Search Results (2,207)

The performance and accuracy of tipping-bucket rain gauges (TBRGs) have been widely examined. However, whilst for proper operation TBRGs must be carefully levelled, to date there appears to be no published analysis of the errors that can arise in tilted gauges. Although tilt could exist in any direction with respect to the rotation axis of the buckets, the greatest effect occurs for tilt orthogonal to the rotation axis. Here, potential errors associated with tilt in this direction are analysed experimentally for the first time. Tests on a TBRG were made with the gauge carefully levelled, when inclined at inclinations of 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, and 5°, and at several pumped flow rates equivalent to rainfall rates in the range 9.6–114.6 mm h⁻¹. Results confirm that in a tilted TBRG, the buckets tip with unequal volumes of water. This results in the gauge requiring a progressively larger mean depth of rainfall to trigger tips as tilt increases, because the bucket tilted up requires more water to tip than the TBRG calibration would suggest, whilst the bucket tilted down requires less. Consequently, a tilted TBRG reports too few tips, and so under-reports the rainfall depth. The increase in the mean tipped volume is ~1% for a tilt of 1° and can exceed 8% for a tilt of 5°. The kinematic error associated with the TBRG mechanism is also shown to persist in tilted TBRGs, such that the potential aggregate error from both sources in a field installation may seriously degrade the quality of rainfall data. Full article

This study establishes a closed-loop chain of evaluation, optimization, and capability assessment for the hot stamping of 1.2 mm B1500HS ultra-high-strength steel. A four-dimensional quality framework (appearance, geometry, mechanics and microstructure) was established, and FMEA identified hardness non-uniformity, necking and cracking as priority risks. An L₁₆(4⁵) orthogonal dataset (heating 870–930 °C; forming 720–780 °C; speed 40–70 mm/s) was re-analyzed by ANOVA. Heating temperature dominated all responses (contribution > 91%), whereas stamping speed was insignificant. Run 16 (930 °C, 780 °C, 40 mm/s) ranked first by Min–Max weighting and by equal-/entropy-weight GRA (Kendall τ ≥ 0.650, p < 0.001); because speed was insignificant, 70 mm/s is equally acceptable and preferable for productivity. Two-stage validation (merged n = 10) gave R_m = 1515.6 MPa, R_p0.2 = 1145.8 MPa, A = 7.8%, HV = 568.4 and ≈ 97.5% martensite. Preliminary capability indices were excellent for R_m (Cpk = 2.12), A (2.46) and HV (2.29), and acceptable for R_p0.2 (1.13). The framework links laboratory optimization with batch-production quality control. Full article

Rotating magnetic microparticles are classic active matter systems dominated by competing magnetic dipolar attraction and spin-induced hydrodynamic repulsion, whose collective behaviors under programmable magnetic field remain insufficiently characterized. This work builds a two-dimensional orthogonal Helmholtz coil experimental setup to investigate the collective motion and self-organization of magnetic microparticles. For single-component assemblies, the hexatic order parameter varies non-monotonically with driving frequency and particle area fraction; an intermediate frequency range (60–80 Hz) yields optimal hexagonally ordered structures, and a full phase diagram covering clustered, ordered and disordered states is established. Binary mixtures of 200 μm and 300 μm particles display hydrodynamic driven size segregation, with the segregation parameter peaking uniformly at 60 Hz. By applying programmable Lissajous-type magnetic fields with mismatched orthogonal frequencies, we achieve tunable elliptical particle trajectories and controlled splitting of particle clusters. This study reveals the coupling mechanism between magnetic and finite Reynolds number hydrodynamic interactions and proposes a programmable method to dynamically reconfigure active microparticle swarms. Full article

Additional loads from new buildings spanning existing underground utility tunnels, together with seismic action, may induce uneven settlement and structural damage in tunnel systems. To mitigate this risk, a precast cavity structure is proposed to replace the soil above the tunnel, isolating load transfer and controlling settlement. In the proposed structure, precast reinforced concrete shear walls with openings serve as key vertical load-carrying and lateral-force-resisting members. To clarify the cyclic behavior, two shear walls with openings were designed to possess the same geometry and reinforcement details but were tested under reversed cyclic loading in two orthogonal in-plane orientations. The failure modes, hysteretic behavior, backbone curves, stiffness degradation, and energy-dissipation capacity were analyzed. The results show that flexural-shear failure occurred in both wall limbs under horizontal cyclic loading, whereas flexural-shear failure developed only in the right wall limb under vertical cyclic loading. The initial stiffness, peak load, peak drift ratio, and ultimate drift ratio under horizontal cyclic loading were 1.87, 2.06, 1.76, and 1.64 times those under vertical cyclic loading, respectively, indicating that the performance of the shear wall with opening is more unfavorable under vertical cyclic loading. Further, existing models were used to predict the loading-carrying capacity. The results indicate that the strut-and-tie model (STM) and GB 50010-2010 gave the best and acceptable overall predictions, respectively. The findings provide experimental evidence for component design and seismic performance evaluation of cavity replacement structures used in projects spanning underground utility tunnels. Full article

Probabilistic power flow quantifies voltage and phase angle uncertainty under variable photovoltaic generation, but repeated AC Monte Carlo simulation is costly. A local topology change also modifies the electrical operator and state dimension when only a small target data set is available. We propose a Basis Constrained Graph Convolutional Network (BCGCN) for few-shot adaptation after local bus additions in small-scale grids. BCGCN predicts nonlinear residuals around a first-order solution using graph Laplacian and Proper Orthogonal Decomposition modes. It transfers source coordinates; adapts only the new bus rows, rotation, readouts, and correction gate; and freezes the backbone. The experimental results indicate that BCGCN leads all four reported errors on the IEEE 14 and IEEE 57 expansions. IEEE 118 and Polish 2746 establish the scale boundary. BCGCN wins only 9 of 64 IEEE 118 error cells and none on Polish 2746, while retaining compact updates. The paired IEEE 118 PV study shows that target pilots reduce zero-shot error and residual correction removes most high variability linearization error. BCGCN is therefore effective for local few-shot adaptation in small grids but not an accuracy-preserving adapter for large networks. Full article

The co-occurrence of liver cirrhosis (LC) and heart failure (HF) poses considerable clinical challenges, yet the cellular and molecular determinants of this comorbidity remain poorly characterized. To address this, we developed an integrative multi-omics pipeline encompassing GWAS meta-analysis, gsMap-based spatial transcriptomic projection, GeneEnrich functional annotation, single-cell atlas construction, seismicGWAS and ECLIPSER cell-type scoring, eCAVIAR and fastenloc colocalization, hdWGCNA network inference, scTenifoldKnk in silico gene perturbation, and GCTA-COJO fine-mapping. Quality-controlled meta-analysis yielded 12,347,758 and 9,256,862 variant-level associations for LC and HF, respectively. Spatial projection confirmed preferential enrichment of disease signals within embryonic hepatic and cardiac compartments. Pathway analyses disclosed that LC-linked loci were concentrated in lipid metabolic programs, whereas HF-linked loci implicated mitochondrial bioenergetics and lysosomal degradation. At the cellular level, endothelial cells emerged as the dominant HF-associated population. Convergent evidence from five orthogonal algorithms pinpointed CRIM1 as the sole robustly supported shared gene, selectively enriched in HF endothelial cells; virtual perturbation further identified LCP1 and PTPRC as downstream regulatory nodes. Fine-mapping of the chromosome 2 locus harboring rs12476437 revealed multiple statistically independent signals in the vicinity of CRIM1. Collectively, these findings computationally prioritize the endothelial–CRIM1 axis as a previously unappreciated candidate mechanistic bridge between LC and HF requiring experimental validation. Full article

Molybdenum (Mo), owing to its excellent high-temperature resistance and low sputtering yield, is widely used in advanced equipment such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems. To meet the demand for regulating the surface wettability of Mo, this study employs micromilling to fabricate microgroove arrays on Mo surfaces to enhance their hydrophobicity. First, comparative micromilling experiments are conducted under flood cooling and minimum quantity cooling lubrication (MQCL) conditions. The effects of process parameters, including axial depth of cut (a_p), spindle speed (n), and feed per tooth (f_z), on burr height (H) are investigated under the two cooling/lubrication conditions. The results show that the burr heights obtained under flood cooling are generally lower than those obtained under MQCL. Subsequently, the machining parameters under flood cooling are evaluated using an orthogonal experimental design. A mathematical model relating the microgroove array geometry to the contact angle is then established based on Gibbs free energy to guide the design of surface microgroove structures. Finally, microgroove arrays are fabricated on Mo surfaces using the preferred machining parameters. The results demonstrate that the microgroove arrays effectively enhance the water hydrophobicity of the Mo surface. The static water contact angle increases from 62.45 ± 0.25° for the untreated Mo surface to a maximum of 128.50 ± 0.12°, thereby achieving a transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic behavior. Full article

Sustainable nutrient management in sweet potato requires matching fertilizer inputs with site-specific soil nutrient supply while maintaining productivity and processing quality. This study characterized site-specific NPK responses and identified fertilization regimes coordinating yield and starch content under contrasting soil nutrient backgrounds. To address this objective, a three-factor, five-level quadratic orthogonal rotatable composite design comprising 23 N–P–K experimental runs was conducted independently at two sites in Beibei and Youyang, Chongqing, China, using the starch-type sweet potato cultivar ‘Yushu 17’. The two sites differed markedly in initial soil nutrient status. Photosynthetic characteristics, nutrient accumulation, dry matter production and partitioning, fresh storage-root yield, and quality were measured. Quadratic regression models combined with a desirability function were used to characterize site-specific nutrient responses and optimize yield and starch content. The effects of N, P, and K differed markedly between sites. In Beibei, fresh storage-root yield was mainly affected by the linear effect of N, while P and K also had positive effects, and the P × K interaction was significant. In Youyang, yield was primarily regulated by the linear effect of K and showed a significant negative quadratic response to P. Photosynthetic performance; N, P, and K accumulation; total dry matter accumulation (TDMA); and root-to-top ratio (R/T) responded mainly to N in Beibei but were more sensitive to K in Youyang. Fresh storage-root yield was positively correlated with net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, leaf area index, nutrient accumulation, R/T, and TDMA, but negatively correlated with starch content, indicating a yield–starch trade-off. When yield was prioritized while starch content was maintained, the optimal N–P₂O₅–K₂O rates were 155.02–116.42–300.00 kg·ha⁻¹ in Beibei, predicting 42,800 kg·ha⁻¹ yield and 20.09% starch, and 153.34–75.00–282.90 kg·ha⁻¹ in Youyang, predicting 35,850 kg·ha⁻¹ yield and 24.92% starch. These site-specific optima provide a quantitative basis for more targeted fertilizer allocation while coordinating yield and starch content, thereby supporting sustainable nutrient management of starch-type sweet potato. Full article

To address the issues of subcarrier orthogonality loss and inter-carrier interference (ICI) caused by carrier frequency offset (CFO), this paper proposes and experimentally validates a frequency offset estimation (FOE)-assisted dual-domain Transformer equalizer within an advanced, high-capacity optical-heterodyne radio-over-fiber (RoF)–wireless orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission system. To rigorously test the algorithm’s robustness under extreme physical conditions, the experimental platform integrates offline 16-GBaud signal generation, optical I/Q modulation, dual-optical-tone transport over a single-mode-fiber RoF feeder, remote photonic heterodyne frequency conversion based on a uni-traveling-carrier photodiode (UTC-PD), 4.6 km free-space wireless transmission, and 160-GSa/s ultra-high-speed real-time sampling. In this system, the receiver front-end employs an FOE module to pre-compensate for the dominant global CFO-induced phase rotation; subsequently, a low-complexity, compact local-window Transformer is utilized to perform adaptive residual compensation for local data-dependent impairments—such as residual waveform distortion and residual ICI—in both the time and frequency domains (before and after the Fast Fourier Transform, or FFT). This synergistic architecture, combining a physical model-driven approach with a self-attention mechanism, effectively mitigates the adverse impact of global frequency offset on neural network convergence. Experimental results demonstrate that, under conditions of strictly aligned multiply accumulate (MAC) operation complexity, the dual-domain architecture achieves significantly superior performance—in terms of bit error rate (BER), error vector magnitude (EVM), and constellation quality—compared to traditional linear DSP methods and baseline networks such as DNNs, CNNs, and LSTMs. Operating in 16 GBaud QPSK mode with an input optical power of 0 dBm, the system achieves a BER of $1.89\times {10}^{-4}$, representing performance improvements of approximately 5.98-fold and 1.92-fold over the standalone Transformer and FOE-assisted DNN schemes, respectively. Full article

Introductory and intermediate electrical-engineering education commonly models fundamental circuit and device parameters, including inductance, capacitance, resistance, permeability, permittivity, conductivity, characteristic impedance, transformer turns ratio, machine constants, amplifier gain, resonant frequency, propagation velocity, and mutual inductance, as numerical constants. While this approximation is valid within the intended small-signal operating regime, it becomes methodologically incomplete when these coefficients exhibit measurable state dependence. This paper presents a comparative audit of thirteen such coefficients by systematically contrasting their textbook formulations with the established engineering literature and interpreting the results through two complementary frameworks: the JCGM GUM-6:2020 measurement-model methodology for omitted effects, and the Heckmann–Nye/Gasik multidomain coupling architecture for multi-axis physical interactions. The analysis demonstrates that mainstream engineering practice routinely exploits state-dependent coefficients without invoking new physical laws, and that relaxing the constant-coefficient assumption naturally introduces physically meaningful terms, including the inductive contribution $I\mathrm{d}L/\mathrm{d}t$, the capacitive counterpart $V\mathrm{d}C/\mathrm{d}t$, and the mutual-inductance term $i_2\mathrm{d}M/\mathrm{d}t$. The principal scientific contribution is the development and experimental validation of a unified theoretical and engineering framework for high-power resonant transformers and orthogonal Metglas AMCC-1000 paraformers. The proposed approach combines a new physics-based modal theory of octave ($2:1$) parametric excitation with simultaneous optimization of magnetic-core resonance, electrical resonance, nonlinear inductance modulation, resonant conductor lengths selected as integer multiples of the operating resonant wavelength, multi-stranded high-frequency Litz-wire windings, resonant capacitor synthesis, and the nonlinear magnetic characteristics of the AMCC-1000 amorphous core. The modal analysis demonstrates how coupled resonant eigenmodes and engineered state-dependent inductance can be used to satisfy the conditions for stable octave parametric excitation. Experimental results obtained from both the symmetric two-leg resonant transformer and the orthogonal paraformer are in close agreement with analytical predictions and numerical simulations, thereby validating both the proposed electromagnetic design methodology and the underlying modal theory. Full article

Magnetic-field coupled wireless power transfer (MC-WPT) systems require reliable power delivery as well as real-time bidirectional data communication. To satisfy this requirement, a simultaneous wireless power and full-duplex data transfer (SWPFDT) system based on a three-coupled bilateral LCC topology is proposed in this paper. In the proposed structure, the power coil, backward-signal coil, and forward-signal coil are implemented as a solenoid-type monopole coil, a solenoid-type bipolar coil, and a DD (double-D) coil, respectively. By utilizing the orthogonal relationship among the magnetic-field distributions of different coils, the desired coupling within each channel and mutual decoupling among the three coil sets are achieved, thereby structurally reducing inter-channel crosstalk. Based on this configuration, an equivalent circuit model of the system is established, through which the constant-current output characteristics, forward and backward signal transmission gains, signal crosstalk, and power-to-signal interference are analytically derived. In addition, the resonant parameters and wave-trapping networks are designed accordingly. A laboratory prototype is developed for experimental verification. Experimental results show that the proposed system can achieve 150 W power transfer with an efficiency of 88.7%. With a 19.2 kbps communication rate, the system can stably realize full-duplex data transmission with limited interference between the forward and backward channels, while maintaining constant-current output and reliable communication under dynamic load switching. Full article

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the standard of care for locally advanced breast cancer, yet the molecular predictors of pathological response remain incompletely defined, particularly regarding microRNA (miRNA) dynamics. We investigated paired pre- and post-NAC miRNA expression profiles in relation to molecular subtype, residual cancer burden (RCB), and clinical timing parameters. Seven patients with invasive breast cancer (Luminal A n = 3, Luminal B n = 1, TNBC n = 2, HER2+ n = 1) who received NAC (AC-T or TCHP) were included in this pilot study. Small-RNA sequencing (NovaSeq X Plus, CeGaT GmbH, project S17293) was performed on 14 FFPE specimens (7 pre-NAC core needle biopsies, 7 post-NAC surgical specimens). Differential expression analysis used the paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Benjamini–Hochberg correction. Spearman correlations assessed associations between miRNA expression, RCB score, and clinical timing intervals. Candidate miRNAs were subsequently annotated using experimentally validated miRNA–target interactions. After filtering (≥ three counts in ≥ three samples), 759 miRNAs were analysed. No miRNA reached strict significance (padj < 0.05, |log₂FC| > 1.0) after multiple testing correction, consistent with the limited statistical power (n = 7). Under exploratory criteria (p < 0.10, |log₂FC| > 0.5), 156 candidate miRNAs were identified: 70 upregulated and 86 downregulated post-NAC. Leading candidates included hsa-miR-139-3p (+2.60), hsa-miR-139-5p (+2.36), and hsa-miR-1323 (+1.55) as upregulated, and hsa-miR-429 (−2.53), hsa-miR-141-3p (−1.79), and hsa-miR-1277-5p (−1.25) as downregulated post-NAC. The single patient achieving the lowest residual disease burden (P3, Luminal B, RCB-I, score 1.32) displayed a distinct pre-treatment miRNA profile, separating from all other pre-NAC specimens on principal component analysis and characterised by higher baseline hsa-miR-139-3p/-5p and lower baseline hsa-miR-429 and hsa-miR-141-3p expression, suggesting that baseline miRNA expression patterns may contribute to differential chemotherapy response. RCB score showed a non-significant positive trend with post-NAC Ki-67 (ρ = +0.71, p = 0.07). This pilot study identifies NAC-modulated candidate miRNAs in breast cancer and establishes a paired FFPE-based small-RNA-sequencing workflow applicable in routine clinical settings. The distinct pre-treatment profile of the single best responder generates the testable hypothesis that baseline expression of tumour suppressor miRNAs of the miR-139 family, together with low miR-200-family expression, may track chemosensitivity. As no candidate reached statistical significance after multiple testing correction and none has been validated in an independent cohort or by an orthogonal method, all findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating. The results support larger prospective validation studies examining miRNA signatures as predictive biomarkers of NAC response across breast cancer molecular subtypes. Full article

Biochar, as a widely available and environmentally friendly porous carbonaceous material, holds broad application prospects in fields such as environmental remediation, soil improvement, and carbon sequestration. Its performance is highly dependent on the precise control of preparation processes and modification conditions. Traditional single-factor experiments and orthogonal designs cannot systematically reveal the interaction effects among multiple factors; they suffer from limitations such as a large number of experiments, low optimization efficiency, and a tendency to overlook global optimal solutions. Response surface methodology (RSM), which integrates experimental design, mathematical modeling, and parameter optimization, is an effective tool for solving complex optimization problems involving multiple factors and levels. Based on 1468 valid publications screened from the Web of Science Core Collection (2010–2025), this paper systematically reviews the development trajectory and research landscape of this field using bibliometric methods. The results show that the annual number of publications in this field increased from 4 in 2010 to 312 in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.7%. Research hotspots were concentrated in three major areas: optimization of adsorption performance, control of pyrolysis preparation processes, and chemical modification. Central composite designs and Box–Behnken designs were the most prevalent experimental approaches, accounting for 56.8% and 35.5%, respectively. Building on this foundation, this paper elucidates the basic principles of RSM and the applicability limits of commonly used design methods. It examines the optimization effectiveness and the value of analyzing interaction effects of RSM from three dimensions—biochar adsorption performance, preparation processes, and modification processes—in conjunction with typical application scenarios such as heavy metals, organic compounds, and non-metallic inorganic compounds; it also provides an in-depth analysis of core issues in current research, including limitations in secondary model fitting, inadequacies in multi-objective optimization, and significant extrapolation risks. Finally, the paper outlines future research directions, aiming to provide a systematic theoretical framework for the precise R&D and engineering applications of biochar materials. Full article

In the contemporary landscape of spacecraft engineering, reaction wheels, control moment gyros, and momentum wheels are standard tools for precise attitude control, functioning by exchanging angular momentum through the rotation of a solid mass around its major axis. The VEKTOR-FDA (Vector Fluid Dynamic Actuator) proposed in this paper offers an alternative by utilizing the principle of rotating liquid to generate angular momentum instead of relying on a solid body. Electromagnetic pumps drive and circulate the fluid, connecting to a hollow sphere via inlet and outlet channels. The fluid within the sphere is drawn into the pump through the outlet channel and reintroduced through the inlet channel. This circulation, combined with the spherical shape, generates a rotational fluid flow inside the hollow sphere, creating a rotating fluid volume and an angular momentum vector aligned with the rotation axis. By utilizing at least three pumps arranged orthogonally, simultaneous operation allows flow mixing, which can be precisely controlled by adjusting the individual flow velocities of each pump. This setup enables the rotation axis of the fluid flow to be directed in any desired orientation, allowing the rotating fluid volume and its angular momentum vector to be spatially aligned as needed. As a result, a single VEKTOR-FDA can manage attitude control across all three axes of the spacecraft, effectively functioning as a multiple-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) actuator. The electromagnetic pump drive in the VEKTOR-FDA actuator provides self-lubrication and eliminates the need for moving mechanical parts, minimizing potential damage from mechanical loads like shocks during launch. Its simple design also enables the use of commercial off-the-shelf components, ensuring cost-effective implementation. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the motivation and concept behind the VEKTOR-FDA actuator. Additionally, this paper presents analyses and experimental results that investigate how rotating fluid flow can be generated within the sphere and examines its behavior. The study evaluates various factors influencing fluid flow inside the sphere, including configurations with variable cross-sectional shapes of the inlet and outlet channels. Furthermore, it determines the optimal positioning and arrangement of these channels to achieve efficient fluid flow volume, which is essential for maximizing angular momentum output. Full article

An experimental study was conducted on Mach 3 compression-ramp-induced shock wave/boundary layer interactions (20–30° ramp angles) using time-resolved schlieren imaging at 50 kHz. Snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) with spectral analysis showed high accuracy in capturing the dominant low-frequency unsteadiness for the strong interaction (30° ramp), where the extracted frequency (St = 0.017–0.033) matched reference data and reached a 38.6% occurrence concentration. For the weak interaction (20° ramp), POD energy was spread over a broad band (St = 0.01–0.34) with at most 17.3% for any single frequency. Dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), which orders modes by frequency, complemented these results by revealing that even at 20° a low-frequency main mode exists alongside foot-region instabilities (modes 07–09). At 24° and 30°, DMD further identified breathing, flapping and bifurcating motions, with oscillation amplitude and spectral width increasing with ramp angle. It is concluded that schlieren-based POD is a robust tool for strong interactions, while DMD provides essential multi-scale frequency-resolved insights, especially for weaker interactions, together establishing a validated data-driven framework for analyzing unsteady compressible flows. Full article