A STUDY OF SEAM STRENGTH AND EXTENSIBILITY FOR PRESSURE GARMENTS

Pressure garments are functional garments designed for medical purposes and arc normally used under prolonged stress. The stress across seams is related to the size of the wearer and the fit and the garment, the more close fitting a garment, the greater stress is put on the seam. Since pressure garments are subjected to appreciable stress during wear, seams with the required strength and extensiblity are particular important.The seam type, stitch type, stitch density and thread strength are the main factors determining the strength and extensibility of a seam. In this paper, investigation of seam strength and extensibility are made on four types of seams which have been used for making pressure garments. Five different types of stitch densities and two sizes of sewing thread are used on each type of scam to be tested. The seaming conditions of the selected fabric are also examined.

Origin of nucleation and growth of extension twins in grains unsuitably oriented for twinning during deformation of Mg-1%Al

A large number of anomalous extension twins,with low or even negative twinning Schmid factors,were found to nucleate and grow in a strongly textured Mg-1Al alloy during tensile deformation along the extruded direction.The deformation mechanisms responsible for this behaviour were investigated through in-situ electron back-scattered diffraction,grain reference orientation deviation,and slip trace-modified lattice rotation.It was found that anomalous extension twins nucleated mainly at the onset of plastic deformation at or near grain boundary triple junctions.They were associated with the severe strain incompatibility between neighbour grains as a result from the differentbasal slip-induced lattice rotations.Moreover,the anomalous twins were able to grow with the applied strain due to the continuous activation ofbasal slip in different neighbour grains,which enhanced the strain incompatibility.These results reveal the complexity of the deformation mechanisms in Mg alloys at the local level when deformed along hard orientations.

Wellbore Cleaning Degree and Hydraulic Extension in Shale Oil Horizontal Wells

The efficient development and exploitation of shale oil depends on long-distance horizontal wells. As the degreeof cleaning of the wellbore plays a key role in these processes, in this study, this problem is investigated experimentallyby focusing on the dimensionless cuttings bed height. A method is proposed to calculate the horizontalwellhydraulic extension taking into account the influence of the wellbore cleaning degree on the wellborepressure distribution and assess the effect of a variety of factors such as the bottom hole pressure, the circulatingpressure drop, the drilling pump performance and the formation properties. The analysis shows that the hydraulicextension of horizontal wells decreases with an increase in the cuttings bed height, and the higher the displacementof drilling fluid, the faster the hydraulic extension declines. The annular pressure drop of the horizontalsection increases with the increase of the cuttings bed height, resulting in a higher bottom-hole pressure. Severalarguments are provided to guide the safe drilling of shale oil horizontal wells and overcome the limits of currenttechnological approaches.

Estimation of Displacement and Extension due to Reverse Drag of Normal Faults: Forward Method

In the case of reverse drag of normal faulting, the displacement and horizontal extension are determined based on the established equations for the three mechanisms: rigid body, vertical shear and inclined shear. There are three sub-cases of basal detachment for the rigid body model: horizontal detachment, antithetic detachment and synthetic detachment. For the rigid body model, the established equations indicate that the total displacement on the synthetic base (Dt2) is the largest, that on the horizontal base (Dt1) is moderate, and that on the antithetic base (Dt3) is the smallest. On the other hand, the value of (Dt1) is larger than the displacement for the vertical shear (Dt4). The value of (Dt1) is larger than or less than the displacement for the inclined shear (Dt5) depending on the original fault dip δ0, bedding angle θ, and the angle of shear direction β. For all original parameters, the value of Dt5 is less than the value of Dt4. Also, by comparing three rotation mechanisms, we find that the inclined shear produces largest extension, the rigid body model with horizontal detachment produces the smallest extension, and the vertical shear model produces moderate extension.

Comparative Study of the Socioeconomic Characteristics and Digital Literacy Level of Agricultural Extension Personnel in Imo and Ebonyi States, South-East, Nigeria

The study comparatively analysed the socioeconomic characteristics and digital literacy level of Agricultural Extension personnel (AEP) in Ebonyi and Imo States, South-East, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of agricultural extension personnel in Ebonyi and Imo States, and to ascertain the digital literacy level of AEP in the studied states. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 312 Agricultural Extension personnel (132 from Ebonyi State Agricultural Development Program and 180 from Imo State Agricultural Development Program) for the study. Data were collected through the use of validated and structured questionnaire, and administered through the help of well-trained enumerators. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistical tools such as percentages mean score, standard deviation and weighted mean. Findings indicated that they were more male in the both States (55.3% and 57.8%) for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively and that the average age of AEP in Ebonyi and Imo States were 44.7 years and 49.2 years respectively. It was further revealed that the majority (77.3% and 82.8%) had B.Sc./HND as their highest academic qualifications, belonged to professional organisations (62.1% and 75%), and were earning an average monthly income of N58,798 and N62,648 for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively. Also, it was revealed that their mean years of service were 12.4 years and 13.4 years for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively. Almost all of them (87.9% and 95.0%) own a smartphone, had access to the internet (80.3% and 90.0%), but do not own a laptop/ipad (82.6% and 72.8%) for Ebon-yi and Imo State respectively. Results further revealed that Agricultural extension personnel in both Ebonyi and Imo State respectively had low digital literacy level ( = 2.41 and 2.32). The study concluded that AEP in Ebonyi and Imo State respectively had similar socioeconomic characteristics and low level of digital literacy. The study recommended that the management of ADPs in both Ebonyi and Imo State should ensure the training of AEP in digital skills to enhance their digital literacy level to enable them use digital technologies in their work.

Empowering Rice Farmers in Nueva Ecija, Philippines: A Strategic Approach to Boosting Income through Special Purpose Rice Production

Low income is the main problem of millions of farmers who are cultivating 4.81 million hectares in the Philippines. This problem is attributed to challenges specifically low yield, low quality of produce, and significant post-harvest losses, particularly in a resource-scarce setting. This study aimed to help increase the farmers’ income in selected towns of Nueva Ecija through the promotion and use of special purpose rice production technology. Twenty (20) farmer-cooperators in three towns of Nueva Ecija were selected to demonstrate the production technology covering a total area of 4.75 hectares during the dry season, and 3.3 hectares during the wet season, both in 2023. Extension modalities such as training, techno-demo establishment, information material and technical assistance provision, and market linkage were undertaken to enhance their knowledge, attitude, and skills on special rice production and enterprise. The study utilized the descriptive quantitative method wherein the data were gathered through surveys, specifically personal interviews. Results showed that 70% of the farmer-cooperators were male and 60% were living below the poverty threshold. The farmers were 53 years old on average and engaged in farming as their primary source of income. The average yield of special purpose rice particularly the CLS-2 variety was higher (6.46 MT/ha and 6.22 MT/ha during dry and wet seasons, respectively) than that of inbred or non-special rice. The income per hectare from special purpose rice production per hectare was Php 75,420.00, which is higher than that of regular rice at Php 29,389.00, giving a higher benefit of Php 46,031.00. The technology adopters and area planted increased (from 6 to 9 and from 1.4 hectares to 2.75 hectares, respectively) in Licab, Nueva Ecija. The opposite was true in Sto. Domingo and Guimba, Nueva Ecija where farmers were discouraged by the marketing issues that arose.

Review on the Usage of Synchronous and Asynchronous FIFOs in Digital Systems Design

First-Input-First-Output (FIFO) buffers are extensively used in contemporary digital processors and System-on-Chips (SoC). There are synchronous FIFOs and asycnrhonous FIFOs. And different sized FIFOs should be implemented in different ways. FIFOs are used not only for the pipeline design within a processor, for the inter-processor communication networks, for example Network-on-Chips (NoCs), but also for the peripherals and the clock domain crossing at the whole SoC level. In this paper, we review the interface, the circuit implementation, and the various usages of FIFOs in various levels of the digital design. We can find that the usage of FIFOs could greatly facilitate the signal storage, signal decoupling, signal transfer, power domain separation and power domain crossing in digital systems. We hope that more attentions are paid to the usages of synchronous and asynchronous FIFOs and more sophististicated usages are discovered by the digital design communities.

Calculation of the Standard Model Parameters and Particles Based on a SU(4) Preon Model

This paper describes an extension and a new foundation of the Standard Model of particle physics based on a SU(4)-force called hyper-color, and on preon subparticles. The hyper-color force is a generalization of the SU(2)-based weak interaction and the SU(1)-based right-chiral self-interaction, in which the W-and the Z-bosons are Yukawa residual-field-carriers of the hyper-color force, in the same sense as the pions are the residual-field-carriers of the color SU(3) interaction. Using the method of numerical minimization of the SU(4)-action based on this model, the masses and the inner structure of leptons, quarks and weak bosons are calculated: the mass results are very close to the experimental values. We calculate also precisely the value of the Cabibbo angle, so the mixing matrices of the Standard model, CKM matrix for quarks and PMNS matrix for neutrinos can also be calculated. In total, we reduce the 29 parameters of the Standard Model to a total of 7 parameters.

The development of machine learning-based remaining useful life prediction for lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are the most widely used energy storage devices,for which the accurate prediction of the remaining useful life(RUL)is crucial to their reliable operation and accident prevention.This work thoroughly investigates the developmental trend of RUL prediction with machine learning(ML)algorithms based on the objective screening and statistics of related papers over the past decade to analyze the research core and find future improvement directions.The possibility of extending lithium-ion battery lifetime using RUL prediction results is also explored in this paper.The ten most used ML algorithms for RUL prediction are first identified in 380 relevant papers.Then the general flow of RUL prediction and an in-depth introduction to the four most used signal pre-processing techniques in RUL prediction are presented.The research core of common ML algorithms is given first time in a uniform format in chronological order.The algorithms are also compared from aspects of accuracy and characteristics comprehensively,and the novel and general improvement directions or opportunities including improvement in early prediction,local regeneration modeling,physical information fusion,generalized transfer learning,and hardware implementation are further outlooked.Finally,the methods of battery lifetime extension are summarized,and the feasibility of using RUL as an indicator for extending battery lifetime is outlooked.Battery lifetime can be extended by optimizing the charging profile serval times according to the accurate RUL prediction results online in the future.This paper aims to give inspiration to the future improvement of ML algorithms in battery RUL prediction and lifetime extension strategy.

Clinical value of ankle flexion and extension exercises combined with a psychological intervention in knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Considering the limited effectiveness of clinical interventions for knee osteoarthritis(KOA),it is necessary to continue to explore appropriate and effective treatment strategies to improve the condition of KOA patients.AIM To clarify the influence of ankle flexion and extension exercises combined with a psychological intervention on the psychological status and activities of daily living(ADLs)of patients with KOA.METHODS The research participants were 116 KOA patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between May 2019 and May 2022,including 54 patients receiving routine treatment,care and psychological intervention(control group)and 62 patients additionally treated with ankle flexion and extension exercises(research group).The two groups were comparatively analyzed in terms of psychological status(Self-rating Anxiety/Depression Scale,SDS/SAS),ADLs,knee joint function(Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale),pain(Visual Analog Scale,VAS),fatigue(Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory,MFI),and quality of life(QoL;Short-Form 36 Item Health Survey,SF-36).RESULTS After evaluation,it was found that the postinterventional SDS,SAS,VAS,and MFI scores in the research group were significantly reduced compared with the baseline(before the intervention)values and those of the control group,while the postinterventional Lysholm,ADL and SF-36 scores were markedly elevated.CONCLUSION Therefore,ankle flexion and extension exercises are highly effective in easing negative psychological status,enhancing ADLs,daily living ability,knee joint function and QoL,and relieving pain and fatigue in KOA patients,thus warranting clinical promotion.

Gonad traits and age structure of the sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina in central range:a comparison with rangeextenders

The sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina has northern expanded in geographic range to Toga Bay,Oga Peninsula in the Sea of Japan due to the global warming.To demonstrate the gonad traits and age structure of H.crassispina in the central range and compare the difference with those in northern extended range,we collected 100 H.crassispina individuals from a barren off Shitsumi,Fukui(central range),in August 2018.Their growth,gonad traits(size,development and color),and sex ratio were investigated and compared with those in Toga Bay,in August 2014(extended range).The successive 2012–2016 year classes of H.crassispina indicated successive juvenile recruitment in the central range,as found in the extended range.The individuals at three years old in central range were obviously larger than those in the extended range,showing large test diameter and body weight,possibly due to the higher temperature in central range than that in northern extended range.In addition,a balanced sex ratio in the central range was found,in contrast to the female-skewed sex ratio found in the extended range.Gonadal development was sex-and site-dependent.The testicular development in the central range was not only delayed in comparison to ovarian development,but also less delayed than those in the extended range,which possibly attribute to the higher water temperature in the central range.A significantly lower male gonad index and L*(lightness)value was recorded in central ranges compared to that in extended range,possibly due to the releasement of sperm of H.crassispina in central ranges.

Dislocation configuration evolution during extension twinning and its influence on precipitation behavior in AZ80 wrought magnesium alloy

Thermomechanical treatment T10(extension twinning+aging treatment)can largely enhance the precipitation strengthening effect of magnesium alloys.In this study,dislocation structure evolution and precipitation behavior during T10 treatment of an AZ80 extruded bar were analyzed mainly by two-beam diffraction in TEM.At a compressive strain of 1%in the extrusion direction(ED),a typical dislocation configuration,including basal I1 stacking faults(SFs)and<c+a>dislocations,has been established in extension twins.As the strain reaches 7%,the volume fraction of extension twins increases to more than 90%at which point high dense I1 SFs and<c+a>dislocations occur.After aging for 2 h at 150℃for the 7%strained sample,masses of basal I1 SFs and<c+a>dislocations remain in the extension twins and can act as effective nucleation sites and solute fast-diffusion channels for continuous precipitates.Consequently,the precipitates in extension twins become highly dense.

ON THE FIGIEL TYPE PROBLEM AND EXTENSION OFε-ISOMETRY BETWEEN UNIT SPHERES

This paper studies two isometric problems between unit spheres of Banach spaces.In the first part,we introduce and study the Figiel type problem of isometric embeddings between unit spheres.However,the classical Figiel theorem on the whole space cannot be trivially generalized to this case,and this is pointed out by a counterexample.After establishing this,we find a natural necessary condition required by the existence of the Figiel operator.Furthermore,we prove that when X is a space with the T-property,this condition is also sufficient for an isometric embedding T:S_(X)→S_(Y) to admit the Figiel operator.This answers the Figiel type problem on unit spheres for a large class of spaces.In the second part,we consider the extension of bijectiveε-isometries between unit spheres of two Banach spaces.It is shown that every bijectiveε-isometry between unit spheres of a local GL-space and another Banach space can be extended to be a bijective 5ε-isometry between the corresponding unit balls.In particular,whenε=0,this recovers the MUP for local GL-spaces obtained in[40].

COMPARISON OF HOMOLOGIES AND AUTOMATIC EXTENSIONS OF INVARIANT DISTRIBUTIONS

Let G be a reductive Nash group,acting on a Nash manifold X.Let Z be a G-stable closed Nash submanifold of X and denote by U the complement of Z in X.Letχbe a character of G and denote by g the complexified Lie algebra of G.We give a sufficient condition for the natural linear map H_(k)(g,S(U)×χ)→H_k(g,S(X)×χ)between the Lie algebra homologies of Schwartz functions to be an isomorphism.For k=0,by considering the dual,we obtain the automatic extensions of g-invariant(twisted by-χ)Schwartz distributions.

High performance trench diamond junction barrier Schottky diode with a sidewall-enhanced structure

The trench diamond junction barrier Schottky(JBS)diode with a sidewall enhanced structure is designed by Silvaco simulation.Comparing with the conventional trench JBS diode,Schottky contact areas are introduced on the sidewall of the trench beside the top cathode.The sidewall Schottky contact weakens the junction field-effect transistor effect between the trenches to realize a low on-resistance and a high Baliga's figure of merit(FOM)value.In addition,the existence of the n-type diamond helps to suppress the electric field crowding effect and enhance the reverse breakdown voltage.With the optimal parameters of device structure,a high Baliga's FOM value of 2.28 GW/cm^(2) is designed.Therefore,the proposed sidewall-enhanced trench JBS diode is a promising component for the applications in diamond power electronics.

IMPROVED REGULARITY OF HARMONIC DIFFEOMORPHIC EXTENSIONS ON QUASIHYPERBOLIC DOMAINS

Let X be a Jordan domain satisfying certain hyperbolic growth conditions.Assume that φ is a homeomorphism from the boundary ?X of X onto the unit circle.Denote by h the harmonic diffeomorphic extension of φ from X onto the unit disk.We establish the optimal Orlicz-Sobolev regularity and weighted Sobolev estimate of h.These generalize the Sobolev regularity of h in [A.Koski,J.Onninen,Sobolev homeomorphic extensions,J.Eur.Math.Soc.23(2021) 4065-4089,Theorem 3.1].

GUIDE FOR AUTHORS

Article Article types Articles commonly fall into one of three main categories:Fulllength articles,Review articles and Short communications.Full-length articles are original,unpublished primary research.Extensions of work that has been published previously in short form such as a Communication are usually acceptable.Short communications must contain original and highly significant work whose high novelty warrants rapid publication.

GUIDE FOR AUTHORS

Article ■ Article types Articles commonly fall into one of three main categories: Full-length articles, Review articles and Short communications.Full-length articles are original, unpublished primary research. Extensions of work that has been published previously in short form such as a Communication are usually acceptable.

Validation of user-friendly models predicting extracapsular extension in prostate cancer patients

Objective:There are many models to predict extracapsular extension(ECE)in patients with prostate cancer.We aimed to externally validate several models in a Japanese cohort.Methods:We included patients treated with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.The risk of ECE was calculated for each patient in several models(prostate side-specific and non-side-specific).Model performance was assessed by calculating the receiver operating curve and the area under the curve(AUC),calibration plots,and decision curve analyses.Results:We identified ECE in 117(32.9%)of the 356 prostate lobes included.Patients with ECE had a statistically significant higher prostate-specific antigen level,percentage of positive digital rectal examination,percentage of hypoechoic nodes,percentage of magnetic resonance imaging nodes or ECE suggestion,percentage of biopsy positive cores,International Society of Urological Pathology grade group,and percentage of core involvement.Among the sidespecific models,the Soeterik,Patel,Sayyid,Martini,and Steuber models presented AUC of 0.81,0.78,0.77,0.75,and 0.73,respectively.Among the non-side-specific models,the memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center web calculator,the Roach formula,the Partin tables of 2016,2013,and 2007 presented AUC of 0.74,0.72,0.64,0.61,and 0.60,respectively.However,the 95%confidence interval for most of these models overlapped.The side-specific models presented adequate calibration.In the decision curve analyses,most models showed net benefit,but it overlapped among them.Conclusion:Models predicting ECE were externally validated in Japanese men.The side-specific models predicted better than the non-side-specific models.The Soeterik and Patel models were the most accurate performing models.

GUIDE FOR AUTHORS

Article■ Article types Articles commonly fall into one of three main categories: Fulllength articles, Review articles and Short communications.Full-length articles are original, unpublished primary research. Extensions of work that has been published previously in short form such as a Communication are usually acceptable.Short communications must contain original and highly significant work whose high novelty warrants rapid publication.