bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the Tribological Effects of Nano-Sized Transition Metal Oxides on a Base Oil Containing Pour Point Depressant and Viscosity Modifier
Authors: Szabó Ádám István , Szabó Kevin , Hargitai Hajnalka
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the tribological effects of nano-sized metal oxides (ZrO2, CuO, Y2O3 and TiO2) in Group III type base oil containing 0.3% pour point depressant (PPD) and 5% viscosity modifier (VM) to enhance friction and wear performance. The homogenized lubricant samples with varying concentrations of oxide nanoparticles (0.1–0.5 wt%) on a linear oscillating tribometer performed static and dynamic frictional tests. Optical and confocal microscopy surface analysis evaluated the wear of the specimen, and SEM and EDX analyses characterized the wear tracks, nanoparticle distributions, and quantification. The cooperation between PPD and nanoparticles significantly improved friction and wear values; however, the worn surface suffered extensively from fatigue wear. The collaboration between VM and nanoparticles resulted in a nanoparticle-rich tribofilm on the contact surface, providing excellent wear resistance that protects the component while also favorably impacting friction reduction. This study found CuO reduced wear volume by 85% with PPD and 43% with VM at 0.5 wt%, while ZrO2 achieved 80% and 63% reductions, respectively. Y2O3 reduced wear volume by 82% with PPD, and TiO2 reduced friction by 20% with VM. These nanoparticles enhanced tribological performance at optimal concentrations, but high concentrations caused tribofilm instability, highlighting the need for precise optimization.
The Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride on the Bond Strength of Cements to Enamel and Dentin
Authors: Al-Angari Sarah S. , Alayad Abdullah S.
Published: December 2024

This study investigated the effect of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on the shear bond strength (SBS) of dual, light, and self-cured cement on enamel and dentin. Specimens were randomized into four groups (n = 32): G1, sound; G2, sound/treated with SDF; G3, demineralized; G4, demineralized/treated with SDF. Buildups were made using the following: dual-cured cement; RelyX Unicem (RXU); light-cured cement; Variolink Esthetic LC (VE); and self-cured cement Ketac Cem Maxicap (KetC). The SBS was performed, and data were analyzed using ANOVA models followed by Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Enamel (E) had a significantly different SBS value (p < 0.001), (11.6–19.9 MPa) than dentin (D) (7.2–14.8 MPa), except for the KetC group (D: 3.1–5.1 MPa, E: 3.4–3.7 MPa), apart from G3 (E: 3.8 MPa, D: 3.1 MPa). In E/D, RXU had a more significant SBS value (p < 0.001), (11.5–19.9 MPa), followed by VE (7.2–15.4 MPa), then KetC (3.1–5.1 MPa). All groups within VE/E were more significant (p = 0.035) than G2. However, G4 in KetC/D was more significant (p < 0.001) than G1 and G2, which were more significant than G3. Enamel had a more significant SBS value than dentin in RXU and VE cements. RXU had significant strength, followed by VE, then KetC cements. SDF decreased the SBS of VE cement on sound enamel. However, it increased the SBS of demineralized dentin with KetC cement.
Brain Health in Neuroradiology
Authors: Lövblad Karl-Olof , Wanke Isabel , Botta Daniele , Kurz Felix T. , Wiest Roland , Rüfenacht Daniel , Remonda Luca
Published: December 2024

Neuroradiology, as a modern branch of the neurosciences and radiological sciences, has an impact on global health, particularly on brain health. On the one hand, neuroradiology directly impacts diseases of the nervous system, such as stroke and inflammatory diseases, by providing an all-in-one package combining imaging, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. This has been impacted by the continuous evolution over the last decades of both diagnostic and interventional tools in parallel: this was the case in stroke, where the endovascular treatment was followed closely by developments in fast MRI techniques and multi-slice CT imaging. Additionally, inflammatory diseases of the brain, as well as tumors of the central nervous system, can be imaged and localized in order to set in place both an early diagnosis and initiate treatment. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, in which treatment options are appearing on the horizon, also benefit from the use of modern neuroimaging techniques. On the other hand, neuroradiology plays an important role in the prevention and prediction of brain diseases and helps in building up the so-called digital twin, often from birth till late in life. Additionally, the practice of neuroradiology itself is evolving to not only improve patient health but also the health of the practitioners of neuroradiology themselves. By improving the overall work environment also, neuroradiologists will be working under better conditions and will suffer less fatigue and burn-out, thereby providing better service to patients and population. By using less radiation for diagnostic tests and shifting to techniques that rely more and more on either magnetic resonance or ultra-sound techniques, the radiation load on the population and on the neuroradiologists will decrease. Furthermore, using less contrast, such as gadolinium, has been shown to result in fewer deposits in the brains of patients, as well as less pollution at the ocean level, thus contributing to general well-being. Additionally, the implementation and use of artificial intelligence at many levels of the diagnostic and treatment chain will be beneficial to patients and physicians. In this paper, we discuss the place and potential not just of the techniques but of neuroradiology and the neuroradiologist as promoters of brain health and thus global health.
Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number Generator
Authors: Matuszewski Łukasz , Jessa Mieczysław , Nikonowicz Jakub
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we propose a method to enhance the performance of a random number generator (RNG) that exploits ring oscillators (ROs). Our approach employs additional phase detectors to extract more entropy; thus, RNG uses fewer resources to produce bit sequences that pass all statistical tests proposed by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Generating a specified number of bits is on-demand, eliminating the need for continuous RNG operation. This feature enhances the security of the produced sequences, as eavesdroppers are unable to observe the continuous random bit generation process, such as through monitoring power lines. Furthermore, our research demonstrates that the proposed RNG’s perfect properties remain unaffected by the manufacturer of the field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) used for implementation. This independence ensures the RNG’s reliability and consistency across various FPGA manufacturers. Additionally, we highlight that the tests recommended by the NIST may prove insufficient in assessing the randomness of the output bit streams produced by RO-based RNGs.
The Second Law of Infodynamics: A Thermocontextual Reformulation
Authors: Crecraft Harrison
Published: December 2024

Vopson and Lepadatu recently proposed the Second Law of Infodynamics. The law states that while the total entropy increases, information entropy declines over time. They state that the law has applications over a wide range of disciplines, but they leave many key questions unanswered. This article analyzes and reformulates the law based on thermocontextual interpretation (TCI). The TCI generalizes Hamiltonian mechanics by defining states and transitions thermocontextually with respect to an ambient-temperature reference state. The TCI partitions energy into exergy, which can do work on the ambient surroundings, and entropic energy with zero work potential. The TCI is further generalized here to account for a reference observer’s actual knowledge. This enables partitioning exergy into accessible exergy, which is known and accessible for use, and configurational energy, which is knowable but unknown and inaccessible. The TCI is firmly based on empirically validated postulates. The Second Law of thermodynamics and its information-based analog, MaxEnt, are logically derived corollaries. Another corollary is a reformulated Second Law of Infodynamics. It states that an external agent seeks to increase its access to exergy by narrowing its information gap with a potential exergy source. The principle is key to the origin of self-replicating chemicals and life.
The Use of REBOA in a Zone Trauma Center Emergency Department for the Management of Massive Hemorrhages Secondary to Major Trauma, with Subsequent Transfer to a Level 1 Trauma Center for Surgery After Hemodynamic Stabilization
Authors: Cappellini Iacopo , Baldini Alessio , Baraghini Maddalena , Bartolucci Maurizio , Cantafio Stefano , Crocco Antonio , Zini Matteo , Magazzini Simone , Menici Francesco , Pavoni Vittorio , Lai Franco
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Non-compressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) is a major cause of preventable mortality in trauma, particularly when immediate surgical intervention is not available. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) has emerged as a promising technique to control severe hemorrhaging and stabilize patients until definitive surgical care can be performed. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who sustained multiple traumatic injuries—including thoracic, pelvic, and aortic damage—after a fall from approximately 5 m in an apparent suicide attempt. She arrived at a secondary-level trauma center in profound hemorrhagic shock, unresponsive to standard resuscitation. Interventions: As the patient’s condition deteriorated to cardiac arrest, an emergent REBOA procedure was performed by emergency physicians. This intervention rapidly restored hemodynamic stability, enabling damage control resuscitation and safe transfer to a Level 1 Trauma Center for definitive surgical management, including thoracic endovascular aortic repair and splenectomy. Outcomes: After prolonged intensive care, the patient recovered sufficiently to be discharged for rehabilitation. This case illustrates the life-saving potential of early REBOA deployment in a non-surgical, resource-limited setting to bridge patients to definitive care. Conclusions: This case supports integrating REBOA into emergency trauma protocols, particularly in centers without immediate surgical capabilities. Further research is warranted to refine REBOA deployment strategies, balloon positioning, patient selection, and the role of imaging guidance.
Hardware Design and Verification with Large Language Models: A Scoping Review, Challenges, and Open Issues
Authors: Abdollahi Meisam , Yeganli Seyedeh Faegheh , Baharloo Mohammad (Amir) , Baniasadi Amirali
Published: December 2024

Background: Large Language Models (LLMs) are emerging as promising tools in hardware design and verification, with recent advancements suggesting they could fundamentally reshape conventional practices. Objective: This study examines the significance of LLMs in shaping the future of hardware design and verification. It offers an extensive literature review, addresses key challenges, and highlights open research questions in this field. Design: in this scoping review, we survey over 360 papers most of the published between 2022 and 2024, including 71 directly relevant ones to the topic, to evaluate the current role of LLMs in advancing automation, optimization, and innovation in hardware design and verification workflows. Results: Our review highlights LLM applications across synthesis, simulation, and formal verification, emphasizing their potential to streamline development processes while upholding high standards of accuracy and performance. We identify critical challenges, such as scalability, model interpretability, and the alignment of LLMs with domain-specific languages and methodologies. Furthermore, we discuss open issues, including the necessity for tailored model fine-tuning, integration with existing Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, and effective handling of complex data structures typical of hardware projects. Conclusions: this survey not only consolidates existing knowledge but also outlines prospective research directions, underscoring the transformative role LLMs could play in the future of hardware design and verification.
Multi-Head Attention-Enhanced Speech Recognition for Reduced Data Requirements
Authors: Li Yiqun , Zhou Ya , Qiu Zan , Wang Yabing , Wang Jiahao , Huang Guimin
Published: December 2024

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology has reached a mature level, and improving performance in data-scarce scenarios has become a key research focus. In this study, we propose a novel approach to building acoustic models by leveraging the multi-head attention mechanism to enhance various acoustic features extracted from audio data, combined with time-delay neural networks (TDNNs) using semi-orthogonal low-rank matrix factorization, resulting in significant performance improvements. To increase the robustness of the acoustic model, we introduce a small amount of data perturbation during the early stages of training. Additionally, during the decoding phase, we employ an external recurrent neural network language model (RNNLM) for rescoring, further enhancing the model’s accuracy. A comprehensive evaluation of the widely used LibriSpeech corpus shows that our method, using only half the training data, achieves word error rates (WERs) of 3.15 and 7.04 on the test_clean and test_other datasets, respectively. These results outperform models with similar architectures trained on the full dataset and demonstrate performance comparable to mainstream end-to-end models.
Optimizing Lightweight Recurrent Networks for Solar Forecasting in TinyML: Modified Metaheuristics and Legal Implications
Authors: Popovic  Gradimirka , Spalevic  Zaklina , Jovanovic  Luka , Zivkovic  Miodrag , Stosic  Lazar , Bacanin  Nebojsa
Published: December 2024

The limited nature of fossil resources and their unsustainable characteristics have led to increased interest in renewable sources. However, significant work remains to be carried out to fully integrate these systems into existing power distribution networks, both technically and legally. While reliability holds great potential for improving energy production sustainability, the dependence of solar energy production plants on weather conditions can complicate the realization of consistent production without incurring high storage costs. Therefore, the accurate prediction of solar power production is vital for efficient grid management and energy trading. Machine learning models have emerged as a prospective solution, as they are able to handle immense datasets and model complex patterns within the data. This work explores the use of metaheuristic optimization techniques for optimizing recurrent forecasting models to predict power production from solar substations. Additionally, a modified metaheuristic optimizer is introduced to meet the demanding requirements of optimization. Simulations, along with a rigid comparative analysis with other contemporary metaheuristics, are also conducted on a real-world dataset, with the best models achieving a mean squared error (MSE) of just 0.000935 volts and 0.007011 volts on the two datasets, suggesting viability for real-world usage. The best-performing models are further examined for their applicability in embedded tiny machine learning (TinyML) applications. The discussion provided in this manuscript also includes the legal framework for renewable energy forecasting, its integration, and the policy implications of establishing a decentralized and cost-effective forecasting system.
Thermodynamic Analysis and Optimization of Mobile Nuclear System
Authors: Jia Guobin , Zhu Guifeng , Ma Yuwen , Chen Jingen , Zou Yang
Published: December 2024

This paper develops a system–component integrated design method for a closed Brayton cycle in a nuclear-powered emergency power vehicle, optimizing the thermodynamic performance by varying the maximum operating temperature and pressure, minimum operating temperature, helium–xenon gas molar mass, and PCHE parameters to maximize the specific power and thermal efficiency. The key results are as follows: (1) The maximum allowable pressure decreases with the temperature, and the specific power increases for both the SRC and the IRC without considering the ultimate heat sink. (2) The PCHE weight is minimized at a helium–xenon gas molar mass of 25 g/mol, while the turbomachine’s weight decreases with an increasing molar mass, leading to an overall system weight reduction. (3) The thermal efficiency decreases with lower minimum operating temperatures, optimizing at 350 K due to a precooler weight increase. (4) The thermal efficiency plateaus after a certain number of PCHE channels, with the recuperator effectiveness significantly impacting the performance. (5) The SRC, with a specific power and a thermal efficiency of 194.38 kW/kg and 39.19%, is preferred over the IRC for the SIMONS due to its mobility and rapid deployment. This study offers a comprehensive analysis for optimizing closed Brayton cycle systems in emergency power applications.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide Mixed-Solvent Engineering for Efficient Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cell
Authors: Zhang Haifeng , He Youling , Li Qian , Zhang Hao , Sun Yinqing , Yang Tengteng , Ma Yinyi , Yang Tian , Zheng Xindi , Mao Lin
Published: December 2024

The integration of perovskite with silicon for constructing tandem solar cells (TSCs) represents a promising route in photovoltaic technology. The hybrid sequential deposition (HSD) method, combining thermal evaporation and spin-coating, is crucial for developing perovskite films in textured perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. However, the process faces challenges due to incomplete reactions caused by the dense perovskite coverage layer (CPCL) formed from high-crystallinity precursors. The CPCL hinders the diffusion of organic salts into the bottom precursor layer, leading to performance degradation and accelerated device aging. Herein, this study explores several polar solvents as additives to n-butanol (nBA) solvent in order to enhance the permeability of organic salts through the CPCL, and we demonstrate that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as an additive solvent can effectively assist organic salts in rapidly diffusing through the precursor layer, thereby promoting the complete transformation of uniform perovskite crystals. The resulting perovskite films exhibited complete conversion, uniform crystallization, and improved quality. As a result, the target TSCs achieved an increased maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 29.12%. This study offers a robust pathway for depositing high-quality perovskite films on industrial-grade textured silicon substrates, laying a solid foundation for advancing perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells technology.
Benefits and Challenges of California Offshore Wind Electricity: An Updated Assessment
Authors: Rose Adam , Gundersen Nathaniel , Kumar Yamini , Jacobs Joshua , Reynoso Isabel , Meshkati Najmedin
Published: December 2024

Offshore wind (OSW) technology has recently been included in California’s plans to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. As an emerging technology, many features of OSW are changing more rapidly than established renewable options and are shaped by local circumstances in unique ways that limit transferrable experiences globally. This paper fills a gap in the literature by providing an updated technological assessment of OSW in California to determine its viability and competitiveness in the state’s electricity generation mix to achieve its near-term energy and environmental goals. Through a critical synthesis and extrapolation of technical, social, and economic analyses, we identify several major improvements in its potential. First, we note that while estimates of OSW’s costs per MWh of installed capacity have generally documented and projected a long-term decline, recent technical, microeconomic, and macroeconomic factors have caused significant backsliding of this momentum. Second, we project that the potential dollar value benefits of OSW’s greenhouse gas reduction capabilities have increased by one to two orders of magnitude, primarily due to major upward revisions of the social cost of carbon. Several co-benefits, including enhanced reliability, economic growth, and environmental justice, look to be increasingly promising due to a combination of technological advances and policy initiatives. Despite these advancements, OSW continues to face several engineering and broader challenges. We assess the current status of these challenges, as well as current and future strategies to address them. We conclude that OSW is now overall an even more attractive electricity-generating option than at the beginning of this decade.
Experimental Evaluation of the Power Output and Efficiency of a Small Solar-Boosted OTEC Power Plant
Authors: Prasad Reemal D. , Ali Muzammil , Ahmed Mohammed Rafiuddin
Published: December 2024

Ocean thermal energy is an emerging energy source that holds great promise, especially for tropical countries. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) efficiency can be improved by raising the temperature difference between the hot water and the cold water. In the work reported here, a laboratory-scale closed-cycle OTEC system was constructed and tested for power output and efficiency. A solar heating system heated the water up to 70 °C. Experiments were conducted at cold water inlet temperatures of 5 °C, 8 °C, and 11 °C. The mass flow rate of the hot water was varied, while that of the cold water was kept constant. Increasing the hot water inlet temperature from 30 °C to 70 °C while keeping the cold water inlet temperature constant at 5 °C at the highest mass flow rate of hot water increased the power output from 32.07 W to 66.68 W (107.9% increase) and the thermal efficiency from 1.96% to 4.37% (123% increase). The pressure drop across the turbine was higher for a larger temperature difference between the hot water and cold water, indicating a higher transfer of energy to the working fluid. Increasing the mass flow rate of the hot water for the increasing temperature difference between the hot water and cold water increased the power output and efficiency due to the increase in the energy transfer from the hot water to the working fluid. Experimental works on solar-boosted OTEC systems are very rare, and this work should pave the way for practical implementation.
Assessment of In-Plane Timber Floor Stiffness as Structural Diaphragms: A Numerical Approach to Lateral Load Response
Authors: Vilotijević Jelena , Premrov Miroslav
Published: December 2024

The behaviour of horizontal floor diaphragms plays a crucial role in ensuring the overall response of a building during earthquakes, as the stiffness of these diaphragms determines whether the structure will act as an integrated system. If the diaphragms do not exhibit sufficient stiffness, differences in the redistribution of forces on wall elements arise, increasing the risk of significant deformations and even local damage, which is commonly observed in earthquake-affected areas. Additionally, flexible diaphragms heighten the risk of torsional effects. Due to these factors, more attention should be given to the response of buildings with flexible diaphragms. Eurocode standard specifies general requirements under which diaphragms should be considered rigid within their plane, depending on the maximum diaphragm moment. However, specific guidelines regarding the geometric and material properties of elements that significantly impact seismic behaviour are not included in the existing European standards. This served as a basis for conducting a numerical study analysing the in-plane behaviour of floor elements made from different materials. This study, limited to a simple box-shaped structure with masonry walls, symmetrical in both orthogonal directions, evaluated and thoroughly analysed the deformations for different types of diaphragms, including prefabricated wooden frame-panel floors, CLT panels, and reinforced concrete slabs. Special emphasis was placed on wooden structural elements due to the increased demand for timber construction, as the behaviour of these elements needs to be properly studied, especially in seismic regions. The study results were obtained through FEM analysis using the SCIA Engineer software, version 22. The modelling of elements was carried out considering the orthotropy of brick wall and wooden ceiling elements, as well as simulating the appropriate shear stiffness of the connecting means.
Fire Resistance of Building Structures and Fire Protection Materials: Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Gravit Marina Victorovna , Kotlyarskaya Irina Leonidovna , Zybina Olga Alexandrovna , Korolchenko Dmitriy Alexandrovich , Nuguzhinov Zhmagul Smagulovich
Published: December 2024

Scientometric analysis using the Scopus database and VosViewer program identified the critical directions of development of this or that field to identify promising technologies and to understand how these achievements affect the practice of design and construction. According to the analytics, the average number of articles per year on the topic of structural fire resistance and flame retardants increased by 18% compared to the previous period, and according to preliminary data, the trend will continue in 2024. Among the most cited papers, studies on composite materials and polymers dominate. Among the most productive researchers in the field of flame retardancy of materials are Hu, Yuan (54 papers), Wang, WeiYong (47 papers), and Jiang, Jian (39 papers). According to Scopus, research papers on this topic have been published in 2175 sources. The leading journal in terms of the number of published papers is Fire Safety with 250 publications, but journals such as Fire and Buildings of MDPI Publishing are strongly increasing the pace. Chinese researchers are actively studying various aspects of fire resistance of materials and have published 40% of all papers. Keyword analysis revealed a lack of papers on calculation of fire resistance of structures with fire protection means, calculation of fire resistance of composite structures, and 3D-printed structures compared to the number of articles on the reliability (strength calculation) of building structures.
Multifractal Characteristics and Information Flow Analysis of Stock Markets Based on Multifractal Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis and Transfer Entropy
Authors: Zhou Wenjuan , Huang Jingjing , Wang Maofa
Published: December 2024

Understanding cross-correlation and information flow between stocks is crucial for stock market analysis. However, traditional methods often struggle to capture financial markets’ complex and multifaceted dynamics. This paper presents a robust combination of techniques, integrating three advanced methods: Multifractal Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis (MFDCCA), transfer entropy (TE), and complex networks. To address inherent non-stationarity and noise in financial data, we employ Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) for preprocessing, which helps reduce noise and handle non-stationary effects. The application and effectiveness of this combination of techniques are demonstrated through examples, uncovering significant multifractal properties and long-range cross correlations among the stocks studied. This combination of techniques also captures the magnitude and direction of information flow between stocks. This holistic analysis provides valuable insights for investors and policymakers, enhancing their understanding of stock market behavior and supporting better-informed portfolio decisions and risk management strategies.
Fractional-Order Sliding Mode Terrain-Tracking Control of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle with Sparse Identification
Authors: Yan Zheping , Hao Lichao , Pi Qiqi , Chen Tao
Published: December 2024

This paper has addressed the terrain-following problem of an autonomous underwater vehicle for widely used ocean survey missions. Considering the terrain feature description with limited sensing ability in underwater scenarios, a vertically installed multi-beam sonar and a downward single-beam echo sounder are equipped to obtain seafloor detecting data online, and a local polynomial fitting algorithm is carried out with a receding horizon strategy in order to generate a proper tracking path to keep the desired height above the sea bottom. With the construction of the autonomous underwater vehicle dynamic model in the North East Down frame regarding the vertical plane, an online sparse identification algorithm is implemented to obtain the model parameters during the diving process. Then, a fractional-order sliding mode controller is proposed to enable accurate tracking of the path planned and Lyapunov-based theory is utilized to prove the stability of the control algorithm. With the simulation results, the tracking effectiveness of the fractional-order sliding mode controller with in situ identification is verified.
Contact Dynamic Behaviors of Magnetic Hydrogel Soft Robots
Authors: Shen Yunian , Zou Yiming
Published: December 2024

Magnetic hydrogel soft robots have shown great potential in various fields. However, their contact dynamic behaviors are complex, considering stick–slip motion at the contact interface, and lack accurate computational models to analyze them. This paper improves the numerical computational method for hydrogel materials with magneto-mechanical coupling effect, analyses the inchworm-like contact motion of the biomimetic bipedal magnetic hydrogel soft robot, and designs and optimizes the robot’s structure. In the constitutive model, a correction factor representing the influence of the direction of magnetic flux density on the domain density has been introduced. The magnetic part of the Helmholtz free energy has been redefined as the magnetic potential energy, which can be used to explain the phenomenon that the material will still deform when the magnetic flux density is parallel to the external magnetic field. The accuracy of the simulation is verified by comparing numerical solutions with experimental results for a magnetic hydrogel cantilever beam. Furthermore, employing the present methods, the locomotion of a magnetic hydrogel soft robot modeled after the inchworm’s gait is simulated, and the influence of the coefficient of friction on its movement is discussed. The numerical results clearly display the control effect of the external magnetic field on the robot’s motion.
Transcriptional Analysis of Tissues in Tartary Buckwheat Seedlings Under IAA Stimulation
Authors: Gao Yingying , Lai Jialing , Feng Chenglu , Li Luyang , Zu Qihang , Li Juan , Du Dengxiang
Published: December 2024

Background: Fagopyrum tataricum, commonly referred to as tartary buckwheat, is a cultivated medicinal and edible crop renowned for its economic and nutritional significance. Following the publication of the buckwheat genome, research on its functional genomics across various growth environments has gradually begun. Auxin plays a crucial role in many life processes. Analyzing the expression changes in tartary buckwheat after IAA treatment is of great significance for understanding its growth and environmental adaptability. Methods: This study investigated the changes in auxin response during the buckwheat seedling stage through high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and the identification and annotation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across three treatment stages. Results: After IAA treatment, there are 3355 DEGs in leaves and 3974 DEGs in roots identified. These DEGs are significantly enriched in plant hormone signaling, MAPK signaling pathways, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. This result suggests a notable correlation between these tissues in buckwheat and their response to IAA, albeit with significant differences in response patterns. Additionally, the identification of tissue-specific expression genes in leaves and other tissues revealed distinct tissue variations. Conclusions: Following IAA treatment, an increase in tissue-specific expression genes observed, indicating that IAA significantly regulates the growth of buckwheat tissues. This study also validated certain genes, particularly those in plant hormone signaling pathways, providing a foundational dataset for the further analysis of buckwheat growth and tissue development and laying the groundwork for understanding buckwheat growth and development.
Integrative Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Reveal the Mechanism of Leaf Coloration in Impatiens hawkeri ‘Sakimp005’
Authors: He Jia-Qi , Yu Dou-Cheng , Ren Si-Yu , Zhang Xiao-Li , Li Xin-Yi , Huang Mei-Juan , Huang Hai-Quan
Published: December 2024

One of the most important characteristics of ornamental plants is leaf color, which enhances the color of plant landscapes and attracts pollinators for reproduction. The leaves of Impatiens hawkeri ‘Sakimp005’ are initially green, then the middle part appears yellow, then gradually become white, while the edge remains green. In the study, leaves of I. hawkeri ‘Sakimp005’, in four developmental stages (S1-G, S2-C, S3-C, and S4-C), were selected for the determination of pigment content, chromaticity values, integrative metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses. The carotenoid content of leaves varied significantly and regularly at four stages, and the colorimetric values corroborated the phenotypic observations. The results of integrative metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis show that the accumulation of two carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), to different degrees in the leaves of I. hawkeri ‘Sakimp005’ at four stages, led to the vary yellowing phenomenon. We speculated that the carotenoid biosynthesis (containing two branches: α-branch and β-branch) in leaves by IhLUT1 and IhLUT5 in the α-branch and IhBCH2 genes in the β-branch differed. These findings provide a molecular basis for Impatiens plants’ leaf color breeding and improve the knowledge of the leaf color mechanism.
Mechanism and Application of Biomaterials Targeting Reactive Oxygen Species and Macrophages in Inflammation
Authors: Yu Mengxuan , Wang Shouli , Lin Doudou
Published: December 2024

Inflammation, an adaptive reaction to harmful stimuli, is a necessary immune system response and can be either acute or chronic. Since acute inflammation tends to eliminate harmful stimuli and restore equilibrium, it is generally advantageous to the organism. Chronic inflammation, however, is caused by either increased inflammatory signaling or decreased pro-anti-inflammatory signaling. According to current studies, inflammation is thought to be a major factor in a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity. Consequently, reducing inflammation is essential for both preventing and delaying diseases. The application of biomaterials in the treatment of inflammatory illnesses has grown in recent years. A variety of biomaterials can be implanted either by themselves or in conjunction with other bioactive ingredients and therapeutic agents. The mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications of well-known anti-inflammatory biomaterials are the main topics of this article.
Fidelity Assessment Tool for a Dementia Carers’ Group-Psychotherapy Intervention
Authors: Chiu Mary , Nelles Laura J. , Wesson Virginia , Lawson Andrea , Sadavoy Joel
Published: December 2024

Context: The systematic evaluation of a practitioner’s adherence to and competence in delivering psychotherapeutic interventions can be complex. This study describes the development of a fidelity assessment tool for the Reitman Centre CARERS Program (RCCP), a carer group-psychotherapy intervention with multiple didactic and clinical components. The tool’s value in informing psychotherapy training and best practices for practitioners from diverse professional settings is examined. Methods: The RCCP Fidelity Assessment Tool (RCCP-FAT) was developed following an iterative process of item writing and checking. Seven components of the RCCP—Group Structure, Dementia Education, Problem-Solving Techniques, Therapeutic Simulation, Vertical Cohesion, Horizontal Cohesion, and Overall Global Rating—were assessed, with three to eight items, and a “global score” assigned to each. Fifteen trained raters were paired up to rate 36 RCCP sessions using the RCCP-FAT. Rater agreement, correlation between itemized and global scores, and correlation between global ratings and RCCP participants’ satisfaction were calculated. Results: A total of 1188 RCCP-FAT items were rated by each of the two rater groups. Rater agreement was calculated to be 54.3% (κ = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.02681–0.3729). A positive correlation was found between the itemized and global scoring for four RCCP components evaluated (R = 0.833 to 0.929; p < 0.01). The global score and the participants’ satisfaction with “Simulation” was also positively correlated (R = 0.626, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The study provided evidence for fair rater agreement for all RCCP-FAT assessment items. More importantly, the process of developing the tool systematically crystallized the clinical elements of the RCCP and helped to standardize the training methods by creating a framework for providing feedback to learners that matches the items on the RCCP-FAT. The use of the RCCP-FAT to guide the training and mentoring of incoming group leaders is essential in the scaling and dissemination of a complex training method like the RCCP to ensure fidelity to the original evidence-based intervention.
Regeneration, Regengrow and Tissue Repair in Animals: Evolution Indicates That No Regeneration Occurs in Terrestrial Environments but Only Recovery Healing
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: December 2024

The present, brief review paper summarizes previous studies on a new interpretation of the presence and absence of regeneration in invertebrates and vertebrates. Broad regeneration is considered exclusive of aquatic or amphibious animals with larval stages and metamorphosis, where also a patterning process is activated for whole-body regeneration or for epimorphosis. In contrast, terrestrial invertebrates and vertebrates can only repair injury or the loss of body parts through a variable “recovery healing” of tissues, regengrow or scarring. This loss of regeneration likely derives from the change in genomes during land adaptation, which included the elimination of larval stages and intense metamorphosis. The terrestrial conditions are incompatible with the formation of embryonic organs that are necessary for broad regeneration. In fact, no embryonic organ can survive desiccation, intense UV or ROS exposition on land, and rapid reparative processes without embryonic patterning, such as recovery healing and scarring, have replaced broad regeneration in terrestrial species. The loss of regeneration in land animals likely depends on the alteration of developmental gene pathways sustaining regeneration that occurred in progenitor marine animals. Terrestrial larval stages, like those present in insects among arthropods, only metamorphose using small body regions indicated as imaginal disks, a terrestrial adaptation, not from a large restructuring process like in aquatic-related animals. These invertebrates can reform body appendages only during molting, a process indicated as regengrow, not regeneration. Most amniotes only repair injuries through scarring or a variable recovery healing, occasionally through regengrow, the contemporaneous healing in conjunction with somatic growth, forming sometimes new heteromorphic organs.
Interface Microstructure and Properties of 42CrMo/Cr5 Vacuum Billet Forged Composite Roll
Authors: Li Ming , Luo Zongan , Zhou Hongyu , Yang Jingsong , Xie Guangming , Wang Guodong , Liu Jikui , Han Weiguo , Xin Shengpeng
Published: December 2024

Composite roll produced through casting methods typically remain in the as-cast state after forming. During the preparation process, extended exposure to high temperatures often results in microstructural coarsening at the interface and surface layers, restricting their mechanical performance. To overcome this limitation, we developed a novel vacuum billet forging process for the fabrication of composite rolls. By integrating numerical simulations with experimental validation, we successfully prepared a 42CrMo/Cr5 composite roll. The comprehensive characterization of the interface, including microstructure, elemental distribution, grain texture, grain type, and mechanical properties, was conducted using OM, SEM, EPMA, EBSD, Vickers hardness testing, and a universal testing machine. The relationship between the interface microstructure and mechanical performance was systematically analyzed. The results indicate that complete metallurgical bonding at the interface was achieved with an upsetting reduction ratio of 40% and a single-pass elongation reduction ratio of less than 10%. The interfacial microstructure consisted of four zones: the roll core exhibited lamellar pearlite and blocky ferrite; the diffusion layer near 42CrMo featured pearlite; the diffusion layer near Cr5 contained pearlite and Cr carbides; the Cr5 layer contained fine lamellar pearlite with a greater amount of dispersed Cr carbides. Significant diffusion of Cr and Ni elements was observed, with Cr diffusion extending to 70–90 μm. The interface grains experienced substantial deformation and recrystallization, enhancing the bonding strength. Tensile tests indicated that fracture occurred on the 42CrMo side, with yield and tensile strengths of 371 MPa and 729 MPa, respectively. The microhardness of the composite interface gradually increased from 190 HV to 305 HV without abrupt changes. A significant hardness difference was observed on both sides of the interface, while the variation within the diffusion layer was relatively smooth, indicating good bonding performance at the composite interface.
Numerical and Experimental-Based Framework for Fuel Cell System Fatigue Analysis in Frequency Domain
Authors: Liu Zhe , Wang Mingjie , Guo Pengbo , Gao Dawei , Gao Yunkai
Published: December 2024

New energy vehicles have emerged as a prominent focus in the automotive industry. This study develops a comprehensive modeling specification for fuel cell systems in new energy vehicles and establishes a framework for fatigue life analysis in the frequency domain. First, a finite element model of the fuel cell system was created in accordance with established standards, followed by grid convergence analysis and grid quality correction to enhance model accuracy. Next, random vibration analysis was performed to determine the root mean square (RMS) stress distribution of the fixed plate assembly in a random vibration environment, and the results were validated through experimental tests. Finally, Miner’s linear cumulative damage rule and the rainflow distribution model for random processes were applied to predict the fatigue life of the fixed plate assembly and connecting bolts. Critical locations for potential structural fatigue were identified, and the simulation results were corroborated through fatigue testing. The findings validate the accuracy of the proposed fatigue analysis framework and offer valuable insights for the continued development of fuel cell systems.
Study on the Customization of Robotic Arms for Spray-Coating Production Lines
Authors: Liu Chao-Chung , Liu Jun-Chi , Liu Chao-Shu
Published: December 2024

This paper focuses on the design and development of a customized 7-axis suspended robotic arm for automated spraying production lines. The design process considers factors such as workspace dimensions, workpiece sizes, and suspension positions. After analyzing degrees of freedom and workspace coordinates, 3D modeling ensures the arm can reach designated positions and orientations. Servo motors and reducers are selected based on load capacity and speed requirements. A suspended body method allows flexible use within the workspace. Kinematics analysis is conducted, followed by trajectory-tracking experiments using the manifold deformation control method. Results from simulation and real experiments show minimal error in tracking, demonstrating the effectiveness of the control method. Finally, the actual coating thickness sprayed by the 7-axis suspended robotic arm at four locations on the motorcycle shell was measured. The results show that the measured values at each location fall within the standard range provided by the manufacturer, demonstrating consistency in spraying across different regions. This consistency highlights the precision and effectiveness of the robotic arm’s control system in achieving uniform coating thickness, even on complex and curved surfaces. Therefore, the robotic arm has been successfully applied in a factory’s automated spraying production line.
Mineral Chemistry of Chlorites and Feldspars and Their Genetic Linkage to Uranium Mineralization: An Example from Polymetallic Uranium Deposit in Rohil, Rajasthan, Western India
Authors: Padhi Ajoy K. , Mukherjee Mrinal K. , Bisht Balbir S. , Tripathi Brajesh K. , Pande Dheeraj , Baskaran Saravanan
Published: December 2024

A genetic linkage between U–Cu–Mo mineralization with feldspar and chlorite minerals and the discrimination of different mineralization events in the hydrothermal and metasomatic system in the Rohil polymetallic uranium deposit in India is presented on the basis of textural relationships and mineral chemistry. Field and EPMA studies reveal that the chlorite formed in two possible modes, viz. (a) replacement of ferromagnesian minerals of the host rock and (b) precipitated directly from hydrothermal solutions. Chlorites follow a distinctive composition from Al-saturated to Al-undersaturated and, in most cases, from Mg- to Fe-rich species as alteration progressed. The chlorites show a wide range of Fe content (1.86–5.06 apfu), high Mg content (3.96–6.28 apfu), and Si contents (5.99–6.90 apfu) with an Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratio (0.23–0.56), leading to their classification as Diabantite/Pycnochlorite. Empirical and thermodynamic geothermometers have been used to determine the temperature of chlorite formation based on chemical composition, which revealed a large variation in temperatures from 130 °C to 260 °C. The feldspar geothermometry reveals a temperature range of 158 to 236 °C, which is in congruence with that of chlorites. Geothermometry by two different methods provides the range of temperature that prevailed in the study area during and succeeding the crystallization of uraninite and associated ore minerals. Mineral chemistry vis-à-vis geothermometry of feldspars and chlorite can provide impetus to geochemical evolution in the North Delhi Fold Belt (NDFB) and similar geological setups in metasomatite-type uranium deposits.