Effect of columnar crystal ratio on microstructure, composition segregation, precipitate distribution and microtexture of Hi-B steel hot rolled plate

Experimental study on the influence of water depth and bed slope variations on horizontal forces during the quasi-steady flow phase of dam break wave

Objective: Hepatosteatosis, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease are significant risk factors for mortality and morbidity. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between non-invasive liver fibrosis scores and kidney function tests in patients with diabetic hepatosteatosis. Methods: This present study was conducted through a retrospective analysis of two consecutive data sets of 72 diabetic patients aged 18–80 years of both sexes who were investigated for at our hospital between 2018 and 2024. The relationships between hepatosteatosis, diabetes mellitus parameters, kidney function tests, liver function tests, and fibrosis scores (BARD, BAAT, NFS, FIB4, APRI) were examined. Results: Among the patients included in the study, 54.2% (n=39) were female, and the mean age was 60.99±12.46 years. A moderate negative correlation was found between the initial GFR and both initial FIB4 (P<0.001) and NFS values (P=0.001), while a weak negative correlation was observed between the final GFR and both final FIB4 (P=0.016) and NFS values (P=0.001). A weak negative association was observed between the differences in the initial and final GFR values and both the differences in BARD scores and BARD ratios (P=0.039). Linear regression analysis revealed that a one-unit increase in the BARD ratio led to a 4.34-unit decrease in GFR. Conclusion: The study revealed a correlation between fibrosis progression, as measured by repeated measurements, and an increased risk of developing new-onset chronic kidney disease. The findings of this study indicated that liver fibrosis in patients with diabetic hepatosteatosis might contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease, thereby underscoring the necessity for enhanced monitoring of kidney function.

Inter-hole interference with creep behavior of inclined film cooling holes in complex temperature fields

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to determine the most effective method for configuring multi-element working equipment in order to ensure minimum traction forces during the development of deposits located close to the earth’s surface. Methodology. Analytical methods for calculating cutting forces of the soil environment by soil-developing working bodies, 3D computer modeling and analysis methods using CAD software, and experimental research methods were employed. Findings. It has been established that modifying the spatial configuration of cutting elements, as opposed to a conventional row layout, results in a substantial reduction in traction forces and an enhancement in equipment productivity. For working bodies without asymmetrical block cutting, the most effective arrangements in terms of reducing traction forces are angular, V-shaped, -shaped, and mirrored checkerboard arrangements. For equipment with asymmetrical block cutting, angular, checkerboard, -shaped, and trapezoidal arrangements are most effective. Research has demonstrated that optimizing the geometric parameters of cutting elements in the subcritical cutting region (b/h = 0.25–1) yields the most significant outcomes, including a reduction in traction force of up to 37 % and an enhancement in productivity of up to 31 %. As the b/h ratio increases, the effectiveness of optimization decreases, and at b/h > 4, it becomes ineffective. Originality. For the first time, the present study comprehensively established the influence of spatial layout, number (3–10), and geometric parameters of cutting elements on the energy and productivity indicators of multi-element soil excavation equipment. This was achieved by taking cutting modes into account, and the limits of optimization efficiency for the ratio (b/h) were substantiated. Practical value. The findings of this study can be utilized in the design and modernization of soil excavation equipment, with the objective of reducing energy costs, enhancing productivity, and optimizing the efficiency of machine operation.

This study investigates the primary resonance response of a composite micropipe reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets conveying fluid, with applications in remote selfpowered micro-sensors, precise drug delivery, the safety of chemical reactions, ecological assessments, and the transport of cells. A sequential pseudo-nonlinear normal mode scheme, combined with the modified Rauscher technique and harmonic balance method, is employed to derive the frequency response. The gyroscopically coupled equations are systematically reduced, at each stage, to a single degree-of-freedom equation through nonlinear normal mode framework, treating the system as a two-dimensional invariant manifold. The harmonic balance method generates nonlinear algebraic equations, which are solved using an arclength continuation method with an adaptive arc length. Critical to this analysis, Hill’s method is implemented to determine the stability of periodic solutions along the frequency response branches, enabling classification of solution branches as stable or unstable. This stability classification reveals that the bandwidth of multi-valued response coincides with the region of unstable periodic solutions, with stability transitions occurring at the saddle-node bifurcation points (turning points) of the frequency response curves. Parametric studies demonstrate that an increase in the slenderness ratio, radius ratio, flow velocity, and flow mass density and considering laminar flow instead of turbulent flow widen the multi-valued response bandwidth, while micro-scale contribution narrows it. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis reveals that the multi-valued response bandwidth and maximum frequency response amplitude are least sensitive to nanocomposite weight fraction, flow mass density, and micro-scale parameter, while exhibiting the highest sensitivity to slenderness ratio and radius ratio. The primary resonance characteristics show moderate sensitivity to the flow speed. These findings can be implemented for the design of remote self-powered micro-sensors, system identification, and structural health monitoring applications.

Light polarization offers a powerful yet underexplored handle to control photoelectrochemical processes in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors. Here, we demonstrate polarization-tunable photoelectrochemistry at anisotropic 2D ReS2 interfaces, providing a new strategy to manipulate light-driven charge dynamics. Using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) under controlled photoexcitation, we systematically probe how incident wavelength, layer thickness, and van der Waals stacking govern polarization sensitivity at the nanoscale. The dichroic ratio increases by ∼50% as the excitation wavelength approaches the band edge and decreases systematically with thickness, while the polarization phase shift grows with both wavelength and layer number due to ReS2 birefringence. By stacking ReS2 layers with controlled twist angles and thickness contrasts, we achieve programmable junction behavior ranging from nearly isotropic responses in 90°-twisted bilayers to layer-dominant anisotropy dictated by photogeneration balance. For arbitrary twist angles, the phase shifts of the individual layers add coherently, enabling predictive control of the angular response. This work establishes light polarization as a precise and versatile control knob for nanoscale photoelectrochemistry, offering a new paradigm for designing optoelectronic and photocatalytic devices with intrinsic polarization selectivity.

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) accumulation is a major concern in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), where elevated levels can negatively affect fish growth and welfare. Although the effects of CO 2 on pikeperch ( Sander lucioperca ) have been studied, long-term tolerance under production conditions is not well documented. This study investigated the effects of three concentrations of dissolved CO 2 (5 mg L −1 = Low; 15 mg L −1 = Medium; 30 mg L −1 = High). On the growth performance, conditional parameters, and physiological status of juvenile pikeperch reared for 105 days in RAS. Fish (initial total length 250.9 ± 20.7 mm; initial weight 117 ± 28.2 g) were stocked in three tanks for treatment and fed at 1% biomass. Fish in the High group showed significantly lower final weight (233 g) than fish in the Low (297 g) and Medium (250 g) groups, correlated by a reduced Fulton's condition factor and a significant increase in feed conversion ratio (1.09–1.82). Other production parameters, survival rate, organosomatic indices, fin erosion did not show significant differences between groups. Biochemical parameters highlighted stress and reduced protein metabolism under high CO 2 . Total plasma protein, albumin and globulin were significantly lower in the High group, while plasma ammonia and cortisol increased significantly in group High. These results indicate that CO 2 concentrations above 15 mg L − 1 impair growth, feeding efficiency and physiological condition of juvenile pikeperch, highlighting the need for strict CO 2 control in RAS.

Abstract To address the issues of severe noise pollution and high carbon emissions associated with turbine engine propulsion systems used in previous generations of supersonic technology, this study proposes the ammonia decomposition turbine-less SOFC/supersonic jet engine hybrid system (NH 3 SOFC/SJE system). The proposed design aims to achieve supersonic cruising, transoceanic flight, and zero-carbon emissions, offering a sustainable solution for next-generation supersonic propulsion systems. The results indicate that as the pressure ratio increases, specific thrust continues to rise, while the fuel consumption rate initially decreases and then increases. The optimal pressure ratio is found to lie between 15.1 and 19.8. Higher fuel utilization efficiency contributes to the improved performance of the hybrid system. When the ammonia decomposition temperature is around 900 K, both the fuel economy and propulsion performance of the hybrid system are effectively met. The hybrid system achieves the most economical cruising state at an altitude of 20 km and a Mach number of 1.8. In this optimal cruising state, the Cost per unit distance of the conventional turbojet engine is 39.9% higher, while that of the H 2 SOFC/SJE system is 6.03% higher compared to the proposed system. In summary, ammonia, as a zero-carbon fuel, offers significant advantages for supersonic flight.

The pulmonary artery diameter-to-aortic diameter (PA/A) ratio on computed tomography correlates with PA pressure and is a simple tool for estimating the load on the right side of the heart. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in the PA/A ratio in patients following lung resection according to the specific procedure used. Patients with pathological stage 0-I lung cancer who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection between 2018 and 2020 were included in this study. The PA/A ratios were measured pre-operatively and at 1 and 3 years post-operatively (POY1 and POY3). Changes over time and factors associated with an increased PA/A ratio were analysed. Of 301 eligible patients, 210 underwent lobectomy and 91 underwent sublobar resection (35 segmentectomies and 56 wedge resections). Age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status were similar between the groups. Cardiac comorbidity and pathological stage 0 disease were more common in the sublobar resection group versus the lobectomy group (20.9% vs. 11.0%, 29.7% vs. 6.2%). Compared with the sublobar resection group, the lobectomy group showed a significantly higher ratio at POY3 (0.823 ± 0.131 vs. 0.786 ± 0.128) and a greater mean increase from baseline to POY1 (difference between groups: 0.039, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.023-0.05) and from baseline to POY3 (0.065, 95% CI 0.049-0.08). On multivariable analysis, lobectomy independently predicted a postoperative PA/A ratio increase (odds ratio 7.98, 95% CI 3.85-16.6). Compared with sublobar resection, lobectomy is associated with a significantly larger rise in the PA/A ratio, suggesting greater pulmonary-vascular loading after more extensive parenchymal removal. Surveillance of the PA/A ratios may help identify patients at risk of right-heart strain.

Children with CHD have demonstrated a rise in obesity, and have unique risks related to comorbidities of obesity, including feeding dysfunction and exercise limitations. The incidence and cause of obesity among patients with surgically corrected CHD are not fully understood. This single-centre, longitudinal, retrospective cohort study identified patients between 2004 and 2020 with surgical correction. Diagnoses were restricted to d-transposition of the great arteries, coarctation of the aorta, or tetralogy of Fallot with surgical repair by 6 months of life without long-term post-operative complications or chromosomal abnormalities. Evaluation of Body Mass Index by survival curve for endpoints of overweight and obesity, as well as descriptive analysis of the population, was performed compared to the expected prevalence in the state of Oregon (13.7%). Cohorts were divided into eras in 5-year increments. Of 240 patients identified, 87 (36.2%) were overweight and 50 (20.8%) obese, findings significantly higher than expected prevalence (p = <0.01) for the same time period in the state of Oregon. Patients with coarctation of the aorta had a higher prevalence than other diagnoses (p = <0.01). Patients in the 2004-2008 cohort had the highest rates of obesity compared to other cohorts (p = <0.01 and p = <0.01, respectively), likely due to a longer observational period. However, the 2014-17 cohort had the highest rate of increase in hazard ratio. Children with surgically corrected CHD demonstrate higher prevalences of obesity compared to the general population. There is variation by diagnosis, with coarctation of the aorta having comparatively higher prevalences of obesity. Several factors may impact this discrepancy, including sports participation restrictions and initial emphasis on weight gain.

Heart failure and diabetes mellitus share common risk factors and can independently regulate the body composition profile of patients. Approximately one-third of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have concomitant diabetes mellitus, but the additional impact of diabetes on the body composition of HFpEF patients and its associations with prognosis have not been explored. This study included 281 HFpEF patients, among whom 87 had type 2 diabetes (T2DM). On the basis of their cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images, regional adipose tissue (including subcutaneous, visceral and paracardial adipose tissue) as well as thoracic skeletal muscle were measured and compared between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Clinical endpoints were recorded and the predictive performance of body composition parameters and body mass index (BMI) for adverse events was assessed using multivariable Cox regression analysis in the overall HFpEF population and subgroups stratified by diabetes. HFpEF patients with concomitant diabetes were significantly older (65.06 ± 12.92 vs. 57.98 ± 14.44 years, p < 0.001). The LVEDV index and LVSV index were significantly lower in the T2DM group. The paracardial adipose tissue (ParaAT index) was noticeably greater in the T2DM group than in the non-T2DM group (76.21 vs. 65.60 ml/m2, p = 0.005). In the overall HFpEF population, the increase in the skeletal muscle index (SMI) corresponded to a linear decrease of prognostic risks. In contrast, the increase in the ParaAT-VAT ratio and ParaAT-muscle ratio corresponded to linearly increasing risks of poor outcomes. BMI demonstrated a non-linear correlation with survival risks (p for nonlinearity: 0.031) and the lowest tertile compared with the middle tertile increased survival risks significantly. Subgroup analysis revealed that the prognostic risks associated with the ParaAT-VAT ratio and ParaAT-muscle ratio were greater in diabetic HFpEF patients (adjusted HR: 1.069 [1.022, 1.117] and 1.948 [1.391, 2.729], respectively) than in nondiabetic patients (adjusted HR: 1.053 [1.006-1.103] and 1.597 [1.018, 2.505], respectively). Protective role from increased SMI persisted among the non-T2DM patients (adjusted HR: 0.968 [0.951, 0.985], p < 0.001) but not among the T2DM patients (adjusted HR: 0.990 [0.968, 1.012], p = 0.380). The lowest tertile group of BMI for non-T2DM patients or instead, the highest tertile group of BMI for T2DM patients led to an unfavorable prognosis. Concomitant diabetes exacerbated paracardial adipose excess among HFpEF patients and worsened the association between body composition and adverse outcomes.

Genetically encoded FRET sensor for fructosyl valine detection in living cells.

Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and economic expansion have led to increased demand for cement and concrete, significantly impacting the depletion of natural resources. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is considered unsustainable due to its reliance on these resources. While studies have explored the influence of fly ash and silica fume on SCC, limited research focuses on sustainable alternatives incorporating supplementary industrial wastes. This study addresses this gap by examining the feasibility of using fly ash (25%), silica fume (10%), and varying levels of Slag sand (SS) (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) as fine aggregate replacements to produce sustainable SCC. Fresh concrete properties were evaluated using slump flow, T50 slump flow, L-Box, U-Box, and V-funnel tests. The results showed a maximum slump flow of 612 mm, with a reduction in V-funnel flow time to 10.65 seconds and an increase in L-box ratio to 0.828 for 100% SS replacement, demonstrating enhanced workability and flowability. Hardened properties, including compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength, were assessed at 7, 28, and 90 days of curing. The optimum performance was achieved at 20% SS replacement, with compressive strength of 44.64 N/mm², split tensile strength of 4.78 N/mm², and flexural strength of 6.12 N/mm² at 90 days. Beyond 20% replacement, mechanical properties declined due to dilution of the cementitious matrix. This study confirms the potential of 20% SS as an optimal replacement level, offering improved mechanical performance and sustainability, while 100% replacement enhances workability, suitable for applications prioritizing flowability over strength.

CO2 miscible flooding is currently a key technology for enhancing oil and gas recovery, while also facilitating carbon storage. However, in offshore complex reservoirs, variations in reservoir thickness, strong formation heterogeneity, and differences in injection-production processes result in substantial discrepancies in the formation characteristics of miscible zones and displacement efficiency across various development stages. Therefore, based on geological and experimental data from the offshore X oil reservoir, this study integrates slim-tube experiments with compositional numerical simulations to quantitatively delineate the phase front, compositional front, and miscibility-pressure front. From a mechanistic perspective, it elucidates the migration behavior and controlling factors of the CO2 miscible front. The results indicate that gravity segregation and reservoir heterogeneity are the fundamental causes of the nonuniform expansion of the miscible zone. The miscible volume efficiency decreases by approximately 0.6% for every 10 m increase in reservoir thickness, and by about 1.6% for each unit increase in permeability ratio. Dynamic injection-production parameters regulate miscibility efficiency by affecting oil-gas contact time and pressure maintenance, among which the gas injection rate is the key factor controlling miscible-zone stability. Orthogonal multifactor analysis shows that production rate and reservoir heterogeneity dominate miscible-zone stability after breakthrough, whereas injection rate and well spacing determine the front advancement behavior before breakthrough. Considering the coupling between injection-production balance and reservoir conditions, an optimized CO2 miscible flooding strategy for offshore reservoirs is proposed. Specifically, maintaining a gas injection rate of 10-14 × 104 m3/d, a production rate of 50-90 m3/d, and a well spacing of 300-350 m can effectively suppress gravity segregation and gas channelling, preserve the continuity of the miscible zone, and achieve the dual objectives of enhancing oil recovery and improving carbon storage efficiency.

ABSTRACT Backfill mining has become a key approach in underground mining, offering advantages in waste management and ground control. Layered cemented tailings backfill (LCTB) structures, formed during backfill mining, are critical for stope stability. To examine the effects of middle-layer c/t ratios and curing times, LCTB specimens were prepared and tested under uniaxial compression using digital image correlation (DIC). The results indicated the following: (1) LCTB strength under compression increases with both c/t ratio and curing time. After peak stress, specimens display ductile behaviour; lower c/t ratios yield a more gradual softening process, with particle rearrangement and interlayer friction delaying failure. (2) Material uniformity strongly influences energy evolution. When the middle-layer c/t ratio approaches that of adjacent layers, dissipated energy density rises sharply during the elastic stage due to interfacial friction and microfracturing, and U e max/U max increases exponentially with c/t ratio before peak stress. (3) Failure mode shifts from shear along interfaces to tensile – shear composite failure across layers as c/t ratio increases, and from interlayer spalling to conjugate shear, then to tensile-dominated failure with longer curing times. (4) Displacement field evolution concentrates at layered interfaces; damage initiates earlier at low c/t ratios, while greater curing time reduces deformation dispersion and shear damage.

To describe trends in pregnancy-related death ratios from 2018 to 2024, assess the contribution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to these trends, and evaluate whether pregnancy-related death ratios have recovered to prepandemic levels. We conducted an observational study that used vital statistics data to calculate the annual pregnancy-related death ratio (the number of pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births) for female individuals aged 15-49 years between 2018 and 2024. We compared the pregnancy-related death ratios across prepandemic (2018-2019) pandemic (2020-2022), and postpandemic (2023-2024) periods; to assess the contribution of COVID-19, we calculated the pregnancy-related death ratio including and excluding COVID-associated deaths (ie, those with ICD-10 U07.1 listed as a cause). Pregnancy-related deaths were identified using International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes (A34, O00-O99), and the total pregnancy-related death ratio was decomposed into the early pregnancy-related death ratio (deaths during pregnancy or within 42 days after pregnancy) and the late pregnancy-related death ratio (deaths 43-365 days postpartum). We conducted subgroup analyses by maternal age, race and ethnicity, or geographic region. From 2018 to 2024, there were 8,298 pregnancy-related deaths (32.3/100,000 live births). From the prepandemic period to the pandemic period, the early pregnancy-related death ratio increased by 7.5 deaths per 100,000 live births (95% CI, 6.1-8.8) and the late pregnancy-related death ratio increased by 3.7 deaths per 100,000 live births (95% CI, 2.7-4.6). Most of this increase (76% for the early pregnancy-related death ratio, 50% for the late pregnancy-related death ratio) was COVID-associated deaths. By 2023-2024, the early pregnancy-related death ratio had returned to prepandemic levels, but the late pregnancy-related death ratio remained elevated (1.4 additional deaths/100,000 live births; 95% CI, 0.4-2.4). Most subgroups experienced an increase in early and late pregnancy-related death ratios during the pandemic, but recovery varied. Notably, both early and late pregnancy-related death ratios remained substantially elevated among non-Hispanic Black mothers in 2023-2024 compared with the prepandemic period (early pregnancy-related deaths increased by 7.0/100,000 live births [95% CI, 1.3-12.8]; late pregnancy-related deaths increased by 5.4 /100,000 live births [95% CI, 1.3-9.5]). Pregnancy-related death ratios increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, and by 2023-2024, recovery differed by the timing of death relative to pregnancy and across sociodemographic subgroups. Additional efforts are needed to identify drivers of differential recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and inform clinical and policy initiatives to reduce pregnancy-related deaths, improve maternal health, and promote health equity.

ABSTRACT Dust in early-type galaxies (ETGs) may originate from internal or external sources. In this paper, we study the stellar populations of particularly dusty ETGs to search for evidence of the dust’s origin. Using the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), we obtained long-slit optical spectra within the effective radius ($R_\mathrm{ e}$), along the major axis of 15 nearby ETGs, selected from the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) and Herschel Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey (Herschel-ATLAS) surveys for their high levels of interstellar dust. Using full spectrum fitting and Lick index fitting we analysed their major axis kinematics and stellar population characteristics. We used stellar population models from the newly developed semi-empirical Medium-resolution Isaac Newton Telescope library of empirical spectra (sMILES) library and from the empirical MILES library. Kinematic results show that most of our sample of dusty ETGs are rotationally supported and there are no detectable kinematic discontinuities. 12 of our sample of 15 dusty ETGs show evidence of young/intermediate age stellar population components suggesting ongoing/recent star formation. Using simulations, we show that these recent (≈1 Gyr) populations are not artefacts of the fitting process or data. As a check with a control sample we use stacked Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectra and find that dusty ETGs show a component with intermediate age, whereas non-dusty ETGs do not. Age, metallicity, and $\alpha$-element abundance ratio increase with increasing central velocity dispersion in the SALT spectra, as seen in previous studies of ETGs, but with larger scatter in our sample. Given our stellar population findings, we discuss formation scenarios that might cause or rule out a high dust/molecular gas content.

Abstract A symmetric dual-piezoelectric-actuated microgripper with an interchangeable end-effector is presented for micro/nano-manipulation. The design integrates a triangular amplification mechanism with a lever mechanism, achieving compactness and enhanced displacement transmission. Finite element analysis was employed to investigate the effects of hinge radius and structural angle on amplification ratio, natural frequency, and stress distribution: the amplification ratio increases monotonically with R, while natural frequency decreases with R, and maximum stress exhibits a nonlinear trend with a minimum at R≈0.85 mm; for θ, the amplification ratio and natural frequency first increase and then decrease (peaking at θ≈98° and θ≈96°, respectively), while maximum stress decreases nonlinearly with increasing θ. Subsequent stiffness optimization was conducted through threaded fixation, actuator interface reinforcement, and a stainless-steel sandwich housing. Experiments confirmed the effectiveness of the design. The prototype achieved a natural frequency of 1040 Hz and a displacement amplification ratio of 14.2, with maximum output obtained under a preload of 0.23 Nm. The interchangeable end-effectors have successfully demonstrated the capability to grip 88-μm wires, glass microtubes, and AFM probes. Compared with similar devices, the proposed microgripper maintains compact size while achieving higher dynamic performance, reducing resonance risk. These results highlight its potential for MEMS assembly, biological sample handling, and other precision manipulation tasks.

Socioeconomic deprivation and reclassification of ischemic stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from UK Biobank.