Search Results (1,443)

Traffic variability along heavily congested signalised urban corridors undermines roadway safety, reduces energy efficiency, weakens operational reliability, and can hinder emergency response. Although many simulation-based studies have examined the impacts of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), relatively few have combined high-resolution congestion observations with link-level microscopic calibration in a real urban network, particularly when evaluating implications for emergency mobility. This study develops and calibrates a microscopic Aimsun traffic simulation model for the Atakum district of Samsun, Türkiye, using a 10 min Google Traffic Index (GTI) observation stream converted into a four-level ordinal congestion scale. The calibration process began with an origin–destination (OD) matrix derived from 2020 traffic counts and was refined through link-level GTI synchronization, iterative OD scaling on mismatched corridors, and signal retiming at key intersections. GTI was validated as an ordinal congestion proxy through both categorical agreement and volumetric consistency, achieving 83% class agreement and GEH values below 5 for more than 90% of links. Five AV penetration scenarios (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) were simulated under peak-hour conditions. Network performance was evaluated using delay, stop time, mean speed, throughput, missed turns, and total journey time, while emergency mobility was assessed along a representative ambulance corridor on Atatürk Boulevard using seconds per kilometre. The results indicate that increasing AV penetration improves flow stability more clearly than nominal capacity. Mean speed increased from 36.2 to 39.2 km/h, delay and stop time declined steadily, and throughput remained nearly constant at 22.2–22.5 thousand vehicles/h. Along the ambulance corridor, travel time improved by 11.5%, from 112.4 to 99.4 s/km, between the baseline and full automation scenarios. These findings provide scenario-based evidence that, within a calibrated signalised urban network, increasing AV penetration can enhance operational stability and emergency response efficiency. More broadly, the study demonstrates the practical value of integrating GTI-based congestion observations with microscopic simulation for AV impact assessment in real urban networks. Full article

Many challenges are commonly encountered in the underground mining of steeply dipping thin-to-medium-thick orebodies associated with weak hanging wall rockmass, such as stope back collapse, high ore dilution, and poor stoping stability. To address these issues, a synergistic mining method combining sidewall retaining and open stoping with a delayed backfilling method is proposed. Taking the north wing orebody of the Erlihe lead–zinc mine as the engineering background, a 3D finite element numerical simulation model was established using MIDAS GTS(2026 version) to conduct a comparative analysis between the proposed mining method and the current mining method. The mechanical response characteristics of crown pillar stress, crown pillar settlement, hanging wall displacement, and plastic zone evolution were systematically investigated under different mining stages. The results show that the proposed method improves the stress and deformation distribution at the bottom of the crown pillar. The peak stress decreases from 13.72 MPa to 12.86 MPa, and the spatial extent of the high-stress zone is noticeably reduced. Meanwhile, the maximum crown pillar subsidence decreases, while the width of the main subsidence zone decreases from 11 nodes to 9 nodes, and the settlement of the end region decreases by 6.05%. In terms of hanging wall response, the maximum displacement is reduced by 9.3–26.5% during the stope extraction stage and 9.6–10.0% during the inter-pillar recovery stage, with an overall average reduction of approximately 14.0%. Furthermore, the plastic zone in the hanging wall surrounding rock becomes smaller and develops later under the proposed mining method. Our findings demonstrate that the new proposed mining method effectively modifies the stress transfer path, mitigates deformation of both the crown pillar and hanging wall rock, and delays the development of plastic failure, thereby improving stope stability under weak hanging wall rockmass conditions. The proposed method provides a practical technical solution for the safe and efficient extraction of steeply dipping thin-to-medium-thick orebodies. Full article

In late Ming China, landscape (shanshui 山水) painting could function not only as a scenic representation but also as a pictorial means of making sacred space perceptible. This article examines Wu Bin’s hanging scroll Fanghu Tu 方壺圖 (1626; Palace Museum, Beijing) and asks how the painting renders Daoist sacred space visible through relations of distance, access, concealment, and uneven disclosure. To avoid treating “Daoist aesthetics” as a general label, the analysis uses schema and pictorial organization as limited descriptive terms for the structuring of spatial experience within the image. The close reading identifies two recurrent pictorial formations brought into relation in Fanghu Tu: a sea-boundary, distant-view configuration that emphasizes separation and delay, and a pavilion-centered enclosure that produces a more concentrated middle field. It then shows how layered waves and broken shoreline, cloud and mist, middle-zone enclosure, and the thinning legibility of the upper peaks prevent the scene from stabilizing into a single resolved destination. Read in relation to late Ming discussions of cultivated “strangeness” (qi 奇) in landscape painting, these features suggest that Daoist sacred space in Fanghu Tu takes shape as an uneven and mediated experience, structured through provisional concentration, interrupted visibility, and renewed distance. The article argues that late Ming landscape painting could render Daoist-inflected sacred spatial experience visible not only through iconography, but also through the pictorial distribution of visibility, access, and reorientation. Full article

The paper proposed an adaptive preference-based multi-objective optimization framework of intelligent energy management in smart microgrids that are dynamically adapted to operational priorities with regard to real-time grid conditions, stakeholder preferences, and environmental constraints. The suggested hierarchical algorithm combines an improved Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) with an advanced dynamic preference weight distribution system that can trade off between minimization of operational cost. Reduction of carbon emission, enhancement of voltage stability, enhancement of power quality and maximization of system reliability and adaptability to different operational conditions, such as renewable energy intermittency, demand response schemes and emergencies. The framework presents a new multi-layered preference-learning module that represents the intricate stakeholder priorities in terms of more sophisticated fuzzy logic-based decision matrices, neural network preference prediction, and adaptive reinforcement learning methods and transforms them into dynamic optimization weights with feedback mechanisms. Large-scale simulations on a modified IEEE 33-bus test system coupled with various renewable energy sources, energy storage facilities, electric vehicle charging points, and smart appliances demonstrate superior improvements in performance: 23.7% operational costs reduction, 31.2% carbon emissions reduction, 18.5% system reliability improvement, 15.3% voltage stability increase and 12.8% reduction of deviations in power quality. The proposed system has an adaptive nature with better performance in a variety of operating conditions such as peak demand times, renewable energy intermittency events, grid-connected and islanded operations, emergency load shedding situations, and cyber–physical security risks. The framework is shown to be highly effective under different conditions of uncertainty and variation in parameters and communication delay through intense sensitivity analysis and robustness testing, thus demonstrating its practical applicability in real-world applications of smart grids. Full article

Anomala corpulenta (Motschulsky, 1854) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), an important agricultural and forestry pest, is a beetle widely distributed in many countries, inflicting damage on numerous crops. Given the limited selectivity of commonly used light trapping devices for insects and their potential adverse effects on the ecological environment, there is a pressing need for innovative light control methods. This study investigates the effects of continuous exposure to yellow light on the behavioral activities of A. corpulenta adults, which are nocturnal. The experimental setup comprised a light experimental group (exposed continuously to yellow light at wavelengths of 565–585 nm and intensities of 30–40 lx at night) and a control group (kept in a dark room). Observations were made on emergence, mating, feeding, and mortality. Results showed that continuous exposure to yellow light significantly alters the emergence rhythm of A. corpulenta, leading to delays and dispersions in peak emergence, with emergence occurring during the light period. The emergence rates varied significantly from the control group during specific periods, and the overall emergence rate was notably affected, with female insects exhibiting greater sensitivity. Furthermore, food consumption and the number of mating pairs were significantly lower compared to the control group. Continuous exposure to yellow light also influenced the longevity of A. corpulenta; in the mixed test group, female insects had a lifespan of 20 days, while males lived for 18 days. In the sexually isolated test group, both sexes died within 16 days, with the survival rates of the experimental group being lower than those of the control group on certain days. This study concludes that continuous exposure to yellow light significantly modifies the emergence rhythm of A. corpulenta, while reducing the emergence rate, total food intake, and the number of mating pairs. Notably, in the mixed-sex test group, the survival probability of females in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the light control of A. corpulenta and contribute to the field of insect visual ecology. Full article

The building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system has advantages in construction and energy, but due to the use of flammable polymer packaging materials, it introduces complex fire safety-related challenges. Although polymer backboards are traditionally considered to be the main combustible components in photovoltaic modules, recent studies have shown that ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) packaging materials play a key role in the development of fires. This study investigated the fire behavior, optical properties and system-level fire effects of montmorillonite (MMT) nano-clay-modified EVA packaging materials. Through the 50 kW/m² conical calorimeter test, optical transmittance measurement and the accelerated aging test, pure EVA and EVA containing 3% MMT were evaluated, and the measured fire parameters were further incorporated into the simplified BIPV cavity fire model. The results show that MMT modification reduces the peak heat release rate of EVA by about 30%, delays the ignition time, and increases the formation of carbides, while maintaining the optical transmittance of more than 88%. At the system level, the reduction in heat release leads to a decrease in the cavity temperature and delays the ignition of adjacent insulation materials. These findings establish a direct link between material-level fire behavior and the fire performance of BIPV systems, indicating that nano-clay-modified EVA is a feasible strategy that can improve the fire safety of BIPV systems integrated into the facade without compromising optical or durability requirements. Full article

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have considerable potential for frequency support in grid-forming applications. However, their transient dispatchable power is nonlinearly influenced by operating conditions, such as the oxygen excess ratio and stack temperature, thereby weakening frequency support performance by delaying power compensation during disturbances. To address this issue, a coordinated control strategy for inertia support and active power compensation is proposed that explicitly accounts for operating-state effects. Based on a dynamic PEMFC model, the effects of the oxygen excess ratio and stack temperature on transient output capability are analyzed, and a jointly corrected inertia coefficient is introduced into the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) rotor motion equation to achieve adaptive adjustment of virtual inertia under varying operating conditions. In addition, model predictive control (MPC) is incorporated into the VSG control framework, and a performance index is formulated using weighted quadratic terms of frequency variation and input power, thereby enabling the compensation power to be determined online and the PEMFC power reference to be updated accordingly. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy can effectively suppress frequency fluctuations under disturbance conditions. Compared with Conventional PI-VSG, the maximum frequency deviation and the peak rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) are reduced by 49.1% and 62.1%, respectively. Full article

This study compares conventional spur pruning and sap-flow respectful spur pruning, applied at four pruning dates (October, December, January, March), on grapevine ecophysiology, yield, and grape quality in Priorat (Spain) during an exceptionally hot, dry vintage. Although sap-flow respectful pruning has expanded rapidly in commercial vineyards, its performance has not been rigorously evaluated. The trial was conducted in Mas Perinet’s Mas Vell vineyard on Grenache Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Pruning date was more critical than method for delaying veraison relative to peak summer heat—especially in Grenache Noir, where late pruning delayed veraison by 16 days. In Cabernet Sauvignon, leaf surface temperature was generally similar between treatments, except for RP-CS, which showed lower temperatures. Multi-year trials are needed to assess the cumulative effects of sap-flow respectful pruning on sap-flow architecture and wood health. These results support late pruning as an immediate adaptation to warming in Priorat, with pruning method as a longer-term strategy requiring further study. Full article

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures in marine environments face severe durability challenges due to chloride-induced corrosion. This study investigates the corrosion mechanism and degradation of axial compressive performance in RC columns under the combined effects of sustained loading and corrosion, taking the permanent–temporary integrated RC columns of the Pinglu Canal project as an example. The experimental variables included different sustained load levels and degrees of corrosion. Twelve rectangular RC columns were designed and tested. A specialized setup was developed to simultaneously apply sustained load and induce corrosion to the columns, while monitoring their creep deformation. The columns were subjected to accelerated electrochemical corrosion in a 5% NaCl solution, concurrently under sustained loads of 0, 0.3, and 0.6 times their designed axial compressive capacity, with exposure durations of 0, 30, 60, and 120 days, respectively. The study examined the effects of sustained load level and corrosion degree on the failure mode, concrete creep deformation, and load–displacement curves of the corroded RC columns. The results indicated that sustained loading shortened the duration of concrete expansion deformation and reduced its peak value. Furthermore, the expansion deformation of concrete delayed the creep of corroded columns by 25 to 35 days; after the expansion recovery, the creep rate increased significantly. For corroded columns without sustained loading, the ultimate bearing capacity decreased by 32.0% to 47.8%, with degradations in both stiffness and ductility. The application of sustained loading alleviated the degradation in the ultimate bearing capacity and stiffness of the corroded columns but exacerbated the degradation of their ductility. Finally, considering the effects of concrete expansion deformation and steel corrosion, a predictive model for the creep of RC columns under the coupled action of sustained loading and corrosion was proposed, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the durability design and maintenance of RC structures in the Pinglu Canal project. Full article

It is widely recognized that microbial inoculants (MI) and bio-organic fertilizers (BOFs) containing beneficial microorganisms can play an important role in improving orchard soil properties and enhancing fruit quality. However, insufficient data regarding the relevant fruit quality effects hindered the supplementary MI and BOFs in kiwifruit cultivation. Using conventional fertilization management as the control, this study investigated the impacts of supplementary applications of MI and BOFs at two gradient dosages on the harvest-time quality and cold storage characteristics of ‘Puyu’ yellow-fleshed kiwifruit. Regarding leaf physiological indices and soil pH, MI-3.0 and BOF-20 treatments significantly elevated total chlorophyll content at 60 days after flowering (DAF) (the fruit expansion stage). Leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents declined gradually during fruit development, while MI-2.0 and BOF-10 treatments markedly promoted leaf P accumulation at 20–100 DAF. Additionally, the MI-2.0 treatment significantly reduced 20–40 cm subsoil pH, which is favorable for kiwifruit plants that prefer acidic and slightly acidic conditions. On the other hand, appropriate doses of MI and BOF treatments exerted a significant effect on improving the quality of kiwifruit at the ripening stage. These effects were mainly manifested in the increased single fruit weight, firmness, dry matter content and total soluble solids (TSSs) of kiwifruit following MI-3.0 and BOF-20 treatments. Furthermore, MI-3.0 and BOF-10 notably elevated the fructose and glucose contents in both flesh and core, as well as sucrose and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents in the flesh; MI-2.0 and BOF treatments significantly increased citric and malic acids in the core and quinic acid in the flesh. During cold storage, the BOF-20 treatment not only delayed the occurrence of the ethylene peak by 20 d and significantly reduced its peak value, but also alleviated the decline in total acid content at the middle storage stage (20–40 d). Additionally, MI-2.0 and BOF-20 treatments effectively delayed kiwifruit softening at the early storage stage (0–10 d), and MI treatments maintained a high AsA content in the core during 10–20 d of cold storage. MI and BOF fertilization treatments had little effect on the dynamic change trends of sucrose synthase (SuS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and acid invertase (AI) in kiwifruit during cold storage, only exerting significant effects at specific time points. In conclusion, supplementary applications of MI and BOFs could improve kiwifruit quality at the harvest stage by positively regulating the accumulation of dry matter, soluble sugars and organic acid contents, and also have the potential to enhance the storage performance of kiwifruit. These findings provide a scientific basis for establishing an effective fertilization regime for kiwifruit. Full article

This study proposes a high-isolation four-port wideband MIMO antenna array designed for sub-6 GHz 5G, IoT, and radar applications. The array is fabricated on a polycarbonate substrate with overall dimensions of 500 × 500 mm² (ε_r = 2.8, h = 1 mm). Four orthogonally arranged modified circular patches with triangular ground planes and optimized inter-element spacing (D₁ = 90 mm) are employed in the antenna’s design to achieve an impedance bandwidth of 0.7–7.0 GHz (Fractional Bandwidth (FBW) > 163.63%) with |S_ii| < −10 dB across all ports. The measurement results indicate that the inter-port isolation is better than 15 dB (worst-case) across the 0.7–7 GHz band, exceeding 25 dB over 63.5% of the bandwidth (with a peak of approximately 50 dB); the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) is ultra-low (<0.008); the total active reflection coefficient (TARC) is less than −10 dB for primary multi-port excitations; the mean effective gain (MEG) is balanced (≈−3 dB); and the group delay is consistent (~0.5 ns). With a maximum realized gain of 10 dBi, the antenna exhibits omnidirectional radiation patterns, showing a significant correlation between the simulation (CST Microwave Studio) and measurement results. The proposed antenna is particularly well-suited for use in high-throughput sub-6 GHz 5G base stations and wideband wireless systems, offering superior port isolation through multi-mode resonance without the need for metamaterials and outperforming existing four-port designs. Full article

To improve the blasting performance of tunnel wedge cutting while mitigating vibration effects, this study proposes a precise delayed blasting method and evaluates its effectiveness through a three-dimensional numerical simulation, similarity model test, and field application. The proposed method divides the cut holes into initial and secondary groups and uses electronic detonators to control the delay time. The numerical results show that delayed blasting reduces the peak stress in the surrounding rock, accelerates stress-wave attenuation, improves cavity integrity, and lowers the peak particle velocity (PPV), while maintaining sufficient rock breaking capacity. Model tests conducted under different delay times indicate that the delayed scheme increases the pull efficiency, decreases the ratio of large fragments, and reduces the PPV, with an optimal delay time range of 4~8 ms for moderately weathered limestone. Field tests in the Da Balai Tunnel further verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Compared with conventional blasting, delayed blasting increases the pull efficiency from 77.8% to 97.3%, reduces the large fragment ratio from 30.6% to 11.4%, decreases the PPV by 52.5%, and increases the dominant vibration frequency by 48.7%. These results demonstrate that the proposed method can simultaneously enhance the rock-breaking quality and vibration control, providing practical guidance for tunnel blasting excavation under complex geological conditions. Full article

Background: Timely prehospital management is critical for survival after traumatic injury. In rapidly growing metropolises, emergency medical service (EMS) systems often struggle to provide equitable care amid urban sprawl and traffic congestion. This study investigated spatiotemporal inequalities in trauma-related EMS response in a rapidly expanding capital city (Astana, Kazakhstan) to inform healthcare optimization and urban health equity. Methods: We analyzed a five-year population-based dataset of 26,073 trauma-related EMS calls recorded between 2020 and 2024. Spatial patterns were examined using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Getis–Ord Gi* hotspot analysis. Road-network modeling assessed accessibility at 3, 5, and 10 min thresholds using a GIS-based network analyst framework. Results: Males accounted for 60.1% of utilization and had higher clinical severity (hospitalization rate: 45.5% vs. 40.3%, p < 0.001). Demand peaked at 20:00, coinciding with peak traffic. The mean total response time was 21.63 min, and only 16.9% of calls met the 10 min benchmark. Significant accessibility gaps were found in the Baikonur district (61.4% delay rate). Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that while the EMS system provides broad geographic coverage, it suffers from systemic spatiotemporal bottlenecks. Targeted infrastructure expansion in underserved peripheral districts and the implementation of dynamic deployment models are necessary to enhance urban health equity and reduce preventable mortality in expanding metropolitan areas. Full article

Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) reflects cardiorespiratory fitness, energy metabolism and the residual physiological effects of preceding exercise. We aimed to compare EPOC profiles of master swimmers across different age groups and performance levels. Fourteen male master swimmers performed a 200 m all-out front crawl and breath-by-breath gas exchange and their heart rates were recorded during exercise and for 5 min post-exercise. A single exponential regression model was fitted to the post-exercise oxygen uptake kinetics to determine the EPOC amplitude, time constant and time delay. The EPOC magnitude was calculated as the area under the oxygen uptake–time curve. Swimmers were grouped into younger vs. older and faster vs. slower clusters using the 50th percentile, and the associations between age, performance and physiological variables were examined. Older swimmers were slower and showed a lower peak oxygen uptake than their younger counterparts (213.9 ± 27.9 vs. 165.7 ± 24.9 s and 39.1 ± 4.8 vs. 50.2 ± 8.1 mL∙kg⁻¹∙min⁻¹; p < 0.05). Slower swimmers were older and displayed a lower EPOC amplitude than faster performers (69.8 ± 7.3 vs. 45.7 ± 1.7 years and 23.2 ± 4.0 vs. 36.8 ± 10.2 mL∙kg⁻¹∙min⁻¹; p < 0.05). Although many of the variables did not differ between groups, effect sizes were moderate to very large (except for time constant and time delay). The swimmers’ age related directly to their performance and inversely to their peak oxygen uptake, peak heart rate and EPOC amplitude, while performance presented inverse associations with peak oxygen uptake, peak heart rate, EPOC amplitude and EPOC magnitude (p < 0.05). Master swimmers of different ages and performance levels exhibited distinct EPOC characteristics, which may provide relevant information regarding the individualisation of training and recovery strategies in this population. Full article

A novel cyanide-free gold electroplating bath was developed with 2-hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid (HPAA) as the core complexing agent in this work. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations demonstrate that the obtained gold electrodeposits possess a smooth and compact surface morphology. The crystal structure of the gold electrodeposits was characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the coating–substrate adhesion was systematically evaluated through scratch tests. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the adsorption interaction between HPAA and metal (Au/Ni) surfaces. The MD simulation results show that all the studied phosphonate-containing derivatives can strongly adsorb on the gold surface and exert a significant inhibitory effect on the electroreduction of gold ions during electrodeposition. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and other electrochemical tests reveal that the cathodic reduction peak potential of gold shifts significantly negatively after the addition of phosphonate-based organic additives, which effectively enhances the cathodic polarization of gold deposition, delays the gold nucleation rate, and refines the grain size of electrodeposits, ultimately yielding gold electrodeposits with a denser and smoother surface. Owing to its environmental benignity, excellent process stability and superior coating performance, this cyanide-free gold electroplating system exhibits broad application prospects in the field of modern green surface engineering. Full article