The Polyurethane (PU) mixture is a high−performance engineering material with different dynamic properties compared to a hot−mixed asphalt mixture (HMA). This paper analyzed whether the Kramers−Kronig (K−K) relation and thermo−rheological simple properties were applicable to the PU mixture. Based on the result discussion, the PU mixture exhibited thermo−rheological simple properties within the test conditions. The time−temperature superposition principle (TTSP) was applicable for the PU mixture to construct the dynamic modulus master curve using the standard logistic Sigmoidal (SLS) model, the generalized logistic sigmoidal (GLS) model, and the Havriliak−Negami (HN) model. The Hilbert integral transformed SLS and GLS models for the phase angle can accurately fit the measured phase angle data with newly fitted shift factors and predict the phase angle within the viscoelastic range. The Core−Core and black space diagrams both displayed single continuous smooth curves, which can be utilized to characterize the viscoelastic property of the PU mixture. The K−K relation is applicable for the PU mixture to obtain the phase angle master curve model, storage modulus, and loss modulus from the complex modulus test results. The phase angle of the PU mixture cannot be derived from the dynamic modulus data and currently needs to be derived from the laboratory measurement.

This paper describes an entropy equation that can be used for measuring energy. It originated from measuring economy in AI models, where the assumption would be that any organic system makes use of energy efficiency to form its structures. Looking at clustering and cohesion resulted in the equation E = (mean * variance). It was apparent however, that it was a very generic type of equation and it could be adjusted so that distance represents mean. This new version was applied to the domain of physics and the universe, when the equation can support the idea that work is done through the energy released by the 'change' in entropy. A comparison with Einstein's relativity equation is made and also the audacious suggestion that a black hole has only potential energy inside, which converts to kinetic energy after a Big Bang, for example. From that suggestion, a universal theory about state change can be made.

Using assembly theory, we investigate the assembly pathways of binary strings of length N formed by joining bits present in the assembly pool and the strings that entered the pool as a result of previous joining operations. We show that the string assembly index is bounded from below by the shortest addition chain for N, and we conjecture about the form of the upper bound. We define the degree of causation for the minimum assembly index and show that for certain N it features regularities that can be used to determine a shortest addition chain. We show that a string with the smallest assembly index for N can be assembled by a binary program of length equal to this index if the length of this string is expressible as a product of Fibonacci numbers. We conjecture that there is no binary program that has a length shorter than the length of the string having the largest assembly index for N that could assemble this string. The results confirm that four Planck areas provide a minimum information capacity that corresponds to a minimum thermodynamic (Bekenstein-Hawking) entropy. Knowing that the problem of determining the assembly index is at least NP-complete, we conjecture that this problem is NP-complete, while the problem of creating the string so that it would have a predetermined largest assembly index is NP-hard. The proof of this conjecture would imply P ≠ NP, since every computable problem and every computable solution can be encoded as a finite binary string. Once the new information is assembled by a dissipative structure or by a human, it is subject to the 2^nd law of thermodynamics, and nature seeks to optimize its assembly pathway.

The conventional measure of cosmic acceleration, denoted as \( q \), relies heavily on the frame of reference and operates within a 3D space-like coordinate system, potentially leading to misinterpretations of underlying physics. In this study, we propose a novel measure, \( q_E \), grounded in distances between causal events in 4D null space. We compare \( q_E \) with the standard \( q \) using observational data from supernovae (SN) and radial galaxy/quasar (QSO) clustering (BAO) to find a better alignment of data with \( q_E \). Our analysis indicates that cosmic expansion, when viewed in the rest frame, is decelerating, with events confined by an Event Horizon akin to that of a Black Hole interior. Rather than invoking new dark energy or modified gravity, we propose that \( \Lambda \) corresponds to a boundary term exerting an attractive influence, analogous to a rubber band resisting further expansion and preventing horizon crossing of events. Contrary to prevailing notions, interpreting current cosmic expansion measurements as deceleration, rather than acceleration, offers a more accurate depiction of observed phenomena and the underlying physics. This reevaluation prompts further investigation into the nature of cosmic expansion, as well as the exploration of alternative frameworks and measures in cosmology.

Understanding the motivations and decisions behind COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is crucial for designing targeted public health interventions to address vaccine hesitancy. We conducted a qualitative analysis to explore COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among diverse ethnic subgroups of Black Americans in the United States. This study investigates the responses of 79 African American, Afro-Caribbean, and African respondents over the age of 18 in Washington State and Texas between 2021-2022. Qualitative responses were analyzed by content category and ethnic subgroup. Of the 79 responses, 60 expressed favorable perceptions, 16 unfavorable, and 3 neutral. Dominant categories among participants in favor of the vaccine included personal health (26), concern for health of family/or community members (13), and desire to protect others (11). Among the 42 vaccinated African American respondents, the primary motivation was personal health (20). The 12 unvaccinated African American respondents cited fear of side-effects as the dominate motivation. Caribbean respondents cited family or elders as motivation for their decision. African respondents were nearly unanimous in taking the vaccine (13/16), citing trust in healthcare, protecting friends and family, and personal health as reasons. Community and personal relationships were critical decision-making factors in accepting the COVID-19 vaccine with African Americans having the strongest hesitancy.

Here we will electrically-quantum model the neutron and proton as a three-phase alternating current electric generator, for this, we will use the theory of three-phase electric generators and vector or phasor diagrams. We will use this model to hypothesize how the quarks that form neutrons and protons with a combined mass of 10 MeV/c², can generate, through quarks-antiquarks-gluon interactions, a mass of 939.56 MeV/c² for the neutron and a mass of 938.27 MeV/c² for the proton. Using quantum mechanics and the theory of the generalization of the Boltzmann constant in curved space-time we will calculate the number of quarks-antiquarks-gluons and gravitons inside a neutron. We will also analyse βˉ decay using vector diagrams, we will calculate the tension of the string T₀ and the length of the string ℓs between quarks-antiquark and finally, we will model a black hole using a neutron equivalent model. In version 2 of this article, we will update the vector diagrams of the βˉ decay and theoretically calculate the energy of the W⁻ boson, the Z⁰ boson, and the Θ angle, Θ = arc cos (W⁻/Z⁰). We will demonstrate, through vector diagrams, that quarks-antiquarks-gluon interactions are the cause of the origin of the W⁻ boson and the Z⁰ boson. We will also demonstrate how the fine structure constant α originates. It is important to make clear, in future updates, we will describe the relationship that exists between the theory described in this paper and the Isospin theory, flavour and colour theory

To investigate the bioactivities of fresh garlic and its processed product, black garlic, we conducted comparative analyses of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, innate immune activation and anti-cancer activities, in addition to chemical composition (sugar, amino acid, polyphenol contents) of these materials. Simultaneous assay using neutrophil-like cells showed that fresh garlic exhibited antioxidant and innate immunostimulatory activities, whereas black garlic displayed a potent anti-inflammatory effect. The antioxidant activity index was correlated with phenol and flavonoid contents, while the innate immunostimulatory activity was correlated with fructan content. Furthermore, some black garlics with low fructose content were found to inhibit the proliferation of UM-UC-3 cancer cells, while other black garlics rich in fructose increased UM-UC-3 cell proliferation. It was shown that the thermal processing steps of fresh garlic could change the composition of sugars, antioxidants, and amino acids, which have different effects on neutrophil-like cells and UM-UC-3 cells, as well as on bioactivities.

The research paper investigates the synthesis of metal matrix composites (MMCs) through the amalgamation of aluminum and silicon carbide particles, employing a two-step mixing methodology called the stir casting method. Metal matrix composites are materials that enhance the capabilities of a metallic matrix by incorporating another material. This leads to better characteristics such as tensile and shear moduli, fatigue and fracture properties, thermal expansion coefficient, and more. Aluminum-matrix composites are a class of materials that possess distinct characteristics that may be modified by altering factors such as the type of reinforcing material, the amount of reinforcement, and the fabrication technique employed to produce the composite. The concept aims to combine the desirable properties of metals and ceramics by incorporating durable refractory particles into a malleable metal structure. The fabrication process employs the stir casting technique, where reinforcing phases are mechanically stirred into a molten matrix to create cast composites with reinforcement volume percentages of up to 30%. The study utilizes Response Surface Methodology to enhance the mechanical properties of the composites through the optimization of manufacturing parameters, including stirring temperature, time, and speed. The study entails analyzing the correlation between different casting conditions and the resulting changes in hardness and tensile strength.

Geopolitical situations, such as the Ukraine–Russia war, the Israel–Hamas war, and pandemics, can disrupt supply chains, such as the rerouting of oil tankers via South Africa to avoid the impact of the Israel–Hamas conflict. These events will probably occur again, but they are black swan events and difficult to predict. How can firms manage these events to minimise disruption to their supply chains? This paper proposes that a blockchain architecture has the potential to build resilience in supply chains and give them the flexibility to withstand the challenges of black swan events. The decentralisation ability of blockchain technology enables separation of the discrete elements of a sustainable supply chain so contagion does not impact the overall sustainable supply chain. To achieve flexibility in a sustainable supply chain ecosystem requires governance, leadership, and management. Also, artificial intelligence (AI), in conjunction with blockchain, is a technology that can enhance the flexibility and resilience of the supply chain. Thus, AI can act as a controller, co-ordinator, and an integrator in sustainable supply chain systems.

As one of the typical deposits in Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Pb-Zn metallogenic province, the Daliangzi Pb-Zn deposit has a close genetic relation with the structural system of “black/fracture zone” formed under the action of NWW-approx. EW strike-slip structures in the metallogenic province, but the mechanism of rock and ore-controlling action of the structural system remains unclear. Based on detailed analysis of tectonite-mineralized alteration lithofacies of R1 “black/fracture zone”, the tectonite-mineralized alteration lithofacies zones can be divided into 4 types in succession outward from the Pb-Zn mineralization center, i.e., ① brecciated and stockwork-like Pb-Zn mineralization-complex breccia facies zone, ② stockwork-like Pb-Zn mineralization-simple breccia and cataclasite facies zone, ③ veined pyrite-sulfide-dolomitic cataclasite facies zone, and ④ fine-veined calcite-black carbonized dolomite facies zone; Cl- and SO42--rich high-temperature oxidizing ore-bearing fluid mixes with reducing fluid in Zone ① while migration and precipitation occur in Zone ④. With the evolution of ore-forming fluid, the homogenization temperature decreases from Zone ① to Zone ④, the salinity increases from Zone ① to Zone ② and then decreases to Zones ③ and ④, and the fluid density has little change on the whole; the contents of Zn, Pb, Cu, Ga, Ge, Cd, Ag, and other metallogenic elements, the Zn/Pb ratio, and the CaO/MgO mole ratio decrease gradually from Zone ① to Zone ④; and REE fractionation, calcilization, silicification, and pyritization enhance gradually from Zone ① to Zone ④. This series of changes are the product of diapirism (cryptoexplosion) of strike-slip structures and “black/fracture zone”, among which the second-order structures (F5, F100, and other faults) derived from NWW-approx. EW striking dextral shear-tension faults F1 and F15 control the brecciated and stockwork-like Pb-Zn mineralized complex breccia facies zones and the stockwork-like Pb-Zn mineralized simple breccia and cataclasite facies zones. Therefore, this paper establishes the zoning mode of tectonite-mineralized alteration lithofacies of “black/fracture zone” and proposes that Zones ① and ② are important prospecting criteria. conclusions.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) can use food by-products or residues as a growth substrate, and their use is considered a strategic solution to improve the sustainability and efficiency of animal production. BSFL need to be reared under controlled environmental conditions, as temperature can affect the welfare of the larvae and the efficiency of their bioconversion. The goal of this experiment was to test different diets: control, vegetable, carnivorous, omnivorous and to assess their effect on larval growth performance, chemical composition, and substrate temperature. BSFL (6-days-old) were randomly selected and allocated to one of the four diets for the entire experiment (8 days). The temperature in each container was measured twice daily using a thermal imaging camera. The vegetable diet led to significantly lower growth performance (p

This paper proposes a relativistic model of the Universe in which the geometry describes a 4D version of the 2-sheeted hyperboloid that is isotropic, homogeneous in space at a given time and inhomogeneous in time. The radius of this metric is temporal as opposed to spatial. It predicts both a Universe and Anti-Universe moving in opposite directions of time undergoing an expansion phase, followed by a collapsing phase. Using only the current age of the Universe and transition redshift, it predicts the accelerated expansion and it is shown that its Hubble diagram fits currently available supernova and quasar data as well as predicting a Hubble constant $H_0\approx71.6km/s/Mpc$. The angular term of the metric describes time dilation caused by the relativistic kinematic precession effect known as Thomas Precession which can be interpreted as spin about the time dimension. The model also makes two novel predictions: that the early Universe should have structures older than expected due to an increased amount of proper time relative to coordinate time in that era and that the background Universe should appear brighter than current models predict.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the failure mechanism and preventive strengthening methods of prefabricated full length small box girder (PSBG) under car explosion. After damage analysis during blast loads using the commercial software Autodyn, three strengthening methods are presented to improve the blast mitigation performance. The results show that the failure modes and bearing capacity are significantly different with various strengthening measures. Adhering U-shaped steel plate can effectively enhance the shear performance of PSBG under blast loads. Strengthening the bottom of the upper flange of box girder with steel plate can effectively mitigate the local bending failure, and enhance the overall flexural capacity during car explosion.

We demonstrate that multiple well-known metrics, such as the Schwarzschild metric and the extremal solution of the Reissner-Nordstr ̈om metric, can be expressed in what we will call thermodynamic form. These formulations appear to be valid for all Rs = ct growing black holes and, therefore, also within the framework of Rh = ct growing black hole cosmology. However, the metrics can also be applied to non-black hole gravitational objects as long as one calculates the CMB and Hawking temperature of the hypothetical black hole from the gravitational mass.

Analyses of the three predominant types of sedimentation – clastic, carbonate and black shale – revealed their discontinuity/continuity in different facies environments of the Middle and Late Devonian of the central part of the Volga-Urals petroleum province, namely (1) in depressions, both condensed and non-condensed, (2) on the slopes of depressions and (3) in shallow water environments represented by tectonic arches or localised biohermal uplifts. The regional zonation of conodonts, correlated with the global chronostratigraphic scheme, substantiates the stratigraphic completeness of the general Devonian sequence in this area. In particular, the sedimentation of organic-rich black shales, traditionally considered as source rocks, lasted more than 29 million years, starting from the Late Eifel and ending at the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary. There was only one hiatus in the deposition of both black shales and carbonate sediments, lasting about 2.5 million years at the end of the Frasnian. That interval is dominated by clastic sediments, which are considered to be the most productive reservoirs of the Volga-Ural province. In the time interval from the beginning of the Eifel to the end of the Frasnian (about 17 Ma), (a) clastic sediments show the highest accumulation rates; (b) the most complete sequences occur in depressions; and (c) arches and uplifts show the most significant gaps in the geological record. During Famennian, (a) clastic sedimentation has completely ceased; (b) differences between the slopes of troughs and shallow-water environments have diminished, resulting in stable accumulation of carbonate sediments in both settings; (c) the decrease in sequence thickness (up to 50 m) in depressions suggests reduced accumulation rates of deep-water organic-rich black shales. The results help to understand the complex spatial relationship between different coexisting sedimentation types and focus attention to the incompleteness of the geological record in different environments.

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid state welding process for joining metallic alloys and dissimilar metals. It has emerged as an alternative technology for welding high strength alloys that are difficult to join with conventional techniques. FSW is used to produce products with better mechanical properties. Now a days aluminum alloys have been widely used in several industrial applications such as aerospace, marine, automobile and commercial applications due to their light weight structure, better mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance.In this work, three welding parameters such as spindle speed, welding speed and plunge depth were considered for friction stir welding. FSW was carried out between dissimilar aluminum alloy plates (AA6061 and AA 8011) to produce butt joint.A Box-Behnken design with three factors and three levels was chosen to minimize the number of experimental conditions .The tensile strength and hardness of the welded regions were evaluated. The optimum level settings and the major parameters that influence the joint strength were obtained by Box-Behnken design.

The CACCC-box motif emerges as a pivotal cis-regulatory element implicated in diverse developmental processes and diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study centers on the intricate interplay between the CACCC-box and its binding proteins such as: the Krüppel-like family (KLF) of transcription factors as primary effectors in the context of CVDs. Our analysis was through a bioinformatics approach, which reveal significant transcriptional activity among KLF subgroup 2, exhibiting the highest number of interactions focusing on the established roles: pluripotency, cancer, and cardiovascular development and diseases. Our analysis reveals KLF's interactions with GATA4, MEF2C, NKX2.5 and other ~ 90 potential genes that participate in the regulation of the hypertrophic environment (or CVD's Environment). Also, the GO analysis showed genes containing the motif CACCC were enriched for multiple CVD’s, in combination with STRING analysis these results pointed to a link between KLFs and these diseases. The analysis further identifies other potential CACCC-box binding factors, such as SP family members, WT1, VEZF1, and -SALL4, which are implicated in cardiac contraction, remodeling, and inflammation processes.

We study Einstein's gravity coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics with two parameters in Anti-de Sitter spacetime. Magnetically charged black holes in an extended phase space is investigated. We obtain the mass and metric functions, their asymptotic and corrections to the Reissner--Nordstr\"{o}m metric function when the cosmological constant vanishes. The first law of black hole thermodynamics in extended phase space is formulated and the magnetic potential and the thermodynamic conjugate to the coupling are obtained. We proved the generalized Smarr relation. The heat capacity and the Gibbs free energy are computed and phase transitions are studied. It was shown that the electric field of charged objects at the origin and electrostatic self-energy are finite within the nonlinear electrodynamics proposed.

We analyze the transformation of a very broad class of metrics that can be put in terms of static coordinates. Starting from a general ansatz, we obtain a relation for the parameters in which one can impose further symmetries, or restrictions. One of the simplest restrictions leads to FLRW cases, while transforming from the initial static to other static-type coordinates can lead to near horizon coordinates, Wheeler-Regge, isotropic coordinates, among others. As less restrictive cases, we show an indirect route for obtaining Kruskal-Szekeres within this approach, as well as Lema\^{\i}tre coordinates. We use Schwarzschild spacetime as prototype for testing the procedure in individual cases. However, application to other spacetimes, such as de-Sitter, Reissner-Nordstr\"{o}m or Schwarzschild de Sitter, can be readily generalized.

This paper examines radially infalling worldlines in both Schwarzschild and Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates. A new Schwarzschild coordinate chart is presented which emphasizes the curvature of both the time and space coordinates and makes clear not only the mechanism by which the inertial observer is accelerated relative to the rest observers, but also clearly shows the light-like nature of the inertial worldline at the event horizon. The light-like nature of the falling frame is then supported by examining the falling worldlines in Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates. The effect of length contraction in the falling frame is also analyzed in both Schwarzschild and Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates.

We demonstrate that the black hole evaporation can be modelled as a process where one symmetry of the system is spontaneously broken continuously. We then identify three free-parameters of the system. The sign of one of the free-parameters, governs whether the particles emitted by the black-hole are fermions or bosons. The present model explains why the Black Hole evaporation process is so universal. Interestingly, this universality emerges naturally inside certain modifications of gravity.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spike RBD epitopes in complex with spike (S) -protein D614G mutations now predominate globally and increase infectivity by assembling more functional S proteins into the virion. On average, homeopathic medicine contains less than one molecule per dose on average. Single variable SphericalHarmonicY, LaguerreL, WhittakerM, SphericalBesselJ, LegendreP, LegendreQ, LaguerreL, ChebyshevT, and Hypergeometric1F1 Functions pFqarise in connection with the power series solution of the Schrodinger equation or in the summation of perturbation expansions in quantum mechanics. A quantum interpretation of the homeopathic method is presented here through a novel algebraic topology approach to supersymmetry and symmetry breaking in quantum fields and quantum gravity theory with the aim of developing a wide range of physical-based drug design applications in a Small Molecule Quantized Water Memory Network suggesting that the Hidden Black Hole Paradox of Information Loss might be solved under suitable conditions.

Preventing the rebound of black and odorous water bodies is critical for improving the ecological environment of water bodies. This study investigated the effect and mechanism of in-situ improvement of sediment microenvironment by nitrate in tailwater of wastewater treatment plants combined with aerobic denitrifying bacteria under low-DO regulation (TailN+CFM+LDO). On the 60th day of remediation, the dissolved oxygen and oxidation-reduction potential in the overlying water increased to 5.6 mg/L and 300 mV, respectively, the acid volatile sulfide in the sediment decreased by 70.4%, and the organic matter in the sediment was reduced by 62.7%, in which the HFOM was degraded from 105 g/kg to 56 g/kg, and the potential risk of water reverting to black and odorous conditions significantly decreased. Amplicon sequencing analysis revealed that the relative abundance of electroactive bacteria Thiobacillus and Pseudomonas with denitrification capacity was found to be significantly higher in the TailN+CFM+LDO group than in the other remediation groups. Functional prediction of 16S sequencing results indicated that both the quantity and activity of critical microbial enzymes involved in nitrification and denitrification processes could enhance in the TailN+CFM+LDO group. These results improved our understanding of the improvement of the sediment microenvironment and could thus facilitate its application.

It has been theorized that black holes are surrounded by firewalls, although there is not universal agreement concerning this. We first review basic concepts pertaining to Schwarzschild black holes and Hawking radiation. Then we discuss the anticipation of Hawking radiation—albeit from non-black holes—initially by R. C. Tolman and shortly thereafter with P. Ehrenfest. We compare evaporation into a vacuum at absolute zero (0 K) of black holes with that of non-black holes, and show that not only black holes but also non-black holes evaporate within a finite time. The times required for evaporation of black holes and non-black holes are compared. Next, we show that (i) if firewalls exist, they can originate via Hawking radiation at the minimum possible ruler distance (the Planck length) beyond the Schwarzschild horizon, where it has not suffered any gravitational redshift, or, alternatively, suffered maximal gravitational blueshift and (ii) the firewall temperature is on the order of the Planck temperature, independently of the mass and hence also of the Schwarzschild radius of a Schwarzschild black hole. We then explain the exponential nature of the gravitational frequency shift as a function of the gravitational potential. Next, we consider the firewall-mass problem, and provide an at least prima facie tentative resolution thereto based on: (i) the mass of a firewall being canceled by the negative gravitational mass = (negative gravitational energy)/c² accompanying its formation, (ii) the unchanged observations of a distant observer upon formation of a firewall, and (iii) Birkhoff's Theorem (actually first discovered by Jørg Tofte Jebsen). We then consider one aspect of thermodynamics in gravitational fields, showing that equilibrium relativistic gravitational temperature gradients cannot be exploited to violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Abstract: More than 40 hypotheses predict associations between features of nest architecture and at least one measure of reproductive success. However, quantitative studies of reproductive consequences of nest characteristics remain scarce. In addition, most studies were conducted on model species of which nests can be easily monitored with artificial nest-boxes. Here we review the replicability of research protocols and findings in model species with many repeat studies focusing mainly on nest-size components, animal-derived nest material, or fresh greenery in blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), great tits (Parus major), tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), and starlings (Sturnus spp.). The studies looked for correlations between nest traits and aspects of breeding performance that can be easily quantified in the field, such clutch size, brood size at hatching or fledging, the % of eggs that hatch or fledge, or nestling characteristics assumed to reflect qualities associated with survival probabilities (e.g., morphometry, body condition, blood profiles). We discuss the consequences of poor replicability of research methodologies and provide explanations for why many of these studies reported poor associations between nest design and breeding success at different spatiotemporal scales. We also make suggestions for future research. Keywords: Nest design, Breeding success, Nest-box, Cavity-nesting birds, Replicability

The target area of the present study is the entrance to the Sulina channel in the Black Sea, the zero-kilometer of the Danube River. This represents the southern gate of the seventh Pan-European transport corridor and is subjected to high navigation traffic. The coastal environment at the Danube’s mouth is very often subjected to strong environmental conditions inducing high risks for navigation hazards. From this perspective, the objective of the present work is to provide a more comprehensive picture concerning the past and future expected dynamics of the environmental matrix in this area, including especially wind and wave conditions. An analysis of some in situ measurements performed at the zero kilometer of the Danube is first carried out for the 15 years 2009-2023. A second analysis is based on data provided by regional climate wind models. Two 30-year periods are considered, the recent past (1976-2005), when also comparisons with ERA5 reanalysis data were performed, and the near future (2041-2070), when two different models and three climate scenarios were considered. Finally, using as a forcing factor each of the wind fields before analyzed, simulations with a spectral wave model were carried out and the nearshore wave conditions were evaluated. The results show that both extreme wind and wave conditions are expected to be slightly enhanced in the future. Strong wind fields are characteristic in this area, with wind gusts exceeding on average with more than 70% the maximum hourly averaged wind speed. As regards the waves, due to the complex nearshore phenomena, considerable enhancements in terms of significant wave heights are induced. Furthermore, there is also a high risk of rogue wave’s occurrence.

Digital twins are an emerging technology that could be harnessed for the digitalization of the industry. Steel industry systems contain a large number of electro-hydraulic components, as proportional valves. An input-output model for a novel water proportional cartridge valve is derived from physical modelling based on fluid mechanics, dynamics, and electrical principles. The valve is a two-stage valve with two 2/2-way water proportional valves as the pilot stage and a marginally stable poppet-type cartridge valve as the main valve. The orifice equation, which is based on Bernoulli principles, is approximated by a polynomial which makes parameter estimation easier and makes modelling possible without measuring pressure of the varying control volume situated in the pilot stage part of the valve. Data were collected when the valve was operating as a component in a closed-loop system as part of a press-mill machine in a steel manufacturing plant. Parameter estimation was made by convex optimization with physical constraints to overcome problems caused by poor system excitation. For comparison, a simple linear model was derived and the least squares method used for parameter estimation. A thorough estimation of the parameters relative errors is presented. The model contains 5 parameters related to the design parameters of the valve. The modelled position output is in good agreement with experimental data for training and test data. The model can be used for real time monitoring of the valve’s status by the model parameters. One of the model parameters varies linearly with production cycles. Thus, aging of the valve can be monitored.

We investigate the shear quasinormal modes (QNMs) in the context of electron stars, focusing on the Lifshitz geometry and exploring the behavior in the small star limit. The study begins by analyzing the shear sector modes in the infrared (IR) Lifshitz limit, where the geometry approaches that of a pure Lifshitz space. We derive and solve the differential equations governing the shear modes, revealing the asymptotic behavior in terms of the Lifshitz exponent. In the special case of integer values of the exponent, we obtain analytic corrections to the solutions to extract hydrodynamical QNMs. We then explore the cases with a Lifshitz exponent equal to or greater than three, providing analytical corrections to the Lifshitz IR solutions. A special case with an exponent of two is also considered, leading to modified solutions. The study extends to finding hydrodynamical QNMs, emphasizing the role of the Lifshitz geometry. Further investigations involve the flux with real and complex frequencies, considering the off-shell Lagrangian and deriving conserved flux expressions. Our analysis focuses on the exterior of the star, modeled by the Reissner-Nordström-AdS geometry. The small star limit is examined, revealing interesting features in the behavior of fermionic excitations. In summary, we provide a detailed exploration of shear quasinormal modes in electron stars, shedding light on their behavior in Lifshitz geometry, small star limits, and the interplay between real and complex frequencies. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the dynamics of electron stars and their gravitational properties.

Black spot disease is associated with the breakdown of chitin by chitinolytic bacteria resulting in extensive black lesions across the body of crustaceans. Black spot is prevalent across most fished crustaceans worldwide. Severely infected individuals are rejected from the fishery resulting in financial loss to both fisher’s and seafood export and processing companies. Ecologically, populations with high infection rates may have increased mortalities resulting in fewer individuals surviving the population. The prevalence and severity of shell disease in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus, of various size classes, was assessed via scaled images taken from crabs sampled within the Berwickshire Marine Reserve, UK. A total of 22.4% of individuals across all size groups were found to contain black spot lesions. Male crabs were more commonly affected (26.21%), with more body parts showing lesions and a greater overall blackspot coverage (1.75%) than females (16.43% and 1% respectively). Crabs under the MLS (140mm) showed a significantly higher black spot coverage, but size did not significantly affect infection rates. Carapace and chelae were the most commonly affected areas. Compared to previous studies the Berwickshire Marine Reserve has a relatively low prevalence of black spot disease in Cancer pagurus.

A persistent idea in cosmology is that the universe originated and then continued to evolve as a black hole. While the notion of a black hole universe has generally been framed within the standard cosmological model, the latter has had numerous problems related to dark matter, dark energy and other issues. To avoid such problems an alternative is proposed which omits cosmic expansion, dark matter and dark energy. The observable universe is cast instead as primarily a thin spherical shell of cold (~29 K) baryonic matter situated near the Hubble radius. This shell of plasma holds 95% of the observable universe’s mass, the remaining 5% existing in the interior galaxies and gas clouds. A key premise of the model is that spacetime is fundamentally photonic in nature. This allows photon energy to be transferred to spacetime in the Hubble redshift and to be transferred back to photons in a novel blueshift. These exchanges together drive a cosmic energy cycle for gravity and the cosmological constant, Λ. Photons of the cosmic microwave background originating in the plasma shell lose energy to ‘cooler’ regions of spacetime in interior zones via the Hubble redshift. This gives rise to gravity through the optical gravity approach. The depleted photons moving back towards the shell are then reenergized in ‘hotter’ spacetime regions via the Hubble blueshift. These photons eventually exert outward pressures on the shell which perfectly balance the inward forces of gravity, in this manner functioning as Einstein’s cosmological constant. The observable universe behaves as a closed system in thermodynamic equilibrium with constant energy and entropy and indeterminate age. Black holes are suggested to have analogous plasma shell structures and gravity/Λ cycles.

The Black population, often treated as ethnically homogenous, faces a constant challenge in accessing and utilizing healthcare services. This study examines the intragroup differences in health-seeking behavior among the multiple ethnic subgroups that comprise the Black community. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 239 adults ≥18 years who self-identified as Black in the United States and Canada. A multiple logistic regression model was fitted to evaluate the relationship between health-seeking behaviors and ethnic origin controlling for selected social and health related factors. The mean age of participants was 38.6 years, 31% were male, and 20% were unemployed. Sixty-one percent reported very good or excellent health status, and 59.7% reported not being treated for chronic disease at the time of the survey. Aging (OR=1.05, CI:1.01–1.09) and being female (OR= 0.30, CI: 0.14–0.65) were associated with favorable health-seeking behaviors. Compared with participants who had earned high school diplomas only, those who reported having earned graduate degrees were 75% less likely to have engaged in favorable health-seeking behavior (OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.07–0.86). In the Black community of our sample, regardless of ethnic origins or country of birth, the factors associated with health-seeking behavior were age, gender, and educational attainment. Keywords: African American; African; Caribbean; Healthcare Utilization; Ethnic Disparities; Health-seeking behavior; intragroup difference, black populations, ethnic subgroups

The concept of a black hole is examined through a historical lens, emphasizing the distinctions between its mathematical definition and the observed phenomena in the cosmos. An essential point of contention is highlighted, the challenge of reconciling the ultimate state of gravitational collapse, conceptualized as a black hole with its associated future event horizon, with the vast age of the universe as measured in cosmic time. The work delves into the evolution of black hole theories, tracing their development from the early mathematical solutions, such as the Schwarzschild solution, to the contemporary understanding shaped by contributions from Hawking and Penrose. The complex interplay between mathematical descriptions and observational realities is explored, shedding light on the difficulties inherent in merging theoretical concepts with astrophysical observations. A particular focus is placed on the discrepancy between the theoretical formation of a black hole and the seemingly infinite cosmic time required for the collapse process according to the seminal work of Oppenheimer and Snyder. This apparent incongruity raises questions about the nature of objects labeled as black holes in astrophysics and prompts a critical examination of how observational data align with theoretical predictions. In essence, this exploration underscores the need for a nuanced and critical analysis of the concept of black holes, considering the intricate interplay between theoretical constructs and empirical observations within the framework of General Relativity.

This study delves into the intricate interplay between cosmology and gravity in dilaton-based models, enhancing our understanding. Exploring boundary theories coupled to gravity, we derive a four-dimensional effective theory from the cosmological constant. Dilaton gravity is then scrutinized, revealing elegant solutions and insights into brane embedding. The analysis extends to probe scalar fields, employing the WKB approximation in both conformal and non-conformal cases. In summary, this work contributes to a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between cosmology and gravity in dilaton-based frameworks.

We study the problem of a spherically-symmetric distribution of a perfect relativistic fluid accreting onto a (potentially spinning) black hole within a fully discrete spacetime setting. This problem has previously been studied extensively in the context of continuum spacetimes, beginning with the purely analytic work of Bondi in the spherically-symmetric Newtonian case, Michel in the spherically-symmetric general relativistic case, and Petrich, Shapiro and Teukolsky in the axially-symmetric general relativistic case relevant for spinning black holes. However, the purpose of the present work is to determine the effect of discretization of the underlying spacetime upon the mass/energy and momentum accretion rates, the overall morphology and characteristics of the accretion flow, and the drag force exerted on the black hole in the case of non-zero spin. In order to achieve this, we first develop a novel formulation of the equations of general relativistic hydrodynamics that is more directly amenable to rigorous analysis within a discrete spacetime setting, and we then proceed to implement this formulation into the \textsc{Gravitas} computational general relativity framework. Through a combination of mathematical analysis and explicit numerical simulation in \textsc{Gravitas}, we discover that the mass/energy and momentum accretion rates both decrease monotonically as functions of the underlying spacetime discretization scale, with this effect becoming more pronounced for higher values of the black hole spin parameter, higher fluid temperatures, and stiffer equation of state parameters. We also find that the exerted drag force is highly sensitive to the value of the underlying discretization scale in the case of spinning black hole spacetimes, with certain instabilities becoming significantly more pronounced at certain critical values of the discretization parameter. We discuss some potentially observable consequences of these results, as well as some directions for future theoretical investigation.

We considered the hypothesis that the sources of dark energy (DE) could be black holes (BHs) or more exotic objects, such as naked singularities or gravastars. We proposed a definition of the presence of DE in the Universe and a criterion for what can be considered the source of this dark energy. It is based on the idea of the accelerated expansion of the Universe, which requires antigravity caused by large negative pressure. A recently proposed hypothesis was examined that mass of BHs increases with time according to the same law as the volume of the part of the Universe containing it and the population of BHs can mimic DE. We demonstrate the reasons why it cannot be accepted, even if all the assumptions on which this hypothesis is based are considered true.

This study investigated the impact of seven-strain probiotic supplementation on the frequency of T helper 17 (Th17) cells, regulatory T (T-reg) cells, Treg/Th17 ratio, and their gene expression in individuals with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI). Probiotics can influence the gut microbiota, modulate the immune response, and prevent or alleviate certain immune diseases. However, it is necessary to clarify whether probiotics can effectively impact Th cells in STBI patient. Despite the great attention to improving the immune system in most diseases, there is currently no accurate mechanism for the use of probiotics in diseases with damage to the head injury, which can be a basis for the use of probiotics. The primary objective of this study is to address this research gap. The present study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled 48 STBI patients. They were treated with probiotics or placebo: 4 capsule/day for 14 days. The pre- and post-study evaluation included examining the frequency of Treg, Th17 cells, as well as the expression of associated immunological parameters (Foxp3 and RORγt) and Treg/Th17 ratio in both groups. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of subject characteristics (P>0.05). GCS scores at 14 days were significantly higher in the probiotic compared to the placebo group. The probiotic group showed a significant decrease in Th17 cell and RORγt gene expression (P = 0.022 and P< 0.001, respectively), a notable increase in T-reg and FoxP3 gene expression (P= 0.025 and P< 0.001, respectively), and a higher Treg/Th17 ratio compared to the placebo group. Our study provides promising evidence of the beneficial effects of seven-strain probiotic supplementation on Th cells in individuals with STBI.

: F-box proteins are a large gene family in plants, and play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and stress response. However, a comprehensive investigation of F-box family genes in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), has not been undertaken. In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify and analyze F-box protein family genes in the cultivated peanut genome, and examined their expression profiles. Herein, a total of 95 F-box protein family members on 18 chromosomes were identified in cultivated peanut, which were sequentially designed as AhFBX1-AhFBX95. Phylogenetic analysis classified these AhFBXs into four different groups (Group I - IV), and eight subfamilies based on the structural domains of the C-terminal. Structural analysis revealed the presence of ten unique motifs within these genes. Additionally, the investigation of non-synonymous and synonymous substitution rates (Ka/Ks), and synteny in the F-box proteins, provided valuable insights into the evolutionary and domestication processes of AhFBX genes in peanut. Furthermore, in silico expression profiling of 22 different tissues demonstrated that most genes were predominantly expressed in leaves, pistils, and the aerial gynophore tip, while some members showed tissue-specific expression at the apex of both vegetative and reproductive shoots. Subsequently, we validated the expression of 9 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using transcriptomeic data of lateral branch development and qRT-PCR analysis. These DEGs may be involved in regulating the development of lateral branches and subsequently affect the architecture of peanut plants.

Three types of the composites were tested for electromagnetic interference (EMI) absorption shielding effectiveness, curing process and physical-mechanical properties. In the first type of composites, manganese-zinc ferrite, nickel-zinc ferrite, and both fillers in their mutual combinations were incorporated into acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber. The overall content of the filler, or fillers combinations was kept on 200 phr. Then, carbon black, or carbon fibres, respectively were incorporated into each rubber formulation in constant loading - 25 phr, while the content of magnetic fillers was unchanged - 200 phr. The work was focused on the understanding of correlation among electromagnetic shielding parameters and electrical conductivity of composites in relation to their EMI absorption shielding effectiveness. The absorption shielding ability of materials was evaluated within the frequency range from 1 MHz to 6 GHz. The study revealed good correlation among permittivity, conductivity, and EMI absorption effectiveness. Although, the absorption shielding efficiency of composites filled only with ferrites seems to be the highest, the absorption maxima of those composites were reached over 6 GHz. The application of carbon based fillers resulted in higher electrical conductivity and higher permittivity of composites, which was reflected in their lower absorption shielding performance. Though, the composites with filled with ferrites and carbon based fillers absorbed electromagnetic radiation within the desired frequency range. The presence of carbon based fillers caused the improvement in tensile behavior of composites. The study also demonstrated that the higher was the ratio of nickel-zinc ferrite in magnetic fillers combinations, the higher was the absorption shielding performance.

Despite the crucial role the COVID-19 vaccine played in curbing the pandemic, a significant portion of Black and African American individuals expressed hesitancy in being vaccinated. This review aimed to identify the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Black and African American individuals in the USA. The literature search was conducted in December 2022 according to the PRISMA criteria focusing on empirical studies. Data extraction methods, critical appraisal, and secondary thematic analysis were conducted on both quantitative and qualitative studies. Sixteen quantitative studies identified key factors associated with vaccine hesitancy such as confidence in vaccine effectiveness, safety, and trust in the healthcare system. 14 qualitative studies revealed major themes of mistrust, fear, and information needs, including historical mistrust, concerns about the vaccine development process, and contemporary institutional mistrust. The synthesis of quantitative and qualitative findings derived from this review provides a nuanced understanding of determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Black and African American communities in the USA, offering a foundation for the development of evidence-based interventions. Mistrust in the healthcare system, fear, and informational gaps on vaccine safety and effectiveness have been identified as significant barriers to vaccination, demanding targeted interventions.

Given the AdS/CFT relationship, the study of higher-dimensional AdS black holes is extremely important. Furthermore, since the restriction derived from $f(Q)$'s field equations which prevents it from deriving spherically symmetric black hole solutions, the result is either $Q'=0$ or $f_{QQ}=0$. We derive static anti-de-Sitter black holes in $D$-dimensions using the cylindrical coordinate in the framework of the cubic form of $f(Q)$ gravity, where the coincident gauge condition is imposed \cite{Heisenberg:2023lru,Maurya:2023muz}. Within this study we are going to use the power-law ansatz which is the most viable according to observations where $f(Q)=Q+\frac{1}2\gamma Q^2+\frac{1}3\gamma Q^3-2\Lambda$, and the condition $D \geq 4$ is satisfied. Since these solutions lack a general relativity limit, they belong to a brand-new solution class, the characteristics of which are derived only from the non-metricity $Q$ modification. We investigate the singularities of the solutions by computing the values of different curvature and non-metricity invariants. We discover that the solutions indeed have a central singularity, but because of the f(Q) impact, it is softer than in the typical general relativity case. In conclusion, we compute thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, Hawking temperature, and entropy. These thermodynamic calculations confirm that our model is stable.

Vectorial Boolean functions and codes are closely related, and each corresponding domain gives been to each other. On the one hand, various requirements of binary linear codes are needed for their theatrical interests but, more importantly, for their practical applicants (such as few-weight codes or minimal codes for secret sharing, locally recoverable codes for storage, etc.). On the other hand, various criteria and tables have been introduced to analyse the security of S-boxes that are related to vectorial Boolean functions, such as the Differential Distribution Table (DDT), the Boomerang Connectivity Table (BCT), and the Differential-Linear Connectivity Table (DLCT). In previous years, two new tables have been proposed for which the literature was pretty abundant: the $c$-DDT to extend the DDT and the $c$-BCT to extend the BCT. In the same vein, we propose extended concepts to study further the security of vectorial Boolean functions, especially the $c$-Walsh transform, the $c$-autocorrelation, and the $c$-differential-linear uniformity, and its accompanying table, the $c$-Differential-Linear Connectivity Table ($c$-DLCT). We study these properties of the novel functions at their optimal level concerning these concepts and describe the $c$-DLCT of the crucial inverse vectorial (Boolean) function case. Finally, the derived functions could lead to new families of binary minimal codes, as the recent achievements on minimal codes from low differential uniformity. We draw new avenues for future research toward linear code designs.

Light is an electromagnetic radiation that has visible and invisible wavelength spectrum. The visible light can only be detected by the eyes through the optic pathways. With the presence of scalp, cranium and meninges, the brain is seen as being protected from direct exposure to light. For that reason, the brain can be viewed as a black body lying inside a black box. In physics, a black body tends to be in thermal equilibrium with its environment and can tightly regulate its temperature via thermodynamics principles. Therefore, a healthy brain inside a black box should not get exposed to light. On the contrary, photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy to the brain has been shown to have beneficial effects for some neurological conditions. The proposed underlying mechanisms are multiple. Herein we present our intraoperative findings of rapid electrocorticographic brainwave changes when the brain was shone directly with different wavelengths of light during awake brain surgery. Our findings provide literature proof on light’s ability to influence human brain energy and function. Our proposed mechanism for these rapid changes is the presence of plasma-like energy inside the brain which causes fast brain activities that are akin to lightning strikes.

In this work we study the intersection properties of a finite disk system in the euclidean space. We accomplish this by utilizing subsets of spheres with varying dimensions and analyze specific points within them, referred to as poles. Additionally, we introduce two applications: estimating the common scale factor for the radii that makes the re-scaled disks intersects in a single point, this is the \v{C}ech scale, and constructing the minimal Axis-Aligned Bounding Box (AABB) that encloses the intersection of all disks in the system.

Here, applying the theory of the generalization of the Boltzmann constant in curved space-time, we will model the mechanism by which elementary particles are formed. We will determine the relationship between gravity and each of the elementary particles that form the standard model following analogies to that of stellar bodies. In order to achieve our goal, we will propose new models for photons, quarks and gluons; with this, we will demonstrate why there are stable and unstable elementary particles; why the first family of elementary particles forms hadrons and why the second and third families cannot form hadrons; why the fermions comply with the Pauli exclusion principle and why the bosons do not comply with the Pauli exclusion principle, etc. Finally, we will analyse the generalization of the ADS/CFT correspondence and propose a theory of everything (T.O.E.).

Tea infusions are the most consumed beverages in the world after water, their pleasant yet peculiar flavor profile drives consumer choice and acceptance and becomes a fundamental benchmark for industry. Any qualification method capable of objectifying the product's sensory features effectively supports industrial quality control laboratories guaranteeing high sample throughputs even without the human panel intervention. The current study presents an integrated analytical strategy acting as an Artificial Intelligence decision tool for black tea infusion aroma and taste blueprinting. Key markers validated by sensomics are accurately quantified in a wide dynamic range of concentrations. Thirteen key aromas are quantitatively assessed by standard addition with in-solution solid-phase microextraction sampling followed by GC-MS. On the other hand, nineteen key taste and quality markers are quantified by external standard calibration and LV-UV/DAD. The large dynamic range of concentration for sensory markers is reflected in the selection of seven high-quality teas from different geographical areas (Ceylon, Darjeeling Testa Valley and Castleton, Assam, Yunnan, Azores, and Kenya). The strategy acts as an AI smelling and taste machine predicting teas sensory features without the human panel intervention.

We use the Stefan-Boltzmann law to derive and investigate what we will call the black hole CMB temperature luminosity. Interestingly, the CMB luminosity is always the same for every black hole at a luminosity distance equal to the Schwarzschild radius, which is fully valid in black hole cosmology, a topic that is actively discussed to this day. The CMB black hole luminosity is always the same , regardless of the mass of the black hole. This is in contrast to the Bekenstein-Hawking luminosity, which is linked to the Hawking temperature, that is mass dependent.

Usually, the vector control of the induction machine (IM) is done by using cascade control structures with conventional linear PI controllers, the inner loop being designed for current control, and the outer loop for rotor flux and speed control. In this paper, starting from the dq model of the IM with the rotor magnetic flux space vector aligned along the d axis, advanced control algorithms are proposed for the two control loops of the cascade structure. For the current inner loop, after the decoupling control of the two dq currents, predictive algorithms with constraints are used to control and limit the currents. Since the outer loop has a nonlinear affine multivariable plant model, a homotopy-based variant of feedback linearization is used to obtain a non-singular decoupling matrix of the feedback transformation even when the rotor flux is zero at the start-up of the motor. During the continuous variation of the homotopy parameter, the model of the plant is variable, in which case the model free algorithms are properly used to control the flux and speed of the IM. The comparative analysis obtained for the cascade structure with conventional PI controllers and advanced algorithms, respectively, shows that the last lead to improve the dynamical performance of the IM.

Rice production in the Anhui province is threatened by fungal diseases. We obtained twenty-five fungal isolates from rice and wild-rice leaves showing leaf spot disease collected along the Yangtze River. A phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1-α), and beta tubulin (TUB2) sequences revealed that one isolate (SS-2-JB-1B) grouped with Nigrospora shaerica, one (QY) with Nigrospora chinensis, twenty-two with Ngrospora oryzae, and one strain (QY-2) grouped in its own clade, related to but clearly different from N. oryzae. Nineteen tested isolates including sixteen strains from the N. oryzae clade and the three isolates of the other three clades, caused disease on detached rice leaves. The three isolates that did not belong to N. oryzae were also able to cause disease on rice seedlings, suggesting that they were rice pathogens. Isolate QY-2 differed from the other isolates in terms of colony mor-phology, cell-size, and susceptibility to fungicides, indicating that this isolate represents a new species that we named Nigrospora anhuiensis. Our analysis showed that N. sphaerica, N. chinensis, and the new species N. anhuiensis can cause rice leaf spot disease in the field. This research pro-vides new knowledge for understanding rice leaf spot disease.

In this paper, we consider the formation of quantum black holes (QBHs) through a genuine quantum process. We treat particles at the Planck energy as QBHs. The Hawking temperature and entropy of QBHs are estimated. We also show that a QBH has a discrete energy spectrum. By analogy with supersymmetric theory, the mass of the superpartner of a QBH is estimated.

A new biodegradable paper-based film is a hot research topic in the development of green agriculture. In this paper, a black paper base film coated with cooked tung oil with excellent mechanical properties, hydrophobic surface, high heat transfer and strong weather resistance was prepared by spraying high pigment carbon black solution on the surface of base paper. The results showed that the surface solidified oil film with rough structure was made by the brush coating process of cooked tung oil, and the base film of black paper was given hydrophobic structure, and the contact angle reached 98.9 °. Cooked tung oil permeates into the inside of the paper base, and after curing, it forms a multi-dimensional network film structure. The maximum tensile stress of the black paper base film is about 123% higher than that of the original paper base film. The coloring of carbon black makes the black paper base film have heat conduction effect, and the average heat transfer rate reaches 15.12 °C/s. Cooked tung oil is combined with the paper-based fiber high-toughness layer to form a stable system. The existence of the cured film improves the basic mechanics and hydrophobicity, and the resistance to ultraviolet radiation and hot air is greatly improved. This study provides a feasible scheme for the application of a black paper base film coated with cooked tung oil.

UAVs are becoming a crucial tool in modern warfare, primarily due to their cost-effectiveness, risk reduction, and ability to perform a wider range of activities. The use of autonomous UAVs to conduct strike missions against highly valuable targets is the focus of this research. Due to developments in ledger technology, smart contracts, and machine learning, such activities formerly carried out by professionals or remotely flown UAVs are now feasible. Our study provides the first in-depth analysis of challenges and potential solutions for successful implementation of an autonomous UAV mission.

This research proposes an algorithm to sign messages using the ElGamal asymmetric cryptosystem, called: Digital signature algorithm based on ElGamal, Diffie-Hellman protocol and the number π (DSAπ). This proposal has a high level of security like the DSA standard, in addition, execution times are reduced in relation to it. The Diffie-Hellman protocol and the number π were used in the construction of the digital signature algorithm in conjunction with the Hash-Sha-512 function. Some experiments are presented to provide evidence that the bits on the right side of the decimal point of π appear randomly, such as: a color image was constructed of a string of consecutive bits chosen at random, of the number π. Subsequently, parameters such as: entropy, correlation, discrete Fourier transform, goodness-of-fit test χ2 were evaluated. It is mentioned that an S-box 8×8 is involved in the signature. The sensitivity of the signature was measured, that is, when small changes are made to the sender’s private key, or small changes to the message. Finally, an image was constructed using the signatures of random texts, and subsequently the randomness of its pixels was obtained, to verify that there is no relationship between the different signatures.

The increasing importance of batteries in the 21st century and the challenges posed by the anticipated growth in end-of-life batteries, particularly in Europe, are addressed. Projections indicate a significant increase in battery waste, with a specific focus on the recycling of black mass (BM)—a complex and hazardous byproduct of the battery recycling process. The research employs the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology to systematically analyze the hazardousness of BM derived from various types of batteries. The findings reveal the inherently hazardous nature of BM, classifying it under multiple hazardous properties (HPs) according to European regulations. The urgent need for a definitive legislative classification of the hazardousness of BM is emphasized, and the potential of innovative technologies and strategies to improve recycling performance while mitigating risks is highlighted. The research significantly contributes to understanding the complexities of BM recycling, providing a foundation for future advancements in this area and emphasizing the need for further exploration and economic feasibility analysis of recycling technologies.

We will apply Pascal’s hydrostatic pressure law to black holes and also to the Hubble sphere. Haug has recently demonstrated how hydrostatic pressure in water can be utilized to determine the Planck length. One can conceptualize the energy in the Hubble sphere as a type of superfluid, and if this is correct, then Blaise Pascal’s hydrostatic pressure formula may also be applicable to such a superfluid, even within the Hubble sphere. By employing the same method on the Hubble sphere and considering it as a Schwarzschild black hole with the critical Friedmann mass, we can estimate the Planck length based on its hypothetical hydrostatic pressure.

Single-fluid electrospinning creates nanofibers from molten polymer solutions with active ingredients. The study utilized a combination of a fractional factorial design and a Box-Behnken design to examine crucial factors among a multitude of parameters and to optimize the electrospinning conditions that impact the fiber mats' morphology and entrapment efficiency of the Senna alata leaf extract. The findings indicated that the shellac content had the greatest impact on both fiber diameter and bead formation. The optimum electrospinning conditions were identified as a voltage of 24 kV, a solution feed rate of 0.8 mL/h, and a shellac-extract ratio of 38.5:3.8. These conditions produced nanosized fibers with a diameter of 306 nm, a low bead-to-fiber ratio of 0.29, and an extract entrapment efficiency of 96% within the fibers. The biphasic profile of optimized nanofibers was confirmed through an in vitro release study. This profile consisted of an initial burst release of 88% within the first hour, which was succeeded by a sustained release pattern surpassing 90% for the next 12 h, as predicted by zero-order release kinetics. The optimized nanofibers demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy against diverse pathogens, suggesting promising applications in wound dressings and protective textiles.

Knowledge about the genesis and evolution of black soils in the Eastern Mediterranean is vital for sustainable land management. In this study, the black soils that currently occur in the Eastern Mediterranean were analyzed in different bioclimatic zones and were found to genetically be long to three soil types: 1-Calcareous black soils (Rendzina, Para-Rendzina) (Rendzic or Somerirendzic Leptosols -Typic Rendolls or Lithic Rendolls), 2-Hydromorphic black soils (Calcic Chernozems -Haploxerolls). 3- Black soils on Basalt (Somerirendzic Leptosols) (Haploxerolls). The impact of the relief was obvious on both the thickness of the solum and the mollic horizon. Rendzina occurs on the toe and feet slope, Para-Rendzina on the shoulders, and Chernozems on a flat plain. The color of the epipedon in Rendzina reflects the origin of the prevailing parent material from which they are derived: Proper Rendzina found on limestone, chalk, sandstone, conglomerate, and claystone; Reddish Rendzina on Dolomite and hard limestone, and Grayish Rendzina on Serpentine. It was also found that the Hydromorphic black soils only occur on calcic marl and lacustrine deposits in the depressions arising from the Dead Sea faults under saturation or bad drainage conditions. This soil has a thick, dark mollic horizon and high organic matter content.

We describe quantum correction to the accreting hot plasma onto black holes. The accreting black holes are surrounded by the very hot ionized plasma. This plasma is heated inevitably by the outgoing photons of the quantum Hawking radiation. It is demonstrated that Hawking radiation prevails over the Compton scattering of hot electrons in the accreting flow onto the small enough evaporating black holes.

The black hole (BH) phenomenon is an intraluminal restenotic lesion. It was identified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) after intracoronary brachytherapy and drug-eluting stent implantation. Despite the similarity in the mode of action of brachytherapy and drug-eluting stent implantation, the BH phenomenon appears to be uncommon after drug-eluting stent implantation. Specifically, the BH phenomenon is better identified by OCT than by IVUS. Herein, we present a case of in-stent restenosis with suspected BH phenomenon on IVUS confirmed by OCT.

The ocean of the planet Earth, which is as thin as a cicada's wings, play a role of catalyst to the evolving of the ancient plates. The ocean and the ancient plates of the planet Earth formed a magic Whirlpool of the Cross “十” shape with double whirl arms. The central core of the Cross “十” shape Ocean-Plate Whirlpool is the Hint Black Hole (HBH) located at the Northwestern Pacific Ocean floor which is decorated with invisible geological age distribution of clam shell. The double whirl arms of ancient plates are distinguished to be left and right at Bering Strait and just formed the ring of fire of the Pacific Ocean.The Cross “十” shape Ocean-Plate Whirlpool of the planet Earth was born at the equatorial area about 66 Ma ago and is rotating anticlockwise and drifting northward by a mini footprint of spiral at s speed of as slow as a snail moves. Obviously, it would come to an end at the North Pole about 100 Ma in the future. So, the lifespan of the Cross “十” shape Ocean-Plate Whirlpool would be about 166 Ma, from birth to death on the planet Earth.What is hidden behind of the evolving of the oceans and the ancient plates is the golden law of geometrical progression of ladder pagoda of attributes evolving of them, which is “1➨2➨4➨2➨1”, including upgrading and downgrading process. It seems to hint that what is happening on the planet Earth, including the top-level species of human race, is actually unique in the Milky Way galaxy in essence.The property roles of expanding and shrinking are existing in the Cross “十” shape Ocean-Plate Whirlpool by face to face and the exchange of property roles took place tens of millions of years ago. And that situation would happen again tens of millions of years in the future. It seems a giant circle of evolving of the exchange of property roles would be drawn by the Cross “十” shape Ocean-Plate Whirlpool in her lifetime.

This paper presents one of the approaches to solution of the problem of the repulsion origin in gravity. The approach is based on the property of compactness characteristic for a self-gravitating object in General Relativity. Here we understand compactness as estimation of the upper boundary for mass such an object in a static two--dimensional sphere. Repulsion originates when this boundary is violated. The main hypothesis is formulated in the form of the principle of maximal mass within a two-dimensional static sphere. It is demonstrated that the principle is true for Schwarzschild black holes on absorption of the matter in the process of accretion, both in the classical case and with due regard for quantum-gravitational corrections. The results have been extended to black holes with the Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric in the early Universe. The applicability of the principle suggested is analyzed for the early and for the present Universe.

The model of an oscillating universe proposed by A. Friedmann in 1922 dominated cosmology for a long time. R. Tolman put forward a thermodynamic argument against the cyclic cosmological model, believing that entropy should accumulate from cycle to cycle. J. Bekenstein and S. Hawking discovered a tremendous amount of entropy associated with black holes. This discovery led to the conclusion that the majority of the Universe's entropy is contained in black holes. N. Poplawski considers a Universe that oscillates within a black hole. This paper analyzes the relationship between the entropy of black holes and the oscillating Universe inside a large black hole. It is demonstrated that the entropy of a black hole can only be defined for an external observer. For an observer inside the black hole, its entropy is zero. This opens up the possibility of constructing a cyclic cosmology in which entropy and the size of the visible part of the Universe change strictly periodically. This does not violate the second law of thermodynamics because the continuous accumulation of entropy from cycle to cycle pertains to the surface of the big black hole, which is invisible to the internal observer.

We elucidate the versatility of intriguing symmetry and asymmetry phenomena outside and inside black holes. For description of the test particle (planet and photon) motion it is used the Kerr-Newman metric of the rotating and electrically charged black hole. In particular, it is demonstrated the symmetry and asymmetry of the one-way Einstein-Rosen bridge inside black hole toward and through the plethora of endless and infinite universes.

Axions can be stimulated to decay to photons by ambient photons of the right frequency or by photons from decay of neighboring axions. If the axion density is high enough the photon intensity can be amplified, which is a type of lasing or an axion maser. Here we review the astrophysical situations where axion lasing can appear and possibly be detected.

We introduce quantum spatio-temporal dynamics (QSD) as modeled by the Nexus Paradigm (NP) of quantum gravity to resolve the problem of energy- momentum localization in a gravitational field. Currently, the gravitational field as described using the language of geometry modeled under General Relativity (GR) fails to provide a generally accepted definition of energy-momentum. Attempts at resolving this problem using geometric methods have resulted in various energy-momentum complexes whose physical meaning remain dubious since the resulting complexes are non-tensorial under a general coordinate transformation. In QSD, the tangential manifold is the affine connection field in which energy-momentum localization is readily defined. We also discover that the positive mass condition is a natural consequence of quantization and that dark energy is a Higgs like field with negative energy density everywhere. Finally, energy-momentum localization in quantum gravity shows that a free falling object will experience large vacuum fluctuations (uncertainties in location) in strong gravity than in weak gravity and that the amplitudes of these oscillations defines the energy of the free falling object.

This research addresses the strategic issue of why key decision-makers fail to foresee potential extreme ‘black swan’ events. Following a review of the literature, a conceptual framework is developed that identifies two types of organisational blindness that are reflected in Tetlock’s hedgehog cognitive thinking style, being the oversimplification of uncertainty (e.g., inductive biases) and an unquestioned, top-down, reference narrative. This framework is tested using a case study approach and qualitative analysis of secondary data sources available from the Royal Commission of Inquiry and other published reports following the 2010 methane explosion at the Pike River Coal Ltd’s mine (Pike) in New Zealand, that killed 29 miners and caused the loss of all funds invested. The results indicate that the combined effect of both blindness’s meant that Pike’s collective intelligence was limited, and for the three key decision-makers at the Pike River mine, some type of extreme ‘black swan’ event was apparently inevitable. This research provides theoretical and practical contributions to the analysis of business and public policy decision-making under uncertainty.

Experimental measurement of porous polypropylene (PP) using the DTC-25 TA laboratory equipment and hot box test has been compared. The thermal conductivity of materials indicates the insulation capability of building materials. Excellent building materials will have a lower thermal conductivities value as well as other building insulator performance metrics. While results show that increasing the volume fraction of fluid in the porous PP has an inverse association with the thermal conductivity of the material as predicted by porous media theories, there is a marked difference in the measured values of the thermal conductivity using the two methods. The thermal conductivity values of porous from DTC-25 and hot box test were 0.21 and 0.0033 W/mK, respectively. The difference in the thermal conductivity values was due to the misapplication of the Fourier’s guarded heat flow model in the DTC-25 device to a convective fluid porous medium material.

The objective of this study was to create yogurts enriched with freeze-dried probiotic culture and freeze-dried fermented black chokeberry juice, in conjunction with a commercial starter culture. This approach was adopted to boost functionality and optimize the nutritional content of the yogurt. The study specifically investigated the impact of supplements, which included (i) freeze-dried probiotic culture Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 14917 and (ii) freeze-dried fermented chokeberry juice Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 14917, as adjuncts in different formulations of yogurt. These formulations were then compared with commercially produced yogurt. All the products exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, and the probiotic strain consistently maintained levels exceeding 7 log cfu/g throughout the entire storage period. The highest lactic acid production was observed in yogurts produced with the proposed adjuncts (1.44 g/100 g yogurt at the 28th days of storage). Levels of syneresis were observed in lower values in yogurt produced with freeze-dried fermented chokeberry juice. Yogurts prepared with the supplement derived from fermented juice displayed elevated total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (25.74 µg GAE/g and 69.05 µmol TE/100g respectively). Moreover, sensory tests indicated an exceptional aroma and fruit flavor. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of dried probiotic-fermented chokeberry juice as an adjunct in yogurt production enhances both the antioxidant capacity and the growth of beneficial bacteria. Furthermore, the dried form of this product makes it a significant candidate for industrialization potential due to its stability and ease of application.

This article investigates the unexpected re-emergence of race in both the rhetoric and activities of the British radical-right. In doing so it seeks to better understand the reasons why race has re-emerged, how race has been contemporarily deployed by the radical-right, and the extent to which the re-emergence of race will force the radical right’s recent ideological focus on religion – more specifically, the religion of Islam and Muslims as adherents – begin to retreat. It does this first by setting out the methods and approaches used throughout. From here, necessary and appropriate context is provided about the British radical-right generally and the decades old ideological turn more specifically. Next, the circumstances and reasons for the re-emergence of race are critically engaged: focusing on the immediate aftermath of 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests as also the wider socio-political landscape of contemporary Britain. Taking into account both established and newly formed groups and movements from within the British radical right, the role and function played by race is considered next. As part of this, an in-depth analysis of the role and function of race in the rhetoric and activities of Patriotic Alternative is included. In conclusion, this article reflects on a number of arguments about why the re-emergence of race among the British radical-right is - albeit to varying degrees - a cause for concern.

Black Knot (BK) is a deadly disease of European (Prunus domestica) and Japanese (Prunus salicina) plums caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Apiosporina morbosa. Generally, phytopathogens hamper the balance of primary defense phytohormones such as salicylic acid (SA)-jasmonic acid (JA) balance for disease progression. Thus, we quantified the important phytohormones titers in tissues of susceptible and resistant genotypes belonging to European and Japanese plums at five different time points. The results suggested auxin-cytokinins interplay driven by A. morbosa appeared to be vital in disease progression by hampering the plant defense system via perturbance in SA, JA, and gibberellic acid. The results further point out that SA and JA in plant defense are not necessarily antagonistic always, especially in woody perennials. Results also suggest that the changes in SA and JA content following BK disease infection and progression in plums could be utilized as phytohormonal markers in the identification of BK-resistant cultivars.

Ensemble fuzzing in parallel with heterogeneous fuzzers has been proposed to leverage the advantages of diverse fuzzers and improve testing efficiency. However, in current ensemble fuzzing methods, the collaboration among different fuzzers is achieved solely by synchronizing the seeds discovered by each fuzzer. This results in a high likelihood of different fuzzers choosing the same seeds and creating a large number of equivalent testcases, thus reducing overall fuzzing efficiency. Meanwhile, the existing task division method proposed by AFLTeam is highly coupled with the fuzzer specially designed for it, making it challenging to apply to ensemble fuzzing directly. So, in this paper, we proposed a callgraph-based task division method suitable for ensemble fuzzing. Firstly, we divided the target program’s callgraph into subgraphs (subtasks) balancing expected workloads. Then, we divided the global seed corpus into sub-corpora, each corresponding to a subtask, making fuzzers easily accept the subtasks. Finally, we designed synchronization mechanisms for coverage bitmaps and seeds to realize the collaborative fuzzing among different fuzzers, and a cyclic subtask scheduling strategy to fully leverage the benefits of ensemble fuzzing. We have implemented a prototype called TAEF. The evaluation results show that in the best-case scenario, our method has up to 24% more branch coverage than previous work.

Background High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB-1) is implicated in the pathogenesis of thrombosis and cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate its potential role as a diagnostic biomarker of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The study population included N=100 prospectively recruited patients with a novel diagnosis of HCC. We compared circulating HMGB-1 levels between 34 healthy controls, HCC patients with PVT (N=22), and HCC patients without PVT (N=78). Results HCC patients without PVT showed significantly higher median HMGB-1 serum levels (8.2 [5.5-13.1] ng/ml) than those observed in the case of HCC with PVT (5.5 [4.4-8.5] ng/ml; p=0.012) and in healthy controls (4.1 [3.1-8.2] ng/ml; p&lt;0.001). Among HCC patients, at univariate analysis, the presence of PVT was associated with higher median age (p=0.036), larger major cancer node diameter (p&lt;0.001), and lower HMGB-1 serum level (p=0.012). At multivariate analysis, the presence of PVT maintained a positive association with major node diameter p=0.001) and an inverse association with serum HMGB-1 levels (p=0.003). Conclusions These findings indicate that serum HMGB-1 bears an inverse association with PVT complicating HCC at the time of diagnosis and suggest that serum HMGB-1 depletion may mark PVT development in cirrhotic patients with HCC.

Recently massless test scalar field perturbations of the holonomy corrected black holes [Z. Moreira et. al. Phys. Rev. D 107 (2023) 10, 104016] were studied in order to estimate quantum corrections to the quasinormal spectrum of a black hole. Here we study both the fundamental mode and overtones of scalar, electromagnetic and Dirac fields with the help of the Leaver method and higher order WKB formula with Pad\'e approximants. We observe that the overtones depend on the geometry near the event horizon, while the fundamental mode is localized near the peak of the potential barrier, what agrees with previous studies. We showed that unlike a massless field, the massive one possesses arbitrarily long lived modes. We also obtain the analytical eikonal formula for quasinormal modes and its extension beyond eikonal approximation as a series in powers of $1/\ell$, where $\ell$ is the multipole number.

We consider subtleties of the horizon (null-hypersurface) limit in the Parikh-Wilczek Membrane Approach to Black Holes. Specifically, we refine the correspondence between the (projected) Einstein equations of gravity with matter and the Raychaudhuri-Damour-Navier-Stokes (RDNS) equations of relativistic hydrodynamics. For a general configuration of gravity with matter we obtain additional terms in the hydrodynamic equations, which include logarithmic derivarives of a parameter (the regularization function) determining the proximity of a stretched membrane to the BH horizon. Direct computation of the new terms for exact (Schwarzschild and Kerr) solutions to the Einstein equations results in vanishing the additions to the RDNS equations in the horizon limit. For spacetimes, which are not exact solutions to the Einstein equations, as, for instance, for space-time configurations mimicking black holes, taking into account new terms in the RDNS equations is the mandatory operation. We also comment the correspondence between the horizon limit of the Parikh-Wilczek Membrane Approach and the Gourgoulhon-Jaramillo method of a null-hypersurface description, as well as the link of the obtained results to our previous work on the Kerr black holes.

Since the photocatalytic reaction is a surface reaction, enhancing the gas movement around photocatalyst would promote photocatalytic CO₂ reduction performance. A new approach to enhance the gas movement around the photocatalyst by the natural thermosiphon movement of gasses around photocatalyst using black body material was proposed and confirmed experimentally, but the heat transfer mechanism on the phenomena was not clarified yet. The purpose of this study is to clarify the heat transfer mechanism of it. This study calculated the temperature of mixed gases of CO₂ and NH₃ around P₄O₁₀/TiO₂ photocatalyst by the heat transfer formula. It is revealed that there was no difference between the increase temperature (T_g) from the temperature at the beginning of the CO₂ reduction experiment (T_ini) and the temperature of mixed gases of CO₂ and NH₃ measured by thermocouple in the experiment (T_e) under the illumination condition with a visible light (VIS) + an infrared light (IR) and IR only. The heat transfer model proposed by this study has predicted T_g well under the illumination condition with VIS + IR and IR only well. On the other hand, it is revealed that the difference between T_g and T_e was as large as 10 ℃ under the illumination condition with an ultra violet light (UV) + VIS + IR.

Imaginary dimensions in physics require an imaginary set of base Planck units and some negative parameter $c_n$ corresponding to the speed of light in vacuum $c$. The second, negative fine-structure constant $\alpha_2^{-1} \approx -140.178$ present in Fresnel coefficients for the normal incidence of electromagnetic radiation on monolayer graphene leads to the imaginary Planck units. Furthermore, it sets $c_n \approx -3.06 \times 10^8~\text{[m/s]}$. It follows that electric charges are the same in real and imaginary dimensions. Neutron stars and white dwarfs, objects emitting perfect black-body radiation, need energy exceeding their mass-energy equivalence ratios. Complex energies are defined in terms of real and imaginary Planck units. Their imaginary parts, inaccessible for direct observation, store the excess of these energies. It follows that black holes are fundamentally uncharged, charged micro neutron stars and white dwarfs with masses lower than $5.7275 \times 10^{-10}~[\text{kg}]$ are unphysical, and the radii of white dwarfs' cores are limited to $R_{\text{WD}} < 6.7933~G M_{\text{WD}}/c^2$. It is conjectured that the maximum atomic number $Z=238$. A black-body object is in the equilibrium of complex energies of masses, charges, and wavelengths if its radius $R_\text{eq} \approx 2.7665~G M_{\text{BBO}}/c^2$, which corrects the value of the photon sphere radius $R_{\text{ps}}=3G M/c^2$, taking into account the value(s) of the fine-structure constant(s), which is otherwise neglected in general relativity.

Self-compacting concrete is essential for vertical structures due to high reinforcement and usage of pumps for transporting the concrete at the working site. SCC is mainly influenced by self-curing for arid areas. To explore the SCC (Self-Compacting Concrete) mixture and condition influencing the self-curing condition were determined using the experimental procedure. Determination of various parameters was done using T50 slump flow, V-funnel, L-box-box, J ring test, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength test. After the experimental investigation, it shows that if the dose if the dosage of superplasticizer (SNF%) increases, it will improve the concrete mixture's different properties, such as flowability and ability to pass. Higher water-to-cement ratios (w/c) generally result in enhanced flowability and stability. Mixture 9 (SNF 0.35, w/c 0.5) demonstrates favourable results across all parameters, indicating excellent flowability and stability. Mixture 9 (SNF 0.35, w/c 0.5) also shows favourable flowability and stability characteristics. Lower concentrations, such as 0.5%, may have a positive effect up to a certain point but might not provide sustained improvement over the curing period. On the other hand, concentrations of 1% and 2% demonstrated consistent and significant enhancement in strength throughout the 28 days. It is found that the higher concentrations of PEG 4000 may be more effective in improving the material strength.

The black soldier larvae meal (BSFLM) has been the most extensively studied insect protein source in shrimp nutrition. However, both the availability and prices of BSFLM are still a constraint for its widespread use as an ingredient in animal feeds. The present study investigated the growth and economic performance of post-larval (PL) P. vannamei fed nursery diets with a progressive replacement of fish meal (FML) for BSFLM at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. These replacements corresponded to a dietary inclusion (% of the diet, as-is) of FML and BSFLM of 16.50 and 6.33%, 11.00 and 13.04%, 5.50 and 19.74%, and 0 and 26.46%, respectively. A total of 102,647 shrimp at the age of PL15 with 2.7 ± 0.2 mg body weight (BW) were stocked in fifty 1.5-m3 tanks under 1,369 PLs/m3 (2,053 ± 33 PLs/tank) and reared for 42 days. Final shrimp survival (90.5 ± 7.6%), daily weight gain (14.7 ± 1.1 mg/day), and apparent feed intake (0.67 ± 0.03 g of feed per stocked shrimp) were unaffected by dietary treatment. The highest gained yield (791 ± 52 and 776 ± 38 g/m3) and final BW (621 ± 7.2 and 632 ± 7.2 mg) were attained when FML was replaced for BSFLM at 50 and 75% with the lowest at 0% (726 ± 34 g/m3 and 598 ± 8.1 mg, respectively). Shrimp fed diets with 0 and 100% replacement of FML exhibited the highest feed conversion ratio (1.25 ± 0.04 and 1.24 ± 0.08) compared to those fed a diet with 50% (1.16 ± 0.06). At a price of USD 2.00/kg, BSFLM demonstrated a favorable ROI (Return of Investment) when compared to FML, irrespective of the replacement level. With 25 and 50% replacement, BSFLM remained cost-competitive up to 3.50 USD/kg. At 75% FML replacement, there were no significant differences in ROI with a price range of 2.00 up to 3.04 USD/kg. At full replacement, ROI dropped significantly at a BSFLM price of 2.50 USD/kg and beyond. It can be concluded that FML can be fully replaced for BSFLM in well-balanced nursery diets for P. vannamei. While the full replacement of FML for BSFLM was successfully accomplished, the competitive ROI was sustained only when the price of BSFLM did not exceed 3.04 USD/kg at its dietary highest inclusion of 19.74%. Further research may be necessary to fine-tune cost-effective inclusion levels of BSFLM to optimize the economic outcomes while considering the fluctuating prices of FML.

The Fractal Analysis of Medical Images is an investigation field in those that numerous results of important value have been obtained. This work describes the basic foundations of the Fractal Analysis and its application has more than enough medical images, leaning on in five scientific investigations.

In this paper, we make research on fractal characteristics of the superposition of fractal surfaces in the view of fractal dimension. We give the upper bound of the lower and upper Box dimension of the graph of the sum of two bivariate continuous functions and calculate the exact values of them under some particular conditions. Further, it has been proved that the superposition of two continuous surfaces cannot keep the fractal dimensions invariable unless both of them are two-dimensional. A concrete example of numerical experiment has been provided to verify our theoretical results. This study can be applied to the fractal analysis of metal fracture surfaces or computer image surfaces.

The objective of this work was to improve the thermal stability, flame resistance and surface properties of black poplar (Populus nigra L.) wood via different impregnation methods. The impregnation method was employed through two distinct modalities: vacuum impregnation and immersion impregnation. Here, poplar wood was impregnated with calcium oxide solutions (1%, 3% and 5%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed a shift in the typical peaks of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin depending on the impregnation method and solution ratio. Thermogravimetric analysis and the limiting oxygen index indicated that the samples impregnated with lime solutions exhibited higher thermal stability than the unimpregnated wood. In both impregnation methods caused a decrease water absorption and thickness swelling of the sample groups. Using a scanning electron microscope, the effect of the impregnation process on the structure of the wood was examined. In terms of surface properties, it was determined that the surface roughness value increased. On the contrary, it was observed that the contact angle value also increased. A significant difference emerged between the applied methods. In conclusion, the applied lime minerals are suitable substances to increase flame resistance and thermal stability of black poplar wood.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an essential analyte for detecting neurodegenerative diseases and in-flammatory processes and plays a crucial role in pharmaceutical, food industry, and environmental monitoring. However, conventional H2O2 detection methods have drawbacks such as lengthy analysis time, high costs, and bulky equipment. Non-enzymatic sensors have emerged as promising alternatives to overcome these limitations. In this study, we introduce a simple, portable, and cost-effective non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor based on carbon black (CB) and silver nano-particle-modified δ-FeOOH (Ag/δ-FeOOH), integrated into a disposable electrochemical cell (DCell). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), confirmed successful CB and Ag/δ-FeOOH immo-bilization on the DCell working electrode. Electrochemical investigations revealed that the DCell-CB//Ag/δ-FeOOH sensor exhibited an approximately twofold higher apparent heterogene-ous electron transfer rate constant than the DCell–Ag/δ-FeOOH sensor, capitalizing on CB ad-vantages. Moreover, the sensor displayed excellent electrochemical response for H2O2 reduction, boasting a low detection limit of 22 µM and a high analytical sensitivity of 214 μA mM-1 cm-2. Notably, the DCell-CB//Ag/δ-FeOOH sensor exhibited outstanding selectivity for H2O2 detection, even in potential interferents such as dopamine, uric acid, and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated its suitability for monitoring H2O2 in complex biological samples, as evidenced by H2O2 recoveries ranging from 92% to 103% in 10% fetal bovine serum. These findings underscore the considerable potential of the DCell-CB//Ag/δ-FeOOH sensor for precise and reliable H2O2 monitoring in diverse biomedical and environmental applications.

The Bardeen black hole stands as the first model of a regular black hole. Driven by the interpretations of Bardeen spacetime as a quantum-corrected Schwarzschild-like solution, we study quasinormal modes of a massive scalar field within this context. We have found that the damping rate of the massive scalar field decreases as the mass grows, leading to appearance of the arbitrarily long lived modes. or quasiresonances. The massive term in the Bardeen case is distinctive also in two other respects. First, the overtones deviate from their massless limit at a much smaller rate than the fundamental mode, when the mass is turned on. This behavior overlaps with the outburst of overtones due to the quantum deformation near the event horizon. Finally, integration in the time-domain shows that the oscillatory tails decay as $\sim t^{-(\frac{8}{6}+\ell)}$ at intermediate times and as $\sim t^{-1}$ at asymptotically late times, which is different from the Reissner-Nordstr\"om and Schwarzschild limits.

We show that perturbations of a scalar field in the background of the black hole obtained with the Starobinsky-Bel-Robinson Gravity is unstable unless the dimensionless coupling $\beta$ describing the compactification of M-theory is small enough. In the sector of stability quasinormal spectrum show peculiar behavior both in the frequency and time domains: the ringing consists of two stages where two different modes dominate. The WKB method does not reproduce part of the spectrum including the fundamental mode, which is responsible for the first stage of the ringing. Consequently, the correspondence between the eikonal quasinormal modes and null geodesics allows to reproduce only part of the eikonal spectrum. The frequencies are obtained with the help of three methods (Frobenius, WKB and time-domain integration) with excellent agreement among them.

This paper presents the results of investigations on the pyrolysis of tyres waste in a laboratory fixed bed batch reactor. The results regarding the influence of either the reaction temperature (425, 450, 475, and 500 °C) and the flow of the inert gas (0, 100, 300, and 500 mL/min) on products yield (referred to pyrolysis of waste tyres) are also considered and discussed. On the basis of the above mentioned findings, the most appropriate experimental conditions were selected to contribute to a higher yield of pyrolysis oil. The sample of pyrolysis oil obtained from the experiments carried out in the selected optimal conditions (reaction time 120 min, temperature 450 °C and the inert gas flow of 100 mL/min) was subjected to a calorimetric and infrared spectroscopy analysis. The results of IR spectroscopy analysis on this oil sample showed the following content in percentages (by mass): 32.59 % of aromatics, 51.06 % of paraffins and 16.35 % of naphthenes. The pyrolysis oil so obtained has a high calorific value (42 MJ/kg) and a low sulfur content (0.41 % by mass), which makes it an excellent raw material for energy production. The solid product, i.e. pyrolysis char or carbon black, has the potential to be used as an adsorbent or catalyst support after an activation process, which changes its irregular pore structure to a more voluminous one, making the overall structure more crystalline and symmetrical. Pyrolysis coal has a fairly high calorific value of 31 MJ/kg, when compared to typical solid fuels, so it can be used in energy production or as a feedstock for the gasification process.

In this work, the author employs the quantum hydrodynamic formalism to achieve the geometrization of spacetime for describing the gravitational interaction within the framework of quantum theory. This approach allows for the development of an equation of gravity that is mathematically connected to the fermion and boson fields. This achievement is accomplished by incorporating two fundamental principles: covariance of the quantum field equations and the principle of least action. By considering these principles, a theory is established that enables the calculation of gravitational corrections to Quantum Electrodynamics, and potentially, to the standard model of particle physics as well. The theory also provides an explanation for two phenomena: the existence of a cosmological pressure density similar to quintessence, that is compatible with the small value of the observed cosmological constant, and the breaking of matter-antimatter symmetry at high energies offering insights into why there is an imbalance between the two in the early universe. In the cosmological modeling of the theory, there exists a proposal to account for the formation of supermassive black holes that are accompanied by their own surrounding galaxies, without relying on the process of mass accretion. The model, in accordance with recent observations conducted by the James Webb Space Telescope, supports the notion that galactic configurations were established relatively early in the history of the universe, shortly after the occurrence of the Big Bang.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) stands as the paramount tropical phenomenon of climatic magnitude resulting from ocean-atmosphere interaction. Due to its atmospheric teleconnection mechanism, ENSO wields influence over diverse environmental variables spanning distinct atmospheric scales, thereby potentially impacting the spatiotemporal distribution of atmospheric aerosols. Within this framework, this study aims to appraise the relationship between ENSO and atmospheric aerosols across the Legal Amazon during the period between 2006 and 2011. Over this quinquennium, four ENSO events were identified. Concurrently, an analysis was conducted on the spatiotemporal variability of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and AOD extinction for Black Carbon (EAOD-BC), concomitant with said ENSO events, utilizing data derived from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), MERRA-2 model, and ERSSTV5. Through the Windowed Cross Correlation (WCC) approach, statistically significant phase lags of up to 4 to 6 months were observed between ENSO indicators and atmospheric aerosols. Moreover, conspicuous increases of over 100% in atmospheric aerosol concentration were evidenced subsequent to El Niño periods, especially during the intervals encompassing the La Niña phase, particularly within the La Niña CP (Central Pacific)/Modoki category. By analyzing specific humidity anomalies (QA), exceptional scenarios in the region were detectable. This observation suggests a notable singularity when juxtaposed with antecedent investigations and typical average patterns characterizing the impacts on the Amazonian region.

Here we mathematically model black holes following dynamics similar to RC electrical model, focusing on their similarities at the singularity. We use this mathematically modelling to hypothesize the origin and growth of a black Hole. Or model consists of several steps defined by: (1) the formation of a black hole following general relativity equations; (2) growth of the black hole modelled as a resistance-capacitance-like electrical circuit. Based on the mathematical modeling of a black hole following dynamics similar to an RC circuit, for a circular motion with constant acceleration, in which the condition is fulfilled, Vt = ω r, we are going to calculate the amount of dark matter in the Milky Way galaxies and the Andromeda galaxy and subsequently the rotation curve of both galaxies to compare them with observed or measured values.

Structure and reversibility of cross-link junctions play pivotal roles in deter- mining the nature of thermoreversible gelation and dynamic mechanical prop- erties of the produced polymer networks. We attempt to explore new types of sol–gel transitions with mechanical sharpness by allowing cross-links to grow without upper bound. We consider thermoreversible gelation of the primary molecules R{Af} carrying the number f of low molecular weight functional groups (gelators) A. Gelators A are assumed to form supramolecular assemblies. Some examples are: telechelic polymers (f = 2) carrying π–π stacking benzene derivatives at their both ends, trifunctional star molecules (f = 3) bearing mul- tiple hydrogen-bonding gelators. The sol–gel transition of the primary molecules becomes sharper with the cooperativity parameter of the stepwise linear growth of the cross-links. There is a polymerization transition (crossover without singu- larity) of the junctions in the postgel region after the gel point is passed. If the gelator A tends to form supramolecular rings competitively with linear chains, there is another phase transition in the deep postgel region where the average molecular weight of the rings becomes infinite (Bose-Einstein condensation of rings). As a typical example of binary cross-links where gelators A and B form mixed junctions, we specifically consider metal-coordinated binding of ligands A by metal ions B. Two types of multi-nuclear supramolecular complexes are studied: (i) linear stacking (ladder) of the sandwich A2B units, (ii) linear train of egg-box A4B units. The average molecular weight, the gel fraction, the av- erage length of the cross-link junctions are calculated for all of these models as functions of the functionality f, the concentration of the solute molecules, and temperature. Potential candidates for the realization of these new types of thermoreversible gelation are discussed.

In order to reduce the vibration of the transporter and improve the stability of the transporter, the vibration characteristics and key structure optimization research of the mountain orchard transporter are carried out. In this paper, the vibration of electric monorail transporters under different working conditions is tested, and the causes of vibration generated by monorail transporter during operation are explored. The three-dimensional model of the trailer and transmission box is established using Solidworks, and the modal vibration modes of the structure are analyzed theoretically. The modal test system is used for modal test analysis of trailers and transmission boxes. By comparing the results of finite element and experimental modal analysis, the second-order frequency of the trailer is close to the motor's rotating excitation frequency of 50 Hz at rated speed, which is easy to generate resonance. By optimizing the structure of the trailer, the second and third natural frequencies are increased to 54.79 Hz and 58.35 Hz respectively, which avoid the resonance of the trailer during operation and effectively reduce the vibration generated during the transportation of the trailer. Through vibration testing of the optimized electric monorail transporter, the results of vibration testing before and after structural optimization are compared and analyzed, and it is found that the vibration amplitudes of the transporter in X, Y and Z directions are reduced by 0.308m/s², 0.351m/s² and 0.334m/s² respectively, the running stability of the conveyer is improved.

Due to the expansion of applications of rare earth elements (REE) in various technological pro-cesses, increasing amounts of these metals pollute the environment, including the marine one. Very little is known about the bioaccumulation and toxicity of REE in marine organisms. In the present work, we assessed the contents of these metals, including yttrium and scandium, in rhizomes and leaves of the widespread seagrass Zostera noltei and in the nearby sediments from the Black Sea coast. The total REE content in the sediments was found to be much higher than in Z. noltei. The order of decrease in the major REE contents in the sediments and the seagrass rhizomes was identical, except for La and Y: La was the most abundant in the sediments and Y in the rhizomes. The contents of all REE in rhizomes of Z. noltei were 1.5–10 times higher than in leaves. The greatest difference in the REE contents was found for the minor heavy elements (Sm–Lu). Translocation coefficients for Sc and the minor elements (excluding Tb) from sediments to rhizomes and from rhizomes to leaves turned out to be pairwise equal, which indicate the similarity of the REE translocation mechanisms. Comparing our results with the literature data, it is possible to conclude that the seagrass Z. noltei does not have an advantage in the REE accu-mulation over marine macroalgae. However, large coastal deposits of this seagrass after storms allow it to consider as a possible resource of REE.

The black-necked crane is the only species that lives in the plateau. At present, there is little re-search on viral diseases of the black-necked crane. In this study, a virus metagenomics approach was employed to investigate the viral composition of black-necked cranes in Saga County, Shi-gatse City, Tibet, China. The identified virus families carried by black-necked cranes mainly in-clude Genomoviridae, Parvoviridae, and Picornaviridae. Among them, one picornavirus genome is characterized as a novel species in the genus Grusopivirus of the family Picornaviridae, four new parvoviruses genome were obtained and classified into four different novel species within the genus Chaphamaparvovirus of the subfamily Hamaparvovirinae, and four novel genomoviruses ge-nome were also acquired and identified as members of three different species including Ge-mykroznavirus haeme1, Gemycircularvirus ptero6, and Gemycircularvirus ptero10. All of these viruses were firstly detected in fecal samples of black-necked cranes. This study provides valuable in-formation for understanding the viral community composition in the digestive tract of black-necked cranes in Tibet and for monitoring, preventing, and treating black-necked cranes viral diseases.

Dairy calves are susceptible to a great range of welfare and health issues up to the age of weaning. The aim of the current pilot study was to evaluate incidence of the main health disorders affecting dairy calves up to one year of age. The study was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Research and Development Institute for Bovine Balotesti, Romania, were health data was collected for two consecutive years, between November 2017 and October 2019, from a number of 176 purebred Romanian Black and White calves. Diarrhea had the highest incidence in un-weaned calves (0-3months old), of 29.55±0.34%, significantly higher (p≤0.001) compared to 3-6 months (2.16±1.24) and 6-12 months age groups (5.88±2.17), respectively. Coccidiosis incidence was on average of 39.20±0.36% in un-weaned calves, 1.44±1.01% in the 3-6 months group and of 5.04±2.01% in the 6-12 months group, significantly higher (p≤0.001) in the 0-3 months age group, compared to older calves.

The Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) prickly pear peel, is a residue product and was used as a substrate in solid-state fermentation (SSF) to obtain bioactive compounds of interest due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. A Box Hunter &amp; Hunter design to evaluate the independent factors was used. These factors were temperature (°C), inoculum (spores/g), humidity (%), pH, NaNO3 (g/L), MgSO4 (g/L), KCl (g/L) and KH2PO4 (g/L). The response factors were hydrolyzable and condensed tannins amount. In addition, the fermentation extracts the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were evaluated. The results showed that the humidity (%), inoculum (spores/g) and temperature (°C) affect the release of hydrolyzable and condensed tannins. The treatments 13 and 16 were the best to accumulate condensed (43 mg/g) and hydrolyzable tannins (3.8 mg/g) respectively. Besides, the fermented extracts showed a higher antioxidant activity compared than the unfermented peel extracts, as well as a high inhibition versus E. coli, Alternaria sp. and Botrytis spp. The use of the fermentation process is a good alternative for the recovery of waste and the accumulation of bioactive molecules with potential industrial application.

We have particularly investigated the correlation law of the effect of different carbon black fillings on the hyper-elastic mechanical behavior of natural rubber by conducting uniaxial tensile tests over a wide range of deformations with different volume fractions of carbon black fillings (0%, 4.7%, 8.9%, 12.8%, 16.4%, 19.7%, 22.7%, 25.2%). The results show that the stress-strain curve for carbon black filled rubber increases with the amount of filling, meaning that the rubber gradually becomes "harder". We explore the correlation between the carbon black filling volume and the parameters of the Yeoh constitutive model by examining the Yeoh constitutive model to characterize the hyper-elastic mechanical behavior of rubber with different carbon black fillings. A quantitative relationship between the material parameters and the carbon black filling volume in the Yeoh constitutive model is presented. A method for calculating the material parameters of the Yeoh constitutive model is developed and it predicts the correlation between the hyper-elastic properties of rubber and the volume fraction of carbon black filling.

Here we will model the curvature and contraction of space-time using as a basis the equation of state of an ideal gas and the Hawking´s equation for the temperature of a black hole. We will use this mathematical model to hypothesize that the Boltzmann´s constant depends on the state of matter, that is, there is a known Boltzmann´s constant for flat space-time and an effective Boltzmann´s constant for curved space-time. This model will allow us to quantify the structure of space-time and will serve as a basis to determine the origin of gravity and the origin of elementary particles. Using the Shannon-Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy relation, we will demonstrate that information is not lost and depends on the state of matter, the information is encoded and depends on the effective Boltzmann´s constant.

Arable Сhernozems with high SOC contents have the potential to be significant sources of GHGs, and climate change is likely to increase SOC losses, making the issue of carbon sequestration in this region even more important. The prospect of maintaining SOC stock or increasing it by 4% an-nually under planned management practice modifications for the period up to 2090 was evaluated using a long-term experiment on Haplic Chernozem in the Rostov Region, Russia. In this study, we used the RothC model to evaluate SOC dynamics for three treatments with mineral and organic fertilization under two adaptation scenarios vs. business as usual, as well as under two climate change scenarios. Correction of crop rotation and the application of organic fertilizers at high rates are essential tools for maintaining and increasing SOC stocks. This can maintain SOC stock at the level of 84–87 Mg∙ha-1 until the middle of the 21st century, as the first half of the century is con-sidered the most promising period for the introduction of adaptation measures for the additional accumulation of SOC on Chernozems. Part of the additional accumulated SOC is expected to be lost before 2090.

This study aimed to compare the differences in durability and prestress loss between normal-weight concrete (NC) and lightweight aggregate concrete (LWC) prestressed box girders, which were constructed at the same time in the same area, so as to verify the superiority of using synthetic lightweight aggregate (LWA) made from reservoir sediments in prestressed bridges. For the NCs and LWCs used in prestressed box girders, the basic mechanical properties were tested on the one hand, and the durability properties were tested on the other hand. Then, through the prestress monitoring system, the prestress loss of the two groups of the prestressed box girders was tracked. The results of the durability test confirmed that LWC can inhibit the penetration of air, water, and chloride ions by strengthening the interfacial transition zone between the aggregate and the cement paste, thereby improving its durability. Moreover, the magnetic flux prestress loss of the NC prestressed box girder reached 8.1%. In contrast, the magnetic flux prestress losses on both sides of the LWC prestressed box girder were 4.6% and 4.9%, respectively. This verified that, under the same environmental conditions, the use of LWC produced less of a prestress loss than the use of NC.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is an innovative green technology for the extraction of phytochemicals from plants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the application of SFE and to optimize the extraction condition of the Thai herbal formula, Kleeb Bua Daeng (KBD). A Box-Behnken design (BBD) with response surface methodology was used to determine the effect of extraction time, temperature, and pressure on response variables including extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total carotenoid content (TCC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC) of KBD formula. The highest percentage extraction yield, TPC, TFC, and TCC of the extracts were 3.81%, 464.56 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract, 217.19 mg quercetin equivalents/g extract, and 22.26 mg β-carotene equivalents/g extract, respectively. The results indicated that SFE is a suitable method of extraction for green recovery of some phytochemicals from the KBD formula.

Conductive nanocomposites play a significant role in tissue engineering by providing a platform to support cell growth, tissue regeneration, and electrical stimulation. In this present study, a set of electroconductive nanocomposite hydrogels based on gelatin (G), chitosan (CH) and conductive carbon black (CB) was synthesized with the aim to develop novel biomaterials for tissue regeneration application. Incorporation of conductive carbon black (10, 15 and 20 wt %) significantly improved electrical conductivity and enhanced mechanical properties with the increased CB content. We employed an oversimplified unidirectional freezing technique to impart anisotropic morphology with interconnected porous architecture. An investigation into whether any anisotropic morphology affects the mechanical properties of hydrogel was conducted by performing compression and cyclic compression tests in each direction parallel and perpendicular to macroporous channels. Interestingly, nanocomposite with 10 % CB produced both anisotropic morphology and mechanical property, whereas anisotropic pore morphology diminished at higher CB concentration (15 and 20 %) imparting denser texture. Collectively, the nanocomposite hydrogels showed great structural stability as well as good mechanical stability and reversibility. Under repeated compressive cyclic at 50 % deformation, the nanocomposite hydrogels showed preconditioning, characteristic hysteresis, nonlinear elasticity, and toughness. Overall, the collective mechanical behavior resembled the mechanics of soft tissues. Electrical impedance associated to the hydrogels was studied in terms of modulus and phase in dry and wet condition. The electrical properties conducted in wet conditions, which is more physiologically relevant, showed low impedance at high frequencies due to capacitive currents. Overall, impedance of the nanocomposite hydrogels decreased with increased CB concentrations. These gelatin-chitosan–carbon black nanocomposite hydrogels show great promise for use as conducting substrates for the growth of electro-responsive cells in tissue engineering.

Tumour microenvironment, composed of pro- and anti-tumour immune cells, affects cancer cells behaviour. We aimed to evaluate if tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density and TILs subtypes in core biopsies at diagnosis of breast cancer patients could predict pathologic complete response (pCR; ypT0/is ypN0) from neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). The TIL subtypes were determined based on the proportions of presumably anti-tumour (CD8+, CXCL13+) and pro-tumour (PD-1+, FOXP3+) immune cells. A prospective, non-interventional study including 171 participants undergoing NST was performed. The median TIL density for the entire cohort was 10% (IQR: 3.5-23.8), and 59 (35%) patients achieved pCR. TIL density was positively associated with pCR (univariately and multivariably). In the multivariable logistic regression model, TIL density was an independent predictor of pCR (p=0.012, OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.05-1.54) when controlled for age (p=0.232), Ki-67 (p=0.001), node-negative status (p=0.024), and HER2+/triple negative vs luminal B-like subtype (p&lt;0.001). In our sample, higher proportions of PD-1+ TILs and FOXP3+ TILs were associated with a higher probability of pCR but the association was not statistically significant. In the exploratory multivariable analysis, we showed that only higher CD8+ TILs were associated with pCR. In conclusion, TIL density and its subtypes are associated with pCR.