Orbital Cholesterol Granuloma : A Rare Case Report.

Cholesterol Granuloma is a rare lesion which occurs at locations like ear, peritoneum, lungs, breast etc. and formed due to interaction of Cholesterol and living tissue. But Cholesterol Granuloma occurring in the orbit is a very rare entity and so we authors present a case of Cholesterol Granuloma of the orbit.

Dental Caries and Erosive Tooth Wear Among 12-Year-Old Hong Kong Children.

OBJECTIVE: This study is to investigate the dental caries, erosive tooth wear status, and oral health-related habits of 12-year-old Hong Kong children. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey recruited 12-year-old children using clustered random sampling from three main districts. The trained examiner examined the children's caries status using the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization and recorded their caries experience using the decayed, missing, and filled tooth (DMFT) index. The children's tooth wear status was determined using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index. Their oral hygiene practice was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: We recruited 445 children and 396 children participated (response rate: 89%). Their mean DMFT was 0.29 ± 0.73. Seventy children (18%, 70/396) had caries experience (DMFT > 0) and they had 116 teeth suffered from caries. Among these 116 carious teeth, 75 teeth (65%, 75/116) were filled (FT), one tooth (1%, 1/116) was extracted (MT), and 40 teeth (34%, 40/116) were carious (DT). Five children had more than one decayed tooth (DT > 1), and one child had the highest number of decayed teeth (DT) at 4. BEWE results showed 284 (72%, 284/396) children had no erosive tooth wear (BEWE = 0). No child had severe erosive tooth wear (BEWE = 3). However, children consuming lemon tea or lemonade and vitamin C drinks 3 times a week or more showed significantly higher BEWE scores. Additionally, 380 (96%, 380/396) children brushed their teeth daily and 116 children (29%, 116/396) flossed their teeth. CONCLUSION: Most 12-year-old Hong Kong children had neither caries experience nor tooth wear, and their oral health-related habits were satisfactory. SIGNIFICANCE: This study updated the caries status of the permanent dentition of 12-year-old Hong Kong children. The information offers updated oral health data for the local, regional, and global authorities for planning effective public health programmes to improve the oral health of children.

The Ways of Forming and the Erosion/Decay/Aging of Bioapatites in the Context of the Reversibility of Apatites.

This study primarily focused on the acid erosion of enamel and dentin. A detailed examination of the X-ray diffraction data proves that the products of the acid-caused decay of enamel belong to the family of isomorphic bioapatites, especially calcium-deficient hydroxyapatites. They are on a trajectory towards less and less crystallized substances. The increase in Bragg's parameter d and the decrease in the energy necessary for the changes were coupled with variability in the pH. This was valid for the corrosive action of acid solutions with a pH greater than 3.5. When the processes of natural tooth aging were studied by X-ray diffraction, a clear similarity to the processes of the erosion of teeth was revealed. Scarce data on osteoporotic bones seemed to confirm the conclusions derived for teeth. The data concerning the bioapatite decays were confronted with the cycles of apatite synthesis/decay. The chemical studies, mainly concerning the Ca/P ratio in relation to the pH range of durability of popular compounds engaged in the synthesis/decay of apatites, suggested that the process of the formation of erosion under the influence of acids was much inverted in relation to the process of the formation of apatites, starting from brushite up to apatite, in an alkaline environment. Our simulations showed the shift between the family of bioapatites versus the family of apatites concerning the pH of the reaction environment. The detailed model stoichiometric equations associated with the particular stages of relevant processes were derived. The synthesis processes were alkalization reactions coupled with dehydration. The erosion processes were acid hydrolysis reactions. Formally, the alkalization of the environment during apatite synthesis is presented by introducing Ca(OH)2 to stoichiometric equations.

Evaluation of gridded cropland phosphorus budget and use efficiency in China.

Changes in soil phosphorus (P) distribution and budget critically impact the sustainability of agricultural systems. Yet, few studies have examined the long-term evolution of cropland (and crop-specific) P budget and use efficiency (PUE) at a grid level. Here, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the cropland P budget and PUE and their human-environmental drivers in China during 1992-2018 at a spatial resolution of 0.1°. The results reveal a significant shift in China's cropland P budget from a deficit of -3.70 Tg P yr-1 in 1992 to a surplus of 0.31 Tg P yr-1 in 2018, mainly driven by increased fertilizer application and decreased soil erosion by water. The concurrent national average cropland PUE initially decreased from 0.51 in 1992 to 0.34 in 2003, but afterwards increased to 0.39 in 2015. An environmental-Kuznets-curve-like (EKC) relationship was identified between the national average P budget (inverted U-shaped) or PUE (U-shaped) and per capita GDP in China, with the turning point occurring in 2013 for the previous and at per capita GDP of US$8.85 k (constant 2017 US$) for the latter. But PUE had been well below a threshold of 0.40 at the national level after crossing the turning point and showed a considerable trend divergence among crops, particularly for cash ones. Spatially, northern and northwestern China exhibited high positive P budget but achieved relatively low PUE in the 2010s. Crop leaf area, irrigation, fertilizer input, and precipitation were identified as the most important factors determining the multi-year spatial pattern of P budget, while fertilizer input, temperature, and residue return played a dominant role in regulating PUE. Our findings highlight the need for a long-term commitment to regionalized and crop-specific synthetic management practices for controlling P inputs and minimizing P loss in the context of global change in China.

Drivers of wind and water erosion for river sediments in a typical coarse sandy area in the middle reaches of the Yellow River.

Warmer temperatures and the combined effects of wind and water erosion leads to serious soil loss. Identifying the contribution of different drivers to wind and water compound erosion can improve soil erosion management in the watershed. Accordingly, we calculated the erosion energy based on energy theory and applied the mutation test and trend analysis to explore environmental drivers, runoff, and sediment changes for the Kuyehe River Basin. Rainfall erosion energy, wind erosion energy, air temperature, NDVI, and land cover were selected as potential drivers to quantify the contribution of sediment change using a partial least squares regression model. The results indicated that rainfall erosion energy decreased, wind erosion energy increased and then decreased, temperature increased, and NDVI increased during the period 1990-2020. The relationship between runoff and sediment transport in the basin shifted from more water and more sediment to more water and less sediment, and the timing of the mutation was different for runoff and sediment, with the runoff mutation occurring in 1997 and the sediment mutation occurring during 2003-2004. After sediment mutations, wind, NDVI, and land cover of forests showed higher importance for sediment transport changes, while precipitation and temperature were less important. In addition, the importance of cropland, shrub and grassland, and other land cover types varied considerably between sub-basins. Over 70 % of the contribution to sediment change was due to land cover change, while the cumulative contribution of forest and NDVI was about 30 %. The study identified the key drivers of sediment transport changes in the basin and provided valuable insights for future studies of wind and water compound erosion at the basin scale.

Assessment of nature-based solutions for water resource management in agricultural environments: a stakeholders' perspective in Southern Italy.

This paper explores the potential implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) in agriculture, specifically focusing on soil and water management in Southern Italy, particularly in the Apulia and Basilicata regions. Through a tailored questionnaire, it investigates farmers' perceptions of the utility of NBSs, addressing key issues in the region and evaluating their role in addressing soil and water management challenges. Findings reveal primary challenges such as drought, floods, and water pollution, with soil erosion being a major concern. Several NBSs, including wetlands and bioswales, demonstrate consistent utility and performance, while disparities exist for agroforestry and strip cropping. The study underscores a significant gap in the economic valuation of NBSs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments that incorporate livability improvements, water quality enhancement, and socio-cultural benefits. Additionally, an analysis of NBS implementation across Italian agriculture reveals limited case studies, suggesting the need for strategic expansions to meet Sustainable Development Goals. This research offers critical insights into the effectiveness and challenges of NBSs in agricultural soil and water management, advocating for enhanced stakeholder engagement and the development of multidimensional evaluation frameworks to support sustainable practices.

Axial Imaging in Spondyloarthritis.

Imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing and forecasting treatment outcomes in axial spondyloarthritis. Conventional radiography may overlook patients in the initial stages of the disease, while MRI is sensitive in identifying inflammation early on. Computed tomography reliably detects structural abnormalities. Practicing rheumatologists must possess a fundamental understanding of interpreting both active inflammatory and structural lesions in axial spondyloarthritis.

Influence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-based biopolymer on mitigating soil erosion and heavy metal dispersion.

Extreme weather phenomena caused by climate change have exacerbated soil erosion and the subsequent dispersion of pollutants. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to contribute to the remediation of polluted water and reduce the geochemical mobility of heavy metals in contaminated soil. However, studies on the influence of biopolymers produced by soil microbes and P. aeruginosa on physical soil properties and soil erosion are limited. We aimed to investigate the influence of soil microbes on the mitigation of soil erosion and geochemical dispersion of heavy metals using a naturally occurring microbial substance, P. aeruginosa-based biopolymer (PBB). The PBB comprised carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amine surface functional groups; consequently, the biopolymer effectively sequestered Cd (maximum sorption capacity qm = 45.7 mg/g), Cu (qm = 26.7 mg/g), Pb (qm = 64.9 mg/g), and Zn (qm = 26.1 mg/g) in the solution. The PBB amendment of the soil improved the physical properties associated with soil erosion, increasing soil aggregation stability and shear strength by 41.6% and 36.8%, respectively. The extraction of heavy metals from soil via synthetic precipitate leaching decreased by 54.2% following the PBB amendment, and a negative correlation was observed between soil aggregate stability and heavy metal extraction, indicating that this microbial substance could immobilize pollutants by adsorbing cationic metal ions and inhibiting water-induced disaggregation. In the soil erosion experiments, soil loss and heavy metal extraction decreased by 70.9% and 43.8%, respectively, following the PBB amendment. These aggregation and sorption effects of the PBB underscore the potential of soil microbes to mitigate soil erosion and immobilize the geochemical dispersion of heavy metals, thereby contributing to the conservation of soil and water quality in areas surrounding contaminated slopes and heavy metal-contaminated areas, such as cut slopes, agricultural fields, mine dumps, and dams.

A Clinical Evaluation of the Role of Autoimmunity in the Relation Between Erosions and Bone Mineral Density in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background/objectives: Both erosions and osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have common mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between erosion and bone mineral density (BMD) in RA and whether it can be driven by autoimmunity. Methods: Patients fulfilling the ACR 1987- or ACR/EULAR 2010-criteriae for RA. performed radiographs (erosions evaluated by the modified Sharp/van der Heidje erosion score) and biology for anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPAs), rheumatoid factors (RFs) and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) at intervals of less than 2 years from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for BMD assessment. Results: A total of 149 patients were included, (75.8% women, mean age of 62 y.o (SD 9.61) and a median disease duration of 132 months [60; 240]). A total of 61.1% patients were ACPA positive, 79.9% were erosive and 10.7% had a hip or spine T-score ≤ -2.5. A higher erosion score was associated with a lower BMD (value: -0.222; p = 0.009) and T-score (value -0.397; p < 0.0001) in the hip. ACPA status was associated with a higher erosion score (63.0 (53.2) vs. 45.5 (44.1) for ACPA- (p = 0.04)). ACPA titers were associated with a lower BMD in the hip (value -0.216; p = 0.01). In linear regression, erosion and BMD were still associated, but this association is not driven by ACPA status or titer. Conclusions: In RA patients, erosions and BMD are inversely associated but this relationship does not seem to be driven by autoimmunity only. However, the presence of ACPA or erosion should lead to osteoporosis screening.

Trust Dynamics in Financial Decision Making: Behavioral Responses to AI and Human Expert Advice Following Structural Breaks.

This study explores the trust dynamics in financial forecasting by comparing how individuals perceive the credibility of AI and human experts during significant structural market changes. We specifically examine the impact of two types of structural breaks on trust: Additive Outliers, which represent a single yet significant anomaly, and Level Shifts, which indicate a sustained change in data patterns. Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as attribution theory, algorithm aversion, and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this research investigates psychological responses to AI and human advice under uncertainty. This experiment involved 157 participants, recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), who were asked to forecast stock prices under different structural break scenarios. Participants were randomly assigned to either the AI or human expert treatment group, and the experiment was conducted online. Through this controlled experiment, we find that, while initial trust levels in AI and human experts are comparable, the credibility of advice is more severely compromised following a structural break in the Level Shift condition, compared to the Additive Outlier condition. Moreover, the decline in trust is more pronounced for human experts than for AI. These findings highlight the psychological factors influencing decision making under uncertainty and offer insights into the behavioral responses to AI and human expert systems during structural market changes.

Investigation of Friction and Erosion Wear Properties of Titanium and Titanium Alloy Pipes.

Titanium alloys are applied in oil and gas development and transportation to improve conditions because of their high specific strength and corrosion resistance. However, the disadvantage of poor wear resistance has become an obstacle to developing titanium alloys. The friction and wear properties of pure titanium TA3 and titanium alloy TA10 were tested under different loads and different friction forms using a reciprocating friction and wear tester. Moreover, the erosion resistance of pure titanium TA3 and titanium alloy TA10 was studied using a gas-solid erosion tester. The results show that the wear rate of TA3 and titanium alloy TA10 increases with increasing friction load. Under a load of 50 N, the mass losses of TA3 under dry friction and wet friction were 0.0013 g and 0.0045 g, respectively, while the mass losses of TA10 were 0.0033 g and 0.0046 g, respectively. While the load increased to 70 N, the mass loss of TA3 was even greater, reaching 0.0065 g, and the mass loss of TA10 was 0.0058 g. The wear forms of TA3 and TA10 include abrasive wear, adhesive wear and oxidation wear. The joint action of various friction forms leads to the loss of materials. Under the simulated working conditions, the erosion rates of TA3 and TA10 were 1.01 × 10-3 g/s and 0.94 × 10-3 g/s. The erosion mechanism is the same, including plowing, indentation and cracking.

Fanya Juu terraces improve soil properties of cultivated land in erosion-prone semi-arid area of Ethiopia.

Soil erosion is a major process that affect soil fertility and agricultural productivity. To reduce soil erosion by water, physical soil and water conservation measures such as Fanya juu have been widely introduced. However, the study on the performance of those measures against its target is limited. Objective of this study was to assess the effects of physical soil and water conservation (SWC) measures (e.g., Fanya juu) on selected soil physico-chemical properties. Soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm depth of fields treated with Fanya juu and non-treated (without any physical SWC) and analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. Paired sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze data. The results of the analysis revealed that clay, silt, sand, soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (Pav.), and available potassium (Kav.) differed significantly (p < 0.05) between 8-years conserved and non-conserved land. This could be due to the positive effect of conservation measures in reducing erosion. In addition, in the intra- Fanya juu areas clay, sand, Kav., TN, and SOC were significantly varied (p < 0.05), with greater clay, SOC and nutrients at above Fanya juu (deposition area) than below Fanya juu (loss zone), which can be due to the downward movement of organic matter and surface soil and the protection ability of Fanya juu against erosion. In erosion-prone areas, lacking physical SWC measures could degrade essential soil properties as compared to farm fields with physical SWC measures. The spatial variation in intra-Fanya juu area should be amended by integrating additional soil fertility management practices for better effect.

Antibiotic resistance genes transfer risk: Contributions from soil erosion and sedimentation activities, agricultural cycles, and soil chemical contamination.

The transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) pose environmental risks that are influenced by soil activity and pollution. Soil erosion and sedimentation accelerate degradation and migration, thereby affecting soil distribution and contamination. This study quantified the vertical and horizontal transfer capabilities of ARGs and simulated soil environments under various scenarios, such as erosion, agricultural cycles, and chemical pollution. The results showed that slope, runoff, and sediment volume significantly affected soil erosion and ARG transfer risks. The response of environmental factors to the transfer risk of ARGs is as follows: the promotion effect of soil deposition (average: 21.41 %) is significantly greater than the inhibitory effect of soil erosion (average: -11.31 %); the planting period (average: -64.654) is greater than the harvest period (average: -56.225); the response to soil chemical pollution is: the impact of phosphate fertilizer residues, antibiotics, and pesticide pollution is more significant. This study constructed a vertical and horizontal transfer system of ARGs in soil erosion and sedimentation environments and proposed a response analysis method for the impact of factors, such as soil erosion and sedimentation activities, agricultural cycles, and soil chemical pollution, on ARGs transfer capabilities.

Study on the Chloride-Sulfate Resistance of a Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Mortar.

The chloride-sulfate corrosion environment of concrete is a significant engineering problem. This paper investigates the effect of the complete/semi-immersion mode on the durability of concrete in a chloride-sulfate environment by using different granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) dosage rates (10-50%) of a metakaolin (MK)-based geopolymer mortar. The chloride-sulfate corrosion environment is discussed by analyzing the apparent morphology, mass change, and mechanical property change in specimens at the age of 120 d of erosion combined with XRD and SEM. The high Ca content in GBFS has an important effect on the strength and erosion resistance of the metakaolin geopolymer (MGP) group mortar; an increase in the GBFS dosage makes the MGP group mortar denser, and the initial strength of the MGP group mortar is positively correlated with the dosage of GBFS. After 120 d of erosion, the GBFS dosage is negatively correlated with erosion resistance, with the high GBFS dosage groups showing more severe damage. Semi-immersion resulted in more severe deterioration at the immersion-evaporation interface zone due to the difference in the ionic concentration and the 'wick effect' at the immersion-evaporation interface zone. Compared with the commonly used OPC mortar, the M40 and M50 groups have improved strength and corrosion resistance and are suitable for engineering environments in highly erosive areas.

Climate change is intensifying rainfall erosivity and soil erosion in West Africa.

Soil erosion is a critical environmental challenge with significant implications for agriculture, water quality, and ecosystem stability. Understanding its dynamics is essential for sustainable environmental management and societal welfare. Here, we analyze rainfall erosivity and erosion patterns across West Africa (WAF) during the historical (1982-2014), near future (2028-2060), and far future (2068-2100) periods under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs 370 and 585). Using bias-corrected-downscaled (BCD) climate models validated against reference data, we ensure an accurate representation of rainfall-a key driver of erosivity (R-factor) and soil erosion. We compare Renard's approach and the Modified Fournier Index (MFI) to calculate the R-factor and note a strong correlation. However, Renard's method shows slightly lower accuracy in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and The Gambia, likely due to its inability to capture high-intensity, short-duration rainfall events. In contrast, the MFI, utilizing continuous rain gauge data, proves more reliable for these regions. We also attribute fluctuations in erosivity, such as those seen during the 2003 West Africa floods, to synoptic weather patterns influenced by multiple climate processes. Furthermore, our analysis reveals regions where future soil erosion could exceed 20 t/ha/yr due to climate change. Under the SSP 370 scenario, soil erosion in WAF is projected to rise by 14.84 % in the near future and 18.65 % in the far future, increasing further under SSP 585 to 19.86 % and 23.49 %, respectively. The most severe increases are expected in Benin and Nigeria, with Nigeria potentially facing a 66.41 % rise in erosion by the far future under SSP 585. These findings highlight the region's exposure to intensified climatic conditions and underscore the urgent need for targeted soil management and climate adaptation strategies to mitigate erosion's ecological and socioeconomic impacts.

Unraveling the paradox of soil erosion and conservation: Insights from China.

Analyzing the drivers of soil conservation (SC) service is crucial for ecosystem restoration. However, previous studies often overlook the relationship between soil erosion and SC. In this study, we applied the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model to analyze the spatiotemporal trends and driving forces of SC service across China from 1990 to 2019. The results indicate that both soil erosion and SC service have exhibited overall increasing trends over the past 30 years. The average SC amount increased 21.3 % from 1990s to 2010s. The average total SC amount and capacity were 229.95 billion t a-1 and 242.91 t ha-1 a-1, respectively. Spatial analysis reveals significant regional variability, with 26.6 % of the land area experiencing fluctuations in SC, these regions contribute to 87.5 % of the total SC amount in the country. We developed a classification system with six patterns to assess the impacts of climate change and human activities on SC. Patterns dominated by climate change exhibit consistent trends in soil erosion and SC service, whereas those dominated by human activities show opposite trends. When climate change and human activities interact, the relationship becomes more complex. Climate change has the most significant influence on SC alterations, affecting 77.1 % of areas with SC changes, while human activities also play a notable role. Although regions primarily impacted by human activities account for only 1.8 % of the total area, they represent 45,200 km2. The remaining 21.1 % of areas are influenced by both climate change and human activities, highlighting the importance of human activities in 22.9 % of areas with SC changes. These findings underscore the synergistic effects of climate change and human activities on SC in China, providing a foundation for future research and the development of targeted SC strategies.

Effects of Dentifrices With Antierosive Potential on the Surface of Bovine Enamel Submitted to Acidic Beverage.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of dentifrices containing sodium fluoride (NaF) combined with NovaMin (Sensodyne Repair & Protect-SRP), NaF combined with stannous fluoride (SnF2, Oral-B Pro-Gengiva-OBP), and amine fluoride (AmF, Colgate Elmex-ELM) on enamel subjected to simulated erosive cycling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bovine enamel-dentin discs (n = 10/group) were subjected to erosive cycling with orange juice (pH = 3.29, 5 min, 3x/day), artificial saliva (SA-2 h, 3x/day and overnight) and treated with dentifrice (2 min, 2x/day) or without treatment (CONT). Surface microhardness (SMH) was evaluated at baseline (T0), on the first (T1) and fifth (T5) days. SMH loss (%SHL) was calculated. Surface roughness (Ra, µm) was determined at T0 and T5. Morphology and mineral content were evaluated under scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Data were analyzed using ANOVA/Tukey or Bonferroni (α = 5%). RESULTS: No differences in %SHL were detected among groups at T1. At T5, OBP promoted %SHL, Ra, and ΔRa significantly lower than all the other groups (p < 0.05). All groups exhibited morphological changes in topography and similar Ca/P means before and after treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Dentifrice containing SnF2 minimized the negative effects on the SMH and Ra caused by exposure to orange juice after 5 days of simulated cycling. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients who are more exposed to risk factors for dental erosion could benefit from the use of dentifrice containing SnF2.

Soil erodibility mapping using remote sensing and in situ soil data with random forest model in a mountainous catchment of Indian Himalayas.

Land degradation is accelerating in the Himalayan ecosystem, resulting in the loss of soil nutrients due to severe erosion. Soil erosion presents a significant environmental challenge, resulting in both on-site and off-site consequences, such as reduced soil productivity and siltation in reservoirs. Soil erodibility (K factor), an inherent soil property, determines the susceptibility of soils to erosion. Sampling across hilly and mountainous terrain pose challenges due to its complex landscape. Despite these challenges, it is essential to study K factor variations in different land use/land cover types to comprehend the threat of erosion. Digital soil mapping offers an opportunity to overcome this limitation by providing spatial predictions of soil properties. The objective of our study is to map the spatial distribution of soil erodibility using the Random Forest (RF) model, a machine learning method based on sampled in situ soil data and environmental covariates. We collected 556 surface soil samples from the mountainous catchment (Tehri dam catchment) using the stratified random sampling approach. The model performed satisfactorily in both training (r2 = 0.91; RMSE = 0.00185) and testing (r2 = 0.45; RMSE = 0.00318) phases. Subsequently, we generated a digital map with a resolution of 12.5 m to depict the distribution of the K factor. Our analysis revealed that key environmental variables influencing the prediction of the K factor included geology, mean NDVI, and climatic factors. The average K factor value was estimated at 0.0304 and ranging from 0.0251 to 0.0400 t ha h ha-1 MJ-1 mm-1. A higher K factor was observed in the barren land (0.0344) primarily located in the higher and trans-Himalayan region of seasonally snow-covered areas. These areas typically feature young soils with weak soil formation and unstable soil aggregates. Subsequently cropland/cultivated soils (0.0307) exhibited higher K factor values due to the breakdown of soil aggregates by ploughing activities and exposing carbon to decomposition. The average K factor value of evergreen (0.0294) and deciduous (0.0295) forests were the lowest compared to other land use/land cover types indicating the role of forests in resisting soil erosion. By assessing and predicting soil erodibility, land planners and farmers can implement erosion control measures to protect soil health, prevent sedimentation in water bodies, and sustain agricultural productivity in the Himalayas.

Use of double short tandem scleral tunnels for repairing eroded ahmed glaucoma valve tubes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a method for repairing an eroded Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) tube using two short scleral tunnels made in tandem with a 22G needle instead of covering the eroded tube with another scleral graft. METHODS: From May 12, 2015, to July 27, 2019, we retrospectively reviewed eight patients at Ningbo Aier Eye Hospital who developed AGV tube erosion secondary to necrosis of their overlying conjunctiva and scleral grafts. This defect was repaired in all the patients using the double short tandem scleral tunnel technique, which involved the creation of double short tandem scleral tunnels made by a 22G needle. Two parallel-to-limbus scleral incisions were made 3 mm and 6 mm from the limbus first, then a curved 22G needle was inserted between the two scleral cuts to make one scleral tunnel, the other scleral tunnel was completed during the first surgery, inserted the tube into the two tunnels. The mean length of time between the AGV placement and the first erosion was 12.25 ± 6.36 months (3-24 months). The mean age of the patients was 65.50 ± 11.70 years (49-78 years). RESULTS: The surgical outcome was assessed in terms of the tectonic integrity of the conjunctiva over the follow-up period (12 months). There was no AGV tube erosion, scleral thinning, or ocular infection after a mean of 41.25 ± 26.54 months of follow-up in all eight patients. CONCLUSION: AGV tube erosion following shunt surgery can be successfully managed using the improved double short tandem scleral tunnel technique.

Enhancing aeolian sand stability using microbially induced calcite precipitation technology.

This study investigates the effectiveness of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) technology in enhancing the stability of aeolian sand. Applying MICP to desert sand samples from Kashi, Xinjiang, the results demonstrated significant structural stability and erosion resistance in treated soils during wind erosion tests. Particularly after 14 days of treatment, the soil samples exhibited optimal wind erosion resistance and surface crust strength. Additionally, the formation of calcite significantly improved the soil's penetration strength and wind erosion resistance, with SEM analysis confirming that calcite "bridges" between soil particles enhanced inter-particle bonding. Environmental impact assessments indicated that MICP technology is not only environmentally friendly but also effectively reduces the risk of soil environmental pollution. These findings validate the potential application of MICP technology in enhancing the stability and environmental adaptability of aeolian sand.