bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lubrication Analysis of a Mechanical Seal Considering the Mixed Lubricant State of Gas and Liquid During External Power Shutdown of a Reactor Cooling Pump
Authors: Park Youngjun , Hong Gwanghee , Jun Sanghyun , Choi Jeongmook , Kim Taegyu , Kang Minsoo , Jang Gunhee
Published: November 2024

We proposed a method to calculate the pressure, opening force, and leakage rate in a mechanical seal under the mixed lubricant state of a gas and liquid for the mechanical seal in a reactor cooling pump (RCP) during external power loss. We calculated the pressure by solving the nonlinear finite element equation composed of the linear Reynolds equation of an incompressible liquid lubricant and the nonlinear Reynolds equation of a compressible gas lubricant using the Newton–Raphson method. In addition, we calculated the temperature distribution by solving the two-dimensional energy equation utilizing the finite element method. Additionally, we included the turbulence effect in the incompressible liquid lubricant and the turbulence and slip effects in the compressible gas lubricant. The accuracy of the developed program was validated by comparing the simulated opening force and leakage rate of both the mechanical seal with the liquid lubricant and the mechanical seal with the gas lubricant with prior research. Our analysis shows that in high-temperature environments, the increase in the gas region at the lubrication surface leads to a decrease in pressure and opening force and an increase in the leakage rate. Conversely, as the outer pressure increases, the gas region decreases, resulting in an increase in pressure, opening force, and leakage rate.
Hyperelastic and Stacked Ensemble-Driven Predictive Modeling of PEMFC Gaskets Under Thermal and Chemical Aging
Authors: Park Su-Yeon , Kareem Akeem Bayo , Mustapha Toyyeebah Ajibola , Joo Woo-Jeong , Hur Jang-Wook
Published: November 2024

This study comprehensively investigates the stress distribution and aging effects in Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) and Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) gasket materials through a novel integration of hyperelastic modeling and advanced machine learning techniques. By employing the Mooney–Rivlin, Ogden, and Yeoh hyperelastic models, we evaluated the mechanical behavior of EPDM and LSR under conditions of no aging, heat aging, and combined heat- and sulfuric-acid exposure. Each model revealed distinct sensitivities to stress distribution and material deformation, with peak von Mises stress values indicating that LSR experiences higher internal stress than EPDM across all conditions. For instance, without aging, LSR shows a von Mises stress of 24.17 MPa compared to 14.96 MPa for EPDM, while under heat and sulfuric acid exposure, LSR still exhibits higher stress values, showcasing its resilience under extreme conditions. Additionally, the ensemble learning approach achieved a classification accuracy of 98% for LSR and 84% for EPDM in predicting aging effects, underscoring the robustness of our predictive framework. These findings offer practical implications for selecting suitable gasket materials and developing predictive maintenance strategies in industrial applications, such as fuel cells, where material integrity under stress and aging is paramount.
Enhancing Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Low Cu-Containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys by Aging Treatment Control
Authors: Li Ying , Yu Mingyang , Li Xiwu , Wen Kai , Yan Lizhen , Zhu Kai , Xiao Wei
Published: November 2024

The 7085 aluminum alloy with a low Cu content is an important lightweight structural material in the aerospace field due to its advantages of low density, high specific strength, and high hardenability. However, like other high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys, this alloy is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Additionally, the lower Cu content may increase its tendency toward SCC, potentially impacting the safe use of this alloy. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of aging treatment processes on the mechanical properties and SCC resistance of 7085 aluminum alloy. And the factors affecting the properties of the alloy were analyzed by optical microscope (OM), scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses. The results indicated that increasing the secondary aging temperature and adding a tertiary aging step can significantly reduce the alloy’s susceptibility to SCC while meeting the mechanical performance requirements. The reduced SCC sensitivity was mainly attributed to the increased spacing of grain boundary precipitates, a wider precipitate-free zone at the grain boundaries, and a higher Cu content in the grain boundary precipitates.
Characterization of Particle Size Effects on Sintering Shrinkage and Porosity in Stainless Steel Metal Injection Molding Using Multi-Physics Simulation
Authors: Wu Ying , Guo Kaibo , Ni Junfang
Published: November 2024

In this study, three stainless steel materials (17-4PH, 316L, and 304) were experimentally simulated using metal injection molding (MIM) technology to explore the size shrinkage behavior and defect formation mechanism of materials with different particle sizes during sintering. The sintering environment was linearly heated to 1250 °C at a rate of 5 °C/min and kept warm for 90 min. Multi-physics field coupling analysis was performed using ANSYS Workbench software. Two different regions were selected to simulate the total deformation trend of the material during sintering. The simulation results were compared with data from SEM and EDS analyses to elucidate the influence of particle size on shrinkage behavior and defect distribution. The findings indicate that the gaps between particles far away from the gate position became larger, the degree of densification decreased, the porosity was higher, and the number of white dot inclusions increased. Among the three materials, 17-4PH, which had the smallest particle size, had a greater sintering driving force, a better degree of densification, a smaller predicted total deformation, and a higher shrinkage rate, which is consistent with the hardness test data and the actual density data. In addition, the densification advantage of small particle size powder is not only related to surface energy but is also closely linked to the uniformity of its microstructure. The analysis in this study further promotes the performance optimization of stainless steel materials, indicates a scientific basis for future process improvements and high-precision parts manufacturing in MIM technology, and points to the development direction for high-performance materials.
Exact Soliton Solutions to the Variable-Coefficient Korteweg–de Vries System with Cubic–Quintic Nonlinearity
Authors: Ma Hongcai , Qi Xinru , Deng Aiping
Published: November 2024

In this manuscript, we investigate the (2+1)-dimensional variable-coefficient Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) system with cubic–quintic nonlinearity. Based on different methods, we also obtain different solutions. Under the help of the wave ansatz method, we obtain the exact soliton solutions to the variable-coefficient KdV system, such as the dark and bright soliton solutions, Tangent function solution, Secant function solution, and Cosine function solution. In addition, we also obtain the interactions between dark and bright soliton solutions, between rogue and soliton solutions, and between lump and soliton solutions by using the bilinear method. For these solutions, we also give their three dimensional plots and density plots. This model is of great significance in fluid. It is worth mentioning that the research results of our paper is different from the existing research: we not only use different methods to study the solutions to the variable-coefficient KdV system, but also use different values of parameter t to study the changes in solutions. The results of this study will contribute to the understanding of nonlinear wave structures of the higher dimensional KdV systems.
Mean-Median Compromise Method: A Novel Deepest Voting Function Balancing Range Voting and Majority Judgment
Authors: Ngoie Ruffin-Benoît M. , Kasereka Selain K. , Sakulu Jean-Aimé B. , Kyamakya Kyandoghere
Published: November 2024

A logical presentation of the Mean-Median Compromise Method (MMCM) is provided in this paper. The objective is to show that the method is a generalization of majority judgment, where each tie-break step is Lp deepest voting. Therefore, in its tie-breaking procedures, the proposed method returns scores that range from the median to the mean. Among the established characteristics that it satisfies are universality, neutrality, independence of irrelevant alternatives, unanimity, and monotonicity. Additionally covered are robustness, reaching consensus, controlling extremes, responding to single-peakedness, and the impact of outliers. Through computer simulations, it is shown that the MMCM score does not vary by more than 12% even for up to 50% of strategic voters, ensuring the method’s robustness. The 1976 Paris wine taste along with the French presidential poll organized by OpinionWay in 2012 were well-known and highly regarded situations in the area of social choice to which the MMCM was used. The outcomes of MMCM have shown remarkable consistency. On the basis of the democratic standards that are most frequently discussed in the literature, other comparisons were performed. With 19 of the 25 criteria satisfied, the MMCM is in the top ranking. Supporting theorems have shown that MMCM does not necessarily require an absolute majority to pass an opinion for which a minority expresses a strong preference while the majority is only marginally opposed.
Knowledge-Enhanced Transformer Graph Summarization (KETGS): Integrating Entity and Discourse Relations for Advanced Extractive Text Summarization
Authors: Onan Aytuğ , Alhumyani Hesham
Published: November 2024

The rapid proliferation of textual data across multiple sectors demands more sophisticated and efficient techniques for summarizing extensive texts. Focusing on extractive text summarization, this approach zeroes in on choosing key sentences from a document, providing an essential method for handling extensive information. While conventional methods often miss capturing deep semantic links within texts, resulting in summaries that might lack cohesion and depth, this paper introduces a novel framework called Knowledge-Enhanced Transformer Graph Summary (KETGS). Leveraging the strengths of both transformer models and Graph Neural Networks, KETGS develops a detailed graph representation of documents, embedding linguistic units from words to key entities. This structured graph is then navigated via a Transformer-Guided Graph Neural Network (TG-GNN), dynamically enhancing node features with structural connections and transformer-driven attention mechanisms. The framework adopts a Maximum Marginal Relevance (MMR) strategy for selecting sentences. Our evaluations show that KETGS outshines other leading extractive summarization models, delivering summaries that are more relevant, cohesive, and concise, thus better preserving the essence and structure of the original texts.
TOAR: Toward Resisting AS-Level Adversary Correlation Attacks Optimal Anonymous Routing
Authors: Zhao Hui , Song Xiangmei
Published: November 2024

The Onion Router (Tor), as the most widely used anonymous network, is vulnerable to traffic correlation attacks by powerful passive adversaries, such as Autonomous Systems (AS). AS-level adversaries increase their chances of executing correlation attacks by manipulating the underlying routing, thereby compromising anonymity. Furthermore, these underlying routing detours in the Tor client’s routing inference introduce extra latency. To address this challenge, we propose Toward Resisting AS-level Adversary Correlation Attacks Optimal Anonymous Routing (TOAR). TOAR is a two-stage routing mechanism based on Bayesian optimization within Software Defined Networks (SDN), comprising route search and route forwarding. Specifically, it searches for routes that conform to established policies, avoiding AS that could connect traffic between clients and destinations while maintaining anonymity in the selection of routes that minimize communication costs. To evaluate the anonymity of TOAR, as well as the effectiveness of route searching and the performance of route forwarding, we conduct a detailed analysis and extensive experiments. The analysis and experimental results show that the probability of routing being compromised by correlation attacks is significantly reduced. Compared to classical enumeration-based methods, the success rate of route searching increased by close to 2.5 times, and the forwarding throughput reached 70% of that of the packet transmission. The results show that TOAR effectively improves anonymity while maintaining communication quality, minimizing anonymity loss from AS-level adversaries and reducing high latency from routing detours.
Soliton Solutions to Sasa–Satsuma-Type Modified Korteweg–De Vries Equations by Binary Darboux Transformations
Authors: Ma Wen-Xiu
Published: November 2024

Sasa–Satsuma (SS)-type integrable matrix modified Korteweg–de Vries (mKdV) equations are derived from two group constraints, involving the replacement of the spectral matrix in the Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur matrix eigenproblems with its matrix transpose and its Hermitian transpose. Using the Lax pairs and dual Lax pairs of matrix eigenproblems as a foundation, binary Darboux transformations are constructed. These transformations, initiated with a zero seed solution, facilitate the generation of soliton solutions for the SS-type integrable matrix mKdV equations presented.
A Study of Szász–Durremeyer-Type Operators Involving Adjoint Bernoulli Polynomials
Authors: Rao Nadeem , Farid Mohammad , Ali Rehan
Published: November 2024

This research work introduces a connection of adjoint Bernoulli’s polynomials and a gamma function as a sequence of linear positive operators. Further, the convergence properties of these sequences of operators are investigated in various functional spaces with the aid of the Korovkin theorem, Voronovskaja-type theorem, first order of modulus of continuity, second order of modulus of continuity, Peetre’s K-functional, Lipschitz condition, etc. In the last section, we extend our research to a bivariate case of these sequences of operators, and their uniform rate of approximation and order of approximation are investigated in different functional spaces. Moreover, we construct a numerical example to demonstrate the applicability of our results.
A New Methodology for the Development of Efficient Multistep Methods for First-Order Initial Value Problems with Oscillating Solutions V: The Case of the Open Newton–Cotes Differential Formulae
Authors: Simos Theodore E.
Published: November 2024

The author has just published a theory on first-order differential equations that accounts for the phase-lag and amplification-factor calculations using explicit, implicit, and backward differentiation multistep methods. Eliminating the phase-lag and amplification-factor derivatives, his presentation delves into how the techniques’ effectiveness changes. The theory for determining the phase lag and amplification factor, initially established for explicit multistep techniques, will be extended to the Open Newton–Cotes Differential Formulae in this work. The effect of the derivatives of these variables on the efficiency of these calculations will be studied. The novel discovered approach’s symplectic form will be considered next. The discussion of numerical experiment findings and some conclusions on the existing methodologies will conclude in this section.
Computational Modeling of Natural Convection in Nanofluid-Saturated Porous Media: An Investigation into Heat Transfer Phenomena
Authors: Kramer Stajnko Janja , Ravnik Jure , Jecl Renata , Nekrep Perc Matjaž
Published: November 2024

A numerical study was carried out to analyze the phenomenon of natural convection in a porous medium saturated with nanofluid. In the study, the boundary element method was used for computational modeling. The fluid flow through a porous matrix is described using the Darcy–Brinkman–Forchheimer momentum equation. In addition, a mathematical model for nanofluids was used, which follows a single-phase approach and assumes that the nanoparticles within a fluid can be treated as an independent fluid with effective properties. A combination of single- and sub-domain boundary element methods was used to solve the relevant set of partial differential equations. The method was originally developed for pure flow scenarios, but also proves to be effective in the context of fluid flow through porous media. The results are calculated for the case of two- and three-dimensional square cavities. In addition to various values of dimensionless control parameters, including the porous Rayleigh number (Rap), Darcy number (Da), porosity (ϕ) and nanoparticle volume fractions (φ), the effects of the inclination angle of the cavity on the overall heat transfer (expressed by the Nusselt number (Nu)) and fluid flow characteristics were investigated. The results indicate a pronounced dependence of the overall heat transfer on the introduction of nanoparticles and inclination angle. The heat transfer in a two-dimensional cavity is increased for higher values of Darcy number in the conduction flow regime, while it is suppressed for lower values of Darcy number in the Darcy flow regime. In the case of a three-dimensional cavity, increasing the volume fraction of nanoparticles leads to a decrease in heat transfer, and furthermore, increasing the inclination angle of the cavity considerably weakens the buoyancy flow.
Computational Evaluation of Heat and Mass Transfer in Cylindrical Flow of Unsteady Fractional Maxwell Fluid Using Backpropagation Neural Networks and LMS
Authors: Hassan Waqar Ul , Shabbir Khurram , Khan Muhammad Imran , Guran Liliana
Published: November 2024

Fractional calculus plays a pivotal role in modern scientific and engineering disciplines, providing more accurate solutions for complex fluid dynamics phenomena due to its non-locality and inherent memory characteristics. In this study, Caputo’s time fractional derivative operator approach is employed for heat and mass transfer modeling in unsteady Maxwell fluid within a cylinder. Governing equations within a cylinder involve a system of coupled, nonlinear fractional partial differential equations (PDEs). A machine learning technique based on the Levenberg–Marquardt scheme with a backpropagation neural network (LMS-BPNN) is employed to evaluate the predicted solution of governing flow equations up to the required level of accuracy. The numerical data sheet is obtained using series solution approach Homotopy perturbation methods. The data sheet is divided into three portions i.e., 80% is used for training, 10% for validation, and 10% for testing. The mean-squared error (MSE), error histograms, correlation coefficient (R), and function fitting are computed to examine the effectiveness and consistency of the proposed machine learning technique i.e., LMS-BPNN. Moreover, additional error metrics, such as R-squared, residual plots, and confidence intervals, are incorporated to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of model accuracy. The comparison of predicted solutions with LMS-BPNN and an approximate series solution are compared and the goodness of fit is found. The momentum boundary layer became higher and higher as there was an enhancement in the value of Caputo, fractional order α = 0.5 to α = 0.9. Higher thermal boundary layer (TBL) profiles were observed with the rising value of the heat source.
Radical Petrov–Galerkin Approach for the Time-Fractional KdV–Burgers’ Equation
Authors: Youssri Youssri Hassan , Atta Ahmed Gamal
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a novel numerical spectral scheme to handle the time-fractional KdV–Burgers’ equation, which is very important in both physics and engineering. The scheme basically uses the tau approach combined with Gegenbauer polynomials to provide accurate and stable numerical solutions. Instead of solving the differential problem together with the conditions, we solve a system of algebraic equations. The method can handle complex boundary conditions. Some numerical experiments are exhibited to demonstrate that this approach is highly efficient and produces results that are better than some existing numerical methods in the literature. This technique offers more advanced solutions for time-fractional problems in various fields.
Clinical Challenges in Diagnosing Primordial Dwarfism: Insights from a MOPD II Case Study
Authors: Jurca Alexandru Daniel , Petchesi Codruța Diana , Jurca Sânziana , Severin Emilia , Jurca Aurora Alexandra , Jurca Claudia Maria
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives. Primordial dwarfism (PD) is a rare group of genetic conditions where individuals experience severe growth restriction, both in the womb and after birth. From as early as the fetal stage, those affected are significantly smaller than their peers. What makes PD distinct is its slow but steady growth pattern, resulting in proportionate dwarfism, where all parts of the body are equally shortened. Diagnosing and managing PD presents significant challenges due to its rarity and the wide range of clinical and genetic variability. The main conditions in this group include Seckel syndrome, Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism (MOPD) types I/III, MOPD type II, Meier–Gorlin syndrome, and Silver–Russell syndrome (SRS). The first four—Seckel syndrome, MOPD types I/III, MOPD type II, and Meier–Gorlin syndrome—are associated with microcephaly, and together they are known as microcephalic PD. Given how uncommon PD is, establishing its exact incidence is difficult. It is estimated that about 4 million infants die within the first month of life, with 99% of these deaths occurring in the neonatal period. Materials and Methods. Accurately diagnosing PD requires meticulous evaluation, as it can be easily confused with other genetic disorders that also cause dwarfism. In this article, we present the case of a 10-year-old patient diagnosed with MOPD II, the most common and well-documented form of microcephalic PD. Results. Genetic analysis revealed a pathogenic variant in the PCNT (pericentrin) gene ((c.1550dup, p.Gln518Alafs*7), alongside a deletion of exons 37–41. Conclusions. This case sheds light on the clinical and genetic complexities of primordial dwarfism, underscoring the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis for effective patient care.
Management of Vestibular Bone Fenestration with Periosteal Inhibition (PI) Technique During Alveolar Socket Preservation: A Case Report
Authors: Grassi Andrea , Bizzoca Maria Eleonora , De Biasi Lucia , Padula Rossella , Annicchiarico Ciro , Cervino Gabriele , Lo Muzio Lorenzo , Mastrangelo Filiberto
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this case report is to examine the management of vestibular bone fenestration during alveolar socket preservation using the Periosteal Inhibition (PI) approach. Here, for the first time, the PI technique, which has been shown to be successful in maintaining intact cortical bone, is examined in the context of a bone defect. Materials and Methods: After an atraumatic extraction of a damaged tooth, a vestibular bone fenestration was discovered in the 62-year-old male patient. To shield the defect, a non-resorbable PTFE membrane (OSSEO GUARD by Zimmer Biomet) was positioned between the mucosa and the fenestration site. A resorbable porcine gelatin sponge (SPONGOSTANTM) was used to achieve hemostasis, and a 5/0 PGCL absorbable suture was used to close the wound. A CBCT scan was performed, and a dental implant was inserted after 4 months. Results: After 4 months, the case demonstrated positive results, with full cortical remodeling and preservation of the original bone proportions. The fenestration completely healed, proving that the PI approach works even in the presence of bone flaws in cortical bone that is still intact. Conclusions: This is the first case report that shows that vestibular bone fenestration can be successfully treated with the PI approach. It has now been demonstrated that the procedure, which hitherto needed an undamaged cortical bone to work, can help bone abnormalities to repair completely. These results imply that the PI technique is a flexible and useful approach that provides predictable results in dental surgery for treating different types of alveolar bone abnormalities. Its use might be expanded with more study to include bone dehiscence treatment.
Long Working Hours and Unhealthy Lifestyles of Workers: A Protocol for a Scoping Review
Authors: Baek Seong-Uk , Won Jong-Uk , Yoon Jin-Ha
Published: November 2024

Poor lifestyle behaviors, including unhealthy dietary habits, lack of physical activity, smoking, inadequate and poor-quality sleep, and alcohol consumption, are well-documented risk factors for health deterioration. Previous studies have suggested that such undesirable lifestyle behaviors may mediate the effects of long working hours on negative health outcomes. This protocol paper aims to introduce and outline the methods for this scoping review. The proposed scoping review will map the existing research on the relationship between working hours and lifestyle behaviors, identifying areas and gaps in the evidence that warrant further investigation. This review will include only peer-reviewed, published articles written in English. All studies examining the relationship or effects of working hours on the five a priori defined major lifestyle components will be considered (diet, physical activity, tobacco use, sleep, and alcohol use), without restrictions on region, publication year, or study design. This review will be performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The databases will include MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. The search equation will be structured to include the topic of working hours while also encompassing at least one of the five lifestyle topics: physical activity, diet, sleep, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. Two reviewers will screen the articles and extract pertinent data. This investigation will primarily focus on evaluating the existing evidence and identifying any gaps in understanding the relationship between working hours and each lifestyle component. A narrative summary will be presented to explain the findings of the included studies.
Characteristics and Genesis of Collophane in Organic-Rich Shale of Chang 7 Member in Ordos Basin, North China
Authors: Zhang Yu , Dai Chaocheng , Bian Congsheng , Bai Bin , Jiang Xingfu
Published: November 2024

(1) Background: The Ordos Basin is one of the sedimentary basins in China that is richest in oil and gas resources. The Chang 7 member of the Yanchang Formation is a set of organic-rich shale, abundant in collophane. (2) Methods: The observation and analysis of rock thin sections, combined with major elements, trace elements, electron probes, and other technical means, the characteristics and genesis mechanism of collophane in the organic-rich shale of the Chang 7 member of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin were studied. (3) Results: Collophane are divided into oolitic collophane, red-yellow aggregate collophane, and apatite-containing crystalline collophane; the main chemical compositions of the collophane were CaO, P2O5, FeO, Al2O3, and MgO. (4) Conclusions: Phosphorus elements of collophane in the organic-rich shale of the Chang 7 member of the Ordos continental lake basin are mainly derived from the nutrients carried by the volcanic ash sediments around the basin and the hydrothermal fluid at the bottom of the lake. The formation of collophane is divided into two periods: during the sedimentary period, the phosphorus released by the aerobic decomposition of phytoplankton to the mineralization and degradation of organic matter, and the death of phosphorus-rich organisms is preserved in the sediment by adsorption and complexation with iron oxides and then combined with calcium and fluoride plasma to form collophane; during the early diagenesis process, collophane underwent recrystallization, forming a colloidal, cryptocrystalline, and microcrystalline apatite assemblage.
Synthesis of Sr6LuAl(BO3)6:Sm3+ Red Phosphor with Excellent Thermal Stability and Its Application in w-LEDs
Authors: Zhang Anlin , Yang Yue , Peng Yuqing , Zhou Hao , Tang Wei , Jiang Jianhong , Wu Yiting , Cai Shiying , Xie Lianwu , Deng Bin
Published: November 2024

In this study, a series of Sr6LuAl(BO3)6:Sm3+ red phosphors were successfully prepared with a high-temperature solid-phase technology. The Rietveld refinement analysis of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) diffraction patterns indicated that the as-prepared phosphors belong to the R3¯ space group of the hexagonal crystal system. Under 404 nm near-ultraviolet excitation, the Sr6LuAl(BO3)6:Sm3+ phosphor exhibits narrowband emission within the range of 550 to 750 nm. The primary emission peak is observed at a wavelength of 599 nm, corresponding to 6H5/2 → 4F7/2. The optimum doping concentration of the Sr6LuAl(BO3)6:xSm3+ phosphor is 10 mol%. Nearest-neighbor ion interaction is the mechanism of concentration quenching. The synthesized phosphors demonstrate exceptional thermal stability, with a high quenching temperature (T0.5 > 480 K). Furthermore, the assembled white light-emitting diode (w-LED) device exhibits a low color temperature (5464 K), an excellent color rendering index (Ra = 95.6), and CIE coordinates (0.333, 0.336) close to those of standard white light. Collectively, these results suggest the enormous potential of Sr6LuAl(BO3)6:Sm3+ phosphors for applications in w-LEDs.
The Far-Infrared Absorption Spectrum of HD16O: Experimental Line Positions, Accurate Empirical Energy Levels, and a Recommended Line List
Authors: Mikhailenko Semen N. , Karlovets Ekaterina V. , Koroleva Aleksandra O. , Campargue Alain
Published: November 2024

The far-infrared absorption spectrum of monodeuterated water vapor, HD16O, is analyzed using three high-sensitivity absorption spectra recorded by high-resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility. The gas sample was obtained using a 1:1 mixture of H2O and D2O leading to a HDO abundance close to 50%. The room temperature spectra recorded in the 50–720 cm−1 range cover most of the rotational band. The sensitivity of the recordings allows for lowering by three orders of magnitude the detectivity threshold of previous absorption studies in the region. Line centers are determined with a typical accuracy of 5 × 10−5 cm−1 for well-isolated lines. The combined line list of 8522 water lines is assigned to 9186 transitions of the nine stable water isotopologues (H2XO, HDXO, and D2XO with X = 16, 17, and 18). Regarding the HD16O isotopologue, a total of 2443 transitions are presently assigned while about 530 absorption transitions were available prior to our SOLEIL recordings. The comparison with the HITRAN list of HD16O transitions is discussed in detail. The obtained set of accurate HD16O transition frequencies is merged with literature sources to generate a set of 1121 accurate empirical rotation–vibration energies for the first five vibrational states (000), (010), (100), (020), and (001). The comparison to the previous dataset from an IUPAC task group illustrates a gain in the average energy accuracy by more than one order of magnitude. Based on these levels, a recommended list of transitions between the first five vibrational states is proposed for HD16O in the 0–4650 cm−1 frequency range.
Microglia-Associated Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Shah Siddharth , Jain Hritvik
Published: November 2024

Background: Neuroinflammation has long been implicated in the progression of amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation and the decline of cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The phenotype balance between A1 (toxic) and A2 (safe) microglial phenotypes to toxic illness in AD has become a hot research topic at present. Currently, many transcription factors, downstream signaling pathways, and molecular mechanisms that regulate the polarization of microglia are being explored. Furthermore, microglia may also exert a complex role in AD through the transformation of Aβ plaques or debris clearance, reflected in Aβ phagocytosis. One of the mediators of neuroinflammation in AD is the activated microglia. Therefore, the regulation of microglial function may be the key to successfully treating AD. Methods: This paper is a review article. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and research meeting abstracts were searched up to 2024 for studies of microglia and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease. Systematic information retrieval was performed, and appropriate studies were isolated based on important information available in the studies. The information from each of the articles was understood and extracted to form a database. Results: The similar neuropathological results between several animals and AD cases show the possibility of implementing microglia-related changes as an earlier diagnostic marker for AD in humans. The gene sets identified in various transcriptomic studies further foster this avenue of research by offering potential targets for therapeutic development. Substantial evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, has suggested that the loss of the normal A2 phenotype and the activation of toxic A1 microglia contribute to neurodegeneration in AD. Conclusions: Promoting or restoring the polarization of microglia towards the A2 phenotype may thus represent an effective therapeutic strategy for ameliorating neuroinflammation and progressive neurocognitive impairments. Multiple studies suggest that microglia-associated neuroinflammation at a special stage could also be protective, and, therefore, intervention should be delicate so that a beneficial response is retained.
Angle-Tunable Method for Optimizing Rear Reflectance in Fabry–Perot Interferometers and Its Application in Fiber-Optic Ultrasound Sensing
Authors: Chu Yufei , Alshammari Mohammed , Wang Xiaoli , Han Ming
Published: November 2024

With the introduction of advanced Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology, Fabry–Pérot (FP) interferometers have become widely used in fiber-optic ultrasound detection. In these applications, the slope of the reflectance is a critical factor influencing detection results. Due to the intensity limitations of the laser source in fiber-optic ultrasound detection, the reflectance of the FBG is generally increased to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). However, increasing reflectance can cause the reflectance curve to deviate from a sinusoidal shape, which in turn affects the slope of the reflectance and introduces greater errors. This paper first investigates the relationship between the transmission curve of the FP interferometer and reflectance, with a focus on the errors introduced by simplified assumptions. Further research shows that in sensors with asymmetric reflectance slopes, their transmittance curves deviate significantly from sinusoidal signals. This discrepancy highlights the importance of achieving symmetrical slopes to ensure consistent and accurate detection. To address this issue, this paper proposes an innovative method to adjust the rear-end reflectance of the FP interferometer by combining stress modulation, UV adhesive, and a high-reflectivity metal disk. Additionally, by adjusting the rear-end reflectance to ensure that the transmittance curve approximates a sinusoidal signal, the symmetry of the slope is maintained. Finally, through practical ultrasound testing, by adjusting the incident wavelength to the positions of slope extrema (or zero) at equal intervals, the expected ultrasound signals at extrema (or zero) can be detected. This method converts the problem of approximating a sinusoidal signal into a problem of the slope adjustment of the transmittance curve, making it easier and more direct to determine its impact on detection results. The proposed method not only improves the performance of fiber-optic ultrasound sensors but also reduces costs, paving the way for broader applications in medical diagnostics and structural health monitoring.
Experimental Analysis of Acoustic Spectra for Leading/Trailing-Edge Serrated Blades in Cascade Configuration
Authors: Totu Andrei-George , Deaconu Marius , Cristea Laurențiu , Bogoi Alina , Crunțeanu Daniel-Eugeniu , Cican Grigore
Published: November 2024

This study aims to highlight the noise reduction achieved through the integration of serrated blades on the leading and trailing edges within a small-scale cascade configuration relevant to turbomachinery contexts. Experiments were conducted using a newly developed 3D-printed test bench, enabling both acoustic and aerodynamic measurements. Turbulence was generated using a rectangular grid positioned at two axial locations. Non-dimensional spectra were computed and compared with experimental data, showing good agreement over a wide frequency range. Significant noise reduction was observed in the 1000–3000 Hz band, despite the lack of optimization of turbulence and serration parameters. Leading-edge serrations were found to be effective at lower frequencies in the axial direction and at higher frequencies laterally. In contrast, trailing-edge serrations had a minimal impact above 3500 Hz, performing worse than the reference condition across a large frequency range. Nevertheless, for this initial iteration at a small scale, overall sound pressure level reductions of up to 1 dB were achieved with trailing-edge serrations and up to 1.5 dB with leading-edge serrations, underscoring their potential for noise mitigation in relevant applications.
Lacustrine Shale Oil Occurrence State and Its Controlling Factors: A Case Study from the Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation in the Sichuan Basin
Authors: Zhang Shaomin , Guo Ruiying , Tang Qingsong , Hong Haitao , Qin Chunyu , Lu Shuangfang , Zhang Pengfei , Wei Tengqiang , Pan Keyu , Lin Zizhi
Published: November 2024

To reveal the shale oil occurrence state and its controlling factors of the Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation in the Sichuan Basin, experimental analyses, including total organic content, X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption, nuclear magnetic resonance, conventional, and multistage rock-eval, were conducted on the shale samples. The shale oil occurrence state, the amount/proportion of adsorbed/free oil, and their control factors were clarified. Moreover, the classification evaluation standard of shale oil resources was then determined. The results show that the selected shales are characterized by large oil contents. Total oil ranges from 0.08 mg/g to 10.06 mg/g (mean 2.82 mg/g). Adsorbed oil is between 0.03 mg/g and 5.66 mg/g (1.64 mg/g), while free oil spans from 0.05 mg/g to 4.94 mg/g (1.21 mg/g). The higher the total oil content, the higher the free oil content, indicating that the free oil sweet spot corresponds to the shale oil resource sweet spot. Shale oil is mainly adsorbed in organic matter; the larger TOC content results in the higher adsorbed oil content. Residual shale oil primarily occurs in pores less than 100 nm in diameter, and a higher pore volume corresponds to a higher total oil content. The shale oil enrichment resources refer to the shale with the TOC > 1.5%, S1 > 1.5 mg/g, and S1/TOC > 45 mg/g. This study is helpful for the prediction of shale oil resources and optimizing sweet spots in the Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation of the Sichuan Basin.
Molecular Energy of Metamorphic Coal and Methane Adsorption Based on Gaussian Simulation
Authors: Yang Tao , Hu Jingyan , Li Tao , Min Heng , Zhang Shuchao
Published: November 2024

Effectively controlling the adsorption and desorption of coal and mine gas is crucial to preventing harm to the environment. Therefore, this paper investigated the adsorption of coal and methane molecules from the perspective of microscopic energy through Gaussian simulation. Gaussian 09W and GaussView 5.0 software were used to construct and optimize the molecular model of four different metamorphic coals, namely lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite, and their adsorption structure with methane as well as the energy, bond length, vibration frequency, infrared spectrum, and other data on the optimal structure were obtained. The binding energy of coal molecules and methane from large to small was as follows: sub-bituminous coal (7.3696 KJ/mol), lignite (6.6149 KJ/mol), bituminous coal (5.2170 KJ/mol), and anthracite (4.9510 KJ/mol). The equilibrium distance was negatively correlated with the binding energy, and the molecular structure and position of coal largely determined the binding energy. Additionally, adsorption was more likely to occur between methane molecules and hydroxyl groups. Many new vibration modes were observed during the adsorption of coal and methane molecules. This paper is of practical significance, as studying the adsorption of coal and mine gas can prevent and control mine gas outbursts and ensure safe production.
Study on Real-Time Detection of Lightweight Tomato Plant Height Under Improved YOLOv5 and Visual Features
Authors: Leng Ling , Wang Lin , Lv Jinhong , Xie Pengan , Zeng Chao , Wu Weibin , Fan Chaoyan
Published: November 2024

Tomato cultivation is relatively dense, and the main stem is easily submerged in a background environment with small color difference. The semi-enclosed planting space and fast growth cycle are both limitations that cannot be ignored in detection technology. The accuracy and real-time performance of plant height detection are of great practical significance. To this end, we are committed to improving YOLOv5 and proposing a lightweight real-time detection method for plant height by combining visual features of tomato main stems. Here, we improved the backbone, neck, head, and activation functions of YOLOv5, using CSP dark net53-s as the backbone structure and introducing a focus structure to reduce the number of GE modules. We replaced all CSP2_X structures in neck and head with GE modules, embedded interactive multi-head attention, and replaced YOLOv5’s framework function and attention activation function. We defined visual features such as the color of the main stem of tomato plants in the preprocessed image; input improved YOLOv5; and completed plant height detection through effective feature map fusion, main stem framing, and scale conversion. The experimental results show that the linear deviation between the plant height detection value and the actual value of the proposed method is always less than 3 cm, and the detection FPS can reach up to 67 frames per second, with superior timeliness, which can effectively achieve lightweight real-time detection.
Relationship Between Plasma Acid Sphingomyelinase and Alteration in Taste and Smell as Indicator of Long COVID in Pregnant Women
Authors: Fiorani Federico , Moretti Giulia , Cerquiglini Laura , Gizzi Chiara , Gizzi Giulia , Signorelli Paola , Cataldi Samuela , Beccari Tommaso , Delvecchio Elisa , Mazzeschi Claudia , Troiani Stefania , Albi Elisabetta
Published: November 2024

Background: Persistent alterations in taste and smell affect a significant proportion of individuals following COVID-19, representing a component of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, commonly referred to as long COVID. The degradation of sphingomyelin by acid sphingomyelinase is regarded as a biomarker for acquired demyelinating neuropathies. Objectives: This study was aimed to enroll women who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy and experienced persistent alterations in taste and/or smell for more than 1 year post-infection, in comparison to pregnant women without any disturbances in these senses. Methods: The patients were subjected to a questionnaire investigating smell and taste disorders more than 1 year after the infection. Then, the levels of acid sphingomyelinase in the plasma of the participants were assessed. Results: The results showed that in women who had been pregnant and who had been infected with SARS Cov-2 during the COVID period and who still had taste and smell disorders 1 year later, plasma acid sphingomyelinase levels were double that of pregnant women who had contracted the infection during the COVID period but had not reported taste and smell disorders and that of pregnant women analyzed after the COVID period. Conclusions: The results suggest a hypothesis that the persistence of sensory disturbances in long COVID was probably due to a failure to utilize brain circuitry with demyelination resulting from chemosensory dysfunction of the olfactory epithelium.
Interaction of Sensitivity, Emotions, and Motivations During Visual Perception
Authors: Lytaev Sergey
Published: November 2024

When an organism is exposed to environmental stimuli of varying intensity, the adaptive changes in the CNS can be explained by several conceptual provisions: the law of motivation–activation by Yerkes and Dodson, the laws of force and pessimal protective inhibition, and the theory of emotion activation. Later, reinforcement sensitivity theory was developed in the fields of psychology and psychophysics. At the same time, cortical prepulse inhibition (PPI), the prepulse inhibition of perceived stimulus intensity (PPIPSI), and the augmentation/reduction phenomenon were proposed in sensory neurophysiology, which expanded our understanding of consciousness. The aim of this study was to identify markers of levels of activity of cognitive processes under normal and in psychopathological conditions while amplifying the information stimulus. For this purpose, we changed the contrast level of reversible checkerboard patterns and mapped the visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in 19 monopolar channels among 52 healthy subjects and 39 patients with a mental illness without an active productive pathology. Their cognitive functions were assessed by presenting visual tests to assess invariant pattern recognition, short-term visual memory, and Gestalt perception. The personalities of the healthy subjects were assessed according to Cattell’s 16-factor questionnaire, linking the data from neurophysiological and cognitive studies to factors Q4 (relaxation/tension) and C (emotional stability). According to the N70 and N150 VEP waves, the healthy subjects and the patients were divided into two groups. In some, there was a direct relationship between VEP amplitude and contrast intensity (21 patients and 29 healthy persons), while in the others, there was an inverse relationship, with a reduction in VEP amplitude (18 patients and 23 healthy persons). The relationship and mechanisms of subjects’ cognitive abilities and personality traits are discussed based on the data acquired from the responses to information stimuli of varied intensity.
The Fluorescent Sensing of BF3 and Amines: A Dual Approach with Hydrazone Ligands
Authors: Ye Haichao , Liu Liqin , Shen Dagang , Song Chang , Wang Huanhuan
Published: November 2024

BF3, volatile amines (VOAs), and biogenic amines (BAs) are the key indicators in chemical reaction catalysis and food quality monitoring. In this study, we present two types of fluorescent sensors, a hydrazone ligand (HL)-based fluorescent sensor for BF3 detection and a novel sensor array using six boron difluoride (BF2) hydrazone complexes (BFHs) for monitoring VOAs and BAs. Spectral research indicates that the interaction mechanism between the HLs and BF3 is based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The HLs for the monitoring of BF3 showed good sensitivity, selectivity, and anti-interference and have the characteristics of a visible color change. Additionally, the HL probe demonstrates reversibility in the presence of triethylamine, making it a candidate for “ON-OFF-ON” mode sensing. BF3 detection can also be efficiently performed using test strips for convenient, air-based applications. The BFH sensor array successfully differentiates histamine from the other typical non-volatile BAs in solution; in comparison, the VOAs are analyzed through recognition patterns and statistical analysis. The array’s color changes enable the practical, on-site detection of shrimp spoilage, with principal component analysis distinguishing various ageing intervals. In summary, this sensor array demonstrates high selectivity for VOAs and BAs, with significant potential for application in real-world sample analysis.