bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonographic Appearance of Gallbladder Neoplasia in 14 Dogs and 1 Cat
Authors: MacLeod Alexandra N. , Reichle Jean K. , Szabo David , Cohen Eli B. , Artiles Charles , Fulkerson Caroline V , Kurihara Manabu , Mattoon John
Published: March 2023

Ultrasonography is the most commonly used diagnostic imaging tool for gallbladder disease in veterinary medicine. Primary gallbladder neoplasia is an uncommon finding with variable prognosis for which no studies have been published describing their ultrasonographic appearance and diagnosis. This retrospective, multicenter, case series study examines the ultrasonographic appearance of gallbladder neoplasia with histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnoses. A total of 14 dogs and 1 cat were analyzed. All discrete masses were sessile in shape and varied in size, echogenicity, location, and gallbladder wall thickening. All studies with images showing Doppler interrogation exhibited vascularity. Cholecystoliths were an uncommon finding, being present in only one case in this study, unlike in humans. The final diagnosis of the gallbladder neoplasia was neuroendocrine carcinoma (8), leiomyoma (3), lymphoma (1), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (1), extrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (1), and adenoma (1). Findings from this study indicate that primary gallbladder neoplasms have variable sonographic appearances and cytologic and histologic diagnoses.
On the end of evolution – Humankind and the annihilation of species
Authors: Glaubrecht Matthias
Published: March 2023

For too long and with ever‐increasing ferocity during the past decades of an exponentially growing human world population, humankind has been waging a genuine war against nature, of which we ourselves are nevertheless also a part. We are plundering the unique biological treasure, the diversity of species, without which the ecosystems we rely on for our food, our water and so much more would not function. At present, we are already in the midst of a massive decline of populations and species, with a significantly higher extinction rate than the long‐term average. Driven essentially by habitat loss and degradation, direct exploitation through legal and illegal hunting and fishing as well as pesticides and pollution, within decades, 1 million species out of a total of 8 million could go extinct. Alongside climate change, this dramatic decay of biodiversity, that involves also the subsequent loss of ecosystem services, here termed ‘the end of evolution’, is another and by no means lesser threat to humanity. We can still take countermeasures, but we must transform our economy and change our way of living. As most successful strategy the protection of up to 30% of Earth's surface by 2030 was suggested, ideally based on the implementation of a consistent framework of global ecosystems, as it was agreed on by the December 2022 United Nations Conference of Parties (COP15) Montreal meeting for the Conservation on Biological Diversity.
La fe cristiana en tiempos de la posmodernidad: desafíos para la construcción epistémica del saber teológico
Authors: Wolff Elias
Published: March 2023

La teología se caracteriza como un conocimiento de la fe contextualizado en los espacios y tiempos en que viven las comunidades de fe, con el propósito de justificar la fe de las comunidades y orientar su experiencia en la interacción con las características socioculturales de cada época. De esta forma, la episteme teológica sigue los cambios que se dan en los tiempos y en los contextos de la comunidad de fe, y estos cambios inciden siempre en la hermenéutica y en las experiencias de fe.El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el momento actual, que por el fin de una era, la modernidad, y la configuración de una nueva, por muchos denominada posmodernidad, cuyas características inciden directamente en la estructura epistémica de la fe cristiana. El método es el análisis cualitativo de la bibliografía, que muestra cómo en el contexto de la posmodernidad no solo se afirma la verdad, sino también el cuestionamiento de si alguna verdad es posible; incluso hay quienes concluyen un vínculo intrínseco entre “posmodernidad” y “posverdad”, que señalaría también el hoy como una época de “posreligión”.Se concluye que la teología, como narradora de la verdad de la fe, necesita confrontar tales tendencias, buscando recoger su contribución al conocimiento de la fe cristiana. De ahí surgen demandas de cambios en la estructura epistémica de la fe; la sustitución del objeto de la teología; la sensibilidad a nuevas expresiones de apertura a lo trascendente; y nuevas orientaciones que dan nuevo sentido a los temas permanentes de la fe cristiana. De esta manera, la posmodernidad ofrece nuevas posibilidades para la teología de hoy.
Offshore Logistics: Scenario Planning and Installation Modeling of Floating Offshore Wind Projects
Authors: Torres Esperanza Susana , Thies Philipp R. , Lawless Mark
Published: March 2023

The offshore installation, logistics, and commissioning activities are currently estimated to make up 20% to 30% of the capital expenditures (CAPEX) of offshore wind projects. Technical and geographical factors affect both the CAPEX during construction and the installation schedule, such as a lack of supporting port infrastructure, the availability of specialized vessels, the distance from the wind farm to shore, accessibility, water depths, and seabed conditions. In addition, there are significant risks during the construction phase, such as uncertain durations due to the sensitivity of marine operations to weather conditions. Identifying supply chain requirements is critical in the early stages of project planning in order to avoid time delays and cost overruns during the transport and installation process. This study explores and analyzes the logistic requirements and installation methods of a floating offshore wind (FOW) technology. Using an advanced forecasting and decision support tool, realistic case scenarios are simulated at a variety of potential sites for FOW deployment across the UK. Technical risks associated with installation strategies are identified and classified. The results provide a comparison of key installation performance indicators of each case scenario (e.g., installation rate per wind turbine, weather downtime). This study is of interest to researchers, offshore wind project developers, service providers, and other key stakeholders seeking to optimize planning and logistics to drive down CAPEX costs, reduce the construction downtime, and minimize risks during marine operations.
“The Best Teacher Is Also a Student”: Improving Qualitative Research Literacy by Learning From My Mistakes
Authors: Hoeber Larena
Published: March 2023

This article is based on the 2022 Earle F. Zeigler Lecture Award that I presented in Atlanta, Georgia. For this paper, I reflect upon my career as a qualitative sport management researcher, with a specific focus on the mistakes I have made. I have two objectives with this paper. One objective is to advocate for continued learning about and rethinking how we conduct qualitative research. The second objective is to highlight ways in which we, as a field, can improve our qualitative research literacy. In the paper, I discuss eight learnings on the topics of ontologies and epistemologies, research designs, themes, pseudonyms, rigor, generalizability, positionality, and the publisher SAGE. In learning from my mistakes, we can be better consumers, producers, and evaluators of qualitative research.
Philopatry yields higher fitness than dispersal in a cooperative breeder with sex-specific life history trajectories
Authors: Jungwirth Arne , Zöttl Markus , Bonfils Danielle , Josi Dario , Frommen Joachim G. , Taborsky Michael
Published: March 2023

Social evolution is tightly linked to dispersal decisions, but the ecological and social factors selecting for philopatry or dispersal often remain obscure. Elucidating selection mechanisms underlying alternative life histories requires measurement of fitness effects in the wild. We report on a long-term field study of 496 individually marked cooperatively breeding fish, showing that philopatry is beneficial as it increases breeding tenure and lifetime reproductive success in both sexes. Dispersers predominantly join established groups and end up in smaller groups when they ascend to dominance. Life history trajectories are sex specific, with males growing faster, dying earlier, and dispersing more, whereas females more likely inherit a breeding position. Increased male dispersal does not seem to reflect an adaptive preference but rather sex-specific differences in intrasexual competition. Cooperative groups may thus be maintained because of inherent benefits of philopatry, of which females seem to get the greater share in social cichlids.
Cryo-EM structures of human SPCA1a reveal the mechanism of Ca
2+
/Mn
2+
transport into the Golgi apparatus
Authors: Chen Zhenghao , Watanabe Satoshi , Hashida Hironori , Inoue Michio , Daigaku Yasukazu , Kikkawa Masahide , Inaba Kenji
Published: March 2023

Secretory pathway Ca
2+
/Mn
2+
ATPase 1 (SPCA1) actively transports cytosolic Ca
2+
and Mn
2+
into the Golgi lumen, playing a crucial role in cellular calcium and manganese homeostasis. Detrimental mutations of the
ATP2C1
gene encoding SPCA1 cause Hailey-Hailey disease. Here, using nanobody/megabody technologies, we determined cryo–electron microscopy structures of human SPCA1a in the ATP and Ca
2+
/Mn
2+
-bound (E1-ATP) state and the metal-free phosphorylated (E2P) state at 3.1- to 3.3-Å resolutions. The structures revealed that Ca
2+
and Mn
2+
share the same metal ion–binding pocket with similar but notably different coordination geometries in the transmembrane domain, corresponding to the second Ca
2+
-binding site in sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
-ATPase (SERCA). In the E1-ATP to E2P transition, SPCA1a undergoes similar domain rearrangements to those of SERCA. Meanwhile, SPCA1a shows larger conformational and positional flexibility of the second and sixth transmembrane helices, possibly explaining its wider metal ion specificity. These structural findings illuminate the unique mechanisms of SPCA1a-mediated Ca
2+
/Mn
2+
transport.
Flaw-insensitive fatigue resistance of chemically fixed collagenous soft tissues
Authors: Zeng Liangsong , Liu Fengkai , Yu Qifeng , Jin Chenyu , Yang Jian , Suo Zhigang , Tang Jingda
Published: March 2023

Bovine pericardium (BP) has been used as leaflets of prosthetic heart valves. The leaflets are sutured on metallic stents and can survive 400 million flaps (~10-year life span), unaffected by the suture holes. This flaw-insensitive fatigue resistance is unmatched by synthetic leaflets. We show that the endurance strength of BP under cyclic stretch is insensitive to cuts as long as 1 centimeter, about two orders of magnitude longer than that of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The flaw-insensitive fatigue resistance of BP results from the high strength of collagen fibers and soft matrix between them. When BP is stretched, the soft matrix enables a collagen fiber to transmit tension over a long length. The energy in the long length dissipates when the fiber breaks. We demonstrate that a BP leaflet greatly outperforms a TPU leaflet. It is hoped that these findings will aid the development of soft materials for flaw-insensitive fatigue resistance.
Regulation of 3′ splice site selection after step 1 of splicing by spliceosomal C* proteins
Authors: Dybkov Olexandr , Preußner Marco , El Ayoubi Leyla , Feng Vivi-Yun , Harnisch Caroline , Merz Kilian , Leupold Paula , Yudichev Peter , Agafonov Dmitry E. , Will Cindy L. , Girard Cyrille , Dienemann Christian , Urlaub Henning , Kastner Berthold , Heyd Florian , Lührmann Reinhard
Published: March 2023

Alternative precursor messenger RNA splicing is instrumental in expanding the proteome of higher eukaryotes, and changes in 3′ splice site (3'ss) usage contribute to human disease. We demonstrate by small interfering RNA–mediated knockdowns, followed by RNA sequencing, that many proteins first recruited to human C* spliceosomes, which catalyze step 2 of splicing, regulate alternative splicing, including the selection of alternatively spliced NAGNAG 3′ss. Cryo–electron microscopy and protein cross-linking reveal the molecular architecture of these proteins in C* spliceosomes, providing mechanistic and structural insights into how they influence 3'ss usage. They further elucidate the path of the 3′ region of the intron, allowing a structure-based model for how the C* spliceosome potentially scans for the proximal 3′ss. By combining biochemical and structural approaches with genome-wide functional analyses, our studies reveal widespread regulation of alternative 3′ss usage after step 1 of splicing and the likely mechanisms whereby C* proteins influence NAGNAG 3′ss choices.
Lane nucleation in complex active flows
Authors: Bacik Karol A. , Bacik Bogdan S. , Rogers Tim
Published: March 2023

Laning is a paradigmatic example of spontaneous organization in active two-component flows that has been observed in diverse contexts, including pedestrian traffic, driven colloids, complex plasmas, and molecular transport. We introduce a kinetic theory that elucidates the physical origins of laning and quantifies the propensity for lane nucleation in a given physical system. Our theory is valid in the low-density regime, and it makes different predictions about situations in which lanes may form that are not parallel with the direction of flow. We report on experiments with human crowds that verify two notable consequences of this phenomenon: tilting lanes under broken chiral symmetry and lane nucleation along elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic curves in the presence of sources or sinks.
A New Species of Golden Loach (genus Sabanejewia, Cobitidae) from the Sea of Azov Basin
Authors: Vasil’eva E. D. , Vasil’ev V. P.
Published: March 2023

A new species of golden loach is described from the Don River basin. This species is distinguished from all other Sabanejewia species by the following set of characters: a midlateral row of relatively large 9–16 (more often 13–14) dark blotches along flank usually well developed; no black line along flank; interspaces between midlateral blotches usually with dark pigmentation; some individuals with uniform dark lateral coloration; dorsal fin origin usually in front of pelvic fin origin; body relatively low: body depth noticeably less than the length of the caudal peduncle, usually does not reach 17% standard length—SL, it is contained more than 6 times in SL; dorsal adipose crest on caudal peduncle very weakly developed, ventral crest poorly visible; two black spots at caudal fin base usually merge with each other. Previously, this species was considered conspecific for S. baltica distributed in the Black and Baltic Sea basins, but recent phylogenetic studies have shown that they belong to separate mtDNA phylogenetic lineages.
Chronic cannabis use is associated with altered monocyte phenotype, immune response, and depression in physically active individuals
Authors: Lisano Jonathon K. , Kisiolek Jacob , Flores Victoria , Smoak Peter , Pullen Nicholas A. , Stewart Laura K.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: This study evaluated depression, monocyte phenotype, and immune function in physically active cannabis users. Methods: Participants ( N = 23) were classified as either cannabis users (CU, n = 11) or non-users (NU, n = 12). White blood cells isolated from blood were analyzed for co-expression of cluster of differentiation 14 and 16 using flow cytometry. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was cultured with whole blood and assessed for interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) release. Results: The percentage of white blood cells classified as monocytes was not different between groups; however, CU had a significantly greater percentage of monocytes classified as intermediate ( p = 0.02). When standardized per milliliter of blood, CU had significantly greater numbers of total monocytes ( p = 0.01), classical monocytes ( p = 0.02), and intermediate monocytes ( p = 0.01). Intermediate monocytes per milliliter of blood were positively correlated to the number of times CU used cannabis per day ( r = 0.864, p < 0.01) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score ( r = 0.475, p = 0.03), which was significantly greater in CU (5.1 ± 4.8) compared with NU (0.8 ± 1.0; p < 0.01). CU released significantly less TNF-α per monocyte in response to LPS. Conclusions: CU had altered monocyte phenotypes and functions compared with NU. Elevations in intermediate monocytes were positively correlated with measures of cannabis use and BDI-II score.
Validation of wind measurements from a multirotor RPAS-mounted ultrasonic wind sensor using a ground-based LiDAR system
Authors: Scicluna Leo , Sant Tonio , Farrugia Robert N.
Published: March 2023

The aim of this research was to establish the validity of wind measurements from on board a multirotor Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) for the purposes of wind monitoring applications. A custom-built hexacopter RPAS recorded wind speed and direction by means of an onboard ultrasonic wind sensor, whilst operating in the inherently highly stochastic nature of open field atmospheric conditions. Experimental data were collected during open field hovering flights subject to different ambient conditions with free stream horizontal wind speeds reaching up to 12 m/s. Flights were conducted at different altitudes above ground level and in proximity to a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) remote wind measurement unit that was used as a low-resolution reference meteorological station. Very good correlation was obtained between the RPAS and LiDAR unit for both wind speed and wind direction measurements across all hovering flight altitudes. The RPAS-based wind speed measurements were found to have a consistent 1 m/s positive offset, whilst the RPAS-based wind direction readings had a 6.16° negative offset. These were potentially caused by differences in the localized wind fields between the LiDAR and RPAS measuring positions, as well as by localized RPAS rotor-induced air flows for wind speed measurements and potential slight misalignments in the instruments’ reference datum for wind direction readings.
Numerical study of thermal performance of yield stress rheological liquid under suspension of hybrid nanostructures: The finite element approach
Authors: Asim Muhammad , Rafiq Shahid , Mustahsan Muhammad , Khan M. Ijaz , Boujelbene Mohamed , Boudjemline Attia , Chaudhry Imran Ali , Elbadawi Isam
Published: March 2023

Enhancement of heat transfer employing nanofluids, studied numerically, observed profound effects in thermophysical and theological properties used in various applications such as avionics, laser diode, rocket nozzels and microelectronics. In this paper, the influence of thermal radiations and hybrid nanoparticles on free convection flow and heat transfer of Casson hybrid nanofluid over vertical plate is investigated. A mixture of pure water and ethylene glycol has been considered as a base Casson fluid while Copper oxide ([Formula: see text]) as nanofluid (single kind) and, Copper oxide ([Formula: see text]) and Silicon dioxide ([Formula: see text]) (double kind known as hybrid nanofluid) are disseminated in base Casson fluid mixture to be formed as hybrid nanofluid. The governing system of partial differential equations of the flow and heat transfer processes is converted to a system of well-posed coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using the similarity transformations. The resulting system is solved using the Galerkin finite element (GFE) technique. The quadratic Lagrange polynomials are used as basis functions over the mesh of about 1000 to 2000 finite elements and the nonlinear system of order 6003 and upto 12003 is solved. The accuracy of developed numerical methods is confirmed by comparing their results with convection flow and heat transfer with nanoparticles. Thereafter, the said solutions are used to investigate the effects of thermal radiation, hybrid nanoparticle volume friction, Prandtl number, type of flow and heat transfer behavior. The innovative results of the present study reported higher velocities in suspensions with low sphericity particles and the radiation parameter is directly proportional to the temperature with the use of nano and hybrid nanoparticles. It has also been noted that the GFE method is a more stable numerical technique as compared with other existing analytic and semi-analytical methods.
Hydromagnetic flow of magnetite–water nanofluid utilizing adapted Buongiorno model
Authors: Mebarek-Oudina F. , Preeti  , Sabu A. S. , Vaidya H. , Lewis R. W. , Areekara S. , Mathew A. , Ismail A. I.
Published: March 2023

The hydromagnetic flow of magnetite–water nanofluid due to a rotating stretchable disk has been numerically assessed. The nanofluid flow has been modeled utilizing the adapted Buongiorno model that considers the volume fraction-dependent effective nanofluid properties and the major slip mechanisms. In addition, experimentally gleaned functions of effective dynamic viscosity and effective thermal conductivity are deployed. The modeled equations are transformed into a first-order ODEs scheme employing Von Kármán’s similarity conversions and then resolved via the Runge–Kutta algorithm through the shooting technique. The impact of pertinent terms over the physical quantities, nanoliquid temperature and nanoliquid concentration is explained with the support of graphs. Results show that rising volume fraction of magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) and magnetic field term enhance the drag force. Mass transport rate is demoted with augmenting values of magnetic field parameter whereas is promoted with increase in Schmidt number. Further, it is detected that the changes in stretching strength parameter are directly proportional to Nusselt number and inversely proportional to the thermal field. The findings of this numerical analysis have applications in spin coating, rotating disk reactors, storage devices for computers, food processing, and rotating heat exchangers.
Dual-mode nonlinear Schrödinger equation (DMNLSE): Lie group analysis, group invariant solutions, and conservation laws
Authors: Kopçasız Bahadır , Yaşar Emrullah
Published: March 2023

This paper proposed a novel dual-mode nonlinear Schrödinger equation (DMNLSE) with cubic law. The DMNLSE describes the propagations of two moving waves simultaneously. This nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) model appears in different areas of physics, including nonlinear optics, plasma physics, superconductivity, and quantum mechanics. In the context of photonics, NLSE models the propagation of soliton pulses through inter-continental distances. In this study, the Lie symmetry procedure is successfully utilized on the DMNLSE to discover the infinitesimal generators using the invariance condition. Then, we transform the DMNLSE into an ordinary differential equation (ODE) employing accepted generators and similarity reduction concepts. Later, we consider conservation laws for the DMNLSE. Thanks to the multiplier technique, the conserved quantities’ densities and fluxes are discovered. With the aid of the Mathematica package program, 3D, contour, and density graphs were drawn for the special values of the parameters in the solutions, and the physical structures of the solutions obtained in this way were also observed.
A new superposition between lump, breather and line waves of the (2+1)-dimensional generalized Korteweg–de Vries equation in fluid mechanics
Authors: Ma Hongcai , Yue Shupan , Deng Aiping
Published: March 2023

This paper focuses on a new superposition between a single lump wave, breather waves and line solitons of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional generalized Korteweg–de Vries (gKdV) equation. After deriving the N-soliton solutions, a new constraint, the long-wave limit and mode resonance method are used to construct a new hybrid solution. Further, a new velocity resonance condition is proposed to obtain a velocity resonance solution consisting of a single lump wave, a line soliton and breather waves, which remains relatively stationary and form a new bound state. It is worth pointing out that in most of the previous literature, lump wave and other waves will separate after they collide, but this paper derives a different result.
Effect of gamma irradiation and Dy atoms on the thermal conductivity of TlInSe2 crystals
Authors: Verdieva N. A. , Jafarov M. B. , Rzayev R. M. , Naghiyev T. G.
Published: March 2023

TlInSe2 crystals were grown by Bridgman method. The thermal conductivity coefficient was studied in the temperature range of 80–600[Formula: see text]K, along and perpendicular to the parallelepiped sample layers. The corresponding parameters of the TlInSe2 crystal were calculated based on the performed experiments. The results of the performed analysis have shown that the theoretical calculations and experimental results are of the same order, while the obtained and calculated values differ from each other by a factor of two. The temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity coefficient of TlIn[Formula: see text]DyxSe2 solid solutions is also studied. Moreover, effect of the gamma irradiation on the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of the TlInSe2 crystals were studied.
Research on the vibration characteristics of an embedded elastic metamaterial plate
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Keyi , Xu Yongchun , Shu Haisheng , Wang Xingguo
Published: March 2023

For a class of embedded elastic metamaterial plate, a general vibration analysis process is given based on the idea of equivalent analysis, which combines the equivalent medium theory and the classical thin plate vibration theory. The embedded elastic metamaterial plate is treated as an equivalent homogeneous plate with abnormal effective medium parameters by using the equivalent medium theory, and then the natural vibration characteristics and steady-state vibration characteristics are investigated. The results show that the semi-analytic form of the vibration analysis process is effective, which can obtain the vibration characteristics of such heterogeneous and complex structures quickly and accurately within the medium and low frequency regions. The results also reveal the plate’s anomalous behaviors that are quite different from the traditional homogeneous plates. For the natural vibration, there exists no natural frequency in the band gap and they can be formed only in the pass band. These modes tend to gather gradually when approaching the initial frequency of the band gap, and the closer to the lower band edge of the band gap, the smaller the distance between natural frequencies and the greater the modal density. Additionally, the modes of the corresponding orders before and after the band gap are identical on the macro level but completely different on the unit-cell level. For the steady-state vibration, there is no resonance peak in the band gap, the resonance peaks are distributed denser and denser when approaching the initial frequency of the band gap, and the distribution of the displacement field at corresponding order of resonance peaks before and after the band gap is also similar on the macro level. This work not only facilitates the design and analysis of elastic metamaterial plate structures, but also deepens the understanding of their extraordinary vibration characteristics and expands the design space of mode characteristics.
A PERMEABILITY HYSTERESIS MODEL FOR FRACTAL POROUS MEDIA BASED ON ELASTIC-STRUCTURAL DEFORMATION OF CAPILLARY CROSS SECTION
Authors: XU RONGHE , WANG LIQIN , ZHAO XIAOLI , CHI JIE
Published: March 2023

Permeability hysteresis under cyclic pressure loading and unloading has received a lot of attention in both science and engineering. But most of the existing model is only for a one-time pressure cycle. Therefore, a permeability hysteresis model is established based on the theory of elastic-structural deformation of capillary cross section and the fractal theory of porous media. Both the triangular and quadrilateral structures are considered. The stress sensitivity of structural deformation decreases with the increase in the cycle. The porosity hysteresis can also be predicted by the proposed model. Compared with experimental data with different permeability hysteresis, the prediction of the proposed model is consistent with the experimental results. Compared with other models, the proposed model has a smaller average error and a better agreement with experimental data. The proposed model can predict the permeability hysteresis under not only a one-time pressure cycle like the existing model but also multiple pressure cycles. The influence of parameters shows that the decrease in Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the solid cluster increases the permeability stress sensitivity but does not influence the permeability hysteresis. The increase in the proportion of quadrilateral structure and stress sensitivity of structural deformation increases the permeability hysteresis and stress sensitivity at the same time, while the capillary fractal dimension, tortuosity fractal dimension, and the decay rate of stress sensitivity of structural deformation during the cycles show the opposite. The proposed model has a significant meaning in underground resource mining and the study of permeability hysteresis mechanism.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FDM-BASED NYLON CARBON PARTS USING ANN APPROACH
Authors: BALAJI N. S. , VELMURUGAN C. , SARAVANA KUMAR M. , SIVAKUMAR M. , ASOKAN P.
Published: March 2023

The implementation of the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique in the production system is mainly due to its flexibility and ability to fabricate complex 3D prototypes and geometries. However, the mechanical strength of the printed parts needs to be investigated which was influenced by the process parameters such as layer thickness (LT), raster angle (RA), and Infill Density (ID). Therefore, these process parameters need to be optimized to attain better mechanical strength from the FDM printed parts. In this research, ePA-CF filament material was used to fabricate the specimens based on the selected process parameters such as LT (0.07, 0.14, and 0.20[Formula: see text]mm), RA (0∘, 45∘, and 90∘) and ID (50%, 75%, and 100%). The artificial neural network (ANN) method was implemented to determine the influential printing process parameters. Tensile, flexural, and impact tests were considered as the response parameters based on the various combination of the input parameters. It was concluded that the printing of nylon carbon parts using [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] retains improved tensile strength of 66 MPa, flexural strength of 87[Formula: see text]MPa and impact strength of 12.5[Formula: see text]KJ/m2. Further, the propagation of cracks and the mode of failure were examined using SEM fractography. These observations substantiate that the selection of an optimal combination of FDM parameters assists in enhancing the mechanical strength of the printed nylon carbon parts.
Financial Development and Income Inequality: Evidence From Advanced, Emerging and Developing Economies
Authors: Chisadza Carolyn , Biyase Mduduzi
Published: March 2023

We investigate the effects of financial development on income inequality for a global sample of countries between 1980 and 2019. The study contributes to the current literature by first, making use of a multifaceted index of financial development that captures different aspects of financial developments over time. Second, we compare the effects of financial development on income inequality across economic classifications, namely advanced, emerging and least developed countries. Last, we investigate the non-linear effects of financial development on income inequality across these economic classifications. The findings indicate that in general, financial development reduces inequality across emerging and least developed countries, but is not statistically significant for advanced countries. However, when we disaggregate the financial development index into its sub-components (financial institutions and financial markets), we find different effects on inequality, based on the levels of development. Further investigation on the dimensions under financial institutions and financial markets (depth, access and efficiency) reveals that banking sector development under financial institutions has income inequality-reducing effects in emerging and least developed countries, while stock market development under financial markets widens inequality in least developed countries. We also find heterogeneous non-linear effects between emerging and least developed countries. The findings in our paper firstly highlight the nuances in financial development depending on the level of development in countries, and secondly that policies focused on financial inclusion of the poor can mitigate inequality.
RAC-Chain: An Asynchronous Consensus-based Cross-chain Approach to Scalable Blockchain for Metaverse
Authors: Xie Tianxiu , Gai Keke , Zhu Liehuang , Wang Shuo , Zhang Zijian
Published: March 2023

The metaverse, as an emerging technical term, conceptually aims to construct a virtual digital space that runs parallel to the physical world. Due to human behaviors and interactions being represented in the virtual world, security in the metaverse is a challenging issue in which the traditional centralized service model is one of the threat sources. To conquer the obstacle caused by centralized computing, blockchain-based solutions are potential problem-solving methods. However, it is difficult for a single blockchain to support large-scale data and business services in the metaverse, due to the scalability restrictions. Moreover, multi-chain settings also encounter the interoperability issues. In this work, we propose a
Relay chain and Asynchronous consensus-based Consortium blockchain cross-Chain
model, which realizes message transmission and cross-chain transactions in multiple chains by adopting the relay chain and cross-chain gateways. All nodes of the application chains and the relay chain execute cross-chain transactions in sequence and reach a consensus on transactions at any transmission delay. Our experiment evaluations demonstrate that our approach performs well in atomicity, security, and functionality (cross-chain transactions), such that the performance of blockchain scalability in the metaverse can be improved, compared with the traditional relay chain schemes.
An Alternative Method of Measuring Area Specific Resistance of Chromia Scales Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Visibile Alberto , Gagliani Luca , Ahlberg Elisabet , Svensson Jan-Erik , Froitzheim Jan
Published: March 2023

A novel method that employs electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is developed to characterize the oxide scale resistance and thickness of Crofer 22 APU after exposure at 800 °C in humidified air. Crofer 22 APU, is one of the most commonly used materials for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnects, an application for which oxide scale resistance is of paramount importance. The kinetics of oxide growth were studied for up to 6,000 h using three different techniques: electron microscopy of cross-sections, gravimetry, and EIS capacitance measurements of the oxide scale. EIS was used to evaluate the scale thickness starting from the material capacitance, and the material resistance at high temperature was estimated using extrapolation of the impedance values at room temperature. The result obtained with this novel EIS method are comparable to those obtained using conventional techniques, and in addition, the new method is cheaper, faster, and more reliable. Moreover, it enables repetitive exposures of the same sample without altering the specimen properties.
Teacher feedback-based collaborative testing improves students’ knowledge gaps of parasitology
Authors: Peng Xiaohong , Jiang Liping , Cao Deping , Chen Gen , Li Dayu , Teng Pingying , Li Jianzhou
Published: March 2023

This study found that collaborative group testing is helpful for teachers to grasp students’ knowledge gaps more easily and the teacher feedback after the collaborative group testing can effectively make up for the knowledge gaps of students.
Mitochondrial damage in a Takotsubo syndrome-like mouse model mediated by activation of β-adrenoceptor-Hippo signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Wei , Lu Qun , Ma Shan , Du Jin-Chan , Huynh Kevin , Duong Thy , Pang Zhang-Da , Donner Daniel , Meikle Peter J. , Deng Xiu-Ling , Du Xiao-Jun
Published: March 2023

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is featured by activation of sympatho-β-adrenoceptor (βAR) system leading to acute loss of ventricular contractile performance. However, the molecular mechanism remains undefined. We demonstrated, in an isoproterenol-induced murine TTS-like model, extensive mitochondrial damage, metabolic dysfunction, and downregulated mitochondrial marker proteins, changes temporarily associated with cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, stimulation of βAR activated Hippo signaling pathway and genetic inactivation of Mst1 kinase ameliorated mitochondrial damage and metabolic dysfunction at the acute phase of TTS.
Global deletion of CCL2 has adverse impacts on recovery of skeletal muscle fiber size and function and is muscle specific
Authors: Ferrara Patrick J. , Reidy Paul T. , Petrocelli Jonathan J. , Yee Elena M. , Fix Dennis K. , Mahmassani Ziad S. , Montgomery Jessie A. , McKenzie Alec I. , de Hart Naomi M. M. P. , Drummond Micah J.
Published: March 2023

We provide evidence that the whole body loss of CCL2 in mice has adverse impacts on whole body function and skeletal muscle-specific contractile characteristics and collagen content. These defects in muscle function worsened during the recovery from disuse atrophy and corresponded with decreased recovery of muscle mass. We conclude that the absence of CCL2 decreased recruitment of proinflammatory macrophages to the muscle during the regrowth phase following disuse atrophy resulting in impaired collagen remodeling events and full resolution of muscle morphology and function.
The spatial-temporal dynamics of pulmonary blood flow are altered in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Kizhakke Puliyakote Abhilash S. , Prisk G. Kim , Elliott Ann R. , Kim Nick H. , Pazar Beni , Sá Rui Carlos , Asadi Amran K. , Hopkins Susan R.
Published: March 2023

Using proton MRI-arterial spin labeling to obtain serial images of pulmonary perfusion, we show that global fluctuation dispersion (FDglobal), a metric of temporal fluctuations in the spatial distribution of perfusion, was significantly increased in female patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) compared with healthy controls. This potentially indicates pulmonary vascular dysregulation. Dynamic measures using proton MRI may provide new tools for evaluating individuals at risk of PAH or for monitoring therapy in patients with PAH.
Effects of androgen excess and body mass index on endothelial function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Berbrier Danielle E. , Leone Cheryl A. , Adler Tessa E. , Bender Jeffrey R. , Taylor Hugh S. , Stachenfeld Nina S. , Usselman Charlotte W.
Published: March 2023

We present evidence for marked endothelial dysfunction in lean women with androgen excess polycystic ovary syndrome (AE-PCOS) that is 1) associated with free testosterone levels, 2) impaired relative to overweight/obese women with AE-PCOS, and 3) unchanged following short-term ethinyl estradiol supplementation. These data indicate an important direct effect of androgens on the vascular system in women with AE-PCOS. Our data also suggest that the relationship between androgens and vascular health differs between phenotypes of AE-PCOS.
A Modified Strain-Rate-Dependent Spring-Mass Model for Response Prediction of Composite Laminates Subjected to Low-Velocity Impact
Authors: Zhu Qiao , Yu Zhefeng
Published: March 2023

A modified strain-rate dependent (SRD) spring-mass model was first developed to capture the strain rate effect on response prediction of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates subjected to low-velocity impact (LVI). The constitutive relations of FRP material were modified with the impact-induced strain rate using Yen-Caiazzo’s function in space and time dimensions simultaneously. The stiffness coefficients of the spring-mass model were updated step-by-step during solving the Bubnov-Galerkin equation by the variational method, allowing the SRD contact history to be obtained via recursive integration. The SRD expressions of stiffness coefficients under four typical boundary conditions were presented. Drop-weight tests on FRP laminates and corresponding VUMAT-based LVI simulation with the finite element method (FEM) were provided to prove the validity of the proposed SRD model in evaluating the strain rate effect on the LVI response of composites. Further parameter studies were carried out to investigate the reliability of the proposed SRD model for evaluating the influence of reinforced fibers with different strain rate dependency on impact response. The proposed lumped parameter model has been proven to be more efficient than the traditional FEM, which can be combined with some existing damage models to accurately analyze the delamination evolution process of FRP laminates under LVI in further studies.
Characterization and Evaluation of the Pathogenicity of a Natural Gene-Deleted Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus in China
Authors: Xu Lei , Dai Hong-bo , Luo Zhi-peng , Zhu Ling , Zhao Jun , Lee Feng-qin , Liu Ze-yan , Nie Min-cai , Wang Xue-tao , Zhou Yuan-cheng , Xu Zhi-wen
Published: March 2023

Porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus is the major pathogen that causes fatal diarrhea in newborn piglets. In this study, a TGEV strain was isolated from the small intestine of diarrhea piglets in Sichuan Province, China, and designated SC2021. The complete genomic sequence of TGEV SC2021 was 28561 bp, revealing a new natural deletion TGEV strain. Based on phylogenetic analyses, TGEV SC2021 belonged to the Miller cluster and was closely related to CN strains. The newborn piglets orally challenged with TGEV SC2021 showed typical watery diarrhea. In addition, macro and micropathological changes in the lungs and intestines were observed. In conclusion, we isolated a new natural deletion virus strain and confirmed that the virus strain has high pathogenicity in newborn piglets. Moreover, macroscopic and microscopic lesions were observed in the lungs and intestines of all TGEV SC2021-infected piglets. In summary, we isolated a new natural deletion TGEV strain and demonstrated that the natural deletion strain showed high pathogenicity in newborn piglets. These data enrich the diversity of TGEV strains and help us to understand the genetic evolution and molecular pathogenesis of TGEV.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Graphene/Water Nanofluid on the Heat Transfer of a Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Zolfalizadeh Mehrdad , Zeinali Heris Saeed , Pourpasha Hadi , Mohammadpourfard Mousa , Meyer Josua P.
Published: March 2023

The most common type of heat exchanger used in a variety of industrial applications is the shell-and-tube heat exchanger (STHE). In this work, the impact of graphene nanoplate (GNP)/water nanofluids at 0.01 wt.%, 0.03 wt.%, and 0.06 wt.% on the thermal efficiency, thermal performance factor, pressure drop, overall heat transfer, convective heat transfer coefficient (CVHTC), and heat transfer characteristics of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger was examined. For these experiments, a new STHE was designed and built. The novelty of this study is the use of GNPs/water nanofluids in this new STHE for the first time and the fully experimental investigation of the attributes of nanofluids. GNP properties were analysed and confirmed using analyses including XRD and TEM. Zeta potential, DLS, and camera images were used to examine the stability of nanofluids at various periods. The zeta potential of the nanofluids was lower than -27.8 mV, confirming the good stability of GNP/water nanofluids. The results illustrated that the experimental data for distilled water had a reasonably good agreement with Sieder-Tate correlation. The maximum enhancement in the CVHTC of nanofluid with 0.06 wt.% of GNP, was equal to 910 (W/m2K), an increase of 22.47%. Also, the efficiency of the heat exchanger for nanofluid at 0.06 wt.% improved by 8.88% compared with that of the base fluid. The heat transfer rate of the nanofluid at maximum concentration and volume flow rate was 3915 (J/kg.K), an improvement of 15.65% over the base fluid. The pressure drops increased as the flow rate and concentration of the nanofluid increased. Although increasing the pressure drop in tubes would increase the CVHTC, it would also increase the power consumption of the pump. In conclusion, nanofluid at 0.06 wt.% had good performance.
An Intelligent Model Predictive Control Strategy for Stable Solar-Wind Renewable Power Dispatch Coupled with Hydrogen Electrolyzer and Battery Energy Storage
Authors: Syed Miswar Akhtar , Khalid Muhammad
Published: March 2023

Renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV) and wind power are widely used; however, their intermittent nature impairs power supply quality by creating frequency distortions and irregularities in voltage. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are utilized to flatten out and relieve fluctuation issues. To prevent the need for larger storage systems and to prolong their operational life through controlled charging and discharging, a method of control for BESS charging level regulation is necessary. This study presents a solar-wind power and battery state of charge (SoC) control technique using a hydrogen electrolyzer (HE) fuel cell unit. An Intelligent Model Predictive Controller (IMPC) has been developed that utilizes a neural network (NN) plant model for predictive minimization instead of using a mathematical plant model for dynamic management of the HE output, which allows for flattened PV-wind power supply with regulated BESS charging and discharging. The IMPC accepts as inputs the intermittent renewable power and different battery attributes and intelligently manages the HE production while staying within the imposed restrictions. The NN, as opposed to a mathematical plant model, captures the dynamics of the plant with exceptionally high accuracy. Moreover, the NN plant model performance increases as the data gathered from the actual system increases. The neural network model resolves concerns with the MPC model’s mathematical intricacy that occurs as the plant becomes more complicated. According to simulation results, the IMPC greatly reduces PV-wind power fluctuations, for solar power, the IMPC reduces the peak battery SoC by 26.7% and compared to FLC, the peak SoC is reduced by 11.2%. Similarly, for wind power, the peak SoC is reduced by 7.3% and is decreased 3.2% more than the FLC. To demonstrate the power smoothing effectiveness of the IMPC, the peak solar power ramp rate is reduced by 30.3% and the peak wind power ramp rate is reduced by 91.3%. The presented method encourages green hydrogen usage in the electrical sector for supplying firmed solar and wind power.
Radiosensitivity in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer by MMP10 through the DNA Damage Repair Pathway
Authors: Bi Yawei , Cao Kun , Wang Yuan , Yang Wei , Ma Na , Lei Xiao , Chen Yuanyuan
Published: March 2023

NSCLC (non-small-cell lung cancer) is an aggressive form of lung cancer and accompanies high morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the function and associated mechanism of MMP10 during radiotherapy of NSCLC. MMP10 expression in patients and their overall survival rate were assessed through GEPIA. Protein expression was tested by western blotting. Radioresistance was detected in vitro by apoptosis and clonogenic assay. The extent of DNA damage and repair was revealed by the comet test and γH2AX foci test. High MMP10 levels in specimens of lung adenocarcinoma were related to poor patient outcomes. Clonogenic and apoptosis assays revealed that MMP10 knockdown in A549 cells initiated radiosensitization. Furthermore, MMP10 siRNA increased damage to the DNA in NSCLC cells, while MMP10 was observed to participate in DNA damage repair post-ionizing radiation. Thus, after irradiation, MMP10 plays an essential role in NSCLC through the repair pathway of DNA damage; regulating MMP10 for NSCLC radiosensitivity might have potential treatment implications in radiotherapy of NSCLC.