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Piston cooling gallery plays a critical role in managing the temperature of the piston and its performance. This paper aims to study the effect of oscillatory heat transfer within the cooling galleries, focusing on two distinct types: flanged (friction-welded) and smooth structures (laser-welded). To do so, the Eulerian multiphase flow model and the k-ω SST turbulence model were used to simulate the oil and air flow through the cooling gallery. Key parameters such as the oil filling rate, wall heat transfer coefficient, oil outlet flow rate, heat removal rate by the oil, and overall wall heat transfer rate were assessed for both gallery designs at an engine speed of 1800 r/min. The results indicate significant disparities between the two cooling gallery structures: the smooth structure exhibits an oil filling rate that is 5.41% higher and an oil outlet flow rate that is 33.48% greater compared to the flanged structure. The flange structure impedes internal oil movement, which leads to boundary layer separation, secondary wall contact, and the emergence of a double vortex phenomena. Collectively, these factors influence the oil fill ratio. This, in turn, affects the distribution of oil within the gallery and, subsequently, the efficiency of heat transfer. Comparative analyses of heat transfer within both galleries, under the same studied conditions, revealed that the smooth structure outperforms the flanged one. However, the presence of a flange significantly alters the heat contribution from different walls, thereby highlighting the substantial impact of flanges on the overall efficiency of heat transfer.

BackgroundThe weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) is a novel obesity indicator that appears to outperform the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in assessing both overweight and obesity. Studies have demonstrated the relationship between obesity and overactive bladder (OAB). The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between WWI and OAB.MethodsThis research utilizes data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2009 and 2018. Each participant’s WWI was calculated as their WC in centimeters by the square root of weight in kilograms. The Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) questionnaire is used to determine whether a participant has OAB. Multivariate logistic regression and generalized additive model analysis were employed to investigate the relationship between WWI and OAB. We used smoothing curve fitting to explore non-linear relationships. Additionally, subgroup analysis and interaction tests are conducted.ResultsIn this cross-sectional study involving 35,950 subjects, we found that individuals with a higher WWI have a higher risk of OAB (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.02–1.74). Subgroup analysis and interaction testing showed that the relationship between WWI and OAB is consistent across various population characteristics. Smoothing curve fitting reveals a positive non-linear relationship between WWI and OAB. Furthermore, the association between WWI and OAB is stronger than that of other obesity-related indicators.ConclusionWeight-adjusted waist index may be able to predict the incidence of OAB and that WWI-based obesity management may help to reduce the risk of OAB.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) poses a major challenge in vision care, often leading to partial or complete limited vision in adults. Early and accurate detection of DR is essential for timely intervention and effective patient management. One critical aspect of DR diagnosis is identifying hard exudates in retinal images. Using deep tech or computer-aided methods, ophthalmologists can gain detailed insights into retinal health, facilitating precise diagnosis and treatment planning. However, the availability of medical image data in open datasets is often limited, making deep analysis challenging. To address this issue, we introduce a U-Net deep learning model, specifically modified and designed to segment hard exudates effectively, even with a limited dataset. In our study, the model is trained and tested on 89 original images from the DiaRetDB1 dataset, supplemented with augmented image to improve robustness. Despite the small dataset, our modified U-Net achieves high sensitivity, specificity, precision, and accuracy, culminating in an impressive F1 score of 0.9754. These results demonstrate the potential of our approach to improve DR diagnosis with limited resources. By adapting existing deep learning models, our research shows significant enhancements in diagnostic accuracy for DR. However, further validation with larger datasets and comparisons with other methods are necessary to confirm our findings. This study contributes to better detection of hard exudates in DR, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

In the field of medical image analysis, MRI and CT, among other multimodal medical images, play crucial roles. To overcome the limitations of image acquisition, researchers have proposed medical image synthesis techniques, including both traditional methods and deep learning approaches. In this study, we introduce a universal framework based on cycleGAN for generating CT images from MRI data.This framework incorporates a hinge loss function to establish mappings between different modalities and enhance structural consistency between input and output images. We also employ a switchable normalization technique to improve model stability and reduce manual intervention. These enhancements result in the generation of higher-quality synthetic images while avoiding gradient issues and mode collapse.The results of this research demonstrate significant progress in medical image synthesis. Compared to existing methods, our model exhibits superior performance in quantitative evaluation metrics while maintaining better diversity and structural consistency. This indicates that our framework holds promise in medical image synthesis and can provide valuable support in areas such as disease prediction and treatment.

In conjunction with global warming, the frequency and intensity of typhoons in the Pearl River Estuary region are increasing annually, and coastal cities are becoming more vulnerable to compound disasters triggered by upstream flooding, typhoons, and astronomical tide surges, seriously threatening the lives and properties of people in the delta region. Quantitative analysis of the degree of variability of each factor associated with a compound flood event and accurate assessment of the magnitude of the compound flood event strongly impact the efficacy of coastal city responses aimed at disaster prevention and damage mitigation. In this study, focused on the Pearl River Estuary area, the tide levels at Sanzao station, wind speeds at Macao station, and daily maximum the maximum daily flow at Sanshui and Makou stations spanning 30 years from 1988 to 2017 were used to characterize the flood magnitude, typhoon magnitude, and astronomical tide magnitude of compound flood events in the Pearl River Estuary area. Data were screened using the annual maximum method. Based on the generalized additive model (GAMLSS) and the time-varying copula function, the encounter combinations of composite flood events of different levels and their main controlling factors were investigated. The results show that: 1) the main factors influencing initiation and magnitude of composite flood events in the Pearl River estuary area are non-consistent sequences that display interdependence. The time-varying copula model constructed in this study is more suitable for studies of composite floods than the traditional constant parameter copula model. Copula models are most applicable to studies of the encountered characteristics of multiple elements contributing to compound flood events and are most in line with actual situations. 2) Compared with the joint return period of traditional constant copula parameters, the period of occurrence of typical compound flood events in the Pearl River Estuary from 1988 to 2017 continuously shortens with time, the probability of occurrence increases, and the probability of future occurrence of extreme compound flood events is strengthening. The trend in which the return period of compound flood events is shortening with higher grades is accelerating. 3) Compound flood events throughout the Pearl River estuary area are more affected by typhoons and astronomical tides and less affected by water flow. When the return period of the three factors is one in 5 years, water flow causes the smallest increase in the co-occurrence return period; i.e., the influence of astronomical tide and typhoon on the scale of upstream flooding, composite flood events of typhoon, and astronomical tide is proportionately larger. Thus, composite flood events in the Pearl River estuary area are mainly impacted by typhoons with higher wind speeds. When the return period of the three factors is one in 10, 20, and 50 years, the increase in the co-occurrence return period caused by flow changes the most; and when the return period of the three factors is one in 10, 20, and 50 years, the acceleration of the co-occurrence return period caused by flow is the largest. When the three factors have a larger return period, astronomical tide exerts proportionately greater influence on the scale of the composite flood event of upstream flood, typhoon, and astronomical tide.

The aerodynamic configuration of supersonic aircraft has an important effect on the intensity of sonic boom, and the low sonic boom supersonic configuration is the key of the new generation supersonic aircraft, so the aerodynamic configuration of low sonic boom supersonic aircraft is researched extensively. Based on the systematic investigation of foreign sonic boom suppression technologies, six main aerodynamic methods of foreign low sonic boom supersonic aircraft are introduced, including aircraft volume and lift distribution optimization, wing sweep angle change, wing dihedral angle utilization, slender fuselage and wave suppression cone usage, and engine installed on the wing. Four main aerodynamic configuration types of low boom supersonic aircraft are summarized and analyzed. According to the aerodynamic configurations of current supersonic aircraft, it is concluded that the delta configuration is the mainstream aerodynamic configuration of the next generation environmentally friendly aircraft. The development trend of the aerodynamic configuration technologies of low boom supersonic aircraft is prospected.

Objective To investigate the damage of skeletal muscle satellite cells in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the protective effect of γ⁃tocotrienol (GT3) on muscle satellite cells in DMD knockout mice. Methods Total 18 DMD knockout C57BL/6J mice and 18 wild⁃type (WT) C57BL/6J mice, while 6 DMD knockout mice and 6 WT mice were selected to detect satellites cells proportion, cells aging rate and apoptosis rate, DNA damage rate by flow cytometry. The remaining 12 DMD knockout mice and 12 WT mice were subcutaneously injected with 50 mg/kg GT3 solution or 50 mg/kg GT3 solvent. The apoptosis rate and DNA damage rate of satellite cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression changes of apoptosis⁃related genes Bcl⁃xl, Puma and Bax were detected by real time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ⁃PCR). Results Compared with WT group, the number of satellite cells in the DMD knockout group was decreased (t=35.837, P=0.000), while the cells aging rate (t=12.902, P=0.000), apoptosis rate (t=6.864, P=0.000) and DNA damage rate (t=10.585, P=0.000) were increased. After the mice in the DMD knockout group and WT group were treated with GT3 solvent and GT3 solution, the cells apoptosis rate (F=59.130, P=0.000), the apoptosis⁃related gene Bcl⁃xl (F=54.480, P=0.000), Puma (F=38.940, P=0.000) and Bax (F=632.300, P=0.000) expression levels and DNA damage rate (F=22.990, P=0.000) were significantly different. Compared with GT3 solvent, the apoptosis rate of DMD knockout group was decreased treated with GT3 solution (q=13.820, P=0.000), and the expression of anti⁃apoptotic gene Bcl⁃xl was up⁃regulated (q=12.830, P=0.000), the expression of pro⁃apoptotic genes Puma (q=12.920, P=0.000) and Bax (q=48.050, P=0.000) were down⁃regulated, and the DNA damage rate was decreased (q=6.950, P=0.000). Conclusions The proportion of satellite cells in DMD knockout mice was reduced, and the cells aging, apoptosis and DNA damage were more obvious. The GT3 solution could partially improve the satellite cells damage.

Summary:. Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) is a complex infection known for its rapid progression of necrosis within the subcutaneous tissue and fascia. Time is of essence for the management of NSTI. In this report, we present a case of NSTI after infection of poorly managed diabetic foot ulcer in the ankle. The limb salvage approach involves sequential staged procedures. Multiple surgical debridements and “washout” were performed for source control. At the same time, the patient also received a systemic antibiotic regimen. In the second stage, a perforator free flap taken from the anterolateral thigh was used to repair the extensive soft tissue defect and reconstruct a functional foot to achieve maximal limb salvage. The kickstand technique of external fixation was used to reduce soft tissue compression and enhance the surgical offloading of the skin flap. At the 2-year follow-up, the skin integrity of the flap was well-preserved, and the patient returned to his premorbid quality of life.

Objective: This study aimed to establish a new method for detecting furfurals in tea. Methods: A gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method was established for the simultaneous determination of furfural, 5-methylfurfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 2-Acetylfuran in tea. The sample pretreatment method and GC-MS/MS method were optimized. Furfural-D4 was used as the internal standard. The sample was extracted by acetonitrile, treated and purified by QuEChERS method, and determined by GC-MS/MS multi reaction monitoring (MRM). Results: The four furfurals showed good linear relationship in the mass concentration range of 1.25~200.00 μg/L, with the correlation coefficient ≥0.999 0, and the detection limit (S/N=3) was 1 μg/kg, with the recovery range of standard addition of 89.10%~113.02%. Most of the commercially available tea samples were found to contain furfural. Conclusion: This method in the present study is simple, rapid and can eliminate the interference of complex matrix in tea. The result is accurate, reliable and sensitive. It is suitable for the simultaneous determination of four furfurals in tea.

Objective: The uncertainty of the determination of acid scarlet GR in orange juice by high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） was evaluated. The source of uncertainty and the key factors affecting the test results were analyzed, so as to improve the accuracy of the test results. Methods: The mathematical model of uncertainty of acid scarlet GR content in orange juice was established. The factors that may introduce uncertainty in the detection process were analyzed, and the uncertainty components were evaluated. Results: The content of acid scarlet GR in self-made positive orange juice was 1.46 mg/kg, the expanded uncertainty was 0.11 mg/kg （including factor k=2）, and the determination result was expressed as: X=（1.46±0.11） mg/kg （k=2）. Conclusion: This uncertainty mainly comes from the uncertainty introduced by the purity of reference materials, the linear fitting of standard curves and the analysis of high performance liquid chromatography.

Objectives To evaluate the potential hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates (PAEs) in the finished water from waterworks in a big city. Methods A total of 300 L finished water were collected from 3 waterworks with water intakes at Jialing river and Yangtze river before and after the confluence of 2 rivers, respectively. After enrichment, 16 kinds of optimal control PAHs and 17 kinds of PAEs were detected. Carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic risk were calculated according to the test results by using the water environmental health risk assessment model recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Results There were 7 PAHs and 9 PAEs detected. The total amount of PAHs was 0.605~0.947 μg /L, and benzoa (a) pyrene (BaP) ranged from 0.011 to 0.014 μg/L, and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from 3.047 to 3.608 μg/L. The total health risk was 1.82×10-5~2.13×10-5 a-1 for men and 2.42×10-5~2.83×10-5 a-1 for women. Conclusion Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are detected in the finished water of 3 water plants in the main urban area of a metropolis. The contents of PAHs are lower than the limiting levels of the Water Quality Standards for Urban Water Supply (CJ/T206-2005); but that of BaP is slightly larger than 0.01 μg/L, the limiting value of the Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB5749-2006). The level of DEHP is lower than the limiting value of the above standard. The health risks caused by it are still under the acceptable level of ICRP (5.0×10-5 a-1).

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer with a high fatality rate in men and women worldwide. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in NSCLC. MiR-223-3p was proved to act as a promoter in NSCLC progression. However, the regulatory mechanism of miR-223-3p in NSCLC remains little known. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism between miR-223-3p and its target gene Ras homolog family member B (RHOB) in NSCLC. The mRNA level of miR-223-3p and RHOB was measured by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Furthermore, cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Flow cytometry was conducted to analyze cell apoptosis. Transwell assays and wound healing assay were employed to examine migration and invasion. The target relationship between miR-223-3p and RHOB was predicted by starBase online database and verified by dual-luciferase assay. The protein level of RHOB was tested by western blot. Our data suggested that miR-223-3p was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines and high level of miR-223-3p contributed to a poor survival in NSCLC patients. Knockdown of miR-223-3p exerted inhibitory effects on NSCLC cell viability, migration, and invasion and promotion effect on cell apoptosis. Furthermore, RHOB was directly targeted by miR-223-3p and constrained NSCLC progression. Moreover, knockdown of RHOB rescued the effect of anti-miR-223-3p on NSCLC progression. In vivo experiments indicated that miR-223-3p deletion suppressed tumor growth. MiR-223-3p could regulate the NSCLC cellular processes through targeting RHOB.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the esophagus adenoid cystic carcinoma(EACC). Methods We collected the clinical data of 35 patients treated with surgical resection of underlying tumors and pathologically confirmed as EACC. Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results EACC was commonly observed at middle-esophagus, with an average age of 60.6 years old and male-to-female ratio of 4:1. The major pathological type of EACC was umbrella and polypoid. EACC was less frequently accompanied by nerve invasion, especially at the early stage. The recurrence and metastasis rates were higher in solid tumors than those in cribriform tumors. The median survival time was 38 months, and the average 1-, 3-and 5-year survival rates were 88.1%, 46.6% and 27.1%, respectively. Conclusion Adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC) is a very rare malignant tumor in the esophagus. The tumor size and pathological stage are related to the prognosis of EACC.

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry has been widely used to determine major and minor components in phosphate ores. However, the analysis error caused by instrument drift and matrix effect cannot ignored. In this study, tellurium was used as the internal standard element in order to reduce the instrument drift and matrix effect during determination of high phosphorous content. The relative standard deviation for 12 repeated analyses is 0.5%, which is better than that without calibration (4.1%). The lower detection limit (0.0044%) was achieved by internal standard correction for phosphorus determination. Two kinds of acid digestion methods, aqua regia and a mixture of HCl, HNO3, HF and HClO4, for phosphate ore were compared in this work. The results indicate that rapid digestion by aqua regia was suitable for some elements such as phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese analysis, with relative error ranging from-6.7% to 1.6%. The complete digestion of K, Na, Al is related to mineral components and F content of samples. If K, Na, and Al are needed to analyze and there are only a few silicate minerals but a lot of F-bearing components, aqua regia can be used. A mixture of HCl, HNO3, HF and HClO4 can completely digest samples and is suitable for determination of P, Ca, Fe, Mg, Al, K, Na, Mn and Sr.

In order to reduceof the amount of lead and arsenic in contaminated soil, CA(citric acid), PA(polyepoxysuccinic acid), MA(malic acid) and EDTA were used to remove as chemical extractor. The experiments showed that the extraction ability of lead was EDTA>CA>MA>PA, and of arsenic was MA>CA>PA=EDTA. The eluents concentration, reaction period and liquid/solid ratio were the key factor of extraction effect. It was evident that the optimal condition was 0.1 mol/L eluent and 2h of extraction period.