Search Results (918)

This study aimed to explore the evolution of quality and flavor characteristics of braised pork during the cooking process and clarify the underlying formation mechanisms. Texture analysis revealed that shear force and hardness initially increased during blanching but decreased substantially with an extended stewing time. Low-field NMR indicated a progressive shift in water distribution from immobilized to free states, correlating with cooking loss and tenderness development. GC-MS and E-nose analyses showed significant increases in volatile compound diversity and concentrations, with aldehydes and ketones identified as dominant contributors to the evolving aroma profile. Throughout the processing, an enhancement in protein oxidation and nucleotide degradation was observed. Notably, significant increases were detected in the umami amino acids aspartic acid and glutamic acid, as well as in the umami nucleotide inosine monophosphate (IMP). These changes collectively contributed to the development of the characteristic taste profile. These findings indicate that the superior eating quality evolution and flavor development of braised pork during cooking are governed by the coordinated changes in texture, water distribution, lipid oxidation, and taste-active compounds. The interplay between these factors occurs at different stages of processing, leading to the complex, non-linear enhancement of flavor and texture. Full article

This study evaluates a time-lagged ensemble averaging strategy to improve the accuracy and robustness of short-range streamflow point forecasts when hydrological simulations are driven by deterministic numerical weather prediction (NWP) forcing. We implemented WRF-Hydro in standalone mode for the Geumho River basin, South Korea, using Local Data Assimilation and Prediction System (LDAPS) forecasts initialized every 6 h with lead times up to 48 h. Time-lagged ensembles were constructed by averaging overlapping WRF-Hydro predictions from successive LDAPS initializations. Across two contrasting flood-producing storms, ensemble-mean forecasts consistently reduced lead-time-dependent skill degradation relative to single-initialization forecasts; the event-wise median Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency at the downstream gauge improved from 0.39 to 0.81 at 48 h (Event 2020) and from 0.48 to 0.85 at 24 h (Event 2022), while RMSE decreased by up to 48%. The most effective ensemble window varied with storm evolution and forecast horizon, indicating additional gains from adaptive time-lag selection. Overall, time-lagged ensemble averaging provides a practical, low-cost post-processing approach to enhance operational short-range streamflow prediction with NWP forcings. Full article

This study examined the impact of enzymatic tenderization on Cornu aspersum aspersum snail meat using mechanical texture analysis, SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) protein profiling, and sensory evaluation. Samples were treated with papain (0.05–0.1%), bromelain (0.05–0.1%), or 10–25% ginger extract containing zingibain and subsequently hydrothermally processed. All enzymatic treatments significantly reduced shear force compared with the control (p < 0.05). The lowest connective tissue resistance (S1) was observed for 0.1% bromelain (14.1 N) and 10% ginger extract (19.0 N), versus >21 N in untreated samples. SDS-PAGE revealed that bromelain caused extensive degradation of high-molecular-weight proteins (>90 kDa), whereas papain induced moderate myofibrillar proteolysis. Higher concentrations of bromelain (0.1%) and ginger extract (25%) resulted in excessive softening and structural disintegration, leading to sensory disqualification. Sensory evaluation showed that moderate enzyme concentrations significantly improved overall acceptability (p < 0.05). Samples treated with 10% ginger extract achieved the highest overall sensory score (4.6/5), exceeding the control (3.9) and papain- or bromelain-treated samples (4.1–4.2). In conclusion, although bromelain exhibited the strongest proteolytic activity, a 10% ginger extract was identified as the optimal treatment, providing effective tenderization while preserving structural integrity and sensory quality. Full article

The grid-forming static var generator (SVG) is a key device that supports the stable operation of power grids with a high penetration of renewable energy. The cooling efficiency of its forced water-cooling system directly determines the reliability of the entire unit. However, existing wired monitoring methods suffer from complex cabling and limited capacity to provide a full perception of the water-cooling condition. To address these limitations, this study develops a wireless monitoring system based on multi-source information fusion for real-time evaluation of cooling efficiency and early fault warning. A heterogeneous wireless sensor network was designed and implemented by deploying liquid-level, vibration, sound, and infrared sensors at critical locations of the SVG water-cooling system. These nodes work collaboratively to collect multi-physical field data—thermal, acoustic, vibrational, and visual information—in an integrated manner. The system adopts a hybrid Wireless Fidelity/Bluetooth (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) networking scheme with electromagnetic interference-resistant design to ensure reliable data transmission in the complex environment of converter valve halls. To achieve precise and robust diagnosis, a three-layer hierarchical weighted fusion framework was established, consisting of individual sensor feature extraction and preliminary analysis, feature-level weighted fusion, and final fault classification. Experimental validation indicates that the proposed system achieves highly reliable data transmission with a packet loss rate below 1.5%. Compared with single-sensor monitoring, the multi-source fusion approach improves the diagnostic accuracy for pump bearing wear, pipeline micro-leakage, and radiator blockage to 98.2% and effectively distinguishes fault causes and degradation tendencies of cooling efficiency. Overall, the developed wireless monitoring system overcomes the limitations of traditional wired approaches and, by leveraging multi-source fusion technology, enables a comprehensive assessment of cooling efficiency and intelligent fault diagnosis. This advancement significantly enhances the precision and reliability of SVG operation and maintenance, providing an effective solution to ensure the safe and stable operation of both grid-forming SVG units and the broader power grid. Full article

As a cornerstone of China’s energy infrastructure, the coal mining industry relies heavily on the stability of its underground roadways, where the support of soft rock formations presents a critical and persistent technological challenge. This challenge arises primarily from the high content of expansive clay minerals and well-developed micro-fractures within soft rock, which collectively undermine the effectiveness of conventional support methods. To address the soft rock control problem in China’s Longdong Mining Area, an integrated material–structure control approach is developed and validated in this study. Based on the engineering context of the 3205 material gateway in Xin’an Coal Mine, the research employs a combined methodology of micro-mesoscopic characterization (SEM, XRD), theoretical analysis, and field testing. The results identify the intrinsic instability mechanism, which stems from micron-scale fractures (0.89–20.41 μm) and a high clay mineral content (kaolinite and illite totaling 58.1%) that promote water infiltration, swelling, and strength degradation. In response, a novel synergistic technology was developed, featuring a high-performance grouting material modified with redispersible latex powder and a tiered thick anchoring system. This technology achieves microscale fracture sealing and self-stress cementation while constructing a continuous macroscopic load-bearing structure. Field verification confirms its superior performance: roof subsidence and rib convergence in the test section were reduced to approximately 10 mm and 52 mm, respectively, with grouting effectively sealing fractures to depths of 1.71–3.92 m, as validated by multi-parameter monitoring. By integrating microscale material modification with macroscale structural optimization, this study provides a systematic and replicable solution for enhancing the stability of soft rock roadways under demanding geo-environmental conditions. Soft rock roadways, due to their characteristics of being rich in expansive clay minerals and having well-developed microfractures, make traditional support difficult to ensure roadway stability, so there is an urgent need to develop new active control technologies. This paper takes the 3205 Material Drift in Xin’an Coal Mine as the engineering background and adopts an integrated method combining micro-mesoscopic experiments, theoretical analysis, and field tests. The soft rock instability mechanism is revealed through micro-mesoscopic experiments; a high-performance grouting material added with redispersible latex powder is developed, and a “material–structure” synergistic tiered thick anchoring reinforced load-bearing technology is proposed; the technical effectiveness is verified through roadway surface displacement monitoring, anchor cable axial force monitoring, and borehole televiewer. The study found that micron-scale fractures of 0.89–20.41 μm develop inside the soft rock, and the total content of kaolinite and illite reaches 58.1%, which is the intrinsic root cause of macroscopic instability. In the test area of the new support scheme, the roof subsidence is about 10 mm and the rib convergence is about 52 mm, which are significantly reduced compared with traditional support; grouting effectively seals rock mass fractures in the range of 1.71–3.92 m. This synergistic control technology achieves systematic control from micro-mesoscopic improvement to macroscopic stability by actively modifying the surrounding rock and optimizing the support structure, significantly improving the stability of soft rock roadways. Full article

This study presents the design, implementation, and experimental validation of an integrated fastening monitoring platform for vehicle ground equipment, aimed at supporting structural maintenance and operational safety. Rather than introducing a fundamentally new sensing principle, the work focuses on the system-level integration and verification of existing sensing, communication, and control technologies for reliable bolt loosening detection and torque-controlled pneumatic fastening. The proposed platform consists of a Smart Control Gateway (SCG), a Signal Transducer Socket (STS), and a Smart Washer Set (SWS), incorporating smart nuts and clamping-force sensing washers for M50 and M35 bolts. Sub-GHz wireless RF communication and wired RS-485 transmission are employed to provide scalable and robust connectivity among system components. The SCG hardware and firmware are fully implemented and verified, enabling continuous acquisition and transmission of fastening-state data. Experimental evaluations include functional verification, mechanical integration tests, and durability assessments. The smart washers demonstrate stable sensing performance over 100 assembly and disassembly cycles without observable degradation. The STS is validated through 200,000 impact cycles under intermittent loading conditions (3 s impact, 3 s pause), confirming its suitability for repeated industrial operation. Real-time data transmission tests verify the system’s capability to detect bolt loosening events induced by vibration or external interference. The results indicate that the proposed platform provides a practical and reliable solution for fastening-state monitoring in safety-relevant ground equipment. This work contributes validated engineering evidence for deploying integrated smart fastening systems in industrial maintenance applications and establishes a foundation for future studies on environmental robustness, false-alarm characterization, and real-time performance guarantees. Full article

Erythrocyte aging is a fundamental physiological phenomenon that involves significant structural and nanomechanical alterations of the cells’ structure and function. Coupling optical, fluorescence, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), we analyzed morphology, membrane roughness and nanomechanical properties of the very same RBCs arising from favism subjects, measured at different stages of their aging in vitro. We also investigated the evolution and abundance of vesicles arising from the cells over their senescence pathway. This approach combines high-resolution fluorescence imaging with the correlation of membrane topology and biomechanics. This explores the differences between investigation based on statistical morphometric parameters, such as membrane roughness, and those based on the measure of point-dependent nanomechanical properties. Our ultra-morphological study evidences the existence of clear differences in the aging of normal and favism erythrocytes that results in a larger number of cells with abnormal shapes and in a hyper-production of vesicles along the senescence pathway of favism cells. In explaining these differences, we focused on the roles played by the hemoglobin evolution and by the morpho-mechanical properties that are responsible for the skeletal alterations. In particular, our data reported evidence that the two corresponding degradative pathways are coupled and play an important enhancement role in promoting the progression of cell senescence. Full article

Understanding mechanisms of asphalt in the process of natural aging is crucial for predicting its long-term durability and optimizing performance under diverse environmental conditions. Despite its importance, the microstructural and micromechanical changes induced by natural aging remain poorly understood, particularly under varying climatic influences. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the effects of natural aging on asphalt’s microscopic properties and identifying key indicators that govern its degradation. Asphalt samples were subjected to natural aging across five climatically distinct regions over 6, 12, and 18 months. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to characterize surface roughness, adhesion forces, and DMT modulus, while correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to identify relationships among micromechanical indicators and streamline the dataset. The results reveal that natural aging induces irreversible transformations in asphalt’s microstructure, driven by the combined effects of temperature, UV radiation, humidity, and oxygen. These processes promote the evolution of “Bee structures,” increase surface roughness, and accelerate phase separation, alongside chemical modifications such as oxidation and polymerization, leading to progressive material hardening and stiffness. Significant regional and temporal variations in adhesion forces and DMT modulus were observed, reflecting the cumulative impact of environmental factors on asphalt’s aging dynamics. Correlation analysis demonstrated strong associations between surface roughness and “Bee structure” area, while mechanical properties such as stiffness and adhesion were largely decoupled from morphological features. Environmental factors interact in complex ways to drive asphalt aging. Humidity enhances adhesion and stiffness via water-induced capillary forces, while temperature reduces surface roughness and adhesion through molecular reorganization. UV radiation accelerates oxidative degradation, promoting surface erosion and stiffness loss, while altitude modulates these dynamics by influencing temperature and UV exposure. Full article

Glucocorticoids are widely applied intra-articularly to alleviate inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis (OA). However, repeated administration and high local concentrations can lead to crystal deposition on the cartilage surface, contributing to chondrocyte damage and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, potentially accelerating OA progression. Calcium-dependent mechanosensors play a critical role in mediating catabolic responses in chondrocytes, but it remains unclear whether glucocorticoids affect chondrocyte mechanosensitivity or biomechanical properties. This in vitro study examined the dose-dependent effects of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on chondrocyte biomechanics and mechanosensitivity. Primary human chondrocytes (N = 23) were cultured for one week with TA (2 µM–2 mM) or control medium. Cytoskeletal organization was visualized by F-actin staining (N = 6), and cellular elasticity (N = 5) was quantified via atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mechanotransduction was analyzed by Ca²⁺ imaging (Fluo-4 AM) upon AFM-based indentation (500 nN). Expression of matrix-related and mechanosensitive genes (N = 9) was assessed by qPCR. TA exposure induced a concentration-dependent reorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton, pronounced at 0.2 mM, accompanied by a significant increase in the elastic modulus (p < 0.001). TA further augmented Ca²⁺ fluorescence intensity under basal conditions and during mechanical stimulation. Blocking cationic mechanosensitive channels with GsMtx4 (N = 3) markedly reduced the TA-evoked Ca²⁺ influx (p < 0.0001). Significant reduction in MMP1 was observed on the transcriptional level (N = 9) after TA-treatment (p < 0.05). In summary, TA enhances chondrocyte stiffness through cytoskeletal condensation and amplifies Ca²⁺-dependent mechanotransduction but reduces MMP1 expression, indicating a dual biomechanical response of chondrocytes to OA under exposure of potent corticosteroid. Full article

Stabilizing thermoplastic polymers against thermal degradation is an important aspect that must be addressed during material development and becomes critical in the case of bio-polymers, which often reveal reduced thermal stability and a narrow processing temperature window. Herein, we propose a new methodology to analyze and compare the thermal stability of thermoplastic materials, exampled by several types of bio-polyesters, such as aliphatic PBS and PBSA, aliphatic-aromatic PBAT and PBST, and amorphous PHBV, and evaluate the impact of thermal stabilizer on their processability and thermal stability. The proposed method relies on multi-step torque rheometry experiments that involve controlled cycling of the tested material under varied thermal conditions, shear forces, and processing times to acquire and evaluate the changes in flow behavior of the sample after its processing. By monitoring polymer melt behavior and comparing the changes before and after repetitive processing steps, we can gain valuable insights into the material performance and stabilizing efficiency of additives. The thermal stability of polymers and the efficiency of thermal stabilizers can be assessed by means of the relative change in temperature-normalized torque, $∆\tau \left(\%\right)$, measured after different processing steps. Significantly, we demonstrate that the obtained $∆\tau \left(\%\right)$ values correlate with changes in the molar mass of neat polymers as a result of their processing. The proposed approach enables a semi-quantitative evaluation of the thermal stability of various polymers and the study of the efficiency of thermal stabilizers and their performance, providing a robust strategy for optimizing compound formulations, particularly regarding the optimal fractions required. Full article

Ventilated façade systems are being increasingly used in energy-efficient building envelopes due to their configurational flexibility and potential to reduce thermal bridging. This study focuses on the experimental evaluation of anchoring components used in such systems, specifically examining the effect of various thermal insulation pads and internal inserts on the system’s mechanical, thermal, and fire performance. A series of laboratory tests was carried out to assess the static behavior of aluminum brackets under both tensile (suction wind load) and compressive (pressure wind load) forces. The results demonstrate that the use of thermal pads and inserts does not lead to any significant degradation of the mechanical capacity of the anchoring brackets, confirming their structural reliability. Additional thermal testing revealed that the use of insulating materials significantly reduces heat transfer through the brackets. Fire resistance tests were conducted to compare the performance of different types of insulation pads under elevated temperatures. The findings indicate that the choice of pad material substantially influences both fire integrity and thermal performance. This study confirms the potential of incorporating optimized insulating pads and inserts into façade brackets to enhance the thermal and fire performance of ventilated façades without compromising their structural behavior. Full article

Large-scale frames are increasingly used in engineering structures, particularly in aerospace structures. Among them, planar phased array satellite antennas used for global observations and target tracking have received much attention. Considering that structural deformation will degrade the coherence of antennas, a frame with inherent diagonal cables that serves to control the antennas’ static configuration is thoroughly studied. These inherent cables of planar phased arrays are pre-tensioned to preserve the structural integrity and increase the stiffness of the antenna. However, they are also used as actuators in our research; in this way, additional control devices are not needed. As a result, the antenna’s mass will decrease, and its reliability will increase. For high observation accuracy, the antennas tend to be very large. Accordingly, there is a significant deformation of space antennas when they are loaded. For this reason, a nonlinear finite element method is used to consider the structures’ geometrical nonlinearity. In order to achieve shape adjustment, the difference between active and passive cables must be carefully investigated. Furthermore, for the nonlinear structure in this paper, the active cables will deform in tandem with the structure as a whole so that the direction of the active cables’ control forces will also change during the entire control process. This paper elaborates on this problem and proposes a nonlinear optimization method considering this characteristic of the cables. Simulations of a simplified 2-bay and 18-bay satellite antenna are performed to validate the proposed method. Results of the numerical simulation demonstrate that the proposed method can successfully adjust the large-scale antenna’s static shape and achieve high precision. Full article

Demagnetization faults in direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous motors (DDPMSM) can cause significant performance degradation and unplanned downtime. Traditional fault location methods, which rely on manual feature extraction, exhibit limited accuracy and efficiency in complex and variable operating conditions. To address these limitations, this study presents a demagnetization fault location method based on a search coil employing a data-driven one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN). Firstly, the arrangement of search coils was determined, and a partitioned mathematical model was established, using the residual back electromotive force (back-EMF) of the search coil over a single electrical cycle as the fundamental unit. Secondly, the residual back-EMF in the search coil is analyzed under various demagnetization parameters and operating conditions to assess the robustness of the proposed method. Furthermore, a 1D-CNN-based fault location model was developed using residual back-EMF signals as the input and targeting the identification of demagnetized permanent magnet types. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively detect and locate demagnetization faults across different operating conditions. When the demagnetization degree is not less than 10%, the fault location accuracy reaches 99.58%, and the minimum detectable demagnetization degree is 8%. The approach demonstrates excellent robustness and generalization, offering an intelligent solution for demagnetization fault location in PMSMs. Full article

The accuracy of dynamics parameters in the transmission system is essential for high-performance motion trajectory planning and stable operation of heavy-duty servo presses. To mitigate the performance degradation and potential overload risks caused by deviations between theoretical and actual parameters, this paper proposes a dynamics model accuracy enhancement method that integrates multi-objective global sensitivity analysis and ant colony optimization-based calibration. First, a nonlinear dynamics model of the eight-bar mechanism was constructed based on Lagrange’s equations, which systematically incorporates generalized external force models consistent with actual production, including gravity, friction, balance force, and stamping process load. Subsequently, six key sensitive parameters were identified from 28 system parameters using Sobol global sensitivity analysis, with response functions defined for torque prediction accuracy, transient overload risk, thermal load, and work done. Based on the sensitivity results, a parameter calibration model was formulated to minimize torque prediction error and transient overload risk, and solved by the ant colony algorithm. Experimental validation showed that, after calibration, the root mean square error between predicted and measured torque decreased significantly from 1366.9 N·m to 277.7 N·m (a reduction of 79.7%), the peak error dropped by 72.7%, and the servo motor’s effective torque prediction error was reduced from 7.6% to 1.4%. In an automotive door panel stamping application on a 25,000 kN heavy-duty servo press, the production rate increased from 11.4 to 11.6 strokes per minute, demonstrating enhanced performance without operational safety. This study provides a theoretical foundation and an effective engineering solution for high-precision modeling and performance optimization of heavy-duty servo presses. Full article

Seismic action significantly affects the mechanical properties and failure characteristics of bridge pile foundations, soft rocks, and sediments. This study, by integrating shaking table tests, numerical simulations, and on-site monitoring, systematically analyzed the influence mechanisms of seismic intensity, sediment characteristics, and pile foundation layout on structural responses. Tests show that the 2.5-layer rock–sand pile exhibits nonlinear bearing degradation under seismic force: when the seismic acceleration increases from 0 to 100 m/s², the bearing capacity of the pile foundation decreases by 55.3%, and the settlement increases from 3.2 mm to 18.5 mm. When the acceleration is ≥2 m/s², the cohesion of the sand layer is destroyed, causing a semi-liquefied state. When it is ≥10 m/s², the resistance loss reaches 80%. The increase in pore water pressure leads to dynamic settlement. When the seismic acceleration is greater than 50 m/s², the shear modulus of the sand layer drops below 15% of its original value. The thickness of the sediment has a nearly linear relationship with the reduction rate of the bearing capacity. When the thickness increases from 0 to 1.4 cm, the reduction rate rises from 0% to 55.3%. When the thickness exceeds 0.8 cm, it enters the “danger zone”, and the bearing capacity decreases nonlinearly with the increase in thickness. The particle size is positively correlated with the reduction rate. The liquefaction risk of fine particles (<0.1 mm) is significantly higher than that of coarse particles (>0.2 mm). The load analysis of the pile cap shows that when the sediment depth is 140 cm, the final bearing capacity is 156,187.2 kN (reduction coefficient 0.898), and the maximum settlement is concentrated at the top point of the pile cap. Under the longitudinal seismic load of the pile group, the settlement growth rate of the piles containing sediment reached 67.16%, triggering the dual effect of “sediment–earthquake”. The lateral load leads to a combined effect of “torsional inclination”, and the stress at the top of the non-sediment pile reaches 6.41MPa. The seismic intensity (PGA) is positively correlated with the safety factor (FS) (FS increases from 1.209 to 37.654 when 10 m/s²→100 m/s²), while sediment thickness (h) is negatively correlated with FS (FS decreases from 2.510 to 1.209 when 0.05 m→0.20 m). The research results reveal the coupled control mechanism of sediment characteristics, seismic parameters, and pile foundation layout on seismic performance, providing key parameters and an optimization basis for bridge design in high-intensity areas. Full article