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Active Filaments on Curved Surfaces:From Single Filaments to Dilute Suspensions
No full textCurvature plays a central organizational role in active polymer dynamics. Using large-scale Langevin-dynamics simulations, we study active semiflexible filaments confined to smooth curved surfaces and map how curvature, bending rigidity, and activity interact. We find geodesic alignment, curvature lensing, and curvature-induced trapping. In particular, regions of negative Gaussian curvature localize filaments and hinder global surface exploration. These results show how surface geometry can be used to control the organization and transport of active matter on curved substrates
Digital and Interactive EA:Ensuring data quality and and Integrity
No full textThe rise of digital technologies is transforming Environmental Assessment (EA), enabling continuous monitoring and interactive communication of environmental impacts. However, the reliability of these advancements critically depends on the quality and integrity of underlying data. This systematic literature review examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital tools influence data quality, integrity, and trustworthiness in the EA processes e.g. monitoring. Using the PRISMA methodology and NVivo-assisted thematic analysis of 63 peer-reviewed studies, four key application domains emerged: (1) predictive modelling and simulation, (2) automated data collection and real-time processing, (3) decision-support systems for impact evaluation, and (4) interactive digital platforms for communicating progress. To analyse these applications further, the review adopts four conceptual dimensions: socio-technical systems theory, to explore the interaction between digital tools and institutional practices; responsible innovation, to assess ethical and inclusive use of AI for environmental monitoring; environmental governance, to evaluate how digitalization affects transparency and accountability; and digital transformation, to understand the implications for data-driven decision-making. The findings reveal both opportunities and risks: to explore how data integrity i.e. through robust verification mechanisms, transparent algorithms, and secure data infrastructures is essential for credible and actionable impact assessments
Aberrant NSUN1 Activity Connects m5C RNA Modification to TDP-43 Neurotoxicity in ALS/FTD
Get PDFIn amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the nuclear RNA-binding protein TDP-43 mislocalises to the cytoplasm and forms insoluble aggregates, but the mechanisms controlling this remain unclear. We define a native TDP-43 interactome in human SH-SY5Y cells and identify proteins linked to the 5-methylcytosine (m5C) RNA modification as highly enriched. Using a Drosophila model of TDP-43 pathology, we show that aberrant activity of m5C-RNA methyltransferases Nsun1 drives TDP-43-induced m5C-RNA hypermethylation, whereas Nsun1 down-regulation alleviates TDP-43-induced degeneration, lifespan deficits, and cytoplasmic accumulation. In human cells, TDP-43 selectively interacts with NSUN1 isoform 3 independently of RNA. Furthermore, NSUN1 is nucleolar and TDP-43 is largely nucleoplasmic, yet they interact in both compartments, suggesting functional roles beyond their predominant localisations. In ALS/FTD postmortem frontal cortex, NSUN1 isoform 3 persists, whereas the shorter isoform is reduced, suggesting that a pool of NSUN1 capable of contributing to pathological TDP-43 interactions remains in disease. These findings suggest that TDP-43 neurotoxicity is coupled to NSUN1 activation and m5C-RNA methylation, revealing a potential therapeutic axis in ALS/FTD.</p
Performance comparison of phase change material/liquid cooling hybrid battery thermal management system under different cyclic charging-discharging mode designs
No full textHybrid battery thermal management systems coupling phase change material with liquid cooling are considered promising in thermal safety guarantee of lithium ion battery packs during long operating cycles. However, long-term performance comparisons of the reported hybrid battery thermal management systems in the literature are difficult. The main reason is that they have employed different cyclic charging-discharging mode designs, but the influential mechanisms of the mode designs on the heat dissipation performances of the hybrid battery thermal management systems are still unclear. In this work, thermal behaviors of the lithium ion battery pack during different cyclic charging-discharging processes are simulated to elucidate the influential mechanisms of cyclic charging-discharging mode designs on the cooling performances of the hybrid battery thermal management systems. High C-rates are employed for both charging and discharging processes considering the more significant cooling demand under harsh conditions. The results demonstrate that in the charging-discharging mode designs, rest interval before the discharging process is vital to control temperature rise during the cyclic processes, while effects of rest interval after the discharging process are weak. Consequently, compared with the rest interval number, position of the rest interval in the cyclic charging-discharging processes is more important in the improvement of system thermal performance. Further, universality of the conclusions under different material properties and working conditions is also examined. This work could provide useful guidance for not only the performance comparison of the hybrid battery thermal management systems reported in different studies, but also the future designs of the cyclic charging-discharging tests.</p
Graddiv-conforming spectral element method for fourth-order div problems
No full textThis paper introduces a novel numerical method to solve fourth-order div problems using graddiv-conforming spectral elements on cuboidal meshes. We start by determining the continuity requirements for graddiv-conforming spectral elements, followed by constructing these elements using generalized Jacobi polynomials and the Piola transformation. The resulting basis functions exhibit a hierarchical structure, making them easily extendable to higher orders. We apply these graddiv-conforming spectral elements to solve the fourth-order div problem and present numerical examples to verify both the efficiency and effectiveness of the method.</p
Love in the Face of Loss:Associations Between Self-Compassion, Compassionate Love, and Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples Experiencing a Recent Pregnancy Loss
No full textThe demands of pregnancy loss may lead to an adjustment period, which can strain couples’ sexual and relationship satisfaction. Compassion is a mental health promotion tool that may buffer the effect of negative life events, such as pregnancy loss, on well-being. Nevertheless, it is not well-understood how self-compassion or compassion felt for a partner (i.e., compassionate love) are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in couples coping with a recent pregnancy loss. We aimed to examine how self-compassion and compassionate love are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in couples after pregnancy loss in a pre-registered, cross-sectional study of couples (N = 138) who experienced a loss in the last 4 months. Using structural equation modeling and controlling for age and relationship and loss characteristics, we found no associations between either couple member’s self-compassion and their own or their partners’ sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, for individuals who were pregnant when the loss occurred, higher compassionate love was associated with their own and their partner’s greater sexual and relationship satisfaction. For individuals who were not pregnant, greater compassionate love was associated with their own higher relationship satisfaction (but not that of their partner). Fostering compassion for one’s partner may be a target for intervention post-loss to strengthen couples’ relational well-being after a pregnancy loss.</p
Development of a concrete prototype truss structure for floating wave energy converters:Digital design, manufacture and flexural performance
No full textWave energy will play a vital role in creating a balanced onshore and offshore renewable energy mix. This paper reports on the design, numerical analysis, manufacture and testing of a prototype precast concrete Vierendeel truss structure which could form the inner structure 3.5 m in length and 0.93 m in diameter. The basis for design meant that only two shapes of truss members were used to aid faster production. An anchoring system consisting of steel dowel connectors and grouted epoxy resin was used to increase rigidity and integrity. Precast concrete and steel wires for prestressing were used as the trial for addressing design concept. The prototype was tested being subjected to monotonic bending load physically and numerically. It was observed the truss mainly exhibited an elastoplastic behaviour before the deformation of 10 mm at the monitored middle ring. The tolerance of precast concrete and assembly were identified as causing the less stiff response of the truss. Mechanism of the epoxy and epoxy-bonded anchors was investigated using custom testing methods. The simulated stress distribution characteristics revealed by numerical modelling implicated that the connecting between segments was exposed to higher tensile strength causing potential concrete cracking. The presence of the epoxy-bonded anchoring and its influence to the integrity of the truss was identified as the source dominating the failure of the truss.</p
Direct shear tests on the effects of displacement rate and particle size ratio on the shear behavior of fine gravel-rubber mixtures
No full textGravel-rubber mixtures (GRM) are eco-friendly materials created by combining gravel and granulated rubber, which are effectively used for geotechnical seismic isolation. The shear strength parameters of GRM are crucial for assessing its effectiveness in seismic isolation; however, the effects of displacement rate and particle size ratio are not yet fully understood. To investigate this, a series of large-scale direct shear tests were conducted, varying displacement rates, particle size ratios, rubber contents, and normal stresses. The results indicated that the displacement rates (0.1 mm/min to 4 mm/min) had a minimal impact on the shear strength and internal friction angle of GRM. However, cohesion increased significantly at displacement rates within 0.5 mm/min. Additionally, a higher displacement rate led to a marked reduction in the contraction of GRM, with the maximum difference reaching approximately 50 %. The shear strength of the mixtures decreased as rubber content increased, particularly with smaller rubber particles and lower normal stresses. Conversely, when the particle size ratio increased from 0.2 to 2, the shear strength of GRM improved by 6∼29 %, while the corresponding vertical displacement decreased by 38∼82 %. A notable increase in cohesion and a slight decrease in the internal friction angle were observed within a particle size ratio of 0.4. Furthermore, while the internal friction angle gradually decreased, the cohesion initially dropped (up to 20 % rubber content) before beginning to rise with increasing rubber content. The findings of this research will improve the understanding of the shear strength of GRMs.</p
A Novel Heterozygous Likely Pathogenic JAG1 Germline Variant in an Adult With Unilateral Persistent Fetal Vasculature
No full textThe power of wings:How air connections fuel cross-regional collaboration in China?
No full textHow does physical connectedness stimulate knowledge cocreation? This paper sheds new light on this question by focusing on China, one of the largest countries and innovation powerhouses in the world. Exploiting variation in air connectivity across time and space, we find that the introduction of non-stop air connections between cities boosts collaborative innovation, especially for long-distance city pairs. This improvement goes with reducing costs of face-to-face interactions, hence promoting knowledge flows. Further analysis shows that the disparity of within-city-pair innovative capability shrinks following direct air connections. The effects on co-innovation are more pronounced for collaborations: (1) between mega-and small cities, (2) involving at least one cost-sensitive enterprise participant, and (3) across corporate group boundaries among enterprise innovators.</p
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