Index Distribution Research Articles

Implicit modular coupled heat transfer analysis for functionally graded materials using the SVC-FMC method

Functionally graded materials have found extensive applications in the aerospace industry and solar energy systems due to their excellent performance in enhancing heat transfer/insulation. Developing corresponding theoretical frameworks for the coupled radiation and conduction heat transfer (CRCHT) is crucial for unlocking their full potential and expanding their applicability in various high-performance and critical applications. Considering the limitations of existing frameworks in addressing CRCHT problems in practical applications, such as the explicit iteration procedure and the linearization assumption, a fully implicit framework as the source value caching function Monte Carlo (SVC-FMC) method is proposed based on the null collision reverse Monte Carlo and the Green's Function Markov Superposition Monte Carlo, which are suitable for solving the radiative transfer equation and the energy equation within non-uniform media. The accuracy of the proposed method is validated with different heat transfer systems. It was observed that the maximum root mean square error during the verification process did not exceed 0.08, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of SVC-FMC in analyzing CRCHT processes involving gradient materials. Results reveal that the material properties that transcend the functional distribution form will augment the strengthening effect of heat transfer/insulation. The scattering characteristics significantly influence the strengthening effect caused by refractive index distribution.

Proximal lumbar anterior column realignment for iatrogenic sagittal plane adult spinal deformity correction: a retrospective case series

Anterior column realignment (ACR) is a powerful minimally invasive surgery (MIS) technique to restore sagittal alignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD). This can accomplish similar segmental lordosis restoration as 3-column osteotomy with less blood loss and comparable complication rates. ACR can be performed at adjacent disease segments in the proximal lumbar spine in revision cases. However, two-thirds of physiologic lordosis occurs between L4-S1, and concerns remain about altered lumbar morphology. We evaluated patients who underwent proximal lumbar ACR for iatrogenic flatback deformity. A total of 19 consecutive patients who underwent L1-2 or L2-3 ACR were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with lateral MIS interbody technique, followed by posterior reconstruction with Smith-Peterson osteotomy (SPO). Pre- and post-operative radiographic and clinical outcomes were obtained. Mean follow-up was 19-months. All but one patient had a history of prior lumbar or lumbo-sacral fusion. SVA and PI-LL decreased from 11.9 cm to 6.1 cm (p<0.0001) and 34.2° to 12.8° (p<0.0001). Segmental lordosis increased from -2.7° to 21.9° (p<0.0001). Proximal lumbar lordosis (PLL) increased from -0.4° to 22.6° (p<0.0001), and lordosis distribution index (LDI) decreased from 79.5% to 48.9% (p<0.0001). Mean ODI and NPRS back pain decreased from 58.0 to 36.2 (p=0.0041) and 7.9 to 3.4 (p<0.0001). PROMIS-10 Physical and Mental Health T-scores increased from 34.1 to 43.3 (p=0.0049) and 40.4 to 45.0 (p=0.0993). Major complication rate was 15.8%. One patient required revision for mechanical failure. There were no permanent neurological or vascular injuries. Proximal lumbar ACR plus SPO can achieve sagittal correction with low major complication rates in patients with ASD and prior distal fusion. Differentially increasing PLL and lowering LDI did not have deleterious effects on radiographic or clinical outcomes. Further work is needed to understand the effect of proximal ACR in the surgical management of ASD.

Dependence of the polytropic behaviour of solar wind protons on temperature anisotropy and plasma beta near L1

A polytropic process describes the transition of a fluid from one state to another through a specific relationship between the fluid density and temperature, while the value of the polytropic index that governs this relationship determines the heat transfer and the effective degrees of freedom of that specific process. In this paper we investigate in depth the relationship between the proton effective polytropic index gamma in the solar wind, the proton anisotropy alpha , and plasma beta , while---for the first time to our knowledge to such an extent---we further investigate the dependence of the partial (with respect to the magnetic field) polytropic index to both the above-mentioned plasma parameters. To this end we use the entire Wind dataset spanning the 1995 to 2023 time period to derive the distributions of the polytropic index in the near-Earth space (L1). Our results indicate that the proton gamma increases with increasing proton anisotropy and decreases with increasing plasma beta . Finally, we show that even though the average (over long time periods) total and partial proton polytropic index values are very close, these values correspond to isotropic plasma alone, with a further balance between the thermal and magnetic pressure.On the contrary, for shorter time periods and/or specific solar wind structures, where the proton anisotropy and plasma beta exhibit deviations from these average values, the partial proton polytropic index exhibits significant variation that is dependent on the anisotropy and on plasma beta .

Quantitative analysis of high-frequency radiometric databases. Application to the case of Seville

AbstractThe short-term variability of solar resource is one of the main challenges faced by the large-scale implementation of photovoltaic (PV) systems today; this will increase as the installed power of solar PV increases. To evaluate its influence on electrical grid operation, it is essential to analyse the variability of solar resource based on high-frequency data, 30 s and shorter. In this study, the high-frequency measurements of Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) and Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) recorded every 5 s at the radiometric station of the University of Seville for 20 years are analysed and characterised. For this purpose, a corrected database for GHI and DNI was obtained from the application of a correction methodology. To understand the reliability of this database it is required to know its uncertainty. This work proposes a methodology to quantify the uncertainty of high-frequency radiometric databases whose wrong data have been corrected. Applying it, the daily uncertainty is 2.69% for GHI and 4.07% for DNI. To characterize the distribution of the database, the distribution of high frequency kt and kb indices are modelled providing the fitting parameters. To characterize the variability of high-frequency measurements, transition matrices are proposed, which allow identifying both the magnitude and frequency of jumps. The results obtained show that jumps of up to 800 W/m2 occur in both GHI and DNI. In the case of GHI, the percentage of jumps equal to or greater than 500 W/m2 is 1.36%, about 43,000 jumps in a year in measurements every 5 s.

An Elevated FIB-4 Score is associated with the severity of heart failure

Abstract Background Liver disease and heart failure (HF) are known to be closely associated. Non-invasive tests (NIT), such as the FIB-4 score, have been recommended by different guidelines to rule out advanced liver fibrosis and to stratify the risk of liver-related outcomes in patients with chronic liver diseases. Purpose Thus, our goal was to evaluate the connection between the FIB-4 index, heart failure, associated comorbidities, and cardiological biomarkers that predict the risk of liver fibrosis in patients with heart failure. Methods HF patients hospitalized in the cardiology department were divided into a group with an FIB-4 index &amp;lt;1.3 (indicating a low risk of liver fibrosis) (n=53) and a group with an FIB-4 index ≥1.3 (indicating intermediate and high risk of fibrosis) (n=59). Clinical examinations, laboratory results, echocardiography with Vivid E95-GE Healthcare, non-invasive body mass analysis with Body Composition Analyzer (Tanita Pro), and measurements of NT-proBNP, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), galectin-3, fatty acid-binding protein (FABP), copeptin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were performed. Results The patients with an FIB-4 index ≥1.3 had significantly higher: left ventricular volume index (LAVI) (p=0.004), E/E’ ratio (p=0.004) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.003) compared to group with low risk of liver fibrosis. There were no differences in body mass compartments between groups except for ECW/TBW (%) - an index of body water distribution, which was lower in low-risk liver fibrosis group (p=0.0002). Patients with an FIB-4 index ≥1.3 had also lower: GFR MDRD (median 59.95 vs 85.1 mL/min/1.73 m²; p&amp;lt;0.001), total cholesterol (116.5 vs 15 mg/dL; p=0.002), LDL cholesterol (median 56 vs 93 mg/dL; p&amp;lt;0.0001) and HDL cholesterol (median 39 vs 47 mg/dL; p=0.03). Regarding heart failure biochemical biomarkers, patients with low risk of liver fibrosis had significantly lower level of NT-proBNP (median 37 vs 161 pg/ml; p&amp;lt;0.0001), GDF-15 (median 399.6 vs 898.9 pg/ml; p&amp;lt;0.0001) and FABP (median 101 vs 264,7 pg/ml; p=0.04). In a multiple logistic regression model the factors that were independently associated with the risk of liver fibrosis in HF patients based on an FIB-4 index were GDF-15 &amp;gt;724 pg/ml (OR 33.7, 95%CI: 6.5-174.2; p=0.0001), and NT-proBNP &amp;gt;129 pg/ml (OR 19.9, 95% CI: 3.8-103; p=0.0001) (Figure 1) Conclusion Our study suggests association between an elevated FIB-4 score and heart functions, and kidney impairment with fluid overload but not with higher total and low density cholesterols fractions or percentage of fat. Higher GDF-15 and NT-proBNP levels are independently associated with the risk of liver fibrosis based on an FIB-4 index. FIB-4 index in HF patients is an easy method to monitor the risk of liver fibrosis and might help to predict the HF progression and CVD complications.

Inequalities in Primary Care Provision in Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Korea

Abstract Background Primary care clinics play a crucial role in community health promotion by facilitating early disease detection and management. The number of these clinics in Gwangju Metropolitan City increased from 931 in 2000 to 2,400 in 2022, but this growth was not evenly distributed within the city. This study aims to examine the spatial inequalities in the distribution of clinics in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Methods This study utilized local administrative licensing data on medical institutions classified as clinics. To estimate healthcare resource imbalances, Lorenz curves and Gini indices for the number of clinics per 100,000 individuals and per square kilometer were calculated by district. Results The number of primary care clinics per 1,000 individuals or per square kilometer was highest in Dong-gu and Seo-gu, while Gwangsan-gu had relatively fewer facilities. In particular, Buk-gu, Seo-gu, and Nam-gu had more than 40% of areas with a high number of healthcare facilities relative to population or area, whereas less than 50% of Gwangsan-gu fell into the lower tier in these categories. The Gini index, used to measure the geographical inequality of healthcare facility distribution, showed a slight improvement from 2000 to 2023. However, Seo-gu and Buk-gu exhibited different trends compared to other districts. Conclusions Geographical disparities in the distribution of primary care clinics in Gwangju Metropolitan City have slightly improved since 2000, but show different patterns by district. Addressing healthcare imbalances is essential for enhancing health equity, requiring multifaceted efforts to mitigate disparities and improve medical service accessibility in underserved areas. Key messages • Significant disparities exist in the distribution of primary care clinics across Gwangju, with higher densities in Dong-gu and Seo-gu, and fewer facilities in Gwangsan-gu. • The Gini index for clinic distribution has improved since 2000, but disparities remain, particularly in Seo-gu and Buk-gu. Continued efforts are essential to reduce healthcare inequalities further.

Label-free long-term measurements of adipocyte differentiation from patient-driven fibroblasts and quantitative analyses of in situ lipid droplet generation

The visualization and tracking of adipocytes and their lipid droplets (LDs) during differentiation are pivotal in developmental biology and regenerative medicine studies. Traditional staining or labeling methods, however, pose significant challenges due to their labor-intensive sample preparation, potential disruption of intrinsic cellular physiology, and limited observation timeframe. This study introduces a novel method for long-term visualization and quantification of biophysical parameters of LDs in unlabeled adipocytes, utilizing the refractive index (RI) distributions of LDs and cells. We employ low-coherence holotomography (HT) to systematically investigate and quantitatively analyze the 42-day redifferentiation process of fat cells into adipocytes. This technique yields three-dimensional, high-resolution refractive tomograms of adipocytes, enabling precise segmentation of LDs based on their elevated RI values. Subsequent automated analysis quantifies the mean concentration, volume, projected area, and dry mass of individual LDs, revealing a gradual increase corresponding with adipocyte maturation. Our findings demonstrate that HT is a potent tool for non-invasively monitoring live adipocyte differentiation and analyzing LD accumulation. This study, therefore, offers valuable insights into adipogenesis and lipid research, establishing HT and image-based analysis as a promising approach in these fields.

Higher myocardial mitochondrial ketone body oxidation capacity in human heart failure

Abstract Introduction/Purpose Recent studies suggest that the ketone bodies (KB) beta-hydroxybutyrate (HBA) and acetoacetate (ACA) are relevant substrates for myocardial energy metabolism in heart failure (HF). However, the amount of KB-dependent mitochondrial respiration in HF has not yet been quantified. High-resolution respirometry (HRR) is the gold-standard method for quantifying substrate-dependent mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between myocardial KB-dependent oxidative capacity and human HF using HRR. Methods The primary endpoint of this single-center prospective cohort study was KB-dependent and overall mitochondrial oxidative capacity in permeabilized myocardium. We used two different protocols for our measurements. In the first HRR protocol, conventional respirometry substrates including fatty acids, complex I- and complex II substrates were used to quantify the maximum coupled oxidative phosphorylation capacity (OXPHOS). Leak respiration was quantified using oligomycin to calculate the respiratory control ratio (RCR, state 3/state 4o), and leak control ratio (LCR, state 4o/state u). In the second protocol which was recently established by our working group, HBA and ACA were used as respirometry substrates to quantify KB-dependent respiration down to the enzyme level. The relative contribution of the KBs was obtained by comparing HBA- and ACA-derived respiration to OXPHOS. We applied both protocols to myocardial samples from individuals with advanced HF (HF group, catheter-acquired endomyocardial biopsies from non-ischemic HF patients or samples of explanted hearts collected during orthotopic heart transplantation surgery in end-stage heart failure patients) as well as previously heart transplanted individuals without current heart failure (Control group). Results Controls and HF had similar demographic characteristics, with comparable age distribution (mean±SD, 56.3±10.3 vs. 54.2±10.7 years, p=0.36), sex (68.75% vs. 66.67% male, p=0.87), or body mass index (25.0±5.8 vs. 29.0±10.6 kg/m2, p=0.08) and differed significantly in cardiac index (3.06±0.67 vs. 1.93±0.44) and ejection fraction (55.8±10.2 vs. 26.6±9.1) (both p&amp;lt;0.0001). The HF group exhibited lower OXPHOS and respiration for all substrate combinations tested (Fig. 1A). In contrast, KB-dependent respiration did not differ between HF and controls (Fig. 1B). The relative HBA-dependent respiration (Fig. 1C) and the relative and absolute ACA-dependent respiration (Fig. 1C and D) were higher in the HF group compared to controls. Mitochondrial uncoupling (LCR) (0.47±0.29 vs. 0.44±0.09 [AU], p=0.79) and coupling efficiency (RCR) (2.75±1.38 vs. 2.11±0.39 [AU], p=0.15) were not different between the groups. Conclusion These findings suggest that mitochondria in the failing heart can utilize KBs for OXPHOS to a greater extent and further hint towards KB metabolism as a potential therapeutic target for HF.

The distribution and mass index of epicardial adipose tissue were correlated with microvascular obstruction formation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Introduction Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), refers to a metabolically active fat depot between the visceral pericardium and the outer margin of the myocardium. EAT has gradually emerged as a novel target for risk stratification of coronary artery disease due to its distinctive location and multifaceted metabolic properties. Microvascular obstruction (MVO) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is identified as an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, the clinical implications of EAT in MVO formation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain unclear. Recently, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as the gold standard technique to detect the extent of MVO and evaluate EAT parameters. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between EAT accumulation and MVO occurrence detected by CMR in STEMI patients. Methods A total of 129 STEMI patients who underwent pPCI successfully were enrolled. Clinical characteristics including demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, laboratory data and angiographic parameters were recorded from each patient by 1 trained physician. All patients underwent CMR within 1 week following pPCI to evaluate infarct size, MVO volume and EAT distribution. All CMR data were transferred to Q-MASS MR 8.1 imaging system (Medis, Leiden, The Netherlands) and interpreted twice by 2 expert radiologists who were blinded to the angiographic and clinical data of patients. Results Compared to STEMI patients without MVO, STEMI patients with MVO presented with higher peak troponin T levels, increase of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), larger infarct size and compromised left ventricular ejection fraction. Total EAT volume, EAT mass index, left atrioventricular EAT volume, left atrioventricular EAT mass index and thickness of EAT in the left atrioventricular groove were unanimously associated with the occurrence of MVO. The left atrioventricular EAT mass index in STEMI patients with MVO were significantly larger than that in STEMI patients without MVO (24.72±5.049 g/m2 vs 18.63±3.670 g/m2, P&amp;lt;0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that NLR, peak troponin T levels and left atrioventricular EAT mass index were independent predictors of MVO. LV EAT mass index showed a robust and independent relationship with MVO formation and a cutoff value &amp;gt;21.5192 g/m2 predicted the presence of MVO with a sensitivity and specificity of 79.5% and 80.4%, respectively. Conclusions Left atrioventricular EAT mass index is an independent predictor of MVO. Measurement of EAT using CMR could be used for risk stratification and might be a promising target in developing new therapies to reduce myocardial reperfusion injury in patients with STEMI.

Detection of changes in local-scale statistical distribution of daily temperature and precipitation in dryland region: a case study of Ningxia, China

Identifying alterations in the local-scale statistical distributions of daily temperature indices and precipitation is crucial for adapting to climate change and combating desertification in arid regions. This study focuses on Ningxia, a representative dryland area in China, where we investigated changes in the statistical distributions of daily temperature and precipitation across ten weather stations over two 30-year periods: 1991–2020 compared to 1961–1990. From 1961 to 2020, annual air temperature indices (mean, maximum, and minimum) exhibited a significant upward trend at all ten weather stations (P < 0.05). Specifically, when comparing the decades of 1961–1970 with those of 2001–2020, annual air temperature indices increased by 1.2–2.2 °C for annual air temperatures, by 0.91–1.97 °C for maximum air temperature, and by 1.26–3.28 °C for minimum air temperature; these corresponded to rates of increase ranging from 0.20–0.40 °C per decade for mean air temperatures, from 0.15–0.33 °C per decade for maximum air temperatures, and from 0.21–0.55 °C per decade for minimum air temperatures, respectively during this period. The observed differences in the statistical distributions of daily temperature indices between the two periods were statistically significant (P < 0.05), indicating an increase rate of approximately 1 °C during the period from 1991 to 2020 relative to that from 1961 to 1990 across various weather stations. In contrast, there were no significant increasing or decreasing trends in annual precipitation (P > 0.05). Similarly, the changes in statistical distributions of daily precipitation also did not reach a significance level (P > 0.05) when comparing data from both periods within these stations. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients between daily temperature indices and daily precipitation have decreased across these stations during the later period compared to earlier years. These findings suggest that while there has been a notable shift toward higher values in the statistical distribution of daily temperature indices—indicating rising temperatures—the corresponding distribution patterns for daily precipitation have remained relatively stable between these time frames. Consequently, this research confirmed an escalation in localized drought conditions within certain dryland areas despite broader regional trends toward humidification observed over recent decades; thus implying an increased risk of desertification as aridity intensifies.

Quantifying Spatial Distribution of Ventilation Defects in Multiple Pulmonary Diseases With Hyperpolarized 129Xenon MRI.

Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI assesses lung ventilation, often using the ventilation defect percentage (VDP). Unlike VDP, defect distribution index (DDI) quantifies spatial clustering of defects. To quantify spatial distribution of 129Xe ventilation defects using DDI across pulmonary diseases. Retrospective. Four hundred twenty-one subjects (age = 23.1 ± 17.1, female = 230), comprising healthy controls (N = 60) and subjects with obstructive conditions (asthma [N = 25], bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome [BOS, N = 18], cystic fibrosis [CF, N = 90], lymphangioleiomyomatosis [LAM, N = 50]), restrictive conditions (bleomycin-treated cancer survivors [BLEO, N = 14]; fibrotic lung diseases [FLD, N = 92]), bone marrow transplantation (BMT, N = 53), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD, N = 19). 3 T, two-dimensional multi-slice gradient echo. Whole-lung mean DDI was extracted from DDI maps; correlated with VDP (percent of pixels <60% of whole-lung mean signal intensity) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) including FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. DDI and DDI/VDP, a marker of defect clustering, were compared across diseases. Pearson correlation analysis and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P < 0.0056 for disease groups, P < 0.0125 for categories. DDI was significantly elevated in BMT (8.3 ± 11.5), BOS (30.1 ± 57.5), BPD (16.0 ± 46.8), CF (15.4 ± 27.2), and LAM (12.6 ± 34.2) compared to controls (1.8 ± 3.1). DDI correlated significantly with VDP in all groups (r ≥ 0.56) except BLEO, and with PFTs in CF, FLD, and LAM (r ≥ 0.56). Obstructive groups had significantly higher mean DDI (14.0 ± 32.0) than controls (1.8 ± 3.0) and restrictive groups (4.0 ± 12.0). DDI/VDP was significantly lower in the restrictive group (0.6 ± 0.6) than controls (0.8 ± 0.6) and obstructive group (1.0 ± 1.0). DDI may provide insights into the distribution of ventilation defects across diseases. 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Determining the utility of three-column osteotomies in revision surgery compared with primary surgeries in the thoracolumbar spine: a retrospective cohort study in the United States.

Retrospective cohort study. To determine the incidence and success of three-column osteotomies (3COs) performed in primary and revision adult spine deformity (ASD) corrective surgeries. 3COs are often required to correct severe, rigid ASD presentations. However, controversy remains on the utility of 3COs, particularly in primary surgery. Patients ASD having 2-year data were included and divided into 3CO and non-3CO (remaining ASD cohort) groups. For the subanalysis, patients were stratified based on whether they were undergoing primary (P3CO) or revision (R3CO) surgery. Multivariate analysis controlling for age, Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index, baseline pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis, and fused levels evaluated the complication rates and radiographic and patient-reported outcomes between the 3CO and non-3CO groups. Of the 436 patients included, 20% had 3COs. 3COs were performed in 16% of P3COs and 51% of R3COs. Both 3CO groups had greater severity in deformity and disability at baseline; however, only R3COs improved more than non-3COs. Despite greater segmental correction, 3COs had much lower rates of aligning in the lumbar distribution index (LDI), higher mechanical complications, and more reoperations when performed below L3. When comparing P3COs and R3COs, baseline lumbopelvic and global alignments, as well as disability, were different. The R3CO group had greater clinical improvements and global correction (both p<0.04), although the P3CO group achieved alignment in LDI more often (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-6.2; p=0.006). The P3CO group had more neurological complications (30% vs. 13%, p=0.042), whereas the R3CO tended to have higher mechanical complication rates (25% vs. 15%, p=0.2). 3COs showed greater improvements in realignment while failing to demonstrate the same clinical improvement as primaries without a 3CO. Overall, when suitably indicated, a 3CO offers superior utility for achieving optimal realignment across primary and revision surgeries for ASD correction.

Quantitative analysis of fat distribution in men and women: contribution of diet, physical activity, and FTO genotype

BACKGROUND: The Russian Federation is among the top ten countries in terms of obesity prevalence among adults. AIM: To identify the endogenous (biological factors such as age and FTO genotype) and exogenous (diet and physical activity level) factors that influence body fat accumulation and distribution among a group of women and men from Moscow. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 464 volunteers, consisting of 231 women and 233 men aged between 18 and 60 years, from Moscow took part in a single-center, cross-sectional, observational study. The program involved measuring body height, weight, body and limb girths, as well as conducting caliperometry, bioimpedance analysis, and administering questionnaires. Indices of body fat distribution were calculated. Additionally, differences in genotype, specifically the rs9939609 TA variant in the FTO gene, were also determined. RESULTS: Maintaining a vegetarian diet for at least three years was associated with lower fat and fat-free mass, but not with abdominal fat in both men and women. Engaging in regular physical activity had the most significant impact on abdominal fat in both genders. Furthermore, participating in amateur or professional sports activities for a minimum of 180 minutes per week was associated with lower overall body fat. We found no association between the FTO rs9939609 gene and fat accumulation or distribution, regardless of diet and physical activity levels. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that vegetarian diet and regular physical activity are likely to be the most effective total and abdominal fat loss strategy for male and female adult residents of Moscow.

Characteristics and Tectonic Implications of the Geomorphic Indices of the Watersheds around the Lijiang–Jinpingshan Fault

The Lijiang–Jinpingshan fault (LJF) is an important secondary boundary fault that obliquely cuts the Sichuan–Yunnan rhombic block. It is of great significance for understanding the tectonic evolution of the Sichuan–Yunnan rhombic block and even the southeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau. Based on a digital elevation model (DEM), this work combines ArcGIS with MATLAB script programs to extract geomorphic indices including slope, the relief degree of the land surface (RDLS), hypsometric integral (HI), and channel steepness index (ksn) of 593 sub–watersheds and strip terrain profiles around the LJF. By analyzing the spatial distribution characteristics of the geomorphic indices and combining the regional lithology and precipitation conditions, the spatial distribution of the geomorphic indices around the study area was analyzed to reveal the implications of the LJF’s activity. The results of this work indicate that (1) the distribution of geomorphic indices around the LJF may not be controlled by climate and lithological conditions, and the LJF is the dominant factor controlling the geomorphic evolution of the region. (2) The spatial distribution patterns of geomorphic indices and strip terrain profiles reveal that the vertical movement of the LJF resulted in a pronounced uplift on its northwest side, with tectonic activity gradually diminishing from northeast to southwest. Furthermore, based on the spatial distribution characteristics of these geomorphic indices, the activity intensity of the LJF can be categorized into four distinct segments: Jianchuan–Lijiang, Lijiang–Ninglang, Ninglang–Muli, and Muli–Shimian. (3) The activity of the LJF obtained from tectonic geomorphology is consistent with the conclusions obtained in previous geological and geodesic studies. This work provides evidence of the activity and segmentation of the LJF in tectonic geomorphology. The results provide insight for the discussion of tectonic deformation and earthquake disaster mechanisms in the southeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau.

Comprehensive analysis of particle emissions from miniature turbojet engine

Emission of particulate matter from jet engines contribute to deterioration of air quality in the vicinty of the airports and to formation of contrails in higher layers of the atmosphere. This article presents the results of the measurements of particle emissions from a miniature jet engine GTM-120 fueled conventional aviation fuel Jet A-1. Analysis of particle size distribution, number, mass and volume emission indexes has been made, as well as the analysis of the emission intenisty and mass emission rate. Obtained results were related to LTO cycle phases. The results shows, that the particle number concentration was the lowest for low engine loads, with characteristic diameter of 69.8 nm and the particles concentration of 7.7 x 106 particles/cm3. For thrust increase, the characteristic diameter is smaller, and the particles distribution is no longer single-mode. The highest particles concentration for cm3 is for 100% thrust and is equal to 1.55 x 107 particles, with characteristic diameter of 34 nm.

Patterns of change in the association between socioeconomic status and body mass index distribution in India, 1999-2021.

Body mass index (BMI) is an important indicator of human health. However, trends in socioeconomic inequalities in BMI over time throughout India are understudied. Filling this gap will elucidate which socioeconomic groups are still at risk for adverse BMI values. This repeated cross-sectional study analysed four rounds of India's National Family Health Surveys (1998-1999, 2005-2006, 2015-2016, and 2019-2021). The outcome was BMI categories, measured in kilogram per metres squared (kg/m2), defined as severely/moderately thin (<17.0 kg/m2), mildly thin (17.0-18.4 kg/m2), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). We examined the prevalence, standardised absolute change, and odds ratios estimated by multivariable regression models by household wealth and levels of education, two important measures of socioeconomic status (SES). The study population consisted of 1 244 149 women and 227 585 men. We found that those in the lowest SES categories were more likely to be severely/moderately thin or mildly thin. Conversely, those in the highest SES groups were more likely to be overweight or obese. The gradients were steepest for wealth, and this was substantiated by the results of regression models for every wave. There has been a decline in the difference in the prevalence of severely/moderately thin or mildly thin between SES groups when comparing the years 1999 and 2021. SES-based inequalities in BMI were smaller in 2021 compared to 1999. However, those in low SES groups were most likely to be severely/moderately thin or mildly thin while those in high SES groups were more likely to be overweight or obese. Future research should explore the pathways that link SES with BMI.

A 3D-Printed Bi-Material Bragg-Based Reflectarray Antenna.

This paper presents a 3D-printed fully dielectric bi-material reflectarray with bandgap characteristics for multi-band applications. To achieve bandgap characteristics, a "1D Bragg reflector" unit cell is used. The latter is a layered structure characterized by a spatial distribution of refractive index that varies periodically along one dimension. By appropriately selecting the dimensions, the bandgap can be shifted to cover the desired frequency bands. To validate this bandgap characteristic, a (121.5 mm × 121.5 mm) with an f/D ratio of 0.5 reflectarray was fabricated. The measured gain at 27 GHz is 27.22 dBi, equivalent to an aperture efficiency of 35.05%, demonstrating good agreement between simulated and measured performances within the frequency range of 26-30 GHz. Additionally, the transparency of the reflectarray was verified by measuring the transmission coefficient, which exhibited a high level of transparency of 0.32 dB at 39 GHz. These features make the proposed reflectarray a good candidate for multi-band frequency applications.

Integrating holotomography and deep learning for rapid detection of NPM1 mutations in AML

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a significant challenge, particularly in the context of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm with NPM1 mutations. This study introduces an innovative approach using holotomography (HT), a 3D label-free quantitative phase imaging technique, to detect NPM1 mutations. We analyzed a dataset of 2073 HT myeloblast images from 48 individuals, including both NPM1 wild-type and mutated samples, to distinguish subcellular morphological changes associated with NPM1 mutations. Employing a convolutional neural network, we analyzed 3D cell morphology, focusing on refractive index distributions. The machine learning model showed high accuracy, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9375 and a validation accuracy of 76.0%. Our findings reveal distinct morphological differences between the NPM1 wild-type and mutation at the subcellular level. This study demonstrates the potential of HT combined with deep learning for early, efficient, and cost-effective diagnosis of AML, offering a promising alternative to traditional stepwise genetic testing methods and providing additional assistance in morphological myeloblast discrimination. This approach may revolutionize the diagnostic process in leukemia, facilitating early detection and potentially reducing the reliance on extensive genetic testing.

Spatio-temporal evolution of social-ecological system resilience in ethnic tourism destinations in mountainous areas and trend prediction: a case study in Wuling, China

Mountainous ethnic tourism lands are important social-ecological system types. With tourism as the main disturbance factor, the theory of social-ecological system resilience provides a new way to realize the sustainable development of ethno-tourism in mountainous areas. This study divides the social-ecological system into social, economic, and ecological subsystems. It constructs an evaluation index system to assess the resilience of ethnic tourism destinations in mountainous areas, considering vulnerability and adaptability. We investigate 64 counties in the Wuling Mountain area and use set-pair analysis to assess the resilience index of the social-ecological system from 2000 to 2020 and reveal the temporal and spatial characteristics. Obstacle degree models and a genetic algorithm-back propagation neural network are utilized to determine the influencing factors and predict future development trends. The following results were obtained: (1) Temporally, the resilience index shows a steady upward trend, reaching a moderate level. The resilience of the social subsystem fluctuates and rises; the economic subsystem exhibits slow, fast, and slow growth rates with occasional abrupt changes; and the ecological subsystem demonstrates a stable, slightly increasing trend. (2) Spatially, the resilience index is high at the edges and low in the central area, exhibiting a concave distribution. Most counties have moderate or higher resilience. The social and ecological subsystems have low resilience in the south and high resilience in the north. The resilience of the economic subsystem is high at the edges and low in the central area. (3) On the distribution of major obstacle factors, the first two are similar at the county level, and the last three are significantly different. The similarity of the barrier factors is related to the degree of regional proximity of the county, and overall, the similarity is decreasing from north to south and from west to east in the distribution pattern within the area. and to a certain extent, it is affected by terrain and geomorphology. (4) The spatial distribution of the resilience index is similar in 2025 and 2030. The index decreases slightly and then increases annually, with a lower growth rate in the south than in the north. Lower values occur in the northern and southwestern parts, whereas higher values are observed around high-value areas. The region as a whole will develop in a coordinated and integrated manner in the future.

Modeling of the effect of gradation and compaction characteristics on the california bearing ratio of granular materials for subbase and landfill liner construction

The California bearing ratio (CBR) of a granular materials are influence by the soil particle distribution indices such as D10, D30, D50, and D60 and also the compaction properties such as the maximum dry density (MDD) and the optimum moisture content (OMC). For this reason, the particle packing and compactibility of the soil play a big role in the design and construction of subbases and landfills. In this research paper, experimental data entries have been collected reflecting the CBR behavior of granular soil used to construct landfill and subbase. The database was utilized in the ratio of 78–22% to predict the CBR behavior considering the artificial neural network (ANN), the evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR), the genetic programming (GP), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Random Forest (RF) and the response surface methodology (RSM) intelligent learning and symbolic abilities. The relative importance values for each input parameter were carried out, which indicated that the (CBR) value depends mainly on the average particle size (D30, 50 & 60). They showed a combined influence index of 66% of the considered parameters in the model exercise. This further shows the importance and structural influence of the particles within the D50 and D60 range in a granular material consistency in the design and construction purposes. Performance indices were also used to study the ability of the models. The ANN model showed the best performance with accuracy of 88%, then GP, EPR and RF with almost the same accuracies of 85% and lastly the XGBoost with accuracy of 81%. Also, the RSM produced an R2 of 0.9464 with a p-value of less than 0.0001. These values show that the ANN produced the decisive model with the superior performance indices in the forecast of CBR of granular material used as subbase and waste compacted earth liner material. The results further show that optimal performance of the CBR depended on D50 and D60 for the design of subgrade, subbase, and liner purposes and also during the performance monitoring phase of the constructed flexible pavement foundations and compacted earth liners.