Comparison of the specific energies of sinusoidal VCS cutter rings and CCS cutter rings in breaking rock-like materials based on the FEM

Disc cutters are essential for full-section hard-rock tunnel boring machines. The performance of these devices directly affects tunnel engineering costs and duration. This paper proposes a sinusoidal variable cross-section (VCS) cutter ring and design method and establishes a digital model. Rock-like materials are simulated with a finite element model, and the model validity is verified via rock simulation mechanics tests. A disc cutter rolling rock simulation model for a linear cutting machine is also established, and simulation tests are performed for single- and three-cutter rolling using sinusoidal VCSs and constant cross-section (CCS) cutter models, respectively. The stress and energy changes for the cutters and rock-like material damage area were compared via simulation, confirming that some sinusoidal VCS cutter rings do less work on rock-like materials and cause larger crushing areas under the same engineering parameters; therefore, these cutter rings have smaller specific energies. The sinusoidal VCS cutter ring performance is 7% greater than that of CCS on average under single-cutter simulation, and the intermediate cutter performance of the intermediate cutter is 9% greater than that of CCS on average under three-cutter simulation. Thus, sinusoidal VCS cutter rings offer improved rock damage performance, and further research and application of this technology will improve the working efficiency of tunnel boring machines.

A Lossless-Recovery Secret Distribution Scheme Based on QR Codes

The visual cryptography scheme (VCS) distributes a secret to several images that can enhance the secure transmission of that secret. Quick response (QR) codes are widespread. VCS can be used to improve their secure transmission. Some schemes recover QR codes with many errors. This paper uses a distribution mechanism to achieve the error-free recovery of QR codes. An error-correction codeword (ECC) is used to divide the QR code into different areas. Every area is a key, and they are distributed to n shares. The loss of any share will make the reconstructed QR code impossible to decode normally. Stacking all shares can recover the secret QR code losslessly. Based on some experiments, the proposed scheme is relatively safe. The proposed scheme can restore a secret QR code without errors, and it is effective and feasible.

Role of Automated Volume, Conductivity and Scatter (VCS) Parameters of Neutrophils as Indicators of Sepsis

This study was done to evaluate the role of automated volume, conductivity and scatter (VCS) parameters of neutrophils as indicators of sepsis and its differentiation from other inflammatory disorders. In this cross-sectional study, 225 patients with culture proven or with clinical evidence of sepsis were included along with an equal number of healthy controls. In addition, 138 patients with non-infective inflammatory conditions-acute pancreatitis (50), burns (45) and acute myocardial infarction (43) were also included. Complete blood count was done on LH750 automated hematology analyser (Beckman Coulter). VCS data; mean neutrophil volume (MNV), mean neutrophil conductivity (MNC) and mean neutrophil scatter (MNS) for all patients was recorded. MNV was high (p < .0001) while MNS was lower (p < .0001) in patients with sepsis compared to the control group. MNC was comparable between the two groups (p = .4735). On subgroup analysis of patients with sepsis, significant difference in MNV (p = .0009) and MNS (p = .0210) was observed in patients with leukopenia, normal TLC and leucocytosis. Youden Index was maximum (71%) at MNV of 144.6 (sensitivity-82.7%; specificity-88.5%) and MNV of 147.9 (sensitivity-75.6%; specificity-95.6%) for sepsis. On comparing patients with sepsis with acute pancreatitis and myocardial infarction, MNV and MNC were significantly higher in patients with sepsis. MNV is a useful, inexpensive parameter which can be accessed during a routine CBC run from the raw data. It can be utilized as an early indicator of sepsis as an adjunct to the clinical diagnosis in suspect patients. However, its availability in only select hematology analyzers may limit its use.

Voice Multilateration System

This paper presents an innovative method of locating airplanes, which uses only voice communication between an air traffic controller and the pilot of an aircraft. The proposed method is described in detail along with its practical implementation in the form of a technology demonstrator (proof of concept), included in the voice communication system (VCS). A complete analysis of the performance of the developed method is presented, including the results of simulation and measurement tests in real conditions. The obtained results are very optimistic and indicate that the proposed solution may constitute an alternative method of locating aircraft in emergency conditions, i.e., a backup solution in the case of failure of other positioning systems.

Linking Engineered Cells to Their Digital Twins: A Version Control System for Strain Engineering

As DNA sequencing and synthesis become cheaper and more easily accessible, the scale and complexity of biological engineering projects is set to grow. Yet, although there is an accelerating convergence between biotechnology and digital technology, a deficit in software and laboratory techniques diminishes the ability to make biotechnology more agile, reproducible, and transparent while, at the same time, limiting the security and safety of synthetic biology constructs. To partially address some of these problems, this paper presents an approach for physically linking engineered cells to their digital footprint-we called it digital twinning. This enables the tracking of the entire engineering history of a cell line in a specialized version control system for collaborative strain engineering via simple barcoding protocols.

Beyond transcription factors: roles of mRNA decay in regulating gene expression in plants

Gene expression is typically quantified as RNA abundance, which is influenced by both synthesis (transcription) and decay. Cytoplasmic decay typically initiates by deadenylation, after which decay can occur through any of three cytoplasmic decay pathways. Recent advances reveal several mechanisms by which RNA decay is regulated to control RNA abundance. mRNA can be post-transcriptionally modified, either indirectly through secondary structure or through direct modifications to the transcript itself, sometimes resulting in subsequent changes in mRNA decay rates. mRNA abundances can also be modified by tapping into pathways normally used for RNA quality control. Regulated mRNA decay can also come about through post-translational modification of decapping complex subunits. Likewise, mRNAs can undergo changes in subcellular localization (for example, the deposition of specific mRNAs into processing bodies, or P-bodies, where stabilization and destabilization occur in a transcript- and context-dependent manner). Additionally, specialized functions of mRNA decay pathways were implicated in a genome-wide mRNA decay analysis in Arabidopsis. Advances made using plants are emphasized in this review, but relevant studies from other model systems that highlight RNA decay mechanisms that may also be conserved in plants are discussed.

Cytomorphometric Neutrophil and Monocyte Markers May Strengthen the Diagnosis of Sepsis

BACKGROUND:

The diagnosis of sepsis is challenging in the absence of a gold standard test. Recent studies have explored the role of neutrophil and monocyte volume, conductivity, and scatter (VCS), derived from automated hematology analyzers, in diagnosing sepsis. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of VCS parameters in critically ill patients with sepsis.

METHODOLOGY:

In this prospective study, VCS parameters, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed in patients with proven sepsis (cases) and 2 control groups (intensive care unit [ICU] patients without sepsis and healthy blood donors). The diagnostic property of each test was explored by calculating sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, and area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS:

The study included 65 patients with sepsis, 58 nonseptic ICU controls, and 98 blood donors. Procalcitonin and CRP were not significantly different ( P > .06) between patients with sepsis and nonseptic patients. Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) neutrophil volume (MNV) was significantly higher ( P < .001) in patients with sepsis (165.5; 95%CI 161.6-169.4) than in nonseptic (157.3; 95%CI 154.6-160.1) patients and donors (148.9; 95%CI 147.9-150). A similar pattern was seen with mean monocyte volume (MMoV). Neutrophil and monocyte conductivity and scatter parameters were variably associated. The AUC was highest for MMoV (0.74) and lowest for CRP (0.62). Among all parameters, MNV and MMoV had the highest specificity of 85% and 80%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

In critically ill patients with suspected sepsis, VCS parameters may help strengthen the diagnostic probability of sepsis. Future studies may explore the role of serial monitoring of VCS to track response to antimicrobial therapy.