Distributed order fractional differential equations are efficient in describing physical phenomena because of the differential order distribution. In this paper, the distributed order time-fractional reaction-diffusion equation is considered in the sense of Caputo fractional derivative. A hybrid method is developed based on the Moving Kriging (MK) interpolation and finite difference method for solving this distributed order equation. First, the distributed integral is discretized by the $M$-point Gauss Legendre quadrature rule. Then, the $L2-1_{\sigma}$ method is applied to approximate the solution of the fractional derivative discretization. Also, the unconditionally stability and rate of convergence $O(\tau^{2})$ of the time-discrete technique are illustrated. Furthermore, the MK interpolation is applied in the space variables discretization. Finally, some examples are presented to indicate the efficiency of this method and endorsement the theoretical results.

In this paper, Rational Bernstein polynomials on the semi-infinite interval are adapted to solve a Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) problem. Also, the derivative, product, convert, and Galerkin Exact Operational Matrices (EOMs) of these polynomials are produced. Using the spectral Galerkin method and the Exact Operational Matrices (EOMs) of Rational Bernstein polynomials, we solve the problem with high accuracy and speed. The problem is the flow of MHD micropolar over a moving plate with suction and injection boundary conditions. Comparing the results of the Rational Bernstein Galerkin method with operational matrices and without operational matrices shows that the present method is faster than another method. Also, comparing the results of the Rational Bernstein Galerkin method and Rational Gegenbauer Tau method shows that the present method is more accurate than another method.

The most common pediatric extragonadal pelvic cancers include germ cell tumors, sacrococcygeal teratomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas (arising from the urinary bladder, prostate, paratesticular tissues, vagina, uterus, and perineum). This manuscript describes the radiological and nuclear medicine features of these entities and provides consensus-based recommendations for the assessment at diagnosis, during and after treatment.

Purpose: Pediatric patients with medulloblastoma in LMICs are most treated with 3D conformal photon craniospinal irradiation (CSI), a time-consuming, complex treatment to plan, especially in resource-constrained settings. Therefore, we developed and tested a 3D conformal CSI autoplanning tool for varying patient lengths. Methods and Materials: Autocontours were generated with a deep learning model trained:tested (80:20 ratio) on 143 pediatric medulloblastoma CT scans (patient ages, 2-19 years, median=7 years). Using the verified autocontours, the autoplanning tool generated 2 lateral brain fields matched to a single spine field, an extended single spine field, or 2 matched spine fields. Additional spine sub-fields were added to optimize the corresponding dose distribution. Feathering was implemented (yielding 9-12 fields) to give a composite plan. Each planning approach was tested on 6 patients (ages, 3-10 years). A pediatric radiation oncologist assessed clinical acceptability of each autoplan. Results: The autocontoured structures’ average Dice similarity coefficient ranged from 0.65-0.98. The average V95 for the brain/spinal canal for single, extended, and multi-field spine configurations was 99.9±0.06%/99.9±0.10%, 99.9±0.07%/99.4±0.30%, and 99.9±0.06%/99.4±0.40%, respectively. The average maximum dose across all field configurations to the brainstem, eyes (L/R), lenses (L/R) and spinal cord were 23.7±0.08 Gy, 24.1±0.28 Gy, 13.3±5.27 Gy, 25.5±0.34 Gy, respectively (prescription=23.4 Gy/13 fractions). Of the 18 plans tested, all were scored as clinically acceptable as-is or clinically acceptable with minor, time-efficient edits preferred or required. No plans were scored as clinically unacceptable. Conclusion: The autoplanning tool successfully generated pediatric CSI plans for varying patient lengths in 3.50 ± 0.4 minutes on average, indicating potential for an efficient planning aid in resource-constrained settings.

We present a case of epicardial pacemaker implantation in a low birth weight newborn using the Model 3830. We found that the Model 3830 implanted in the epicardium can obtain superior pacing parameters, but there is still need more evidence to support it.

Accelerated durability evaluation aims to quantify the fatigue damage of components in a shorter time. The quality of accelerated editing directly affects the evaluation's efficiency and accuracy. This paper proposes an accelerated spectrum editing method based on the multiaxial rainflow counting theory, then derives an equivalent fatigue damage model for the components. Take the steering knuckle of a passenger car as the research object, the fatigue damage caused by the original and the accelerated spectrums are evaluated by the proposed method. The evaluation results show that the proposed method has apparent advantages in compression efficiency, damage consistency, and retaining the frequency domain impact on the component. The research of this paper can provide a theoretical and practical reference for accelerated fatigue testing.

Diagnosing COVID-19 and treating its complications remains a challenge. This review reflects the perspective of some of the Dragon (IMI 2-call 21, #101005122) research consortium collaborators on the utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in COVID-19. BAL has been proposed as a potentially useful diagnostic tool to increase COVID-19 diagnosis sensitivity. In both critically ill and non-critically ill COVID-19 patients, BAL has a relevant role in detecting other infections or in supporting alternative diagnosis, and can change management decisions in up to two-third of patients. BAL is used to guide steroid and immunosuppressive treatment and to narrow or discontinue antibiotic treatment reducing the use of unnecessary broad antibiotics. Moreover, cellular analysis and novel multi-omics techniques on BAL are of critical importance for the understanding of the microenvironment and interaction between epithelial cells and immunity revealing novel potential prognostic and therapeutic targets. The BAL technique has been described as safe for both patients and health care workers in more than a thousand procedures reported to date in the literature. Based on these preliminary studies, we recognize that BAL is a feasible procedure in COVID-19 known or suspected cases, useful to properly guide patient management and with great potential for research.

Indoxyl is an intermediate product in the production of indigo and indirubin. There are no studies on the inhibitory effect of indoxyl on microorganism. In this study, it was found that temperature-stress induced the synthesis of intracellular β-glucosidase, which had a great influence on the ratio of indican, indoxyl, indigo and indirubin in Strobilanthes cusia. At 100 ℃, only indican was detected, whereas a large amount of indoxyl was found at 50–70 ℃. HPLC analysis indicated that the use of indoxyl reduced glucose consumption and metabolite production by Staphylococcus aureus. The cells treated with indoxyl had irregular shapes, and fragments of cells were found in SEM images. The images of CLSM suggest that cell morphological changes would be caused by the inhibition of indoxyl on EMs formation. Moreover, indoxyl decreased intracellular ATP content and increased the NAD+/NADH ratio, which promoted the generation of H2O2, damaging cells.

IntroductionThe ironic phrase used by (Antoljak 2020) may be best to define the process of formation of BIM with reference to geotechnical engineering ‘the BIM collaboration is increasingly being achieved via data stored in and shared in the cloud. Geotechnical data that has always been so much down to earth now needs to be looked up in the cloud’. BIM allows governments and Architecture/Engineering/Construction organizations to collaborate and transform any infrastructure asset into a computer model long before breaking the ground. Consequently, many conflicts can be identified and resolved in the model at a fraction of the cost it would require to correct the mistake in the field (Antoljak 2020). As reported by (Tawelian and Mickovski 2016) geotechnical engineers fully support the integration of geotechnical data into the BIM process, while the majority of them consider that this would provide significant cost and time savings in major infrastructure projects. (Valeria, Roberta et al. 2019) Successfully imported a big quantity of borehole data in BIM software which were lately used for the design of soil nail reinforcements. (Berdigylyjov and Popa 2019) Investigated the barriers of integration of geotechnical and structural data as a single BIM model. It was stated that one of the obstacles was that many geotechnical engineers are discouraged from sharing data for the fear of possible interpretive misuse. (Fabozzi, Biancardo et al. 2021) performed a “3D BIM to finite element model (FEM) to BIM analysis” for a tunnel excavation case study. By the completion of the analysis the fourth dimension for project management was also added to the numerical model. It was shown that the existing 3D FEM software’s are not still mature enough for such complex systems and more improvement is necessary in this area. (Xu and Wang 2020) Used 3D geological modeling to conduct preliminary investigation of geotechnical survey results. (TUDublin and Brennan 2021) Conducted a case study on applying BIM for coastal infrastructure projects and proposed a potential of a 40 percent saving in capital budget. (Vaníček, Jirásko et al. 2021) State that by incorporation of BIM in geotechnical engineering along with 3D Geotechnical structure model, the necessary base for the future decision making would be created especially when some changes occur in the projects. (Goyal, Rai et al. 2022) Emphasized the revolutionary impact of BIM and transportation geotechnical engineering. (Bradley, Li et al. 2016) in a review highlighted the developing base of BIM for infrastructures from preliminary analysis to construction site and state that with the increasing complexity, Information uniqueness and governance requirements of infrastructure projects graph based technologies and distributed data environments are the way forward in meshing together and leveraging the vast amount of data produced by modern day architecture, engineering, construction, owner and operator Projects.Soils with poor geotechnical properties, such as weak clays, require improvement technique applications. Surcharge preloading along with PVDs is a very common technique nowadays and can be seen nearly in all section from urban to industrial industry, expanding to any location regardless of undesirable ground condition where it might be weak pits or expansive and sensitive marine clays. Since clays and peats have very low hydraulic conductivities, PVDs which have high hydraulic conductivity and high bending strength, are widely used in soft subsoil improvement. PVDs alter the drainage pass from vertical direction to horizontal, and accelerate the primary consolidation of soft ground. The basic concept of preloading is the reduction of weak soils void ratio through consolidation by applying pressure on ground surface for a predetermined time period and then removing whole or a part of embankment for construction of a permanent super structure. . A key design feature of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) use is to accelerate consolidation and increase shear strength of the weak, fine-grained foundation soil(Stark, Ricciardi et al. 2018) but care should be taken in real assessment of real behavior of the embankment. In the case of shortage of time, supplementary methods such as vacuum preloading might be applied as well. In such a case preloading consists of combined vacuum and surcharge preloading. Because of excessive downward and lateral forces, PVDs should be very flexible in nature otherwise the drainage capacity would be decreased or lost and in such a case differential settlement is unavoidable. In recent years new generations of PVDs with higher discharge capacity and strength were introduced like (Fu and Chai 2020, Zhang, Chen et al. 2020). Overestimation and false assumptions in design are the main factors which lead to embankment failures in most of the reported cases (Tan and Liew 2000, Hayashi, Nishimoto et al. 2011, Stark, Ricciardi et al. 2018).After preliminary site investigation and superstructure designation, based on project time schedule and cost, the soil treatment procedure is defined. Since such projects are often big-scale inherently, all parts from design to field executive operations are divided between different teams and smaller companies. Because of this inevitable division in responsibilities, there are always many clashes and inconsistencies between design offices and also between design sheets and field executive operations. This article discussed the importance of collaboration that should exist between structural and geotechnical designers and executive engineers. Two important items such as the infiltrated layer and the behavior of treated soil including PVDs in different phases of construction is discussed that is often neglected even in mega projects, and have the potential to become the reason for catastrophic failures in such projects.

M.M Pardsouie, Department of geotechnical engineering, Estahban Branch, Islamic Azad University, Estahban, Iran

This letter presents a novel structure of passive rectifier unit working in very high frequency (VHF) which could be used in implant devices in medical field or in sensor devices in internet of things (IoT) applications. The proposed rectifier utilized AC magnitude coupling adjustment technology which can effectively improve the PCE performance when the input voltage is high. Thus, the rectifier can hold high power convention efficiency (PCE) in a wide input range. The proposed AC magnitude coupling adjustment technology is based on tuning the capacitance, thus can adjust the coupled AC magnitude on the gate of the corresponding MOSFET. According to our simulation, the proposed rectifier structure can effectively improve the PCE performance when the input voltage is high, which can achieve a PCE higher than 60% in a wide input voltage range from about 0.8V to 3.3V.

A band-pass limiting filter (BPLF) based on a microstrip comb line loaded with PIN diodes is proposed in this letter. In contrast to conventional comb line filter designs, the BPLF utilizes PIN diodes to replace capacitor components. When the power of the input signal is below a certain level, the proposed BPLF acts as a filter. While for an input signal whose power is above a certain level, it behaves like a limiter. According to measurement data, the proposed BPLF has a broad passband with an insertion loss of about 3.5 dB from 8.2GHz to 9.0GHz, and a low limiting level of less than 17dBm with a high power input of 50W (47dBm). In general, the proposed BPLF enables dual selectivity of frequency and power, and can be applied to the front end of RF channels.

The power consumption of chips has emerged as a major concern with the increased integration of analog circuitry. This work focuses on a two-stage comparator based on a preamplifier with latch for successive approximation analog-to-digital converter. In order to minimize power loss and delay time, the charge steering approach was used in the design of latch as well as preamplifier. The suggested comparator is simulated in SMIC 0.18um process in comparison to the comparator without charge steering mode. The results reveal that the average power consumption is only around 22uW for varied input voltage at a supply voltage of 1.2V, which is relatively lowered by approximately 30%. Meanwhile, delay time is also reduced by about 25%.

Synthetic polymers scaffolds often need to be coated with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to improve cell adhesion. For cultivated meat applications, coating should be avoided since it is necessary to eliminate expensive and animal-derived components. As cellulose acetate nanofibers is a low-cost cellulose-derived material, that induces cell adhesion and proliferation, we investigated its use associated with a bioactive annatto extract, a food-dye and potential meat preservative, as scaffolds for cultivated meat. Here, the bioactive electrospun nanofibers were evaluated through morphological, mechanical and biological characterizations. The results revealed that the scaffolds were porous with no specific alignment and average fiber diameter of 420±212 nm. Molecular analyzes revealed that in contrast to cellulose acetate scaffold, annatto-loaded cellulose acetate scaffold favor a proliferative state of C2C12 mouse skeletal myoblasts. SEM microscopy images suggests that the nanofiber substrates can sustain long-term culture of the cells, up to 28 days. These results suggest that the combination of cellulose acetate fibers loaded with annatto extract may be an interesting economical alternative for support long-term muscle cells culture with potential application as a scaffold for cultivated meat and muscle tissue engineering.

In this letter, a rectangular waveguide with tunable negative group delay (NGD) is proposed. Corrugated tantalum nitride (TaN) slow wave structure is used to generate the NGD response. The NGD value and NGD center frequency can be adjusted continuously by the corrugation width and height. The simulation results show that the NGD values of up to -0.7 ns are potentially available. A prototype of the proposed structure is fabricated and measured. The measured results show the fabricated structure is capable of generating up to -0.115 ns group delay at 19.4 to 19.8 GHz which is consistent with simulation predictions. To our best knowledge, this is the first time that the negative time delay has been realized at Ka-band in rectangular waveguide.

The optimization of downstream processing is a critical step in any microalgae-related process. The microalgal biomass is separated from the initial diluted cultures to form a concentrated slurry, the properties of which greatly influence the design and performance of further processing steps, such as enzymatic hydrolysis. In this work, the rheological behaviour of two microalgae concentrates produced both in freshwater (Scenedesmus almeriensis) and seawater (Nannochloropsis gaditana) were studied. Measurements were performed on the entire range of biomass concentrations, from 0.5 g/L to 264 g/L. Non-Newtonian behaviour was observed whatever the water type and biomass concentration used, especially at high biomass concentrations above 10 g/L. The rheological data were adjusted to the Power Law model, and the consistency and flow behaviour indexes were correlated with the biomass concentration. The results show that the freshwater and seawater biomass exhibited different behaviour, with freshwater slurries being more viscous than seawater ones. The high viscosity of freshwater slurries requires increased energy consumption for mixing, with an estimated cost increase of 60% when using them under the non-Newtonian conditions considered. These findings highlight the considerable effect of algae biomass rheology on the mixing power required during microalgae biomass processing.

A document by Yasmeen Haseeb. Click on the document to view its contents.

Endophytic bacteria are important for plant growth, stress tolerance and metabolite synthesis. Camellia oleifera is a unique woody oil crop in China, and the bacterial communities at different niches have not been fully reported. To investigate the structural characteristics and diversity of bacterial communities in different niches of C. oleifera, we applied high-throughput sequencing technology on the Illumina MiSeq platform to explore the diversity of bacteria species in roots, stems, leaves, inter-rhizosphere soils and non-rhizosphere soils of C. oleifera. We obtained 3,127 OTUs (operational taxonomic units) from five samples, belonging to 16 phyla, 58 orders, 91 families, 162 families and 249 genera; the abundance and diversity of bacterial communities in different niches of C. oleifera decreased from bottom to top; the absolute dominant species in different tissues of C. oleifera were the same at different levels except for soil, and there were specific bacterial communities in roots and stems of C. oleifera. The KEGG functional predictions revealed that endophytic bacteria were involved in a variety of metabolic pathways, including functional information related to human diseases. The structure and diversity of endophytic bacterial communities in different niches of C. oleifera showed a bottom-up filtering selection mechanism, and the bacterial communities in different niches differed significantly in structure and functional information, providing favourable information for the functional use of endophytic bacteria and the exploitation of new beneficial microbial resources, which is worth further research and exploitation.

The vaginal outlet wall anatomy: A prospective case series study Abstract Objectives To describe and document the anatomical and histological architecture of the vaginal outlet wall. Design A prospective observational case series study. Setting International centers. Population Twelve fresh human female cadavers. Methods Female corpses were subjected to stratum-by-stratum, macro-, and micro-anatomical dissections in sagittal, transverse, and coronal planes. The multiple excisional biopsies were obtained from the vaginal outlet wall at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock locations for histological examination. Digital photograms documented the anatomical and histological features. Primary Outcome measures Gross, topographic anatomy, and characteristic histologic features of the vaginal outlet wall. Results The vaginal outlet wall (VOW) was positioned in the vertical orientation and fused with horizontally located the vaginal wall at the hymeneal plate level. The hymeneal membrane and ring were not attached directly to the vaginal wall. VOW had three identifiable anatomical-histological layers a) the hymeneal membrane, b) the hymeneal ring (cartilage) with different anatomy and histology than the vaginal wall, and c) the hymeneal plate (the deep level of VOW), which connects to the vaginal wall. Conclusions The vaginal outlet wall is an anatomical structure consisting of the hymeneal membrane, hymeneal ring (cartilage), and hymeneal plate. This structure is in vertical topographic orientation. Anatomically and histologically, it differs from the vaginal wall, which fuses with the deep layer of the hymeneal plate.

Antibody drug conjugates are a class of biotherapeutic proteins which have been extensively developed in recent years resulting in new approvals and improved standard of care for cancer patients. Among the numerous strategies of conjugating cytotoxic payloads to monoclonal antibodies, insertion of a cysteine residue at position 239 (C239i) achieves a tightly controlled, site specific drug to antibody ratio. Tailored analytical tools are required to direct the development of processes capable of manufacturing novel antibody scaffolds with the desired product quality. Here, we describe the development of a high throughput, 12-minute, mass spectrometry based method capable of monitoring four distinct quality attributes simultaneously: variations in the thiol state of the inserted cysteines, N-linked glycosylation, reduction of inter-chain disulphide bonds, and polypeptide fragmentation. When deployed, the method provided new insight into the properties of C239i antibody intermediate and its manufacturing processes. First, C239i forms exclusively oxidised thiol states within the bioreactor, of which a variant containing an additional disulphide bond was invariably produced and remained relatively constant throughout the fed-batch process; reduced thiol variants were introduced upon harvest. Second, close to twenty percent of N-linked glycans contained sialic acid, substantially higher than anticipated for wildtype IgG1. Lastly, previously unreported polypeptide fragmentation sites were identified in the C239i constant (C H2) domain and the relationship between fragmentation and glycoform explored. This work illustrates the utility of applying a high-throughput liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) multi-attribute monitoring method to support the development of engineered antibody scaffolds.

A 35 years old female presented to the ED with severe pain and right thigh discharge for 2 days. She gave a history of chickenpox 2 weeks ago and received ibuprofen for excruciating pain. She was immediately diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and shock.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accordance rate between prenatal ultrasonography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for varied neural tube defects (NTDs), and introduce detailed prenatal imaging characteristics of multiple NTDs. Design: A prospective observational study Setting: Chinese PLA General Hospital Population: The fetuses developing possible NTDs. Method: We prospectively followed up the fetuses and collected their data of prenatal ultrasonography, fetal MRI, and postnatal MRI examinations. Fisher’s exact test was used to perform the statistical analysis. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Main Outcome Measures: The diagnostic accordance rate of prenatal ultrasonography and fetal MRI for each involved NTD, prenatal imaging characteristics of each involved NTD. Results: We included 119 fetuses with 11 NTDs. Ultrasonography revealed a significant advantage in diagnosing spina bifida (P < 0.05) and a relative advantage in diagnosing intraspinal cyst, dermal sinus, and skin mass. MRI demonstrated intraspinal lipoma better (P < 0.05), and was appropriate for identifying complex malformations. Both could accurately diagnose tethered cord syndrome (without intraspinal lesions), meningocele/myelomeningocele, and sacrococcygeal teratoma. Conclusions: Prenatal ultrasonography and fetal MRI have different advantages in diagnosing NTDs. To ensure a prompt and accurate diagnosis, it is crucial for clinicians to raise awareness of the prenatal imaging characteristics of various NTDs, which will lay a solid foundation for better fetal prognosis. Funding: This study was supported by the Capital’s Funds for Health Improvement and Research (CFH2022-2-5022). Keywords: prenatal ultrasonography, fetal magnetic resonance imaging, neural tube defects, pregnancy, diagnosis, fetus

Objective To assess the effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of post-placental insertion of GyneFix postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) in women undergoing cesarean section (C-section). Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Fourteen hospitals in four provinces of China. Population and sample Women who underwent C-section and consented to the post-placental insertion of GyneFix PPIUD. We enrolled 470 participants, and 400 completed the 12-month follow-up. Methods Participants were interviewed in the wards after delivery and followed up at 42 days, and months 3, 6, and 12 after delivery. Main outcome measures Pregnancy, PPIUD expulsion, serious adverse events, and continuation of PPIUD. Results Nine pregnancies were detected during the first year after GytneFix PPIUD insertion, 7 were due to device expulsion and 2 occurred with PPIUD in situ. The Pearl Indices (PI; pregnancy per 100 women-years) for overall 1-year pregnancy rate and pregnancies with IUD in situ were 2.32 (95% CI: 1.06–4.40) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.06–1.86), respectively. The 1-year expulsion PI was 8.25 (95% CI: 5.63–11.63). The expulsion PI was significantly higher in the first 6 months (12.78, 95% CI: 8.42–18.60) than the second 6 months (2.82, 95% CI: 0.92–6.58). The cumulative 1-year continuation rate was 86.56% (95% CI: 83.32–89.79). We did not identify any patient with insertion failure, uterine perforation, pelvic infection, or excess bleeding due to GyneFix PPIUD insertion. Conclusions Post-placental insertion of GyneFix PPIUD is effective, safe, and acceptable for women undergoing C-section. An ultrasound scan during the first 6 months after PPIUD insertion is recommended to identify any unrecognized expulsions.

Preface by Prof. Titia de Lange, Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA The 19th Annual Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences celebrated a breakthrough in cell biology: how membrane-less cellular compartments are formed. The existence of membrane-less organelles, often called bodies or puncta, have been known for a long time, but what exactly they represented and how they were formed was not known. This problem was solved by a physicist, Clifford Brangwynne, a cell biologist, Anthony Hyman and a chemist, Michael Rosen. Each, synergistically, made groundbreaking contributions to the discovery that membrane-less organelles are liquid-liquid phase-separated entities. The two independent discoveries leading to the principle that multivalent low-affinity interactions between selected sets of macromolecules, some containing intrinsically disordered regions, formed a molecular condensate with unique dynamic properties, gave birth to the large, blossoming field of biomolecular condensates. The implications of those findings have influenced almost all further research of intracellular processes, including RAS signaling, immune synapses, DNA repair, transcriptional activation, and the functions of nuclear pores, the nucleolus and centrosomes. In this Perspective article, the laureates of the award take us on their personal and professional trip that led to their scientific discoveries. Their stories are a celebration of the interdisciplinary essence of Natural Sciences and the potential unlocked when scientists from different fields work together to solve mysteries.