Severe ozone pollution drives physiological stress in winter wheat: Evidence from satellite-based chlorophyll fluorescence analysis.

Thermoplastic silk-plasticizer membranes for biodegradable artificial corneal endothelium.

Accelerated study of CO2-ultrafine water mist to inhibit the compound flame at the early stage of gas/coal dust explosion

Effect of baffle number on thermal and hydraulic performance of a helical solar air heater

The progressive tightening of building regulations is reducing heating and cooling demands. As a result, ventilation (previously a secondary energy use) has become increasingly relevant. In Spain, current regulations mandate air-to-air heat recovery with minimum effectiveness and maximum pressure drop thresholds, but they are based primarily on airflow and operating hours, overlooking local climatic variability. This study evaluates the energy performance of ventilation systems equipped with Rotary Heat Recovery Wheels (RHRWs) in five representative Spanish climatic zones using the simulation tool TRNSYS . The analysis considers heating, cooling, and evaporative cooling modes following typical tertiary-building operating schedules and various RHRW effectiveness levels. A novel performance metric, E r a t i o (defined as electricity use per cubic meter of fresh air supplied), proved useful for cross-climate comparisons. In heating mode, E r a t i o ranged from 1.5 Wh e /m 3 in colder zones to 1.0 Wh e /m 3 in milder ones. In cooling mode, hotter climates reached 1.0 Wh e /m 3 , while colder zones stayed below 0.5 Wh e /m 3 . Evaporative cooling achieved over 50% energy savings in hot climates, though it required significant water consumption. A key contribution is the development of robust correlations between E r a t i o , standardized climatic indicators — Heating Degree-Days (HDD 18 ° C ), Cooling Degree-Hours (CDH 18 ° C , CDH 27 ° C ) — and heat recovery effectiveness, providing a predictive framework for ventilation system design. • Ventilation energy use in tertiary buildings was assessed across 5 Spanish locations. • The simulation tool TRNSYS was used to estimate the performance of the system. • Rotary heat recovery wheels performance was assessed under heating and cooling modes. • Strong correlations found between ventilation energy use and HDD/CDH climate metrics. • Evaporative cooling saved > 50% energy in hotter climates, with water use trade-off.

ABSTRACT Under large unit discharges, the upstream section of stepped spillways is highly susceptible to cavitation damage due to the lack of aeration protection. This compromises its energy dissipation efficiency and can even lead to safety incidents. To address this, a novel pre-aeration facility named as gradual contraction aerators is proposed. Physical experiments were conducted to analyze and compare the hydraulic characteristics of the spillway with and without the aerators with the unit discharge, contraction angle, and contraction ratio as variables. The results demonstrate that after installing the aerators, aeration occurs effectively at both the upper and lower surfaces of the jet. The bottom air concentration along the spillway exceeds the safe threshold of 1.5%. The maximum time-averaged pressure on the step surfaces downstream of the aerator, measured to be only 1.92 kPa, occurs at the jet impingement point. This indicates that the jets from the aerators do not compromise the structural safety of the spillway. Key parameters, including the jet height, depth and inception point of quasi-uniform aerated flow were measured under various cases. Through multivariate nonlinear regression, empirical formulas relating these parameters to the Froude number, contraction ratio and contraction angle were established.

Abstract As the core component of CO2 heat pump air conditioning systems for electric vehicles, the performance of scroll compressors directly affects system energy efficiency and vehicle driving range. This study, for the first time, combines computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with a one-dimensional dynamic model to systematically analyze the impact of unilateral axial clearance on the pressure characteristics of working chambers and the tangential gas force in CO2 scroll compressors. The research reveals that inter-stage leakage induced by unilateral axial clearance disrupts pressure uniformity in symmetrical working chambers, resulting in a maximum pressure difference exceeding 2 MPa. Dynamic simulations further demonstrate that positioning the unilateral axial clearance at the top of the orbiting scroll significantly improves compressor performance: the peak pressure difference in symmetrical working chambers is reduced by 8.09%, the maximum tangential gas force decreases by 818.29 N, and average power consumption drops by 30.43%. Additionally, when the unilateral axial clearance is located at the top of the orbiting scroll, it facilitates early leakage of high-pressure gas from the middle discharge ports through indirect flow paths, effectively suppressing pressure fluctuations. Therefore, optimizing the manufacturing tolerance matching between the orbiting and fixed scrolls to ensure the unilateral axial clearance is positioned at the top of the orbiting scroll represents a critical approach for enhancing the performance of CO2 scroll compressors.

Articular surface conformity is a critical factor influencing the biomechanics of knee prostheses, yet its impact on the biomechanics of rotation-hinged knee (RHK) prostheses and their tibial fixation remains unclear. In this study, a rotational platform tibial insert model of RHK prostheses with varying coronal and sagittal conformities is established. Finite element analysis was performed under ISO boundary conditions to investigate the effects of articular surface conformity on the biomechanics of the RHK prosthesis and tibial fixation. The study revealed that when the coronal conformity decreased from 0.83 to 0.33, the maximum Mises stress in the tibia and the maximum contact pressure in the insert increased by 10.78% and 52.62%, respectively, while the maximum shear stress in the bone cement decreased by 10.17%. When sagittal conformity decreased from 0.88 to 0.47, the maximum Mises stress in the tibia and maximum contact pressure in the insert increased by 5.62% and 14.31%, respectively, while Mises stress at the hinge-rotation axis and bone cement shear stress decreased by 62.53% and 29.46%, respectively. A reduction in conformity decreased the contact area. Sagittal conformity has a lesser impact on insert contact pressure compared to coronal conformity, but a more significant impact on bone cement shear stress, and reducing sagittal conformity could effectively reduce the Mises stress at the hinge-rotation axis. The coronal conformity of the RHK prosthesis on the rotational platform more effectively regulates contact mechanics, reducing sagittal conformity facilitates lowering hinge-rotation axis Mises stress and bone cement shear stress without significantly increasing contact pressure, thereby mitigating risks of prosthesis failure such as dislocation, fracture, and loosening.

Low sulphur content is essential for high‐quality steels and can be achieved using desulphurization slag. During the desulphurization process the chemical composition of the slag changes leading to alteration in its thermophysical properties, such as surface tension, viscosity, and density. However, the influence of CaS on these thermophysical properties is poorly investigated. In this study, the influence of various CaS content (0–10 wt%) and CaO/Al 2 O 3 ratio (1.87–1.36) on the viscosity, surface tension, and density of desulphurization slags is investigated. Measurements of surface tension and density are carried out using the maximum bubble pressure method, while viscosity is determined using the rotating bob method. The obtained results show that a decrease in viscosity value is observed with an increase in CaS content only up to 6 wt%; however, further addition of CaS sharply increases viscosity. In case of surface tension and density measurements, an increase in CaS content up to 10 wt% results in a reduction of both property values. Additionally, to study microstructure differences of the investigated slags, they were quenched and examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Objectives Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms with ASD and/or ADHD in adults. Emerging evidence has revealed potential connections between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and ASD. Notably, shared genetic architecture has been identified between IBS and ASD. This cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the prevalence of ASD and/or ADHD traits in IBS patients and whether these traits impacted the clinical presentation. Materials and methods Adult patients with moderate–severe IBS (N = 150) were offered screening questionnaires for ASD and ADHD. The patients also completed questionnaires for symptom severity and underwent a rectal balloon barostat examination. Participants screening positive for ASD and/or ADHD were compared to participants screening negative for both conditions. Results Screening questionnaires were obtained from 110 patients (86 women). In total, 34/110 participants screened positive for ASD and 45/110 for ADHD, and 26 among those screened positive for both conditions. IBS symptom severity was higher in the group screening positive for ADHD, and somatic symptom burden was higher in both positive screening groups. Barostat thresholds for maximum tolerable pressure were lower in the group screening positive for ASD, and anxiety scores were higher in the group screening positive for ADHD. Conclusions We found that positive screening for ASD and ADHD were both highly prevalent in a cohort of patients with moderate–severe IBS. The patients who screened positive for ASD and/or ADHD presented significant clinical differences compared to those who did not.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition affecting the central nervous system, often causing fatigue, postural instability, and respiratory dysfunction. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a combined inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle training (RMT) program on respiratory function, trunk control, balance, and clinical fatigue in patients with MS. A quasi-experimental clinical trial was conducted with 27 participants diagnosed with MS. The experimental group (EG) underwent respiratory muscle training (RMT) using the Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) and the Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) devices (Respironics®, Phillips), in addition to standard therapy, while the control group (CG) received standard therapy only. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included spirometry, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), ultrasound for abdominal muscles thickness, diaphragm thickness and diaphragmatic excursion, and scales for balance (Berg Balance Scale) and trunk control (Trunk Impairment Scale). The EG showed significant improvements in the FEV1/FVC ratio, MEP, and trunk control scores, particularly in the dynamic and coordination subscales of the Trunk Impairment Scale. However, no significant changes were observed in fatigue levels or abdominal muscles thickness. The RMT program enhanced respiratory function and trunk control in MS patients, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic intervention. Further studies are needed to explore the long-term effects of RMT in MS rehabilitation.

To overcome polymer-based plugging materials’ disadvantage of being prone to degradation and failure under hydrothermal conditions, an epoxy resin plugging particle with a high-pressure-bearing capacity under high temperatures was prepared by optimizing the curing process. Bisphenol A Epoxy Resin E51 and Diethyltoluenediamine (DETDA) were selected as raw materials for sample preparation. Due to the high viscosity of the system, 1,2-cyclohexanediol diglycidyl ether was introduced as a diluent, and an optimal concentration of 20% was determined through experimental optimization. Non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry, bottle testing, and infrared spectroscopy were employed to investigate the variation laws of curing temperature, curing time and curing degree during the epoxy resin curing process via one-step and multi-step methods. The compressive strength of the epoxy resin prepared using the two processes was evaluated. After comprehensively comparing the preparation time, process complexity, and compressive strength of the final samples of the one-step and two-step curing methods, the one-step process (90 °C/5 h) was determined to be superior. In addition, the results of the fracture plugging experiment showed that after the bulk epoxy resin prepared using the optimized process was made into particles through a mechanical method and treated under hydrothermal conditions at 120 °C, the maximum breakthrough pressure reached 4.2 MPa, which was 950% and 135.96% higher than that of Particle 1 (Poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid)/acrylamide (PAMPS/AM) gel) and Particle 2 (PAMPS/AM gel treated with Polyethylene glycol (PEG)), respectively, which were used as control groups. This result indicates that epoxy resin can be used as a high-temperature-resistant plugging material and should be further researched.

This single-arm pilot study evaluated feasibility, safety, and outcomes of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) in head and neck cancer (HNC) with radiation-associated dysphagia (RAD). Thirty disease-free HNC survivors (≥ 3 months post-radiotherapy, median 16 months) with evidence of aspiration (penetration-aspiration scale [PAS] ≥ 6) underwent an 8-week EMST protocol (25 repetitions, 5 days/week). Pre- and post-intervention assessments included maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), voluntary cough peak expiratory flow (PEF), videofluoroscopy, and patient-reported outcomes. Twenty-six participants (87%) completed the trial, with high adherence (89% sessions attended; 91% repetitions completed). Adverse events occurred in 8/30 (26.7%). MEP significantly increased by 66% (p < 0.001); PEF showed a non-significant 8% increase (p = 0.23). PAS and IDDSI-Functional Diet Scale scores improved in 38% (p < 0.05). EMST is feasible, safe, and improves expiratory and swallowing function in aspirating HNC survivors, warranting randomized trials.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an established biomarker for cardiac stress and is strongly linked to systemic skeletal muscle wasting. While maximum tongue pressure (MTP) serves as a critical indicator of oral functional reserve, the specific relationship between cardiac dysfunction and lingual motor function remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between NT-proBNP levels and maximum tongue pressure in patients after cardiac surgery. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 488 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery. Maximum tongue pressure was measured using the TPS-100 device between 8 h and 24 h after endotracheal extubation. The association between log-transformed NT-proBNP and maximum tongue pressure was assessed using multivariable linear regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders, and subgroup analyses were performed. The mean age was 56.7 ± 14.1 years. Multivariable analysis indicated that higher log-transformed NT-proBNP levels were significantly associated with lower maximum tongue pressure (B = -3.091, 95% CI: -5.174 to -1.008, p = 0.004). Subgroup analyses revealed significant interactions for age (p for interaction = 0.024) and intubation duration (p for interaction = 0.036); specifically, this inverse association was more pronounced in patients aged ≥ 60 years and those with prolonged endotracheal intubation. Elevated postoperative NT-proBNP is independently associated with decreased maximum tongue pressure, particularly in older patients and those subject to prolonged intubation. Postoperative NT-proBNP monitoring may facilitate early identification of patients at risk for reduced tongue muscle strength.

The article presents the results of numerical simulation of unsteady gas-dynamic and thermal processes occurring during combustion of a stoichiometric mixture of heptane vapors with air in a semi-closed cylindrical tube simulating the gas-generating cavity of a pulse-action fire extinguishing device. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to create a reliable physical and mathematical basis for describing the working process of gas generation, which is a prerequisite for designing fire extinguishing devices with enhanced characteristics. The simulation was performed in the ANSYS Fluent 2023 R1 software package using unsteady Navier-Stokes equations for a compressible reacting multicomponent gas, a k-ε realizable turbulence model and a Species Transport combustion model with oxidation kinetics according to the Arrhenius law.Based on the calculation results, the spatial and temporal distributions of temperature and pressure at five characteristic stages of the process are obtained. It is shown that the gas temperature in the reaction zone increases from 1 653 K at initiation to 4 884 K at the stage of advanced combustion at the closed end, and then stabilizes at the level of ~3 100K by the time the mixture is completely burned out.Gorenje. The maximum pressure at the closed end reaches 4,2 atm with an increase rate of ~5,1 atm/s. It is established that the acceleration of the flame front is realized by the Shelkin mechanism due to the interaction of expanding combustion products with an unburned mixture. The velocity of hot gases escaping from the open end in the initial phase of the ejection reaches sound values. The data obtained are verified based on analytical estimates of the adiabatic gorenje temperature and the normal velocity of the laminar front and form the basic boundary conditions for subsequent calculation stages.

This study investigated the impact of meal consumption on isotonic lingual endurance in a cohort of adults across the age span without dysphagia (swallowing impairment). Participants at three academic centres completed pre- and post-meal lingual pressure tasks. Isotonic lingual endurance was assessed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) at 50% of maximum lingual pressure (Pmax) Participants consumed a standardised meal (bagel with peanut butter, carrots, and chocolate milk) between assessments. Mixed-model MANOVAs evaluated endurance changes across meal condition, age and sex. A total of 141 adults (18-35 years, n = 75; ≥ 65 years, n = 66) completed the study. Multivariate or univariate within-subject effects of meal consumption were observed for isotonic lingual endurance across time, age, sex, or their interactions (all p > 0.65; η2p ≤ 0.004). Older adults demonstrated significantly greater isotonic lingual endurance than younger adults (p = 0.04), but sex differences did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.094). Maximum lingual pressure declined significantly with age among females but not males (p = 0.002). Longer mealtimes were observed in older adults, particularly older females, and tongue strength correlated negatively with mealtime duration (r = -0.22, p = 0.01). Contrary to expectations, meal consumption did not reduce isotonic lingual endurance. Instead, older adults exhibited greater endurance than younger adults, potentially reflecting age-related muscle fibre adaptations or attentional differences. Findings highlight the complexity of measuring lingual endurance and provide normative reference data that may inform future swallowing assessments and dysphagia research.

Three-dimensional evaluation of operating conditions and channel design in a wall-coated microreactor for dry reforming of methane

Machine Learning-Assisted Optimization Framework for Single-Element Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Transducer Design for Deep Brain Neuromodulation in Mice.

Abstract This study investigates the effects of idealized and realistic terrain on tornado characteristics and behavior. It uses a novel simulation approach, nesting a high-fidelity, ultrafine-resolution, tornado-scale, engineering large-eddy simulation (LES) within a Cloud Model 1 (CM1) simulation of a tornadic supercell. We analyze the effects of terrain on the tornado’s central pressure, horizontal and vertical velocities, vortex shape, and path. Seven idealized terrain configurations are used including 1) a control run with flat ground, 2) and 3) an idealized hill with steep and gradual slopes having the height of 25.4 m, 4) and 5) an idealized escarpment with steep and gradual slopes having the height of 25.4 m, and 6) and 7) an idealized hill having heights of either 50 or 65 m. Furthermore, a real-world, complex terrain configuration of the same height is analyzed as the eighth case. Results suggest that the presence of terrain relief increases the central pressure deficit, the peak wind speed, and the width of the high wind speed region in the tornado swath, enhancing tornado intensity and causing path deviation. Specifically, the horizontal and vertical velocities at 10 m above ground level (AGL) are stronger with terrain and the location of the maximum pressure deficit occurs along the uphill segment for all idealized cases except the steep hill. The precise location of the maximum wind velocities and pressure deficits varies with the terrain shape and slope. The real terrain simulation is similar to the idealized terrain simulations to a certain extent; however, the vertical velocities are lower and the strongest winds occur over a smaller region, demonstrating the complexity of the tornado–terrain relationship. Significance Statement This high-resolution numerical study investigates the effects that idealized hills and escarpments have on tornadoes and offers a comparison with a real-world, complex terrain configuration. This study is particularly novel for three reasons: 1) The nested simulation approach with an ultrafine inner grid (spacing of 0.01 m) facilitates a high-fidelity vortex simulation which reflects the variability of a real-world tornado in time and space, at a reasonable computation cost; 2) the ultrafine-scale LESs resolve turbulent features to this spatial scale and facilitate better characterization of tornadic winds; and 3) an experiment having real-world, complex terrain is successfully executed for the first time in tornado research (to the authors’ knowledge). Results suggest that terrain generally causes tornadoes to become stronger and wider than they otherwise would have been if the ground were flat. However, another important result is that the effects of the real-world, complex terrain on the tornado are not the same as those from simplified terrains.

The wall loading mechanisms induced by the collapse of a single laser-generated cavitation bubble are investigated experimentally to resolve the long-standing debate over the relative contributions of microjet impact and shock wave emission. By synchronizing high-speed Schlieren imaging with simultaneous wall-pressure and hydrophone measurements, we isolate and quantify these mechanisms across stand-off distances γ∈[0.51,2.25]. Our measurements demonstrate that shock wave emission—not microjet impact—dominates maximum wall pressure across this range. We experimentally verify that the microjet impacts the wall before pressure wave emission for γ≤1.2, refining the previously suggested threshold of γ&amp;lt;1.1. Applying established topological classifications, we confirm that the acoustic regimes identified for free surfaces (torus, mixed tip-and-torus, and tip) exhibit an analogous topological progression near rigid boundaries. Critically, we identify a shock wave self-focusing mechanism within the mixed regime (1.22≤γ≤1.55) that transiently amplifies wall pressure, creating high-stress loading conditions deviating from monotonic energy decay trends predicted for non-spherical collapses. These findings provide definitive physical criteria for predicting cavitation erosion risk on marine structures, emphasizing the necessity of resolving shock-focusing phenomena in hydrodynamic impact models.