bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi-global stabilization of a nonlinear transport equation with nonlocal velocity∗
Authors: Ervedoza Sylvain , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Jiacheng
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we establish the semi-global feedback stabilization for a class of nonlinear transport equations with nonlocal velocity, which models a highly re-entrant system encountered in semi-conductor manufacturing. We design two new time-varying feedback laws: one yields a semi-global exponential stability of the corresponding closed-loop system, the other one yields a local exponential stability result for the corresponding closed-loop system. The crucial assumption on the velocity function λ(·) and the target equilibrium ρ is strongly reduced compared to the previous results. Numerical simulations are also provided as illustration of the theoretical results.
Forestal Catalana’s Stone Pine Grafting Program In Catalonia. Production Of Grafted Plant In Nursery
Authors: Segarra Miquel , Aletà Neus
Published: February 2025

The forestry sector in Spain faces the need to develop more attractive and profitable products. One of the most valuable in the Mediterranean forest is the pinenut which use in the local cuisine is ancestral. Moreover, its nutritional value is highly appreciated and currently the world demand is far from being covered. But its production still comes from naturals stands and a certain degree of domestication is required to increase the offer. First step was to select highly productive clones and the second to verify the grafted plants improve the entry into production. Now it is time to achieve a good level of grafting success to exploit the potential of these genotypes. More than 7,300 grafts were made for four years to identify factors that influence grafting success: scion quality, grafting period, clone origin, grafter experience, etc. The results shown that the average grafting success is up to 82.6% over four years, with slight variations depending on the grafter experience or climatic conditions. The importance to achieve suitable scions for grafting is highlighted, leading to the establishment of officially commissioned mother fields to produce FRM, scions of the registered genotypes. The work concludes that the main current challenge is not the grafting process itself, but the need to increase scion production to supply the current demand for Stone pine grafted plants.
Patellar Overstuffing in Total Knee Arthroplasty Results in Decreased Extensor Mechanism Efficiency
Authors: Bukowski Brandon R. , Chandi Sonia K. , Bhatti Pravjit , Jimenez Paola , Lenz Nathan , Cushner Fred D. , Haas Steven B. , Chalmers Brian P.
Published: February 2025

Patellofemoral offset is influenced by patellar thickness in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), with effects on extensor mechanism efficiency (EME), patellar contact moment arm (PCMA), and patellar contact force (PCF). This study utilized a computational model to better quantify these measures during knee range of motion (ROM).

A computational model of a cruciate-sacrificing, posterior-stabilized TKA design was used to quantify moments at knee flexion angles from 0° to 135° when patella thickness was increased (“overstuffed”) or decreased (“understuffed”) by 2 mm and 5 mm from normal. Outcomes included changes in EME, PCMA, PCF, tibial tubercle moment arm (TTMA), and the quadriceps moment arm (QMA).

Overstuffing of the patellofemoral articulation by 2 mm and 5 mm decreased EME up to 12 and 28%, respectively, with an 8% and 16% increase in EME with understuffing that peaked at 25° knee flexion. The QMA increased up to 5 and 12% with overstuffing by 2 mm and 5 mm and decreased up to 5% and 14% with understuffing, respectively. There was an increase in the PCMA/PCF, which opposed the QMA, up to 8%/17% and 16%/39% with overstuffing by 2 mm and 5 mm, respectively. The PCMA/PCF decreased up to 3%/12% and 8%/33% with understuffing by 2 mm and 5 mm, respectively.

In this computational model, increased patellofemoral offset resulting in overstuffing of the patella resulted in decreased EME and increased PCMA and PCF during knee ROM. This may contribute to abnormal patellofemoral mechanics and a potential etiology for anterior knee pain and quadriceps weakness after TKA.
The development and ex-vivo evaluation of a computer-aided quality control system for Barrett’s esophagus endoscopy
Authors: Jong Martijn R. , Jaspers Tim J.M. , van Eijck van Heslinga Rixta A.H. , Jukema Jelmer B. , Kusters Carolus H.J. , Boers Tim G.W. , Pouw Roos E. , Duits Lucas C , de With Peter H.N. , van der Sommen Fons , De Groof Albert Jeroen , Bergman Jacques
Published: February 2025

Background
Timely detection of neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) remains challenging. While computer-aided detection (CADe) systems have been developed to assist endoscopists, their effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of the endoscopic procedure. This study introduces a novel computer-aided quality (CAQ) system for BE, evaluating its stand-alone performance and integration with a CADe system.
Method
The CAQ system was developed using 7,463 images from 359 BE patients. It assesses objective quality parameters (e.g., blurriness, illumination) and subjective parameters (mucosal cleanliness, esophageal expansion) and can exclude low-quality images when integrated with a CADe system.
To evaluate CAQ stand-alone performance, the Endoscopic Image Quality test set, consisting of 647 images from 51 BE patients across 8 hospitals, was labeled for objective and subjective quality. To assess the benefit of the CAQ system as a preprocessing filter of a CADe system, the Barrett CADe test set was developed. It consisted of 956 video frames from 62 neoplastic patients and 557 frames from 35 non-dysplastic patients, in 12 Barrett referral centers.
Results
As stand-alone tool, the CAQ system achieved Cohen’s Kappa scores of 0.73, 0.91, and 0.89 for objective quality, mucosal cleanliness, and esophageal expansion, comparable to inter-annotator scores of 0.73, 0.93, and 0.83. As preprocessing filter, the CAQ system improved CADe sensitivity from 82% to 90% and AUC from 87% to 91%, while maintaining specificity at 75%As preprocessing filter, the CAQ system improved CADe sensitivity and AUC from 82% and 87% to 90% and 91%.
Conclusion
This study presents the first CAQ system for automated quality control in BE. The system effectively distinguishes poorly from well-visualized mucosa and enhances neoplasia detection when integrated with CADe.
Effects of blood flow restriction training in athletes: a systematic review meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yilin , Xu Kai , Yin Mingyue , Duan Bowen , Kong Hao , Xie Yun , Girard Olivier
Published: February 2025

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) training on strength and aerobic capacity in athletes, examining how training variables and participant characteristics influenced outcomes. Four databases were searched for peer-reviewed English-language studies, and the risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed using RoB 2 and GRADEpro GDT. We evaluated pre- and post-test differences by a three-level meta-analysis using the meta and metafor packages. Subgroup analyses and both linear and nonlinear meta-regression methods were used to explore moderating factors. Sixteen studies with 'some concerns' risk of bias and low evidence level were included. Combining BFR with low-intensity resistance training produced an effect size (ES) of 0.25 for strength, while combining BFR with aerobic training had an ES of 0.42. For aerobic capacity, the ES of combining BFR with aerobic training was 0.58. Subgroup and regression analyses showed no significant differences. While BFR with low-intensity resistance training enhances strength, it does not result in additional gains. Adding BFR with aerobic training enhances both strength and aerobic capacity. Overall, BFR appears to offer the most benefits for male athletes in improving strength and aerobic capacity.
Treatment of convulsive status epilepticus in Brazil: a review
Authors: Caboclo Luis Otavio
Published: February 2025

Status epilepticus (SE) is the most severe presentation of epilepsy. Currently, SE is defined according to 2 sequential time frames: time 1, after which it is unlikely that the seizure will resolve spontaneously, therefore requiring the initiation of therapy; and time 2, when long-term consequences become more likely. For convulsive SE, these time frames are well defined: 5 minutes for time 1 and 30 minutes for time 2. “Time is brain” in the treatment of SE, as delays in diagnosis and treatment are associated with worse outcomes. After clinical stabilization, the first step is the administration of intravenous (IV) benzodiazepines. Rapid initiation of treatment and use of appropriate dosing are more important than the selection of a specific benzodiazepine. Following this, treatment continues with the use of an IV antiseizure medication (ASM). In Brazil, the recommended options available are phenytoin and levetiracetam. Status epilepticus is considered refractory to treatment if seizures persist after the administration of benzodiazepines and IV ASM. The cornerstone of this stage is the induction of therapeutic coma using IV anesthetic drugs (IVADs), although evidence is limited regarding the choice among midazolam, propofol, or barbiturates. Super-refractory SE is defined when seizures persist despite continuous infusion of IVADs or recur after these drugs are tapered. There is very limited data regarding the treatment of super-refractory SE. In the absence of randomized controlled trials, treatment should be guided by the physician's experience, clinical judgment, and established therapeutic options from previous reports.
The Evolution of Scope-Based Devices in Surgery and Medicine: A Historical Review of Advances in Percutaneous Cholangioscopy and Cholecystoscopy
Authors: Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari Mohammad , Kamireddy Arun , Jost Alec , Singh Harjit
Published: February 2025

Percutaneous cholangioscopy and cholecystoscopy are critical endoscopic techniques for diagnosing and treating biliary and gallbladder disorders. These have evolved significantly since their inception. Cholangioscopy offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional methods such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, which rely on fluoroscopy. Early engineering advancements, including catheter-based systems and fiber optics, improved visualization and therapeutic options. The introduction of the SpyGlass Direct Visualization System marked a turning point, enabling greater maneuverability within the biliary system. Modern endoscopy incorporates high-definition imaging and advanced technologies, enhancing diagnostic evaluation and subsequent therapy of biliary tree and gallbladder diseases. The progression of percutaneous cholangioscopy and cholecystoscopy highlights its pivotal role in minimally invasive medicine. Its incorporation into the interventional radiologist's toolbox is a great leap forward for the specialty.
Unintentional doping in PM6:Y6-based solar cells from exposure to the ambient
Authors: Dahlström Staffan , Österbacka Daniel , Österbacka Ronald , Nyman Mathias
Published: February 2025

Organic solar cells based on non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) hold great potential for low-cost energy production; however, their large-scale manufacturability and long-term stability still pose challenges. In this work, we clarify how the doping concentration in PM6:Y6-based solar cells evolves as a function of time stored in the ambient. Our results show a rapid increase in the doping concentration, reaching 3 × 1016 cm−3 within the first few hours of ambient exposure. After 100 h of exposure to the ambient, the doping concentration saturates, reaching levels up to 1017 cm−3. A variation of the active layer thickness indicates higher doping concentrations in thinner samples. Previous work has shown that doping concentrations on the order of 1017 cm−3 can have a drastic effect on device performance—either positive or negative, depending on other device parameters. Our findings highlight the importance of properly characterizing unintentional doping in organic solar cell devices, not only in pristine devices, but also as a function of device aging.
Non-ideal mixing of lipids: A molecular dynamics perspective
Authors: Berezovska L. , Kociurzynski R. , Thalmann F.
Published: February 2025

Lipid membranes have complex compositions, and modeling the thermodynamic properties of multi-component lipid systems remains a remote goal. In this work, we attempt to describe the thermodynamics of binary lipid mixtures by mapping coarse-grained molecular dynamics systems to two-dimensional simple fluid mixtures. By computing and analyzing the density fluctuations of this model lipid bilayer, we determine the numerical value of the quadratic coupling term appearing in a model of regular solutions for the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine–dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine pair of lipids at three different compositions. Our methodology is general and discussed in detail.
Aging mechanism analysis under different charging voltages and online SOH estimation of Li-ion batteries
Authors: Yi Li , Wang Jun , Fu Yonggao , Zhang Zhaowei , Jiang Ruixin , Li Junfu
Published: February 2025

The performance state of lithium-ion batteries directly impacts the stability of energy storage system operations. With prolonged use, lithium-ion batteries undergo complex electrochemical changes, leading to capacity degradation and reduced performance. To accurately estimate the state of health (SOH) for lithium-ion batteries in energy storage application scenarios, this study conducts aging tests on lithium-ion batteries under different charging voltages and develops an online model-based SOH estimation method. First, excitation response analysis and an extended Kalman filter algorithm are used to identify battery parameters of a simplified electrochemical model both offline and online. Then, by analyzing parameter change laws during battery aging and the correlation between the parameters and battery capacity, aging mechanisms are obtained and battery health features are further extracted. Finally, an SOH estimation model based on a support vector regression algorithm is developed with both offline and online parameter sets.
Stable surfactant monolayers at the electrochemical interfacial double layer across a wide potential range
Authors: Wang Chenglai , Yu Chun-Chieh , Shi Qiufan , Wu Zishan , Zhang Boxin , Cronin Stephen B. , Xiong Wei
Published: February 2025

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) has been used to enhance the selectivity of CO2 electrochemical reduction. Traditionally, this selectivity was attributed to repulsion of water molecules due to a CTAB self-assembled monolayer, which forms under negative potential and disassembles at positive voltage due to electrostatic repulsions. In this report, using in operando interface sensitivity sum frequency generation spectroscopy, we investigated the self-assembly behavior of CTAB across a broad electrochemical potential range. We observed that CTAB molecules form a stable monolayer at the Stern layer over the entire potential scan, even when the electrodes are positively charged. Rather than disassembling, the CTAB molecules reorient themselves to balance the electrostatic interactions and the non-covalent hydrophobic effects, the latter being the primary driving force maintaining the monolayer at a positive potential. This finding contrasts the traditional view that CTAB monolayers are absent when the electrodes are positively charged, indicating a stable and ordered monolayer with respect to the electrostatic repulsions at liquid/electrode interfaces. The balance between non-covalent and electrostatic interactions offers a facile and reversible electrochemical method to control the local environment and dominating interactions at the Stern layer of the electrode surface, thus providing a means for engineering a micro-electrochemical environment.
The creep-seepage characteristics of rock under true triaxial compressions
Authors: Liu Xueying , Yu Jin , Wu Di , Yao Wei , Ding Xin , Miao Feng
Published: February 2025

Carbon storage, nuclear waste disposal, tunnels, and other underground engineering have a long service life and require accurate permeability control. The surrounding rock is subjected to a true triaxial stress state because of tectonic stress and engineering disturbance. Previous studies have found it difficult to reproduce the in situ stress state, which affects disaster prediction and assessment. In the present work, with the help of the true triaxial apparatus, the creep-seepage tests have been performed on sandstones under true triaxial conditions with the loading type of constant intermediate stress coefficient, bσ. Experimental results show that strain and strain rates are in three stages. There is a functional relationship between anisotropic creep strain and bσ. The stable creep strain rate in three principal stress directions is mainly affected by the creep stress ratio, Sr. The permeability decays in the low creep stress ratio stage, and the permeability tends to increase when Sr is 0.95. The anisotropic characteristics of permeability show a trend of first increasing, then weakening, and increasing again in the accelerated creep stage.
Extreme wave amplification through the interplay of wave nonlinearity and a two-dimensional bathymetry
Authors: Draycott S. , Li Y.
Published: February 2025

Wave nonlinearity plays an important role in the formation of extremely large surface waves atop a varying bathymetry, yet much of the understanding has been limited to one-dimensional (1D) bathymetry. Here, we aim to extend this understanding to two-dimensional (2D) bathymetry through numerical simulations using a fully nonlinear potential flow solver for three-dimensional waves experiencing depth changes due to a submerged circular sill. The solver is validated by laboratory experiments and theoretical calculations in limiting cases. The cases chosen for the numerical results are regular waves, with low incident steepness on the deeper side and no wave breaking atop the sill. Conditions are chosen to have high trapping power, and for these cases, we report extreme local amplifications atop the sill, i.e., between 5 and 15 times the linear amplitude of incident waves. The partition of these locally amplified waves into different wave harmonics demonstrates that the first harmonic waves take up ≲ 50%. The remaining components are thus attributed to nonlinear effects, which can take up to 70%. This is considerably more than typically observed, with implications for developing perturbation expansion-based methods in a similar physical setting. How wave amplitudes are considerably amplified by the interplay of wave nonlinearity and a 2D bathymetry has been shown, giving rise to highly localized extremes, which may be hazardous, or exploited for coastal protection, surfing, or energy extraction purposes.
Stability analyses of micropolar fluid-saturated horizontal porous layer due to the influence of uniform internal heat source and vertical throughflow
Authors: Barman Pankaj
Published: February 2025

The current article aims to investigate the stability analyses of double-diffusive convection in a horizontal porous layer filled with micropolar fluid due to the influence of a uniform internal heat source and vertical throughflow. The usual normal mode technique is applied to investigate the linear stability analysis, whereas the well-known energy approach is utilized to study the nonlinear stability analysis. The resulting eigenvalue problems corresponding to linear and nonlinear stability theories are numerically solved by employing the bvp4c routine in MATLAB 2024(a). The critical thermal Rayleigh number for both the linear and nonlinear theories are computed for the different values of the flow-regulating parameters and depicted graphically. It is observed that the flow configuration shows stabilizing behavior for upward throughflow but destabilizing behavior for downward throughflow in the presence of an internal heat source.
Modal and wave synchronization in coupled self-excited oscillators
Authors: Wolfovich Y. , Gendelman O. V.
Published: February 2025

In addition to a common synchronization and/or localization behavior, a system of linearly coupled identical bistable van der Pol (BVdP) oscillators can exhibit a “non-conventional” or “modal” synchronization. In a two degree-of-freedom case, one can observe stable beatings attractor with synchronized amplitudes of the symmetric and antisymmetric modes. The current study demonstrates that this unusual behavior is generic and quite ubiquitous, if the system is explored in an appropriate parametric regime. In the absence of the self- excitation, the system of coupled linear oscillators possesses a complete degenerate set of non-interacting eigenmodes. If the system is symmetric and the coupling is weak enough, appropriate initial conditions will result in a continuous multi-parametric family of stationary beatings or beating waves. If the self-excitation terms are small enough, i.e., even weaker than the weak coupling, one can expect that the degeneracy will be removed and stable attractors very close to some special stationary or wave beating responses will appear. This phenomenon is demonstrated in chains of ring-coupled BVdP oscillators. In particular, we observe simple two-wave synchronization for N=2,3,5,6,7 coupled oscillators; for N=2, it corresponds to the modal synchronization observed previously. The case N=4 is special: due to internal resonances in the slow flow, the two-wave synchronization turns unstable, and more complicated patterns of the multi-wave synchronization are revealed. Analytic models manage to capture the shapes of the observed beat waves. All results are verified by direct numeric simulations.
Aerodynamic characteristics of high-speed trains on box bridges under turbulent skew winds
Authors: Yan Lei , Gao Min , Lin Ze , He Xuhui , Zou Yunfeng
Published: February 2025

In this paper, the pressure distributions, aerodynamic force coefficients, buffeting force spectrum, spanwise correlation, and aerodynamic admittance functions for the middle vehicle of a Chinese Railway High-speed (CRH) train (named CRH2) and a China Railway (CR) train (named CR400) on a streamlined box girder in turbulence flow, respectively, at yaw angles (β) ranging from 30° to 90°, with a 15° interval, were analyzed using pressure measurement. The locations of the peaks of the mean and root mean square pressure coefficients at different wind yaw angles are relatively constant, mainly occurring at the windward roof and bottom corners of the trains. It is clearly observed that the CR400 train exhibits higher negative pressure near the separation points at the roof corner of windward surface. The absolute values of side force coefficients and moment coefficients of the stationary trains increase with β values. It has been proved that the results of side force coefficients and moment coefficients obtained based on the wind speed component vertical to the train axis under skew winds mainly depend on the normal wind speed component, but the wind speed component parallel to the train axis still has some effect on them. Furthermore, the side force spectra and span-wise correlation results of CRH2 and CR400 trains are basically similar. The aerodynamic admittance functions of the side force decreases with increasing wind yaw angle, and the result is slightly larger due to the larger cross-sectional height of the CR400 train compared to the CRH2 train.
Stacking-dependent tunable valley splitting in Janus SMoSiN2-based van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: Zeng Hui , Zhang Weijie , Qiu Chengyu , Zhao Jun , Ding Dazhi
Published: February 2025

Using the first principles calculation, we explore the modulation of valley-related properties of two-dimensional (2D) Janus SMoSiN2 monolayer by constructing van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure with the ferromagnet CrCl3 monolayer. The monolayered SMoSiN2 possesses excellent stability and direct bandgap at the K/K′ valley, making it a promising candidate for valleytronic semiconductor. The ferromagnet CrCl3 substrate induces a sizable valley splitting via proximity coupling. The valley-contrasting property of the top-stacking is significantly tunable by both in-plane sliding and vertical strain engineering, leading to extraordinary tunability of valley splitting in the range 1.6–9.4 meV. In contrast, the valley-contrasting property of the bottom-stacking is comparably robust due to the screen effect originating from the outmost N sublayer to reduce the proximity interaction. Our investigation reveals that the stacking order is a degree of freedom to manipulate the valley-related properties of various vdW heterostructures, facilitating the achievement of versatile valley-contrasting properties.
Combustion characteristics of pulverized coal injection into blast furnace and structural optimization of oxygen-coal lance
Authors: Wu Jianlong , Huang Junjie , Kou Mingyin , Sun Chengfeng , Liao Zhehan , Si Yunpeng , Zhang Zefei , Wu Qinghui , Xu Jian
Published: February 2025

Pulverized coal injection (PCI) is a vital operation of blast furnace, reducing coke consumption and carbon emission. The structure of the oxygen-coal lance (OCL) significantly impacts PCI effectiveness. In this article, a three-dimensional PCI combustion model of blast furnace is established by numerical method. Results indicate that increasing the OCL insertion depth decreases PC burnout, potentially increasing tuyere nozzle abrasion. When the OCL insertion angle tilts from +5° to −15°, the temperature of the tuyere nozzle increases first and then decreases. When the OCL is tilted downward by 8°, the PC burnout near the tuyere nozzle becomes the most uniform with a higher temperature of 2218 K. Conclusions have illustrated that appropriately increasing the OCL insertion depth and downward increasing angle will be beneficial to PCI operation of blast furnace.
The electromagnetic geodesic acoustic modes in a tokamak plasma with a poloidal electric field
Authors: Zhou Deng , Wang Jinfang , Gan Chenxiao
Published: February 2025

In a tokamak plasma, a poloidal electric field may be induced, e.g., by the auxiliary heating using cyclotron waves or by biasing electrodes, etc. The electromagnetic geodesic acoustic mode in the presence of a poloidal electric field is studied in this work. The dispersion relation is derived and analyzed for the normal standard geodesic acoustic modes. The frequencies of the electromagnetic geodesic acoustic modes decrease with the increasing poloidal electric field, and as a result, the damping rate increases if the ion beta is not too small. In the zero beta limit, the frequencies of the electrostatic geodesic acoustic modes will increase with the increasing poloidal electric field if there is a potential well on the low field side. There appears an m = 1 magnetic component whose amplitude is proportional to the strength of the poloidal electric field.
Thermophoretic convection with catalytic chemical reaction in source region heat sink in plume: Exploring climate change dynamics in double stratified atmosphere
Authors: Nadeem Hajra , Ashraf Muhammad , Rasool Ghulam , Tao Sun
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the impacts of thermophoretic particles produced during the combustion of fossil fuels in the presence of catalytic chemical reactions in the source region and heat sink in the plume region on a bi-stratified atmosphere, with a focus on climate change. The regions are interconnected through transboundary temperature differences. The thermophoresis particles travel to the atmospheric region through a plume-shaped region where a heat sink is introduced to mitigate heat transfer impacts on the bi-stratified atmosphere. The non-dimensional mathematical models for the source, plume, and atmospheric regions are formulated in rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems, respectively. These models are transformed into algebraic equations using a finite difference approach and a primitive variable formulation. Numerical solutions are obtained using a quantitative differentiation method for the appropriately selected values of dimensionless parameters. The results, presented as graphs, tables, and contours, illustrate the effects on velocity, temperature, thermophoretic concentration, and the rate of thermophoretic heat transfer. The findings reveal that thermal stratification reduces fluid temperature, while thermophoretic stratification decreases thermophoretic concentration in the atmosphere. The primary objective of the study is to introduce a heat sink in the plume region to minimize heat transfer rates.
Visual observations of bubble growth and nucleation site density on microstructured surfaces during flow boiling in a single microchannel
Authors: Zhou Zhanru , Wang Haonan , Hu Yuexin , Ren Wangguan , Huang Shenghong , Fang Xiande
Published: February 2025

Recent studies have shown that modified microstructures can significantly enhance boiling heat transfer performance. However, the unclear mechanisms of boiling on microstructured surfaces present challenges in optimizing heat transfer through microstructural modulation. To investigate the influence of the microstructure on bubble dynamics, visual observations of bubble behavior on microstructured surfaces during flow boiling were carried out with a metallurgical microscope and high-speed photography. The experiments focused on bubble growth on a smooth surface with nine microcavities and nucleation site density on a microstructured surface during flow boiling under various conditions (Reynolds numbers of 17.5, 34.9, and 87.4, and heat fluxes of 50, 100, and 150 kW/m2). The observations reveal that heat flux strongly promotes bubble growth and nucleation site density when bubble sizes remain below 200 μm. Based on 114 experimental data points, ten existing bubble growth models were assessed and found to inadequately predict the growth of micrometer-scale bubbles. A new dimensionless model, with a mean absolute deviation of 9.65%, was developed by integrating heat transfer, fluid flow, interface dynamics, and temporal variations, and it can be adapted for similar experiments. Additionally, bubble numbers peak with active nucleation and decrease due to coalescence, influenced by velocity and heat flux. Higher heat fluxes promote bubble growth and coalescence, whereas the flow velocity has a dual effect on bubble growth and nucleation site density. The results suggest that optimizing the flow velocity on microstructured surfaces based on bubble behavior can effectively enhance the heat transfer performance, providing guidance for future thermal management innovations.
Hydrodynamic optimization of containership design to minimize wave-making and wave-added resistance using a weak-scatterer approach
Authors: Feng Yanxin , el Moctar Ould , Jiang Changqing
Published: February 2025

The hydrodynamic optimization of containership hull forms is critical for enhancing hydrodynamic performance, reducing fuel consumption, and achieving compliance with energy efficiency standards. This study introduces an automated, computationally efficient optimization framework that integrates a parametric hull form optimization process with a weak-scatterer approach for minimizing ship resistance in calm water and wave conditions. Using a fully parametric modeling framework, the hull geometry is flexibly adjusted during optimization, which is conducted via the surrogate-based global optimization algorithm. Hydrodynamic performance is assessed through a weak-scatterer approach, an efficient weakly nonlinear model grounded in potential-flow theory, with results validated against computational fluid dynamics methods (STAR-CCM+) and experimental data. By integrating modeling, simulation, and optimization modules, the developed optimization framework enables streamlined optimization analysis and design iterations. The optimized hull forms achieve notable reductions in wave-making and wave-added resistance, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. This work advances the state of the art in sustainable ship design by addressing the critical challenge of balancing computational efficiency with performance optimization across diverse maritime conditions.
Predicting radiation belt relativistic electron flux from sub-relativistic electron fluxes using machine learning
Authors: Yuan Qitong , Zou Zhengyang , San Wen , Hu Jiahui , Zhu Beiqing
Published: February 2025

Relativistic electrons (>1 MeV) confined within the Earth's radiation belt, which presents significant hazards to astronauts and spacecraft, potentially arise from sub-relativistic electrons (a few hundred keV) through radial diffusion and wave–particle interactions. This study presents a novel artificial neural network (ANN) prediction model for radiation belt relativistic electron flux at a typical energy of 1.8 MeV, utilizing concurrent measurements of sub-relativistic electron fluxes at Ek = 78–871 keV from Van Allen Probe observations between 2012 and 2019. The historical values of the solar wind and geomagnetic indices are also adopted as inputs of the model. The ANN model has remarkable performance in L = 2.5–6.5, with overall root mean square errors (RMSEs) of 0.2287, prediction efficiencies (PEs) of 0.9241, and Pearson correlation coefficients (CCs) of 0.9478 between observations and predictions in the test set (from April 2018 to March 2019). Statistical analysis indicated that 98.56% of the samples exhibit an observation–prediction difference of less than one order of magnitude, while 85.94% demonstrate a difference of less than 0.5 order. Moreover, predictions can precisely replicate the dynamics of relativistic electrons within the outer radiation belt and the slot region under realistic solar wind conditions and geomagnetic activitiesies. The present model offers novel insights into radiation belt electron predictions and facilitates the validation of results across several instruments onboard spacecraft.
Deliberation during online bargaining reveals strategic information
Authors: Cotet Miruna , Zhao Wenjia Joyce , Krajbich Ian
Published: February 2025

A standard assumption in game theory is that decision-makers have preplanned strategies telling them what actions to take for every contingency. In contrast, nonstrategic decisions often involve an on-the-spot comparison process, with longer response times (RT) for choices between more similarly appealing options. If strategic decisions also exhibit these patterns, then RT might betray private information and alter game theory predictions. Here, we examined bargaining behavior to determine whether RT reveals private information in strategic settings. Using preexisting and experimental data from eBay, we show that both buyers and sellers take hours longer to accept bad offers and to reject good offers. We find nearly identical patterns in the two datasets, indicating a causal effect of offer size on RT. However, this relationship is half as strong for rejections as for acceptances, reducing the amount of useful private information revealed by the sellers. Counter to our predictions, buyers are discouraged by slow rejections—they are less likely to counteroffer to slow sellers. We also show that a drift-diffusion model (DDM), traditionally limited to decisions on the order of seconds, can account for decisions on the order of hours, sometimes days. The DDM reveals that more experienced sellers are less cautious and more inclined to accept offers. In summary, strategic decisions are inconsistent with preplanned strategies. This underscores the need for game theory to incorporate RT as a strategic variable and broadens the applicability of the DDM to slow decisions.
Osteocyte connexin hemichannels and prostaglandin E
2
release dictate bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell commitment
Authors: Zhang Jingruo , Acosta Francisca M. , Wang Xuewei , Zhao Dezhi , Zhang Lidan , Hua Rui , Guo Qianjin , Zhong Leilei , Qin Ling , Riquelme Manuel A. , Jiang Jean X.
Published: February 2025

Bone is a dynamic organ constantly undergoing remodeling with both bone formation and resorption. Bone formation is mediated by osteoblasts originating from the differentiation of bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (BM-MSPCs). However, how bone cells communicate with BM-MSPCs to coordinate bone formation remains largely elusive. Here, we unveil a key role of osteocyte connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannels in regulating the lineage commitment of BM-MSPCs. Two transgenic mouse models expressing dominant negative Cx43 mutants in osteocytes were used: R76W (inhibiting gap junctions) and Δ130 to 136 (inhibiting both hemichannels and gap junctions). BM-MSPCs from Δ130 to 136 mice showed enhanced adipogenic differentiation and reduced osteogenic potential, leading to increased BM adipocytes. Flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed shifts in BM-MSPC subsets, less osteogenic-biased MSPCs, and more adipogenic-biased MSPCs in Δ130 to 136 mice. Conversely, R76W, with more functional hemichannels, exhibited effects similar to WT mice or even greater opposite effects than Δ130 to 136 mice. Prostaglandin E
2
(PGE
2
), released from active Cx43 hemichannels, inhibited adipogenesis and promoted osteogenesis via the PGE
2
receptor EP4 and ERK1/2 signaling. Inhibition of Cx43 hemichannels or EP4 led to increased adipogenic-biased MSPCs. Moreover, administration of a Cx43(M1) antibody, which inhibits hemichannels, substantially increased BM adipocytes, accompanied by increased adipogenic-biased MSPCs, and decreased osteogenic-biased MSPCs. Our study highlights the pivotal role of osteocyte Cx43 hemichannels in BM-MSPC fate decision through PGE
2
release, providing insights into the precise and highly regulated communication between matrix-bound bone cells and BM-MSPCs, which dictates bone formation and remodeling.
Structural basis of disease mutation and substrate recognition by the human SLC2A9 transporter
Authors: Khandelwal Nitesh Kumar , Gupta Meghna , Kumar Paras , Balasubramani Sree Ganesh , Echeverria Ignacia , Stroud Robert M.
Published: February 2025

Urate provides ~50% of the reducing potential in human and primate plasma which is key to detoxifying reactive oxygen by-products of cellular metabolism. Urate is the endpoint of purine metabolism in primates, and its concentration in plasma is a balance between excretion from kidney and intestine, and subsequent reabsorption in and through cells of kidney proximal tubules to maintain a regulated concentration in plasma. SLC2A9 is the primary transporter that returns urate from the basolateral side of kidney tubule cells back to plasma. A shorter splice variant of SLC2A9 is directed to the apical surface where several transporters recapture urate from the tubule back into cells. Too high a concentration in plasma causes hyperuricemia, is linked to gout, and favors kidney stone formation. To understand the molecular basis of uric acid transport and the role of disease-causing mutations in SLC2A9, we determined structures of human SLC2A9 in its apo form, and its urate-bound form by cryo-EM, at resolution of 3.3 Å and 4.1 Å respectively. Both structures are captured in an inward open conformation. Using the inward-facing structure as a template we modeled the outward-facing conformation to understand the alternating access mechanism. Alternative salt bridge pairs on the cytoplasmic side suggest a mechanism that can balance the energetics of the inward open and outward open states. The location of disease-causing mutants suggests their role in impacting function. Our structures elucidate the molecular basis for urate selectivity and transport and provide a platform for future structure-based drug discovery aimed at reducing plasma urate levels in diseases of hyperuricemia and gout.
Determination of the

1
s
2
s

3

S

and

1
s
2
s

1

S

metastable fractions in swift mixed-state He-like ion beams
Authors: Zouros T J M , Laoutaris A , Nanos S , Benis E P
Published: February 2025

We introduce a three-component model to determine the fractions of the beam in the metastable

1
s
2
s

3

S

and

1
s
2
s

1

S

states as well as in the

1

s
2

ground state, in high-energy (

MeV

u

−
1

) He-like ion beams produced through charge stripping in foil or gas. This model extends the previous two-component model (Benis and Zouros 2016 J. Phys. B 49 235202), incorporating new analytical expressions in a more comprehensive treatment. We also assume that the initially produced

1

S

fraction,

f
0

[
1

S
]

, at the stripper, can be described by the formula

α
0

f
0

[
3

S
]
+

β
0

, where

α
0

=
1

/

3

is derived from spin statistics as also used in the past, while β
0 is a new parameter which accounts for ion excitation processes in the stripper which conserve the singlet spin, not previously considered. We apply our three-component model with values of

β
0

=
0
%
−
30
%

to published results on C4+ and O6+ mixed-state ion beams based on the older two-component model. Our re-analysis shows that including non-negligible (∼10%–20%) amounts of the

1

S

component in our three-component treatment can further improve agreement between theory and experiment in most cases.
EFLightCaps: an efficient feature-focused lightweight capsule network with frequency-domain regularization for rotating machinery fault diagnosis
Authors: Tang Heng , Xia Junzhong , Bai Yunchuan , Chen Chengfa , Leng Yonggang
Published: February 2025

The prevalent issues of small samples and heavy noise in industrial settings have severely limited the application effectiveness of intelligent diagnostic methods. To address these challenges, an efficient feature-focused lightweight capsule network is proposed. Firstly, a plug-and-play lightweight Ghost multiscale convolution block is designed to integrate multiscale convolution with gating mechanisms through a multi-branch architecture, enabling multi-scale feature fusion and enhancing the model’s noise robustness. Secondly, an efficient feature-focused routing mechanism is proposed to optimize information transfer between capsules through multi-step feature reconstruction and feature focusing strategies, which substantially enhances generalization capabilities in small-sample scenarios. Finally, a dual-norm frequency-domain regularization loss function is designed to leverage the complementary advantages of first-order and second-order norms, enhancing both feature extraction capability and reconstruction quality. Extensive experiments on two distinct datasets demonstrate that EFLightCaps achieves superior diagnostic performance and computational efficiency in scenarios with small samples and heavy noise.
A grating-based magneto-plasmonic sensor considering geometrical deviations
Authors: Abbasi Sajad , Salehi Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2025

In this work, a grating-based magneto-plasmonic sensor is designed. Subsequently, the modes in which the lattice exhibits a geometric deviation were investigated and simulated. In this sensor, gold (Au), bismuth-substituted iron garnet (BIG), and SiO2 are used for the design of the lattice, magnetic layers, and substrate, respectively. A light field with a wavelength of 630 nm with a radiation angle of 1° to 35° was used to excite the structure. An ideal grating is assumed when developing this type of sensor. Since geometric deviations can occur during the manufacture of the structure, the response is accompanied by minor or major changes. If the deviation of the response is large, the built sensor is inefficient. To understand whether this sensor is efficient or not, the conditions under which the structure can deviate were investigated. These modes include changes in width and thickness, period, slope or surface hollowness, and curvature of the edges of the grating, as well as changes in the shape of the grooves. The most consistent mode occurred with the period variation, while the worst response occurred with the grating width variation. The maximum figure of merit (FoM) and sensitivity are 8571 RIU−1 and 85°/RIU respectively.
Super sample covariance and the volume scaling of galaxy survey covariance matrices
Authors: Schreiner Greg , Krolewski Alex , Joudaki Shahab , Percival Will J.
Published: February 2025

Super sample covariance (SSC) is important when estimating covariance matrices using a set of mock catalogues for galaxy surveys. If the underlying cosmological simulations do not include the variation in background parameters appropriate for the simulation sizes, then the scatter between mocks will be missing the SSC component. The coupling between large and small modes due to non-linear structure growth makes this pernicious on small scales. We compare different methods for generating ensembles of mocks with SSC built in to the covariance, and contrast against methods where the SSC component is computed and added to the covariance separately. We find that several perturbative expansions, developed to derive background fluctuations, give similar results. We then consider scaling covariance matrices calculated for simulations of different volumes to improve the accuracy of covariance matrix estimation for a given amount of computational time. On large scales, we find that the primary limitation is from the discrete number of modes contributing to the measured power spectrum, and we propose a new method for correcting this effect. Correct implementation of SSC and the effect of discrete mode numbers allows covariance matrices created from mocks to be scaled between volumes, potentially leading to a significant saving on computational resources when producing covariance matrices. We argue that a sub-percent match is difficult to achieve because of the effects of modes on scales between the box sizes, which cannot be easily included. Even so, when working in real space and cubic boxes, we show that a 3% match in the dark matter power spectrum covariance is achievable on scales of interest for current surveys scaling the simulation volume by 512×, costing a small fraction of the computational time of running full-sized simulations. This is comparable to the agreement between analytic and mock-based covariance estimates to be used with DESI Y1 results.