Correction to:Production and test of sPHENIX W/SciFiber electromagnetic calorimeter blocks in China

Correction to:Nuclear Science and Techniques(2024)35:145 https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-024-01517-y In this article the author’s name Wan-Bing He was incorrectly written as Wan-Bin He.The original article has been corrected.

Secure Transmission Scheme for Blocks in Blockchain-Based Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Communication Systems

In blockchain-based unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)communication systems,the length of a block affects the performance of the blockchain.The transmission performance of blocks in the form of finite character segments is also affected by the block length.Therefore,it is crucial to balance the transmission performance and blockchain performance of blockchain communication systems,especially in wireless environments involving UAVs.This paper investigates a secure transmission scheme for blocks in blockchain-based UAV communication systems to prevent the information contained in blocks from being completely eavesdropped during transmission.In our scheme,using a friendly jamming UAV to emit jamming signals diminishes the quality of the eavesdropping channel,thus enhancing the communication security performance of the source UAV.Under the constraints of maneuverability and transmission power of the UAV,the joint design of UAV trajectories,transmission power,and block length are proposed to maximize the average minimum secrecy rate(AMSR).Since the optimization problem is non-convex and difficult to solve directly,we first decompose the optimization problem into subproblems of trajectory optimization,transmission power optimization,and block length optimization.Then,based on firstorder approximation techniques,these subproblems are reformulated as convex optimization problems.Finally,we utilize an alternating iteration algorithm based on the successive convex approximation(SCA)technique to solve these subproblems iteratively.The simulation results demonstrate that our proposed scheme can achieve secure transmission for blocks while maintaining the performance of the blockchain.

Databases of 2D material-substrate interfaces and 2D charged building blocks

Discovery of materials using“bottom-up”or“top-down”approach is of great interest in materials science.Layered materials consisting of two-dimensional(2D)building blocks provide a good platform to explore new materials in this respect.In van der Waals(vdW)layered materials,these building blocks are charge neutral and can be isolated from their bulk phase(top-down),but usually grow on substrate.In ionic layered materials,they are charged and usually cannot exist independently but can serve as motifs to construct new materials(bottom-up).In this paper,we introduce our recently constructed databases for 2D material-substrate interface(2DMSI),and 2D charged building blocks.For 2DMSI database,we systematically build a workflow to predict appropriate substrates and their geometries at substrates,and construct the 2DMSI database.For the 2D charged building block database,1208 entries from bulk material database are identified.Information of crystal structure,valence state,source,dimension and so on is provided for each entry with a json format.We also show its application in designing and searching for new functional layered materials.The 2DMSI database,building block database,and designed layered materials are available in Science Data Bank at https://doi.org/10.57760/sciencedb.j00113.00188.

Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks for anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome after robot-assisted gastrectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome(ACNES)is a condition mani-festing with pain caused by strangulation of the anterior cutaneous branch of the lower intercostal nerves.This case report aims to provide new insight into the selection of peripheral nerve blocks for the ACNES treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 66-year-old woman manifested ACNES after a robot-assisted distal gastrec-tomy.An ultrasound-guided rectal sheath block was effective for pain triggered by the port scar.However,the sudden severe pain,which radiated laterally from the previous site,remained.A transversus abdominis plane block was performed for the remaining pain and effectively relieved it.CONCLUSION In this case,the trocar port was inserted between the rectus and transverse abdominis muscles.The intercostal nerves might have been entrapped on both sides of the rectus and transversus abdominis muscles.Hence,rectus sheath and transverse abdominis plane blocks were required to achieve complete pain relief.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first report on use of a combination of rectus sheath and transverse abdominis plane blocks for pain relief in ACNES.

Bilateral pericapsular end nerve blocks for steroid-induced avascular necrosis following COVID-19 infection requiring bilateral total hip replacement

BACKGROUND Osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis(AVN)of the hip was one of the dreaded complications of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),which emerged in patients who received steroid therapy.Corticosteroids have been a mainstay in the treatment protocol of COVID-19 patients.Popular corticosteroid drugs used in patients suffering from COVID-19 were intravenous(IV)or oral dexamethasone,methylprednisolone or hydrocortisone.The use of such high doses of corticost-eroids has shown very positive results and has been lifesaving in many cases.Still,long-term consequences were drug-induced diabetes,osteoporosis,Cushing syndrome,muscle wasting,peripheral fat mobilization,AVN,hirsutism,sleep disturbances and poor wound healing.A significant number of young patients were admitted for bilateral total hip replacements(THR)secondary to AVN following steroid use for COVID-19 treatment.AIM To assess the efficacy of bilateral pericapsular end nerve group(PENG)blocks in patients posted for bilateral THR post-steroid therapy after COVID-19 infection and assess the time taken to first ambulate after surgery.METHODS This prospective observational study was conducted between January 2023 and August 2023 at Care Hospitals,Hyderabad,India.Twenty young patients 30-35 years of age who underwent bilateral THR were studied after due consent over 8 months.All the patients received spinal anaesthesia for surgery and bilateral PENG blocks for postoperative analgesia.RESULTS The duration of surgery was 2.5 h on average.Seventeen out of twenty patients(85%)had a Visual Analog Score(VAS)of less than 2 and did not require any supplementation.One patient was removed from the study,as he required re-exploration.The remaining two patients had a VAS of more than 8 and received IV morphine post-operatively as a rescue analgesic drug.Fifteen out of seventeen patients(88.2%)could be mobilized 12 h after the procedure.CONCLUSION Osteonecrosis or AVN of the hip was one of the dreaded complications of COVID-19,which surfaced in patients who received steroid therapy requiring surgical intervention.Bilateral PENG block is an effective technique to provide post-operative analgesia resulting in early mobilization and enhanced recovery after surgery.

Outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and new onset heart blocks: Insight from the National Inpatient Sample database

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has resulted in a worldwide health crisis since it first appeared.Numerous studies demonstrated the virus’s predilection to cardiomyocytes;however,the effects that COVID-19 has on the cardiac conduc-tion system still need to be fully understood.AIM To analyze the impact that COVID-19 has on the odds of major cardiovascular complications in patients with new onset heart blocks or bundle branch blocks(BBB).METHODS The 2020 National Inpatient Sample(NIS)database was used to identify patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia with and without high-degree atrioven-tricular blocks(HDAVB)and right or left BBB utilizing ICD-10 codes.The patients with pre-existing pacemakers,suggestive of a prior diagnosis of HDAVB or BBB,were excluded from the study.The primary outcome was inpatient mortality.Secondary outcomes included total hospital charges(THC),the length of hospital stay(LOS),and other major cardiac outcomes detailed in the Results section.Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to adjust for confounders with Stata version 17.RESULTS A total of 1058815 COVID-19 hospitalizations were identified within the 2020 NIS database,of which 3210(0.4%)and 17365(1.6%)patients were newly diagnosed with HDAVB and BBB,respectively.We observed a significantly higher odds of in-hospital mortality,cardiac arrest,cardiogenic shock,sepsis,arrythmias,and acute kidney injury in the COVID-19 and HDAVB group.There was no statistically significant difference in the odds of cerebral infarction or pulmonary embolism.Encounters with COVID-19 pneumonia and newly diagnosed BBB had a higher odds of arrythmias,acute kidney injury,sepsis,need for mechanical ventilation,and cardiogenic shock than those without BBB.However,unlike HDAVB,COVID-19 pneumonia and BBB had no significant impact on mortality compared to patients without BBB.CONCLUSION In conclusion,there is a significantly higher odds of inpatient mortality,cardiac arrest,cardiogenic shock,sepsis,acute kidney injury,supraventricular tachycardia,ventricular tachycardia,THC,and LOS in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and HDAVB as compared to patients without HDAVB.Likewise,patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in the BBB group similarly have a higher odds of supraventricular tachycardia,atrial fibrillation,atrial flutter,ventricular tachycardia,acute kidney injury,sepsis,need for mechanical ventilation,and cardiogenic shock as compared to those without BBB.Therefore,it is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the possible worse predicted outcomes that patients with new-onset HDAVB or BBB may experience following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Analysis of Landscape Vitality of Historical and Cultural Blocks Based on AHPFuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method:A Case Study of Daopashi Street in Anqing City

Historical and cultural blocks are witnesses of history and inheritors of culture. As one of the main spaces for outdoor interaction in historical and cultural blocks, the improvement of its vitality is of great significance for the improvement of residential environment and the better inheritance of history and culture. Taking Daopashi Street in Anqing City as an example, an evaluation model of landscape spatial vitality of historical and cultural blocks was constructed from three aspects of viewing function, store status and service facilities, and analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the index weight and vaguely evaluate the landscape spatial vitality of historical and cultural blocks. The results show that through the comparison of weight, architectural style(0.317), the practicability of service facilities(0.168) and plant landscape(0.165) had a significant impact on the landscape spatial vitality of historical and cultural blocks,and the landscape spatial vitality of historical and cultural blocks in Daopashi Street in Anqing City was at a good level.

An engineering classification system for the detached granite blocks distributed on slopes

Gentle slopes with large amounts of granite blocks are widespread in granitic areas with warm and humid climate.These blocks pose a potential risk to the existing and planned infrastructure.The instability type and geometry of these blocks will influence their motility and destructive power to some extent.This study aims at creating a classification system that can indicate both the shape and the instability type of these blocks and then developing a block removal scheme.The classification system was constructed based on the mechanical stability analysis of blocks on an inclined surface.This analysis identified key factors affecting stability,including block shape,block weathering roundness,the existing state of a block on a slope,and the friction between the block and the slope.The achieved work allowed the establishment of a direct correlation between block geometry and their instability types.The availability of this classification system was validated by field data and experimental data in the literature.The proposal to remove blocks identified as the toppling types,such as cylindrical-toppling types,cuboid-toppling types,cube-toppling types,was put forward to avoid the uneconomical problem of a complete clearance.Meanwhile,this classification provides a foundation for further research on the instability probability of each type of block and the development of a more refined blocks’removal scheme.The classification approach adopted in this paper can provide a reference for the classification of other lithological blocks under similar engineering geological conditions.

Development and Application of Multi-phase Nitrides Bonded Silicon Carbide Lintel Blocks for Dry Quenching Furnaces

Multi-phase nitrides bonded silicon carbide lintel blocks were prepared using industrial SiC(SiC≥98 mass%,3-0.5,≤0.5 and≤0.044 mm),Si powder(Si≥98 mass%,≤0.044 mm),and SiO2 micropowder(SiO2≥96 mass%,d50=0.15 pm)as raw materials,and calcium lignosulfonate as the additive,batching,mixing,and molding on a vibration pressure molding machine,drying and then firing at 1420℃for 10 h in high-purity N2.The apparent porosity,the bulk density,the cold modulus of rupture,the hot modulus of rupture,and the linear expansion coefficient of the samples were tested.The phase composition and the microstructure of the samples at different nitriding depths(50,100,and 150 mm)were analyzed by XRD and SEM.The field application effects of the blocks were studied.The results show that:(1)the multi-phase nitrides bonded silicon carbide refractories can dynamically adjust their own phase composition and minimize structural and thermal stresses,improving the service life of key parts of dry quenching furnaces;(2)calcium lignosulfonate can improve the nitriding micro-environment of multi-phase nitrides bonded silicon carbide lintel blocks,successfully increasing the effective nitriding thickness of the blocks to 300 mm;(3)Sinosteel LI RR provides a unique concept in the design of materials and block types as well as the stable and scientific overall structure,promoting the industrialization process of dry quenching furnaces with long service life in China.

Economic Valuation of Auctioned Tourist Hunting Blocks in Tanzania

Economic valuation of ecosystems is increasingly being recognized as an important exercise to inform sustainable utilization and conservation of natural assets. It helps in planning and establishing fair profit margins that accrue either directly or indirectly from the consumptive and non-consumptive uses of ecosystem goods and services. This paper is based on a study which estimated the economic values of tourist hunting blocks (HBs) in Tanzania using the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM). The study used a sample size of 12 out of 24 vacant hunting blocks which were to be auctioned to potential hunting companies in December 2022. The economic values of HBs were estimated using the time horizon of 10 years (the mean tenure for winning company). The results show that the economic values ranged from USD 6,215,588 to USD 653,470,695 per hunting block and the Existence Value (EV) constituted about 19% of the Total Economic Value (TEV). EV ranged from USD 632,210 to USD 125,147,285. The study underscores the need for decisions to allocate ecosystems, such as HBs, to both direct and indirect uses, to be guided by a though understanding of their values. We further recommend building the capacity of staff charged with the role of managing and allocating uses of these ecosystems to enable them undertake economic valuation of ecosystems using both simple and more robust analytical tools, such as the GIS, relational databases, and worldwide websites based tools, like InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs), ARIES (Artificial Intelligence for Ecosystem Services), and Co$ting Nature.

Modeling of Mixed Convection in a Lid Driven Wavy Enclosure with Two Square Blocks Placed at Different Positions

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the simulation of mixed convection in a lid-driven wavy enclosure with blocks positioned at various positions. This study also examined the impact of the longitudinal position of the heated block on heat transfer enhancement. The Galerkin weighted residual finite element method is employed to computationally solve the governing equations of Navier-Stokes, thermal energy, and mass conservation. The enclosure consists of two square heated blocks strategically placed at different heights—firstly, one set is closer to the bottom surface;secondly, one set is nearer to the middle area and finally, one set is closer to the upper undulating surface of the enclosure. The wavy top wall’s thermal insulation, along with active heating of the bottom wall and blocks, generates a dynamic convective atmosphere. In addition, the left wall ascends as the right wall falls, causing the flow formed by the lid. The study investigates the impact of the Richardson number on many factors, such as streamlines, isotherms, dimensionless temperature, velocity profiles, and average Nusselt numbers. These impacts are depicted through graphical illustrations. In all instances, two counter-rotating eddies were generated within the cage. Higher rotating speed consistently leads to improved performance, irrespective of other characteristics. Furthermore, an ideal amalgamation of the regulating factors would lead to increased heat transmission.

Automatic identification of rock discontinuity and stability analysis of tunnel rock blocks using terrestrial laser scanning

Local geometric information and discontinuity features are key aspects of the analysis of the evolution and failure mechanisms of unstable rock blocks in rock tunnels.This study demonstrates the integration of terrestrial laser scanning(TLS)with distinct element method for rock mass characterization and stability analysis in tunnels.TLS records detailed geometric information of the surrounding rock mass by scanning and collecting the positions of millions of rock surface points without contact.By conducting a fuzzy K-means method,a discontinuity automatic identification algorithm was developed,and a method for obtaining the geometric parameters of discontinuities was proposed.This method permits the user to visually identify each discontinuity and acquire its spatial distribution features(e.g.occurrences,spac-ings,trace lengths)in great detail.Compared with hand mapping in conventional geotechnical surveys,the geometric information of discontinuities obtained by this approach is more accurate and the iden-tification is more efficient.Then,a discrete fracture network with the same statistical characteristics as the actual discontinuities was generated with the distinct element method,and a representative nu-merical model of the jointed surrounding rock mass was established.By means of numerical simulation,potential unstable rock blocks were assessed,and failure mechanisms were analyzed.This method was applied to detection and assessment of unstable rock blocks in the spillway and sand flushing tunnel of the Hongshiyan hydropower project after a collapse.The results show that the noncontact detection of blocks was more labor-saving with lower safety risks compared with manual surveys,and the stability assessment was more reliable since the numerical model built by this method was more consistent with the distribution characteristics of actual joints.This study can provide a reference for geological survey and unstable rock block hazard mitigation in tunnels subjected to complex geology and active rockfalls.

Effects of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia on anxiety,labor analgesia and motor blocks in women during natural delivery

BACKGROUND The background of this study was analgesia in natural delivery.The combined spinal-epidural anesthesia has obvious analgesic effect on the parturients in natural labor,and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia has been widely used in anesthesia for various diseases.AIM To study the effects of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia on anxiety,labor analgesia,and motor blocks in parturients during natural delivery.METHODS A total of 120 women who gave birth at Changning District Maternal and Child Health Hospital between December 2021 to December 2022 were included;a random number table approach was employed to divide the women into a control group and a joint group,with each group consisting of 60 women.The control group was given epidural anesthesia,while the joint group was given combined spinal-epidural anesthesia.The visual analog scale(VAS)was used to evaluate the degree of maternal pain.Comparisons were made between the two groups’conditions of childbirth and the duration of labor.Apgar scores were used to evaluate the status of the newborns at birth;Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)scores,umbilical artery blood gas analysis indices and stress indices were compared between the two groups;and the frequencies of motor block and postpartum complications were analyzed.RESULTS In comparison to the control group,in the joint group,the VAS scores for the first,second,and third stages of labor were lower(P<0.05).The rates of conversion to cesarean section and postpartum blood loss in the joint group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed in the Apgar score,the duration of the first stage of labor,or the total duration of labor between the two groups(P>0.05).The second and third stages of labor in the joint group were shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05).When compared to the control group,the postpartum SAS score of the joint group was lower,while the GSES score was greater(P<0.05).Between the control group and the joint group,the differences observed in pH,arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure,arterial oxygen partial pressure,or arterial hydrogen ion concentration were not significant(P>0.05).Nitric oxide,cortisol,and adrenaline levels were lower in the joint group than in the control group(P<0.05).There were no substantial differences in Bromage grade or rate of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION For parturients during natural delivery,combined spinal-epidural anesthesia can reduce anxiety,provide labor analgesia,shorten labor time,and reduce postoperative stress levels but did not result in a motor block.

Combinations of nerve blocks in surgery for post COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae patient:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Regional anesthesia is a promising method in patients with post coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pulmonary sequelae for preserving pulmonary function and preventing postoperative pulmonary complications,compared with general anesthesia.CASE SUMMARY We provided surgical anesthesia and analgesia suitable for breast surgery by performing pectoral nerve block type II(PECS-II),parasternal,and intercostobrachial nerve blocks with intravenous dexmedetomidine administration in a 61-year-old female patient with severe pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19infection.CONCLUSION Sufficient analgesia for 7 h was provided via PECS-II,parasternal,and intercostobrachial blocks perioperatively.

Practice and Exploration of Experiential Theme Landscape Design in Urban Historic Blocks: A Case Study of Shengjin Tower Folk Custom Historical Block in Nanchang

Urban historic blocks are an important part of urban public space,but urban public space pays far less attention to users’experience,and there is a lack of design problem of experiential theme landscape.The landscape design practice of Shengjin Tower Folk Custom Historical Block in Nanchang provides an attempt to explore the design problem of experiential theme landscape.In this paper,the results of the design practice were sorted out and summarized,and the specific conception of the experiential design of urban public space was discussed from three aspects of the experiential control design,spatial experience design and serial experience design of the historic block on the basis of elaborating the design concept,so as to provide inspiration and reference for similar urban historic block projects.

Tourism Development Mode of Historical and Cultural Blocks from the Perspective of Urban Renewal Based on Online Review Data:A Case Study of Nanluoguxiang in Beijing

Under the background of urban renewal, this paper re-explores the tourism development modeof Nanluoguxiang historical and cultural block based on online review data, and puts forward correspondingdevelopment strategies. As a cultural label of a city, historical and cultural blocks should be updated first inorder to achieve sustainable development. By using multi-source big data review and qualitative researchmethods, the perception evaluation of tourists in Nanluoguxiang is obtained, and the shortcomings ofcurrent tourism development mode are analyzed. Furthermore, corresponding improvement strategies andsuggestions are put forward, in order to provide some effective ideas for the sustainable development ofhistorical and cultural blocks in the future.

生物信息学Blocks和Motifs方法在病毒研究中的应用

评述了生物信息学分析方法及几种主要分析软件的基本原理 ;提出了蛋白质、核酸序列分析、搜索Blocks和 Motifs的基本方法 。

Study on Renovation of the Landscapes of Historical Blocks

On the description of the landscapes of historical blocks in China,this paper proposes the approaches to renovating the historical blocks,including their repairing and reconstruction. It aims at presenting suggestions for the protection and development of historical blocks through analyzing the methods and procedures for repairing and rebuilding the infrastructures and green landscapes in the blocks.

Experimental investigation on friction and squeezing of roof structure key blocks corner upon long-wall face

The coefficients of friction and squeezing of the key blocks comer in the roof structure of underground coalface are key factors to roof structure stability quantitative analysis. In this paper, through the special test of three-type corner friction and squeez- ing of real rock specimens, and physical simulation test on the roof key blocks of roof structure as well as the finite element calcula- tion of the corner stress distribution and failure mechanism, the characteristics of friction and squeezing of the roof key blocks comer are revealed. It is found that the friction angle of the roof key blocks corner is the residual friction angle, and the frictional angle of the roof key blocks is 22-32° (average 27°), so the friction coefficient is determined as 0.5. It also found the squeezing strength is less than the uniaxial strength, and the squeezing coefficient of the roof blocks corner is determined as 0.4. Based on the results, the ground control theory can be updated from qualitative analysis to quantitative analysis.

Compacted graphite iron-A material solution for modern diesel engine cylinder blocks and heads

The demands for improved fuel economy,performance and emissions continue to pose challenges for engine designers and the materials they choose. This is particularly true for modern diesel engines,where the primary path to achieving improved engine performance and emissions is to increase the Peak Firing Pressure in the combustion chamber. The resulting increase in thermal and mechanical loading has required a change from conventional grey cast iron to Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) in order to satisfy durability requirements without increasing the size or the weight of the engines. With at least 75% higher tensile strength,45% higher stiffness and approximately double the fatigue strength of conventional grey cast iron,CGI satisfies durability requirements and also provides the dimensional stability required to meet emissions legislation throughout the life of the engine. Currently,there are no CGI diesel engines running on the roads in North America. This is set to change considerably as new commercial vehicle and pick-up SUV diesel engines are launched with CGI cylinder blocks in 2008 and 2009. These initial programs will provide over 2 million CGI diesel engines when ramped to mature volume,potentially accounting for 10%-15% of the North American passenger vehicle fleet within the next four years.