Diffuse Form Research Articles

On the Definition of Velocity in Discrete-Time, Stochastic Langevin Simulations

We systematically develop beneficial and practical velocity measures for accurate and efficient statistical simulations of the Langevin equation with direct applications to computational statistical mechanics and molecular dynamics sampling. Recognizing that the existing velocity measures for the most statistically accurate discrete-time Verlet-type algorithms are inconsistent with the simulated configurational coordinate, we seek to create and analyze new velocity companions that both improve existing methods as well as offer practical options for implementation in existing computer codes. The work is based on the set of GJ methods that, of all methods, for any time step within the stability criteria correctly reproduces the most basic statistical features of a Langevin system; namely correct Boltzmann distribution for harmonic potentials and correct transport in the form of drift and diffusion for linear potentials. Several new and improved velocities exhibiting correct drift are identified, and we expand on an earlier conclusion that, generally, only half-step velocities can exhibit correct, time-step independent Maxwell–Boltzmann distributions. Specific practical and efficient algorithms are given in familiar forms, and these are used to numerically validate the analytically derived expectations. One especially simple algorithm is highlighted, and the ability of one of the new on-site velocities to produce statistically correct averages for a particular damping value is specified.

Villo-Nodular Synovitis of the Knee: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Villonodular synovitis (VNS) is a benign tumor of the joint synovium, tendon sheaths and bursae. It is a rare condition of unknown pathogenesis [1], occurring preferentially in the knees. There are localized, diffuse and mixed forms [2]. Although the clinical manifestations are aspecific, MRI allows a diagnostic approach, even if it can have differential diagnostic problems in case of atypia or with synovial sarcoma. Treatment consists of complete removal of the lesion to avoid recurrence [3].

Diffusion policy: Visuomotor policy learning via action diffusion

This paper introduces Diffusion Policy, a new way of generating robot behavior by representing a robot’s visuomotor policy as a conditional denoising diffusion process. We benchmark Diffusion Policy across 15 different tasks from 4 different robot manipulation benchmarks and find that it consistently outperforms existing state-of-the-art robot learning methods with an average improvement of 46.9%. Diffusion Policy learns the gradient of the action-distribution score function and iteratively optimizes with respect to this gradient field during inference via a series of stochastic Langevin dynamics steps. We find that the diffusion formulation yields powerful advantages when used for robot policies, including gracefully handling multimodal action distributions, being suitable for high-dimensional action spaces, and exhibiting impressive training stability. To fully unlock the potential of diffusion models for visuomotor policy learning on physical robots, this paper presents a set of key technical contributions including the incorporation of receding horizon control, visual conditioning, and the time-series diffusion transformer. We hope this work will help motivate a new generation of policy learning techniques that are able to leverage the powerful generative modeling capabilities of diffusion models. Code, data, and training details are available (diffusion-policy.cs.columbia.edu).

Interplay between a polerovirus and a closterovirus decreases aphid transmission of the polerovirus.

Multi-infection of plants by viruses is very common and can change drastically infection parameters such as virus accumulation, distribution, and vector transmission. Sugar beet is an important crop that is frequently co-infected by the polerovirus beet chlorosis virus (BChV) and the closterovirus beet yellows virus (BYV), both vectored by the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). These phloem-limited viruses are acquired while aphids ingest phloem sap from infected plants. Here we found that co-infection decreased transmission of BChV by ~50% but had no impact on BYV transmission. The drastic reduction of BChV transmission was due to neither lower accumulation of BChV in co-infected plants nor reduced phloem sap ingestion by aphids from these plants. Using the signal amplification by exchange reaction fluorescent in situ hybridization technique on plants, we observed that 40% of the infected phloem cells were co-infected and that co-infection caused redistribution of BYV in these cells. The BYV accumulation pattern changed from distinct intracellular spherical inclusions in mono-infected cells to a diffuse form in co-infected cells. There, BYV co-localized with BChV throughout the cytoplasm, indicative of virus-virus interactions. We propose that BYV-BChV interactions could restrict BChV access to the sieve tubes and reduce its accessibility for aphids and present a model of how co-infection could alter BChV intracellular movement and/or phloem loading and reduce BChV transmission.IMPORTANCEMixed viral infections in plants are understudied yet can have significant influences on disease dynamics and virus transmission. We investigated how co-infection with two unrelated viruses, BChV and BYV, affects aphid transmission of the viruses in sugar beet plants. We show that co-infection reduced BChV transmission by about 50% without affecting BYV transmission, despite similar virus accumulation rates in co-infected and mono-infected plants. Follow-up experiments examined the localization and intracellular distribution of the viruses, leading to the discovery that co-infection caused a redistribution of BYV in the phloem vessels and altered its repartition pattern within plant cells, suggesting virus-virus interactions. In conclusion, the interplay between BChV and BYV affects the transmission of BChV but not BYV, possibly through direct or indirect virus-virus interactions at the cellular level. Understanding these interactions could be crucial for managing virus propagation in crops and preventing yield losses.

A unified structure-preserving parametric finite element method for anisotropic surface diffusion

We propose and analyze a unified structure-preserving parametric finite element method (SP-PFEM) for the anisotropic surface diffusion of curves in two dimensions ( d = 2 ) (d=2) and surfaces in three dimensions ( d = 3 ) (d=3) with an arbitrary anisotropic surface energy density γ ( n ) \gamma (\boldsymbol {n}) , where n ∈ S d − 1 \boldsymbol {n}\in \mathbb {S}^{d-1} represents the outward unit vector. By introducing a novel unified surface energy matrix G k ( n ) \boldsymbol {G}_k(\boldsymbol {n}) depending on γ ( n ) \gamma (\boldsymbol {n}) , the Cahn-Hoffman ξ \boldsymbol {\xi } -vector and a stabilizing function k ( n ) : S d − 1 → R k(\boldsymbol {n}):\ \mathbb {S}^{d-1}\to {\mathbb R} , we obtain a unified and conservative variational formulation for the anisotropic surface diffusion via different surface differential operators, including the surface gradient operator, the surface divergence operator and the surface Laplace-Beltrami operator. A SP-PFEM discretization is presented for the variational problem. In order to establish the unconditional energy stability of the proposed SP-PFEM under a very mild condition on γ ( n ) \gamma (\boldsymbol {n}) , we propose a new framework via local energy estimate for proving energy stability/structure-preserving properties of the parametric finite element method for the anisotropic surface diffusion. This framework sheds light on how to prove unconditional energy stability of other numerical methods for geometric partial differential equations. Extensive numerical results are reported to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy as well as structure-preserving properties of the proposed SP-PFEM for the anisotropic surface diffusion with arbitrary anisotropic surface energy density γ ( n ) \gamma (\boldsymbol {n}) arising from different applications.

A case of diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma

A clinical case of a diffuse form of hepatocellular carcinoma is described in the article. The results of laboratory and instrumental examination carried out in the hospital were analyzed. The results of examination using computer tomography, ultrasound diagnostics and laboratory tests, as well as the difficulties to differentiate a tumor from other diseases are presented. Diagnosis of diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma is challenging in clinical practice due to the lack of specific clinical and biochemical signs, unconclusive imaging findings, and rapid progression. Without treatment, the life expectancy of patients is limited to eight months.

Real-space diffusion theory from quantum mechanics using analytic continuation

We show that a physical correspondence between Brownian motion and quantum mechanics can be established by formal analytic continuation if Wick rotation (t→it) is replaced by the mirror symmetric, complex conjugate time transformation t→±it. Invariance of the square modulus of the wave function under this transformation reveals a tight connection between Born's interpretation of the probability density and the proper time t2=(−it)(+it), as being both the result of a time symmetry breaking in the informational content of the microscopic (quantum) world, which takes place as we move to a macroscopic level. We find that under the transformation t→±it, the Schrödinger equation and its complex conjugate conforms with a stochastic-mechanical model of the Brownian motion of a particle. From the present analysis, Nelson's osmotic velocity arises naturally and the quantum phase function admits a classical interpretation in terms of a continuous (scalar) potential field that influences the motion of the particle. The maximum phase variation defines the direction of the osmotic and current velocity. Whereas the paper focuses on the correlation between quantum mechanics and Ficks's second law for a constant diffusion coefficient, a discussion is also provided on the possibility of a quantum mechanical formulation for anomalous diffusion, where the diffusion coefficient is a function of space and/or time.

Seasonal euxinia in a coastal basin: Impact on sedimentary molybdenum enrichments and isotope signatures

Eutrophication and global warming are leading to increased deoxygenation of coastal waters worldwide. To predict future trajectories of oxygen loss, insight into the intensity and temporal dynamics of past coastal deoxygenation is essential. Here, we assess the use of sedimentary molybdenum (Mo) enrichments and isotopic signatures (δ98Mo) as redox proxies in sediments of a seasonally euxinic coastal basin (Scharendijke, Lake Grevelingen, the Netherlands). Strong drawdown of dissolved Mo (from ∼100 to ∼60 nmol L−1) was observed in the euxinic bottom waters from July to September in 2021, coinciding with sedimentary enrichment of Mo (with peak values up to 19 ppm). A mass balance for Mo indicates that both deposition of Mo in the form of particles and diffusion of dissolved Mo into the sediment account for this Mo enrichment. The δ98Mo composition of suspended matter in the euxinic waters (0.30 to −1.95 ‰) is in line with isotopic fractionation during formation of thiomolybdates, and removal of Mo by sulfur- and/or iron-rich particles. The δ98Mo composition of the bottom water increases from 2.42 to 3.16 ‰ throughout the euxinic period, thereby further supporting preferential uptake of light Mo isotopes during sulfidation in the water column and near the sediment-water interface. The exceptionally high sedimentation rate at this site (>13 cm yr−1) allows seasonal variations in sedimentary enrichments to be preserved in the sedimentary record. Notably, sediment δ98Mo values peak during the summer euxinic period, reaching 1.28 ‰ in 2021 and as high as 2.15 ‰ in 2020. The 2020 value is close to the mean ocean value of 2.3 ‰, implying that sediments overlain by seasonally and permanently euxinic bottom waters can record the same isotopic signatures for Mo. Further work is needed to determine the potential role of diagenesis in altering δ98Mo records on time scales of months to several years.

Analyzing multicomponent permeation and coupling effects in pervaporation of Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol solutions using Maxwell-Stefan based modeling

The state-of-the-art research in pervaporation lacks a comprehensive understanding of the selective membrane permeation in real and multicomponent mixtures, a factor critical for its widespread commercial adoption. This work elucidates the contribution of various interaction effects, known as coupling phenomena, on the pervaporation of multicomponent Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) solutions through a commercial PDMS membrane. Maxwell-Stefan (MS) diffusion formulations, combined with the UNIQUAC thermodynamic model, mostly restricted in literature to binary solutions permeating through a polymer membrane, are extended to multicomponent feed solutions. The thermodynamic correction factor [Γ] and correlation [B]−1 matrices are analyzed to resolve coupling into its thermodynamic and kinetic (diffusive) constituents.A generalized and explicit analytical derivation for calculation of [Γ] by UNIQUAC model is proposed, allowing estimation for any number of permeants. Subsequently, a significant inhibitory coupling of the component fluxes to the driving forces of its accompanying penetrants is revealed. In addition to the non-ideality arising from diagonal elements Γii, the substantial negative off-diagonal elements Γij in the thermodynamic correction matrices anticipate a decline in effective driving forces, butanol fluxes and permeation selectivity as we transition from binary butanol-water to multicomponent ABE mixtures.Following this, a detailed hit-and-trial based strategy is implemented to evaluate the relevance of membrane plasticization, cluster formation and interspecies frictional interactions towards the MS self and cross diffusivities within the [B]−1 matrix. Existing semi-empirical expressions for self-diffusivities in binary alcohol-water systems incorporating plasticization and clustering constants are reformulated and compared for their ability to accurately describe fluxes in binary and ternary ABE solutions. Furthermore, the optimal model fit was found to be insensitive to variation in MS cross-diffusivities. This suggests that the contribution of correlation effects may be neglected altogether, provided the expressions for self-diffusivities are adequately tailored for membrane plasticization and clustering. Notably, while only butanol clustering suffices for binary mixtures, additional aggregates involving butanol-water, water-water, and butanol-acetone/ethanol are suggested to play a crucial role in steering diffusivities in ternary solutions.Consequently, the proposed models exhibit exceptional agreement with experimental data, achieving R2 values of approximately 0.96, 0.95, and 0.98 for butanol flux in binary butanol-water and ternary solutions containing acetone and ethanol, respectively. Besides providing a more cohesive fit to the overall experimental permeation data, the usefulness of this approach lies in significantly simplifying model computations, thus easing the potential modeling of even more complex mixtures.

Prohibited journeys: power, mobility and resistance in early-modern Spain and Spanish America

This article explores the Spanish Crown’s increasing regulations on mobility and their attempts to inspect and classify transatlantic travellers, highlighting both top-down and bottom-up expressions of power. It explores the efforts of early modern power to control movement, while tracing their shortcomings and limitations, as well as the means through which some travellers reclaimed power and their freedom to move. The article offers an overview of the Crown’s initial efforts to control movement, using historical accounts to enhance our understanding of the complex interaction between mobility and power, and how they shaped each other. By considering public policies, testimonies from local authorities, and freedom litigation suits, the article traces how power was resisted and balanced through individual responses and legal mechanisms, contributing to more nuanced and interdisciplinary views of power dynamics, the free movement of people, and global mobility studies. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s concept of disciplinary power, it proposes tracing earlier stages of this diffused form of power, shedding new light on mobility as a governing mechanism and as an amalgam of experiences that reconfigure power relations and convey stories of resistance.

Diagnosis and features of the treatment algorithm of non-lactational chronic mastitis on the example of a clinical case

Inflammatory processes in the mammary gland (MG) do not lose their relevance, the frequency of occurrence reaches 16% among all diseases of the MG. Non-lactational mastitis (NM) – inflammation in the MG outside the period of pregnancy and lactation – stands out among them [1]. With untimely and non-radical treatment of acute forms, there is a transition to chronic, with the formation of bacterial biofilm in the focus of inflammation and thick scar capsule after repeated surgical interventions, which is due to a vicious circle. The clinical picture of non-lactational chronic mastitis in most cases resembles a diffuse (mastitis-like, edematous-infiltrative) form of breast cancer (BC), which determines the differential-diagnostic difficulties in referring to a doctor both at initial treatment and at recurrence. This problem is faced by doctors of different specialties: oncologists, surgeons, gynecologists, therapists, specialists in radiation and radiological diagnostics [2, 3]. Radiation diagnostics is always the «gold standard» in the diagnosis of breast diseases, but has a number of disadvantages in the inflammatory process in the breast, and, in some cases, it is worth prioritizing the ultrasound method of investigation [4]. Through the combined interpretation of clinical data and ultrasound (USG) findings, the following parameters should be evaluated: skin thickness, pre-mammary fatty tissue, structure of glandular parenchyma of the MJ, presence and boundaries of inflammatory infiltrate/infiltrates in the MJ tissue; formation of «rarefaction» zones, microabscesses and/or already formed «draining» abscess cavities, assess the content of fluid cavities (homogeneity/homogeneity), the presence of pyogenic capsule, as well as the boundaries of inflammation/abscessing with unchanged breast tissue, taking into account possible «microfoci» outside the main mass of changes (like «satellites», «fluid spurs»). It is important to analyze the state of the ductal system of the breast (ductal diameter dilation, intraluminal content) and possible connection of ducts with abscessed areas, which may be a predictor of further spread of the process, recurrence or chronicization of the disease. Inflammation on the background of subacute and chronic process can lead to the development of fistulas [5]. However, there is not always the classic ultrasound picture of a purulent focus in the breast [6–9].

The effectiveness of biotin in therapy alopecia of various origins, pathologies of the skin and nails

Biotin deficiency is caused by inflammatory bowel diseases that impair the absorption of the vitamin, special dietary disorders with the consumption of raw eggs (excess avidin – a vitamin B7 blocker protein), magnesium deficiency, smoking, alcohol, treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, sulfonamides, and anticonvulsants. Hypovitaminosis B7 has also been noted in individuals with congenital genetic defects of the biotinidase gene or other genes involved in biotin metabolism. Deficiency of water-soluble vitamin B7 (vitamin H) – manifested by dry skin, seborrheic dermatitis, dermatitis around the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and groin, impaired nail growth, slow healing of skin cuts, atopic dermatitis, striations, splitting, brittle nails and alopecia (diffuse and androgenic form). Alopecia occurs when hair follicles die and leads to hair loss. The human proteome contains 51 proteins involved in biotin metabolism. In particular, D-biotin-dependent carboxylases play an important role in the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, cell division and growth, incl. keratinocytes and hair follicle cells. The molecular mechanisms of the effects of D-biotin on the skin and its appendages may involve various growth factors: regulation of the signaling pathways of growth factors (IGF-1, FGF, KGF, HGF, VEGF, SIRT-1, Wnt and beta-catenin) has been shown. Hair follicle stem cells cause the cyclical growth of hair follicles. Growth factors are involved in the activation of stem cell growth by D-biotin; activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade leads to the activation of cyclin D1 proteins (initiates DNA synthesis and leads to increased viability of hair follicles. The results of fundamental and clinical studies confirm the prospects of using biotin in dermatology for the treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails, incl. alopecia of various origins (androgenic, focal, diffuse). The results of the studies indicated that biotin was well tolerated, and there was no risk of hypervitaminosis even when taking megadoses (hundreds of milligrams).

Diabetes and mortality risk in patients undergoing coronary angiography: The KARDIO study.

Diabetes is an established risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes including mortality, but the relationship between diabetes and mortality risk in the presence of the extensive or diffuse form of coronary artery disease (CAD) is controversial. We evaluated the association between diabetes and mortality risk in patients who underwent coronary angiography using a real-life clinical database. We utilized the KARDIO registry, which comprised data on demographics, prevalent diseases, including diabetes status, cardiovascular risk factors, coronary angiographies, and other interventions in 79,738 patients. Hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for the association between prevalent diabetes and all-cause mortality were estimated. During a median follow-up of 5.5 years, 11,896 all-cause deaths occurred. In analyses adjusted for age, smoking status, hypertension, family history of CAD, dyslipidaemia, urgency of intervention, body mass index, sex, and sex-age interaction, the HR (95% CI) for mortality comparing diabetes with no diabetes was 1.44 (1.38, 1.50). Following additional adjustment for the degree of CAD (1-3 vessels disease) as confirmed by angiography, the HR (95% CI) for mortality remained similar 1.43 (1.36, 1.49). The association did not vary significantly across several relevant clinical characteristics except for a stronger association in those with a family history of CAD than those without (p = 0.034) and former smokers than nonsmokers (p = 0.046). In patients undergoing coronary angiography, diabetes is associated with an increased mortality risk, independent of several risk factors including the degree of CAD. The association may be modified by family history of CAD and smoking status.

Calling racism by its name: forms of violence in the articulation or omission of racism in Ecuador

ABSTRACT In Ecuador, the ideology of mestizaje has resulted in the denial or minimization of racism against Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. This denial coexists, however, with the consciousness of racialized difference. If racism is most of the time minimized and naturalized, in this paper I propose that we need to consider the circumstances that may generate awareness of racism and a public speaking up against it. Comparing two cases involving Afro-descendant and Indigenous people in conflict with external actors, I analyze the role that different forms of violence play in the public articulation of racism. I contend that violent physical conflict may result in breaking the silence on state racism, while diffuse or slow forms of violence may result in the backgrounding of explicit denunciations of racism.

Diffusion mechanism of quick-setting slurry in water-rich fractured rock mass based on circle-outburst diffusion model

Grouting is the most commonly used methods in dealing with water inrush issue in mine and tunnel engineering. In order to better predict the grouting effect, research on slurry diffusion mechanism became a hotspot for scholars. At present, the mainstream theoretical model used to study the slurry diffusion mechanism are the circle diffusion model and the modified ones in plane plate fracture. However, these models cannot explain the “contradiction” between the rapid setting characteristics of quick-setting slurry and the continuous long-term injection of slurry in grouting engineering, which cannot accurately predict the grouting pressure or grouting diffusion range. Therefore, a “circle-outburst diffusion model” which can explain the above “contradiction” was proposed in this paper. Based on the new model, stepwise algorithms were developed to predict the grouting pressure and slurry diffusion range. By means of conducting fracture grouting simulation test and collecting grouting pressure data in an actual grouting project, the new model was verified and the slurry diffusion mechanism was studied. Comparison results indicate that the new model can reveal the intrinsic reason for the irregular diffusion phenomenon of the slurry and forecast the outburst moment accurately. The circle diffusion stage and outburst diffusion stage elaborated in the new “circle-outburst diffusion model” were consistent with the staged characteristics of the grouting process presented in the grouting simulating test. Differences between theoretical and experimental pressure value were within 10 %, indicating a high degree of consistency. The number and distribution of outburst diffusion points determine slurry diffusion form and significantly influence the diffusion range. The grouting pressure and the length of slurry flow path increase nonlinearly with time in each diffusion stage. It is hoped that the new model can provide a theoretical basis for the study of diffusion mechanism of quick-setting slurry.

Pure argyrophilic grain disease revisited: independent effects on limbic, neocortical, and striato-pallido-nigral degeneration and the development of dementia in a series with a low to moderate Braak stage

Agyrophilic grains (AGs) are age-related limbic-predominant lesions in which four-repeat tau is selectively accumulated. Because previous methodologically heterogeneous studies have demonstrated inconsistent findings on the relationship between AGs and dementia, whether AGs affect cognitive function remains unclear. To address this question, we first comprehensively evaluated the distribution and quantity of Gallyas-positive AGs and the severity of neuronal loss in the limbic, neocortical, and subcortical regions in 30 cases of pure argyrophilic grain disease (pAGD) in Braak stages I–IV and without other degenerative diseases, and 34 control cases that had only neurofibrillary tangles with Braak stages I–IV and no or minimal Aβ deposits. Then, we examined whether AGs have independent effects on neuronal loss and dementia by employing multivariate ordered logistic regression and binomial logistic regression. Of 30 pAGD cases, three were classified in diffuse form pAGD, which had evident neuronal loss not only in the limbic region but also in the neocortex and subcortical nuclei. In all 30 pAGD cases, neuronal loss developed first in the amygdala, followed by temporo-frontal cortex, hippocampal CA1, substantia nigra, and finally, the striatum and globus pallidus with the progression of Saito AG stage. In multivariate analyses of 30 pAGD and 34 control cases, the Saito AG stage affected neuronal loss in the amygdala, hippocampal CA1, temporo-frontal cortex, striatum, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra independent of the age, Braak stage, and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE-NC) stage. In multivariate analyses of 23 pAGD and 28 control cases that lacked two or more lacunae and/or one or more large infarctions, 100 or more AGs per × 400 visual field in the amygdala (OR 10.02, 95% CI 1.12–89.43) and hippocampal CA1 (OR 12.22, 95% CI 1.70–87.81), and the presence of AGs in the inferior temporal cortex (OR 8.18, 95% CI 1.03–65.13) affected dementia independent of age, moderate Braak stages (III–IV), and LATE-NC. Given these findings, the high density of limbic AGs and the increase of AGs in the inferior temporal gyrus may contribute to the occurrence of dementia through neuronal loss, at least in cases in a low to moderate Braak stage.

Diffusion mechanism explorations on the sustainable warm mix asphalt and synchronous rejuvenated SBS-modified asphalt binder using the free volume theory

The blending degree, dominated by the diffusion process between virgin and rejuvenated asphalt, profoundly affects the performance of recycled mixtures. However, research on the blending degree in Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) containing Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene-modified asphalt (SBSMA) mixtures remains relatively underexplored despite its significant impact on pavement performance. To this concern, a predictive model for characterizing the diffusion behavior of the WMA modified SBSMA and synchronous rejuvenated SBSMA was developed based on the free volume theory, which was validated by the pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance test. Based on the predicted diffusion coefficients, the influences of WMA additives, rejuvenator types, and temperatures on diffusion behavior were systematically investigated. Results indicated that the diffusion coefficients were affected by the interaction of WMA additives, rejuvenator types, and temperatures. The presence of the WMA additive and the increase in diffusion temperature were able to improve the blending degree by increasing the diffusion coefficient. Rebalancing the unstable colloidal structure of SBSMA can enhance the diffusion coefficient of the WMA modified SBSMA twice than that of untreated one. After further reconstruction of small SBS fragments into the triblock copolymers, the blending between the WMA modified SBSMA and synchronous rejuvenated SBSMA was completed in the form of mutual diffusion, showing the highest diffusion coefficients (10−7).

Inference of Constitutive Relation of Phase‐Separated Polymers by Integrating Physics‐Informed Neural Networks and Symbolic Regression

AbstractHarnessing data to discover the underlying constitutive relation of phase‐separated polymers can significantly advance the fabrication of high‐performance materials. This work introduces a novel data‐driven method to learn the constitutive equation of diffusional transport of polymers from spatiotemporal density field. In particular, the data‐driven method seamlessly integrated physics‐informed neural networks for inference of approximate solution of diffusivity, and symbolic regression that form explicit expressions of diffusivity. The efficacy and robustness of this method are demonstrated by learning the distinct forms of diffusivity for the phase separation of homopolymer blends with various compositions. In addition, the data‐driven method is generalized to extract the constitutive relation of homogenous chemical potential in the phase separation of homopolymer blends. The data‐driven framework shows the potential for model discovery of nonlinear dynamic system from the spatiotemporal state variables.

The influence of fixing condition on myoglobin stainability of striated muscle as a tool for forensic diagnosis

It is reported that immunostaining of Myoglobin (Mb) is useful for forensic diagnosis. In this study, we investigated the condition of fixation of striated muscle in 10 % neutral-buffered formalin to obtain appropriate stationarity of Mb in immunostaining. Firstly, criteria for staining intensity and definition of the stainability of examined were determined for sheep muscle tissue. Sheep myocardial tissue was fixed using 10 % neutral-buffered formalin under the 21 different conditions based on combinations of the following: three ratios of volume of formalin (mL) to weight of myocardium (g) (RFM) of 1, 4 or 9, 7 durations of fixation (DF) of 0.5, 3 or 6 h, and 1, 2, 5 or 7 days. Secondly, detection of Mb diffused form skeletal muscle from autopsy cases into formalin during fixation were confirmed by ELISA. Finally, the evaluation of stainability of Mb of striated muscle in routine autopsy examinations was confirmed using sheep staining intensity standards. From this experimental investigation, it has been demonstrated that the most suitable formalin fixation condition for using Mb staining in forensic diagnosis is RFM4 with a fixation time of at least DF 3 h up to 1 day. It was evident that staining intensity decreases with fixation durations exceeding 2 days, irrespective of the RFM. Thus, the fixation time was deemed the most influential factor affecting the staining properties of Mb staining in skeletal muscle tissue. When conducting Mb staining using striated muscle as an evaluation sample, particular attention should be paid to the fixation time.

The particularities of connective fibers from the wall of varicose veins extirpated by cryostripping.

The varicose vein affects more than 30% of the general population. Significantly increased rates were noticed in women and older population. From the histopathological point of view, venous arterialization, smooth muscle cell hypertrophy, and hyperplasia are the main changes noticed in varicose vein disease. Some of the main therapeutic methods used in the management of varicose disease are injection sclerotherapy, conservative, surgical, saphenous vein inversion and removal, high saphenous ligation, ambulatory phlebectomy, transilluminated powered phlebectomy, endovascular management, cryostripping. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology of connective fibers from the wall of the varicose veins extirpated by cryostripping. The study included 109 samples taken by cryostripping method. Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson's trichrome, Silver and Orcein staining were applied. The assessment of fibers was made according to score values between 0 and 3. It was found no major structural differences in terms of alterations of collagen fibers induced by the applied surgical procedure. It was noticed duplications and multiplications of the internal elastic lamina, as diffuse and nodular forms. Depletion of elastic fibers at the media was a lesion identified in most of the specimens. The depletion of reticulin fibers correlates with the accumulation of collagen fibers, which partially or completely replace the network in the media and intima. No correlation was found between changes in the reticulin network and the time between prelevation and buffered formalin fixation, the maximum time investigated being five days. The Orcein staining in the venous vessel evaluation panel may be a useful investigation.