Karst and Caves in Salt Diapirs, SE Zagros Mts. (Iran)

Na področju Perzijskega zaliva je znanih okoli 200 solnih diapirjev, med njimi mnogo aktivnih. Kraške kamnine predstavljajo največ kamena sol in redkeje sadra ter anhidrid. Kraške oblike, popolnoma primerljive z oblikami v “klasičnih” karbonatnih kamninah, so najbolje razvite v ostankih uravnanih površij. Tako so škraplje, “solution pipes”, vrtače, udorne vrtače, depresije podobne uvalam in poljem, slepe doline, soteske, ponori, izviri in jame. Tod sta bili odkriti in raziskani dve izmed najdaljših jam v soli na svetu. Daljše jame so nastale predvsem v piezometrični gladini, večje pa v diapirjih ob morski obali. Jame pogosto predstavljajo odtok iz depresij, podobnih poljem. V dnu udornih vrtač in v ponorih so tudi strme, skoraj navpične jame. Kraški procesi so omejeni predvsem na sol, redkeje na sadro. Predvsem gre za raztapljanje in odnašanje soli izpod neprepustnega pokrova (gypcrete). V nekaterih diapirjih je dokazano globoko kroženje padavinske vode.About 200 salt diapirs (plugs) have been known in the region of the Persian Gulf. numerous are still active. Karst rocks are represented by a rock salt, less frequently by gypsum and anhydrite. Karst developed especially in relics of planated surfaces. Karst forms are completely comparable with karsts in classical carbonate rocks. Different forms can be distinguished: karren, solution pipes, solution dolines, solution-collapse dolines, uvalalike to polje-like depressions, blind valleys, canyon-like forms, ponors, springs and caves. Two World longest caves in salt were discovered and explored here. Long caves are developed especially in a watertable, large ones in plugs near the seacoast. Caves are often outlets of closed depressions (polje-like). Some caves at bottoms of collapse-solution dolines or swallow holes are subvertical. Karst processes are caused dominantly by dissolution of salt, less frequently of gypsum. The process of subrosion of halite under gypcretes plays the main role. Deep circulation of meteoric waters was proved in some plugs

Objective Evaluation of Chronic Low-Back Pain Using Serum Lipids: The Role of the Doctor-Patient Relationship

Statistical data show that pain intensity in patients with low back pain is associated with a higher BMI, total serum cholesterol, and triacylglycerol levels. The objective of our study was to evaluate how these associations are dependent on the nature of the patient-doctor relationship. Eighty-nine patients hospitalized with chronic low-back pain (50 women, 39 men; average age: 64.5 ± 12.7 years) were assessed over a 3-year period. A serum lipid analysis was conducted (LDL-C, HDL-C, and total cholesterols) at admission in parallel with a subjective evaluation of pain intensity, which was assessed using a numeric rating scale. The participating physician assigned, based on their personal interaction with the patient, an attribute of affinity (positive, neutral, and negative) towards them. Current serum lipid levels and pain intensity were correlated relative to these attributes. Pain intensity did not differ between the groups assigned positive or negative attributes of affinity. In patients belonging to the “positive” group, pain intensity correlated positively with total cholesterol (p=0.01) and LDL cholesterol (p=0.007). No correlations were found in the “negative” group or when the patient-doctor relationship was ignored. We found a significant association between subjectively assessed low back pain intensity and serum levels of total and LDL cholesterol in patients with whom the physician had a positive affinity. A positive affinity with the patients having chronic pain and the patient’s trust in their physicians may ultimately mean that the patient’s statement about pain is more credible, which may retroactively affect the outcome of therapy

Karst and Caves in Salt Diapirs, SE Zagros Mts. (Iran)

Na področju Perzijskega zaliva je znanih okoli 200 solnih diapirjev, med njimi mnogo aktivnih. Kraške kamnine predstavljajo največ kamena sol in redkeje sadra ter anhidrid. Kraške oblike, popolnoma primerljive z oblikami v “klasičnih” karbonatnih kamninah, so najbolje razvite v ostankih uravnanih površij. Tako so škraplje, “solution pipes”, vrtače, udorne vrtače, depresije podobne uvalam in poljem, slepe doline, soteske, ponori, izviri in jame. Tod sta bili odkriti in raziskani dve izmed najdaljših jam v soli na svetu. Daljše jame so nastale predvsem v piezometrični gladini, večje pa v diapirjih ob morski obali. Jame pogosto predstavljajo odtok iz depresij, podobnih poljem. V dnu udornih vrtač in v ponorih so tudi strme, skoraj navpične jame. Kraški procesi so omejeni predvsem na sol, redkeje na sadro. Predvsem gre za raztapljanje in odnašanje soli izpod neprepustnega pokrova (gypcrete). V nekaterih diapirjih je dokazano globoko kroženje padavinske vode.About 200 salt diapirs (plugs) have been known in the region of the Persian Gulf. numerous are still active. Karst rocks are represented by a rock salt, less frequently by gypsum and anhydrite. Karst developed especially in relics of planated surfaces. Karst forms are completely comparable with karsts in classical carbonate rocks. Different forms can be distinguished: karren, solution pipes, solution dolines, solution-collapse dolines, uvalalike to polje-like depressions, blind valleys, canyon-like forms, ponors, springs and caves. Two World longest caves in salt were discovered and explored here. Long caves are developed especially in a watertable, large ones in plugs near the seacoast. Caves are often outlets of closed depressions (polje-like). Some caves at bottoms of collapse-solution dolines or swallow holes are subvertical. Karst processes are caused dominantly by dissolution of salt, less frequently of gypsum. The process of subrosion of halite under gypcretes plays the main role. Deep circulation of meteoric waters was proved in some plugs