Ratio Of Diffusion Coefficients Research Articles

Design of novel glass fiber reinforced polypropylene cable-anchor component and its long-term properties exposed in alkaline solution

The high performance and long life of engineering structures can be realized through replacing traditional steel materials with glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites with high toughness/durability, flexibility design and recycling. In addition, the anchorage problem of composites needs to be solved by developing new anchorage technologies or forms. In the present paper, a new type cable-anchor component was developed to prolong the service life and realize the reliable anchoring of composite. The influence mechanism of arc angle (10°, 20°, and 30°) on the mechanical properties of cable-anchor component was evaluated through the experimental and mechanical simulation. The durability evolution of cable-anchor component exposed to alkali solution environment was investigated through macro-performance test and microstructure analysis. The results showed the tensile strength retention of cable-anchor component was up to 88.7 % at the arc angles of 10° under the circumferential constraint of carbon fiber. Larger arc angle increased the stress concentration and fiber misalignment of transition area between arc and straight segments, leading to the formation and propagation of defects or cracks in transition areas and early fracture failure. The saturated water absorption and diffusion coefficient of glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were obtained to be 0.78 % and 4.41×10−14 m2/s, respectively. Compared with nylon 6 and epoxy resin, polypropylene has excellent hydrophobic properties with the diffusion coefficient ratio of 0.0077 and 0.024. At the longest immersion, the tensile strength retentions of cable-anchor component were 61.8 % and the failure mode changed from component longitudinal splitting to brittleness fracture of arc region. The degradation mechanism was attributed to the initial defects of arc section formed and expanded under the complex stress and corrosive medium, which further aggravated the fiber/resin interfacial debonding. Through comparing with other glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic and thermosetting composites, the cable-anchor component has higher tensile strength retention after the immersion of alkaline solution owing to excellent hydrophobicity behavior of polypropylene and efficient preparation process.

Application of design of experiments for single-attribute optimization using response surface methodology for flow over non-linear curved stretching sheet

Optimizing the heat transmission rate of the flow through the statistically designed chain of experiments has major applications in product designing and improvising. Here, statistic design is framed by implementing response surface optimization methodology to contemplate the flow of dual non-Newtonian fluids allowed to flow over non-linear stretched geometry. The fluid flow model is designed under Cattaneo-Christov diffusion theory over a magnetized-radiative surface. The boundary condition is enriched with the slip regime and Newtonian heating. Numerical computations are acquired by employing the shooting technique approach in association with Runge-Kutta Fehlberg numerical scheme. Statistical and numerical consequences disclose that non-linear stretching index causes a depletion in velocity and temperature. When the Eckert number and the heat generating parameter are both large, the heat transfer rate is also large. Mass transport rate is lowest for higher ratios of diffusion coefficients. The 0.265365 is the maximum possible heat transport rate attained for the 8th experimental run with the key elements: Eckert number, heat source and radiation parameter. The critical point claimed by the Pareto chart shows that the slightest manipulation of the radiation parameter is critical for the heat transport rate, whereas the heat source parameter and Eckert number have almost similar influences on the response.

Thermal expansion, lattice vibration, and isotope effect on hydrogen diffusion in BCC Fe, Cr, and W from first-principles calculations.

Fe, Cr, and W are important elements in the alloys of in-reactor materials and operate in high-temperature environments with thermal expansion. Their tritium-impeding abilities are crucial to the radiation safety of various nuclear reactors. In this study, first-principles density functional theory is combined with quasi-harmonic approximation to evaluate factors that can affect the interstitial formation energy and diffusion coefficient of hydrogen isotopes in body-centered cubic (BCC) Fe, Cr, and W, including thermal expansion, metal host lattice vibrations, phonon density-of-states (pDOS) coupling diffusing atoms, and isotope effects. Calculation results indicate that the interstitial formation energy decreases as lattice expansion increases, whereas the jump barriers remain almost constant. Thermal expansion, host lattice vibration, and pDOS coupling minimally affect the diffusion coefficients of hydrogen isotopes in Fe, Cr, and W. The diffusion coefficient ratios between hydrogen isotopes are higher than the inverse ratio of the square root of the isotope mass at low temperatures. However, they decrease to the inverse ratio of the square root of the isotope mass at temperatures exceeding 800K. This study comprehensively investigates factors that affect the diffusion coefficients of hydrogen isotopes in BCC Fe, Cr, and W, thus providing a firm theoretical foundation for predicting the diffusion coefficients of tritium at different temperatures using protium/deuterium diffusion coefficients.

Feasibility of compacted attapulgite/diatomite amended clayey soils as gas barrier materials

Compacted clay liners are extensively used as barriers to control the upward diffusion of vapors of volatile or semi-volatile organic contaminants released from unsaturated contaminated soils at industry-contaminated sites. This study aimed to investigate the gas diffusion barrier performance of compacted clayey soils amended with three agents including attapulgite and diatomite individually, and attapulgite/diatomite mixture. The properties including water retention, volumetric shrinkage, gas diffusion, and unconfined compressive strength were evaluated through a series of laboratory tests of amended compacted clayey soils. The results demonstrate that the decrease in volume proportions of inter-aggregate pores leads to an increase in unconfined compressive strength (qu). Both hydrophilic groups and microstructures of attapulgite and diatomite result in an increase in water retention percent (Wt) of compacted clayey soil specimens after amendment regardless of the type of agent or initial water content (w0). Furthermore, the ratio of the gas diffusion coefficient (De) to the gas diffusion coefficient in the air (Da) was significantly reduced owing to a decrease in volume proportions of inter-aggregate pores, hydrophilic group, and microstructures of attapulgite and diatomite. Scanning electron microscope analyses revealed that rod-shaped attapulgite filled the inter-aggregate pores formed by clay particles, whereas the disc-shaped diatomite particles, characterized by micropores, failed to obstruct the inter-aggregate pores due to their larger particle size. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) analyses showed a reduction in pore volume in the inter-aggregate pores, leading to a reduction in the total pore volume for both the attapulgite and attapulgite/diatomite mixture amended clays, which is in accordance with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) results. The findings are pertinent to the practical application of compacted clay liners as gas barriers against the upward migration of volatile or semi-volatile organic contaminants at contaminated sites.

MRI Scoring Systems for Predicting Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutation and Chromosome 1p/19q Codeletion in Adult-type Diffuse Glioma Lacking Contrast Enhancement.

Background According to 2021 World Health Organization criteria, adult-type diffuse gliomas include glioblastoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype; oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted; and astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, even when contrast enhancement is lacking. Purpose To develop and validate simple scoring systems for predicting IDH and subsequent 1p/19q codeletion status in gliomas without contrast enhancement using standard clinical MRI sequences. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included adult-type diffuse gliomas lacking contrast at contrast-enhanced MRI from two tertiary referral hospitals between January 2012 and April 2022 with diagnoses confirmed at pathology. IDH status was predicted primarily by using T2-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch sign, followed by 1p/19q codeletion prediction. A visual rating of MRI features, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratio, and relative cerebral blood volume was measured. Scoring systems were developed through univariable and multivariable logistic regressions and underwent calibration and discrimination, including internal and external validation. Results For the internal validation cohort, 237 patients were included (mean age, 44.4 years ± 14.4 [SD]; 136 male patients; 193 patients in IDH prediction and 163 patients in 1p/19q prediction). For the external validation cohort, 35 patients were included (46.1 years ± 15.3; 20 male patients; 28 patients in IDH prediction and 24 patients in 1p/19q prediction). The T2-FLAIR mismatch sign demonstrated 100% specificity and 100% positive predictive value for IDH mutation. IDH status prediction scoring system for tumors without mismatch sign included age, ADC ratio, and morphologic characteristics, whereas 1p/19q codeletion prediction for IDH-mutant gliomas included ADC ratio, cortical involvement, and mismatch sign. For IDH status and 1p/19q codeletion prediction, bootstrap-corrected areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.90) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.81), respectively, whereas at external validation they were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.0) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.63, 1.0). Conclusion The T2-FLAIR mismatch sign and scoring systems using standard clinical MRI predicted IDH and 1p/19q codeletion status in gliomas lacking contrast enhancement. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Badve and Hodges in this issue.

Responses of quark-antiquark interactions and heavy quark dynamics to magnetic fields

We investigate the impact of the magnetic field generated by colliding nuclei on heavy quark-antiquark interactions and heavy quark dynamics in the quark-gluon plasma (QGP). By means of the hard-thermal-loop resummation technique combined with dimension-two gluon condensates, the static heavy quark potential and heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient, which incorporate both perturbative and nonperturbative interactions between heavy quarks and the QGP medium, are computed beyond the lowest Landau level approximation. We find that the imaginary part of the heavy quark potential in the magnetic field exhibits significant anisotropy. Specifically, the absolute value of the imaginary part is larger when the quark-antiquark separation is aligned perpendicular to the magnetic field direction, compared to when it is aligned parallel to the magnetic field direction. The heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient in the magnetized QGP medium also becomes anisotropic. As the temperature rises, the influence of higher Landau levels becomes increasingly significant, resulting in a decrease in the anisotropy ratio of the heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient to values even below 1. At sufficiently high temperatures, this ratio ultimately approaches 1. The nonperturbative interactions are indispensable for understanding heavy quark dynamics in the low-temperature region. We also study the response of viscous quark matter to the magnetic field and explore its implications for heavy quark potential, thermal decay widths of quarkonium states, as well as heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

In-situ texturing hollow carbon host anchored with Fe single atoms accelerating solid-phase redox for Li-Se batteries

Se-based cathodes have caught tremendous attention owing to their comparable volumetric capacity and better electronic conductivity to S cathodes. However, its low utilization ratio and sluggish redox kinetics due to the high reaction barrier of solid-phase transformation from Se to Li2Se limit its practical application. Herein, an in-situ texturing hollow carbon host by gas–solid interface reaction anchored with Fe single-atomic catalyst is designed and prepared for advanced Li-Se batteries. This Se host presents high pore volume of 1.49 cm3 g−1, Fe single atom content of 1.53 wt%, and its specific structure protects single-atomic catalyst from the destructive reaction environment, thus balancing catalytic activity and durability. After Se loading by reduction of H2SeO3, this homogenous Se-based cathode delivers a superior rate capacity of 431.3 mA h g−1 at 4C, and great discharge capacity of 301.8 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at 10C, with high Li-ion diffusion coefficient and capacitance-contributed ratio. The distribution of relaxation times analysis verifies solid-phase transformation mechanism of this cathode and density functional theory calculations confirm the adsorption and bidirectionally catalysis effect of Fe single-atomic catalyst. This work provides a new strategy to prepare high-efficient Se cathode associated with non-noble metal single atoms for high-performance Li-Se batteries.

Differentiation between adrenocortical carcinoma and lipid-poor adrenal adenoma using a multiparametric MRI-based diagnostic algorithm

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the capabilities of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating between lipid-poor adrenal adenoma (LPAA) and adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Materials and methodsPatients of two centers who underwent surgical resection of LPAA or ACC after multiparametric MRI were retrospectively included. A training cohort was used to build a diagnostic algorithm obtained through recursive partitioning based on multiparametric MRI variables, including apparent diffusion coefficient and chemical shift signal ratio (i.e., tumor signal intensity index). The diagnostic performances of the multiparametric MRI-based algorithm were evaluated using a validation cohort, alone first and then in association with adrenal tumor size using a cut-off of 4 cm. Performances of the diagnostic algorithm for the diagnosis of ACC vs. LPAA were calculated using pathology as the reference standard. ResultsFifty-four patients (27 with LPAA and 27 with ACC; 37 women; mean age, 48.5 ± 13.3 [standard deviation (SD)] years) were used as the training cohort and 61 patients (24 with LPAA and 37 with ACC; 47 women; mean age, 49 ± 11.7 [SD] years) were used as the validation cohort. In the validation cohort, the diagnostic algorithm yielded best accuracy for the diagnosis of ACC vs. LPAA (75%; 46/61; 95% CI: 55–88) when used without lesion size. Best sensitivity was obtained with the association of the diagnostic algorithm with tumor size (96%; 23/24; 95% CI: 80–99). Best specificity was obtained with the diagnostic algorithm used alone (76%; 28/37; 95% CI: 60–87). ConclusionA multiparametric MRI-based diagnostic algorithm that includes apparent diffusion coefficient and tumor signal intensity index helps discriminate between ACC and LPAA with high degrees of specificity and accuracy. The association of the multiparametric MRI-based diagnostic algorithm with adrenal lesion size helps maximize the sensitivity of multiparametric MRI for the diagnosis of ACC.

Notch appearance as a novel radiological predictor of transient expansion and good outcome of expanding schwannoma after radiotherapy

ObjectivesSchwannoma expansion after radiotherapy has not been well-studied despite the clinical importance of distinguishing transient increase from permanent expansion. Thus, this study aimed to identify the underlying mechanism and novel radiological predictors of schwannoma expansion after radiotherapy.Materials & methodsWe retrospectively examined the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy on schwannomas and magnetic resonance images of 43 patients with vestibular schwannomas who underwent stereotactic radiotherapy or radiosurgery at our facility between June 1, 2012 and September 1, 2018. Based on the size change pattern, the treated tumors were classified into six groups, including transient-expansion and consistent-increase groups. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratio and appearance of any notch were included as evaluation items based on our hypothesis that transient expansion is due to edema with increased extracellular free water. A log-rank test was performed to evaluate the relationship between the local control rate and radiological signs.ResultsThe mean overall 5-year local control rate was 90%, and the median follow-up period was 62 (24–87) months. Approximately 28% of the tumors showed transient expansion; all ADC ratios synchronized with size change, and 75% showed a new notch appearance. Approximately 9% of tumors showed consistent increase, with no notch on the outline. The log-rank test revealed a difference in the local control rate with or without notch appearance in expanding irradiated schwannomas. All tumors with notch appearance showed a significant regression 5 years after radiation.ConclusionsNew notch appearance on the outline could indicate favorable long-term outcomes of expanding schwannomas post-treatment. Clinical relevance statementNotch appearance can help differentiate a transient schwannoma from a real tumor expansion, and it is a novel predictor of better outcomes of expanding schwannomas after radiotherapy.Graphical

Prediction of vessels encapsulating tumor clusters pattern and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma based on preoperative gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid magnetic resonance imaging

Vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) is a novel vascular pattern distinct from microvascular invasion that is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to predict the VETC pattern and prognosis of patients with HCC based on preoperative gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection and preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI between January 1, 2016 and August 31, 2022 were retrospectively included. The variables associated with VETC were evaluated using logistic regression. A nomogram model was constructed on the basis of independent risk factors. COX regression was used to determine the variables associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). A total of 98 patients with HCC were retrospectively included. Peritumoral hypointensity on the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) (odd ratio [OR], 2.58; 95% CI, 1.05-6.33; P=.04), tumor-to-liver signal intensity ratio on HBP of ≤0.75 (OR, 27.80; 95% CI, 1.53-502.91; P=.02), and tumor-to-liver apparent diffusion coefficient ratio of ≤1.23 (OR, 4.65; 95% CI, 1.01-21.38; P=.04) were independent predictors of VETC pattern. A nomogram was constructed by combining the aforementioned 3 significant variables. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 69.79%, 71.74%, and 68.00%, respectively, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.65-0.83). The variables significantly associated with RFS of patients with HCC after surgery were Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage (hazard ratio [HR], 2.15; 95% CI, 1.09-4.22; P=.03) and VETC pattern (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.29-4.02; P=.004). The preoperative imaging features based on Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI can be used to predict the VETC pattern, which has prognostic significance for postoperative RFS of patients with HCC.

Diagnosis of dysthyroid optic neuropathy: combined value of orbital MRI and intracranial visual pathway diffusion kurtosis imaging.

To evaluate the combined performance of orbital MRI and intracranial visual pathway diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in diagnosing dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). We retrospectively enrolled 61 thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) patients, including 25 with DON (40 eyes) and 36 without DON (72 eyes). Orbital MRI-based apical muscle index (MI), diameter index (DI) of the optic nerve (ON), area index (AI) of the ON, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and signal intensity ratio (SIR) of the ON, DKI-based kurtosis fractional anisotropy (KFA) and mean kurtosis (MK) of the optic tract (OT), optic radiation (OR), and Brodmann areas (BAs) 17, 18, and 19 were measured and compared between groups. The diagnostic performances of models were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses and compared using the DeLong test. TAO patients with DON had significantly higher apical MI, apical AI, and SIR of the ON, but significantly lower ADC of the ON than those without DON (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the DON group exhibited significantly lower KFA across the OT, OR, BA17, BA18, and BA19 and lower MK at the OT and OR than the non-DON group (p < 0.05). The model integrating orbital MRI and intracranial visual pathway DKI parameters performed the best in diagnosing DON (AUC = 0.926), with optimal diagnostic sensitivity (80%) and specificity (94.4%), followed by orbital MRI combination (AUC = 0.890), and then intracranial visual pathway DKI combination (AUC = 0.832). Orbital MRI and intracranial visual pathway DKI can both assist in diagnosing DON. Combining orbital and intracranial imaging parameters could further optimize diagnostic efficiency. The novel finding could bring novel insights into the precise diagnosis and treatment of dysthyroid optic neuropathy, accordingly, contributing to the improvement of the patients' prognosis and quality of life in the future. • Orbital MRI and intracranial visual pathway diffusion kurtosis imaging can both assist in diagnosing dysthyroid optic neuropathy. • Combining orbital MRI and intracranial visual pathway diffusion kurtosis imaging optimized the diagnostic efficiency of dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

Radiologic Features of Well-circumscribed Orbital Tumors With Histopathologic Correlation: A Multi-center Study.

To delineate specific imaging characteristics of solitary fibrous tumors, schwannomas, cavernous venous malformations, and well-circumscribed orbital lymphoma. Patients undergoing excisional biopsy of solitary fibrous tumor, schwannomas, cavernous venous malformations, or well-circumscribed orbital lymphoma with preoperative MRIs available for review were identified at 3 academic centers in the United States and Australia. An exploratory statistical analysis was performed to identify important radiologic features, which were subsequently included in a random forest model. Histopathologic correlates were evaluated in representative cases. A total of 91 cases were included with a mean age of 52.9 ± 17.2 years. Nearly all solitary fibrous tumors were located in the anterior or mid orbit (87.5%) and they more commonly demonstrated intralesional heterogeneity on T2-weighted imaging (45.5%) (p < 0.01). Compared with the other tumors, schwannomas tended to be intraconal (66.7%) and were often in the mid or posterior orbit (83.4%) (p < 0.01). Cavernous venous malformations characteristically demonstrated progressive contrast enhancement (93.9%; p < 0.01). Most lesions in all 4 groups were hypointense on T1-weighted imaging (80%-100%; p = 0.14) and only well-circumscribed orbital lymphoma tended to also be hypointense on T2 (81.8%) (p < 0.01). Finally, cases of lymphoma had significantly lower apparent diffusion coefficient ratios (0.9 ± 0.2) (p < 0.001), while the other 3 groups were not significantly different from one another (cavernous venous malformations: 1.8 ± 0.4; schwannomas: 1.8 ± 0.5; and solitary fibrous tumor: 1.6 ± 0.6) (p = 0.739). Key features that aid in the differentiation of these 4 tumors from one another include T2 intensity and homogeneity, early contrast-enhancement pattern, and ADC ratio.

Effect of Coal Particle Breakage on Gas Desorption Rate during Coal and Gas Outburst

The gas contained in coal plays a crucial role in triggering coal and gas outbursts. During an outburst, a large quantity of gas originally absorbed by coal is released from pulverized coal. The role this part of the gas plays in the process of coal and gas outbursts has not been clearly elucidated yet. Therefore, investigating the changes in gas desorption rate from coal particles of different sizes could provide some meaningful insights into the outburst process and improve our understanding of the outburst mechanism. First, combining the diffusivity of coal of different particle sizes and the distribution function of broken coal, we present a gas desorption model for fragmented gas-bearing coal that can quantify gas desorption from coal particles within a certain range of size. Second, the gas desorption rate ratio is defined as the ratio of the gas desorption rate from coal being crushed to that from coal before breaking. The desorption rate ratio is mainly determined by the desorption index (γ) and the granularity distribution index (α). Within the limit range of coal particle sizes, the ratio of effective diffusion coefficient for coal particles with different sizes is directly proportional to the reciprocal of the ratio of particle sizes. Under uniform particle size conditions before and after fragmentation, the gas desorption rate ratio is the square root of the reciprocal of the effective diffusion coefficient. The gas desorption model quantitatively elucidates the accelerated desorption of adsorbed gas in coal during the continuous fragmentation process of coal during an outburst.

Analysis of Diffusion-Weighted and T2-Weighted Imaging in the Prediction of Distinct Granulation Patterns of Somatotroph Adenomas

ObjectiveThe heterogeneity of the somatotroph adenomas, especially for SG and DG subtypes, has attracted great attention in identifying the imaging biomarker of them. The purpose of current study was to compare the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted MRI sequences for preoperatively distinguishing the granulation patterns of somatotroph adenomas. Methods32 patients with clinical diagnosis of somatotroph adenomas from October 2018 to March 2023 were included in this study. Coronal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted MRI sequences data was collected from 3.0T MRI and compared between SG and DG groups. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to confirm the EM pathological subtypes and Ki67 expression levels of somatotroph adenomas postoperatively. ResultsPatients in the SG group had significantly higher signal intensity (SI) ratio of DWI (rDWI) (P<0.001), lower SI ratio of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) (rADC) (P<0.001), and higher SI ratio of T2-weighted imaging (rT2) (P=0.011). The combined diagnose index of rDWI and rADC had the highest diagnostic efficiency predicting SG adenomas (sensitivity, 93.3%; specificity, 88.2%; P < 0.001). The rDWI and rADC value had positive and negative correlations with Ki67 index and tumor maximum diameter, respectively. Lower rADC×103 was an independent predictor for SG adenomas. ConclusionsOur results indicated that compared with previously used T2-weighted imaging, the DWI sequence, especially the combined diagnosis index of rDWI and rADC could more efficiently distinguish the granulation patterns of somatotroph adenomas preoperatively.

Peptide-Induced Fusion of Dynamic Membrane Nanodomains: Implications in a Viral Entry.

Enveloped viruses infect host cells via protein-mediated membrane fusion. However, insights into the microscopic rearrangement induced by the viral proteins and peptides have not yet emerged. Here, we report a new methodology to extract viral fusion peptide (FP)-mediated biomembrane dynamical nanodomain fusion parameter, λ, based on stimulated emission depletion microscopy coupled with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. We also define another dynamical parameter membrane gradient, defined in terms of the ratio of average lipid diffusion coefficients across dynamic crossover length scales, ξ. Significantly, we observe that λ as well as these mobility gradients are larger in the stiffer liquid-ordered (Lo) phase compared to the liquid-disordered phase and are more effective at the smaller nanodomain interfaces, which are only present in the Lo phase. The results could possibly help to resolve a long-standing puzzle about the enhanced fusogenicity of FP in the Lo phase. Results obtained from the diffusion results have been correlated with the human immunodeficiency virus gp41 FP-induced membrane fusion.

Efficient numerical scheme for studying dual-phase chemical reactions in unsteady Sisko fluid flow with relaxation times

This research article investigated the effects of dual-phase chemical reactions on the unsteady flow of Sisko fluid. Utilizing Caputo's fractional derivatives, the model captured the fractional behavior of the fluid and integrated relaxation times to reflect the viscoelastic nature of the Sisko fluid. The model also considered unequal diffusivities of the chemical species. The resulting equations were discretized using the finite difference method, complemented by the L1 algorithm. Our simulations underscored how memory parameters, β and γ, significantly shaped the concentration trajectories by emphasizing the impact of past flow behaviors. Moreover, the study identified the heterogeneous reaction parameter and the diffusion coefficients ratio as critical determinants in the reaction dynamics, underscoring their role in the system's behavior. This study illuminates the intricate matrix of relationships in the realm of chemical reactions and viscoelastic fluid flow, offering valuable insights for fields ranging from chemical processing to environmental remediation.

The magnetic resonance imaging and age-adjusted matrix metalloproteinase-7 assist the diagnosis of biliary atresia.

We investigated the utilities of the liver-to-psoas apparent diffusion coefficient ratios (LTPAR) yielded by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) and the age-adjusted serum matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) for the diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) in cholestatic infants. In total, 170 cholestatic infants were recruited, of whom 50 (29.41%) were diagnosed with BA after cholestatic workups. The LTPAR and MMP7 levels were assessed. The LTPAR was significantly lower in BA infants, and the age-adjusted MMP7 ratio was significantly higher, compared to other cholestatic infants (both p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis yielded a cutoff > 0.1ng/mL.day for the age-adjusted MMP-7 ratio, and an LTPAR < 1.01 for the optimal prediction of BA (both p < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both an age-adjusted MMP-7 ratio > 0.1ng/mL.day and an LTPAR < 1.01 were significant predictors of BA among cholestatic infants (odds ratio = 30.98 and 13.28; p < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). The significance of the age-adjusted MMP-7 ratio and the LTPAR persisted on multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for sex and the serum gamma-glutamyl transferase level (p < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). The negative predictive values (NPVs) for BA were 91.49% and 94.17%, respectively, for the LTPAR and age-adjusted MMP-7 ratio. The age-adjusted MMP-7 ratio and the LTPAR are both significant non-invasive predictors of BA. The consideration of both serum and imaging parameters may enhance BA diagnostic performance in cholestatic infants.

In-situ concentration measurement of soluble-soluble redox couple in molten chlorides utilizing intense natural convection effect

Herein we reported the in-situ electrochemical concentration measurement of soluble-soluble redox species (Eu3+/Eu2+ and Sm3+/Sm2+) in molten LiCl-KCl, based on the notable natural convection in molten salts. The combined simulation and experiments confirmed the presence of strong natural convection, which resulted in steady-state current in cyclic voltammetry tests at low scan rates. Interestingly, this natural convection effects offered a novel and simple way to calculate the diffusion coefficient and concentration ratio of soluble redox species.

Modeling competitive adsorption and diffusion of CH4/CO2 mixtures confined in mature type-II kerogen: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations

In this study, the adsorption and competitive diffusion of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) mixtures through a molecular model of mature type-2 kerogen was investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The Dual Control Volume-Grand Canonical Molecular Dynamics method was used to analyze the system and the results were focused on the selectivity of kerogen towards mixtures under a wide range of thermodynamic conditions. The results showed that the adsorption selectivity of CO2/CH4 was around 2–4 and decreased with temperature in the range 350–450 K. The Extended Langmuir (EL) model was found to underestimate the selectivity, and a correction was proposed in the form of the Corrected Extended Langmuir (CEL) model, which improved the estimations of the adsorption of CH4/CO2 mixtures in kerogen with only one adjustable parameter independent of thermodynamic conditions. Interestingly, we noticed that, out of equilibrium, the adsorption selectivity was not affected by the flow conditions when a pressure gradient was imposed, and the CEL model can thus be used to describe the contribution of adsorption to the selectivity under flow conditions. The results showed that the ratio of the collective diffusion coefficients of CH4 and CO2 was around 0.3−0.4, which was about two times lower than other simulations found in the literature. To describe the global selectivity, a simple approach combining the CEL model and the average ratio of diffusion coefficients was proposed, resulting in a selectivity of around 1.

Температурні залежності модуля Юнга металів з різними кристалічними гратками у широком діапазоні температур

The known temperature dependences of the modulus of normal elasticity E, mainly of metals with different types of crystal lattices, were analyzed. The dependences of E/E0 on T/Tm and on T/Tpt are considered, where E0 is the modulus of elasticity extrapolated to 0 K, and Tm and Tpt are the melting and phase transition temperatures of the material, respectively. The difference in shape and slope of temperature dependences E/E0 of materials with bcc and fcc crystal lattices from materials with hcp crystal lattice is shown. If for the first two types of lattices, the dependences can be described by a second degree polynomial with coefficients close to 0,21 and 0,3, then the temperature dependences of the modulus of elasticity of titanium, zirconium, and its alloys are mostly linear and are significantly lower than the first ones due to the anisotropy of temperature changes of the lattice parameters a and c. The dependence of E/E0 on the c/a ratio is plotted for a number of hcp metals for two levels of T/Tpt, and the area of the best c/a values for creating materials with increased thermal elasticity is shown. The relationship between the dependences of E/E0 on E/E0 and the ratio of diffusion coefficients on E/E0 and examples of their use for the analysis of deformation mechanisms at high temperatures are shown. Keywords: temperature dependence of the modulus of elasticity, crystal lattic parameters.