Treatment Methods Research Articles

Synergistic Effects of Surface Texture and Cryogenic Treatment on the Tribological Performance of Aluminum Alloy Surfaces

In order to improve the tribological properties of the 7075-T6 aluminum alloy used on the rotor surface, a combined method of cryogenic treatment and laser surface texture treatment was applied. Various tests, including metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, microhardness measurements, were conducted to examine the wear morphology and modification mechanism of the treated 7075-T6 aluminum alloy surface. A numerical simulation model of surface texture was established using computational fluid dynamics to analyze the lubrication characteristics of V-shaped texture. The research finding that the 7075-T6 aluminum alloy experienced grain refinement during the cryogenic treatment process, enhancing the wear resistance of the V-shaped textures. This improvement delayed the progression of fatigue wear, abrasive wear, and oxidative wear, thereby reducing friction losses. The designed V-shaped texture contributes to reducing contact area, facilitating the capture and retention of abrasives, and enhancing oil film load-bearing capacity, thereby improving tribological performance. The synergistic effect of cryogenic treatment reduced the friction coefficient by 24.8% and the wear loss by 66.4%. Thus, the combination of surface texture and cryogenic treatment significantly improved the tribological properties of the 7075-T6 aluminum alloy.

Local inflammatory factors in pregnant women with various methods of cervical insufficiency treatment

the reasons for the formation of cervical insufficiency are considred to be different from violation of the ratio of connective tissue elements due to its genetic characteristics to hormonal imbalance, and the predominance of pro-inflammatory factors of the immune system. A special attention is devoted to clinical situations, when cervical insufficiency was diagnosed in terms 22-24 weeks, the treatment means an alternative between emergency cerclage and obstetric pessary. The gaol of study – to compare dynamic of vaginal microbiota and local cervical immune factors by use of different cervical insufficiency treatment methods. Materials and methods. 81 pregnant with cervical insufficiency, diagnosed in term 22-24 weeks were observed, 47 pregnant treated by cerclage procedure (group A), and 34 were fitted with an obstetric pessary (group B). 30 healthy pregnant women in the period of 22 weeks formed group C. In all patients before treatment and every two weeks after it microscopy of vaginal discharges according to Hay/Ison criteria and evaluation of cervical cytokines were performed. Results. The balance by obstetric pessary use of type I and type III by Hay-Ison criteria being similar before treatment with pregnancy prolongation is changing dramatically to the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis be use of obstetric pessary – from 30,3% and 21,2% in 2 weeks to 25,0% and 41,7% in 6 weeks, by cerclage – from 43,5% and 14,9% in 2 weeks to 30,3% and 17,5% in 6 weeks. Patients with cervical insufficiency have increased concentration of IL-6 and IL-10, but by use of obstetrical pessary additionally growth of IL-8 from 42,3 pg/ml in 2 weeks to 187,6 pg/ml in 6 weeks is registered as well as decreasing of SLPI from 1,5 μg/ml to 0,6 μg/ml. Both changes show progression of inflammation and are associated with worth pregnancy outcomes. In the same time, cerclage is assocated with growth of SLPI from 1,9 μg/ml to 4,3 μμg/ml, what is a marker of adequate immune reaction by pregnancy. There is a difference between the groups of cerclage and obstetric pessary in dynamic of microbiota changes - a tendency to increasing of laboratory criteria of bacterial vaginosis frequency in group of obstetric pessary in 2 weeks becomes significant in 4 and more in 6 weeks comparing with group of cerclage. Proper to cervical insufficiency high concentration of proinflammatory IL-6 and IL-10 by use of obstetrical pessary is complicated by increasing of IL-8 and decreasing of SLPI, what means an activation of cervical inflammation, by cerclage – a increasing of SLPI is observed, what is favourable for pregnancy.

DNA methylation in recovery of Maize (Zea Mays L.) from maize streak

DNA methylation influences regulation of gene expression during cell development and tissue differentiation in plants. This study therefore discussed the role of DNA methylation in the recovery of maize from Maize Streak Diseases (MSD). Bisulfite treatment and DNA sequencing methods were carried out on the 2nd, 4th 6th and 8th white to yellowish streaking leaves of five infected maize varieties (DMR-ESR-Y, TZEBR, and ART/98/SW6) to assess the disease severity using digital phenotyping. The bisulfite treatment utilizes various sensitivities of cytosine and 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC) to deamination by bisulfite under acidic conditions in which cytosine is converted to uracil, whereas 5-MeC remains unreactive. This study showed that DMR-ESR-Y variety significantly (p<0.05) tolerated best for MSD, while TZEBR and ART/98/SW6 varieties slightly tolerated MSD but were not significantly different. The analysis of the images from digital phenotyping revealed that DMR-ESR-Y variety had the highest level of resistance, followed by TZEBR while ART/98/SW6 showed mild resistance and DMR-LSR-Y had the least. The leaf length had strong positive correlation with leaf width (r=0.94), number of leaves(r=0.64), plant height (r=0.96) and stem height(r=0.96). The methylation patterns in bisulfite sequences across the same leaf positions were significantly different (p<0.05), thus suggesting that CG methylation could contribute to transcriptional gene silencing plant recovery mechanism in maize.

Does Cyber Insurance Promote Cyber Security Best Practice? An Analysis Based on Insurance Application Forms

The significant rise in digital threats and attacks has led to an increase in the use of cyber insurance as a cyber risk treatment method intended to support organisations in the event of a security breach. Insurance providers are set up to assume such residual risk, but they often require organisations to implement certain security controls a priori to reduce their exposure. We examine the assertion that cyber insurance promotes cyber security best practice by conducting a critical examination of cyber insurance application forms to determine how well they align with ISO 27001, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the UK’s Cyber Essentials security standards. We achieve this by mapping questions and requirements expressed in insurance forms to the security controls covered in each of the standards. This allows us to identify security controls and standards that are considered—and likely most valued—by insurers and those that are neglected. We find that while there is some reasonable coverage across forms, there is an underrepresentation of best practice standards and controls generally, and particularly in some control areas (e.g., procedural/governance controls, incident response and recovery).

The Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Tumor Microenvironment and Modulation of Immunotherapy in Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Immunotherapy, as a novel treatment approach for various disorders, including cancers, is designed to either stimulate or suppress the immune system with high speci-ficity. The recent achievements of this therapy in clinical trials are set to transform tradi-tional treatment methods. Furthermore, it holds promise for enhancing the survival rates of patients suffering from both metastatic cancers and primary stages. Gastrointestinal Cancers (GI) account for 26% of global incidence and 35% of worldwide deaths. Treat-ment can be carried out using targeted immunotherapy in these cancers. If the tiers are superior, improvement could require more enterprise. On account that the function of immunotherapy in GI has been so promising, solely in sufferers with severe metastatic levels, within the literature, the immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy of GI cancers, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (vehicle-T), modulators of the tumor mi-croenvironment, and drug resistance mechanisms in immunotherapy as an effective treatment approach to GI cancers along with colon, pancreas, gastric, and esophageal cancers have been addressed. This review provides an overview of FDA-approved im-munotherapy drugs and ongoing preclinical developments. Additionally, we offer in-sights into the future of immunotherapy for GI cancer patients, addressing the associated challenges.

Is LVH a must in an amyloid heart?

Abstract Background Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), an infiltrative cardiomyopathy, is characterized by the infiltration of transthyretin-derived amyloid fibrils into the cardiac extracellular space, which causes morphological and functional heart damage. Because of the vast range of symptoms that can accompany ATTR cardiac amyloidosis, the illness remains unknown. However, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis due to inconsistencies between clinical findings and the severity of the underlying disease hampers treatment methods. Aim and objectives This article investigates the intricate relationship between ATTR amyloidosis pathogenesis and clinical signs to understand better the challenges and advancements in early discovery, treatment, and prognosis of this concealed sickness. Methods & Results Between November 2022 and April 2024, we conducted a prospective analysis on a cohort of 71 patients diagnosed with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis utilizing PYP imaging at our institution (Al Hada Armed Force Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia). The Medical Ethics Review Committee of the hospital accepted this project (2023-720). During our study, we faced two cases without LVH and both cases have grade II-III cardiac uptake. 1st case A 66-year-old male patient who is a known case of ischemic cardiomyopathy with EF 35% since 2018, he underwent PCI in 2018. The patient is following the cardio clinic since 2018 and on every visit he was asymptomatic, The Patient in 2021 experienced new shortness of breath within six minutes’ walk distance less than 400 meters. The patient experienced erectile dysfunction and underwent intervention for his carpal tunnel syndrome. ECG showed old Q in anterior leads. Echo showed the same EF 35% and old wall motion abnormalities. Diagnostic coronary angiography showed patent stents and no residual ischemia. When we revised his old echo study that was done in 2017, we found EF 55%, concentric LVH. PYP bone scintigraphy was decided and showed grade II-III cardiac uptake. 2nd case A 53-year-old hypothyroid female patient and she has metastatic left breast cancer. During her workup bone scan, grade III cardiac uptake was accidentally discovered using an HMDP isotope. The patient was referred to the cardio clinic where the patient denied any cardiac or non-cardiac symptoms. All her labs, ECG and Echo were within normal range. CMR showed diffuse subendocardial LGE suggestive of infiltrative disease. Conclusion Based on unique pathological features of CA that would present as morphological LVH with /without ECG evidence of LVH. We hypothesized that LVH would occur in the later stages of the disease or may be decreased due to other pathology as coronary artery disease. Clinical suspicion remains the cornerstone for early diagnosis and workup.

Bridging the Gap: A Comprehensive Study on Traditional Chinese Medicine Strategies for Managing Adult Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Recent studies have witnessed the incorporation of herbal medicine into the management of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactions (DGBIs), reflecting a paradigm shift toward holistic healing modalities. However, there still exists a substantial gap in comprehending the utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), particularly beyond the confines of China. This study endeavors to bridge this knowledge gap by meticulously identifying existing guidelines, critically reviewing TCM practices, and crafting contemporary treatment recommendations. We systematically searched several databases to retrieve related evidence in June 2023. Firstly, we employed the AGREE II tool to evaluate the recommended for use of TCM in the treatment of IBS, establishing a structured treatment selection hierarchy for different TCM patterns of IBS patients. Subsequently, we conducted an expert questionnaire to gain insights into the common treatment methods and medication choices practiced by clinical TCM doctors. Based on CM theory and experts' opinions, IBS with predominant Diarrheal (IBS-D) is divided into five Chinese medicine syndrome patterns, and IBS with predominant Constipation (IBS-C) is classified to four. A total of 22[Formula: see text]CM prescriptions were recommended for the management of IBS, 13 for IBS-D and 9 for IBS-C. The findings provide IBS patients with enhanced treatment choices while offering clinical physicians more specific treatment regimens. This research is the first to conduct a comprehensive study that combines guidelines with real clinical practices in the realm of TCM IBS treatment. This serves as a foundation for providing more personalized treatment options and improving the quality of life for patients.

Exercise Induced Endothelial Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) Facilitates Meniscal Fibrocartilage Regeneration.

The meniscus is a semilunar wedge-shaped fibrocartilage tissue within the knee joint that is important for withstanding mechanical shock during joint motion. The intrinsic healing capacity of meniscus tissue is very limited, which makes meniscectomy the primary treatment method in the clinic. An effective translational strategy for regenerating the meniscus after total or subtotal meniscectomy, particularly for extensive meniscal lesions or degeneration, is yet to be developed. The present study demonstrates that the endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndMT) contributes to meniscal regeneration. The mechanical stimulus facilitated EndMT by activating TGF-β2 signaling. A handheld bioprinter system to intraoperatively fabricate a porous meniscus scaffold according to the resected meniscus tissue is developed; this can simplify the scaffold fabrication procedure and period. The transplantation of a porous meniscus scaffold combined with a postoperative regular exercise stimulus facilitated the regeneration of anisotropic meniscal fibrocartilaginous tissue and protected the joint cartilage from degeneration in an ovine subtotal meniscectomy model. Single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence co-staining analyses further confirmed the occurrence of EndMT during meniscal regeneration. EndMT-transformed cells gave rise to fibrochondrocytes, subsequently contributing to meniscal fibrocartilage regeneration. Thus, an efficient translational strategy to facilitate meniscal regeneration is developed.

Selected treatment methods for colloid milium – a literature review

Selected treatment methods for colloid milium – a literature review

Sleep Bruxism in Adults: A Comprehensive Review of Enduring but Evolving Issues for Clinicians

This review delves into the complex facets of sleep bruxism (SB), concentrating on its diagnosis, epidemiology, orofacial consequences, comorbidities including sleep disorders, and management strategies. Diverse studies have highlighted the difficulties associated with accurately diagnosing SB, the shifting perceptions surrounding it, variations in prevalence based on age and SB definitions, insights obtained from polysomnography, current knowledge on orofacial impact, and approaches to management. Notably, the association between SB and sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea, and its possible physiological roles are examined. This review underscores the necessity of a balanced appreciation for SB, accentuating the need for comprehensive evaluations and tailored management strategies. It emphasizes the continual reshaping of SB concepts and the critical need for further research to differentiate between physiological and pathological manifestations of SB, with the goal of optimizing treatment methods.

In Silico Prediction of EGFR Inhibitors from Thiophene Derivatives

Abstract: Cancer is one of the biggest global health problems and is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Cancer also causes great damage to economy. Unfortunately, there is still no effective treatment method against this disease today, and the mortality rates in certain types are still very high. Medical research can now be done faster and safer with the aid of in silico studies. These studies save time for researchers and accelerate new drug discoveries. In our study, thiophene derivatives with important efficacy in cancer treatment were focused on and the affinity of the small molecule structures determined as candidates to the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), known to be the key receptor in cancer, was examined. First, molecular docking studies were performed, and then long-term molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out. Finally, anti-cancer activity predictions based on Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) were performed. Co-crystallized ligand Erlotinib, taken from the Protein Data Bank (PDB), was used as a positive control and compared with candidate drugs using the same procedures. In light of the analysis of virtual screening, MD, MM/GBSA, and QSAR predictions, the top three molecules and their MM/GBSA scores were identified as follows: OSI 930 (-65.81 kcal/mol), Neltenexine (-49.53 kcal/mol), and Tenonitrozole (-41.95 kcal/mol). As a result, in this study, candidate molecules that inhibit EGFR and have the highest potential as anti-cancer drugs among thiophene-derived compounds were determined and detailed in silico analyzes were performed. This study holds importance as it may guide future anti-cancer drug discovery studies.

Book Review: No More Kidney Stones

The book "No more kidney stones" is a significant work for understanding the complex world of kidney stone disease. It provides comprehensive information from the formation of kidney stones to treatment options, offering essential guidance for both patients and healthcare professionals. The book emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach by detailing modern medications and surgical interventions, as well as the roles of various medical specialties in the treatment of kidney stones. The authors aim to raise awareness and develop more effective methods in the treatment of kidney stone disease. The sections cover the formation, symptoms, and treatment methods of kidney stones, diet and lifestyle changes, risk factors, modern medical interventions, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches. The book presents a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, and treatment options for kidney stone disease. It offers scientifically based guidance, emphasizing the complexity of the disease and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to its management. The importance of customized diagnostic and treatment approaches according to patients' individual characteristics is detailed in each section. The book serves as a valuable reference for anyone seeking information on kidney stone disease, providing practical information for clinical practice. This work enhances nephrologists' professional competence by offering extensive and in-depth knowledge, allowing them to develop a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of kidney stone disease.

Multifaceted Evaluation of Inhibitors of Anti-Apoptotic Proteins in Head and Neck Cancer: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Studies (Review)

This paper presents a multifaceted assessment of inhibitors of anti-apoptotic proteins (IAPs) in the context of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The article discusses the results of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, highlighting the significance of IAPs in the resistance of cancer cells to apoptosis, which is a key factor hindering effective treatment. The main apoptosis pathways, including the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, and the role of IAPs in their regulation, are presented. The study’s findings suggest that targeting IAPs with novel therapies may offer clinical benefits in the treatment of advanced HNSCC, especially in cases resistant to conventional treatment methods. These conclusions underscore the need for further research to develop more effective and safer therapeutic strategies.

Identifying and testing adaptive management options to increase river catchment system resilience using a Bayesian Network model

AbstractThe cumulative impacts of future climatic and socioeconomic change threaten the ability of freshwater catchments to provide essential ecosystem services. Stakeholders who manage freshwaters require decision-support tools that increase their understanding of catchment system resilience and support the appraisal of adaptive management options to inform decision-making. Our research aims to test the ability of a Bayesian Network model to identify adaptive management scenarios and test their effectiveness across future pathways to 2050. Using the predominantly arable river Eden catchment (320 km2) in eastern Scotland as a case study, we invited stakeholders from multiple sectors to participate in a series of workshops aimed at addressing water quality issues and achieving good ecological status in the catchment both now and in the future. Our participatory methods helped stakeholders overcome multiple layers of complexity and uncertainty associated with future-focused water management. Outputs of a Bayesian Network model simulated both current and future catchment resilience to inform the identification of six management scenarios. The effectiveness of each management scenario was tested using the Bayesian Network model. Two adaptive management scenarios increased catchment resilience and helped achieve good ecological status; a ‘Best Available Technology’ scenario, including aerobic granular sludge treatment, and a management scenario focused on ‘Resource Centre’, including phosphorus recovery from wastewater treatment works and constructed lagoons for crop irrigation. Stakeholders were interested in a 'Nature Based' management scenario including options such as wetland wastewater treatment methods and rural sustainable drainage systems, which improved water quality in the catchment, but had lower certainty in achieving desired outcome. Findings led to a recognition that innovative and collaborative action was required to improve current and future freshwater conditions.

Application of Gold Nanoparticles for Improvement of Electroporation-Assisted Drug Delivery and Bleomycin Electrochemotherapy

Background/Objectives: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a safe and efficient method of targeted drug delivery using pulsed electric fields (PEF), one that is based on the phenomenon of electroporation. However, the problems of electric field homogeneity within a tumor can cause a diminishing of the treatment efficacy, resulting only in partial response to the procedure. This work used gold nano-particles for electric field amplification, introducing the capability to improve available elec-trochemotherapy methods and solve problems associated with field non-homogeneity. Methods: We characterized the potential use of gold nanoparticles of 13 nm diameter (AuNPs: 13 nm) in combination with microsecond (0.6–1.5 kV/cm × 100 μs × 8 (1 Hz)) and nanosecond (6 kV/cm × 300–700 ns × 100 (1, 10, 100 kHz and 1 MHz)) electric field pulses. Finally, we tested the most prominent protocols (microsecond and nanosecond) in the context of bleomycin-based electrochemotherapy (4T1 mammary cancer cell line). Results: In the nano-pulse range, the synergistic effects (improved permeabilization and electrotransfer) were profound, with increased pulse burst frequency. Addi-tionally, AuNPs not only reduced the permeabilization thresholds but also affected pore resealing. It was shown that a saturated cytotoxic response with AuNPs can be triggered at significantly lower electric fields and that the AuNPs themselves are non-toxic for the cells either separately or in combination with bleomycin. Conclusions: The used electric fields are considered sub-threshold and/or not applicable for electrochemotherapy, however, when combined with AuNPs results in successful ECT, indicating the methodology’s prospective applicability as an anticancer treatment method.

Dysfunctional lens syndrome: a literature review

Introduction. The term “Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome” (DLS) refers to age-related changes in the lens, including early cataracts and presbyopia, that do not significantly reduce visual acuity. This syndrome is characterized by a decrease in accommodative amplitude, an increase in light scattering, and a reduction in contrast sensitivity. With rising life expectancy, the prevalence of DLS is increasing, necessitating a more in-depth study of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the syndrome and the refinement of its diagnostic criteria to establish standards for treatment correction. Aim: to summarize information on the pathogenesis of DLS, the potential for staging the syndrome using objective examination methods, and to provide treatment recommendations. Materials and methods. A bibliographic study of scientific publications was conducted using the Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Cyberleninka databases. Literature sources were searched using the following keywords: dysfunctional lens syndrome (DLS), presbyopia correction, cataract, age-related lens changes. A total of 32 publications, primarily from the last 10 years, were included in the study from more than 100 viewed sources. Results. The DLS encompasses a wide range of conditions, from early stages characterized by a loss of accommodative amplitude and minor refractive anomalies to later stages involving a decrease in visual acuity and quality due to increased light scattering and aberrations. Currently, the evaluation of age-related lens changes involves assessing visual acuity and determining the degree of lens opacification using slit-lamp examination. Additionally, objective instrumental methods, such as optical coherence tomography and Scheimpflug imaging, can be used to assess the degree of lens opacification. Various methods are employed for the correction and treatment of DLS, ranging from glasses and contact lenses to surgical interventions, such as lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation. Research is also ongoing into drugs aimed at slowing the progression of lens changes. Conclusion. The term “Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome” is currently used to describe early cataracts and presbyopia, where the reduction in visual acuity is still minor, but patients experience visual complaints due to age-related lens changes. Further research is necessary to develop and standardize diagnostic criteria and to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatment methods and interventions in order to create the most effective and adequate approach to correcting DLS and alleviating the associated visual complaints.

Cystic Fibrosis: A Review of Current Knowledge, Treatment Methods and Diagnostics

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene. Characteristic symptoms include persistent lung infection, pancreatic insufficiency, and elevated sweat chloride, although many patients have mild or atypical symptoms. Diagnosis of CF is based primarily on the detection of genetic and/or functional abnormalities in the CFTR gene. Treatment includes pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, mucolytic drugs, respiratory physiotherapy, and antibiotic therapy. Purpose of the work: This study aims to review and characterize the clinical and pathophysiological aspects of cystic fibrosis. Materials and methods: A comprehensive analysis of research papers available on PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus was undertaken using the searchterms encompassing the following keywords: Cystic fibrosis, CFTR, Chloride Channels, Lung Inflammation, Diagnosis, Gene therapy, Treatment. Results: Cystic fibrosis is the most common, multisystem, life-threatening recessive disease in the white race. Although many organs are affected, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality is lung disease. Treatment requires pharmacotherapy, extensive physiotherapy, and nutritional support. In recent years, there has been significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis, and the average survival has increased from a few to almost 50 years.

Variations in Oil Occurrence State and Properties during High-Speed Stirring Treatment of Oily Sludge

Oily sludge (OS) has long been regarded as a hazardous waste, and improper disposal may lead to serious environmental concerns and human health risks. Despite various methods having been proposed and applied to the treatment of OS, the oil occurrence states and properties in sludge are rarely characterized, which may directly link to the selection and effectiveness of treatment methods. Here, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), gas chromatography (GC), and four components (SARA) analysis were utilized to characterize the changes in the oil occurrence states and compositions in OS samples before and after high-speed stirring (HSS) treatment. Our results show a substantial reduction in the oil concentration of OS after HSS treatment (from 32.98% to 1.65%), while SARA analysis reveals a similar oil composition before and after treatment, suggesting the broad applicability of HSS in removing oil and its insignificant selectivity towards various hydrocarbon components. This is further supported by the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) analysis results, which show that the separated oil phase has a hydrocarbon composition similar to that of the original OS sample. The CLSM and fluorescence analysis suggest a homogeneous distribution of oil in the sludge, with relatively light components more concentrated in the pore systems between coarse mineral particles, whereas relatively heavy components tend to coexist with clay minerals. After HSS cleaning, both light and heavy components are removed to varying degrees, but light components are preferentially removed while heavy components tend to be retained in the sludge due to adsorption by clay minerals. This is consistent with TPH analysis, where a significant decrease in n-alkanes with lower carbon numbers (n-C14 to n-C20) was observed in the residual sample. Our findings demonstrate the dynamic response of oil occurrence states and compositions to the OS treatment process and highlight the importance of characterizing these fundamental properties prior to the selection of OS treatment methods.

The Role of Incubation in Ancient Greek Asklepieions

The sanctuaries of Asklepios served a healing function in the Greek world throughout antiquity. In modern historiography, it is believed that the sick were treated there by incubation, i.e., sleeping in the temple to obtain a divinatory dream. However, the sources are not clear on this matter. In this article, I analyse four sources that, in my opinion, are the most representative of the issue of treatment methods in the Asklepieions. From the classical period, inscriptions describing healings from Epidauros and the comedy "Wealth" by Aristophanes are extremely important, while from Roman times they include "The Sacred Tales" by Aelius Aristides and the Apellas’ inscription from Epidauros. It is significant that none of these sources describes the incubation ritual, and the treatment methods presented in them are rational from the viewpoint of contemporary medicine. Incubation was practiced in the Asklepieions, but its role, in my opinion, was much smaller than commonly believed.

Study on Pore Water Pressure Model of EICP-Solidified Sand under Cyclic Loading

Under traffic load, earthquake load, and wave load, saturated sand foundation is prone to liquefaction, and foundation reinforcement is the key measure to improve its stability and liquefaction resistance. Traditional foundation treatment methods have many problems, such as high cost, long construction period, and environmental pollution. As a new solidification method, enzyme-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (EICP) technology has the advantages of economy, environmental protection, and durability. Through a triaxial consolidated undrained shear test under cyclic loading, the impacts of confining pressure (σ3), cementation number (Pc), cyclic stress ratio (CSR), initial dry density (ρd), and vibration frequency (f) on the development law of pore water pressure of EICP-solidified sand are analyzed and then a pore water pressure model suitable for EICP-solidified sand is established. The result shows that as σ3 and CSR increase, the rise rate of pore water pressure of solidified sand gradually accelerates, and with a lower vibration number required for liquefaction, the anti-liquefaction ability of solidified sand gradually weakens. However, as Pc, ρd, and f rise, the increase rate of pore water pressure of solidified sand gradually lowers, the vibration number required for liquefaction increases correspondingly, and its liquefaction resistance gradually increases. The test results are highly consistent with the predictive results, which show that the three-parameter unified pore water pressure model is suitable for describing the development law of A-type and B-type pore water pressure of EICP-solidified sand at the same time. The study results provide essential reference value and scientific significance in guidance for preventing sand foundations from liquefying.