Abnormal Variation Research Articles

Self-Adaptive Layering Structure of Nanoconfined Fe-Ni Liquids: Origin of the Liquid-Liquid Phase Transition.

Metallic liquids under confinement exhibit different properties compared to those of their corresponding bulk phases, such as miscibility, diffusion, and phase transitions. Unfortunately, the challenges in experimentally characterizing Fe-Ni liquids at the nanoscale and the high cost of first-principles simulations hindered the atom-level understanding that is necessary for controlling Fe-Ni liquids. Here, we report a comprehensive molecular dynamics study of the liquid Fe-Ni alloy confined within nanoslits. Driven by the slit size, the confined Fe-Ni liquid experiences the liquid-liquid phase transition (LLPT) that is characterized by layering transitions. Interestingly, during the LLPT, a transition liquid phase appears, separating two layering phases, which is accompanied by abnormal variations in density, potential energy, and pressure perpendicular to the wall. The Voronoi cluster analysis reveals a self-adaptive local structural evolution in confined Fe-Ni liquids during the LLPT. The effect of temperature, pressure, and composition on the LLPT is investigated. Based on the pressure-confinement phase diagram, the LLPT is mainly induced by confinement under high pressure, while under low pressure, the LLPT is mainly pressure-driven. Our research will stimulate more interest in the phase transition under confinement in a metallic system.

Anomalous bipartite parietal bone variant mimicking fracture in a human skull-A case report

The proper growth of the skull depends on the cranial sutures. There have been references in the literature to the occurrence of bipartite, tripartite and quadripartite parietal bones. Regular ante mortem and postmortem investigations may reveal these fracture-mimicking anatomical variations, which might change the path of the diagnosis and medico legal certification. Therefore, having sufficient knowledge about the occurrence of these abnormal suture variations will improve both postmortem and ante mortem diagnosis. In this case study, the genesis and clinical relevance of a unilateral bipartite parietal bone discovered in a museum specimen are discussed.

Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal follow-up of 15 fetuses with 16p13.11 microduplication syndrome.

The clinical phenotypes of 16p13.11 microduplication syndrome have been extensively reported in previous studies, mostly about adults and children, with limited information available on fetal cases. This study aims to explore the genotype-phenotype correlation of fetuses with 16p13.11 microduplication syndrome and analyze the characteristics of prenatal diagnosis indications and provide clinical information for prenatal and postnatal genetic counseling. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 3,451 pregnant women who underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis for SNP array between January 2018 and December 2022 at the Jinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on the prenatal diagnosis indications, pedigree analysis, pregnancy outcomes and postnatal follow-up of 15 fetuses with 16p13.11 microduplication syndrome. SNP array revealed that 15 fetuses had duplications in the 16p13.11 region with varying prenatal diagnosis indications. Among the cases, 6/15 exhibited ultrasound abnormalities, 5/15 had abnormal chromosomal copy number variations as indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), one case involved advanced maternal age, and 3/15 had other abnormalities. 16p13.11 microduplication syndrome was closely related to ultrasound abnormalities, especially structural abnormalities and soft marker anomalies (abnormal ultrasonic soft indicators), while the indication of NIPT could improve the detection rate of copy number variations (CNVs) in this region. Only 7/15 fetuses underwent pedigree verification, with one case of de novo 16p13.11 microduplication, and the others inherited from one parent. Pregnancy was terminated in 2/15 cases and the outcome of one case is unknown due to loss to follow-up. Among the remaining cases, only one case exhibited a ventricular septal defect, while another presented with omphalocele. No other obvious abnormalities were reported postnatally. The prenatal phenotypes of fetuses with 16p13.11 microduplication were highly associated with ultrasound abnormalities but lacked specificity. Comprehensive genetic tracing, outcome analysis, and follow-up are essential for providing accurate prenatal and postnatal genetic counseling.

Inter–Intraseasonality of Meteorological Drivers of Chorabari Glacier, Central Himalaya: Implications for Mass Fluctuations and Associated Hazards

Abstract High-altitude meteorological data are scarce in the Himalayan region, particularly for glacierized catchments. In-depth knowledge of meteorological variables is crucial to describe numerous cryospheric processes and associated hazards. The present study comprehensively assesses time series data (2013–16) of meteorological parameters in the Chorabari Glacier catchment (CGC) using an automatic weather station (∼4270 m MSL). Results revealed that average near-surface air temperature varied seasonally, ranging from 6.4°C in the summer monsoon (June–September) to −6.3°C in the winter season (December–February). The minimum temperature (Tmin) remained positive throughout the monsoon seasons in the higher elevations (∼5050 m MSL), indicating the melting of glaciers and their reduced mass. The daily relative humidity in different seasons fluctuated from 39% to 90%, whereas the highest seasonal average (∼63%) was observed in the monsoon season. The average wind speed was high (∼1.7 m s−1) during winter and dropped to 1.1 m s−1 in the monsoon season. The average daily influx of solar radiation ranged from 19 to 374 W m−2, with the highest value recorded during the premonsoon (March–May ∼ 212 W m−2) and the lowest during the winter (∼149 W m−2) season. The daily outflux solar radiation varied from 18 to 186 W m−2, with the maximum value in premonsoon (∼145 W m−2) and the minimum value in the monsoon season (∼30 W m−2). The mean zero-degree isotherm was found above the equilibrium line altitude (ELA ∼ 5120 m MSL) during the monsoon season, indicating a considerable mass depletion of the Chorabari Glacier. The abnormal variations in climatic variables on 16–17 June 2013 were signs of the Kedarnath disaster. Significance Statement The main objective of this study is to understand the variability of meteorological drivers at daily, monthly, and seasonal scales and how these changes may impact glacier mass and downstream hydrology. Our research revealed considerable variations in maximum temperature throughout the year and positive minimum temperature at higher elevations during monsoon months, which significantly control the glacier mass changes. Meteorological variables showing cyclic behavior and indicators of the “monsoon lowering phenomenon” are important in determining the timing and intensity of the seasonal shift. Investigation of abnormal changes in the climatic drivers in the 2013 Kedarnath disaster provides valuable insight into the glacier-related hazards and draws attention to decision-makers to create robust strategies to monitor the dynamic response of Himalayan glaciers.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Insights and Therapeutic Potential.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of various serum autoantibodies and multi-system effects, predominantly affecting young female patients. The pathogenesis of SLE involves a combination of genetic factors, environmental triggers, and pathogen invasions that disrupt immune cell activation, leading to the release of autoantibodies and chronic inflammation. Mitochondria, as the primary cellular powerhouses, play a crucial role in SLE development through their control of energy generation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cellular apoptotic pathways. Dysregulation of mitochondrial structure and function can contribute to the immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation seen in SLE. Recent research has highlighted the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on various immune cells involved in SLE pathogenesis, such as T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, neutrophils, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction in these immune cells leads to increased ROS production, disrupted mitophagy, and alterations in energy metabolism, contributing to immune dysregulation and inflammation. Moreover, genetic variations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and abnormalities in mitochondrial dynamics have been linked to the pathogenesis of SLE, exacerbating oxidative stress and immune abnormalities. Targeting mitochondrial function has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for SLE. Drugs such as sirolimus, N-acetylcysteine, coenzyme Q10, and metformin have shown potential in restoring mitochondrial homeostasis, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating immune responses in SLE. These agents have demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models and clinical studies by improving disease activity, reducing autoantibody titers, and ameliorating organ damage in SLE patients. In conclusion, this review underscores the critical role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of SLE and the potential of targeting mitochondrial dysfunction as a novel therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in SLE patients. Further investigation into the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial involvement in SLE and the development of targeted mitochondrial therapies hold promise for advancing SLE treatment and enhancing patient care.

Internet of Things (IoT) Based Patient Information and Heart Beat Monitoring System for Health Information System

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into healthcare systems has revolutionized patient monitoring and Information management, leading to enhanced efficiency and improved patient outcomes. This research developed and implemented an IoT-enabled Patient Information and Heartbeat Monitoring System designed to improve Health Information System (HIS). The system employs a network of interconnected sensors and devices to continuously monitor vital signs, especially focusing on heartbeat data. These sensors transmit real-time data to a centralized cloud platform, where it is processed and analyzed. Healthcare professionals can access this data through a user-friendly interface, enabling timely and informed decision-making. The system not only ensures accurate and continuous monitoring but also provides critical alerts in case of abnormal heart rate variations, thereby facilitating prompt medical intervention. The deployment of this IoT-based solution demonstrates significant potential in improving patient care, reducing hospital readmissions, and optimizing resources utilization within healthcare facilities. Results from pilot implementations indicate a promising future for IoT-enabled patient monitoring in transforming modern healthcare practices.

Effects of post-heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V alloy fabricated by selective laser melting

In this study, post-heat treatments were applied to Ti–6Al–4V (TC4) alloy fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) to investigate the effects of annealing temperature (750–950 °C in 50 °C intervals) on the alloy's microstructure, residual stress and mechanical properties. The initial microstructure of as-SLMed TC4 alloy was dominated by needle-like α′ martensite with a high density of dislocations and minor β phase, resulting in high strength (1190 MPa) but limited ductility (2.2% elongation). Annealing led to the transformation of α′ martensite into α phase, with the β phase content remaining relatively stable. Increasing the annealing temperature caused the acicular martensite to evolve into bundles of coarse α laths, forming a basket-weave microstructure. Annealing at 750 °C for 2 h reduced the yield strength to 1040 MPa and improved elongation to 8.3%. Interestingly, both the strength and ductility decreased with further increases in annealing temperature. This unusual phenomenon was rarely mentioned in current literature and was considered to be associated with the abnormal variations in the Schmid factor of (0001) [11-20] slip system and the reduction of mobile dislocations within the coarsened α martensite. Additionally, annealing combined with air cooling effectively alleviated residual tensile stresses in the SLM-formed TC4 alloy.

Study on penetration depth in laser welding: A process information database-based control strategy and OCT measuring verification

Penetration depth acts as a crucial indicator reflecting laser welding quality, thus the control of its stability and the perception of its fluctuation state are increasingly garnering attention. This paper proposes a process information database-based control strategy for penetration depth, and the control validity is verified through penetration depth detection utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT). The process information database stores diverse expected penetration depth knowledge formed by a substantial quantity of varying welding speeds with fixed other process parameters under undisturbed welding conditions. In the database, the stable average values inside the standard penetration depth information and the corresponding heat input (HI) values are connected and mapped via an artificial neural network (ANN). In response to abnormal variations in the penetration depth curve caused by interferences during welding, according to the HI gap predicted by the trained ANN from the penetration depth gap arising from the curve deviation, the control unit can calculate the new welding speed required to feed the penetration depth curve back to within the steady fluctuation range. Based on OCT, the keyhole depth signal is acquired, and a deep belief network is built to predict the penetration depth curve via the correlation between the reconstructed keyhole depth obtained by ensemble empirical mode decomposition and the penetration depth. This detection method demonstrates that the penetration depth curve can be controlled accurately. Finally, a closed-loop real-time feedback control system for penetration depth is established.

Exploring the function and prognostic value of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is characterized by its heterogeneity and poor prognosis. The role of ribosomal proteins RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 in multiple cancers has been implicated. However, their function in LUAD and their correlation with the poor prognosis of LUAD remains elusive. In this study, we performed a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the impact of these ribosomal proteins on LUAD. Our findings reveal that RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 are overexpressed in LUAD, which are likely attributed to abnormal copy number variations and decreased methylation levels of their promoters. LUAD patients with high expression of RPLP0, RPLP1 or RPLP2 have worse clinical outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS), first progression (FP) and post-progression survival (PPS), indicating poor prognosis. Moreover, the expression of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 affects immune cell infiltration in LUAD tissues. Finally, we identified multiple existing drugs that may inhibit the expression of RPLP1 and RPLP2. Collectively, our data implicate the oncogenic role of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 in LUAD and underscore their prognostic value in LUAD patients.

Realizing the strength-ductility balance of a warm-rolled 10 Mn steel via preparing dual nano-sized precipitates

A novel strategy involving warm rolling and tempering-annealing was introduced to optimize the strength-ductility balance of Fe-10.2Mn-2.2Al-0.41C-0.6 V (wt. %) steel. The V- and κ-carbide particles produced during the tempering are critical for tailoring the austenite characteristics during the subsequent annealing. Austenite that nucleates on Mn-rich κ-carbides inherit their high Mn content and fine grain size. Quantitative calculations suggest that the pinning effect exerted by the V-carbide particles strongly resists grain boundary motion and recrystallization grain growth, further refining the final microstructure. Moreover, the dual nano-sized particles induce abnormal variations in the grain size and fraction of austenite, influencing the deformation mechanisms. In the absence of deformation twins, the fresh martensite develops into “separating walls” to refine the microstructure and further enhances the work hardening in addition to the complex dislocation mobile. Finally, the tempered-annealed sample demonstrated a simultaneous increase in the yield and tensile strengths from 1166 to 1452 MPa and 1507–1727 MPa, but a slight decrease in the total elongation from 18.6% to 16.8% compared to annealed sample, achieving a good strength-ductility balance.

Disrupted Dynamic Network Attribution Associated with Gait Disorder in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Background and Aims: Previous research has focused on static functional connectivity in gait disorders caused by cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), neglecting dynamic functional connections and network attribution. This study aims to investigate alterations in dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) and topological organization variance in CSVD-related gait disorders. Methods: A total of 85 patients with CSVD, including 41 patients with CSVD and gait disorders (CSVD-GD), 44 patients with CSVD and non-gait disorders (CSVD-NGD), and 32 healthy controls (HC), were enrolled in this study. Five networks composed of 10 independent components were selected using independent component analysis. Sliding time window and k-means clustering methods were used for dFNC analysis. The relationship between alterations in the dFNC properties and gait metrics was further assessed. Results: Three reproducible dFNC states were determined (State 1: sparsely connected, State 2: intermediate pattern, and State 3: strongly connected). CSVD-GD showed significantly higher fractional windows (FW) and mean dwell time (MDT) in State 1 compared with CSVD-NGD. Higher local efficiency variance was observed in the CSVD-GD group compared with HC, but no differences were found in the global efficiency comparison. Both the FW and MDT in State 1 were negatively correlated with gait speed and step length, and the relationship between MDT of State 1 and gait speed was mediated by overall cognition, information processing speed, and executive function. Conclusions: Our study uncovered abnormal dFNC indicators and variations in topological organization in CSVD-GD, offering potential early prediction indicators and freshening insights into the underlying pathogenesis of gait disturbances in CSVD.

Modal coupling characteristics of primary hunting in metro vehicles: Carbody suspension modes and hunting modes

Due to coupling with carbody suspension modes in railway vehicles, primary hunting can lead to significant low frequency swaying of the carbody, severely deteriorating ride quality. In order to address this issue, this paper conducts a detailed investigation into the coupling effect between suspension modes and hunting modes of metro vehicles. Initially, a simplified lateral dynamics model is established, and a continuous modal tracking method is adopted for track suspension modes and hunting modes. The results indicate that when the modal frequency of one hunting mode approaches that of corresponding suspension mode, the damping ratio of the two modes exhibits abnormal variation, and the modal frequency curve veers or is slightly disturbed. In exploring the coupling characteristics of hunting modes and suspension modes, revealing the variation trends and similarity of modal shapes, polar diagrams of modal shapes are presented, and the correlation distance is calculated. Equivalent conicity exerts a substantial influence on the effect of modal coupling, influencing minimum damping ratio and modal shape similarity within the modal coupling zone. To ensure sufficient stability margin for metro vehicles, it is necessary to avoid excessively low equivalent conicity. Finally, the phenomenon of vibration response deterioration within the modal coupling zone is confirmed through both a simplified model and a full DOF model.

Determination of Anterior Fontanelle Size among Apparently Healthy Term Newborns in North Central Nigeria.

Anterior fontanelles (AFs) of healthy newborn infants vary widely in size, this being a function of race, geographical location, gender, birth weight, mode of delivery and gestation. Abnormal variations in AF size portend a serious pathology of the cranium or intracranial structures. The established reference value for normal AF size is, therefore, an essential diagnostic tool. This study was conducted to determine the mean AF size and factors that are associated with its variability among apparently healthy term neonates in Lokoja, North Central Nigeria. AF size was measured in 200 healthy inborn term neonates between 24 and 48 h post-delivery using a modified version of Mattur's method. Other parameters measured were head circumference, birth weight and length. Relevant statistical methods were used for data analysis, and P < 0.05 at a confidence interval of 95% was considered statistically significant. Eighty-six (43%) of the babies were males, and the mean birth weight and gestation were 3.09 (0.37) kg and 38.8 (1.2) weeks, respectively. Majority (72%) were delivered spontaneously per vagina. The mean (± SD) AF size of the study neonates was 2.62 (0.72) cm (2.53 [0.61] cm in males and 2.69 [0.79] cm in females). Neither gender nor mode of delivery affected AF size significantly. There was no significant correlation between AF size and occipitofrontal circumference. AF size for term babies in our hospital differs from AF sizes reported from other parts of the world, further reiterating the utility of local/regional neonatal AF reference values.

Variation in the Branching Pattern of the Coronary Artery: A Systematic Review on Anatomical Branching Variation

Abstract Background: The coronary arteries, being the major vascular channels, are known to affect the complete circulatory system and hemodynamics of the body. However, as a matter of fact, the coronary arteries are known to have many anatomical and developmental variations along all the morphological aspects, which include location of orifices, various routes that the artery and its tributaries follow, and of course, the pattern of branching of the main artery. The developmental anomalies in the arterial structures result in abnormalities of arterial blood flow, hypoxia, and other conditions which may lead to atherosclerosis of the coronary artery. To the best of our knowledge, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the association between variations in the branching pattern of the coronary artery. Moreover, we propose future studies to assess the association and preventive strategies for clinicians and various health-care workers. Methodology: We performed an electronic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, Web of Science, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and various clinical tribulation registries till 2022. Two independent reviewers extracted the data, and the present meta-analysis was performed with the help of RevMan version 5.4. For the present meta-analysis, we used 10-year database from 2012 to 2022. Results: Appropriate data were fetched from studies that were included for the meta-analysis, and the data were presented in tables for evaluation and drawing of accurate results. A total of 904 articles were found after searching all of the major medical databases. Thirteen more sources of reference were included in the search. After primary screening, full text articles of around 148 were analyzed, and among them, 114 were excluded because those articles were in the category of #case series, reports, or #letters to the editors, #animal studies or #irrelevant documents, reporting duplicate documents, or broadcasting a certain variant as opposed to occurrence. After the complete screening and analysis of the data were done, the final number of articles that were included in the meta-analysis was 29 (n = 29). Conclusion: The present meta-analysis is an attempt to review and analyze the recent literature published on the variation in anatomy and developmental abnormalities of the coronary arteries in the differing population across the geography of the globe. The structural aspects of the coronary arteries, and not just the lifestyle issues, are the ones which are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), a major cause of mortality in the population. However, the anatomical factors are not attending limelight as other obesity- or age-related issues for the same. Hence, the present review aimed to deliver a thorough understanding of the most predominant branching pattern of the coronary artery seen among Asian population. This study will be beneficial to cardiologists and radiologists when performing various treatments such as coronary angiograms, coronary angioplasty, bypass grafting, and other medical procedures and can also lead to prevention of the CAD.

The Nexus of Crude Oil and Food Prices: Evidence of the Crude Oil Prices Influence on Food Insecurity Problem

Food cost is a fundamental factor in reducing world hunger and minimizing the food insecurity problem. Agricultural commodities prices, especially grains, are determinants of food costs. Therefore, studying the behavior of commodity prices responsible for food security on the planet is essential for economic agents, especially for macroeconomic policy decision-makers. Food production and prices are related to energy prices, mainly through biofuels and fertilizers. Among energy sources, crude oil is one of the main ones in the world's energy matrix. Many studies on crude oil and food prices have been carried out relating energy and food or, more specifically, crude oil and agricultural commodity prices. This work examines the dynamic relationship between oil and grain commodity prices: rice, wheat, corn and soybeans. It also verifies the causality and cointegration between each grain and crude oil price return. Besides that, Autoregressive vector models were estimated to infer the impulse response function and the variance decomposition. The sample period corresponds to the interval between the two biggest crises of the century, the subprime financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic sanitary crisis. Thus, the data is not impacted by significant abnormal variations caused by these crises. The inferences show an interaction between crude oil prices practiced in the international market and food commodity prices.

Conventional and Doppler ultrasonographic diagnosis of subclinical pregnancy toxemia with altered serum cortisol and biochemical parameters in pregnant does

The pathogenesis and diagnosis of subclinical pregnancy toxemia (SCPT) remain elusive and need further investigation in pregnant does. Therefore, the aim of our study was to describe the typical properties of hepatic venous hemodynamics by Doppler ultrasonography. A total of 70 pregnant does were classified based on the blood serum concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (βHBA), pregnant does were categorized into control group (βHBA concentrations <0.8 mmol/L; n = 40) and SCPT group (βHBA concentrations >0.8 mmol/L; n = 30). DRAMISKI 4vet slim diagnostic ultrasound scanner with B, M, and Doppler (color, power, pulsing wave) modes was used for diagnosis of SCPT. Total serum cortisol level was quantitative using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL and LDL- cholesterol and LDH- cholesterol were measured by colorimetric and kinetic methods. Liver ultrasonography of does with SCPT had been shown mild fatty infiltration with rounded margin, which was characterized by hyperechoic area. There was a significant decrease in the values of portal vein diameter (PVD), portal vein area (PVA), portal mean velocity (PMV) and portal blood flow (PBF) in SCPT does compared to control pregnant does. PVD, PVA and PBF were negatively correlated with βHBA concentrations in does with SCPT (P < 0.05). PVD was inversely associated with serum cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations (P < 0.05). In conclusions, Doppler ultrasonography examinations of pregnant does with SCPT indicate abnormal hepatic variation. Reduced PVD, PVA, PMV and PBF together with increased βHBA concentrations could predict SCPT in does with fair sensitivity and specificity.

Daily geomagnetic variations under variable IMF/solar conditions and their connection with underground conductivity changes in Japan

Fluctuations in Solar Wind (SW) and Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) significantly affect the Geomagnetic Field (GF) measurements particularly during extreme space weather events. The current study investigates the variations of horizontal (H), vertical (Z) geomagnetic components under quiet and disturbed IMF and solar conditions as well as the effect of underground conductivity on the stationary geomagnetic measurements in Japan. Results of data analysis show that the response of the GF to IMF and solar parameters fluctuations is variable. The H- and Z-components were in good harmony with high visual correlation along a latitudinal profile across Japan during quiet times. On the other hand, during the disturbed times related to a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) launched on 13 May 2005, the GF components varied with the disturbance of IMF and solar parameters. The H-components showed highly correlated variations with a significant reduction along the examined profile due to intensified ionospheric currents, while the Z-components recorded in the northern part of Japan showed abnormal daily variations pattern (positive daily variations) with an enhanced amplitude which is opposite to the normal behavior of daily variations recorded in the central and southern parts of Japan (negative daily variations). The observed enhanced and abnormal daily variation of Z-components in north Japan, which we consider a remarkable observation here, is possibly linked with underground conductivity anomaly in this region.

DECAF cross-device characterization of tokamak disruptions indicated by abnormalities in plasma vertical position and current

Abnormal (deviating from the target) variations in the plasma vertical position Z and current Ip (such as vertical displacements, transient Ip ‘spikes’ and quenches) constitute common elements of a disruption, a phenomenon that is to be mitigated, or ultimately avoided in future reactor-relevant tokamaks. While these abnormalities are generally recognized cross-shot and cross-device, details in terms of appearance (or not) and order of these abnormalities in disruption event chains (DEC) are bound to the plasma state at the time of the chain initiation. Detection of these abnormalities is thus indicative not only of the onset of the plasma collapse itself but also of the disruption driving cause that is promoted at a particular plasma state. Here, the occurrence of disruptions, explored via the detection of an Ip quench, and the analysis of DEC constituted by Ip and Z abnormalities is reported for in total seven full device-year pairs of operation of three machines (4, 2 and 1 years of KSTAR, MAST-U and NSTX-U operation, respectively) using the DECAF code expanded tools and capabilities. It is shown that the disruption occurrence depends not only on the details of the plasma state but also on (device-dependent) technical elements of the shot exit scenario. Year-to-year changes in the main disruption causes and a reduction in the disruptivity rate, bound by device and operation upgrades, are reported. Particular trigger instances of DEC (and the full chains when applicable) are shown to occupy different parts of the operation space diagrams, in accordance with prior expectations. Plasma elongation is identified as an important factor influencing details of the chains and its role will be further explored.

Adaptive Fusion of Deep Learning With Statistical Anatomical Knowledge for Robust Patella Segmentation From CT Images.

Kneeosteoarthritis (KOA), as a leading joint disease, can be decided by examining the shapes of patella to spot potential abnormal variations. To assist doctors in the diagnosis of KOA, a robust automatic patella segmentation method is highly demanded in clinical practice. Deep learning methods, especially convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been widely applied to medical image segmentation in recent years. Nevertheless, poor image quality and limited data still impose challenges to segmentation via CNNs. On the other hand, statistical shape models (SSMs) can generate shape priors which give anatomically reliable segmentation to varying instances. Thus, in this work, we propose an adaptive fusion framework, explicitly combining deep neural networks and anatomical knowledge from SSM for robust patella segmentation. Our adaptive fusion framework will accordingly adjust the weight of segmentation candidates in fusion based on their segmentation performance. We also propose a voxel-wise refinement strategy to make the segmentation of CNNs more anatomically correct. Extensive experiments and thorough assessment have been conducted on various mainstream CNN backbones for patella segmentation in low-data regimes, which demonstrate that our framework can be flexibly attached to a CNN model, significantly improving its performance when labeled training data are limited and input image data are of poor quality.

Structural design, interfacial behavior and mechanical properties of bimetallic nacre-like structures by laser powder-bed fusion

The nacre-like (NL) structure exhibits unique performance in preventing the catastrophic crack growth and improving the strengthening/toughening of the overall structure. In this study, the In718/316LSS bimetallic NL structures were first fabricated by a powder laying-absorption multiple-material additive manufacturing technology based on laser powder-bed fusion, and the stress release mechanism was revealed. The NL structures with optimal geometric parameters was obtained by calculation and simulation: the hard-phase inclination angle of 15 °, the hard-phase volume fraction of 70%, and the lamellar length-width ratio of 2. Due to the remelting effect, the same-layer bimetallic interfaces in NL structures showed strong metallurgical bonding with significantly grain refinement. The interlocking NL structure exhibited superior mechanical properties of 751.82 MPa in tensile strength and 25.14% in elongation, compared with the base alloys and the non-interlocking NL structure. Moreover, abnormal variation of work hardening rate in NL structures attributed to the stress concentration and release behavior, caused by the multi-cracks initiation and cracks deflection during deformation of the interlocking structure. By the stress concentration-release effect, the NL structure not only achieved the strengthening and toughening, but also improved the crack tolerance to avoid the sudden fracture failure.