Significant Deformation Research Articles

Validity and reliability of the Duruöz Hand Index in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

The Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) is a valuable scale developed for evaluating hand functions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and subsequently proven to be valid and reliable in various diseases. This study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of the DHI in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Patients diagnosed with PsA according to CASPAR criteria were enrolled. The demographic, clinical, and functional characteristics of patients were evaluated. Functional assessment was performed with DHI, Hand Functional Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and VAS-disability scale. C-reactive protein level, patients' and physicians' global VAS, swelling and tenderness of the hand joints, gross grip strength and thumb strength, and disease activity assessments were recorded as non-functional parameters related to active disease status. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency (with Cronbach's-a) and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient. Face, content, convergent, and divergent validities were applied. One hundred and forty-four patients (74.3% female) were included in this study. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.963, and for the test-retest reliability of the DHI, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.904 (p < 0.001). DHI showed good correlations with the functional disability scales (Hand Functional Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire, VAS-disability), indicating its convergent validity and moderate to non-significant correlations with the non-functional parameters supporting its divergent validity. Despite the occurrence of significant deformities and functional loss in PsA patients, there is a noticeable absence of specific tools tailored for PsA. Considering the intricacies associated with skin, nail, tendon, entheseal involvement, and arthritis, there is a need for straightforward tools in both clinical practice and studies involving patients with PsA. The DHI is a valid and reliable scale to evaluate the functional disability of hands in patients with PsA.

Enhanced actuation performance of multiple stimuli responsive PDMS-based bilayer actuators by adding ionic liquid

Soft actuators are in high demand for applications such as sensors, soft robotics, biomimetic devices, and actuators that can respond to different energies have enormous advantages. The soft actuators that can respond to diverse energy sources are greatly advantageous. In this study, we developed a PDMS ion gel/graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide bilayer actuator, with its performance elevated by infusing ionic liquid into PDMS. The fabricated bilayer actuator exhibits rapid response and significant deformation even under minimal energy stimuli. Specifically, it can achieve bend angles of 43°, 53°, and 63°within 2 s when exposed to voltage, light, and humidity variations, respectively. Building on this technology, we engineered a mechanical gripper that adeptly holding an object 52 times heavier than the total mass of the actuators used, showcasing the actuator’s commendable practical application potential. Moreover, the actuator is robust, maintaining its deformation prowess even after 1000 operational cycles.

Study on the subsurface characteristics of textured surfaces under EHL condition

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of surface texture on the subsurface characteristics of contact interfaces under elastohydrodynamic lubrication condition. As a typical contact form of gears and bearings, the optimization of friction characteristics at the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) interface has attracted the attention of scholars. Laser surface texturing is a feasible optimization solution, but there have been concerns about whether the surface texture of high-pair parts will affect their fatigue life.Design/methodology/approachTo examine the impact of texture preparation on the subsurface characteristics of high-pair interfaces under EHL conditions, a point contact EHL model is developed that takes into account the effect of textured surface topography. The pressure and thickness of the oil film are calculated as input parameters under different loads and entrainment velocities. The finite element method is used to simulate the impact of textures with varying diameters, densities and depths on the subsurface characteristics of the elastohydrodynamic interface. According to ISO 25178, analyze the relationship between 3D topography parameters and subsurface characteristics and study the trend of friction characteristics and subsurface characteristics based on the results of the ball on disc friction tests.FindingsThe outcomes suggest that under different rotational velocity and load conditions, the textured surfaces exhibit improved friction reduction effects; however, the creation of textures can result in significant subsurface plastic deformation and local peeling. The existence of texture makes the larger stress zone in the subsurface layer closer to the surface, leading to fatigue failure near the surface. Reasonable design parameters can help enhance the attributes of the subsurface. A smaller Sa and a Str greater than 0.5 can achieve ideal subsurface properties on the textured surface.Originality/valueThis paper investigates the influence of surface texture on the friction and subsurface characteristics of EHL interfaces and analyzes the impact of surface texture on interface contact performance while achieving lubrication improvement functional characteristics. The results provide theoretical support for the optimization design and functional regulation of surface texture in EHL interfaces.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2023-0324/

Effect of Solitary Osteochondroma on Alignment and Length in the Lower Extremities.

There is a lack of information about the effects of untreated solitary osteochondroma (SO) on longitudinal growth of the lower extremities in children and adolescents. This study aimed to assess the coronal alignment and length of the lower extremity in patients with SO around the knee and to identify the factors related to the development of deformities. We retrospectively reviewed 111 patients diagnosed with SO around the knee. The patients were classified into 2 groups depending on the location of the SO: 51 in the distal femur and 60 in the proximal tibia. Characteristics of the lesions, such as type, location, size, and distance from the joint line, were determined. Radiographic analysis of the lower limbs included mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, mechanical medial proximal tibial angle, whole-leg length, femoral length, and tibial length. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 12.3±3.4 years. No statistically significant differences were found between the affected and contralateral sides for mechanical lateral distal femoral angle and mechanical medial proximal tibial angle in either the distal femur or the proximal tibia groups. In patients with femoral lesions, the femoral and whole-leg lengths were significantly shorter on the affected side than on the unaffected side ( P <0.001 and 0.002, respectively), and the mean differences were 2.1±3.6 and 2.1±4.4mm, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis did not reveal any factors associated with limb length discrepancy (LLD). In patients with tibial lesions, no statistically significant differences were found in LLD. SOs around the knee did not cause clinically significant deformity of the lower extremity. However, in contrast to proximal tibia lesions, SO in the distal femur was associated with the shortening of the affected limb. Consideration should be given to the development of LLD in skeletally immature children with SO in the distal femur. Level III-retrospective comparative study.

A comprehensive formulation for determining static characteristics of mosaic multi-stable composite laminates under large deformation and large rotation

Multi-stable composite laminates are composite materials that exhibit multi-stable states, making them highly suitable for use in morphing structures. These materials are capable of maintaining each stable state without expending any energy. As a result, they are used extensively in numerous applications and garnered the interest of scholars and aerospace organizations. In the context of practical applications, such as morphing structures, it is insufficient for designers to rely solely on common bi-stable composite laminates that exhibit large deformations and medium rotations to achieve their desired objectives. Consequently, based on the objectives of the design, there are two potential resolutions to address this limitation. A designer may utilize mosaic multi-stable composite laminates to achieve a morphing structure that exhibits high flexibility, significant deformation, and substantial rotation. The utilization of a series connection between a bi-stable composite laminate and a symmetric composite laminate results in the formation of a mosaic bi-stable composite laminate with variable stiffness. Furthermore, the amalgamation of two asymmetric composite laminates with inverted orientations engenders a mosaic tri-stable composite laminate. The present research examines the static characteristics of mosaic bi-stable and tri-stable composite laminates. It also seeks to analyze the factors affecting the behavior of these types of laminates. A geometrically exact model was formulated for this objective. Apart from the geometrically exact model, a widely used and uncomplicated model relying on the conventional Classical Laminated-Plate Theory (CLPT) and Von-Karman nonlinear strains was employed. The proposed models were validated through finite element simulations. The system's static equations were derived using the virtual work principle and the Rayleigh-Ritz method. The present study examines and explores quasi-static snap-through behavior between stable states through the application of concentrated forces. The findings indicate a high level of concurrence between the outcomes derived from the geometrically exact model and the finite element analyses, particularly in composite laminates exhibiting significant deformations and rotations.

A dendrite-blocking polyimide-meta-aramid separator with ultrahigh strength and thermostability for high-security lithium-ion battery

Commercial polyolefin-based separators broadly applied in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) seriously affect the safety and development of LIBs due to the poor thermostability and electrolyte wettability caused by its low melting point and non-polar structure. In this work, a simple self-adsorption crosslinking technology is invented to fabricate polyimide-meta-aramid (PI-MA) separators with superior thermostability, wettability and safety. This technology utilizes the hydrogen bond adsorption and MA self-adhesive effect to realize the close encapsulation of MA on the surface of PI nanofiber and form a compact crosslinking structure. Specifically, the PI-MA separator has no significant deformation at 300 °C, while PP has completely melted and contracted at 200 °C. The PI-MA exhibits an electrolyte contact angle as low as 6.1° and the faster electrolyte diffusion rate in both horizontal and vertical directions. Moreover, in the long-term stripping/plating characterization, the lithium symmetric cell with PI-MA exhibits the stable cycle performance at a current density of 2 mA cm−2 for 1000 h. Using LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) as cathode, the cell with PI-MA has a capacity retention rate of 82.1 % in the 300-cycle test at 1C, much higher than 58.3 % of PP separator. Compared with the cell assembled with PP separator exploding at 56 min, the cell with PI-MA discharged stably to the cut-off voltage within 160 min at 120 °C.

Changes to the shape, orientation and packing of red cells as a function of retinal capillary size.

The free diameter of a red blood cell exceeds the lumen diameter of capillaries in the central nervous system, requiring significant deformation of cells. However the deformations undertaken in vivo are not well established due to the difficulty in observing cellular capillary flow in living human tissue. Here, we used high resolution adaptive optics imaging to non-invasively track 17,842 red blood cells in transit through 121 unique capillary segments of diameter 8 µm or less in the retina of 3 healthy human subjects. Within each vessel, a 2D en face profile was generated for the "average cell", whose shape was then inferred in 3D based on the key assumption of a circular capillary cross-section. From this we estimated the average volume, surface area, orientation, and separation between red cells within each capillary tube. Our results showed a network filtration effect, whereby narrower vessels were more likely to contain smaller cells (defined by surface area, which is thought not to vary during a cell's passage through the vascular system). A bivariate linear model showed that for larger cells in narrower vessels: cells re-orient themselves to align with the flow axis, their shape becomes more elongated, there are longer gaps between successive cells, and remarkably, that cell volume is less which implies the ejection of water from cells to facilitate capillary transit. Taken together, these findings suggest that red cells pass through retinal capillaries with some reluctance. A biphasic distribution for cell orientation and separation was evident, indicating a "tipping point" for vessels narrower than approx. 5 µm. This corresponds closely to the typical capillary lumen diameter, and may maximize sensitivity of cellular flow to small changes in diameter. We suggest that the minimization of unnecessary oxygen exchange, and hence of damage via reactive oxygen pathways, may have provided evolutionary pressure to ensure that capillary lumens are generally narrower than red blood cells.

A comprehensive review of Gum metal's potential as a biomedical material

The demand for low elastic modulus and biocompatible load-bearing implants has experienced a significant surge in recent times. Gum metal, a noteworthy category of β-Ti alloys, has gained substantial recognition in the biomedical field. This is primarily attributed to its remarkable blend of characteristics, encompassing non-toxic and biocompatible elements, a low elastic modulus, superelasticity, and high strength. Achieving these properties involves precise electronic criteria within their composition and substantial deformation, often through cold swaging. Recent years have seen innovative processing methods and alloy compositions to meet these requirements, expanding Gum metal's properties and applications. This review offers a thorough look at Gum metal, covering its discovery and highlighting its unique properties, with a particular focus on its relevance in the biomedical field. It critically analyzes the various phases of Gum metal and delves deeply into its deformation mechanism, unveiling its exceptional shape recovery capability even after significant deformation. Theoretical alloy design strategies for Gum metal are addressed, providing a glimpse into the ongoing efforts to optimize its performance for biomedical applications. The impact of oxygen on the Gum metal's properties is explored. The review also scrutinizes biocompatibility and corrosion behavior studies conducted on Gum metal, emphasizing its appropriateness for biomedical implants. Finally, various fabrication and processing routes for Gum metal are reviewed, offering insights into the techniques employed to harness its potential for practical applications.

Casearia tomentosa fruit extracts exposed larvicidal activity and morphological alterations in Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus under in vitro and semi field conditions

Mosquitoes are notorious insects that transmit a wide range of infectious diseases, including zika, malaria, chikungunya, filariasis, and dengue. The overuse and incorrect application of synthetic pesticides to control mosquitoes has resulted in resistance development and environmental contamination, both of which have had a negative impact on human health. To address this issue, the larvicidal and pupicidal potential of acetone extract from Casearia tomentosa fruits was investigated. The extract was evaluated in a lab setting against all larval instars and pupa of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus, as well as against third instar larvae in a semi-field condition. Purified compounds through TLC were also tested against 3rd instar larvae of both mosquito and non-target organisms. The FT-IR and GC-MS analyses were used to characterise the extract. Morphological aberration caused by the acetone extract was observed using FESEM. The anal gills and respiratory siphon of both mosquitoes showed significant deformation from their normal state. 100 ppm was found to cause 100% larval mortality at 24 h of exposure in case of Cx. quinquefasciatus and at 72 h of exposure in Ae. albopictus larvae. After 72 h of exposure under in vitro conditions, the extract demonstrated considerable larvicidal activity with LC50 values of 38.33 and 47.56 against 3rd instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus, respectively. The acetone extract can be considered as a highly effective mosquito larvicidal agent that is safe for the environment.Graphical abstract

GMK rotating hinge prosthesis. A valid option for complex revision knee prosthetic surgery

revision joint replacement surgery presents a surgical challenge. The use of rotating hinge prostheses is an option in patients with femorotibial bone defects, ligament insufficiency, or significant deformities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes of a series of patients who underwent surgery using the GMK Hinge (Medacta®) rotational hinge model. a descriptive, retrospective, and analytical study was conducted on a series of 36 patients, with a mean age of 72.5 years (47-85), operated on by the same surgical team between January 2015 and January 2022. The etiology of revision was chronic infection in 38.9% of cases, instability in 33.3%, aseptic loosening in 19.4%, and stiffness in 8.4%. The Knee Society Score (KSS) and the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) were used to assess functional outcomes. The degree of femorotibial bone defect was evaluated using the Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) classification. Postoperative complications are also recorded. a total of 36 patients, 17 males and 19 females, were included, with a mean follow-up of 30 months (12-66). Twelve patients had type 1 defects, ten had 2A defects, ten had 2B defects, and two had type 3 defects on the femoral side, with the use of wedges required for asymmetrical defects (21 patients). The predominant tibial defect was type 1 without the need for wedges. The majority achieved a satisfactory outcome on the KSS scale (72.2 ± 9.4), with significant differences compared to the previous KSS (54.3 ± 8.9). A score of 31 (12-67) was also obtained on the FJS scale. Postoperative complications were present in 16.7% of patients. complex prosthetic revision surgery using a rotating hinge prosthesis represents a suitable therapeutic option, yielding appropriate clinical and functional outcomes, albeit not without complications.

Progressive collapsing foot deformity: clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management options

Progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disease that can cause significant deformity and disability. This review article aimed to overview the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management options for PCFD. Google Scholar and PubMed were searched specifically for publications published up until May 2023 through several keywords. Inclusion criteria were articles on PCFD and articles published in English. The exclusion criteria were related to flexible flatfoot, vertical talus condition, and non-English articles. PCFD can present with various symptoms and signs, including elongation of the tibialis posterior tendon, hindfoot valgus deformity, forefoot abduction, weakness on the single-heel-rise test, and too-many-toes signs. The footprint assessment can be used easily and effectively to detect PCFD. Diagnosis of PCFD must be according to a thorough history taking, physical check-up, and appropriate imaging studies. Treatment options for PCFD range from conservative measures such as orthotic devices and physical therapy to more aggressive measures such as tendon transfers, arthroereisis, and implant-based reconstructions. The therapeutic plan should be individualized to the patient&amp;apos;s requirements and comorbidities. Different surgical modalities are available to manage flat foot deformity, including arthroereisis, lateral column lengthening, medializing calcaneal osteotomy, dorsal opening wedge osteotomy, and cotton osteotomy. Each intervention has its benefits and disadvantages, and the most appropriate modality should be selected according to the kind and severity of the deformity, the patient&amp;apos;s features and risk factors, and the surgeon&amp;apos;s experience. Pre- and postoperative patient-reported outcomes measurement information system scores can help to evaluate treatment outcomes.

Improvement of the longitudinal phase space tomography at the J-PARC synchrotrons

The longitudinal phase space tomography, which reconstructs the phase space distribution from the one-dimensional bunch profiles, is used in various accelerators to measure longitudinal beam parameters. At the J-PARC, an implementation of the phase space tomography based on the Convolution Back Projection method (CBP) has been used to measure the momentum spread of the injected beam. The method assumes that the beam distribution rotates without significant deformation during the synchrotron oscillation. Because of the nonlinearity of synchrotron motion with sinusoidal RF voltage, the method can be used only in limited situations such as small amplitude synchrotron oscillation. Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques (ART) in conjunction with particle tracking, which is implemented in the CERN’s tomography code, allows accurate reconstructions even for nonlinear large amplitude synchrotron oscillations. We present the overview of the application of the CERN’s tomography code to the J-PARC synchrotrons. The results of benchmarking are also reported.

Genetic and epigenetic landscape of early-onset oral squamous cell carcinoma: Insights of genomic underserved and underrepresented populations.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a poor prognosis and the treatment employed generates significant physical deformity in patients. In recent years, an increase in the incidence of cases of OSCC has been observed in adult patients up to 45 years old in several genetic underrepresented and underserved countries. The increase in OSCC cases in young people is very relevant because it shows that OSCC does not make exceptions and hereditarily must play an important role. This fact has not been associated with an evident biological basis, and a large majority of these patients do not present the classic principal risk factors association. OSCC is the result of accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations and this information is still fragmented in the literature, mainly in the young group. Conducting studies with a comprehensive analysis of genetic and epigenetic data is crucial, to provide greater understanding of the underlying biology of OSCC, because this information can be decisive to determine targets for therapeutic treatment. We review the main germline and somatic aspects of genetic and genomic variation in OSCC considering the absence of genomic data from developing countries such as Chile and the rest of Hispano-America.

A first principles study of RbSnCl3 perovskite toward NH3, SO2, and NO gas sensing.

The sensitivity of a RbSnCl3 perovskite 2D layer toward NH3, SO2, and NO toxic gases has been studied via DFT analysis. The tri-atomic layer of RbSnCl3 possessed a tetragonal symmetry with a band gap of 1.433 eV. The adsorption energies of RbSnCl3 for NH3, SO2 and NO are -0.09, -0.43, and -0.56 eV respectively with a recovery time ranging from 3.4 × 10-8 to 3.5 ms. RbSnCl3 is highly sensitive toward SO2 and NO compared to NH3. The adsorption of SO2 and NO results in a significant structural deformation and a semiconductor-to-metal transition of RbSnCl3 perovskite. A high absorption coefficient (>103 cm-1), excessive optical conductivity (>1014 s-1), and a very low reflectivity (<3%) make RbSnCl3 a potential candidate for numerous optoelectronic applications. A significant shift in optical responses is observed through SO2 and NO adsorption, which can enable identification of the adsorbed gases. The studied characteristics signify that RbSnCl3 can be a potential candidate for SO2 and NO detection.

Nano-protrusions in intercalated graphite: understanding the structural and electronic effects through DFT.

Complex phenomena characterize the intercalation of ions inside stratified crystals. Their comprehension is crucial in view of exploiting the intercalation mechanism to change the transport properties of the crystal or obtaining a fine control of crystal delamination. In particular, the relationship between the concentration and nature of intercalated ions and surface structural modifications of the host stratified crystal is still under debate. Here, we discuss a theoretical effort to provide a rationale for some structural changes observed on the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface after electrochemical treatment in perchloric and sulphuric acid solutions. The formation of the so-called nano-protrusions on the basal plane of intercalated graphite was previously observed with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). In this work, we employed both STM and density functional theory (DFT) simulations to elucidate the physical and chemical mechanisms driving the emergence of these nano-protrusions. The DFT results show that, in a bilayer graphene system, the presence of a single ion can generate a nano-protrusion with 2.49 Å height and 21.27 Å width. In the deformed area, the C-C bond length is stretched by about 2.5% more than the normal graphene bond. These values are of the same dimensional scale as those reported in previous STM experimental results.25 However, the simulated STM images obtained by increasing the amount of intercalated ions per area suggest that the presence of more than one ion is needed for the deformation of the uppermost graphite layer during the early stages of intercalation. In contrast, in a multilayer graphene system, no significant surface deformation is detected when ions are intercalated between the third and fourth layers. Charge analysis indicates an altered distribution of the charges as a consequence of the intercalation. The charge transfer from graphene layers to the intercalated ions results in a surface layer more prone to oxidation.

Identifying Neotectonic Motions in Germany Using Discontinuity-corrected GNSS Data

The crustal motions throughout Germany have not yet been fully understood because the research scope of previous studies often focuses only on some active grabens. Thus, we investigate it in detail to identify the neotectonic motion characteristics and specific deformation-ongoing regions. High accuracy for monitoring and data analyses is required because the expected crustal deformation in Germany is small. For this reason, we use high-precision GNSS time series processing techniques and interdisciplinary data to reflect actual motions and determine the causes of deformation. Also, an advanced technique of discontinuity correction is introduced to unify the fragments of the GNSS coordinate time series for better velocity field reliability. Our findings show that the crustal motions in Germany tend to increase at a maximum speed of +1.0 mm/year. Meanwhile, local subsidence of around -\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$-$$\\end{document}0.8 mm/year is concentrated in the river basins (e.g., the Rhine, Ems, Elbe, Northern Oder, and Danube) and extensive mining regions. The Earth’s crust here also behaves with noticeable compressions. The intra-plate motion in Germany is ∼\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sim $$\\end{document}0.8 mm/year. A special region with an extension rate of +4.3 nstrain/year is observed along the North–South trending Regensburg-Leipzig-Rostock shear zone. Machine Learning clusters the 3D plate velocity field in Germany into three distinct regions with increasing speeds: Northwest, East, and Southwest. Significant surface deformations are detected mainly in the Upper Rhine graben, Eifel volcanic field, and Thuringian-Vogtland slate mountains. The harmonic motions of the Earth’s crust in Germany have an amplitude of ∼\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sim $$\\end{document}4.7 mm, in which the surface loads contribute half to this type of motion. The findings will contribute to the overall picture of neotectonics here.

Pressure stabilization effect on the donor-acceptor polyiodide chains in tetraethylammonium bis(diiodine) triiodide - insights from Raman spectroscopy.

Polyiodides present high bonding flexibility already at ambient conditions, and undergo significant pressure-induced structural deformations. Resonant Raman spectroscopy has been widely used to study I-I bonds in various polyiodides, but it carries a risk of photodecomposition due to the high visible-light absorption of iodine. In this study, tetraethylammonium (bis)diiodine triiodide (TEAI) has been investigated by resonant Raman spectroscopy up to 12.02(3) GPa. The effect of pressure on the intensities and positions of Raman bands has been evaluated and correlated with the interatomic I-I distances derived from high-pressure X-ray diffraction experiments. Pressure was shown to effectively stabilize TEAI against laser-induced photodecomposition, even after a long course of irradiation with the resonant laser light. Examination of a freshly exposed crystal surface revealed that TEAI superficially passivates with the layer of lower polyiodides, which prevents further iodine loss, and shows distinct pressure-induced behaviour.

Subsurface multi-physical characterization of mountain excavation and city construction in loess plateau with a fiber-optic sensing system

Mountain excavation and city construction (MECC) projects being launched in the Loess Plateau in China involve the creation of large-scale artificial land. Understanding the subsurface evolution characteristics of the artificial land is essential, yet challenging. Here, we use an improved fiber-optic monitoring system for its subsurface multi-physical characterization. The system enables us to gather spatiotemporal distribution of various parameters, including strata deformation, temperature, and moisture. Yan'an New District was selected as a case study to conduct refined in-situ monitoring through a 77 m-deep borehole and a 30 m-long trench. Findings reveal that the ground settlement involves both the deformation of the filling loess and the underlying intact loess. Notably, the filling loess exhibits a stronger creep capability compared to underlying intact loess. The deformation along the profile is unevenly distributed, with a positive correlation with soil moisture. Water accumulation has been observed at the interface between the filling loess and the underlying intact loess, leading to a significant deformation. Moreover, the temperature and moisture in the filling loess have reached a new equilibrium state, with their depths influenced by atmospheric conditions measuring at 31 m and 26 m, respectively. The refined investigation allows us to identify critical layers that matter the sustainable development of newly created urban areas, and provide improved insights into the evolution mechanisms of land creation.

Exploring the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Phytochemicals from Anvillea radiata: In Vitro Assay, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Abstract This study delves into the comprehensive evaluation of phytochemicals extracted from Anvillea radiata, with a focus on their potential anti-inflammatory applications. High-performance liquid Chromatography analysis reveals the dominance of catechin in the aqueous extract, alongside other compounds such as syringic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and vanillic acid, as well as quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside and rutin in smaller quantities. An in vitro anti-inflammatory assay demonstrates the superior effectiveness of A. radiata aqueous extract at lower concentrations compared to Aspirin, raising possibilities for reduced side effects and enhanced cost-effectiveness. Drug-likeness predictions emphasize the potential of catechin, syringic acid, and vanillic acid for drug development due to their molecular characteristics. Toxicity risk assessment indicates that catechin, quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside, and rutin exhibit low toxicity risks and favorable drug-likeness properties. Molecular docking analysis highlights promising interactions between the identified compounds and crucial anti-inflammatory (COX-2, MPO, IL1β, IL6, and TNFα.) target proteins. Notably, catechin demonstrates a strong binding affinity to these proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations further support catechin’s potential, revealing significant deformability in complexes with COX-2 and MPO, indicating high structural flexibility. The variance map shows higher cumulative variances and the elastic network map yields satisfactory outcomes, further reinforcing the potential of A. radiata aqueous extract compounds, with catechin as a standout candidate for anti-inflammatory drug development.

Oilfield Reservoir Parameter Inversion Based on 2D Ground Deformation Measurements Acquired by a Time-Series MSBAS-InSAR Method

Time-series ground deformation monitoring and reservoir parameter inversion are crucial for the dynamic assessment of oilfield resources and sustainable exploitation in oilfields. As some of the regions with the richest oil reserves in China, the oilfield areas in the western Qaidam Basin were selected as a typical study area. Firstly, we used SAR images collected by the Sentinel-1A satellite from January 2021 to December 2022 and applied the multidimensional small baseline subset (MSBAS) method to obtain vertical and east–west deformation measurements. On this basis, a nonlinear Bayesian inversion method was applied to model the shallow reservoir in a series of complex deformation areas, based on a single-source model and a multi-source model, respectively. As a result, the ground deformation monitoring results obtained by long time-series InSAR clearly reflect the uneven ground deformation caused by the oil extraction and water injection operation processes. There was slight subsidence in the Huatugou oilfield, while significant uplift deformation occurred in the Ganchaigou oilfield and the Youshashan oilfield, with a maximum uplift rate of 48 mm/year. Further analysis indicated that the introduction of the 2D deformation field helps to improve the robustness of oilfield reservoir parameter inversion. Moreover, the dual-source model is more suitable than the single-source model for inverting reservoir parameters of complex deformation. This study not only fills the gap of InSAR deformation monitoring for the oilfields in the western Qaidam Basin but also provides a theoretical reference for the model and method selection of reservoir parameter inversion in other oilfields.