Elasticity Index Research Articles

Relationship between the elasticity of the forearm flexor-pronator muscles and elbow valgus torque in young baseball pitchers: a descriptive laboratory study

BackgroundThe forearm flexor-pronator muscles act as a dynamic elbow stabilizer against elbow valgus load during baseball pitching. The elasticity of these muscles increases with pitching. However, it is unclear whether increased muscle elasticity is associated with greater elbow valgus torque during pitching. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the elasticity of the forearm flexor-pronator muscles and elbow valgus torque during pitching in young baseball pitchers. MethodsWe recruited 124 young baseball pitchers aged 9 to 12 years. The exclusion criteria included current pain with pitching, history of surgery on the tested extremity, or injuries on the tested extremity within the past 12 months. Before the examination, participants completed a questionnaire about their age, height, weight, dominant arm and practice time per week. The strain ratios of flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), and pronator teres as the index of muscle elasticity were measured using ultrasound strain elastography. Participants pitched three fastballs at a distance of 52 ft 6 in (16 m) with maximum effort while wearing a sensor sleeve that recorded the elbow valgus torque. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between muscle elasticity and elbow valgus torque, adjusting for age, height, weight, and practice time. ResultsThe final analysis included 107 pitchers. After adjusting for covariates, increased strain ratio of the FCU was significantly associated with greater elbow valgus torque (coefficients = 0.038, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.016–0.059, P<.001). Similarly, increased strain ratio of the FDS was significantly associated with greater elbow valgus torque (coefficients = 0.027, 95% CI, 0.013–0.042, P<.001). ConclusionThe high elasticities of the FCU and FDS were associated with greater elbow valgus torque during pitching in young baseball pitchers. The high elasticity of these muscles is a protective response and may be necessary for young baseball pitchers with greater elbow valgus torque during pitching. Among young baseball pitchers with greater elbow valgus torque, those who are unable to produce the higher elasticities of these muscles could have greater elbow valgus load during pitching and be at a higher risk for elbow injuries. The measurement of the elasticities of the FCU and FDS may be useful for identifying young baseball pitchers at risk of sustaining elbow injuries.

Deep Learning in Rockburst Intensity Level Prediction: Performance Evaluation and Comparison of the NGO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention Model

Rockburst is an extremely hazardous geological disaster. In order to accurately predict the hazardous degree of rockbursts, this paper proposes eight new classification models for predicting the intensity level of rockbursts based on intelligent optimisation algorithms and deep learning techniques and collects 287 sets of real rockburst data to form a sample database, in which six quantitative indicators are selected as feature parameters. In order to validate the effectiveness of the constructed eight machine learning prediction models, the study selected Accuracy, Precision, Recall and F1 Score to evaluate the prediction performance of each model. The results show that the NGO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention model has the best prediction performance, with an accuracy of 0.98. Subsequently, engineering validation of the model is carried out using eight sets of real rockburst data from Daxiangling Tunnel, and the results show that the model has a strong generalisation ability and can satisfy the relevant engineering applications. In addition, this paper also uses SHAP technology to quantify the impact of different factors on the rockburst intensity level and found that the elastic strain energy index and stress ratio have the greatest impact on the rockburst intensity level.

Fuzzy evaluation and obstacle factors of urban ecological health changes in the Wei River Basin, northwest China

BackgroundUrban ecological health is crucial for the long-term sustainable development of watershed. Accurately evaluating the health level of the ecological environment helps to develop reasonable strategies for ecological environment restoration and resource management. This paper constructed a comprehensive evaluation index system based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework and evaluated the ecological health of eleven administrative regions in the Wei River Basin (WRB), northwest China in 1980, 2000, and 2020 using an evaluation model established by fuzzy mathematics. Further, obstacle degrees were used to quantify the contribution of pressure, state, and response modules, as well as individual indicators to ecological health.ResultsThe comprehensive evaluation system constructed based on the PSR framework could effectively reflect the ecological health conditions of different regions in the WRB. During the study period, the ecological health went through a process of first deterioration and then improvement. By 2020, the ecological health of seven administrative regions reached healthy levels. The state module was the main obstacle module of the PSR framework to the ecological health of the most regions. The population density (P1), patch density of construction land (S5), comprehensive elasticity index (S8), soil erosion index (R1), and per capital GDP (R3) were the most crucial individual indicators affecting the ecological health. For different cities, the main obstacle factors varied. In economically developed cities, the limiting effect of P1 was more significant, while in economically underdeveloped cities, the limiting effect of R3 was stronger.ConclusionsIn response to the special natural environment and socio-economic conditions of arid and semi-arid areas in the WRB, an ecological health evaluation index system suitable for the characteristics of the basin was constructed. The results indicated that, to improve the levels of urban ecological health, it is necessary to restore the natural ecological environment and control population size while accelerating economic construction. Our results can provide scientific support for the ecological health evaluation and protection of the WRB and even the arid and semi-arid areas in northwest China.

Physicochemical, structural and metabolic products of yogurt as affected by Coriolus versicolor fermented sweet potato pulp water

Sweet potato pulp water (SPPW) is a kind of sweet potato starch processing by-product with rich nutrition but low utilization. The impacts of different proportions of Coriolus versicolor (C. versicolor, CV) fermented sweet potato pulp water (CV-SPPW) on the physicochemical, structural and metabolic properties of yogurt were investigated. Compared with 0% group, the hardness index, elasticity index and cohesion of the 10% sample group increased by 1.9-fold, 55.7% and 1.39-fold, respectively. When CV-SPPW was added at an amount of 10%, the microstructure and sensory scores of yogurts were considered as the optimal. Metabolic pathway analysis indicated that the changes of yogurts were mainly involved in sugar metabolism and amino acid metabolism, and that the carbohydrate metabolites produced mainly included cellobiose, maltitol, d-trehalose and d-maltose. The CV-SPPW improved the structural characteristics of yogurts to varying degrees and the fermented yogurts exhibited better viscosity properties.

Classification of coal bursting liability of some chinese coals using machine learning methods

The classification of coal bursting liability (CBL) is essential for the mitigation and management of coal bursts in mining operations. This study establishes an index system for CBL classification, incorporating dynamic fracture duration (DT), elastic strain energy index (WET), bursting energy index (KE), and uniaxial compressive strength (RC). Utilizing a dataset comprising 127 CBL measurement groups, the impacts of various optimization algorithms were assessed, and two prominent machine learning techniques, namely the back propagation neural network (BPNN) and the support vector machine (SVM), were employed to develop twelve distinct models. The models’ efficacy was evaluated based on accuracy, F1-score, Kappa coefficient, and sensitivity analysis. Among these, the Levenberg–Marquardt back propagation neural network (LM-BPNN) model was identified as superior, achieving an accuracy of 96.85%, F1-score of 0.9113, and Kappa coefficient of 0.9417. Further validation in Wudong Coal Mine and Yvwu Coal Industry confirmed the model, achieving 100% accuracy. These findings underscore the LM-BPNN model’s potential as a viable tool for enhancing coal burst prevention strategies in coal mining sectors.

Novel rockburst prediction criterion with enhanced explainability employing CatBoost and nature-inspired metaheuristic technique

Rockburst is a major challenge to hard rock engineering at great depth. Accurate and timely assessment of rockburst risk can avoid unnecessary casualties and property losses. Despite the existence of various methods for rockburst assessment, there remains an urgent need for a comprehensive and reliable criterion that is easy to both apply and interpret. Developing a new rockburst criterion based on simple parameters can potentially fill this gap. With its advantages, this criterion can facilitate a more effective and efficient prediction of rockburst potential, thereby contributing significantly to enhancing safety measures. In this paper, combined with the internal and external factors of rockburst, four control variables (i.e., integrity index, stress index, brittleness index, and elastic energy index) were selected to be incorporated into a comprehensive rockburstability index (RBSI). Based on 116 sets of rockburst cases, the rockburst potential was accurately quantified and predicted using the categorical boosting (CatBoost) model and the nature-inspired metaheuristic African vultures optimization algorithm (AVOA). In its performance validation, the criterion achieved the highest accuracy of 90.48%, verifying the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed RBSI criterion. Additionally, an interpretive method was applied to analyze the variable influence on the criterion, facilitating the explanation of predictions and the analysis of the formula’s robustness under different conditions. In general, compared with existing criterion methods involving relevant indicators, the newly proposed RBSI criterion enhances the accuracy of rockburst potential prediction, and it can effectively and swiftly evaluate the preliminary risk of rockburst. Lastly, a graphical user interface was developed to provide a clear visualization of the assessment of rockburst potential.

국내 소분류 제조업 시장의 경쟁지표 측정 : 이윤탄력성을 중심으로

국내 소분류 제조업 시장의 경쟁지표 측정 : 이윤탄력성을 중심으로

First-principles predictions of the structural, dynamical, mechanical and thermal properties of MoGe2, Mo3Ge and Mo5Ge3

We have systematically investigated the structural, dynamical, elastic, and thermal properties of the C11b (tetragonal, space group I4/mmm) and C23 (orthorhombic, space group Pnma) for MoGe2 compound, A15 (cubic, space group Pm-3n) for Mo3Ge, D8m (tetragonal, space group I4/mcm) for Mo5Ge3. The simulated lattice constants exhibit strong agreement with both experimental and theoretical data. The results show that all the compounds have mechanical stability and dynamic stability. The anisotropy of some mechanical moduli was studied using several elastic anisotropy indexes and directional dependence of linear compressibility, Young's modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio. At last, the thermal properties of MoGe2-C11b, MoGe2-C23, Mo3Ge-A15 and Mo5Ge3-D8m were studied and evaluated in detail.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERCEIVED STRESS AND VASCULAR ELASTICITY: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY FROM SOUTH-WESTERN SWEDEN

Objective: The association between perceived stress and arterial stiffness has yet to be fully explored. This study aims to determine the associations between perceived mental stress and arterial elasticity. Design and method: Our observational study was based on the Vara- Skövde Cohort. Between 2012 and 2014, a total of 1327 individuals were examined for risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Known hypertension, missing information on mental stress and artery elasticity were exclusion criteria. In total, 785 individuals (men=379) were included. Body height, weight, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured, while data on medical history and lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity were collected through validated questionnaires. Perceived stress was evaluated with the PSS-10 (Perceived Stress Scale), which contains ten questions with 0 - 4 points per item and focuses on the perceived stress in the last month. Small artery elasticity (C2) was estimated using an applanations tonometer (Pulsewave CR-2000, Hypertension Diagnostics Inc.) over the arteria radialis. Logistic regression was used in our analyses. In model 1, we adjusted for age, sex, systolic blood pressure and heart rate. In model 2, we adjusted for the variables in model 1 plus waist-hip ratio, LDL-cholesterol, and C-reactive protein. In model 3, we included model 2 plus lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Results: The mean age was 54.5 (±10) years. There were no significant sex differences in the association between stress and vascular elasticity (interaction test p=0.371). In the fully adjusted model in logistic regression, a one-point rise in PSS-10 correlated with having an elasticity index in the lowest quartile of C2 by 5% in the entire study population (OR=1.05, CI: 1.009- 1.093, p= 0.015). Correspondingly, one quartile higher PSS-10 was associated with a 25% elevated risk of having a cardiovascular elasticity in the lowest quartile of C2 (OR=1.25, CI: 1.03- 1.52, p= 0.021). Conclusions: Increased perceived stress was associated with decreased vascular elasticity in this cohort.

Partial replacement of hydrogenated oil with beeswax oleogel in whipped cream: Effect on crystallization behavior and foam stability

Long-term consumption of hydrogenated palm kernel oil (HPKO) in whipped-frozen products has been linked to harmful health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of beeswax oleogel as a partial replacement for HPKO in whipped cream. The effect of substitution rate on the lipid crystallization behavior, whipping characteristics, and foam stability of whipped creams was investigated. As the oleogel replaced 30–90% HPKO, the solid fat content decreased, and the growth pattern of the fat crystals shifted from two-dimensional disc-like to one-dimensional linear. Particle size distribution and microrheology analysis revealed that 30% or 60% oleogel substitution facilitated partial coalescence of fat, leading to in a higher elasticity index in emulsions. These results promoted overrun, firmness, and homogeneous bubbles in whipped creams. However, an oleogel substitution rate of 90% resulted in an excessively low overrun and collapse of foam structure. This study proposes an effective solution for constructing a frozen-aerated system that enhances fat partial coalescence and improves foam performance.

Determinants and effects of microvascular obstruction on serial change in left ventricular diastolic function after reperfused acute myocardial infarction.

Although left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is more related to functional capacity after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the determinants of LV diastolic functional change after reperfused AMI remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of microvascular obstruction (MVO) on mid-term changes in LV diastolic function after reperfused AMI. In a cohort of 72 AMI patients who underwent successful revascularization, echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging were repeated at 9-month intervals. The late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) amount, segmental extracellular volume fraction, global LV, and left atrial (LA) phasic functions, along with mitral inflow and tissue Doppler measurements, were repeated. Among the included patients, 31 (43%) patients had MVO. During the 9-month interval, LV ejection fraction (EF) and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) were significantly improved in accordance with a decrease in LGE amount (from 18.2 to 10.3 g, p < 0.001) and LV mass. The deceleration time (DT) of early mitral inflow (188.6 ms-226.3 ms, p < 0.001) and LV elastance index (Ed; 0.133 1/ml-0.127 1/ml, p = 0.049) were significantly improved, but not in conventional diastolic functional indexes. Their improvements occurred in both groups; however, the degree was less prominent in patients with MVO. The degree of decrease in LGE amount and increase in LVEF was significantly correlated with improvement in LV-Ed or LA phasic function, but not with conventional diastolic functional indexes. In patients with reperfused AMI, DT of early mitral inflow, phasic LA function, and LV-Ed were more sensitive diastolic functional indexes. The degree of their improvement was less prominent in patients with MVO.

Study on the Freeze-Thaw Resistance of Concrete Pavements in Seasonally Frozen Regions.

In seasonally frozen regions, concrete pavement is exposed to cycles of freeze-thaw and erosion from de-icing salt, which can lead to unfavorable service conditions and vulnerability to damage. This paper examines the compressive strength, flexural-tensile strength, abrasion resistance, permeability, and spacing factor of concrete, taking into account the impact of various curing conditions, de-icing salt solutions, and mass fractions on the concrete's freeze-thaw resistance. Two test methods, the single-face method and the fast-freezing method, were used to comparatively analyze the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete. The analysis was based on the surface scaling, water absorption rate, mass loss rate, relative dynamic elastic modulus, and relative durability index. The results indicate that the presence of salt solution significantly worsened the degree of concrete damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles. The use of freeze-thaw media, specifically sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and potassium acetate (KAc) at mass fractions of 5%, 4.74%, and 5%, respectively, had the greatest impact on the surface scaling of concrete. However, their effect on the water absorption rate was inconsistent. When the freeze-thaw medium was water, the concrete's relative dynamic elastic modulus and relative durability index were 9.6% and 75.3% higher, respectively, for concrete cured in 20 °C-95% RH conditions compared to those cured in 0 °C-50% RH conditions. We propose a comprehensive relative durability index (DFw) by combining the results of two methods of freeze-thaw tests. The DFw of concrete cured in 0 °C-50% RH conditions was 83.8% lower than that of concrete cured in 20 °C-95% RH conditions when exposed to a freeze-thaw medium of 5% mass fraction NaCl solution. To evaluate the salt freeze-thaw resistance of concrete pavement, it is recommended to use surface scaling and DFw together.

Scientific and practical justification of the use of non-traditional raw materials in the technology of pancakes for dietary nutrition

Today, diseases that cause intolerance to food ingredients in the composition of traditional food products are spreading rapidly in the civilized world. Therefore, the current direction of scientific research is the scientific and practical substantiation of the technologies of food products with multifunctional properties, which will ensure complete nutrition of the most vulnerable categories of society – with intolerance to gluten, milk proteins, and egg white, lactase deficiency, insulin resistance, and prediabetic conditions, etc. The selection of non-traditional raw materials was carried out, and the pancake recipe based on non-traditional raw materials was scientifically substantiated. The modification was done by replacing the composition of the recipe with wheat flour of the highest grade with gluten-free types, such as flour of green banana and teff. It is possible to replace high-grade flour in the recipe of pancakes with a mixture of gluten-free types of flour – green banana and teff in the ratio of 70:30. The expediency of adding tapioca starch to the composition of gluten-free pancakes in the amount of 20 % of the flour mass, which will ensure the formation of the structure of the finished products – the porosity index of products with the addition of tapioca starch was on average 52 %, which was 4 % higher than the similar indicator of the control sample based on wheat flour of the highest grade. It was established that replacing chicken eggs with chickpea aquafaba and cow's milk with coconut drink has no significant effect on pancake dough's structural and mechanical properties. A recipe has been developed, and technological parameters for the production of pancakes based on non-traditional raw materials for dietary nutrition have been established. It was established that the index of elasticity of the new type of pancake slightly differed from the control sample based on wheat flour of the highest grade. The height of the product after baking was somewhat (on average by 1.0 %) lower than the control sample, which is explained by the poorer structure-forming properties of gluten-free raw ingredients. The organoleptic indicators of a new type of pancakes were evaluated, proving the proposed solutions' expediency and effectiveness.

In vitro and split-faced placebo-controlled in vivo study on the skin rejuvenating effects of cream loaded with bioactive extract of Indigofera argentea Burm.f.

The bioactive extracts of traditional medicinal plants are rich in polyphenols and help to rejuvenate skin. The study was designed to assess the skin rejuvenating effects of a stable cream enriched with 4% I. argentea (IaMe) extract. The quantity of polyphenols by spectrophotometric methods was TPC, 101.55 ± 0.03mg GAE/g and total flavonoid content; 77.14 ± 0.13mg QE/g, while HPLC-PDA revealed gallic acid; 4.91, chlorogenic acid 48.12, p-coumaric acid 0.43, and rutin 14.23μg/g. The significant results of biological activities were observed as DPPH; 81.81% ± 0.05%, tyrosinase; 72% ± 0.23% compared to ascorbic acid (92.43% ± 0.03%), and kojic acid (78.80% ± 0.19%) respectively. Moreover, the promising sun protection effects Sun protection factor of extract (20.53) and formulation (10.59) were observed. The active cream formulation (w/o emulsion) was developed with liquid paraffin, beeswax, IaMe extract, and ABIL EM 90, which was stable for 90 days as shown by various stability parameters. The rheological results demonstrated the active formulation's non-Newtonian and pseudo-plastic characteristics and nearly spherical globules by SEM. The IaMe loaded cream was further investigated on human trial subjects for skin rejuvenating effects and visualized in 3D skin images. Herein, the results were significant compared to placebo. IaMe formulation causes a substantial drop in skin melanin from -1.70% (2 weeks) to -10.8% (12 weeks). Furthermore, it showed a significant increase in skin moisture and elasticity index from 7.7% to 39.15% and 2%-30%, respectively. According to the findings, Indigofera argentea extract has promising bioactivities and skin rejuvenating properties, rationalizing the traditional use and encouraging its exploitation for effective and economical cosmeceuticals.

TAPSE/SPAP ratio stratifies mortality risk in mild-to-moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

<sec id="st1"><title>BACKGROUND</title>Due to paucity of literature data, we aimed at evaluating the prognostic role of the ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients without severe pulmonary hypertension and at assessing its correlation with effective arterial elastance index (EaI).</sec><sec id="st2"><title>METHODS</title>Multi-instrumental data obtained in 60 IPF patients (73.2 ± 6.8 years) and 60 matched controls were retrospectively analysed. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, while secondary endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality and re-hospitalisations for all-causes over medium-term follow-up.</sec><sec id="st3"><title>RESULTS</title>At baseline, TAPSE/SPAP was significantly lower in patients with IPF than in controls (0.36 ± 0.25 vs. 0.77 ± 0.18 mm/mmHg; P < 0.001). TAPSE/SPAP was inversely correlated with EaI (r = -0.96) in IPF patients. During follow-up (3.5 ± 1.5 years), 21 patients died and 25 were re-hospitalised due to cardiopulmonary causes. TAPSE/SPAP was independently associated with both primary (HR 0.79, 95%CI 0.65-0.97) and secondary (HR 0.94, 95%CI 0.92-0.97) endpoints. A TAPSE/SPAP ratio of <0.20 and <0.44 mm/mmHg showed the greatest sensitivity and specificity for predicting primary (AUC 0.98) and secondary (AUC 0.99) endpoints, respectively.</sec><sec id="st4"><title>CONCLUSIONS</title>TAPSE/SPAP is a strong predictor of adverse outcomes in mild-to-moderate IPF. The strong correlation between TAPSE/SPAP and EaI might be an expression of a systemic fibrotic process which involves the heart, lungs and circulation.</sec>.

Do military expenditures have an impact on the adoption of renewable energy in OECD nations? Evidence from a panel cointegration test approach

PurposeToday, many industries are implementing creative approaches in response to increasing environmental awareness. It is of great importance to answer the question of whether the military sector, one of the most important sectors, can support renewable energy (RE) adaptation. This study aims to examine how military spending affects the supply of RE in 27 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations as well as the regulatory function of factors such as innovation, international trade and oil prices between 1990 and 2021.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines the effects of military spending, income, green innovation, international trade, oil prices and the human development index on the supply of RE using various econometric approaches, which are the cointegration test, moments quantile regression and robustness test.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that all factors, excluding military spending, quite likely affect the expansion of the renewable supply. Military spending negatively influences the RE supply; specifically, a 1% increase in military spending results in a 0.88 reduction in the renewable supply. In addition, whereas income elasticity, trade and human development index in OECD nations are higher in the last quantiles of the regression than in the first quantiles, the influence of military spending and innovation on renewable supply is about the same in all quantiles.Practical implicationsOECD nations must consider the practical implications, which are essential to assess and update the military spending of OECD countries from a green energy perspective to transition to clean energy. Based on the study’s overall findings, the OECD countries should incorporate the advantages of innovation, economic growth and international trade into their clean energy transition strategies to lessen the impact of military spending on renewables.Originality/valueThe study aims to fill a gap in the literature regarding the role of military expenditures in the RE development of an OECD country. In addition, the results of the methodological analysis can be used to guide policymakers on how military spending should be in the field of RE.

Elastic Mechanics Study of Layered Li(NixMnyCoz)O2

Understanding the elastic mechanical behavior of layered Li(NixMnyCoz)O2 (NMC) cathode materials is critical for developing strategies to address their prominent cracking issues and mitigate the mechanical degradation of the cathode of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). So far, a systematic and in-depth investigation into the elastic mechanical properties of NMC materials is still lacking. Hence, both the isotropic and anisotropic mechanical properties, including elastic constants, Young’s modulus, shear modulus, bulk modulus, compressive modulus, linear compressibility, Poisson’s ratio, Pugh’s ratio, Cauchy pressure, and Kube’s log-Euclidean and universal elastic anisotropy indexes, of seven NMC materials with different compositions are systematically studied here through first-principles calculations. The bulk modulus is proved to be an isotropic mechanical quantity, and its proper relationship with the anisotropic linear compressibility is revealed. Then, we investigate how the isotropic and anisotropic mechanical properties of NMC materials can be tuned by the compositions of Ni, Mn, and Co. It is found that the elastic moduli of NMC materials decrease as the Ni content increases, and Mn plays a positive role in not only enhancing the elastic moduli but also in reducing the mechanical anisotropy of NMC materials. Through a quantitative chemical bond analysis, we find that the reason for such a dependence of the elastic moduli on the transition metal (TM) compositions of NMC materials lies in the difference in the strengths of TM–O bonds, and the positive effect of Mn mainly stems from the contribution of the ionic bonding part of the Mn−O bond due to the high average valence state (+4) of Mn ions; this highlights the benefits of doping with other high-valence-state ions for the promotion of the mechanical properties of NMC materials. Besides, the applicability, physical meaning, and proper use of Pugh’s ratio and the Cauchy pressure in metal-oxides like NMC materials, as well as their relations with Poisson’s ratio, are clarified. The analysis of the relative ductility and brittleness of NMC materials with different compositions via Pugh’s ratio and the isotropic Poisson's ratio reveals a negative correlation between the relative ductility and the magnitude of the modulus. Cauchy pressures of layered NMC materials are found to be directional, with an intralayer negative value but an interlayer positive value, which predicts the significant covalent bonding character of the TM–O bonds, but a nearly ionic dominated bonding character of the Li−O bonds, and this qualitative result has been further proved by a quantitative chemical bond analysis. Furthermore, an in-depth investigation of the three-dimensional spatial distribution characteristics of anisotropic mechanical properties of NMC materials is conducted. It is found that, first, the distributions of directions of the extreme values of various anisotropic mechanical properties all exhibit an approximate trigonal symmetry to some extent; second, the anisotropy is most prominent in the {21¯0} crystal plane family; third, the (104) plane and [4¯8¯1] direction are, respectively, prone to be the cleavage plane and cleavage direction, along which the microcracks and even mechanical failures may be susceptible to occur due to stress concentration. The findings presented in this study will provide guidance for the design and development of robust and reliable LIBs. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Measuring Community Acceptance on Waste Separation in Rural Informal Waste Sector

Indonesia’s waste management target is 100% access to waste service by 2025 comprising 70% waste handling and 30% waste reduction. Target achievement requires support from all stakeholders in waste management including the community as stated in National waste law 18/2008. Community involvement in waste management is accommodated through the informal waste sector, including waste bank national wide. In this study, the community involvement in waste separation and reduction through WB was measured using willingness to accept (WTA). WTA as a tool of contingent valuation method was used using questionnaires containing some dichotomous questions to get the data for the analysis to find out the responses of the community for the responsibility to separate the waste. Questionnaires were distributed among WB’s members as respondents to identify their willingness for waste separation and sale. Previously, WB efficiency was calculated using elasticity index whose variables are income and the active members. The acceptable price for recyclable material sold to WB was assessed afterward. The result shows that out of five WBs, three WBs are efficient, and these three WBs have stable active members generating stable income which is a determinant for WB efficiency. The regression community’s acceptance is 92.5% indicating that most people have a positive response to WB, but they expect a higher selling price for the recyclable waste. Moreover, acceptable prices and sufficient service for WB members are the factors that can stimulate the community to involve in waste separation and sale while supporting the sustainable waste management.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in young adults predicting cardiovascular disease: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Background and aimsAtherosclerosis is accompanied by pre-clinical vascular changes that can be detected using ultrasound imaging. We examined the value of such pre-clinical features in identifying young adults who are at risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). MethodsA total of 2641 individuals free of ASCVD were examined at the mean age of 32 years (range 24–45 years) for carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques, carotid artery elasticity, and brachial artery flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (FMD). The average follow-up time to event/censoring was 16 years (range 1–17 years). ResultsSixty-seven individuals developed ASCVD (incidence 2.5%). The lowest incidence (1.1%) was observed among those who were estimated of having low risk according to the SCORE2 risk algorithm (<2.5% 10-year risk) and who did not have plaque or high IMT (upper decile). The highest incidence (11.0%) was among those who were estimated of having a high risk (≥2.5% 10-year risk) and had positive ultrasound scan for carotid plaque and/or high IMT (upper decile). Carotid plaque and high IMT remained independently associated with higher risk in multivariate models. The distributions of carotid elasticity indices and brachial FMD did not differ between cases and non-cases. ConclusionsScreening for carotid plaque and high IMT in young adults may help identify individuals at high risk for future ASCVD.

New Insight into Food-Grade Emulsions: Candelilla Wax-Based Oleogels as an Internal Phase of Novel Vegan Creams.

Cream-type emulsions containing candelilla wax-based oleogels (EC) were analyzed for their physicochemical properties compared to palm oil-based creams (EP). The microstructure, rheological behavior, stability, and color of the creams were determined by means of non-invasive and invasive techniques. All the formulations exhibited similar color parameters in CIEL*a*b* space, unimodal-like size distribution of lipid particles, and shear-thinning properties. Oleogel-based formulations were characterized by higher viscosity (consistency index: 172-305 mPa·s, macroscopic viscosity index: 2.19-3.08 × 10-5 nm-2) and elasticity (elasticity index: 1.09-1.45 × 10-3 nm-2), as well as greater resistance to centrifugal force compared to EP. Creams with 3, 4, or 5% wax (EC3-5) showed the lowest polydispersity indexes (PDI: 0.80-0.85) 24 h after production and the lowest instability indexes after environmental temperature changes (heating at 90 °C, or freeze-thaw cycle). EC5 had particularly high microstructural stability. In turn, candelilla wax content ≥ 6% w/w accelerated the destabilization processes of the cream-type emulsions due to disintegration of the interfacial layer by larger lipid crystals. It was found that candelilla wax-based lipids had great potential for use as palm oil substitutes in the development of novel vegan cream analogues.