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Three-dimensional velocity fields of a large-scale reorientation in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection at $ {\rm Ra} = 2.5\cdot 10^9 $ Ra=2.5⋅109 in a 300 mm cubic water cell are measured using particle tracking velocimetry. Reorientations are rare events occurring about once every three days in our setup, involve the large-scale circulation switching between cell diagonals. The dominant flow structures of the reorientation are extracted from the measurement data using POD supported by symmetries of the cubic cell to mimic long time series of reorientation events. The decomposition reveals degenerate mode pairs. The first six modes of the decomposition account for about 70% of the total energy and contain the major coherent structures. Modes 1-3 reflect the orientation and dynamics of the large-scale circulation, and modes 4-6 provide the orientation and dynamics of the corner circulations. A pure Y roll structure is observed in the middle of the reorientation event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The risk factors for postoperative delirium are numerous and complex. One approach to identifying patients at risk is to evaluate their nutritional status. The aim of this prospective study is to better understand nutrition as a potential risk factor for postoperative delirium. Methods: A comprehensive preoperative assessment (Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), the SARC-F questionnaire, Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF)) were carried out as a prospective clinical study on 421 patients (70+) from 4 different surgical disciplines. Postoperatively, patients are examined daily for the presence of delirium using the 4AT screening tool (Arousal, Attention, Abbreviated Mental Test − 4, Acute change), the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NuDesc) and the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) with its adaptation for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU). Results: If there were indications of frailty or sarcopenia in the CFS or SARC-F, the association with delirium was increased 5.34-fold (OR of 5.34 [95% CI: 2.57;11.1]) and 5.56-fold (OR of 5.56 [95% CI: 2.97;10.4]) respectively. Delirium also occurred significantly more frequently with the risk of malnutrition or manifest malnutrition (MNA-SF) than with a normal nutritional status. Conclusions: Patients' preoperative and nutritional status significantly impact the risk of developing postoperative delirium. Factors such as frailty, sarcopenia and possible malnutrition must be considered when implementing an effective and targeted preoperative assessment. Trail registration: German Clinical Trials Registry at https://www.drks.de/DRKS00028614, Registered 25 March 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper introduces a novel approach that combines proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) with thermodynamics‐based artificial neural networks (TANNs) to capture the macroscopic behavior of complex inelastic systems and derive macro‐elements in geomechanics. The methodology leverages POD to extract macroscopic internal state variables from microscopic state information, thereby enriching the macroscopic state description used to train an energy potential network within the TANN framework. The thermodynamic consistency provided by TANN, combined with the hierarchical nature of POD, allows to reproduce complex, nonlinear inelastic material behaviors, as well as macroscopic geomechanical systems responses. The approach is validated through applications of increasing complexity, demonstrating its capability to reproduce high‐fidelity simulation data. The applications proposed include the homogenization of continuous inelastic representative unit cells and the derivation of a macro‐element for a geotechnical system involving a monopile in a clay layer subjected to horizontal loading. Eventually, the projection operators directly obtained via POD are exploited to easily reconstruct the microscopic fields. The results indicate that the POD‐TANN approach not only offers accuracy in reproducing the studied constitutive responses, but also reduces computational costs, making it a practical tool for the multiscale modeling of heterogeneous inelastic geomechanical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocimum basilicum L. is a multipurpose plant species used in the horticultural sector as a medicinal, herbaceous and ornamental plant. In our experiment, the Hungarian cultivar O. basilicum Rokokó was treated with algae (Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenf.), horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) extracts and humic extracts. The effect of the biostimulants on the groups was assessed by morphological (leaf number, leaf area, fresh green mass, fresh root mass), histological (number of volatile oil glands) and physiological (chlorophyll content, peroxidase enzyme activity, proline levels) measurements. Obtained results were evaluated and it was concluded that the plants treated with algae and E. arvense extracts showed remarkable results for all the parameters measured. It was concluded that these extracts can be used as biostimulants in the cultivation of basil seedlings as ornamental plants, as they have a beneficial effect on the development of the plant. The humic extracts were less effective during the time period studied, probably due to their high molecular weight, which would have resulted in a longer absorption time. For the humic extracts, foliar application was less effective than irrigation, probably due to rapid damping-off, which reduced the penetration of humic extracts into the leaves. Though morphological characteristics are especially important for basil used as an ornamental plant, the plant's essential oil content can also be important in attracting attention in urban plantings. It was found that humic extracts applied (22.8 pcs/sampling area) with irrigation had a strong effect on essential oil glands, in contrast when used as a spray (13.1 pcs/sampling area). The lowest stress levels were obtained in the group treated with irrigated humus extracts (274.96 µg/mg), which may be related to the continuous supply of nutrients, and in the group treated with E. arvense extract, silicon (219.05 µg/mg) may be the result of hermetic effects. In conclusion, E. arvense and algae extracts can be effective biostimulants in the horticultural sector for the seedling production of ornamental basil, and after a longer growing period, humic extracts can be used effectively by irrigation after planting. The use of natural extracts can also give a green light to this segment for sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation, which can also better resist the effects of climate change and urbanisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sentinel-6A mission extends the set of satellites dedicated to continuous ocean altimetry measurements, which started with TOPEX/Poseidon in 1992. To utilize these measurements, high-accuracy orbit solutions with radial position errors of less than 1.5cm (RMS) are required. For precise orbit determination (POD), a dedicated GPS/Galileo triple-frequency receiver (PODRIX) is available. Complementary to this, the TriG receiver provides GPS-only observations for POD and radio occultations. Previous research has shown that reduced-dynamic orbit solutions with PODRIX GPS/Galileo measurements meet the mission requirement for radial position accuracy of 1.5 cm (RMS). However, baseline estimation between the PODRIX and TriG antennas still reveals obvious inconsistencies in the along- and cross-track directions. In this study, we present a comprehensive reprocessing of orbit solutions using three years of Sentinel-6A flight data from both receivers covering January 2021 to December 2023. Cross-comparison between both receivers shows that inconsistencies can be removed by applying a yaw bias and a timing error correction. A comparative analysis of macro-models demonstrates strong correlation of cross-track empirical accelerations with the Sun elevation above the orbital plane when using nominal surface properties reported by the manufacturer. Adjusted macro-models improve performance at the expense of requiring increased surface areas or reflectivity coefficients. In addition to improved radiation pressure models, newly estimated antenna patterns and a time-varying gravity field were used in the analysis. The reprocessed data confirm good agreement of the results of both receivers except for a relative timing error of 1.3 μ s, and the yaw bias correction of −0.43° removes previously-observed systematic differences in the estimated empirical accelerations. Satellite laser ranging results based on SLRF2020 station coordinates demonstrate a 5—6 mm (1D RMS) accuracy of the GNSS-based POD solutions across the IGb14/IGS20 reference frame transition in November 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pod of African locus bean (Parkia biglobosa) is a type of biomass that is haphazardly discarded in eastern Nigeria and other parts of the country, thus leading to significant pollution. Hence, the objective of this paper was to isolate and characterization of cellulose and microcrystal cellulose obtained from the pod of African locus bean (Parkia biglobosa) using appropriate standard techniques. The FTIR revealed the presence of OH, C-O-C pyranose rings, and cellulosic ß-glycosidic linkages. The SEM revealed a rough surface and MCC agglomeration. An EDX study of the cellulose found the following elements: C (80.42%), Na (4.21%), O (15%), N (10.12%), Al (5.66), Mg (2.73%), Si (2.11), and Na (4.21%). The MCC also included the elements C (61.32%), Na (19.59%), O (17.43%), Cu (30.67%), Si (9.23%), Mn (6.15%), and Na (4.21%), albeit with some variation compared to cellulose. Both cellulose and MCC demonstrate a sharp peak around 400 oC, with a mass loss of approximately 66.584% and a slight variation in weight masses with the temperature range of 30-100 oC. Further studies using XRD estimated the crystallinity index of cellulose and MCC at 62.8% and 78.9%, respectively. The different treatments applied to the isolated cellulose are linked to the variation in mass percentage. So, the purified MCC could be a useful ingredient in making environmentally friendly polymers, binders, adsorbents, and composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The risk factors for postoperative delirium are numerous and complex. One approach to identifying patients at risk is to evaluate their nutritional status. The aim of this prospective study is to better understand nutrition as a potential risk factor for postoperative delirium. Methods A comprehensive preoperative assessment (Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), the SARC-F questionnaire, Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF)) were carried out as a prospective clinical study on 421 patients (70+) from 4 different surgical disciplines. Postoperatively, patients are examined daily for the presence of delirium using the 4AT screening tool (Arousal, Attention, Abbreviated Mental Test − 4, Acute change), the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NuDesc) and the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) with its adaptation for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU). Results If there were indications of frailty or sarcopenia in the CFS or SARC-F, the association with delirium was increased 5.34-fold (OR of 5.34 [95% CI: 2.57;11.1]) and 5.56-fold (OR of 5.56 [95% CI: 2.97;10.4]) respectively. Delirium also occurred significantly more frequently with the risk of malnutrition or manifest malnutrition (MNA-SF) than with a normal nutritional status. Conclusions Patients’ preoperative and nutritional status significantly impact the risk of developing postoperative delirium. Factors such as frailty, sarcopenia and possible malnutrition must be considered when implementing an effective and targeted preoperative assessment. Trail registration German Clinical Trials Registry at https://www.drks.de/DRKS00028614 , Registered 25 March 2022.

The exploration of flow-induced vibration in fuel rods is of utmost importance as it plays a pivotal role in comprehending and mitigating factors that contribute to fuel failure and reactor shutdown. This understanding is crucial for advancing the nuclear energy industry. To unravel the intricacies of this complex phenomenon, a sophisticated high-fidelity finite element model of fuel rods was meticulously constructed. This model serves as the cornerstone for a computational analysis of flow-induced vibration responses utilizing ANSYS Batch, firmly roots in the principles of random vibration theory. In the pursuit of a profound understanding, support stiffness values to simulate and scrutinize diverse scenarios that fuel rods might encounter were systematically varied. The outcomes of these simulations were meticulously compiled to establish a comprehensive database of flow-induced vibration responses. This database stands as a valuable resource for future research endeavors and engineering applications within the nuclear energy domain. Taking a step forward, an innovative approach was adopted to streamline the analysis process. Leveraging the snapshot matrix derived from the extensive database, a high-fidelity reduced-order model (ROM) was developed. Two data-driven methodologies, namely proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) methods, were employed to construct the ROM. This ROM enables the rapid reconstruction of flow-induced vibration responses, facilitating efficient analysis and decision-making in real-world applications. A critical facet of this paper involves a comparative analysis of the reconstruction effectiveness of fuel rod flow-induced vibration responses using both the POD and DMD methods. The results of this comparison reveal that, when considering the reconstruction of vibration responses with the same number of modes, the POD method outperforms the DMD method. This finding underscores the importance of selecting appropriate methodologies based on specific objectives and computational efficiency. Furthermore, the results indicate that the DMD method excels not only in efficiently reconstructing the vibration responses of fuel rods but also offers the unique capability to assess the stability of each DMD mode. This dual functionality enhances the overall diagnostic capabilities of the DMD method, providing valuable insights into the dynamic behavior and potential instabilities of the fuel rod system. In conclusion, the exhaustive investigation outlined in this paper not only significantly contributes to the understanding of flow-induced vibration characteristics in fuel rods but also provides a robust framework for developing advanced models and methodologies for future research and practical applications in the nuclear energy industry. The comprehensive nature of our approach ensures that our findings are not only insightful but also applicable in shaping the future of nuclear energy technology.

This study investigates the effect of splitter angles on the aerodynamic flow of two free streams under incompressible conditions. The angle of the splitter is changed from 0 to 40° to simulate different wake structures on the slant. The convective Mach number was selected at 0.185. The velocities at the upper surface (primary freestream) and lower surface (secondary freestream) are changed to generate two different cases. The simulation was conducted using steady generalized k-ω (GEKO) models with modification of mixing coefficients and large eddy simulation for transient flows. The results of numerical data were validated with experimental data with the same flow conditions. This study presents that when initial parameters are suitably selected, the numerical schemes provide sufficient accurate averaged results. For case 1, when the primary freestream is higher, the length of the mixing region increases with the splitter angle. Additionally, the generation of the wake flow leads to movement upward of the mixing position for splitter angles above 20°. For case 2, when the primary freestream is smaller, the mixing characteristics are little changed for different angles. The Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) was applied for case 1 and the results showed that the pair of counter-vortices is the main dominant structure flow in the mixing region. The averaged flow fields, turbulent kinetic energy, and unsteady behavior were analyzed and discussed insight in this study.

Abstract Background The management of preoperative blood glucose levels in reducing the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the impact of preoperative persistent hyperglycemia on POD in geriatric patients with hip fractures. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed medical records of patients who underwent hip fracture surgery at a tertiary medical institution between January 2013 and November 2023. Patients were categorized based on preoperative hyperglycemia (hyperglycemia defined as ≥ 6.1mmol/L), clinical classification of hyperglycemia, and percentile thresholds. Multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching analysis (PSM) were employed to assess the association between different levels of preoperative glucose and POD. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore potential interactions. Results A total of 1440 patients were included in this study, with an incidence rate of POD at 19.1% (275/1440). Utilizing multiple logistic analysis, we found that patients with hyperglycemia had a 1.65-fold increased risk of experiencing POD compared to those with normal preoperative glucose levels (95% CI: 1.17–2.32). Moreover, a significant upward trend was discerned in both the strength of association and the predicted probability of POD with higher preoperative glucose levels. PSM did not alter this trend, even after meticulous adjustments for potential confounding factors. Additionally, when treating preoperative glucose levels as a continuous variable, we observed a 6% increase in the risk of POD (95% CI: 1-12%) with each 1mmol/L elevation in preoperative glucose levels. Conclusions There exists a clear linear dose-response relationship between preoperative blood glucose levels and the risk of POD. Higher preoperative hyperglycemia was associated with a greater risk of POD. Clinical trial number NCT06473324.

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a ground-based array of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) telescopes designed to image the event horizon of black holes. To overcome its limitations, this study explores a mission concept involving a two-satellite constellation of VLBI telescopes deployed in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). Achieving high-resolution black hole images requires precise baseline determination at the millimetre level. To address this challenge, each satellite in the constellation is equipped with two Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and an optical Intersatellite Link (ISL) to enhance orbit determination. The results highlight the importance of integer ambiguity resolution and reveal that the ISL primarily improves baseline estimation along the link direction, with minimal impact along the black hole direction. Large intersatellite distances lead to sub-optimal relative orbit accuracy, challenging the attainment of the 3.5 mm relative position accuracy goal along the black hole direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansins are cell wall (CW) proteins that mediate the CW loosening and regulate salt tolerance in a positive or negative way. However, the role of Populus trichocarpa expansin A6 (PtEXPA6) in salt tolerance and the relevance to cell wall loosening is still unclear in poplars. PtEXPA6 gene was transferred into the hybrid species, Populus alba × P. tremula var. glandulosa (84K) and Populus tremula × P. alba INRA '717-1B4' (717-1B4). Under salt stress, the stem growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, activity and transcription of antioxidant enzymes, Na+ content, and Na+ flux of root xylem and petiole vascular bundle were investigated in wild-type and transgenic poplars. The correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyze the correlations among the characteristics and principal components. Our results show that the transcription of PtEXPA6 was downregulated upon a prolonged duration of salt stress (48 h) after a transient increase induced by NaCl (100 mM). The PtEXPA6-transgenic poplars of 84K and 717-1B4 showed a greater reduction (42–65%) in stem height and diameter growth after 15 days of NaCl treatment compared with wild-type (WT) poplars (11–41%). The Na+ accumulation in roots, stems, and leaves was 14–83% higher in the transgenic lines than in the WT. The Na+ buildup in the transgenic poplars affects photosynthesis; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT); and the transcription of PODa2, SOD [Cu-Zn], and CAT1. Transient flux kinetics showed that the Na+ efflux of root xylem and leaf petiole vascular bundle were 1.9–3.5-fold greater in the PtEXPA6-transgenic poplars than in the WT poplars. PtEXPA6 overexpression increased root contractility and extensibility by 33% and 32%, indicating that PtEXPA6 increased the CW loosening in the transgenic poplars of 84K and 717-1B4. Noteworthily, the PtEXPA6-promoted CW loosening was shown to facilitate Na+ efflux of root xylem and petiole vascular bundle in the transgenic poplars. We conclude that the overexpression of PtEXPA6 leads to CW loosening that facilitates the radial translocation of Na+ into the root xylem and the subsequent Na+ translocation from roots to leaves, resulting in an excessive Na+ accumulation and consequently, reducing salt tolerance in transgenic poplars. Therefore, the downregulation of PtEXPA6 in NaCl-treated Populus trichocarpa favors the maintenance of ionic and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis under long-term salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalis purpurea L. is one of the important plant species of Nilgiris, Kashmir and Darjeeling regions of India, belonging to the family Plantaginaceae, with well-known pharmacological applications. In the present investigation, an in vitro culture technique of indirect shoot organogenesis of D. purpurea is being explored; the biochemical attributes, the antioxidant activities and the metabolomic analyses were made by utilizing untargeted Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with electronspray ionization/quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) approaches. Initially, the leaf explants were used for callus induction and proliferation and maximum callusing frequency (94.44%) and fresh biomass (4.9 g) were obtained on MS, fortified with 8.8 µM BAP (6-benzyl amino purine) + 0.9 µM 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), subsequently shoot formation (indirect organogenesis) was noted on the same MS medium with a shoot induction frequency of 83.33%. Later on, the biochemical and antioxidant potential of in vivo-, in vitro grown leaf and leaf derived callus were assessed. Significantly higher total phenol, flavonoid, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), POD (peroxidase) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activities were noticed in in vitro grown callus and leaf tissues compared with field grown leaf. The GC-MS analysis of each methanolic extract (in vivo-, in vitro derived leaf and leaf derived callus) displayed the presence of more than 75 bioactive compounds viz loliolide, stigmasterin, alpha-tocopherol, squalene, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, beta-amyrin, campesterol etc. possessing immense therapeutic importance. The UPLC-MS based metabolite fingerprinting of each methanolic extracts were conducted in both positive and negative ionization mode. The obtained results revealed variation in phytochemical composition in field - and laboratory grown tissues, indicating the impact of in vitro culture conditions on plant tissues. The detected phytocompounds belongs to various classes such as flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, tannins, lignans etc. The medicinally important metabolites identified were 20, 22-dihydrodigoxigenin, digoxigenin monodigitoxoside, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferide, rosmarinic acid, nepitrin and others. The results of the present study suggest that in vitro culture of D. purpurea could successfully be utilized for the novel drug discovery by producing such important phytocompounds of commercial interest in shorter duration without harming the plants' natural population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the wake of two tandem square cylinders based on the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) analyses of the PIV and hotwire data. The cylinder centre-to-centre spacing ratio L/w examined is from 1.2 to 4.2, covering the four flow regimes, i.e., extended body, reattachment, transition and co-shedding. The Reynolds number examined was 1.3 × 104. A novel Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) technique (hereafter referred to as PODHW) is developed to analyse data from single point hotwire measurements, offering a new perspective compared to the conventional POD analysis (PODPIV) based on Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data. A key finding is the identification of two distinct states, reattachment and co-shedding, within the transition flow regime at L/w = 2.8, which PODPIV fails to capture due to the limited duration of the PIV data obtained. This study confirms, for the first time, the existence of these states as proposed by Zhou et al. (2024), highlighting the advantage of using PODHW for capturing intermittent flow phenomena. Furthermore, the analysis reveals how the predominant coherent structures contribute to the total fluctuating velocity energy in each individual regime. Other aspects of the flow are also discussed, including the Strouhal numbers, the contribution to the total fluctuating energy of the flow from the first four POD modes, and a comparison between different regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep cavity configurations are common in various industrial applications, including automotive windows, sunroofs, and many other applications in aerospace engineering. Flows over such a geometry can result in aeroacoustic coupling between the cavity shear layer oscillations and the surrounding acoustic modes. This phenomenon can result in a resonance that can lead to significant noise and may cause damage to mechanical structures. Flow control methods are usually used to reduce or eliminate the aeroacoustic resonance. An experimental set up was developed to study the effectiveness of both a cylinder and a profiled cylinder positioned upstream from the cavity in reducing the flow resonance. The cavity flow and the acoustic signals were obtained using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and unsteady pressure sensors, respectively. A decrease of up to 36 dB was obtained in the sound pressure levels (SPL) using the passive control methods. The profiled cylinder showed a similar efficacy in reducing the resonance despite the absence of a high-frequency forcing. Time-space cross-correlation maps along the cavity shear layer showed the suppression of the feedback mechanism for both control methods. A snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) showed interesting differences between the cylinder and profiled cylinder control methods in terms of kinetic energy content and the vortex dynamics behavior. Furthermore, the interaction of the wake of the control device with the cavity shear layer and its impact on the aeroacoustic coupling was investigated using the POD analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise Orbit Determination (POD) of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR)-tracked satellites is stepping towards millimeter-level precision, which requires further refinement of satellite perturbation models and consideration of more detailed perturbation force models that were not previously taken into accounted. Atmospheric drag is one of the main perturbative forces acting on a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, however, the atmospheric wind speed associated with atmospheric drag has not been considered in International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) regular data processing. Therefore, in order to analyze the magnitude of atmospheric wind speed influence on POD of SLR satellites, this paper applies HWM14 (Horizontal Wind Model 14) atmospheric wind speed model to perform POD of LARES, Ajisai, Starlette, Stella, Larets satellites and analyses the results. The results show that after applying HWM14 atmospheric wind speed model, the SLR observation residual WRMS (Weighted Root Mean Square) value for LARES, Starlette, Stella, Larets satellites reach 1.04 cm, 2.13 cm, 1.73 cm, 3.36 cm, respectively, which are reduced by 0.10 cm, 0.30 cm, 0.00 cm, 0.05 cm, respectively. However, for Ajisai, one has an almost the same orbit residual WRMS value of 2.88 cm. The 3D (three-dimensional) orbit overlapping arcs error for LARES is 17.53 cm, which is reduced by 1.75 cm; for Starlette it is 19.12 cm, which is reduced by 0.96 cm; for Stella there is almost same orbit overlapping arcs error of 34.9 cm. The accuracy of orbit forecast for 1 day and 3 days for LARES reaches 147.57 cm and 163.96 cm, respectively, which is improved by 0.04 cm and 20.73 cm in the T (Tangential) direction, respectively. The accuracy of orbit forecast for 1 day and 3 days for Stella reaches 191.77 cm and 308.52 cm, respectively, which is improved by 1.95 cm and 6.74 cm in the T direction, respectively. The accuracy of orbit forecast for 1 day and 3 days for Larets reaches 6.18 m and 145.26 m, respectively, which is improved by 7.81 m and 473.61 m in the T direction, respectively. Above results display that considering HWM14 atmospheric wind speed model has a certain improvement for POD of LARES, Starlette, Stella and Larets. Therefore, the influence of atmospheric wind speed should be considered in the SLR POD and regular data processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of preoperative blood glucose levels in reducing the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the impact of preoperative persistent hyperglycemia on POD in geriatric patients with hip fractures. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed medical records of patients who underwent hip fracture surgery at a tertiary medical institution between January 2013 and November 2023. Patients were categorized based on preoperative hyperglycemia (hyperglycemia defined as ≥ 6.1mmol/L), clinical classification of hyperglycemia, and percentile thresholds. Multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching analysis (PSM) were employed to assess the association between different levels of preoperative glucose and POD. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore potential interactions. Results: A total of 1440 patients were included in this study, with an incidence rate of POD at 19.1% (275/1440). Utilizing multiple logistic analysis, we found that patients with hyperglycemia had a 1.65-fold increased risk of experiencing POD compared to those with normal preoperative glucose levels (95% CI: 1.17–2.32). Moreover, a significant upward trend was discerned in both the strength of association and the predicted probability of POD with higher preoperative glucose levels. PSM did not alter this trend, even after meticulous adjustments for potential confounding factors. Additionally, when treating preoperative glucose levels as a continuous variable, we observed a 6% increase in the risk of POD (95% CI: 1-12%) with each 1mmol/L elevation in preoperative glucose levels. Conclusions: There exists a clear linear dose-response relationship between preoperative blood glucose levels and the risk of POD. Higher preoperative hyperglycemia was associated with a greater risk of POD. Clinical trial number: NCT06473324. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small parameters in partial differential equations can give rise to solutions with sharp inner layers that evolve over time. However, the standard model reduction method becomes inefficient when applied to these problems due to the slow decaying Kolmogorov N-width of the solution manifold. To address this issue, a natural approach is to transform the equation in such a way that the transformed solution manifold exhibits a fast decaying Kolmogorov N-width. In this paper, we focus on the Allen--Cahn equation as a model problem. We employ asymptotic analysis to identify slow variables and perform a transformation of the partial differential equations accordingly. Subsequently, we apply the proper orthogonal decomposition method and a QR discrete empirical interpolation method (qDEIM) technique to the transformed equation with the slow variables. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the new model reduction method yields significantly improved results compared to direct model reduction applied to the original equation. Furthermore, this approach can be extended to other equations, such as the convection equation and the Burgers equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vortex meandering is often characterized by seemingly stochastic motions of the vortex core. An elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of core movement aids not only in characterizing the meandering phenomenon but also forms a starting point to guide flow control techniques. This paper investigates the complex motion of longitudinal vortices behind an abstracted cargo aircraft fuselage. In contrast to wingtip vortices that arise in relative isolation, in this case the large aft region upsweep generates a meandering counter-rotating vortex pair that retains its coherence for long distances downstream. High-resolution spatio-temporal datasets obtained from large-eddy simulation of a cylindrical fuselage with longitudinally aligned axis and a sharp-edged base are used for this purpose. The circulation of each vortex in the pair initially increases immediately after formation and asymptotes to a near constant value downstream. Although the time-mean form of the vortices becomes nearly axisymmetric, the transient disorganized motions include time-local regions of opposite vorticity. The complicated meandering motion is decomposed using proper-orthogonal decomposition (POD) modes as primary building blocks. The first two modes constitute a mutually orthogonal | m | = 1 elliptic pair, accounting for about 35% of the total energy; individually these modes account for the displacement of vortex cores along straight lines whose slopes coincide with their respective dipole axes. The wake outside of the immediate vicinity of the base displays low-rank behavior, in that the number of modes required to reproduce the flow to a given degree of accuracy diminishes rapidly. Beyond two fuselage (cylinder) diameters downstream, the two leading POD modes can reconstruct the dominant meandering motion and spatial structure in the LES data with less than 15% error using a suitable loss measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stress, especially salinization, is considered a major soil problem in arid and semiarid regions. To combat salinization, halophytes such as date palms are grown in these areas. However, less information is available on the morphological and biochemical responses of different date palm cultivars under high salinity. In this regard, eight cultivars of date palm were selected and treated with different salinity levels to check the adaptive capabilities of these cultivars against salt stress in terms of morphological and biochemical attributes. The objective of the current study was to screen these cultivars for tolerance or susceptibility to salt stress (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl). The results of the morphological parameters revealed the negative impact of salt stress on the morphology. Higher concentrations of salt reduced the plant height (Haleemi, Dahakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, and Hamanwali), the number of leaves (Haleemi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, and Gajjar), leaf length (Haleemi, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, and Hamanwali), leaf width (Sanduri), leaf area (Haleemi, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, and Hamanwali), fresh weight (Halimi, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, and Tarwali), dry weight % (Halimi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, Hamanwali, and Gajjar) and root length (Haleemi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, and Gajjar) in most of the cultivars. Generally, it was observed that leaf tissues showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) activities with the increasing salt concentrations. Current analysis showed that salinity significantly (p≤0.05) decreased the accumulation of total phenolic contents (TPC) in the leaf tissues of Haleemi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, Hamanwali, and Gajjar. However, a reduction in the carotenoid contents in cultivars (Haleemi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, Hamanwali, and Gajjar) was noted with an increase in the salt concentration. Salt stress significantly reduced the anthocyanin contents in some cultivars (Haleemi, Basrawali, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, Hamanwali, and Gajjar). This species is highly adapted to salt stress conditions by the evolution of an osmoregulation mechanism. These results suggest that although date palm is tolerant of high salinity, there is variation in tolerance among different cultivars. Based on the recorded parameters, it is concluded that Saghoi was the most salt-tolerant cultivar out of the test ones, followed by Sanduri, Tarwali, and Hamanwali, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Study results on blood glucose and the risk of delirium in patients receiving cardiac surgery are inconsistent, and there is also a gap in how to manage blood glucose after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study focused on patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing CABG and explored the associations of different blood glucose-related indexes and blood glucose change trajectory with postoperative delirium (POD), with the aim of providing some information for the management of blood glucose in this population. Methods: Data of patients with DM undergoing CABG were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database in this retrospective cohort study. The blood glucose-related indexes included baseline blood glucose, mean blood glucose (MBG), mean absolute glucose (MAG), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), glycemic lability index (GLI), and largest amplitude of glycemic excursions (LAGE). The MBG trajectory was classified using the latent growth mixture modeling (LGMM) method. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to screen covariates and explore the associations of blood glucose-related indexes and MBG trajectory with POD. These relationships were also assessed in subgroups of age, gender, race, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), international normalized ratio (INR), sepsis, mechanical ventilation use, and vasopressor use. In addition, the potential interaction effect between blood glucose and hepatorenal function on POD was investigated. The evaluation indexes were odds ratios (ORs), relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion of interaction (AP), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among the eligible 1,951 patients, 180 had POD. After adjusting for covariates, higher levels of MBG (OR = 3.703, 95% CI: 1.743–7.870), MAG >0.77 mmol/L/h (OR = 1.754, 95% CI: 1.235–2.490), and GLI >2.6 (mmol/L)2 /h/per se (OR = 1.458, 95% CI: 1.033–2.058) were associated with higher odds of POD. The positive associations of MBG, MAG, and GLI with POD were observed in patients aged <65 years old, male patients, White patients, those with eGFR <60 and INR <1.5, patients with sepsis, and those who received mechanical ventilation and vasopressors (all p < 0.05). Patients with class 3 (OR = 3.465, 95% CI: 1.122– 10.696) and class 4 (OR = 3.864, 95% CI: 2.083–7.170) MBG trajectory seemed to have higher odds of POD, compared to those with a class 1 MBG trajectory. Moreover, MAG (RERI = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.14–1.27, AP = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.12–1.19) and GLI (RERI = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.19–1.39, AP = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.16–1.12) both had a potential synergistic effect with INR on POD. Conclusion: Focusing on levels of MBG, MAG, GLI, and MBG trajectory may be more beneficial to assess the potential risk of POD than the blood glucose level upon ICU admission in patients with DM undergoing CABG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Oil Crop Sciences is the property of Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We distinguish between geocenter location and geocenter motion for their different purposes: precise orbit determination (POD) and earth surface mass variation monitoring. We present a method to measure the geocenter location through GPS tracked low earth orbiters (LEO) POD. We propose two methods to apply these geocenter location estimates to earth surface mass variation study. 19 years of daily geocenter locations in IGS14 reference frame are estimated from the POD of GPS tracked LEOs. These estimates are applied to 296 globally distributed GPS ground stations measured in the same reference frame for surface mass variation inversion. The results show that such determined geocenter location reaches sub-millimeter precision in each component judged by RMS of the overlapping differences. The geocenter motion change measured using the 80-station GPS orbit and clock product shows similar annual variation to the degree-1 term of the surface mass variation spherical harmonics determined from the 296-station inversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pod of African locus bean (Parkia biglobosa) is a type of biomass that is haphazardly discarded in eastern Nigeria and other parts of the country, thus leading to significant pollution. Hence, the objective of this paper was to isolate and characterization of cellulose and microcrystal cellulose obtained from the pod of African locus bean (Parkia biglobosa) using appropriate standard techniques. The FTIR revealed the presence of O-H, C–O–C pyranose rings, and cellulosic β-glycosidic linkages. The SEM revealed a rough surface and MCC agglomeration. An EDX study of the cellulose found the following elements: C (80.42%), Na (4.21%), O (15%), N (10.12%), Al (5.66), Mg (2.73%), Si (2.11), and Na (4.21%). The MCC also included the elements C (61.32%), Na (19.59%), O (17.43%), Cu (30.67%), Si (9.23%), Mn (6.15%), and Na (4.21%), albeit with some variation compared to cellulose. Both cellulose and MCC demonstrate a sharp peak around 400 oC, with a mass loss of approximately 66.584% and a slight variation in weight masses with the temperature range of 30-100 oC. Further studies using XRD estimated the crystallinity index of cellulose and MCC at 62.8% and 78.9%, respectively. The different treatments applied to the isolated cellulose are linked to the variation in mass percentage. So, the purified MCC could be a useful ingredient in making environmentally friendly polymers, binders, adsorbents, and composites.

This study was conducted at the research station of the College of Agriculture - University of Anbar during the season 2022 to investigate the effect of melatonin and seeding date on the gene expression of flowering gene in soybean (GmTF2a) and some characteristics of soybean pods and seeds. Environmental differences appear from year to year due to global warming which makes studying seeding dates important, as well as using growth regulators that help adapt to surrounding conditions. Five seeding dates were applied starting from 10th April with an interval of 15 days in between and four concentrations of melatonin 0, 100, 200, 300 µM applied at the V3 growth stage (three fully developed trifoliate leaf nodes) of soybean. Flowering gene expression differed as seeding dates and melatonin treatment differed. Early seeding dates and high levels of melatonin showed an increased gene expression of GmTF2a, which reached 6.96 folds for plants sown 10th of May, while it went down to 1.53 folds for those sown very late on 9th Jun. Melatonin concentration of 300 µM was superior by showing 14.42 folds of gene expression compared to control (0 µM) which showed 5.17 folds only. Plants sown on Jun 9th reached 50% flowering earlier (62 days) while 10th April gave plants flowered 86 days after seeding. On the other hand, melatonin application reduced days required to reach 50% flowering. The date May 10th was superior giving 161.05 pods per plant, 4.50 cm pod length, 2.65 seeds per pod, 395.7 seeds per plant, and 6.8% wrinkled seeds. While the date May 25th excelled in weight of one seed which reached 0.133 mg. On the other hand, the date 10th April gave the lowest averages for the mentioned traits. Melatonin treatment of 300 µM was superior in all studied traits by giving 161.05 pod plant-1, 4.58 cm pod length, 2.87 seeds per pod, 0.131 mg weight of one seed, 398.5 seeds per plant, and 6.8% wrinkled seeds. Treatment of 0 µM gave the lowest averages of all traits and the highest wrinkled seeds percentage 11.84%.

A field experiment was carried out during the spring season of 2022 at Research Station No.2, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a split-plot arrangement with three replications to study the effect of four concentrations of Glycine Betaine acid (0, 50, 100, 150 mg L-1), denoted as GB2, GB3, and GB4 respectively, on some biochemical traits of mung bean under water stress conditions. The water stress levels were S1 (irrigated with 100% of available water, serving as the control treatment), and S2, S3, and S4, representing depletion rates of 25%, 50%, and 75% of available water, respectively. The results showed that the GB4 concentration was superior in total chlorophyll content in leaves (1.677 mg g-1), relative water content (55.7%), proline content (124.74 µg g-1), catalase enzyme activity (22.84 units ml-1), and peroxidase enzyme activity (28.42 units ml-1). The water stress treatment S1 excelled in giving the highest values for total chlorophyll content in leaves (1.842 mg g-1), relative water content (60.9%), proline content (144.38 µg g-1), catalase enzyme activity (29.69 units ml-1), and peroxidase enzyme activity (34.07 units ml-1). The interaction between water stress level S1 and GB4 concentration resulted in the highest rates for total chlorophyll content in leaves (1.930 mg g-1), relative water content (67.2%), proline content (186.30 µg g-1), catalase enzyme activity (35.13 units ml-1), and peroxidase enzyme activity (35.19 units ml-1).

Abstract We assess the orbit accuracy and time synchronization error using the L1 and C1 observables during the different solar activities. In general, GPS single-frequency (SF) observable can be used for commercial applications in satellite industry. The accuracy of satellite orbit determination using the SF observations is dominated by solar activities. The solar activities are indexed by the F10.7 value. The different solar activities lead to the ionosphere perturbation, triggering off the occurrence probability of ionospheric irregularities. The ionospheric irregularity affects the amplitude and phase of GPS signal. The affected amplitude and phase are indexed by the S4 value. We determine the GRACE satellite orbit using the SF GPS observations and compare the resulting orbit to that derived by dual-frequency observations for the effectiveness. The SF phase data are very sensitive to the variation in electron density and indirectly affects both the orbit accuracy and the time synchronization error. This is most likely caused by the phase ambiguity disturbed by the ionosphere. However, the C1 is relatively free from such a disturbance due to the strong signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the phase shift keying technique. The C1 performs the consistent solution over the low and high solar activities. However, this is not the case for the L1. The L1-derived orbit solution during the high solar activities is worse than that during the low solar activities. On the other hand, the time synchronization errors derived by the L1 and C1 are also different. The L1-derived time synchronization error has a relatively large perturbation as compared to the C1-derived one, which shows a consistent solution for a long-term period. This work suggests that the C1 observable is able to produce a consistent the orbit solution and time synchronization for the commercial applications of the satellite industry. Graphical Abstract

For most, staying "mentally sharp" as they age is a very high priority that may be thwarted by the consequences of a postoperative complication unrelated to the disorder which necessitated the surgical intervention. Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is an overarching term for cognitive impairment in surgical patients, that includes conditions from delirium to dementia, affecting more than 7 million patients annually in the US, and which threatens both functional independence and life. Clinical trials and meta-analyses have identified the association between PNDs and increased perioperative levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pleiotropic cytokine that is both necessary and sufficient for postoperative memory decline in a preclinical model of PND. Recently, we reported that, in adult male wild-type mice subjected to tibial fracture under general anesthesia, IL-6 trans-signaling in hippocampal CA1 neurons mediates surgery-induced memory impairment. As there are no therapeutic options for preventing or reversing PNDs, patients and their caregivers, as well as the healthcare industry, endure staggering costs. Olamkicept, a highly selective IL-6 trans-signaling blocker has shown to be efficacious and safe in clinical trials involving patients with inflammatory bowel disease, another condition for which IL-6 trans-signaling is the mediating mechanism. Subject to a demonstration that olamkicept is effective in preventing cognitive impairment in vulnerable (aged and Alzheimer's Disease) preclinical PND models, clinical trials involving aged and/or cognitively impaired surgical patients should be undertaken to study olamkicept's utility for PNDs.

We assess the orbit accuracy and time synchronization error using the L1 and C1 observables during the different solar activities. In general, GPS single-frequency (SF) observable can be used for commercial applications in satellite industry. The accuracy of satellite orbit determination using the SF observations is dominated by solar activities. The solar activities are indexed by the F10.7 value. The different solar activities lead to the ionosphere perturbation, triggering off the occurrence probability of ionospheric irregularities. The ionospheric irregularity affects the amplitude and phase of GPS signal. The affected amplitude and phase are indexed by the S4 value. We determine the GRACE satellite orbit using the SF GPS observations and compare the resulting orbit to that derived by dual-frequency observations for the effectiveness. The SF phase data are very sensitive to the variation in electron density and indirectly affects both the orbit accuracy and the time synchronization error. This is most likely caused by the phase ambiguity disturbed by the ionosphere. However, the C1 is relatively free from such a disturbance due to the strong signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the phase shift keying technique. The C1 performs the consistent solution over the low and high solar activities. However, this is not the case for the L1. The L1-derived orbit solution during the high solar activities is worse than that during the low solar activities. On the other hand, the time synchronization errors derived by the L1 and C1 are also different. The L1-derived time synchronization error has a relatively large perturbation as compared to the C1-derived one, which shows a consistent solution for a long-term period. This work suggests that the C1 observable is able to produce a consistent the orbit solution and time synchronization for the commercial applications of the satellite industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) as a method for analyzing flow structures and as a data reduction tool for both numerical simulations and experimental techniques. The reduced data can be integrated to data driven inference of partial differential equations which can lead to reduced order modeling. By focusing on the flow around a cylinder, we show that POD efficiently identifies the most energetic modes, allowing for the flow's reconstruction with a limited dataset. Our findings indicate that the first 10 POD modes appear in pairs with similar spatial patterns, frequency spectra, and energy contributions. These modes encapsulate nearly 92% of the total energy, highlighting the method's precision in capturing essential dynamics. Specifically, modes 1 and 2 correspond to streamwise vortex shedding, while modes 3 and 4 relate to the lateral flow motion. The reconstructed flow, based on these dominant modes, closely matches numerical analysis results, validating POD's utility in developing reduced order models and enhancing our understanding of fluid-structure interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

High-fidelity computations are often used in predicting the tonal and broadband noise of propellers and rotors associated with Advanced Air Mobility Vehicles (AAMVs). But LES is both CPU and storage intensive. We present here an investigation of the feasibility of reduction methods such as Proper Orthogonal Decomposition as well as Dynamic Mode Decomposition for reduction of data obtained via LES to be used further to obtain additional parameters. Specifically, we investigate how accurate reduced models of the high-fidelity computations can be used to predict the far-field noise. It is found that POD is capable of accurately reconstructing the parameters of interest with 15–40% of the total mode energies, whereas the DMD can only reconstruct primitive parameters such as velocity and pressure loosely. A rank truncation convergence criterion > 99.8% is needed for better performance of the DMD algorithm. In the far-field spectra, DMD can only predict the tonal contents in the lower and mid frequencies, while the POD can reproduce all frequencies of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-icing system is important for ice protection and flight safety. Rapid prediction of the anti-icing system's performance is critical to reducing the design time and increasing efficiency. The paper proposes a method to quickly predict the anti-icing performance of the hot air anti-icing system. The method is based on Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Back Propagation (BP) neural networks improved with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm to construct the PSO-BP neural network. POD is utilized for data compression and feature extraction for the skin temperature and runback water obtained by numerical calculation. A lower-dimensional approximation is derived from the projection subspace, which consists of a set of basis modes. The PSO-BP neural network establishes the mapping relationship between the flight condition parameters (including flight height, atmospheric temperature, flight speed, median volume diameter, and liquid water content) and the characteristic coefficients. The results show that the average absolute errors of prediction with the PSO-BP neural network model on skin temperature and runback water thickness are 3.87 K and 0.93 μm, respectively. The method can provide an effective tool for iteratively optimizing hot air anti-icing system design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important GPS applications in space is precise orbit determination (POD) of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Thousands of LEO satellites are currently in orbit. One of the challenges is how to efficiently and precisely determine the orbits to satisfy the relative and absolute accuracy needs of missions. Currently, GPS-based POD of LEO satellites can be performed using either un-differenced (UD) or ground-based double-differenced (DD) observations. The UD POD needs both precise GPS satellite orbits and clocks; the DD POD needs not only the precise orbits, but also global ground reference receivers. Therefore, the GPS-based LEO POD is based on either global ground stations or precise GNSS clocks, which are not convenient for near real-time or real-time data processing. The GPS orbits can be precisely predicted in certain time; the clocks are not. For some formation flying satellite missions (two or more LEO satellites), the absolute orbit accuracy requirements are not as stringent as the relative requirements. The problem is how to perform LEO POD without global station data and precise GPS clocks in near real-time or real-time to achieve the mission orbit accuracy requirement. Based on this motivation, we investigated the GPS-based LEO POD using space-based DD observations without using global ground station GPS data and precise GPS clock products. For this study, we processed the real GPS observations from two LEO satellites. The absolute and relative orbit accuracy is assessed using several tests, including analysis of the orbit fits, external orbit comparisons, Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and K-band Ranging (KBR) residuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Our study explores the capability of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) as an early predictor of disease progression in glioblastoma patients, compared to conventional MRI. We analyzed two cohorts comprising 26 patients with newly diagnosed primary glioblastoma. Patients were then categorized based on disease stage (progression or stability) and underwent three DCE-MRI scans prior to progression or consecutively for stable disease. Parameters such as Ktrans and plasma volume (Vp) were measured within the volume of interest (VOIs). Our findings revealed a gradual increase in Vp max values preceding disease progression in patients who underwent routine MRI scans. Utilizing quantitative DCE-MRI may offer an opportunity to detect disease progression earlier than conventional methods, potentially improving patient management by enabling proactive measures against progression. Background and Purpose: Distinguishing treatment-induced imaging changes from progressive disease has important implications for avoiding inappropriate discontinuation of a treatment. Our goal in this study is to evaluate the utility of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) perfusion MRI as a biomarker for the early detection of progression. We hypothesize that DCE-MRI may have the potential as an early predictor for the progression of disease in GBM patients when compared to the current standard of conventional MRI. Methods: We identified 26 patients from 2011 to 2023 with newly diagnosed primary glioblastoma by histopathology and gross or subtotal resection of the tumor. Then, we classified them into two groups: patients with progression of disease (POD) confirmed by pathology or change in chemotherapy and patients with stable disease without evidence of progression or need for therapy change. Finally, at least three DCE-MRI scans were performed prior to POD for the progression cohort, and three consecutive DCE-MRI scans were performed for those with stable disease. The volume of interest (VOI) was delineated by a neuroradiologist to measure the maximum values for Ktrans and plasma volume (Vp). A Friedman test was conducted to evaluate the statistical significance of the parameter changes between scans. Results: The mean interval between subsequent scans was 57.94 days, with POD-1 representing the first scan prior to POD and POD-3 representing the third scan. The normalized maximum Vp values for POD-3, POD-2, and POD-1 are 1.40, 1.86, and 3.24, respectively (FS = 18.00, p = 0.0001). It demonstrates that Vp max values are progressively increasing in the three scans prior to POD when measured by routine MRI scans. The normalized maximum Ktrans values for POD-1, POD-2, and POD-3 are 0.51, 0.09, and 0.51, respectively (FS = 1.13, p < 0.57). Conclusions: Our analysis of the longitudinal scans leading up to POD significantly correlated with increasing plasma volume (Vp). A longitudinal study for tumor perfusion change demonstrated that DCE perfusion could be utilized as an early predictor of tumor progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is concerned with an adaptive reduced order model of modular structures assembled from parameter-dependent substructures. The substructures are reduced by proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and connected by means of a tied contact formulation. We present a method to adapt the matrices of the substructures to parameter changes. We employ interpolation on Grassmann manifolds for the parametric adaption of the projection matrices. For the adaptation of the stiffness matrices, we use the direct empirical interpolation method (DEIM). Manifold interpolation of the reduced stiffness matrices, cannot be applied here since it would require semi-positive definiteness, which is here not fulfilled because of necessary rigid body motion modes. The novelty of this work is the application of these interpolation methods to the special problem class of POD-based tied contact model order reduction. Furthermore, we show a methodology to compute significant snapshots on the substructure level to compute a POD basis that can be used in different global structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Numerous palm oil byproducts are already employed as livestock energetic feed supplements, and the inclusion of palm oil deodorizer distillate (POD) presents a potential addition to cost-effective feed alternatives. However, the presence of high-fatty-acid diets could alter the ruminal environment, potentially influencing the digestive efficiency. This study aimed to assess the impact of POD on the digestive system of sheep. Twenty sheep were fed different diets containing varying amounts of palm oil deodorizer, and their rumen fluid was analyzed for the microbial composition and digestive efficiency. The microbial community in the rumen was primarily composed of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, with minor changes occurring when the POD was added to the diet. Up to 25 g of POD per kilogram of dry matter negatively affected the ruminal fermentation or apparent digestibility, but not to a high degree, indicating that POD is a viable and cost-effective supplement for sheep diets. However, higher POD levels hindered the breakdown of fibrous material in the rumen and overall dry matter digestibility. These findings suggest that while POD can be a beneficial and economical option for sheep nutrition, carefully considering its dosage is crucial for maintaining optimal digestive function and nutrient utilization, offering valuable insights for sustainable and efficient livestock feeding practices. This study aimed to assess the impact of palm oil deodorizer distillate (POD) on the ruminal environment, including (i) microbial community, (ii) ruminal degradability, and (iii) apparent digestibility in sheep. The data used were derived from twenty rumen-cannulated sheep fed five isoproteic and isofiber diets based on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Roxo) silage supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 g kg−1 POD on a dry matter (DM) basis. Rumen fluid samples were collected three hours after feeding directly from the ventral sac of the rumen via a cannula and then subjected to DNA extraction, which was subsequently used for 16S rDNA amplification, followed by sequencing and diversity analysis. In this study, the microbial diversity was dominated by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, followed by Euryarchaetoa, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes, in the ruminal environment, and was slightly modified when supplemented with the POD up to 100 g/kg (10%), leading to only a slight decrease in the diversity index. The ruminal degradability, ruminal fermentation parameters, and apparent digestibility were slightly compromised by the inclusion of up to 25 g of POD per kg of DM, and larger inclusions interfered with the ruminal degradability of fibrous fractions and the apparent digestibility of dry matter. This lipid supplement showed good results for feeding sheep and is an inexpensive and abundant alternative in the regional market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the activity levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in the leaves of Lonicera caerulea, a perennial deciduous shrub, were measured along an altitude gradient (800-1800 m) on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, China. Enzyme activity levels were statistically analyzed with respect to various environmental factors'including soil and climate parameters' to explore the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying the adaptation of this shrub to mountainous habitats. From 800 m to 1000 m, POD activity decreased significantly (to 712 U/g·min), then increased significantly to peak at 1600 m (4190 U/g·min), followed by a decrease at 1800 m. The CAT activity increased significantly from 800 m to peak at 1600 m (274 U/g·min), followed by a decrease at 1800 m. SOD activity increased steadily from 800 m to 1800 m. From 800 m to 1000 m, APX activity decreased significantly (to 5201 U/g·min), then increased significantly to peak at 1600 m (14771 U/g·min), followed by a decrease at 1800 m. Multiple regression analysis showed that CAT activity was mainly affected by the number of days with snow cover, soil available P, and soil total P. SOD activity was mainly affected by precipitation from June to September and soil total P. APX activity was mainly affected by soil available P. Correlations between leaf traits and environment indicated that all four enzymes were sensitive to environmental changes, and that enzyme activity levels adjusted to the environment as the elevation changed. The results here showed, antioxidant enzyme activity levels in the leaves of L. caerulea on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain were lower at low altitudes (800-1200 m) and higher at moderate altitudes (1200-1600 m), suggesting that these altitudes are the most conducive to the stable growth of. L. caerulea has high edible and medicinal value, and this plant grows well throughout its wide distribution in the Changbai Mountain area. Therefore, the results of this study suggested that the planting area of L. caerulea can be extended to these altitudes. In addition, these findings provide a basis for improvements of L. caerulea fruit yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Publicly obtained data (POD) have recently been utilized frequently by sports medicine researchers to describe injury patterns, risk factors, and outcomes in elite athletes. The relative ease of this type of research that is based solely on internet and media sources has resulted in a near exponential increase in the number of these POD studies. Purpose: To systematically review the sports medicine literature for studies based solely on POD. Study Design: Systematic review and bibliometric analysis; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review of POD studies published since 2000 was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies of interest were those relying on publicly available injury reports or online media for data acquisition in collegiate, semiprofessional, and professional athletes. Results: There were 209 POD studies published between 2000 and 2022, with 173 (82.8%) of these studies published after 2016. Studies were published most frequently on athletes participating in North American professional leagues: National Football League (n = 69 [28.4%]), Major League Baseball (n = 56 [23.0%]), National Basketball Association (n = 37 [15.2%]), and National Hockey League (n = 33 [13.6%]). The most common injuries assessed were head injuries/concussions (n = 43 [21.1%]), anterior cruciate ligament injuries (n = 33 [16.2%]), and ulnar collateral ligament injuries (n = 23 [11.3%]). One-quarter of the studies (n = 53 [25.4%]) reported only 1 POD source, and 1 study (0.5%) reported no source. Additionally, 65 studies (31.1%) listed nonspecific POD resources or solely cited previous literature to describe the POD search methodology and data acquisition. Conclusion: POD studies are exponentially increasing in number, particularly across major North American professional sports leagues, with significant variability in the injury of interest, search methodology, and number of data sources. The accuracy of the conclusions reached based on the POD methodology appears highly variable. Given the potential impact of these publications as both contributors to current knowledge and drivers of future research, the sports medicine community should be aware of the inherent biases and limitations of POD injury studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydraulic turbines, especially Francis turbines, frequently run at part load (PL) conditions to meet the dynamic energy needs. The flow field at the runner exit changes significantly with a change in the operating point. At PL, flow instabilities such as the Rotating Vortex Rope (RVR) form in the draft tube of the Francis turbine. The present paper compares the features of the velocity and vorticity field of the Francis turbine draft tube at the best efficiency point (BEP) and PL operations using the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) of the 2D-PIV data. The POD analysis decomposes the flow field into coherent and incoherent structures describing the spatiotemporal behavior of the flow field. A visual representation of the coherent structures and the turbulent length scales in the flow field is extracted and analyzed for BEP and PL, respectively. The study highlights the salient features of the draft tube flow field, which differentiate the BEP and PL operation. The fast Fourier transform of the temporal coefficients confirms the presence of RVR frequency (0.29 times the runner frequency) at PL. The phase portraits of different modes elucidate the relationship between different harmonics of the RVR frequency at PL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]