Areas Of Intensity Research Articles

Prognostic Implications of Decorin, E-Cadherin and EGFR Expression in Inflammatory and Non-Inflammatory Canine Mammary Carcinomas.

Inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IMC) is the most aggressive variant of invasive mammary tumours in dogs and in women. Decorin is an extracellular matrix molecule whose expression can be reduced or absent in various human cancers, which is associated with a poor prognosis. E-cadherin is a cell adhesion protein whose expression is reduced in several neoplasms. However, it is overexpressed in inflammatory breast cancers of women. EGFR is also associated with cancer development and is commonly overexpressed in aggressive neoplasms. This study aimed to characterise the expressions of Decorin, E-cadherin, and EGFR in canine inflammatory and non-inflammatory mammary carcinomas (IMC and non-IMC) and to evaluate their expression levels as prognostic indicators for survival and occurrence of metastases. Thirty-three IMC and 43 non-IMC cases were analysed retrospectively and submitted to immunohistochemical analysis. The reactions were quantified in five high-power field images from areas of the highest intensity and frequency of immunostaining (hot spots). We found significantly lower expression of Decorin and higher of E-cadherin and EGFR in canine IMCs. Patients with tumours that exhibited Decorin expression in less than 26.35% of epithelial cells had shorter survival (p = 0.0410) and a higher occurrence of distant metastases (p = 0.0115). E-cadherin is overexpressed in canine IMCs (p < 0.0001), similar to what occurs in women, reinforcing that dogs can be used as a study model for human IMC. EGFR overexpression in canine IMCs (p = 0.0322) provides evidence for potential targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Premature thelarche and pesticide exposure: A case-control study in an intensive agricultural area.

The extensive use of pesticides in agriculture significantly enhances crop yields and pest control. However, it also raises concerns regarding environmental and human health impacts. Children are particularly vulnerable to health effects of pesticide exposure, especially for neurological development and reproductive health. This study aims to evaluate the association between dietary pesticide exposure and idiopathic premature thelarche in girls living in an intensive agricultural area in central Italy. Using a case-control study, pesticide residues exposure was assessed through dietary intake of local food and by urinary levels. Results showed that the dietary intake of some pesticides from fruit and vegetables was higher in affected girls than healthy controls, although not significantly associated with idiopathic premature thelarche risk. Moreover, low health risk was obtained for cumulative dietary exposure. Despite this, further efforts are needed to reduce pesticide residues in food due to their potential endocrine disrupting properties, considering that diet may be one of several sources of exposure, especially in rural areas.

Comprehensive Hydrochemical Analysis, Controlling Mechanisms, and Water Quality Assessment of Surface and Groundwater in a Typical Intensive Agricultural Area, Northern China

Comprehensive Hydrochemical Analysis, Controlling Mechanisms, and Water Quality Assessment of Surface and Groundwater in a Typical Intensive Agricultural Area, Northern China

Genetic Diversity of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) isolates from tobacco growing fields of Western Anatolia, Türkiye

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is an important plant virus that is common in agriculture. It is the first evidence of the existence of viruses in history. Studies on the genetic diversity of the CP gene of TMV, which plays a leading role in host interaction, are limited both in our country and around the world. Genetic diversity analyses were conducted on ten isolates of the full CP gene region of TMV obtained from the most intensive tobacco cultivation areas in our country, and compared with global isolates. TMV infection was detected in 32 out of 300 plants collected from the Aegean and Marmara regions (Çanakkale, Balıkesir, İzmir, Manisa, Uşak, Aydın and Denizli) between 2019 and 2020 using conventional molecular techniques. To genetically characterize the virus, 10 samples were selected from each region, and the complete CP gene region sequences were determined. The aligned CP gene region sequences of TMV from Türkiye and its global isolates exhibited nucleotide homology ratios ranging from 87.7% to100%, with amino acid ratios ranging from 88.7% to 100%. The Türkiye isolates displayed similarity rates of 98.5% to 100% at the nucleotide level and 98.7% and 100% at the amino acid level. In phylogenetic analysis, the 196 known isolates of TMV registered in GenBank, belong to the CP gene region, were divided into two main clades (I and II) and two subclades (Ia and Ib). Turkish isolates were clustered in the major branch with the main clade I and subclade Ia isolates. Therefore, genetic analyses were performed on the CP gene region isolates obtained from different parts of the world and a wide range of hosts, including the isolates obtained from Türkiye. The results showed high genetic stability, similar to many tobamoviruses.

The Influence of Terfenol-D Content on the Structure and Properties of Multiferroic Composites Obtained Based on PZT-Type Material and Terfenol-D.

In this work, three composite materials based on Terfenol-D and PZT-type material were obtained with a classic sintering method using a combination of 0-3 phases, where the ferroelectric phase was doped PZT material (P) and the magnetic phase was Terfenol-D (T). The percentage of P and T components in the composites was variable, i.e., 90% P/10% T (P90-T10), 70% P/30% T (P70-T30), and 50% P/50% T (P50-T50). Structural, microstructure, dielectric, and magnetic properties and DC electric conductivity of multiferroic composites were investigated. Chemical composition analyses and X-ray studies showed a decomposition of the composite compositions, forming additional phases, most of which contained rare earth elements and Fe. Microstructural SEM-BE (backscattering) images distinguished areas of bright intensity with a dominant ferroelectric phase and dark areas with a dominant magnetic element dominance. Despite the composition decomposition, the composite materials retained good dielectric and magnetic properties at room temperature. The highest stability of dielectric parameters was maintained by the P90-T10 composition with high values of permittivity ε = 570 at room temperature RT (εm = 7300 at the phase transition temperature Tm) and the lowest dielectric tangent loss (tanδ of 0.32 and 1.94 for RT and Tm, respectively). Increasing the Terfenol-D share in the composite causes a significant increase in dielectric tangent loss and electrical conductivity, a decrease in permittivity, and an increase in the degree of phase transition blurring. The magnetic properties for all P-T composite compositions at RT were preserved and were 0.31 emu/g, 1.60 emu/g, and 4.56 emu/g for P90-T10, P70-T30, P50-T50, respectively. For the M-H hysteresis loop at room temperature, the maximum magnetization increased from 1.17 emu/g for (P90-T10) to 15.18 emu/g for (P50-T50), while the coercive field decreased from 271.8 mT for P90-T10 to 9.7 mT for P50-T50. It is also interesting to maintain the high saturation of the M-H magnetic hysteresis loop in the composite with the lowest Terfenol-D content (P90-T10). The magnetic properties for all P-T composite compositions at room temperature were preserved and were 0.31 emu/g, 1.60 emu/g, and 4.56 emu/g for P90-T10, P70-T30, and P50-T50, respectively. For the M-H hysteresis loop at RT, the maximum magnetization increased from 1.17 emu/g for (P90-T10) to 15.18 emu/g for (P50-T50), while the coercive field decreased from 0.272 T for P90-T10 to 0.001 T for P50-T50. It is also interesting to maintain the high saturation of the M-H magnetic hysteresis loop in the composite with the lowest Terfenol-D content (P90-T10). Due to the tendency to combine with oxygen and the high electric conductivity of Terfenol-D, limiting its amount in the composite composition is appropriate. At 10% of Terfenol-D, the composite has good dielectric properties, and the magnetic parameters remain satisfactory.

High grazing pressure accelerates changes in community assembly over time in a long-term grazing experiment in the desert steppe of northern China.

Although numerous studies have shown that grazing gives rise to community succession from the communities or even species perspective, there is a lack of discussion about how grazing drives community assembly based on plant functional traits in a long-term experiment. We find different grazing intensities lead to temporal effects on trait-mediated multidimensional community assembly processes, including community-weighted trait mean (CWM), trait filtering, and trait distribution (divergence/convergence). CWM, trait filtering, and trait distribution of different traits transformed over the 16-year grazing experiment. Major findings include the following: (1) CWM changed rapidly under higher grazing intensity, and the removal of unsuitable traits from communities over time was accelerated with higher grazing intensity, such as higher specific leaf area (SLA), rich epidermal appendages (PAP), deep root system (RD), and growth form (shrub and subshrub) and dispersal mode (DM, e.g., insect spread) with higher scores. (2) Patterns of trait filtering strongly depended on grazing intensity and trait types, most traits, such as SLA, DM, PAP, RD, and onset of flowering (OFL), were filtered at high grazing intensity area, and effects of trait filtering in the community assembly process strengthened with grazing time. (3) Traits related to the cycling of biological matter, such as leaf area (LA), SLA, reproductive height (RH), photosynthetic (PHO), and GF more frequently diverged after long-term grazing, especially in higher grazing areas. Community assembly in intensely grazed ecosystems takes over a decade to support fundamental functions, highlighting the need for grazing intensity thresholds for sustainable grassland use.

Measurement Analysis of Coherence in Femtosecond Laser-Induced Molecular Alignment

Femtosecond laser-induced excitation of molecular rotational states leads to phenomena such as alignment and orientation, which fundamentally stem from the coherence between the induced rotational states. In recent years, the quantitative study of coherence in the field of quantum information has garnered widespread attention. Different kinds of coherence measures have been proposed and investigated. This paper delves into the quantitative correlation between the intrinsic coherence measurement and the degree of molecular alignment induced by femtosecond laser pulses at finite temperatures. By examining the molecular alignment induced by ultrafast non-resonant laser pulses, the study establishes a quantitative relationship between the \(l_1\) norm coherence measure (\(C_{l_1}(\rho)\) -- the sum of the absolute values of all off-diagonal elements of the density matrix \(\rho\)) and the alignment amplitude ($\mathcal{D}\langle \cos^2 \theta \rangle$--the difference between the maximum and minimum alignment). A quadratic relationship $ C_{l_1} = (a + b\mathcal{E}^2_0)\times \mathcal{D}\langle \cos^2 \theta \rangle$ between the the \(l_1\) norm coherence measure and $\mathcal{D}\langle \cos^2 \theta \rangle$ with respect to the electric field intensity $\mathcal{E}_0$ is obtained. This relationship is validated through numerical simulations of the CO molecule and the ratio coefficients $a$ and $b$ for different temperatures are demonstrated. Furthermore, a mapping relationship between this ratio and the pulse intensity area is established. The findings of this study offer an alternative methodology for experimentally detecting the coherence measure within femtosecond laser-excited rotational systems, thereby extending the potential applicability of molecular rotational states to study the coherence measure in the field of quantum resources. This will facilitate the interdisciplinary integration of ultrafast strong-field physics and quantum information.

Discrimination of benign, atypical, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours in neurofibromatosis type 1 – intraindividual comparison of positron emission computed tomography and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

BackgroundTo intraindividually compare the diagnostic performance of positron emission computed tomography (F-18-FDG-PET/CT) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in a non-inferiority design for the discrimination of peripheral nerve sheath tumours as benign (BPNST), atypical (ANF), or malignant (MPNST) in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).ResultsIn this prospective single-centre study, thirty-four NF1 patients (18 male; 30 ± 11 years) underwent F-18-FDG-PET/CT and multi-b-value DW-MRI (11 b-values 0 – 800 s/mm²) at 3T. Sixty-six lesions corresponding to 39 BPNST, 11 ANF, and 16 MPNST were evaluated. Two radiologists independently assessed the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and mean and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean/min) as well as the ADC in areas of lowest signal intensity in each lesion (ADCdark). The AUCs of DW-MRI and F-18-FDG-PET/CT were compared to determine whether the ADC is non-inferior to SUVmax (non-inferiority margin equal to -10%). Follow-up of ≥ 24 months (BPNST) or histopathological evaluation (MPNST + ANF) served as diagnostic reference standard. Both SUVmax and ADC parameters demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy (AUCSUVmax 94.0%; AUCADCmean/min/dark 91.6% / 90.1% / 92.5%). However, non-inferiority could not be demonstrated for any of the three ADC parameters (lower limits of the confidence intervals of the difference between the AUC of ADCmean/min/dark and SUVmax -12.9% / -14.5% / -11.6%). Inter-rater reliability was excellent for both imaging techniques (Krippendorff’s alpha all > 0.94).ConclusionsBoth PET/CT-derived SUVmax and MRI-derived ADC allow sensitive and non-invasive differentiation of benign and (pre)-malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours. Nevertheless, DW-MRI cannot be considered as non-inferior to F-18-FDG-PET/CT in this prospective single-centre study.

Enhanced proton acceleration using spiral-phase plasma mirrors

Abstract We present a method for generating intense vortex laser beams using spiral-phase plasma mirrors. These single-use micro-metric formations imprint a set amount of orbital angular momentum (OAM) to an arbitrary high power focusing beam. Using these beams, we irradiated ultrathin foils and measured the emission of ions from their back side. Utilizing a PW class laser, 5 J@45fs@2w resulting in an Intensity of 2×1020 W cm − 2 at spot focus, we observed an increase in the energy and numbers of these ions, compared to shots taken with reflection off flat plasma mirrors. A 45% increase in the proton numbers and a 35% increase in cutoff energy was observed. This is a major advance since the area of interaction and intensity are reduced due to the planar shape of the generated OAM laser. We review the available data-sets on laser ion acceleration using vortex beams, and conclude with a comparison to our findings.

Using genomic epidemiology and geographic activity spaces to investigate tuberculosis outbreaks in Botswana.

The integration of genomic and geospatial data into infectious disease transmission analyses typically includes residential locations and excludes other activity spaces where transmission may occur (e.g. work, school, or social venues). The objective of this analysis was to explore residential as well as other activity spaces of tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks to identify potential geospatial 'hotspots' of transmission. We analyzed data that included geospatial coordinates for residence and other activity spaces collected during 2012-2016 for the Kopanyo Study, a population-based study of TB transmission in Botswana. We included participants with results from whole genome sequencing conducted on archived samples from the original study. We used a spatial log-Gaussian Cox process model to detect core areas of increased activity spaces of individuals belonging to TB outbreaks (genotypic groups with ≤5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms), which we compared to ungrouped participants (those not in a genotypic group of any size). We analyzed data collected from 636 participants, including 70 participants belonging to six outbreak groups with a combined total of 293 locations, and 566 ungrouped participants with a combined total of 2289 locations. Core areas of activity space for each outbreak group were geographically distinct, and we found evidence of localized transmission in four of six outbreaks. For most of the outbreaks, including activity space data led to the detection of larger areas of higher spatial intensity and more focal points compared to residential location alone. Geospatial analysis using activity space data (social gathering places as well as residence) may lead to improved understanding of areas of infectious disease transmission compared to using residential data alone. This work was supported by funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases R01AI097045, R01AI147336, and R01AI170204.

Intelligent prediction of tunnel surrounding rock advance classification in high altitude and high seismic intensity area and its engineering application

Intelligent prediction of tunnel surrounding rock advance classification in high altitude and high seismic intensity area and its engineering application

Exploring discrepancies in muscle analysis with ImageJ: understanding the impact of tool selection on echo intensity and muscle area measurements.

The aim was to compare the use of different tools within the ImageJ program (polygon vs. segmented line) and their impact on the calculation of muscle area and echo intensity (EI) values in ultrasound imaging of the vastus lateralis muscle. Thirteen volunteers participated in this study. Ultrasound images of the vastus lateralis muscle were acquired using 2D B-mode ultrasonography and analyzed using both the polygon and segmented line tools by the same evaluator. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) assessed the tools' reliability. Bland-Altman plots were employed to verify the agreement between measurements, and linear regression analysis determined proportional bias. A paired t-test was conducted to analyze differences between the tools. The reliability between tools for muscle area calculation was weak (r = 0.000; CV = 138.03 ± 0.34%), while it was excellent for EI (r = 0.871; CV = 15.19 ± 2.96%). The Bland-Altman plots indicated a large bias for muscle area (d = 195.2%) with a proportional bias (p < 0.001). For EI, the bias was (d = 15.2) with proportional bias (p = 0.028). The paired t-test revealed significant differences between the tools for area (p < 0.001) but not for EI (p = 0.060). The study found significant differences in measurements obtained with the polygon and segmented line tools in ImageJ, with the polygon tool showing higher values for muscle area and lower values for EI.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Marine Heatwaves Globally

Abstract The spatiotemporal evolution of marine heatwaves (MHWs) is explored using a tracking algorithm called Ocetrac that provides the objective characterization of MHW spatiotemporal evolution. Candidate MHW grid points are defined in detrended gridded sea temperature data using a seasonally varying temperature threshold. Identified MHW points are collected into spatially distinct objects using edge detection with weak sensitivity to edge detection and size percentile threshold criteria at each time step. Ocetrac then uses 3D connectivity to determine if these objects are part of the same event, but Ocetrac only defines the full MHW event after all time steps have been processed, limiting its use in predictability studies. Here, Ocetrac is applied to monthly satellite sea surface temperature data from September 1981 through January 2021. The resulting MHWs are characterized by their intensity, duration, and total area covered. The global analysis shows that MHWs in the Gulf of Maine and Mediterranean Sea are spatially isolated, while major MHWs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans are connected in space and time. The largest and most long-lasting MHW using this method lasts for 60 months from November 2013 to October 2018, encompassing previously identified MHW events including those in the northeast Pacific (2014–15), the Tasman Sea (2015–16, 2017–18), and the Great Barrier Reef (2016). Significance Statement This study introduces Ocetrac, a method to track the spatiotemporal evolution of marine heatwaves (MHWs). It is applied to satellite sea surface temperature data from 1981 to 2021. The method objectively identifies and tracks MHWs in space and time while allowing for splitting and merging. The resulting MHWs are characterized by intensity, duration, and total area covered. Marine heatwaves can have significant ecological consequences, including biodiversity loss and mortality, geographical shifts, and range reductions in marine species and community structure changes when physiological thresholds are exceeded. This results in both ecological and economic impacts. Ocetrac provides a method of tracking the space and time evolution of MHWs that can provide a visualization that demonstrates the global impact of these events.

Unusual bone abnormalities from therapeutic ultrasound diathermy: a radiological case report.

This report describes bone marrow abnormalities arising as a consequence of therapeutic ultrasound diathermy, which are an uncommon diagnostic entity. Over the period from 2018 to 2023, 11 patients were identified that showed abnormalities of the bone marrow on MRI, as a direct result of ultrasound diathermy treatment. These abnormalities displayed consistent imaging features, characterized by areas of low T1W and high T2W signal intensity with well-demarcated geographic margins and central fatty areas, as can be seen in bone infarction. The imaging findings were localized in the superficial aspect of the bone, near the skin surface, corresponding to the site of ultrasound insonation. The clinical relevance of this report stems from the scarcity of documented cases and the unfamiliarity of this diagnostic entity among radiologists and orthopedic surgeons. The specificity of the imaging findings, their typical location, and the potential for resolution with cessation of the diathermy therapy reinforces the importance of this report. Recognition of this condition enables understanding potential adverse effects of ultrasound diathermy, increasing awareness regarding the importance of adhering to safe techniques and the use of this physical treatment modality in clinical practice. This information is also useful to athletic trainers, physical therapists, physical medicine and rehabilitation clinicians, and anyone who might perform ultrasound diathermy.

Effective Nutrient Management of Surface Waters in the United States Requires Expanded Water Quality Monitoring in Agriculturally Intensive Areas.

The U.S. Clean Water Act is believed to have driven widespread decreases in pollutants from point sources and developed areas, but has not substantially affected nutrient pollution from agriculture. Today, the highest nutrient concentrations in surface waters are often associated with agricultural production. In this Perspective, we explore whether challenges stemming from the Clean Water Act's inability to mitigate agricultural nutrient pollution are also exacerbated by coarse nutrient monitoring. We evaluate the current state of nutrient monitoring in surface waters of the contiguous U.S. relative to agricultural nutrient inputs to assess how monitoring effort varies across agriculturally intensive areas. The locations of nutrient monitoring stations with approximately seasonal sampling frequency (4 samples per year, on average) from 2012 to 2021 were compiled from the U.S. Water Quality Portal. Monitoring station locations were then compared to watershed-scale (HUC-8) nutrient inventory estimates for agricultural fertilizer and livestock manure inputs. From this assessment, we found that many, but not all, of the nation's most agriculturally intensive areas are under-monitored, and often unmonitored. While it is well-known that the Midwest is the epicenter of agricultural production in the U.S., our results reveal it is poorly monitored relative to its agricultural nutrient inputs. Other regions, like the California Central Valley and parts of the southeastern Coastal Plain were also coarsely monitored relative to nutrient inputs. Conversely, some agriculturally intensive watersheds were moderately-to-well monitored (e.g., western Lake Erie basin, eastern North Carolina, and the Delmarva Peninsula), with these basins largely having established Total Maximum Daily Loads and discharging to prominent waterways. In closing, we argue that sparse monitoring across many of the nation's most agriculturally intensive areas motivate a need to re-envision nutrient monitoring networks, and that increased resources and advanced technologies are likely required to enable effective nutrient source identification throughout the nation.

Evidence of spatial clustering distribution patterns of malaria in Epe, Lagos, Nigeria

Investigation of the spatial distribution patterns of malaria with the goal of detecting intense transmission areas and clustering is prerequisite to planning an effective targeted malaria intervention. Parasitological sampling was done in settlements in Epe and Orimedu, Lagos, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 360 participants with georeferenced residences, selected through multistage systematic sampling technique. Each study area was delineated into 3 Malaria Risk Zones (MRZs), namely; Very High (V-MRZ), High (H-MRZ) and low (L-MRZ), according to distances of 500 m, 1000 m and 1500 m respectively away from perennial water bodies. Clustering and Outlier analysis was carried out to generate predictive malaria risk maps. Overall malaria prevalence was 32.2%., being significantly higher in Orimedu (52.6%) than Epe (47.4%), p < 0.05. Prevalence was 28.2%, 32.0% and 50.0% in the VH-MRZ, High-MRZ and L-MRZ respectively in Epe. H-MRZ accounted for the highest prevalence (66.7%), in Orimedu, followed by the V-MRZ (32.8%) while the L-MRZ was uninhabited. Malaria clusterings were detected in Uraka, Iberikodo and Sagidan settlements in Epe (Moran’s Index = 0.62, p < 0.05) but not in Orimedu. The multiple distinct malaria risk zones coupled with the characteristic steep topography may be responsible for forcing malaria to localize and cluster in Epe compared to Orimedu.

Behavior and Energy of the M2 Internal Tide in the Madagascar–Mascarene Region

Internal tides serve as essential intermediate steps in the cascading of oceanic energy, playing a crucial role in oceanic mixing. M2 internal tides are the dominant tidal constituent in many oceanic regions, significantly influencing ocean dynamics. The Madagascar–Mascarene Region has high-energy internal tides, but due to a lack of observational studies, their propagation remains underexplored and warrants further investigation. In this study, we used satellite altimetry data to capture the sea surface manifestation of the first-mode M2 internal tides in the region. The results show that the Mascarene Plateau plays a key role in shaping the region’s uneven internal tide distribution. The Mascarene Strait is the most intense generation area, with an east-west energy flux of 1.42 GW. Using the internal tidal energy concentration index, we decomposed the internal tidal beams, finding the primary beam oriented at 148°. These beams propagate outward for over 800 km, with a maximum distance exceeding 1000 km. Geostrophic currents intensify the northward refraction of westward-propagating internal tides in the Mascarene Basin, particularly between 15°S and 20°S.

How does FinTech development drive corporate innovation? Fresh evidence from the perspective of financial supply

By constructing a city-level financial-technology (FinTech) development dataset, this study examines the impact of FinTech on corporate-innovation behavior from a financial-supply perspective. The results reveal that FinTech promotes corporate innovation by reducing corporate-financing constraints and financing costs, alleviating information asymmetry, and expanding financing channels. This promotion effect is more pronounced for private, small, and young firms, firms with fewer fixed assets, and those located in low-regulation intensity areas. Moreover, credit-based FinTech companies have a greater impact on business innovation. In addition, bank deregulation and increased bank competition crowd out the financial supply of FinTech for innovation financing. Knowledge of these impacts can help corporate managers, governments, and financial regulators to formulate more effective development strategies to promote corporate innovation.

Light on abnormal red blood cell subpopulations: Label-free optics-based approach for studying in vitro rigidified blood cells

RBCs deformability plays a crucial role in maintaining proper blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body. Conventional ektacytometry fails to differentiate between variations in deformability of RBC subpopulations as the averaging measurement process obscures these differences. In this study, we introduced an approach that integrates label-free optics-based techniques (flow cytometry, phase-contrast, and two-photon excitation fluorescent microscopy) with ektacytometry to evaluate subpopulations that exhibit decreased RBCs deformability upon an in vitro oxidation using 0.5 mM TBHP, as a low-level oxidative agent.We found that flow cytometry can easily detect rigidified and oxidized subpopulations based on FSC/SSC light distribution, as well as RBCs fluorescence intensity and peak area likely originating from hemoglobin photo and/or degradation products. Two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy proved altered morphology and spatial location of fluorescence intensity signal near the membrane of oxidized RBCs, when compared to control RBCs, indicating a link with the reduced deformability. The proposed label-free optics-based methodology, which combines established techniques with more sophisticated microscopy, emerges as a promising tool for detecting mechano-biological changes in different RBC subpopulations induced by oxidative stress. The findings suggest potential applications in clinical practice for monitoring pathological conditions influenced by physical or environmental stress and as a quality control measure for stored RBCs.

Seismic Vibration Control and Multi-Objective Optimization of Transmission Tower with Tuned Mass Damper Under Near-Fault Pulse-like Ground Motions

Although the wind load is usually adopted as the governing lateral load in the design of transmission towers, many tall transmission towers may be damaged or even collapse in high seismic intensity areas, especially under near-fault pulse-like ground motions. To study the seismic vibration control effect of a tuned mass damper (TMD) attached to transmission tower, parametric analyses are conducted in SAP2000 through CSI OAPI programming, including TMD parameters such as the mass ratio μ from 0.5% to 10%, the frequency ratio f from 0.7 to 1.2, and the damping ratio ξ from 0.01 to 0.2. Based on the obtained analysis results, artificial neural network (ANN) is trained to predict the vibration reduction ratios of peak responses and the corresponding vibration reduction cost. Finally, the NSGA-III algorithm is adopted to perform the multi-objective optimization of a transmission tower equipped with TMD. Results show that the vibration reduction ratios first increase and then decrease with the increase of frequency ratio, but first increase and then remain stable with the increase of mass ratio and damping ratio. In addition, ANN fitting can accurately predict the nonlinear relationship between TMD parameters and objective functions. Through multi-objective optimization with the NSGA-III algorithm, TMD can simultaneously and significantly reduce different peak responses of transmission towers under near-fault pulse-like ground motions in a cost-effective manner.