bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trial and error: finding suitable assistive technology for gaming
Authors: Baltzar Pauliina , Turunen Markku , Hassan Lobna
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Gaming is more popular than ever and people with disabilities play games as any other gamer. Accessible gaming might require both accessible games and suitable assistive technologies, however we lack the knowledge how many use assistive technologies, what devices are used, how suitable technologies are found, and what reasons might hinder the usage.

Method

This study addresses the following research questions with a survey study: (1) Do people with disabilities use assistive technology for gaming? (2) What assistive technology do people with disabilities use for gaming? (3) How do people with disabilities find suitable assistive technology? (4) Why do people with disabilities not use assistive technology for gaming?

Results

The results suggest that 56% of individuals with disabilities use a variety of assistive technologies, including both general-purpose devices and those tailored for gaming. Online resources and shared experiences from fellow gamers were vital in finding suitable assistive technology, although trial and error were essential to ensuring the compatibility. Among the 44% not utilizing assistive technology, the primary reason was the lack of necessity for gaming purposes. However, significant barriers such as limited awareness and the high costs of these technologies were identified.

Conclusion

Games should be compatible with various assistive technologies to ensure they can be used in gaming. There is a need to spread knowledge about different devices so that everyone can find an optimal way to play games. Furthermore, we need innovative solutions on how to try out these devices without a financial burden.
Comparison of oral health-related quality of life among endodontic patients with irreversible pulpitis and pulp necrosis using the oral health-related endodontic patient’s quality of life scale
Authors: Arifin Fadil Abdillah , Matsuda Yuhei , Natsir Nurhayaty , Kanno Takahiro
Published: October 2024

This prospective cohort study aimed to clarify differences in the longitudinal effects on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among patients undergoing endodontic treatment for irreversible pulpitis and for pulp necrosis, using a newly developed oral health-related endodontic patient’s quality of life (OHQE) scale. This study included 131 patients diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis and pulp necrosis. Comprehensive data regarding the patient’s background, medical history, and dental history were collected. The OHQE was administered three times to each patient: before and after endodontic treatment, as well as 2 weeks after endodontic treatment as a follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed model for repeated measurements of changes in the OHQE score over time in cases of irreversible pulpitis and pulp necrosis. The patients consisted of 48 (36.6%) males and 83 (63.4%) females with a mean age of 36.2 (standard deviation, 12.6) years. Of these, 62 (47.3%) had irreversible pulpitis, and 69 (52.7%) had pulp necrosis. Intragroup comparisons showed an improvement in the OHQE scores over time in both groups (p < 0.001). Group comparisons revealed no significant differences at any time point. No interactions or changes over time were observed between the two groups. No difference in the improvement of quality of life after endodontic treatment was seen in the two disease groups, and both groups improved over time. However, patients’ expectations of receiving endodontic treatment remained unchanged after treatment. Therefore, dental providers should consider explaining the value of endodontic treatment to patients and address the measures that contribute to patient satisfaction.
Drawing of fibres composed of shear-thinning or shear-thickening fluid with internal holes
Authors: Gu Diandian , Wylie Jonathan J. , Stokes Yvonne M.
Published: October 2024

We explore the drawing of a shear-thinning or shear-thickening thread with an axisymmetric hole that evolves due to axial drawing, inertia and surface tension effects. The stress is assumed to be proportional to the shear rate raised to the

$n$

th power. The presence of non-Newtonian rheology and surface tension forces acting on the hole introduces radial pressure gradients that make the derivation of long-wavelength equations significantly more challenging than either a Newtonian thread with a hole or shear-thinning and shear-thickening threads without a hole. In the case of weak surface tension, we determine the steady-state profiles. Our results show that for negligible inertia the hole size at the exit becomes smaller as

$n$

is decreased (i.e. strong shear-thinning effects) above a critical draw ratio, but surprisingly the opposite is true below this critical draw ratio. We determine an accurate estimate of the critical draw ratio and also discuss how inertia affects this process. We further show that the dynamics of hole closure is dominated by a different limit, and we determine the asymptotic forms of the hole closure process for shear-thinning and shear-thickening fluids with inertia. A linear instability analysis is conducted to predict the onset of draw resonance. We show that increased shear thinning, surface tension and inlet hole size all act to destabilise the flow. We also show that increasing shear-thinning effects reduce the critical Reynolds number required for unconditional stability. Our study provides valuable insights into the drawing process and its dependence on the physical effects.
Dietary Intake and Snacking Behaviour of Children Aged 3-5 in Urban and Rural Areas of Thailand’s Southernmost Border Provinces
Authors: Tayeh N. , Wright C. , Garcia A.L.
Published: October 2024

Thailand suffers from the double burden of malnutrition due to the nutrition transition(1). Shifts in eating patterns from traditional foods to more processed foods, an increase in snacking and urbanisation are associated with the nutrition transition(2). We aimed to explore eating, feeding, and snacking behaviours in children aged 3-5 living in urban and rural areas of Thailand’s Southernmost Border Provinces (SBPs).

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 279 parent-child dyads recruited from one urban (n=135) and three rural schools (n=144) in the SBPs. The International Eating and Feeding Tool (ICFET)(3) was used to collect sociodemographic data, feeding frequency, food and snack consumption. Weight and height were measured to calculate WHZ (weight- for-height z score) and HAZ (heigh-for-age z score) scores. The frequency of consumption for groups and types of food were summed to give a monthly frequency. A 24-hour recall of intake of plated foods and drinks during five potential eating occasions was taken. Carers rated the applicability of statements regarding their use and control of snacks. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test for comparisons between urban and rural areas were analysed using SPSS V28.

Socioeconomic disparities between caregivers from urban and rural areas were observed. Onefourth (22%) of rural caregivers reported senior high school education and no income (16%) compared to 0.7%, (P<0.001) and 1% respectively in urban caregivers (P<0.001). Child stunting was more prevalent in rural areas (24% vs 6% urban, P<0.001). No difference in wasting was observed between the two settings (7% rural vs 9% urban, P<0.423). Monthly food frequencies (times) (Median, IQR) were higher in urban compared to rural areas for milk and dairy products (30, 15-45) urban vs (15, 15-30) rural (P<0.001) and fruits and vegetables (Mean, SD) (53, 31) urban vs (43, 29) rural, (P=0.008). Half the children (56%) had three between-meals snacks and dry finger foods (mean, SD) (1.7, 0.5) times daily. Rural parents described higher scores of snack control (Median, IQR) (16, 15-18) rural vs (15, 13-16) urban, (P<0.001), and felt children were more likely to seek snacks in response to hunger compared to urban children (5, 2-5) rural vs (4, 2-5) urban, (P<0.001). Surprisingly, more snack foods were consumed in rural areas (50, 33-75) rural vs (45, 33-60) urban, (P=0.042).

Eating snacks between meals is common in Thai children living in SBPs. Snack foods are widely eaten, even more in rural than urban children. Despite the substantial differences in socioeconomic characteristics and levels of stunting, there was little variation between urban and rural areas in the commonness of snacking.
Effect of S-metolachlor and flumioxazin herbicides on sweetpotato treated with and without activated charcoal applied through transplant water
Authors: Blankenship Colton D. , Jennings Katherine M. , Monks David W. , Meyers Stephen L. , Jordan David L. , Schultheis Jonathan R. , Suchoff David H. , Moore Levi D. , Ippolito Stephen J.
Published: October 2024

Flumioxazin and S-metolachlor are widely used in conventional sweetpotato production in North Carolina and other states; however, some growers have recently expressed concerns about potential effects of these herbicides on sweetpotato yield and quality. Previous research indicates that activated charcoal has the potential to reduce herbicide injury. Field studies were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to determine whether flumioxazin applied preplant and S-metolachlor applied before and after transplanting negatively affect sweetpotato yield and quality when activated charcoal is applied with transplant water. The studies evaluated five herbicide treatments and two activated charcoal treatments. Herbicide treatments included two flumioxazin rates, one S-metolachlor rate applied immediately before and immediately after transplanting, and no herbicide. Charcoal treatments consisted of activated charcoal applied at 9 kg ha−1, and no charcoal. No visual injury from herbicides or charcoal was observed. Likewise, no effect of herbicide or charcoal treatment on no. 1, marketable (sum of no. 1 and jumbo grades), or total yield (sum of canner, no. 1, and jumbo grades) was observed. Additionally, shape analysis conducted on calculated length-to-width ratio (LWR) for no. 1 sweetpotato roots found no effect from flumioxazin at either rate on sweetpotato root shape. However, both S-metolachlor treatments resulted in lower LWR of no. 1 sweetpotato roots in 2021. Results are consistent with prior research and indicate that flumioxazin and S-metolachlor are safe for continued use on sweetpotato at registered rates.
Chemical and electrochemical pathways to low-carbon iron and steel
Authors: Rippy Kerry , Bell Robert T. , Leick Noemi
Published: October 2024

Currently, the iron and steel industry is responsible for 7% of global CO2 emissions. In this review, we summarize the operational principles of current emissions-intensive steelmaking technologies and review emerging low- and zero-carbon technologies that could substantially reduce emissions. Current technologies that are discussed include blast furnaces, electric arc furnaces, and smelting. Promising low-carbon routes include use of alternative reductants for ore processing (hydrogen direct reduction, hydrogen plasma-smelting, hydrogen smelting, and ammonia-based reduction), electrolytic iron production (with aqueous and molten oxide electrolytes) and biocarbon-based electric arc furnace operation. Advantages of each approach are presented, and remaining research hurdles are identified.
Effect of Co-doping on the electrochromic performance of hexagonal phase WO3 nanorods
Authors: Qu Zhaozhu , Li Ankang , Gao Ming , Sun Xiaohui , Zhang Xuyang , Wu Guohua , Wang Xiangwei
Published: October 2024

This study presents a novel approach for preparing Co-doped hexagonal WO3 nanorod thin films that exhibit excellent cycle stability, with Co doping effectively enhancing the optical modulation and coloring efficiency of WO3 electrochromic materials.
Thapsigargin: a promising natural product with diverse medicinal potential – a review of synthetic approaches and total syntheses
Authors: Suresh Anisha , Bagchi Dibyojeet , Kaliappan Krishna P.
Published: October 2024

Thapsigargin, a sesquiterpene lactone, has been known to the practitioners of traditional medicines as a cure for rheumatic pain and female infertility. This review discusses synthetic approaches and total syntheses of thapsigargin reported to date.
Edge currents for the time-fractional, half-plane, Schrödinger equation with constant magnetic field
Authors: Hislop Peter D. , Soccorsi Éric
Published: October 2024

We study the large-time asymptotics of the edge current for a family of time-fractional Schrödinger equations with a constant, transverse magnetic field on a half-plane (x,y)∈Rx+×Ry. The time-fractional Schrödinger equation is parameterized by two constants (α, β) in (0, 1], where α is the fractional order of the time derivative, and β is the power of i in the Schrödinger equation. We prove that for fixed α, there is a transition in the transport properties as β varies in (0, 1]: For 0 < β < α, the edge current grows exponentially in time, for α = β, the edge current is asymptotically constant, and for β > α, the edge current decays in time. We prove that the mean square displacement in the y∈R-direction undergoes a similar transport transition. These results provide quantitative support for the comments of Laskin [Phys. Rev. E 62, 3135 (2000)] that the latter two cases, α = β and α < β, are the physically relevant ones.
Analysis on the shape of α-Sn CQDs
Authors: Kandegedara R. M. E. B. , Krishnamurthy Srini , Grein Christoph , Sivananthan Sivalingam
Published: October 2024

In the search for materials alternate to bulk HgCdTe for high performance infrared imaging applications, colloidal quantum dots (CQDs), particularly HgTe CQDs, have gained traction owing to acceptable detector performance with easy preparation and low cost. In this article, we evaluate α-Sn CQDs, an environmentally less reactive and less toxic alternative to HgTe, for infrared sensing applications. Ab initio density functional theory calculations are used to study the shape-dependent stability, electronic bandgap, and absorption coefficient of α-Sn CQD nanoparticles (NPs). We consider three possible CQD shape constructions—Wulff, shell-by-shell, and spherical. The CQD of Wulff construction is predicted to be the most stable. However, we find that the size, not the shape, of the NP has a strong effect on the bandgap and absorption coefficient. Consequently, a sharp absorption edge is expected even in an ensemble of CQDs with different shapes. Importantly, the shape determines the position of the band edges with respect to vacuum, and thus offers a possibility of choosing the shape to improve alignment with the energy levels of ligands to enable efficient drift transport, instead of a slower and less efficient hopping transport.
Ion optical design of the magnetic proton recoil neutron spectrometer for the SPARC tokamak
Authors: Mackie S. , Wink C. W. , Dalla Rosa M. , Berg G. P. A. , Ball J. L. , Wang X. , Carmichael J. , Tinguely R. A. , Rigamonti D. , Tardocchi M. , Raj P. , Frenje J. , Rice J.
Published: October 2024

A magnetic proton recoil (MPR) neutron spectrometer is being designed for SPARC, a high magnetic field (BT = 12 T), compact (R0 = 1.85 m, a = 0.57 m) tokamak currently under construction in Devens, MA, USA. MPR neutron spectrometers are versatile tools for making high fidelity ab initio calibrated measurements of fusion neutron flux spectra and have been used to infer fusion power, ion temperature, fuel ion ratio, and suprathermal fuel populations at several high performance fusion experiments. The performance of an MPR neutron spectrometer is in large part determined by the design of the magnetic field, which disperses and focuses recoil protons. This article details the ion optical design of a high-resolution MPR neutron spectrometer, including the amelioration of image aberrations due to nonlinear effects. An optimized design is presented that achieves ion optical energy resolution δE/E < 1% and focal plane properties that enable straightforward integration with the hodoscope detector array.
Adaptive scale resolving for turbulent jets using data assimilation augmented Reynolds-averaged simulations
Authors: Li Zhiyang , He Chuangxin , Liu Yingzheng
Published: October 2024

This study proposes a turbulence model called the PaSAS–Re model which has a low computational cost. The proposed model can predict the time-averaged flow accurately and can predict the fluctuation field for turbulent jets. A data assimilation model that can accurately predict the mean flow distribution in free jets and the wall jets is used as a parent model. The scale-adaptive simulation (SAS) source term is added to the proposed model to equip it with the ability to achieve a behavior like large-eddy simulation. However, the SAS approach cannot switch to scale-resolving mode if the flow, such as a turbulent jet, does not exhibit a sufficiently strong instability. Therefore, the partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) model is used in this study to generate necessary instabilities. The PANS model converts the partially modeled turbulent kinetic energy k into resolved fluctuation, which is beneficial for activating the SAS model. The proposed PaSAS–Re model is tested on free jets and impinging jets using coarse meshes to highlight its low cost. The results of time-averaged velocity and velocity fluctuation show that the best performance is achieved for fk = 0.8. The effects of the PANS approach, vortex stretching term, and SAS source term on the prediction results are analyzed and found to be important for accurately predicting and generating dynamic behavior. Finally, the simulations are conducted using impinging jets for further verification and application of the proposed model. The results show that the PaSAS–Re model is suitable to predict the time-averaged flow and flow fluctuations. Therefore, the proposed model can be used in engineering to obtain time-averaged velocity and velocity fluctuation in a low computational cost.
The suppression effect of a vertical baffle on three-dimensional swirling and chaotic sloshing in a laterally excited square-based tank
Authors: Liu Dongxi , Zhao Yanru , Wang Jin
Published: October 2024

In order to systematically investigate the suppression effect of a vertical baffle on three-dimensional (3D) swirling and chaotic sloshing in a square-based tank subjected to horizontal harmonic excitation, hundreds of experiments are conducted in a clean tank and baffled tanks with three different configurations. Specifically, the vertical baffle is mounted on the tank bottom parallel to the longitudinal direction, the transverse direction, or the diagonal direction. This experimental work finds that there are four sloshing wave regimes in a clean tank—planar, square-like, swirling, and chaotic—which can be described by the asymptotic multimodal theory. Furthermore, there are only two wave regimes in a longitudinal-baffle tank, the planar and swirling regimes, and the occurrence of swirling requires that the excitation amplitude is sufficiently large. It is confirmed that the longitudinal baffle has a significant suppression effect on the swirling and chaotic motions of the sloshing waves, even though it is parallel to the direction of tank movement. Furthermore, the suppression effect of the diagonal baffle is similar to but somewhat smaller than that of the longitudinal baffle. However, when the transverse baffle is mounted on the bottom of the tank, it is difficult to excite the rotation of the sloshing wave. Therefore, the suppression effect of a bottom-mounted baffle depends largely on the included angle between the vertical baffle and the tank movement direction.
Double-reflection symmetry of thermal convection for Rayleigh number up to 1010
Authors: He Jian-Chao , Duan Peng-Yu , Chen Xi
Published: October 2024

The Rayleigh–Bénard convection system exhibits certain known symmetries at low Rayleigh numbers that are broken as the Rayleigh number increases. In this study, we investigate the statistical symmetry of Rayleigh–Bénard convection at moderately high Rayleigh numbers through direct numerical simulations. The simulations are conducted for a fluid confined within two-dimensional walls, with an aspect ratio of unity and a fixed Prandtl number. Although elliptical large-scale circulations break both left-right and top-down reflection symmetries, we observe the emergence of a restored double-reflection symmetry. This symmetry is evident in the velocity and temperature fields, as well as in the variations of mean velocity and temperature profiles along the streamwise direction and the characteristics of the kinetic and thermal boundary layers. For Rayleigh numbers ranging between 107 and 1010, our results demonstrate a remarkable data collapse under this double-reflection transformation.
Experimental and numerical analysis of the fluid flow behavior of a tank corner impacting a water surface
Authors: Xie Hang , Wei Ding , Chen Ge , Shi Guijie , Wang Deyu
Published: October 2024

The interaction of a tank impacting a water surface is an extremely complex nonlinear multiphase flow phenomenon. In this study, experiments and numerical simulations are used to systematically investigate the flow physics and load characteristics of a tank corner impacting a water surface. Free surface flow at different fall heights (200–800 mm) and inclination angles (0°–15°) was obtained through free fall experiments. The volume of fluids method and overset grid technology were used to simulate the water impact process of a three-dimensional structure accurately. For typical bubble flows, the numerical and experimental results agree well. On the basis of the three-dimensional flow characteristics and pressure distribution, flow behaviors, such as fluid climbing, corrugation disturbances, and air cavity effects, are analyzed. Bubble flow has a significant effect on the behavior mode of the impact load. In particular, the bubbles at the upper wall play a key role in the load characteristics at different locations. In addition, the influences of corrugations inside the tank's corner and the impact velocity on fluid flow were investigated. These results provide beneficial references for an in-depth understanding of the fluid flow and load characteristics between a tank and fluid.
Enhancing underwater unmanned vehicle efficiency through asymmetric dynamics in manta-like swimming
Authors: Lai Yu-Hsiang , Lan Bluest , Chiang Chen-Yu , Hsu Deng-Yuan
Published: October 2024

This study explores the hydrodynamic performance of a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics 0012 foil using computational fluid dynamics with the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) method and shear stress transport k-ω model to assess the impact of asymmetric motion parameters in manta-like swimming. The angles of attack during the mid-upstroke (αmu), mid-downstroke (αmd), and stroke duration (S) are varied to understand their effect. At low Strouhal numbers (StA = 0.2–0.35), a smaller αmd compensates for thrust loss at the start of the upstroke due to a greater αmu. At high Strouhal numbers (StA = 0.5), a greater αmd reduces negative thrust and compensates for the smaller thrust generated by a small αmu during the upstroke. Shorter stroke durations increase asymmetry, leading to more significant positive thrust peaks during the downstroke. If both the angle of attack and S are large, the slower downward speed extends negative thrust, reducing thrust peaks and lowering average thrust. A smaller stroke duration combined with a large angle of attack enhances efficiency due to a greater thrust-to-power ratio, highlighting the interplay between these parameters. A smaller S and greater αmd and StA maximize thrust and efficiency, suggesting aquatic organisms increase thrust while ensuring propulsion efficiency by using a large angle of attack and an asymmetric stroke duration. This study demonstrates how asymmetric parameters interact, providing insights into designing biomimetic underwater vehicles. The findings suggest that asymmetric dynamics enhance propulsion efficiency.
Shock Hugoniot calculations using on-the-fly machine learned force fields with ab initio accuracy
Authors: Kumar Shashikant , Pask John E. , Suryanarayana Phanish
Published: October 2024

We present a framework for computing the shock Hugoniot using on-the-fly machine learned force field (MLFF) molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, we employ an MLFF model based on the kernel method and Bayesian linear regression to compute the free energy, atomic forces, and pressure, in conjunction with a linear regression model between the internal and free energies to compute the internal energy, with all training data generated from Kohn–Sham density functional theory (DFT). We verify the accuracy of the formalism by comparing the Hugoniot for carbon with recent Kohn–Sham DFT results in the literature. In so doing, we demonstrate that Kohn–Sham calculations for the Hugoniot can be accelerated by up to two orders of magnitude, while retaining ab initio accuracy. We apply this framework to calculate the Hugoniots of 14 materials in the FPEOS database, comprising 9 single elements and 5 compounds, between temperatures of 10 kK and 2 MK. We find good agreement with first principles results in the literature while providing tighter error bars. In addition, we confirm that the inter-element interaction in compounds decreases with temperature.
Similarities in the meandering of yawed rotor wakes
Authors: Xiong Xue-Lu , Laima Shujin , Li Hui , Zhou Yi
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the meandering of yawed wind turbine rotor wakes, focusing on the similarities across different yaw angle scenarios. Spectrum analysis of velocity fluctuations reveals that the meandering of the yawed rotor wake is symmetrical about the wake center, despite its skewness. The non-zero lateral force of the yawed rotor enhances meandering in the lateral direction compared to the vertical direction. However, the lateral profiles of meandering strength exhibit similarities across different yaw angle scenarios, indicating a consistent wake meandering mode. The wake meandering frequency increases with the yaw angle. A relationship involving wake meandering frequency, drag coefficient, and yaw angle is formulated for wind turbine rotor wakes under different yaw angles. This relationship is also applicable to thin plate wakes within a certain range of inclination angles/yaw angles. The present study reveals the similarity in wake meandering characteristics across different yaw angle scenarios, which is instrumental in improving our understanding of wake meandering and in developing analytical wake models for wind turbines.
Experimental control of the flow separation behind a backward facing step using deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Xiang Jiawei , Zong Haohua , Wu Yun , Li Jinping , Liang Hua
Published: October 2024

In this experimental study, a value-based reinforcement learning algorithm (deep Q-network, DQN) is used to control the flow separation behind a backward facing step at a Reynolds number of 2.9 × 104. The flow is forced by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator pasted at the upstream of the step edge, and the feedback information of the separation zone is provided by a hotwire sensor submerged in the downstream shear layer. The control law represented by a deep neural network is implemented on a field programable gate array (FPGA), able to execute in real-time at a frequency as high as 1000 Hz. Results show that both open-loop periodical control and DQN control can effectively reduce the reattachment length and the recirculation area. Compared with the former, which requires dozens of trail-and-error measurements lasting for hours, the latter is able to find an optimal control law in only two minutes, achieving a long-term reward 7% higher. Moreover, by introducing a weak penalty term for plasma actuation, the mean actuator power consumption in DQN can be cut down to only 60% of that in the optimal open-loop control, meanwhile sacrificing a negligible amount of control effectiveness. Physically, the open-loop periodical control destabilizes the shear layer earlier, increasing both the area and the peak amplitude of the high turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) zone, whereas under DQN control, only a slight increase in the TKE peak is observed, and the overall spatial distribution remains the same as baseline.
The influence of vortex flow generated by spur dikes on the distribution and mixing of dissolved oxygen at a wide-shallow confluence
Authors: Shen Xia , Li Dehong , Cao Liwei , Wang Kai , Yuan Xunian , Li Xiaolong , Li Sheng
Published: October 2024

The inflow of heavy polluted tributaries is one of the main factors that destroy the water quality at the river confluence area and downstream, especially in the wide-shallow river confluence area. In this study, a generalized model of a two-dimensional confluence was established and validated, and dissolved oxygen concentration was used as the water quality indicator. The influence laws and mechanisms of different spur dike layout patterns on the water quality distribution characteristics and the transport and mixing processes at the confluence were explored through numerical simulation. The results show that there is a large area of water pollution at the confluence with the polluted tributary, which is distributed near the outlet of the tributary, and the water quality in this area recovers slowly. The flow ratio is the main factor affecting the distribution of water quality transport at the confluence. Arranging dikes on the opposite bank of the tributary can significantly reduce the area of pollution by adjusting the flow field. Arranging dikes on the tributary side of the confluence can effectively promote water quality mixing through vortex suction between dikes and improve water quality near the tributary side of the river bank. The dissolved oxygen concentration between dikes at the river bank on the tributary side showed an increasing trend along the river direction, and vortex flow velocity showed a decreasing trend, and the increment of dissolved oxygen concentration had a good linear correlation with the interval between dikes and the change in vortex flow velocity between dikes.
Nonlinear optical computing doesn’t need nonlinear optics
Authors: Miller Johanna L.
Published: October 2024

A major stumbling block on the road to light-based neural networks can be overcome by flipping the script on how data are encoded.
Topology, dynamics, and control of a muscle-architected soft arm
Authors: Tekinalp Arman , Naughton Noel , Kim Seung Hyun , Halder Udit , Gillette Rhanor , Mehta Prashant G. , Kier William , Gazzola Mattia
Published: October 2024

Muscular hydrostats, such as octopus arms or elephant trunks, lack bones entirely, endowing them with exceptional dexterity and reconfigurability. Key to their unmatched ability to control nearly infinite degrees of freedom is the architecture into which muscle fibers are weaved. Their arrangement is, effectively, the instantiation of a sophisticated mechanical program that mediates, and likely facilitates, the control and realization of complex, dynamic morphological reconfigurations. Here, by combining medical imaging, biomechanical data, live behavioral experiments, and numerical simulations, an octopus-inspired arm made of

∼

200 continuous muscle groups is synthesized, exposing “mechanically intelligent” design and control principles broadly pertinent to dynamics and robotics. Such principles are mathematically understood in terms of storage, transport, and conversion of topological quantities, effected into complex 3D motions via simple muscle activation templates. These are in turn composed into higher-level control strategies that, compounded by the arm’s compliance, are demonstrated across challenging manipulation tasks, revealing surprising simplicity and robustness.
Naturalized species drive functional trait shifts in plant communities
Authors: Garbowski Magda , Laughlin Daniel C. , Blumenthal Dana M. , Sofaer Helen R. , Barnett David T. , Beaury Evelyn M. , Buonaiuto Daniel M. , Corbin Jeffrey D. , Dukes Jeffrey S. , Early Regan , Nebhut Andrea N. , Petri Laís , Vilà Montserrat , Pearse Ian S.
Published: October 2024

Despite decades of research documenting the consequences of naturalized and invasive plant species on ecosystem functions, our understanding of the functional underpinnings of these changes remains rudimentary. This is partially due to ineffective scaling of trait differences between native and naturalized species to whole plant communities. Working with data from over 75,000 plots and over 5,500 species from across the United States, we show that changes in the functional composition of communities associated with increasing abundance of naturalized species mirror the differences in traits between native and naturalized plants. We find that communities with greater abundance of naturalized species are more resource acquisitive aboveground and belowground, shorter, more shallowly rooted, and increasingly aligned with an independent strategy for belowground resource acquisition via thin fine roots with high specific root length. We observe shifts toward herbaceous-dominated communities but shifts within both woody and herbaceous functional groups follow community-level patterns for most traits. Patterns are remarkably similar across desert, grassland, and forest ecosystems. Our results demonstrate that the establishment and spread of naturalized species, likely in combination with underlying environmental shifts, leads to predictable and consistent changes in community-level traits that can alter ecosystem functions.
Spectro-spatial analysis of van der Pol-type phononic crystals
Authors: Abedy Nejad Seyed Mohammad Hosein , Seyyed Fakhrabadi Mir Masoud
Published: October 2024

The application of phononic chains as metamaterials demonstrates their remarkable capability to manipulate the propagation of waves. These periodic structures yield frequency-dependent behavior of material comprising characteristics with many possible engineering applications. In this paper, we investigate the weak and general nonlinear behaviors of the van der Pol-type damped phononic chains. The analysis of wave propagation is initially conducted for a one-dimensional structure, and subsequently, is extended to consider the wave motion through two-dimensional and three-dimensional lattices. Results are obtained using the method of multiple scales and a Spectro-spatial analysis by employing the numerical method of the 4th-order Runge–Kutta. A new phase-diagram relation within the chain’s unit cell is also introduced aiming to enhance the numerical findings. Our results indicate that in the weakly nonlinear regime, the van der Pol-type damping closely follows the linear dispersion curve, regardless of the initial amplitude. This suggests a symmetry between energy pumping and dissipation modes, where hardening and softening behaviors align with linear characteristics of common damping mechanisms, such as viscous damping. Additionally, the formulation demonstrates the existence of limit-cycle stability in the motion of each mass. For the general damped system, it is observed that a special frequency exists where the system converges, for all wave numbers similar to the synchronization effect. Hence, the motion and the frequency of all masses are synced. Additionally, non-reciprocal wave propagation is observed, resulting in a bandgap structure with a symmetry breaking occurring near the limit cycle. These results are promising in the fields of wave emitters, wave filters, and signal encryption.
Ultrathin natural biotite crystals as a dielectric layer for van der Waals heterostructure applications
Authors: de Oliveira Raphaela , Barbosa Yoshida Ana B , Rabahi Cesar R , O Freitas Raul , Teixeira Verônica C , de Matos Christiano J S , Galvão Gobato Yara , Barcelos Ingrid D , Cadore Alisson R
Published: October 2024

Biotite, an iron-rich mineral belonging to the trioctahedral mica group, is a naturally abundant layered material (LM) exhibiting attractive electronic properties for application in nanodevices. Biotite stands out as a non-degradable LM under ambient conditions, featuring high-quality basal cleavage—a significant advantage for van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) applications. In this work, we present the micro-mechanical exfoliation of biotite down to monolayers (1Ls), yielding ultrathin flakes with large areas and atomically flat surfaces. To identify and characterize the mineral, we conducted a multi-elemental analysis of biotite using energy-dispersive spectroscopy mapping. Additionally, synchrotron x-ray fluorescence and infrared nano-spectroscopy were employed to probe its iron content and vibrational signature in few-layer form, respectively, with sensitivity to the layer number. We have also observed good morphological and structural stability in time (up to 12 months) and no important changes in their physical properties after thermal annealing processes in ultrathin biotite flakes. Conductive atomic force microscopy evaluated its electrical capacity, revealing an electrical breakdown strength of approximately 1 V nm−1. Finally, we explore the use of biotite as a substrate and encapsulating LM in vdWH applications. We have performed optical and magneto-optical measurements at low temperatures. We find that ultrathin biotite flakes work as a good substrate for 1L-MoSe2, comparable to hexagonal boron nitride flakes, but it induces a small change of the 1L-MoSe2
g-factor values, most likely due to natural impurities on its crystal structure. Furthermore, our results show that biotite flakes are useful systems to protect sensitive LMs such as black phosphorus from degradation for up to 60 days in ambient air. Our study introduces biotite as a promising, cost-effective LM for the advancement of future ultrathin nanotechnologies.
Quantum color image watermarking scheme based on quantum discrete cosine transform
Authors: Li Zhen-Zhen , Li Ya-Jing , Zhang Zhao , Wang Dong-Fei , Wang Jing-Tao
Published: October 2024

Quantum watermarking is a technique that embeds specific information into a quantum carrier, used for digital copyright protection. This paper introduces a new quantum color image watermarking method that combines Quantum LOG (QLOG) edge detection with Quantum Discrete Cosine Transform (QDCT) technology. First, edge detection is used on the RGB channels of the quantum color image. This helps identify the best channel for embedding the watermark. Next, the image is decomposed using the quantum Haar wavelet transform (QHWT). The image is then processed with QDCT, selecting the mid-frequency parts for watermark embedding. Using QDCT improves the watermark’s resistance to JPEG compression. The invisibility of the watermark is verified by assessing its Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and histogram. Comparative analysis shows strong resistance to various noise attacks. Simulation results confirm that the watermarking technique maintains high visual quality and resists different adversarial attacks.
Finite element modelling of continuous fiber–reinforced composites produced by automated manufacturing
Authors: Szederkényi B , Rácz I , Kovács N K , Czigány T
Published: October 2024

With the advent of automated, continuous filament placement technologies, the possibilities for reinforcement placement in composite manufacturing have been further expanded, as the reinforcement path can be continuously varied within the layer. This allows far more efficient structures to be created, resulting in a further reduction in the weight of the structure compared to conventional composites. At the same time, this manufacturing freedom also poses a major challenge for the structural design of composite components, as simulation methods based on meso-level homogenization are mostly not usable due to the lack of periodicity of the reinforcement structure. In our paper, we have established a structural modelling method using finite element analysis (FEA) for fused filament fabrication-based additive manufacturing of continuous fiber–reinforced composites. For modelling the reinforcement structure properly, we used the base-coordinate sweep (BCS) modelling method and for capturing progressive failure mechanisms we used Ansys LS-Dyna with the MAT54 material card. Based on the simulations and tests performed, we demonstrated that the method we present is suitable for the engineering modelling of continuous fiber–reinforced 3D printed composites.
The effect of forming conditions and treatment process applied to the material on springback
Authors: Dessie J E , Lukács Z
Published: October 2024

Heat treatment is often used to optimize the balance between the strength and formability of a material. However, aging during treatment affects the ability to return to its original shape after deformation. In this study, the effects of surface treatments during the painting of mild steel and aging time in the W-temper heat treatment on springback were investigated. Consequently, because of artificial aging during surface treatment, the material precipitates certain phases and enhances the mechanical properties of the material, which leads to the pre-painted mild steel being more sensitive to springback. On the other hand, it is also noted that springback is highly dependent on the transfer time between the W-temper heat treatment of high strength aluminum alloy and forming operations, and the change in shape increases with time. In summary, the springback phenomenon is a result of the interaction between the material properties, treatment procedures, and forming circumstances.
Some considerations on the contradictions of the theory of Frank-Read sources
Authors: Dobránszky János , Verő Balázs
Published: October 2024

The basis of the theoretical explanation of the plastic deformation of metals is the sliding of dislocations and the dislocation multiplication that takes place during the deformation. The best-known interpretation of this process is based on the operation of Frank-Read sources. The article tries to shed light on aspects and theorems that have been known for decades, which draw attention to quite a few contradictions in the theory of Frank-Read sources.
The effect of building strategies on tensile strength of additively manufactured parts by laser metal deposition
Authors: Juhász G , Hareancz F , Buza G , Fábián R E , Vida Á
Published: October 2024

Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) is a powder-based technology. This technology can be used for surface coating, repairing and additive manufacturing. The property of the part is dependent on the building parameters of the process. In the research work, we use austenitic steel (316L) powder to produce blocks with different building strategies, from which we machine tensile test specimens. The patterns were prepared according to three strategies: the welded bands were parallel to the longitudinal axis of the test specimen, perpendicular to it, and finally the parallel and perpendicular directions were alternated. We perform hardness and tensile tests on these specimens and search for correlations between the strength and the strategies.
Effect of Al doping on the structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of sol-gel spin-coated NiO thin films
Authors: Srinivasa N V , Mahesh H M , Angadi Basavaraj
Published: October 2024

Nanostructured NiO thin films are renowned for their catalytic activity and potential for degradation of industrial effluents. In this study, Al-doped NiO (Ni1-xAlxO with x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08) thin films were synthesized by sol–gel spin coating, and the influence of Al doping on their physical properties, surface morphology, optical band gap, and photo-catalytic performance was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the high crystallinity of the thin films and revealed a pronounced doping effect on parameters such as crystallite size, microstrain, and dislocation density. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with particle sizes ranging from 26 nm to 11 nm. The elemental composition was verified through energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis. The optical bandgap of the prepared films was determined through UV-visible spectroscopy. The Ni0.98Al0.02O films exhibited the lowest PL intensity, indicating a reduced recombination rate. To assess the photo-degradation capability of the prepared thin film catalysts, industrial effluent Indigo Carmine was employed as a test compound. The Ni0.98Al0.02O sample demonstrated the highest degradation efficiency, achieving about 96% degradation within 2 h of UV–vis light irradiation. Furthermore, the degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.
Infinite dimensional slow manifolds for a linear fast-reaction system
Authors: Kuehn Christian , Lehner Pascal , Sulzbach Jan-Eric
Published: October 2024

The aim of this expository paper is twofold. We start with a concise overview of the theory of invariant slow manifolds for fast-slow dynamical systems starting with the work by Tikhonov and Fenichel to the most recent works on infinite-dimensional fast-slow systems. The main part focuses on a class of linear fast-reaction PDE, which are particular forms of fast-reaction systems. The first result shows the convergence of solutions of the linear system to the limit system as the time-scale parameter

ε
\varepsilon

goes to zero. Moreover, from the explicit solutions the slow manifold is constructed and the convergence to the critical manifold is proven. The subsequent result, then, states a generalized version of the Fenichel-Tikhonov theorem for linear fast-reaction systems.
A new class of multi-scale reaction-diffusion systems with closed-form, low-dimensional, invariant manifolds
Authors: Wu Xiaoxuan , Kaper Tasso
Published: October 2024

A class of multi-scale reaction-diffusion systems is introduced which possess exact, low-dimensional, invariant manifolds. These manifolds are given in closed form by elementary functions. For all positive values of the diffusivities, the manifolds are exponentially attracting in the directions normal to the manifold, and they govern the long-term system dynamics. There is a geometric decomposition of general solutions into a low-dimensional slow component along an invariant manifold and an infinite-dimensional component consisting of an invariant family of stable fibers along which the fast exponential decay takes place. Further, we begin a quantitative study of how the evolution toward the low-dimensional manifolds depends on the magnitudes of the diffusivities. The theory is illustrated with examples in which diffusion has been added to the canonical Davis-Skodje and Michaelis-Menten-Henri reaction mechanisms. These have polynomial functions, as well as rational functions representing saturation-type kinetics. The manifolds are shown to be exact also when there is no separation in the kinetics time scales. Finally, this new class of multi-scale reaction-diffusion equations provides a useful set of benchmark problems for testing and comparing methods for model reduction in nonlinear PDEs.
Recognitional Abilities and Knowing What One Sees
Authors: Millar Alan
Published: October 2024

Perceptual-recognitional abilities are abilities to recognize things that are some way as being that way from the way they appear to some sense-modality. These abilities have a key role in accounting for perceptual knowledge. Under the conception adopted, general abilities are exercised only in doing the thing that the ability is an ability to do. Accordingly, recognitional abilities are exercised only in recognizing a thing as being some way, and in that way coming to know that it is that way. A contrasting picture is considered and rejected. Particular kinds of self-knowledge are then explored—our knowledge as to what one sees or sees to be thus and so. These kinds of self-knowledge are crucial for understanding how visual perception yields justified beliefs. They are explicated in terms of the exercise of abilities knowledgeably to apply certain relational concepts in first-person, non-inferential applications to visually perceived things and oneself.