguer anomalies according to land and sea observations of scale 1,000,000 are compared with gravity anomalies in the satellite spherical EGM08_CBA_global_2190_2.5m model in territories of the Sea of Okhotsk and left-bank East Priamurye. Independent probabilistic-deterministic rheological interpretation of gravity anomalies in two systems of them description as a result of which the comparable models of spatial distributions of density differentiation (contrast) of the crust and a subcrustal mantle layers reflecting rheological states of geological media are received are executed. In both models rigid crystal blocks in the lower crust and zones of the lowered viscosity dividing them, corresponding to regional structures of stretching in the crust and subcrustal layers equally are reflected. The applicability of global spherical gravity EGM08 model for tectonic interpretation of regional anomalies Bouguer in scale M 1:1 000 000 is proved.

Introduction. In manufacturing tubular concrete columns, attention should be paid to a technology of filling a steel tube with a concrete mixture. In practice when a concrete mixture is being fed into a tube from the top, a proper quality of concreting a structure is not guaranteed. In this study, the aim was to test the effectiveness of a technology of forming columns with a self-sealing concrete mixture by means of pressure concreting. Materials and Methods. Experiments to study the effectiveness of the suggested technology for forming a tubular concrete column with a saturated content of longitudinal and spiral reinforcement were conducted on a transparent model. A self-compacting mix composition was selected that ensured the required workability, flowability, homogeneity, and absence of stratification. Through the course of the experiments, the process parameters were adjusted with the speed of filling the structure with the concrete mixture as the most important one. The uniformity of concrete distribution throughout the model was monitored. Research Results. The experiment indicated that the concrete mixture easily reached all of the areas of the structure with no loss of quality. No air bubbles were observed on the surface of the structure, indicating high-quality compaction of the mixture. Concrete strength and density variations in the upper, middle, and lower zones of the structure were minimum. The resulting concrete is characterized by a homogeneous structure, with a uniform, evenly distributed composition with no significant voids or inhomogeneities throughout the entire volume. Discussion and Conclusion. The absence of formwork, scaffolding, and other equipment, high speed of concreting significantly reduce the time and labor intensity of column installation. All of these, combined with the achieved concrete quality, open up avenues for a broad-scale use of the pressure concreting method in construction projects in the Russian Federation. Further work is needed in order to develop a method for ultrasonic quality control of concrete in tubular concrete columns.

BackgroundProgressive respiratory failure is the leading cause of death in patients with severe COVID-19. Histopathological findings in acute severe COVID-19 are foremost based on post-mortem findings. On computed tomography (CT), acute COVID-19 pneumonia is characterized by ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and, later, by a crazy-paving pattern (CPP) and consolidations.PurposeTo investigate if CT patterns corresponded to histopathological post-mortem findings.Material and MethodsEight patients were identified with a chest CT performed between testing positive for COVID-19 and death. CT images, histological slides, and medical records were retrospectively reviewed. The lungs were photographed during the gross investigation to ascertain the exact position of the tissue blocks in relation to the relevant anatomical structures. Each slide was compared side by side with the in vivo chest CT pattern on the corresponding site.ResultsAt CT, the most predominant finding was GGOs, present in all eight cases. CPP was observed in 6/8 (75%) patients, and consolidation in 7/8 (87.5%) patients, both predominantly located in the lower lung zones. In 5 (62.5%) patients, so-called fibrotic-like changes were present. In four patients with CT angiogram, no findings of pulmonary thromboembolism were present. At autopsy, all patients demonstrated macroscopic consolidation, while pleural effusion was seen in 2 (25%) cases. Microscopically, edema was present in all cases, hyaline membranes in 7/8 (87.5%) cases, but no signs of acute interstitial inflammation were observed. Thromboembolic findings were evident in 4 (50%) patients, of whom two were negative on CT and 3 (37.5%) cases had fibrosis.ConclusionThe results demonstrate a clear association between radiological signs of GGO, consolidation and features of organizing pneumonia to microscopical signs of edema and diffuse alveolar damage. However, fibrotic-like changes and thromboembolism in the small vessels had a poorer compliance.

Aims: This study aimed to document, isolate, and characterize the causal agent of an emerging bacterial leaf blight condition in rice (Oryza sativa L.) observed in Northeast India. Study Design: Field surveys were conducted across multiple farmers’ fields in the Lower, Upper, and Central Brahmaputra valley zones of Assam to assess disease incidence using a zig-zag sampling pattern. Place and Duration of Study: Surveys revealed an unfamiliar leaf blight characterized by water-soaked lesions and glume discolouration, with disease incidence ranging from 18% to 42% across the surveyed districts of Assam (2024-2026). The causal bacterium was isolated on nutrient agar and subjected to comprehensive morphological, biochemical, and pathogenicity testing, followed by molecular identification via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The pathogen was identified as Pantoea ananatis (~99.6% sequence identity). It was Gram-negative, motile, and produced bright yellow, convex colonies. Pathogenicity was confirmed by clip inoculation of rice seedlings (cv. Ranjit), which consistently reproduced identical symptoms, thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates. Conclusion: This is the first confirmed report of P. ananatis causing bacterial leaf blight in rice from Assam, Northeast India, significantly expanding the known geographic distribution of this pathogen. Given the risk of seed-borne transmission, these findings underscore the urgent need to integrate molecular seed health testing and enhanced diagnostic surveillance into regional phytosanitary programs to effectively manage and control this emerging disease in rice agroecosystems

Cu2O has been grown via the thermaloxidation of 2 mm × 20 mm, 45 μm thick Cu under Ar: O2 at 1020 °C, followed by annealing at1100 °C and controlled cooldown at −5 °C/min underAr. We obtain Cu2O consisting of millimeter-sizesequential grains that have a cubic crystal structure and exhibitminimal bending and bowing, which allows the removal of the Kirkendallvoids that form in the middle of the bulk due to the bifacial oxidation,by postgrowth polishing. We describe in detail this growth and processingstrategy, which employs a considerably lower thermal budget comparedto optical float zone growth, and show in contradistinction that thethermal oxidation of Cu wires using the same growthconditions leads to the formation of Cu2O containing a significantly larger density of Kirkendall voids comparedto the planar case that cannot be removed by annealing or polishing.We discuss the impact of these voids existing in feed and seed rodsemployed for the growth of Cu2O by theoptical float zone method and suggest that the growth strategy describedhere is an important alternative toward the realization of high crystalquality Cu2O.

Mining at the Red Dog Mine generated a 60 million-tonne waste rock stockpile that produces acid rock drainage with pH values typically below 3. The drainage chemistry is controlled by the competing kinetics of acid-generating iron sulfide weathering and acid-neutralizing carbonate and phosphate dissolution. To evaluate the interaction of these reactions, waste rock was collected from the stockpile by drilling a borehole from the surface to a depth of 52 m, terminating at the shale bedrock. A temporal paste pH test was conducted to extend the utility of the static paste pH test to a continuous (30 min) measurement of pH and ORP over a 24-h period. The 24-h paste pH results revealed multiple acid-generating and acid-neutralizing reactions: pH values ranged from 3.31 to 6.96. Mineralogical analysis indicated initial acidic conditions in 12 of the depth intervals (upper and lower zones) were due to the release of stored acidity from soluble iron sulfate minerals. Subsequent pH increases were driven by calcite dissolution and likely phosphate and clay mineral acid-neutralizing reactions. Conversely, late-stage pH decreases in the lower middle zone indicated the presence of highly reactive/available iron sulfide surfaces, which allowed for earlier acid generation compared to less reactive/available iron sulfide minerals in other zones. The utility of this temporal paste pH test and associated mineral analysis is to understand the mineralogical controls on early temporal acid generation to guide batch reactor testing of remaining acid potential under saturated conditions. This sequential approach provides critical information for predicting long-term acid generation and information management of the stockpile for mine site remediation and closure.

Nineteen trilobite species, including 10 new taxa, are reported from the lower Cambrian (Series 2, Stage 4, upper Ordian) First Discovery Limestone Member of the Coonigan Formation in the Koonenberry Belt of far western New South Wales, Australia. Previous reports of the brachiopod taxa Micromitra nerranubawu and Eothele granulata, along with the trilobites Redlichia and Onaraspis, support the unit being assigned to the lower Micromitra nerranubawu Zone. This is further confirmed by the trilobite fauna described herein, which shares its greatest similarity to age equivalent strata in the Amadeus Basin of the Northern Territory; common taxa include Olenoides percivali sp. nov., Pagetia silicunda (= Pagetia sp. cf. P. quebecensis), Xystridura fracta (=Xystridura gayladia), Gunnia fava, and Xingrenaspis krusei sp. nov. Other species level similarities include assemblages found in the upper Ordian and lower Templetonian sequences of the Daly, Georgina, Ord and Wiso basins. New species introduced include: Redlichia holmesi sp. nov., Onaraspis cymbricensis sp. nov., Dinesus shergoldi sp. nov., Dinesus whitehousei sp. nov., Olenoides lawrenceorum sp. nov., Olenoides percivali sp. nov., Onchocephalus? warrisi sp. nov., Xingrenaspis krusei sp. nov., Changqingia andersonorum sp. nov., and Solenoparia gnaltaensis sp. nov.

Extreme drought drives contrasting fates of labile and recalcitrant mangrove soil organic matter.