The cubature Kalman filter (CKF) and its square-root version, namely the square-root cubature Kalman filter (SCKF), are commonly used nonlinear estimators under Gaussian noises. Particularly, the ...latter has the added advantage of low computational complexity and guaranteed positive semi-definiteness. However, the estimation accuracy often degrades substantially when the measurements are contaminated by outliers. This paper proposes a robust Laplace
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square-root cubature Kalman filter (LSCKF). The proposed filter employs the heavy-tailed Laplace distribution to model the measurement noises and solves the maximum posterior estimation using the majorization minimization (MM) approach and Gauss–Newton method. Besides, the filter is derived in square root and uses the orthogonal transformations to realize reliable computation of state estimates. Therefore, the new filter not only has good robustness against measurement outliers, but also retains the advantages of high numerical stability. Two numerical simulations are performed to test the performance of the proposed algorithm.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
In the current study, an isothermal compression molding process was used to develop enhanced green composites made from alkali‐treated pine nut shell particles (TPS) reinforced in fully bio‐driven ...benzoxazine (VB) and epoxy (EP) copolymer. Reinforcement with varying weight percent (wt%) of bio‐filler enhanced the properties of composites. Composites showed a rise of 75.9 MPa, 5.8 GPa, and 5.1 kJ/m2 in flexural strength, modulus, and impact strength, respectively. Thermal stability shows that composites can endure higher temperatures and hence be classified as flame‐retardant materials. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirms that composites exhibit higher storage modulus, which was elevated to 77.6% compared to the unfilled copolymer. FTIR spectroscopy analyzed the structure of copolymerized composites. Further, finite element analysis (FEA) was observed for the prepared composites. A transversely isotropic composite material model was created with the properties of composites, and stress analysis was observed. FEA outcomes are in good agreement with experimental findings.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), one of the most produced nanoparticles (NPs) in the world, are used in all aspects of life. The increased application of SiNPs, especially in medicine, has raised ...considerable concern regarding their toxicological impact. Previous studies have shown that SiNPs can pass through the reproductive barrier and cause reproductive organ dysfunction by destroying Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and germ cells. However, little is known about the mechanism of SiNPs-induced reproductive toxicity. In the present study, 5-week-old male mice were intraperitoneally administered SiNPs per day for 1 week at a dose of 0.2 mg per mouse. The results showed that SiNPs could cause damage to the structure of the testis and the epididymis and change the reproductive organ coefficients, leading to decreases of 56.1% and 55.3% in the rates of sperm concentration and motility and an increase of 168.8% in the rate of sperm abnormality. Moreover, the serum testosterone level obviously decreased from 18.77 to 5.23 µg/ml after exposure, and the transcription statuses of some key genes involved in the synthesis and transport of testosterone in the testis were also affected. Additional experiments showed that SiNPs exposure during puberty induced oxidative stress and an inflammatory response, as shown by the changed activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), increased contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), and excess expression of proinflammatory factors, including TNF-α and IL-1β. Furthermore, the administration of SiNPs caused DNA damage and cell apoptosis, which were presented by the increased apoptotic cells in the sections of testis and epididymis and activation of the TNF-α/TNFR I-mediated pro-apoptotic pathway. In
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, these results indicate that SiNPs exposure during puberty significantly damaged the structure and function of the testis and epididymis by inducing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis. This study provides novel insight into SiNPs-induced reproductive toxicity during puberty, which warrants a more careful assessment of SiNPs before their application in juvenile supplies.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
In view of the important roles played by Kinetochore proteins in mitosis, we believed that they may contribute to the development and progression of human cancers, which has been reported recently ...elsewhere. Kinetochore-associated 1 (KNTC1) participates in the segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis, the effects of which on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. Here, we sought to identify the biological significance of KNTC1 in NSCLC. KNTC1 protein expression in NSCLC tissues was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Lentivirus delivered short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was utilized to establish KNTC1 silence NSCLC cell lines. The effects of KNTC1 depletion on NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and tumor formation were analyzed by MTT assay, wound-healing assay, transwell assay, flow cytometry assay, and in nude mouse models in vivo. After KNTC1 reduction, NSCLC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were restrained. A xenograft tumor model was also provided to demonstrate the inhibited tumorigenesis in NSCLC. In addition, the downstream mechanism analysis indicated that KNTC1 depletion was positively associated with PSMB8. The findings of the present study suggested that KNTC1 may have a pivotal role in mediating NSCLC progression and may act as a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC.
The widespread use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) has increased the risk of human exposure, which raised concerns about their adverse effects on human health, especially the reproductive system. ...Previous studies have shown that SiNPs could cause damage to reproductive organs, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. In this study, to investigate the underlying mechanism of male reproductive toxicity induced by SiNPs, 40 male mice at the age of 8 weeks were divided into two groups and then intraperitoneally injected with vehicle control or 10 mg/kg SiNPs per day for one week. The results showed that SiNPs could damage testicular structure, perturb spermatogenesis and reduce serum testosterone levels, leading to a decrease in sperm quality and quantity. In addition, the ROS level in the testis of exposed mice was significantly increased, followed by imbalance of the oxidative redox status. Further study revealed that exposure to SiNPs led to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as shown by downregulation of the expression of positive cell cycle regulators and the activation of TNF-α/TNFR Ⅰ-mediated apoptotic pathway. The results demonstrated that SiNPs could cause testicles injure via inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage which led to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and thereby resulting in spermatogenic dysfunction
•SiNPs could cause damage to the structure of testicular tissue in mice.•SiNPs could perturb the process of spermatogenesis and reduce sperm quality and quantity.•SiNPs could increase ROS production and thus induce oxidative stress.•SiNPs led to cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis via activation of ATM/p53 pathway and TNF-α/TNFR Ⅰ-mediated signaling.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Abstract
By adhering to green chemistry principles, unique and enhanced benzoxazine composite is made from renewable vanillin and furfuryl amine. The bio‐benzoxazine poly(V‐BZF) structure was ...confirmed by
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H NMR and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy. Enhanced composites were developed successfully by blending different chemical‐treated almond shell particles with poly(V‐BZF). Differential scanning calorimetry results reveal that novel benzoxazine's curing temperature was low and slightly reduced by incorporating chemically treated fillers. The lowest polymerizing temperature was recorded as 215°C for the blend of alkali‐treated particles. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrates that composites exhibited superior thermal characteristics, and chemical treatment positively impacts filler material. The limiting oxygen index value classifies poly(V‐BZF) composites as flame‐retardant and extinguishing. Approximately a 47.56% increase in tensile strength and a 28.9% increase in modulus were recorded with the incorporation of silane‐treated filler. Flexural tests demonstrated that composites with silane‐treated particles showed maximum flexural strength of 101.5 MPa and a modulus of 4112.6 MPa. The impact strength of composites increased to 73.3%, expanding benzoxazine's manufacturing applications. In addition, the specimen was designed to have composite properties and stress analysis was performed in two Multiphysics software packages. In all, this work confirms that adopting environmentally‐friendly methodologies and surface modification of filler can yield superior composites.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Inclined–vertical framed retaining walls were recently developed and successfully adopted in engineering practice. However, relevant empirical methods for the evaluation of ground movements due to ...excavation have not been established. This study aimed to establish a calculation method for assessing ground movement due to excavation and to evaluate the damage probability of nearby buildings. A series of numerical models were carried out, and a database was established with their results. In this paper, simplified equations are proposed for predicting the profiles of subsurface and surface settlements, as well as lateral movements, utilizing the database. The accuracy of the simplified equations was validated by monitoring data from three case histories of the inclined–vertical framed retaining wall. Finally, the damage potential index was used to obtain the probability of damage to buildings located outside the excavations, while considering different positions.
Water vapor transport plays a significant role in maintaining the water cycle over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). This study investigates the characteristics of water vapor transport across the TP ...southern boundaries and its impacts on TP precipitation during the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) season from 2000 to 2019. The southern boundary is subdivided into four sub-boundaries from the east to the west: boundaries 7 (100°–95° E), 8 (95°–89° E), 9 (89°–80° E), and 10 (80°–70° E) (B7, B8, B9, and B10). ISM can affect the water vapor transports of B7, B8, and B9, while mid-latitude westerlies dominate the water vapor transport of B10. An area with concentrated spatial precipitation in both strong and weak ISM months is regarded as a precipitation concentration region (PCR). The results show that the PCR precipitation is smaller in the weak ISM month than in the normal month for most of the day, while it is larger in the strong ISM month than in the normal month. The PCR precipitation difference from afternoon to evening in strong and weak ISM months between normal months shows a dependency on the water vapor transport of B8 and B10. Water vapor transported across B9 also contributes to the increased PCR precipitation in the afternoon. The PCR precipitation shows a more dependable relationship to the water vapor from the BoB and the Arabian Sea in strong ISM months than in weak ISM months. Conversely, the water vapor transport efficiency is low in strong ISM months due to a cyclonic circulation over northern India, preventing water vapor transport from reaching the TP directly.
The estimation of earth pressure is crucial in the design of retaining structures. The evaluation of vertical retaining walls has been well studied within the framework of the differential flat ...element method in prior investigations, in which the vertical stress and maximum principal stress are assumed to be uniformly distributed. Inclined retaining walls have been successfully adopted in excavation engineering. Due to the inclination of retaining walls, the maximum principal stress direction rotates approximately parallel to the inclined wall back, which affects the active earth pressure on the walls. This paper provides an analytical solution to evaluate the active earth pressure on inclined retaining walls. A numerical model is first established to analyze the characteristics of the principal stresses and vertical stress distribution of soil behind walls with various inclination angles. An idealized vertical stress field containing two zones is developed, and a hyperbolic function is proposed to illustrate the distribution of vertical stress at various depths. Subsequently, the relationship between the nonuniform characteristics of the vertical stress and normal stress acting on a differential flat element is established based on a circular stress trajectory. The active earth pressure along the inclined wall is then obtained based on the balance of the forces on the differential elements. The predicted data from the proposed analytical solution are compared with the previous experimental, numerical, and theoretical results with excellent agreement, demonstrating the accuracy of the proposed method.
Dysentery, an acute infectious disease still prevalent in many parts of the world, especially in developing counties, is caused by a group of bacteria known as Shigella. Because of the sensitivity of ...dysentery to climate change, the relationship between dysentery incidence and climate factors has become a growing research interest. Previous studies have mainly focused on identifying key climate factors and examining the relationship between dysentery incidence and climate change. However, there has been little research on modeling and projecting the occurrence of dysentery based on key climate factors. Here we selected Binyang County in China, a subtropical monsoon climate region where epidemics are typical, as the study area. We used heat maps to extract climate risk windows (with minimum temperatures of 24 °C-26 °C, precipitation amounts of 160-380 mm, and relative humidities of 69%-85%) for dysentery transmission. We then developed a climate-dysentery model and validated its reliability. Finally, based on climate risk windows and the developed model, three earth system models (BNU-ESM, IPSL-CM5A-MR, and MIROC-ESM) were used to project future occurrence periods and incidence of dysentery under future climate condition. The projected results showed that May to August were high-incidence periods, and the occurrence of dysentery exhibited an upward trend in the future. Accordingly, we provided two practical recommendations for defeating dysentery: seasonal control in the study area, and advocacy of prevention in potentially pandemic regions. This study hopes to provide a theoretical basis for developing a dysentery warning system from the perspective of climate change.
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