Middle Part Research Articles

Refixation of aposterior medial root lesion in combination with centralization by ameniscotibial suture

Refixation of aposterior root lesion of the medial meniscus via atibial drill tunnel and prevention of extrusion using ameniscotibial suture (centralization). Posterior root lesion of the medial meniscus. Grade4 cartilage damage in the corresponding compartment, uncorrected varus or valgus deformities, symptomatic instabilities, extensive degenerative tears apart from the root region. Knee arthroscopy via the high anterolateral standard portal. Diagnostic arthroscopy to check indication. Locate the insertion zone on the tibial plateau and local debridement until the bone of the tibial plateau is visible. Insertion of atargeting device and drilling of atargeting wire into the center of the insertion zone in the area of the intercondylar eminence. Overdrill the target wire with a4.5 mm drill. Reinforcement of the medial meniscus posterior horn with braided suture material. The reinforcing thread is inserted into the bone tunnel via an eyelet wire with athread loop. Optional additional centralization with incision in the middle part of the meniscus. Reinforcement of the meniscus base with braided suture material using the "outside in" technique and fixation of the inner meniscus base at the edge of the tibial plateau using atransosseous extraction suture or asuture anchor. Six weeks nonweight-bearing (0kg), then gradually increased load. Range of motion: 4weeks E/F 0-0-60°, 2weeks 0-0-90°, optionally use of avalgus brace (varus of < 5°). In root lesions of the medial meniscus, transosseous refixation significantly improves knee function (Lysholm, Hospital for Special Surgery, International Knee Documentation Committee, visual analog scale for pain, Tegner, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome scores) and reduces osteoarthritis progression. However, atransosseous suture alone could not significantly reduce postoperative extrusion. However, previous studies have shown that additional centralization can significantly reduce extrusion.

Elevated sea surface temperature and enhanced primary productivity during Ocean Anoxic Event 1d in the eastern Tethys: Calcareous nannofossil evidence from southern Tibet, China

Mid-Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events (OAEs) are characterized by major disturbances to the global carbon cycle and are considered ancient analogs for anthropogenic global warming. Among these events, OAE 1d, occurring around the Albian-Cenomanian boundary, remains understudied in the eastern Tethys region, leaving a critical palaeogeographic gap that hampers a global understanding of its impacts. In this paper, we present a detailed record of calcareous nannofossil assemblages from the lower to middle part of the Lengqingre Formation in the Chaqiela section of Gamba, southern Tibet, China. The study interval contains abundant, moderately to well preserved calcareous nannofossil assemblages, with Watznaueria barnesiae, Discorhabdus ignotus, Biscutum constans, and Zeugrhabdotus erectus as the dominant species constituting >50% of the assemblages. These nannofossil assemblages allow the study interval to be constrained to Upper Cretaceous (UC) Biozones UC0 through UC2, with the Albian-Cenomanian boundary located in the lower part of the Lengqingre Formation, and the middle part assigned to Cenomanian in the study area. As such, the position of OAE 1d in this section is accurately determined. Calculated nutrient and temperature indices based on nannofossil species with preferred ecologies reveal significant palaeoceanographic changes across the OAE 1d. These changes show increased abundance of warm-water taxa (e.g., Rhagodiscus asper and Zeugrhabdotus diplogrammus) and high-productivity taxa (e.g., D. ignotus, B. constans, and Z. erectus), suggesting increased sea surface temperature and enhanced productivity during OAE 1d in the southwestern shelf sea of the eastern Tethys Ocean.

Seismic vulnerability and performance-based assessment of monopile offshore wind turbine considering turbine blades

This paper investigated the seismic vulnerability and performance-based assessment of offshore monopile wind turbine (OWT) considering turbine blades. A three-dimensional finite-element model of NREL 5-MW OWT was established with detailed consideration of the nonlinear-behavior of turbine, monopile, blades, pile-soil interactions and pile-water interaction etc. Subsequently, incremental dynamic analysis and fragility evaluation were conducted via a great number of nonlinear time history analysis involving far-field and near-fault records with and without pulse characteristics. It is found that the ignorance of turbine blades in conventional lumped mass (LM) model would significantly underestimate the vulnerability of OWT's acceleration responses, and more importantly, underestimates the stress level at turbine top, misleading the failure pattern of OWT which may be probably damaged at both top and middle part of OWT rather than solely the middle part as estimated by the LM model ignoring the effect of turbine blades. Finally, it can be concluded that the modeling of turbine blades should be consider in the numerical studies.

Malting - ‘the middle parts of fortune’ - a history of innovation and the enduring quest for efficiency

Malting - ‘the middle parts of fortune’ - a history of innovation and the enduring quest for efficiency

Force-field modeling of single-chirality-angle multi-walled WS2 nanotubes

The experimentally observed dependencies of the average interwall distances on the number of walls and diameters of multi-walled WS2 nanotubes were reproduced in molecular mechanics simulations based on a recently developed force field. A common chiral angle was used for all walls inside each nanotube to ensure its one-dimensional periodicity. The data obtained make it possible to determine the nature of changes in the diameters of single-wall components inside the nanotube and variations in the distances between the walls in its inner, middle and outer parts. The stability of multi-walled nanotubes with respect to WS2 nanolayers and free single-wall components was evaluated.

Microtopographic response of tilled loess slopes during stages of water erosion development

The tilled slopes in the loess region are characterized by artificial management practices that result in variations in microtopography, which serve as both the site of water erosion and a significant factor contributing to further slope erosion development. However, the response of microtopography during the process of erosion development on tilled loess slopes is unclear. In this study, artificial rainfall simulations were conducted to simulate the development of water erosion (splash erosion (SpE), sheet erosion (ShE), and rill erosion (RE)) under three slope gradients (5°, 10°, and 20°) and three tillage practices (artificial backhoe (AB), artificial digging (AD), and contour tillage (CT)) at a rainfall intensity of 60 mm h−1. The spatial correlation and heterogeneity of the microtopography were analysed using semivariogram functions and fractal dimensions. The response characteristics of microtopography during the water erosion development process on tilled loess slopes were analysed from three perspectives: microtopography factors, erosion equilibrium areas, and slope strips M-ΔDEM. The results indicated that the microtopography process data exhibited moderate to high spatial autocorrelation. There is a positive correlation between microtopographic factors and the slope gradient. Tilled slopes exhibit erosion equilibrium effects during the processes of splash erosion, sheet erosion, and rill erosion. These equilibrium effects are located in the longitudinal ranges of 700 to 1200 mm, 700 to 1300 mm, and 800 to 1100 mm, respectively. Soil erosion and deposition primarily occur in the middle and lower parts of the slope, with 70 % of the slope’s elevation changing within 10 mm, while the remaining changes can reach 25 mm. Among the three tillage practices, AB is the most susceptible to slope influences, which can lead to soil loss, and an optimal slope gradient exists for implementing AB measures. In the case of CT at a slope of 20°, ridge breaking is more likely to occur, but considering the combined effects of soil loss suppression and the difficulty in forming rills, it is recommended to prioritize CT as the preferred tillage practice among the three practices. This study can provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the mechanisms through which microtopography influences water erosion. Additionally, it can serve as a theoretical basis for calibrating parameters in soil erosion models for sloping cultivated lands.

CT-based surrogate parameters for MRI-based disc height and endplate degeneration in the lumbar spine

PurposeThis study investigated potential use of computed tomography (CT)-based parameters in the lumbar spine as a surrogate for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based findings.MethodsIn this retrospective study, all individuals, who had a lumbar spine CT scan and MRI between 2006 and 2012 were reviewed (n = 198). Disc height (DH) and endplate degeneration (ED) were evaluated between Th12/L1-L5/S1. Statistics consisted of Spearman correlation and univariate/multivariable regression (adjusting for age and gender).ResultsThe mean CT-DH increased kranio-caudally (8.04 millimeters (mm) at T12/L1, 9.17 mm at L1/2, 10.59 mm at L2/3, 11.34 mm at L3/4, 11.42 mm at L4/5 and 10.47 mm at L5/S1). MRI-ED was observed in 58 (29%) individuals. CT-DH and MRI-DH had strong to very strong correlations (rho 0.781-0.904, p < .001). MRI-DH showed higher absolute values than CT-DH (mean of 1.76 mm). There was a significant association between CT-DH and MRI-ED at L2/3 (p = .006), L3/4 (p = .002), L4/5 (p < .001) and L5/S1 (p < .001). A calculated cut-off point was set at 11 mm.ConclusionsIn the lumbar spine, there is a correlation between disc height on CT and MRI. This can be useful in trauma and emergency cases, where CT is readily available in the lack of an MRI. In addition, in the middle and lower part of the lumbar spine, loss of disc height on CT scans is associated with more pronounced endplate degeneration on MRIs. If the disc height on CT scans is lower than 11 mm, endplate degeneration on MRIs is likely more pronounced.Level and designLevel III, a retrospective study.

Study on the ecological environment quality and its driving factors of the spatial transformation of production-living-ecological space in Baishan City

In order to strengthen the overall planning and coordination of urban construction and ecological space in Baishan City, we should formulate a scientific land type planning of Production-Living-Ecological Space (PLES). In this paper, land use dynamic attitude model, land use transfer matrix, land use function center of gravity transfer model, eco-environmental quality index(EEQI) and geographic detector model are used to discuss the spatio-temporal evolution of PLES in Baishan City from 2000 to 2020. Spatio-temporal evolution of EEQI and its influencing factors. The results show that: (1) During the study period, Baishan City showed the characteristics that the production space first increased and then decreased, the ecological space decreased, and the living space continued to increase. Among them, the ecological space is the dominant space of Baishan City, covering an area of more than 80%. From the perspective of the transformation of PLES, from 2000 to 2020, Baishan City is mainly characterized by the transformation of ecological space into production space and living space. In the second type of space, green ecological space, forestry ecological space and other ecological space have decreased, while other types of space have increased in varying degrees. (2) During the study period, the overall EEQI of Baishan City remained in good condition, and the ecological environment quality(EEQ) of the three periods were 0.6571, 0.6412 and 0.6562 respectively. The higher EEQI is distributed in Changbai County and Linjiang City, while the areas with lower EEQI are concentrated in the north-central part of Hunjiang City, the middle part of Jiangyuan District and the northwest of Fusong County. (3) According to the analysis of the influencing factors of EEQ, the influence of the factors of spatial differentiation of EEQI in Baishan City changed significantly from 2000 to 2020, and the average annual rainfall was the core factor affecting the spatial differentiation of EEQ in Baishan City, the second is the urbanization rate and the distance from the county government, and the interaction between the average annual rainfall and the distance from the county government has a strong influence on the spatial differentiation of EEQ in Baishan City. This study reveals the evolution of spatial types and EEQ of PLES in Baishan City, and provides a scientific reference for the effective management and utilization of land resources in Baishan City.

Assessment of Long-Term Streamflow Response to Flash Drought in the São Francisco River Basin over the Last Three Decades (1991–2020)

Flash droughts, characterized by a rapid onset and severe intensity, pose a serious threat to water resource management. Extensive research has indicated that drought has lagged impacts on streamflow. Nevertheless, the hydrometeorological conditions by which streamflow dynamics respond to drought within the São Francisco River Basin (SFRB) remain ambiguous. To bridge this gap, we conducted a study on long-term streamflow responses to flash drought in the SFRB from 1991 to 2020, combining the Standardized Antecedent Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SAPEI) and quantile streamflow with a trend analysis. This study employed the SAPEI, a daily drought index, to identify flash droughts and assess the response of streamflow to the identified events across the SFRB. Our findings reveal insights into the direct response of streamflow to flash drought conditions, stimulated by the application of the SAPEI for analysis of flash drought events. The interannual flash droughts fluctuated over the years, with the middle part of the SFRB experiencing frequent, longer flash droughts, while the south part encountered shorter but less frequent events. About 55% of the study area is trended towards drying conditions. A comparative analysis of the SAPEI and streamflow identified a synchronized response to the onset of flash drought events, but the recovery timescale for the SAPEI and streamflow varied among the events. This study enhances understanding of the flash-drought–streamflow relationship in the SFRB and provides theoretical support for addressing drought risks under climate change.

Spatiotemporal forecasting of water change trends in Urmia Lake through to 2030, using STC-based models

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to forecast the spatiotemporal water change trends in Urmia Lake through 2030. Three space–time cube-based models were applied. The forest-based forecast model, with a mean of 0.14 forecast root mean square error (RMSE) and 0.39 validation RMSE, had a better performance. According to the model’s results, the peripheral parts of the lake will mainly stay completely arid with a 42.5% extension in the entire period, 21.7% in spring, and a 27% reduction in winter. In the middle parts, the aridity will increase by 121% in summer, 93% in fall, and 38% in spring. Eventually, the centric areas will not be completely arid; however, the water patterns’ extent will decrease by 53.46% in fall, 34.6% in spring, and 28.5% in summer. Additionally, southern, eastern, western, and northern areas will experience drier conditions, respectively. The findings can be used for water resource management and water restoration plans for the lake.

Simulation and survey-based feasibility study of concentrated solar plant in northern and central Bangladesh

A comprehensive simulation and survey-based feasibility study have been carried out for the possible implementation of a CSP (concentrated solar power) plant in the middle and northern parts of Bangladesh. Area-specific optimization of plant-related parameters like tower height, heliostat number, heliostat cost, and heliostat area has been conducted using weather data. The design and analysis of small-scale CSP plants (1, 50, and 100 MW) were performed using the System Advisor Model (SAM) platform. Also, a sensor-based study was conducted to measure the sun's direct normal irradiance, temperature, and humidity at various time intervals throughout the year. The results of the plant cost, followed by the identification of the most suitable CSP technology, and the electricity output over a certain period of time were evaluated, and a good result was observed for a 1 MW CSP installation in Bangladesh. The simulated findings suggest that the high-elevation area in northern Bangladesh, such as Rajshahi, is more suitable for generating 100 MW of power, whereas the central region of Bangladesh, such as Katiyadi and Tarakandi, demonstrated better results for generating 50 MW of power.

Taxonomic and paleobiogeographic review of the Guadalupian ammonoids reported by González-Arreola et al. (1994) from the Olinalá Formation, Guerrero state, Mexico

A review of twenty-five ammonoid specimens of the Guadalupian age from the Olinalá Formation, Guerrero state, as recorded by González-Arreola et al. (1994) is presented as part of a study of middle Permian ammonoid faunas from Mexico. The present update includes new images of González-Arreola's ammonoids. Six taxa have been identified to species level and one species in open nomenclature. Three taxa recognized by González-Arreola et al. have been revised and reassigned to other genera, two species-level identifications have been changed, and a species previously not reported is for the first time described from the original designation. The ammonoid faunal composition suggests that the base to the middle part of the Olinalá Formation is correlated to the Wordian (middle Guadalupian). Reference to published paleobiogeographic data has suggested that the present ammonoid specimens be assigned to the American Realm and indicates a clear affinity with contemporaneous ammonoid assemblages from the Paleothetys Realm.

Сравнительная оценка урожайности зерновых культур в зависимости от лимитирующих факторов в условиях почвозащитного земледелия

Abstract. The aim of work – to identify the influence of limiting factors on increasing the yield of grain crops in crop rotations and soil fertility in a sloping landscape. The following methods were used during the study: field, Kosyrev, thermostatic-weight, ionometric, Machigin, Tyurin, quantitative, balance calculations of yield. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the yield of field crops in grain-steam crop rotations was estimated from the influence of meteorological conditions, moisture, mobile forms of nutrients, humus, seedlings and weed infestation in the arid conditions of the Orenburg Trans-Urals. Results. As a result of research (2021–2023), it was revealed that during the growing season (May-August), the average monthly air temperature (18.6 ℃) and the number of dry days (76) adversely affect (55.85 and 67.50 %) the yield (1.00 t/ha) of barley in the lower part of the slope. In the upper and middle parts of the slope, dry days (56.75 and 64.45 %) negatively affect the yield (1.44 and 1.20 t/ha) of barley. Precipitation in the form of rain (116 mm) during the growing season has a beneficial effect (53.05 %) on the yield (1.34 t/ha) of durum wheat in the middle part of the slope. Spring moisture reserves (152.1 mm) in a meter layer of soil have a positive effect (75.15 %) on the yield (1.30 t/ha) of soft wheat in the upper part of the slope. The increase in yield (1.45 t/ha) of durum wheat and (1.44 t/ha) of barley in the upper part of the slope is due to the influence of (72.30 and 56.05 %) phosphorus content (4.7 and 4.1 mg / 100 g) in the arable soil layer by the end of the growing season. In the middle and lower parts of the slope, the yield of soft wheat (1.20 and 1.10 t/ha) depends on the effect (65.50 and 54.01 %) of the residual content (4.7 and 4.4 mg / 100 g) of phosphorus. The use of agrotechnical soil protection techniques increases the yield of grain crops in crop rotations and soil fertility on the slope, especially on the upper part.

Dynamic impact mechanical properties of red sandstone based on digital image correlation method

ABSTRACT In the process of underground blasting excavation, the safety and stability of rock mass are significantly influenced by dynamic load. To study the full-field strain and displacement behaviour of rock materials subjected to dynamic compressive force, the impact tests were done on red sandstone specimens using an electromagnetically driven Hopkinson pressure bar. At the same time, the data were collected by a high-speed camera, and non-contact measurements of the red sandstone were carried out with the digital image correlation method. The resulting images were screened and analysed, based on which the stress-strain curve, full-field strain cloud diagram and displacement cloud diagram were obtained. Results show that the dynamic peak stress increases with the increase of impact velocity. During the impact process, substantial internal uneven deformation occurs in the red sandstone close to the transmission bar’s end face. Under the impact load, the cracks initiate from the upper and lower sides near the transmission bar’s end face, followed by formation of cracks in the middle part. These cracks expand throughout the rock to form through-cracks, eventually resulting in complete failure. For rock materials, the evolution of their strain field during the failure process can reflect the initiation and propagation of their internal cracks. Therefore, the use of digital image correlation method proves effective for studying the deformation and failure mechanisms of rock. The conclusions obtained in this study provide a valuable reference for the macro-meso deformation and failure mechanisms of geotechnical materials.

New equation for estimation of dental age by tooth cementum thickness in adolescents and adults: forensic aspects.

Our research was aimed to establish the equation and to determine its precision for dental age estimation in adolescents, adults and the elderly based on the thickness of deposited dental cement. The study sample consisted of 206 donor teeth of both sexes (10 to 82 years of age). The roots were transversely cut (6 cuts) on an ISOMET 1000 cutter at apical, middle, and cervical parts (slice thickness 0.3 to 0.5μm). Measurements of cement thickness on incisions were made with a light microscope and an Olympus EP50 camera with previous microscope calibration for each measurement episode. Measurements were carried out clockwise at 4 measuring points on each incision. Statistical analyses were conducted using statistical software packages STATISTICA version 12.0 StatSoft, Inc. 2013, and MedCalc® version 22.0. Mean cement thickness (MCT) significantly declined from apical to cervical cuts (P < 0.001, ANOVA) and was thicker in teeth with a destroyed tooth crown (P < 0.001, ANOVA) and in molars compared to incisors (P < 0.001, ANOVA). MCT was greater in men and in teeth with more than one root but without reaching statistical significance. MCT showed a significant increase from the second decade of chronological age with a peek at sixth decade and declined to the ninth decade (P < 0.001, ANOVA). Piecewise linear regression defined a breakpoint age of 53 years, so two different equations were calculated (≤ 53 years and > 53 years). The resulting equation is recommended for estimating dental age in forensic analyses.

Predicting potential habitat distribution of the invasive species Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier in China based on MaxEnt modelling technique and future climate change.

Changes in the distribution of species due to global climate change have a critically significant impact on the increase in the spread of invasive species. An in-depth study of the distribution patterns of invasive species and the factors influencing them can help to better predict and combat invasive alien species. Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier is an invasive species that primarily harms plants of Trachycarpus H. Wendl. The pest invades trees in three main ways: by laying eggs and incubating them in the crown of the plant, on roots at the surface and at the base of the trunk or petiole. Most of the plants in the genus Trachycarpus are taller, and the damage is concentrated in the middle and upper parts of the plant, making control more difficult. In this paper, we combine 19 bioclimatic variables based on the MaxEnt model to project the current and future distributions of R. ferrugineus under three typical emission scenarios (2.6 W m-2 (SSP1-2.6), 4.5 W m-2 (SSP2-4.5) and 8.5 W m-2 (SSP5-8.5)) in the 2050s and 2090s. Among the 19 bioclimatic variables, five variables were screened out by contribution rates, namely annual mean temperature (BIO 1), precipitation of driest quarter (BIO 17), minimum temperature of coldest month (BIO 6), mean diurnal range (BIO 2) and precipitation of wettest quarter (BIO 16). These five variables are key environmental variables that influence habitat suitability for R. ferrugineus and are representative in reflecting its potential habitat. The results showed that R. ferrugineus is now widely distributed in the southeastern coastal area of China (high suitability zone), concentrating in the provinces of Hainan, Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi and Taiwan. In the future, the area of high and low suitability zones will increase and the area of medium suitability zones will decrease. The area of low suitability zone will still be in the largest proportion. This study aims to provide a theoretical reference for the future control of R. ferrugineus from the perspective of geographic distribution.

Ambulatory dispersal of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki Wainstein (Acari: Phytoseiidae) along Solanceae stem.

Tomato crops are attacked by several pests, including mites. While the main predatory mites are not effective enough to control mite pests, recent studies have shown encouraging results with the European endemic phytoseiid Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki. The first objective of the study was to assess the ability of this species to disperse along the tomato stem, considering six genotypes of Solanum lycopersicum, S. peruvianum and S. cheesmaniae with contrasted trichome numbers and types of stem trichomes, accuratetly characterised in a previous study. The second objective was to determine how predator morphological traits can explain dispersal along the tomato stem. For this, ambulatory dispersal ability of females (stem crossing rate success, hesitation and escape behavior, mobility periods) was tested in lab conditions on the eight Solanum genotypes, at four period of time after the predator introduction (10, 25, 55 and 100min), with a video observation of 5min at each period. The females were then mounted on slides and body length and width (at the fore hind, middle and back parts) measured. No effect of the tomato genotypes was observed on the dispersal ability of the predator. However, specimens that succeeded in crossing the stem, had a higher percentage of mobility time (79.36%) than those that failed (43.60%). Furthermore, body width at midbody (DSW2) and dorsal shield length (DSL) were negatively correlated with dispersal ability. The mean DSL and DSW2 of the females that succeed to cross were 342.3 and 160.9μm, respectively vs. 345.6 and 164.9μm, for females that did not succeed. This suggests that the more slender and relatively small the specimens, the more are mobile and able to successfully cross the stem. The number of glandular trichomes type (GT) VI and to a lesser extent GT I and IV, and non-glandular trichomes (NGT) II&III appear to limit dispersal. The GT VI seems to have a repellent effect. On the opposite, the number of NGT V were positively correlated with high mobility and stem crossing rates. Assuming that the main barrier to biological control efficiency is dispersal along tomato stems, these preliminary results should have implications for biological control success. The proportion of mites with 'optimal dimensions' appears to be low and further studies should be undertaken to better assess the proportion of mites with such ideal dimensions in different populations and also to determine whether these morphological traits are associated with different feeding abilities and/or abiotic conditions.

Research of the properties of the sandwich-structured Ni60CuMo self-lubricating coating with stepped hardness distribution on Vermicular cast iron by laser cladding

To enhance the wear resistance of Vermicular cast iron (RuT300) and achieve the stepped hardness distribution for the impact deformation resistance in the middle and lower part of the coating and wear resistance in the surface of the coating, the sandwich-structured Ni60CuMo coating with the transition layer was fabricated on RuT300 by laser cladding. The microstructure, hardness, and fracture toughness for the coating were analyzed, and the effect of different loads on wear resistance was investigated. The wear-resistant layer mainly contains Ni-based solid solution, hard phase of chromium compound and some ductile Cu phases. The hardness for coating without cracks shows the stepped distribution, increasing to 381HV0.5, 419HV0.5, and 490HV0.5 in the wear layer, transition layer, and heat-affected zone, respectively. The transition layer can suppress the impact of carbon from the substrate on the hardness of the wear-resistant layer. The wear resistance of the coating demonstrates a self-adaptive enhancement effect with increasing load. As the load increases from 10 N to 30 N and 50 N, the wear rate decreases from 2.865 to 1.525 and 1 (×10⁻⁴mm³N⁻¹m⁻¹). The main wear mechanism is oxidative wear. The extruded ductile Cu phase causes the wear debris to adhere it and the compacted oxide glaze layer is formed with the high load, then the compacted oxide glaze layer isolates oxygen and reduces oxidative wear. In contrast, incomplete oxide layers at low load fail to provide effective isolation, and cracks on the subsurface serve as critical pathways for continued oxygen penetration, resulting in more severe oxidative wear.

Role of Vickers Ligament in the Pathogenesis of Madelung Deformity.

The Vickers ligament is thought to hinder the growth of palmar ulnar radius by tethering the lunate to the radius, leading to Madelung deformity. The purpose of this study was to clarify the nature of the Vickers ligament and investigate its pathogenesis in Madelung deformities based on our observation of the Vickers ligament. All 22 patients (33 wrists) with Madelung deformities treated surgically between 2018 and 2022 were included. The diagnosis was confirmed radiographically in all patients. The three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) data of 16 patients (19 wrists) were available. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were available for 9 patients (14 wrists). Wrist arthroscopy was used in 4 patients. The Vickers ligament was resected and submitted for histopathological examination in 8 patients. Radiographic outcomes, 3D-CT, MRI, arthroscopy, surgical findings, and histopathology of the Vickers ligament were evaluated. The 3D-CT revealed that the Vickers ligament originated in the metaphysis and formed a metaphyseal defect at the palmar ulnar radius. In the sequential MR coronal images, the Vickers ligament could be divided into 3 branches, extending to the lunate, triquetrum and ulnar styloid. Arthroscopy and surgical findings revealed that the nature of the Vickers ligament was the stretched palmar ligament of the wrist. The histopathology results revealed ligamentous tissue and fibrocartilaginous metaplasia with a structure similar to that of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). The Vickers ligament is not a separate aberrant ligament. The nature of the Vickers ligament is a combination of the stretched TFCC ligament (palmar radioulnar ligament, ulnotriquetral ligament and ulnolunate ligament) and radiolunate ligament. The possible pathogenesis of Madelung deformity might be focal early epiphyseal closure at the middle part of the sigmoid notch, which leads to focal growth retardation of the radius and pulls palmar ligaments proximally to form the Vickers ligament.

Prediction of Oil Source Fault-Associated Traps Favorable for Hydrocarbon Migration and Accumulation: A Case Study of the Dazhangtuo Fault in the Northern Qikou Sag of the Bohai Bay Basin

In order to study the distribution pattern of oil and gas near the lower-source, upper-storage type of oil source faults in the hydrocarbon-bearing basins, a set of prediction methods favourable to oil and gas migration and accumulation were established by superimposing the parts of the oil source fault-associated traps, the contiguously distributed sand bodies and the lateral sealing position of faults. The trap associated with a fault can be determined by the fault’s convex part on the fault plane’s morphology map, the fault throw displacement curve and the intersection of faults on the structure map. The set of sand bodies can be determined by the sand-to-shale ration of the formation. The lateral sealing position of faults can be investigated by the shale content of the fault. This study is based on our case study of the Dazhangtuo Fault in the lower sub-member of the 1st member (Es1L) of the Shahejie formation in the northern Qikou Sag of Bohai Bay Basin. The results illustrate 4 fault nose traps formed by fault line deflection in the Es1L formation of the Dazhangtuo Fault, 2 each in the middle and eastern end. The Dazhangtuo Fault is favorable for oil and gas migration except at the eastern and western ends and the middle part of the fault. The fault-associated traps in the Es1L formation that are highly favorable for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation (overlapping site of associated traps and favorable location for oil and gas migration) are distributed in the eastern and central parts of the Dazhangtuo Fault. In contrast, those moderately favorable for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation (associated trap at a certain distance from the favorable location for oil and gas migration in the Dazhangtuo Fracture) are locally distributed in the east. Both traps are conducive to accumulating hydrocarbons from the underlying source rock in the Es3 formation. Such observations are consistent with the current confirmed hydrocarbon distribution, thus validating the feasibility and accuracy of predicting the distribution of traps related to oil source faults favorable for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation, it can be used to guide the exploration of the lower-source, upper-storage type of hydrocarbon accumulations in the hydrocarbon-bearing basins.