Search Results (12,102)

This study investigates the electromagnetic field enhancement and optical response of self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-coated iron nanoparticles under laser excitation, with the aim of advancing optical gas sensing technologies. Using finite element method (FEM) simulations, we model the interaction of laser beams in both the visible (400–700 nm) and infrared (1000–2500 nm) spectral ranges with SAM-coated and uncoated nanoparticles. The results reveal that SAM coatings significantly amplify localized electromagnetic fields—reaching up to ~60 V/m in the visible range—while providing stable, wavelength-independent field distributions. In contrast, uncoated nanoparticles exhibit weaker but more variable field responses. Angular dependence analysis indicates maximal field enhancement at perpendicular (90°) detection, suggesting an orientation-sensitive design consideration for optical sensors. These findings demonstrate that SAM coatings enable stable, wavelength-independent electromagnetic responses, offering a promising pathway toward miniaturized and highly sensitive laser-based optical gas sensors. Full article

This paper examines decision-making challenges that arise when information is incomplete, specifically when judgments are missing or unavailable in the context of individual and group applications of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Two illustrative examples are provided. The first, adapted from a recently published study in the field of artificial intelligence, demonstrates how different methods for generating missing judgments can affect the outcomes of an individual decision-maker. The second example addresses a real-world problem of allocating farmland among three crops, wheat, corn, and soybeans, using four evaluation criteria: expenses, labor, reliability, and market considerations. In this example, two decision-makers form a group, and their incomplete judgments leave gaps in pairwise comparison matrices at different levels of the hierarchy. The solution incorporates both transition-based approaches (general transition rule and First-Level Transition Rule) and established methods such as Harker’s and van Uden’s. In addition, aggregation of individual judgments (AIJ) is applied where at least one judgment exists, while geometric aggregation is used when multiple judgments are available. This enables prioritization of decision elements in both examples, with particular attention to cases requiring a priori and a posteriori aggregation of individual judgments across hierarchical levels. A critical analysis of the results highlights key differences between methods, revealing ongoing controversies regarding their reliability in practice. Although it is shown that the First-Level Transition Rule method in the presented examples and other authors’ tests outperforms other methods used, the findings suggest that further research is needed to refine and establish more trustworthy procedures for handling incomplete information in AHP applications. Full article

The unique features of annular phased array transducers, such as ring-shaped elements and the concentric configuration, cause them to behave differently from commonly used linear array transducers, in terms of sound field distribution and pulse–echo response. Consequently, standard techniques for assessing linear array transducers can introduce significant errors when applied to annular array transducers, especially concerning element-to-element sensitivity variance. This study investigates the consistency of element sensitivity in annular phased array transducers. Through theoretical analysis, a Long-Belt source assumption model was developed based on the Rayleigh integral to characterize the responses of ring-shaped elements in an analytical and explicit form. The model suggests that the response amplitude is linearly correlated with the radial width of the element, which was validated by subsequent numerical simulations. Based on these findings, a modified sensitivity evaluation algorithm for annular array transducers is presented. The response voltage per unit width, rather than the total response voltage, is used to eliminate the influence of varying geometries and sizes across elements. The sensitivity variation of a 32-element annular array transducer was evaluated using the new algorithm. Compared to the uncorrected measurement, the maximum sensitivity variation was reduced significantly from 25 dB to 6 dB, revealing the transducer’s intrinsic consistency despite the different geometric features of each element. Due to its distinct geometry compared to the ring-shaped elements, the central element cannot be corrected or evaluated using this method. These results suggest that the proposed algorithm enables the more accurate evaluation of sensitivity consistency for annular phased array transducers, thereby improving measurement reliability in practical applications. Full article

This work presents a dynamic flowsheet model that predicts residual stress from shot peening. The peening medium is characterized by size and shape, and evolves dynamically with abrasion, fracture, classification, and replenishment. Because particle size and impact location vary stochastically, the resulting residual stress field is spatially heterogeneous. Residual stress fields are predicted in real time through a convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) neural network trained on finite element simulations, enabling fast, mechanistically grounded prediction of surface stress evolution under industrial shot peening conditions. We deploy the model in a pair of 10,000-cycle production peening case studies, demonstrating that media recharge strategy has a measurable effect on residual stress outcomes. Full article

The voluminous Mesozoic volcanic rocks developed in the Great Xing’an Range, northeastern China, have received extensive attention in recent decades. However, the timing and petrogenesis, as well as the related geodynamic processes of the Late Mesozoic volcanism, are still controversial. In this paper, we present the whole-rock geochemistry and zircon U–Pb ages for the Late Mesozoic volcanic rocks from the western part of the central Great Xing’an Range, which provide considerable insights into the geodynamic setting of the region. The zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that two main episodes of volcanism occurred in the central Great Xing’an Range, including in the Late Jurassic (ca. 147 Ma) and Early Cretaceous (ca. 142–125 Ma). These Late Mesozoic volcanic rocks display similar geochemical compositions, which are mainly intermediate–felsic, alkaline, peraluminous to metaluminous, enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, and depleted in high-field-strength elements, indicating arc affinities in the subduction zone. The trace element compositions suggest that the magmatism was related to a post-collisional extensional environment. Combined with the spatial distribution and temporal migration of the Mesozoic magmatic events in the whole northeastern China region, we propose that these Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks formed in a continental arc setting, which was mainly related to the rollback of the subducted Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate. Full article

To quantitatively assess the storm surge induced by Super Typhoon Doksuri (2023) along the complex coastline of Fujian Province, a high-resolution Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) was developed, driven by a refined Holland–ERA5 hybrid wind field with integrated physical corrections. The hybrid approach retains the spatiotemporal coherence of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5 reanalysis in the far field, while incorporating explicit inner-core adjustments for quadrant asymmetry, sea-surface-temperature dependency, and bounded decay after landfall. A series of numerical experiments were conducted, including paired tidal-only and full storm-forcing simulations, along with a systematic sensitivity ensemble in which bottom-friction parameters were perturbed and the anomalous (typhoon-related) wind component was scaled by factors ranging from 0.8 to 1.2. Static sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios (+0.3 m, +0.5 m, +1.0 m) were imposed to evaluate their influence on extreme water levels. Storm surge extremes were analyzed using a multi-scale coastal buffer framework, comparing two extreme extraction methods: element-mean followed by time-maximum, and node-maximum then assigned to elements. The model demonstrates high skill in reproducing astronomical tides (Pearson r = 0.979–0.993) and hourly water level series (Pearson r > 0.98) at key validation stations. Results indicate strong spatial heterogeneity in the sensitivity of surge levels to both bottom friction and wind intensity. While total peak water levels rise nearly linearly with SLR, the storm surge component itself exhibits a nonlinear response. The choice of extreme-extraction method significantly influences design values, with the node-based approach yielding peak values 0.8% to 4.5% higher than the cell-averaged method. These findings highlight the importance of using physically motivated adjustments to wind fields, extreme-value analysis across multiple coastal buffer scales, and uncertainty quantification in future SLR-informed coastal risk assessments. By integrating analytical, physics-based inner-core corrections with sensitivity experiments and multi-scale analysis, this study provides an enhanced framework for storm surge modeling suited to engineering and coastal management applications. Full article

To address the issues of resistance and food safety stemming from the overuse of chemical fumigants in stored-grain pest control, this study aimed to systematically optimize the insecticidal process of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on Tribolium castaneum (T. castaneum) and to investigate its electro-neurotoxicity mechanism. Single-factor experiments were used to determine parameter ranges, and response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to analyze the effects of electric field strength, pulse frequency, and treatment time. The finite element method (FEM) was used to simulate the physical field distribution, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured to explore neurotoxicity. The results indicated that electric field strength, pulse frequency, and treatment time all had highly significant effects (p < 0.0001), with electric field strength being the primary factor. The optimal process parameters were determined to be: electric field strength of 26 kV/cm, pulse frequency of 20 kHz, and treatment time of 140 s. Under these conditions, the predicted and actual mortality rates were both 100%, and this efficacy was validated in rice samples. Simulation confirmed that PEF achieves physical targeting through a “tip effect” on the insect’s nerve endings; mechanism tests demonstrated that PEF treatment significantly inhibited AChE activity (p < 0.01). This study confirms the “electro-neurotoxicity” mechanism of PEF, providing theoretical support for this green physical control technology. Full article

Torque motors are typically operated within a limited angular range and are widely used in high-precision control applications due to their ability to provide uniform torque throughout the operating region. In this paper, a new torque motor structure is proposed that enhances torque density while maintaining the inherent torque uniformity. The proposed motor employs an optimized stator pole geometry that enables the magnetic flux generated by both the armature and the permanent magnet to contribute more effectively to torque production. To clarify the torque generation mechanism, the flux distributions of the field and armature were analyzed and validated through finite element analysis. Key design parameters were then defined, and an optimal design was performed to maximize the average torque. The performance of the proposed structure was evaluated through a comparative analysis with a conventional torque motor, confirming its superiority. Finally, a prototype of the proposed torque motor was fabricated, and its torque performance was verified through load testing. Full article

Phosphate is a crucial non-renewable mineral resource, mainly utilized in producing fertilizers that support global agriculture. As phosphorus is an indispensable nutrient for plant growth, phosphate holds a key position in ensuring food security. While deposits are distributed worldwide, the largest reserves are concentrated in Morocco. The Benguerir phosphate mining in Morocco generates heterogeneous waste (i.e., including overburden, tailings, and phosphogypsum) that complicates management and valorization, which is the beneficial reuse or value recovery from waste materials (e.g., use in cover systems, buffering, or other engineered applications). Therefore, it is essential to characterize their mineralogical properties to evaluate their environmental impact and possibilities for reuse or site revegetation. To do so, we integrate VNIR–SWIR reflectance spectroscopy with HandHeld X-ray fluorescence (HHXRF) to characterize phosphate waste rock and assess its reuse potential. For this purpose, field samples (n = 104) were collected, and their spectral reflectance was measured using an ASD FieldSpec 4 spectroradiometer (350–2500 nm) under standardized laboratory conditions. Spectra were processed (Savitzky–Golay smoothing, convex-hull continuum removal) and matched to ECOSTRESS library references; across the dataset, library matching achieved mean RMSE = 0.15 ± 0.053 (median 0.145; 0.085–0.350), median SAM = 0.134 rad, median SID = 0.029, and mean R² = 0.748 ± 0.170, with 84% of spectra yielding R² > 0.70. In parallel, HHXRF major and trace elements were measured on all samples to corroborate spectral interpretations. Together, these analyses resolve carbonate–clay–phosphate assemblages (dolomite commonly dominant, with illite/smectite–kaolinite, quartz, and residual carbonate-fluorapatite varying across samples). Elemental ratios (e.g., Mg/Ca distinguishing dolomite from calcite; K/Al indicating illite) reinforce spectral trends, and phosphate indicators delineate localized enrichment (P₂O₅ up to 23.86 wt % in apatite-rich samples). Overall, the combined workflow is rapid, low-impact, and reproducible, yielding coherent mineralogical patterns that align across spectroscopic and geochemical lines of evidence and providing actionable inputs for selective screening, targeted material reuse, and more sustainable mine reclamation planning. Full article

Moringa oleifera has been recognized for its adaptability, nutritional richness, and multipurpose potential, particularly in resource-limited regions. While most research has focused on its leaves, moringa seeds remain underutilized despite their broad applicability in the environmental, agricultural, and food sectors. This review systematically and critically examines recent scientific literature on the use of M. oleifera seeds across these fields, emphasizing their functional value, applications, and challenges for sustainable use. The review follows the SALSA methodology (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis), a structured and iterative framework designed to identify, evaluate, and integrate scientific evidence from diverse sources. The analysis encompasses three main areas: (i) water treatment, where moringa seed extracts have achieved turbidity removal efficiencies above 90% and effective adsorption of dyes and potentially toxic elements; (ii) agriculture, where seed-derived fertilizers improve soil fertility, nutrient availability, and crop yield compared to conventional inputs; and (iii) the food industry, where moringa seed derivatives enhance the nutritional, functional, and antioxidant properties of bakery, beverage, and oil-based products. Overall, M. oleifera seeds emerge as a versatile and sustainable resource with proven potential as a natural coagulant, biofertilizer, and nutraceutical ingredient. By integrating findings from both English and Spanish language studies, this work highlights their contribution to sustainable water management, agricultural productivity, and food innovation, while emphasizing the need for further safety evaluation and process optimization to support large-scale application. Full article

The modern coinage industry ensures dimensional and weight precision, as well as improved surface quality, for its products. The speed of coin mass production requires increased performance for used machines and tools. Despite these, error incidence cannot be excluded. Some of these errors are recorded inside the punching machine and generate clipped blank disks; on their turn, those malformed disks lead to the clipped coins. In the first part, the paper presents the premises underlying the appearance of clipped blanks. There are some exemplified coins having different types of clips: curved, straight, and ragged. The literature review in the coinage field covers the following subjects: coin and die behavior under the striking load, viewpoints on 3D modeling, and finite element method (FEM) analysis, insights on various striking errors, with most of them more or less valued as collection metal pieces. The paper’s main purpose is outlined as follows: to study, using the available modern techniques, the particularities of different clipped coin types. In the second part of the paper, we introduced the adequate tridimensional (3D) model, for parts such as the die, collar, and the coin. It follows the assembled model corresponding to each studied case, which consists of the obverse and reverse striking dies and the collar, having inside them the coin. For each of the models, based on the initial conditions, the finite element analysis was performed. The paper’s last part presents the analysis’ results, the discussions, and the conclusions. Full article

The concept of sustainability in the supermarket sector has emerged as a strategic priority, as companies are required to reduce their environmental footprint and enhance their social and economic performance. The aim of this literature review is to identify, document, and analyze the key performance indicators (KPIs) applied in the sector, with emphasis on environmental, social, and economic dimensions, and to investigate the extent to which technical energy interventions are linked to business and consumer benefits. The methodology was inspired by the general logic of organized search and selection procedures, and for this reason, elements of the PRISMA framework were used, with a search conducted across multiple international scientific databases and selection criteria ensuring the validity and relevance of the sources. The analysis classified the indicators into the following three categories: environmental (e.g., CO₂ emissions, energy consumption), social (e.g., customer satisfaction, corporate image), and economic (e.g., ESG score, return on investment). The study revealed substantial progress made by supermarket chains globally in adopting energy-efficiency technologies, such as LED lighting and renewable energy with proven benefits in reducing consumption and consequently, improving environmental performance. However, a lack of holistic integration between technical interventions and social-economic indicators was identified, limiting the use of KPIs as a strategic tool for guiding specific sustainability strategies. This research concludes that there is a need to develop unified, sector-specific measurement frameworks that integrate environmental, social, and economic parameters, as well as empirical research that quantitatively connects energy strategies with business and consumer performance through comparable indicators in the context of supermarket operations, thereby opening ground for further exploration of the field. Full article

The rapid global expansion of genetically modified (GM) crops requires fast, on-site detection methods. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated (CRISPR/Cas) systems offer a promising platform for decentralized GM organism (GMO) monitoring. This review focuses specifically on the application of this technology in agriculture and food supply chains, diverging from previous reviews centered on clinical diagnostics. We examine the mechanisms of key CRISPR effectors (e.g., Cas12a, Cas13a) and their integration into diagnostic platforms (e.g., DETECTR, SHERLOCK) for detecting transgenic elements (e.g., CaMV35S promoter). A dedicated comparison of signal readout modalities, including fluorescence, lateral flow, and electrochemical sensing, highlights their suitability for different GMO detection scenarios, from field screening to laboratory confirmation. Finally, we discuss current challenges, including multiplexing and standardization, and outline future directions, such as the engineering of novel Cas variants and integration with smartphone technology. CRISPR-based diagnostics are poised to become indispensable tools for decentralized, efficient, and reliable GMO detection. Full article

There are several graphs naturally associated with rings. The unitary Cayley graph of a ring R is the graph with vertex set R, where two elements $x,y\in R$ are adjacent if and only if $x-y$ is a unit of R. We show that the unitary Cayley graph $C_{T_n\left(\mathbb{F}\right)}$ of the ring $T_n\left(\mathbb{F}\right)$ of all upper triangular matrices over a finite field $\mathbb{F}$ is isomorphic to a semistrong product of a complete graph and the antipodal graph of a Hamming graph. In particular, when $\left|\mathbb{F}\right|=2$, the graph $C_{T_n\left(\mathbb{F}\right)}$ has a highly symmetric structure: it is the union of $2^{n-1}$ complete bipartite graphs. Moreover, we prove that the clique number and the chromatic number of $C_{T_n\left(\mathbb{F}\right)}$ are both equal to $\left|\mathbb{F}\right|$, and we establish tight upper and lower bounds for the domination number of $C_{T_n\left(\mathbb{F}\right)}$. Full article

In animals and humans, nutrients influence signaling cascades, transcriptional programs, chromatin dynamics, and mitochondrial function, collectively shaping traits related to growth, immunity, reproduction, and stress resilience. This review synthesizes evidence supporting nutrient-mediated regulation of DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and mitochondrial biogenesis, and emphasizes their integration within metabolic and developmental pathways. Recent advances in epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS), single-cell multi-omics, and systems biology approaches have revealed how diet composition and timing can reprogram gene networks, sometimes across generations. Particular attention is given to central metabolic regulators (e.g., PPARs, mTOR) and to interactions among methyl donors, fatty acids, vitamins, and trace elements that maintain genomic stability and metabolic homeostasis. Nutrigenetic evidence further shows how genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) in loci such as IGF-1, MSTN, PPARs, and FASN alter nutrient responsiveness and influence traits like feed efficiency, body composition, and egg quality, information that can be exploited via marker-assisted or genomic selection. Mitochondrial DNA integrity and oxidative capacity are key determinants of feed conversion and energy efficiency, while dietary antioxidants and mitochondria-targeted nutrients help preserve bioenergetic function. The gut microbiome acts as a co-regulator of host gene expression through metabolite-mediated epigenetic effects, linking diet, microbial metabolites (e.g., SCFAs), and host genomic responses via the gut–liver axis. Emerging tools such as whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing, EWAS, integrated multi-omics, and CRISPR-based functional studies are transforming the field and enabling DNA-informed precision nutrition. Integrating genetic, epigenetic, and molecular data will enable genotype-specific feeding strategies, maternal and early-life programming, and predictive models that enhance productivity, health, and sustainability in poultry production. Translating these molecular insights into practice offers pathways to enhance animal welfare, reduce environmental impact, and shift nutrition from empirical feeding toward mechanistically informed precision approaches. Full article