This study evaluated the probable relevance of a non-covalent conjugate of imatinib with TP10 in the context of a neuroprotective effect in Parkinson’s disease. Through the inhibition of c-Abl, which is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase and an indicator of oxidative stress, imatinib has shown promise in preclinical animal models of this disease. The poor distribution of imatinib within the brain tissue triggered experiments in which a conjugate was obtained by mixing the drug with TP10, which is known for exhibiting high translocation activity across the cell membrane. The conjugate was tested on the HT-22 cell line with respect to its impact on MPP⁺-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, necrosis, cytotoxicity, and mortality. Additionally, it was checked whether the conjugate activated the ABCB1 protein. The experiments indicated that imatinib+PEG₄+TP10 reduced the post-MPP⁺ oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mortality, and these effects were more prominent than those obtained after the exposition of the HT-22 cells to imatinib alone. Its cytotoxicity was similar to that of imatinib itself. In contrast to imatinib, the conjugate did not activate the ABCB1 protein. These favorable qualities of imatinib+PEG₄+TP10 make it a potential candidate for further in vivo research, which would confirm its neuroprotective action in PD-affected brains. Full article

Promoting the synergy of pollution and carbon reduction (PCR), as well as accelerating high-quality economic development (HQED), are the two major tasks of China’s current economic development. Thus, it is crucial to achieve a deep integration between PCR and HQED. We first construct the indicator system of PCR and HQED, and use the entropy method to assign weights to the indicator system. The coupling coordination model often portrays the level of coordinated development between systems. We apply this model to measure the synergistic relationship between PCR and HQED in 108 cities of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) in China from 2006 to 2021.We further analyze its spatial-temporal characteristics, regional differences, and convergence. The results reveal that the coupling coordination degree (CCD) between PCR and HQED in the YREB increases from 0.4234 in 2006 to 0.5832 in 2021. A higher CCD reflects a better coordinated developmental relationship between the two subsystems, and the relationship between the PCR and HQED shifts from on the verge of being uncoordinated to barely coordinated. Meanwhile, the CCD of the YREB shows a trend of decreasing downstream, midstream, and upstream, with significant spatial positive autocorrelation characteristics. Moreover, the overall differences in the CCD of the YREB from 2006 to 2021 show a fluctuating trend, with larger contributions of inter-regional differences and intra-regional differences. The convergence model reflects whether there is a tendency for the coupling coordination differences to narrow. Finally, the model indicates that there is no σ convergence but exists β convergence in the CCD of the YREB. Convergence is fastest in the downstream, followed by the midstream, and slowest in the upstream. The study reveals that the CCD of the YREB is increasing and has significant positive spatial correlation characteristics. It could utilize inter-city synergies, implement integrated strategies, and promote synergies between PCR and HQED in accordance with local conditions. Our findings provide empirical evidence and policy references for effectively promoting the deep integration of PCR with HQED. Full article

Flying base stations, also known as aerial base stations, provide wireless connectivity to the user and utilize their aerial mobility to improve communication performance. Flying base stations depend on traditional stationary terrestrial base stations for connectivity, as stationary base stations act as the gateway to the backhaul/cloud via a wired connection. We introduce the flying base station channel capacity to build on the Shannon channel capacity, which quantifies the upper-bound limit of the rate at which information can be reliably transmitted using the communication channel regardless of the modulation and coding techniques used. The flying base station’s channel capacity assumes aerial mobility and ideal positioning for maximum channel capacity. Therefore, the channel capacity limit holds for any digital and signal processing technique used and for any location or positioning of the flying base station. Because of its inherent reliance on the stationary terrestrial base station, the flying base station channel capacity depends on the stationary base station’s parameters, such as its location and SNR performance to the user, in contrast to previous research, which focused on the link between the user and the flying base station without the stationary base station. For example, the beneficial region (where there is a positive flying base station capacity gain) depends on the stationary base station’s power and channel SNR in addition to the flying base station’s own transmission power and whether it has full duplex vs. half-duplex capability. We jointly study the mobility and the wireless communications of the flying base station to analyze its position, channel capacity, and beneficialness over the stationary terrestrial base station (capacity gain). As communication protocols and implementations for flying base stations undergo development for next-generation wireless networking, we focus on information-theoretical analyses and channel capacity to inform future research and development in flying base station networking. Full article

As the feature size of integrated circuit decreases, the critical charge of single-event effect decreases as well, making nano-scale devices more susceptible to the high-energy charged particles during their application in space. Here, we study the electron-induced single-event effect in 28 nm static random-access memory (SRAM)-based field programmable gate array (FPGA) utilizing high-energy electrons with energy of 1 MeV~5 MeV. The experimental results demonstrate that the 3 MeV electrons can cause single-event functional interrupts (SEFIs) in FPGA, while the electrons with other energies cannot. To further explore the mechanism of electron-induced SEFIs in this nanoscale FPGA, we combined Monte Carlo, Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD), and Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE) simulations. It is revealed that the SEFI was mainly caused by the direct ionization effect of high-energy electrons, and the SEFI was related to the interactions between multiple sensitive nodes. Full article

Maintaining player engagement is pivotal for video game success, yet achieving the optimal difficulty level that adapts to diverse player skills remains a significant challenge. Initial difficulty settings in games often fail to accommodate the evolving abilities of players, necessitating adaptive difficulty mechanisms to keep the gaming experience engaging. This study introduces a custom first-person-shooter (FPS) game to explore Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment (DDA) techniques, leveraging both performance metrics and emotional responses gathered from physiological sensors. Through a within-subjects experiment involving casual and experienced gamers, we scrutinized the effects of various DDA methods on player performance and self-reported game perceptions. Contrary to expectations, our research did not identify a singular, most effective DDA strategy. Instead, findings suggest a complex landscape where no one approach—be it performance-based, emotion-based, or a hybrid—demonstrably surpasses static difficulty settings in enhancing player engagement or game experience. Noteworthy is the data’s alignment with Flow Theory, suggesting potential for the Emotion DDA technique to foster engagement by matching challenges to player skill levels. However, the overall modest impact of DDA on performance metrics and emotional responses highlights the intricate challenge of designing adaptive difficulty that resonates with both the mechanical and emotional facets of gameplay. Our investigation contributes to the broader dialogue on adaptive game design, emphasizing the need for further research to refine DDA approaches. By advancing our understanding and methodologies, especially in emotion recognition, we aim to develop more sophisticated DDA strategies. These strategies aspire to dynamically align game challenges with individual player states, making games more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for a wider audience. Full article

The significance of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) as a strategic tool for enhancing a region’s competitiveness has been increasingly recognized. This paper presents a model of RIS that was developed using the system dynamics (SD) methodology. The goal of this model is to amalgamate the systemic approach with computer modeling and simulation disciplines into a comprehensive dynamic framework for analyzing RIS. Within this framework, the paper explores the impact of smart technologies on regional development through the RIS. Specifically, the SD model serves as an ‘experimental tool’ for conducting extensive what-if scenario analyses concerning smart technologies. The efficacy of these technologies is examined in terms of their dynamic influence on regional development, with insights derived from simulation outcomes. Data from two Greek regions provides a strategic analysis over a designated time horizon. Full article

Background: Prior guidelines recommended maintaining normothermia following traumatic brain injury (TBI), but recent studies suggest therapeutic hypothermia as a viable option in pediatric cases. However, some others demonstrated a higher mortality rate. Hence, the impact of hypothermia on neurological symptoms and overall survival remains contentious. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of hypothermia on neurological outcomes in pediatric TBI patients. The PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched until 1 January 2024 and data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: A total of eight studies, comprising nine reports, were included in this analysis. Our meta-analysis did not reveal significant differences in mortality (RR = 1.58; 95% CI = 0.89–2.82, p = 0.055), infection (RR = 0.95: 95% CI = 0.79–1.1, p = 0.6), arrhythmia (RR = 2.85: 95% CI = 0.88–9.2, p = 0.08), hypotension (RR = 1.54: 95% CI = 0.91–2.6, p = 0.10), intracranial pressure (SMD = 5.07: 95% CI = −4.6–14.8, p = 0.30), hospital length of stay (SMD = 0.10; 95% CI = −0.13–0.3, p = 0.39), pediatric intensive care unit length of stay (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI = −0.19–0.28, p = 0.71), hemorrhage (RR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.34–2.13, p = 0.75), cerebral perfusion pressure (SMD = 0.158: 95% CI = 0.11–0.13, p = 0.172), prothrombin time (SMD = 0.425; 95% CI = −0.037–0.886, p = 0.07), and partial thromboplastin time (SMD = 0.386; 95% CI = −0.074–0.847, p = 0.10) between the hypothermic and non-hypothermic groups. However, the heart rate was significantly lower in the hypothermic group (−1.523 SMD = −1.523: 95% CI = −1.81–−1.22 p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings challenge the effectiveness of therapeutic hypothermia in pediatric TBI cases. Despite expectations, it did not significantly improve key clinical outcomes. This prompts a critical re-evaluation of hypothermia’s role as a standard intervention in pediatric TBI treatment. Full article

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a pivotal framework to guide government policies and mobilize public engagement for sustainability, although further exploration is still needed to analyze the attention given to the SDGs by these stakeholders using multi-source data. To comparatively analyze government and public engagement in the SDGs, based on a case study in China, this study employed a multi-source data and content analysis to assess the perceived importance and performance of the two stakeholders. Then, this study performed an importance–performance analysis (IPA) to assess the SDGs’ priority for further improvement. The results highlight the government’s emphasis on SDG 7, SDG 2, and SDG 9, contrasting with public attention predominantly on SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 4. Regarding the performance of the SDGs in China, the greatest achievements have been exhibited for SDG 4 and SDG 1, while SDG 10, SDG 15, and SDG 17 have shown the least progress. Concerning the individual indicators, 12 out of 98 have attained 100% completion, while 19 out of 98 remain below the 50% threshold. According to the IPA results, China should concentrate on SDG 10 and SDG 15 and improve SDGs 6, 7, 14, 16, and 17 as a relatively low priority. The stakeholder analysis indicated that these SDGs are neglected zones by both the public and government. This research innovatively assessed the priorities of SDGs and could strengthen the cooperation between the government and the public to drive the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals more effectively. This study could contribute to guiding policy directions, inform strategies for public engagement, and enhance the comprehension of sustainable development in China. The framework could serve as a valuable reference for stakeholder engagement in the SDGs in other countries. Full article

Building on our “Critical Inventory”, we analyse the need for the regulation of PVC plastics in the EU and its member states. To this end, we checked the three phases of the life cycle of PVC plastics: production, use and end-of-life. In the production phase, we focus on the economic relationships between PVC and chlor-alkali electrolysis, in particular, the dependence on the chlorine market and PVC sales. For the use phase, the health and environmental risks posed by many PVC additives are particularly relevant. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has submitted well-founded proposals for the regulation of individual or defined groups of substances (e.g., ortho-phthalates), which we support. Problems that put a ban on the agenda stem in particular from the end-of-life phase of PVC plastics (PVC compounds), especially in the construction sector. Due to their long service life, a stock of around 160 million tonnes of PVC products in the EU has built up, increasingly finding its way into the waste management sector. Currently, there are no waste management infrastructures or facilities capable of disposing of these amounts. Without a phasing-out the production of virgin PVC (“PVC ban”), these quantities will continue to increase. We, therefore, come to the conclusion that post-consumer PVC should be collected separately and canalized into a disposal infrastructure designed for chlorine recovery. The European PVC industry “would welcome to make this separate collection mandatory”. Including the associated costs, PVC will probably lose its status as a particularly economically favourable plastic. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most lethal form of pancreatic cancer characterized by therapy resistance and early metastasis, resulting in a low survival rate. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors showed potential for the treatment of hematological malignancies. In PDAC, the overexpression of HDAC 2 is associated with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), principally accompanied by the downregulation of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and increased metastatic capacity. The effector cytokine transforming growth factor-β (TGF β) is known to be a major inducer of the EMT in PDAC, leading to high metastatic and invasive potential. In addition, the overexpression of HDAC 6 in PDAC is associated with reduced apoptosis. Here, we have demonstrated that a novel HDAC 2/6 inhibitor not only significantly increased E-cadherin expression in PANC-1 cells (5.5-fold) and in 3D PDAC co-culture spheroids (2.5-fold) but was also able to reverse the TGF-β-induced downregulation of E-cadherin expression. Moreover, our study indicates that the HDAC inhibitor mediated re-differentiation resulting in a significant inhibition of tumor cell invasion by approximately 60% compared to control. In particular, we have shown that the HDAC inhibitor induces both apoptosis (2-fold) and cell cycle arrest. In conclusion, the HDAC 2/6 inhibitor acts by suppressing invasion via upregulating E-cadherin mediated by HDAC 2 blockade and by inducing cell cycle arrest leading to apoptosis via HDAC 6 inhibition. These results suggest that the HDAC 2/6 inhibitor might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PDAC tumorigenesis and metastasis. Full article

Given the importance of semiotics and destination image (TDI) in the field of tourism and hospitality marketing, this study proposes a conceptual model that integrates Peirce’s semiotic triad, Grönroos’s quality service model, and Morris’s semiotic trichotomies in the TDI formation circle. The new framework aims to measure the contribution of quality hospitality services to online TDI formation. Using scaled comparisons of homogeneous big data, this framework was empirically tested with all two- and three-star Michelin restaurants in a sample of 100 four- and five-star hotels, all located in Asia and Europe, reviewed in 317,979 online travel reviews (OTRs) hosted on TripAdvisor. The results showed that three-star restaurants and five-star hotels are more popular in terms of the number of OTRs, but diners and guests are more satisfied with and loyal to two-star restaurants and four-star hotels. This big data finding contradicts previous survey-based research on quality services. Instead, the results confirm that consumer satisfaction positively affects consumer loyalty. The new approach to the TDI from a semiotic perspective—destination image semiotics—can represent a paradigm shift in the analysis of TDI through user-generated content (UGC). The proposed conceptual framework integrates several sound theoretical models to extract maximum insights from UGC. Full article

Due to the difference in the quality of the global assimilation data and the ability to reproduce the real conditions of the atmosphere, the hourly atmospheric temperature at 2 m above the land surface from ERA5 cannot be used with complete confidence for the atmospheric weighted mean temperature ($T_m$) calculations and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) precipitable water vapor (PWV) inversion. A systematic and complete refinement method is proposed, including the compensation of elevation matching bias of gridded temperature, correction of fixed-time cusp data fitting and refinement based on the remove-and-restore model. The usability and accuracy improvement of the refined ERA5 2 m atmospheric temperature in the $T_m$ and PWV calculation were validated based on three GNSS stations. The result shows that the average accuracy of the $T_m$ and PWV for the entire region could be increased by 74.4% and 75.1%, respectively. The RMS of the highest station was reduced from 4.28 K to 0.62 K for the $T_m$ and 0.662 mm to 0.203 mm for the PWV, and the RMS of other stations was reduced from 1.25 to 0.44 K for the $T_m$ and 0.211 mm to 0.101 mm for the PWV. This overall refinement method has important implications for atmospheric remote sensing. Full article

Coastal wetlands are vulnerable to accelerated sea-level rise, yet knowledge about their extent and distribution is often limited. We developed a land cover classification of wetlands in the coastal plains of the southern United States along the Gulf of Mexico (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) using 6161 very-high (2 m per pixel) resolution WorldView-2 and WorldView-3 satellite images from 2012 to 2015. Area extent estimations were obtained for the following vegetated classes: marsh, scrub, grass, forested upland, and forested wetland, located in elevation brackets between 0 and 10 m above sea level at 0.1 m intervals. Sea-level trends were estimated for each coastal state using tide gauge data collected over the period 1983–2021 and projected for 2100 using the trend estimated over that period. These trends were considered conservative, as sea level rise in the region accelerated between 2010 and 2021. Estimated losses in vegetation area due to sea level rise by 2100 are projected to be at least 12,587 km², of which 3224 km² would be coastal wetlands. Louisiana is expected to suffer the largest losses in vegetation (80%) and coastal wetlands (75%) by 2100. Such high-resolution coastal mapping products help to guide adaptation plans in the region, including planning for wetland conservation and coastal development. Full article

In this study, the welding performance of three filler wires, ER4043, ER5356, and the newly developed FMg0.6, were systematically investigated in the gas metal arc welding of high-strength AA6011-T6 plates. An extensive analysis of the microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, fatigue resistance, and corrosion behavior of different weldments was conducted. The ER4043 and FMg0.6 joints exhibited finer grain sizes in the fusion zone (FZ) than the ER5356 joint. The as-welded ER5356 and FMg0.6 joints exhibited higher hardness and tensile strength values than the ER4043 joint. The FMg0.6 joint demonstrated the highest mechanical strength among all of the joints with superior fatigue resistance under both the as-welded and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) conditions. In the as-welded state, the ER5356 joint exhibited the lowest corrosion resistance, attributed to the precipitation of β-Al₂Mg₃ at the grain boundaries. The FMg0.6 joint, characterized by a high-volume fraction of eutectic Mg₂Si in the as-welded state, exhibited a higher corrosion rate than that of the ER4043 joint. However, the PWHT effectively improved the corrosion resistance of the FMg0.6 joint. Given its excellent tensile properties, superior fatigue properties, and satisfactory corrosion resistance, particularly with PWHT, the newly developed FMg0.6 filler has emerged as a promising candidate for welding high-strength 6xxx alloys. Full article

In the realm of agricultural automation, the efficient management of tasks like yield estimation, harvesting, and monitoring is crucial. While fruits are typically detected using bounding boxes, pixel-level segmentation is essential for extracting detailed information such as color, maturity, and shape. Furthermore, while previous studies have typically focused on controlled environments and scenes, achieving robust performance in real orchard conditions is also imperative. To prioritize these aspects, we propose the following two considerations: first, a novel peach image dataset designed for rough orchard environments, focusing on pixel-level segmentation for detailed insights; and second, utilizing a transformer-based instance segmentation model, specifically the Swin Transformer as a backbone of Mask R-CNN. We achieve superior results compared to CNN-based models, reaching 60.2 AP on the proposed peach image dataset. The proposed transformer-based approach specially excels in detecting small or obscured peaches, making it highly suitable for practical field applications. The proposed model achieved 40.4 AP for small objects, nearly doubling that of CNN-based models. This advancement significantly enhances automated agricultural systems, especially in yield estimation, harvesting, and crop monitoring. Full article

This article presents an innovative combination of textile electrical circuits with advanced capabilities of electronic RFID sensors, indicating the revolutionary nature of the development of textronics, which is used in various areas of life, from fashion to medicine. A review of the literature relating to the construction of textronic RFID identifiers and capacitive textronic sensors is performed. Various approaches to measuring capacity using RFID tags are discussed. This article focuses on presenting the concept of a capacitive sensor with an RFID interface, consisting of a microelectronic part and a textile part. The textile part is based on the WL4007 material, where antennas and capacitive sensors are embroidered using SPARKFUN DEV 11791 conductive thread. The antenna is a half-wave dipole designed to operate at a frequency of 860 MHZ. The microelectronic part is sewn to the textile part and consists of a microcontroller, an RFID-integrated circuit and a coupling loop, placed on the PCB. The embroidered antenna is coupled with a loop on the microelectronic module. This article focuses on presenting various designs of textronic electrodes, enabling various types of measurements. Article presents capacitance measurements of individual sensor electrodes, made using a measuring bridge and a built RFID tag. The sensors’ capacity measurement results are shown. Full article

A joint analysis of solar wind, geomagnetic field, and earthquake catalog data showed that before the catastrophic M = 7.8 and M = 7.5 Kahramanmaras earthquake sequence on 6 February 2023, a closed strong magnetic storm occurred on 7 November 2022, SYM/H = −117 nT. The storm started at 08:04 UT. At this time, the high-latitudinal part of Turkey’s longitudinal region of future epicenters was located under the polar cusp, where the solar wind plasma would directly access the Earth’s environment. The time delay between storm onset and earthquake occurrence was ~91 days. We analyzed all seven strong (M7+) earthquakes from 1967 to 2020 to verify the initial findings. A similar pattern has been revealed for all events. The time delay between magnetic storm onset and earthquake occurrence varies from days to months. To continue these investigations, a retrospective analysis of seismic and other geophysical parameters just after preceded geomagnetic storms in the epicenter areas is desirable. Full article

Endometritis is a common disease in animals, leading to disruption of reproductive processes and economic losses. Noradrenergic control of prostaglandin (PG)I2 formation by inflamed endometrium is unknown. We determined the involvement of α1-, α2- and β-adrenoreceptors (ARs) in noradrenaline-influenced PGI synthase (PGIS) protein abundance and PGI2 release from porcine (1) endometrial explants with Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced inflammation in vivo, and (2) E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated endometrial epithelial cells. Experiment 1. E. coli suspension (E. coli group) or saline (CON group) was injected into the uterine horns. In both groups, noradrenaline increased endometrial PGIS abundance and PGI2 release versus the control values, and it was higher in the E. coli group than in the CON group. In the CON group, a noradrenaline stimulating effect on both parameters takes place through α1D-, α2C- and β2-ARs. In the E. coli group, noradrenaline increased PGIS abundance and PGI2 release via α1A-, α2(B,C)- and β(1,2)-ARs, and PGI2 release also by α2A-ARs. Experiment 2. LPS and noradrenaline augmented the examined parameters in endometrial epithelial cells versus the control value. In LPS-treated cells, β(1,2)-ARs mediate in noradrenaline excitatory action on PGIS protein abundance and PGI2 release. β3-ARs also contribute to PGI2 release. Under inflammatory conditions, noradrenaline via ARs increases PGI2 synthesis and release from the porcine endometrium, including epithelial cells. Our findings suggest that noradrenaline may indirectly affect processes regulated by PGI2 in the inflamed uterus. Full article

Unstable flows in the runner of water turbines, such as reverse flow, vorticity and flow direction transition, are the main factors causing increased losses and decreased efficiency, and changing the geometry structure in the downstream of the runner is an important means of mitigating these instabilities. The different flow fields downstream of runners induced by different locking nut structures are numerically calculated and verified by experimental results. The flow states are evaluated in terms of characteristic quantities such as pressure gradient, swirling flow, reverse flow, and vorticity. The results show a non-negligible effect of the locking nut, which leads to a more uniform pressure distribution, increases the descending speed of the reverse flow rate, and reduces the volume and strength of the vortex. The small locking nut significantly weakens the pressure gradient, reduces the top reverse flow zone, and decreases the vortex volume at the blade flow passage outlet and the size of the downstream disturbance vortex. The extended lock nut reduces the growth rate of the vortex generation rate and the size of the partial vortex, but increases the range of the high-pressure zone, causing the bottom reverse flow and increasing the vortex. Full article

Natural vegetation protects, maintains, and improves the environment through its ecological functions and is, thus, an important component of Earth’s ecosystems. The distribution of natural vegetation and its corresponding ecological roles vary with the topographic gradient. Understanding this role is essential for effective ecosystem management and conservation efforts. This study analyzes vegetation composition across altitude gradients and the spatiotemporal evolution of water conservation, soil conservation, and carbon storage in the southern hill and mountain belt of China. We then explored the drivers of the ecological functions of vegetation at different altitude gradients. The results showed that water conservation increased by 108.56%, soil conservation increased by 97.04%, and carbon storage increased only slightly. The ecological functions of vegetation varied across altitude gradients, with the 500–800 m gradient exhibiting markedly higher ecological functions than the other gradients. The effect of precipitation on soil conservation increases with altitude. In addition, at higher altitudes, evergreen coniferous forests had a greater effect on carbon storage. Based on the results, we propose vegetation management measures for different altitudes. This study provides a reference for decision-makers to develop and adjust ecological restoration programs in mountainous areas for the improvement of the local ecological environment. Full article

A full-scale embankment on soft clays improved with prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) have to be analyzed in 3D conditions due to a great number of vertical drains under an embankment. However, 3D analysis is very complex, time-consuming, and needs a powerful computer. Therefore, axisymmetric vertical drains have to be converted into equivalent plane-strain conditions for 2D analysis. Different matching approaches based on unit cell concept have been developed in the literature and the matching can be achieved by modifying the drain distance and/or soil permeability according with relatively simple instructions. This paper investigates verification of three different matching approaches to be used in the numerical analysis of full-scale embankment built on multiple vertical drains. The elasto-plastic soft soil model was used in the numerical analysis, and the results are compared with the laboratory and field measurements. The results of numerical analysis demonstrate that the matching methods are in extremely good agreement with the measurements if the effect of both the smear zone and discharge capacity are taken into consideration. It is seen that these methods provide practical solutions and important advantages to geotechnical engineers. Full article

The Arabian Peninsula’s endemic ungulate, Oryx leucoryx, was on the verge of extinction at the end of the 1970s. Despite the different reintroduction programs, the International Union for Conservation of Nature is still classifying it as Vulnerable. Among other factors, their vulnerability lies in their susceptibility to specific etiological agents that affect livestock, necessitating health monitoring and strict preventive/biosecurity measures. Within this frame, the current work investigated the determination of the etiological agent potentially involved with cutaneous lesions observed in eight males of Arabian oryx within one of the several national governance conservation programs. Microscopic examination from one animal specimen suggested theileriosis association, which was confirmed by molecular tools using 18S gene sequencing and the report of a novel Theileria sp. not clustering with previously reported antelope sequences. This finding prompts further explorations into the disease dynamics within the Arabian oryx population, especially with the scarcity of data in Qatar about tick-borne pathogens and their transmission. Full article