The “ Analyzing Laminar and Turbulent Flow Performance in Finned Heat Transfer Systems” is a study or research project that focuses on assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of heat transfer systems equipped with finned surfaces. Optimizing thermal management in passive cooling pin fin devices is the focus of this research. The Reynolds number is a key parameter in its study of heat transfer efficiency and flow dynamics, distinguishing laminar and turbulent flows. The Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-omega model is used to simulate laminar and turbulent flows in finer heat transfer systems. Comparing the two flow regimes, it measures velocity, temperature, pressure, Reynolds number, and skin friction coefficient. The author wants to find the best fin design for heat transmission. Both flow types visually display streamlined patterns. The cooled heat transfer system is laminar, and turbulent flow is covered in ”Results and Discussion”. In laminar flow, velocities ranged from 0 to 0.129 m/s, static temperature varied from 305 to 320 K, static pressure ranged from -0.02 to 0.064 Pa, Reynolds number ranged from 128 to 243, and skin friction coefficient varied from 0.0048 to 0.01. In turbulent flow, velocities ranged from 0 to 0.235 m/s, static temperature varied from 300 to 320 K, static pressure ranged from -0.02 to 0.064 Pa, Reynolds number ranged from 2658 to 3736, and skin friction coefficient varied from 0.00487 to 0.012. Streamline patterns were also illustrated for both flows.

The use of UAV for 3D surface inspection has become an important tool in the field of large-scale structure maintenance. However, the commonly used UAV inspection path planning algorithms for 3D surface suffer from problems such as path quality dependent model accuracy, path inspection efficiency, and low inspection quality. To address these issues, this paper proposes a UAV 3D surface inspection path planning algorithm based on normal vector filtering and integrated viewpoint Evaluation. Generate a safe and effective set of viewpoints through uniform sampling and normal vector viewpoint filtering, and then use a integrated viewpoint evaluation method combined with Monte Carlo tree search to select viewpoints, thereby generating a safe, efficient, and complete UAV surface inspection path. The results of simulation and physical experiments show that the proposed method can effectively solve the path planning problem when using UAV for surface inspection of large three-dimensional structures. Meanwhile, while ensuring the quality of inspection, this method can reduce path redundancy and improve the surface inspection efficiency of UAV.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most prevalent form of chronic pain resulting from herpes zoster. Despite its prevalence, the molecular etiology of PHN remains poorly understood, and effective treatments are limited. In this study, we aimed to identify key serum molecules that exhibit significant differences between PHN patients and healthy controls. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we identified 24 upregulated and 8 downregulated differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in PHN patients compared to healthy controls. These dysregulated proteins are implicated in various biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components, and signaling pathways. Notably, the Rap1 signaling pathway and focal adhesion pathway were among the top pathways identified by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Key molecules including TLN1, CALM2, PFN1, and FLNA were found to be enriched in these pathways. Validation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a larger cohort confirmed the differential expression of CALM2, FLNA, and PFN1. Our findings suggest that CALM2, FLNA, and PFN1, along with their associated pathways, represent potential therapeutic targets for PHN.

Introduction:Thrombophilia can be defined as an increased tendency to develop a thrombus. Thrombophilia aetiology divides into either heritable defects, such as mutations in the genes encoding the natural anticoagulants antithrombin, protein C, protein S, clotting factors, prothrombin, and factor V, or acquired defects, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (1).Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterised by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, and anti-β2-glycoprotein 1. APS can present with a variety of clinical phenotypes, including arterial, venous thrombosis, and obstetric complications (2).Patients with APS may have diverse neurological condition these include Cerebrovascular accident , epilepsy, cognitive disorders, headaches/migraine, chorea, multiple sclerosis-like, transverse myelitis, ocular symptoms, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (3).Certain projections suggest that the occurrence of APS stands at approximately 5 fresh instances per year for every 100,000 individuals, with a prevalence of roughly 40 to 50 cases per 100,000 people (4). A study done in 1990 found that in a series of 51 unselected patients presenting with stroke and transient ischemic attacks, three had antiphospholipid syndrome(5).Another cause of thrombophilia is protein c and s deficiency. Protein C and protein S are glycoproteins, predominantly synthesised in the liver, that are important components of the natural anticoagulation system in the body. They are vitamin K-dependent and serve as essential components in the maintenance of physiologic hemostasis (1).Individuals with inherited abnormalities in the protein C and protein S pathways have an increased susceptibility to thromboembolic occurrences like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and organ ischemia [6].Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is considered as a rare cause of stroke (represent 1% of all stroke form in adult) (1). It tends to affect females which may he attributed to some gender-associated risks as pregnancy and oral contraceptive use (2).Due to its variable presentation; the diagnosis of CVT is still challenging. However, there are common clinical manifestations which include headache, seizure, focal neurological deficit, and altered sensorium. These symptoms may evolve over several days. Risk factors of CVT include hereditary thrombophilia, autoimmune disorder, malignancy and chronic inflammatory diseases. It is worth mentioning that patients with CVT may have more than one risk factor (3).Venous sinus thrombosis can be seen, with or without other peripheral thrombotic events, especially in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (7).

This research deals with the Kaup-Newell model (KNM), a class of nonlinear Schrödinger equations with important applications in plasma physics and nonlinear optics. Soliton solutions are essential for analyzing nonlinear wave behaviors in different physical systems, and the KNM is also significant in this context. The model’s ability to represent sub-picosecond pulses makes it a significant tool for the research of nonlinear optics and plasma physics. Overall, the KNM is an important research domain in these areas, with ongoing efforts focused on understanding its various solutions and potential applications. A new version of the generalized exponential rational function method (nGERFM) and ( G ′ G 2 ) -expansion function methods are utilized to discover diverse soliton solutions. The nGERFM facilitates the generation of multiple solution types, including singular, shock, singular periodic, exponential, combo trigonometric, and hyperbolic solutions in mixed forms. Thanks to ( G ′ G 2 ) -expansion function method, we obtain trigonometric, hyperbolic, and rational solutions. The modulation instability (MI) of the proposed model is examined, with numerical simulations complementing the analytical results to provide a better understanding of the solutions’ dynamic behavior. These results offer a foundation for future research, making the solutions effective, manageable, and reliable for tackling complex nonlinear problems. The methodologies used in this study are robust, influential, and practicable for diverse nonlinear partial differential equations (NLPDEs); to our knowledge, for this equation, these methods of investigation have not been explored before. The accuracy of each solution has been verified using the Maple software program.

Saltmarsh habitats sequester significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and provide vital habitats for various bird species but are eroding at increasingly rapid rates due to ongoing sea level rise. Yet, in some regions where space and topography permit, saltmarshes are transgressing into adjacent uplands, counterbalancing the lost area. In these areas, a greater proportion of saltmarsh is relatively young but it remains uncertain whether younger marshes support the same plant and animal communities as older ones. We compared soil organic matter (SOM), plant communities, and bird occupancy at 133 marsh patches on the Delmarva Peninsula, Virginia, USA. Marshes that converted from uplands since the early to mid-20th century exhibited lower SOM levels, were more closely situated to trees and snags, and were less likely to support obligate saltmarsh nesting bird species. Areas with past agricultural activity, characterized by features like berms and ditches, exhibited higher SOM levels, supported fewer of the most salt-tolerant plants and more of the least salt-tolerant species, and were more likely to support saltmarsh obligate bird species. We expect areas where a high proportion of relatively young marsh to shift away from the most salt-tolerant plants and birds, especially where an agricultural legacy can be found. We hypothesize that elevated organic carbon content found in formerly farmed fields may result from decreased inorganic sediment input, facilitated by restricted tidal flooding, rather than an enhanced capacity for carbon sequestration. However, further investigation is necessary to conclusively address this issue.

Background Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is widely used in daily life, however, research has shown its immune suppression function. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between prenatal exposure to PFOA and allergic diseases in children. Methods A prospective birth cohort study involving 648 pregnant women was conducted. Prenatal information was collected by an interview with the women and from medical records. Fetal umbilical cord blood was collected, and concentration of PFOA and genotype of IL-13 rs20541 were detected. Children were followed at 6, 12 and 24 months and information on the development of allergic diseases was recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between PFOA and allergic diseases. Stratified analysis was performed based on gender and genotype of IL-13 rs20541. Results In multivariate adjusted models, the highest PFOA quartile is associated with odds of atopic dermatitis (AD) (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.09-2.55), wheezing (OR 4.06, 95% CI 1.30-12.68), and allergic diseases (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.15-2.54). Female patients with the highest PFOA quartile have a higher odd of AD (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.20-4.23) and allergic diseases (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.07-3.46). Patients with GG genotype of IL-13 rs20541 and the highest PFOA quartile also have a higher odd of AD (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.41-5.67), wheezing (OR 15.16, 95% CI 1.38-166.59), and allergic diseases (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.27-4.61). Conclusions Prenatal exposure to PFOA increases the risk of developing allergic diseases in children, especially for the female patients and those with the genotype of IL-13 rs20541 GG.

Iodine-131 Therapy for Graves’ Disease: A Case Report of Radiation Thyroiditis and Its ManagementParry, R.1,2, Asokendaran, M.21School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.2Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia.

A document by Annie Jiao Wang. Click on the document to view its contents.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become indispensable assets in various sectors, leveraging their mobility and data collection capabilities. However, privacy and security concerns have fueled interest in Federated Learning (FL) as a solution. FL, decentralized and collaborative, offers promise in addressing privacy risks inherent in centralized data processing while enhancing model performance. In this review, we explore FL’s privacy and security implications in UAV ecosystems. We highlight FL’s potential to mitigate privacy risks by aggregating model updates locally, minimizing data transmission needs. Additionally, we examine security challenges and evaluate protective mechanisms. Through a systematic literature review, we identify gaps and propose future research directions, aiming to enhance the security and privacy of FL in UAV applications.

Research has shown that exposure to higher rates of neighborhood disadvantage and contextual threat increases risk for the development of psychopathology in youth, with some evidence that these effects may differ across racial/ethnic groups. Although studies have shown that direct exposure to stress impacts neural responses to threat-relevant stimuli, less is known about how neighborhood characteristics more generally (e.g., living in neighborhood characterized by high crime risk, whether or not the individual directly experiences any crime) may impact children’s neural responses to threat. To address this question, we examined links between census-derived indices of neighborhood crime and neural reactivity to emotional stimuli in a sample of 100 children (Mage = 9.64, 54% girls, 65% non-Hispanic White) and whether these relations differ for children from minority backgrounds compared to non-Hispanic White children. Focusing on the late positive potential (LPP) event-related potential (ERP) component, we examined neural reactivity to threat-relevant stimuli (fearful faces) as well as non-threat relevant negative (sad faces) and positive (happy faces) stimuli across low, medium, and high intensities (morph levels). We found that levels of neighborhood crime were associated with LPP response to high intensity fearful, but not happy or sad, faces, but only among children from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds. This suggests that levels of crime within one’s neighborhood may be a more salient stressor for children from minority racial-ethnic groups than for non-Hispanic White children.

The death of a baby during pregnancy, birth or in infancy is an intensely traumatic event for the mother and her family. Many women who suffer such loss go on to conceive another baby during this psychologically fragile time when grief and trauma dominate. Although pregnancy after loss may bring hope, it can come with exceptionally high anxiety and distress. Unfortunately, pregnancy after loss, especially if progressed to beyond gestation of previous loss, is not always recognised by health professionals as an acutely vulnerable time for parents. Whilst many caregivers receive training in how to break bad news and support bereaved parents around the time of loss, few receive guidance on how to optimally care for parents during a subsequent pregnancy. There can also be reluctance on the part of health professionals to talk about the baby who died, which means that many families are left to cope with distress in their own time. However, if the psychosocial aspects of the new pregnancy are negotiated with skill and the right support, this period can restore some psychological balance in preparation for the new baby's arrival. This article, written by parents who have experienced pregnancy after loss and caregivers, offers a list of concrete suggestions for psychosocial care based on how trauma and grief impact women and partners in subsequent pregnancies. We propose a set of communication strategies that involve gently acknowledging the loss and anticipating its effects on how the new pregnancy is experienced, as well as organisational strategies that offer an additional safety net. Together, these suggestions have the potential of creating a pregnancy experience that allows for better communication with health professionals as well as the new baby.

Presacral lipoblastoma presenting with urinary retention

A document by Mohamad Fael. Click on the document to view its contents.

Computationally efficient nonlinear model predictive control relies on elaborate discrete-time optimal control problem (OCP) formulations trading off accuracy with respect to the continuous-time problem and associated computational burden. Such formulations, however, are in general not easy to implement within specialized software frameworks tailored to numerical optimal control. This paper introduces a new multi-phase OCP interface for the open-source software acados allowing to conveniently formulate such problems and generate fast solvers that can be used for nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). While multi-phase OCP (MOCP) formulations occur naturally in many applications, this work focuses on MOCP formulations that can be used to efficiently approximate standard continuous-time OCPs in the context of NMPC. To this end, the paper discusses advanced control parametrizations, such as closed-loop costing and piecewise polynomials with varying degree, as well as partial tightening and formulations that leverage models of different fidelity. An introductory example is presented to showcase the usability of the new interface. Finally, three numerical experiments demonstrate that NMPC controllers based on multi-phase formulations can efficiently trade-off computation time and control performance.

This work investigates three energy-shaping control approaches to address the trajectory-tracking problem for specific classes of underactuated mechanical systems. In particular, the notions of contractive systems and dynamic extensions are utilized to solve the trajectory-tracking problem while addressing implementation issues such as the lack of velocity sensors and the presence of constant disturbances. To this end, a first tracking controller is developed without the need for velocity measurements. A second controller is introduced, solving the trajectory-tracking problem while rejecting matched constant disturbances. Then, a third approach establishes conditions to combine both mentioned controllers. It is shown that the proposed design methods guarantee exponential convergence of closed-loop systems for specific classes of underactuated mechanical systems. The third method is illustrated with an example.

Soil erosion-induced solute loss contributes to non-point source pollution (NPS). The extent and depth of soil solute involvement in runoff exchange processes are determined by soil disturbed depth ( Ds), encompassing runoff depth ( Dr), and effective mixing depth ( De). This study aimed to investigate the impacts of Ds on soil erosion and solute loss. The varying Dr (0.04 ~ 0.59 cm) and De (0.08 ~ 10.35 cm) were generated through rainfall (60, 90, and 120 mm h −1) and overland flow (0, 1, and 2 L min −1). Dr and De were quantified by the KMnO 4 and Br tracing methods, respectively. Additionally, runoff coefficient ( Rc), sediment concentration ( Cs), sediment yield rate ( Sy), Br concentration in runoff ( CBr), Dr, and De were determined at 2 or 3-minute intervals. Significant differences were observed in runoff initiation time ( Tr) (15 ~ 187 s), Rc (0.49 ~ 0.99), Sy (4.04 ~ 242.89 g m 2 min -1), Cs (2.88 ~ 48.66 g L -1), and CBr (0.70 ~15 601.26 mg L -1) across different Ds (F>3, P<0.01). A power function relationship was observed between Tr, Rc, and Ds ( R2adj> 0.89). Sy, Cs, and CBr demonstrated increasing trends with rising Ds, though the magnitude of these increases varied across different Ds ( R2adj> 0.55). Furthermore, a notable linear correlation was identified between cumulative runoff generation, sediment yield, Br loss, and mean Dr, De ( R2adj> 0.75). Collectively, Ds accounted for 64.9% and 46.2% of the variation in soil erosion and Br loss, respectively. These results would facilitate an improvement of NPS models.

Wind energy is one of the main renewable energy sources in the current energy transition. Due to ever more and ever larger wind turbines (WT), the requirements for WT operation become more complex. Model predictive control (MPC) for WTs shows the potential to handle these requirements and conflicting control objectives in a single optimization-based controller. Recent research has widely investigated MPC for WT in simulation, but mostly lacks experimental validation. This work aims to experimentally validate MPC on a full-scale WT under real conditions. To this end, we combine an Extendend Kalman Filter for nonlinear state estimation with robust linear time-varying MPC. We evaluate the proposed control algorithm in terms of time-domain performance and power curve in simulation. However, the main contribution of this work is the experimental validation on a 3MW WT in Northern Germany with a total duration of 3h continuous full access of the controller. We were able to demonstrate stable operation of the proposed MPC in the upper partial load regime, transition regime and lower full load regime, at measured wind speeds between 4.76m/s and 13.06m/s, inside and outside the wake shadow of another WT. The power curve determined in simulation shows comparable results to a reference feedback controller. The MPC formulation combines several control objectives in a single optimization problem, yet the tuning effort still remains complex. In future work, we plan to reduce the complexity of the control loop based on this experimentally validated MPC. We provide our experimental data at https://github.com/rwth-irt/MPC_WT_experiment.