Cone Structure Research Articles

Calla lily-inspired 3D evaporator: A dual interface design for enhanced solar water evaporation

Due to the exponential growth of the global population, groundwater resources have long been insufficient to meet the escalating demand for potable water. In recent years, interfacial solar stream generation (ISSG) technology has emerged as a pivotal approach in generating clean water. The paramount performance factors of solar thermal evaporators encompass their exceptional light absorption capacity, efficient water transport, and effective thermal management. Among these factors, the 3D interface evaporator stands out due to its inherent advantages and ingenious structural design that enhances overall performance. In this study, the structure of calla lilies was used as inspiration, we propose a novel design featuring a 3D inverted conical double-sided evaporator (3D-ASIE) which effectively traps sunlight within its core, thereby augmenting light absorption capabilities while simultaneously forming a dual-evaporation interface. The inverted conical structure comprises two cellulose/TiN aerogel films with superior light absorption and heat insulation properties along with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hydrophilic film that is skillfully bent and assembled together. To ensure continuous water supply during evaporation, the tail end of the hydrophilic membrane is immersed in water. During interfacial evaporation process, activation of the outer photothermal layer of our 3D-ASIE facilitates steam diffusion along both inner and outer surfaces of the inverted cone structure concurrently resulting in an impressive dual-evaporative effect. Under sunlight intensity level at 1 kW m−2, our 3D-ASIE exhibits remarkable performance with an evaporation flux reaching up to 2.97 kg m−2 h−1 alongside an efficiency as high as 94.7 %, thus demonstrating immense potential for large-scale solar desalination applications.

Numerical Simulation of Ice and Structure Interaction Using Common-Node DEM in LS DYNA

In this work, the icebreaking performance of the cone structure was investigated using a new numerical model called the common-node DEM developed within LS DYNA. The icebreaking characteristics of a typical conical jacket platform in the Bohai Sea focusing on the JZ20-2NW single-pile-leg platform was studied and the ice load characteristics of the cone structure and the dynamic response of the jacket platform under various ice conditions was investigated. The findings indicate that ice thickness significantly impacts the icebreaking mechanism of the cone structure. Specifically, both the peak ice load and the peak acceleration of ice-induced vibrations are proportional to the square of the ice thickness. Additionally, the upward trend in positive vibration displacement of the jacket platform becomes more pronounced with increasing ice thickness. While both the acceleration and displacement caused by ice-induced vibrations on the jacket increase with rising ice velocity, this effect is less significant compared to the influence of ice thickness. Importantly, the ice load remains below the yield strength of the conical shell plate, demonstrating that traditional conical shell plate structures possess a margin of strength redundancy.

Poynting flux transport channels formed in polar cap regions of neutron star magnetospheres

Context. Pair cascades in polar cap regions of neutron stars are considered to be an essential process in various models of coherent radio emissions of pulsars. The cascades produce pair plasma bunch discharges in quasi-periodic spark events. The cascade properties, and therefore also the coherent radiation, depend strongly on the magnetospheric plasma properties and vary significantly across and along the polar cap. Importantly, where the radio emission emanates from in the polar cap region is still uncertain. Aims. We investigate the generation of electromagnetic waves by pair cascades and their propagation in the polar cap for three representative inclination angles of a magnetic dipole, 0°, 45°, and 90°. Methods. We use two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations that include quantum-electrodynamic pair cascades in a charge-limited flow from the star surface. Results. We find that the discharge properties are strongly dependent on the magnetospheric current profile in the polar cap and that transport channels for high intensity Poynting flux are formed along magnetic field lines where the magnetospheric currents approach zero and where the plasma cannot carry the magnetospheric currents. There, the parallel Poynting flux component is efficiently transported away from the star and may eventually escape the magnetosphere as coherent radio waves. The Poynting flux decreases with increasing distance from the star in regions of high magnetospheric currents. Conclusions. Our model shows that no process of energy conversion from particles to waves is necessary for the coherent radio wave emission. Moreover, the pulsar radio beam does not have a cone structure; rather, the radiation generated by the oscillating electric gap fields directly escapes along open magnetic field lines in which no pair creation occurs.

Characteristic conic connections and torsion-free principal connections

We study the relation between torsion tensors of principal connections on G-structures and characteristic conic connections on associated cone structures. We formulate sufficient conditions under which the existence of a characteristic conic connection implies the existence of a torsion-free principal connection. We verify these conditions for adjoint varieties of simple Lie algebras, excluding those of type Aℓ≠2 or Cℓ. As an application, we give a complete classification of the germs of minimal rational curves whose VMRT at a general point is such an adjoint variety: nontrivial ones come from lines on hyperplane sections of certain Grassmannians or minimal rational curves on wonderful group compactifications.

Multi-objective optimization of a novel gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone based on response surface methodology

Currently, most major oilfields in China have reached a stage of high water content, where the extracted fluid is often accompanied by significant volumes of associated gas. This situation increases extraction costs and elevates safety risks. To address these challenges, this paper presents an innovative redesign of the traditional gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) by applying composite mechanics to improve the inner cone structure. The new design is tailored for conditions with high gas content and flow rates. Using response surface optimization, the optimal structural parameters for the separator were identified: an inlet area of 881 mm2, a column diameter of 110 mm, and an inner cone height of 189 mm. Furthermore, the study integrates numerical simulation with experimental research to compare and analyze the flow characteristics and separation performance of the GLCC before and after optimization. The results demonstrate that the optimized GLCC achieves a separation efficiency of 93.2 %, an improvement of 21.2 percentage points over the initial design, with a maximum pressure loss of 0.0621 MPa. The experimental findings and numerical simulations show strong agreement, confirming the efficacy of the new design.

A hydrogel sensor based on conic baston structure

AbstractResistive flexible pressure sensors are extensively employed in wearable devices owing to their wide operational range and straightforward construction. This study presents a conic bastion‐structured sensor microunit to improve the sensor sensitivity. The base hydrogel is synthesized using acrylamide (AM), with Mg2+ and Na+ acting as conductive ions. The sensor is fabricated using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology and is subjected to experimental evaluation. The findings indicate that the hydrogel sensor with a 50 wt% AM composition demonstrates enhanced mechanical strength and conductive properties, achieving a peak sensitivity of 0.534 kPa−1 within a pressure range of 0–0.8 kPa. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits favorable response characteristics (30 ms) and recovery characteristics (40 ms), along with stability. The proposed sensor is suitable for wearable devices and live joint angle detection. Additionally, the “handwriting fingerprint” pattern recognition and document verification proposed in this article make it applicable in scenarios, such as banking, notarization, and other handwriting and seal verification contexts.

A conical spiral methanol steam reforming reactor for spectral splitting-based concentrating photovoltaic-thermochemical hybrid production

The spectral beam splitting (SBS) photovoltaic-thermochemical hybrid system improves the solar thermal energy grade through photon energy cascade distribution and methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction. Given the deficiency of MSR reactor development for dish-concentrating SBS systems, the conical spiral structure is introduced to the receiver/reactor in this work, thus facilitating efficient absorption of circular beams and ameliorating the adaptability of the production. Based on specially designed spectral beam splitter, the Monte Carlo ray tracing (MCRT) method is employed to simulate the non-imaging optical process and optimized reflective cone structure. Thermodynamics and kinetic models of the reactor are established and experimentally validated. The analysis results show that the reflective cone advances the optical efficiency of the reactor to 76.95%, and the conical spiral structure helps to enhance heat and mass transfer for utilization of the catalytic space. The mid/low-temperature reaction prefers a solution flow rate of less than 1.53 mL s−1 and a water-methanol ratio of 1.4–1.9, with the maximum solar thermochemical conversion rate of 54.5%. Moreover, the upgrading in photothermal and photovoltaic heat exceeds respectively 0.62 and 8.97 at less than 600 W m−2 of irradiation, demonstrating the adaptive potential of the reactor. In summary, the research results contribute to broadening the operating conditions of the hybrid production and the full-spectrum penetration of solar energy in distributed scenarios.

Analytical calculation approach for rocket nose cone structure with orthotropic material

The Authors of this research developed an analytical calculation method to estimate the strength of nose cone structures made of orthotropic materials, which were crucial components in aircraft and spacecraft. Strength analysis of nose cones had been comprehensively addressed for isotropic materials; however, the lack of efficient approaches for orthotropic materials presented a challenge. In this research, a new analytical method was proposed, combining membrane stress theory for isotropic materials with classical laminate theory for orthotropic materials. This approach enabled the determination of stresses on the nose cone shell structure in both meridional and circumferential directions in an efficient and straightforward manner. The analysis results indicated that the developed analytical method exhibited stress distribution trends similar to those obtained using the Finite Element Method. Stresses in the +45° and –45° direction, as well as in-plane shear stress and Tsai-Wu failure indices, showed trend similarity between the two methods. Despite specific numerical differences in the calculation results, these consistent trends suggested that the analytical method could serve as a tool for the preliminary design of a nose cone structure with a similar configuration analyzed in this study.

Longitudinal Imaging of the Foveal Cone Mosaic in CNGA3-Associated Achromatopsia.

The purpose of this study was to assess the natural history of the foveal cone mosaic in CNGA3-associated achromatopsia (ACHM). Thirteen eyes from 10 genetically confirmed patients underwent longitudinal imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and non-confocal split detection adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO). OCT scans assessed outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, foveal ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, and foveal hypoplasia. AOSLO images were analyzed to calculate peak foveal cone density (PCD) and mean inter-cell distance (ICD) between cones. Mixed effects models were used to analyze the rate of annual change of PCD and ICD. Mean (±SD) age at visits was 29 ± 10 years, with a follow-up of 2.6 ± 1 years. There was no change in ONL thickness, degree of EZ disruption, or foveal hypoplasia over the follow-up period. We also observed a stable foveal cone mosaic using AOSLO imaging, with no significant change in PCD or ICD. Mean PCD was 15,346 cones/mm² at the mean age of 29 years old (cf. 64,000-324,000 cones/mm² in previously reported healthy controls), with a mean rate of change of -117.79 cones/mm² (0.8%) per year, P = 0.130. Mean ICD at the mean age was 13.82 µm, with a rate of change of 0.17 µm per year, P = 0.83. CNGA3-associated ACHM displays stable foveal cone structure over time with a similar rate of change to CNGB3-associated ACHM (2% decline per year). The stable PCD, small cohort, and large variability within the cohort means significant age associations were not detected.

On new extended cone b-metric-like spaces over a real Banach algebra

In this article, we introduce the structure of a new extended cone b-metric-like space over a Banach algebra. In this generalized space, we define the notion of generalized Reich-type mappings and prove a fixed point result. We also prove a fixed point result using α∗−ψ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$\\alpha^{\\ast}-\\psi$\\end{document} multivalued contraction and provide some of its consequences. Finally, we furnish with applications to establish the validity of our results.

Design and mechanical properties analysis of a novel CFRP tendons anchorage structure

To address the challenges of larger size, stress concentration at the loading end, and insufficient anchoring performance at the free end of traditional bonding-type anchors for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) tendons, a novel anchor featuring a variable angle multi-stage cone is proposed. This solution is derived by analyzing the notch effect at the loading end caused by the wedging of the bonding medium in conventional cone-type anchors. A theoretical model for the stress distribution of the variable angle multi-stage conical anchor was developed using elastic deformation theory. The reliability of this model was validated through finite element analysis. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the stress distribution and anchoring performance of the variable angle multi-stage conical anchor against several traditional anchor types. This analysis revealed the mechanical mechanisms and advantages of the variable angle multi-stage conical anchor in enhancing anchoring effectiveness. The study illustrates that the bonding medium between adjacent cone sections of the variable angle multi-stage conical anchor exhibits a specific gap under stress, leading to reduced stress in the tendon at the connection points. This ensures a smooth transition that prevents abrupt changes in stress due to sudden shape alterations, thereby guaranteeing uniform stress distribution within the anchor section. By incorporating a multi-stage cone structure and increasing the cone angle at the free end, compressive stress can be effectively transferred to the free end, mitigating the notch effect and enhancing anchoring performance. Compared to typical conical anchors, the maximum compressive stress of the variable angle multi-stage conical anchor is reduced by 53.5 %, the outer diameter of the anchor cylinder is decreased by 22.7 %, and the anchoring efficiency is improved by 12.2 %. These improvements result in a robust anchoring effect and significant size advantage. The anchor is suitable for multibar anchoring, providing a reliable solution for large tonnage and long-span cable-stayed bridges.

Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton accretion around the rotating hairy Horndeski black hole

Modeling of the shock cone formed around a stationary, hairy Horndeski black hole with Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton (BHL) accretion has been conducted. We model the dynamical changes of the shock cone resulting from the interaction of matter with the Horndeski black hole, where the scalar field and spacetime have a strong interaction. The effects of the scalar hair, the black hole rotation parameter, and the impacts of the asymptotic speed have been examined, revealing the influence of these parameters on the shock cone and the trapped QPO modes within the cone. Numerical calculations have shown that the hair parameter significantly affects the formation of the shock cone. As the absolute value of the hair parameter increases, the matter in the region of the shock cone is observed to move away from the black hole horizon. The rate of matter expulsion increases as h/M changes. After h/M < -0.6, a visible change in the physical structure of the shock cone occurs, ultimately leading to the complete removal out of the shock cone. On the other hand, it has been revealed that the asymptotic speed significantly affects the formation of the shock cone. As h/M increases in the negative direction and the asymptotic speed increases, the stagnation point moves closer to the black hole horizon. When the value of the hair parameter changes, the rest-mass density of the matter inside the cone decreases, whereas the opposite is observed with the asymptotic speed. Additionally, the formed shock cone has excited QPO modes. The deformation of the cone due to the hair parameter has led to a change or complete disappearance of the QPOs. Meanwhile, at asymptotic speeds of V ∞/c < 0.4, all fundamental frequency modes are formed, while at V ∞/c = 0.4, only the azimuthal mode is excited, and 1:2:3:4:… resonance conditions occur. No QPOs have formed at V ∞/c = 0.6. The results obtained from numerical calculations have been compared with theoretical studies for M87*, and it has been observed that the possible values of h/M found in the numerical simulations are consistent with the theory. Additionally, the results have been compared with those for the GRS 1915+105 black hole, and the hair parameters corresponding to the observed frequencies have been determined.

Ultra‐Broadband and Reconfigurable Liquid‐Based Microwave Metasurface Absorber

Liquids, with their advantages of fluidity, ease of shaping, and tunability, have exhibited promising potential in the creation of reconfigurable metamaterials (MMs). Water, being the ubiquitous liquid and cost‐effective resource on Earth, has been utilized for the construction of liquid‐based microwave metasurface absorber (MSA). However, due to the challenges associated with integrating microfluidics with MMs in both design and manufacturing, current MSs exhibit narrow frequency bands, particularly constrained at lower frequencies. Herein, a reconfigurable solid–liquid composite of liquid‐based MSs, utilizing the interbedded structure of cones, is proposed for ultra‐wideband microwave absorption. When water is used as the filling medium, the absorption rate exceeds 90% across a wide frequency range from 5.9 to 50 GHz. Upon substitution with ionic liquids, the frequency range demonstrating absorption efficiency exceeding 90% extends from 3.3 to 50 GHz. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the designed MSA demonstrates exceptional stability when subjected to oblique incidence and shows a high degree of insensitivity to polarization, highlighting its robust applicability. The low‐cost, easily manufacturable, and ultra‐wideband liquid‐based MSA holds promising potential for applications in radar countermeasures, energy harvesting, radiation protection, and other related fields.

Stable and efficient microwave absorption performances: Design from polydopamine/polyethyleneimine encapsulated FeSiAl flaky composites to frustum of a cone array

The typical microwave absorber usually exhibits the large variations in absorption behavior with absorbing thickness (>10 % for a change in absorber thickness by 10 %). How to obtain broad, strong and stable microwave absorption performances still remains a challenge. In this work, a vertical ball milling technique followed by a co-deposition method in alkaline solution is developed to prepare polydopamine (PDA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) coated flaky FeSiAl composites, which display broad, strong and stable absorption performances at 2–14 GHz. The obtained PDA/PEI covered FeSiAl flakes exhibited minimal reflection loss (RL) values exceeding −20 dB at 2.5–8.9 mm. When the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, 4.4–4.88 GHz) and absorption efficiency (RE, 12.11–13.24 dB·GHz/mm) change by 10 %, the corresponding change in absorption thickness can be achieved 28.57 % (2.5–3.5 mm) for EAB and 15.63 % (2.7–3.2 mm) for RE. Phase cancellation and electromagnetic loss contribute to large and stable RL peak intensity and the large loss factor over a wide frequency range lead to broad and stable EAB. Integrated with a macroscale structural design, frustum of a cone structure established by computer simulation technology is beneficial for integrating quarter-wavelength resonance, dielectric loss and magnetic loss, resulting in wide EAB of 12 GHz (covering from 2 to 14 GHz) and strong RL of −62.27 dB at 7.1 GHz.

Multimodal High-Resolution Imaging in Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Comparison Between Optoretinography, Cone Density, and Visual Sensitivity.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most common inherited retinal disease, is characterized by progressive photoreceptor degeneration. It remains unknown to what extent surviving photoreceptors transduce light and support vision in RP. To address this, we correlated structure and functional measures using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO), adaptive optics microperimetry, and adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT)-based optoretinograms (ORGs). Four patients with RP were imaged with AOSLO across the visual field covering the transition zone (TZ) of normal to diseased retina. Cone density was estimated in discrete regions spanning the TZ. Visual sensitivity was assessed by measuring increment thresholds for a 3-arcmin stimulus targeted via active eye tracking in AOSLO. ORGs were measured at the same locations using AO-OCT to assess the cones' functional response to a 528 ± 20-nm stimulus. Individual cone outer segment (COS) lengths were measured from AO-OCT in each subject. Cone density was significantly reduced in patients with RP. Density reduction correlated with TZ location in 3 patients with RP, while a fourth had patches of reduced density throughout the retina. ORG amplitude was reduced in regions of normal and reduced cone density in all patients with RP. ORG response and COS length were positively correlated in controls but not in patients with RP. Despite deficits in cone density and ORG, visual sensitivity remained comparable to controls in three of four patients with RP. ORG-based measures of retinal dysfunction may precede deficits in cone structure and visual sensitivity. ORG is a sensitive measure of RP disease status and has significant potential to provide insight into disease progression and treatment efficacy.

Numerical investigation on the performance of combinational spike and transpiration cooling concept for nose cone under hypersonic conditions

Abstract Aiming at solving the thermal protection problems of the nose cone for hypersonic vehicles, a novel combinational spike and transpiration cooling concept is proposed in this paper. Although the temperature of the nose cone structure can be effectively reduced by traditional transpiration cooling, the cooling effect is not ideal due to the extremely high heat flux and pressure near the stagnation point. In the combinational configuration, the bow shock wave at the leading edge of the nose cone is pushed away by the spike, so that the pressure and heat flux along the nose cone surface are reduced obviously, and the cooling effect is also improved significantly. The flow field generated by this innovative concept has been thoroughly examined through numerical simulations employing the compressible Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in conjunction with the shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model. The fluid-thermal interaction is considered by using the conjugate heat transfer approach. The performance of three configurations based on the nose cone are numerically investigated, including transpiration cooling, spike, combinational spike and transpiration cooling. The numerical results show that, compared with the traditional transpiration cooling, the temperature at the stagnation point of the nose cone for the combinational configuration is reduced by about 64%, which proves the feasibility and high efficiency of the novel combinational concept. With the increase of coolant mass flow, the temperature along the nose cone surface for combinational configuration decreases, while the magnitude of the temperature reduction decreases. Therefore, under certain incoming flow conditions, the appropriate coolant mass flow should be considered to achieve better thermal protection effect.

Cone structure‒ice interaction simulation based on the common-node discrete element method–smoothed particle hydrodynamics coupling method

Cone structure‒ice interaction simulation based on the common-node discrete element method–smoothed particle hydrodynamics coupling method

High sensitivity fiber SPR sensor based on a spiral coarse cone structure.

A fiber SPR sensor can achieve rapid and portable detection of trivalent arsenic ions (As3+) in drinking water or food, but their sensitivity and detection limit need to be further improved and developed toward specific detection. This article proposed the implementation of the SPR sensor using a biased core fiber spiral coarse cone structure. The fine core of the biased core fiber was used to reduce the mode of transmitted light. By controlling the pitch of the spiral core to control the SPR incidence angle, a significant increase in the sensitivity of the fiber SPR sensor was achieved. Meanwhile, the harmless glutathione (GSH) was modified on the surface of the sensing gold film to achieve the specific detection of As3+. The experimental results indicate that the spiral coarse cone fiber SPR sensor proposed in this article has a detection sensitivity of 32.48 nm/ppb for As3+, with a detection limit as low as 0.011 ppb, meeting the detection requirements of the World Health Organization for As3+ in water, which provides a new feasible solution for fast, portable, and highly sensitive detection of metal ions in water and food.

Template‐Made Ultrahigh, Broadband, and Omnidirectional Light Absorption Surface for Enhanced Solar Energy Harvesting and Utilization

AbstractThe practical application of solar energy harvesting urgently calls for the facile preparation of high‐performance ultrablack surfaces with broadband and omnidirectional light absorption performance; however, some roadblocks still need to meet these requirements simultaneously. Herein, cone‐array ultrablack (CAUB) surfaces are prepared by combining feasible template replication and blade coating techniques. The elaborate micro‐sized cone structure and high absorptive materials (polydimethylsiloxane@carbon black, PDMS@CB) offer the CAUB extremely high, broadband, and omnidirectional light absorption over the solar spectrum with an average absorbance of 99.35%. Under one sun irradiation, the CAUB can efficiently absorb solar energy, reaching a surface temperature as high as 75 °C. A solar‐thermal‐electric generator (STEG) made from the CAUB film demonstrates real‐time solar‐heat‐electric conversion, achieving a high output power density of 330 µW cm−2. The CAUB film possesses excellent water repellency, flexibility, chemical solvent resistance, and potential for large‐scale production, satisfying the application requirements of solar energy harvesting and utilization.

A mosquito proboscis-inspired cambered microneedle patch for ophthalmic regional anaesthesia

IntroductionOne of the methods for pain management involves the use of local anesthesia, which numbs sensations in specific body regions while maintaining consciousness. ObjectivesConsidering the certain limitations (e.g., pain, the requirement of skilled professionals, or slow passive diffusion) of conventional delivery methods of local anesthetics, developing alternative strategies that offer minimally invasive yet therapeutically effective delivery systems is of great concern for ophthalmic regional anesthesia. Methods and resultsIn this study, a rapidly dissolving cambered microneedle (MNs) patch, composed of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) and served as a delivery system for lidocaine (Lido) in local anesthesia, was developed taking inspiration from the mosquito proboscis’s ability to extract blood unnoticed. The lidocaine-containing MNs patch (MNs@Lido) consisted of 25 microneedles with a four-pronged cone structure (height: 500 μm, base width: 275 μm), arranged in a concentric circle pattern on the patch, and displays excellent dissolubility for effective drug delivery of Lido. After confirming good cytocompatibility, MNs@Lido was found to possess adequate rigidity to penetrate the cornea without causing any subsequent injury, and the created corneal pinhole channels completely self-healed within 24 h. Interestingly, MNs@Lido exhibited effective analgesic effects for local anesthesia on both heel skin and eyeball, with the sustained anesthetic effect lasting for at least 30 min. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that the mosquito proboscis-inspired cambered MNs patch provides rapid and painless local anesthesia, overcoming the limitations of conventional delivery methods of local anesthetics, thus opening up new possibilities in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases.