bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Uniaxial Tensile Strain on Mechanical Properties of Al6MgNb: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Zhang Lihua , Li Jijun , Zhang Jing , Liu Yanjie , Lin Lin
Published: October 2023

The effects of uniaxial tensile strain in the x direction (εx) on the mechanical properties of the Al6MgNb compound were explored by carrying out first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT). The calculation results showed that the Al6MgNb compound was stable in mechanics at a uniaxial tensile strain range of 0–12%. The shear modulus G, bulk modulus B and Young’s modulus E of the Al6MgNb compound all decreased as the uniaxial tensile strain εx grew from 0 to 12%, exhibiting the negative sensitivities of elastic moduli to uniaxial tensile strain. The Poisson ratio ν of the Al6MgNb compound grew with the increase in uniaxial tensile strain εx from 0 to 7%, exhibiting the positive sensitivity of Poisson’s ratio to uniaxial tensile strain, but it decreased as the uniaxial tensile strain εx increased from 7% to 12%, exhibiting its negative sensitivity to the uniaxial tensile strain. The Al6MgNb compound possesses the optimal toughness under a uniaxial tensile strain εx of 7% because of the largest value of ν. The Vickers hardness HV of the Al6MgNb compound decreased first and then remained stable with the growth in uniaxial tensile strain εx from 0 to 12%, exhibiting the significant negative sensitivity of the Vickers hardness to tensile uniaxial strain at a strain range of 0–7%. The ratio of the bulk modulus B to the elastic shear modulus G (i.e., B/G) increased first and then decreased with the growth in uniaxial tensile strain εx from 0 to 12%. The highest ductility is achieved for the Al6MgNb compound at a strain εx of 7% because of the largest value of B/G. The compression anisotropy percentage AB, shear anisotropy percentage AG and the universal anisotropy index AU of the Al6MgNb compound all increased as the uniaxial tensile strain εx increased from 0 to 12%, exhibiting the positive sensitivity of elastic anisotropy to the uniaxial tensile strain. Our study suggested that the mechanical properties of the Al6MgNb compound can be influenced and regulated by applying proper uniaxial tensile strain. These findings can provide a favorable reference to the study on mechanical performance of Al-Mg-based materials by means of strain modulation.
Canadian Landscape Assessment of Colorectal Cancer Screening during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: El Bizri Maria , Hamidi Malalai Wardak , Mksyartinian Patil , Stein Barry D.
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in colorectal cancer (CRC) care by interrupting CRC screening across Canada, posing problems for program participants, patients, and physicians and no clear understanding of how provincial healthcare systems would adapt in the face of another pandemic or shock to the system. A nationwide online survey targeted to members of the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Network (NCCSN) using the SurveyMonkey platform was conducted to gain insight into the impact of the pandemic on CRC screening from March 2020 to March 2022 across all thirteen Canadian jurisdictions. The survey included 25 multiple-choice and free-text questions. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze the data using Microsoft Excel and NVivo software. Twenty-one provincial and territorial representatives participated in the survey conducted between 13 May 2022 and 27 October 2022. All jurisdictions (100%) reported decreased screenings, including fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) or Fecal Occult Blood testing (FOBT) procedures, and subsequent diagnostic colonoscopies. The average wait time for colonoscopies due to a positive FIT/FOBT was 76 days. To mitigate the backlog and initiate an effective intervention plan, representatives highlighted some key points, including the importance of prioritizing high-risk patients. Survey results concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted CRC screening across Canada. This landscape assessment can help inform intervention measures and policy-related solutions to create greater resilience for CRC screening in provincial and territorial healthcare systems.
Retinal and Choroidal Changes Following Implantable Collamer Lens V4c Implantation in High Myopia Patients—A 1-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Wei Qiaoling , Zhou Xianjin , Chang Weiteng , Jiang Rui , Zhou Xingtao , Yu Zhiqiang
Published: October 2023

This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) V4c implantation on retinal and choroidal morphology in patients with high myopia. A total of 97 eyes from 52 high myopic patients who underwent ICL V4c implantation were followed up for 12 months. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations included comprehensive ophthalmic assessments and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) to analyze changes in central retinal thickness (CRT), retinal volume (CRV), choroidal thickness (ChT), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), and choroidal vascular index (CVI). Repeated measures mixed-effects models were used for comparing pre- and postoperative measurement variables and exploring relationships among age, axial length (AL), spherical equivalent refraction (SER), and postoperative retinal and choroidal changes, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Follow-up assessments were conducted at various time points, with participation rates ranging from 21% to 98%. Baseline characteristics showed a median age of 26.7 years, −10.14 diopters of SER, and an AL of 27.44 mm. Throughout the 12-month follow-up, CRT and 3.0 mm CRV consistently increased compared to the baseline, with statistically significant rises observed at postoperative day 1, week 1, and month 12. Most ChT measurements, including subfoveal ChT, declined over the 12 months, except at postoperative 6 months. Horizontal and vertical TCA and LA values significantly increased throughout the follow-up, except for month 6. After surgery, both horizontal and vertical CVI parameters exhibited an increase compared to the baseline, with some changes reaching statistical significance. Correlation analysis performed by repeated measures mixed-effects models showed that no relationship was found between age, AL, and SER and changes in postoperative retinal parameters and CVI parameters. However, postoperative changes in ChT and choroidal area parameters showed a negative correlation with AL and a positive correlation with SER. Our research demonstrated that ICL V4c implantation resulted in noteworthy alterations in retinal and choroidal morphology over a 1-year follow-up period. Moreover, in patients with high myopia, individuals with longer AL and higher degrees of myopia exhibited more pronounced postoperative changes in the choroid and retina. Further studies with extended follow-up durations are necessary to comprehensively understand the long-term effects of ICL implantation on retinal and choroidal morphology and function.
Use of a Novel Deep Learning Open-Source Model for Quantification of Ki-67 in Breast Cancer Patients in Pakistan: A Comparative Study between the Manual and Automated Methods
Authors: Zehra Talat , Jaffar Nazish , Shams Mahin , Chundriger Qurratulain , Ahmed Arsalan , Anum Fariha , Alsubaie Najah , Ahmad Zubair
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women; its early detection plays a crucial role in improving patient outcomes. Ki-67 is a biomarker commonly used for evaluating the proliferation of cancer cells in breast cancer patients. The quantification of Ki-67 has traditionally been performed by pathologists through a manual examination of tissue samples, which can be time-consuming and subject to inter- and intra-observer variability. In this study, we used a novel deep learning model to quantify Ki-67 in breast cancer in digital images prepared by a microscope-attached camera. Objective: To compare the automated detection of Ki-67 with the manual eyeball/hotspot method. Place and duration of study: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jinnah Sindh Medical University. Glass slides of diagnosed cases of breast cancer were obtained from the Aga Khan University Hospital after receiving ethical approval. The duration of the study was one month. Methodology: We prepared 140 digital images stained with the Ki-67 antibody using a microscope-attached camera at 10×. An expert pathologist (P1) evaluated the Ki-67 index of the hotspot fields using the eyeball method. The images were uploaded to the DeepLiif software to detect the exact percentage of Ki-67 positive cells. SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis. Diagnostic accuracy was also calculated by other pathologists (P2, P3) and by AI using a Ki-67 cut-off score of 20 and taking P1 as the gold standard. Results: The manual and automated scoring methods showed a strong positive correlation as the kappa coefficient was significant. The p value was <0.001. The highest diagnostic accuracy, i.e., 95%, taking P1 as gold standard, was found for AI, compared to pathologists P2 and P3. Conclusions: Use of quantification-based deep learning models can make the work of pathologists easier and more reproducible. Our study is one of the earliest studies in this field. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed in future to develop a cohort.
The Diagnostic Efficacy of and Requirement for Postnatal Ultrasonography Screening for Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract
Authors: Gulyuz Abdulgani , Tekin Mehmet
Published: October 2023

Background: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of postnatal ultrasonography in detecting congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract in term infants without prenatal history of congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the records of term infants between six weeks and three months of age who underwent urinary tract ultrasonography during routine pediatric care. Results: Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract were detected on prenatal ultrasonography in 75 of the 2620 patients included in the study. Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract were detected via postnatal USG in 46 (1.8%) of 2554 patients without anomalies on prenatal USG screening. The most common anomaly was hydronephrosis (69.6%). Thirty-two cases of hydronephrosis, three cases of renal agenesis, four cases of horseshoe kidney, one case of MCDK, and two cases of duplex systems which were not detected on prenatal USG were detected on postnatal USG. On the other hand, 29 (1.1%) cases with mild or moderate hydronephrosis on prenatal ultrasonography did not have hydronephrosis on postnatal ultrasonography. Conclusions: In our study, approximately one-third of the cases of hydronephrosis, unilateral renal agenesis, duplex systems, horseshoe kidney, and ectopic kidney were not detected in prenatal ultrasonography screening. Therefore, we believe that in addition to prenatal ultrasonography screening, postnatal ultrasonography screening of all children for urinary tract anomalies would be beneficial.
The Measurement Problem Is a Feature, Not a Bug–Schematising the Observer and the Concept of an Open System on an Informational, or (Neo-)Bohrian, Approach
Authors: Cuffaro Michael E.
Published: October 2023

I flesh out the sense in which the informational approach to interpreting quantum mechanics, as defended by Pitowsky and Bub and lately by a number of other authors, is (neo-)Bohrian. I argue that on this approach, quantum mechanics represents what Bohr called a “natural generalisation of the ordinary causal description” in the sense that the idea (which philosophers of science like Stein have argued for on the grounds of practical and epistemic necessity) that understanding a theory as a theory of physics requires that one be able to “schematise the observer” within it is elevated in quantum mechanics to the level of a postulate in the sense that interpreting the outcome of a measurement interaction, as providing us with information about the world, requires as a matter of principle, the specification of a schematic representation of an observer in the form of a ‘Boolean frame’—the Boolean algebra representing the yes-or-no questions associated with a given observable representative of a given experimental context. I argue that the approach’s central concern is with the methodological question of how to assign physical properties to what one takes to be a system in a given experimental context, rather than the metaphysical question of what a given state vector represents independently of any context, and I show how the quantum generalisation of the concept of an open system may be used to assuage Einstein’s complaint that the orthodox approach to quantum mechanics runs afoul of the supposedly fundamental methodological requirement to the effect that one must always be able, according to Einstein, to treat spatially separated systems as isolated from one another.
Impact of Climate Change on the Primary Agricultural Sector of Greece: Adaptation Policies and Measures
Authors: Tsadilas Christos D.
Published: October 2023

The wide acceptance that Climate Change (CC) is a reality, often taking extreme forms, has led to the development of strategies to mitigate climate change and the need to adapt to the new climate conditions. Greece has already developed a National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (NSACC), which has started to be implemented in 2016 in the 13 regions of the state by implementing relevant projects. The Primary Sector of Agriculture (PSA) is one of the most vulnerable sectors to CC in Greece. This analysis describes the main points of the national strategy for mitigation and adaptation, focusing on the adaptation strategy for the PSA. Most of the information included in the analysis comes from a multidisciplinary study organized by the Bank of Greece (BoG), which was used as a guide for the formulation of the NSACC. The analysis includes a comprehensive summary of the PSA adaptation policy to CC, an assessment of climate evolution in Greece with emphasis on the characteristics related to the PSA, estimations of the CC impact on plant and animal production, and the whole organization of the national effort for adaptation to CC. The entire organization of the work followed the framework of the BoG study and the methodologies used in this paper.
Factors Contributing to School Effectiveness: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Javornik Špela , Klemenčič Mirazchiyski Eva
Published: October 2023

This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the literature on school effectiveness, with a focus on identifying the main factors that contribute to successful educational outcomes. The research question that this paper aimed to address is “what are the main factors of school effectiveness?”. We were interested in several descriptors such as school, effectiveness/efficiency theories, effectiveness/efficiency research and factors. Studies (published within the 2016–2022 period) were retrieved through two databases: JSTOR and ERIC. This paper defines several categories identified by school effectiveness research. Within these categories, various factors that affect the students’ outcomes and the defined effectiveness in school are listed. As the results show, the issue of school effectiveness is multifaceted, as the effectiveness of schools is a complex concept that can be measured through various indicators such as academic achievement, student engagement and teacher satisfaction. The review of school effectiveness revealed that several factors contribute to effective schools, such as strong leadership, effective teaching practices, a positive school culture and parental involvement. Additionally, school resources, such as funding and facilities, can impact school effectiveness, particularly in under-resourced communities.
Analyzing Long-Term and High Instantaneous Power Consumption of Buildings from Smart Meter Big Data with Deep Learning and Knowledge Graph Techniques
Authors: Wang Ru-Guan , Ho Wen-Jen , Chiang Kuei-Chun , Hung Yung-Chieh , Tai Jen-Kuo , Tan Jia-Cheng , Chuang Mei-Ling , Ke Chi-Yun , Chien Yi-Fan , Jeng An-Ping , Chou Chien-Cheng
Published: October 2023

In the context of the growing emphasis on energy conservation and carbon reduction, the widespread deployment of smart meters in residential and commercial buildings is instrumental in promoting electricity savings. In Taiwan, local governments are actively promoting the installation of smart meters, empowering residents to monitor their electricity consumption and detect abnormal usage patterns, thus mitigating the risk of electrical fires. This safety-oriented approach is a significant driver behind the adoption of smart meters. However, the analysis of the substantial data generated by these meters necessitates pre-processing to address anomalies. Presently, these data primarily serve billing calculations or the extraction of power-saving patterns through big data analytics. To address these challenges, this study proposes a comprehensive approach that integrates a relational database for storing electricity consumption data with knowledge graphs. This integrated method effectively addresses data scarcity at various time scales and identifies prolonged periods of excessive electricity consumption, enabling timely alerts to residents for specific appliance shutdowns. Deep learning techniques are employed to analyze historical consumption data and real-time smart meter readings, with the goal of identifying and mitigating hazardous usage behavior, consequently reducing the risk of electrical fires. The research includes numerical values and text-based predictions for a comprehensive evaluation, utilizing data from ten Taiwanese households in 2022. The anticipated outcome is an improvement in household electrical safety and enhanced energy efficiency.
Analysis of the Influence of Hydraulic and Hydrological Factors on the Operating Conditions of a Small Hydropower Station on the Example of the Stary Młyn Barrage on the Głomia River in Poland
Authors: Hämmerling Mateusz , Walczak Natalia , Kałuża Tomasz
Published: October 2023

The operation of water structures causes various problems. They are related, for example, to the material carried by the water, hydrological conditions, range of operation of hydroelectric turbines, or water elevations at the lower position of the hydroelectric power plant. Among the various operational problems, this article focuses mainly on the impact of the backwater of Gwda river on the water level elevations at the lower station of the Stary Młyn hydropower plant in Dobrzyca. The power plant is located on Głomia river. The analysis was carried out for different flow variants in both the Gwda and Głomia rivers. The effect of characteristic flows on the water surface level at the lower station of the hydropower plant was examined. It was found that the water surface level at the lower station of the hydropower plant is strongly influenced by flows higher than the average high flow on Gwda river. Due to the extent of the backwater in current operating conditions, the hydroelectric power plant is shut down from flows on Gwda river of 30–28 m3/s (flows that are not much higher than the multi-year average SSQ). The modeling results were confirmed by an analysis of power plant shutdowns of normal operation especially in wet years, when the plant did not operate for almost half of the year (188 days), with losses of 203 MWh. It was also shown that even a small additional damming of water, e.g., of the order of 0.2 m, can extend the operating time of a power plant up to 249 days even under unfavorable hydrological conditions. Factors related to climate change are beginning to play an increasingly important role in the current operating conditions of small lowland hydroelectric power plants. They can contribute to a reduction in electricity production. The proposed solution related to the possibility of greater water retention on dammed-up water barrages allows one to partially offset these problems as well.
A Novel Sampling-Based Optimal Motion Planning Algorithm for Energy-Efficient Robotic Pick and Place
Authors: Alam Md Moktadir , Nishi Tatsushi , Liu Ziang , Fujiwara Tomofumi
Published: October 2023

Energy usage in robotic applications is rapidly increasing as industrial robot installations grow. This research introduces a novel approach, using the rapidly exploring random tree (RRT)-based scheme for optimizing the robot’s motion planning and minimizing energy consumption. Sampling-based algorithms for path planning, such as RRT and its many other variants, are widely used in robotic motion planning due to their efficiency in solving complex high-dimensional problems efficiently. However, standard versions of these algorithms cannot guarantee that the generated trajectories are always optimum and mostly ignore the energy consumption in robotic applications. This paper proposes an energy-efficient industrial robotics motion planning approach using the novel flight cost-based RRT (FC-RRT*) algorithm in pick-and-place operation to generate nodes in a predetermined direction and then calculate energy consumption using the circle point method. After optimizing the motion trajectory, power consumption is computed for the rotary axes of a six degree of freedom (6DOF) serial type of industrial robot using the work–energy hypothesis for the rotational motion of a rigid body. The results are compared to the traditional RRT and RRT* (RRT-star) algorithm as well as the kinematic solutions. The experimental results of axis indexing tests indicate that by employing the sampling-based FC-RRT* algorithm, the robot joints consume less energy (1.6% to 16.5% less) compared to both the kinematic solution and the conventional RRT* algorithm.
Research on the Influence of Ripple Voltage on the Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer
Authors: Yuan Tianze , Li Hua , Wang Jikang , Jia Dong
Published: October 2023

The power quality of hydrogen production converters is related to the characteristics of electrolytic hydrogen production, which is crucial to efficiency, power loss and other performance factors of hydrogen production. In order to explore the influence of the output voltage ripple of a hydrogen production converter on the hydrogen production performance of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer model was established according to the principles of material conservation and electrochemistry. The performance characteristics of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer and the effects of three kinds of ripple voltage with different frequencies and amplitudes on the hydrogen production efficiency and power consumption of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer were explored. The effects of the three kinds of ripple were consistent. For example, when the ripple coefficient of the sinusoidal ripple voltage was increased by 45%, the average power consumption increased by 61%. When the ripple coefficient was constant, the frequency increased by 1000%, and the average power consumption increased by only 0.033%. In the range of low ripple coefficient (0~35%), the hydrogen production rate was reduced by 2% at most. When the ripple coefficient was in the range of 35~70%, the hydrogen production rate was reduced by 12% at most. The results showed that the ripple coefficient had a greater impact on the power consumption and hydrogen production rate of the electrolyzer, but the frequency was smaller. Among the three kinds of ripple, the triangular wave had the least influence on the power consumption and hydrogen production rate of the electrolytic cell. This study provides reference and theoretical support for the subsequent engineering application, precise control and dynamic characteristics of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.
Fundamental Understanding of Dye Coverage and Performance in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Copper Electrolyte
Authors: Pradhan Sourava Chandra , Velore Jayadev , Meethal Sruthi Meledath , Soman Suraj
Published: October 2023

Dyes have played a pivotal role in the advancement of modern dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), as they not only facilitate light harvesting, but also serve as blocking layers to impede recombination. In this study, we conducted a systematic investigation to elucidate the influence of dye coverage on the photovoltaic parameters of copper-electrolyte-based DSCs by precisely controlling the dye coverage on the TiO2 substrate using D35 organic dye solutions with varying concentrations. The dye loading increased proportionally with the increase in dye concentrations until it reached saturation at a concentration of 0.2 mM. However, an optimal dye concentration of 0.1 mM was determined in terms of achieving the highest photovoltaic performance, under both outdoor and indoor light conditions. Notably, a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.50 ± 0.25% under outdoor illumination (100 mW/cm2) and 10.48 ± 0.30% under indoor light (1000 lux, WW CFL) was attained using a 0.1 mM D35 dye concentration. Additionally, the dark current and ideality factor (m) were found to be minimized at the 0.1 mM dye concentration. Furthermore, the ideality factor (m) exhibited disparities between indoor and outdoor light conditions. The lifetime obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements correlated well with the ideality factor (m) and dark current. Notably, electron injection, dye regeneration, charge collection, and ion diffusion were observed to be independent of the dye coverage.
Research on PMSM Speed Performance Based on Fractional Order Adaptive Fuzzy Backstepping Control
Authors: Zhang Lei , Ma Jiaqing , Wu Qinmu , He Zhiqin , Qin Tao , Chen Changsheng
Published: October 2023

A permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is a nonlinear, strongly coupled, controlled object with time-varying, fractional-order characteristics. It is difficult to achieve the ideal control effect by using the traditional control method when motor parameter changes and load perturbations occur during the operation of the PMSM, so a fractional-order adaptive fuzzy backstepping control method is proposed to improve the system’s fast response and anti-jamming ability in the case of sudden changes in rotational speed, load perturbations and other conditions. Initially, the fractional order theory is introduced, backstepping control is utilized to decompose the system into multiple subsystems, and a fractional order-based Lyapunov function is designed for each subsystem to ensure the system’s stability. Suitable control laws, as well as parameter adaptive laws, are derived through rigorous mathematical derivation. Finally, a fractional order adaptive fuzzy backstepping controller (FOAB-FPID) is designed by combining the advantages of fuzzy control. Then a mechanical simulation model of the PMSM is established to verify the validity of the designed controller, followed by three sets of comparative experiments: PID, fuzzy PID (F-PID), and integer-order adaptive fuzzy backstepping (IOAB-FPID), which are selected to simulate the PMSM under the control of the four controllers. Finally, it is validated on the constructed PMSM experimental platform. Simulation and experimental results show that FOAB-FPID can adaptively adjust system parameters during sudden speed changes, achieve real-time speed tracking, and maintain speed stability under load perturbations and internal parameter uptake. Compared with the three control strategies, reached PMSM system has better acceleration, fast response performance, and better anti-disturbance ability, which proves the rationality and effectiveness of the FOAB-FPID control method.
Future Cities Carbon Emission Models: Hybrid Vehicle Emission Modelling for Low-Emission Zones
Authors: Mądziel Maksymilian
Published: October 2023

Current emission models primarily focus on traditional combustion vehicles and may not accurately represent emissions from the increasingly diverse vehicle fleet. The growing presence of hybrid and electric vehicles requires the development of accurate emission models to measure the emissions and energy consumption of these vehicles. This issue is particularly relevant for low-emission zones within cities, where effective mobility planning relies on simulation models using continuously updated databases. This research presents a two-dimensional emission model for hybrid vehicles, employing artificial neural networks for low-emission zones. The key outcome is the methodology developed to create a CO2 emission model tailored for hybrid vehicles, which can be used to simulate various road solutions. The CO2 emission model achieved an R2 coefficient of 0.73 and an MSE of 0.91, offering valuable information for further advancements in emission modelling.
The State of the Art on the Flow Characteristic of an Encapsulated Phase-Change Material Slurry
Authors: Dutkowski Krzysztof , Kruzel Marcin
Published: October 2023

The paper chronologically describes the results of research on the flow of micro-encapsulated PCM (mPCM) and nano-encapsulated PCM (nPCM) slurry in heat-transfer systems. The focus is on three thematic groups: mPCM (nPCM) slurry flow pressure drop; the friction factor in the laminar, transient, and turbulent flow of slurry in the channels; and the assessment of the effectiveness of using the mPCM (nPCM) slurry in the context of improving heat-transfer coefficients but with increased pumping power. It was found that the number of publications devoted to the above-mentioned topics is very limited compared to the research on the thermal and rheological properties of the mPCM (nPCM) slurry, which has resulted in the lack of systematized knowledge about the influence of slurry concentration, particle size, materials, etc., for example, on the friction factor. It was found that the use of the mPCM (nPCM) slurry in heat-transfer systems may be proper, provided that an appropriate and sufficiently high flow rate is ensured.
Research Trends in Resilience and Vulnerability Studies
Authors: Atkinson Christopher L.
Published: October 2023

While the definition of resilience is disputed or even fuzzy, due in no small part to the diversity of its applications, the concept generally involves the ability to withstand and bounce back from shocks; vulnerability as a related concept involves the tendency to suffer from shocks, given existing characteristics that may prevent resilient responses. Vulnerabilities put individuals, groups, and societies at greater risk and disadvantage, suggesting a need not only for disaster response and recovery, but mitigation and preparedness. Resilience and vulnerability research has recently focused on the role of government, the COVID-19 pandemic, and flood hazards; topics of interest have also included resilience of rural and urban areas, development and sustainability, and displacement and migration.
Genetic Structure across Isolated Virginia Populations of the Endangered Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni)
Authors: McBaine Kathryn E. , Angermeier Paul L. , Hallerman Eric M.
Published: October 2023

Candy darter Etheostoma osburni, a federally endangered non-game fish, has been extirpated from most of its historic range in Virginia and now occurs in four isolated populations in the New River drainage. Understanding of population genetic structure will provide insights into the recent natural history of the species and can inform conservation management. Our objectives were to: characterize population genetic structure, estimate and compare effective population sizes (Ne), and use this information to infer recent population history. Variation at mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences among 150 individuals showed 10 haplotypes separated by 1–14 mutational steps, some shared and some unique to particular populations. Variation at 12 microsatellite loci among 171 individuals showed lower variation in Dismal Creek than in other populations. All populations showed evidence of having experienced a genetic bottleneck and were highly differentiated from one another based on both types of DNA markers. Population genetic structure was related to stream position in regard to the New River, suggesting that populations were once connected. Ne estimates for all populations were less than the 500 recommended to maintain evolutionary potential, but most estimates were greater than the 100 needed for use as source populations. Our findings indicate that habitat management to allow expansion of populations, and translocations to exchange genetic material among populations, may be effective tactics to promote conservation of candy darter in Virginia.
The Effects of Flexible Cylinder Structural Dynamics to the near Wake Turbulence
Authors: Dol Sharul Sham , Wee Siaw Khur , Yong Tshun Howe , Sulaiman Shaharin Anwar
Published: October 2023

The utilization of a rigid and projecting surface, coupled with an agitator and vortex generator, frequently results in the dissipation of more energy than the production of turbulence that meets the required criteria. By contrast, a passively oscillating flexible protruding surface can generate a greater turbulence level. In the current study, a circular finite cylinder (cantilever) was used as the geometry of the rigid and protruding surface. Both the material and the aspect ratio were varied. Also, a local Reynolds number within the subcritical flow range (102 < ReD < 105) was considered. The results from the rigid protruding surface (finite cylinder) serve as a validation of the published results and a benchmark for the improvement of the turbulence generated by the flexible protruding surface. The results obtained via an ultrasonic velocity profiler have further demonstrated that the flexible cylinder is capable of generating greater turbulence by examining the turbulence intensity, the turbulence production term and the Reynolds stress. All the flexible cylinders that oscillate show an increase in turbulence production but at different percentages. The cylinders studied in this work ranged from the least structural stiffness (EVA) to moderate (aluminum) and the highest structural stiffness (carbon steel). Through studying the normalized amplitude responses graph for the flexible cylinders, it is found that the oscillating motion does indeed contribute to the increment. A further examination of the results shows that the increase is due to the structural velocity instead of just the oscillating motion.
On Some New AB-Fractional Inclusion Relations
Authors: Bin-Mohsin Bandar , Javed Muhammad Zakria , Awan Muhammad Uzair , Kashuri Artion
Published: October 2023

The theory of integral inequality has gained considerable attention due to its influential impact on several fields of mathematics and applied sciences. Over the years, numerous refinements, generalizations, and extensions of convexity have been explored to achieve more precise variants of already established results. The principal idea of this article is to establish some interval-valued integral inequalities of the Hermite–Hadamard type in the fractional domain. First, we propose the idea of generalized interval-valued convexity with respect to the continuous monotonic functions ⋎, bifunction ζ, and based on the containment ordering relation, which is termed as (⋎,h) pre-invex functions. This class is innovative due to its generic characteristics. We generate numerous known and new classes of convexity by considering various values for ⋎ and h. Moreover, we use the notion of (⋎,h)-pre-invexity and Atangana–Baleanu (AB) fractional operators to develop some fresh fractional variants of the Hermite–Hadamard (HH), Pachpatte, and Hermite–Hadamard–Fejer (HHF) types of inequalities. The outcomes obtained here are the most unified forms of existing results. We provide several specific cases, as well as a numerical and graphical study, to show the significance of the major results.
On Ikeda-Based Memristor Map with Commensurate and Incommensurate Fractional Orders: Bifurcation, Chaos, and Entropy
Authors: Alsayyed Omar , Abbes Abderrahmane , Gharib Gharib Mousa , Abualhomos Mayada , Al-Tarawneh Hassan , Al Soudi Maha S. , Abu-Alkishik Nabeela , Al-Husban Abdallah , Ouannas Adel
Published: October 2023

This paper introduces a novel fractional Ikeda-based memristor map and investigates its non-linear dynamics under commensurate and incommensurate orders using various numerical techniques, including Lyapunov exponent analysis, phase portraits, and bifurcation diagrams. The results reveal diverse and complex system behaviors arising from the interplay of different fractional orders in the proposed map. Furthermore, the study employs the sample entropy test to quantify complexity and validate the presence of chaos. Non-linear controllers are also presented to stabilize and synchronize the model. The research emphasizes the system’s sensitivity to the fractional order parameters, leading to distinct dynamic patterns and stability regimes. The memristor-based chaotic map exhibits rich and intricate behavior, making it an interesting and important area of research.
On Stability of a Fractional Discrete Reaction–Diffusion Epidemic Model
Authors: Alsayyed Omar , Hioual Amel , Gharib Gharib M. , Abualhomos Mayada , Al-Tarawneh Hassan , Alsauodi Maha S. , Abu-Alkishik Nabeela , Al-Husban Abdallah , Ouannas Adel
Published: October 2023

This paper considers the dynamical properties of a space and time discrete fractional reaction–diffusion epidemic model, introducing a novel generalized incidence rate. The linear stability of the equilibrium solutions of the considered discrete fractional reaction–diffusion model has been carried out, and a global asymptotic stability analysis has been undertaken. We conducted a global stability analysis using a specialized Lyapunov function that captures the system’s historical data, distinguishing it from the integer-order version. This approach significantly advanced our comprehension of the complex stability properties within discrete fractional reaction–diffusion epidemic models. To substantiate the theoretical underpinnings, this paper is accompanied by numerical examples. These examples serve a dual purpose: not only do they validate the theoretical findings, but they also provide illustrations of the practical implications of the proposed discrete fractional system.
An Algorithm for the Solution of Nonlinear Volterra–Fredholm Integral Equations with a Singular Kernel
Authors: Abusalim Sahar M. , Abdou Mohamed A. , Nasr Mohamed E. , Abdel-Aty Mohamed A.
Published: October 2023

The nonlinear Volterra–Fredholm integral Equation (NVFIE) with a singular kernel is discussed such that the kernel of position can take the Hilbert kernel form, Carleman function, logarithmic form, or Cauchy kernel. Using the quadrature method, the NVFIE with a singular kernel leads to a system of nonlinear integral equations. The existence and unique numerical solution of this system is discussed, as is the truncation error of the numerical solution. The solution of the nonlinear integral equation system is obtained using the spectral relations and techniques of the Chebyshev polynomial method. Finally, we will discuss examples of when the kernel takes various forms to demonstrate this technique’s high accuracy and simplicity. Some numerical results and estimating errors are calculated and plotted using the program Wolfram Mathematica 10.
Study on Uniaxial Compression Deformation and Fracture Development Characteristics of Weak Interlayer Coal–Rock Combination
Authors: Lei Shun , Hao Dingyi , Cao Shuwen
Published: October 2023

With increases in mining depth and intensity, disasters such as stress concentration, slab failure, and coal body dynamic outbursts at the coal–rock interface have become more serious. Therefore, it is important to analyze the stress–strain behavior of coal–rock combinations to explore the deterioration process and failure characteristics of coal–rock combinations. In this study, we used field survey, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation methods to explore the microstructure characteristics of the coal–rock interface and the influence of interlayer thickness on the composite body. The results show that with the increase in interlayer thickness, the compressive strength of the composite body gradually decreases. This reduction is mainly due to the interlayer dividing the coal sample, resulting in a decrease in the equivalent elastic modulus of the composite body, weakening of the overall integrity, and a decrease in carrying capacity. In addition, the failure mode and mechanical properties of the coal–rock combination are influenced by the interlayer position. Different “soft layer” positions can lead to changes in the overall carrying and failure modes of the coal–rock composite. The position of the interlayer also has a significant influence on the failure mode and fracture propagation of the composite body. This study provides an important theoretical reference for the control of coal–rock deformation and instability and regional rock mass modification in underground engineering.
Methodology for the Identification of Shock Wave Type and Speed in a Traffic Stream Using Connected Vehicle Data
Authors: Sakhare Rahul Suryakant , Li Howell , Bullock Darcy M.
Published: October 2023

The concept of traffic shock waves was first theorized by Lighthill and Whitham in 1955. The identification of shock wave type and speed in a traffic stream provides critical information about the queue formation and its dissipation. This information can be utilized by various stakeholders for traffic management, emergency response, etc. Such information can also be integrated into the travel time prediction models and real-time route diversions for navigation. Past efforts at identifying shock waves used simulation or analysis based on location-based sensors such as loop detectors. This paper describes scalable methodologies for measuring shock wave propagation using Connected Vehicle (CV) data. The techniques to identify the six different types of shock waves are illustrated through case studies from Indiana highways that use both CV data and the corresponding surveillance camera images. The shock wave speeds for each event are estimated using the linear regression model, with most shock wave speed estimates having a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9 or better. Although shock wave speeds vary by traffic flow rates and geometry, the typical backward forming shock wave speeds ranged from 1.75 to 11.76 mph whereas the backward recovery shock wave speeds were observed to be between 5.78 and 16.54 mph. These techniques can be adapted for real-time use to assist traffic management centers with estimating upstream propagation and recovery time. A case study with a car fire is used to illustrate how this shock wave speed data can be used to frame discussions with first responders regarding how reducing incident clearance time can reduce the risk of secondary crashes.
When Efficiency Requires Arbitrary Discrimination: Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Equilibrium Selection
Authors: Güth Werner , Otsubo Hironori
Published: October 2023

Institutions may rely on fundamental principles, e.g., of legal philosophy, but may also have evolved according to institutional fitness, as gauged by a society’s well-being. In our stylized framework where two fundamental principles, equality and efficiency, conflict with each other, one of the three players is the third party who faces two symmetric co-players as culprits and determines whether to sanction the two culprits discriminatorily or treat them with parity. Relying on the theory of equilibrium selection, we derived equilibrium solutions and experimentally tested our behavioral hypotheses. We found that asymmetry in wealth between the two culprits let the sanctioning agent hold the richer culprit more responsible. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that when the sanctioning agent’s decision was observable, sanctioning the two culprits discriminatorily induced them to coordinate on an efficient outcome.
Modified ECM-Based Bioink for 3D Printing of Multi-Scale Vascular Networks
Authors: Cohen Roni , Baruch Ester-Sapir , Cabilly Itai , Shapira Assaf , Dvir Tal
Published: October 2023

The survival and function of tissues depend on appropriate vascularization. Blood vessels of the tissues supply oxygen, and nutrients and remove waste and byproducts. Incorporating blood vessels into engineered tissues is essential for overcoming diffusion limitations, improving tissue function, and thus facilitating the fabrication of thick tissues. Here, we present a modified ECM bioink, with enhanced mechanical properties and endothelial cell-specific adhesion motifs, to serve as a building material for 3D printing of a multiscale blood vessel network. The bioink is composed of natural ECM and alginate conjugated with a laminin adhesion molecule motif (YIGSR). The hybrid hydrogel was characterized for its mechanical properties, biochemical content, and ability to interact with endothelial cells. The pristine and modified hydrogels were mixed with induced pluripotent stem cells derived endothelial cells (iPSCs-ECs) and used to print large blood vessels with capillary beds in between.
Genetic Polymorphism Analysis of 24 Y-STRs in a Han Chinese Population in Luzhou, Southwest China
Authors: Fu Jiewen , Song Binghui , Qian Jie , He Ting , Chen Hanchun , Cheng Jingliang , Fu Junjiang
Published: October 2023

Han is the largest of China’s 56 ethnic groups and the most populous ethnic group in the world. The Luzhou region is located in southwest China, at the junction of three provinces. The unique historical factors contribute to the genetic polymorphism information. Short tandem repeats (STRs) are highly polymorphic, but the polymorphism of the Y chromosomal STRs (Y-STRs) loci in the Luzhou region is still unclear. It is of great significance to provide Y-STRs genetic data for the Han population from the Luzhou areas of southwest China. A total of 910 unrelated male individuals of the Han population from the Luzhou area were recruited, and 24 Y-STRs were analyzed. The population structure and phylogenetic relationships were compared with those of another 11 related Han populations. A total of 893 different haplotypes were achieved from 910 samples, of which 877 (98.21%) haplotypes were unique. Haplotype diversity and discrimination were 0.999956 and 0.981319, respectively. The lowest genetic diversity of DYS437 is 0.4321, and the highest genetic diversity of DYS385a/b is 0.9642. Pair-to-pair genetic distance and relative probability values indicate that Luzhou Han people are close to Sichuan Han people, Guangdong Han people, and Hunan Han people, which is consistent with geographical distribution, historical influence, and economic development. The 24 Y-STR markers of the southwest Luzhou Han population were highly polymorphic, which provided us with genetic polymorphism information and enriched the population genetic database. Therefore, it is of great value to our forensic applications and population genetics research.