bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A robust color image encryption scheme with complex whirl wind spiral chaotic system and quadrant-wise pixel permutation
Authors: Ponnambalam Maran , Ponnambalam Mathivanan , Jamal Sajjad Shaukat
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a novel encryption technique that uses a unique chaotic circuit design called as 3D Complex Whirl Wind Spiral chaotic system (CWWS). The major goal of this novel approach is to create an efficient 3D chaotic systems with increased randomness and multistability, specifically designed to encrypt multimedia data. The design incorporates the sine function sin(x) to introduce complexity and unpredictability in the chaotic circuit. The dynamic behaviour of the proposed scheme’s chaotic system is thoroughly evaluated using a variety of analyses, including KY dimension, dissipativity, Lyapunov exponent spectra, and bifurcation diagrams. There are two key stages to the encryption process: diffusion and confusion. The diffusion process is strengthened by the smooth integration of quadrant-wise pixel permutation (QWPP) algorithms, which eliminate correlations between neighbouring pixels. Following that, the image components are concealed using the chaotic sequence that was generated from the 3D CWWS chaotic system. The complete encrypted image is then created by combining these encrypted components. The simulation results of the proposed strategy are thoroughly investigated using statistical analysis, differential analysis, and brute force attacks. The system has optimal key space, entropy, UACI, and NPCR metric values of 2400, 7.99, 0.334, and 0.996, respectively. Furthermore, the experimental findings show robust resistance to statistical, differential, and brute force attacks for a single round of iteration.
A Study of the Comets with Large Perihelion Distances C/2019 L3 (ATLAS) and C/2019 O3 (Palomar)
Authors: Betzler Alberto S.
Published: August 2024

This work analyzes the photometric data of the Oort spike comets C/2019 L3 (ATLAS) and C/2019 O3 (Palomar) obtained between 2016 and 2023 by the ATLAS network and the Belgian Olmen Observatory. The comets Palomar and ATLAS have a typical and unusually high activity level, respectively, based on the Afρ parameter corrected to phase angle zero at perihelion. The absolute magnitude of comets ATLAS and Palomar in the o-band is 4.71 ± 0.05 and 4.16 ± 0.02 respectively. The cometary activity of comets ATLAS and Palomar probably began at r > 13 au before perihelion and will end at r >14 au after perihelion, which means that they could remain active until the second half of 2026. The nucleus of comet ATLAS has a minimum radius of 7.9 km, and the nucleus of comet Palomar could be a little larger. The c − o colors of the comets ATLAS and Palomar are redder and bluer, respectively, at perihelion than the solar twin YBP 1194. These comets showed a bluish trend in the coma color with decreasing heliocentric distance. Comet Palomar probably had two outbursts after its perihelion, each releasing about 108 kg of dust. The slopes of the photometric profile of the comae of these comets were between 1 and 1.5, indicating a steady state during the observation campaign.
Understanding the Impact of H2 Diffusion Energy on the Formation Efficiency of H2 on the Interstellar Dust Grain Surface
Authors: Guo Xiaoying , Iqbal Wasim , Chang Qiang , Li Xiao-Hu
Published: August 2024

We use microscopic Monte Carlo simulation techniques to investigate the impact of H2 diffusion energy on the recombination efficiency of H2 on interstellar dust grain surfaces under diffuse and translucent cloud conditions. We constructed five models representing different possible conditions encountered by adsorbed H and H2 on interstellar dust grains. We implemented adsorption sites with multiple binding energies for surface species; the Encounter-Desorption mechanism was also included. The study focused on silicate surfaces in diffuse clouds and water ice surfaces in translucent clouds. The results show that the recombination efficiency of H2 on dust surfaces decreases as H2 diffusion energy increases. An interesting finding of this work is that considering different binding sites for H and H2 gives rise to multiple steady phases, during which the recombination efficiency remains constant with a change in H2 diffusion energy.
Diagnosing inertial confinement fusion ignition
Authors: Moore A.S. , Divol L. , Bachmann B. , Bionta R. , Bradley D. , Casey D.T. , Celliers P. , Chen H. , Do A. , Dewald E. , Eckart M. , Fittinghoff D. , Frenje J. , Gatu-Johnson M. , Geppert-Kleinrath H. , Geppert-Kleinrath V. , Grim G. , Hahn K. , Hohenberger M. , Holder J. , Hurricane O. , Izumi N. , Kerr S. , Khan S.F. , Kilkenny J.D. , Kim Y. , Kozioziemski B. , Lemos N. , MacPhee A.G. , Michel P. , Millot M. , Meaney K.D. , Nagel S. , Pak A. , Ralph J.E. , Ross J.S. , Rubery M.S. , Schlossberg D.J. , Smalyuk V. , Swadling G. , Tommasini R. , Trosseille C. , Zylstra A.B. , Mackinnon A. , Moody J.D. , Landen O.L. , Town R.
Published: August 2024

Fusion ignition by inertial confinement requires compression and heating of the fusion fuel to temperatures in excess of 5 keV and densities exceeding hundreds of g/cc. In August 2021, this scientific milestone was surpassed at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), when the Lawson criterion for ignition was exceeded generating 1.37MJ of fusion energy (Abu-Shawareb et al 2022 Phys. Rev. Lett.
129 075001), and then in December 2022 target gain >1 was realized with the production of 3.1MJ of fusion energy from a target driven by 2.0MJ of laser energy (Abu-Shawareb et al 2024 Phys. Rev. Lett.
132 065102). At the NIF, inertial confinement fusion research primarily uses a laser indirect drive in which the fusion capsule is surrounded by a high-Z enclosure (‘hohlraum’) used to convert the directed laser energy into a symmetric x-ray drive on the capsule. Precise measurements of the plasma conditions, x-rays, γ-rays and neutrons produced are key to understanding the pathway to higher performance. This paper discusses the diagnostics and measurement techniques developed to understand these experiments, focusing on three main topics: (1) key diagnostic developments for achieving igniting plasmas, (2) novel signatures related to thermonuclear burn and (3) advances to diagnostic capabilities in the igniting regime with a perspective toward developments for intertial fusion energy.
Simulation and analysis of the detection effect of seafloor shallow thermal origin gas release by marine resistivity method
Authors: Cai Yongrui , Guo Xiujun , Wu Jingxin
Published: August 2024

Thermogenic gas is the main type of gas in the shallow seabed, and its release process is the main cause of the greenhouse effect and gas-induced geological disasters. Due to the lack of effective detection methods, the release process of thermogenic gas in shallow seabed sediments is not clear. Based on the phenomenon of thermogenic gas escape near the Yinggehai Lingtou area, this paper constructs a geoelectric model of thermogenic gas release under different gas saturation conditions, conducts numerical simulations using a novel marine resistivity method, and further compares and analyzes the results. The results show that the marine resistivity method can identify characteristics of sediment with lower gas saturation, and the characterization of gas release morphology is better in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction. With the increase of gas saturation, the abnormal features of the profile are enhanced, and the characterization of gas position and size boundaries is more accurate.
Estimation of lithium battery state of charge based on N-order EKF
Authors: Chen Xiaohui , Zhou Jun , Wang Fuhong , Yang Tianqi , Jiang Chao
Published: August 2024

To address the issue of the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) algorithm ignoring higher-order terms during nonlinear transformations near the estimated state point, resulting in errors in State of Charge (SOC) estimation, the author established a second-order RC equivalent circuit model. Additionally, an impulse characteristic experiment was conducted to identify the internal parameters of the model offline. The SOC of lithium batteries can be tracked and estimated using the EKF algorithm, which has been enhanced by integrating the high-order expansion of the Taylor formula. Matlab simulation results confirm that the N-order EKF algorithm has better robustness and convergence than lower-order EKF algorithms, with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of less than 0.5% in dynamic and static battery estimation.
Cu-intercalated MnO2 cathode with high-capacity for aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Zhou Wei , Liang Zengteng , Liu Weidong , Chi Yonglei , Wang Wenbo , Zhao Long , Chen Wanjun
Published: August 2024

To enhance both the electrical conductivity and long-term stability of manganese dioxide (MnO2) as the cathode of AZIBs, a stabilized cathode of Cu-intercalated MnO2 was designed in this paper. Tests showed that the Cu-MnO2 electrode possessed a smaller polarization voltage with higher reversibility. The capacity of Cu-MnO2 was 356.2 mAh g−1, which was higher compared to the capacity of original MnO2 (255.6 mAh g−1) under 100 mA g−
1. Furthermore, the Cu-MnO2 possesses a capacity retention of 65.9% even after 100 turns under 100 mA g−1. This work may provide important insights into the development of AZIBs.
Automatic detection and classification of defects in boiler pressure vessels based on simulated annealing algorithm
Authors: Wang Min
Published: August 2024

In recent years, frequent incidents of pressure vessel explosions have posed a serious threat to national construction and the safety of people’s lives and property to a certain extent. Boiler pressure vessels are a type of special equipment that can pose safety hazards during long-term operation. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out proper inspection of boiler pressure vessels. However, conventional inspection methods can not only affect the normal operation of the boiler, but also cause wear and tear to the boiler. Human factors are the main reason affecting the regular inspection and defect handling results of boiler pressure vessels in the power workshop of smelters. The existing methods for handling common defects mainly rely on the experience of maintenance personnel, and cannot accurately handle internal defects of boiler pressure vessels. To achieve accurate identification of defects in boiler pressure vessels, and improve the precision and detection efficiency of defect assessment, this paper proposes an automatic detection and classification method for boiler pressure vessel defects based on a simulated annealing algorithm (SAA). This method utilizes SAA optimized support vector machine (SVM) classifier to achieve efficient automatic detection and classification of boiler pressure vessel defects. The experimental results show that this method greatly improves the detection efficiency of boiler pressure vessel defects, and has good performance and application value.
Constant power adaptive control of photovoltaic generator unit considering equivalent charge state
Authors: Zhang Yan , Su Huaying , Wang Rongrong , Wang Mingqing , He Xianqiang , Wang Ning
Published: August 2024

To address the impact of factors such as light intensity, temperature, equipment aging, and faults on the power output stability of photovoltaic power generation units during operation, a constant power adaptive control method for photovoltaic power generation units based on equivalent charge state is proposed. By real-time monitoring of the output voltage, current, and other parameters of photovoltaic power generation units, we calculate their current equivalent charge state. Based on the changes in the equivalent charge state, the control strategy of the photovoltaic power generation unit is adaptively adjusted, and the harmonic distortion rate weight is calculated by using the entropy method to control the fluctuation of the system output power. We analyze the power generation under harmonic constraints to construct a photovoltaic generator system model. The experimental results show that under the equivalent charge state, photovoltaic power generation units can achieve constant power output while improving the operational efficiency and stability of the system. Compared with traditional control methods, the method proposed in this article not only improves the stability of the power output of photovoltaic generators but also extends the service life of batteries and reduces maintenance costs.
Research on the influence of core plate joint surface type on the vibration performance of acoustic black hole sandwich panels
Authors: Zhang Jinguang , Qiu Judong , Wu Shengti , Wang Da , Wen Xianglong
Published: August 2024

Acoustic Black Holes (ABH) have good manipulation properties for bending waves, which can be used as a new idea for structural vibration damping. In this paper, an ABH sandwich panel structure is designed by combining the lightweight and high specific strength characteristics of carbon fiber composites, and its vibration transmission characteristics are discussed by using the finite element method. Finally, the reliability of the simulation analysis and the influence of the structural type of the sandwich panel’s joint surface on its vibration performance are verified by the experimental test. The study shows that in the frequency band of 0-1200 Hz, the simulation analysis and the experimental test results are basically fitted, and the concave joint surface has a better low-frequency vibration-damping effect compared with the convex joint surface structure.
Research on key technologies of finite element flow field in airflow drying process analysis
Authors: Yang Guanglu , Wei Xinfeng , Yang Xuehui , Li Zhangji , Cui Jianhua , Zhang Bao , Zhang Dehai
Published: August 2024

CTD is a type of tower wire baking equipment that uses a constant water discharge design to lower the drying temperature of tobacco from 230°C of conventional equipment to 160°C. It can reduce the heat treatment strength of the tobacco and improve the quality of tobacco after drying effectively. However, the stability of the system gradually decreases as the service life of the system increases. In particular, the dehydration ability of the wire dryer system is greatly diminished, and its fluctuation is large. Additionally, the moisture standard of the outlet pipe is excessively high, and the feeding system becomes more frequently blocked. All of these factors have an impact on the production efficiency and product quality of the workshop. The use of finite element flow field analysis technology allows for the numerical simulation of the proportion of the CTD drying section. When combined with the actual production, it can analyze the key factors influencing the flow field and optimization improvement. This ultimately strengthens the stability of the CTD tower dryer system, enhances product quality, and increases production efficiency, providing strong assurances for the development of high-quality workshops.
Discussion on the product model technology of XPS foam plastic
Authors: Yan Hu
Published: August 2024

The utilization of XPS foam in model production has demonstrated significant improvements in both the production level and the overall understanding of the model. Hence, this paper aims to delve into the characteristics and production status of XPS foam, analyze the corresponding production processes and methods, identify the challenges encountered during model production, and propose suitable countermeasures. Additionally, this study aims to evaluate the feasibility of integrating XPS foam into product design for models, while providing valuable insights for XPS foam production and research.
Flexible job-shop scheduling problem based on Markov state decision process
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Yibing
Published: August 2024

For flexible job shop scheduling (FJSP), this paper aims to minimize the maximum completion time and maintenance cost. Therefore, a flexible job shop production model based on a degraded state is proposed to realize the joint decision of scheduling and machine preventive maintenance. The machine state is modeled as a discrete multi-state degradation process through a continuous-time Markov chain, and a preventive maintenance strategy is developed based on the predicted state. To improve the solving efficiency, the MTSNSGA-II algorithm is designed, which integrates NSGA-II and hybrid tabu search and significantly improves the convergence speed of the algorithm. Finally, we use ten benchmark examples of the Brandimarte series for simulation experiments and analyze them using line and box charts. The experimental results show that the MTSNSGA-II algorithm performs well in both the IGD and HV indexes, verifying its effectiveness and superiority in the FJSP problem.
Commercial vehicle disc brake temperature prediction model construction based on machine learning
Authors: Han Jinliang , Ling He , Sun Xiao , Zou Lin
Published: August 2024

The process of conducting thermal-mechanical coupling finite element analysis for commercial vehicle disc brakes is both complex and time-consuming. Moreover, real vehicle testing conditions are diverse, and there are limitations in data collection, impeding a comprehensive understanding of the entire braking process. A pioneering approach is proposed, blending thermal-mechanical coupling finite element simulation with machine learning algorithms, to construct an innovative model for predicting brake temperatures. Employing advanced machine learning algorithms: Random Forest, XGBoost, and CatBoost, the study successfully developed a highly accurate model for predicting the temporal temperature variations at special nodes. The model was evaluated against four quantitative benchmarks, revealing that the Random Forest-based model stands out in terms of both accuracy and stability.
Research on the effect of laser parameters on the ultrafast laser processing of PMMA microgrooves
Authors: Wang Yuxiang , Li Guo , Song Chengwei , Chen Qianjun , Zhang Chunyu , Huang Yandi
Published: August 2024

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a common synthetic polymer with high transparency, good mechanical strength, weather resistance, etc. It is widely used in scientific research and engineering applications. Good processing properties also make it a favorite among researchers in the field of laser processing. In this paper, acrylic is used as the workpiece, and a 535nm nanosecond laser and 800nm femtosecond laser are used for microgroove processing. Through experimental analysis, the effect and variation pattern of different parameters of the two lasers on the microflute depth and width are compared. These results will support and guide the development of more sophisticated microstructure processing techniques for PMMA.
Analysis of bending and torsional vibration characteristics of rotor under the influence of air gap eccentricity-rub impact coupling fault
Authors: Wang Xinrou , Zhu Rui , Wang Xuechao
Published: August 2024

Considering the challenges posed by air gap compound eccentricity fault and rubbing fault in gas turbine generator groups, we undertake an analysis of the air gap magnetic field variation in the presence of air gap compound eccentricity. Leveraging the energy method of the air gap magnetic field, we establish a model for an unbalanced magnetic pulling force induced by air gap compound eccentricity. Concurrently, we develop a dynamic model for rotor rubbing fault, from which we derive the expression for rubbing force. Subsequently, we formulate the dynamic equations governing rotor systems afflicted with both unbalanced magnetic pull fault and rub-impact fault. Employing the 4-order Runge-Kutta method, we investigate the impact of mass eccentricity, static eccentric parameters, and dynamic eccentric parameters on the system’s dynamic response. Our findings reveal that mass eccentricity mitigates the impact of an unbalanced magnetic pulling force on the system. Additionally, the introduction of dynamic and static compound eccentricity significantly alters the system’s dynamic characteristics, leading to an increase in the components of multiple frequency doubling. These outcomes serve as a theoretical foundation for the design of rotor system structures and fault diagnosis methodologies.
Effect of laser shock peening on the surface integrity and wear performance of carburized and quenched gear steel
Authors: Chen Chao , Lu Jinsheng , Shi Lubing , Wang Dongfei , Liu Zhongming , Zhi Yanfeng
Published: August 2024

To explore the effects of Laser Shock Peening (LSP) processing on the surface integrity and wear performance of carburized and quenched gear steel, laser energy, and spot diameter were selected as variable parameters, and five laser power density processing parameters were constructed to perform LSP on carburized and quenched 18CrNiMo7-6 gear steel. Surface roughness, surface hardness, hardness gradient, and residual stress were tested, and the tooth surface wear rate before and after LSP was compared through theoretical calculations. LSP has less impact on surface roughness. Laser power density is within 9.4 GW·cm−2~10.2 GW·cm−2, and LSP can slightly reduce the surface roughness value. LSP can improve the surface hardness and cross-section hardness within a certain depth, and the improvement effect increases with the increase of laser power density. The residual compressive stress value with the increase of laser power density shows a trend of decrease after the first increase and reaches the maximum value at the laser power density of 9.4 GW/cm−2. Adopting a suitable LSP processing can improve the wear resistance of gear tooth surfaces. The wear rate of the gear tooth surface at the engage-in position has decreased to the largest, and the decrease is about 18%.
Synthesising two-dimensional mammographic images using compressed sensing-reconstructed digital breast tomosynthesis images
Authors: Han Seohee , Yang Hyesun , Xu Wenting , Seo Changwoo , Cho Hyosung , Cha Bo Kyung
Published: August 2024

This study presents a method synthesizing a two-dimensional
(2D) mammographic image of reasonable quality directly from a 3D
digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) image, reconstructed using an
advanced compressed sensing (CS)-based algorithm. This approach aims
to reduce the radiation dose required for complementary imaging
technologies of digital mammography (DM) and DBT, eliminating the
need for additional DM examinations. The method involves three main
steps: projection data acquisition from a DBT system, CS-based DBT
reconstruction, and synthesis of a 2D mammographic image from the
reconstructed DBT image. To verify the efficacy of the proposed
method, we conducted both a simulation and an experiment on a
numerical breast and commercially available BR3D phantoms,
respectively, prior to practical implementation in real-world DBT
systems. Our simulation and experimental results indicated that the
CS-based algorithm yielded markedly improved DBT reconstruction
quality, preserving superior image homogeneity, better edge contour
and sharpening, and fewer image artifacts. The measured
contrast-to-noise ratio and structural similarity values of the
CS-reconstructed DBT images were 10.31 and 0.78, respectively, which
were approximately 2.2 and 3.1 times larger, respectively, than
those of the filtered-backprojection-reconstructed DBT images in the
simulation. The quality of the synthetic mammographic images using
the CS-reconstructed DBT images was similar to that of conventional
mammographic images obtained using a full dose, indicating the
efficacy of the proposed method. Consequently, we successfully
reconstructed DBT images of substantially high quality using the
CS-based algorithm and synthesised 2D mammographic images of
reasonable quality, potentially reducing the radiation dose to
patients in the complementary imaging technologies of DM and DBT.
Cotton wool-like ion-doped bioactive glass nanofibers: investigation of Zn and Cu combined effect
Authors: Unalan Irem , Rimoli Ian Heit , Mutlu Nurshen , Michálek Martin , Abraham Gustavo A , Liverani Liliana , Boccaccini Aldo R
Published: August 2024

Electrospinning is a versatile and straightforward technique to produce nanofibrous mats with different morphologies. In addition, by optimizing the solution, processing, and environmental parameters, three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous scaffolds can also be created using this method. In this work, the preparation and characterization of bioactive glass (BG) scaffolds based on the SiO2–CaO sol–gel system, a biomaterial with a highly reactive surface, is reported. The electrospinning technique was combined with sol–gel methods to obtain nanofibrous 3D cotton wool-like scaffolds. The addition of zinc and copper ions to the silica-calcia system was examined, and the influence of these ions on the material properties and characteristics was investigated by various characterization techniques, from morphological and chemical properties to antibacterial and wound closure capability, cell viability and ion release. Our findings show that the cotton wool-like ion-doped nanofibers are promising for wound healing applications.
Effect of hematoma on early degradation behavior of magnesium after implantation
Authors: Yusa Yu , Shimizu Yoshinaka , Hayashi Masanobu , Aizawa Takayuki , Nakahara Takahiro , Ueno Takahiro , Sato Akimitsu , Miura Chieko , Yamamoto Akiko , Imai Yoshimichi
Published: August 2024

The corrosion of magnesium (Mg)-based bioabsorbable implanting devices is influenced by implantation environment which dynamically changes by biological response including wound healing. Understanding the corrosion mechanisms along the healing process is essential for the development of Mg-based devices. In this study, a hematoma model was created in a rat femur to analyze Mg corrosion with hematoma in the early stage of implantation. Pure Mg specimen (99.9%, ϕ1.2 × 6 mm) was implanted in rat femur under either hematoma or non-hematoma conditions. After a designated period of implantation, the specimens were collected and weighed. The insoluble salts formed on the specimen surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy on days 1, 3, and 7. The results indicate that hematomas promote Mg corrosion and change the insoluble salt precipitation. The weight loss of the hematoma group (27.31 ± 5.91 µg mm−2) was significantly larger than that of the non-hematoma group (14.77 ± 3.28 µg mm−2) on day 7. In the non-hematoma group, carbonate and phosphate were detected even on day 1, but the only latter was detected on day 7. In the hematoma group, hydroxide was detected on day 1, followed by the formation of carbonate and phosphate on days 3 and 7. The obtained results suggest the hypoxic and acidic microenvironment in hematomas accelerates the Mg corrosion immediately after implantation, and the subsequent hematoma resorption process leads to the formation of phosphate and carbonate with organic molecules. This study revealed the risk of hematomas as an acceleration factor of the corrosion of Mg-based devices leading to the early implant failure. It is important to consider this risk in the design of Mg-based devices and to optimize surgical procedures controlling hemorrhage at implantation and reducing unexpected bleeding after surgery.
Future increases in soil moisture drought frequency at UK monitoring sites: merging the JULES land model with observations and convection-permitting UK climate projections
Authors: Szczykulska Magdalena , Huntingford Chris , Cooper Elizabeth , Evans Jonathan G
Published: August 2024

Concerns exist about the viability of food security across Europe due to multiple, potentially adverse drivers. These include economic, political and climate forcing factors, all of which require quantification. Here, we focus on the climate forcing, and in particular, the soil moisture change component which crucially determines water availability for crop uptake. We estimate future soil moisture levels at 34 sites of the UK COsmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System (COSMOS-UK) network. We do this by combining three platforms: the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) land surface model, field-scale soil moisture observations from the COSMOS-UK stations and 2.2 km convection-permitting UK Climate Projections (UKCP18). We use COSMOS-UK data to optimise key soil moisture-related parameters in the JULES model, based on its performance in the contemporary period. We then force the calibrated model with UKCP18 data to produce future soil moisture estimates. We evaluate the modelled soil moisture for an average soil depth between 0 and 35 cm to match the depth of soil moisture observations. Our main conclusions concern future soil moisture droughts which we compare with equivalent events in the historical period, 1982–2000. We find that on average across all sites, there is an increase in the frequency of future extreme soil moisture drought events of duration above 90 days. In 2062–80, such frequency increase of between 0.1 and 0.6 events per year (equivalent to at least 2 and up to 12 additional events in a 20-year period) is expected. We also show that, in 2062–80, there is an increased risk of high or more intense soil moisture drought conditions in months between May and November, with months between June and October being at especially high risk. The UKCP18 data corresponds to a high-emissions future described by the RCP8.5 scenario.
Mechanical and microstructural characterization of sustainable concrete containing recycled concrete and waste rubber tire fiber
Authors: Manan Aneel , Zhang Pu , Alattyih Wael , Alanazi Hani , Elagan S K , Ahmad Jawad
Published: August 2024

The production of cement, which is the key ingredient of concrete, leads to environmental pollution by releasing massive amounts of CO2 and using significant natural resources. Therefore, shifting towards sustainable and greener materials is essential for mitigating these challenges. In this study, recycled concrete powder (RCP) was used as a cement replacement (0%, 5.0%, 10%, and 15%), solving the waste dumps issue and promoting sustainability. Furthermore, the concrete is also reinforced with steel fibers which were obtained from waste rubber tires to improve concrete tensile strength. The concrete properties were evaluated through slump cone test, compressive strength, failure patterns, tensile strength, scanning electronic microscopy, and FTIR analysis. The results indicate that the concrete strength properties improved with the substitution of RCP. The compressive and tensile strength of the optimum mix (10% RCP and 2.0% addition of steel fibers) are 15.8% and 23% more than those of reference concrete. However, the concrete flow is adversely impacted due to RCP angular particle shapes. Failure patterns indicate that RCP and steel fibers improved concrete ductility. SEM and FTIR analysis indicate microstructural improvement with RCP and steel fibers. Finally, the analysis concluded that the developed concrete showed better performance, solved waste dumps issues, and promoted sustainability.
Numerical assessment of using various outlet boundary conditions on the hemodynamics of an idealized left coronary artery model
Authors: Equbal Asif , Kalita Paragmoni
Published: August 2024

Vascular diseases are greatly influenced by the hemodynamic parameters and the accuracy of determining these parameters depends on the use of correct boundary conditions. The present work carries out a two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation to investigate the effects of outlet pressure boundary conditions on the hemodynamics through the left coronary artery bifurcation with moderate stenosis (50%) in the left anterior descending (LAD) branch. The Carreau viscosity model is employed to characterise the shear-thinning behaviour of blood. The results of the study reveal that the employment of zero pressure at the outlet boundaries significantly overestimates the values of hemodynamic variables like wall shear stress (WSS), and time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) compared with human healthy and pulsatile pressure outlet conditions. However, the difference between these variables is marginally low for human healthy and pulsatile pressure outlets. The oscillatory shear index (OSI) remains the same across all scenarios, indicating independence from the outlet boundary condition. Furthermore, the magnitude of negative axial velocity and pressure drop across the plaque are found to be higher at the zero pressure outlet boundary condition.
Evaluating rainbowing for ocean alkalinity enhancement
Authors: Bianchi Riccardo , Abbate Samuele , Lockley Andrew , Abbà Antonella , Campo Francesco , Varliero Selene , Grosso Mario , Caserini Stefano
Published: August 2024

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is a technique proposed to address ocean acidification and global warming. This study examines rainbowing (i.e. water jets pumped into the air from ships) for the slaked lime slurry distribution. The fluid dynamic behaviour—both the in-air trajectory and subsurface—was studied using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics method. Various outflow velocities were simulated for calm seas; different dilution factors and environmental slaked lime concentration spikes have been found. Linking slurry concentration to pH, discharge conditions that avoid damage to marine biota have been identified. A preliminary cost analysis compares rainbowing to ship-wake discharge. Rainbowing requires high power consumption to project large volumes of water far from ships. Very high dilution is needed, mainly because of the artificial requirement not to momentarily exceed 24-hour environmental pH limits; the effect of ocean turbulence on instantaneous pH peaks is negligible and is not considered in the analysis. Emissions due to energy consumption almost equalize carbon dioxide removed during discharge, making the method inefficient (only 176 kg of CO2 removed per ton of slaked lime spread). Previous ship-wake discharge analysis shows greater OAE performance and lower cost (5.5 € versus 388 € per ton of CO2 removed). In conclusion—based on the conservative environmental limits imposed, and the specific modeling undertaken—rainbowing is not demonstrated as an efficient method for OAE.
Statistically decreased weakening rate of typhoons in environments of the Northeast China cold vortex
Authors: Zhao Dajun , Wei Na , Yu Yubin , Zhang Xin , Wang Qian , Song Jinjie
Published: August 2024

The impact of the Northeast China Cold Vortex (NCCV) on tropical cyclone (TC) intensity change was studied based on statistics, revealing a significant decrease in the rate of TC weakening and a lower probability of rapid weakening (RW) in the environments of NCCVs. This is mainly attributable to the external dynamic forcing induced by the NCCV as the eddy angular momentum import at upper levels increases significantly, which offsets the unfavorable decrease in sea surface temperature and increase in vertical wind shear. The upper-level positive potential vorticity anomaly band from the NCCV involves into the TC circulation from the southwestern quadrant, helping the development of convections triggered in the downshear right side of the TC. These results elucidate a fundamental relationship between TCs and NCCVs, and the findings contribute to a deeper comprehension of TC behavior under the influence of NCCVs, thereby providing guidance for forecasting intensity changes of TCs entering mid-latitude regions.
Micro- and nano-scale spindle perpendicularity modulation method to enhance the quality of milled surfaces
Authors: Lv Bingrui , Lin Bin , Zhang Jinshuo , Liu Chunyan , Wang Longfei , Sui Tianyi
Published: August 2024

Highlights

A method of spindle modulation is proposed to improve the quality of the machined surface.

A 2-DOF compliant mechanism for spindle modulation is designed, optimized and fabricated.

The effects of process parameters on the platform performance and vibration angle are investigated.

The feasibility of the spindle modulation method is validated under various process conditions.
Simulation of synaptic properties of ferroelectric memory capacitors and neural network applications
Authors: Liu Shikai , Li Xingyu , Zhu Yingfang , Wu Yujie , Jiang Qin , Zhan Yang , Tang Minghua , Yan Shaoan
Published: August 2024

In this work, the electrical properties and synaptic characteristics of hafnium oxide-based ferroelectric memory capacitor with metal - ferroelectric layer - metal (MFM) structure were simulated using TCAD (technology computer aided design) software. Based on the synaptic potentiation/depression characteristics of the simulated memory capacitor, a multilayer perceptron (MLP) network was constructed, and the recognition accuracy and convergence speed of the MLP network in the MNIST recognition task were simulated, and the feasibility of the ferroelectric memory capacitor synaptic device for real neural network operation was analyzed. The results show that the recognition accuracy of the MLP network reaches 93% and stabilizes after 50 iterations of training, and the recognition accuracy of the MLP network is already at a high usable level after a smaller number of training times of 20, which suggests that the synaptic plasticity of the ferroelectric memory capacitor has a good potential for the practical application of the weight updating of the MLP network.
Confluence of electronic structure calculations (DFT) and machine learning (ML) for lithium and sodium-ion batteries: a theoretical perspective
Authors: Sharma Henu , Katari Vinay , Sahu Kisor K , Singh Anjali
Published: August 2024

The world is rapidly transitioning towards clean energy solutions, and batteries are the key drivers of this transition. With increasing demand for large-scale energy storage systems, the need for cost-effective and sustainable battery storage systems is also increasing. Until now, lithium-ion batteries have completely dominated the commercial rechargeable battery storage space. Due to sodium’s greater affordability and abundance compared to lithium, sodium-ion batteries have drawn interest as a complementary technology to lithium-ion batteries in various applications, like grid storage devices. First-principles studies are often used today to effectively study the key properties of alkali-ion batteries that are difficult to access otherwise, such as the electronic structure effects, ion diffusivity, and quantitative comparison with experiments, to name a few. Understanding the electronic structure of battery materials can help researchers design more efficient and longer-lasting batteries. Recently, machine learning (ML) approaches have emerged as a very attractive tool both for prediction (forward) problems as well as design (or inverse) problems. Dramatic reductions in computational costs, coupled with the rapid development of ML tools in general and deep learning methods in particular, have kindled keen interest. This is so because they can supplement the traditional experimental, theoretical, and computational tools to significantly augment the quest for rapid development and deployment of new products. Furthermore, the integration of electronic structure calculations and ML benefits society by accelerating the development at considerably lower costs for more efficient and sustainable batteries, which can lead to longer-lasting portable devices, cleaner energy storage solutions, and lower environmental impact. This topical review article will focus on how density functional theory (DFT) and ML can facilitate Li-ion and Na-ion battery research via material discovery, rapid screening, and tuning of the electrode properties.
Multimodal Pain Control in Abdominoplasty: A Systematic Review and Algorithm of Optimal Pain Management
Authors: Shauly Orr , Marxen Troy , Menon Ambika , Swan Courtney , Smearman Erica , Gould Daniel J
Published: August 2024

The procedure with the highest rate of opioid prescription in plastic surgery is abdominoplasty. Additionally, plastic surgery patients are at a particularly elevated risk of becoming opioid-dependent. The main objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and create an algorithm for a multimodal pain regimen specific to patients undergoing abdominoplasty. A systematic search of the research literature was performed to summarize the prevailing understanding of multimodal pain control in the management of abdominoplasty. The initial search yielded 448 articles. Sixty-eight manuscripts were identified for full-text review. The effectiveness of current strategies was evaluated by way of pain scores, opioid usage, and length of stay, as well as other measures of physical function such as time to early mobilization. In 32 studies involving 2451 patients, the efficacy of different pain regimens during abdominoplasty was evaluated. Among nontraditional, opioid-sparing analgesia, efficacy of treatment interventions for improved pain and decreased opioid usage was found inall studies. Among local infusion studies, efficacy of treatment interventions for improved pain and decreased opioid usage was found in 78% of studies. Last, among regional block studies, efficacy of treatment interventions for improved pain was found in 87%, with 73% efficacy for decreased opioid usage. Multimodal pain regimens in abdominoplasty have the potential to play an important role in opioid-sparing practices in medicine by incorporating nonopioid pain adjuvants such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and transversus abdominis plane blocks in the preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative periods.

Level of Evidence: 2
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) With Exparel in Tissue Expander–based Breast Reconstruction Following Mastectomy
Authors: Haddock Nicholas T , Cummins Samantha , Lakatta Alexis C , Teotia Sumeet S , Farr Deborah
Published: August 2024

Background

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been widely shown to yield positive outcomes, including in plastic surgery. Our group has previously validated ERAS in our deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction population.

Objectives

We evaluated whether the ERAS protocol and addition of liposomal bupivacaine affected patient outcomes at the time of mastectomy and first-stage tissue expander reconstruction.

Methods

All patients treated between July 2021 and May 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. The ERAS protocol was implemented in December 2021. Two patient groups were compared: pre-ERAS and ERAS. The ERAS protocol included use of liposomal bupivacaine in the pectoralis nerve block 1/2 planes. Primary outcomes were observed with postoperative length of stay and hospital narcotic use.

Results

Eighty-one patients were analyzed in this cohort. The pre-ERAS group was composed of 41 patients, the ERAS group was composed of 83 patients. Postoperative length of stay was significantly reduced in the ERAS group (1.7 pre-ERAS vs 1.1 ERAS, P = .0004). When looking at morphine equivalents during the hospital stay, the degree of narcotics in the recovery room was relatively similar. Average PACU pain morphine equivalents were 6.1 pre-ERAS vs 7.1 ERAS (P = .406). However, total hospital morphine equivalents were significantly lower in the ERAS group (65.0 pre-ERAS vs 26.2 ERAS, P = <.001).

Conclusions

The introduction of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol with liposomal bupivacaine pectoralis 1/2 nerve blocks decreased postoperative opioid consumption and hospital length of stay in mastectomy patients undergoing tissue expander–based reconstruction.

Level of Evidence: 4
Enhanced Recovery After Gender-Affirming Surgery
Authors: Etemad Shervin A , Poh Melissa M
Published: August 2024

The adoption of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in multiple surgical disciplines has revolutionized perioperative care, demonstrating reduced complications and shorter hospital stays across surgical specialties. ERAS protocols have increasingly been incorporated in plastic surgery, yet a notable gap in the literature on ERAS for gender-affirming surgery (GAS) still exists. A scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify studies on ERAS protocols in GAS. The aim of this review was to assess the current status of ERAS adoption in GAS, evaluate its impact on perioperative care, and provide recommendations for future research and clinical practice. While there is an overall scarcity of evidence-based ERAS protocols across GAS, published studies on the application of ERAS in GAS have demonstrated promising early outcomes and illustrate an area for further investigation and innovation in plastic surgery.

Level of Evidence: 5
C2CDB: an advanced platform integrating comprehensive information and analysis tools of cancer-related circRNAs
Authors: Zuo Yuanli , Liu Wenrong , Jin Yang , Pan Yitong , Fan Ting , Fu Xin , Guo Jiawei , Tan Shuangyan , He Juan , Yang Yang , Li Zhang , Yang Chenyu , Peng Yong
Published: August 2024

Motivation

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in gene expression and their involvement in tumorigenesis is emerging. circRNA-related database is a powerful tool for researchers to investigate circRNAs. However, existing databases lack advanced platform integrating comprehensive information and analysis tools of cancer-related circRNAs.

Results

We developed a comprehensive platform called CircRNA to Cancer Database (C2CDB), encompassing 318 158 cancer-related circRNAs expressed in tumors and adjacent tissues across 30 types of cancers. C2CDB provides basic details such as sequence and expression levels of circRNAs, as well as crucial insights into biological mechanisms, including miRNA binding, RNA-binding protein interaction, coding potential, base modification, mutation, and secondary structure. Moreover, C2CDB collects an extensive compilation of published literature on cancer circRNAs, extracting and presenting pivotal content encompassing biological functions, underlying mechanisms, and molecular tools in these studies. Additionally, C2CDB offers integrated tools to analyse three potential mechanisms: circRNA-miRNA ceRNA interaction, circRNA encoding, and circRNA biogenesis, facilitating investigators with convenient access to highly reliable information. To enhance clarity and organization, C2CDB has meticulously curated and integrated the previously chaotic nomenclature of circRNAs, addressing the prevailing confusion and ambiguity surrounding their designations.

Availability and implementation

C2CDB is freely available at http://pengyonglab.com/c2cdb.