Initial Profile Research Articles

The use of effective microorganisms changed the soil microbiota of canals in Maricá city, Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bioremediation, through the application of two different strategies of effective microorganisms as treatment of effluents in the parameters of water quality and in the bacteriological profile of the soil of ‘Canal da Cidade’ - Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The metagenomic analyzes indicated that the abundance and richness of microorganisms in the substrate increased significantly after the bioremediation strategy used in this study. Because of bioremediation, 31 bacterial species disappeared from the environment when comparing the initial and final bacterial profiles of the soil, where 94% of these 31 species were anaerobic. Furthermore, 61 new aerobic or facultative aerobic species appeared in the channel substrate after bioremediation. As a consequence of bioremediation, the dissolved oxygen concentration and pH values increased significantly throughout the bioremediation process, indicating that the changes found in the microbiological profile of the soil contributed to the improvement of water quality parameters, helping the environment to move from anaerobic to aerobic characteristics. Thus, it is possible to state that the use of effective microorganisms directly affected the physical-chemical parameters of water quality and the microbial profile of the soil community of ‘Canal da Cidade’.

Average Intensity of a Laguerre—Gaussian Vector Vortex Beam through Inhomogeneous Atmospheric Turbulence

We investigate the evolution properties of a partially coherent Laguerre–Gaussian vector vortex (LGVV) beam through inhomogeneous atmospheric turbulence. Analytical formulae for the elements of a cross-spectral density matrix of a partially coherent LGVV beam propagating in turbulence are derived with the help of the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle. Our outcomes demonstrate that the normalized initial profile of a partially coherent beam with concentric dark rings gradually evolves into a Gaussian-like beam profile in turbulence. We also find that the beam is emitted at a large zenith angle and quickly converts to a Gaussian-like beam. Furthermore, it is also shown that a propagation beam with a large topological charge has a stronger ability to resist atmospheric turbulence. In order to confirm our numerical results, we combine the complex screen method and multi-phase screen method to simulate the propagation of a partially coherent LGVV beam in atmospheric turbulence. It is indicated that the simulation results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Our results will pave the way for the development of free-space optical communications and remote sensing.

Adsorption of Chromium, Copper, Lead, Selenium, and Zinc ions into ecofriendly synthesized magnetic iron nanoparticles.

The iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) have been synthesized using an environmentally friendly and simple green synthesis method. This study aims to obtain an aqueous extract from natural material wastes for synthesizing Fe-NPs. The produced Fe-NPs were evaluated as adsorbents for removing Pb, Se, Cu, Zn, and Cr from aqueous solutions. The formation of Fe-NPs was observed on exposure of the aqueous extract to the ferrous chloride and ferric chloride solutions. The characterization of the synthesized Fe-NPs was carried out using different instrumental techniques. As a function of the initial metal ion concentration, contact time, and various doses, the removal of the heavy metal ions was investigated. The UV-Vis spectrum of Fe-NPs showed a peak at 386 nm, 386 nm, 400 nm, 420 nm, 210 nm, 215 nm, and 272 nm of banana, pomegranate, opuntia, orange, potato, and onion, respectively. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the attachment of bioactive molecules from plants on the Fe-NPs surface. The effective reduction of metal ions was greatly aided by the -OH functional groups. The functional groups were examined and responsible for adsorption process by nanoparticle powder sample, these peaks are 3400 cm-1, 2900 cm-1, 1600 cm-1,1000 cm-1, and 1550 cm-1. The magnetization measurements revealed superparamagnetic behavior in the produced iron oxide nanoparticles. Heavy metal ions uptake followed a time, dose, and initial concentration-dependent profile, with maximum removal efficiency at 45 min, 0.4 g, and 3.0 mg/L of metal concentration, respectively.

How initial and long-term commitment profiles shape entrepreneurial persistence over time

Our research explores the role of both initial and long-term commitment in entrepreneurs’ persistence. Specifically, we test whether the affective and instrumental commitment developed during the motivational and subsequent volitional phases of the entrepreneurial process could lead entrepreneurs to persist in their projects. This longitudinal study was conducted over 18 months. We identify the following four main configurations driving long-term persistence: similar initial and long-term instrumental commitment, initial affective commitment, combined affective and instrumental long-term commitment and two profiles with long-term detachment (one with initial affective commitment and the other with initial instrumental commitment). This study highlights the complexity of commitment over time and the forms of escalation, diversion, and detachment that it may imply.

Immune Profile Determines Response to Vaccination against COVID-19 in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Immune status profile can predict response to vaccination, while lymphocyte phenotypic alterations represent its effectiveness. We prospectively evaluated these parameters in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) regarding Tozinameran (BNT162b2) vaccination. In this prospective monocenter observational study, 39 adult KTRs, on stable immunosuppression, naïve to COVID-19, with no protective humoral response after two Tozinameran doses, received the third vaccination dose, and, based on their immunity activation, they were classified as responders or non-responders. Humoral and cellular immunities were assessed at predefined time points (T0: 48 h before the first, T1: 48 h prior to the third and T2: three weeks after the third dose). Responders, compared to non-responders, had a higher total and transitional B-lymphocyte count at baseline (96.5 (93) vs. 51 (52)cells/μL, p: 0.045 and 9 (17) vs. 1 (2)cells/μL, p: 0.031, respectively). In the responder group, there was a significant increase, from T0 to T1, in the concentrations of activated CD4+ (from 6.5 (4) to 10.08 (11)cells/μL, p: 0.001) and CD8+ (from 8 (19) to 14.76 (16)cells/μL, p: 0.004) and a drop in CD3+PD1+ T-cells (from 130 (121) to 30.44 (25)cells/μL, p: 0.001), while naïve and transitional B-cells increased from T1 to T2 (from 57.55 (66) to 1149.3 (680)cells/μL, p < 0.001 and from 1.4 (3) to 17.5 (21)cells/μL, p: 0.003). The percentages of memory and marginal zone B-lymphocytes, and activated CD4+, CD8+ and natural killer (NK) T-cells significantly increased, while those of naïve B-cells and CD3+PD1+ T-cells reduced from T0 to T1. Responders and non-responders to the third BNT162b2 dose demonstrated distinct initial immune cell profiles and changes in cellular subpopulation composition following vaccination.

Converging Jet Impingement for Enhanced Liquid Cooling

Abstract Jet impingement cooling is an advanced thermal management technique for high heat flux applications. Standard configurations include single, axisymmetric jets with orifice, slot, or pipe nozzles. This choice in nozzle shape, number of jets, and jet inclination greatly influences the turbulence generated by fluid entrainment due to differences in initial velocity profiles and location of secondary stagnation points. Regarding high power electronics with integrated jet impingement schemes, turbulence, and heat transfer rates must be optimized to meet the extreme cooling requirements. In this study, the heat transfer rates of dual inclined converging jets are investigated experimentally. Emphasis is placed on the comparison of different jet schemes with respect to geometrical parameters including nozzle pitch, incline angle, and nozzle-to-target plate spacing. A parametric experimental investigation is performed as a point of comparison using a modular, additively manufactured jet setup. Computational simulations are used to evaluate the effect of jet configuration on stagnation pressure associated with maximum heat transfer rates, and an empirical Nusselt number model is provided. The results show the effects of convergence height on jet behavior and the associated impacts on heat transfer.

Hydrodynamic regime and cold plasmas hit by short laser pulses

AbstractWe briefly report and elaborate on some conditions allowing a hydrodynamic description of the impact of a very short and arbitrarily intense laser pulse onto a cold plasma, as well as the localization of the first wave-breaking due to the plasma inhomogeneity. We use a recently developed fully relativistic plane model whereby we reduce the system of the Lorentz–Maxwell and continuity PDEs into a 1-parameter family of decoupled systems of non-autonomous Hamilton equations in dimension 1, with the light-like coordinate $$\xi =ct\!-\!z$$ ξ = c t - z replacing time t as an independent variable. Apriori estimates on the Jacobian $$\hat{J}$$ J ^ of the change from Lagrangian to Eulerian coordinates in terms of the input data (initial density and pulse profile) are obtained applying Liapunov direct method to an associated family of pairs of ODEs; wave-breaking is pinpointed by the inequality $$\hat{J}\le 0$$ J ^ ≤ 0 . These results may help in drastically simplifying the study of extreme acceleration mechanisms of electrons, which have very important applications.

Occurrence, biomagnification, and risk assessment of parabens and their metabolites in marine fish: The case study of Vietnam

Parabens have emerged as the primary preservative of choice in numerous consumer goods, prompting growing apprehension regarding their potential for human exposure. The study employed the optimized QuEChERs sample extraction method and the UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS system to generate the initial contamination profiles of seven parabens and their four metabolites in a total of 114 fish samples found along the coastline of Vietnam. The findings of the study indicated that methylparaben was the predominant substance detected, exhibiting the highest concentration in the largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) species at 32.8 ng g−1 dry weight (dw). Additionally, the metabolites with the highest detectable concentrations in the largehead hairtail were found to be 4-HB and 3,4-DHB, with levels of 8822.0 ng g−1 dw and 3490.8 ng g−1 dw, respectively. Besides, the study reveals notable variations in paraben concentrations across three distinct regions in Vietnam, namely the Central, North, and South (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05). The trophic magnification factors (TMF) for methylparaben, ethylparaben, ethyl protocatechuate, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid exhibited values exceeding 1, indicating substantial biomagnification of these substances within the marine food web of Vietnam. Additionally, noteworthy positive associations have been observed between methylparaben and ethylparaben, as well as their respective metabolites. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that there is no direct impact of seafood consumption on human health in Vietnam.

Exploring Injury Profiles in Non-elite Cricketers: Harnessing Online Surveys for Effective Assessment.

An increase in the on-field intensity in modern cricket, results in an increased number of player injuries. Integration and easy access to professional physiotherapy, technology, rehab protocols, and mental/physical conditioning aid in early return to sports in the injured; however, at the grassroots, these facilities may not be available with untrained support staff and limited funds. Injuries can go unnoticed and, therefore, there is a need for an easy process of identification and documentation of such injuries. We devised a questionnaire-based survey to evaluate its effectiveness at the junior level of professional cricket. An Online self-administered questionnaire was prepared and the link was given to active Union Territory Cricket Academy (UTCA), Chandigarh, cricketers of any gender between 15 and 35years of age, through different online platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram and emails, for the submission of their responses. The questionnaire was administered to 98 participants out of which 77 participants' responses were evaluated (41 males and 36 females). 74/77 participants were below 30years of age. There were 18 wicketkeepers, 33 bowlers and 26 batsmen as per their major role in the team. 37/77 cricketers (20 males, 17 females) had injuries during the previous 2years; this included 17 bowlers, 11 batsmen and 9 wicketkeepers. The most common body part injured in the survey were fingers (12) followed by the back (7). The amount of training time lost, reported in the survey ranged from a week up to 1year. Online surveys could be the first step to accumulating data and making initial player profiles, starting even at junior levels of cricket. Further detailed evaluations may be performed after this, and coaches and administrators could potentially profile cricket injuries and identify chronic issues. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-023-00995-3.

Psychobiotics-like Activity as a Novel Treatment against Dry Scalp Related-White Flakes Production with Pogostemon cablin Leaf Extract

Microbiome supplementation initially targeted the gut microbiota but has since been extended to the skin. A new category, psychobiotics, defined beneficial compounds with a positive action on microbiota, providing benefits to the host’s mental health. Pogostemon cablin leaf extract, proven to alleviate scalp dryness, was clinically evaluated on volunteers presenting dry scalp with flakes. A metagenomics study and sebum production analysis were performed, coupled to flakes scoring. The benefits of Pogostemon cablin leaf extract on emotions were assessed through three neuroscientific methods. Through this study, we proved that the skin microbiota of dry scalp was imbalanced, with increased alpha diversity and decreased Cutibacterium relative abundance compared to oilier skin. After applying our ingredient for one month, microbiota was rebalanced with a decrease in alpha diversity and increase in Cutibacterium relative abundance compared to the initial profile. Microbiota rebalancing led to an increase in scalp sebum and decrease in dry flakes compared to the start of the study. This global rebalancing improved the emotional state of people with scalp dryness who expressed more positive emotions after treatment.

Predicting nonlinear multi-pulse propagation in optical fibers via a lightweight convolutional neural network.

The nonlinear evolution of ultrashort pulses in optical fiber has broad applications, but the computational burden of convolutional numerical solutions necessitates rapid modeling methods. Here, a lightweight convolutional neural network is designed to characterize nonlinear multi-pulse propagation in highly nonlinear fiber. With the proposed network, we achieve the forward mapping of multi-pulse propagation using the initial multi-pulse temporal profile as well as the inverse mapping of the initial multi-pulse based on the propagated multi-pulse with the coexistence of group velocity dispersion and self-phase modulation. A multi-pulse comprising various Gaussian pulses in 4-level pulse amplitude modulation is utilized to simulate the evolution of a complex random multi-pulse and investigate the prediction precision of two tasks. The results obtained from the unlearned testing sets demonstrate excellent generalization and prediction performance, with a maximum absolute error of 0.026 and 0.01 in the forward and inverse mapping, respectively. The approach provides considerable potential for modeling and predicting the evolution of an arbitrary complex multi-pulse.

Reshaping Covalent Nanowires by Exploiting an Unexpected Plasticity Mediated by Deformation Twinning.

Nanowires (NWs) are among the most studied nanostructures as they have numerous promising applications thanks to their various unique properties. Furthermore, the properties of NWs can be tailored during synthesis by introducing structural defects such as nano-twins, periodic polytypes, and kinks, i.e., abrupt changes in their axial direction. Here, this work reports for the first time the postsynthesis formation of such defects, achieved by exploiting a peculiar plasticity that may occur in nanosized covalent materials. Specifically, in this work the authors found that single-crystal CuO NWs can form double kinks when subjected to external mechanical loading. Both the microscopy and atomistic modeling suggest that deformation-induced twinning along the plane is the mechanism behind this effect. In a single case the authors are able to unkink a NW back to its initial straight profile, indicating the possibility of reversible plasticity in CuO NWs, which is supported by the atomistic simulations. The phenomenon reported here provides novel insights into the mechanisms of plastic deformation in covalent NWs and offers potential avenues for developing techniques to customize the shape of NWs postsynthesis and introduce new functionalities.

A Nonlinear Recession Model for Horizontal Aquifers

AbstractRecession analysis is a powerful tool for determining the hydraulic characteristics of a riparian aquifer. The basis of the method relies on two analytical solutions of the nonlinear Boussinesq equation: one applies to a uniform water table profile in a semi‐infinite aquifer while the other pertains to a hypothetical initial profile in a finite aquifer. Both solutions assume that the water depth in the adjoining stream is negligible. In the present work, a nonlinear solution of the one‐dimensional Boussinesq equation is derived using the traveling wave approximation. The solution better represents the field conditions as it pertains to a uniform water table profile in a finite aquifer that is adjoining a stream with a non‐zero water level. It allows the derivation of simple algebraic expressions for the recession of the water table, the flow rate, and the associated drainage volume. Approximations relating the discharge rate to the outflow volume were also obtained for practical implementation in the estimation of the hydraulic parameters of the aquifer. A comparison of the proposed methodology of parameter estimation with the standard method of recession analysis showed that the present approach is superior as it avoids the pitfalls associated with the classical method, especially when daily discharge values with inherent observational errors are used. Application of the recession model to real‐world cases demonstrates its effectiveness in the estimation of the catchment‐scale hydraulic conductivity and drainable porosity.

The European University Initiative – investigating alliance formation and initial profile developments

AbstractThe European University Initiative (EUI) – launched by the European Commission in 2018 has been received with considerable interest from higher education institutions in Europe with hundreds of institutions forming new alliances. While the EUI-initiative in many ways is a continuation of a long history of collaboration across national borders in Europe, the initiative also contains novel elements – not least with respect to the institutional commitments the new alliances are based on. This paper offers new insights into the alliance formation process, and the profiles of European university alliances. Based on a series of qualitative interviews with key persons at alliance level, our findings demonstrate quite complex alliance formation processes where both collective and individual networks of institutions were activated, and where different path-dependencies shaped the membership of the alliances.

Miller Fisher syndrome: an updated narrative review.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is considered a rare variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a group of acute-onset immune-mediated neuropathies characterized by the classic triad of ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoparesis. The present review aimed to provide a detailed and updated profile of all aspects of the syndrome through a collection of published articles on the subject, ranging from the initial description to recent developments related to COVID-19. We searched PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases and gray literature, including references from the identified studies, review studies, and conference abstracts on this topic. We used all MeSH terms pertaining to "Miller Fisher syndrome," "Miller Fisher," "Fisher syndrome," and "anti-GQ1b antibody." An extensive bibliography was researched and summarized in the review from an initial profile of MFS since its description to the recent accounts of diagnosis in COVID-19 patients. MFS is an immune-mediated disease with onset most frequently following infection. Anti-ganglioside GQ1b antibodies, detected in ~85% of patients, play a role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome. There are usually no abnormalities in MFS through routine neuroimaging. In rare cases, neuroimaging shows nerve root enhancement and signs of the involvement of the central nervous system. The most consistent electrophysiological findings in MFS are reduced sensory nerve action potentials and absent H reflexes. Although MFS is generally self-limited and has excellent prognosis, rare recurrent forms have been documented. This article gives an updated narrative review of MFS with special emphasis on clinical characteristics, neurophysiology, treatment, and prognosis of MFS patients.

Experimental Study of the Effects of Borehole Size, Borehole Roughness, and Installation Pressure on the Pull Load Capacity of Inflatable Rockbolts

AbstractAn inflatable rockbolt is a steel tube that has been rolled into an omega shape. During installation, water is injected into the tube, which expands the profile of the rockbolt, generating a radial force against the borehole wall. This reinforces the rock mass through the friction at the bolt–rock interface. This study aims to quantify the effects of borehole size, borehole roughness, and installation water pressure on the pull load capacity of the bolt. This was achieved through a series of pull tests under laboratory conditions. The test results showed that the load capacity was higher in boreholes that were either close to the initial profile diameter of the bolt or the fully unfolded diameter of the bolt, that were 26.8 mm and 38.7 mm, respectively, in the study. The load capacity and the radial stiffness of the bolt were lowest in the medium-sized boreholes (33 and 33.5 mm). In small boreholes, the shoulders of the bolt tongue are tightly compressed such that the outward elastic deformation of the bolt tube is locked in after installation. This deformation locking enhances the load capacity of the bolt. In addition, the load capacity was found to be higher in percussively drilled boreholes than in diamond-drilled boreholes. The additional friction angle of the percussive boreholes was back-calculated to be approximately 5.83°. The load capacity was also found to increase as the installation water pressure increases in the range of pressures tested. It was observed that the inflatable bolt was clamped against the borehole in three zones: on the two tongue shoulders and the side of the bolt opposite the tongue.

The investigation of a likely scenario for natural tornado genesis and evolution from an initial instability profile

A likely mechanism for the little-understood tornado genesis is proposed and its numerical implementation is presented. The Burgers-Rott vortex with its axis in the vertical direction is introduced as an instability mechanism, and the flow field then evolves under the influence of the atmospheric pressure, temperature and density variations with altitude. Buoyancy effects are implemented using the Boussinesq model. Results are presented and discussed for a set of conditions including mesh type and size, different turbulence models, and a few different boundary conditions. Post-processed results of the transient simulations including animations contain a wealth of information to help analyze tornado behavior. Velocity contours, pressure contours, vorticity contours, streamlines, and iso-surfaces show the evolution of a complex flow field possessing many characteristics of a tornado. At longer times from the start, the flow field becomes more asymmetric with the vortex core becoming more twisted, and the eye of the vortex drifting away from the axis of the computational domain. The single initial vortex then transitions into multiple vortices of varying size and orientation. These high Reynolds number (ReΓ ∼109) simulation results show flow fields that resemble highly unsteady, turbulent flows with large regions of flow separation, and large eddy size range.

Rogue wave formation scenarios for the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation with parabolic-profile initial data on a compact support.

We study the (1+1) focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation for an initial condition with compactly supported parabolic profile and phase depending quadratically on the spatial coordinate. In the absence of dispersion, using the natural class of self-similar solutions, we provide a criterion for blowup in finite time, generalizing a result by Talanov etal. In the presence of dispersion, we numerically show that the same criterion determines, even beyond the semiclassical regime, whether the solution relaxes or develops a high-order rogue wave, whose onset time is predicted by the corresponding dispersionless catastrophe time. The sign of the chirp appears to determine the prevailing scenario among two competing mechanisms for rogue wave formation. For negative values, the numerical simulations are suggestive of the dispersive regularization of a gradient catastrophe described by Bertola and Tovbis for a different class of smooth, bell-shaped initial data. As the chirp becomes positive, the rogue wave seems to result from the interaction of counterpropagating dispersive dam break flows, as in the box problem recently studied by El, Khamis, and Tovbis. As the chirp and amplitude of the initial profile are relatively easy to manipulate in optical devices and water tank wave generators, we expect our observation to be relevant for experiments in nonlinear optics and fluid dynamics.

Thermal cycling effects on the mode-I delamination of multilayer laminated composites: An experimental-numerical approach

In this research, the influence of thermal cycling on the fracture toughness and maximum load in the mode-I delamination of polymer matrix composites (PMCs) was investigated. To reduce the effect of the remote ply orientation on the fracture toughness during initiation and propagation delamination, double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens with a stacking sequence of unidirectional [0]16 were considered. The specimens were subjected to thermal-cycled loading between 15°C and 65°C for 50-150 number cycles. One group of un-cycled specimens was examined at the commencement of the research as a control group to determine the effects of thermal cycling loading on mechanical characteristics of the second group specimens. During the DCB experiment, the specimens were inspected by 2 real-time cameras to record the delamination length and initial crack tip opening displacement (ICTOD). The strain energy release rate (SERR) approach was used for obtaining the critical fracture toughness from the experimental data. By employing the digital image correlation (DIC) method, the initial crack tip separation profile was obtained. The measured bridging laws with the cohesive zone elements model are used to accurately simulate the delamination propagation in DCB specimens. Investigation of load variations revealed that critical fracture toughness in the mode-I of delamination is firmly affected by the thermal cycling process.

Nondestructive initial-profile-free 3D elemental mapping inmultilayer thin film structures based onEDX anda quadratic programming problem.

We have demonstrated a new data analysis method that enables nondestructive depth profiling of a multilayer thin-film sample from energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) data without the assumption of initial profiles. This method is based on a quadratic programming problem and allows for three-dimensional elemental mapping in the sample without destroying it, by performing depth profiling for all the pixels in the EDX two-dimensional mapping data. In this paper, first nondestructive depth profiling of two samples with different multilayer structures was performed using the proposed method. The results were compared with those obtained by cross-sectional observation to validate the accuracy and usefulness of the proposed method. Next, an example of the three-dimensional elemental mapping based on the proposed method was demonstrated. This method allows us to nondestructively obtain three-dimensional elemental distribution within a sample over a wide area on the order of mm, which is impossible to obtain using other analytical methods. The way to determine the hyperparameters, which significantly affects the calculation results, is fully described in this paper.