Browse Articles

Experimental study on the impact of water flow velocity on internal erosion of granite residual soil

Abstract The internal erosion effect causes fine particles in the soil to move through seepage, and the loss of these fine particles leads to changes in porosity, which in turn affects the soil’s hydraulic properties and mechanical performance, posing a threat to the safety of dam and levee engineering. To understand the formation and development of internal erosion under reverse seepage, a simulation test device for internal erosion was designed, and experiments were conducted on three granite residual soil samples with identical soil properties under different water flow speeds (25 L/H, 50 L/H, and 100 L/H). By comparing and analyzing the wetting front, the amount of internal erosion, and the water content, the influence of water flow speed on reverse seepage internal erosion was studied. The results show that under reverse internal erosion, as the water flow speed increases, the internal erosion rate accelerates, as evidenced by the faster advancement of the wetting front and the increase in cumulative internal erosion. As internal erosion develops, the fine particle accumulation curve enters a stable phase. After the soil’s water content reaches its peak, it slightly decreases and then remains relatively stable. Fluctuations in the soil water content occur due to the formation of preferential internal erosion channels or the redeposition of fine particles. The soil particle movement, fine particle loss, and redeposition caused by internal erosion create an internal erosion channel that narrows from the inlet to the outlet.

Damage evolution of Cu-inductors used for electromagnetic forming

Abstract Electromagnetic forming (EMF) is a high-speed forming technology using the interactions of pulsed currents and magnetic fields to apply Lorentz forces to electrically conductive workpieces. The damage behavior of Cu-inductors used for EMF was investigated by electron microscopy, particularly electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The process-specific electrical-thermo-mechanical load leads to plastic deformations on the inductor and melting and re-solidification of grain boundaries. Both weaken the inductor material. Cracks propagate at grain boundaries, where the thermo-mechanical load is concentrated, and become larger after each discharge. As a result, blowholes form, which cause failure of the inductor. Annealing and recrystallization processes as well as local melting at grain boundaries and formation of blowholes due to joule heating are probably the origin of the damage evolution during EMF. Understanding the correlations of these microstructural mechanisms will enable targeted heat treatment for wear-resistant inductors in the future.

Elucidating the impact of soil’s physico-chemical properties and seasonal variation on earthworm distribution in flood-prone areas of Harike wetland, India

Predicting head and neck cancer response to radiotherapy with a chemokine-based model

Abstract Radiotherapy resistance remains a major challenge in Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. This study aimed to develop a chemokine-based model for predicting radiosensitivity in HNSCC using a retrospective analysis of 432 patients from the TCGA database. We identified a model incorporating CXCL2, CCL28, and CCR8 expression that effectively stratified patients into radiosensitive (RS) and radioresistant (RR) groups. Patients in the RS group demonstrated significantly improved overall survival (OS) with radiotherapy, whereas this prognostic advantage was not observed in the non-radiotherapy group. Notably, patients within the RS group with high PD-L1 expression exhibited even better OS and increased immune infiltration, indicating a synergistic relationship between radiosensitivity and PD-L1 expression. Further analyses revealed enrichment of immune-related pathways and higher effector immune cell abundance in the RS group, suggesting greater potential for immunotherapy response. Corroborating these findings, analysis of the GSE40020 cohort showed significant upregulation of CCL28 in patients with complete response compared to those with post-treatment failure. In vitro experiments using radiosensitive and radioresistant Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell lines validated the association between chemokine gene expression and radiosensitivity. Our model provides a valuable tool for identifying HNSCC patients who may benefit from combined treatment strategies incorporating synergistic anti-tumor agents.

An integrated predictive model for Alzheimer’s disease progression from cognitively normal subjects using generated MRI and interpretable AI

Late Miocene speleothems show significant warming, temperate vegetation, and wildfires in Arctic Siberia

Abstract Climate driven northward boreal forest expansion into the tundra biome controlled by permafrost will play a major role in global emissions trajectories. Yet our limited understanding of the interplay between vegetation and permafrost makes predictions of changing boreal forest extent difficult. We analyse fossil pollen, stable carbon isotopes, and lignin and levoglucosan biomarkers from Tortonian speleothems (8.68 ± 0.09 Ma) from the Lena River Delta (N72.27°, E126.94°) in Arctic Siberia to infer palaeotemperature, precipitation, vegetation and fire regimes. The Tortonian provides a potential analogue for near future climate warming under extreme emissions scenarios, with global mean global temperature ca. 4.5°C above modern and atmospheric CO2 concentrations similar to present. We find evidence for a mixed forest regime, capable of maintaining wildfires, in a region currently dominated by tundra. Future transition to a similarly temperate regime would have large-scale impacts on the global carbon cycle.

Optimization of antibacterial and antifungal activities in Moroccan saffron by-products using mixture design and simplex centroid methodology

Supplementation of a new combination of prebiotic and postbiotic shapes fecal microbiota of old dogs while influencing immune parameters

Abstract Healthy senior dogs were subjected for 77 days to a dietary regime with (or without) prebiotic + postbiotic mixture composed by short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and yeast fractions (scFOS+). Their fecal microbiota was studied and the links between the microbiota and immune parameters were investigated after Lyme vaccination. All along the study results showed a clear modulation of the microbiota with a higher relative abundance (RA) for Megamonas spp., Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroidetes plebeius, Clostridiales, Phascolarctobacterium, Succinivibrionaceae, Fusobacterium spp. in feces from scFOS + dogs. An amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) index (Enterobacteriaceae + Clostridium spiroforme vs. Fusobacterium + Megamonas) was developed and found significantly different between the groups with scFOS + dogs showing a lower index suggesting a possible modulation of the physico-chemical environment in the gut, favoring the growth of strict anaerobes producing short-chain fatty acids. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) analysis revealed stimulation of propionate and acetate production pathways, vitamin biosynthesis (vitamin B2, B5 and B9 precursors) and pathways related to tricarboxylic acid cycle in the scFOS + group. The RA of several ASVs from Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria families were found moderately negatively correlated to IgA and IgG concentrations (P < 0.05). In particular, Megamonas and Phascolarctobacterium appeared as interest genera. In summary, scFOS + is a good candidate to support the health of elderly dogs through microbiota changes. Metabolomics or in vitro mechanistic experiments will be crucial to further understand the mechanisms at play.

Thermal radiation effects on nanofluid flow over a vertical cone in the presence of pressure work

Abstract This study examines the effect of thermal radiation on nanofluid flow and heat transfer over a truncated cone in the presence of pressure work, a problem critical for thermal management and industrial cooling systems. Using similarity transformations, the governing equations are converted into coupled nonlinear partial differential equations and solved numerically via the Legendre collocation method. It gives a high degree of consistency between the proposed numerical solutions and the results previously reported under specific cases. The Prandtl number, pressure work parameter, radiation parameter, and nanoparticle volume fraction all have a major impact on flow and thermal behavior, according to the main results. Nanofluids enhance the transfer of heat by 10–40% when compared to pure fluid, cooling speeds up, and surface strength and hardness improve. Also, the kinds of nanofluid and the parameters related to the volume percentage of nanoparticles are crucial in determining the flow behavior. The surface mechanical properties are advanced by using 10% nanoparticle nanofluid rather than 5%. It has been discovered that the strength and hardness of the surface will enhance with an increase in the pressure work parameter when employing Cu-water nanofluid, but they will decrease with an increase in the thermal radiation parameter values. The novelty of this work lies in the application of the Legendre collocation method to this problem, along with new quantitative insights into how pressure work and radiation interact with nanofluids, providing practical guidelines for optimizing thermal and mechanical performance in industrial systems.

Soybean reproductive physiology as affected by sublethal rates of auxin mimic herbicides

Subcellular and macrostructural immediate responders to airblast traumatic brain injury

Hematological analysis of alpha-thalassemia: A single-center, retrospective clinical study

Objectives To determine the optimal cutoffs of the three indicators (MCV, MCH and HbA2) for alpha-thalassemia screening and to evaluate the validity of these indicators in Fujian Province, China. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis on the results of specimens received from May 2016 to April 2023. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to confirm the optimal cutoffs of the screening indicators. And the effectiveness of different combined screening methods was evaluated in patients with and without alpha-thalassemia. Results The optimal cutoffs of MCV, MCH, and HbA2 were 77.85, 27.05 and 2.55, respectively. Among them, the area under the ROC curve of MCH was 0.912, and it was the best of the three parameters used for alpha-thalassemia screening. Conclusions The results can help clinicians and laboratory technicians perform genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for patients. It also provide a reference for alpha-thalassemia genotype distributions in our region and the optimal cutoff values of MCV, MCH and HbA2.

Correction: Causes of delays in construction projects in the Province of Aceh, Indonesia

Evaluation of an alternative positive control strain of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium for microbial assays

Officially certified microbiological testing methods utilize positive control strains to enhance experimental reproducibility and ensure standardized procedures among experimenters. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 14028 is designated as a positive control strain for microbiological testing by the International Organization for Standardization, the Korean Pharmacopoeia, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) foodborne investigation methods. However, using such foreign strains involves complicated import procedures and significant financial burdens. In this study, we aimed to select a domestic isolate strain that can replace S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028. The target strains used were S. Typhimurium strains preserved in the Korean Culture Collection for foodborne pathogens (MFDS). To confirm the equivalent characteristics between the candidate strains and the positive control strain, biochemical and molecular characterization were performed according to the methods specified in ISO test methods, the Food Code, and the MFDS food poisoning investigation methods. After biochemical and molecular biological analyses on 19 S. Typhimurium strains, only those exhibiting equivalent characteristics underwent whole-genome sequencing. In the biochemical characterization, two strains showed different results in the citrate utilization test. Excluding these, the remaining 17 strains were subjected to molecular analysis (PCR), and all showed identical genetic profiles to the positive control strain. Ultimately, whole-genome sequencing of the 17 selected candidate strains revealed that strains 1004022 and 1004023 shared the same sequence type (ST19) as S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028, exhibited fewer than 20 SNPs, and showed 99.94% genomic homology. Therefore, S. Typhimurium MFDS 1004022 and 1004023 were proposed as suitable domestic alternative to the imported strain. It is anticipated that the distribution of these alternative strains to microbiological testing laboratories will contribute to food safety management by supporting microbial testing and analysis.

Effect of random terms on the shape of dendrites analyzed by the phase-field model

In this study, we focus on random terms with a significant effect on the calculation time and the sidebranch structure of dendrites. We quantitatively evaluate the effect of the random terms on dendrites by changing the term introduced into the evaluation equation, the distribution of the random term, and variance. We introduced the terms: χ and ∇·q. In the phase-field equation, we use χ to represent interfacial noise. In the heat conduction equation, we use ∇·q to represent thermal noise. We compare the results of calculation using only χ with those using only ∇·q and analyze the effect of each random term introduced on the shape of dendrites. In terms of the probability distribution for generating random numbers, the uniform and Gaussian distributions are used for comparison. The magnitude of the noise Fu, which controls the variance of noise, is used with 3 or 4 patterns of values to the extent that the calculation results do not diverge. Each value of Fu differs by a factor of 10. Sidebranch length, contour length, and area are used as indices for evaluating dendrites. The succinonitril is used for comparing the simulation and experimental results for dendrites to design the optimal random number model. On the basis of the introduced terms, we clarify that each term requires a different order of the variance. The probability density function of random numbers does not affect the shape of dendrites. On the other hand, the calculation time which is used the random numbers following the uniform distribution is more than twice as fast as when using random numbers that follow a Gaussian distribution. The variance of a random term has the greatest effect on the shape of dendrites.

Incidental findings on non-contrast abdominal computed tomography in an asymptomatic population: Prevalence, economic and health implications

Introduction Increasing use of low-dose abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans in clinical diagnostics and research offers high sensitivity for kidney stones with minimal radiation exposure. However, due to reduced specificity, incidental findings potentially lead to unnecessary follow-up, financial burden, and psychological distress. Gaps of knowledge remain regarding the prevalence of incidental findings and their financial and psychological consequences. This study investigates the prevalence of incidental findings in asymptomatic participants undergoing low-dose non-contrast CT scans and their economic and psychological sequelae. Methods We conducted a retrospective, multicentric observational study using data from the assessment for the control group of the Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (SKSC). Low-dose non-contrast CT scans were analyzed for incidental findings, cost and psychological impact. Statistical analyses evaluated participant characteristics, financial and psychological consequences. Results 229 participants underwent low-dose non-contrast CT scans, with 112 correctly completing the psychological questionnaires. The mean age was 42.9 years, and 56.3% were male. Incidental findings were observed in 47.2% (n = 108) of participants, with 16.6% having multiple findings. Kidney-related findings were the most prevalent, accounting for 35% of all findings. Of the incidental findings, 37.9% were classified as “incidentalomas” by the American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines, and 15.7% of participants had findings that warranted follow-up according to radiology reports. In terms of costs, follow-up procedures, including imaging, consultations, and surgeries, incurred a total expense of 44’988 CHF, averaging 1967 CHF per participant and 2’999 CHF per incidental finding requiring follow-up. Surgical interventions were necessary for three participants, with individual costs reaching up to 35’208 CHF. Psychological assessment revealed that emotional distress and level of concern significantly differed across resilience levels and categories of CT findings. Participants with high resilience demonstrated lower emotional distress and concern, while those with CT findings requiring follow-up exhibited higher distress. Emotional distress was significantly greater in participants with follow-up findings compared to those without. Conclusions Low-dose non-contrast abdominal CT scans often reveal incidental findings. Follow-up tests and procedures incurred significant financial costs, occasionally even leading to unnecessary surgical or non-surgical interventions. Psychological assessments showed increased anxiety in participants requiring follow-up, particularly those with low resilience. Our findings highlight the need for improved management, patient information, and consideration of economic and psychological impacts of incidental findings in clinical research and routine in the future.

Historical availability of arable land affects contemporaneous female labor and health outcomes

We contribute to the understanding of mechanisms underlying deep-rooted gender norms by exploring the link between the historical availability of arable land and contemporary gender outcomes. We argue that an abundance of arable land in historical times, i.e., pre-industrial period, required more workers in the fields resulting in norms where women worked and contributed from outside the home as well. Consequently, these societies emphasized women’s health due to its positive effect on their productivity in the fields. Moreover, this economic contribution provided women greater bargaining power in the allocation of intrahousehold resources. The historical avail- ability of arable land for a nation is measured as the weighted mean of the shares of its constituent ethnic groups’ ancestral lands suited to cereal agriculture. Consistent with these arguments, we show that countries with more ancestral arable land have higher female labor force participation rates and better health outcomes, measured by maternal mortality ratio and female-male life expectancy gap. We then illustrate the ‘persistence of norm’ mechanism, by showing that ancestral arable land measured at the district level is positively associated with individual-level attitudes regarding women’s participation in the labor market.

Zero-shot performance analysis of large language models in sumrate maximization

Large language models have revolutionized the field of natural language processing and are now becoming a one-stop solution to various tasks. In the field of Networking, LLMs can also play a major role when it comes to resource optimization and sharing. While Sumrate maximization has been a crucial factor for resource optimization in the networking domain, the optimal or sub-optimal algorithms it requires can be cumbersome to comprehend and implement. An effective solution is leveraging the generative power of LLMs for such tasks where there is no necessity for prior algorithmic and programming knowledge. A zero-shot analysis of these models is necessary to define the feasibility of using them in such tasks. Using different combinations of total cellular users and total D2D pairs, our empirical results suggest that the maximum average efficiency of these models for sumrate maximization in comparison to state-of-the-art approaches is around 58%, which is obtained using GPT. The experiment also concludes that some variants of the large language models currently in use are not suitable for numerical and structural data without fine-tuning their parameters.

Correction: Farmland increases Indian crested porcupine occupancy in Parsa-Koshi complex, Nepal

Features of drug addiction treatment programs in Atlantic Canada that help (or not) with access and retention: A qualitative study

Access to government-funded addiction treatment programs can reduce harms experienced by people who use substances (PWUS). There is some research on what features (e.g., policies and practices) of treatment programs help or do not help with access; however, not much is known about program directors’ and physicians’ perspectives of these features in Atlantic Canada. One-on-one semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with program directors and physicians working in government-funded addiction treatment programs in Atlantic Canada in 2021. Interview questions focused on perspectives of program features that helped or not with access and retention, including perspectives on changes due to COVID-19. Data were coded and analyzed using grounded theory techniques to develop themes and subthemes. Fourteen individuals were interviewed. They identified several features that helped (e.g., quick access) or did not help (e.g., wait times) with access and retention. Participants shared some features that changed due to COVID-19, including some that helped (e.g., virtual services) and did not (e.g., limited program spaces). Participants suggested changes that could support access and retention, including better linkages to mental health supports. This paper highlights program directors’ and physicians’ perspectives on how program features inform access and retention in Atlantic Canada. Findings on changes made during COVID-19 point to the need to maintain the changes that were helpful and implement additional changes to better support access for more PWUS. To support the implementation and sustainability of these changes, more resources must be invested.