Linear Growth Rate Research Articles

Growth rate estimation by 210Pb chronology in precious corals collected off the southern coast of Japan

The Lead 210 (210Pb) concentrations were determined to estimate the skeletal growth rates in the four species of precious corals including Japanese red coral (Corallium japonicum), pink coral (Pleurocorallium elatius), white coral (P. konojoi), and a deep-sea coral (Coralliidae sp.), and in a bamboo coral (Keratoisis sp.). Colonies were collected from the southern coast of Japan, western North Pacific margin. The 210Pb concentrations typically showed the exponential decrease with distance from the edge to the center of the skeleton axis in a cross section of main stem of colonies. The mean radial growth rates for colonies were estimated from the slopes of the best fit curves for exponential decrease in 210Pb concentration along the multiple transects. The obtained mean and standard deviation of radial growth rates in the diameter (the number of transects, n) for three colonies of C. japonicum were 0.31 mm/y (n = 1), 0.21 ± 0.05 mm/y (n = 2), and 0.36 ± 0.13 mm/y (n = 2), respectively, which were broadly comparable to the previously reported growth rates obtained by growth ring counting. Those obtained for three white coral colonies were 0.52 mm/y (n = 1), 0.60 mm/y (n = 1), and 0.36 ± 0.25 mm/y (n = 2). The radial growth rate for the bamboo coral colony was 0.13 mm/y in radius. The linear growth of the main steam of some colonies was analyzed from several cross sections. The linear growth rates of colonies could be estimated from the slope of the best fit curve (1) for increasing mean 210Pb concentration along the cross transects of the axis and (2) for increasing center 210Pb concentration of the skeleton axis. The linear growth rates calculated from the mean and center concentrations for two C. japonicum colonies were 8.5 and 6.1 mm/y, and 1.8 and 1.4 mm/y, respectively. Those for a P. elatius colony were 4.7 and 3.4 mm/y. The difference between the two estimates may reflect the morphological structure of the skeleton. The growth rates measured for the radial increase and linear extension of the main stem of the colonies could provide basic information for the demographic study of these coral species thereby fostering a rational exploitation of their populations.

Effect of triangularity on plasma turbulence and the SOL-width scaling in L-mode diverted tokamak configurations

The effect of triangularity on tokamak boundary plasma turbulence is investigated using global, flux-driven, three-dimensional, two-fluid simulations. The simulations show that negative triangularity (NT) stabilizes boundary plasma turbulence, and linear investigations reveal that this is due to a reduction of the magnetic curvature driven by interchange instabilities, such as the resistive ballooning mode (RBM). As a consequence, the pressure decay length L p , related to the scrape-off layer (SOL) power fall-off length λ q , is found to be affected by triangularity. Leveraging considerations on the effect of triangularity on the linear growth rate and nonlinear evolution of the RBM, the analytical theory-based scaling law for L p in L-mode plasmas, derived by Giacomin et al (2021 Nucl. Fusion 61 076002), is extended to include the effect of triangularity. The scaling is in agreement with nonlinear simulations and a multi-machine experimental database, which includes recent TCV discharges dedicated to the study of the effect of triangularity in L-mode diverted discharges. Overall, the present results highlight that NT narrows the L p and considering the effect of triangularity is important for a reliable extrapolation of λ q from present experiments to larger devices.

Effect of long-wavelength perturbations in nonlinear evolution of the ablative Rayleigh–Taylor mixing

We investigate herein how long-wavelength perturbations affect the nonlinear evolution of the multimode ablative Rayleigh–Taylor instability (ARTI). A single-mode ARTI with an initial small amplitude is first investigated to validate the reliability of the proposed simulation code. The results show that both linear growth rates and asymptotic bubble velocities obtained from simulations are in reasonable agreement with theoretical results. Initial perturbations with different long-wavelength perturbations are compared to investigate the contribution of the long-wavelength perturbations to the nonlinear evolution of the ARTI mixing. Beyond the nonlinear saturation limit [S. W. Haan, Phys. Rev. A 39, 5812 (1989)], the long-wavelength perturbation promotes the ARTI mixing and facilitates the development of the large-scale structure on the ablation surface. In the self-similar analysis, the simulation results indicate that the self-similar growth parameters decrease with increasing initial longest-wavelength modes.

Belzutifan treatment for von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease–associated central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastomas (HBs) in the phase 2 LITESPARK-004 study.

2008 Background: Patients (pts) with VHL disease are at risk for developing multiorgan tumors and cysts, including CNS HBs. The first-in-class hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) inhibitor belzutifan showed clinically meaningful antitumor activity in VHL disease–associated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and other neoplasms in the ongoing, single-arm, phase 2 LITESPARK-004 study (NCT03401788). We present updated results for the subgroup of pts with CNS HBs. Methods: Adults with a VHL disease diagnosis based on germline VHL alteration, ≥1 measurable RCC tumor, no RCC tumor > 3 cm or other VHL tumor requiring immediate surgical intervention, no evidence of metastatic disease, no prior systemic anticancer treatment, and an ECOG PS score of 0 or 1 received belzutifan 120 mg orally once daily. End points evaluated in pts with CNS HBs included objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), time to response (TTR), and progression-free survival (PFS) per RECIST v1.1 by an independent review committee; linear growth rate (LGR); and safety. CNS HBs were assessed using 2 methodologies: 1) with measurable (≥1 cm) and/or nonmeasurable disease at baseline and with associated cysts, if present; and 2) with measurable disease at baseline, excluding associated cysts, if present, from the lesion measurement. Results: Of 61 enrolled pts, 50 (82%) had ≥1 CNS HB evaluable at baseline, and 22 (59%) pts had undergone ≥1 CNS-related surgery within 4 years prior to starting belzutifan treatment. As of the April 1, 2022 data cutoff date, median study follow-up for pts with CNS HBs was 38.0 mo (range, 36.1-46.1). ORR was 44% (n = 22; 95% CI, 30-59; 4 CRs, 18 PRs), and DCR was 90% (n = 45; 95% CI, 78-97). Median TTR was 5.4 mo (range, 2.3-33.1), and median DOR was not reached (NR; range, 3.7+ to 38.7+ mo). Median PFS was NR (95% CI, 38 mo to NR). After initiating belzutifan, median LGR for all evaluable pts was –1.6 mm/year (range, –7.0 to 3.1). Of all pts, 25/50 (50%) had ≥1 measurable CNS HBs, excluding any associated cysts. For these pts, ORR was 76% (95% CI, 55-91; 1 CR, 18 PRs), and DCR was 96% (n = 24; 95% CI, 80-100). Median TTR was 3.1 mo (range, 2.5-27.8), and median DOR was NR (range, 3.7+ to 38.7+ mo). Median PFS was NR (95% CI, 36 mo to NR). After initiating belzutifan, median LGR was –1.1 mm/year (range, –3.9 to –0.1). Of all pts, 1/50 (2%) underwent a CNS-related surgery after starting belzutifan. Two (3%) pts discontinued treatment due to treatment-related adverse events. Conclusions: With more than 3 years of treatment with belzutifan, consistent and durable antitumor activity was observed in pts with CNS HBs, which is consistent with findings in other VHL disease–associated neoplasms. Using different methodologies of assessing tumors, our data demonstrated that belzutifan induced the shrinkage of VHL disease–related CNS HBs with or without the presence of associated cysts. Clinical trial information: NCT03401788 .

Linear stability analysis of second-mode attenuation via porous carbon-matrix ceramics

Effects of porous carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon-matrix ceramics (C/C) on the stability of second-mode waves on a 7°-half-angle cone were investigated for Reynolds numbers Rem=2.43×106–6.40×106 m−1 at the freestream Mach number of M∞=7.4, for both sharp and 2.5-mm-round nose tips. A broadband time-domain impedance boundary condition was used to model the effects of the C/C porosity on the flow dynamics leveraging direct ultrasonic benchtop experiments and homogenous absorber theory. A spectral linear stability solver based on orthogonal Laguerre functions, naturally vanishing in the free stream, was used to predict linear spatial growth rates, which are in agreement with independent pulsed axisymmetric direct-numerical simulations. The latter were carried out with the quasi-spectral viscosity closure—a dynamic quasi-spectral procedure capable of deactivating the sub-filter scale stresses in the absence of turbulent break down—verifying its suitability to carry out transitional calculations without affecting ultrasonic wave dynamics. The effectiveness of a porous C/C surface is shown to decrease drastically with static pressure and its presence is shown to decrease the second-mode growth rates in regions where it is unstable as well as increasing the attenuation rates in regions where it is stable.

Unexpected interfacial reactions in Co/Sb2Te3 and Co/GeTe couples

BackgroundSb2Te3 and GeTe are important thermoelectric materials. Co/Sb2Te3, Co/GeTe, Ni/Sb2Te3 and Ni/GeTe couples were prepared by electroplating Co and Ni on Sb2Te3 and GeTe substrates, and reacted at 500 °C, 400 °C and 300 °C. Surprisingly, in the couples reacted at 500 °C, in addition to reactions at the Co/Sb2Te3 and Co/GeTe interfaces, reaction phases are also found on the outer surface of the electroplated Co which has no direct contact with the thermoelectric substrate. These unexpected reactions are not found in the couples plated with Ni and in the couples plated with Co reacted at 400 °C and 300 °C. The compositions of the reaction phases on the outer surface of Co are similar to those at the Co/Sb2Te3 and Co/GeTe interfaces. MethodsSystematic investigations were carried out using three different types of reaction couples. Significant findingsThe reaction phases on the outer surface of Co result from Te vaporization of the thermoelectric substrates, which are not completely covered with Co. The Te vapor of Sb2Te3 and GeTe provides the Te reactant source of the reaction phases. However, at temperatures of 400 °C and 300 °C, the Te vapor pressure is not high enough to cause interfacial reactions on the bare Co surface. The formation of the reaction phases on the outer surface of Co can thus be inhibited with a fully-covered Co layer on the Sb2Te3 and GeTe substrates and by reducing the reaction temperatures. In both the Co/Sb2Te3 and Co/GeTe couples, the reaction layers exhibit linear growth rates with aging time.

Rapid bubble growth within 200 μs in flat microchannels under “hot spot” heating conditions at ultra-high heat fluxes

The two-phase flow boiling in microchannels is an attractive cooling strategy for high-power density electronic/optoelectronic devices, while the exist of sub-millimeter “hot spots” characterized by ultra-high heat fluxes would degrade the reliability and safety for commercial and consumer applications. In this paper, the bubble nucleation and evolution characteristics of subcooled flow boiling in high aspect ratio flat microchannels were experimentally studied with the aid of high-speed visualization and infrared temperature measurement at localized heat fluxes exceeding 1.5 kW/cm2. Dielectric liquid HFE-7100 was used at mass flow rates ranging from 11.1 to 178.2 kg/(m2·s). Results show that the explosive boiling process was accompanied by an approximately linear bubble growth rate of about 20 m/s at about the first half of growth stage, and the time duration for overall bubble growth was less than 200 μs. The bubble nucleation was suppressed dramatically on the smooth bottom surface of the channel even at a localized “hot spot” heat flux above 2.5 kW/cm2. The introduction of staggered short micro-pin fin arrays at the bottom wall significantly lowered the threshold heat flux and onset temperature of bubble nucleation and reinforced the bubble growth to larger sizes. It is attributed to the reduction in the temperature gradient of thermal boundary layer adjacent to the heated wall, and it would be further reduced by increasing the micro-pin fin denseness. Even at quite high superheats on smooth and micro-structured surfaces, the heterogeneous boiling mechanism was proved to still work.

Linear instabilities in the hot-ion regime in a high-field spherical tokamak

The present operating high-field compact spherical tokamak ST40 is an important step toward an ST-based fusion reactor (Gryaznevich and Asunta 2017 Fusion Eng. Des. 123 177; McNamara 2023 Nucl. Fusion 63 054002). Temperature and density profiles and their uncertainties in recent hot ion ST40 plasmas with central ion temperatures exceeding 8.6 keV, have been inferred using an integrated analysis of several diagnostics including line-of-sight integration and volume average measurements, as well as limited profile information from a charge-exchange-recombination spectrometer. A linear gyrokinetic stability analysis has been carried out to identify the most unstable micro-instabilities in these hot ion plasmas. In one of these plasmas, it is found that linear growth rates of both ion- and electron-scale ( where k θ is the poloidal wavenumber and ρ s is the ion gyro-radius with sound speed) modes decrease from the edge toward the core of the plasma (i.e. from ρ = 0.8 to 0.3 where ρ is the square root of the normalized magnetic flux), while the change of linear growth rates at is non-monotonic. In particular, at ρ = 0.3 no unstable mode was found at , and about an order of magnitude reduction in the maximum linear growth rate in the ion-scale wavenumber range of is seen at ρ = 0.3 compared with the ρ = 0.8 location. It is found through parametric scans that while the ion temperature gradient (ITG) mode/trapped electron mode (TEM) and kinetic ballooning mode (KBM)/kinetic shear Alfvén (KSA) mode are more important in the plasma core, ubiquitous mode (UM) is found to be the important ion-scale instability at . At ρ = 0.8, two instabilities are found at the electron scale, with one being the typical electrostatic electron temperature gradient (ETG) mode at ρ e scale and beyond and the other being an unidentified low-real-frequency instability (at the intermediate scale between electron and ion gyroradii) which can propagate in the ion direction and is driven by ETG. The existence of UM at the ion scale and the low-real-frequency instability and ETG mode at the electron scale at ρ = 0.8 is supported by an extensive linear gyrokinetic stability analysis of another ST40 hot ion plasma in a wider parametric range, taking into account the uncertainties in the experimental profiles.

The performance of equilibrium radial electric field shear on microturbulence with different magnetic shears in tokamak plasmas

Global gyrokinetic particle simulations show that equilibrium radial electric field (E r ) shear reduces the linear growth rate, ion heat conductivity, and nonlinear turbulence amplitude for both the ion temperature gradient (ITG) and kinetic ballooning mode (KBM) microturbulence by tilting the poloidal mode structure. The increase in the magnetic shear enhances the stabilizing performance of the E r shear on linear growth rate for the ITG case but has no effect on that for the KBM case. The radial correlation length of the ITG turbulence is decreased by increasing the magnetic shear in a weak ion diamagnetic flow shear condition with low β, leading to a reduction in the effective E × B shearing rate, which weakens the suppression performance of the E r shear on the ITG turbulence amplitude. In contrast, under a larger ion diamagnetic shear flow for higher β, an increase in magnetic shear strengthens the suppression performance of the E r shear on the KBM turbulence amplitude due to an increase in the effective shearing rate by increasing the radial correlation length of the turbulence.

Experimental Study on Hydrodynamic Characteristics of a Submerged Floating Tunnel under Freak Waves (I: Time-Domain Study)

The dynamic response characteristics of a two-dimensional submerged floating tunnel (SFT) under random and freak waves were investigated in the present study. The results demonstrate that (1) the dynamic responses of the SFT under the freak wave are significantly larger than those under the largest wave in the wave train excluding the freak wave, particularly for the motion response. The maximum values of the motion responses induced by the freak wave were several times larger than those induced by the largest wave in the wave train excluding the freak wave, far exceeding the proportion of the corresponding wave height. (2) The freak wave parameter α1 has a significant effect on the amplification coefficients of surge, heave and pitch; all increase nonlinearly as α1 increases. Within α1 = 1.90~2.59, the amplification coefficients of the surge, heave and pitch vary in the ranges of 1.91~6.46, 1.53~3.87 and 1.73~5.32, respectively. (3) Amplification coefficients of tension increase almost linearly as α1 increases. Additionally, the amplification effect of the freak wave on the mooring tension is much smaller than that on motion responses. Within α1 = 1.90~2.59, the amplification coefficients of tension vary from 1.15 to 1.35. (4) Generalised amplification coefficients of motion responses increase as α1 increases and are all greater than 1.0, indicating that growth rates for motion responses under the freak wave exceed the growth rates for maximum wave height. Moreover, motion responses show a significantly nonlinear growth as maximum wave height increases. The generalised amplification coefficients of the mooring tension decrease as α1 increases, and are all less than 1.0, indicating that the dynamic amplification effect of the freak wave on the mooring tension is much smaller than that on motions. On the other hand, growth rates of the mooring tension under freak waves are smaller than the linear growth rate of the height of freak waves.

Simulated long-term evolution of the thermosphere during the Holocene – Part 1: Neutral density and temperature

Abstract. In the previous work of Yue et al. (2022), the ionospheric evolution during the Holocene (9455 BC to 2015 AD) was comprehensively and carefully investigated for the first time using the Global Coupled Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Electrodynamics Model developed at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (GCITEM-IGGCAS), driven by realistic geomagnetic fields, CO2 levels, and solar activity derived from ancient media records and modern measurements. In this study, we further quantify the effects of the three drivers on thermospheric neutral density and temperature variations during the Holocene. We find that the oscillations of solar activity contribute more than 80 % of the thermospheric variability, while either CO2 or the geomagnetic field contributes less than 10 %. The effect of CO2 on the global mean neutral density and temperature is comparable to that of the geomagnetic field throughout the Holocene but is more significant after 1800 AD. In addition, thermospheric density and temperature show approximately linear variations with the dipole moment of the geomagnetic field, CO2, and F10.7, with only the linear growth rate associated with the geomagnetic field varying significantly in universal time and latitude. The increasing dipole moment and CO2 cool and contract the thermosphere, while solar activity has the opposite effect. The higher the altitude, the greater the influence of the three factors on the thermosphere. Different factors produce different seasonal variations in thermosphere changes. Furthermore, we predict that a 400 ppm increase in CO2 will result in a 50 %–70 % and 84–114 K reduction in global mean neutral density and temperature, respectively, which should directly affect the orbit and lifetime of spacecraft and space debris.

Experimental and numerical investigation on fracture characteristics of self-compacting concrete mixed with waste rubber particles

Replacing natural aggregates in concrete with waste rubber particles is an effective method to solve environmental problems, but the use of rubber due to its unknown characteristics can change the fracture performance and cracking behavior of self-compacting concrete. Hence, through experimental analysis and discrete element method (DEM) simulation, this paper aims to investigate the influence of different rubber contents (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) on fracture characteristics of self-compacting concrete. Compared with natural river sand, rubber particles have more flexible structure and stronger deformation ability, and these unique properties enhance the bridging effect between matrices and weaken the stress concentration at the crack tip, which shows that the fracture parameters of self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC) increase linearly with the increase of rubber content, and this linear growth rate will increase with the increase of beam size. Moreover, the addition of rubber particles absorbs most of the energy generated in the fracture process, which significantly enhances the anti-cracking ability of SCRC, and this ability to prevent crack propagation will be enhanced with the increase of rubber content, which is manifested by the significant decrease of acoustic emission (AE) activity. Based on the shapes of real aggregates and rubber particles, a universal DEM fracture prediction model for SCRC is established, which can better describe the fracture response of SCRC with different rubber contents and sizes under flexural loads. The evaluation of economic and environmental benefits indicates that adding rubber particles into self-compacting concrete can not only save costs, but also produce considerable environmental benefits.

Local Generation of Magnetosonic Waves by Ring Beam Hot Protons in the Martian Ionosphere

AbstractMagnetosonic (MS) waves are dominant plasma waves causing severe Martian ionospheric erosion. They are generally considered to originate upstream of Martian bow shock with frequencies near the upstream proton gyrofrequency. However, whether MS waves can be locally excited lacks theoretical analysis. Here we present an event of MS waves with frequencies above and closely related to the local proton gyrofrequency in the Martian ionosphere. Concurrently, ring beam hot proton distributions are observed due to the penetration of magnetosheath protons. By employing the observed plasma and magnetic field data, the calculated linear growth rates for MS waves agree well with the observed wave power spectra, demonstrating that they can be locally excited by unstable ring beam hot protons at Mars. Our results could be of great help in understanding the excitation of MS waves in a heavy ion‐rich environment around unmagnetized planets.

Formation damage and improved recovery in kaolinitic high enthalpy gas fields with fabric geological settings

This paper investigates the fines migration and transport in natural gas reservoirs as a function of porous rocks with fabric geological settings. So, an analytical and surface thermodynamic model was developed for high temperature permeable media. Two sets of core flood experiments were conducted under normal (50 °C) and high temperature (150 °C) fluid flow, where the major results revealed that there is an increase in the rock core thermal expansion of 57 (10−6°C−1) and 192 (10−6°C−1) at 50 °C and 150 °C. The rock core underwent a thermal strain to 0.36% and 0.86% under normal and higher temperature conditions. At 50 °C the pressure stabilized to 20 psi and 50 psi was recorded as the peak pressure under 150 °C rock temperature. The fines concentration under higher temperature is significantly higher than the normal rock temperature and yielded maximum up to 77.28 ppm. The rock permeability exhibited a linear and stabilized decline, but at higher temperature new surface energies was created in the rock core and as a result, the reservoir permeability begun to rebound. Microstructural images revealed that the kaolinite clay fine particle under 50 °C has a platelet structure and has multiple straining mechanism. Whereas, under higher temperature the clay fines have transcended to compaction over the rock surface fabrics. Exponential gas recovery of 15% and 25% was observed for both 50 °C and 150 °C cases. In the former case, a linear growth rate to 25% was noted and then gradually it fell to 12.9%. While, in the latter case the gas recovery rate climbed to 33.7% and stabilized, which indicates that the gas recovery rate was monotonous. The experimental and analytical models have been verified using multiple linear regression method and the model's outcome revealed an excellent agreement whose R2 values were found to be 0.9997 and 0.9995.

Weakly nonlinear instability analysis of viscous planar liquid sheet under varicose mode of initial disturbance with co-flowing gas streams and prediction of resulting spray characteristics

A theoretical investigation of the effects of viscosity is presented for breakup of a planar viscous liquid sheet subjected to a fundamental varicose mode of disturbance in the presence of moving gas medium. A classic perturbation technique up to second order has been employed to derive the linear and nonlinear interface disturbances. The breakup model is coupled with Maximum Entropy Formalism to predict the final spray characteristics. Findings reveal that within an initial range of Re, imposition of first harmonic on the fundamental disturbance produces a faster breakup as compared to the fundamental disturbance alone. As a result, first harmonic produces a destabilizing effect in the first regime, whose range is identified as 1 <Re < 20.3, 1<Re < 13.35 and 1<Re < 10.53 for gas velocity ratio 2.25, 2.50 and 2.75, respectively. Above this initial range of Re, first harmonic exhibits a stabilizing effect as it produces a delayed breakup when compared with the fundamental mode alone. However, a larger increase in dominating linear growth rate with Re negates the reduction of first harmonic in the destabilizing regime as well its damping effect in the stabilizing regime, resulting in an overall reduction in breakup time with the increase in Reynolds number. Analysis of spray characteristic suggests formation of finer droplets at higher gas velocity ratios. Moreover, reduction in liquid viscosity decreases the range of droplet diameter for gas velocity ratios 2.25 and 2.50.

The Optimal State Scoring Tool: guidance for interdisciplinary care of infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and its relation to linear growth.

Infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD) have complex medical courses. We developed the clinician-rated Optimal State Scoring Tool (OSST) that measures factors relevant to clinical improvement of sBPD and investigated preliminary validity using linear growth outcome and OSST scores in sBPD patients. Tool development process and pilot findings are provided for 13 patients evaluated longitudinally. OSST scores, length measurements, and steroid dependency values were obtained. Changes in OSST scores and lengths were examined using linear mixed-effect models. OSST scores were significantly correlated with linear growth (95% CI 0.36, 0.57). The steroid-dependent group showed significantly slower rate of linear growth (95% CI 0.74, 1.05) and slower rate of increase in OSST scores (95% CI 0.99, 2.13) compared to the non-steroid-dependent group, with the OSST showing the largest effect size. Pilot data reflect promising evidence for OSST construct validity in monitoring clinical outcomes in sBPD patients.

Effect of leuprorelin plus growth hormone on serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and estradiol levels in children with idiopathic central precocious puberty

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of leuprorelin plus growth hormone on serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2) levels in children with idiopathic central precocious puberty. Methods: A total of 102 girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty who met the inclusion criteria between April 2020 and September 2021 were enrolled in this study, and assigned randomly to either a control group given leuprorelin only, or a combined treatment group given leuprorelin plus growth hormone. There were 51 cases in each group. The parameters/indices evaluated include sex hormone levels (serum LH, FSH, and E2), height standard deviation scores (HtSDS), predicted adult height (PAH), and insulin-like growth factors-1 (IGH-1). Results: Patients administered combined therapy showed lower levels of LH, FSH, and E2 than those on mono-therapy (p &lt; 0.05). Leuprorelin plus growth hormone resulted in significantly higher HtSDS and PAH, and lower IGF-1 levels compared with those who received leuprorelin (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of leuprorelin and growth hormone effectively reduces the serum levels of LH, FSH, and E2 in children with idiopathic central precocious puberty, and improves their linear growth rate and adult height. However, economic benefits and patient acceptance should be considered in future studies to assess its overall applicability.

Assessment of the toxic effect of rapeseed oil methyl ether on cladocerans and fish

The effect of rapeseed oil methyl ether (RME) on cladocerans (water flea Daphnia magna Straus) and fish embryos and prolarvae (round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas)) is investigated. It has been determined that, with the increase of RME content in the water, the decrease in the survival rate, fecundity, abundance, and biomass of Daphnia population is observed, as well as the decrease in the survival rate of round goby embryos and fry and in the linear and weight growth rate of the fry. RME did not produce any teratogenic effect on the round goby embryos and fry in the investigated range of concentrations 1,25–100,0 mg/L. Based on the experimental data, no observed effect and lowest observed effect concentrations of RME have been identified.

Fast particles in drift wave turbulence

This study aims to incorporate the effects of fast particles into our present fluid model for tokamak transport. The parameter ε f = ω / ω f, where ω is the mode frequency and ω f is the typical frequency of the fast particles, which enters as a factor in front of the fast particle response. Thus, for trapped fast particles, where ω f = ω pres the precession frequency of the fast particles, this parameter is of order 10 − 2 for drift waves, and thus, the fast particle response can be neglected. However, ε f will be of order 1 for fast particle modes such as in the fishbone instability. An important turbulence property, affecting both these limits, is resonance broadening. Effects of resonance broadening have recently been considered for fast particle instabilities, often coupled directly to the linear growth rate, while we here consider the original Dupree formulation where the turbulence directly drives a nonlinear frequency shift. Resonance broadening has a general tendency to counteract dissipative wave particle resonances. This has been observed for fast particle instabilities. Here, there is a resonant external source for the fast particles, so the instability survives if this source is dominant over the resonance broadening. For drift waves, however, external sources are not resonant since ε f ≪ 1. Thus, the resonance broadening is able to remove the dissipative wave particle resonance completely.

Ideal MHD induced temperature flattening in spherical tokamaks

This paper extends the analysis first presented in Jardin et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 245001 (2022)] to more thoroughly examine the stability of spherical torus equilibrium to ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) infernal modes and their nonlinear consequences. We demonstrate that in a 3D resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of a NSTX discharge, anomalous transport can occur due to these instabilities. We generate a family of equilibrium of differing β and use this to show that these instabilities could explain the experimentally observed flattening of the electron temperature profile at modest β. The modes studied in this paper are found to occur with poloidal mode number m and toroidal mode number n when the ratio m/n is in the range of 1.2–1.5, when the central safety factor is in this range or slightly lower, and when the central region has very low magnetic shear. Our analysis gives some insight as to why the unstable linear growth rates are oscillatory functions of the toroidal mode number n. We present a simulation of an initially stable configuration that passes through a stability boundary at a critical β as it is heated. We also show that a particular NSTX discharge is unstable to these modes over a timescale of several hundred ms. We conclude that these modes must be taken into account when performing predictive modeling. An appendix shows that similar modes can be found in R / a = 4 tokamaks for certain q-profiles and β values.