We propose a novel adaptive importance sampling scheme for Bayesian inversion problems where the inference of the variables of interest and the power of the data noise is split. More specifically, we consider a Bayesian analysis for the variables of interest (i.e., the parameters of the model to invert), whereas we employ a maximum likelihood approach for the estimation of the noise power. The whole technique is implemented by means of an iterative procedure, alternating sampling and optimization steps. Moreover, the noise power is also used as a tempered parameter for the posterior distribution of the the variables of interest. Therefore, a sequence of tempered posterior densities is generated, where the tempered parameter is automatically selected according to the actual estimation of the noise power. A complete Bayesian study over the model parameters and the scale parameter can be also performed. Numerical experiments show the benefits of the proposed approach.

The entropy and charge distributions have been calculated for a simple model of polyelectrolytes attached to the surface of DNA using a field-theoretic method that includes fluctuations to the lowest one-loop order beyond mean-field theory. Experiments have revealed correlation-driven behavior of DNA in charged solutions, including charge inversion and condensation. In our model, the condensed polyelectrolytes are taken to be doubly charged dimers of length comparable to the distance between sites along the phosphate chains. Within this lattice-gas model, each adsorption site is assumed to have either a vacancy or a positively-charged dimer attached with the dimer oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the double helix DNA chain. We find that the inclusion of the fluctuation terms decreases the entropy by ∼50% in the weak binding regime. There, the bound dimer concentration is low because the dimers are repelled from the DNA molecule, which competes with the chemical potential driving them from the solution to the DNA surface. Surprisingly, this decrease in entropy due to correlations is so significant that it overcompensates for the entropy increase at the mean field level, so that the total entropy is even lower than in the absence of interactions between lattice sites. As a bonus, we present a transparent exposition of the methods used that could be useful to students and others wishing to use this formulation to extend this calculation to more realistic models.

This work describes a method to carry out 2-D inversion of gravity data in terms of porosity and matrix density distribution using previous DC resistivity inversion results to constraint the fractional pore-water content in the rocks. The inversion is carried out using a controlled random search (CRS) algorithm for global optimization. The method was tested on synthetic data generated from a model representing a graben, and the results show that it can estimate accurate values of contrast-density and porosity. The method was also applied to gravity and dc experimental data collected in NE Portugal, showing results that agree quite well with the known geological information.

The relentless advancement and integration of mechanization and intelligence within the coal mining industry, combined with the increasing depths of mining operations, necessitate significantly higher safety standards. This necessity arises due to the increasingly complex geological and coal seam conditions encountered as mining operations delve deeper into the earth. Traditionally, 3D seismic exploration technology has been fundamental in ensuring both operational efficiency and safety in the coal mining sector. However, despite its critical role, this technology still has limitations in detecting and characterizing small-scale geological structures which can pose substantial risks if not accurately identified and mitigated. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a sparsity-constrained adaptive hard thresholding algorithm designed to tackle the spectral inversion optimization problem with an norm constraint for the enhanced retrieval of reflection coefficients, thereby establishing a comprehensive workflow for enhancing seismic data resolution through compressed sensing spectral inversion. Real data validation has demonstrated that this method significantly enhances the resolution of seismic data while maintaining the amplitude integrity and fidelity of the original signals. This improvement allows for a more detailed and accurate characterization of small-scale geological features, which are critical in identifying and mitigating potential hazards within coal mining operations, thus offering robust support for the implementation of more effective safety protocols and disaster prevention strategies in coal mines.

The Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and the Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) indices are used to assess the indoor environment in terms of human thermal comfort-discomfort. In this study, an experimental combined objective and subjective investigation of thermal comfort perception has been performed in students between 16-18 years old, in a non-air-conditioned school building. The objective approach included instrumentation measurements and data processing according to ISO 7730, whereas, the subjective one was based on answers collection following ISO 10551. The study is mainly devoted to the verification of Fanger’s approach in a building, in free running conditions, under a mild (moderate) climate.The comparison between instrumentation data and questionnaire results presented an underestimation of the mean vote, predicting a cooler sensation than the actual one.

Myocardial hypertrophy is the most common condition that accompanies heart changings in children. Transcriptional pathways regulating gene expression playing a critical role both in cardiac embryogenesis and in the pathogenesis of congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, neonatal posthypoxic myocardial hypertrophy and congenital heart diseases. This paper describes the state of cardiac gene expression and potential pharmacological modulators at different transcriptional levels. An experimental model of perinatal cardiac hypoxia showed downregulated expression of genes responsible for cardiac muscle integrity and overexpressed genes associated with energy metabolism and apoptosis, which may provide a basis for a therapeutic approach. Current evidence suggests that RNA drugs, theaflavin, neuraminidase, proton pump and histone deacetylase inhibitors are promising pharmacological agents in progressive cardiac hypertrophy. The different points of application of the above drugs makes combined use possible, potentiating the effects of inhibition in specific signaling pathways. The special role of N-acetyl cysteine in both the inhibition of several signaling pathways and the reduction of oxidative stress was emphasized.

Bio-inspired gyroid triply periodic minimum surface (TPMS) lattice structures have been the focus of research in automotive engineering because they can absorb a lot of energy and have wider plateau ranges. The main challenge is determining the optimal energy absorption capacity and accurately capturing plastic plateau areas using finite element analysis (FEA). Using nTop's Boolean subtraction method, this study combined walled TPMS gyroid structures with normal TPMS gyroid lattice. This made a composite TPMS-gyroid lattice with relative densities ranging from 14% to 54%. Using the ideaMaker software and the fused deposition modeling (FDM) Raise3D Pro 2 3D printer to print polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics in 1.75 mm filament made it possible to slice computer aided design (CAD) models and fabricate 36 lattices samples precisely layer by layer technique. Shimadzu 100kN testing equipment was utilized for the mechanical compression experiments. And the validation using finite element analysis (FEA). Further, CTG was examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) before and after compression testing. The composite TPMS gyroid lattice showed potential as shock absorbers for vehicles with relative densities of 33%, 38%, and 54%. The Gibson-Ashby model showed that the composite TPMS gyroid lattice deformed mainly by bending, and the size effect was seen when the relative densities were less than 15%. The lattice's relative density had a significant impact on its ability to absorb energy. The research also explored the use of these innovative foam-like composite TPMS-gyroid lattices in high-speed crash box scenarios, potentially enhancing vehicle safety and performance.

In this paper, the integrated performance of a modular biomass boiler with an existing industrial Rankine steam heat and power cycle and a supplementary supercritical-CO2 (sCO2) Brayton cycle is analyzed. The aim is to leverage the high efficiency supplementary sCO2 cycle to increase net generation and energy efficiency from the existing biomass boiler. Two sCO2 heater configurations situated within the flue gas flow path are investigated, namely a single convective-dominant heater, and a dual heater configuration with a radiative and a convective heater. A quasi-steady-state 1D model was developed to simulate the integrated cycle, including detailed component characteristics for the Rankine and Brayton cycles. The model solves the mass, energy, momentum, and species balance equations. The system is analyzed for three cases: (i) the existing Rankine cycle without the sCO2 integration, (ii) with the single convective-dominant sCO2 heater configuration, and (iii) the dual sCO2 heater configuration. The results show the required rate of overfiring for the sCO2 configurations, with a 15.3% increase in fuel flowrate resulting in an additional 21.2% in net power output. The model quantifies the impact of the sCO2 heaters, with reduced heat uptakes for downstream boiler heat exchangers. Furnace water wall heat uptake increased due to overfiring, offsetting the reduced heat uptakes at downstream evaporative heat exchangers. The dual configuration has more impact on Rankine cycle operation due to the radiative sCO2 heater placement in front of the second superheater, absorbing some of the direct radiation from the furnace.

Deep Learning (DL) oriented document processing is widely used in different fields for extraction, recognition, and classification processes from raw corpora of data. The article examines the application of deep learning approaches, based on different neural network methods, including Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). The compared models were combined with two different word embedding techniques, namely: Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers BERT and Gensim Word2Vec. The models are designed to evaluate the performance of architectures based on neural network techniques for the classification of CVs of Moroccan engineering students at ENSAK(National School of Applied Sciences of Kenitra, Ibn Tofail University). The used dataset included resumes collected from engineering students at ENSAK in 2023 for a project on the employability of Moroccan engineers in which new approaches were applied, especially machine learning, deep learning, and big data. Accordingly, 867 resumes were collected from five specialties of study (Electrical Engineering, Networks and Systems Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Automotive Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering). The results revealed good performance of the proposed models based on the BERT embedding approach compared to models based on the Gensim Word2Vec embedding approach. Accordingly, the CNN-GRU/Bert model achieved slightly better accuracy with 0.9251 compared to other hybrid models.

While there are well-known synthetic methods in the literature to find the image of a point under circular inversion in l2−normed geometry (Euclidean geometry), there is no similar synthetic method in Minkowski geometry, also known as the geometry of finite-dimensional Banach spaces. In this study, we have succeeded in giving a synthetic construction for the circular inversion in l1−normed spaces, which is one of the most fundamental examples of Minkowski geometry. Moreover, this synthetic construction has been given using the Euclidean circle, independently of the l1−norm.

The Marchenko method is a data-driven way which makes it possible to calculate Green's functions from virtual points in the subsurface by the reflection data at the surface, only requiring a macro velocity model. This method requires collocated sources and receivers. However, in practice, subsampling of sources or receivers will cause gaps and distortions in the obtained focusing functions and Green's functions. To solve this problem, this paper proposes to integrate sparse inversion into the iterative Marchenko scheme. Specifically, we add sparsity constraints to the Marchenko equations and apply sparse inversion during the iterative process. Our work not only reduces the strict requirements on acquisition geometries, but also avoids the complexity and instability of direct inversion for Marchenko equations. This new method is applied to a two-dimensional numerical example with irregular sampled data. The result shows that it can effectively fill gaps of the obtained focusing functions and Green's functions in the Marchenko method.

Document deskewing is a fundamental problem in document image processing. While existing methods have limitations, such as Hough Line Transformation that can deskew images upside down, and Deep Learning models that require huge amounts of human labour and computational resources and still fail to deskew while taking care of orientation, OCR-based methods also struggle to read text when it is tilted. In this paper, we propose a novel, simple, cost-effective deep learning method for fixing the skew and orientation of documents. Our approach reduces the search space for the machine learning model to predict whether an image is upside down or not, avoiding the huge search space of predicting an angle between 0 and 360. We finetuned a MobileNetV2 model, which was pre-trained on imagenet, using only 200 images and achieve good results. This method is useful for automation-based tasks, such as data extraction using OCR technology, and can greatly reduce manual labour.

Incremental control strategies provide undeniable advantages for controlling Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) due to their reduced model dependency and accurate tracking capacities. This is of particular relevance for hybrid UAVs, specially for tail-sitters, which perform complex manoeuvres when transitioning to and from aerodynamic flight. This paper summarizes the research undertaken in the application of the Incremental Nonlinear Dynamics Inversion (INDI) and Incremental Backstepping (IBKS) to a small tail-sitter UAV. After the application of these control strategies in a simulated scenario, the implementation in a Micro-Controller Unit was validated in a Hardware-in-the-Loop scenario. Following such validation, indoor experimental trials were undertaken in order to evaluate the capacity of these controllers to stabilize and control the real aircraft. The stabilization in the flight trials was successfully implemented and allow to conclude that both INDI and IBKS are control strategies suited to control a tail-sitter in vertical flight, providing accurate tracking capabilities under smooth actuation. Furthermore, it was found that the IBKS is significantly more computationally demanding than the INDI, although having a global proof of stability that is of interest in aircraft control.

For the electromagnetic eddy current testing, various methods have been proposed for reducing the lift-off error on the measurement of samples. In this paper, instead of eliminating the measurement error caused by the lift-off effect, an algorithm has been proposed to directly measure the lift-off distance between the sensor and non-magnetic conductive plates. The algorithm is based on a sample-independent inductance (SII) feature. That is, under high working frequencies, the inductance is found sensitive to the lift-off distance and independent of the test piece under an optimal single high working frequency (43.87 kHz). Furthermore, the predicted lift-off distance is used for the thickness prediction of the non-magnetic conductive samples using an iterative method. Considering the eddy current skin depth, the thickness prediction is operated under a single lower frequency (0.20 kHz). As the inductance has different sensitivities to the lift-off and thickness, the prediction error of the sample thickness is different from that of the lift-off distance. From the experiments on three different nonmagnetic samples – aluminium, copper, and brass, the maximum prediction error of the lift-off distance and sample thickness is 1.1 mm and 5.42 % respectively at the lift-off of 12.0 mm.

The Ocean Color - Simultaneous Marine and Aerosol Retrieval Tool (OC-SMART) is a robust data processing platform that supports a large array of multi-spectral and hyper-spectral sensors. It provides accurate aerosol optical depths and remote sensing reflectances (Rrs estimates) that can be used to generate products such as absorption coefficients due to phytoplankton and detritus/Gelbstoff as well as backscattering coefficients due to particulate matter. The OC-SMART platform yields improved performance in complex environments by utilizing scientific machine learning (SciML) in conjunction with comprehensive radiative transfer computations. This paper expands the capability of OC-SMART by quantifying uncertainties in ocean color retrievals. Bayesian inversion is used to relate measured top of atmosphere radiances and a priori data to estimate posterior probability density functions and associated uncertainties. A framework of the methodology and implementation strategy is presented and uncertainty estimates for Rrs retrievals are provided to demonstrate the approach by applying it to MODIS, OLCI Sentinel-3, and VIIRS sensor data.

A major problem in the post-inversion geophysical interpretation is the extraction of geological information from inverted physical property models, which do not necessarily represent all underlying geological features. No matter how accurate the inversions are, each inverted physical property model is sensitive to limited aspects of subsurface geology and is insensitive to other geological features that are otherwise detectable with complementary physical property models. Therefore, specific parts of the geological model can be reconstructed from different physical property models. To show how this reconstruction works, we simulated a complex geological system that comprises an original layered earth model that has passed several geological deformations and alteration overprints. Linear combination of complex geological features comprised three physical property distributions: Electrical resistivity, induced polarization chargeability, and magnetic susceptibility models. This study proposes a multivariate feature extraction approach to extract information about the underlying geological features comprising the bulk physical properties. We evaluated our method in numerical simulations and compared three feature extraction algorithms to see the tolerance of each method to the geological artifacts and noises. We show that the fast-independent component analysis (fast-ICA) algorithm by negentropy maximization is a robust method in the geological feature extraction that can handle the added unknown geological noises. The post-inversion physical properties are also used to reconstruct the underlying geological sources. We show that the sharpness of the inverted images is an important constraint on the feature extraction process. Our method successfully separates geological features in multiple 3D physical property models. This methodology is reproducible for any number of lithologies and physical property combinations and can recover the latent geological features, including the background geological patterns from overprints of chemical alteration.

Acoustic Radiation Forced Impulse (ARFI) is an ultrasound integrated method, measuring stiff-ness by point shear wave elastography. To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ARFI of the liver and of the spleen, combined with spleen dimension and platelet count, in predicting clinical events in cirrhosis, a prospective and cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2017 and February 2021. The following ratio scores with ARFI measurements were performed: ALSDP (ARFI Liver-Spleen Diameter-to-Platelets ratio score), ASSDP (ARFI Spleen-Spleen Diam-eter-to-Platelets ratio score), ASSAP (ARFI Spleen-Spleen Area-to-Platelets ratio score), ALSAP (ARFI Liver-Spleen Area-to-Platelets ratio score). In 100 enrolled subjects, spleen ARFI, ASSDP, ASSAP, were significantly associated with high-risk oesophageal varices (HRVs) in the prospec-tive short- and long-term follow-up and in the cross-sectional study (p 0.7). ARFI-ratio scores can predict, in cirrhotic patients, the risk of developing HVRs in short and long-term period.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a primary inherited immunodeficiency that could be fatal, usually due to opportunistic infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa if left untreated. Opportunistic infections are the most common presentation of SCID these include viral, fungal, or intracellular bacteria, and infection should prompt immunological investigation. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive approach to the microrganisms associated with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and its management. The authors described SCID as a syndrome and summarized the different microorganisms that affect children and how they are managed.

The effectiveness of combining strength-specific training with endurance training to enhance the performance of endurance runners remains uncertain. This study aimed to analyze effect of practising maximum-strength (MAX), explosive strength (EXP) or both combined (COMB) on seven runners’ performance-indicators: vertical jump (VJ), one-repetition-maximum-squat (1RM), peak-velocity/peak-running-speed (PV), lactate-threshold (over incremental-test-protocols, LT), middle-distance-time-trial (TT), maximum-oxygen-consumption (VO2max), running-economy (RE). Systematic-review (Scopus, Wed of Science, Sports Discuss, PubMed) with meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA standards. Inclusion-criteria (PICOS) were: recreational or well-trained athletes aged 18-45 performing concurrent-training ≥five-week. Used search-terms were related to different types of strength/endurance, participants’ age, sport-modality. 20 manuscripts were selected, quality-assessed with PEDro. MAX training is more effective than EXP, COMB in improving VJ, 1RM, PV, while COMB is more effective than MAX, EXP to enhance TT. MAX is more effective than EXP in improving LT. Concurrent-workouts do not provide additional benefits to VO2max. It is unknown which strength-modality (MAX, EXP or COMB) is more effective in improving RE. Concurrent-training is more effective than single-mode-endurance-training for enhancing specific performance-variables in adult-endurance-runners. Middle-, long-distance-runners may consider incorporating MAX-training to target specific goals, e.g., improving VJ, 1RM, LT, PV while utilizing COMB-training to enhance TT. Certain variables may benefit from EXP. New randomized-controlled-trials are required to confirm these findings.

Shoulder tendinopathies produce pain and reduce functionality. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to analyze the effects of Percutaneous electrolysis (PE), Percutaneous peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) and eccentric exercise (EE), on pain (NPRS), strength, electromyographic activity, ultrasound characteristics of the tendon (echogenicity, thickness and hypervascularization) and functionality (DASH and SPADI) on individuals with supraspinatus tendinopathy. Participants (n=50) were divided into two groups, they received 4 treatment sessions, one per week, of PE and PNS (n=25) or 10 treatment sessions of TENS and US (n=25). Both groups performed EE program consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions of each of the 3 exercises, twice a day, during the 4 weeks. Follow-up was carried out at 4, 12 and 24 weeks after the start of the intervention. There are statistically significant differences in the analysis between groups (p<0.001) in the post-treatment and follow-up measurements favorable to the PE+PNS+EE treatment on pain (NPRS), strength, supraspinatus electromyographic amplitude, ultrasound characteristics of the tendon (echogenicity, thickness and hypervascularization) and DASH and SPADI questionnaires. The combined treatment PE, PNS and EE is an effective option in the clinical management of tendinopathies, with positive results in the short and long term on the variables studied.

This study is describing airborne geophysical survey, carried out in Northeastern Russia (Archangelsk region) in order to aimed at geological mapping of Grib kimberlite pipe, which is known to have strong presence of remanent magnetization. Airborne data were inverted using two techniques, the magnetization vector inversion (MVI) and a QDIK inversion, a proprietary algorithm developed at the Irkutsk State University (ISTU), which allows extracting four parameters from airborne magnetic data (magnetic susceptibility, inclination, declination and Koeniksberger ratio). The inversion results were further analyzed and verified against the known geology of the Grib kimberlite. The study allowed to better map geology of Grib kimberlite using only uninvasive (remote sensing) technology

Full-waveform seismic data inversion has given rise to hope for the simultaneous and automated execution of tomography and imaging by solving a nonlinear least-squares optimization problem. As previously recognized, brute force minimization by classical methods is hopeless if the data lacks low temporal frequencies. The article developed a reliable numerical method for recovering smooth velocity using model space decomposition. We present realistic synthetic examples to test the presented algorithm.

Eddy current sensors can be used to test the characteristics and measure the parameters of the conductive samples. As the main obstacle of the multi-frequency eddy current sensor, the lift-off distance affects the effectiveness and accuracy of the measurement. In this paper, a material-independent algorithm has been proposed for the restoration of the lift-off distance when using the multi-frequency eddy current sensor, which is based on the approximation under the thin-skin effect. Experiment testing on the performance of the proposed method is presented. Results show that from the dual-frequency inductance, the lift-off distance could be restored with a maximum error of 0.24 mm for the distance up to 12 mm. Besides, the derived lift-off distance is used for the inversion of the magnetic permeability. Based on a lift-off insensitive inductance (LII) feature, the magnetic permeability of steels can be inversed in an iterative manner, with an error of less than 0.6 % for the lift-off distance up to 12 mm.

This study aims to elucidate the influence of meteorological conditions on particle levels in Cergy-Pontoise. It explores the temporal variability of PM10 pollution days by associating them with the vertical temperature profile derived from conventional radiosondes from 2013 to 2022 (regional station). The results indicate that nearly 80% of exceedance days were associated with thermal inversions, primarily observed in winter and typically lasting 1 to 3 days. Analysis of winter thermal inversion characteristics suggests that those linked to pollution primarily occur near the ground, with higher intensity in December (12.1°C) and lower in February (10.3°C). Persistent inversions (extended nocturnal by diurnal inversion) account for 91.4% of the total inversions associated with high concentrations. Captive balloon soundings and temperature measurements at different altitudes were conducted during the winter of 2022/2023 to clarify thermal inversion in the Oise Valley at the center of Cergy-Pontoise. The results highlight three nocturnal wind circulation mechanisms in the valley, including downslope flow, circulation influenced by an urban heat island, and mechanical air evacuation under an inversion layer towards the less steep East side of the valley. Analysis of PM with the temperature gradient in the Oise Valley shows a significant correlation, suggesting an increase in concentrations during locally detected inversions and a decrease during atmospheric disturbance.

The horizontal flatbed electrophoresis system has been used for the electrophoresis of protein samples and is often preferred for a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In currently available equipment, cathode and anode electrodes were placed on top of a gel at each end. An electric field entered from the top of a gel, and its strength was relatively weaker in the bottom part of the gel. Such configuration caused migrating protein bands to lie down forward in the migrating direction. New electrodes, i.e., the clamp-shaped and the double-deck electrodes, were developed to simultaneously apply an electric field from the top and bottom of a gel. Electrophoretic separation with these electrodes made protein bands more focused and improved protein band resolutions. When the FIGE technique was tested together with new electrodes, protein bands were aligned nearly vertically and showed the best electrophoretic resolutions.

The aim of this study is to solve the problems of complicated pretreatment and high analytical cost in the detection technology of trace drug toxicants in municipal wastewater. A high-performance magnetic sorbent was synthesized for enrichment of trace drug substances in wastewater to develop magnetic solid-phase extraction pretreatment combined with the acoustic ejection mass spectrometry (AEMS) analytical methods for the molecules in wastewater drug toxicants. The magnetic nanospheres was successfully prepared by magnetic nanoparticles modified with divinylbenzene and vinyl pyrrolidone.The results showed that the linear dynamic range of 17 drugs was 1-500 ng/L, the recovery was 43%-105%, the matrix effect was more than 67%, the limit of quantitative detection was 1-2 ng/L, and the detection time of each sample was 2.98s. It can be seen that the developed magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method is a good solution to the problem of complicated pre-treatment and analytical cost in the detection of drugs in wastewater. The developed magnetic material and acoustic excitation coupled mass spectrometry analysis method can realize the low-cost, efficient enrichment and fast analysis of different kinds of drug molecules in urban sewage.

Left ventricular (LV) longitudinal function is mechanically coupled to the elasticity of the ascending aorta (AA). The pathophysiologic link between stiff AA and reduced longitudinal strain and subsequent deterioration in longitudinal LV systolic function is likely relevant in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). A proposed therapeutic effect of freeing the LV apex and allowing for LV inverse longitudinal shortening was studied in-silico utilizing Living Left Heart Human Model (Dassault Systémes Simulia Corporation). LV function was evaluated in a model with A) Elastic AA; B) Stiff AA; and C) Stiff AA with free LV apex. The cardiac model simulation demonstrated that freeing the apex caused inverse LV longitudinal shortening that can abolish the deleterious mechanical effect of a stiff AA on LV function. A stiff AA and impairment of LV longitudinal strain are common in patients HFpEF. The hypothesis-generating model strongly suggests that freeing the apex and inverse longitudinal shortening may improve LV function in HFpEF patients with a stiff AA.

In the last decade Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) measurements have been increasingly used for investigating the soil salinization caused by the use of brackish or saline water as irrigation source. EMI measurements proved to be a powerful tool for providing spatial information of the investigated soil because of the strict correlation between the output geophysical parameter, i.e. the electrical conductivity, to soil moisture and salinity. In addition, their non-invasive nature and their capability to collect a high number of data over broad areas and in relatively short time, makes these measurements attractive for monitoring flow and transport dynamics, otherwise undetectable with conventional measurements. In an experimental field, EMI measurements were collected during the growth season of the tomato, irrigated with three different irrigation strategies. The data were collected over three months in a time-lapse mode in order to visualize changes in electrical conductivity to be associated with soil salinity. A rigorous time-lapse inversion procedure has been set for modeling the soil salinization induced by brackish irrigation water.

Often, when solving forward, inverse or data assimilation problems, only a part of the solution is needed. As a model, we consider the stationary diffusion problem. We demonstrate an algorithm that can compute only a part or a functional of the solution, without calculating the full inversion operator and the complete solution. It is a well-known fact about partial differential equations that the solution at each discretisation point depends on the solutions at all other discretisation points. Therefore, it is impossible to compute the solution only at one point, without calculating the solution at all other points. The standard numerical methods like a conjugate gradient or Gauss elimination compute the whole solution and/or the complete inverse operator. We suggest a method which can compute the solution of the given partial differential equation 1) at a point; 2) at few points; 3) on an interface; or a functional of the solution, without computing the solution at all points. The required storage cost and computational resources will be lower as in the standard approach. With this new method, we can speed up, for instance, computation of the innovation in filtering or the likelihood distribution, which measures the data misfit (mismatch). Further, we can speed up the solution of the regression, Bayesian inversion, data assimilation, and Kalman filter update problems. Applying additionally the hierarchical matrix approximation, we reduce the cubic computational cost to almost linear $\mathcal{O}(k^2n \log^2 n)$, where $k\ll n$ and $n$ is the number of degrees of freedom. Up to the hierarchical matrix approximation error, the computed solution is exact. One of the disadvantages of this method is the need to modify the existing deterministic solver.

Climate change is impacting the spread/intensity of vector-borne diseases, including malaria, and accelerating evolutionary/adaptive changes in vector species. These changes including chromoso-mal inversions and overexpression and/or changes in allele frequencies of thermotoler-ance-associated genes, may facilitate insecticide resistance through pleiotropy. This study investi-gated the impact of thermotolerance on pyrethroid resistance in four populations of malaria vector An. gambiae, from savanna/sub-Sahel of northern Nigeria. Anopheles coluzzii and An. gambiae were the only malaria vectors found, sympatric in all the sites, with the former species predominant. High thermotolerance was observed, with no mortality at 38°C, and LT50 of ~44°C. Significantly high permethrin resistance was observed (mortality <50%) in heat-hardened (44°C) larvae from two sites, BUK and Pantami, compared with control, and heat-hardened adult females from Auyo (mortality = 3.00%±1.20, χ2 = 5.83, p<0.01) compared with control (12.00%±4.65). The 2La chromosomal inver-sion was detected at ~50% in larvae and 58% in adult females. Significant association was observed (OR = 7.2, p<0.03) between permethrin resistance and 2La/+a rearrangement compared with 2L+a/+a, in BUK larvae. For all sites permethrin resistance correlated with 2La/a homozygosity in adult fe-males [OR = 5.02, p=0.01). qRT-PCR identified 6 genes commonly induced/overexpressed, including heat shock protein 70 (AGAP004581) which was 2468x and 5x overexpressed in heat-hardened and permethrin-resistant females, respectively, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (AGAP008227), and ionotropic glutamate receptor genes, IR25a (AGAP010272) and IR21a (AGAP008511). This study highlights challenges associated with insecticide-based malaria vector control, and the epidemiological significance of taking climate variables into account for design/choice of control measures.

The combined heat and power system is based on the principle of "cascade utilization of thermal energy" for system integration and optimization. The rational utilization of energy, as well as the rational arrangement of energy flow and the process optimization combination of the overall system are taken into account in order to achieve multifunctional goals in the field of thermal engineering. The present paper presents a detailed assessment of combined heat and power systems from above standpoints. This article is divided into two parts “CHP based on thermo-dynamic cycles” and “CHP based on non-thermodynamic cycles”. Each part is then classified based on power subsystem energy consumption efficiency (high or low), including Rankine cycle, ORC, Stirling cycle, gas turbine, reciprocating engine, PVT and fuel cell. The present paper also helps identify the research gaps in this area and provides direction on future studies on combined heat and power systems.

Shallow bathymetry inversion algorithms have long been applied in various types of remote sensing imagery with relative success. However, this approach requires that imagery with increased radiometric resolution in the visible spectrum is available. The recent developments in drones and camera sensors allow for testing current inversion techniques on new types of datasets. This study explores the bathymetric mapping capabilities of fused RGB and multispectral imagery, as an alternative to costly hyperspectral sensors. Combining drone-based RGB and multispectral imagery into a single cube dataset, provides the necessary radiometric detail for shallow bathymetry inversion applications. This technique is based on commercial and open-source software and does not require input of reference depth measurements in contrast to other approaches. The robustness of this method was tested on three different coastal sites with contrasting seafloor types. The use of suitable end-member spectra which are representative of the seafloor types of the study area and the sun zenith angle are important parameters in model tuning. The results of this study show good correlation (R2>0.7) and less than half a meter error when they are compared with sonar depth data. Consequently, integration of various drone-based imagery may be applied for producing centimetre resolution bathymetry maps at low cost for small-scale shallow areas.

Preventing the rebound of black and odorous water bodies is critical for improving the ecological environment of water bodies. This study investigated the effect and mechanism of in-situ improvement of sediment microenvironment by nitrate in tailwater of wastewater treatment plants combined with aerobic denitrifying bacteria under low-DO regulation (TailN+CFM+LDO). On the 60th day of remediation, the dissolved oxygen and oxidation-reduction potential in the overlying water increased to 5.6 mg/L and 300 mV, respectively, the acid volatile sulfide in the sediment decreased by 70.4%, and the organic matter in the sediment was reduced by 62.7%, in which the HFOM was degraded from 105 g/kg to 56 g/kg, and the potential risk of water reverting to black and odorous conditions significantly decreased. Amplicon sequencing analysis revealed that the relative abundance of electroactive bacteria Thiobacillus and Pseudomonas with denitrification capacity was found to be significantly higher in the TailN+CFM+LDO group than in the other remediation groups. Functional prediction of 16S sequencing results indicated that both the quantity and activity of critical microbial enzymes involved in nitrification and denitrification processes could enhance in the TailN+CFM+LDO group. These results improved our understanding of the improvement of the sediment microenvironment and could thus facilitate its application.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood cancer with heterogeneous characteristics, posing challenges to effective treatment. NBs express somatostatin receptors that facilitates the use of somatostatin analogs (SSTAs) as tumor-seeking agents for diagnosis and therapy. High-risk (HR) NBs often have gain-of-function mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Despite intensive multimodal treatment, survival rates remain below 40% for children with HR-NB. The aim of this work was to investigate the combined effect of the SSTA 177Lu-octreotide with the ALK inhibitor lorlatinib. Mice bearing human HR-NB CLB-BAR tumors were treated with lorlatinib, 177Lu-octreotide, combination of these pharmaceuticals or saline (control). Tumor volume was monitored and tumor samples were evaluated for cleaved caspase-3 and expression of 84 human genes involved in apoptosis. Combination treatment with 177Lu-octreotide and lorlatinib demonstrated synergistic antitumor effects. Increased number of cleaved caspase 3-positive cells was observed in tumors from mice treated with 177Lu-octreotide alone and in combination with lorlatinib. Modulation of Bcl-2 family gene expression was observed only in the presence of both 177Lu-octreotide and lorlatinib, with BID downregulated and HRK upregulated on days 2 and 7, respectively. The data suggests that ALK signaling pathway inhibition may contribute to radiosensitization in radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-octreotide.

The studied area (the Ionian Islands: Paxoi, Lefkas, Kefalonia and Zakynthos), is situated in the western ends of Ionian Basin (IB) in contact with the Apulian Platform (AP) and named as Apulian Platform Margins (APM). The proposed model is based on fieldwork, previously published data and balanced geologic cross-sections. Late Jurassic characterizes Ionian Basin to Early Eocene NNW–SSE extension followed by Middle Eocene to Middle Miocene compression (NNW–SSE directed). The space availability, the distance of Ionian Thrust from the Kefalonia strike-slip fault (KSSF) and the altitude between Apulian platform and Ionian basin that produced during extensional regime were the main factors for the produced structures due to inversion tectonic. In Zakynthos Island, the space availability (far from KFT), and the reactivation of normal bounding faults formed an open geometry anticline (Vrachionas anticline) and a foreland basin (Kalamaki thrust foreland basin). In Kefalonia Island, the space from FKT was limited and the tectonic inversion formed anticline geometries (Aenos Mountain), nappes (within the Aenos Mountain) and small foreland basins (Argostoli gulf), all within the margins (APM). In Lefkas Island, the lack of space, very close to KFT, lead to the movement of the Ionian basin over the margins, attempting to overthrust the Apulian platform. Because the obstacle between basin and platform was very large, the moving part of Ionian Basin strongly deformed producing nappes and anticlines in the external part of the Ionian basin, and a very narrow foreland basin (Ionian Thrust foreland basin).

Bare titania and metal promoted TiO2 catalysts were employed in the treatment of nitrates, which are ubiquitous pollutants of wastewater. The results show that the process can be carried out under visible light (from white light LED lamp) and, in the best case, 23.5% conversion of nitrate was obtained over 4 hours with full selectivity towards N2 by employing 0.1 mol% Ag/TiO2 prepared by flame spray pyrolysis. Moreover, the performance was worse when testing the same catalysts with tap water (11.3% conversion), due to the more complex composition of the matrix. At last, it was found that the photoreduction of nitrate can be effectively performed in combina-tion with the photo-oxidation of ammonium without loss in the activity, opening to the possi-bility to treat highly polluted wastewater with a single process. The latter treatment employs the two contaminants simultaneously as electron and holes scavengers, with very good selectiv-ity, in a completely new process that we may call Photo-Selective Catalytic Reduction (Pho-to-SCR).

Plants are continually exposed to multiple stresses, which co-occur in nature and the net effects are frequently more non-additive (i.e., synergistic or antagonistic) suggesting ‘unique’ responses respect to that of the individual stress. Further, plant stress responses are not uniforms showing a high spatial and temporal variability among and along the different organs. In this respect, the present work investigated the morphological responses of different root types (seminal, seminal lateral, primary, primary lateral) of maize plants exposed to single (drought and heat) and combined stress (drought + heat). Data were evaluated by a specific root image analysis system (WinRHIZO) and analyzed by uni- and multi-variate statistical analysis. The results indicated that primary root and their laterals were the types more sensitive to the single and combined stresses while the seminal laterals specifically responded to the combined only. Further, antagonistic and synergistic effects were observed for the specific traits in the primary and their laterals and in the seminal lateral roots in response to the combined stress. These results suggested that maize root system modified specific root types and traits to face with different stressful environmental conditions highlighting that the adaptation strategy to the combined stress may be different from that of the individual ones. The knowledge of “unique or shared” responses of plant to multiple stress can be utilized to develop varieties with broad spectrum stress tolerance.

The diffraction-like process displayed by a spatially localized matter wave is here analyzed in a case where the free evolution is frustrated by the presence of hard-wall-type boundaries (beyond the initial localization region). The phenomenon is investigated in the context of a nonrelativistic, spinless particle with mass m confined in a one-dimensional box, combining the spectral decomposition of the initially localized wave function (treated as a coherent superposition of energy eigenfunctions) with a dynamical analysis based on the hydrodynamic or Bohmian formulation of quantum mechanics. Actually, such a decomposition has been used to devise a simple and efficient analytical algorithm that simplifies the computation of velocity fields (flows) and trajectories. As it is shown, the development of space-time patters inside the cavity depends on three key elements: the shape of the initial wave function, the mass of the particle considered, and the relative extension of the initial state with respect to the total length spanned by the cavity. From the spectral decomposition it is possible to identify how each one of these elements contribute to the localized matter wave and its evolution; the Bohmian analysis, on the other hand, reveals aspects connected to the diffraction dynamics and the subsequent appearance of interference traits, particularly recurrences and full revivals of the initial state, which constitute the source of the characteristic symmetries displayed by these patterns. It is also found that, because of the presence of confining boundaries, even in cases of increasingly large box lengths, no Fraunhofer-like diffraction features can be observed, as happens when the same wave evolves in free space. Although the analysis here is applied to matter waves, its methodology and conclusions are also applicable to confined modes of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light propagating through optical fibers).

In this paper, we introduce as a pedagogical strategy an internal division-free, straightforward, and symmetrically progressing algorithm in manually computing matrix inverse and solving systems of linear equations by revisiting the application of elementary row operations in the Gauss-Jordan reduction method and connecting it to the determinant method. The proposed cross-multiplication-flip (CMF) algorithm employs cross-multiplication similar to the butterfly movement in computing determinants as a strategic application of elementary row operations to efficiently reduce the rows and then applies flipping of rows and entries to put an upper triangular matrix into lower triangular form to continue the reduction process.

Time series ground deformation monitoring and reservoir parameter inversion are crucial for the dynamic assessment of oilfield resources and sustainable exploitation in an oilfield. As one of the regions with the richest oil reserves in China, the oilfield areas in the western Qaidam Basin are selected as a typical study area. Firstly, we used SAR images collected by the Sentinel-1A satellite from January 2021 to December 2022 and applied the Multidimensional Small Baseline Subset (MSBAS) method to obtain vertical and east-west deformation measurements. On this basis, a nonlinear Bayesian inversion method was applied to model the shallow reservoir in a series of complex deformation areas, based on a single-source model and a multi-source model, respectively. As a result, the ground deformation monitoring results obtained by long time series InSAR clearly reflect the uneven ground deformation caused by the oil extraction and water injection operation process. There is slight subsidence in the Huatugou oilfield, while significant uplift deformation occurred in the Ganchaigou oilfield and the Youshashan oilfield, with a maximum uplift rate of 48 mm/year. Further analysis indicates that the introduction of the 2D deformation field helps to improve the robustness of oilfield reservoir parameter inversion. Moreover, the dual-source model is more suitable than the single-source model for inverting complex deformation reservoir parameters. This study not only fills the blank of InSAR deformation monitoring for the oilfields in the western Qaidam Basin but also provides a theoretical reference for model and method selection of reservoir parameter inversion in other oilfields.

The individual and combined effects of extracellular products (ECP) from Arthrobotrys oligospora (Ao) and A. musiformis (Am) growth in liquid media against Haemonchus contortus L3 (HcL3) were assessed. The following methodological steps were established: isolation, morphological (MI) and molecular identification (Mol-I), assessment of nematocidal activity (NA) of fungal liq-uid culture filtrates (LCF) produced in two liquid media alone and in combination and finally, the myco-compound profile identification (MCP). The MI of both isolates suggested that the fungi corresponded to the species Ao and Am. This result was confirmed by PCR analysis followed by sequencing, alignment and obtaining coverage and similarity with respect to isolates reported in the NCBI database. Likewise, the highest Hc mortalities were 91.4% with individual LCF of Am and 86.2% with those of Ao at the highest concentration (100 mg/mL) in Czapek-Dox Broth. The combination of both LCF resulted in a similarly high larval mortality with no statistical differ-ences in relation to individual activity (P>0.05). The MCP showed the presence of alkaloids in both fungi. Coumarins, triterpenes and saponins were found only in Ao. Both fungi produced ECP with a high NA that could be identified and assessed in future studies as potential natural an-thelmintic compounds.

Models of subsurface structures are important for successful deposit exploration but are challenged by the need to integrate data from different geophysical methods. In the present study, we evaluated a method of joint inversion in which audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) and dual frequency induced polarization (DFIP) data sets are inverted simultaneously to produce a consistent 2D resistivity model to show a clear image of subsurface structures. To achieve the objectives, we conducted AMT and DFIP surveys first on the same survey line within the Dongjun lead-zinc deposit in inner Mongolia by developing 31 AMT survey sites with an interstation separation of 40 m on a 1440 m survey track and operated in fifty-three frequencies in the range 1–10,400 Hz to record the resistivity distribution of subsurface to depths exceeding 800 m. The same survey setup up was applied to the DFIP method by utilizing the SQ-3C model with a pole-dipole array configuration and conducted measurements at frequencies of 4 Hz and 4/13 Hz. We first separately inverted AMT and DFIP measurements. The two-dimensional (2D) model obtained from AMT data revealed distinct low resistivity anomalies in the middle of the 2D inversion model. In contrast, the DFIP inversion model showed a high resistive body in the same region. In response to the discrepancies observed in the separate 2D inversion models, we implemented a joint inversion for both the AMT and DFIP datasets. The joint inversion resistivity model shows surficial conducting bodies and a high conductive body along the profile with relatively high Percent Frequency Effect (PEF) indicating high chargeability. The final joint inversion resistivity model clearly images the large silica alteration zone and the Pb-Zn mineralization. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a joint inversion methodology and highlights the value of integrating geophysical methods through joint inversion for enhanced characterization and exploration of lead-zinc ores.

Reconstructing ancestral species is a challenging endeavour: fossils are often scarce or enigmatic, and inferring ancestral characters based on novel molecular approaches (e.g. comparative genomics or developmental genetics) has long been controversial. A key philosophical challenge pertinent at present is the lack of a theoretical framework capable of evaluating inferences of homology made through integration of multiple kinds of evidence (e.g. molecular, developmental, or morphological). Here, I present just such a framework. I start with a brief history and critical assessment of attempts at inferring morphological homology through developmental genetics. I then bring attention to a recent model of homology, namely Character Identity Mechanisms (DiFrisco, Love, & Wagner, 2020), intended partly to elucidate the relationships between morphological characters, developmental genetics, and homology. I utilise and build on this model to construct the evaluative framework mentioned above, which judges the epistemic value of evidence of each kind in each particular case based on three proposed criteria: effectiveness, admissibility, and informativity, as well as providing a generalised guideline on how it can be scientifically operationalised. I then point out the evolution of the eumetazoan body plan as a case in point where the application of this framework can yield satisfactory results, both empirically and conceptually. I will conclude with a discussion on some potential implications for more general philosophy of biology and philosophy of science, especially surrounding evidential integration, models and explanation, and reductionism.

To describe the hysteresis nonlinearities in smart actuators, numerous models have been presented in the literature, among which the Preisach operator would be the most effective one due to its capability in capturing multi-loop or sophisticated hysteresis curves. When such an operator is coupled with uncertain nonlinear dynamics, especially in noncanonical form, it is a challenging problem to develop techniques to cancel out the hysteresis effects, and at the same time achieve asymptotic tracking performance. To resolve this problem, in this paper, we investigate the problem of iterative inverse-based adaptive control for an uncertain noncanonical nonlinear systems with unknown input Preiasch hysteresis, and a new adaptive version of the closest match algorithm is proposed to compensate for the Preisach hysteresis. With our scheme, the stability and convergence of the closed-loop system can be established. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is illustrated by simulation and experiment results.

Mapping or quantitative inversion through remote sensing technology is an active way for mineral monitoring in large or uncultivated forest areas. Different spectral features of minerals, induced by ionic composition, can be identified which are related to mineral type or abundance. Based on the distinctive spectral absorption around 2.33µm induced by the carbonate ion, we use it as an analytic target to propose an improved continuum removal (ICR) algorithm to couple with normalized abundance to evaluate the relationship between continuum removal band depth (CRBD) and carbonate ion abundance. Through experimentally testing with synthetic and real image data, ICR with ratio abundance normalization can enhance the linear relation of CRBD and abundance. We find this technique performs best for abundance retrieval. The lowest root mean square error is 0.0400 for synthetic data and the mean relative error is as low as 6.80% for real image data. Compared with five other algorithms, coupling normalized carbonate mineral abundance with ICR can improve the quantitative retrieval accuracy of carbonate ion. By using a hyperspectral library, we also present a way to retrieve abundance without ground samples. These results make the quantitative inversion of mineral abundance more reasonable by distinct or enhanced features and provide great potential for use to extend mineral information extraction in the absence of sample data, even for surveys of the Moon and Mars for mineral quantitative analysis.

The combined muscle-skeletal traumas (MST) are very frequent over the last few years. The emergency care try to save the life of the patient and to receive resuscitation treatment. The role of Trauma surgeon is to choose the right moment for surgery. Aim: To present the management of patient with combined height injury, fracture stabilization, partial foot amputation, local flaps, skin grafting and HIFU – thermotherapy as scar treatment. Materials and methods: 40 years old mail patient, injured after a fall from 8 meters in an elevator shaft. After resuscitation treatment to control the shock the Imaging results are: burst fracture of L3 with spinal canal stenosis, fracture of the sacral bone Denis I, fracture of the right humerus in the proximal third, Monteggia fracture of the left arm, fracture of the proximal third of the right tibia as well as comminuted fractures of both calves and of both heel bones. Results: After a few operations his final result was well healed bone fractures and a good quality soft tissue coverage allowing the patient a satisfactory quality of life. Conclusions: Combined traumas of the muscle- skeletal system are severe, serious and difficult to manage. The good outcome in their treatment requires a team approach between the different medical specialists.

To analyze the combined response of ocular cyclotorsion and head tilt during body tilt and to interpret the physiologic role of those movements, each of the three subjects completed six different experiments of body tilt not fixating their head movements using a flight simulator, which consisted of combinations of three tilt angles (30, 45, and 60) and two visual conditions. Head tilt and ocular cyclotorsion of the right eye before, during, and after the tilt maneuver were recorded and analyzed by time sequence. In the active tilting phase, the right eye showed a stepladder pattern of multiple repeats of fast and slow cyclotorsion along with head tilt to obtain maximum visual information. During the stationary tilting phase, there occurred a small amount (mean, 2.3) of ocular cyclotorsion which was reciprocal to that of head tilt. The visual cue of body tilt through the central visual field induced a larger amount of head tilt but affected little ocular cyclotorsion. The maximum degree of ocular cyclotorsion during each experiment was 10.2 on average. In conclusion, the combined response of ocular cyclotorsion and head tilt develops during body tilt and it compromises the conflicting needs between binocular vision and gravitational orientation.

The fusion of penetrating peptides (PPs), e.g., cell penetration peptides (CPPs), or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) together with antimicrobial agents is an expanding research field. Specific AMPs, such as lactoferricin B (LfcinB), have demonstrated strong antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic activity, as well as valuable anticancer activity, proving beneficial in the development of anticancer conjugates. The resulting conjugates offer potential dual functionality, acting as both an anticancer and an antimicrobial agent. This is especially necessary in cancer treatment where microbial infections pose a critical risk. Leukemic cells frequently exhibit altered outer lipid membranes compared to healthy cells, making them more sensitive to compounds that interfere with their membrane. In this communication, we revisited and reanalyzed our earlier research on LfcinB and its conjugates. Furthermore, we carried out new experiments with a specific focus on cell proliferation, changes in membrane asymmetric phosphatidylserine location, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial functions, and in vitro bacterial topoisomerase inhibition.

Microsoft has implemented several measures to defend against macro viruses, including the use of Anti-malware Scan Interface (AMSI) and automatic macro blocking. Nevertheless, evidence shows that threat actors have found ways to bypass these mechanisms. As a result, phishing emails continue to apply malicious macros as their essential attack vector. In this paper, we analyze 77 obfuscation features from the attacker’s point of view and extract 46 suspicious keywords in macro. We first combine the above two types of features to train machine learning models on a public dataset. Then, we carry out the same experiment on self-constructed dataset, a collection of newly discovered samples, to see if our proposed method could discover the unseen malicious macros. Experimental results demonstrate that, comparing with the existing researches, our proposed method has a higher detection rate and better consistency. Furthermore, ensemble multi-classifiers with distinct feature selection further improve the detection performance.

The ketogenic diet and walking exercise training activity are two key public health lifestyle factors. The potential of combined lifestyle factors interventions focused on getting to compliance in forced exercise. A balanced ketogenic diet and regular exercise activity is a key modifiable factor to the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Influence health across the lifespan and reduction of the risk of premature death through several biological mechanisms. Community older group’s lifestyle factors interventions contribute identity in their natural living environment. While the older health benefits of walking exercise training strategies are commonly to study, combined ketogenic diet and walking exercise interventions have induced greater benefits in community older groups.

Sulfur, peroxide and combined sulfur and peroxide curing systems were applied for cross-linking of unfilled and carbon black filled rubber compounds based on ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer rubber. The results revealed that the type of curing system influenced the course and shape of curing isotherms. This resulted in the change of curing kinetics of rubber compounds. The cross-link density of vulcanizates cured with combined vulcanization systems was lower than that for vulcanizates cured only in the presence of sulfur or peroxide system. The results revealed good correlation between the cross-link density as well as the structure of the formed cross-links and physical-mechanical characteristics of the materials. It can be stated that by proper combination of vulcanization systems it is possible to modify tensile behavior of vulcanizates in targeted manner. On the other side, dynamical-mechanical properties were found not be significantly influenced by the composition of curing system.

Covid-19 fatality rates of 0.37% (Gangelt, Germany) and 0.17% (Santa Clara, USA) have been reported, estimated from serological studies. We show that the two confidence intervals strongly overlap when the uncertainty in the number of deaths is taken into account, so that the two investigations may be regarded as representative of the same population (tentatively: “Western society with no overload of the Health Care System during the pandemic”). Combining the results, the Covid-19 fatality rate is estimated to be found with 95% confidence in the range [0.1%; 0.3%].

Terms related to gradients of scalar fields are introduced as scalar products into the formulation of entropy. A Lagrange density is then formulated by adding constraints based on known conservation laws. Applying the Lagrange formalism to the resulting Lagrange density leads to the Poisson equation of gravitation and also includes terms being related to curvature of space. The formalism further leads to terms possibly explaining nonlinear extensions known from modified Newtonian dynamics approaches. The article concludes with a short discussion of the presented methodology and provides an outlook on other phenomena, which might be tackled using this new approach.

The recently explored synergistic combination of graphene-based materials and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) is opening novel and effective avenues for developing sensing devices with optimized features. In more detail, remarkable potential in terms of simplicity, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness have been demonstrated for sensors, resulting in the creation of hybrid devices with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, linearity, and selectivity. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the currently available scientific literature discussing investigations and applications of sensors that integrate graphene-based materials and deep eutectic solvents, with an outlook for the most promising developments of this approach.

Background: Intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measure of intellectual ability of performing, comprehension, and learning. Previous studies reported that intelligence measures predict various measures of job performance and income. Emotional awareness (EA) is the measure of emotional capacity to recognize and make sense of one’s emotions, as well as those of others. A high level of emotional awareness (EA) indicates one can learn from expressed emotions quickly. Both IQ and EA are important for personal and professional success.Objective: This study tests the hypothesis that the average national income rank is best predicted by the combined effect of the population's average intelligence quotient (one's ability to perform and learn) and emotional awareness (ability to recognize and make sense of emotions).Method: The population’s average intelligence quotient (IQ), emotional awareness (EA), and indices of good governance, which include corruption perception index and educational expenses for each country, were obtained from public data sources. The outcome variable was per capita gross national income. All the variables that are statistically significant in univariate analysis were included in the multivariate regression analyses but excluded from the final model if not statistically significant.Result: The total number of countries included in the final analysis was 81 because of missing values in different variables. Intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional awareness (EA) were found to be highly correlated, at 0.77 and 0.32 respectively, with the per capita gross national income. The independent effects of intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional awareness (EA) were found significant in the multivariate model after adjusting for measures of good governance. The R square value for the final multivariate model was 0.82. The corruption perception index (CPI) and educational expenses were strongly correlated with other measures of good governance such as democracy index, functioning of government, electoral process and pluralism, political participation, and civil liberty, but these variables were found not significant in the multivariate model. Conclusion: The study concludes the effect of intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional awareness (EA) are complementary to each other but intelligence quotient (IQ) is a stronger predictor than emotional awareness (EA) for gross national income or wealth. We also find that indicators of good governance, including corruption perception index and educational expenses, have important associations with per capita gross national income. This study implies a nation may build more wealth if the educational system focuses on developing emotional awareness in addition to intelligence. The study concludes the effect of intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional awareness (EA) are complementary to each other but intelligence quotient (IQ) is a stronger predictor than emotional awareness (EA) for gross national income or wealth. We also find that indicators of good governance, including corruption perception index and educational expenses, have important associations with per capita gross national income. This study implies a nation may build more wealth if the educational system focuses on developing emotional awareness in addition to intelligence.

Objective: The combination of docetaxel (DTX) with Laser-Activated NanoTherapy (LANT), as a treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of lower doses of DTX, thereby minimizing the effective dosage, side effects and treatment times. Material and methods: Three HNSCC cell lines, Detroit 562, FaDu, and CAL 27, were treated with four combinations of DTX + LANT to evaluate DTX dose reduction and cell viability. Results: The 1 nM DTX + 5 nM LANT combination was the most effective treatment, increasing cell death over its corresponding DTX monotreatment with approximately 86.6%, 80.7%, and 92.1% cell death for Detroit 562, FaDu, and CAL 27, respectively. In Detroit 562, the 1 nM DTX + 5 nM LANT combination treatment resulted in the highest percentage of DTX dose reduction at 84.6%; in FaDu and CAL 27, the 0.5 nM DTX + 5 nM LANT combination treatment resulted in the highest percentage of DTX dose reduction at 78.2% and 82.4%, respectively. Conclusion: LANT may increase the therapeutic efficacy of DTX at significantly lower doses, which could improve patient outcomes.

Millions of people worldwide have an inadequate intake of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), and agronomic biofortification may minimise these problems. To evaluate the efficacy of combined foliar Se and Zn fertilisation in bread making wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), foliar Se (as NaSeO4) and soil and foliar Zn applications (as ZnSO4·7H2O) were tested individually and in all combinations. A 2-year field experiment was established in southern Spain under semiarid Mediterranean conditions, by following a split-split-plot design. The study year (2017/2018, 2018/2019) was considered as the main-plot factor, soil Zn application (50 kg Zn ha-1, nil Zn) as a subplot factor, and foliar application (nil, 10 g Se ha-1, 8 kg Zn ha-1, 10 g Se ha-1 + 8 kg Zn ha-1) as a sub-subplot factor. The best treatment to increase both Zn and Se concentration in both straw, 12.3- and 2.7-fold respectively, and grain, 1.2- and 4.1-fold respectively was the combined foliar application of Zn and Se. This combined Zn and Se application also increased on average the yield of grain, main product of this crop, by almost 26%. Therefore, bread-making wheat seems to be a very suitable crop to be used in biofortification programs with Zn and Se to alleviate their deficiency in both, people when using its grain and livestock when using its straw.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of the disease with poor clinical outcomes and limited therapeutic options. Immune checkpoint blockade (CP) has surged to the forefront of cancer therapies with widespread clinical success in a variety of cancer types. However, the percentage of TNBC patients that benefit from CP as a monotherapy is low and clinical trials have shown the need for combined therapeutic modalities. Specifically, there has been interest in combining CP therapy with radiation therapy where clinical studies primarily with external beam have suggested their therapeutic synergy, contributing to the development of anti-tumor immunity. Here, we have developed a therapeutic platform combining radionuclide therapy (RT) and immunotherapy utilizing a radiolabelled biomolecule and CP in an E0771 murine TNBC tumor model. Survival studies show that while neither monotherapy is able to improve therapeutic outcomes, the combination of RT + CP extended overall survival. Histologic analysis showed that RT + CP increased necrotic tissue within the tumor and decreased levels of F4/80+ macrophages. Flow cytometry analysis of the peripheral blood also showed that RT + CP suppressed macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressive cells, both of which actively contribute to immune escape and tumor relapse.

BACKGROUND Studies demonstrate that T cells secrete interleukin and other cytokines to promote the growth and activation of B cells, and B lymphocytes release antibodies that attach to the PLA2R and THSD7A surface antigens on podocytes to create immunological complexes that are deposited beneath the glomerular epithelium, which damage the filtration barrier and trigger proteinuria.The combination regimen of Calcineurin inhibitors（CNIs）and rituximab(RTX) could simultaneously inhibit the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes and reduced the production of immune complexes.This kind of therapeutic method for idiopathic membranous nephropathy may achieve better clinical results and less complications. METHODS Fifty-eight patients who were diagnosed as idiopathic membranous nephropathy（IMN）through a biopsy suffering from nephrotic syndrome (NS) were recruited, and were divided into RTX treatment group(RTX group), CNIs combined with RTX treatment group(CNIs+RTX group) and CNIs combined with glucocorticoids(GC) treatment group(CNIs+CG group) according to their treatment background. All patients in 3 groups were followed up for at least 12 months. Clinical composite remission(including complete or partial remission) at 12 months was the main result; safety and the incidence of adverse events were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS The PLA2R antibody level of RTX+CNIs group at the baseline much higher than RTX and CNIs+GC groups (240.30(84.56,386.99)RU/ml vs. 44.94(11.48,143.94)RU/ml, 7.72(2.00,102.68) RU/ml, respectively, p=0.006). The PLA2R antibody concentrations among the three groups become comparable at the end of 3 months(36.80(2.10,88.05) RU/ml vs.14.32(2.00,47.98)RU/ml, 2.60(2.00,24.50) RU/ml, respectively, p>0.05). At 12 months, all patients in the CNIs+GC group achieved immune remission, and the PLA2R-ab concentration was less than 14RU/ml. At 3 months, 33of 58 patients(56.90%) had a composite remission(complete or partial remission), including 4 of 14 patients (27.85%) in the RTX group, 11 of 17 patients(64.71%) in the CNIs+RTX group and 18 of 27 patients (66.67%) in the CNIs+GC group (p=0.048). At 12 months, 51 of 58 patients(87.93%) had a composite remission, including 12 of 14 patients (85.71%) in the RTX group, 15 of 17 patients(88.24%) in the CNIs+RTX group and 24 of 27 patients (88.89%) in the CNIs+GC group (p=0.957). During the 12-month study, 7 patients did not response for the treatment. 1 patient relapsed during the 12-month treatment with a re-elevation of antibodies. Adverse events occurred in 18(31.03%)patients in the whole study, including 3 patients(5.17%) in the RTX group, 2 patients(3.45%) in the CNIs+RTX and 13patients(22.41%) in the CNIs+GC group(p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of CNIs and RTX can effectively alleviate idiopathic membranous nephropathy with nephrotic syndrome in the first 3 months，as well as the combination of CNIs and GC, and the efficacy of both treatment methods for IMN was superior to that of RTX alone at the first 3 months. Furthermore, the RTX+CNIs group had less side effects compared with GC+CNIs group. So CNIs combined with RTX could be recommended as a superior therapeutic method for IMN treatment to shorten remission durion with less complications.

The Combined Theoretical Signal (CTS) model, with a 90% or higher validity rate, stands as the first validated universal model integrating gravity and quantum physics. This manuscript presents the final validation and enhancement of the CTS model using recent pulsar-sourced gravitational wave data (J2322+2057, J2234+0611, J2043+1711, and J2317+1439) and strain data from GW150914, GW151226, GW190521, and GW200105. Our findings demonstrate a significant alignment between theoretical predictions and observational data, positioning CTS as a groundbreaking framework with profound implications for theoretical physics and cosmology. The CTS model not only bridges the gap between gravity and quantum mechanics but also offers a new perspective on the formation of massive black holes, the Quantum Cosmic Fabric (QCF), and the structure of the universe as an interconnected hierarchical tree of universes.

One of the most important sources of energy is the sun. Taiwan is located at north 22-25° latitude. Due to its proximity to the equator, it experiences only a small angle of sunlight incidence. Its unique geographical location which can obtain sustainable and stable solar resources. This study takes research on the forecast of solar radiation to maximize the benefits of solar power generation, and develops methods that can predict the future solar radiation pattern to help reduce the costs of solar power generation. This study builds supervised machine learning models, known as deep neural network (DNN) and long short-term memory neural network (LSTM). The hybrid supervised and unsupervised model, namely cluster-based artificial neural network (k-means clustering and fuzzy C-means clustering-based models), was developed. After establishing these models, the study evaluated their prediction results. For different prediction periods, the study selected the best-performing model based on the results and proposed combining them to establish a real-time updated solar radiation forecast system capable of predicting the next 12 hours. The study area covered Kaohsiung, Hualien, and Penghu in Taiwan. Data from ground stations of the Central Weather Administration, collected between 1993 and 2021, as well as the solar angle parameters of each station, were used as input data for the model. The results of this study show that different models have their advantages and disadvantages in predicting different future times. Therefore, the hybrid prediction system can predict future solar radiation more accurately than a single model.

Accurate and efficient determination of excited-state polarizabilities (α) is an open problem both experimentally and computationally. Following our previous work, [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2023, 25, 2131−2141], where one can employ simple ground-state density-based functions from the information-theoretic approach (ITA) to accurately and efficiently predict the macromolecular polarizabilities, we aim to predict the lowest excited-state polarizabilities in this work. The philosophy is to use density-based functions to depict the excited-state polarizabilities. As a proof-of-principle application, employing 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole and its derivatives as model systems, we have verified that either with the ground-state (S0) or excited-state (S1) densities as input, ITA quantities can be strongly correlated with the excited-state polarizabilities. When the transition densities are considered, both S0 and S1 polarizabilities are in good relationships with some ITA quantities. Furthermore, excitation and emission energies can be predicted based on multivariant linear regression equations of ITA quantities.

Mineral surfaces have been demonstrated to play a central role in prebiotic reaction, which are supposed to be at the basis of the origin of life. Among the various molecules proposed as precursors for these reactions, one of the most interesting is formamide. Formamide has been shown to be a pluripotent molecule, generating a wide distribution of relevant pre-biotic products. In particular, the outcomes of its reactivity are strongly related to the presence of mineral phases, acting as catalysts toward specific reaction pathways. Even if the mineral-products relationship has been deeply studied for a large pool of materials, the fundamental description of the formamide reactivity over the mineral surface at a microscopic level is missing in the literature. In particular, a key step of formamide chemistry at surfaces is its adsorption on the available interaction sites. This report aims to investigate the adsorption of formamide over a well-defined amorphous silica, chosen as model mineral surface. An experimental IR investigation of formamide adsorption has been carried out and its outcomes have been interpreted on the basis of first principles simulation of the process adopting a realistic model of the amorphous silica.

Good Boussinesq equations will be considered in this work. First we apply three combined compact schemes to approximate spatial derivatives of good Boussinesq equations. Then three fully discrete schemes are developed based on symplectic scheme in time direction, which are sympletic-structure preserving.Meanwhile, the convergence and conservation of the fully discrete schemes are analyzed. Finally, we present numerical experiments to confirm our theoretical analysis. Both our analysis and numerical test indicate that the fully discrete schemes are efficient in solving the spatial derivative mixed equation.

The need for industrial and commercial machinery to maintain high torque while accurately following a variable angular speed is increasing. To meet this demand, induction motors (IMs) are commonly used with variable speed drives (VSDs) that employ a field-oriented control (FOC) scheme. Over the last thirty years, IMs have been replacing independent connection direct current motors due to their cost-effectiveness, reduced maintenance needs, and increased efficiency. However, IMs and VSDs exhibit nonlinear behavior, uncertainties, and disturbances. This paper proposes a robust combined adaptive passivity-based control (CAPBC) for this class of nonlinear systems that applies to angular rotor speed and stator current regulation inside an FOC scheme for IMs´ VSDs. It uses general Lyapunov-based design energy functions and adaptive laws with σ-modification to assure robustness after combining control and monitoring variables. Lyapunov’s second method and Barbalat Lemma prove that the control and identification error tends to be zero over time. Moreover, comparative experimental results with standard Proportional Integer controller (PIC) and direct APBC, show the proposed CAPBC effectiveness and robustness under normal and changing conditions

Combined sewer overflow (CSO) is a significant environmental concern and public health (e.g., water contamination, eutrophication, and beach closure). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program to regulate and address this matter. This program mandates the control of CSOs for more than 700 municipalities obligated to devise Long-term Control Plans (LTCPs) to curb combined sewer overflows and bring them down to safe levels. LTCP involves diverse strategies, including sewer separation, green infrastructure improvements, and conventional gray infrastructure upgrades. This study investigates several municipalities’ solutions for CSO problems in conventional methods and wireless sensor technology as real-time control. The investigation mainly focuses on a comparative analysis of two cities, Richmond, Virginia, and South Bend, Indiana, such as average rainfall, the frequency of overflows, and the capacity of treatment plants. The findings indicate that integrating sensor technology could significantly enhance modeling endeavors, bolster the capacity of existing structures, and substantially enhance preparedness for storm events. The EPA’s Storm Water Management Modeling (SWMM) software is utilized. Through an analysis of SWMM data, the study suggests the potential for leveraging wireless sensor technology to achieve more robust control over CSOs as a part of LTCPs.

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) have distinct clinical features, both diseases may coexist in a patient because they share similar risk factors such as smoking, male sex, and old age. Patients with both emphysema in upper lung fields and diffuse ILD are diagnosed with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), which causes substantial clinical deterioration. Patients with CPFE have higher mortality compared with patients who have COPD alone, but results have been inconclusive compared with patients who have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Poor prognostic factors for CPFE include exacerbation, lung cancer, and pulmonary hypertension. The presence of interstitial lung abnormalities, which may be an early or mild form of ILD, is notable among patients with COPD, and is associated with poor prognosis. Various theories have been proposed regarding the pathophysiology of CPFE. Biomarker analyses have implied that this pathophysiology may be more closely associated with IPF development, rather than COPD or emphysema. Patients with CPFE should be advised to quit smoking and undergo routine lung function tests, and pulmonary rehabilitation may be helpful. Various pharmacologic agents may be beneficial in patients with CPFE, but further studies are needed.

The principal minimum horizontal stress plays an important role in the study of reservoir characteristics, modeling of oil and gas reservoir, drilling, production and stimulating wells. However, it is currently not possible to measure the minimum horizontal stress along the wellbore as a geophysical parameter logging. Minimum horizontal stress is measured by leak-off test (LOT) at only several points in a well. In order to have the values all along the wellbore, experimental formulas were established to determine the minimum horizontal stresses for different fields. Then these formulas must be calibrated with LOT data whose number is usually limited, even sometimes unavailable. On the other hand, the empirical formulas of one field might not be accurate for another. This study presents a new approach to solve the problem of minimum horizontal stress estimation by a combination of artificial intelligence and geostatistics. The method consists of using artificial neural network (ANN) to build a model of minimum horizontal stress estimation from relevant parameters such as true vertical depth, pore pressure and vertical stress, then combined with Kriging interpolation to obtain the distribution in space of the minimum horizontal stress. Hence, this method can estimate the minimum horizontal stress with a limited amount of available data and therefore we do not need to drill new wells or to find empirical formulas for each survey area. The method was then applied in a case study involved real geomechanical dataset of Hai Thach - Moc Tinh field in Nam Con Son basin, Vietnam.

While Europe was beginning to deal with the resurgence of COVID-19 due to the Delta variant, the European football championship took place, June 11 - July 11, 2021. We studied the inversion in the decrease/increase rate of new SARS-COV-2 infections in the countries of the tournament, investigating the hypothesis of an association. Using a Bayesian piecewise regression with a Poisson Generalized Linear Model, we looked for a changepoint in the timeseries of the new SARS-COV-2 cases of each country, expecting it to appear not later than two to three weeks after the date of their first match. The two slopes, before and after the changepoint, were used to discuss the reversal from a decreasing to an increasing rate of the infections. For 17 out of 22 countries (77%) the changepoint came on average 14.97 days after their first match [95% CI 12.29 to 17.47]. For all those 17 countries, the changepoint coincides with an inversion from a decreasing to an increasing rate of the infections. Before the changepoint, the new cases were decreasing, halving on average every 18.07 days [95% CI 11.81 to 29.42]. After the changepoint, the cases begin to increase, doubling every 29.10 days [95% CI 14.12 to 49.78]. This inversion in the SARS-COV-2 case rate, happened during the tournament, provides evidence in favor of a relationship

Sorghum has become increasingly popular for diverse applications, including food, feed, and bioenergy. The present study aimed to perform a bibliometric and content analysis on sorghum research in the industrial-agricultural sector to evaluate global research patterns, emerging topics, and future trends. The bibliometric analysis of the Scopus bibliographic metadata was done using Bibliometrix and Vosviewer. The results of this investigation show the descriptive analysis underscored fluctuation in research output and citation impact over the years. The identified four patterns through co-occurrence analysis encompassed central themes of sorghum research, including genetic expression and plant stress cluster, cereal crop and yield cluster, biomass and microbial bioprocessing, and metabolism and antioxidant cluster. The thematic map portrays a comprehensive view of cereal crops and yields, biomass and microbial bioprocessing, metabolism and antioxidant research, environmental remediation and sustainable agriculture practices, and the declining theme of starch. The findings provide valuable insights into the global pattern of sorghum research and emerging trends, thus directing future multidisciplinary research efforts for enhanced knowledge and sustainable practices in the industrial-agricultural sector.

Chemical fertilizers are commonly used to meet the nutritional demands of the crops and boost their yield. However, their high costs and excessive application in soils increases the cost of production and have negative effects on the soil and environmental health. Vermicompost is an organic amendment that can potentially lessen the dependence on chemical fertilizers with additional advantages of sustainable nutrient supply to crops and maintaining soil health. To evaluate the potential of two diverse vermicomposts, sole and combined application of these vermicomposts with reduced rates of chemical fertilizers were used for tomato cultivation in a field study. The results indicated that vermicompost produced from cow dung combined with chemical fertilizers proved to be more effective in improving tomatoes' growth, physiology, yield and nutritional attributes. Combined application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizer significantly improved root length (21.6%), plant height (167%), SPAD value (13.5%),chlorophyll 'a' (96%), chlorophyll 'b' (161%), relative water content (16%), membrane stability index (18%), carotenoid (87%), yield (82%), photosynthetic rate (148%), and fruit diameter (83%) protein (89%), fat (27.5%), fiber (12%), vitamin C (52%), calcium (54%), magnesium (117%), phosphorus (38%), potassium (128%), as compared to control treatment (NP applied). In addition, significant improvements in different soil physico-chemical properties were also pragmatic. The results suggest that vermicompost application with reduced doses of chemical fertilizers can be used to improve crop yield and soil physico-chemical properties.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry challenges battery joining technologies by requiring higher energy density both by mass and volume. Improving the energy density via new battery chemistry would be the holy grail but is seriously hindered and progresses slowly. In the meantime, alternative ways, such as implementing more efficient cell packaging by minimizing the electrical resistance of joints are of primary focus. In this paper we discuss the challenges associated with the electrical characterisation of laser soldered joints in general, and the minimization of their resistive losses, in particular. In order to assess the impact of the joint resistance on the overall resistance of the sample, the alteration in resistance was monitored as a function of voltage probe distance and modelled by finite element simulation. The experimental measurements showed two different regimes: one far from of the joint area and another in its vicinity and within the joints cross section. The presented results confirm the importance of the thickness of the filler material, the effective and the total soldered area, and the area and the position of the voids within the total soldered area in determining the electrical resistance of joints.

Yaw misalignment can make a wake steer, which is an effective method to increase the power of wind farms, but it also increases the fatigue load of the turbines. In this paper, the method of combining yaw misalignment and pitch control (CYMP) is proposed to investigate the potential to mitigate wake interference, the wind velocity distribution and turbulence distribution in the wake, as well as the power and load changes of the wind turbine are studied, focusing on power in-crement and fatigue damage reduction. Although some studies have found that the method of CYMP are beneficial to increase power generation and reduce fatigue loads, there are no papers that have made a detailed analysis of the effects of wake turbulence, wind speed distribution, power, especially fatigue damage under this control. Simulation tool FAST.Farm is used to model and analyze wind farms, obtain the variation details of wake and provide simulation data for calculating power and fatigue load. The pitch control brings bias to the CYMP optimization results was neglected, the case studies show that the method of CYMP can reduce the fatigue load by 10.29% and increase the total power by 1.7% compared with only wake steering. The Model Predictive Control collaborative method based on CYMP is proposed, which can increase power by more than 2% and reduce thrust by more than 4% under 10m/s turbulent wind.

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture as a pest control strategy. Despite the benefits of pesticides on crop yields, the persistence of chemical residues in soil have an unintended impact on non-targeted microorganisms. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the combined fungicide (difenoconazole, epoxiconazole, and kresoxim-methyl) on fungal and bacterial communities of Phaeozem. In the fungicide-treated soil, the Shannon index of both fungal and bacterial communities was decreased, while Chao1 index did not differ compared to the control soil. Among bacterial taxa, the relative abundance of Athrobacter, Sphingomicrobium, and Sphingomonas increased in fungicide-treated soil due to their ability to utilize fungicides and other toxic compounds. Rhizopus and plant-beneficial Chaetomium were the dominant fungal genera, which increased 2-4 times in the fungicide-treated soil, while the relative abundance of Mortierella and Talaromyces decreased. Fusarium acuminatum was the most abundant phytopathogenic fungus that causes root rot disease of wheat, but applied fungicide treatment decreased their diversity in the soil 2 times, which is consistent on the observed plants.

This paper proposes and demonstrates, in full scale, a novel type of energy geostructure (“the Climate Road”) that combines a ground source heat pump (GSHP) with a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) by utilizing the gravel roadbed simultaneously as energy source and rainwater retarding basin. The Climate Road measures 50m x 8m x 1m (length, width, depth) and has 800 m of geothermal piping embedded in the roadbed, serving as the heat collector for a GSHP that supplies a nearby kindergarten with domestic hot water and space heating. Model analysis of operational data from 2018-2021 indicates sustainable annual heat production levels around 0.6 MWh per meter road, with a COP of 2.9-3.1. The continued infiltration of rainwater to the roadbed increases the amount of extractable heat by an estimated 17% compared to the case of zero infiltration. Using the developed model for scenario analysis we find that draining rainwater from three single family houses and storing 30% of the annual heating consumption in the roadbed, increases the predicted extractable energy by 56% compared to zero infiltration with no seasonal energy storage. The Climate Road is capable of supplying three single family houses with heating, cooling and rainwater management year-round.

By means of X-ray computed microtomography (XCMT) the existence of a developed microporous structure having an average pore diameter of ~3.5 μm and pore content of ~1.1 vol.% has been revealed in unirradiated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It has been found that the combined action of gamma radiation (absorbed dose per PTFE of ~170 kGy) and high temperatures (327-350 °C) leads to the disappearance of the microporous structure and the formation of several large pores with sizes from 30 to 50 μm in the bulk of thermal-radiation modified PTFE (TRM-PTFE). It has been established by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis that the thermal-radiation modification of PTFE leads to an increase in the interplanar spacings, the degree of crystallinity and volume of the unit cell, as well as to a decrease in the size of crystals and the X-ray density of the crystalline phase in comparison with the initial polymer. It is assumed that the previously established effect of improving the deformation-strength and tribological properties of the TRM-PTFE can be due not only to the radiation cross-linking of polymer chains but also to the disappearance of the micropore system and to the ordering of the crystalline phase of PTFE.

The CoDRIVE solution builds on R&amp;D in the development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). The mainstay of the system is a low-cost GNSS receiver integrated with a MEMS grade IMU powered with CoDRIVE algorithms and high precision data processing software. The solution integrates RFID (radio-frequency identification) localisation information derived from tags installed in the roads around the University of Nottingham. This aids the positioning solution by correcting the long-term drift of inertial navigation technology in the absence of GNSS. The solution is informed of obscuration of GNSS through city models of skyview and elevation masks derived from 360-degree photography. The results show that predictive intelligence of the denial of GNSS and RFID aiding realises significant benefits compared to the inertial only solution. According to the validation, inertial only solutions drift over time, with an overall RMS accuracy over a 300 metres section of GNSS outage of 10 to 20 metres. After deploying the RFID tags on the road, experiments show that the RFID aided algorithm is able to constrain the maximum error to within 3.76 metres, and with 93.9% of points constrained to 2 metres accuracy overall.

Precipitation downscaling is widely employed for enhancing the resolution and accuracy of precipitation products from general circulation models (GCMs). In this study, we propose a novel statistical downscaling method to foster GCMs’ precipitation prediction resolution and accuracy for monsoon region. We develop a deep neural network composed of convolution and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) recurrent module to estimate precipitation based on well-resolved atmospheric dynamical fields. The proposed model is compared against GCM precipitation product and classical downscaling methods in the Xiangjiang River Basin in South China. Results show considerable improvement compared to the ECMWF-Interim reanalysis precipitation. Also, the model outperforms benchmark downscaling approaches, including 1) quantile mapping, 2) support vector machine, and 3) convolutional neural network. To test the robustness of the model and its applicability in practical forecast, we apply the trained network for precipitation prediction forced by retrospective forecasts from ECMWF model. Compared to ECMWF precipitation forecast, our model makes better use of the resolved dynamical field for more accurate precipitation prediction at lead time from 1 day up to 2 weeks. This superiority decreases along forecast lead time, as GCM’s skill in predicting atmospheric dynamics being diminished by the chaotic effect. At last, we build a distributed hydrological model and force it with different sources of precipitation inputs. Hydrological simulation forced with the neural network precipitation estimation shows significant advantage over simulation forced with the original ERA-Interim precipitation (with NSE value increases from 0.06 to 0.64), and the performance is just slightly worse than the observed precipitation forced simulation (NSE=0.82). This further proves the value of the proposed downscaling method, and suggests its potential for hydrological forecasts.

The Combined Elevation Test (CET) is a musculoskeletal screening technique (MST) replicates the streamline position in swimming and is commonly used in various sports. Although the CET is widely used, no normative data exist within an adolescent population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a normative data set for the CET within an adolescent population and to evaluate the influence various demographic and anthropometric variables. Data was collected for 416 participants aged between 8 and 18 years old. Age and arm span showed a significant correlation with CET scores (arm span r_s (105) = .478, p = .000, age r_s (416) = .238 p = .000). Regression analysis further quantified the influence of arm span and age on CET scores accounting for 23.1% and 5.3% of variability respectively. These results can be used as a reference point for clinicians and coaches who are using the CET within their assessment.

This paper proposes a method based on genetic algorithm (GA) for the security-constrained optimal dispatch of integrated natural gas and electricity networks, considering operating scenarios in both energy systems. The mathematical formulation of the optimization problem consists of a multi-objective function which aims to minimize both cost of thermal generation (diesel and natural gas) as well as the production and transportation of natural gas. The joint gas-electricity system is modeled by two separate groups of nonlinear equation, which are solved by the combination of Newton's method with the GA. The applicability of the proposed method is tested in the Belgian gas network integrated with the IEEE 14-bus test system and a 15-node natural gas network integrated with the IEEE 118-bus test system. The results demonstrate that the proposed method provides efficient and secure solutions for different operating scenarios in both energy systems.

Evidence regarding the role of oral antibiotics (oA) alone or combined with mechanical bowel preparation (MoABP) for elective colorectal surgery remains controversial. A prospective database of 8,359 colorectal resections gathered over a 32-month period in 78 Italian surgical units (the iCral 2 and 3 studies), reporting patient-, disease-, and procedure-related variables together with 60-day adverse events, was re-analyzed to identify a subgroup of 1,013 cases (12.1%) that received either oA or MoABP. This dataset was analyzed using a 1:1 propensity score-matching model including 20 covariates. Two well-balanced groups of 243 patients each were obtained: group A (oA), and group B (MoABP). The primary endpoints were anastomotic leakage (AL) and surgical site infections (SSIs) rates. Group A vs. group B showed a significantly higher AL risk [14 (5.8%) vs 6 (2.5%) events; OR 3.77; 95%CI 1.22-11.67; p = .021], while no significant difference was recorded between the two groups regarding SSIs. These results strongly support the use of MoABP for elective colorectal resections.

(1) Background: Breast cancer-associated lymphedema (BCRL) is a major complication of breast cancer treatment, affects the quality of life of breast cancer survivors who develop it. Manual lymphatic drainage has a beneficial result in combating lymphedema in patients who have undergone breast cancer surgery. The hypothesis consists in complete decongestive therapy reduces the lymphedema at the level of the upper limb on the side of mastectomy. (2) Methods: Twenty-five patients with radical mastectomy and upper limb lymphedema on the mastectomy side were included in this study. Upper limb circumferences were measured with a tape measure at the following levels: metacarpophalangeal joint; distal radioulnar joint; 10 cm distal to lateral epicondyle; 5 cm proximal to elbow joint; 10 cm proximal to lateral epicondyle. (3) Results: Patients received twice weekly manual lymphatic drainage, multi-layer compression bandaging and upper limb muscle stimulation exercises on the mastectomy side twice weekly. The circumference assessed at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joints and distal radio-carpal joint decreased at the final evaluation. Forearm perimetery - 5 and 10 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle the circumference decreased at the final assessment. (4) Conclusions: Patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema should receive comprehensive decongestive therapy in the early stage of lymphedema to achieve rapid clinical results and improved quality of life

The incidence of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) in Manitoba, (1/15,000), is at least three to four times higher than the national average and that reported from other jurisdictions. It is overrepresented in two population groups: Mennonites (ZAP70 founder mutation) and First Nations of Northern Cree ancestry (IKBKB founder mutation). We have previously demonstrated that in these two populations the most widely utilized T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) assay is an ineffective newborn screening test to detect SCID as these patients have normal numbers of mature T-cells. We have developed a semi-automated, closed tube, high resolution DNA melting procedure to simultaneously genotype both of these mutations from the same newborn blood spot DNA extract used for the TREC assay. Parallel analysis of all newborn screening specimens utilizing both TREC analysis and the high resolution DNA procedure should provide as complete ascertainment as possible of SCID in the Manitoba population.

Infrastructure development is rapidly increasing, driving up demand for concrete, a key construction material. Cement and aggregate are essential constituents, with global cement production reaching 4.1 billion metric tons in 2011 and CO2 emissions hitting 1.7 billion metric tons by 2024, a significant contributor to carbon emissions. To address this, alternative constituents like Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Animal Bone Powder (ABP) are proposed. With rice husk comprising 20% of rice weight and a substantial cattle population in Bangladesh, RHA and ABP offer promising alternatives. This study examines the benefits and limitations of incorporating RHA and ABP into cement, focusing on concrete strength and permeability. By replacing varying percentages of cement with RHA and ABP simultaneously, experiments evaluate their impact on concrete properties after 28 days of curing. The research aims to identify the optimal combination for sustainable concrete production, reducing environmental impact by curbing waste generation and pollution. Results show that compressive strength increases and permeability decreases with up to 5% replacement of RHA and ABP, highlighting their potential for enhancing concrete performance while mitigating environmental concerns.

Voids in face-centered cubic (fcc) metals are commonly assumed to form by the aggregation of vacancies; however, the mechanisms of vacancy clustering and diffusion are not fully understood. In this study, we use computational modeling to provide a detailed insight into the structures and formation energies of primary vacancy clusters, mechanisms and barriers for their migration in bulk copper, and how these properties are affected at simple grain boundaries. The calculations were carried out using Embedded Atom Method (EAM) potentials and Density Functional Theory (DFT) and employed the Site-Occupation Disorder code (SOD), the Activation Relaxation Technique nouveau (ARTn) and the Knowledge Led Master Code (KLMC). We investigate stable structures and migration paths and barriers for clusters of up to six vacancies. Migration of vacancy clusters occurs via hops of individual constituent vacancies with di-vacancies having a significantly smaller migration barrier than mono-vacancies and other clusters. This barrier is further reduced when di-vacancies interact with grain boundaries. This interaction leads to the formation of self-interstitial atoms and introduces significant changes into the boundary structure. Tetra-, penta-, and hexa-vacancy clusters exhibit increasingly complex migration paths and higher barriers than smaller clusters. Finally, the direct comparison with the DFT results shows that EAM can accurately describe the vacancy-induced relaxation effects in the Cu bulk and in grain boundaries. Significant discrepancies between the two methods were found in structures with a higher number of low-coordinated atoms, such as penta-vacancies and di-vacancy absortion by grain boundary. These results will be useful for modeling the mechanisms of diffusion of complex defect structures and provide further insights into the structural evolution of metal films under thermal and mechanical stress.

Rotary drilling for oil and natural gas uses drilling fluid for lubrication of the bit, to seal off unstable shale layers, and floating out rock cuttings. Drilling fluid is a water-clay chemical mixture. Produced water is a water-sand chemical mixture. Land farming is a common disposal technique of drilling fluid and produced water. In the land farming process, amendments of fluid are repeatedly applied to the soil surface. Plant growth and soil chemical properties may be altered by additions of drilling fluid, because of alkalinity, salinity, trace elements, and petroleum residue contained in waste. The objective of this study was to determine the change in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen and carbon, and extractable nutrient levels following the land application of drilling fluid and produced water. The study was a comparison of three plots with similar soil properties and conditions. The three study plots had various levels of drilling fluid and produced water applications. The data show a major difference from field-to-field for EC, Na, and Cl levels. The EC and salt levels increased with additional applications of drilling fluid and produced water. The percent total nitrogen values and plant available P levels were very low in all fields. High EC and salt values, coupled with low N and P levels, would be detrimental to plant growth and development. To successfully vegetate this land-farm site, application of N and P fertilizer would be required. This study will help to give a better understanding of practical ways to land-farm drilling fluid and produced water in a fashion that both minimizes environmental issues and is economically feasible. Salinity changes to soil were expected to be high; there are excessive amounts of sodium and chloride in spent drilling fluid and produced water.

In this study, we investigated the effects of Akebia quinata ethanol extract (AE), Akebia quinata sikhye (AS), and Akebia quinata water extract (AW) on alcohol-induced liver injury in rats. The hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant effects of AE, AS, and AW were examined. Experimental animals were randomly divided into five groups: normal, ethanol, AE (10 mL/kg), AS (10 mL/kg), and AW (10 mL/kg). Each group was administered the respective treatment orally once per day for 21 days. CYP2E1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the AE, AS, and AW groups than that in the ethanol group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines including cyclooxygenase-2, IL-6, and TNF-α increased significantly in the ethanol group but these increases were ameliorated with AE, AS, and AW treatment. Moreover, the expression of the apoptosis-associated proteins Bax, p53, procaspase-3, and PARP decreased after treatment with AE, AS, and AW. The expression of antioxidant enzymes including BCL-2, SOD, and GST slightly decreased in the ethanol group, but AE, AS, and AW treatment augmented their activities. AQ extracts and AS attenuated ethanol-induced increases in the levels of phosphorylated p-AKT, p-ERK, and p-JNK. These results demonstrate that AQ is a competence indicator for inhibiting alcoholic liver injury.

Background: Drought, N deficiency and herbivory are considered the most important stressors caused by climate change in the agro- and eco-systems and varied in space and time shaping a highly dynamic and heterogeneous stressful environments. This study aims to evaluate the to-mato morpho-physiological and metabolic responses to combined abiotic and herbivory at dif-ferent within-plant spatial levels and temporal scales. Methods: Leaf-level morphological, gas exchange traits and VOC profiles were measured in to-mato plants exposed to N deficiency and drought, T. absoluta larvae and their combination. Ad-ditive, synergistic or antagonistic effects of the single stress when combined were also evaluat-ed. Morpho-physiological traits and VOC profile were also measured on leaves located at three different positions along the shoot axes. Results: The combination of the abiotic and biotic stress has been more harmful than single stress with antagonistic and synergistic but non-additive effects for the morpho-physiological and VOC tomato responses, respectively. Combined stress also determined a high within-plant phenotypic plasticity of the morpho-physiological responses. Conclusions: These results suggest that the combined stress in tomato determined a “new stress state” and a higher within-plant phenotypic plasticity which could permit an efficient use of the growth and defence resources in the heterogeneous and multiple stressful environmental condi-tions.

Some studies investigated the relationship between frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability and the cognitive performance at the Stroop task. We propose a combined assessment also of trunk mobility in 72 healthy women to investigate the relationship between cognitive, cardiac and motor variables based on a principal component analysis. We also assessed the change on this result after an intervention of two months aiming at improving the perception-action link. At baseline, the PCA correctly identified 3 components: one related to cardiac variables, one to trunk motion and one to the performance of Stroop task. After the intervention, only two components were found with trunk symmetry and range of motion, accuracy and time to complete the Stroop task and low frequency heart rate variability aggregated in a single component by PCA. It suggested that this protocol was effective in investigating the embodied cognition and we defined this approach as “embodimetrics”.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are molecules present in our everyday life, and they can be positive, such as in the formation of odour and food flavour, or harmful for environment and humans, and the research is focusing on limiting their emissions. Various methods have been used to achieve this purpose. Firstly, we review three main degradation methods: activated carbon, photocatalysis and a synergetic system. We provide a general overview of the operative conditions and report the possibility of VOC abatement during cooking. Within the literature, none of these systems has ever been tested in presence of complex matrices, such as during a cooking process. The aim of this study is to compare the three methods in order to understand the behaviour of filter systems in the case of realistically complex gas mixtures. Proton Transfer Reaction - mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) has been used as real-time monitoring of volatilome. Since VOC emissions are highly dependent on the composition of the food cooked, we evaluated the degradation capacity of the three systems for different burger types (meat, greens and fish). We demonstrate pros and cons of the photocatalysis and adsorption and how a combined approach can mitigate the drawbacks of photocatalysis.

In this paper, the extraction of essential oil (EO) from thyme by consecutive use of ultrasound and microwave treatments is presented. The aim of the study was to apply an ultrasound pre-treatment of thyme leaves to enhance the thymol content and the extraction yield of the EO obtained by microwave-assisted hydro-distillation (MWHD). Compared with the conventional hydro-distillation (CHD), the consecutive use of ultrasound and microwave treatments resulted in a 72% lower extraction time. When the ultrasound pre-treatment (using the ultrasonic processor with an amplitude of 70%) was applied, the EO content was 23% higher compared to the extraction without pre-treatment. The EO samples were analyzed by GC/MS. The results showed that the major component, thymol, varied from 43.54% (by CHD) to 65.94% (by consecutive use of ultrasound and microwave treatments).

Photovoltaic(PV) power generation is highly nonlinear and stochastic. Accurate prediction of PV power generation plays a crucial role in grid connection as well as the operation and scheduling of power plants. To predict the PV power combination model, this paper suggests a method based on Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD), Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN), Nonlinear Auto-Regressive Neural Networks with Exogenous Input (NARXNN), Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) Neural Network, and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) algorithms. To attempt to reduce the non-smoothness of PV power, the weather variable features with the greatest effect on PV power are first identified by correlation analysis. Following this, the PV power modal decomposition is split and reorganized into a new feature matrix. Finally， a NARX is used to obtain preliminary PV power components and residual vector features， and the PV power is predicted by combining three models of LightGBM， LSTM, and NARX and then the final prediction results are obtained by combining the PV power prediction results using error inverse method weighted optimization. The prediction results demonstrate that the model put forth in this paper outperforms those of other models and validate the model's validity by utilizing real measurement data from Andre Agassi College in the United States.

The oncologic disease is a big global health issue that causes thousands of deaths annually, and it has a significant impact in the life quality of patients. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the western world. Delineation of pathogenetic pathways and key driver molecular alterations involved in PCa development has provided a roadmap for the evaluation of biomarkers in predicting disease outcome and to identify potential therapeutic targets. Chemotherapeutic agents introduced from the 1990s include the taxanes (paclitaxel, docetaxel and cabazitaxel), which are the most anticancer drugs used for PCa treatment. This review presents the current knowledge about the onset and development of PCa, state-of-art on the use of taxane-based therapy, and their combination with targeting different transmembrane oncoproteins in PCa. The silencing of some transmembrane proteins can improve taxane sensitivity, and therefore, may be a mechanism to improve the ef-fectiveness of these drugs in PCa treatment. This combined therapy needs to be explored as po-tential therapeutic agent for reducing cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness in PCa.

Fixed offshore wind turbines continue to be developed for high latitude areas where not only wind and wave loads need to be considered, but also moving sea ice. Current rules and regulations for the design of fixed offshore structures in ice-covered waters do not adequately consider effects of ice loading and its stochastic nature on fatigue life of the structure. Ice crushing on such structures results in ice-induced vibrations, which can be represented by loading the structure using a variable-amplitude loading (VAL) sequence. Typical offshore load spectra are developed for wave and wind loading. Thus, a combined VAL spectrum is developed for wind, wave, and ice action. To this goal, numerical models are used to simulate the dynamic ice-, wind-, and wave-structure interaction. The stress time-history at an exemplarily selected critical point in an offshore wind energy monopile support structure is extracted from the model and translated into a VAL sequence, which can then be used as a loading sequence for the fatigue assessment or fatigue testing of welded joints of offshore wind turbine support structures. This study presents the approach to determine combined load spectra and standardized time series for wind, wave, and ice action.

Background: Few studies examined the contributions of childhood adversities, intimate partner violence and social support to antenatal depression (AD). This study aims to 1) evaluate association of these psychosocial factors with AD symptoms in early pregnancy; and 2) examine the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between psychosocial stressors and AD symptoms.Methods: Participants were 120 pregnant women aged from 18 to 49 in less than 16 gestational weeks and attending at Antenatal Care Center at Khon Kaen hospital, Thailand. AD symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Childhood adversities, intimate partner violence and social support were measured using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE questionnaire), Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: We found that the EPDS score was significantly and positively associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negatively with social support. Partial Least Square analysis showed that 49.1% of the variance in the depressive subdomain of the EPDS score was predicted by ACEs, namely psychological and physical abuse and neglect, emotional or physical abuse by the partner, unplanned pregnancy, and no satisfaction with their relationship. The effects of adverse childhood experience due to neglect on the EDPS score was mediated by social support by friends. Limitations: ACEs were assessed retrospectively and, therefore, may be susceptible to recall bias.Conclusion: Prenatal depression scores are to a large extent predicted by psychological distress as indicated by early lifetime trauma, abuse by partner, relation satisfaction, and implications of unintended pregnancy.

An attempt is made to model the atomic nucleus as a combination of bound and free or unbound nucleons. Due to strong interaction, bound nucleons help in increasing nuclear binding energy and due to electroweak interaction, free or unbound nucleons help in decreasing nuclear binding energy. In this context, with reference to proposed 4G model of final unification and strong interaction, recently we have developed a unified nuclear binding energy scheme with four simple terms, one energy coefficient of 10.1 MeV and two small numbers 0.0016 and 0.0019. In this paper, by eliminating the number 0.0019, we try to fine tune the estimation procedure of number of free or unbound nucleons pertaining to the second term with an energy coefficient of 11.9 MeV. It seems that, some kind of electroweak interaction is playing a strange role in maintaining free or unbound nucleons within the nucleus. It is possible to say that, strong interaction plays a vital role in increasing nuclear binding energy and electroweak interaction plays a vital role in reducing nuclear binding energy. Interesting observation is that, Z can be considered as a characteristic representation of range of number of bound isotopes of Z. For medium, heavy and super heavy atoms, beginning and ending mass numbers pertaining to bound states can be understood with 2Z+0.004Z^2 and 3Z+0.004Z^2 respectively. With further study, neutron drip lines can be understood. Based on this kind of data fitting procedure and by considering the mass ratio of pions and electroweak bosons, existence of our 4G model of electroweak fermion of rest energy 584.725 GeV can be confirmed confidently.

Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is a DNA repair pathway required to detect, process, and ligate DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) throughout the cell cycle. The NHEJ pathway is necessary for V(D)J recombination in developing B and T lymphocytes. During NHEJ, Ku70 and Ku80 form a heterodimer that recognizes DSBs and promotes recruitment and function of downstream factors PAXX, MRI, DNA-PKcs, Artemis, XLF, XRCC4, and LIG4. Mutations in several known NHEJ genes result in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Inactivation of Mri, Paxx or Xlf in mice results in normal or mild phenotype, while combined inactivation of Xlf/Mri, Xlf/Paxx, or Xlf/Dna-pkcs leads to late embryonic lethality. Here, we describe three new mouse models. We demonstrate that deletion of Trp53 rescues embryonic lethality in mice with combined deficiencies of Xlf and Mri. Furthermore, Xlf^-/-Mri^-/-Trp53^+/- and Xlf^-/-Paxx^-/-Trp53^+/- mice possess reduced body weight, severely reduced mature lymphocyte counts, and accumulation of progenitor B cells. We also report that combined inactivation of Mri/Paxx results in live-born mice with modest phenotype, and combined inactivation of Mri/Dna-pkcs results in embryonic lethality. Therefore, we conclude that XLF is functionally redundant with MRI and PAXX during lymphocyte development in vivo. Moreover, Mri genetically interacts with Dna-pkcs and Paxx.

Nickel based superalloys finds extensive usage in manufacturing of intricate part shapes in gas turbine, aircraft, submarine, and chemical industries owing their excellent mechanical property and heat resistant abilities. However, machining of such difficult-to-machine alloys up to the desired accuracy and preciseness is a complex task owing to a rapid tool wear and failure. In view of this, present work proposes an experimental investigation and optimization of process parameters of the cryogenic assisted turning process during machining of Nimonic C-263 super alloy with a multilayer CVD insert. Taguchi’s L-27 orthogonal array is used plan the experiments. Effect of input parameters viz. cutting speed (N), cutting feed (f), depth of cut (d) are studied on responses viz. surface roughness (SR), nose wear (NW) and cutting forces (F) under hybrid cryogenic (direct+indirect) machining environment. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis is carried out to explore the post-machining outcomes on the performance measures. The multiple responses are converted in to single response and ranked according to Taguchi based gray relational grade (TGRG). Feed rate (f) is found to be the most influential parameter from the analysis of variance of GRG. The means of GRG for each level of process parameters are used to improve the optimal process parameters further. Finally, the confirmative experiment is performed with these optimal set of process parameters which showed an improvement of 9.34% in the value of GRG. The proposed work can be beneficial to choose ideal process conditions to enhance the performance of turning operation.

Mastectomy and hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy are the first steps in surgical female-to-male (FtM) gender affirmation. We aimed to critically review our experience with the combined approach of hysterectomy/salpingo-oophorectomy and bilateral mastectomy and to focus on intra- and postoperative complications. In a retrospective cohort study, 108 consecutive patients were included who underwent combined hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and bilateral mastectomy in a single operating session, between November 1998 and December 2017. Main outcome measures were operating times and intra- and postoperative courses, including major and minor adverse events. Patients were 28.9 ± 6.7 years of age and revealed a mean BMI of 24.4 ± 4.1 kg/m2. The median total operating time for patients without additional procedures was 237.6 ± 110.3 minutes. Taking all intra- and postoperative complications together, there were eight (7.4%) and 21 (19.4%) patients with major and minor complications, respectively. The most frequent complication was breast hematoma (18/108, 16.7%). There was a completely uneventful intra- and postoperative course in 82 cases (75.9%). In conclusion, for FtM reassignment surgery, the combined hysterectomy / salpingo-oophorectomy and bilateral mastectomy in a single operating session seems to be feasible and safe.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is staple of Pakistani people. However, its yield at farmer field is low as compared with its genetic potential. Integration of various crop and soil management strategies might be an option to enhance wheat productivity at farmer field. This 2-year experiment was conducted to check the influence of combine application of natural plant water extracts and biochar on the productvity of wheat during the winter season of 2015-16. The experiment consisted of seven treatment viz. (1) control (2) application of biochar (0.18 kg pot-1) alone, (3) application of sorghum water extract (SWE) alone, (4) application of moringa water extract (MWE) alone, (5) application of biochar + SWE, (6) application of biochar + MWE, (7) application of biochar + SWE+MWE. The results revealed that application of both crop water extracts in combination with biochar improved the growth and grain yield of wheat. Use of MWE in combination with biochar enhanced the grain weight, grain number and grain yield of wheat by 44, 14, and 24%, respectively than the control treatment. In crux, use of MWE in combination with biochar might be a viable option to improve the productivity of bread wheat.