Search Results (10,385)

Metal–organic framework materials, as innovative functional materials for nonlinear optical technologies, feature linear and nonlinear optical responses, such as a laser damage threshold, outstanding mechanical properties, thermal stability, and optical transparency. Their non-centrosymmetric crystal structure induces a higher-order nonlinear optical response, which guarantees technological applications. Zn^II– and Ag^I–squarate complexes are attractive templates for these purposes due to their good crystal growth, optical transparency, high thermal stability, etc. However, the space group type of the catena-((μ₂-squarato)-tetra-aqua-zinc(II)) complex ([Zn(C₄O₄)(H₂O)₄]) is debatable, (1) showing centro- and non-centrosymmetric monoclinic C2/c and Cc phases. The same is valid for the catena-((μ₃-squarato)-(μ₂-aqua)-silver(I)) complex (Ag₂C₄O₄), (2) exhibiting, so far, only a C2/c phase. This study is the first to report new crystallographic data on (1) and (2) re-determined at different temperatures (293(2) and 300(2)K) and the non-centrosymmetric Cc phase of (2), having different numbers of molecules per unit cell compared with the C2/c phase. There are high-resolution crystallographic measurements of single crystals, experimental electronic absorption, and vibrational spectroscopic data, together with ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometric ones. The experimental results are supported for theoretical optical and nonlinear optical properties obtained via high-accuracy static computational methods and molecular dynamics, using density functional theory as well as chemometrics. Full article

Background/Objectives: Calcinosis cutis (CC) is a condition that may develop in the course of several autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTDs). Among these, the conditions most frequently associated with CC are systemic sclerosis (SSc) and dermatomyositis (DM). Despite both the prevalence and diversity of available treatment options, therapeutic recommendations remain not fully established due to a limited number of studies and lack of unambiguous evidence regarding their effectiveness. Case Presentation: We report two cases of patients with DM and concomitant massive cutaneous calcifications who were treated: in the case of a 71-year-old man with DM and past medical history of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) who received intralesional (IL) 25% sodium thiosulfate (STS) with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and, in the case of a second patient, 24-year-old woman with nephrolithiasis, who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions at a dose of 2 g/kg in combination with prednisone at a dose of 5 mg/day. Conclusions: The applied treatment led to reduction in pain, size, and number of calcified lesions. Additionally, healing of fingertip ulcers after PRP injections was observed. While this report highlights only two isolated cases, the use of IVIG and STS with PRP injections appears to be an effective treatment method. Nevertheless, both standardization and additional research are required. Full article

The evaluation of hemodynamic conditions in critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients is inevitable in endovascular interventions. In this study, the performance of color-coded digital subtraction angiography (ccDSA) and the recently developed color-coded digital variance angiography (ccDVA) was compared in the assessment of key time parameters in lower extremity interventions. The observational study included 19 CLTI patients who underwent peripheral vascular intervention at our institution in 2020. Pre- and post-dilatational images were retrospectively processed and analyzed by a commercially available ccDSA software (Kinepict Medical Imaging Tool 6.0.3; Kinepict Health Ltd., Budapest, Hungary) and by the recently developed ccDVA technology. Two protocols were applied using both a 4 and 7.5 frames per second acquisition rate. Time-to-peak (TTP) parameters were determined in four pre- and poststenotic regions of interest (ROI), and ccDVA values were compared to ccDSA read-outs. The ccDVA technology provided practically the same TTP values as ccDSA (r = 0.99, R² = 0.98, p < 0.0001). The correlation was extremely high independently of the applied protocol or the position of ROI; the r value was 0.99 (R² = 0.98, p < 0.0001) in all groups. A similar correlation was observed in the change in passage time (r = 0.98, R² = 0.96, p < 0.0001). The color-coded DVA technology can reproduce the same hemodynamic data as a commercially available DSA-based software; therefore, it has the potential to be an alternative decision-supporting tool in catheter labs. Full article

The Cu-24Zn-6Al-4Mn-3Fe alloy is mainly used for the manufacture of sliding bushings in the agricultural sector due to its high mechanical properties in the cast state. Understanding how the casting thermal parameters affect the microstructure and impact the properties of alloys is fundamental to optimizing manufacturing processes and improving performance during their application. In this study, the Cu-24Zn-6Al-4Mn-3Fe alloy was unidirectionally solidified under non-steady heat flow conditions using a water-cooled graphite base for heat exchange. Seven points were monitored along the longitudinal region of this ingot, and the data to obtain the solidification variables were extracted using an acquisition system. The cooling rates varied from 4.50 °C/s to 0.22 °C/s from the closest to the furthest position from the heat extraction point. The microstructure was analyzed via optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction in order to characterize the phases and intermetallic elements present in the material. The mechanical properties were evaluated through hardness and microhardness tests throughout longitudinal extension of the solidified part. The results showed an increase in hardness and microhardness with a decrease in the cooling rate, which may be related to the increase in size and the κ phase fraction with a decrease in the cooling rate, as analyzed via optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, in all positions, there was no significant change in the amount of the α phase retained, with the matrix being mainly composed of the β phase and a small content of approximately 2% of the α phase. Full article

The compressive strength of concrete is a crucial parameter in structural design, yet its determination in a laboratory setting is both time-consuming and expensive. The prediction of compressive strength in fly ash-based concrete can be accelerated through the use of machine learning algorithms with artificial intelligence, which can effectively address the problems associated with this process. This paper presents the most innovative model algorithms established based on artificial intelligence technology. These include three single models—a fully connected neural network model (FCNN), a convolutional neural network model (CNN), and a transformer model (TF)—and three hybrid models—FCNN + CNN, TF + FCNN, and TF + CNN. A total of 471 datasets were employed in the experiments, comprising 7 input features: cement (C), fly ash (FA), water (W), superplasticizer (SP), coarse aggregate (CA), fine aggregate (S), and age (D). Six models were subsequently applied to predict the compressive strength (CS) of fly ash-based concrete. Furthermore, the loss function curves, assessment indexes, linear correlation coefficient, and the related literature indexes of each model were employed for comparison. This analysis revealed that the FCNN + CNN model exhibited the highest prediction accuracy, with the following metrics: R² = 0.95, MSE = 14.18, MAE = 2.32, SMAPE = 0.1, and R = 0.973. Additionally, SHAP was utilized to elucidate the significance of the model parameter features. The findings revealed that C and D exerted the most substantial influence on the model prediction outcomes, followed by W and FA. Nevertheless, CA, S, and SP demonstrated comparatively minimal influence. Finally, a GUI interface for predicting compressive strength was developed based on six models and nonlinear functional relationships, and a criterion for minimum strength was derived by comparison and used to optimize a reasonable mixing ratio, thus achieving a fast data-driven interaction that was concise and reliable. Full article

Our objective in this work is to demonstrate how physics-informed neural networks, a type of deep learning technology, can be utilized to examine the mechanical properties of a helicopter blade. The blade is regarded as a one-dimensional prismatic cantilever beam that is exposed to triangular loading, and comprehending its mechanical behavior is of utmost importance in the aerospace field. PINNs utilize the physical information, including differential equations and boundary conditions, within the loss function of the neural network to approximate the solution. Our approach determines the overall loss by aggregating the losses from the differential equation, boundary conditions, and data. We employed a physics-informed neural network (PINN) and an artificial neural network (ANN) with equivalent hyperparameters to solve a fourth-order differential equation. By comparing the performance of the PINN model against the analytical solution of the equation and the results obtained from the ANN model, we have conclusively shown that the PINN model exhibits superior accuracy, robustness, and computational efficiency when addressing high-order differential equations that govern physics-based problems. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that PINN offers a superior alternative for addressing solid mechanics problems with applications in the aerospace industry. Full article

This study aims to investigate the depositional environment, sediment sources, and elemental occurrence of Upper Paleozoic coal in the Renjiazhuang Mining District, Western Ordos Basin. Furthermore, SEM-EDX, optical microscope (OM), ICP-AES, ICP-MS, and AAS were used. Compared with hard coal of the world, M3 coals were enriched in Ga, Li, Zr, Be, Ta, Hf, Nb, Pb, and Th, M5 coals were enriched in Li (CC = 10.21), Ta (CC = 6.96), Nb (CC = 6.95), Be, Sc, Ga, Hf, Th, Pb, Zr, In, and REY, while M9 coals were enriched in Li (CC = 14.79), Ta (CC = 5.41), Ga, W, Hf, Nb, Zr, Pb, and Th. In addition, minerals were mainly composed of kaolinite, dolomite, pyrite, feldspar, calcite, and quartz, locally visible minor amounts of monazite, zircon, clausthalite, chalcopyrite, iron dolomite, albite, fluorite, siderite, galena, barite, boehmite, and rutile. In addition, maceral compositions of M3 coals and M9 coals were dominated by vitrinite (up to 78.50%), while M5 coals were the main inertite (up to 76.26%), and minor amounts of liptinite. REY distribution patterns of all samples exhibited light REY enrichment and negative Eu anomalies. The geochemistry of samples (TiO₂ and Al₂O₃, Nb/Y and Zr × 0.0001/TiO₂ ratios, and REY enrichment types) indicates that the sediment sources of samples originated from felsic igneous rocks. Indicator parameters (TPI, GI, VI, GWI, V/I, Sr/Ba, Th/U, and Ce_N/Ce_N*) suggest that these coals were formed in different paleopeat swamp environments: M3 coal was formed in a lower delta plain and terrestrial (lacustrine) facies with weak oxidation and reduction, and M5 coal was formed in a terrestrial and dry forest swamp environment with weak oxidation–oxidation, while M9 coal was formed in a seawater environment of humid forest swamps and the transition from the lower delta plain to continental sedimentation with weak oxidation and reduction. Statistical methods were used to study the elemental occurrence. Moreover, Li, Ta, Hf, Nb, Zr, Pb, and Th elements were associated with aluminosilicates, and Ga occurred as silicate. Full article

This study presents the development of eco-friendly cementitious materials for soil stabilization, based on alkaline multi-industrial waste (AMIW), using steel slag (SS), blast furnace slag (BFS), carbide slag (CS), fly ash (FA) and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) as the raw materials. The optimal AMIW-based cementitious material composition determined through orthogonal experiments was SS:CS:FGDG:BFS:FA = 15:10:15:44:16. Central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the curing process parameters. The maximum 7-day unconfined compressive strength (7d UCS) was achieved under the optimal conditions of 18.51% moisture content, 11.46% curing agent content and 26.48 min of mix-grinding time. The 7d UCS of the AMIW-stabilized soil showed a 24% improvement over ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-stabilized soil. Rietveld refinement results demonstrated that the main hydration products of the stabilized soil were C-S-H and ettringite. After curing for 7 days to 28 days, the C-S-H content increased from 3.31% to 5.76%, while the ettringite content increased from 1.41% to 3.54%. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that with the extension of curing time, the pores of the stabilized soil become smaller and the structure becomes denser, resulting in an improvement in compressive strength. Full article

This study sought to evaluate the genetic variations of the ovocalyxin-32 gene and its association with egg quality traits in indigenous chicken populations, focusing on exons 1 and 6. Genotype frequencies of SNPs (G/T and A/G) within these exons were assessed for their conformity to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) across several strains. While most strains exhibited close adherence to HWE expectations, some like light-brown and gray strains indicated substantial discrepancies, particularly for the TT genotype, which points towards the possible effects of genetic drift as well as selection pressures. This study also analyzed the influence of such SNPs on egg quality parameters. A thinner eggshell, reduced shell weight, and decreased breaking strength were associated with the G/T SNP in exon 1, suggesting a likely negative effect on egg quality in T allele carriers. Conversely, the AG genotype displayed better performance in shell thickness, weight and egg weight in the A/G SNP in exon 1, whilst yolk height was best improved by the AA genotype compared to breaking strength. For instance, in exon 6, the A/G SNP enhanced the shell and yolk quality among AG genotypes, while the CC genotype resulted in better eggshell characteristics with enlarged yolks because the C/T SNP was linked. Nonetheless, there were no significant deviations from the HWE despite these associations, which suggested that most breeds had a stable genetic background. Further, considering SNPs’ additive and dominant effects in this research, it was indicated that additive effects account for phenotypic expressions given by the G/T SNP located at exon 1. In contrast, significant additive and dominant effects were observed under the A/G SNP situated at the exon. Generally, it therefore could be concluded from this study that specific SNPs within the ovocalyxin-32 gene may act as good markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) that can improve desired characteristics—such as those of egg quality—in indigenous chicken breeds. This study demonstrated that both additive and dominance effects must be taken into account when performing genetic analyses, thereby emphasizing the complexity of phenotypic variation caused by genetic mechanisms in native chicken races. Full article

This study investigated the potential role of specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes Astrotactin 1 (ASTN1), EBF Transcription Factor 1 (EBF1), Eukaryotic Elongation Factor, Selenocysteine-tRNA Specific (EEFSEC), Microtubule-Associated Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (MAST1), and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) to assess whether these genetic variants contribute to the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). A case-control study was conducted involving 573 women from Croatia and Slovenia: 248 with sporadic sPTB (positive personal and negative family history of sPTB before 37 weeks’ gestation), 44 with familial sPTB (positive personal and family history of sPTB before 37 weeks’ gestation), and 281 control women. The analysis of ASTN1 rs146756455, EBF1 rs2963463, EBF1 rs2946169, EEFSEC rs201450565, MAST1 rs188343966, and TNF-α rs1800629 SNPs was performed using TaqMan real-time PCR. p-values were Bonferroni-adjusted for multiple comparisons. EBF1 SNP rs2963463 was significantly associated with sPTB (p adj = 0.03). Women carrying the CC genotype had a 3–4-times lower risk of sPTB (p adj < 0.0001). In addition, a significant difference in the frequency of the minor C allele was observed when comparing familial sPTB cases with controls (p adj < 0.0001). All other associations were based on unadjusted p-values. The minor T allele of EBF1 SNP rs2946169 was more frequent in sPTB cases overall than in controls, especially in sporadic sPTB (p = 0.045). Similarly, the CC genotype of ASTN1 SNP rs146756455 was more frequent in sporadic sPTB cases compared to controls (p = 0.019). Finally, the TNF-α SNP rs1800629 minor A allele and AA genotype were more common in the familial sPTB group compared to sporadic sPTB and controls (p < 0.05). The EBF1 SNP rs2963463 polymorphism showed a protective effect in the pathogenesis of sPTB, particularly in women carrying the CC genotype. Moreover, EBF1 SNP rs2946169 and ASTN1 SNP rs146756455, as well as TNF-α SNP rs1800629, were associated with an increased risk of sPTB, representing suggestive potential risk factors for sporadic and familial sPTB, respectively. Full article

Background and Objectives: We aimed at evaluating the impact of Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score on clinically significant decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with non-metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN). Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed a multi-institutional cohort of 140 patients with ccRCC who underwent RN between 2016 and 2018 at three Urological Centers. The CONUT score was calculated with an algorithm including serum albumin, total lymphocyte count, and cholesterol. Clinical and pathologic features were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and a Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables. To define the independent predictors of clinically significant eGFR decline, univariable (UVA) and multivariable (MVA) binomial logistic regression analyses were performed in order to assess the Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). Results: The optimal cut-off value to discriminate between a low and high CONUT score was assessed by calculating the ROC curve. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.67 (95%CI 0.59–0.78) with the most appropriate cut-off value at 2 points. Overall, 46 patients (32.9%) had a high CONUT score (>2). Statistically significant variables associated with eGFR decline at 24 months were age ≥ 70 (OR 2.01; 95%CI 1.17–3.09; p 0.05), stage II–III chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR 6.05; 95%CI 1.79–28.3; p 0.001), and a high CONUT score (OR 3.98; 95%CI 1.58–10.4; p 0.004). Conclusions: The CONUT score is a low-time-consuming, cost-effective, and promising tool able to preoperatively screen patients at risk of developing CKD after a RN. Full article

Malaxidinae is one of the most confusing groups in the Orchidaceae classification. Previous phylogenetic analyses have revealed that the relationships between the taxa in Malaxidinae have not yet been reliably established, using only a few plastome regions and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS). In the present study, the complete plastomes of Oberonia integerrima and Crepidium purpureum were assembled using high-throughput sequencing. Combined with publicly available complete plastome data, this resulted in a dataset of 19 plastomes, including 17 species of Malaxidinae. The plastome features and phylogenetic relationships were compared and analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) Malaxidinae species plastomes possess the quadripartite structure of typical angiosperms, with sizes ranging from 142,996 to 158,787 bp and encoding from 125 to 133 genes. The ndh genes were lost or pseudogenized to varying degrees in six species. An unusual inversion was detected in the large single-copy region (LSC) of Oberonioides microtatantha. (2) Eight regions, including ycf1, matK, rps16, rpl32, ccsA-ndhD, clpP-psbB, trnF^GAA-ndhJ, and trnS^GCU-trnG^UCC, were identified as mutational hotspots. (3) Based on complete plastomes, 68 protein-coding genes, and 51 intergenic regions, respectively, our phylogenetic analyses revealed the genus-level relationships in this subtribe with strong support. The Liparis was supported as non-monophyletic. Full article

Introduction: Obesity is characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation, which can be modulated by lipid mediators derived from omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Obesity is a multifactorial disease, where genetic and environmental factors strongly interact to increase its development. In this context, the FADS1 gene encodes the delta-5 desaturase protein, which catalyzes the desaturation of PUFA. The rs174547 genetic variant of FADS1 has been associated with alterations in lipid metabolism, particularly with decreases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations. Objective: To analyze the effect of an n-3-supplemented diet on the fatty acid profile and composition in red blood cells (RBCs) of obese subjects carrying the rs174547 variant of the FADS1 gene. Methodology: Seventy-six subjects with obesity were divided into two groups: omega-3 (1.5 g of n-3/day) and placebo (1.5 g of sunflower oil/day). The dietary intervention consisted of a four-month follow-up. Anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary variables were evaluated monthly. The total fatty acid profile in RBC was determined using gas chromatography. The rs174547 variant was analyzed through allelic discrimination. Results: The n-3 index (O3I) increased at the end of the intervention in both groups. Subjects carrying the CC genotype showed significant differences (minor increase) in n-6, n-3, total PUFA, EPA, DHA, and the O3I in RBCs compared to TT genotype carriers in the n-3 group. Conclusions: The diet supplemented with EPA and DHA is ideal for providing the direct products that bypass the synthesis step affected by the FADS1 rs174547 variant in subjects carrying the CC genotype. The O3I confirmed an increase in n-3 fatty acids in RBCs at the end of the intervention. Full article

The heating system is an essential component of the glass molding process. It is responsible for heating the glass to an appropriate temperature, allowing it to soften and be easily molded. However, the energy consumption of the heating system becomes particularly significant in large-scale production. This study utilized G-11 glass for the simulation analysis and developed a finite element model for the thermal conduction of a 3D ultra-thin glass molding system, as well as a thermal bending model for smartwatches. Using finite element software, the heat transfer between the mold and the glass was modeled, and the temperature distribution and thermal stress under various processing conditions were predicted. The findings of the simulation, when subjected to a numerical analysis, showed that heating rate techniques significantly affect energy consumption. This study devised a total of four heating strategies. Upon comparison, optimizing with heating strategy 4, which applies an initial heating rate of 35 mJ/(mm²·s) during the initial phase (0 to 60 s) and subsequently escalates to 45 mJ/(mm²·s) during the second phase (60 to 160 s), resulted in a reduction of 4.396% in the system’s thermal output and a notable decrease of 7.875% in the heating duration, respectively. Furthermore, a single-factor research method was employed to study the forming process parameters. By comparing the numerical simulation results, it was found that within the temperature range of 615–625 °C, a molding pressure of 25–35 MPa, a heating rate of 1.5–2.5 °C/s, a cooling rate of 0.5–1 °C/s, and a pulse pressure of 45–55 Hz, the influence on residual stress and shape deviation in the glass was minimal. The relative error range was within the 20% acceptable limit, according to the experimental validation, which offered crucial direction and ideas for process development. Full article

Modern wireless communication systems have undergone a radical change with the introduction of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, which provide increased channel capacity, fast data rates, and secure connections. To achieve real-time requirements, such antenna technology needs to have good gains, wider bandwidths, satisfactory radiation characteristics, and high isolation. This article presents an eight-element CPW-fed antenna for the 5G mid-band. The proposed antenna consists of eight symmetrical, modified circular monopole antennas with a connected CPW-fed ground plane that offers 24 dB isolation over the operating range. The antenna is further investigated in terms of the scattering parameters, and radiation characteristics under both the x and y-axis bending scenarios. The antenna holds a volume of 83 × 129 × 0.1 mm³ and covers a measured impedance bandwidth of 4.5–5.5 GHz (20%) with an average gain of 4 dBi throughout the operating band. MIMO diversity performance of the antenna is performed, and the antenna exhibits good performance suitable for MIMO applications. Furthermore, the channel capacity (CC) is estimated, and the antenna gives a value of 41.8–42.6 bps/Hz within the operating bandwidth, which is very close to an ideal 8 × 8 MIMO system. The antenna shows an excellent match between the simulated and measured findings. Full article