Maximum Ratio Research Articles

High Compression in Palladium Alloy Metal Foil Pumps

Metal foil pumps (MFPs) are key components in the direct internal recycling inner fuel cycle loop for the recovery of hydrogen isotopes from deuterium-tritium fusion exhaust. Operating under vacuum conditions, they utilize superthermal hydrogen as the feed gas in a process called superpermeation. A notable feature of MFPs is their ability to pump against a pressure gradient. This study examines the compression capabilities of PdAg and PdCu MFPs at low temperatures with a constant feed pressure of 10 Pa. At 75°C, compression ratios exceeding 200 were readily achieved, with downstream pressures exceeding 4500 Pa using PdCu. For both alloys, net fluxes decreased by only ~15% at downstream pressures of 1000 Pa, which offers potential simplifications for the downstream pump train. Performance declined markedly when the temperature was elevated to 200°C. Pump curves were constructed and advocated as the most appropriate manner to assess MFP performance. Separate pressure-driven-permeation experiments at relevant conditions were conducted, providing a direct measurement of the hydrogen dissociation constant k d , which was found to be in good agreement with the previous literature. These measurements were used to predict pump curves and maximum compression ratios by balancing superpermeation with pressure-driven permeation, achieving excellent agreement with experiment. Last, experiments using asymmetric MFPs revealed the detrimental impact that surface impurities have on performance in this system.

Effects of Bio-Agents and Selected Botanicals on Alternaria Leaf Spot Caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.)

A field experiment was conducted at the research plot of the Department of Plant Pathology, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh in Rabi season of 2023 to evaluate eight treatments viz., T1– (Pseudomonas fluorescens (S.T) @ 2%, T2– Trichoderma viride (S.T) @ 2%, T3– Pseudomonas fluorescens (S.T) @ 2% + Ocimum sanctum (F.S) @ 10 %, T4- Trichoderma viride (S.T) @ 2 % + Allium sativum (F.S) @10%, T5– Trichoderma viride (S.T) @ 2% + Ocimum sanctum (F.S) @ 10%, T6 - Pseudomonas fluorescens (S.T) @ 2% + Allium sativum (F.S) @ 10 %, T7 – Carbendazim @ 0.1% (F.S) (treated control) and control T0 (untreated control) with three replications in Randomized Block Design (RBD) for management of alternaria leaf spot of broccoli. Study on disease intensity of alternaria leaf spot of broccoli in field conditions revealed that the Minimum percent disease intensity (%) was recorded in T4 – 28.17% Trichoderma viride @ 2% (S.T) combined with Allium sativum @ 10% (F.S) as compared with the untreated control T0 – 38.31 % and treated check T7 – 24.42 % (Carbendazim @ 0.1% (F.S). PDI recorded in broccoli with maximum cost benefit ratio per treatment was recorded 1:1.915 in T4 - Trichoderma viride @ 2% (S.T) combined with Allium sativum @ 10% (F.S) in broccoli.

Enhancing the diagnostic capacity of [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/MRI in primary prostate cancer staging with artificial intelligence and semi-quantitative DCE: an exploratory study

BackgroundTo investigate the ability of artificial intelligence (AI)-based and semi-quantitative dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), performed within [18F]-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI, in differentiating benign from malignant prostate tissues in patients with primary prostate cancer (PC).ResultsA total of seven patients underwent whole-body [18F]-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI examinations including a pelvic mpMRI protocol with T2w, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and DCE image series. Conventional analysis included visual reading of PET/MRI images and Prostate Imaging Reporting & Data System (PI-RADS) scoring of the prostate. On the prostate level, we performed manual segmentations for time-intensity curve parameter formation and semi-quantitative analysis based on DCE segmentation data of PC-suspicious lesions. Moreover, we applied a recently introduced deep learning (DL) pipeline previously trained on 1010 independent MRI examinations with systematic biopsy-enhanced histopathological targeted biopsy lesion ground truth in order to perform AI-based lesion detection, prostate segmentation and derivation of a deep learning PI-RADS score. DICE coefficients between manual and automatic DL-acquired segmentations were compared. On patient-based analysis, PET/MRI revealed PC-suspicious lesions in the prostate gland in 6/7 patients (Gleason Score-GS ≥ 7b) that were histologically confirmed. Four of these patients also showed lymph node metastases, while two of them had bone metastases. One patient with GS 6 showed no PC-suspicious lesions. Based on DCE segmentations, a distinction between PC-suspicious and normal appearing tissue was feasible with the parameters fitted maximum contrast ratio (FMCR) and wash-in-slope. DICE coefficients (manual vs. deep learning) were comparable with literature values at a mean of 0.44. Further, the DL pipeline could identify the intraprostatic PC-suspicious lesions in all six patients with clinically significant PC.ConclusionFirstly, semi-quantitative DCE analysis based on manual segmentations of time-intensity curves was able to distinguish benign from malignant tissues. Moreover, DL analysis of the MRI data could detect clinically significant PC in all cases, demonstrating the feasibility of AI-supported approaches in increasing diagnostic certainty of PSMA-radioligand PET/MRI.

Evaluation of Phyto-extracts for the Management of Alternaria Leaf Blight of Cluster Bean (Cyamopsidis tetragonoloba L.) Caused by Alternaria cucumerina

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of selected phyto-extracts for the management of alternaria leaf blight of cluster bean (Cyamopsidis tetragonoloba L.) caused by Alternaria cucumerina under field conditions. Three replications of cluster bean were planted in a randomized block design at the research plot of the Central Research Field, Department of Plant Pathology, SHUATS, Prayagraj during Zaid season of 2023. Ginger rhizome extract @ 10%, onion bulb extract @ 10%, eucalyptus leaf extract @ 10%, neem leaf extract @ 10%, garlic clove extract @ 10% and mancozeb 0.2% were applied as foliar spray. All the treatments were found significantly reduced the disease severity and increased the yield. Among all the treatments garlic clove extract @ 10% was recorded minimum disease intensity (29.63) and maximum yield (2.50 t/ha). Neem leaf extract @ 10% was recorded maximum cost benefit ratio (1: 1.80), as compared to treated mancozeb @ 0.2%(treated) and T0 control.

One novel block-type brace connector for retrofitting reinforced concrete frames

Buckling-restrained braces are widely utilized for retrofitting existing reinforced concrete frames. However, conventional plate-type brace connectors and joints often suffer damage from the additional forces exerted by buckling-restrained braces during earthquakes. This paper proposes a novel block-type brace connector to address this issue. The seismic performance of this new connector is evaluated through pseudo-dynamic and quasi-static tests. Pseudo-dynamic test results indicate that the reinforced concrete frame retrofitted with the new connectors demonstrates superior seismic performance compared to the frame without retrofitting. During a rare earthquake, the maximum inter-story drift ratios are 1/308 for the frame with new connectors and 1/84 for the frame without retrofitting. Quasi-static test results show that the new connectors shift the potential plastic hinges of the beam away from the gusset plate region by moving the post-installed anchorage position outward. The gusset plate of the conventional connector buckles at an inter-story drift ratio of 1/30, while that of the new connector avoids buckling due to the restraint from the concrete block. Overall, the new connector can mitigate the adverse effects of the additional forces from buckling-restrained braces and improve the seismic performance of the existing reinforced concrete frames.

Self-centering rocking steel frame with column mid-height uplift: Experimental and numerical investigation

This paper proposes a self-centering rocking steel frame with column mid-height uplift (SCRSF-CMU) that exhibits high post-yield stiffness and energy dissipation capacity. The hysteretic performance of the SCRSF-CMU was investigated through cyclic loading tests. A numerical model of the SCRSF-CMU was established and validated against experimental results. Subsequently, the seismic performance of the SCRSF-CMU was compared with that of the self-centering rocking steel frame with column base uplift (SCRSF-CBU) using nonlinear time history analysis. Finally, the seismic responses of the SCRSF-CMU and SCRSF-CBU under varying earthquake intensities were analyzed using the endurance time analysis. The results indicate that the designed SCRSF-CMU demonstrates excellent lateral force resistance, energy dissipation, and self-centering capabilities. The rocking effect and the restoring force of the post-tensioned steel strands effectively controlled the residual lateral displacement of the specimens. The multi-scale numerical model of the SCRSF-CMU accurately captured its hysteretic behavior and deformation patterns. Compared to the SCRSF-CBU, the SCRSF-CMU exhibited superior rocking deformation capacity, post-yield stiffness, and hysteretic energy dissipation. Under MCE excitation, both SCRSF-CMU and SCRSF-CBU showed uniform inter-story drift distribution with minimal residual deformation, creating a satisfactory condition for the post-earthquake repair work if necessary. The high post-yield stiffness of the SCRSF-CMU was more effective in reducing both maximum and residual displacements. Endurance time analysis revealed that SCRSF-CMU and SCRSF-CBU exhibited relatively uniform inter-story drift distribution under SLE, DBE, and MCE earthquakes. Under FE excitation, the inter-story drift ratio of both structures were nearly identical; however, under DBE and MCE excitations, the maximum roof drift ratio and inter-story drift ratio of the SCRSF-CBU were larger, indicating that the SCRSF-CBU had higher deformation demands than the SCRSF-CMU.

A Review of Particle Packing Models and Their Applications to Characterize Properties of Sand-Silt Mixtures

This paper reviews particle packing models and explores their application in geotechnical engineering, specifically for sand-silt mixtures. The review covers key models, including limiting case, linear, and non-linear packing models, focusing on their mathematical structures, physical principles, assumptions, and limitations through the concept of excess free volume. The application of particle packing models in geotechnical engineering is explored in characterizing the properties of sand-silt mixtures, offering insights into maximum, minimum, and critical void ratios and inter-granular void ratio, and the prediction of mechanical properties.

Experimental and numerical simulation of seismic behavior of reinforced concrete frames infilled with refractory straw blocks

Recent earthquakes have highlighted the vulnerability of infilled reinforced concrete structures due to the insufficient consideration of infill masonry walls' contribution to strength and stiffness. This study presents a novel refractory straw block (RSB) designed to address these challenges and improve the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) frames. Unlike traditional infills, RSB is characterized by low-elastic-modulus, low-density, and high-ductility. Quasi-static tests were performed on three types of frames: unfilled, infilled hollow grouted bricks (HGB), and infilled RSBs. Failure model, stiffness, and load-displacement response of three specimens were investigated and analyzed. The results indicate that RSBs as infill material does not alter the failure mode and constitutive relationship of bare frame, while HGBs leads to shear failure. The peak load for the specimen IF-HGB was 69.3 kN at 1.1 % drift, compared to 38.8 kN at 2.4 % drift for the specimen IF-RSB, and 36.4 kN at 2.0 % drift for the specimen BF. The strengths of specimens IF-HGB and IF-RSB were 1.90 and 1.07 times that of specimen BF, respectively. The stiffness of specimen IF-HGB was 3.7 times that of the other specimens, but its allowable displacement was only 61 % of theirs. Dynamic time-history analyses were also performed on structures with no longitudinal infill (BF), with RSBs (SBF), and with fired bricks (FBF). At the design level of rare events (magnitude 8, PGA 400 gal), severe damage occurred, but collapse was limited. When the PGA increased further, the collapse probability of model FBF rose rapidly, whereas the collapse probabilities of models SBF and BF remained low and similar. Accounting for the confining effect of walls, model FBF showed a higher probability of severe damage than models SBF and BF, particularly under minor earthquakes. The maximum inter-storey drift ratio of the model SBF and FBF were respectively 1.2 times and 1.7 times that of the model BF, which shows that straw blocks as infill can greatly avoid the effect of infill on the seismic behavior of the structure. The study also emphasized the often-overlooked confining effect of masonry on columns, which can lead to unrealistic damage assessments and seismic shear force distributions.

Broadband metamaterial polarizers with high extinction ratio for high-precision terahertz spectroscopic polarimetry

The demand for precise polarizers is increasing to investigate the polarization characteristics of materials non-invasively in the terahertz region. Recently, to address the low extinction ratio and fragile nature of conventional wire-grid polarizers, plasmonic structures and metasurfaces have been proposed. However, the challenge of achieving low transmittance compared to a high extinction ratio, along with the bulky structure due to a thick substrate, remains to be addressed. Here, we present high-efficiency broadband metamaterial polarizers consisting of cross-aligned double-layers of subwavelength metallic slit arrays, leveraging the extraordinary optical transmission and funneling effects. We obtained extinction ratios exceeding 70 dB over a broad frequency range, from 0.2 to 2.5 THz, reaching a maximum extinction ratio of ∼90 dB at 0.7 THz. To investigate the influence of high extinction ratio polarizers on actual measurement results, we measured a non-Hermitian metasurface with asymmetric polarization conversion and analyzed them using the Jones matrix formalism. The results confirmed that the extinction ratio of the polarizer has a significant impact on precise polarization-dependent measurements, especially on cross-polarization measurements. The enhanced performance of our polarizers offers significant potential for sensitive THz systems, paving the way for advancements in polarization analysis of emerging materials and chiral sensing.

Toxicological and environmental risks of enalapril and their possible transformation products generated under phototransformation reactions

Pharmaceutical active compounds (PACs) in the concentration range of hundreds of ng/L to μg/L have been identified in urban surface water, groundwater, and agricultural land where they cause various health risks. These pollutants are classified as emerging and cannot be efficiently removed by conventional wastewater treatment processes. The use of nano-enabled photocatalysts in the removal of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems has recently received research attention owing to their enhanced properties and effectiveness. In the current study, toxicological and environmental risks of enalapril (ENL) and their possible transformation products (TPs) generated under phototransformation processes (e.g., photolysis and photocatalysis reactions) were assessed. In photolysis reaction, removal of ENL was incomplete (< 16%), while mineralization degree was negligible. In contrast, total removal of ENL was achieved through the photocatalytic process and its maximum mineralization ratio was 66% by using natural radiation. Proposed transformation pathways during the phototransformation of ENL include hydroxylation and fragmentation reactions generating transformation products (TPs) such as hydroxylated TPs (m/z 393) and enalaprilat (m/z 349). Potential environmental risks for aquatic organisms were not observed in the concentrations of both ENL and enalaprilat contained in surface water. However, the acute and chronic toxicities prediction of TPs such as m/z 409, 363, and 345 showed toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Thus, more studies regarding TPs monitoring for both ENL and PhACs with highest occurrence worldwide are necessary for the creation of a database of the concentrations contained in surface water and groundwater for the assessment of the potential environmental risk for aquatic organisms.

Quality of Life Based Health Economics Research on Pharmaceutical Intervention in Cancer Chemotherapy

The adverse chapter of cancer chemotherapy negatively impact QOL, and pharmacists play a key role in improving QOL by providing optimal drug therapy through pharmaceutical interventions. Although outpatient cancer chemotherapy is now common, the impact of pharmaceutical interventions from a QOL perspective has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, this study investigated the impact and cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical interventions on QOL using the EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D) and Quality of Life Questionnaire for Cancer Patients Treated with Anticancer Drugs (QOL-ACD). The study was conducted between 2013 and 2015 on 39 patients who underwent their first outpatient chemotherapy for breast cancer at Gifu Municipal Hospital. The results showed that pharmaceutical interventions improved social relationship QOL in patients experiencing fatigue during the first cycle and enhanced psychological QOL in patients with adverse events of nausea during the second cycle. Furthermore, the maximum incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was found to be 1.3 million yen per quality-adjusted life years (QALY) according to cost utility analysis. The pharmaceutical interventions by pharmacists in outpatient cancer chemotherapy improve QOL, and the ICER remains well below the Japanese threshold, signifying clear medical and economic benefits.

Effect of solids concentration and operational variables on the performance of a geometrically optimized concentrator hydrocyclone employing a pseudoplastic fluid

The employment of hydrocyclones in thickening operations is an attractive option when compared to centrifuges and filters due to their low operating, maintenance, and acquisition costs. However, the performance of hydrocyclone separation is impaired as the concentration of solids and the viscosity of the suspension increases. Using geometric optimization techniques, the Federal University of Uberlândia developed one concentrator hydrocyclone named HC. When working with diluted and Newtonian slurries, the HC could generate a stream 45 times more concentrated than the one fed into it. In this study, the HC performance was evaluated when operating pseudoplastic fluids containing up to 10% solids by volume. The combination of the underflow diameter and vortex finder length with an adequate supply of pressure energy maintained the thickening potential of the HC even when the rheology of the fluid was changed. For different working suspensions, the HC hydrocyclone achieved a minimum water split to underflow of 5%, a maximum concentration ratio of 7.0, and a maximum efficiency of 49%. The encouraging results obtained by the HC validated the benefits of the geometric optimization, as they point to a significant advance in the thickening operation of non–Newtonian sludges with a flow behavior index greater than 0.5.

Antidehydration and Stable Mechanical Properties during the Phase Transition of the PNIPAM-Based Hydrogel for Body-Temperature-Monitoring Sensors.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) enhances the reversibility and responsiveness of wearable temperature-sensitive devices. However, an open question is whether and how the hydrogel design can prevent adhesive performance loss caused by phase-transition-induced dehydration and unstable mechanical properties between devices and human skin and reduce interfacial failure. Herein, a gelatin-mesh scaffold-based hydrogel (NAGP-Gel) is constructed to inhibit dehydration and volume change, leading to stable mechanical properties, superior adhesiveness, and thermal sensing sensitivity during the phase transition. NAGP-Gel enhances the polymer chains-water interaction and weakens the degree of aggregation of polymer chains-chains, improving antidehydration properties under 45 °C conditions that are higher than the lower critical solution temperature (LCST; i.e., ∼32 °C). The mesh scaffold greatly restricts the phase-transition-induced polymer chain movement and maintains the mechanical performance. In a 60 °C environment, the maximum water loss and volume retention ratio of NAGP-Gel are only 3.58% and 97.3%, respectively. Additionally, NAGP-Gel serves as a temperature sensor, producing a stable thermal-electrical signal within the LCST range. It also can be assembled into an electronic device enabling the transmission of information and recognition of sign language via Morse code. This work broadens the application of PNIPAM in constructing intelligent hydrogels and opens the door to exploring emerging hydrogels for temperature-monitoring applications.

Aerated Concrete Made of MSW Incineration Ash: Effect of Blending Materials and CO2 Curing Condition

Municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration ash is used to produce aerated concrete blocks (ACB). To reduce cement usage and improve ACB quality, steel slag and blast-furnace slag were tested as cement substitutes, and CO2 mineralization technology was applied to cure ACB. The effect of steel blending ratios (MSW incineration ash, cement substitutes, water, aluminum powder) and CO2 curing conditions (temperature, pressure) on ACB properties was investigated. Under different conditions, the compressive strength, CO2 uptake and microstructure of ACB were determined. Higher fly ash content in ACB increases CO2 uptake but reduces compressive strength; ACB shows better mechanical properties when the cement is completely replaced by blast-furnace slag, but steel slag will cause ACB to fail to form; the optimal water-to-solid ratio enhances carbonation rate and compressive strength, and reducing aluminum powder content improves compressive strength. As the CO2 curing temperature increases from 25 to 105ºC, the carbonation rate and compressive strength of the ACB initially increase and then decrease, with the maximum CO2 uptake ratio of 20.0% and peak compressive strength occurring at 65ºC. When CO2 pressure increases from 0.2MPa to 1MPa, the carbonation rate rises to 23.4%, and the compressive strength first increases and then decreases, reaching 1.86MPa at a curing pressure of 0.6MPa, meeting the GB/T 11968-2020 B03 A1.5 grade standard. Approximately 0.58 tons of CO2 emissions can be reduced for every ton of ACB produced. This study established an innovative method to produce an environmentally friendly, low-carbon building material.

Enhancing the viscoelastic properties of bacterial cellulose hydrogels through ultrasonic and enzymatic modification of xyloglucan

Bacterial cellulose (BC) hydrogels exhibit nanofibril porous network with good viscoelasticity for use as food ingredients and medical materials. Xyloglucan (XG), a hemicellulose with branching residues, can hybridize with BC to improve the hydrogel's extensibility. Thus, modifying the molecular structure of XG can fine-tune the viscoelastic properties of BC hydrogels. In this study, tamarind seed XG subjected to ultrasonic and enzymatic treatment was hybridized with BC to form composite materials. The results indicated that incorporating modified XG reduced the modulus and enhanced the viscous behaviour of BC to varying degrees. XG modified via ultrasonic treatment demonstrated a higher binding efficiency (19–22 %) with cellulose compared to enzymatically treated XG (11–13 %). The enzymatically treated XG improved the maximum elongation ratio to 57 %, but reduced the storage modulus to 30 kPa. Although ultrasonic-treated XG had a similar effect on the shear modulus, it had less impact on the extensibility of BC, with an elongation ratio of 38 %. Additionally, the incorporation of modified XG also regulated the nonlinear viscoelasticity of BC. These findings advance our understanding of the application of XG as a regulator of mechanical and rheological properties, broadening its utility in BC hydrogel formulations for the food industry and medical material development.

Study on seismic performance of prestressed fabricated reinforced concrete frame structure assembled by steel sleeves

This paper introduces a novel type of prestressed fabricated reinforced concrete frame (PSFRC frame) structure, which utilizes steel sleeves for assembly. The PSFRC frame incorporates prestressed tendons, stiffened steel sleeves, and high-strength bolts, resulting in improved bearing capacity and assembly efficiency. To assess the seismic performance of the PSFRC frame joint, experimental tests were conducted on one reinforced concrete (RC) joint and two PSFRC frame joints under cyclic loading. Hysteresis analysis and elastic-plastic time-history analysis were also performed using a finite element model. The experimental results showed that the PSFRC edge joint reached a peak load of 89.30 kN, while the PSFRC middle joint exhibited a capacity of 169.95 kN, which was 58.87 % higher than that of the cast-in-place specimen XJ (107.87 kN). The hysteresis curves of the PSFRC joints demonstrated significant fullness, with the equivalent damping coefficient of the PSFRC joint being increased by 11.56 % compared to the RC joint. Additionally, a simulation method using ABAQUS software was proposed to investigate the seismic response of the integral structure of the PSFRC frame. Finite element models for both PSFRC and RC frames were established, and their seismic performance was analyzed under cyclic loading and the El Centro seismic wave. Various parameters including peak loading capacity, stiffness degradation, peak acceleration value, inter-storey drift ratio, and concrete damage value were considered. The finite element analysis results revealed that the load-carrying capacity of the PSFRC frame (435.33 kN) was approximately 30 % higher than that of the RC frame (386.48 kN). Furthermore, at the peak acceleration of 600 gal, the maximum inter-storey drift ratio of the first floor for the PSFRC frame was 1/58, which was below the limit value of 1/50. The plastic hinge position at the beam end of the PSFRC frame was further from the core area, aligning with seismic design objectives. This research provides valuable insights into the design of fabricated building structures and methods for analyzing seismic performance.

Research on aerodynamic performance of centrifugal compressors for hydrogen-mixed natural gas.

Natural gas-doped hydrogen transportation has been widely used in industrial engineering. The change of the physical parameters of the conveying medium affects the working performance of the centrifugal compressor. This study aims to explore the aerodynamic performance of centrifugal compressors for hydrogen mixed natural gas, including the effects of hydrogen blending ratio (HBR) and inlet temperature on the pressure ratio and isentropic efficiency of compressors. The numerical simulation method is used and the results are compared with the experimental results to determine the reliability of the numerical simulation method. The results show that the pressure ratio decreases with the increase of HBR where the inlet temperature and rotation speed are constant. The pressure ratio and efficiency of the compressor are the highest when the conveying medium is pure natural gas (HBR = 0). The maximum pressure ratio reduction is 4.8% when the HBR is 5% and the inlet temperature is increased by 20 K. In summary, when the conveying medium of the compressor changes from pure natural gas to hydrogen-mixed natural gas, the working range and efficiency of the compressor will be reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the rotation speed of the compressor or redesign the centrifugal compressor for hydrogen-mixed natural gas in order to achieve a constant flow rate at the outlet of the compressor.

Risk factors of cervical central lymph node metastasis in stage T1a unifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma

To investigate the correlation of cervical central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in stage T1a unifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with the clinicopathological characteristics, ultrasonography features and the number of lymph node dissection, and to analyze the risk factors of CLNM. Data from 493 unifocal PTC patients (T1a) who underwent partial or total thyroidectomy and pCLND at the Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital were collected and retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups in accordance with cervical CLNM or not. Their information, including clinical characteristics, ultrasound (US) features, pathological results, and other characteristics of the groups, was analyzed and compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A total of 493 patients were eligible in this study. Among them, 33.7% (166/493) of PTC patients had cervical CLNM, and 66.3% (327/493) did not. The two groups were compared using a univariate analyses, and there were no significant differences between the two groups in age, maximum tumor size, tumor location, aspect ratio, boundary, morphology, echogenicity, BRAFV600E and HT (P > 0.05), and there were significant differences between gender, capsule contact, microcalcifications, rich vascularity, and number of lymph node dissection (P < 0.05). A multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed to further clarify the correlation of these indices. However, only male (OR = 1.770, P = 0.009), microcalcifications (OR = 1.791, P = 0.004), capsule contact (OR = 1.857, P = 0.01), and number of lymph node dissection (OR = 2.274, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of cervical CLNM. In conclusion, four independent predictors of cervical CLNM, including male, microcalcifications, capsule contact, and number of lymph node dissection, were screened out. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of these risk factors should be conducted when designing individualized treatment regimens for PTC patients.

Piezoelectricity and flexoelectricity in biological cells: the role of cell structure and organelles.

Living tissues experience various external forces on cells, influencing their behaviour, physiology, shape, gene expression, and destiny through interactions with their environment. Despite much research done in this area, challenges remain in our better understanding of the behaviour of the cell in response to external stimuli, including the arrangement, quantity, and shape of organelles within the cell. This study explores the electromechanical behaviour of biological cells, including organelles like microtubules, mitochondria, nuclei, and cell membranes. A two-dimensional bio-electromechanical model for two distinct cell structures has been developed to analyze the behavior of the biological cell to the external electrical and mechanical responses. The piezoelectric and flexoelectric effects have been included via multiphysics coupling for the biological cell. All the governing equations have been discretized and solved by the finite element method. It is found that the longitudinal stress is absent and only the transverse stress plays a crucial role when the mechanical load is imposed on the top side of the cell through compressive displacement. The impact of flexoelectricity is elucidated by introducing a new parameter called the maximum electric potential ratio ( ). It has been found that depends upon the orientation angle and shape of the microtubules. The magnitude of exhibit huge change when we change the shape and orientation of the organelles, which in some cases (boundary condition (BC)-3) can reach to three times of regular shape organelles. Further, the study reveals that the number of microtubules significantly impacts effective elastic and piezoelectric coefficients, affecting cell behavior based on structure, microtubule orientation, and mechanical stress direction. The insight obtained from the current study can assist in advancements in medical therapies such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Nanofluid effect on dual-flow parabolic trough collector performance accompanies with passive technique using experimental data

Purpose Using passive techniques like twisted tapes and corrugated surface is an efficient method of heat transfer improvement, since the referred manners break the boundary layer and improve the heat exchange. This paper aims to present an improved dual-flow parabolic trough collector (PTC). For this purpose, the effect of an absorber roof, a type of turbulator and a grooved absorber tube in the presence of nanofluid is investigated separately and simultaneously. Design/methodology/approach The FLUENT was used for solution of governing equation using control volume scheme. The control volume scheme has been used for solving the governing equations using the finite volume method. The standard k–e turbulence model has been chosen. Findings Fluid flow and heat transfer features, as friction factor, performance evaluation criteria (PEC) and Nusselt number have been calculated and analyzed. It is showed that absorber roof intensifies the heat transfer ratio in PTCs. Also, the combination of inserting the turbulator, outer corrugated and inner grooved absorber tube surface can enhance the PEC of PTCs considerably. Originality/value Results of the current study show that the PTC with two heat transfer fluids, outer and inner surface corrugated absorber tube, inserting the twisted tape and absorber roof have the maximum Nusselt number ratio equal to 5, and PEC higher than 2.5 between all proposed arrangements for investigated Reynolds numbers (from 10,000 to 20,000) and nanoparticles [Boehmite alumina (“λ-AlOOH)”] volume fractions (from 0.005 to 0.03). Maximum Nusselt number and PEC correspond to nanoparticle volume fraction and Reynolds number equal to 0.03 and 20,000, respectively. Besides, it was found that the performance evaluation criteria index values continuously grow by an intensification of nanoparticle volume concentrations.