Numerical Study Research Articles

An Improved Winkler Foundation Modulus for a Beam in a Full Space

The Winkler foundation modulus is key to evaluating the response of underground structures using the elastic foundation beam model. In this paper, an improved formula of the Winkler foundation modulus for a beam embedded in a full space is proposed to overcome the limitation of inconsistent assumptions in previous studies. To achieve this goal, the bending responses of the beam are obtained using the elastic foundation beam model and three-dimensional elastic continuum model, respectively, wherein a consistent assumption is proposed that tangential interactions at the beam–ground interface are ignored in the two models. In addition, as deformation of the site is an important source of the underground structure response, the beam is applied to standard soil displacement of the free field on the Winkler foundation to improve the accuracy of the Winkler modulus obtained by fitting solutions based on the concentrated force on the beam. The formula for the Winkler foundation is obtained by equating the first zero of the bending moment in the two models. The Winkler foundation modulus is verified by comparing the results with numerical solutions and previous studies.

A mechanistic review of the pharmacological potential of narirutin: a dietary flavonoid.

Flavanones, a type of polyphenol, are found in substantial amounts in citrus fruits. When high- or moderate-dose orange juice consumption occurs, flavanones make up a significant portion of the total polyphenols in plasma. Disaccharide derivative narirutin, mainly dihydroxy flavanone, is found in citrus fruits. The substantial chemotherapeutic potential of narirutin has been amply demonstrated by numerous experimental studies. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to compile the research that has already been done showing narirutin to be a promising anticancer drug, with its mechanism of action being documented in treatment plans for various cancer forms. Narirutin functions in a variety of cancer cells by regulating several pathways that include cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, and DNA repair. Narirutin has been shown to modify many molecular targets linked to the development of cancer, including drug transporters, cell cycle mediators, transcription factors, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these reviews offer important new information about narirutin's potential as a potent and promising drug candidate for use in medicines, functional foods, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and other products targeted at improving the treatment of cancer.

Numerical and Experimental Study of Low-Frequency Membrane Damper for Tube Vibration Suppression

In modern days, low-frequency vibration is still challenging to suppress due to its high vibrational energy. A typical suppression method is to increase the object’s mass to reduce the amplitude of the vibration, but such a way is unsuitable in many cases. Membrane dampers can potentially eliminate the limitation and offer lightweight and compact damper. The idea is to decrease the stiffness and add additional mass to increase the dissipation of the vibration energy. For that, the membrane and an extra mass made of silicone rubber were used for the damper. Finite element eigenfrequency simulation showed the transformation of each mode to the damper mode, where the tube displacement was zero. Also, it showed the bandgap between modes in the frequency range from 106 Hz to 158 Hz. The experimental verification of clamped from both ends of the tube showed the predicted bandgap and absence of the resonance peak of the bare tube. Overall, the membrane damper showed good efficiency in extremely low frequencies and seems promising for vibration suppression.

Cancer biology in diabetes update: Focusing on antidiabetic drugs.

The association of type 2 diabetes with certain cancer risk has been of great interest for years. However, the effect of diabetic medications on cancer development is not fully understood. Prospective clinical trials have not elucidated the long-term influence of hypoglycemic drugs on cancer incidence and the safety for cancer-bearing patients with diabetes, whereas numerous preclinical studies have shown that antidiabetic drugs could have an impact on carcinogenesis processes beyond the glycemic control effect. Because there is no evidence of the safety profile of antidiabetic agents on cancer biology, careful consideration would be required when prescribing any medicines to patients with diabetes and existing tumor. In this review, we discuss the potential influence of each diabetes therapy in cancer 'initiation', 'promotion' and 'progression'.

Building women's social capital in Late Antique Egypt: business owners and civic administrators

Women as a social category have been the subject of numerous recent studies considering their lived experience in the Late Antique and Byzantine Mediterranean. However, their representation in the narrative sources continues to shape modern reconstructions of women's agency within their social and economic contexts, often with unsatisfactory results. Building on the twentieth-century sociologist Pierre Bourdieu's model of social capital, this article will use the documentary papyri from Egypt to suggest a paradigm in which the agency of individual women can be viewed and incorporated into micro-historical narratives of the patriarchal society of Late Antiquity.

Advantages of IL-17 inhibitor, ixekizumab, in the treatment of severe psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated disease, often accompanied by inflammatory and metabolic disorders. About 20–30% of patients have moderate to severe psoriasis and require systemic methods of treatment, which include conventional, targeted and genetically engineered biological drugs (GEBDs). When selecting a biological agent, a number of factors must be considered related to the disease, patient and therapy. Assessment of severity and activity, area of skin affected, frequency of relapses, pruritus and other symptoms, the presence of comorbidities, especially psoriatic arthritis (PsA), are important. The presence of comorbidities that may contribute to or interfere with the use of GEBD is the main factor determining personalised therapy. Personalised treatment implies maximum efficacy and minimum risk of side effects. In addition, it is possible to modify the course of the disease, inducing long-term remission and preventing the development of PsA, which is possible in case of timely prescription of GEBD. To date, several classes of GEBDs are available in the arsenal of dermatovenerologists, among which interleukin (IL) inhibitors have the highest efficacy and safety. The drug ixekizumab is a member of the IL-17 inhibitor group, a monoclonal antibody of the IgG4 class that binds to IL-17A with high affinity and specificity. The drug has shown high efficacy and reliable safety profile in the treatment of psoriasis and PsA within the framework of numerous clinical trials and studies of real clinical practice, including in patients with an aggravated comorbid background and with involvement of hard-to-treat localisations. The presented article presents key data of safety and efficacy studies of ixekizumab therapy, describes a clinical case of successful treatment of a patient with psoriasis and psoriatic onychodystrophy. Timely initiation of therapy helped to stop the progression of the disease and significantly improved the quality of life of the patient. Thus, the presented data confirm the advantages of ixekizumab in psoriasis treatment.

A new living species of the genus Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) from central-western Argentina

Abstract The genus Ctenomys Blainville, 1826 includes 68 living species of small to medium-sized (100–1200 g) caviomorph rodents of subterranean habits. During the last decade, this genus has been the subject of numerous taxonomic studies, including the description of new species and the proposal of novel synonyms. Based on phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences and qualitative and quantitative morphological traits, here we review the species boundaries of the tuco-tucos of the species group of C. mendocinus and describe a new species. The new species is morphologically distinct from other phylogenetically and geographically close species of Ctenomys (e.g., C. fochi, C. mendocinus), showing several differences in their craniodental traits (e.g., proportionally longer nasals and less globose tympanic bullae). The new species occurs in montane grasslands and shrublands of northwestern Mendoza (ca. 2710 m a.s.l.) and in lowlands (ca. 1000 m a.s.l.) of the Monte Desert ecoregion in an area highly impacted by accelerated processes associated with the wine industry.

Numerical study of the effects of hydrodynamic interactions among cells for microfluidic holographic cyto-tomography

When cells in a suspension flow through a microfluidic channel and rotate within the field of view (FOV) of a holographic microscope, they become accessible to a light beam from various angles. This allows the retrieval of a three-dimensional refractive index map for each flowing cell, essentially a 3D phase-contrast tomogram. Understanding the effects of hydrodynamic interactions among cells on their rotational behaviour during flow is crucial for designing microfluidic devices for holographic imaging. In this study, we employ direct numerical simulations to investigate the dynamics of cell clusters suspended in a Newtonian liquid under pressure-driven flow within a microfluidic channel, with the aim of clarifying the influence of hydrodynamic interactions on cell rotation.

Numerical Analysis of Rubberized Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Static and Blast Loadings

In recent years, the alarming number of terrorist attacks has highlighted the critical need for extensive research aimed at fortifying structures against explosion-induced loads. However, the insufficient energy absorption and brittleness of conventional concrete make it ineffective in withstanding blast loading, encouraging researchers to explore innovative strategies for augmenting the energy dissipation capabilities of construction materials. This study specifically delves into the incorporation of recycled rubber, a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to the pressing issue of scrap tire disposal. The primary focus of this research revolves around the integration of rubber recycling and steel fibers into concrete, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the dynamic response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This novel approach not only contributes to the structural resilience required for resisting blast impacts, but also aligns with eco-friendly practices by reusing recycled rubber. A meticulous numerical investigation was undertaken to comprehensively assess the static and blast response of these augmented beams. The numerical study involved developing finite element (FE) models using ABAQUS version 6.14 for static implicit analysis and LS-DYNA R11 for blast explicit simulations. The ABAQUS model was validated against previous experimental testing for load–displacement and failure patterns. Similarly, the LS-DYNA model was validated for blast pressure in accordance with UFC-3-340 standards and for material response under blast loading, utilizing existing experimental data. The numerical models were designed to accommodate varying weight percentages of rubber, ranging from 5% to 20%, and a consistent 1.0% incorporation of steel fibers. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of these materials in improving the structural integrity and blast resistance of RC beams, thereby contributing to the development of more secure and sustainable construction practices. By reducing the reinforcement ratio in order to meet the minimum code requirements, it became evident that the failures of the rubberized RC beams tended to exhibit ductility on the tension side under static loading. In addition, the increase in the reinforcement ratio correlated with a higher failure load and decreased deflection. Furthermore, the findings indicated an optimal concrete mixture characterized by improved ductility, energy absorption, and blast load capacity, achieved by combining 5–10% rubber with steel fibers.

Influence of Ali Al -Gharbi Earthquake on Braced Excavation in Silty Clay Soil (Numerical Study)

The design of the braced excavation system is one of the important and necessary matters for the implementation of various projects. The braced excavation system is used to support excavations in temporary projects, so there are shortcomings in the study of this aspect, although sometimes there are many projects that take long periods of time especially the projects of underground tunnels and high buildings. This was the main reason for the study. Therefore, the possibility of exposing the drilling system to earthquakes is great, especially in seismically active areas. If the drilling system is exposed to an earthquake, it can cause great human and material losses, so it must be designed against earthquakes so that ensure complete collapse and failure does not occur. This study aims to investigate the behavior of braced excavations under the influence of the Ali Al-Gharbi earthquake in both x- and y- directions. A numerical study is carried out on braced excavation system of (14×6) m and depth 9m using software Plaxis 3D. The braced excavation system consists of three type of bracing system with three levels of strut and wales connected with sheet pile wall to support sides of excavation and prevent them from collapsing. The results of study showed that the horizontal displacement of braced excavation system is (100-155) % more than vertical displacement (settlement) with seismic time when system is subjected to Ali Al-Gharbi earthquake in both directions with the other factors remaining constant. The stiffness of sheet pile wall also play an important role increases and decreases lateral displacement in both direction. Also, the results showed that the movement of of braced excavation system depends on several factors like as type of soil, time acceleration and the direction of earthquake. Settlement of Ali Al-Gharbi earthquake in Y- direction is 13% more than in X-direction.

Intravenous MSC-Treatment Improves Impaired Brain Functions in the R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease via Recovered Hepatic Pathological Changes.

Huntington's disease (HD), a congenital neurodegenerative disorder, extends its pathological damages beyond the nervous system. The systematic manifestation of HD has been extensively described in numerous studies, including dysfunction in peripheral organs and peripheral inflammation. Gut dysbiosis and the gut-liver-brain axis have garnered greater emphasis in neurodegenerative research, and increased plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been identified in HD patients and various in vivo models, correlating with disease progression. In the present study, we investigated hepatic pathological markers in the liver of R6/2 mice which convey exon 1 of the human mutant huntingtin gene. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of intravenously administered Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) on the liver enzymes, changes in hepatic inflammatory markers, as well as brain pathology and behavioral deficits in R6/2 mice. Our results revealed altered enzyme expression and increased levels of inflammatory mediators in the liver of R6/2 mice, which were significantly attenuated in the MSC-treated R6/2 mice. Remarkably, neuronal pathology and altered motor activities in the MSC-treated R6/2 mice were significantly ameliorated, despite the absence of MSCs in the postmortem brain. Our data highlight the importance of hepatic pathological changes in HD, providing a potential therapeutic approach. Moreover, the data open new perspectives for the search in blood biomarkers correlating with liver pathology in HD.

Sequentially activated discrete modules appear as traveling waves in neuronal measurements with limited spatiotemporal sampling.

Numerous studies have identified traveling waves in the cortex and suggested they play important roles in brain processing. These waves are most often measured using macroscopic methods that are unable to assess the local spiking activity underlying wave dynamics. Here, we investigated the possibility that waves may not be traveling at the single neuron scale. We first show that sequentially activating two discrete brain areas can appear as traveling waves in EEG simulations. We next reproduce these results using an analytical model of two sequentially activated regions. Using this model, we were able to generate wave-like activity with variable directions, velocities, and spatial patterns, and to map the discriminability limits between traveling waves and modular sequential activations. Finally, we investigated the link between field potentials and single neuron excitability using large-scale measurements from turtle cortex ex vivo. We found that while field potentials exhibit wave-like dynamics, the underlying spiking activity was better described by consecutively activated spatially adjacent groups of neurons. Taken together, this study suggests caution when interpreting phase delay measurements as continuously propagating wavefronts in two different spatial scales. A careful distinction between modular and wave excitability profiles across scales will be critical for understanding the nature of cortical computations.

Numerical Investigation of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Single and Multi-Longitudinal Hollow Openings

This numerical study was conducted to evaluate the effect of longitudinal hollow openings in reinforced concrete beams. The study was divided into three groups: The first group: was circular holes of different sizes. The second group: different shaped openings (circular, square, rectangular). The third group: the number of openings (one, two, three). Abaqus software was used to analyze the behavior of reinforced concrete beams with hollow openings. The following effects of hollow openings were studied (effect on bending resistance, effect on beam deformations). The results also showed that the presence of hollow openings leads to increased threshold deformations. The results also show that the aperture size has a significant effect on the threshold deformations. Sills with large openings have a greater negative impact on sill deformations compared to sills with small openings. Concrete beams' longitudinal circular hole provides greater load-bearing than rectangular or square slots. Increasing the number of longitudinal holes provides greater load-bearing, but increasing the number reduces the load-bearing. Concrete with longitudinal slots is cheaper and lighter than hollow concrete openings and is used in buildings on a limited budget. Circular slots (10.46% difference) are better than rectangular (18.60% difference) and square (19.76% difference). One hole (10.46% difference) is better than two holes (18.60% difference) and three holes (19.76% difference).

A Slicing‐Free Perspective to Sufficient Dimension Reduction: Selective Review and Recent Developments

SummarySince the pioneering work of sliced inverse regression, sufficient dimension reduction has been growing into a mature field in statistics and it has broad applications to regression diagnostics, data visualisation, image processing and machine learning. In this paper, we provide a review of several popular inverse regression methods, including sliced inverse regression (SIR) method and principal hessian directions (PHD) method. In addition, we adopt a conditional characteristic function approach and develop a new class of slicing‐free methods, which are parallel to the classical SIR and PHD, and are named weighted inverse regression ensemble (WIRE) and weighted PHD (WPHD), respectively. Relationship with recently developed martingale difference divergence matrix is also revealed. Numerical studies and a real data example show that the proposed slicing‐free alternatives have superior performance than SIR and PHD.

An overview of prominent factors influencing the photocatalytic degradation of cationic crystal violet dye employing diverse nanostructured materials

AbstractCrystal violet (CV), a cationic dye, has been demonstrated to be a powerful carcinogen, a mitotic toxin and poisonous to mammalian cells such that the predominant presence of the dye invariably causes several effects of destruction to mankind and it necessitates a clarion call to do away with this nuisance before it can produce a snowball effect. The recent widespread reporting of the photocatalysis‐mediated degradation of CV as an emerging technique for removing this dangerous dye from aqueous mediums highlights its effectiveness. Numerous researchers have contributed substantially to describing how photocatalysis‐based nanomaterials could be used to degrade CV. The fundamentals and the factors that predominantly influence CV degradation are highlighted in this work. These factors include the nature of nanomaterials, catalyst concentration, dye dosage, pH of the solution in use, temperature and light intensity. Additionally, thorough kinetics and mechanistic descriptions are also included to give crucial insights into the light‐mediated reaction of CV. The present study's findings have the potential to alleviate practitioners and researchers of the burden of having to navigate through numerous studies under each category of parameters to get an exhaustive overview of all of the different variables that may affect the photocatalytic degradation of CV dye. In order to further enhance the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of CV, researchers can expand on this study by investigating novel strategies to lessen the impact of certain elements that adversely affect the photocatalytic reaction process. The potential prospects for extending the advancement of scientific study in this area are also explored. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Numerical Study on the Influence of Polyimide Thickness and Curing Temperature on Wafer Bow in Wafer Level Packaging

In wafer level packaging, polyimide and electroplated copper are dielectric and conducting materials respectively in the so-called redistribution layers. During the wafer fabrication process large amount of stress is generated in those layers due to curing shrinkage of the polyimide and the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch of both materials to silicon which can lead to severe wafer bow after a high temperature curing. In different applications polyimide can be used either only as passivation layer over electroplated copper, or polyimide is applied before the redistribution layer and then a second polyimide layer is applied as passivation. In the current study the effect of different polyimide integrations is investigated. In-situ wafer bow measurements and finite element method studies were conducted with samples, with and without polyimide below redistribution layer, exposed to different curing temperatures to understand the change in wafer bow and copper residual stress. It is observed that wafers with polyimide before redistribution layer show higher stress relaxation in copper with decreasing curing temperature, resulting therefore in a lower wafer bow. A good agreement is achieved between the experimentally measured and the simulated wafer bow.

Sequentially activated discrete modules appear as traveling waves in neuronal measurements with limited spatiotemporal sampling

Numerous studies have identified traveling waves in the cortex and suggested they play important roles in brain processing. These waves are most often measured using macroscopic methods that are unable to assess the local spiking activity underlying wave dynamics. Here, we investigated the possibility that waves may not be traveling at the single neuron scale. We first show that sequentially activating two discrete brain areas can appear as traveling waves in EEG simulations. We next reproduce these results using an analytical model of two sequentially activated regions. Using this model, we were able to generate wave-like activity with variable directions, velocities, and spatial patterns, and to map the discriminability limits between traveling waves and modular sequential activations. Finally, we investigated the link between field potentials and single neuron excitability using large-scale measurements from turtle cortex ex vivo. We found that while field potentials exhibit wave-like dynamics, the underlying spiking activity was better described by consecutively activated spatially adjacent groups of neurons. Taken together, this study suggests caution when interpreting phase delay measurements as continuously propagating wavefronts in two different spatial scales. A careful distinction between modular and wave excitability profiles across scales will be critical for understanding the nature of cortical computations.

Cell Membrane as A Promising Therapeutic Target: From Materials Design to Biomedical Applications

AbstractThe cell membrane is a crucial component of cells, protecting their integrity and stability while facilitating signal transduction and information exchange. Therefore, disrupting its structure or impairing its functions can potentially cause irreversible cell damage. Presently, the tumor cell membrane is recognized as a promising therapeutic target for various treatment methods. Given the extensive research focused on cell membranes, it is both necessary and timely to discuss these developments, from materials design to specific biomedical applications. This review covers treatments based on functional materials targeting the cell membrane, ranging from well‐known membrane‐anchoring photodynamic therapy to recent lysosome‐targeting chimaeras for protein degradation. The diverse therapeutic mechanisms are introduced in the following sections: membrane‐anchoring phototherapy, self‐assembly on the membrane, in situ biosynthesis on the membrane, and degradation of cell membrane proteins by chimeras. In each section, we outline the conceptual design or general structure derived from numerous studies, emphasizing representative examples to understand advancements and draw inspiration. Finally, we discuss some challenges and future directions in membrane‐targeted therapy from our perspective. This review aims to engage multidisciplinary readers and encourage researchers in related fields to advance the fundamental theories and practical applications of membrane‐targeting therapeutic agents.

SAR-CDSS: A Semi-Supervised Cross-Domain Object Detection from Optical to SAR Domain

The unique imaging modality of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has posed significant challenges for object detection, making it more complex to acquire and interpret than optical images. Recently, numerous studies have proposed cross-domain adaptive methods based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to promote SAR object detection using optical data. However, existing cross-domain methods focus on image features, lack improvement on input data, and ignore the valuable supervision provided by few labeled SAR images. Therefore, we propose a semi-supervised cross-domain object detection framework that uses optical data and few SAR data to achieve knowledge transfer for SAR object detection. Our method focuses on the data processing aspects to gradually reduce the domain shift at the image, instance, and feature levels. First, we propose a data augmentation method of image mixing and instance swapping to generate a mixed domain that is more similar to the SAR domain. This method fully utilizes few SAR annotation information to reduce domain shift at image and instance levels. Second, at the feature level, we propose an adaptive optimization strategy to filter out mixed domain samples that significantly deviate from the SAR feature distribution to train feature extractor. In addition, we employ Vision Transformer (ViT) as feature extractor to handle the global feature extraction of mixed images. We propose a detection head based on normalized Wasserstein distance (NWD) to enhance objects with smaller effective regions in SAR images. The effectiveness of our proposed method is evaluated on public SAR ship and oil tank datasets.

Cell Membrane as A Promising Therapeutic Target: From Materials Design to Biomedical Applications.

The cell membrane is a crucial component of cells, protecting their integrity and stability while facilitating signal transduction and information exchange. Therefore, disrupting its structure or impairing its functions can potentially cause irreversible cell damage. Presently, the tumor cell membrane is recognized as a promising therapeutic target for various treatment methods. Given the extensive research focused on cell membranes, it is both necessary and timely to discuss these developments, from materials design to specific biomedical applications. This review covers treatments based on functional materials targeting the cell membrane, ranging from well-known membrane-anchoring photodynamic therapy to recent lysosome-targeting chimaeras for protein degradation. The diverse therapeutic mechanisms are introduced in the following sections: membrane-anchoring phototherapy, self-assembly on the membrane, in situ biosynthesis on the membrane, and degradation of cell membrane proteins by chimeras. In each section, we outline the conceptual design or general structure derived from numerous studies, emphasizing representative examples to understand advancements and draw inspiration. Finally, we discuss some challenges and future directions in membrane-targeted therapy from our perspective. This review aims to engage multidisciplinary readers and encourage researchers in related fields to advance the fundamental theories and practical applications of membrane-targeting therapeutic agents.