bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Domain Switching-Based Nonlinear Coupling Response for Giant Magnetostrictive Materials
Authors: Chen Yunshuai , Li Pengyang , Sun Jian , Chen Guoqing
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes a multilevel three-dimensional constitutive model based on a microscopically phenomenological approach from the domain rotation mechanism, which is a fully coupled self-consistent homogenization scheme considering the interactions between elastic–inelastic strain and hysteresis. Considering the interactions among magnetic domains, grains, polycrystalline complexes, and macroscopic phenomenology, we predict the nonlinear magnetostrictive response of Terfenol-D under different types of external force loads and magnetic excitations in various thermal environments involving multi-fields of coupled magnetic, elastic, thermal, and mechanical phenomena. The average values of the mechanical bulk strains for different magnetization states are obtained at the grain scale utilizing Boltzmann functions and a self-consistent homogenization scheme. A Taylor series expansion of the Gibbs function concerning the field variables and an adapted Jiles–Atherton model are used to construct the hysteresis coupled constitutive relations at the macroscopic scale. The results associated with the experiments show that the established model can reasonably predict the magnetostrictive response under different external mixed stimuli. It can provide theoretical guidance for the precise control of nonlinear vibrations and the optimal design of the rotating giant magnetostrictive transducers at both microscopic and macroscopic multiple scales.
Conventional, Heuristic and Learning-Based Robot Motion Planning: Reviewing Frameworks of Current Practical Significance
Authors: Noroozi Fatemeh , Daneshmand Morteza , Fiorini Paolo
Published: July 2023

Motion planning algorithms have seen considerable progress and expansion across various domains of science and technology during the last few decades, where rapid advancements in path planning and trajectory optimization approaches have been made possible by the conspicuous enhancements brought, among others, by sampling-based methods and convex optimization strategies. Although they have been investigated from various perspectives in the existing literature, recent developments aimed at integrating robots into social, healthcare, industrial, and educational contexts have attributed greater importance to additional concepts that would allow them to communicate, cooperate, and collaborate with each other, as well as with human beings, in a meaningful and efficient manner. Therefore, in this survey, in addition to a brief overview of some of the essential aspects of motion planning algorithms, a few vital considerations required for assimilating robots into real-world applications, including certain instances of social, urban, and industrial environments, are introduced, followed by a critical discussion of a set of outstanding issues worthy of further investigation and development in future scientific studies.
Mathematical Modelling of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing of Poly Vinyl Alcohol Parts through Statistical Design of Experiments Approach
Authors: Moradi Mahmoud , Karamimoghadam Mojtaba , Meiabadi Saleh , Casalino Giuseppe , Ghaleeh Mohammad , Baby Bobymon , Ganapathi Harikrishna , Jose Jomal , Abdulla Muhammed Shahzad , Tallon Paul , Shamsborhan Mahmoud , Rezayat Mohammad , Paul Satyam , Khodadad Davood
Published: July 2023

This paper explores the 3D printing of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) process by conducting statistical modeling and optimization. This study focuses on varying the infill percentage (10–50%) and patterns (Cubic, Gyroid, tri-hexagon and triangle, Grid) as input parameters for the response surface methodology (DOE) while measuring modulus, elongation at break, and weight as experimental responses. To determine the optimal parameters, a regression equation analysis was conducted to identify the most significant parameters. The results indicate that both input parameters significantly impact the output responses. The Design Expert software was utilized to create surface and residual plots, and the interaction between the two input parameters shows that increasing the infill percentage (IP) leads to printing heavier samples, while the patterns do not affect the weight of the parts due to close printing structures. On the contrary, the discrepancy between the predicted and actual responses for the optimal samples is below 15%. This level of error is deemed acceptable for the DOE experiments.
Link Prediction Based on Heterogeneous Social Intimacy and Its Application in Social Influencer Integrated Marketing
Authors: Li Shugang , Zhu He , Wen Zhifang , Li Jiayi , Zang Yuning , Zhang Jiayi , Yan Ziqian , Wei Yanfang
Published: July 2023

The social influencer integrated marketing strategy, which builds social influencers through potential users, has gained widespread attention in the industry. Traditional Scoring Link Prediction Algorithms (SLPA) mainly rely on homogeneous network indicators to predict friend relationships, which cannot provide accurate link prediction results in cold-start situations. To overcome these limitations, the Closeness Heterogeneous Link Prediction Algorithm (CHLPA) is proposed, which uses node closeness centrality to describe the social intimacy of nodes and provides a heterogeneous measure of a network based on this. Three types of heterogeneous indicators of social intimacy were proposed based on the principle of three-degree influence. Due to scarce overlapping node sample data, CHLPA uses gradient boosting trees to select the most suitable index, the second most suitable index, and the third most suitable index from Social Intimacy Heterogeneous Indexes (SIHIs) and SLPAs. Then, these indicators are weighted and combined to predict the likelihood of other node users in the two product circles in an online brand community becoming friends with overlapping node users. Finally, a hill-climbing algorithm is designed based on this to build integrated marketing social influencers, and the effectiveness and robustness of the algorithm are validated.
Mathematical Models of the Phase Voltages of High-, Medium- and Low-Voltage Busbars in a Substation during a Phase-to-Ground Fault on High-Voltage Busbars
Authors: Toader Dumitru , Vintan Maria
Published: July 2023

The electrical energy supply of industrial equipment is provided by electrical power stations with high- (HT), medium- (MV) and low-voltage (LV) busbars. Consumers are connected to either MV or LV busbars. In this paper, a real power station was considered, through which the gasoline extraction from the well gas installation is powered. Electric consumers (electric motors) supplied by a MV busbar have active power of 13.54 MW, and those fed by a LV busbar have active power of 6.4 MW. Since electrical consumers operate in explosive environments, the design and operating conditions are more severe than in the case of electrical installations operating in non-explosive environments. The case of a single phase-to-ground fault occurring on the HV transmission lines feeding the power station has been analysed. First, the mathematical models for the calculation of the phase voltages, the dissymmetry and asymmetry coefficients, the reduction coefficient of the plus sequence component, and the effective values of the phase voltages were established. The influence of the source impedance (the equivalent impedance of the HV transmission lines) and of the neutral point configuration of the HV/MV medium-voltage transformer on the calculated quantities was analysed. Then, the results obtained using the established mathematical models were compared with those obtained experimentally by provoking a single-phase-to-ground fault near the HV busbars of the real power station. This study has shown that the de-symmetrisation of the phase voltages of the MV and LV busbars is lower when using the Y/Δ connection for the HV/MV transformer. As a result, it is recommended the Y/Δ connection be used for this transformer, instead of the Y0/Δ connection.
Efficiency Optimization of an Annular-Nozzle Air Ejector under the Influence of Structural and Operating Parameters
Authors: Lysak Ilya A. , Lysak Galina V. , Konyukhov Vladimir Yu. , Stupina Alena A. , Gozbenko Valeriy E. , Yamshchikov Andrei S.
Published: July 2023

The efficiency of annular-nozzle ejectors serving as components of complex technical systems interacting with high-temperature media in engines and in the field of energy technologies is not linearly related to the gas-dynamic characteristics of the flows formed in the device. In this paper, we have analyzed the results of numerical and experimental studies of gas jets in an annular-nozzle air ejector. The regression equations built according to the circumscribed central composite design described the relationship between a pressure drop and the structural parameters of the nozzle with the speed and mass flow rates of the airflows, including error rates of no more than 15 percent. A two-factor optimization based on Harington’s generalized desirability function was performed to obtain a relatively accurate estimate of the ejector efficiency under the influence of the structural and operating parameters. An optimization method based on the combination of response surface methodology and the desirability function approach, allowing simultaneous consideration of all responses, made it possible to simultaneously optimize multiple conflicting objectives.
Optimal Circular Economy and Process Maintenance Strategies for an Imperfect Production–Inventory Model with Scrap Returns
Authors: Su Rung-Hung , Weng Ming-Wei , Yang Chih-Te , Hsu Chia-Hsuan
Published: July 2023

To protect our environment, current firms are committed to the circular economy and process maintenance strategies to reduce the waste of resources. In this way, they can also save costs and create an enterprise image and value. Therefore, this study explores an imperfect production system with a circular economy and process maintenance activities, wherein the defective products can be converted into scrap returns (i.e., secondary raw materials) and products can be manufactured using mixed materials containing scrap returns. The proposed system considers multiple products with varying feed rates of scrap returns. According to the scenario of the aforementioned production system, this paper develops a production–inventory model aimed at cost minimization, in which the production run time, purchased quantity of material, number of maintenance times, and recovery rate are decision variables. Furthermore, we also develop a computational algorithm to obtain these optimal solutions efficiently. Finally, the numerical and sensitivity analyses based on a practical case are presented to illustrate the applicability of our method and some managerial implications. For example, both strategies efficiently reduce the total cost per unit time in the proposed numerical example. The sensitivity results can be used to determine the optimal combination of two strategies and the execution moment under various changes in cost parameters.
Fabrication of PES Modified by TiO2/Na2Ti3O7 Nanocomposite Mixed-Matrix Woven Membrane for Enhanced Performance of Forward Osmosis: Influence of Membrane Orientation and Feed Solutions
Authors: Al-Senani Ghadah M. , Nasr Mervat , Zayed Mohamed , Ali Sahar S. , Alshaikh Hind , Abd El-Salam Hanafy M. , Shaban Mohamed
Published: July 2023

Water treatment is regarded as one of the essential elements of sustainability. To lower the cost of treatment, the wastewater volume is reduced via the osmotic process. Here, mixed-matrix woven forward osmosis (MMWFO) PES membranes modified by a TiO2/Na2Ti3O7 (TNT) nanocomposite were fabricated for treating water from different sources. Various techniques were used to characterize the TNT nanocomposite. The crystal structure of TNT is a mix of monoclinic Na2Ti3O7 and anorthic TiO2 with a preferred orientation of (2−11). The SEM image shows that the surface morphology of the TNT nanocomposite is a forked nano-fur with varying sizes regularly distributed throughout the sample. The impact of TNT wt.% on membrane surface morphologies, functional groups, hydrophilicity, and performance was investigated. Additionally, using distilled water (DW) as the feed solution (FS), the effects of various NaCl concentrations, draw solutions, and membrane orientations on the performance of the mixed-matrix membranes were tested. Different water samples obtained from various sources were treated as the FS using the optimized PES/TNT (0.01 wt.%) MMWFO membrane. Using textile effluent as the FS, the impact of various NaCl DS concentrations on the permeated water volume was investigated. The results show that the MMWFO membrane generated with the TNT nanocomposite at a 0.01 wt.% ratio performed better in FO mode. After 30 min of use with 1 M NaCl and various sources of water as the FS, the optimized MMWFO membrane provided a steady water flow and exhibited antifouling behavior. DW performed better than other water types whenever it was used owing to its greater flow (136 LMH) and volume reduction (52%). Tap water (TW), textile industrial wastewater (TIWW), gray water (GW), and municipal wastewater (MW) showed volume reductions of 41%, 34%, 33%, and 31.9%, respectively. Additionally, when utilizing NaCl as the DS and TIWW as the FS, 1 M NaCl resulted in more permeated water than 0.25 M and 0.5 M, yet a higher volume reduction of 41% was obtained.
Study on the Morphology, Microstructure, and Properties of 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloy Joints in MIG Welding
Authors: Cui Shuwan , Tian Fuyuan , Ma Rong , Yu Yunhe , Xu Lei
Published: July 2023

In this paper, metal inert gas (MIG) welding of 6082-T6 aluminum alloy with a thickness of 4 mm was simulated using a double ellipsoidal heat source. Based on the simulation results, the evolution of the microstructure, the strengthening mechanism of mechanical properties, and the corrosion characteristics of the welded joint were studied further. The thermal cycle curve of the welded joint was obtained through numerical simulation. When the heat input was 2.34–2.75 KJ/mm, the temperature of the welded joint reached the melting point of the material. With the increase in welding heat input, the weld metal (WM) organization changed from the dendrite to the cellular crystal transformation and presented a uniform distribution. The precipitation of the strengthened phase was inhibited at 2.75 KJ/mm. When the heat input changed from small to large, the tensile strength and toughness first increased and then weakened. Dimple distribution of tensile fractures was observed with a scanning electron microscope. When the welding heat input was 2.57 KJ/mm, the mechanical properties of the joint were the best. The tensile strength can reach 76.62% of the base material, and the elongation after breaking can reach 59.38% of the base material. However, it was concluded through studying electrochemical corrosion that the corrosion resistance of welded joints under this parameter was the worst. This may be caused by the presence of Cu, Fe, Si, Mg, and other compounds, and was proven to be Mg2Si through EDS analysis.
Oxidation Behavior of Pure Iron under Hydrogen Combustion Environment
Authors: Fukumoto Michihisa , Hara Seiya , Takahashi Hiroki
Published: July 2023

The environmental resistance of pure iron was evaluated by an oxygen and hydrogen sensor installed after an oxidation furnace. The amount of introduced oxygen was precisely controlled by the oxygen pump sensor at the front stage of the oxidation furnace, and the reaction with hydrogen was analyzed. Thus, when oxygen was supplied, a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen occurred; however, when the supplied oxygen was not sufficient, a hydrogen-vapor environment was created, and oxidation was not accelerated. Conversely, when the amount of supplied oxygen was excessive, the environment became an oxygen–steam environment, and oxidation was accelerated. Therefore, this explained how the oxidation caused by oxygen was dominant under the oxygen–water vapor environment, and the oxidation weight gain increased. In addition, the border of the region dominated by oxygen oxidation and steam oxygen was clarified by precisely controlling the amount of oxygen supplied by the oxygen pump sensor.
Evaluation and Prediction Models for Blast Furnace Operating Status Based on Big Data Mining
Authors: Li Hongwei , Li Xin , Liu Xiaojie , Li Hongyang , Bu Xiangping , Chen Shujun , Lyu Qing
Published: July 2023

Based on the historical data of a commercial blast furnace (BF), the evaluation and prediction models for the BF comprehensive operating status were established by big data mining methods. Firstly, based on the data resources of the data warehouse of BF ironmaking, clean data were obtained by processing the original data with the problem of null values, outlier data, and blowing-down operations data. Then, the AHP_EWM_TPOSIS evaluation model was built with the combined weight of AHP and EWM and the improved TOPSIS algorithm. Finally, the model evaluation results were verified with the actual production situation, and the comprehensive matching rate reached 94.49%, indicating that the model can accurately judge the comprehensive operating status of BF. The evaluation result was the target parameter for building the BF comprehensive operating status prediction model. The results showed that the stacking model achieved better results than the base models in all indicators. The accuracy index of the deviation between the predicted value and the actual value within ±0.05 reached 94.50%, which meets the practical needs of BF production. The evaluation and prediction models provided timely and accurate furnace condition information to the operators in the BF smelting process, which promoted the long-term stable operation of the BF condition.
Welding of Ti6Al4V and Al6082-T6 Alloys by a Scanning Electron Beam
Authors: Anchev Angel , Kaisheva Darina , Kotlarski Georgi , Dunchev Vladimir , Stoyanov Borislav , Ormanova Maria , Atanasova Milka , Todorov Vladimir , Daskalova Petya , Valkov Stefan
Published: July 2023

This work presents the results of an investigation into the influence of beam offset on the structure and mechanical properties of electron-beam-welded joints between Ti6Al4V and Al6082-T6 alloys. The experimental procedure involved the use of specific technological conditions: an accelerating voltage of 60 kV, an electron beam current of 35 mA, a specimen motion speed of 10 mm/s, and a beam offset of 0.5 mm towards both alloys, as well as welding without an offset. The phase composition of the joints was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure and chemical composition of the seams were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results obtained for the structure of the joints show that the beam offset has a significant influence on the structure. The microhardness was studied by means of the Vickers method. The results for the microstructure showed that the welding procedure without offset and with an offset towards the Ti alloy leads to inhomogeneous welded joints with a significant amount of intermetallics. The offset towards the Al alloy leads to the formation of a narrow area of TiAl3 phase. The measured microhardness corresponds to the increased amount of intermetallics in the case of offset towards the Ti alloy, with which the highest values were presented (about 58% higher than with Ti6Al4V plate). The results obtained for tensile properties show that the offset to the Al6082-T6 alloy leads to the highest values of tensile strength (TS) and yield strength (YS), which are twice higher than in welding without offsetting of the electron beam.
Ni-Fe Alloy Coatings Prepared via Jet Electrodeposition for the Optimization of the Electrochemical Detection Performance of Laser-Induced Graphene for Pb(II)
Authors: Gao Jiaming , Fu Haiwei , Liu Chen , Zhu Yifan , Fu Xiuqing
Published: July 2023

Heavy metal pollution in water, particularly Pb ion pollution, has seriously threatened human life and health. Therefore, the manufacture of efficient and sensitive heavy metal ion detection materials is essential. The objective of this study was to improve the electrochemical detection performance of laser-induced graphene (LIG) for Pb(II). Considering the excellent ion affinity and high activity of transition metals, Ni-Fe alloy coatings were prepared on the surface of LIG through jet electrodeposition. The prepared LIG and Ni-Fe/LIG were qualitatively analyzed through Raman spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The surface micromorphologies, charge transfer capabilities, and electrochemically active surface areas of LIG and Ni-Fe/LIG were characterized. The detection range and limit of detection (LOD) of Pb(II) for LIG and Ni-Fe /LIG as electrochemical sensors were analyzed. Results showed that compared with LIG, Ni-Fe/LIG had more surface active sites, a higher charge transfer capability, and a larger electrochemically active surface area that reached 0.828 cm2. Ni-Fe/LIG had a detection range of 20–1200 µg/L and an LOD of as low as 0.771 µg/L. Ni-Fe/LIG demonstrated a better electrochemical detection performance for Pb(II) than LIG when used as an electrochemical sensor.
The Effects of a High Concentration of Dissolved Oxygen on Actinobacteria from Lake Baikal
Authors: Dmitrieva Maria E. , Malygina Ekaterina V. , Belyshenko Alexander Y. , Shelkovnikova Victoria N. , Imidoeva Natalia A. , Morgunova Maria M. , Telnova Tamara Y. , Vlasova Anfisa A. , Axenov-Gribanov Denis V.
Published: July 2023

Among the diversity of microorganisms, the rarest and least explored are microorganisms that live in conditions of high oxygen in the environment and can experience the effects of natural oxidative stress. Here we suggest that the actinobacteria of Lake Baikal, sampled in the littoral zone, may produce natural products with antioxidant activity. The current study aimed to assess the effects of experimentally increased amounts of oxygen and ozone on the morphology of actinobacteria, DNA mutations, and antioxidant potential. In this experiment, we cultivated actinobacteria in liquid culture under conditions of natural aeration and increased concentrations of dissolved oxygen and ozone. Over a period of three months, bacterial samples were collected every week for further analysis. Morphological changes were assessed using the Gram method. A search for DNA mutations was conducted for the highly conserved 16S rRNA gene. The evaluation of antioxidant activity was performed using the DPPH test. The biotechnological potential was evaluated using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approaches supplemented with the dereplication of natural products. We demonstrated the synthesis of at least five natural products by the Streptomyces sp. strain only under conditions of increased oxygen and ozone levels. Additionally, we showed morphological changes in Streptomyces sp. and nucleotide mutations in Rhodococcus sp. exposed to increased concentrations of dissolved oxygen and oxidative stress. Consequently, we demonstrated that an increased concentration of oxygen can influence Lake Baikal actinobacteria.
Difference in Intestine Content of Caenorhabditis elegans When Fed on Non-Pathogenic or Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Rezaeianaran Farzad , Gijs Martin A. M.
Published: July 2023

We investigated the bacterial food digestion and accumulation in wild-type adult Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) worms that have fed on either non-pathogenic RFP-expressing Escherichia coli (E. coli) OP50 or pathogenic-RFP-expressing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) PAO1 during the first 4 days of adulthood. Once the worms had completed their planned feeding cycles, they were loaded on microfluidic chips, where they were fixed to allow high-resolution z-stack fluorescence imaging of their intestines utilizing a Spinning Disk Confocal Microscope (SDCM) equipped with a high-resolution oil-immersion objective (60×). IMARIS software was used to visualize and analyze the obtained images, resulting in the production of three-dimensional constructs of the intestinal bacterial load. We discovered two distinct patterns for the bacteria-derived fluorescence signal in the intestine: (i) individual fluorescent spots, originating from intact bacteria, were present in the fluorescent E. coli-OP50-fed worms, and (ii) individual fluorescent spots (originating from intact bacteria) were dispersed in large regions of diffuse fluorescence (RDF), originating from disrupted bacteria, in fluorescent P. aeruginosa-PAO1-fed worms. We performed a semi-automated single-worm-resolution quantitative analysis of the intestinal bacterial load, which showed that the intestinal bacterial load generally increases with age of the worms, but more rapidly for the fluorescent P. aeruginosa-PAO1-fed worms.
An Active Vibration Isolation and Compensation System for Improving Optical Image Quality: Modeling and Experiment
Authors: Wang Min , Xiong Jing , Fu Shibo , Ding Jiheng , Sun Yi , Peng Yan , Xie Shaorong , Luo Jun , Pu Huayan , Shao Shilin
Published: July 2023

Optical detection equipment (ODE) is subjected to vibrations that hamper the quality of imaging. In this paper, an active vibration isolation and compensation system (VICS) for the ODE is developed and systematically studied to improve the optical imaging quality. An active vibration isolator for cameras is designed, employing a dual-loop control strategy with position compensation and integral force feedback (IFF) control, and establishing the mapping relationship between vibration and image quality. A performance metric for evaluating images is also proposed. Finally, an experimental platform is constructed to verify its effectiveness. Based on the experimental results, it can be concluded that the proposed VICS effectively isolates vibrations, resulting in a reduction of 13.95 dB in the peak at the natural frequency and an 11.76 Hz widening of the isolation bandwidth compared with the system without it. At the same time, the experiments demonstrate that the image performance metric value increases by 46.03% near the natural frequency.
A Bandpass Filter Realized by Using Pixel Structure and Genetic Algorithm Optimization
Authors: He Yangyang , Cheng Yi-Feng , Luo Jiang
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a flexible method for designing a bandpass filter (BPF) using pixel structure and genetic algorithm (GA) optimization. The pixel structure is made up of a grid of metallic microstrip stubs, and the GA is utilized to determine the connections between these stubs. The pixel structure enables the construction of step impedance and shunt branches, which are used to design a traditional BPF. To enhance the design freedom, one side of the discrete grids is connected to the ground via metallic holes. For verification, a BPF was designed, simulated, and measured. The experimental results showed that the 10 dB return loss bandwidth ranges from 1.1 to 1.9 GHz and the insertion loss is approximately 2.5 dB. There is good agreement between the calculation, EM simulation, and measurement results. The proposed GA-based design method offers significant advantages in terms of one-time EM simulation, feasibility, and labor time savings, making it more convenient than the traditional design method.
Research of Vertical via Based on Silicon, Ceramic and Glass
Authors: Tian Wenchao , Wu Sixian , Li Wenhua
Published: July 2023

With the increasing demand for high-density integration, low power consumption and high bandwidth, creating more sophisticated interconnection technologies is becoming increasingly crucial. Three-dimensional (3D) integration technology is known as the fourth-generation packaging technology beyond Moore’s Law because of its advantages of low energy consumption, lightweight and high performance. Through-silicon via (TSV) is considered to be at the core of 3D integration because of its excellent electrical performance, lower power consumption, wider bandwidth, higher density, smaller overall size and lighter weight. Therefore, the particular emphasis of this review is the process flow of TSV technology. Among them, the research status of TSV hole etching, deep hole electroplating filling and chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) in TSV preparation process are introduced in detail. There are a multitude of inevitable defects in the process of TSV processing; thus, the stress problems and electrical characteristics that affect the reliability of TSV are summarized in this review. In addition, the process flow and process optimization status of through ceramic via (TCV) and through glass via (TGV) are discussed.
Internet-of-Things-Based Multiple-Sensor Monitoring System for Soil Information Diagnosis Using a Smartphone
Authors: Wu Yin , Yang Zenan , Liu Yanyi
Published: July 2023

The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) technology has moved the digital world in a new direction and is considered the third wave of the information industry. To meet the current growing demand for food, the agricultural industry should adopt updated technologies and smart agriculture based on the IoT which will strongly enable farmers to reduce waste and increase productivity. This research presents a novel system for the application of IoT technology in agricultural soil measurements, which consists of multiple sensors (temperature and moisture), a micro-processor, a microcomputer, a cloud platform, and a mobile phone application. The wireless sensors can collect and transmit soil information in real time with a high speed, while the mobile phone app uses the cloud platform as a monitoring center. A low power consumption is specified in the hardware and software, and a modular power supply and time-saving algorithm are adopted to improve the energy effectiveness of the nodes. Meanwhile, a novel soil information prediction strategy was explored based on the deep Q network (DQN) reinforcement learning algorithm. Following the weighted combination of a bidirectional long short-term memory, online sequential extreme learning machine, and parallel extreme machine learning, the DQN Bi-OS-P prediction model was obtained. The proposed data acquisition system achieved a long-term stable and reliable collection of time-series soil data with equal intervals and provided an accurate dataset for the precise diagnosis of soil information. The RMSE, MAE, and MAPE of the DQN Bi-OS-P were all reduced, and the R2 was improved by 0.1% when compared to other methods. This research successfully implemented the smart soil system and experimentally showed that the time error between the value displayed on the mobile phone app and its exact acquisition moment was no more than 3 s, proving that mobile applications can be effectively used for the real-time monitoring of soil quality and conditions in wireless multi-sensing based on the Internet of Things.
Study of Mass Transfer Enhancement of Electrolyte Flow Field by Rotating Cathode in Through-Mask Electrochemical Micromachining
Authors: Wang Guoqian , Jiang Shan , Ni Shoudong , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2023

To solve the problem of the nonuniform distribution of temperature and electrolytic products in the electrolyte flow field during through-mask electrochemical micromachining, the use of a rotating cathode with surface structures is proposed. The rotation of the cathode increases the efficiency of heat and mass transfer by the electrolyte flow. Simulations are performed to analyze the influence of the type of surface structure, the number of surface structures, and the rotational speed of the cathode on the electrolyte flow field. The results show that the use of a rotating cathode with surface structures significantly improves the mass transfer efficiency of the electrolyte flow field in comparison with a conventional cathode structure, and, in particular, a grooved rotating cathode can increase the outlet flow velocity by about 23%. An experimental demonstration of micropit array processing shows that the use of a grooved rotating cathode increases the mass transfer efficiency by 34% and the processing efficiency by nearly 40% compared with a smooth-surfaced rotating cathode. The grooved rotating cathode also gives the highest machining accuracy. Using this cathode, a uniform micropit array with an average micropit diameter of 201.83 μm, a diameter standard deviation of 3.49 μm, and a depth standard deviation of 0.87 μm is processed.
Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of the Early and Middle Jurassic Granitoids in the Chaihe Area, Central Great Xing’an Range, NE China
Authors: Shi Lu , Ju Nan , Feng Yuhui , Zheng Changqing , Wu Yue , Liu Xin
Published: July 2023

To ascertain the Early-to-Middle Jurassic tectonic setting in the central Great Xing’an Range, this study investigated the Early and Middle Jurassic granitoids exposed in the Chaihe area in the central Great Xing’an Range based on isotopic chronology and petrogeochemistry. The results of this study show that the Early and Middle Jurassic granitoids have emplacement ages of 179–172 Ma. Moreover, the Early and Middle Jurassic granitoids are high-K calc-alkaline unfractionated I-type granitoids and high-K calc-alkaline fractionated I-type granitoids, respectively. The magma sources of the Early and Middle Jurassic granitoids both originated from the partial melting of newly accreted lower crustal basaltic rocks. Meanwhile, the Middle Jurassic magma sources were mixed with mantle-derived materials or ocean-floor sediments formed by the dehydration and metasomatism of subducted slabs. The Early and Middle Jurassic granitoids in the study area were formed in the subduction environment of the oceanic crust, in which the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic plate was subducted southward beneath the Eerguna and Xing’an blocks. Moreover, the Siberian plate began to collide and converge with northeast China during the Middle Jurassic.
Geometallurgical Responses on Lithological Domains Modelled by a Hybrid Domaining Framework
Authors: Abildin Yerniyaz , Xu Chaoshui , Dowd Peter , Adeli Amir
Published: July 2023

Identifying mineralization zones is a critical component of quantifying the distribution of target minerals using well-established mineral resource estimation techniques. Domains are used to define these zones and can be modelled using techniques such as manual interpretation, implicit modelling, and advanced geostatistical methods. In practise, domaining is commonly a manual exercise that is labour-intensive and prone to subjective judgement errors, resulting in a largely deterministic output that ignores the significant uncertainty associated with manual domain interpretation and boundary definitions. Addressing these issues requires an objective framework that can automatically define mineral domains and quantify the associated uncertainty. This paper presents a comparative study of PluriGaussian Simulation (PGS) and a Hybrid Domaining Framework (HDF) based on simulated assay grades and XGBoost, a machine-learning classification technique trained on lithological properties. The two domaining approaches are assessed on the basis of the domain boundaries produced using data from an Iron Oxide Copper Gold deposit. The results show that the proposed HDF domaining framework can quantify the uncertainty of domain boundaries and accommodate complex multiclass problems with imbalanced features. Geometallurgical models of the Net Smelter Return and grinding time are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of HDF. In addition, a preprocessing step involving a noise filtering method is used to improve the performance of the ML classification, especially in cases where domain boundaries are difficult to predict due to the similarity in geological characteristics and the inherent noise in the data.
A Multi-Analytical Approach for the Characterization of Painting Materials and Metal Soap Formation in Two Artworks by the Argentinian Painter Antonio Berni
Authors: Guerrero Astrid C. Blanco , Millán Isabel Alcántara , Careaga Valeria P. , Siracusano Gabriela , Maier Marta S.
Published: July 2023

This work describes the characterization of pigments and ground layers in two paintings by the renowned Argentinian painter Antonio Berni (1905–1981). The studied paintings are “Toledo” and “Figure” from the collection of the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe (Argentina). To approach this goal, an integrated investigation comprising in situ X-ray fluorescence measurements by means of a portable system (pXRF), micro-Raman spectroscopy, Attenuated Total Reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) was carried out. The results revealed a chromatic palette with inorganic pigments, such as ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, lead white, zinc white, yellow cadmium, and hydrated chromium oxide (viridian), together with a preparation layer consisting of a mixture of earth, lead white, and calcite in “Toledo”. On the other hand, the preparation layer in “Figure” was characterized as lithopone, a mixture of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide. ATR-FTIR-analysis revealed the formation of metallic soaps in both paintings due to the reaction of fatty acids from a drying oil used as a binder with lead and zinc pigments, as confirmed by comparison with the infrared spectra of synthetic lead and zinc soaps. This study contributes to the understanding of Berni’s painting style and the future restoration of both artworks.
Role of Elemental Sulphur in Stage B Self-Heating of Sulphide Minerals, and the Potential Role of Polysulphides
Authors: Kim Heekang , Rosenblum Frank , Kökkılıç Ozan , Waters Kristian
Published: July 2023

Sulphide minerals undergo numerous stages of mineral processing to extract the desired metal. When they are exposed to certain environmental conditions, some sulphide minerals can spontaneously heat up, a process called self-heating (SH), which, if left unchecked, can be a major hazard. Self-heating occurs in three distinct temperature stages, termed Stage A (temperature below 100 °C), Stage B (temperature range of 100 °C–350 °C), and Stage C (above 350 °C). Historically, it was understood that elemental sulphur generated in Stage A fuels Stage B reactions; however, the full extent of this behaviour is still unknown. The aim of this study is to understand the role of elemental sulphur in Stage B reactions. The results have demonstrated that elemental sulphur is incapable of fueling Stage B self-heating on its own, and it needs to interact with sulphide minerals in ambient temperatures in the presence of moisture and air. This interaction seems to be unique to pyrrhotite, as it failed to demonstrate stage B self-heating with other sulphide minerals. Previous works in surface chemistry suggest that this interaction leads to the formation of polysulphides.
Energy Efficiency of Microwave-Induced Heating of Crushed Rocks/Ores
Authors: Shadi Amin , Samea Parham , Rabiei Mahdi , Ghoreishi-Madiseh Seyed Ali
Published: July 2023

The interaction between electromagnetic waves and heat transfer phenomena due to microwave treatment is of utmost importance for an energy-efficient microwave-integrated grinding circuit. In this study, the effect of microwave irradiations on the heat absorptions of crushed particles is carried out by developing a numerical model. Crushed particles are simulated as diced-shaped geometries with different sitting arrangements but similar size distributions. The energy efficiency of the microwave treatment process is studied by introducing temperature-dependent dielectric properties and accounting for the convective heat loss from the particle boundaries to the surrounding environment. The simulations are quantitatively validated with the experimental results for heat over microwave efficiency. Heat absorption of larger particles is found to be significantly higher, and the arrangement of particles exerts a negligible effect on overall energy absorption. It is also found that ores with a larger average diameter can yield higher energy efficiencies, and the maximum absorption can be achieved by placing the particles at certain distances from the waveguide of the microwave.
Current Cut Points of Three Falls Risk Assessment Tools Are Inferior to Calculated Cut Points in Geriatric Evaluation and Management Units
Authors: Lee Vivian , Appiah-Kubi Linda , Vogrin Sara , Zanker Jesse , Mitropoulos Joanna
Published: July 2023

Background: Falls risk assessment tools are used in hospital inpatient settings to identify patients at increased risk of falls to guide and target interventions for fall prevention. In 2022, Western Health, Melbourne, Australia, introduced a new falls risk assessment tool, the Western Health St. Thomas’ Risk Assessment Tool (WH-STRATIFY), which adapted The Northern Hospital’s risk tool (TNH-STRATIFY) by adding non-English speaking background and falls-risk medication domains to reflect patient demographics. WH-STRATIFY replaced Peninsula Health Risk Screening Tool (PH-FRAT) previously in use at Western Health. This study compared the predictive accuracy of the three falls risk assessment tools in an older inpatient high-risk population. Aims: To determine the predictive accuracy of three falls risk assessment tools (PH-FRAT, TNH-STRATIFY, and WH-STRATIFY) on admission to Geriatric Evaluation Management (GEM) units (subacute inpatient wards where the most frail and older patients rehabilitate under a multi-disciplinary team). Method: A retrospective observational study was conducted on four GEM units. Data was collected on 54 consecutive patients who fell during admission and 62 randomly sampled patients who did not fall between December 2020 and June 2021. Participants were scored against three falls risk assessment tools. The event rate Youden (Youden IndexER) indices were calculated and compared using default and optimal cut points to determine which tool was most accurate for predicting falls. Results: Overall, all tools had low predictive accuracy for falls. Using default cut points to compare falls assessment tools, TNH-STRATIFY had the highest predictive accuracy (Youden IndexER = 0.20, 95% confidence interval CI = 0.07, 0.34). The PH-FRAT (Youden IndexER = 0.01 and 95% CI = −0.04, 0.05) and WH-STRATIFY (Youden IndexER = 0.00 and 95% CI = −0.04, 0.03) were statistically equivalent and not predictive of falls compared to TNH-STRATIFY. When calculated optimal cut points were applied, predictive accuracy improved for PH-FRAT (Cut point 17, Youden IndexER = 0.14 and 95% CI = 0.01, 0.29) and WH-STRATIFY (Cut point 7, Youden IndexER = 0.18 and 95% CI = 0.00, 0.35). Conclusions: TNH-STRATIFY had the highest predictive accuracy for falls. The predictive accuracy of WH-STRATIFY improved and was significant when the calculated optimal cut point was applied. The optimal cut points of falls risk assessment tools should be determined and validated in different clinical settings to optimise local predictive accuracy, enabling targeted fall risk mitigation strategies and resource allocation.
Perovskite-Based X-ray Detectors
Authors: Lin Chen-Fu , Huang Kuo-Wei , Chen Yen-Ting , Hsueh Sung-Lin , Li Ming-Hsien , Chen Peter
Published: July 2023

X-ray detection has widespread applications in medical diagnosis, non-destructive industrial radiography and safety inspection, and especially, medical diagnosis realized by medical X-ray detectors is presenting an increasing demand. Perovskite materials are excellent candidates for high-energy radiation detection based on their promising material properties such as excellent carrier transport capability and high effective atomic number. In this review paper, we introduce X-ray detectors using all kinds of halide perovskite materials along with various crystal structures and discuss their device performance in detail. Single-crystal perovskite was first fabricated as an active material for X-ray detectors, having excellent performance under X-ray illumination due to its superior photoelectric properties of X-ray attenuation with μm thickness. The X-ray detector based on inorganic perovskite shows good environmental stability and high X-ray sensitivity. Owing to anisotropic carrier transport capability, two-dimensional layered perovskites with a preferred orientation parallel to the substrate can effectively suppress the dark current of the device despite poor light response to X-rays, resulting in lower sensitivity for the device. Double perovskite applied for X-ray detectors shows better attenuation of X-rays due to the introduction of high-atomic-numbered elements. Additionally, its stable crystal structure can effectively lower the dark current of X-ray detectors. Environmentally friendly lead-free perovskite exhibits potential application in X-ray detectors by virtue of its high attenuation of X-rays. In the last section, we specifically introduce the up-scaling process technology for fabricating large-area and thick perovskite films for X-ray detectors, which is critical for the commercialization and mass production of perovskite-based X-ray detectors.
Hierarchical-Structured Fe2O3 Anode with Exposed (001) Facet for Enhanced Lithium Storage Performance
Authors: Liu Yanfei , Lei Jianfei , Chen Ying , Liang Chenming , Ni Jing
Published: July 2023

The hierarchical structure is an ideal nanostructure for conversion-type anodes with drastic volume expansion. Here, we demonstrate a tin-doping strategy for constructing Fe2O3 brushes, in which nanowires with exposed (001) facets are stacked into the hierarchical structure. Thanks to the tin-doping, the conductivity of the Sn-doped Fe2O3 has been improved greatly. Moreover, the volume changes of the Sn-doped Fe2O3 anodes can be limited to ~4% vertical expansion and ~13% horizontal expansion, thus resulting in high-rate performance and long-life stability due to the exposed (001) facet and the unique hierarchical structure. As a result, it delivers a high reversible lithium storage capacity of 580 mAh/g at a current density of 0.2C (0.2 A/g), and excellent rate performance of above 400 mAh/g even at a high current density of 2C (2 A/g) over 500 cycles, which is much higher than most of the reported transition metal oxide anodes. This doping strategy and the unique hierarchical structures bring inspiration for nanostructure design of functional materials in energy storage.
Plasmonic Nanomaterials in Dark Field Sensing Systems
Authors: Zhang Wenjia , Zi Xingyu , Bi Jinqiang , Liu Guohua , Cheng Hongen , Bao Kexin , Qin Liu , Wang Wei
Published: July 2023

Plasma nanoparticles offer promise in data storage, biosensing, optical imaging, photoelectric integration, etc. This review highlights the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation mechanism of plasmonic nanoprobes and its critical significance in the control of dark-field sensing, as well as three main sensing strategies based on plasmonic nanomaterial dielectric environment modification, electromagnetic coupling, and charge transfer. This review then describes the component materials of plasmonic nanoprobes based on gold, silver, and other noble metals, as well as their applications. According to this summary, researchers raised the LSPR performance of composite plasmonic nanomaterials by combining noble metals with other metals or oxides and using them in process analysis and quantitative detection.