A modular approach to the construction of electric machines, drive systems, power supply systems is a new direction of modern technology development. Especially, the modular approach is promising for electric vehicles due to such positive aspects as increased efficiency, fault tolerance, overall reliability, safety, enhanced control capabilities, etc. In this work, the modular approach is comprehensively applied to an EV powertrain system, which includes a dual three-phase (DTP) BLDC motor with two machine modules of an asymmetric configuration, two battery modules and a supercapacitor module (SCM). The proposed H–H configuration of modular EV powertrain system includes four voltage source inverters that combine the power modules with the open ends of the windings (OEW) of the module machine armature, and provide control of their operation. Based on the developed mode system of the OEW machine module operation for EV traction and braking, a general control algorithm for the proposed configuration of the modular EV powertrain system has been developed. It combines the control of the operating modes with the functions of maintaining the required SOC level of the SCM and equalizing the SOCs of the two battery modules. The conducted simulation and experimental studies confirmed the workability and effectiveness of the proposed solutions.

In this paper, the design process of BLDC adopting the dual rotor method that can reduce the overall size of the motor while generating the same torque as the conventional Permanent Magnet BLDC is analyzed. A simple size is selected by obtaining the torque per rotor volume (TRV), and a method of matching the counter electromotive force by selecting the pole arc of the magnet through a magnetic equivalent circuit is analyzed. Since the efficiency is low because the 120-degree commutation method is selected, the middle stator is optimized through detailed design through the experimental design method. Afterwards, it has the advantage of being able to shift without stopping due to the characteristic of a dual rotor. For this, an analysis of the driving characteristics for each mode is performed.

Background and Aims. Most research on Parkinson's disease (PD) focuses on describing symp-toms and movement characteristics. Studies rarely focus on the early detection of PD and the search for suitable markers of a prodromal stage. Early detection is important, so treatments that may potentially change the course of the disease can be attempted early on. While gait disturb-ances are less pronounced in the early stages of the disease, the prevalence, and severity increase with disease progression. Therefore, postural instability and gait difficulties could be identified as sensitive biomarkers. The aim was to evaluate the discriminatory power of the Trail-Walking Test (Schott, 2015) as a potential diagnostic instrument to improve the predictive power of the clinical evaluation concerning the severity of the disease and record the different aspects of walking. Methods. 20 older healthy (M = 72.4 years, SD = 5.53) adults and 46 older adults with PD and the motor phenotypes postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD; M = 69.7 years, SD = 8.68) and tremor dominant (TD; M = 68.2 years, SD = 8.94) participated in the study. The participants performed a motor-cognitive dual task (DT) of increasing cognitive difficulty in which they had to walk a given path (condition 1), walk to numbers in ascending order (condition 2), and walk to numbers and letters alternately and in ascending order (condition 3). Results. With an increase in the cognitive load, the time to complete the tasks (seconds) become longer in all groups, F(1.23, 73.5) = 121, p < .001, ɳ2p = .670. PD-PIGD shows the longest times in all conditions of the TWT, F(2, 60) = 8.15, p < .001, ɳ2p = .214. Mutual interferences in the cognitive and motor domain can be observed. How-ever, clear group-specific patterns cannot be identified. A differentiation between the motor phenotypes of PD is especially feasible with the purely motor condition (TWT-M; AUC = . 685, p = 0.44). Conclusions. PD patients with PIGD must be identified by valid, well-evaluated clinical tests that allow a precise assessment of the disease's individual fall risk, the severity of the dis-ease, and the prognosis of progression. The TWT covers various aspects of mobility, examines the relationship between cognitive functions and walking, and enables differentiation of the motor phenotypes of PD.

Linear state estimation (SE) formulation under a rectangular coordinate system has been proved to be applicable for real-time distribution network management. Micro phasor measurements’ model can be accommodated into this kind of SE easily. However, voltage magnitude, active power and reactive power measurements are transformed to linear measurements with large node voltage error. To cope with this issue, a linear state estimation under a polar coordinate system is adopted at the first stage to obtain accurate enough complex node voltage, and then nonlinear measurements are transformed to be linear with complex node voltage. At the second stage, linear SE under a rectangular coordinate system can be adopted to satisfy more strict network constraints. The proposed two-stage linear SE is validated on balanced 14, 33, 70,84, 119, 135 nodes network and IEEE 13, 34, 37,123 unbalanced test feeders.

The three-phase separator was perforated after four years’ service. The perforation position is at the bottom of the vessel under the baffle plate in an oil transfer station. The cause of perforation was investigated by chemical analysis using a direct-reading spectrometer, microstructure examined by optical microscope(OM), and lab simulated corrosion experiments by electrochemical workstation, and the corrosion products examined with scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS) in this paper. The analyses indicated that the coating at the base of the pressure vessel failed and this led to the direct exposure of the carbon steel plate to the corrosive medium. The electrical contact between the carbon steel and the stainless steel, sets up a galvanic cell that accelerated the corrosion of the pressure vessel which eventually led leads to the perforation.

This paper proposes a new cascaded three-phase multilevel inverter based on a cascaded submultilevel and single-phase H-bridge structure. The voltage source of the traditional single-phase H-bridge is replaced with the proposed cascaded submultilevel. Cascading two basic units forms the submultilevel unit. The basic and submultilevel units generate positive voltage only hence the need for an H-bridge to generate both polarities of load voltage. Five algorithms of source voltage are proposed and the optimal algorithm selected to generate the peak load voltage and output levels. The proposed three-phase cascaded multilevel inverter generates 31-level of load voltage. The per-phase component distribution of the proffered inverter are twelve power switches, four dc sources and twelve driver circuits accordingly. Principal merits of the proposed 31-level inverter are high quality load waveforms, production of high levels of load voltage utilizing reduced component quantity, simple cascaded layout, decreased inverter area, minimal inverter cost, minimum inverter losses and utilizing lower rated switches. Also, the proposed topology is highly suited for employment in PV-DVR and other power systems. To validate these advantages of the proposed multilevel inverter, contrastive analysis of the proposed inverter and existing topologies are studied. Finally, the functionality of the proposed inverter is substantiated by simulation in PSCAD/ EMTDC software.

With large-scale distributed generators (DGs) in an active distribution network (ADN), conventional load flow convergence failure is incurred by heavy power transmission. The Holomorphic Embedding Load Flow Method (HELM) has proven to be more robust than the Newton–Raphson method under heavy power transmission. At present, HELM is mainly designed for balanced transmission networks. In this study, we developed a three-phase HELM model to accommodate DGs, delta connection loads, and ZIP loads for ADN. The effectiveness and better performance of the proposed method under heavy load situations were validated using modified unbalanced IEEE 13, 34, 37, and 123 test feeders.

Effect of abrasive shape on the three-body abrasion behaviors of monocrystalline silicon was investigated by Molecular dynamics modelling. The axial ratio of abrasive particle was varied from 1.00, i.e., a complete sphere, to 0.40 to mimic abrasive shape. The particle’s movement turns toward sliding from rolling when the axial ratio becomes less than a critical value 0.46. In the abrasion process, the friction force and normal force showed an approximately sinusoid-like fluctuation for the rolling ellipsoidal particles, while the front cutting of particle caused that friction force increased and became larger than normal force for sliding particles. The phase transformation process was tracked under different particle’ movement patterns. The Si-II and Bct5 phase producing in loading process can partially transform to Si-III/Si-XII phase and backtrack to original crystal silicon under pressure release, which also occurred in the abrasion process. The secondary phase transformation showed difference for particles’ rolling and sliding movements after three-body abrasion. The rolling of particle induced the periodical and inhomogeneous deformation of substrates, while the sliding benefited producing high-quality surface in CMP process. This study aiming to construct more precise model to understand the wear mechanism benefits evaluating the MEMS wear and CMP process of crystal materials.

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of diffusion and thermal loading due to pulsed laser heating on a thermoelastic solid with voids in the context of the model of three-phase-lag. The non-dimensional governing equations are formulated and then the exact expressions for the temperature field, the displacement components, the stress components, the concentration field and the change in the volume fraction field are obtained using the normal mode technique. The material is an isotropic, homogeneous elastic half-space and heated by a non-Gaussian laser beam with pulse duration of ps. The magnesium crystal element is used as an application to compare the predictions induced by diffusion and laser pulse on poro-thermoelastic medium of the model of three-phase-lag with those for the theory of Green–Naghdi of type III. The results obtained for thermal changes are verified by comparison with two theories of thermoelasticity, namely the model of three-phase lag (3PHL) and the Green and Nagdi type III theory. Plot the expressions to examine the effect of the laser pulse at two different values of time and the effect void parameter. This study also yields some interesting special cases.

Accurately predicting electrical signals of three-phase Direct Torque Control (DTC) induction motors is crucial for optimal motor performance and effective condition monitoring. However, multiple DTC motors’ complexity and operating conditions’ variations pose challenges for traditional prediction methods. To overcome these challenges, we propose an innovative approach that combines Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform electrical motor simulation data and a Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) network to forecast processed motor data. By transforming the DTC induction motor signals from the time domain to the frequency domain, we enhance the capability of learning models to capture subtle differences and generate various input features. The Bi-LSTM model effectively captures both forward and backward dependencies in time series data, enabling accurate prediction of electrical signals. We evaluate the proposed approach using our simulated dataset and compare the proposed method to a state-of-the-art model, the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), demonstrating its effectiveness in improving the accuracy and reliability of induction motor signals forecasting. The finding provides valuable insights for advancing motor control and operation in industrial applications.

This paper proposes a novel three-phase voltage source inverter dead-time compensation strategy for accurate compensation in wide current regions of the inverter. In particular, an analysis of the output voltage distortion of the inverter, which appears as parasitic components of the switches, has been conducted for proper voltage compensation in the low current region, and an on-line compensation voltage controller has been proposed. Also, a new trapezoidal compensation voltage implementation method using the current phase is proposed to simplify realizing the trapezoidal shape of the three-phase compensation voltages. Finally, when the proposed dead-time compensation strategy is applied, the maximum phase voltage magnitude in the linear modulation voltage regions is defined to achieve smooth operation even at high modulation index. Simulations and experiments were conducted to verify the performance of the proposed dead-time compensation scheme.

This study investigates the nonlinearities in three-phase inverters for SiC-based systems and compares their performance to IGBT-based systems. An analytical model of inverter voltage distortion is developed, which accounts not only for dead time (td), switching delay time, switching frequency (fs), and voltage drops of power devices, but also for output parasitic capacitance (Cout). Experimental tests validate the model, which provides a more accurate estimate of the inverter’s output phase voltage distortion. The power device characteristics are obtained from datasheets, while Cout is determined through experimentation. Three-phase inverters with varying switching frequencies, fundamental frequencies, and dead-time values are used in simulations and experiments to determine the influence of nonlinearity on phase voltage deviation and current distortion. The results show that, due to SiC devices’ faster switching time, the phase voltage deviation and phase current distortion are lower in SiC-based inverters than in IGBT-based ones for high-frequency applications, as the dead time can be reduced.

In this paper a microstrip Wilkinson power divider with a 90^° phase delay at one output port is proposed to obtain circular polarization to feed a dual port RFID antenna. The 90^° phase delay was obtained by embedding an extra quarter wavelength at one port of the Wilkinson power divider. The feeding circuit is then mounted on the ground plane of the microstrip antenna feeding the radiating patch directly through the ground plane and dielectric layer thus reducing any fringing effect and resulting a mechanically compact unit. The proposed feeding method offers better expectation of antenna performance with minimal attenuation and coupling losses. The design process generalizes geometric pa- rameters of the Wilkinson power divider for variable port distances. The paper considers both UK and US RFID center frequencies, 870 MHz and 915 MHz respectively. Numeri- cally computed values for geometric design parameters for both frequencies are tabled as future design tools for port distances varying from 18 mm up to 34 mm at 870 MHz and 17 mm up to 32 mm at 915 MHz. Simulation results indicate a return loss (S11) of -20 dB and -26 dB at 870 MHz and 915 MHz operational frequencies respectively at 270^° angled quarter wavelength.

Voltage Source Inverters (VSI) are the integral part of Electrical Vehicles (EV) to enhance the reliability of supply power to critical loads in vehicle to load (V2L) applications. Inherent properties of sliding mode control (SMC) makes it one of the best vailable options to achieve desired voltage quality under variable load conditions. Intrinsic characteristic of robustness associated with SMC is achieved generally at the cost of unwanted chattering along the sliding surface. To manage this compromise better, optimal selection of sliding surface coefficient is applied with proposed composite exponential reaching law (C-ERL). The novelty of proposed C-ERL is associated with the intelligent mix of exponential, power and difference functions blended with rotating sliding surface selection (RSS) technique for three phase two level VSI. Moreover, proposed reaching law along with power rate exponential reaching law(PRERL), enhanced exponential reaching law(EERL) and repeatitive reaching law(RRL) are implemented on two level three phase VSI under variable load condtions. Comparative analysis of which strongly advocates the authenticity and effectiveness of proposed reaching law in achieving well regulated output voltage, with high level of robustness, reduced chattering and low %THD.

This paper deals with developing a new class of quaternions, called hyper-dual Horadam quaternions which are constructed from the quaternions whose components are hyper-dual Horadam numbers. We investigate the algebraic properties of these quaternions.

To enhance the applicability of dual-phase high-entropy alloys (HEAs) like Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, fabricated via selective laser melting (SLM), a focus on improving their mechanical properties is essential. As part of this effort, heat treatment was explored. This study compares the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-printed sample with those cooled in water after undergoing heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1200 ℃ for 1 hour. Both pre- and post-treatment samples reveal a dual-phase microstructure comprising FCC and BCC phases. Although heat treatment led to a reduction in tensile and yield strength, it significantly increased ductility compared to the as-printed sample. This strength-ductility trade-off is related to changes in grain sizes with ultrafine grains enhancing strength and micron grains optimizing ductility, also the influence of the content of FCC/BCC phases and dislocation density. In particular, the sample heat-treated at 1000 °C for 1 hour and then water-cooled exhibited a better combination of strength and ductility, a yield strength of 790 MPa, and an elongation of 13%. This research offers innovative perspectives on crafting dual-phase HEA of Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, allowing for tailorable microstructure and mechanical properties through a synergistic approach involving SLM and heat treatment.

A Berry geometrical phase is identified in a strongly metastable system containing dynamically responsive clathrate hydrate structures within a crystal-fluid material. High energy degeneracy in the associated chemistry produces local stability and false vacuum conditions that lead to non-extensive and non-additive contributions in the fundamental thermodynamic relation. Application of Ginzburg-Landau theory and the scaling laws reveals a coherence length and a penetration depth for a macro-scale dual superconductor. The coherence length determines non-extensive volume changes whilst its inverse gives the Higgs mass. The penetration depth determines the extent of QCD vacuum suppression whilst its inverse gives the vector boson mass together with indirect manifestation as non-additive hyperbolic curvature. Simultaneous emergence of the Ginzburg-Landau superconducting phase transition is consistent with gauge-invariant coupling of the scalar field to the Yang-Mills action in QCD. The discovery of an energy gap in the gradient energy term of the system Lagrangian is associated with a critical correlation length revealed in the transition from a gapped to a gapless superconducting state. Together with the emergence and absorption of the Higgs-like scalar field, a mechanism for describing a renormalized QCD mass gap arises.

The growing attention for plug-in electric vehicles, and the associated high-performance demands, have initiated a development trend towards highly efficient and compact on-board battery chargers. These isolated ac-dc converters are most commonly realized using two conversion stages, combining a non-isolated power factor correction (PFC) rectifier with an isolated dc-dc converter. This, however, involves two loss stages and a relatively high component count, limiting the achievable efficiency and power density and resulting in high costs. In this paper a single-stage converter approach is analyzed to realize a single-phase ac-dc converter, combining all functionalities into one conversion stage and thus enabling a cost-effective efficiency and power density increase. The converter topology consists of a quasi-lossless synchronous rectifier followed by an isolated dual active bridge (DAB) dc-dc converter, putting a small filter capacitor in between. To show the performance potential of this bidirectional, isolated ac-dc converter, a comprehensive design procedure and multi-objective optimization with respect to efficiency and power density is presented, using detailed loss and volume models. The models and procedures are verified by a 3.7 kW hardware demonstrator, interfacing a 400 V dc-bus with the single-phase 230 V, 50 Hz utility grid. Measurement results indicate a state-of-the-art efficiency of 96.1% and power density of 2.2 kW/dm³, confirming the competitiveness of the investigated single-stage DAB ac-dc converter.

Considering the fault "N-1" checksum and the power flow, the single-phase power flow model is further transformed into a three-phase power flow model, and the asymmetry of the three-phase power flow is measured by the three-phase unbalance factor. The calculation model is linearized by the second-order cone relaxation and the Big-M method. At the same time, the load response and distribution network reconstruction are used to improve the reliability of the power supply network to cope with the power failure. The relationship between power supply capability and power flow constraints, main transformer capacity and distributed power parameters is analyzed by IEEE 33-node three-phase power distribution system. The feasibility of the proposed model and the accuracy of the second-order cone relaxation are verified by numerical examples, which provides a technical reference for distribution network planning.

Frames are more stable as compared to bases under the action of a bounded linear operator. Sums of different frames under the action of a bounded linear operator are studied with the help of analysis, synthesis and frame operators. A simple construction of frames from the existing ones under the action of such an operator is presented here. It is shown that a frame can be added to its alternate dual frames, yielding a new frame. It is also shown that the sum of a pair of orthogonal frames is a frame. This provides an easy construction of a frame where the frame bounds can be computed easily. Moreover, for a pair of orthogonal frames, the necessary and sufficient condition is presented for their alternate dual frames to be orthogonal. This allows for an easy construction of a large number of new frames.

The main objective of the paper is to provide a thorough analysis of currently used modulation control schemes for single phase bidirectional dual active bridge DC/DC converter. In this article, it will be shown that single phase shift, extended phase shift and Dual phase shift modulation schemes are special cases of triple phase shift (TPS) modulation scheme. The article aims to highlight six TPS switching modes and their complements with the operational constraints. Unlike previous studies that regarded TPS as a complex scheme, this paper simplifies the analysis of each mode and aims to standardize the understanding of TPS modulation in DAB converters. Power equations, range of power transferred and zero voltage switching (ZVS) are derived for all the modes under TPS without assuming fundamental component analysis. Additionally, a generic optimization algorithm is developed to show the advantages of TPS modulation and thus, detailed analysis presented in this paper provides valuable insights for single phase DAB converter designers in identifying a wide range of optimization algorithms to achieve higher efficiency under TPS modulation. This analysis contributes to the advancement of bidirectional DAB converter technology and facilitates its application in various power electronic systems.

Because imbalanced power will cause the loss of the propulsion motor of the railway vehicle, and the increase in temperature will shorten the service life of the electric vehicle. Not only this, but also increase the cost of electricity and maintenance. In the past, the industry only focused on methods to improve power quality such as load capacity, relay setting, and harmonic resolution. Now, the consider of three-phase unbalance rate (TPUR) must be applied. I propose special transformers wiring (STW) to improve the three unbalance rates and provide different transformer wiring methods. According to the IEEE Committee, in the future, power companies will need to install balanced relay stations to improve three-phase unbalance rate. the internal regulations of Taipower must be less than 4.5% (voltage unbalance rate (NPSUR)of 2.5% and motor temperature rise of 12.5%). the derivation of the transformer "three-phase unbalance rate" model is the focus of the railway system. This research is based on the model derivation of different wiring methods to improve the hot problem caused by the three-phase imbalance and improve the service life of the train. And pointed out that Scott, Le-Blanc, Modified-Woodbridge three wiring methods can be applied to future railway system routes to improve the three-phase unbalance rate, in line with the IEEE standard of less than 2%.

In this paper, intrusion detection systems are thoroughly investigated utilizing the CSE-CIC-IDS-2018 dataset. The research is divided into three key phases: first, applying Data Cleaning, Exploratory Data Analysis, and Data Normalization techniques (min-max and z-score) for preparing data across distinct classifiers. Second, feature importance is reduced using a combination of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Random Forest (RF), with the goal of improving processing speed and decreasing model complexity. This stage comprises a comparison with the entire dataset. Finally, machine learning algorithms (XGBoost, CART, DT, KNN, MLP, RF, LR, and Bayes) are applied to specific features and preprocessing approaches. Surprisingly, the XGBoost, DT, and RF models outperform in both ROC values and CPU runtime. Following evaluation, which includes PCA and RF feature selection, an optimal set is produced.

Recent years have seen a massive increase in research on mindfulness as both a therapeutic practice as well as a protective health factor. While many associations have been made between mindfulness and clinical outcomes, understanding of the underlying mechanistic processes is still in its infancy. In this review, associations between mindfulness and other established frameworks in cognitive control are explored—in particular the dual modes of control framework in cognitive control theory. Studies in mindfulness providing evidence towards a dual-mode mindfulness model are reviewed and compared with the proactive and reactive modes of cognitive control to identify common underlying principles. Studies involving cognitive testing, advanced neuroimaging, and neurotransmitter levels and their associations with proactive and reactive control are reviewed in the context of the dual modes of mindfulness. While evidence supporting relationships between proactive and reactive modes of mindfulness and cognitive control are preliminary, existing literature on mindfulness already supports the notion of two components of mindfulness and is in line with the hypothesis that cognitive control and mindfulness are closely related. Since preliminary evidence suggests that proactive forms of mindfulness are more associated with improvement in clinical outcomes, mindfulness programs could be modified to target proactive mindfulness practices to maximize outcomes. The implications of proactive and reactive mindfulness on therapy, limitations of the framework, and necessity of studies providing direct evidence are further discussed.

The paper primarily demonstrates that the three internal triangles formed by connecting any point on a midsegment with the vertices of a generic triangle satisfy the geometric Proof of the Pythagorean theorem in Euclidean geometry. Moreover, this study elucidates the Pythagorean relationships inherent within three-dimensional geometric constructs resulting from the arrangement of three-dimensional spatial triangles. This geometric relationship, akin to a generalized extension of the Pythagorean theorem, unveils a unique spatial region characterized by this harmonious area interrelation among triangles.

In this contribution, different lane-keeping control strategies for Autonomous Ground Vehicles (AGV) have been analyzed and compared. The AGV must be oriented and kept within a given reference path using the front wheel steering angle as the control action for a specific longitudinal velocity. While non-linear models can describe the lateral dynamics of the vehicle in an accurate manner, they might lead to difficulties when computing some real-time control laws such as Model Predictive Control (MPC). Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) models can provide a trade-off between computational complexity and model accuracy. Another way to reduce computational complexity is to explore other control strategies, for example, the one based on the Inverse Kinematic Bicycle model (IKIBI). Additionally, AGV sensors typically work at different measurement acquisition frequencies so that Kalman Filters (KF) are usually needed for sensor fusion. If these frequencies are slower than the actuation rate, a multi-rate KF may be needed. The two control strategies (MPC using a LPV model and IKIBI) have been compared in simulations over a circuit path in the presence of process and measurement Gaussian noise. The MPC controller has shown to provide a more accurate lane-keeping behavior than an IKIBI control strategy. Finally, it has been seen that Dual-Rate Extended Kalman Filters (DREKF) constitute an essential tool when only slow and noisy sensor feedback is available in an AGV lane-keeping application.

The modern era of polarimetric radar begins with radiowave propagation research starting in the early 1970s with applications to measurement and modeling of wave attenuation in rain and depolarization due to ice particles along satellite-earth links. While there is a rich history of radar in meteorology after World War II, the impetus provided by radiowave propagation requirements lead to high quality antennas and feeds. Our journey starts by describing the key institutions and personnel responsible for development of weather radar polarimetry. The early period was dominated by circularly polarized radars for propagation research and at S-band for hail detection. By the mid-to late 70s, a paradigm shift occurred which led to the dominance of linear polarizations with applications to slant path attenuation prediction as well as estimation of rain rates and inferences of precipitation physics. The period from early 1980s to 1995 can be considered as the “golden” period of rapid research that brought in meteorologists, cloud physicists and hydrologists. This article describes the evolution of this technology from the vantage point of the authors. Their personal reflections and “behind the scenes” descriptions offer a glimpse into the inner workings at several key institutions which cannot be found elsewhere.

The goal of this paper is to propose a dual version of the direct cosine simplex algorithm (DDCA) for general linear problems. Unlike the two-phase and the big-M methods, our technique does not involve artificial variables. Our technique solves the dual Klee-Minty problem in two iterations and solves the dual Clausen’s problem in four iterations. The utility of the proposed method is evident from the extensive computational results on test problems adapted from NETLIB. Preliminary results indicate that this dual direct cosine simplex algorithm (DDCA) reduces the number of iterations of two-phase method.

In this paper, we introduce the generalized dual hyperbolic Fibonacci numbers. As special cases, we deal with dual hyperbolic Fibonacci and dual hyperbolic Lucas numbers. We present Binet's formulas, generating functions and the summation formulas for these numbers. Moreover, we give Catalan's, Cassini's, d'Ocagne's, Gelin-Cesàro's, Melham's identities and present matrices related with these sequences.

The article introduces a new solution approach to grid-connected single-stage three-phase PV inverter whereby a dc-link voltage can successfully achieve the desired performance. As a single-stage, the variable output of perturb and observe maximum power point tracking (P&O based-MPPT) is fully utilized as dc-link voltage reference in inverter control scheme. As a result, it is challenging for the dc-link voltage to preserve energy balance by tracking its variable dc-link voltage reference under unpredictable environmental changes. To overcome this challenge, an adaptive reference proportional-integral (ARPI) controller, self-tuning, is designed and implemented to compel the dc-link voltage tracking its voltage reference to be equal as closely as possible; hence, the capability of the dc-link under abnormal events substantially guarantees the best energy balance and transient performance enhancement. To verify the validity of the method, simulation results for multiple events scenarios on 250 KW single-stage grid-connected PV systems show the effectiveness of the ARPI controller compared with PI controller.

Three-dimensional graphene (3DG) sponge has attracted increasing attention because it combines the unique properties of cellular materials and the excellent performance of graphene. The preparation of 3DG sponge depends mainly on the self-assembly of graphene oxide sheets. Here, we demonstrate facile fabrication of 3DG sponge with a large-scale and ordered porous structure, exploiting the liquid crystals of large graphene oxide (LGO) and ultralarge graphene oxide (ULGO) sheets. The resulting materials exhibit a low density, high porosity and elasticity. Our work explores a new strategy for organizing the ordered alignment of controlled large GO sheets and exploring the relationship between the microstructures and mechanical properties of 3DG sponge.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the potential applications of dual energy CT (DECT) in improving image quality and diagnostic capabilities of CT arthrography (CTA) in clinical practice. The paper covers the use of virtual non contrast (VNC) images, in which the injected contrast medium is reduced from the articular cavity, in order to better analyze 2D and 3D images of the bone. Moreover , virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) applications and their potential use for the reduction of metal artifacts and improving image contrast are reviewed. The role of virtual non calcium (VNCa) in detecting bone marrow edema surrounding the imaged joint will be discussed. Furthermore , the role of iodine map to enhance the contrast between soft tissues, optimizing the visualization of contrast material, and to distinguish contrast material from calcifications is described. Finally, a case series including different joints is provided to underline the additional advantages of high spatial resolution dual energy CT reconstructed images.

Based on the principle of Pancharatnam-Berry phase, we propose an approach to construct dual-functional dielectric metasurface doublets. This type of doublet, which is composed of a substrate and two metasurface layers, performs two different functionalities at two different operating wavelengths. The simulated results of the examples show that the designed dual-functional doublet works well as expected. The proposed approach can be used to design dielectric meta-structures with more layers of meta-surface and thereby with more functionalities, and would be of interest for miniaturization and integration.

The superharmonic imaging of tissue has the potential for high spatial and contrast resolutions, compared to the fundamental and second harmonic imaging. For this technique, the spectral bandwidth of an ultrasound transducer is divided for transmission of ultrasound and reception of its superharmonics (i.e., higher than the second harmonic). Due to the spectral division for the transmission and reception, transmitted ultrasound energy is not sufficient to induce superharmonics in media without using contrast agents, and it is difficult that a transducer has a -6-dB fractional bandwidth of higher than 100%. For the superharmonic imaging of tissue, thus, multi-frequency array transducers are the best choice if available; transmit and receive elements are separate and have different center frequencies. However, the construction of a multi-frequency transducer for intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is particularly demanding because of its small size of less than 1 mm. Here, we report a recently developed dual-element focused IVUS transducer for the third harmonic imaging of tissue, which consists of a 35-MHz element for ultrasound transmission and a 105-MHz element for third harmonic reception. For high quality third harmonic imaging, both elements were fabricated to have the same focus at 2.5 mm. The results of tissue mimicking phantom tests demonstrated that the third harmonic images produced by the developed transducer had higher spatial resolution and deeper imaging depth than the fundamental images.

Background: Scaffold (SCA) functionalization with aptamers (APT) provides adsorption of specific bioactive molecules on biomaterials surface. The aim of this study was to observe if SCA enriched with anti-fibronectin APT can favor coagulum (PhC) and osteoblasts (OSB) differentiation. Methods: 20 ug of APT was functionalized on SCA by simple adsorption. For PhC formation, SCAs were inserted into rat calvaria defects for 17 hours. Following proper transportation (Buffer solution-PB), OSB (UMR-106 lineage) were seeded over PhC + SCAs with and without APT. Cells and PhC morphology, PhC cell population, protein labelling and gene expression were observed in different time points. Results: The APT induced higher ALP and BSP immunolabeling in OSB. CD90, CD45 and CD44 expression was more detected in APT group than when scaffolds were not functionalized. Additionally, an enriched and dense fibrin network and different cell types were observed, with more OSB and white blood cells in PhC formed on SCA with APT. The gene expression showed higher TGF-β1 detection in SCA with APT. Conclusions: The SCA functionalization with fibronectin aptamers provides a selective expression of proteins related to coagulation pattern and osteo differentiation. Additionally, aptamers increase TGF-β1 gene expression, which is highly associated with improvements in regenerative therapies.

Microbe-plant interactions are linked with the core microbiota, and both the plant and the microbial partners depend on one other to thrive in nature. However, why and how the below-ground core microbiota become established aboveground is poorly understood. We tracked the movement of a probiotic Streptomyces endophyte throughout a managed strawberry ecosystem. Probiotics in the rhizosphere and anthosphere were genetically identical, yet these niches were segregated in space and time. The probiotic in the rhizosphere moved upward via the vascular bundle, relocated to aboveground plant parts, and protected against Botrytis cinerea. It also moved from flowers to roots, and among flowers via pollinators that were protected against pollinator pathogens. Our results reveal a solid evidence in tripartite interaction with Streptomyces exploiting plant and pollinator partners.

With quick improvement in the field of network, everything becomes online. Remote user authentication is a mechanism in which remote server verify the correctness of user over common or public channel. Remote user authentication can be Single server authentication or Multi server authentication. The disadvantage of single server authentication is that the user needs to recall user id and password for each service, he/she need to utilize, however it can overcome by Multi-server authentication in which user needs to register himself with Registration Center (RC) for the first run through and after that onwards he can utilize each service (which are given by servers, associated with RC) by recollecting only one user id and password. In this paper, we analyze Chen's authentication scheme (based on multi server authentication) and show that this scheme is vulnerable to password guessing attack, replay attack, RC spoofing attack, session key verification attack and perfect forward secrecy attack. In this Paper, we propose a biometric based remote user authentication scheme in multi-server environment. Proposed scheme is more secure and efficient as compared to chen's scheme\cite{23}.

Three monoruthenium complexes 1(PF6)23(PF6)2 bearing a N(CH3)-bridged ligand have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes have a general formula of [Ru(bpy)2(L)](PF6)2, where L is a 2,5-di(N-methyl-N-(pyrid-2-yl)amino)pyrazine (dapz) derivative with various substituents and bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine. The photophyscial and electrochemical properties of these compounds have been examined. The solid-state structure of complex 3(PF6)2 is studied by single crystal X-ray analysis. These complexes show two well-separated emission bands centered at 451 and 646 nm (max = 195 nm) for 1(PF6)2, 465 and 627 nm (max = 162 nm) for 2(PF6)2, and 455 and 608 nm (max = 153 nm) for 3(PF6)2 in dilute acetonitrile solution, respectively. The emission maxima of the higher-energy emission bands of these complexes are similar, while the lower-energy emission bands are dependent on the electronic nature of substituents. These complexes display two consecutive redox couples owing to the stepwise oxidation of the N(CH3)-bridged ligand and ruthenium component. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations are carried out to elucidate these experimental findings.

Digital technology makes energy systems more dynamic, efficient, reliable and sustainable. Promoting the digital governance of renewable energy is not only a key part of energy transformation, but also an important initiative to cope with the global energy crisis, which provides a new impetus for realizing the goal of net-zero emissions. In order to achieve the "dual-carbon" goal, China has been actively promoting energy reform and enhancing the wide application of digital technologies in the development and utilization of renewable energy. The digital governance system and governance capacity of renewable energy is an important support for the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity. Although the digital governance of renewable energy in China has better policy support and advantages, the dilemmas it faces are still relatively prominent, including unsound laws and policies, insufficient governance capacity, and security loopholes in digital technology, etc. Therefore, this paper proposes a problem-oriented approach to the digital governance of renewable energy. Therefore, this paper puts forward problem-oriented optimization suggestions to innovate the legal system of renewable energy digital governance, promote the digital transformation of China's renewable energy industry, provide development space for renewable energy digital governance in a diversified mode, and enhance the digital governance capacity by improving the renewable energy security system.

For developmental processes we know most of the gene networks controlling specific cell responses. We still have to determine how these networks cooperate and how signals become integrated. The JNK pathway is one of the key elements modulating cellular responses during development. Yet, we still know little on how the core components of the pathway interact with additional regulators or how this network modulates cellular responses in the whole organism in homeostasis or during tissue morphogenesis. We have performed a promoter analysis searching for potential regulatory sequences of puc and identified different specific enhancers directing gene expression in different tissues and at different developmental times. Remarkably, some of these domains respond to the JNK activity, but not all. Altogether, these analyses show that puc expression regulation is very complex and that JNK activities participate in non-previously known processes during the development of Drosophila.

Recombinant laboratory plasmids (RLPs) are common in biological research and freely shared among academic research laboratories (ARLs), a practice required by many research funding agencies. However, the generation of accurate, reproducible results in experiments utilizing RLPs can be hampered by a lack of accompanying sequence information and metadata. This culture of RLP sharing without knowledge of sequence or etiology is accepted by publishers, not regulated by governments, and outside the realm of bio-industry. In addition, no centralized infrastructure currently exists to collate such data, which at the moment is fragmented across companies, non-profits, and governments and thus is not easily accessed or enacted toward threat assessment. The ubiquity, free exchange, and dual-use risk of RLPs exemplifies a biosecurity threat and elevates the need to characterize their composition to facilitate improved biorisk management by the academic community. A number of common sense solutions are available to create a culture that addresses the biosecurity gap posed by RLP sharing. Culture shift in RLP management will require new norms, effective data management for collation of RLP sequences and metadata, and an incentive structure that encourages sequencing by stakeholders. The next generation of researchers must initiate and champion this shift with support from funding agencies and endorsement from governments and international organizations. Coordination of efforts and stakeholders will require international public/private collaboration, a structure that will be critical to ensure widespread utility as well as the ability of lower-resourced partners to participate, contribute, and benefit.

Three-dimensional transfer functions (3D TFs) are generally assumed to fully describe the transfer behavior of optical topography measuring instruments such as coherence scanning interferometers in the spatial frequency domain. Therefore, 3D TFs are supposed to be independent of the surface under investigation resulting in a clear separation of surface properties and transfer characteristics. In this paper we show that the 3D TF of an interference microscope differs depending on whether the object is specularly reflecting or consists of point scatterers. In addition to the 3D TF of a point scatterer, we will derive an analytical expression for the 3D TF corresponding to specular surfaces and demonstrate this as being most relevant in practical applications of coherence scanning interferometry (CSI). We additionally study the effects of temporal coherence and disclose, that in conventional CSI temporal coherence effects dominate. However, narrowband light sources are advantageous if high spatial frequency components of weak phase objects are to be resolved, whereas for low-frequency phase objects of higher amplitude the temporal coherence is less affecting. Finally, we present an approach that explains the different transfer characteristics of coherence peak and phase detection in CSI signal analysis.

Abstract: This study was aimed to determine the influence of the volume fraction of steel fibers and on fracture parameters of concrete. Fifty notched steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams and ordinary concrete beams with dimensions of 100mm×100mm×515mm were cast and tested via three-point bending test. Among them, the type of steel fiber is milling type (MF), and the volume fraction of steel fiber added is 0%, 0.5%, 0.5%, 1.5%, 1.5%, 2%, respectively. The effects of the steel fiber volume fraction (VF) on the critical stress intensity factor (KIC), fracture energy (GF), the deflection at failure(δ0), the critical crack mouth opening displacement (CMODC) and the critical crack tip opening displacement (CTODC)were studied. Through the analysis of test phenomena and test data such as load-deflection (P-δ) curve, load-crack mouth opening displacement (P-CMOD) curve and load-crack tip opening displacement (P-CTOD) curve following conclusions are drawn: With the increase of steel fiber volume fraction, some fracture parameters increase gradually and maintain a certain linear growth. The gain ratio of fracture parameters increases significantly, and the gain effect is obvious. Through this law of growth, the experimental statistical formulas of fracture energy and critical stress intensity factor are summarized.

Atoms in Molecules (AIM), Natural Bond Orbital (NBO), and normal coordinate analysis have been carried out at the global minimum structures of TH₅⁺ (T = C/Si/Ge). All these analyses lead to a consistent structure for these three protonated TH₄ molecules. The CH₅⁺ has a structure with three short and two long C-H covalent bonds and no H-H bond. Hence, the popular characterization of protonated methane as a weakly bound CH₃⁺ and H₂ is inconsistent with these results. However, SiH₅⁺ and GeH₅⁺ are both indeed a complex formed between TH₃⁺ and H₂ stabilized by a tetrel bond, with the H₂ being the tetrel bond acceptor. The three-center-two-electron bond (3c-2e) in CH₅⁺ has an open structure, which can be characterized as a V-type 3c-2e bond and that found in SiH₅⁺ and GeH₅⁺ is a T-type 3c-2e bond. This difference could be understood based on the typical C-H, Si-H, Ge-H and H-H bond energies. Moreover, this structural difference observed in TH₅⁺ can explain the trend in proton affinity of TH₄. Carbon is selective in forming a ‘tetrel bond’ and when it does, it might be worthwhile to highlight it as a ‘carbon bond’.

This study presents an instant preview and analysis system implementation of intelligent stereo cameras (ISCs). A parameter optimization prototype adopted the instant preview and analysis system of the ISCs has been achieved the automatic alignment function, and obtained optimal stereo films with the automatic alignment function by adjusting gap and angle between dual cameras. The instant preview and analysis system of the ISCs with parameter optimization can enhance the quality of stereo films effectively and reduce filmed errors and save retouched cost and time in harsh filmed environment.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is an activator of transcription. Diverse stress factors lead to various sets of posttranslational modifications of p53 what results in different sets of upregulat-ed genes. We noticed that actinomycin D and nutlin-3a (A+N) synergize in inducing activating phosphorylations of p53 and upregulation of selected p53-target genes. Here we found that one of these genes is DUSP13, which codes for poorly-studied, dual-specificity phosphatase having at least two isoforms, one expressed in testis and the other in skeletal muscles. In cancer cells ex-posed to A+N, DUSP13 is expressed from an alternative promoter in intron, what results in ex-pression of isoform named TMDP-L1. The luciferase reporter tests demonstrated that this pro-moter is activated by both endogenous and ectopically expressed p53. We showed for the first time that mRNA expressed from this promoter actually produces the protein, which can be de-tected by Western blotting in all examined cancer cell lines with wild-type p53 exposed to A+N. In some cell lines it is also induced by clinically relevant camptothecin or by nutlin-3a acting alone. This isoform, fused with green fluorescent protein localizes in perinuclear region of cells. Thus, TMDP-L1 isoform may be an important element of p53-regulated stress response system.

Clinical screening tests for balance and mobility often fall short of predicting fall risk. Cognitive distractors and unpredictable external stimuli, common in busy natural environments, contrib-ute to this risk, especially in the elderly. Less is known about the effects of upper sensory-motor coordination such as coordinating one’s hand with an external stimulus. We combined move-ment sonification and affordable inertial motion sensors to develop a task for the precise meas-urement and manipulation of full-body interaction with stimuli in the environment. In a double-task design, we studied how a supra-postural activity affected quiet stance. The supra-postural task consisted of rhythmic synchronization with a repetitive auditory stimulus. The stimulus was attentionally demanding because it was being modulated continuously. The participant’s hand movement was sonified in real-time, and their goal was to synchronize their hand move-ment with the stimulus. In the unpredictable condition, the tempo changed at random points in the trial. A separate sensor recorded postural fluctuations. Young healthy adults were compared to elderly participants without known risk of falling. Results supported the hypothesis that su-pra-postural coordination would entrain postural control. The effect was stronger in the elderly, supporting the idea that diminished reserve capacities reduce the ability to isolate postural con-trol from sensory-motor and cognitive activity.

The limitations of conventional sensors have made phased array antennas increasingly crucial for gathering information and communication applications in intelligent transportation systems. Compact cylindrical arrays, in particular, are favored for their ability to achieve azimuth angle scan. However, the substantial mutual coupling effect between elements on curved surfaces and its implication in these arrays remains unclear, which is a crucial factor to consider when such arrays are used for multibeam applications. This study investigated the effect of mutual coupling in a dual-slant-polarized cylindrical array. The results showed that mutual coupling is essential for achieving an ultra-wide bandwidth. Mutual coupling is predominantly observed among elements that are closely positioned. The study also analyzes the impact of mutual coupling on scan impedance and radiation characteristics for multibeam applications and reveals that these arrays exhibit robust multibeam capability, hence having great potential for use in intelligent transportation systems.

Although hundreds of keV in energy gain have already been demonstrated in dielectric laser accelerators (DLAs), there remains challenge in creating structures that can confine electrons for multiple millimeters. We focus here on dual gratings with single sided drive, which have experimentally demonstrated energy modulation numerous times. Using a FTDT simulation to find the fields within various DLA structures and correlating these results with particle tracking simulation, we look at the impact of teeth height and width, as well as gap and offset, on the performance of these structures. We find a tradeoff between electron throughput and acceleration, but that for any given grating geometry there is a gap and offset that will allow some charge acceleration. For our 780 nm laser wavelength, this results in a 1200 nm optimal gap size for most gratings.

Objective: To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of monotherapy and dual therapy in patients with early ischemic stroke. Methods: The study was conducted from August 2020 to August 2021, and 80 patients with early ischemic stroke who received treatment at our hospital during this period were selected as the study population. They were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 40 patients in each group. The control group received conventional monotherapy, while the observation group received conventional dual therapy. The efficacy and safety indicators of the two groups were compared.Results: The treatment efficacy, functional recovery, blood indicators, and inflammation markers in the observation group were all superior to those in the control group (all, P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the drug safety profile between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: The dual antiplatelet therapy is more ideal than monotherapy for treating patients with early ischemic stroke. It can further promote the recovery of neurological and cognitive function, improve hematological and inflammatory response indicators in patients, and the safety of this regimen is comparable to monotherapy.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, adults rely on their ability to walk while simultaneously managing multiple tasks that challenge their coordination. This study investigates the impact of cognitive dual-task on lower limb muscle activities in 21 healthy young adults during both gait initiation and steady-state gait. We utilized wireless electromyography sensors to measure muscle activities, along with a 3D motion capture system and force plates to detect the phases of gait initiation and steady-state gait. Participants were asked to walk at their self-selected pace, and we compared single-task and dual-task conditions. We analyzed mean muscle activation and co-contraction in the biceps femoris, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles. The findings revealed that during gait initiation with the dual-task condition, there was a decrease in mean muscle activation and an increase in mean muscle c-contraction between the swing and stance limb compared to the single-task condition. In steady-state gait, there was also a decrease in mean muscle activation in the dual-task condition compared to the single-task condition. When participants performed dual-task activities during gait initiation, early indicators of reduced balance capability were observed. Additionally, during dual-task steady-state gait, knee stabilizer muscles exhibited signs of altered activation, contributing to balance instability.

A multispectral superconducting nanowire single photon detector sensitive to different incident photon wavelength bands, is proposed. The SNSPD consists of a Distributed Bragg Reflector, a gold mirror, and two regions employing four NbN nanowires. Using the DBR both as a filter and a reflector, two distinct detection bands are created. The first detection band has a peak absorbance of > 0.75 at a wavelength of 1143 nm, while the second band has an absorbance of > 0.70 in the wavelength range 1440 to 2000 nm. The design of the device can be tuned to provide sensitivity in different wavelength bands. While SNSPDs do not typically provide photon wavelength sensitivity, the band-selection design proposed in this work opens up potential applications for future quantum communication technology.

Vehicle re-identification research under surveillance cameras has yielded impressive results. However, the challenge of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based vehicle re-identification (ReID) presents a high degree of flexibility, mainly due to complicated shooting angles, occlusions, low discrimination of top-down features, and significant changes in vehicle scales. To address this, we propose a novel Dual Mixing Attention Network (DMANet) to extract discriminative features robust to variations in viewpoint. Specifically, we first present a plug-and-play Dual Mixing Attention Module (DMAM) to capture pixel-level pairwise relationships and channel dependencies, where DMAM is composed of Spatial Mixing Attention (SMA) and Channel Mixing Attention (CMA). First, the original feature is divided according to the dimensions of spatial and channel to obtain multiple subspaces. Then, a learnable weight is applied to capture the dependencies between local features in the mixture space. Finally, the features extracted from all subspaces are aggregated to promote their comprehensive feature interaction. Moreover, the DMAM can be readily inserted into backbone networks at any depth to improve vehicle discrimination. The experiments show that the proposed structure gains a better performance compared with the representative methods in the UAV-based vehicle ReID task. Our code and models will be publicly released.

Background: Patients undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may experience recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). We investigated the clinical characteristics and risk factors for recurrent non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) in patients who had experienced NVUGIB during receiving DAPT. Methods: We enrolled patients diagnosed with NVUGIB during receiving DAPT between 2006 and 2020. Definite bleeding was confirmed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy in all NVUGIB patients. Results: A total of 124 patients were diagnosed with NVUGIB during receiving DAPT. Male was predominant (n = 103, 83.1%), bleeding mostly from the stomach (n = 94, 75.8%) and peptic ulcers (n = 72, 58.1%). After successful hemostasis of NVUGIB, 36 patients (29.0%) experienced at least one episode of recurrent upper GIB, 19 patients (15.3%) died, and 7 (5.6%) patients had a bleeding-related death. Multivariate analysis showed that age was a significant factor for re-bleeding (odds ratio [OR],1.050; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.001-1.102, P-value:0.047), all-cause mortality (OR,1.096; 95% CI:1.020-1.178, P=0.013), and re-bleeding related mortality (OR,1.187; 95% CI:1.032-1.364, P-value:0.016). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative probabilities of re-bleeding, death, and bleeding-related death were significantly higher in patients aged 70 and older (P=0.008, &lt;0.001, and 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: Clinicians should be cautious about re-bleeding and mortality when elderly patients who experienced NVUGIB during receiving DAPT.Keywords: dual antiplatelet therapy; upper gastrointestinal tract; bleeding; mortality

Percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) with stenting for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome(ACS) is the contemporary standard of care. Such treatment is followed by Dual anti-platelet therapy(DAPT) comprising of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor. The efficacy of this therapy has been well established but the optimal duration of DAPT remains elusive, and has thus far attracted a prodigious deal of scientific attention. Decision regarding DAPT duration can be challenging clinically in the modern era with the evolution of newer stents, more potent antiplatelet agents and novel anticoagulant drugs in addition to an older patient population with multiple comorbidities. Major societal guidelines have emphasized comprehensive assessment of ischemic and bleeding risk, in turn recommending individualization of DAPT duration, thus encouraging "shared decision making". The following review is aimed at critically evaluating the available evidence to help make these crucial clinical decisions regarding duration of DAPT and triple therapy.

We report a novel dual-band barrier infrared detector (DBIRD) design using type-II superlattices (T2SLs). The DBIRD structure consists of back-to-back barrier diodes: a "blue channel" (BC) diode which has an nBp architecture, an n-type layer of larger bandgap for absorbing blue band infrared/barrier/p-type layer, and a "red channel" (RC) diode which has an pBn architecture, a p-type layer of smaller bandgap for absorbing red band infrared/barrier/n-type layer. Each has a unipolar barrier using a T2SL lattice matched to a GaSb substrate to impede the flow of majority carriers from the absorbing layer. Each channel in the DBIRD can be independently accessed with a low bias voltage, as is preferable for high-speed thermal imaging. Device modeling of DBIRDs and simulation results of the current-voltage characteristics under dark and illuminated conditions are also presented. They predict that dual-band operation of the DBIRD will produce low dark currents and 27-33% quantum efficiencies for the in-band photons in the BC with λc=5.58 μm, and a nearly-constant 33% in the RC with λc=8.05 μm. The spectral quantum efficiency of the BC for 500 K blackbody radiation is approximately 20% over the range of λ=3 − 4.2 μm, while that of the RC has a peak of 42% at 5.7 μm. The DBIRD may provide improved high-speed dual-band imaging in comparison with NBn dual-band detectors.

Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is still an underresearched area and is particularly important due to historical circumstances and economic backwardness. A study was carried out to assess the impact of renewable energy and production generated by the agricultural sector on CO2 emissions in 3SI countries between 2008 and 2020. The study used panel data analysis based on the two-step system generalised method of moments (GMM) and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test. The results show that a 1% increase in the value-added generated by agriculture increases CO2 emissions in the countries studied by 0.11%. In contrast, a 1% increase in GDP leads to a 0.29% increase in CO2 emissions. Conversely, when renewable energy consumption increases by 1%, CO2 emissions fall by 0.25% in the countries studied. One way to reduce CO2 emissions from agricultural production in the short term is to increase the share of renewables, which, incidentally, is in line with EU action.

The three-dimensional morphology of frictional sub-surfaces holds significant importance for studying tribological issues. However, the uniformity of horizontal datum in 3D scanning is limited for curved surfaces, resulting in the inability to obtain accurate contour characterization parameters from the scanning results. This study aims to address this issue by constructing regular surface equations and normalizing the 3D profiler scanning results. By fitting the data, a "plane" surface representative of the surface features is obtained, and the paper demonstrates this approach on the surface morphology of different worn parts in the frictional area of spherical bearings located in the specific environment of the Three Gorges gate. The results indicate that the obtained "plane" effectively reconstructs the three-dimensional morphology map of the regular surface. Moreover, this reconstructed plane not only clearly illustrates the surface characteristics but also provides the foundation for analyzing the wear mechanism.

This study introduces a new procedure for three-component spectral matching of seismic ground acceleration records. The procedure involves preserving the phase angle and varying the Fourier amplitudes to match the spectra of the recorded records with a provided target spectrum that represents the spectral values of ground motions in three orthogonal directions. Several three-component recorded records were matched against two target response spectra to test the method. An accurate convergence was achieved in the velocity and displacement records. In addition, the scales among the components’ magnitude were maintained, creating realistic three-component ground motions. Such ground motion inputs are important to qualify critical structures sensitive to three-component motions. Our proposed procedure is novel because the present practices are mostly created based on one-component ground motions.

This paper introduces a multi-class hand gesture recognition model developed to identify a set of defined hand gesture sequences in two-dimensional RGB video recordings. The work presents an action detection classifier that looks at both appearance and spatiotemporal parameters of consecutive frames. The classifier utilizes a convolutional-based network combined with a long-short-term memory unit. To leverage the need for a large-scale dataset, the model uses an available dataset to then adopt a technique known as transfer learning to fine-tune the model on the hand gestures of relevance. Validation curves performed over a batch size of 64 indicate an accuracy of 93.95% (± 0.37) with a mean Jaccard index of 0.812 (± 0.105) for 22 participants. The presented model illustrates the possibility of training a model with a small set of data (113,410 fully labelled frames). The proposed pipeline embraces a small-sized architecture that could facilitate its adoption.

The paper proposes a novel methodology for the stabilization of shallow foundations, with a simplified model combined with 3D Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT-3D) and conso- lidation injections. To determine its usefulness, the method has been applied in a case located in Estepona (southern Spain). The chosen tomography model is the dipole-dipole configuration, with an optimized distance between electrodes of 0.80 m for a better visualization of the foundation subsoil; with this parameterization, a total of 72 electrodes were installed in the analyzed case. In this work, the depth of the anomaly in the building's supporting subsoil was detected ranging from 2.00 m to 3.90 m deep. The study also delineates areas of high resistivity variations (50-1,000 Ω m) in the middle and eastern end of the field. These data have been validated and corroborated with a field campaign. The results of the ERT-3D monitoring are presented, once the investment data has been processed with the RES3DINV software, from the beginning to the end of the stabilization intervention. The novelty occurs with the interaction between the tomography and the foundation consolidation injections, until the final stabilization; very useful methodology in case of emergency consolidation, where there is a need to minimize damage to the building. Thus, people using this combined system; will be able to practically solve the initial anomalies of the subsoil that caused the damages, in a non-invasive way, considerably lowering the value of the resistivities.

ARBTools is a Python library containing a Lekien-Marsden type tricubic spline method for interpolating three-dimensional scalar or vector fields presented as a set of discrete data points on a regular cuboid grid. ARBTools was developed for simulations of magnetic molecular traps, in which the magnitude, gradient and vector components of a magnetic field are required. Numerical integrators for solving particle trajectories are included, but the core interpolator can be used for any scalar or vector field. The only additional system requirements are NumPy.

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging has attracted more and more interests because of its widespread applications, especially in information and life science. These techniques can be broadly divided into two types: ray-based and wavefront-based 3D imaging. Issues such as imaging quality and system complexity of these techniques limit the applications significantly, and therefore many investigations have focused on 3D imaging from depth measurements. This paper presents an overview of 3D imaging from depth measurements, and provides a summary of the connection between these the ray-based and wavefront-based 3D imaging techniques.

Background/Objectives: Population aging is rapidly increasing, and the importance of preventive medicine has been stressed. Health checkup, diet, and exercise are of paramount importance. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized dual-task intervention that combined exercise with cognitive tasks in improving physical and cognitive functions among independently living elderly individuals. Methods: Participants were aged &gt;65 years who were mostly independent in their activities of daily living, divided into 2 groups. The group receiving the 20-min robot-assisted session was compared to the group receiving traditional functional restoration training. This randomized trial assessed the impact of this intervention on the 30-s chair stand test score and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Japanese version score of the participants. Results: Both scores significantly improved in the intervention group, indicating enhanced lower-limb function and cognitive capabilities. Conclusions: These findings suggest that integrating cognitive tasks with physical exercise can be a potent strategy to improve overall well-being in the elderly, offering valuable insights for designing comprehensive preventive health programs tailored to this demographic.

In this paper, we establish the necessary and sufficient conditions for solving a dual split quaternion matrix equation AXB=C, and present the general solution expression when solvability is achieved. As an application, we delve into the necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of Hermitian solution to this equation by using a newly defined real representation method. Furthermore, we obtain the solutions for the dual split quaternion matrix equations AX=C and XB=C. Finally, we provide a numerical example to demonstrate the findings of this paper.

Hydrogen is considered as an ideal substitute to the traditional fossil fuels because of its widespread sources, high calorific value of combustion, and zero carbon emissions. The electrocatalytic water-splitting to produce hydrogen is also deemed to be the best approach, however, it is a challenge to make high-efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are considered the most promising candidate to replace the traditional noble-metal catalysts. Compared with SACs, the dual-atom catalysts (DACs) are of greater attraction including higher metal loading, more versatile active sites, and excellent catalytic activity. In the review, several general synthetic strategies and structural characterization methods of DACs are introduced, and the mechanisms of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) are discussed. The authors hope that the review has given some insights and inspiration to the researchers about DACs in electrocatalytic water-splitting.

Endoscopic medical images can suffer from uneven illumination, low contrast, and lack of texture information due to the use of point directional light sources and the presence of narrow tissue structures, posing diagnostic difficulties for physicians. In this paper, a deep learning-based su-pervised illumination enhancement network is designed for low-light endoscopic images, aiming to improve both global illumination and local details. Initially, a global illumination enhancement module is formulated utilizing a higher-order curve function to improve global illumination. Sec-ondly, a local feature extraction module incorporating dual attention is designed to capture local detailed features. Considering the significance of color fidelity in biomedical scenarios, the designed loss function prioritizes introducing color loss to alleviate image color distortion. Compared with seven state-of-the-art enhancement algorithms on Endo4IE endoscopic datasets, experimental re-sults show that the proposed method can better enhance low-light endoscopic images and avoid image color distortion. It provides an efficient method to enhance images captured by endoscopes which can effectively assist clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The groundbreaking Advanced Forest-Based Tagging Framework (AFTF) represents a paradigm shift in the domain of information extraction from medical texts. AFTF introduces a novel dual-binary tree structure that redefines how entity-relation triples are extracted. This innovative approach directly tackles the limitations of traditional linear and graph-based methods, effectively addressing challenges related to overlapping triples and computational efficiency. The AFTF model stands as a beacon of excellence, surpassing established baselines by significant margins in comprehensive evaluations on two pivotal medical datasets. Notably, AFTF achieves remarkable improvements in F1 scores, showcasing its prowess in accurate information extraction from complex medical narratives. Beyond its exceptional performance in the medical domain, AFTF exhibits remarkable versatility. This adaptability is vividly demonstrated through its robust performance across three diverse public datasets, further affirming its position as a versatile and reliable solution for information extraction tasks. This paper provides a comprehensive exposition of the AFTF architecture, shedding light on its innovative design principles and its efficient handling of intricate medical texts. AFTF represents a groundbreaking step forward in the realm of information extraction, promising enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and adaptability for a wide range of applications.

Micro-gyroscopes based on the Coriolis principle are widely employed in inertial navigation, motion control, and vibration analysis applications. This paper presents our main contributions which include a novel dual-frame optomechanical gyroscope, a unique photonic crystal cavity design, and advanced numerical simulation and optimization methods. The proposed design utilizes an optical cavity formed between dual oscillating frames, whereby input rotation induces a measurable phase shift via optomechanical coupling. Actuation of the frames is achieved electrostatically via an interdigitated comb-drive design. Through theoretical modeling based on cavity optomechanics and finite element simulation, the operating principle and performance parameters are evaluated in detail. Results indicate an expected angular rate sensitivity of 22.8 mV/°/s and angle random walk of 7.1×10-5 °/h1/2, representing superior precision than to existing micro-electromechanical systems gyroscopes of comparable scale. Detailed analysis of the optomechanical transduction mechanism suggests this dual-frame approach could enable angular vibration detection with resolution exceeding state-of-the-art solutions.

Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is a milk-derived protein that exhibits multiple biological activities and has been explored towards different therapeutic applications. Since this molecule is susceptible to degradation and some of its properties depend on its tertiary structure, the encapsulation of bLf in stimuli-responsive therapeutic formulations provides an added value to potentiate its biological activities when administered. Plasmonic magnetoliposomes emerge as promising nanosystems for dual hyperthermia (magneto-photothermia) and local therapy, since the combination of magnetic and gold nanoparticles (NPs) in a single nanosystem (multifunctional liposomes) enables the targeting and controlled release of encapsulated drugs. In this work, plasmonic magnetoliposomes (PMLs) containing manganese ferrite nanoparticles (28 nm size) and gold nanoparticles (~ 5 nm size) functionalized with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid or octadecanethiol, were synthesized and loaded with bLf. The structural, magnetic and optical properties of the nanoparticles were measured by TEM, SQUID and UV/vis/NIR absorption spectroscopy. Specific Absorption Rate was determined to assess the capabilities for magnetic and photothermal hyperthermia. Finally, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as an eukaryotic cellular model to assess the biological activity and the mechanism of entry of bLf-loaded PMLs, through counting of colony forming units and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. The results demonstrate that PMLs are mainly internalized through an energy- and temperature-dependent endocytic process, though the contribution of a diffusion component cannot be discarded. Most notably, only bLf-loaded PMLs exhibit cytotoxicity with an efficiency similar to free bLf, attesting their promising potential for bLf delivery in the context of therapeutic interventions.

Fractals offer the ability to generate fascinating geometric shapes with all sorts of unique characteristics (for instance, fractal geometry provides a basis for modelling infinite detail found in nature). While fractals are non-euclidean mathematical objects which possess an assortment of properties (e.g., attractivity and symmetry), they are also able to be scaled down, rotated, skewed and replicated in embedded contexts. Hence, many different types of fractals have come into limelight since their origin discovery. One particularly popular method for generating fractal geometry is using Julia sets. Julia sets provide a straightforward and innovative method for generating fractal geometry using an iterative computational modelling algorithm. In this paper, we present a method that combines Julia sets with dual-quaternion algebra. Dual-quaternions are an alluring principal with a whole range interesting mathematical possibilities. Extending fractal Julia sets to encompass dual-quaternions algebra provides us with a novel visualize solution. We explain the method of fractals using the dual-quaternions in combination with Julia sets. Our prototype implementation demonstrate an efficient methods for rendering fractal geometry using dual-quaternion Julia sets based upon an uncomplicated ray tracing algorithm. We show a number of different experimental isosurface examples to demonstrate the viability of our approach.

Despite the popularity of Zumba in several countries, research is scarce about its impact on older adults. Meanwhile, the integration of cognitive tasks with physical exercises, known as dual-tasking, is an evolving strategy to facilitate activities for older people. This study investigated the perceptions of older adults regarding Zumba and the potential of implementing it in a dual-task program. We conducted a qualitative-descriptive research involving 44 Filipino older adults from August to November 2020. Content analysis was employed to analyze the data. Four themes were identified: moving towards match or mismatch; balancing benefits with burdens; dual-tasking as innovative yet potentially challenging; and overcoming barriers with enablers. While Zumba is an inclusive and beneficial activity, individual and contextual limitations could hinder its suitability for older people. Dual-tasking in Zumba was also recognized as an innovative approach, although challenges should be addressed to promote its utility. Several strategies could support the design of these programs in communities. This is the first study to explore older adults’ perceptions towards Zumba and its potential utilization as a dual-tasking program. Findings could guide the implementation of appropriate Zumba and dual-tasking activities that seek to integrate cognitive and physical training for older adults.

Current therapeutic protocols for the treatment of HIV infection consist of the combination of diverse anti-retroviral drugs in order to reduce the selection of resistant mutants and to allow for the use of lower doses of each single agent to reduce toxicity. However, avoiding drugs interactions and patient compliance are issues not fully accomplished so far. In this respect the identification of single agents with multitarget potential might represent the ideal solution. Accordingly, a small library of biphenylhydrazo 4-arylthiazoles derivatives has been synthesised and evaluated to investigate the ability of the new derivatives to simultaneously inhibit both associated functions of HIV reverse transcriptase. All compounds were active towards the two functions, although at different concentrations. The substitution pattern on the biphenyl moiety appears relevant to determine the activity.

In this paper, we study singularities of the spherical indicatrix and evolute of spacelike ruled surface with spacelike ruling. Finally, we give an example to illustrate our results.

The etiology of ‘dual harm’ (the co-occurrence of self-harm and externalized violence in the same individual) is under-researched. Risk factors have mostly been investigated for each behavior separately. We aimed to examine adversities experienced between birth and age 15 years among adolescents and young adults with histories of self-harm and violent criminality, with a specific focus on dual harm. Three nested case-control studies were delineated using national interlinked Danish registers; 58,409 cases in total aged 15-35 were identified: 28,956 with a history of violent criminality (but not self-harm), 25,826 with a history of self-harm (but not violent criminality), and 3987 with dual harm history. Each case was matched by date of birth and gender to 20 controls who had not engaged in either behavior. We estimated exposure prevalence for cases vs. controls for each of the three behavior groups, and incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Experiencing 5 or more childhood adversities was more prevalent among individuals with dual harm history (19.3%; 95% CI 18.0, 20.8%) versus self-harm (10.9%; 10.5, 11.3%) and violence (11.4%; 11.0%, 11.8%) histories. The highest IRRs for dual harm were linked with parental unemployment (5.15; 95% CI 4.71, 5.64), parental hospitalization following self-harm (4.91; 4.40, 5.48) or assault (5.90; 5.07, 6.86), and parental violent criminality (6.11; 5.57, 6.70). Growing up in environments that are characterized by poverty, violence and substance misuse, and experiencing multiple adversities in childhood, appear to be especially strongly linked with elevated dual harm risk. These novel findings indicate potential etiologic pathways to dual harm.

Single nanowires (NWs) are of great importance for optoelectronic applications, especially solar cells serving as powering nanoscale devices. However, weak off-resonant absorption can limit its light-harvesting capability. Here, we propose a single NW coated with the graded-index dual shells (DSNW). We demonstrate that with appropriate thickness and refractive index of the inner shell, the DSNW exhibits significantly enhanced light trapping compared with the bare NW (BNW), and the NW only coated with the outer shell (OSNW) and the inner shell (ISNW), which can be attributed to the optimal off-resonant absorption mode profiles due to the improved coupling between the reemitted light of the transition modes of the leak mode resonances of the Si core and the nanofocusing light from the dual shells with the graded refractive index. We found that the light absorption can be engineered via tuning the thickness and the refractive index of the inner shell, the photocurrent density is significantly enhanced by 134% (56%, 12%) in comparison with that of the BNW (OSNW, ISNW). This work advances our understanding of how to improve off-resonant absorption by applying graded dual-shell design and provides a new choice for designing high-efficiency single NW photovoltaic devices.

This paper presents a configuration of dual output single phase current source inverter with 6 switches for microgrid applications. The inverter is capable of delivering power to two independent set of loads of equal voltages or different voltages at the load end. The control strategy is based on Integral Sliding Mode Control (ISMC). The remote monitoring of the inverter is performed with cyber infrastructure. The cyber physical test bench is developed based on Reconfigurable I/O processor (NI MyRIO-1900) for control and monitoring of the inverter. The inverter prototype is tested in cyber physical test bench in laboratory conditions. The performance of the inverter is analyzed and monitored through the remote system. Also, the inverter is analyzed with different voltage conditions.

Continuous object tracking in WSNs, such as monitoring of mud-rock flows, forest fires etc., is a challenging task due to characteristic nature of continuous objects. They can appear randomly in the network field, move continuously, and can change in size and shape. Monitoring such objects in real-time generally require tremendous amount of messaging between sensor nodes to synergistically estimate object’s movement and track its location. In this paper, we propose a novel twofold-sink mechanism, comprising of a mobile and a static sink node. Both sink nodes gather information about boundary sensor nodes, which is then used to uniformly distribute energy consumption across all network nodes, thus helping in saving residual energy of network nodes. Numerous object tracking schemes, using mobile sink, have been proposed in the literature. However, existing schemes employing mobile sink cannot be applied to track continuous objects, because of momentous variation of network topology. Therefore, we present in this paper a mechanism, transformed from K-means algorithm, to find the best sensing location of the mobile sink node. It helps to reduce transmission load on the intermediate network nodes situated between static sink node and the ordinary network sensing nodes. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme can distinctly improve life time of the network, compared to one-sink protocol employed in continuous object tracking.

Although mammography has been the gold standard for early detection of breast cancer, if a woman has dense breast tissue, a false negative diagnosis may occur. Breast ultrasound, whether hand-held or automated, is a useful adjunct to mammography but adds extra time and cost. The primary aim was to demonstrate that our second-generation Aceso system, which combines full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) in a single platform, is able to produce improved quality images that provide clinically meaningful results. Aceso was first tested using two industry standards: a CDMAM phantom to assess the FFDM images; and the CIRS 054GS phantom to evaluate the ABUS images. In addition, 25 women participated in a clinical trial: 14 were healthy volunteers while 11 were patients referred by the breast clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital. The CDMAM phantom results showed the FFDM results were better than EUREF’s standard of “acceptable” and were approaching “achievable”. The ABUS results showed lateral and axial spatial resolution of 0.5 mm and adequate depth penetration of 80 mm. Our second-generation Aceso system, with its improved quality of clinical FFDM and ABUS images, has demonstrated its potential for early detection of breast cancer in a busy clinic.

A power factor correction (PFC) rectifier is compulsory for any electronic circuitry connected to the electrical grid. The majority of PFCs that are utilized are based on a step-up converter that supplies high DC voltage at its output terminal. Electric vehicle battery voltage varies from a few hundred to almost a thousand volts. Thus, an additional conversion step is obligatory when designing an all-brand universal charger. This paper presents a new type of front-end versatile step up / down three voltage level PFC. The rectifier can operate in continuous conduction mode or discontinuous conduction mode. First, the rectifier’s principle of operation is described, and then an innovative rectifier is analyzed for continuous and discontinuous conduction modes. Finally, the proposed theory is experimentally validated in a multiplier-less dual loop mode at discontinuous conduction modes. It was shown that although there is no multiplier use in the control circuitry, the power factor is near unity. It was revealed that the rectifier could swing the output voltage from 50 V to 900 V while the input voltage was 230 Vrms. The innovative topology suits any standard PFC rectifier, three-level voltage supplement, and dual-stage low-voltage power supply.

Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) is a promising algorithm for indoor positioning. However, the accuracy of PDR degrades due to the accumulated error, especially in multi-floor buildings. This paper introduces a three-dimensional (3D) positioning method based on terrain feature matching to reduce the influence of accumulated error in multi-floor scene. The proposed method involves two steps: motion pattern recognition and position matching calibration. The motion pattern recognition aims to detect different motion states, i.e., taking the stairs or horizontal walking, from the streaming data. Then, stair entrances and corridor corners are matched with transition points of motion states and pedestrian turning points, respectively. After matching, calibration is performed to eliminate the accumulated errors. By carrying out experiments on a two-floor closed-loop path with a walking distance about 145 m, it is shown that this method can effectively reduce the accumulated error of PDR , achieving accurate 3D positioning . The average error is reduced from 6.60 m to 1.83 m.

Mechanical properties of three-dimensional (3D) printed resin can be improved by decreasing oxygen concentrations during post-curing, and nitrogen saturated post-curing has been applied for the purpose. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the color stability of 3D printed resin crowns post-cured in normal air and nitrogen saturated conditions. Crowns were fabricated with 3D printer and post-cured in normal air (control group; air) or nitrogen saturated condition (experimental group; nitrogen). The specimens in each group were subdivided into four subgroups, each exposed to different discoloration agents: distilled water, coffee, wine, and curry. Post-immersion color changes were measured using a digital spectrophotometer and analyzed through repeated measures ANOVA. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy evaluated the degree of conversion of resin over immersion times for both post-curing conditions. Comparing the effects of post-curing conditions, significant difference was found between control and experimental groups over immersion time in wine and curry subgroups. In FT-IR analysis, there was significant difference in degree of conversion between the air and nitrogen groups from 10 to 300 seconds. The findings suggest that nitrogen saturated post-curing can potentially enhances the conversion rate of 3D printed resin crowns, thereby improving their color stability.

Prenatal diagnosis of clubfoot traditionally relied on two-dimensional ultrasonography. To enhance diagnosis and predict postnatal outcomes, we examined the parameters that differentiate pathological clubfoot using three-dimensional ultrasonography. In our retrospective study, we examined the findings of prenatal ultrasound and the postnatal outcomes of pregnancies with suspected congenital clubfoot between 2018 and 2021. Based on the three-dimensional perspective, we measured the angles of varus, equinus, calcaneopedal block and forefoot adduction and compared the sonographic variables between the postnatal treated and non-treated groups. We evaluated 31 pregnancies (47 feet) with suspected clubfoot using three-dimensional ultrasonography. After delivery, a total of 37 feet (78.7%) underwent treatment involving serial casting only or additional Achilles tenotomy. The treated group showed significantly greater hindfoot varus deviation (60.5° vs. 46.6°, p=0.026) and calcaneopedal block deviation (65.6° vs. 26.6°, p &lt;0.05) compared to the non-treated group. The calcaneopedal block had an area under the curve of 0.98 with a diagnostic threshold of 46.2 degrees (sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 90%, positive predictive value of 97%, and negative predictive value of 90%). During prenatal evaluation of clubfoot using three-dimensional ultrasonography, the calcaneopedal block deviation has the potential to predict postnatal treatment.

Taking Shanxi Province, a typical energy region in China, as the research object, data on economic development quality and environmental pollution intensity from 2001 to 2021 were selected. Linear regression, numerical simulation, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the evolution characteristics of economic development quality and environmental pollution intensity in Shanxi Province in the past 20 years, and to explore the relationship between economic development and environmental pollution. The results indicate that since 2001, Shanxi Province has made long-term progress in economic development, with GDP increasing by nearly 10 times and an average annual growth rate of around 7%. In the past 20 years, the main pollutants have shown a trend of increasing first and then decreasing steadily, with a turning point occurring during the "12th Five Year Plan" period. This shows that the environmental policies and investments of the Chinese and Shanxi provincial governments in the past 10 years have been effective in the new era. The numerical simulation curve results show that the per capita GDP exhibits a classic inverted "U" curve relationship with wastewater and SO2 emissions, with a turning point occurring at around 20000 yuan per capita GDP; However, there is a monotonic decreasing trend with Chemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen emissions, and a monotonic increasing trend with solid waste generation. There is no turning point yet. The correlation analysis results further support the fitting curve conclusion.

The poor success rate of preclinical drugs which target the nervous system is related to the highly complex nature of brain physiology and pathophysiology. For in vitro drug screening in this field, the two-dimensional (2D) approach - where cells are incubated in a monolayer - is not physiologically relevant. In contrast, in vivo rodent models are very low throughput and expensive. As such, improved, well-characterised three dimensional (3D) in vitro models should be employed to bridge the gap between 2D in vitro primary screening and rodent models by incorporating aspects of the in vivo brain environment. These key features include the extracellular matrix (ECM) and a multidimensional relationship of supporting cells. In this study, a neural progenitor cell line was differentiated into the main types of cells found in brain, including neurons and astrocytes. This model was designed in a 3D extracellular matrix replacement in a minimalised manner. Different culture formats using multi-well plates were explored and a high-throughput cellular imaging platform was applied. Next, we applied this model to assess neural toxicity of a newly synthesised dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1 (DYRK1) inhibitor derived from natural compounds, which is structurally related to a natural DYRK1A inhibitor harmine, K04179. Chemical studies have already shown that K04179 has higher specificity to DYRK1A compared with previously reported DYRK1 inhibitors, such as INDY. We have produced the first report of the biological effects of this new compound on the new 3D minimalised mid-brain model with quantification of both neuronal and astrocyte populations in tandem, revealing differential toxic effects of DYRK1 inhibitor compounds K04179 and INDY on neurons and glia.

This paper proposes a contact force controller for a constrained flexible manipulator in three-dimensional motion. This controller used the conversion formula obtained empirically and experimental results showed the effectiveness of the proposed contact force controller. First, the manipulator was operated with the tip of the second link restrained, then, time response of the root strain, joint angles and contact force were used to derive the relational between the three quantities. The effectiveness of the relational expression was verified by conducting a target contact force tracking experiment by inputting the angle from the relational expression. The contact force control using the strain feedback method was proposed with the strain amount estimated from the target contact force as the target value, and its effectiveness was verified by experiments. From the results obtained, controller using the strain feedback method was designed for the purpose of controlling the contact force at the tip of a flexible manipulator with two links and three degrees of freedom that performs three-dimensional spatial motion, and its effectiveness was shown by comparison with the contact force feedback method.

Three body systems in which one of the bodies is ejected without escaping the binary system have previously been studied in various restricted forms. However, none of these studies dwells on the problem in a general setting. Thus, to study this phenomenon qualitatively, we try to expand this problem's scope to unequal mass systems and generalize them by considering various configurations of fixed initial points with precisely calculated initial velocities, some zero velocity models and some optimized models. We will see the use of terminology similar to the previous studies done in this domain but incorporate different analytical and evaluation methods.

We present simple relations for nuclear stability and nuclear binding energy with respect to three gravitational constants associated with electroweak, strong and electromagnetic interactions.

In the Korean construction industry, legal and institutional safety management improvements are continually being pursued. However, there was a 4.5% increase in the number of workers’ deaths at construction sites in 2017 compared to the previous year. Failure to wear safety helmets seems to be one of the major causes of the increase in accidents, and so it is necessary to develop technology to monitor whether or not safety helmets are being used. However, the approaches employed in existing technical studies on this issue have mainly involved the use of chinstrap sensors and have been limited to the problem of whether or not safety helmets are being worn. Meanwhile, improper wearing, such as when the chinstrap and harness fixing of the safety helmet are not properly tightened, has not been monitored. To remedy this shortcoming, a sensing safety helmet with a three-axis accelerometer sensor attached was developed in this study. Experiments were performed in which the sensing data were classified whether the safety helmet was being worn properly, not worn, or worn improperly during construction workers’ activities. The results verified that it is possible to differentiate among wearing status of the proposed safety helmet with a high accuracy of 97.0%

Cold gas-dynamic spray (cold spray) is an evolving coating deposition and restoration technology in which particles are deposited above the sonic speed. This paper presents the non-destructive three-dimensional characterization of cold sprayed stainless steel coating. The visualization of coating morphology and volumetric porosity, and the analyses of porosity size and spatial distributions confirmed that dense stainless steel coating with non-connected, micron-sized gradient porosity is successfully produced by cold spray. The suitability of X-ray tomography for characterizing cold sprayed coatings is assessed.

Object. Utilization of pedicle screws (PS) for spine stabilization is common in spinal surgery. With reliance on visual inspection of anatomical landmarks prior to screw placement, the free-hand technique requires a high level of surgeon skill and precision. Three-dimensional (3D) computer-assisted virtual neuronavigation improves the precision of PS placement and minimize steps. Methods. Twenty-three patients with degenerative, traumatic, or neoplastic pathologies received treatment via a novel three-step PS technique that utilizes a navigated power driver in combination with virtual screw technology. 1) Following visualization of neuroanatomy using intraoperative CT, a navigated 3-mm match stick drill bit was inserted at anatomical entry point with screen projection showing virtual screw. 2) Navigated Stryker Cordless Driver with appropriate tap was used to access vertebral body through pedicle with screen projection again showing virtual screw. 3) Navigated Stryker Cordless Driver with actual screw was used with screen projection showing the same virtual screw. One hundred and forty-four consecutive screws were inserted using this three-step, navigated driver, virtual screw technique. Results. Only 1 screw needed intraoperative revision after insertion using the three-step, navigated driver, virtual PS technique. This amounts to a 0.69% revision rate. One hundred percent of patients had intraoperative CT reconstructed images to confirm hardware placement. Conclusions. Pedicle screw placement utilizing the Stryker-Ziehm neuronavigation virtual screw technology with a three step, navigated power drill technique is safe and effective.

Dual quaternions have wide applications in automatic differentiation, computer graphics, mechanics and others. Due to its application in control theory, the matrix equation AXB=C has been extensively studied. However, there is currently limited information on matrix equation AXB=C over the dual quaternion algebra. In this paper, we provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of the dual quaternion matrix equation AXB=C, and present the expression for the general solution when it is solvable. As an application, we derive the ϕ-Hermitian solutions for the dual quaternion matrix equation AXAϕ=C, where the ϕ-Hermitian extends the concepts of Hermiticity and η-Hermiticity. Lastly, we present a numerical example to verify the main research results of this paper.

The co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychiatric conditions, often referred to as comorbidity or concurrent disorders, presents intricate challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. This comprehensive narrative review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing evi-dence surrounding the management of individuals with comorbid SUDs and psychiatric disorders. Comorbidity in these domains carries profound implications for clinical practice, research, and policymaking, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of the intricate dynamics that arise when these conditions coexist. This review explores recent research findings, evidence-based guidelines, and emerging trends within the field, offering valuable insights for clinicians, re-searchers, and policymakers seeking to navigate the complex terrain of comorbidity in substance use and psychiatric disorders.

FV (finger vein) identification is a biometric identification technology that extracts the features of FV images for identity authentication. To address the limitations of CNN-based FV identification, particularly the challenge of small receptive fields and difficulty in capturing long-range dependencies, an FV identification method Let-Net(Large kernel and attention mechanism Network) was introduced, which combines local and global information. Firstly, Let-Net employs large kernels to broaden the receptive field and incorporates depthwise convolution with residual connections to reduce parameter count. Secondly, Let-Net integrates an attention mechanism to enhance the information flows in channels and spaces for more comprehensive and distinctive FV feature extraction. The experimental results on nine public datasets show that Let-Net has excellent identification performance, and the EER and accuracy rate on the FV_USM dataset can reach 0.04% and 99.77%. The parameter number and FLOPs of Let-Net are only 0.89M and 0.25G, which means that the time cost of training and reasoning of the model is low, and it is easier to deploy and integrate into various applications.

Intrauterine adhesions (IUA) has become one of the main causes of female infertility, how to effectively prevent postoperative re-adhesion has been a clinical challenge. In this study, a mussel-inspired dual-network hydrogel was proposed for postoperative anti-adhesion of IUA. First, calcium alginate/polyacrylamide (CA-PAM) hydrogel was prepared by covalent and Ca2+ cross-linking. Benefiting from abundant phenolic hydroxyl groups, polydopamine (PDA) was introduced to further enhance the adhesion ability and biocompatibility. This CA-PAM hydrogel immersed in 10 mg/mL dopamine solution possessed remarkable mechanical strength (elastic modulus > 5 kPa) and super stretchability (with a breaking elongation of 720%). At the same time, it shown excellent adhesion more than 6 kPa. Surprisingly, the coagulation index of the hydrogel was 27.27 ± 4.91, demonstrating attractive coagulation performance in vitro and the potential for rapid hemostasis after surgery.

The utilization of dual-potential mode of integrated array (IDA) electrodes and other two-electrode systems has revolutionized electrochemical detection by enabling the simultaneous and independent detection of two species, accompanied by the exhibition of unique characteristics. In contrast to conventional dual-potential electrodes, the rotating ring disk electrodes (RRDE), IDA electrodes demonstrate analogous yet vastly improved performance metrics, characterized by remarkable collection efficiency and sensitivity. Notably, due to the distinctive microscale structure of IDA electrode, the special “feedback” effect makes IDA a unique signal amplifier. In recent decades, the research surrounding IDA electrodes has garnered escalating interest due to their attractive attributes. This review centers its focus on the fabrication and applications of IDA electrodes. In the realm of fabrication, two critical breakthroughs are poised for realization: the achievement of reduced dimensions and the diversification of materials. Established fabrication methods for IDA electrodes encompass photolithography, inkjet printing, and direct laser writing, each affording distinct advantages in terms of size and precision in IDA construction. Predominantly employed materials for IDA electrodes include gold, platinum, and carbon, with the selection of fabrication methods guided by considerations such as material properties, desired dimensions, cost-efficiency, and specific application requisites. Within the domain of applications, IDA electrodes, capitalizing on their distinctive attributes, have found utility in diverse fields. This review summarizes the applications of IDA electrodes based on their fundamental working principles, encompassing redox cycling, resistance modulation, capacitance variations, and more. The potential for further development of this specialized tool to exhibit enhanced properties holds substantial promise.

Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) is a natural sweetener with diterpenic glycosides, offering 300 times more sweetness than sucrose, and boasting low-calorie content, along with medicinal and therapeutic properties. To address a limited genetic diversity, a germplasm bank comprising 115 segregated lines of stevia was established in Colombia. Notwithstanding, the fungus Athelia rolfsii adversely impacted key stevia lines, leading to wilting and plant mortality. For this reason our study aimed to explore the biocontrol potential of native strains of Trichoderma spp., isolated from productive lots in Colombia's Cordoba department, as a solution to manage A. rolfsii. Soil samples underwent serial dilution technique (103 conidia.mL-1) to obtain Trichoderma spp. isolates, which were thoroughly morphologically and molecularly characterized. A total five native strains were identified through sequencing the PCR products using universal ITS primers, and comparisons with the GENBANK database confirmed their identity (OK310695.1, ON237703.1, ON238106.1, ON237737.1, and ON237923.1). Their biocontrol efficacy against A. rolfsii was evaluated using the dual culture technique. Remarkably, all strains exhibited significant biocontrol capacity against the A. rolfsii isolate INVEPAR-05 (OK271308.1), except for Trichoderma viride INVEPAR-T10 (ON237923.1). These findings suggest that Trichoderma spp. could be a potential option to manage the fungus in stevia.

The minimum dominating tree (MDT) problem consists of finding a minimum weight sub-graph from an undirected graph, such that each vertex not in this sub-graph is adjacent to at least one of the vertices in it, and the sub-graph is connected without any ring structures. This paper presents a Dual Neighborhoods Search (DNS) algorithm for solving the MDT problem, which integrates several distinguishing features, such as two neighborhoods collaboratively working for optimizing the objective function, a fast neighborhood evaluation method to boost the searching effectiveness, and several diversification techniques to help the searching process jump out of the local optimum trap thus obtaining better solutions. DNS improves the previous best-known results for 4 public benchmark instances while providing competitive results for the remaining ones. Several ingredients of DNS are investigated to demonstrate the importance of the proposed ideas and techniques.

The present paper provides a new definition for dual spline curves in a geometric intuitive way based on adaptive curve refinement techniques. The dual spline is an implementation of the interpolatory subdivision scheme for curve modeling, which is comprised of polynomial segments of different degrees. Specially, the dual spline curves are mainly aims to solve the difficult geometry defeaturing problems in the existing computer-aided technology. Dual spline curves maintain various desirable properties of conventional curve modeling methods, such as local adaptive subdivision, high interpolation accuracy and convergence, continuous and discontinuous boundary approximation. By adding fictitious and intrinsic nodes inside or at the vertices of interpolation elements, the dual spline is flexible and convenient for approximating a set of ordered points or discrete segments. Combined with the Lagrange interpolation polynomial and meshless method, the proposed approach is capable of approximating the non-smooth boundary for geometry defeaturing. Experimental results are given to verify the validity, robustness, and accuracy of the proposed method.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a yet incurable rare genetic disease that affects the skeletal and cardiac muscles, leading to progressive muscle wasting and premature death. DMD is caused by the lack of dystrophin, a muscle protein essential for the biochemical support and integrity of muscle fibers. Gene replacement strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) employing the adeno-associated virus (AAV) face the challenge imposed by the limited packaging capacity of AAV, only allowing the accommodation of a short version of dystrophin (µDys) that is still far removed from correcting human disease. The need to develop strategies leading to the expression of a best performing dystrophin variant led to only few studies reporting on the use of dual vectors, but none reported on a method to assess in vivo transgene reconstitution efficiency, the degree of which directly affects the use of safe AAV dosing. We report here on the generation of a dual AAV vector approach for the expression of a larger dystrophin version (quasidystrophin) based on homologous recombination, and the development of a methodology employing a strategic droplet digital PCR design, to determine the recombination efficiency as well as the occurrence of unwanted concatemerization events or aberrant expression from the single vectors. We demonstrated that, upon systemic delivery in the dystrophic DBA2mdx mice, our dual AAV approach led to high transgene reconstitution efficiency and negligible ITR-dependent concatemerization, with consequent remarkable protein restoration in muscles and improvement of muscle pathology. This evidence supports the suitability of our system for gene therapy application and the potential of this methodology to assess and improve the feasibility for therapeutic translation of multiple vector approaches