Changes In State Research Articles

Multi-Task Learning of Object States and State-Modifying Actions From Web Videos.

We aim to learn to temporally localize object state changes and the corresponding state-modifying actions by observing people interacting with objects in long uncurated web videos. We introduce three principal contributions. First, we develop a self-supervised model for jointly learning state-modifying actions together with the corresponding object states from an uncurated set of videos from the Internet. The model is self-supervised by the causal ordering signal, i.e., initial object state → manipulating action → end state. Second, we explore alternative multi-task network architectures and identify a model that enables efficient joint learning of multiple object states and actions, such as pouring water and pouring coffee, together. Third, we collect a new dataset, named ChangeIt, with more than 2600 hours of video and 34 thousand changes of object states. We report results on an existing instructional video dataset COIN as well as our new large-scale ChangeIt dataset containing tens of thousands of long uncurated web videos depicting various interactions such as hole drilling, cream whisking, or paper plane folding. We show that our multi-task model achieves a relative improvement of 40% over the prior methods and significantly outperforms both image-based and video-based zero-shot models for this problem.

Strengthened Combined Impact of the Pacific and Atlantic Meridional Modes on Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones since the 1990s

Abstract There has been increased focus in recent years on the impact of the Pacific meridional mode (PMM) and the Atlantic meridional mode (AMM) on weather and climate events. This study shows an increased synergistic impact of both the PMM and AMM on eastern North Pacific (ENP) extended boreal summer (June–November) tropical cyclone frequency (TCF) since the 1990s. This increase in the combined impact of both the PMM and AMM on ENP TCF is mainly due to a stronger modulation of the AMM on TCF since the early 1990s and of a stronger modulation of the PMM on TCF since the late 1990s. A budget analysis of the genesis potential index highlights the important contribution of changes in vertical wind shear to the recent strengthened AMM–TCF relationship, while potential intensity and vertical wind shear are the two most important drivers of the recent increase in the PMM–TCF relationship. This intensified association is largely explained by changes in the mean state of sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic associated with the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) and trade wind magnitude in the subtropical Pacific Ocean associated with the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). This study highlights an asymmetric effect of the AMO and PDO on these two meridional modes and ENP TC genesis frequency and provides a better understanding of ENP TC activity on interannual-to-decadal time scales.

Identification and characterization of intermediate states in mammalian neural crest cell epithelial to mesenchymal transition and delamination.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular process that converts epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells with migratory potential in developmental and pathological processes. Although originally considered a binary event, EMT in cancer progression involves intermediate states between a fully epithelial and a fully mesenchymal phenotype, which are characterized by distinct combinations of epithelial and mesenchymal markers. This phenomenon has been termed epithelial to mesenchymal plasticity (EMP), however, the intermediate states remain poorly described and it's unclear whether they exist during developmental EMT. Neural crest cells (NCC) are an embryonic progenitor cell population that gives rise to numerous cell types and tissues in vertebrates, and their formation and delamination is a classic example of developmental EMT. However, whether intermediate states also exist during NCC EMT and delamination remains unknown. Through single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse embryos, we identified intermediate NCC states based on their transcriptional signature and then spatially defined their locations in situ in the dorsolateral neuroepithelium. Our results illustrate the importance of cell cycle regulation and functional role for the intermediate stage marker Dlc1 in facilitating mammalian cranial NCC delamination and may provide new insights into mechanisms regulating pathological EMP.

Autonomic biosignals, seizure detection, and forecasting.

Wearable devices have attracted significant attention in epilepsy research in recent years for their potential to enhance patient care through improved seizure monitoring and forecasting. This narrative review presents a detailed overview of the current clinical state of the art while addressing how devices that assess autonomic nervous system (ANS) function reflect seizures and central nervous system (CNS) state changes. This includes a description of the interactions between the CNS and the ANS, including physiological and epilepsy-related changes affecting their dynamics. We first discuss technical aspects of measuring autonomic biosignals and considerations for using ANS sensors in clinical practice. We then review recent seizure detection and seizure forecasting studies, highlighting their performance and capability for seizure detection and forecasting using devices measuring ANS biomarkers. Finally, we address the field's challenges and provide an outlook for future developments.

In vitro Evaluation of Fungal Susceptibility and Inhibition of Virulence by Diosgenin.

Fungal infections are a public health problem that mainly affects immunosuppressed people, Candida spp. have been responsible for most sources of contamination and invasive fungal infections described around the world. The need arises to find new therapeutic approaches to combat growing infections. Plants and natural products have been considered a valuable source for discovering new molecules with active ingredients. Diosgenin is a sapogenin found in the families of Leguminosae and Dioscoreaceae, it is obtained mainly from the dioscin saponin through the hydrolysis method, it is a phytochemical that has been highlighted in the treatment of various diseases, as well as in combating microbial resistance. The present study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of fungal strains to diosgenin, as well as verify the association with the reference drug and evaluate the inhibition of the virulence factor through morphological changes in the yeast state to the filamentous form of hyphae and pseudohyphae in strains of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei using the broth microdilution method and microculture technique. Antifungal assays revealed that diosgenin was not able to inhibit the growth of the tested strains. However, it was able to inhibit the fungal dimorphism of the strains evaluated, however further studies are recommended to verify its effectiveness against other virulence factors.

Influence of 21-day antiortostatic hypokinesia on the functional state of the musculoskeletal system of human

The influence of antiorthostatic hypokinesia with an inclination angle relative to the horizon of -6 degrees for 21 days was used as a ground model of the physiological effects of weightlessness. 10 practically healthy male volunteers (30.7 ± 5.4 years, 78.0 ± 8.5 kg, 179.7 ± 5.3 cm) took part in the experimental study, who successfully passed the medical expert commission of the SSC RF-IMBP RAS, familiarized with the study program and signed a voluntary informed consent to participate in the study. The state of the musculoskeletal system was assessed according to the results of speed-strength testing on an isokinetic dynamometer before hypokinesia and on the 3rd day after its completion. Staying in conditions of 21-day anti-orthostatic hypokinesia with a body inclination angle of –6° relative to the horizon, as a model of the physiological effects of weightlessness, leads to changes in the functional state of the musculoskeletal lower limbs which manifests itself during speed-strength testing after hypokinesia by a decrease in maximum voluntary force (MPF) of the knee joint extensor muscles from 9 to 15% compared with the base level. The decrease in MPF did not depend on a change in the force gradient, which reflects the ability to exert greater force in the shortest possible time. This indicated that the decrease in the MPF level after hypokinesia was mainly due to a change in the activity of slow motor units. At the same time, we assume that exposure to hypokinesia did not cause a significant change in the activity of fast motor units. This is confirmed by the results of the analysis of the electromyographic activity of the extensor muscles of the knee joint during testing on an isokinetic dynamometer. Also, after hypokinesia, the possibility of using muscle potential significantly decreased - the physiological cost of work increased with a decrease in strength indicators.

Microtopographic Variation as a Potential Early Indicator of Ecosystem State Change and Vulnerability in Salt Marshes

AbstractAs global climate change alters the magnitude and rates of environmental stressors, predicting the extent of ecosystem degradation driven by these rapidly changing conditions becomes increasingly urgent. At the landscape scale, disturbances and stressors can increase spatial variability and heterogeneity — indicators that can serve as potential early warnings of declining ecosystem resilience. Increased spatial variability in salt marshes at the landscape scale has been used to quantify the propagation of ponding in salt marsh interiors, but ponding at the landscape scale follows a state change rather than predicts it. Here, we suggest a novel application of commonly collected surface elevation table (SET) data and explore millimeter-scale marsh surface microtopography as a potential early indicator of ecosystem transition. We find an increase in spatial variability using multiple metrics of microtopographic heterogeneity in vulnerable salt marsh communities across the North American Atlantic seaboard. Increasing microtopographic heterogeneity in vulnerable salt marshes mirrored increasing trends in variance when a tipping point is approached in other alternative stable state systems — indicating that early warning signals of marsh drowning and ecosystem transition are observable at small-spatial scales prior to runaway ecosystem degradation. Congruence between traditional and novel metrics of marsh vulnerability suggests that microtopographic metrics can be used to identify hidden vulnerability before widespread marsh degradation. This novel analysis can be easily applied to existing SET records expanding the traditional focus on vertical change to additionally encapsulate lateral processes.

DYE 10-N-NONYL ACRIDINE ORANGE AS A FLUORESCENT INDICATOR OF THE ACTION OF THE ANTISEPTIC OCTENIDINE ON THE MEMBRANES OF RHODOBACTER SPHAEROIDES CHROMATOPHORES

Increasing volumes of produced antiseptics and disinfectants, which are widely used in medicine, veterinary medicine, the food industry and everyday life, can create a serious environmental problem after use. Previously, under the infl uence of micromolar concentrations of a number of antiseptics, we identifi ed disturbances in the functioning of photosynthetic membranes and phototransforming pigment-protein complexes isolated from them in various representatives of photosynthetic organisms. In this work, to determine the sensitivity of photosynthetic membranes to the action of the cationic antiseptic octenidine, we used chromatophores of the purple nonsulfur bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides, labeled with the fluorescent dye 10-N-nonylacridine orange (NAO). It was shown that the binding of NAO to chromatophores is accompanied by a shift in the dye emission maximum from 525 to 640 nm. The “red” fluorescence of NAO associated with chromatophores turned out to be sensitive to the effect of increasing concentrations of octenidine on photosynthetic membranes. We have found antiseptic concentrations which led to the degradation of chromatophore structures and change in the NAO aggregative state. It can be detected by an increase of “green” fluorescence in the emission spectra of the dye. The properties of NAO as a fluorescent indicator of the functional state of photosynthetic membranes and possible changes that can occur in such systems under the influence of a cationic antiseptic are discussed.

Current spectral norm and phase variation based fault region identification for active distribution network

The paper presents a fault region identification method for the active distribution network (ADN) with limited PMU. First, PMU configuration and region division strategies are proposed based on the network topology. Next, the difference in three-phase current variations between the normal and fault regions of the ADN is analyzed. A multi-dimensional state monitoring matrix is built using the measured current data. The spectral norm ratio coefficient is constructed based on the 2-norm to lower the complexity of the multi-dimensional state monitoring matrix and quantify the difference in state changes before and after the fault occurs in each region. Then, the fault region is identified by combining each region’s spectral norm ratio coefficient and the change of the current phase. Finally, an IEEE 33-node simulation model is created to simulate faults under different working conditions. According to the simulation results, the suggested approach is less impacted by fault type, neutral point grounding mode, and transition resistance. Furthermore, even if the communication does not match the rigorous synchronization requirements, the proposed method can still complete the fault identification of the distribution network correctly and has high robustness.

In the Wake of Deeper Convection: Nonsteady State Anthropogenic Carbon in the Greenland Sea

AbstractWe evaluate changes in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the Greenland Sea between 2002 and 2016, a period characterized by increasing convection depths. We find a mid‐depth maximum in anthropogenic carbon (Cant) accumulation that occurred as waters at these depths were rejuvenated by deeper reaching convection; broadly, these waters have caught up with the atmospheric CO2 rise that had happened between the last time they were ventilated and 2002 and also tracked the atmospheric CO2 rise 2002–2016. The overlying waters only tracked the atmospheric CO2 rise 2002–2016. The mid‐depth maximum in Cant accumulation was not evident in estimates generated with commonly used multiple linear regression (MLR) methods. We analyze the reasons why and show that the eMLR(C*) method may not fully capture nonsteady state changes in Cant when applied along a single hydrographic section as done here. This nonsteady component equates to redistribution of C*, whose spatial gradients in the Greenland Sea are dominated by Cant. We also show that the regular extended multiple linear regression method is sensitive to loss of spatial DIC gradients, which now happens as more and more Cant enters the ocean. Our findings demonstrate that MLR‐based estimates of the Cant accumulation rate should not be taken at face value in highly dynamical ocean regions, such as the Greenland Sea, and the need for also considering the total change in DIC and how this is affected by natural processes. Further investigations into the ability of MLR methods to reproduce nonsteady state changes in Cant are encouraged.

Surface effect on the partial-slip contact of a nano-sized flat indenter

The partial-slip contact at nano-scale is always influenced by a surface effect. A new model based on the Gurtin-Murdoch (G-M) surface elasticity theory is proposed in this paper to study the partial-slip contact behavior of a rigid flat nano-indenter on an elastic half-space. The surface effect in the partial-slip contact is characterized via a non-classical boundary condition involving a surface-induced normal traction related to the residual surface stress and a surface-induced tangential traction related to the surface elasticity, the influences of which on stress and displacement fields and the stick-slip state at the contact surface are investigated. It is found that, with the increase of residual surface stress, both the normal pressure and vertical and horizontal displacements in the contact zone decrease, the relative slip between indenter and substrate reduces and the stick region is enlarged. Such effects are basically attributed to the action of the surface-induced normal traction opposite to the externally applied compression. However, the increase of surface elastic constants is conductive to the relative slip and results in a shrinkage of the stick region, which is attributed to the action of the surface-induced tangential traction opposite to the frictional stress. An interesting phenomenon is further unveiled that, when the frictional coefficient increases, the dominant role in affecting the stick-slip state changes from the surface-induced tangential traction to the normal one, thus inspiring a feasible route to manipulate the surface effect by tuning the frictional coefficient of substrate. The present research enables one to better understand the partial-slip contact behavior of nano-indenters, which is of guiding value for anti-wear designs in nano-mechanical devices.

Effect of mPEG-PLGA on Drug Crystallinity and Release of Long-Acting Injection Microspheres: In Vitro and In Vivo Perspectives.

Traditional progesterone (PRG) injections require long-term administration, leading to poor patient compliance. The emergence of long-acting injectable microspheres extends the release period to several days or even months. However, these microspheres often face challenges such as burst release and incomplete drug release. This study aims to regulate drug release by altering the crystallinity of the drug during the release process from the microspheres. This research incorporates methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (mPEG-PLGA) into poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres to enhance their hydrophilicity, thus regulating the release rate and drug morphology during release. This modification aims to address the issues of burst and incomplete release in traditional PLGA microspheres. PRG was used as the model drug. PRG/mPEG-PLGA/PLGA microspheres (PmPPMs) were prepared via an emulsification-solvent evaporation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to investigate the presence of PRG in PmPPMs and its physical state changes during release. The addition of mPEG-PLGA altered the crystallinity of the drug within the microspheres at different release stages. The crystallinity correlated positively with the amount of mPEG-PLGA incorporated; the greater the amount, the faster the drug release from the formulation. The bioavailability and muscular irritation of the long-acting injectable were assessed through pharmacokinetic and muscle irritation studies in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The results indicated that PmPPMs containing mPEG-PLGA achieved low burst release and sustained release over 7days, with minimal irritation and self-healing within this period. PmPPMs with 5% mPEG-PLGA showed a relative bioavailability (Frel) of 146.88%. In summary, adding an appropriate amount of mPEG to PLGA microspheres can alter the drug release process and enhance bioavailability.

Revealing the crucial roles of myxoma cells and CD206+ macrophages in cardiac myxoma progression based on single-cell sequencing.

e23549 Background: Cardiac myxoma is a commonly encountered tumor within the heart that has the potential to be life-threatening. However, the cellular composition and molecular characteristics of this condition are still not well understood. Methods: We performed single-cell sequencing on cardiac myxoma tissues obtained from 5 patients, focusing on the identification and characterization of cellular subtypes, cell trajectory analysis, and intercellular communication analysis. We performed a comparative analysis of the changes in cell types and states between cardiac myxoma and normal heart tissues. Furthermore, we retrospectively collected pathological sections from 49 cardiac myxoma cases and employed the multi-color immunohistochemistry (mIHC) technology to analyze the relationship between cellular infiltration and the severity of disease. Results: In total, 75,641 cells in cardiac myxoma tissues formed 9 distinct cell populations. Myxoma cells exhibited a significant resemblance to fibroblasts, yet they were distinguished by an increased expression of phosphodiesterases and genes associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and migration. Myxoma cells displayed cellular heterogeneity and demonstrated two distinct evolutionary pathways. One involves the transition from stem cell-like cells to stromal cells and the other involves enhancement of blood coagulation function. Immune cells surrounding the myxoma displayed suppressive features, with the presence of CD8+ T cells expressing TOX and GZMK, as well as a decrease in the secretion of cytotoxic molecules, indicating an impaired effector function. Macrophages were found to express growth factors such as EREG and PDGFC which played a role in promoting myxoma growth. Conversely, myxoma cells were also observed to secrete ANGPTL4 and ANXA1 which in turn induced the transformation of CD206+ macrophages. Extensive mIHC experiments indicated that a higher proportion of CD206+macrophages and myxoma cells infiltrating the myxoma tissues, along with their enhanced spatial interaction, were found to significantly contribute to the increased occurrence of embolism in cardiac myxoma patients. Conclusions: In summary, this study presents a comprehensive single-cell atlas of cardiac myxoma, highlighting the heterogeneity of myxoma cells and their collaborative impact on immune cells. These findings shed light on the complex pathobiology of cardiac myxoma and present potential targets for intervention.

Drought in play: A grounded socio-hydrological tool to increase social participation in drought plans

Drought management requires a proactive approach and active involvement of stakeholders to enhance effectiveness and equity. However, there are challenges such as power imbalances and knowledge disparities. This paper proposes an innovative methodological tool to facilitate the understanding of key concepts, such as drought states and reservoir zoning, alerts for changes in drought state, risk predisposition, breaking down hierarchical structures of teaching and learning, contributing to more horizontal and participatory processes. We present “Drought in Play” from its creation and design to its application in two water systems in the state of Ceará, located in the Northeast region of Brazil. The game encourages active participation in the creation of a proactive drought plan for water systems and stimulates critical thought and proactive actions regarding drought and water resources management. The game was designed for a multidisciplinary team and tested with researchers that know the drought plans methodology and the challenges to build an effective drought plan. “Drought in Play’’ includes game elements (cards, boardgame) and simulations. We explore the participants’ perceptions when using this tool to facilitate stakeholder participation in building a proactive plan to deal with drought and to enable water users to collectively manage a reservoir that is a common resource to all of them. The results suggest that ”Drought in Play“ can be used as a tool for socio-hydrological modeling, because it combines hydrological elements with social aspects such as decision-making, cooperation, and conflicts among participants. The game has potential to facilitate sustainable water resources management, enhance social learning, and provide a knowledge framework to address complex environmental challenges. It can be easily adapted to other regions with similar situations without requiring further modifications.

Development of Science Literacy Through Group Choice STEM-PjBL Projects Integrated with Matter State Changes

This research focuses on the development of students' science literacy in the topic of matter state changes at the primary school level. It utilizes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - Project-Based Learning (STEM-PjBL) as a holistic integrative learning approach, supporting 21st-century skills. The meaningful learning design is crafted to help students understand the material while applying their understanding to a simple project appropriate for primary school students' cognitive levels. The study was conducted in a fifth-grade class at an educational unit in Tangerang City, Banten Province, Indonesia. Using a qualitative research method, data was collected through interviews, observations, reflective journals, and researchers' notes. The STEM-PjBL learning stages included reflection, research, discovery, application, and communication. The Shwartz assessment was developed as an instrument to evaluate students' science literacy abilities. The results show that implementing the STEM-PjBL approach promotes student-centered learning, builds group cooperation, is enjoyable, and develops students' science literacy. Students worked in groups on their chosen projects related to the topic of matter state changes. The average project score for each group received an A rating in completing the STEM-PjBL project. Interdisciplinary learning can encourage students to understand the characteristics and concepts of a theory and relate them to everyday life, thereby impacting their understanding and project development.

The ADnet Bayesian belief network for alder decline: Integrating empirical data and expert knowledge

The globalization in plant material trading has caused the emergence of invasive pests in many ecosystems, such as the alder pathogen Phytophthora ×alni in European riparian forests. Due to the ecological importance of alder to the functioning of rivers and the increasing incidence of P. ×alni-induced alder decline, effective and accessible decision tools are required to help managers and stakeholders control the disease. This study proposes a Bayesian belief network methodology to integrate diverse information on the factors affecting the survival and infection ability of P. ×alni in riparian habitats to help predict and manage disease incidence. The resulting Alder Decline Network (ADnet) management tool integrates information about alder decline from scientific literature, expert knowledge and empirical data. Expert knowledge was gathered through elicitation techniques that included 19 experts from 12 institutions and 8 countries. An original dataset was created covering 1189 European locations, from which P. ×alni occurrence was modeled based on bioclimatic variables. ADnet uncertainty was evaluated through its sensitivity to changes in states and three scenario analyses. The ADnet tool indicated that mild temperatures and high precipitation are key factors favoring pathogen survival. Flood timing, water velocity, and soil type have the strongest influence on disease incidence. ADnet can support ecosystem management decisions and knowledge transfer to address P. ×alni-induced alder decline at local or regional levels across Europe. Management actions such as avoiding the planting of potentially infected trees or removing man-made structures that increase the flooding period in disease-affected sites could decrease the incidence of alder disease in riparian forests and limit its spread. The coverage of the ADnet tool can be expanded by updating data on the pathogen's occurrence, particularly from its distributional limits. Research on the role of genetic variability in alder susceptibility and pathogen virulence may also help improve future ADnet versions.

Security concern and fuzzy output sliding mode load frequency control of power systems

This research investigates the concern of security in multi-area load frequency control (LFC) power systems using fuzzy logic output sliding mode control approach. A motion-trends-based deception attack model is proposed to represent malicious threats from communication networks. The motion-trends-based deception attack model enhances the destructive effect of deception attacks by monitoring changes in system state. In terms of the security concerns, a fuzzy-based output sliding mode control (OSMC) is applied to protect the power system from potential cyber-attacks. We provide sufficient conditions for the power systems stability under motion-trends-based deception attack. An initial controller gain that will bring the power system to stability is calculated by linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The obtained controller gain provides a design method for fuzzy logic member functions. Fuzzy logic is then used to adjust the resulting controller gain to improve power system performance. The simulation results validate the usefulness of the proposed strategy, and indicate the viability of fuzzy logic in fine-tuning controllers.

Daily Time-Use Patterns and Quality of Life in Parents: Protocol for a Pilot Quasi-Experimental, Nonrandomized Controlled Trial Using Ecological Momentary Assessment.

The gender gap in time use and its impact on health and well-being are still prevalent. Women work longer hours than men when considering both paid and unpaid (eg, childcare and chores) work, and this gender disparity is particularly visible among parents. Less is known about factors that could potentially mediate or moderate this relationship (eg, work-family conflict and gender role beliefs). Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) allows for the documentation of changes in momentary internal states, such as time use, stress, or mood. It has shown particular validity to measure shorter-term activities (eg, unpaid work) and is thus useful to address gender differences. The feasibility of the daily EMA surveys in a parent sample will be examined. The associations between time use, well-being, and stress will be examined, along with potential moderating and mediating factors such as gender, gender role beliefs, and work-family conflict. Finally, the act of monitoring one's own time use, well-being, and stress will be examined in relation to, for example, the quality of life. We conducted a quasi-experimental, nonrandomized controlled trial with 3 data collection methods, namely, online questionnaires, EMA surveys, and qualitative interviews. The intervention group (n=64) will participate in the online questionnaires and EMA surveys, and a subsample of the intervention group (n=6-17) will also be invited to participate in qualitative interviews. Over a period of 1 week, participants in the intervention group will answer daily EMA surveys (4 times per day). In contrast, the control group (n=17) will only participate in the online questionnaires at baseline and after 1 week. The following constructs were surveyed: sociodemographic background (eg, age, gender, and household composition; baseline questionnaire); mediators and moderators (eg, gender role beliefs and work-family conflict; baseline and follow-up questionnaires); well-being, quality of life, and trait mindfulness (baseline and follow-up questionnaires); momentary activity and well-being, as well as state mindfulness (EMA); and feasibility (baseline and follow-up questionnaires as well as interviews). We anticipate that participants will regard the daily EMA as feasible. Particular daily time-use patterns (eg, high paid and unpaid workload) are expected to be related to lower well-being, higher stress, and health-related quality of life. These associations are expected to be moderated and mediated by factors such as gender, gender role beliefs, work-family conflict, and social support. Participants in the intervention group are expected to show higher values of mindfulness, well-being, health-related quality of life, and lower stress. Patient recruitment started in November 2023 and ended in mid April 2024. Data analysis commenced in mid April 2024. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the feasibility of using EMAs and the potential benefits of activity tracking in various aspects of daily life. Open Science Framework 8qj3d; https://osf.io/8qj3d. PRR1-10.2196/54728.

Chemical Environment and Structural Variations in High Entropy Oxide Thin Film Probed with Electron Microscopy.

We employ analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to correlate the structural and chemical environment variations within a stacked epitaxial thin film of the high entropy oxide (HEO) Mg0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cu0.2Zn0.2O (J14), with two layers grown at different substrate temperatures (500 and 200 °C) using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Electron diffraction and atomically resolved STEM imaging reveal the difference in out-of-plane lattice parameters in the stacked thin film, which is further quantified on a larger scale using four-dimensional STEM (4D-STEM). In the layer deposited at a lower temperature, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping indicates drastic changes in the oxidation states and bonding environment for Co ions, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping detects more significant cation deficiency. Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations validate that vacancies on the cation sublattice of J14 result in significant electronic and structural changes. The experimental and computational analyses indicate that low temperatures during film growth result in cation deficiency, an altered chemical environment, and reduced lattice parameters while maintaining a single phase. Our results demonstrate that the complex correlation of configurational entropy, kinetics, and thermodynamics can be utilized for accessing a range of metastable configurations in HEO materials without altering cation proportions, enabling further engineering of functional properties of HEO materials.

Torque curve bifurcation in T-shaped rotor continuously drilling into granular media

This study explores how a continuous drill of T-shaped rotor interacts with granular media and illustrates an universal torque bifurcation mechanism. Experiments shew that the drilling torque linear increases with depth initially, followed by bifurcation. The bifurcation types are intricately linked to the motion parameters of the rotor, while the depth of bifurcation and saturated torque are directly influenced by rotor geometry. DEM simulations link torque bifurcation to a low-stress fluidized region around the rotor, while the region is enclosed by a fluid–solid interface and influenced by the motion parameters. Moreover, force chain analysis demonstrates the irreversible state change of granular media disturbed by the rotor. Leveraging these insights, we propose two scaling laws quantifying the bifurcation point depth and the saturated torque, then perform qualitative analysis to explain the experimental phenomena. These findings may hold significant promise for practical engineering applications.