A Decision-Making Tool for Urban Planners: A Framework to Model the Interdependency among Land Use, Accessibility, Density, and Surface Runoff in Urban Areas

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the four-dimensional relationship between land use, accessibility, density, and surface runoff in urban areas. In contemporary literature, a series of studies have been conducted that extensively discuss the natural components associated with the surface runoff in urban areas. However, the dynamic and complex dimensions of the urban form, such as land use, accessibility, and density, are yet to be fully understood. In this study, a 4D diagram was utilized to identify relationships between dimensions, in addition to decision tree analysis, to explore the structural flow between selected variables. Furthermore, a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was employed with the purpose of investigating the direct, indirect, and moderating effects on the targeted dependent variable, surface runoff. The results of the analysis reported a strong correlation between land use, accessibility, density, and surface runoff, with an R-squared value of 0.802, which indicates an acceptable model accuracy by the international standard. A positive relationship between the four dimensions was indicated by the higher accessibility; the higher density in terms of a higher floor space index (FSI), ground space index (GSI), and open space; the building height of the adjacent buildings; the higher diversity of the land use; and the higher surface runoff. Accordingly, the findings of the study offer policy implications in the fields of land use planning, zoning regulations and overall urban development planning towards achieving climate resilient cities.

Proteogenomics analysis of CUG codon translation in the human pathogen Candida albicans

Background Yeasts of the CTG-clade lineage, which includes the human-infecting Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis species, are characterized by an altered genetic code. Instead of translating CUG codons as leucine, as happens in most eukaryotes, these yeasts, whose ancestors are thought to have lost the relevant leucine-tRNA gene, translate CUG codons as serine using a serine-tRNA with a mutated anticodon, $$ {\mathrm{tRNA}}_{\mathrm{CAG}}^{\mathrm{Ser}} $$ tRNA CAG Ser . Previously reported experiments have suggested that 3–5% of the CTG-clade CUG codons are mistranslated as leucine due to mischarging of the $$ {\mathrm{tRNA}}_{\mathrm{CAG}}^{\mathrm{Ser}} $$ tRNA CAG Ser . The mistranslation was suggested to result in variable surface proteins explaining fast host adaptation and pathogenicity. Results In this study, we reassess this potential mistranslation by high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteogenomics of multiple CTG-clade yeasts, including various C. albicans strains, isolated from colonized and from infected human body sites, and C. albicans grown in yeast and hyphal forms. Our data do not support a bias towards CUG codon mistranslation as leucine. Instead, our data suggest that (i) CUG codons are mistranslated at a frequency corresponding to the normal extent of ribosomal mistranslation with no preference for specific amino acids, (ii) CUG codons are as unambiguous (or ambiguous) as the related CUU leucine and UCC serine codons, (iii) tRNA anticodon loop variation across the CTG-clade yeasts does not result in any difference of the mistranslation level, and (iv) CUG codon unambiguity is independent of C. albicans’ strain pathogenicity or growth form. Conclusions Our findings imply that C. albicans does not decode CUG ambiguously. This suggests that the proposed misleucylation of the $$ {\mathrm{tRNA}}_{\mathrm{CAG}}^{\mathrm{Ser}} $$ tRNA CAG Ser might be as prevalent as every other misacylation or mistranslation event and, if at all, be just one of many reasons causing phenotypic diversity.

On governing equations for a nanoplate derived from the 3D gradient theory of elasticity

The paper is concerned with the asymptotically consistent theory of nanoscale plates capturing the spatial nonlocal effects. The three-dimensional (3D) elasticity equations for a thin plate are used as the governing equations. In the general case, the plate is acted upon by dynamic body forces varying in the thickness direction, and by variable surface forces. The thickness of the plate is assumed to be greater than the characteristic micro/nanoscale measure and much smaller than the in-plane characteristic dimension (e.g., the wave or deformation length). The 3D constitutive equations of gradient elasticity are used to link the fields of nonlocal stresses and strains. Using the asymptotic approach, a sequence of relations for stresses and displacements in the form of polynomials in the transverse coordinate with coefficients depending on time and in-plane coordinates was obtained. The asymptotically consistent 2D differential equation governing vibration (or static deformation) of a plate accounting for both transverse shears and the spatial nonlocal contribution of the stress and strain fields was derived. It was revealed that capturing nonlocal effects in all directions leads to an increase in the correction factor compared with the well-known 2D theories based on kinematic hypotheses and the Eringen-type gradient constitutive equations. The effect of the internal length scales parameters on free low-frequency vibrations and displacements of a plate is discoursed.

Cerebriform congenital melanocytic nevus of scalp and its management using tissue expansion

Congenital melanocytic nevi are benign proliferations of cutaneous nevomelanocytes. Usually, they manifest at birth or become apparent within the first few years of life. The nevi show variable surface morphology (papular, rugose, verrucous, or cerebriform). Congenital melanocytic nevus showing cerebriform morphology is a rarity. Early diagnosis and surgical excision are usually recommended in congenital melanocytic nevus to prevent the future risk of malignant transformation which is higher in larger lesions, especially in giant forms (>20 cm in size). An excision of the lesion also helps to avoid the social and psychological consequences arising out of significant cosmetic deformity. We report a 21-year-old patient who presented with a cerebriform congenital melanocytic nevus measuring 10 cm × 7 cm × 2 cm in the right parietal region. Early-onset, pigmented lesion with a cerebriform surface, and the histopathology features of congenital melanocytic nevus were the points that favored the diagnosis of cerebriform congenital melanocytic nevus in our patient. He was treated with excision of the lesion and defect coverage with tissue expansion in two stages. Two rectangular tissue expanders were placed beneath the galea aponeurotica (one with a capacity of 300 cc in the left parietal region and another with 500 cc in the occipital region). Both the expanders were inflated twice to their capacity. Second stage surgery was performed after about 3 months in which the tissue expanders were removed and the pre-expanded scalp skin was used to drape the scalp defect that resulted from the excision of the lesion. An excision and a two staged reconstruction of the scalp using tissue expanders, may ensure a good aesthetic outcome in the management of intermediate to large sized congenital melanocytic nevus.

Forward simulations of walking on a variable surface-impedance treadmill: A comparison of two methods

Recent experiments with a variable stiffness treadmill (VST) suggest that modulating foot-ground contact dynamics during walking may offer an effective new paradigm for gait rehabilitation. How gait adapts to extended perturbations of asymmetrical surface stiffness is still an open question. In this study, we simulated human gait with prolonged asymmetrical changes in ground stiffness using two methods: (1) forward simulation of a muscle-reflex model and (2) optimal control via direct collocation. Simulation results showed that both models could competently describe the biomechanical trends observed in human experiments with a VST which altered the walking surface stiffness for one step. In addition, the simulations revealed important considerations for future experiments studying the effect of asymmetric ground stiffness on gait behavior. With the muscle-reflex model, we observed that although subtle, there was a difference between gait biomechanics before and after the prolonged asymmetric stiffness perturbation, showing the behavioral signature of an aftereffect despite the lack of supraspinal control in the model. In addition, the optimal control simulations showed that damping has a large effect on the overall lower-body muscle activity, with the muscle effort cost function used to optimize the biomechanics increasing 203% between 5 Ns/m and 2000 Ns/m at a stiffness of 10 kN/m. Overall, these findings point to new insights and considerations for advancing our understanding of human neuromotor control of locomotion and enhancing robot-aided gait rehabilitation.

A thermostable oral SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induces mucosal and protective immunity

An ideal protective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 should not only be effective in preventing disease, but also in preventing virus transmission. It should also be well accepted by the population and have a simple logistic chain. To fulfill these criteria, we developed a thermostable, orally administered vaccine that can induce a robust mucosal neutralizing immune response. We used our platform based on retrovirus-derived enveloped virus-like particles (e-VLPs) harnessed with variable surface proteins (VSPs) from the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia, affording them resistance to degradation and the triggering of robust mucosal cellular and antibody immune responses after oral administration. We made e-VLPs expressing various forms of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (S), with or without membrane protein (M) expression. We found that prime-boost administration of VSP-decorated e-VLPs expressing a pre-fusion stabilized form of S and M triggers robust mucosal responses against SARS-CoV-2 in mice and hamsters, which translate into complete protection from a viral challenge. Moreover, they dramatically boosted the IgA mucosal response of intramuscularly injected vaccines. We conclude that our thermostable orally administered e-VLP vaccine could be a valuable addition to the current arsenal against SARS-CoV-2, in a stand-alone prime-boost vaccination strategy or as a boost for existing vaccines.

Marangoni Convection of Dust Particles in the Boundary Layer of Maxwell Nanofluids with Varying Surface Tension and Viscosity

The flow of nanofluids is very important in industrial refrigeration systems. The operation of nuclear reactors and the cooling of the entire installation to improve safety and economics are entirely dependent on the application of nanofluids in water. Therefore, a model of Maxwell’s dusty nanofluid with temperature-dependent viscosity, surface suction and variable surface tension under the action of solar radiation is established. The basic equations of momentum and temperature of the dust and liquid phases are solved numerically using the MATLAB bvp4c scheme. In the current evaluation, taking into account variable surface tension and varying viscosity, the effect of dust particles is studied by immersing dust particles in a nanofluid. Qualitative and quantitative discussions are provided to focus on the effect of physical parameters on mass and heat transfer. The propagation results show that this mixing effect can significantly increase the thermal conductivity of nanofluids. With small changes in the surface tension parameters, a stronger drop in the temperature distribution is observed. The suction can significantly reduce the temperature distribution of the liquid and dust phases. The stretchability of the sheet is more conducive to temperature rise. The tables are used to explain how physical parameters affect the Nusselt number and mass transfer. The increased interaction of the liquid with nanoparticles or dust particles is intended to improve the Nusselt number. This model contains features that have not been previously studied, which stimulates demand for this model among all walks of life now and in the future.

Effects of Surface Tension on the Stability of Surface Nanobubbles

The existence of surface nanobubbles has already been confirmed by variable detection methods, but the mechanism of their extraordinary stability remains unclear and has aroused widespread research interest in the past 2 decades. Experiments and theoretical analyses have tried to account for these stabilities such as the very long lifetime, very high pressure and very small contact angle. Attractive hydrophobic potential was applied to complement the pinning-oversaturation theory and successfully explain the survival of surface nanobubbles in undersaturation environment by some researchers. However, the survival of nanobubbles on hydrophilic surface still requires sizeable oversaturation. In this paper, we introduce the variable surface tensions, namely Tolman-dependence and state-dependence, and show that they effectively promote the stability of nanobubbles. The decrease in surface tension can lead to larger contact angle and even make the nanobubbles survivable on the highly hydrophilic surface. In Tolman-dependence, the changing rate in the contact angle evolution slows down, which is more obvious when the bubble size is close to the Tolman length. The contact angle is also getting larger in the state-dependence, and the increase of the gas saturation degree is beneficial to the stability of surface nanobubbles. With the gas saturation ratio of 3, the bubbles on the quite hydrophilic surface can also be stable, while grow up on the hydrophobic surface. The variable surface tensions weaken the need of saturation degree for the surface nanobubbles’ stability.