Response of Gaussian-modulated guided wave in aluminum: An analytical, numerical, and experimental study

The application of guided-wave ultrasonic testing in structural health monitoring has been widely accepted. Comprehensive experimental works have been performed in the past but their validation with possible analytical and numerical solutions still requires serious efforts. In this paper, behavior and detection of the Gaussian-modulated sinusoidal guided-wave pulse traveling in an aluminum plate are presented. An analytical solution is derived for sensing guided wave at a given distance from the actuator. This solution can predict the primary wave modes separately. Numerical analysis is also carried out in COMSOL® Multiphysics software. An experimental setup comprising piezoelectric transducers is used for the validation. Comparison of experimental results with those obtained from analytical and numerical solutions shows close agreement

Involvement of soluble proteins in growth and metabolic adjustments of drought-stressed Calligonum mongolicum seedlings under nitrogen addition

The planting of seedlings is the most effective measure for vegetation restoration. However, this practice is challenging in desert ecosystems where water and nutrients are scarce. Calligonum mongolicum is a sand-fixing pioneer shrub species, and its adaptive strategy for nitrogen (N) deposition and drought is poorly understood. Thus, in a pot experiment, we studied the impacts of four N levels (0, 3, 6, 9 gN·m−2·year−1) under drought or a well-watered regime on multiple eco-physiological responses of 1-year-old C. mongolicum seedlings. Compared to well-watered conditions, drought considerably influenced seedling growth by impairing photosynthesis, osmolyte accumulation and activity of superoxide dismutase and enzymes related to N metabolism. Nitrogen addition improved the productivity of drought-stressed seedlings, as revealed by increased water use efficiency, enhanced superoxide dismutase and nitrite reductase activity and elevated N and phosphorus (P) levels in seedlings. Nevertheless, the addition of moderate to high levels of N (6–9 gN·m−2·year−1) impaired net photosynthesis, osmolyte accumulation and nitrate reductase activity. N addition and water regimes did not markedly change the N:P ratios of aboveground parts; while more biomass and nutrients were allocated to fine roots to assimilate the insufficient resources. Soluble protein in assimilating shoots might play a vital role in adaptation to the desert environment. The response of C. mongolicum seedlings to N addtion and drought involved an interdependency between soluble protein and morphological, physiological and biochemical processes. These findings provide an important reference for vegetation restoration in arid lands under global change.Fil: Zhang, Z.. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems; ChinaFil: Tariq, A.. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems; ChinaFil: Zeng, F.. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems; ChinaFil: Chai, X.. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems; ChinaFil: Graciano, Corina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; Argentin

Sustainable digital economy and trade adjusted carbon emissions: Evidence from China's provincial data

The importance of the digital economy and trade adjusted emissions is of great importance to study, especially in case of China. Since China is the leading exporter of the world and achieving high economic growth consecutively for the last 2-3 decades, this study, unlike past studies, evaluates the importance of digital economy, exports, imports and gross domestic product on trade adjusted carbon emissions for China. This is the only study that incorporates the importance of digital economy on trade adjusted carbon emissions for provincial data of China. This study determines whether the digital economy is a viable source of green economy. Research and development will simply replace a physical resource, flows through energy and transportation networks? This question is answered by using updated data, especially for digital economy. This study uses panel data for the Chinese provinces to investigate the impact of the digital economy in limiting CO2 emissions, taking into account GDP, exports and imports as control variables. Using method of moments quantile regression, we find a negative impact of digital economy and exports on consumption-based carbon emissions. Moreover, we find that GDP, and imports amplify consumption-based carbon emissions. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Decoupled and Descattered Monopole MIMO Antenna Array with Orthogonal Radiation Patterns

This chapter introduces a novel design concept to reduce mutual coupling among closely-spaced antenna elements of a MIMO array. This design concept significantly reduces the complexity of traditional/existing design approaches such as metamaterials, defected ground plane structures, soft electromagnetic surfaces, parasitic elements, matching and decoupling networks using a simple, yet a novel design alternative. The approach is based on a planar single decoupling element, consisting of a rectangular metallic ring resonator printed on one face of an ungrounded substrate. The decoupling structure surrounds a two-element vertical monopole antenna array fed by a coplanar waveguide structure. The design is shown both by simulations and measurements to reduce the mutual coupling by at least 20 dB, maintain the impedance bandwidth over which S11, is less than −10 dB, and reduce the envelope correlation coefficient to below 0.001. The boresight of the far-field radiation patterns of the two vertical monopole wire antennas operating at 2.4 GHz and separated by 8 mm (λo/16), where λo is the free-space wavelength at 2.45 GHz, is shown to be orthogonal and inclined by 45° with respect to the horizontal (azimuthal) plane while maintaining the shape of the isolated single antenna element

Development and characterisation of semi-crystalline composite granules: the effect of particle chemistry and the electrostatic charging

This study investigated the surface of semi-crystalline composite granules produced via a novel mechano-chemical process and assessed the effect of electrostatic charging. Ibuprofen (IBU), a model drug with low solubility and known associated processing challenges was loaded in composite granules to improve its processibility and dissolution rates. Synthetic amorphous mesoporous magnesium alumina metasilicate (MAS) was co-processed with hydrophilic HPMC polymer in the presence of polyethylene glycol 2000 (PEG) and deionised water. The solid state analyses conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed the existence of semi-crystalline IBU in the complex composite structures. Dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) study showed the water sorption and desorption profiles of the manufactured composite granules as well as the effect of water on the solid-state stability of IBU in various formulations. Advanced surface analysis conducted via energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) revealed homogenous distribution of the drug/excipients on the surface of the granules while atomic force microscopy (AFM) complemented the findings. The electrostatic charge analysis showed variable charge property which is affected by the size of the particles/granules. As expected, the in vitro dissolution study showed about 5 fold increase in the release rates of IBU compared to that of the bulk drug. The mechano-chemical processing has been demonstrated as an efficient technique to develop semi-crystalline composite granules with enhanced dissolution rates of water insoluble drugs

Immunomodulatory Effects of Psyllium Extract on Helicobacter pylori Interaction With Gastric Epithelial Cells.

Natural plant product Psyllium has anti-inflammatory activity that can modulate the function of cytokines. We determined the effect of Psylliumhusk extract on interleukin (IL)-8 and NF-κB secretion by gastric epithelial cells in response to Helicobacter pylori Human gastricadenocarcinoma cell line (AGS) cells were pretreated with Psyllium extract in different concentrations before H pylori infection. Cell culture supernatant was analyzed for IL-8 and NF-κB by ELISA. RNA from cells was used for real-time polymerase chain reaction for messenger RNA expression of IL-8. Psyllium extract 5 and 10 μg/mL markedly (P \u3c .001) lowered basal IL-8 by 64.71% and 74.51%, respectively, and H pylori-stimulated IL-8 was also (P \u3c .001) lowered by 41.67% and 66.67%, respectively. Psyllium 5 and 10 μg/mL also reduced (P \u3c .0001) cagA-positive H pylori-induced IL-8 mRNA expression by 42.3% and 67.6%, respectively. Psyllium also reduced (P = .0001) NF-κB in response to H pylori strains confirming its role as an anti-inflammatory agent

Identification of avian Mycoplasma species in commercial broilers and layers with respiratory symptoms in Balochistan

Among many avian mycoplasmas, only the Mycoplasmas gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasmas synoviae (MS) are responsible for causing respiratory disease in commercial poultry. This study reported for the very first time the serological occurrence of M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae in blood samples (n = 600) from sixty flocks (n = 42 broiler and n = 18 layer flocks) with respiratory symptoms in Quetta, Pishin and Kuchlak districts of Balochistan, Pakistan. Sera were tested for MG and MS antibody responses by serum plate agglutination (SPA) test and by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) Synbiotics kit. It was found that M. gallisepticum antibodies in broiler flocks detected by SPA and by ELISA tests were 10.47 and 19.76%, whereas M. synoviae were 7.86 and 11.19%, respectively. In layer flocks the MG and MS antibodies detected by SPA and ELISA were 19.44, 31.66 and 8.8, 25%, respectively. The overall antibodies of MG and MS in both broiler and layer flocks tested by SPA and ELISA was found to be 13.16, 23.33 and 8.16, 15.33%, respectively. In broiler and layer flocks the presence of antibodies against both M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae were found in tested flocks with respiratory symptoms. Further studies on prevalence and diagnosis of both the M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae in causing respiratory disease in commercial broilers and layers in Balochistan are required.Key words: Mycoplasma, broilers, serum plate agglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Assessment of Protective Clothing Used by Chemical Industry Workers in Pakistan

Protective clothing serves as a barrier against many hazards faced by workers in the industry. This study aimed to investigate the performance of locally manufactured clothing used by workers in the chemical industries in Pakistan. The construction parameters were determined using international test procedures for all samples. Then, these were assessed for their chemical resistance behavior after various laundering intervals, following the ISO 6530:2005 test method. After the investigation, it was observed that the collected samples failed to meet the minimum criteria for penetration and repellency through their structure. The samples were unable to repel a minimum of 95% liquid chemical and penetrated it more than 5%, even at zero wash. These conditions worsened with each washing interval. Clothing materials should always be checked for their performance before use to protect workers at workplace

HIF-independent synthetic lethality between CDK4/6 inhibition and VHL loss across species

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from AAAS via the DOI in this recordData and materials availability: The full dataset of the dsRNA screen in Drosophila S2R+cells is available at www.flyrnai.org/screensummary. All other data needed to evaluate the conclusions in the paper are present in the paper or the Supplementary Materials.Inactivation of the VHL tumor suppressor gene is the signature initiating event in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, and causes the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α). HIF-2α inhibitors are effective in some ccRCC cases, but both de novo and acquired resistance have been observed in the laboratory and in the clinic. Here, we identified synthetic lethality between decreased activity of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) and VHL inactivation in two species (human and Drosophila) and across diverse human ccRCC cell lines in culture and xenografts. Although HIF-2α transcriptionally induced the CDK4/6 partner cyclin D1, HIF-2α was not required for the increased CDK4/6 requirement of VHL−/− ccRCC cells. Accordingly, the antiproliferative effects of CDK4/6 inhibition were synergistic with HIF-2α inhibition in HIF-2α–dependent VHL−/− ccRCC cells and not antagonistic with HIF-2α inhibition in HIF-2α–independent cells. These findings support testing CDK4/6 inhibitors as treatments for ccRCC, alone and in combination with HIF-2α inhibitors.National Cancer InstituteDana-Farber Cancer InstituteHoward Hughes Medical InstituteNational Institute of General Medical Science

Energy-aware Successor Tree Consistent EDF Scheduling for PCTGs on MPSoCs

Multiprocessor System-on-Chips (MPSoCs) computing architectures are gaining popularity due to their high-performance capabilities and exceptional Quality-of-Service (QoS), making them a particularly well-suited computing platform for computationally intensive workloads and applications.} Nonetheless, The scheduling and allocation of a single task set with precedence restrictions on MPSoCs have presented a persistent research challenge in acquiring energy-efficient solutions. The complexity of this scheduling problem escalates when subject to conditional precedence constraints between the tasks, creating what is known as a Conditional Task Graph (CTG). Scheduling sets of Periodic Conditional Task Graphs (PCTGs) on MPSoC platforms poses even more challenges. This paper focuses on tackling the scheduling challenge for a group of PCTGs on MPSoCs equipped with shared memory. The primary goal is to minimize the overall anticipated energy usage, considering two distinct power models: dynamic and static power models. To address this challenge, this paper introduces an innovative scheduling method named Energy Efficient Successor Tree Consistent Earliest Deadline First (EESEDF). The EESEDF approach is primarily designed to maximize the worst-case processor utilization. Once the tasks are assigned to processors, it leverages the earliest successor tree consistent deadline-first strategy to arrange tasks on each processor. To minimize the overall expected energy consumption, EESEDF solves a convex Non-Linear Program (NLP) to determine the optimal speed for each task. Additionally, the paper presents a highly efficient online Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) heuristic, which operates in O(1) time complexity and dynamically adjusts the task speeds in real-time}. We achieved the average improvement, maximum improvement, and minimum improvement of EESEDF+Online-DVS 15%, 17%, and 12%, respectively compared to EESEDF alone. Furthermore, in the second set of experiments, we compared EESEDF against state-of-the-art techniques LESA and NCM. The results showed that EESEDF+Online-DVS outperformed these existing approaches, achieving notable energy efficiency improvements of 25% and 20% over LESA and NCM, respectively. \hl{Our proposed scheduler, EESEDF+Online-DVS, also achieves significant energy efficiency gains compared to existing methods. It outperforms IOETCS-Heuristic by approximately 13% while surpassing BESS and CAP-Online by impressive margins of 25% and 35%, respectively