Radial Width Research Articles

Three-dimensional localization and tracking of chromosomal loci throughout the Escherichia coli cell cycle.

The intracellular position of genes may impact their expression, but it has not been possible to accurately measure the 3D position of chromosomal loci. In 2D, loci can be tracked using arrays of DNA-binding sites for transcription factors (TFs) fused with fluorescent proteins. However, the same 2D data can result from different 3D trajectories. Here, we have developed a deep learning method for super-resolved astigmatism-based 3D localization of chromosomal loci in live E. coli cells which enables a precision better than 61 nm at a signal-to-background ratio of ~4 on a heterogeneous cell background. Determining the spatial localization of chromosomal loci, we find that some loci are at the periphery of the nucleoid for large parts of the cell cycle. Analyses of individual trajectories reveal that these loci are subdiffusive both longitudinally (x) and radially (r), but that individual loci explore the full radial width on a minute time scale.

Performance prediction and manipulation strategy of a hybrid system based on tubular solid oxide fuel cell and annular thermoelectric generator

Abstract Tubular solid oxide fuel cells (TSOFCs) generate high-grade waste heat during operation, but the existing waste heat recovery technologies designed for flat solid oxide fuel cells cannot be directly applied to TSOFC due to the geometry mismatch. To efficient harvest the waste heat, a new geometry-matching hybrid system including TSOFC and annular thermoelectric generator (ATEG) is synergistically integrated to evaluate the performance upper limit. A mathematical model is formulated and verified to describe the hybrid system by considering various thermodynamic-electrochemical irreversible effects. Key performance indicators are established to assess the potential performance. Calculations show that the peak power density and corresponding efficiency of the proposed system are enhanced by 20.39 % and 13.89 %, respectively, compared to a standalone TSOFC. Furthermore, the exergy destruction rate is reduced by 7.04 %. Extensive sensitivity analyses indicate that higher operating temperatures enhance the system’s performance, while larger electrode tortuosity negatively affects it. Additionally, various optimization paths of ATEG are explored to improve the system performance, including considerations such as the number of thermocouples, leg radial width, leg thickness, or annular shape parameter. The three-objective optimization yields an efficient design solution for the entire system, offering valuable insights for its design and operation.

Anatomy of Lister's Tubercle: Implications for Volar Locked Plating of the Distal Radius.

Determining accurate intraoperative screw length in complex distal radius fractures may pose difficulties. With volar plate fixation, excessive screw length may result in extensor pollicis longus injury and this can be challenging to determine via intraoperative imaging. This study aims to identify the precise anatomic location and parameters of Lister's tubercle on the dorsal aspect of the radius. The anatomy and location of Lister's tubercle was evaluated in 26 cadaveric arms, of which 27% were female, with a mean age of 73.6 years. Additionally, Lister's tubercle was evaluated on 198 computed tomography (CT) scans using a quantitative distal radius surface map. Median age was 28 years, and 28% of the patients were female. As measured in cadaveric arms, the mean Lister's tubercle length was 12.6 mm, and width was 5.4 mm. The distance from the radial styloid to the distal and proximal border of Lister's tubercle averaged 23.0 and 10.4 mm, respectively. Of the total distal radial width, Lister's tubercle begins 43% from the radial border and spans to 42% of the ulnar border, encompassing 16% of the entire width of the dorsal distal radius. On CT mapping, the distance between the peak of Lister's tubercle and the ulnar and radial border of the radius was 46% and 54%, respectively. Female sex was associated with a smaller distal radius width, but not with a smaller Lister's tubercle. Knowledge of Lister's tubercle anatomy may assist in more precise screw placement in volar locked plating of distal radius fractures. IV-Therapeutic.

Identification of Key Enzymes and Genes Modulating L-Ascorbic Acid Metabolism During Fruit Development of Lycium chinense by Integrating Metabolome, Transcriptome, and Physiological Analysis.

Lycium chinense is acknowledged for its substantial nutritional benefits, particularly attributed to the high levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) found in its fruits. The "Mengqi No.1" variety of L. chinense, which is cultivated in Qinghai, is known for its high yield and exceptional quality. We utilized the "Mengqi No.1" variety as experimental materials and combined metabolomic, transcriptomic, and physiological analyses to investigate the metabolites, genes, and enzymes related to AsA metabolism in L. chinense fruits. The results revealed nine differential metabolites associated with AsA metabolism in L. chinense fruits across three stages, including 1D-Myo-Inositol-1,4-Bisphosphate, D-Fructose, L-(+)-Arabinose, I-Inositol, L-Arabinitol, D-Galactose-1-P, lactose, α-D-Glucose, and D-Glucose-6-P. Notably, the contents of D-Glucose-6-P, D-Galactose-1-P, and D-Fructose were increased as the fruit developed. Additionally, fresh weight, longitudinal length, and radial width were increased, while the contents of AsA and DHA were decreased. GalDH and DHAR are critical enzymes for the accumulation of AsA and DHA, exhibiting positive correlation coefficient. Furthermore, PMM1, PMM5, GME2, and GME3 were identified as key regulatory genes in the L-Galactose pathway of AsA synthesis, influencing D-Galactose-1-P, D-Glucose-6-P, α-D-Glucose, and D-Fructose. DHAR1 and DHAR2 are considered key positive regulator genes of AsA and DHA in the AsA-GSH cycle. However, the majority of genes (nine) act as negative regulators of AsA and DHA. These findings provide a foundation for the understanding of the regulatory mechanism of AsA metabolism in L. chinense fruits and offer insights into the utilization of AsA from L. chinense.

IMPACTS OF POSTERIOR STAPHYLOMA ON PARAPAPILLARY MICROVASCULATURE AND ATROPHY IN HIGH MYOPIC EYES: A MATCHED COHORT STUDY WITH OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY.

We aimed to evaluate the impacts of the different types of posterior staphyloma (PS) in high myopia on parapapillary microvasculature and parapapillary atrophy (PPA, i.e., γ-zone and δ-zone) with optical coherence tomography angiography. This cross-sectional study included 152 high myopic eyes (152 participants) with γ-zone. After matching, high myopic eyes were stratified into PS (n = 33) and non-PS (n = 33) groups. PS types, parapapillary microvasculature characteristics, the prevalence of non-juxtapapillary microvasculature dropout (NJ-MvD), the longest radial width from the optic disc edge to retinal pigment epithelium atrophy edge (PPA-w), γ-zone, and δ-zone with changes in visual field and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated and analyzed. According to Curtin's classification, we identified five types of PS included: primary types I, II, III, and compound types VII, and IX. Eyes with type II showed a higher optic disc tilted ratio and larger PPA-w compared to other primary PS. Subjects with type IX were the oldest. Eyes with types VII and IX had wider γ-zone and δ-zone, worse visual field outcomes, poorer BCVA, and a higher incidence of NJ-MvD compared to primary PS. Choroidal and intrascleral vessels were associated with NJ-MvD and were located near or connected to the circle of Zinn-Haller. Eyes with high myopia and PS show wider PPA, affecting the γ-zone and δ-zone, and are at a higher risk of developing NJ-MvD. Specifically, eyes with PS types VII and IX are more susceptible to visual field damage and decreased BCVA. These results highlight the importance of impact of PS on PPM and PPA in high myopia.

Magnetization States and Coupled Spin-Wave Modes in Concentric Double Nanorings.

Concentric multiple nanorings have previously been fabricated and investigated mainly for their different static magnetization states. Here, we present a theoretical analysis for the magnetization dynamics in double nanorings arranged concentrically, where there is coupling across a nonmagnetic spacer due to the long-range dipole-dipole interactions. We employ a microscopic, or Hamiltonian-based, formalism to study the discrete spin waves that exist in the magnetic states where the individual rings may be in either a vortex or an onion state. Numerical results are shown for the frequencies and the spatial amplitudes (with relative phase included) of the spin-wave modes. Cases are considered in which the magnetic materials of the rings are the same (taken to be permalloy) or two different materials such as permalloy and cobalt. The dependence of these properties on the mean radial position of the spacer were studied, showing, in most cases, the existence of two distinct transition fields. The special cases, where the radial spacer width becomes very small (less than 1 nm) were analyzed to study direct interfaces between dissimilar materials and/or effects of interfacial exchange interactions such as Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yoshida coupling. These spin-wave properties may be of importance for magnetic switching devices and sensors.

A Retrospective Study of Risk Factors Associated with Refracture after Repair of Radial-Ulnar Fractures in Small-Breed Dogs.

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for refracture after radial union in small-breed dogs. In our retrospective study, medical records of radial-ulnar fracture cases in small dogs treated with plates and screws were reviewed. General information and postoperative course (days until confirmed radial fracture healing, with or without ulnar union, time to final follow-up, with or without plate removal and refracture) were recorded. The fracture line location, screw positions, radial thickness and width, and pixel values throughout the postoperative periods were obtained from the radiographs. The affected limbs were classified into non-plate removal (P) and plate removal (R) groups. Refracture occurred in 5 of the 141 limbs at the most distal screw in the P group and 5 of the 40 limbs at the same site as the initial fracture in the R group. Multivariate analysis indicated that refracture was linked to the amount of relative change with growth in the position of the most distal screw in the P group, with pixel value and radial thickness ratios at the same site as the initial fracture in the R group. Reducing the screw diameter relative to the radial width to the appropriate extent may be considered in cases where the screw positioned at the most distal end of the radius is expected to be relatively proximal as the distal radius grows; not removing the plate may be considered in cases with a decreased radial thickness or bone mineral density beneath the plate during plate removal.

Quasi-CJ rotating detonation with partially premixed methane-oxygen injection: Numerical simulation and experimental validation

The efficiency gain of rotating detonation depends on several loss factors related to the chamber geometry, the injection principle, the propellants and their mass flow rates, and the equivalence ratio. Numerical simulation can help quantify these losses, and this work presents a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of rotating detonation in an annular chamber and its validation against experiments. The simulation captured the mixing processes, the overall dynamics of the detonation, the deflagration, and the burnt gas expansion. The injection device was numerically designed to ensure partial premixing of the propellants before injection into the chamber. The chamber had a length of 110 mm, an outer diameter of 80 mm, and a radial width of 10 mm. The mixture consisted of gaseous CH4 and O2 with an equivalence ratio of 1.2 and a mass flow rate of 160 g/s. Combustion kinetics was modeled using a skeletal mechanism with 62 reactions and 16 species. The boundary conditions were adiabatic slip walls. The results reproduce well the detonation velocity (within 1% deviation) and the pressure variation behind the wave. The simulated OH* chemiluminescence compares well with experimental high-speed imaging of the outlet and side of the chamber. The simulation results indicate that 65% of the propellant mass is well mixed in front of the wave whereas 15% of the mixture is burned by deflagration. They show that CH4 and O2 do not axially stratify because they have similar injection dynamics between periodic perturbations induced by the rotating detonation. Good propellant mixing and low deflagration losses explain the high experimental detonation velocity, about 90% of DCJ, and a high combustion efficiency of 98%. These agreements between the computational and experimental results indicate that the simulation is capable of capturing the physical scales relevant to RDC operation and producing reliable results for RDC design.

Risk factors for unsuccessful reduction of chronic Monteggia fractures in children treated surgically.

To investigate the risk factors for unsuccessful radial head reduction (RHR) in children with chronic Monteggia fractures (CMFs) treated surgically. A total of 209 children (mean age 6.84 years (SD 2.87)), who underwent surgical treatment for CMFs between March 2015 and March 2023 at six institutions, were retrospectively reviewed. Assessed risk factors included age, sex, laterality, dislocation direction and distance, preoperative proximal radial metaphysis width, time from injury to surgery, reduction method, annular ligament reconstruction, radiocapitellar joint fixation, ulnar osteotomy, site of ulnar osteotomy, preoperative and postoperative ulnar angulation, ulnar fixation method, progressive ulnar distraction, and postoperative cast immobilization. Independent-samples t-test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors associated with unsuccessful RHR. Redislocation occurred during surgery in 48 patients (23%), and during follow-up in 44 (21.1%). The mean follow-up of patients with successful RHR was 13.25 months (6 to 78). According to the univariable analysis, time from injury to surgery (p = 0.002) and preoperative dislocation distance (p = 0.042) were identified as potential risk factors for unsuccessful RHR. However, only time from injury to surgery (p = 0.007) was confirmed as a risk factor by logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and chi-squared test confirmed that a time from injury to surgery greater than 1.75 months increased the rate of unsuccessful RHR above the cutoff (p = 0.002). Time from injury to surgery is the primary independent risk factor for unsuccessful RHR in surgically treated children with CMFs, particularly in those with a time from injury to surgery of more than 1.75 months. No other factors were found to influence the incidence of unsuccessful RHR. Surgical reduction of paediatric CMFs should be performed within the first two months of injury whenever possible.

Three‐magnet‐ring quasi‐zero stiffness isolator for low‐frequency vibration isolation

AbstractA three‐magnet‐ring quasi‐zero stiffness (QZS‐TMR) isolator is designed to solve the problem of low‐frequency vibration isolation in the vertical direction of precision equipment. QZS‐TMR has both positive and negative stiffness structures. The positive stiffness structure consists of two mutually repelling magnetic rings and the negative stiffness structure consists of two magnetic rings nested within each other. By modulating the relative distance between positive and negative stiffness structures, the isolator can have QZS characteristics. Compared with other QZS isolators, the QZS‐TMR is compact and easy to manufacture. In addition, the working load of QZS‐TMR can be flexibly adjusted by varying the radial widths of the inner magnetic ring. In this paper, the static analysis of QZS‐TMR is carried out to guide the design, and the low‐frequency vibration isolation performance is studied. In addition, the experimental prototype of QZS‐TMR is designed and manufactured. The static and vibration isolation experiments are carried out on the prototype. The results show that the initial vibration isolation frequency of the experimental prototype is about 4 Hz. The results show an excellent low‐frequency vibration isolation effect, which is consistent with the theoretical research. This paper introduces a new approach to the design of the QZS isolator.

Wall modes and the transition to bulk convection in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection

We investigate states of rapidly rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a cylindrical cell over a range of Rayleigh numbers 3×105≤Ra≤5×109 and Ekman numbers 10−6≤Ek≤10−4 for Prandtl number Pr=0.8 and aspect ratios 1/5≤Γ≤5 using direct numerical simulations. We characterize, for perfectly insulating sidewall boundary conditions, the first transition to convection via wall mode instability and the nonlinear growth and instability of the resulting wall mode states, including a secondary transition to time dependence. We show how the radial structure of the vertical velocity uz and the temperature T is captured well by the linear eigenfunctions of the wall mode instability where the radial width of uz is δuz∼Ek1/3r/H whereas δT∼e−kr (k is the wave number of a laterally infinite wall mode state). The disparity in spatial scales for Ek=10−6 means that the heat transport is dominated by the radial structure of uz since T varies slowly over the radial scale δuz. We further describe how the transition to a state of bulk convection is influenced by the presence of the wall mode states. We use temporal and spatial scales as measures of the local state of convection and the Nusselt number Nu as representative of global transport. Our results elucidate the evolution of the wall state of rotating convection and confirm that wall modes are strongly linked with the boundary zonal flow being the robust remnant of nonlinear wall mode states. We also show how the heat transport (Nu) contributions of wall modes and bulk modes are related and discuss approaches to disentangling their relative contributions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Radial Variation and Early Prediction of Wood Properties in Pinus elliottii Engelm. Plantation

To explore the radial variation in wood properties of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) during its growth process and to achieve the early prediction of these properties, our study was carried out in three slash pine harvest-age plantations in Ganzhou, Jian, and Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province of South China. Wood core samples were collected from 360 sample trees from the three plantations. SilviScan technology was utilized to acquire wood property parameters, such as tangential fiber widths (TFWs), radial fiber widths (RFWs), fiber wall thickness (FWT), fiber coarseness (FC), microfibril angle (MFA), modulus of elasticity (MOE), wood density (WD) and ring width (RD). Subsequent systematic analysis focused on the phenotypic and radial variation patterns of wood properties, aiming to establish a clear boundary between juvenile and mature wood. Based on determining the boundary between juvenile and mature wood, a regression equation was used to establish the relationship between the properties of juvenile wood and the ring ages. This relationship was then extended to the mature wood section to predict the properties of mature wood. Our results indicated significant differences in wood properties across different locations. The coefficients of variation for RD and MOE were higher than other properties, suggesting a significant potential for selective breeding. Distinct radial variation patterns in wood properties from the pith to the bark were observed. The boundary between juvenile and mature wood was reached at the age of 22. The prediction models developed for each wood property showed high accuracy, with determination coefficients exceeding 0.87. Additionally, the relative and standard errors between the measured and predicted values were kept below 10.15%, indicating robust predictability. Mature wood exhibited greater strength compared to juvenile wood. The approach of using juvenile wood properties to predict those of mature wood is validated. This method provides a feasible avenue for the early prediction of wood properties in slash pine.

Enhancement of the electrostatic–magnetic hybrid thrust performance using a stagnant ring

Electrostatic–magnetic hybrid ion acceleration has been researched to realize high-thrust density and efficient thrust operations. In this study, a newly designed stagnant ring (SR) was installed in an electrostatic–magnetic hybrid thruster with the nominal anode inner radius of 40 mm to improve the thrust performance, and the effects of SR on the thruster operation of xenon propellant were analyzed. During constant-discharge-voltage operations, the discharge current increased with both electrically conductive (copper) and non-conductive (ceramic) SR materials, yet the thrust increased only with the copper SR, which was equipotential to the anode. At lower values of the radial width (H) of the copper SR, the thrust and discharge current were almost dominated by the propellant flow rate from the anode surface. However, the contribution of the propellant flow rate from the cathode tip on the thrust and discharge current became significant when H ≥ 9 mm. The thrust coefficient in electromagnetic acceleration form exhibited a maximum value at H = 9 mm, whereas that in electrostatic acceleration form monotonically increased when H ranged from 0 to 20 mm. The highest thrust efficiency was obtained at H = 12 mm. The study findings indicate that installing a conductive SR can effectively enhance the thrust performance in electrostatic–magnetic hybrid thrusters.

Plasma density enhancement in radio-frequency hollow electrode discharge

The plasma density enhancement outside hollow electrodes in capacitively coupled radio-frequency (RF) discharges is investigated by a two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell/Monte-Carlo collision (PIC/MCC) model. Results show that plasma exists inside the cavity when the sheath inside the hollow electrode hole is fully collapsed, which is an essential condition for the plasma density enhancement outside hollow electrodes. In addition, the existence of the electron density peak at the orifice is generated via the hollow cathode effect (HCE), which plays an important role in the density enhancement. It is also found that the radial width of bulk plasma at the orifice affects the magnitude of the density enhancement, and narrow radial plasma bulk width at the orifice is not beneficial to obtain high-density plasma outside hollow electrodes. Higher electron density at the orifice, combined with larger radial plasma bulk width at the orifice, causes higher electron density outside hollow electrodes. The results also imply that the HCE strength inside the cavity cannot be determined by the magnitude of the electron density outside hollow electrodes.

Microtexturing of industrial surfaces via radial ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining: An analytical model and experimental validation

The aim of this paper is to develop an analytical model to predict different texture patterns obtained with Radial Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Machining (RUVAM) and estimate the dimensions of their characteristic features. It is also validated experimentally by performing advanced surface metrology on C45 specimens. The model is based on considering the machining of craters along radial tracks as the main texturing mechanism due to the change in the effective depth of cut provoked by the ultrasonic vibration of the insert. Mathematical formulae composing the model are then developed by considering how the machined craters in those tracks interact radially and axially, describing the final texture as the result of a multidirectional geometrical interaction. To predict how those interactions take place depending on the manufacturing parameters chosen, threshold values for the feed rate and the depth of cut are proposed. They also allow the validation of the formulae that estimate the different geometrical descriptors of craters (radial and axial heights and widths). According to the different combinations of parameters, the model succeeds in proposing diverse potential texturing scenarios. In the second part of this paper, a full factorial design is planned and applied on C45 specimens to validate the results with a RUVAM tool of 40 kHz and a 1 μm-amplitude. The plan includes three factors (insert nose radius, depth of cut and feed rate). Their levels are defined according to the threshold values for feed and depth of cut defined by the model to reproduce different textures. Results prove that the proposed threshold values allow a very good assessment of the resulting microtexturing structures on the surfaces. The measured values of widths and heights are in agreement with the values predicted by the model. With this technique, the heights of the textured surfaces span from 5 to 400 μm and widths from 45 to 720 μm, depending on the selected parameters. In the radial direction, the vibratory motion of the insert is robustly imprinted on the material, with radial heights and widths of around 2 μm and 39.6 μm, agreeing with the model. In overall, errors comparing the experimental measurements and the values predicted by the model rise up to 9%, although this error can reach 15% at some cases on radial descriptors because of their higher sensitivity to the F-filtering. A last texturing mechanism can be attributed to RUVAM related to the shaping of craters, as different oval permeters can be obtained by combining the parameters adequately. All these results lead to potential future studies related with the functional implications of all the detected textures.

Summer heat induced the decline of Pinus taiwanensis forests at its southern limit in humid Subtropical China

Warming-induced aridity has caused forest decline and mortality for many sites with water-limiting conditions. However, equatorward rear-edge Pinus taiwanensis trees at the Daiyun Mountains in humid subtropical China are also suffering die-backs and decline, but the roles played by heat or drought stress still remain unclear. Here, we compared the tree-ring radial width, anatomical features, stable carbon isotope (δ13C) and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) between die-back and healthy trees to elucidate potential causes driving the decline. Die-back trees showed sustained growth reductions and produced tracheids with thinner cell walls over the recent decade, indicative of reduced carbon assimilation. The climate response pattern and Vaganov-Shashkin (V-S) model indicated the critical role of summer (June-August) temperature in recent growth decline. Long-term higher wood δ13C and iWUE within die-back trees indicated that actual growth decline already started several decades earlier. This conservative growth strategy was at the cost of low efficiency of photosynthesis due to chronic stomatal closure. When the lethal heatwaves arrived, these weakened trees were not able to access sufficient carbonhydrates to maintain metabolism, causing a distinct decline and mortality. We concluded that recent decline in Pinus taiwanensis trees was mainly caused by long-term carbon starvation.

Structural Deformation and Displacement of a Disc Winding Due to Standard Switching Impulse Voltage via Finite Element Method

Switching operations in a power system network can lead to transient overvoltage in the high voltage (HV) winding of distribution transformers that causes high-stress build-up. This paper presents the relationship between electromagnetic force due to a standard switching impulse (SSI) and mechanical deformation/displacement behaviours for a disc-type transformer. The analysis was carried out based on a three-dimensional (3D) modelling of a continuous HV disc winding configuration whereby it is subjected to the switching transient voltage and force excitations through the finite element method (FEM). The electric transient solver analysed the static and dynamic aspects of the electromagnetic forces associated with the variation of forces versus time. The transient structural solver evaluated the structural behaviours of the disc winding related to the axial height and radial width of the winding under electromagnetic forces. It is found that the positively dominant axial force generated in the winding with a magnitude of 8.7 N causes the top and bottom layers of disc winding to tilt and displace. In addition, the positive average radial force of 1.4 N causes the circumference of the winding to experience hoop tension and outwardly stretch.

A uniform analysis of debris discs with the Gemini Planet Imager II: constraints on dust density distribution using empirically informed scattering phase functions

ABSTRACT Spatially resolved images of debris discs are necessary to determine disc morphological properties and the scattering phase function (SPF) thatantifies the brightness of scattered light as a function of phase angle. Current high-contrast imaging instruments have successfully resolved several dozens of debris discs around other stars, but few studies have investigated trends in the scattered-light, resolved population of debris discs in a uniform and consistent manner. We have combined Karhunen-Loeve Image Projection (KLIP) with radiative-transfer disc forward modelling in order to obtain the highest-quality image reductions and constrain disc morphological properties of eight debris discs imaged by the Gemini Planet Imager at H-band with a consistent and uniformly applied approach. In describing the scattering properties of our models, we assume a common SPF informed from solar system dust scattering measurements and apply it to all systems. We identify a diverse range of dust density properties among the sample, including critical radius, radial width, and vertical width. We also identify radially narrow and vertically extended discs that may have resulted from substellar companion perturbations, along with a tentative positive trend in disc eccentricity with relative disc width. We also find that using a common SPF can achieve reasonable model fits for discs that are axisymmetric and asymmetric when fitting models to each side of the disc independently, suggesting that scattering behaviour from debris discs may be similar to Solar system dust.

Hollow cathode effect in radio frequency hollow electrode discharge in argon

Radio frequency capacitively coupled plasma source (RF-CCP) with a hollow electrode can increase the electron density through the hollow cathode effect (HCE), which offers a method to modify the spatial profiles of the plasma density. In this work, the variations of the HCE in one RF period are investigated by using a two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte-Carlo collision (PIC/MCC) model. The results show that the sheath electric field, the sheath potential drop, the sheath thickness, the radial plasma bulk width, the electron energy distribution function (EEDF), and the average electron energy in the cavity vary in one RF period. During the hollow electrode sheath’s expansion phase, the secondary electron heating and sheath oscillation heating in the cavity are gradually enhanced, and the frequency of the electron pendular motion in the cavity gradually increases, hence the HCE is gradually enhanced. However, during the hollow electrode sheath’s collapse phase, the secondary electron heating is gradually attenuated. In addition, when interacting with the gradually collapsed hollow electrode sheaths, high-energy plasma bulk electrons in the cavity will lose some energy. Furthermore, the frequency of the electron pendular motion in the cavity gradually decreases. Therefore, during the hollow electrode sheath’s collapse phase, the HCE is gradually attenuated.

Objective Evaluation of Pulse Width Using an Array Pulse Diagram.

Pulse width, which can reflect qi, blood excess, and deficiency, has been used for diagnosing diseases and determining the prognosis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study aimed to devise an objective method to measure the pulse width based on an array pulse diagram for objective diagnosis. The channel 6, the region wherein the pulse wave signal is the strongest, is located in the middle of the pulse sensor array and at the guan position of cunkou during data collection. Therefore, the main wave (h1) time of the pulse wave was collected from the channel 6 through calculation. The left h1 time was collected from the remaining 11 channels. The amplitudes at these time points were extracted as the h1 amplitudes for each channel. However, the pulse width could not be calculated accurately at 12 points. Consequently, a bioharmonic spline interpolation algorithm was used to interpolate the h1 amplitude data obtained from the horizontal and vertical points, yielding 651 (31 × 21) h1 amplitude data. The 651 data points were converted into a heat map to intuitively calculate the pulse width. The pulse width was calculated by multiplying the number of grids on the vertical axis with the unit length of the grid. The pulse width was determined by TCM doctors to verify the pulse width measurement accuracy. Meanwhile, a color Doppler ultrasound examination of the volunteers' radial arteries was performed and the intravascular meridian widths of the radial artery compared with the calculated pulse widths to determine the reliability. The pulse width determined using the maximal h1 amplitude method was comparable with the radial artery intravascular meridian widths measured using color Doppler ultrasound. The h1 amplitude was higher in the high blood pressure group and the pulse width was greater. The pulse width determined using the maximal h1 amplitude was objective and accurate. Comparison between the pulse widths of the normal and high blood pressure groups verified the reliability of the method.