Search Results (197)

Background/Objectives: Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis in advanced and recurrent disease, and therapeutic options remain limited. Increasing evidence suggests that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), including immune cell composition and spatial organization, plays a critical role in tumor progression and survival outcomes. This study aimed to characterize immune cell density and geospatial clustering patterns within the TIME of PSCC and to evaluate their associations with clinical outcomes. Methods: Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) was performed on tumor samples from 57 patients with PSCC using a panel of immune markers to identify lymphoid and myeloid cell populations. Immune cell densities were quantified within tumoral and stromal compartments. Spatial relationships among immune cells and between immune cells and tumor cells were analyzed using point pattern analysis. Survival outcomes, including overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS), were assessed using Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards models, with analyses stratified by nodal and human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Results: Higher intratumoral and stromal densities of pro-immunogenic M1 macrophages were associated with improved OS. Increased densities of CD3⁺CD4⁺ helper T cells in both compartments were also associated with favorable survival outcomes. In contrast, close clustering of pro-tumorigenic M2 macrophages with tumor cells and with one another was associated with worse OS, RFS, and CSS. Bivariate clustering of helper T cells with tumor cells was associated with improved OS, including among patients with node-positive disease. Survival outcomes did not differ significantly by HPV status in patients with high helper T cell clustering. Conclusions: Immune cell density and spatial organization within the TIME are associated with survival outcomes in PSCC. Favorable patterns involving helper T cells and M1 macrophages correlate with improved survival, whereas clustering of M2 macrophages is associated with poorer outcomes, supporting the relevance of spatial immune profiling in this disease. Full article

In recent years, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the large-scale integration of distributed generation into distribution networks, and the widespread application of new power electronic devices have posed severe challenges to the security of power supply in distribution networks. To enhance the power supply reliability of the distribution network while considering its economic efficiency, this paper proposes a collaborative planning method for a flexible distribution network focused on power supply restoration and resilience enhancement In this method, a planning model for flexible distribution networks is established by optimally determining the siting and sizing of soft open point (SOP), with the objective of minimizing the annual comprehensive cost of the distribution network under multiple operational and planning constraints. Second-order cone programming (SOCP) relaxation and polyhedral approximation-based linearization techniques are employed to reformulate and solve the model, thereby obtaining the optimal siting and sizing Case for SOPs. Finally, simulations are conducted on a modified IEEE 33-bus test system to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that, through appropriate siting and sizing of SOPs, outage loss costs can be significantly reduced, nodal voltage profiles can be improved, and load support can be provided to de-energized areas, leading to a reduction of more than 70% in the annual comprehensive cost of the distribution network and an improvement in the system reliability index from 99% to 99.999%, thus effectively enhancing both the economic efficiency and reliability of the distribution system. Full article

This paper quantifies the steady-state voltage-compliance impact of ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging on the IEEE 33-bus radial distribution feeder. Four practical scenarios are examined by combining two penetration levels (6 and 12 charging points, i.e., ≈20% and ≈40% of PQ buses) with two charger ratings (1 MW and 350 kW per point). Candidate buses for EV station integration are selected through a nodal voltage–reactive sensitivity ranking ($\partial V/\partial Q$), prioritizing electrically robust locations. To capture realistic operating uncertainty, a 24-hour quasi-static time-series power-flow assessment is performed using Monte Carlo sampling ($N=100$), jointly modeling residential-demand variability and stochastic EV charging activation. Across the four cases, the worst-hour minimum voltage (uncompensated) ranges from 0.803 to 0.902 p.u., indicating a persistent under-voltage risk under dense and/or high-power charging. When the expected minimum-hourly voltage violates the 0.95 p.u. limit, a closed-form, sensitivity-guided reactive compensation is computed at the critical bus, and the power flow is re-solved. The proposed mitigation increases the minimum-voltage trajectory by approximately 0.03–0.12 p.u. (about 3.0–12.0% relative to 1 p.u.), substantially reducing the depth and duration of violations. The maximum required reactive support reaches 6.35 Mvar in the most stressed case (12 chargers at 1 MW), whereas limiting the unit charger power to 350 kW lowers both the severity of under-voltage and the compensation requirement. Overall, the Monte Carlo V–Q sensitivity framework provides a lightweight and reproducible tool for probabilistic voltage-compliance assessment and targeted steady-state mitigation in EV-rich radial distribution networks. Full article

The Yangtze River Economic Belt is a crucial driver of China’s economy, and its shoreline is a strategic, finite resource vital for ecological security, flood control, navigation, and socioeconomic development. However, intensive development has resulted in functional conflicts and ecological degradation, underscoring the need for accurate identification and suitability assessment of shoreline functions. Conventional methods, which predominantly rely on land use data and remote sensing imagery, are often limited in their ability to capture dynamic changes in large river systems. This study introduces an integrated framework combining macro-level “Three-Zone Space” (urban, agricultural, ecological) theory with micro-level Point of Interest (POI) data to rapidly identify shoreline functions along the Yichang section of the Yangtze River. We further developed a multi-criteria evaluation system incorporating ecological, production, developmental, and risk constraints, utilizing a combined AHP-Entropy weight method to assess suitability. The results reveal a clear upstream-downstream gradient: ecological functions dominate upstream, while agricultural and urban functions increase downstream. POI data enabled refined classification into five functional types, revealing that ecological conservation shorelines are extensively distributed upstream, port and urban development shorelines concentrate in downstream nodal zones, and agricultural production shorelines are widespread yet exhibit a spatial mismatch with suitability scores. The comprehensive evaluation identified high-suitability units, primarily in downstream urban cores with superior development conditions and lower risks, whereas low-suitability units are constrained by high geological hazards and poor infrastructure. These findings provide a scientific basis for differentiated shoreline management strategies. The proposed framework offers a transferable approach for the sustainable planning of major river corridors, offering insights applicable to similar contexts. Full article

This paper presents a unified framework for constructing partially unstructured B-spline transfinite finite elements with arbitrary nodal distributions. Three novel, distinct classes of elements are investigated and compared with older single Coons-patch elements. The first consists of classical transfinite elements reformulated using B-spline basis functions. The second includes elements defined by arbitrary control point networks arranged in parallel layers along one direction. The third features arbitrarily placed boundary nodes combined with a tensor-product structure in the interior. For all three classes, novel macro-element formulations are introduced, enabling flexible and customizable nodal configurations while preserving the partition of unity property. The key innovation lies in reinterpreting the generalized coefficients as discrete samples of an underlying continuous univariate function, which is independently approximated at each station in the transfinite element. This perspective generalizes the classical transfinite interpolation by allowing both the blending functions and the univariate trial functions to be defined using non-cardinal bases such as Bernstein polynomials or B-splines, offering enhanced adaptability for complex geometries and nonuniform node layouts. Full article

3D printing offers the ability to fabricate lightweight structural profiles with controlled infill and geometry. This study examines the mechanical behaviour of 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) structures with a 10% infill density under four load conditions (10, 15, 20, and 25 N). Four designs (M1, M2, M3, and M4), representing commonly used structural profiles found in beam and column applications, were analysed using ANSYS finite element simulations. Each design was evaluated under roller and nodal boundary conditions to study deformation, stress, and strain responses. Three-point flexural tests were also carried out on all four designs, and the measured peak flexural stress and apparent flexural modulus were compared with the simulated stiffness values. Both the simulations and experimental results showed that Design M3 exhibited the highest stiffness and more consistent behaviour compared to the other designs, while Design M4 showed higher deformation and lower bending resistance. Roller supports generally reduced deformation through better load distribution, whereas nodal supports increased local stiffness in selected designs. Although the magnitude of stiffness differed between simulation and experiment, the ranking of the designs remained consistent. Overall, the study confirms that the geometry plays an important role in their load-bearing performance, and the numerical model provides a reliable tool for comparing and selecting suitable designs before fabrication. Full article

In high-precision fields such as automotive and aerospace, solid elements are commonly used to verify the dynamic response of key components, which can comprehensively simulate three-dimensional stress, deformation, and temperature field changes. In this study, a new thermo-dynamic coupled solid element is proposed, which is suitable for large deformations based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF). In ANCF, the position and gradient vectors, as generalized coordinates, are used to describe displacement fields. Similarly, the temperature and temperature gradient are used as generalized coordinates for describing the temperature field. The physical meaning of the temperature gradient is the change in temperature relative to the coordinates of matter. Therefore, the temperature field and displacement field can be described within the same isoparametric element. Based on the unified element grid to establish dynamic equations and heat transfer equations, it can describe the bidirectional coupling effect of two physical fields. The generalized-α method simultaneously solves the dynamic and heat transfer equations within one time step. For thermally induced vibrations of simply supported beams, the maximum absolute error of dimensionless displacement at test points is less than 0.001, and temperature error is less than 0.5 K. The remaining two examples demonstrate that the proposed method can be used for the dynamic response calculation of thermally coupled multibody systems. Full article

A vibration-based protocol is presented for identifying barely visible impact damage (BVID) in type-IV composite-overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs). A 1 kJ hemispherical-tip strike was applied to a fully pressurized vessel, which was subsequently depressurized and characterized by free–free experimental modal analysis over a 168-point grid. The frequency response functions (FRFs) at the impact meridian exhibited distinct peaks near 3.70, 4.34, and 4.90 kHz with larger amplitudes and lower coherence than at the diametrically opposite meridian, indicating local circumferential stiffness loss. A detailed finite element model of the liner, bosses, and carbon/epoxy overwrap was updated by idealizing a cylindrical sub-volume with a 90% reduction in orthotropic stiffness. The pristine and “damaged” numerical modal sets agreed closely (mean frequency error < 2%), and for most of the first 60 modes, the diagonal Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) remained ≥ 0.90. However, in several nearly degenerate circumferential mode pairs, the diagonal MAC dropped to 0.49–0.88 because the local asymmetry rotated the eigenvectors within a common subspace, showing that classical MAC alone cannot expose such early-stage defects. Radial displacement scan-lines provided the missing spatial resolution. Modes whose antinodal regions intersect the dent showed pronounced local amplitude bulges and slight angular shifts in the peak toward the impact site, whereas modes with a nodal line across the damage were virtually unchanged. The combined use of FRF asymmetry, MAC screening, and scan-line deformation profiling localized the impact to the correct circumferential sector with centimeter-scale resolution along the scan ring, yielding predictive signatures for rapid, non-pressurized in situ assessment of impacted COPVs after depressurization. Full article

Jiangnan water towns, as distinctive cultural landscapes in China, are confronting the dual challenge of surging tourist flows and imbalances in spatial distribution. Research on pedestrian dynamics has so far offered narrow coverage of influencing factors and limited insight into underlying mechanisms, falling short of a systemic perspective and an interpretable theoretical framework. This study uses Nanxun Ancient Town as a case study to address this gap. Pedestrian trajectories were captured using temporarily installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras within the scenic area and extracted using the YOLOv8 object detection algorithm. These data were then integrated with quantified environmental indicators and analyzed through Random Forest regression with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) interpretation, enabling quantitative and interpretable exploration of pedestrian dynamics. The results indicate nonlinear and context-dependent effects of environmental factors on pedestrian dynamics and that tourist flows are jointly shaped by multi-level, multi-type factors and their interrelations, producing complex and adaptive impact pathways. First, within this enclosed scenic area, spatial morphology—such as lane width, ground height, and walking distance to entrances—imposes fundamental constraints on global crowd distributions and movement patterns, whereas spatial accessibility does not display its usual salience in this context. Second, perceptual and functional attributes—including visual attractiveness, shading, and commercial points of interest—cultivate local “visiting atmospheres” through place imagery, perceived comfort, and commercial activity. Finally, nodal elements—such as signboards, temporary vendors, and public service facilities—produce multi-scale, site-centered effects that anchor and perturb flows and reinforce lingering, backtracking, and clustering at bridgeheads, squares, and comparable nodes. This study advances a shift from static and global description to a mechanism-oriented explanatory framework and clarifies the differentiated roles and linkages among environmental factors by integrating video-based trajectory analytics with machine learning interpretation. This framework demonstrates the applicability of surveillance and computer vision techniques for studying pedestrian dynamics in small-scale heritage settings, and offers practical guidance for heritage conservation and sustainable tourism management in similar historic environments. Full article

In Lolium perenne, a novel growth habit mutant, named VIROIZ, was recovered following colchicine treatment, and it was confirmed to maintain the diploid chromosome number (2n = 2x = 14). The mutation affected the stem morphology by inducing prolific axillary shoot formation at nodal zones, resulting in a spreading growth habit that can extend to ~70 cm in width. Inheritance analysis based on single-plant evaluations in crosses with wild-type plants (F₁, n = 285; F₂, n = 380) and in selfed progeny (S₁, n = 255) consistently showed ~40% expression of the spreading phenotype, deviating from classical Mendelian ratios and indicating complex genetic control. Phenotypic selection further distinguished divergent classes: positively selected lines (C1⁺) averaged 3.90 axillary tillers per stem, whereas negatively selected lines (C1⁻) averaged only 0.22. Partial sequencing of 11 candidate genes implicated in shoot architecture, covering 40–90% of full-length DNA, did not provide a conclusive explanation for the altered stem growth. Notably, a single point mutation was observed in CRT3 (an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone that interacts with brassinosteroid signaling) highlighting it as a primary target for future studies. Cytological analysis of meiosis in F₁ hybrids between VIROIZ and wild-type plants revealed irregular chromosome pairing with persistent univalents (2–4 per cell), supporting the presence of structural chromosomal rearrangements that may disrupt gene organization and function in VIROIZ. The non-Mendelian segregation of the spreading phenotype, together with the observed meiotic irregularities, suggests that the mutation affects regulatory genes responsive to hormonal signals controlling axillary meristem initiation. The mutant represents a valuable resource for turf-type L. perenne breeding and for studying hormonal regulation of shoot morphogenesis in Poaceae. Full article

This work examines the mechanical behaviour of 3D-printed stochastic lattice structures fabricated using a semi-controlled design. A primary goal is to predict and optimize the mechanical response of these Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile (ASA) filament structures when subjected to compressive stress. By transitioning from a purely stochastic method to a semi-controlled tessellation approach within Rhinoceros 7 software, we effectively generated the proposed design models. This methodology results in mechanical responses that are both predictable and reliable. The design parameters, including nodal formation, strut thickness, and lattice generation based on a predefined geometric routine, are associated with the regulation of the relative density. This approach aims to minimize the effect of relative density on the actual stiffness and strength evaluation. Our findings are cantered on the compressive testing of structures, which were generated using a Voronoi population distributed along a parabolic curve. We analyzed their mechanical response to the point of failure by examining stress–strain fluctuations. Three distinct behaviour stages are observed: elastic range, plastic range, and collapse without densification. The influence of crosslink geometry on the elastic responses was highlighted, with parabolic configurations affecting the peak stresses and elastic line slopes. The structures exhibited purely brittle behaviour, characterized by abrupt local cracking and oscillatory plateau formation in the plastic stage. Full article

While the established theory of computer-aided geometric design (CAGD) suggests that rational Bernstein–Bézier polynomials associated with control points can be used to accurately represent conics and quadrics, this paper shows that the same goal can be achieved in a different manner. More specifically, rational Lagrange polynomials of the same degree, associated with nodal points lying on the true curve or surface, can be combined with appropriate weights to yield equivalent numerical results within a Bézier patch. The specific application of this equivalence to derive weights for Lagrange nodes on conics and quadrics is shown in this paper. Although this replacement may not be crucial for CAGD purposes, it proves useful for the direct implementation of boundary conditions in isogeometric analysis, since it allows the use of nodal values on the exact boundary. Full article

This paper presents a flutter analysis of the UHBR Open Fan Testcase ECL5 for an off-design point at part speed and focuses on the second eigenmode, which has a strong torsional character near the blade tip. Recent studies by Pagès et al., using a time-linearized solver, showed strong negative damping for an operating point at 80% speed close to the maximal pressure ratio. This was identified as a phenomenon of convective resonance; for a certain nodal diameter and frequency, the blade vibration is in resonance with convective disturbances that are linearly unstable. In this work, a nonlinear frequency domain method (harmonic balance) is applied to the problem of aerodynamic damping prediction for this off-design operating point. It is shown that, to obtain plausible results, it is necessary to treat the turbulence model as unsteady. The impact of spurious reflections due to numerical boundary conditions is estimated for this case. While strong negative damping is not predicted by the analysis presented here, we observe particularly high sensitivity of the aerodynamic response with respect to turbulence model formulation and the frequency for certain nodal diameters. The combination of nodal diameter and frequency of maximal sensitivities are interpreted as points near resonance. We recover from these near-resonance points convective speeds and compare them to studies of the onset of nonsynchronous vibrations of the ECL5 fan at part-speed conditions. Full article

Soil warming due to climate change has a significant potential impact on crop yield and quality. Schisandra chinensis (Trucz.) Baill, a multipurpose plant disseminated in the highly climate-sensitive region of Northeast Asia, is affected by soil warming, which limits the supply and quality of raw materials. This study investigated the differential responses of biomass accumulation and bioactive ingredient production across various organs to root-zone temperature (RZT) variations, employing both physiological assessments and metabolomic profiling. Elevated root temperatures may increase plant biomass and indirectly increase photosynthetic rates by promoting root growth; however, biomass responses differ among organs. A 20 °C root temperature promoted stem and leaf growth and inhibited root development, whereas a 30 °C root temperature significantly promoted root growth but reduced leaf biomass. Schisanhenol A, a key bioactive lignan serving as a quality marker for S. chinensis, displayed synthesis dependent on temperature. Concurrently, flavonoid biosynthesis is coordinated accumulation at the naringenin nodal point. A 15 °C RZT inhibited lignan production in roots while triggering stress-responsive phenol accumulation in leaves (41.39%). Conversely, at 20 °C and 30 °C RZTs, schisanhenol synthesis was repressed in leaves but accumulated in roots (9.8–25.71%). It is worth noting that the increase in RZT significantly promoted the synthesis and accumulation of schisandrol A in the aboveground part of the plant (43.88%). This research underscores that a suitable elevation in root-zone temperature can augment the medicinal attributes of the aerial components of S. chinensis. Full article

We study in detail the critical points of Bohmian flow, both in the inertial frame of reference (Y-points) and in the frames centered at the moving nodal points of the guiding wavefunction (X-points), and analyze their role in the onset of chaos in a system of two entangled qubits. We find the distances between these critical points and a moving Bohmian particle at varying levels of entanglement, with particular emphasis on the times at which chaos arises. Then, we find why some trajectories are ordered, without any chaos. Finally, we examine numerically how the Lyapunov Characteristic Number ($LCN$) depends on the degree of quantum entanglement. Our results indicate that increasing entanglement reduces the convergence time of the finite-time $LCN$ of the chaotic trajectories toward its final positive value. Full article