Search Results (1,491)

Autonomous drifting requires coordinated steering and driving actuation near the tire friction limit, where strong tire nonlinearity and rapidly changing constraints challenge control accuracy and real-time solvability. This article proposes an equilibrium-free successive convexification (SCvx) nonlinear model predictive control framework for drift tracking under constant and varying curvature conditions. The front steering angle and rear-axle longitudinal force are optimized jointly subject to actuator, state, and tire-force constraints. A physics-guided MLP residual tire model is introduced to improve rear-tire-force prediction. Online reference generation determines the heading error, yaw rate, and rear longitudinal force targets from path curvature, lateral error, sideslip variation, and rear slip ratio error, eliminating the need for precomputed drift equilibria. SCvx converts the nonlinear predictive control problem into convex subproblems using virtual control, slack variables, and trust regions. Hardware-in-the-loop experiments confirm stable actuator coordination under both test conditions. Under varying curvature drifting, the proposed method reduces lateral error, velocity error, and yaw rate error by 39.2%, 53.7%, and 24.9%, respectively, compared with the Fiala tire model using the same solver. The results demonstrate improved tracking accuracy and numerical robustness for constrained autonomous drift control. Full article

Aggregate origin–destination data and summary load factors do not identify train-specific flows; imposing each load factor as an exact margin can therefore overstate precision. We develop an auditable high-speed rail pricing framework combining pooled passenger-kilometer entropy completion, an occupancy-aware pivot logit, link-load equilibrium, and exact-grid Pareto enumeration. Historical train shares guide a sensitivity-tested prior, and target elasticities index fare response. For a reconstructed Beijing–Wuhan case, 97,336 discount vectors are evaluated in each of three core scenarios and candidates are screened across 729 crossed baseline and behavioral scenarios. Under the reference scenario (unit elasticity, crowding-equivalent ratio 0.10, threshold 0.80), the closest-to-ideal admissible vector $(0.94,0.99,0.97)$ increases modeled-service revenue by 0.106% and yields a full-corridor-fare-equivalent surplus gain of 0.803%, with maximum link occupancy of 77.27%. It is admissible in only 368 scenarios and reaches 104.45% occupancy in the most adverse case; only the status quo is admissible in all scenarios. The framework thus identifies scenario-specific opportunities while separating exact numerical evaluation from empirical identification and operational robustness under aggregate-data limitations. Full article

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–bentonite composite coatings combine a hydrophilic polymer with a naturally abundant clay mineral, offering potential advantages for modifying the physicochemical and film-forming characteristics of polymer–clay coatings. However, the combined influence of PVA–bentonite composition and total solids content on drying behavior and film evolution remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates the particle size, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface morphology, rheology, thixotropy, zeta potential, drying behavior, solvent transport, and film evolution of PVA–bentonite coatings prepared at total solids contents of 5 and 10 wt.% with different PVA to bentonite ratios. The drying profiles exhibited an initial relatively rapid solvent-removal stage followed by a slower stage associated with progressively restricted solvent transport during film consolidation. A lower total solids content (5 wt.%) generally accelerated drying but was associated with greater microcracking, whereas a higher total solids content (10 wt.%) produced more consolidated and comparatively uniform films with reduced solvent mobility. The combined physicochemical, rheological, drying, and morphological results demonstrate that both PVA–bentonite composition and total solids content substantially influence the structural organization and drying behavior of the coatings. Pure PVA formed a relatively uniform film but exhibited prolonged drying, while pure bentonite required the longest drying time (1083 min). Among the investigated formulations, the 50:50 PVA–bentonite coating demonstrated the shortest drying time, reaching equilibrium in approximately 480 min, while also exhibiting comparatively good film uniformity. During drying, its thickness decreased from approximately 1745 to 440 µm, corresponding to a reduction of about 1305 µm. Overall, under the investigated laboratory conditions, the 50:50 PVA–bentonite formulation provided the most favorable balance of drying behavior, film formation, and rheological characteristics among the compositions studied. These findings provide composition–structure–drying relationships that can guide further development of PVA–bentonite coating systems. At the same time, additional evaluation of mechanical, adhesion, barrier, durability, and economic performance is required to establish broader practical applicability. Full article

This paper studies how hidden, stochastic continuation of informed participation shapes price discovery in a two-period Kyle-type market. Hidden participation separates two analytical questions that coincide in the standard Gaussian-linear model. Conditional on a specified linear continuation order, we first derive the exact Bayesian posterior mean and variance of a mixture comprising an informed-trading regime and a noise-only regime; this is a conditional-inference result, not a full nonlinear equilibrium. We then derive an equilibrium under a constrained best-linear-pricing protocol in which market makers use the minimum-mean-square-error affine projection and the insider optimizes pointwise against linear prices. The exact Bayesian posterior responds nonlinearly because order flow reveals both residual value and the likelihood of informed participation, while moderate flows can preserve substantial regime uncertainty. In the projection benchmark, a lower continuation probability accelerates first-period information revelation, shifts insider rents toward the initial round, and creates opposing early- and late-learning effects. A dimensionless analysis characterizes how inference varies with continuation probability and the informed-to-noise variance ratio and establishes scale invariance for the benchmark’s normalized comparative statics. The paper thus isolates a participation margin in price discovery and states precisely which results concern exact inference and which concern a constrained equilibrium. Full article

Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is characterized by either diffuse or segmental enlargement of the coronary artery, with a diameter that exceeds 1.5 times that of the adjacent normal vessel. The underlying causes of CAE remain inadequately understood. Higher plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) concentrations have been related to aortic aneurysms, possibly resulting from occlusion of vasa vasorum, followed by diminished vessel wall supply. Whether the same process has a role in CAE is not known. This research seeks to ascertain if a correlation exists between polymorphisms of the PAI-1 gene and the occurrence of CAE. Methods: Fifty-three patients with CAE and 52 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries were included. The PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism was genotyped by real-time PCR, using melting curve analysis of LightCycler 480 II. Results: Genotype distributions in both groups were consistent with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p = 1.00). The frequencies of the 4G/4G, 4G/5G, and 5G/5G genotypes did not differ significantly between patients with CAE and controls. Similarly, allele frequencies of the 4G and 5G variants were comparable between the two groups, and no statistically significant association was observed between the PAI-1 −675 4G/5G polymorphism and the presence of CAE (all p > 0.05). In the allele-dose sensitivity analysis, the number of 4G alleles was not independently associated with CAE (adjusted OR per 4G allele: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.37–1.82; p = 0.626). After adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and smoking status, the PAI-1 genotype was not independently associated with CAE (overall likelihood-ratio test: p = 0.867). Conclusions: No independent association was detected between the PAI-1 −675 4G/5G polymorphism and CAE; however, smaller genetic effects cannot be excluded because of the modest sample size and wide confidence intervals. Full article

The heterothallic fungus Bipolaris maydis, the causal organism of southern corn leaf blight, is a destructive pathogen of corn and is considered to predominantly reproduce asexually, as no perfect reproductive stage has been discovered under natural conditions. In this study, a multiplex PCR with mating type-specific primers was used to investigate the temporal change and spatial distribution of mating types in several B. maydis populations in China. Mating type monitoring demonstrated that both mating types co-existed throughout the entire monitoring period across the seven monitoring locations, with mating type frequencies skewing significantly (p < 0.05) to MAT1-2 during the period of 2015 to 2020 and being practically symmetric after 2020, implying that the two populations were approaching equilibrium. Both mating type isolates were detected within the same leaf or field, affording a high theoretical likelihood for the two mating type isolates to cross sexually. In addition, both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 isolates were detected from large-scale geographical regions in China, with mating type frequencies approaching a null hypothesis ratio of 1:1 in most populations, suggesting frequency-dependent selection consistent with sexual reproduction. Conclusively, our results provided indirect evidence supporting the potential for sexual reproduction in B. maydis under natural conditions, although no sexual morphs have yet been discovered in the field. Full article

Background: The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) classifies drug substances according to their aqueous solubility and intestinal permeability; however, its application to veterinary drugs should account for species-specific gastrointestinal physiology. Grapiprant is a selective prostaglandin E₂ receptor subtype 4 (EP4) antagonist approved as an oral tablet to control pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs, but its properties within the BCS framework remain unclear. Methods: This study evaluated the equilibrium solubility of grapiprant across pH conditions relevant to the canine gastrointestinal tract and calculated the dose number (D₀) based on different gastric fluid volumes. A Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to assess grapiprant intestinal permeability and the effects of time, concentration, pH, and efflux transporter inhibitors on its transepithelial transport. Results: Grapiprant showed relatively small changes in solubility across the tested pH range. D₀ varied with pH and gastric fluid volume and approached or fell below 1 at larger fluid volumes. In the Caco-2 model, grapiprant showed generally limited apparent absorptive permeability, with permeability varying with pH. Efflux ratios were greater than 1, and verapamil reduced the efflux ratio, suggesting possible P-glycoprotein (P-gp) involvement. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both solubility and apparent intestinal permeability may limit the oral absorption of grapiprant under certain canine-relevant conditions. Accordingly, this study provides a biopharmaceutical characterization of grapiprant within the BCS framework rather than a definitive canine BCS classification, highlighting the importance of considering canine gastrointestinal conditions when interpreting its solubility and permeability. The results may support future optimization of dosing conditions and oral formulations. Full article

Steam gasification of woody waste represents a sustainable pathway for addressing environmental issues with energy recovery. However, challenges such as low hydrogen content and high tar yield severely limit the gasification efficiency and hinder its large-scale application. In this study, a composite Ni/CaO catalyst was developed to enhance the yield of H₂-rich syngas in woody waste gasification, with Ni loading serving as the active site for catalytic cracking and CaO support as the CO₂ sorbent for sorption-enhancement. Ni nanoparticles ranging from 18 to 28 nm in diameter are uniformly distributed on the CaO support. At 700 °C, Ni/CaO with 10 wt.% Ni loading enables the 455.4 mL/g H₂ yield with an H₂/CO ratio of 1.93, representing increases of 137% and 230%, respectively, compared to non-catalytic conditions. Meanwhile, the tar yield was 12.1 wt.% with an aromatics selectivity of 37%, corresponding to reductions of 50.2% and 54%, respectively. Characterizations confirmed that Ni particles were uniformly distributed on the support in the form of metallic Ni. The Ni active sites promote syngas production by facilitating the cleavage of C-C and C-H bonds in volatiles, while the CaO support enhances H₂ generation by shifting the water–gas shift reaction equilibrium forward. This study provides a promising strategy for enhancing hydrogen-rich syngas production from woody waste gasification. Full article

Payload eccentricity and time-varying rope length can cause excessive inter-rope tension imbalance in a double-rope mine hoist. This study develops a safety-constrained semi-active differential-tension control method using dual magnetorheological dampers (MRDs). A coupled longitudinal model with time-varying rope length separates eccentricity-induced static load sharing from vibration-induced dynamic tension. A barrier Lyapunov function (BLF)-based robust backstepping controller regulates the dynamic tension-imbalance deviation about the shifted equilibrium and incorporates the prescribed 10% tension-imbalance limit into the control design. To ensure actuator feasibility, the nominal differential-force command is processed through a physically constrained MRD realization layer involving force projection, force allocation, and current regulation. Numerical results under nominal conditions show that the proposed strategy reduces the maximum tension-imbalance ratio from 0.1380 to 0.0404, produces no numerical boundary violation, and decreases the peak inter-rope tension difference during deceleration from 19.51 to 1.89 kN. Sensitivity analyses further demonstrate that the proposed controller maintains positive safety margins across all investigated variations in payload eccentricity, payload mass, hoisting acceleration, maximum hoisting speed, and maximum allowable MRD current. Full article

Low-cost adsorbents derived from agricultural and livestock waste offer a sustainable approach to wastewater remediation. In this study, a material derived from cow dung ash (SMCDA) was prepared through a simple waste-valorization route without chemical activation and evaluated for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and zeta-potential measurements were used to characterize the mineral composition, surface functional groups, morphology, pore structure, and surface charge of SMCDA. Batch adsorption experiments examined the effects of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial MB concentration, contact time, and temperature. The highest removal efficiency, 97.33%, was obtained at pH 8 with an SMCDA dosage of 1000 mg L⁻¹. Equilibrium data were fitted using seven isotherm models and evaluated using multiple statistical criteria and Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis (MOORA). The Freundlich model achieved the highest MOORA ranking and predicted an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 13.944 mg g⁻¹ at the highest concentration investigated, which is close to the experimental value of 14.425 mg g⁻¹. The results are consistent with heterogeneous adsorption involving electrostatic attraction, possible π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and pore filling. These findings demonstrate the potential of cow dung ash as a low-cost adsorbent prepared without hazardous chemical activating agents. Full article

Phosphorus is recognized as one of the primary contributors to eutrophication in freshwater ecosystems. Among the various strategies proposed to mitigate its impact, adsorption-based removal has emerged as one of the most widely adopted and effective approaches globally. In this study, Zn/Al-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized by varying the molar ratio of cations to obtain materials with different cationic densities. The materials were additionally modified via a co-precipitation method to incorporate titanium dioxide (TiO₂) or zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles to synthesize novel composite nanomaterials aimed at phosphate species removal from aqueous solutions. The resulting materials demonstrated orthophosphate adsorption capacities exceeding 45 mg/g in most cases. Adsorption kinetics were evaluated using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models, while equilibrium data were fit to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The results indicated that the pseudo-second order model and the Langmuir isotherm provided the best fit, suggesting that the adsorption process is predominantly chemisorption occurring on a homogeneous monolayer. These findings highlight the potential of TiO₂/ZnO–LDH composites as efficient adsorbents for phosphorus remediation in aquatic environments. Full article

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for scalable energy storage, yet their practical viability is constrained by zinc dendrite propagation, parasitic hydrogen evolution, and interfacial corrosion. Formulating electrolyte additives represents an economically viable strategy to address these long-standing bottlenecks by modulating the bulk solution and double-layer environments. Diverging from traditional composition-based classifications, this review categorizes recent additive strategies according to their underlying physical chemistry mechanisms. Specifically, we evaluate how these additives regulate the primary and secondary Zn²⁺ solvation sheaths, reconstruct the electric double layer (EDL) for crystallographic facet control, induce sacrificial or mineralized solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs), and establish responsive polymer confinement networks. Furthermore, we critically discuss the operational limitations, trade-offs, and parameter dependencies of these strategies under non-ideal, realistic conditions. Finally, prospective directions are outlined—focusing on descriptor-driven design, operando non-equilibrium characterizations, and performance validation under standard industrial metrics (e.g., low E/C ratios and high depths of discharge)—to provide an objective framework for advancing electrolyte optimization in practical zinc-based energy storage. Full article

Although the standard model of cosmology ($\mathrm{\Lambda }$CDM) has been successful in explaining a wide range of observational phenomena, it still faces significant limitations, particularly regarding the nature and properties of the dark sector of the universe. These challenges motivate the exploration of alternative approaches that can deepen our understanding of cosmic evolution. This study proposes an extension of the $\mathrm{\Lambda }$CDM model by incorporating irreversible processes through a viscous fluid with out of equilibrium pressure. This fluid interacts dynamically with the dark sector components, offering new possibilities for describing the expansion of the universe. To constrain the proposed scenarios, we perform a Bayesian statistical analysis using the Pantheon+ Type Ia supernova compilation, Cosmic Chronometers, and DESI DR2 Baryon Acoustic Oscillation measurements. The observational results show that all three interaction models successfully reproduce the late-time expansion history while preserving a dark matter barotropic index close to the pressureless limit expected in the standard cosmological scenario. In contrast, the dark energy barotropic index consistently favors positive values, suggesting a mild departure from the cosmological constant description. The incorporation of Cosmic Chronometers and, particularly, BAO measurements substantially improves the constraints on the matter sector, leading to a significant reduction in the uncertainty of the present dark matter density parameter, whereas the bulk-viscosity parameter and the asymptotic ratio remain only weakly constrained. Finally, a Bayesian model comparison based on the Bayes factor shows that the interacting dissipative models remain observationally compatible with the reference $\mathrm{\Lambda }$CDM cosmology. According to the Jeffreys scale, the resulting Bayesian evidence is inconclusive, indicating that current observations neither favor nor disfavor these extensions with respect to the standard cosmological model. Full article

Accurate prediction of NO emissions is important for the development of low-emission gas turbine combustors. This study evaluates several NO formation models for a 78 MW F-class gas turbine using a decoupled post-processing framework. Steady RANS simulations were performed with a partially premixed flamelet/PDF combustion model. Thermal NO, prompt NO, the N₂O intermediate pathway, and turbulence–chemistry interaction were assessed at 50% and 100% load. Thermal NO was the dominant pathway and showed strong load dependence. Using partial equilibrium for O radicals increased outlet NO by 16.46% at 50% load and 43.69% at 100% load. Including partial-equilibrium OH further increased NO by 8.67% at 50% load but had little effect at full load. Prompt NO remained on the order of 10⁻³ ppm. The N₂O pathway and turbulence–chemistry interaction also affected the prediction, especially at full load. The selected model was further compared with field measurements during load ramping and pilot-ratio variation. Most load-ramping predictions agreed with measurements within 18%. The results demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework for engineering NO emission prediction while also identifying limitations under transitional operating conditions. Full article

Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) makes a significant contribution to Canada’s heavy oil production. Yet, it faces notable efficiency challenges during late-life stages, characterized by increased Steam–Oil Ratios and environmental concerns. Non-condensable gas (NCG) injection has emerged as a promising strategy to address these issues, particularly in late-life and post-steam SAGD phases. This review systematically examines the mechanisms, phase behavior, thermochemical interactions, field applications, and operational impacts of injecting NCGs such as methane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. This work exclusively synthesizes the application of NCG injections in mature SAGD reservoirs while outlining existing challenges. It delivers a unified perspective on this domain, introducing practical insights to improve NCG injection efficiency. Critical analysis of the existing literature reveals key benefits, including reservoir pressure maintenance, steam chamber stabilization, and viscosity reduction. However, literature gaps persist regarding long-term field-scale validation, complex drive mechanisms at the steam chamber flanks, thermochemical reactions, interactions with geological heterogeneity, and detailed thermodynamic modeling under non-equilibrium conditions. Emphasizing these gaps underscores the importance of further research and integrated modeling to optimize NCG utilization, thus enhancing recovery efficiency, reducing environmental footprints, and extending reservoir life. Full article