Analysis Of Distribution Research Articles

Disassembly time estimation for used smartphones based on Maynard operation sequence technology

The disassembly phase plays a crucial role in improving sustainability and circular performance, in particular when carried out through manual disassembly. At present, the Maynard operation sequence technique (MOST) for determining disassembly time can avoid subjectivity and is aligned with actual disassembly actions. However, the MOST suffers from inaccurate action analysis and the omission of some disassembly actions, resulting in lower accuracy for the disassembly time estimation of used smartphones with existing index values. To address this issue, the paper proposes an improved method based on the MOST to improve the accuracy of used smartphone disassembly time estimation. Based on the improved general movement index table, the improved tool usage index table, and the established disassembly time calculation model, the disassembly time for a given sequence of actions and target parts is estimated by the proposed method. One of the innovative aspects of the proposed method is the definition of seven disassembly action units, which can provide better insights into which disassembly action is the most time-consuming, and how the product design could be improved. The proposed method is validated through a case study involving manual disassembly for four types of used smartphones, namely Redmi 1, Huawei Enjoy 5, Meizu MX4 Pro, and iPhone 6. The experimental results show that the overall accuracy of the proposed method is approximately 98% in disassembly time estimation, which is improved by 5.7% compared to MOST. Moreover, the distribution analysis for each unit revealed that disconnection is the most time-consuming action followed by surface treatment, and action distance-gain control and action distance-placement. If the Redmi 1 employs the same back cover connection as the Huawei Enjoy 5, the disconnecting time can be shortened by 18.6% of the total disassembly time. This work verifies the applicability of the proposed method and guides for used smartphone design improvements.

Statistical approach for the preparation of silicon-graphite anodes: The role of oxygen content and crystallite size on electrochemical performance

Increasing the overall performance of Si-based anodes is still challenging because of the influence of various parameters involved in the preparation processes. This study addresses this challenge by employing the design of experiment technique to assess the impact of ball milling parameters such as milling speed, time, ball to powder and medium to powder ratio on the properties of silicon/graphite (Si/Gr) powders, with a focus on their electrochemical performance. Si/Gr powders in 20:80 weight ratio and 4 factor - 2 level full factorial design were used to find the main effects and interactions. Crystallite sizes were calculated using the Scherrer equation, and span values were obtained from the particle size distribution (PSD) analysis. SEM analyses were carried out to check the microstructure of powders. Ultimately, regression equations were created with high adjusted R2 values for crystallite size (93%), contamination (92%), and span (91%), respectively. Optimization experiments were carried out using the created regression equations, and the models were verified. It was found that crystallite size obtained by XRD data is more reliable to assess powder properties on the performance instead of PSD because of the agglomeration at the particle level throughout the milling. Further milling experiments were performed to elaborate the role of oxygen content and crystallite size. Results showed that while initial capacity is strongly related to total oxygen content, decay in the first cycles is correlated to the crystallite size of the silicon powder.

Outcome of Primary Lung Salivary Gland-Type Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study.

Introduction. Primary pulmonary salivary gland-type carcinomas are rare malignancies arising from minor salivary gland tissue in the lower respiratory tract. Given their rarity, constituting <1% of all primary lung malignancies, their epidemiological features and outcomes remain poorly documented. This study analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify primary pulmonary salivary gland carcinomas, including the most prevalent tumor types. Methods. All patients diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, with the lung designated as the primary site between 1975 and 2019, were subject to analysis. Overall and disease-specific survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models. Results. The study identified 323 mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 284 adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 6 epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma diagnosed as pulmonary salivary gland-type carcinoma. An analysis of age distribution revealed a unimodal pattern for both mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma, with most patients diagnosed after age 40. Most patients were Caucasians (77% for mucoepidermoid carcinoma and 83% for adenoid cystic carcinoma). Both disease-specific and overall survival were worse for patients diagnosed at the age of 60 years or above. Race or sex did not significantly impact patient survival. High-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma demonstrated a significantly worse prognosis than low or intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Conclusion. A comprehensive review of clinical and epidemiological features of pulmonary salivary gland-type carcinomas reveals that the age of diagnosis and tumor grade are the most significant factors in determining patient survival.

Renewed spectroscopic and theoretical research of hydrogen bonding in ascorbic acid

The studies of two isomers of ascorbic acid and their deuteroanalogues, presented in the paper, have been accomplished by vibrational spectroscopy methods and quantum-chemical simulations. The spectroscopic research of L-ascorbic and D-isoascorbic acids have been carried out by the infrared (IR) and Raman (R) techniques. On the basis of the obtained results the spectral interpretation of the hydrogen bonded groups of ascorbic acids has been performed. Car-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics (CPMD) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) have been employed to support spectroscopic experimental findings and shed light onto the bridged proton dynamics in the L- and D- isomers of ascorbic acids. The accurate assignments of the hydrogen bond modes have been accomplished with the application of deuterosubstitution, CPMD-solid state simulations and Potential Energy Distribution (PED) analysis. The spectral and structural results have shown that dependency ν(OH) = f(γ(OH)) is the most common for the OHO hydrogen bond, whereas dependency d(OO) = f(γ(OH)) differs as for the ionic and resonance assisted hydrogen bonds.

Genome-wide characterization, functional analysis, and expression profiling of the Aux/IAA gene family in spinach

BackgroundThe auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family is a crucial element of the auxin signaling pathway, significantly influencing plant growth and development. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of Aux/IAAs gene family using the Sp75 and Monoe-Viroflay genomes in spinach.ResultsA total of 24 definitive Aux/IAA genes were identified, exhibiting diverse attributes in terms of amino acid length, molecular weight, and isoelectric points. This diversity underscores potential specific roles within the family, such as growth regulation and stress response. Structural analysis revealed significant variations in gene length and molecular weight. These variations indicate distinct roles within the Aux/IAA gene family. Chromosomal distribution analysis exhibited a dispersed pattern, with chromosomes 4 and 1 hosting the highest and lowest numbers of Aux/IAA genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the identified genes into distinct clades, revealing potential evolutionary relationships. Notably, the phylogenetic tree highlighted specific gene clusters suggesting shared genetic ancestry and potential functional synergies within spinach. Expression analysis under NAA treatment unveiled gene-specific and time-dependent responses, with certain genes exhibiting distinct temporal expression patterns. Specifically, SpoIAA5 displayed a substantial increase at 2 h post-NAA treatment, while SpoIAA7 and SpoIAA9 demonstrated continuous rises, peaking at the 4-hour time point.ConclusionsThese observations indicate a complex interplay of gene-specific and temporal regulation in response to auxin. Moreover, the comparison with other plant species emphasized both shared characteristics and unique features in Aux/IAA gene numbers, providing insights into the evolutionary dynamics of this gene family. This comprehensive characterization of Aux/IAA genes in spinach not only establishes the foundation for understanding their specific functions in spinach development but also provides a valuable resource for experimental validation and further exploration of their roles in the intricate network of auxin signaling pathways.

Study of Factors Influencing the Intestinal Microbiota in Children from 0 to 3 Months at the Mother and Child Hospital of Bingerville, Ivory Coast during 2023

Introduction: Every human being builds a symbiosis with a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms: the intestinal microbiota. Its establishment, maturity, and composition evolving throughout life are dynamic processes influenced during their establishment by various factors such as gestational age, birth and feeding modalities, environment, and antibiotic use. The aim of this article is to identify the epidemiological characteristics (factors influencing the establishment and development of the intestinal microbiota) of populations of children from 0 to 3 months studied at the Mother and Child Hospital of Bingerville. Methods: A longitudinal and prospective birth cohort of populations of children from Day 0 to Month 3 was conducted. Epidemiological data were collected from the mother after signing the informed consent form. Data collection tools included the survey form, information sheet, and informed consent form. Statistical analyses were performed using XLSTAT software version 2018. Chi-square test (significance test) was used on variables such as sex and gestational age, mode of delivery, gestational age and birth mode, and birth weight. Results: A total of 52 infants were included. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of these newborns and their mothers were examined. Analysis of birth weight distribution according to mode of delivery and feeding mode did not reveal any significant association. Each studied characteristic was then discussed. Conclusion: The objective of the study has been achieved. However, further research is needed to obtain more generalizable results.

Systematic review on Artificial Intelligence in the editorial management of scientific journals

INTRODUCTION: scientific journals play a crucial role in the dissemination and validation of scientific knowledge, and editorial management ranges from conceptualization to post-publication of content. Artificial intelligence (AI) has had a great impact on scientific communication and editorial management of scientific journals. AI can offer solutions and benefits for editorial management, but it also poses technical, economic, social and ethical challenges that should be considered and approached with caution and responsibility. OBJECTIVE: to describe the benefits and limitations of the use of AI in the editorial management of scientific journals through a systematic literature review. METHOD: a systematic literature review was conducted based on the PRISMA methodology. An information search was carried out in different bibliographic database systems, indexing systems and search engines, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the identified studies. RESULTS: the information search allowed retrieving a total of 2750 sources, of which 10 articles that met the stated criteria were included. Benefits such as the facilitation of writing, translation, review and editing tasks were identified, as well as limitations related to ethical issues, bias, errors and plagiarism generated by AI. CONCLUSIONS: While AI can streamline the production and analysis of information distribution, it also poses challenges in terms of reliability, ethics and authenticity of published content. It requires the critical involvement of human intelligence for proper exploitation.

In Situ Analysis of Local Strain Distribution of Amorphous Polyrotaxane Adhesives Constrained by Metal Substrates

In Situ Analysis of Local Strain Distribution of Amorphous Polyrotaxane Adhesives Constrained by Metal Substrates

Spatial analysis of transportation infrastructure distribution in Adamawa State, Nigeria: A location quotient perspective

Transportation constitutes one of the pivotal systems crucial to the advancement of so-cioeconomic conditions. However, numerous communities, particularly in Nigeria, face a multitude of transportation challenges. The primary objective of this study is to examine the spatial arrangement of transportation facilities in Adamawa State, Nigeria, with the intention of identifying spatial-related challenges confronting the transportation sector and the socioeconomic development of the state. During the period spanning 2018 to 2019, an investigation into the spatial distribution pattern of transport facilities within the state was conducted. To gather data pertaining to the geographical concentration and developmental trajectory of the transportation system in the state, the ArcGIS 10.5 Length Calculation Module, Google Earth Pro, and questionnaire administration were employed. Data were subjected to inferential statistical analysis, results were tabulated, and maps were generated. The findings unveiled three distinct modes of transit, namely road, water, and air, with roads emerging as the most prominent option. Furthermore, the state exhibited a higher prevalence of paved (engineered but untarred) roads compared to tarred roads. Moreover, an analysis of the spatial pattern encompassing the state&amp;rsquo;s population and road network revealed that the length and density of tarred roads were greater in less populated Local Government Areas as opposed to the more populated ones. Ultimately, the road network pattern has yielded negative consequences for the state&amp;rsquo;s development. In light of these findings, the study puts forth recommendations that emphasize the urgent need to tar the numerous paved roads within the state in order to enhance connectivity with markets and other urban-centric facilities.

Quantifying Visual Differences in Drought-Stressed Maize through Reflectance and Data-Driven Analysis

Environmental factors, such as drought stress, significantly impact maize growth and productivity worldwide. To improve yield and quality, effective strategies for early detection and mitigation of drought stress in maize are essential. This paper presents a detailed analysis of three imaging trials conducted to detect drought stress in maize plants using an existing, custom-developed, low-cost, high-throughput phenotyping platform. A pipeline is proposed for early detection of water stress in maize plants using a Vision Transformer classifier and analysis of distributions of near-infrared (NIR) reflectance from the plants. A classification accuracy of 85% was achieved in one of our trials, using hold-out trials for testing. Suitable regions on the plant that are more sensitive to drought stress were explored, and it was shown that the region surrounding the youngest expanding leaf (YEL) and the stem can be used as a more consistent alternative to analysis involving just the YEL. Experiments in search of an ideal window size showed that small bounding boxes surrounding the YEL and the stem area of the plant perform better in separating drought-stressed and well-watered plants than larger window sizes enclosing most of the plant. The results presented in this work show good separation between well-watered and drought-stressed categories for two out of the three imaging trials, both in terms of classification accuracy from data-driven features as well as through analysis of histograms of NIR reflectance.

The mechanochemistry of lanthanum dihydride (LaH\(_{2}\)) with hydrogen (H\(_{2}\)) using the ball-mill process and the effect of oxidation on the resulting products

The complex behavior of LaH2 during ball milling was investigated in this study, with its mechanical, chemical, and morphological changes explored. The relationship between milling time and hydrogen pressure reduction was uncovered through detailed experiments, reflecting the dynamic nature of the process. A transient yet significant event was observed upon unsealing the milling jar post-milling: the emergence of a minor fire ember, indicative of the interplay between mechanical forces and chemical reactivity within the LaH2 powder. Profound changes in the structure, composition, and shape were unraveled using advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), and particle size distribution analysis. The resulting powder exhibited a dual-phase composition of lanthanum dihydride (LaH2, 68.1% to 71.5%) and lanthanum oxide (La2O3, 28.5% to 31.9%), reflecting a dynamic chemical equilibrium during milling. Particle size distribution analysis revealed a notable increase in average diameter to 6420 nm, accompanied by a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.831, signifying a broadening compared to the initial LaH2 powder. The morphological evolution of the powder was elucidated through SEM imaging, showing predominantly spherical and rounded forms, indicating extensive particle agglomeration and plastic deformation during milling. Additionally, the formation of oxide layers on the powder surface, intertwined with pronounced particle agglomeration, was highlighted through EDX mapping, shedding light on the mechanical aspects of morphological evolution during milling. These findings contribute to our understanding of LaH2 behavior under extreme mechanical and chemical conditions and have implications for materials processing, hydrogen storage technologies, and broader applications in materials science and engineering.

The association of carotid plaque burden and composition and the coronary artery calcium score in intermediate cardiovascular risk patients.

Both the carotid ultrasound and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score quantify subclinical atherosclerosis and are associated with cardiovascular disease and events. This study investigated the association between CAC score and carotid plaque quantity and composition. Adult participants (n = 43) without history of cardiovascular disease were recruited to undergo a carotid ultrasound. Maximum plaque height (MPH), total plaque area (TPA), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and plaque score were measured. Grayscale pixel distribution analysis of ultrasound images determined plaque tissue composition. Participants then underwent CT to determine CAC score, which were also categorized as absent (0), mild (1-99), moderate (100-399), and severe (400+). Spearman correlation coefficients between carotid variables and CAC scores were computed. The mean age of participants was 63 ± 11 years. CIMT, TPA, MPH, and plaque score were significantly associated with CAC score (ρ = 0.60, p < 0.0001; ρ = 0.54, p = 0.0002; ρ = 0.38, p = 0.01; and ρ = 0.49, p = 0.001). Echogenic composition features %Calcium and %Fibrous tissue were not correlated to a clinically relevant extent. There was a significant difference in the TPA, MPH, and plaque scores of those with a severe CAC score category compared to lesser categories. While carotid plaque burden was associated with CAC score, plaque composition was not. Though CAC score reliably measures calcification, carotid ultrasound gives information on both plaque burden and composition. Carotid ultrasound with assessment of plaque features used in conjunction with traditional risk factors may be an alternative or additive to CAC scoring and could improve the prediction of cardiovascular events in the intermediate risk population.

Spatiotemporal pattern and suitable areas analysis of equine influenza in global scale (2005-2022).

Equine influenza (EI) is a severe infectious disease that causes huge economic losses to the horse industry. Spatial epidemiology technology can explore the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and occurrence risks of infectious diseases, it has played an important role in the prevention and control of major infectious diseases in humans and animals. For the first time, this study conducted a systematic analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution of EI using SaTScan software and investigated the important environmental variables and suitable areas for EI occurrence using the Maxent model. A total of 517 occurrences of EI from 2005 to 2022 were evaluated, and 14 significant spatiotemporal clusters were identified. Furthermore, a Maxent model was successfully established with high prediction accuracy (AUC = 0.920 ± 0.008). The results indicated that annual average ultraviolet radiation, horse density, and precipitation of the coldest quarter were the three most important environmental variables affecting EI occurrence. The suitable areas for EI occurrence are widely distributed across all continents, especially in Asia (India, Mongolia, and China) and the Americas (Brazil, Uruguay, USA, and Mexico). In the future, these suitable areas will expand and move eastward. The largest expansion is predicted under SSP126 scenarios, while the opposite trend will be observed under SSP585 scenarios. This study presents the spatial epidemiological characteristics of EI for the first time. The results could provide valuable scientific insights that can effectively inform prevention and control strategies in regions at risk of EI worldwide.

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Resources and Waste Quantities from Buildings (as Urban Mining Potential) Generated by the European Metropolis of Lille: A Methodology Coupling Data from Construction and Demolition Permits with Geographic Information Systems

The aim of this article was to conduct a spatial and territorial analysis of the urban mining potential of the European Metropolis of Lille (MEL), which had 1,174,273 inhabitants in 2018. This involved quantifying construction and demolition waste (CDW) deposits and analyzing their spatial distribution. The chosen quantification approach utilized building and demolition permits as input data, along with waste diagnostics for Construction and Building Materials Products (CBMPs) obtained from stakeholders in the building sector. Waste quantities were estimated using the production rate calculation method (GRC). Specifically, the calculation based on surface area combined with GIS geographic information systems. CDW quantities were categorized by demolition rehabilitation and construction; by type (hazardous non-hazardous inert); and by urban fabric. For the MEL area, the findings revealed that building sites covered the largest surface area, with over 8 million m² being constructed between 2013 and 2022. The construction activity, including renovation, is expected to constitute approximately 20% of the MEL’s building stock from 2013 to 2022. During the same period, 5.51% of the MEL’s building stock was demolished. This corresponds to nearly 6 million tons of CDW being generated during this period, averaging 661318 tons per year. Demolition sites contributed 73% of the total CDW production, compared to 22% for new construction and 4% for renovation sites. Inert waste continued to dominate the composition of waste, accounting for 90% of the total with 9% for non-hazardous waste and 1% for hazardous waste. Semi-detached and grouped houses business fabrics and townhouses or collective fabrics were identified as the primary type of waste-producing urban fabrics. Furthermore, our GIS-based methodology enabled the analysis of CDW quantity distribution by municipality, providing essential data for understanding the urban mining potential and the disparity between construction material requirements for new buildings and resources derived from building demolition. This approach facilitates the assessment of (1) a geographical area’s reliance on construction materials, and (2) the significance of reusing and recycling products equipment materials and waste (PEMW) in new construction to achieve circular economy objectives and to comply with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) channel initiated in France in 2023. Over the period from 2013 to 2022, annual construction material requirements remained significantly higher than resources from building demolition and rehabilitation, ranging between 29% and 35%. Additionally, the analysis indicated a potential 41% rate of substitution of new construction materials with secondary primary materials in the MEL, varying by municipality and typology, with higher rates in rural communities and lower rates in urban communities.

Crocin's role in modulating MMP2/TIMP1 and mitigating hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice

To explore the molecular pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and identify potential therapeutic targets, we performed transcriptome sequencing of lung tissue from mice with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Our Gene Ontology analysis revealed that “extracellular matrix organization” ranked high in the biological process category, and matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) and other proteases also played important roles in it. Moreover, compared with those in the normoxia group, we confirmed that MMPs expression was upregulated in the hypoxia group, while the hub gene Timp1 was downregulated. Crocin, a natural MMP inhibitor, was found to reduce inflammation, decrease MMPs levels, increase Timp1 expression levels, and attenuate hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice. In addition, analysis of the cell distribution of MMPs and Timp1 in the human lung cell atlas using single-cell RNAseq datasets revealed that MMPs and Timp1 are mainly expressed in a population of fibroblasts. Moreover, in vitro experiments revealed that crocin significantly inhibited myofibroblast proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition. Furthermore, we demonstrated that crocin inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation and regulated the pulmonary arterial fibroblast MMP2/TIMP1 balance by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. In summary, our results indicate that crocin attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice by inhibiting TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast activation.

Low-calorie diet-induced weight loss is associated with altered brain connectivity and food desire in obesity.

The main objective of this study is to better understand the effects of diet-induced weight loss on brain connectivity in response to changes in glucose levels in individuals with obesity. A total of 25 individuals with obesity, among whom 9 had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans before and after an 8-week low-calorie diet. We used a two-step hypereuglycemia clamp approach to mimic the changes in glucose levels observed in the postprandial period in combination with task-mediated fMRI intrinsic connectivity distribution (ICD) analysis. After the diet, participants lost an average of 3.3% body weight. Diet-induced weight loss led to a decrease in leptin levels, an increase in hunger and food intake, and greater brain connectivity in the parahippocampus, right hippocampus, and temporal cortex (limbic-temporal network). Group differences (with vs. without type 2 diabetes) were noted in several brain networks. Connectivity in the limbic-temporal and frontal-parietal brain clusters inversely correlated with hunger. A short-term low-calorie diet led to a multifaceted body response in patients with obesity, with an increase in connectivity in the limbic-temporal network (emotion and memory) and hormone and eating behavior changes that may be important for recovering the weight lost.

On-line error monitoring of capacitive voltage transformer based on substation topology and distribution analysis

Abstract The capacitor voltage transformer (CVT) is widely used in power systems with high voltage levels. The operation state of CVT is related to the accuracy of electric energy metering. Because the internal structure of CVT is complex and vulnerable to the external environment, the error may be out of tolerance in the actual operation process. The error is composed of system error and random error. The change of error is mainly the change of system error. In general, random errors satisfy specific distributions and will not change easily. In this paper, the voltage amplitude and phase effective value output by the CVT acquisition device at the same voltage level are used to compare the amplitude effective value of the in-phase output to obtain the ratio characteristic quantity K, and the phase effective value is subtracted to obtain the difference characteristic quantity θK . K and θK contain the information of two CVT ratio differences and angle differences. The probability density distribution obeyed by K and θK during the normal operation of CVT is taken as the reference probability density distribution and compared with the probability density distribution to be measured during online monitoring. If the probability density distribution changes significantly, it shows that the ratio difference and angle difference have exceeded the difference under the premise of this paper. Finally, the contribution method is used to locate the out-of-tolerance CVT. In this paper, the online monitoring method is verified by simulation data. The test results show that the ±0.1% range ratio difference and the ±5′ range angle difference can be identified, and the online monitoring of the 0.1-stage CVT error is realized.

Effectiveness of Genicular Artery Embolization for Reducing Synovitis as Assessed by Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

PurposeTo investigate the impact of genicular artery embolization (GAE) on synovitis in knee osteoarthritis (OA) using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and assess its predictive role in pain response. Materials and MethodsA single-center retrospective analysis was conducted using contrast-enhanced MR imaging on 33 patients treated with GAE for knee OA between December 2022 and March 2023. MR assessments before the procedure and at 3-month after embolization were utilized in a semiquantitative scoring system for synovitis severity and distribution analysis. Pain and function through Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and visual analog scale scores were also assessed. ResultsSignificant synovitis reduction was noted after GAE, particularly in parapatellar and periligamentous areas. Synovial contrast enhancement scores significantly decreased from 5.1 (SD ± 2) to 2.9 (SD ± 2) at 3 months (P < .001), with a moderate negative correlation between synovial enhancement scores and pain levels (P = .005). ConclusionsGAE significantly reduced synovitis in knee OA, evidenced by contrast-enhanced MR imaging. The correlation between preprocedural synovial contrast enhancement scores and pain relief after the procedure, although promising, requires careful interpretation because of the complex factors affecting pain in knee OA.

Detailed cool star flare morphology with CHEOPS and TESS

Context. White-light stellar flares are proxies for some of the most energetic types of flares, but their triggering mechanism is still poorly understood. As they are associated with strong X and ultraviolet emission, their study is particularly relevant to estimate the amount of high-energy irradiation onto the atmospheres of exoplanets, especially those in their stars’ habitable zone. Aims. We used the high-cadence, high-photometric capabilities of the CHEOPS and TESS space telescopes to study the detailed morphology of white-light flares occurring in a sample of 130 late-K and M stars, and compared our findings with results obtained at a lower cadence. Methods. We employed dedicated software for the reduction of 3 s cadence CHEOPS data, and adopted the 20 s cadence TESS data reduced by their official processing pipeline. We developed an algorithm to separate multi-peak flare profiles into their components, in order to contrast them to those of single-peak, classical flares. We also exploited this tool to estimate amplitudes and periodicities in a small sample of quasi-periodic pulsation (QPP) candidates. Results. Complex flares represent a significant percentage (≳30%) of the detected outburst events. Our findings suggest that high-impulse flares are more frequent than suspected from lower-cadence data, so that the most impactful flux levels that hit close-in exoplanets might be more time-limited than expected. We found significant differences in the duration distributions of single and complex flare components, but not in their peak luminosity. A statistical analysis of the flare parameter distributions provides marginal support for their description with a log-normal instead of a power-law function, leaving the door open to several flare formation scenarios. We tentatively confirmed previous results about QPPs in high-cadence photometry, report the possible detection of a pre-flare dip, and did not find hints of photometric variability due to an undetected flare background. Conclusions. The high-cadence study of stellar hosts might be crucial to evaluate the impact of their flares on close-in exoplanets, as their impulsive phase emission might otherwise be incorrectly estimated. Future telescopes such as PLATO and Ariel, thanks to their high-cadence capability, will help in this respect. As the details of flare profiles and of the shape of their parameter distributions are made more accessible by continuing to increase the instrument precision and time resolution, the models used to interpret them and their role in star-planet interactions might need to be updated constantly.

Temporal Evolution, Oscillation and Coherence Characteristics Analysis of Global Solar Radiation Distribution in Major Cities in China’s Solar-Energy-Available Region Based on Continuous Wavelet Transform

The majority of the energy required for human survival is derived either directly or indirectly from solar radiation, thus it is important to investigate the periodic fluctuations in global solar radiation over time. In this study, six cities—Harbin, Shenyang, Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Guangzhou—located in the utilizable areas of solar energy in China, were selected, and the periodicity of the daily global solar radiation of these six cities with time were investigated by means of wavelet power spectrum analysis. Furthermore, Harbin, which has the lowest monthly average of global solar radiation in the cold of winter, was selected to explore the temporal evolution relationship between global solar radiation and other meteorological factors, and air quality factors by wavelet coherence analysis. Among the meteorological factors, the correlation between global solar radiation and sunshine duration exhibits the highest level of consistency. Global solar radiation demonstrates a positive association with atmospheric temperature/wind speed/precipitation over the annual cycle. Conversely, it displays a negative correlation with atmospheric pressure during this time frame. Additionally, on shorter timescales, global solar radiation is negatively correlated with air humidity and precipitation. Among air quality factors, the relationship between global solar radiation and CO/NO2/O3/PM2.5/PM10/SO2 primarily manifests in the broader annual cycle time scale. Within this context, global solar radiation shows a positive correlation with O3, while displaying negative associations with the other five air quality indicators. These findings contribute to urban environmental planning and the effective management and utilization of solar radiation, thereby providing valuable insights to guide the future development of cross-regional comprehensive energy utilization projects under diverse climatic and geographical conditions. Additionally, they serve as a reference for subsequent research aimed at enhancing the accuracy of global solar radiation prediction models.