Search Results (781)

The assessment of tunnel blasting effects traditionally relies on manual inspection and contact measurements, which are subjective, inefficient, and lack comprehensive quantification. To address this, this study proposes a novel closed-loop framework that integrates multi-view 3D reconstruction with intelligent recognition for quantitative blasting evaluation and parameter optimization. Rather than claiming novelty in these basic computer vision algorithms, the novelty of this work lies in their tunnel blasting oriented integration: reconstructed geometry is converted into blasting relevant indicators and then linked to parameter adjustment decisions within a closed-loop workflow. The framework begins with a standardized image acquisition workflow designed for challenging tunnel environments (e.g., dust, uneven light), followed by image enhancement using histogram equalization and bilateral filtering. A key improvement is an enhanced SIFT feature matching strategy, which incorporates a BBF optimized K-D tree and RANSAC to achieve robust correspondence establishment on texture-repetitive rock surfaces. This enables the generation of high-precision 3D models of the tunnel face via Structure from Motion (SfM) and Poisson surface reconstruction. From these models, quantitative indices are automatically extracted: rock mass structural planes are clustered via the ISODATA algorithm, structural traces are delineated using a minimum cost path method, and face flatness is evaluated through curvature analysis. These indices form the basis for intelligent blasting assessment. Crucially, the assessment results are directly fed back to optimize blasting parameters (e.g., adding cut holes, adjusting auxiliary hole spacing). Field application in the Huangtai Tunnel demonstrated that this closed-loop framework significantly improved face flatness (achieving over 50% improvement in the high-curvature area ratio) and contour control. Further verification in the Donghongshan Tunnel showed that the proportion of the sharp feature region decreased from 20.3% to 7.9% after optimization. The proposed framework transitions blasting management from empirical judgment to a data driven, intelligent optimization process, offering a scalable solution for enhancing quality and efficiency in tunnel construction. Full article

Aim: We aimed to provide a structured ex vivo protocol for cardiopulmonary micro-CT that combines gelatin–barium sulfate (gelatin–BaSO₄) contrast medium with agar embedding in neonatal canine cardiopulmonary specimens. Materials and Methods: Heart–lung specimens from 23 puppies that died shortly after birth were collected, stored at −20 °C, and then slowly thawed prior to imaging. Before perfusion, body mass and heart–lung complex mass were recorded. Body mass ranged from 140 to 951 g, and heart–lung complex mass ranged from 1.2 to 51.2 g. The cranial and caudal venae cavae, the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left subclavian artery were ligated. A catheter was introduced into the thoracic aorta. Contrast was prepared by dissolving porcine gelatin in hot water and mixing with a commercial BaSO₄ suspension. The mixture was maintained at a warm temperature to remain free-flowing and was delivered at low pressure until uniform opacification of the coronary and pulmonary arteries was observed. After in situ gelation, the organs were embedded in warm agar and sealed to limit motion and dehydration. Scans were performed on a benchtop system (120 kV, ~83 µA, ~1200 projections, ~2 s exposures; voxel ~40 µm). Reconstruction was performed in XMReconstructor, with post-processing in Falcon and RadiAnt. The reconstructed micro-CT datasets were reviewed anatomically by a medical cardiologist and a veterinary cardiologist, whereas vascular filling was evaluated semi-quantitatively by three observers with expertise in veterinary anatomy and cardiology. Results: In all specimens examined, the main coronary artery course was assessable. Conclusions: The gelatin–BaSO₄ contrast medium combined with agar immobilization provides a simple, lead-free, and affordable approach for structured cardiopulmonary micro-CT in very small post-mortem specimens. In the examined specimens, the workflow provided visually consistent low-pressure vascular opacification without gross evidence of vessel rupture or motion-related acquisition failure under the conditions of this study. Practical mitigations included temperature/viscosity control, avoidance of phosphate buffers, container sealing, and minimization of particle aggregation, bubbles, and dehydration. The protocol may complement conventional autopsy in very small post-mortem specimens in similar ex vivo research settings. Full article

Liquid distributors are critical internals in packed columns, whose distribution uniformity directly governs the column’s hydrodynamic performance, mass transfer efficiency, and operational stability. To address the poor liquid distribution uniformity of trough distributors under high liquid loads, this study proposes a novel trough distributor integrated with a resistance–guidance synergistic composite unit. Combining numerical simulations and experimental validation, the core synergistic mechanism of the unit was systematically investigated. The horizontal baffle serves as a secondary throttling point, which converts axial kinetic energy into static pressure energy to supplement the driving force for transverse energy redistribution and physically suppresses the generation and development of large-scale vortices. Meanwhile, vertical guide vanes guide liquid flow, constrain the expansion of harmful secondary flows, and construct a controllable transverse pressure gradient. The resistance–guidance unit collaboratively realizes two-stage energy conversion and redistribution, reconstructs the liquid momentum transfer path, and restores the static pressure gradient-dominated transverse energy transport mechanism. This study clarifies the intrinsic mechanism of resistance–diversion synergy for liquid distribution control, laying a theoretical foundation for the structural optimization of trough liquid distributors under high-liquid-load conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Capsular contracture (CC) is the most frequent complication of breast implant surgery, affecting up to 20% of augmentation and up to 40% of post-mastectomy reconstruction patients. Diagnosis relies on the Baker classification with poor interobserver reliability (κ = 0.55). This study evaluated shear-wave elastography (SWE) as an objective diagnostic tool for CC via quantitative measurement of periprosthetic capsule stiffness. Methods: A prospective single-center comparative study (Romania) enrolled 26 augmentation patients (50 breasts) with asymptomatic Baker I/II CC as controls, and 25 breasts with confirmed Baker III/IV CC in post-mastectomy reconstruction patients as the study group. Stiffness was measured using the SuperSonic MACH 30 platform (mean, median, min, max, SD in kPa). Analysis included Mann-Whitney U tests, ROC curves with bootstrapped 95% CIs, and Youden’s J index. Confounder analyses (Spearman correlations, multivariable logistic regression, partial correlations) assessed the independence of SWE findings from implant depth, periprosthetic tissue thickness, region-of-interest (ROI) diameter, and body mass index (BMI). Results: All four primary stiffness parameters differed significantly between groups (p < 10⁻¹¹, r > 0.97). Control median stiffness was 32.6 kPa versus 138.0 kPa in the study group. All four parameters achieved outstanding discriminative performance (AUC 0.988–0.994); SWE median yielded the highest AUC (0.994; 95% CI 0.980–1.000). A threshold of 82 kPa provided 100% sensitivity, 98% specificity, and 100% NPV. Baker Grades III (~92 kPa) and IV (~147 kPa) also differed significantly (p = 0.0001). No covariate (implant depth, periprosthetic tissue thickness, ROI diameter, BMI) significantly influenced SWE values within either group (all intra-group Spearman ρ p > 0.05), and SWE median stiffness remained the sole significant predictor in the fully adjusted multivariable model (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.08–1.31, p < 0.001). Conclusions: SWE objectively differentiates normal periprosthetic capsules from clinically significant CC with outstanding accuracy. An 82 kPa median stiffness threshold offers a reproducible, non-invasive complement to the Baker classification and provides a foundation for elastography-based CC staging. Full article

The modal behaviour of the wooden bridge over the Rhine described by Julius Cæsar in the De Bello Gallico is analysed by a simple analytical model, i.e., a Kirchhoff–Love (KL) plate. The overall structure is indeed modelled as a thin plate, representing the walking surface, resting on elastic supports that approximate the compliance of the underlying structure. Firstly, these elastic constraints are represented by linear springs; in a refined step, beam elements with equivalent stiffness and mass are adopted. The system complexity arises from the consequent non-trivial boundary conditions and is tackled by selecting suitable auxiliary functions to operate with discretised equations of motion, in a Galërkin-like approach. MATLAB helped to develop in-house scripts capable of reconstructing the flexural behaviour as the governing parameters vary, without repeated experimental tests. The analytical results are compared with theoretical predictions and between the two assumed elastic supports, allowing verification of model consistency and explanation of differences in the bridge behaviour. The ease of implementation of these codes also enables the evaluation of the structural potential of historical constructions, the investigation of modular characteristics and connections between subcomponents, and the assessment of the effects of external loads. The study of historical structure dynamics is thus relevant not only for reconstruction, but also for modern mechanical design, with potential applications in civil, mechanical, materials, and naval engineering. Full article

Fatal free falls (FFF) represent a distinct form of blunt force trauma and pose a significant challenge in forensic investigations, particularly in estimating fall height and differentiating between accidental and suicidal events. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) enables detailed assessment of skeletal injuries, including quantitative evaluation of skull fracture patterns. Total Cranial Fracture Length (TCFL), derived from three-dimensional CT skull fracture scoring (3D-CT-SF), has been proposed as an objective indicator of impact severity; however, available evidence remains limited. This study aimed to assess the relationship between TCFL and fall height in fatal free falls and to evaluate the influence of selected anthropometric and biomechanical variables on cranial fracture severity. A retrospective analysis of 76 fatal free-fall cases examined between 2016 and 2024 was conducted using PMCT and autopsy data. TCFL was measured on three-dimensional volume-rendered CT reconstructions of calvarial fractures. Statistical analyses were performed for the entire cohort and separately for accidental and suicidal falls. No significant correlation between TCFL and fall height was observed in the overall cohort or among suicide cases. In contrast, a significant negative correlation between TCFL and fall height category was identified in accidental falls. TCFL showed significant positive correlations with body mass, body mass index (BMI), and kinetic energy, particularly in the suicide subgroup. TCFL is a promising objective parameter for assessing the severity of cranial injury in fatal free-fall cases. While its utility in estimating fall height appears limited in suicidal falls, TCFL may support forensic interpretation of fall dynamics and contribute to distinguishing the manner of death, especially in accidental cases. Further studies in larger, more diverse populations are warranted. Full article

A recent two-layer theory for long-runout turbidity currents explains sustained bypass by allowing a dense lower layer to exchange mass with a more dilute upper layer while avoiding rapid over-thickening. Here, a morphodynamic extension is developed that couples suspended load and bed exchange while treating the two-layer hydrodynamics as a prescribed background. A suspended-sediment balance with bed exchange and Exner’s equation are written on that background, the depositional state variable $B=E_s/\left(rC\right)$ is introduced, and an exact nonlinear evolution equation for B is derived within the prescribed-background setting. In the weak-exchange limit this equation reduces to an algebraic onset criterion, thereby identifying the regime in which the simpler threshold is valid. Applied to an Amazon-like local-normal-flow reconstruction, the model shows that finite exchange shifts depositional onset upstream relative to the weak-exchange estimate. Background-fidelity checks, grid-refinement tests and closure/inlet sensitivities are reported to delimit the quantitative use of the reduced application. The framework is therefore best interpreted as a coupled reduced theory for suspended load and bed exchange on a prescribed two-layer bypass background rather than a fully hydro-morphodynamic closure. Full article

Ni coarsening is a primary degradation mechanism in Ni-based anodes, significantly contributing to performance decline and diminished lifespan of methane steam reforming solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) during long-term operation. In this study, a novel algorithm is introduced to reconstruct two-dimensional Ni-YSZ anode microstructures, complemented by the development of a multi-physics model that integrates phase-field modeling (PFM) with the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). This coupled PFM-LBM framework is employed to investigate the effects of Ni agglomeration on microstructural evolution and methane-steam mass transport under diverse conditions. The results demonstrate that the initial Ni particle diameter exerts a significant influence on Ni agglomeration dynamics. Furthermore, the mass transport analysis reveals that the necking structures formed during Ni coarsening pose a substantial impediment to mass transfer efficiency. Finally, optimized structural parameters for Ni-YSZ are proposed to enhance anode performance in Ni-based electrodes. Full article

Mass transfer–induced Marangoni convection in volatile binary liquids is commonly associated with the amplification of interfacial concentration disturbances, yet the localized evolution preceding the first visible convective cell remains difficult to quantify experimentally. Here, ethanol–water desorption in a confined quasi–two–dimensional cell with a 2 mm liquid thickness was investigated using quantitative Schlieren imaging. The apparent transient concentration field and interfacial concentration profiles were reconstructed to resolve the earliest observable stage of Marangoni onset. The early behavior depended strongly on the initial ethanol mass fraction. Low–concentration cases mainly exhibited Rayleigh plume structures, high–concentration cases developed Marangoni cellular structures too rapidly for reliable early–stage tracking, whereas intermediate–concentration cases provided a resolvable window before Marangoni cell formation. For an initial ethanol mass fraction of 8 wt.%, a localized interfacial onset site appeared before the first visible Marangoni convective cell. This event initiated two counter–propagating spreading fronts, enriched the swept interfacial region, and was followed shortly by visible Marangoni cellular structures within the redistributed region. The apparent surface tension gradient field exhibited a transient evolution, with an initial increase, followed by a decrease during spreading, and a subsequent increase upon front interaction. These results provide experimental reference data for the pre–cellular interfacial redistribution sequence associated with perturbation–driven Marangoni onset in confined ethanol–water desorption systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: An accurate understanding of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) morphology is essential for individualized surgical planning in ACL reconstruction. Morphometric parameters of the knee, including the femoral notch width and surrounding soft tissue characteristics, may influence native ACL dimensions and potentially assist in preoperative graft sizing. Methods: This retrospective case–control study analyzed medical records, radiographs, and knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed at a tertiary academic medical center. Variables collected included femoral notch width, thigh thickness, and ACL attachment dimensions at the femoral and tibial insertions. Comparisons between patients with ACL tears and those with intact ACLs were also performed. Correlation analyses were performed to evaluate associations between morphometric parameters and ACL attachment size. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to identify independent predictors after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), limb side (left or right leg), and ACL status. Results: A total of 600 participants were included. The mean femoral notch width was 21.55 ± 6.15 mm, and the mean thigh thickness was 53.05 ± 11.66 mm. The mean ACL femoral and tibial attachment sizes were 8.12 ± 2.57 mm and 11.79 ± 3.89 mm, respectively. Thigh thickness demonstrated weak but significant positive correlations with both ACL femoral (r = 0.168, p = 0.001) and tibial attachment sizes (r = 0.236, p < 0.001). Femoral notch width showed a borderline association with ACL femoral attachment size (r = 0.092, p = 0.068) and a weak but significant correlation with ACL tibial attachment size (r = 0.095, p = 0.039). ACL tear group exhibited smaller thigh thickness measurements compared with controls (49.80 ± 12.00 mm vs. 55.65 ± 14.80 mm, p < 0.001) and smaller femoral notch width measurements compared with controls (21.20 ± 3.40 mm vs. 22.50 ± 3.18 mm, p = 0.001). Moreover, further analysis demonstrated that ACL tear status was associated with smaller measured ACL attachment sizes (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Thigh thickness and femoral notch width demonstrate measurable association with ACL attachment dimensions and differ between patients with ACL tears and those with intact ligaments. These findings indicate that both osseous and soft-tissue morphometric characteristics may influence ACL morphology and susceptibility to injury. Comprehensive preoperative imaging assessment of these anatomical parameters may help to optimize individualized surgical planning in ACL reconstruction. Full article

Investigating the effects of corrosion on the mechanical and fatigue properties of steel wires is critical for the safety assessment of bridge cable structures.This study focuses on high-strength galvanized steel wires used for bridge cables, with a diameter of 7 mm and a strength grade of 1770 MPa. Specimens with varying mass loss rates η were prepared by electrochemical corrosion method, and systematic tensile and fatigue tests were conducted to study the effects of corrosion on the fundamental mechanical properties and fatigue life of the steel wires. The results indicate that the elastic modulus of the steel wires decreases slightly with the increase of η but still meets the requirements of relevant standards. In contrast, the yield strength and tensile strength degrade significantly, while ductility is particularly susceptible to corrosion, showing more severe deterioration. When η is less than 2.75%, the corroded steel wires still maintain favorable fatigue resistance at a nominal stress amplitude of 360 MPa. Once η exceeds this threshold, their fatigue life decreases significantly in a nonlinear manner with increasing η. The fatigue life predicted by a finite element model (FEM) reconstructed based on the 3D scanning geometry of corroded steel wires and combined with the Abaqus/fe-safe module shows good agreement with the experimental results, indicating that this approach can provide a valuable reference for the durability assessment of bridge cables. Full article

In this paper, for leader–follower structure multi-agent systems (MASs), a new fault-tolerant consensus control mechanism which is called the distributed information estimation and centralized control scheme is developed. To begin with, for each follower agent, an unknown input observer (UIO) is designed to obtain the asymptotic convergence state estimation. Then, a fault reconstruction (FR) method is proposed through constructing an interval observer by sensor measurement output. Most importantly, using the leader’s state estimation provided by the local observer, a distributed observer (DO) is designed so that each follower can obtain the leader’s state estimation. Subsequently, for each follower agent, by using its own state estimation and FR, and the leader’s state estimation offered by the DO, a centralized controller is designed. In this way, a DO-based distributed fault-tolerant control protocol is developed, in which the distributed feature is majorly reflected by the DO construction, resulting in the controller being formulated in a centralized way. In addition, under the DO-based distributed fault-tolerant control protocol, MAS consensus can be reached. Finally, two simulation examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Full article

Although Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) are widely regarded as an ideal tool for capturing spatial dependencies in river basins, their effectiveness in hydrological forecasting is severely challenged by a topology paradox: under a purely data-driven paradigm, GNNs fail to spontaneously learn physical laws, generating predictions that lack physical interpretability and frequently violate mass conservation. To address this fundamental problem, this paper proposes a physics-informed graph learning framework integrated with an explicit, differentiable water balance constraint (WB-GNN). By reconstructing the continuity equation into a differentiable loss function, we directly embed physical conservation as a strong inductive bias into the neural network’s training objective. We comprehensively evaluated the model on two large-sample datasets (LamaH-CE and CAMELS) against state-of-the-art baselines, including EA-LSTM and unconstrained Pure-GNN. Quantitative results demonstrate that the proposed physical constraint successfully awakens the potential of river network topology. On the LamaH-CE dataset, WB-GNN achieved a Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.86 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 9.2 ${\mathrm{m}}^3/\mathrm{s}$, outperforming both the domain-specific EA-LSTM (NSE: 0.83) and the unconstrained Pure-GNN (NSE: 0.74). Crucially, the introduction of the differentiable constraint reduced the Physical Inconsistency Ratio (PIR) by an order of magnitude-from 39.8% in the unconstrained model to just 4.3%. Similar robust improvements were validated across the highly heterogeneous CAMELS dataset. These quantifiable results confirm that the proposed method not only achieves superior forecasting accuracy but also fundamentally guarantees physical trustworthiness, making it highly robust for critical decision-making in extreme flood events. Full article

Understanding the life-history strategies of deep-sea fishes is essential for improving ecological knowledge and informing conservation efforts. Using otolith microchemistry, this study reconstructed the ontogenetic movement patterns of four grenadier species (Nezumia aequalis, Hymenocephalus billsam, Coelorinchus marinii, and Malacocephalus occidentalis) caught in the continental slope off southern Brazil (Southwestern Atlantic). Elemental signatures (Ba:Ca, Sr:Ca, Li:Ca, Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca, Ni:Ca, Cu:Ca, and Zn:Ca) were quantified along core-to-edge transects of sagittal otoliths using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Ontogenetic shifts were identified using change-point detection (PELT). A general decline in elemental incorporation with age was observed across species, consistent with ontogenetic physiological regulation. Species-specific multi-elemental patterns suggest distinct ecological strategies. Nezumia aequalis exhibited an abrupt decline in Ba:Ca, indicating an early-life environmental shift. Hymenocephalus billsam showed increasing Ba:Ca and Sr:Ca profiles, consistent with continued use of pelagic-associated water masses. Coelorinchus marinii and Malacocephalus occidentalis displayed more complex patterns, with the latter showing pronounced Ba:Ca and Zn:Ca peaks that may reflect mid-life habitat shifts or physiological events. Mn:Ca ratios differed between pelagic and demersal species. Otolith microchemistry combined with change-point analysis could provide insights into deep-sea fish ontogeny, although interpretations should consider both environmental and physiological influences. Full article

Grotta-Riparo di Uluzzo C (Uluzzo Bay, Apulia, southern Italy) preserves a long and complex stratigraphic sequence spanning from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, offering a valuable context for investigating depositional dynamics and human–environment interactions during the Late Pleistocene. Although recent multidisciplinary research has substantially advanced knowledge of the Uluzzian occupations, the Mousterian faunal record of the site has remained largely unexplored from zooarchaeological and taphonomic perspectives. This study examines the faunal assemblages from the Mousterian layers (E, F, and G), integrating material from historical excavations with those recovered during recent fieldwork. Zooarchaeological, taphonomic, and Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) analyses are combined to reconstruct local environmental conditions, evaluate the relative contribution of human and non-human agents to bone accumulation, and assess patterns of site use and deposit formation. The faunal spectrum indicates an ecologically heterogeneous landscape, consistent with a Mediterranean refugial setting during the Late Pleistocene. Taphonomic evidence points to complex and cumulative formation processes resulting from repeated, short-term human occupations interspersed with carnivore activity and natural depositional processes. The Mousterian deposits are therefore best interpreted as brief palimpsests rather than the result of continuous or intensive occupation. Placed within a regional framework, the Uluzzo C assemblages contribute to broader discussions on site formation processes and environmental variability in southern Italy and provide an important comparative baseline for the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic period. Full article