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28 pages, 599 KB  
Article
Detecting Prompt Injection Attacks in Generative AI Systems: A Hybrid SIEM and One-Class SVM Framework
by Abdulrahman A. Alshammari and Omar I. Alsaleh
Electronics 2026, 15(11), 2242; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15112242 - 22 May 2026
Abstract
Prompt injection, ranked first in the OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Model (LLM) applications, enables adversaries to override system instructions and exfiltrate sensitive information by crafting inputs that blur the boundary between data and control. While application-layer defenses such as PromptShield and [...] Read more.
Prompt injection, ranked first in the OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Model (LLM) applications, enables adversaries to override system instructions and exfiltrate sensitive information by crafting inputs that blur the boundary between data and control. While application-layer defenses such as PromptShield and Prompt-G have advanced, they operate in isolation from enterprise Security Operations Center (SOC) infrastructure and lack the session-level visibility required to detect multi-turn fragmented campaigns. This paper presents a hybrid detection framework that instruments a Phi-3 Mini Instruct gateway to emit structured telemetry, correlates events in Elastic SIEM using four expert-authored detection rules, and augments rule coverage with a One-Class Support Vector Machine (OCSVM) trained exclusively on 1200 benign interactions. Evaluated against 1100 prompts (900 malicious from CySecBench, 200 benign from Stanford Alpaca), the framework achieves a precision of 0.971, a recall of 0.810, and an F1-score of 0.883, and it reduces the Attack Success Rate (ASR) to 19.0% with a Mean Time to Detection (MTTD) of 2.3 s under the evaluated Phi-3 Mini configuration. The OCSVM layer accounts for 162 of 243 incremental true positives over the baseline, identifying attacks whose behavioral feature vectors deviate from the benign manifold. The framework is architected around OpenAI-compatible gateway telemetry and is therefore designed for vendor-neutral integration; however, broader validation across model families, prompt templates, and application domains is required before making general claims about cross-model performance or production-scale effectiveness. Full article
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33 pages, 2513 KB  
Article
An Analytical Solution for Tunneling via Virtual Cylinder Model
by Junjie Wei, Yingyi Wang, Xingchun Huang and Lingyu Liu
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5193; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115193 - 22 May 2026
Abstract
Deriving rigorous elastoplastic analytical solutions for shallow tunnels subject to a gravity-induced stress gradient presents significant mathematical challenges. This paper introduces a virtual cylindrical structure model to derive a closed-form elastoplastic solution for tunnel excavation. By evaluating the static equilibrium of infinitesimal elements, [...] Read more.
Deriving rigorous elastoplastic analytical solutions for shallow tunnels subject to a gravity-induced stress gradient presents significant mathematical challenges. This paper introduces a virtual cylindrical structure model to derive a closed-form elastoplastic solution for tunnel excavation. By evaluating the static equilibrium of infinitesimal elements, the methodology explicitly determines the plastic zone boundary via the Lambert W function and yields the elastoplastic distributions of stress and displacement fields under the Mohr–Coulomb criterion. The reliability of the derivations is verified by degenerating the equations under specific boundary conditions and comparing them with classical Lamé solutions, showing agreement at low friction angles ( = 5° − 10°). A case study of a 14.5 m-diameter shield tunnel in the Yangtze River Delta is conducted to demonstrate its practical application. The analytical results show that the maximum convergence displacement is controlled within 15 mm, and a ground loss rate of 1.82% corresponds to an unloading ratio of 40%. The proposed method provides a theoretical tool for preliminary estimating excavation-induced disturbances in shallow homogeneous strata. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
33 pages, 3182 KB  
Article
TD-DFT Investigation of Sulfur and Chlorine Species as Potential Contributors to Venusian Unknown UV Absorber
by Parmanand Pandey, Pravi Mishra, Rachana Singh, Manisha Yadav, Shivani, Aftab Ahamad, Alka Misra, Poonam Tandon and Amritanshu Shukla
Universe 2026, 12(5), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe12050151 - 21 May 2026
Viewed by 43
Abstract
The identification of the chemical species responsible for the anomalous near-ultraviolet (UV) opacity in the Venusian cloud for “unknown absorber” remains a paramount challenge in planetary science. This study presents a comprehensive quantum chemical investigation into a broad suite of candidate molecules, including [...] Read more.
The identification of the chemical species responsible for the anomalous near-ultraviolet (UV) opacity in the Venusian cloud for “unknown absorber” remains a paramount challenge in planetary science. This study presents a comprehensive quantum chemical investigation into a broad suite of candidate molecules, including isomers of thiosulfeno (S2O2), the hydroxysulfonyl radical (HSO3), disulfur monoxide (S2O), disulfur dichloride (S2Cl2), iron(III) chloride (FeCl3), phosphine (PH3), and structural isomers of polysulfur oxides (S3O). Utilizing Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) at the CAM-B3LYP/def2-TZVPP level of theory, we systematically mapped electronic transitions across three distinct environmental phases: gas-phase (without solvent), supercritical CO2, and concentrated H2SO4 aerosols. To establish confidence in the predicted results, our TD-DFT approach was rigorously benchmarked against high-level theoretical methods (CCSD(T), EOM-CCSD, and MRCI+Q) from recent literature. All these electronic transitions were modeled via the Solvation Model based on Density (SMD). Our results demonstrate a profound topological and environmental dependence on spectral signatures. Among the candidates, trans-OSSO (t-OSSO) emerged as the most viable near-UV absorber candidate, exhibiting a highly allowed π → π* transition at 379.37 nm (f = 0.1140) in H2SO4, providing a near-perfect alignment with the observed 365 nm planetary albedo drop. Conversely, the polysulfur oxide cis-S3O was acknowledged as a primary visible-light chromophore, with an intense absorption at 436.31 nm (f = 0.1280) responsible for the characteristic yellow tint of the planet. Additionally, the photochemically maintained SSCl2 isomer was identified as a critical broadband near-UV absorber. Species such as S2O and planar S3O were found to function as critical mid-UV shields (270–300 nm). This work establishes a multi-chromophore model of the Venusian atmosphere, where a chemically stratified network of sulfur-oxygen chains and chlorine-sulfur reservoirs, tuned by the acidic aerosol matrix, collectively governs radiative balance and atmospheric super-rotation of the planet. Furthermore, to account for massive continuum tailing into the visible region (>400 nm), we employed a semi-classical Reflection Principle approach to model 1D vibronic broadening. This analysis revealed that while standard solvent effects induce minor solvatochromic shifts, ground-state structural fluxionality in the OSSO isomers drives intense, symmetry-allowed transitions deep into the visible spectrum, an effect absent in structurally constrained or rigid control species. Full article
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31 pages, 21660 KB  
Article
Integration of Remote Sensing, Geochemistry, and Pb Isotopes to Unravel the Origin of Felsic Volcanism, Arabian Nubian Shield
by El Saeed R. Lasheen, Basma A. El-Badry, Samir Z. Kamh, Matthew Leybourne, Tamader Alhazani, Ioan V. Sanislav and Mabrouk Sami
Minerals 2026, 16(5), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16050545 - 19 May 2026
Viewed by 215
Abstract
The Neoproterozoic Wadi Mahasin metavolcanics (WMVs) in the Central Eastern Desert, Egypt, were remapped using Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery and verified by field observations, and their petrogenesis was evaluated using petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, and Pb isotopes. The image processing techniques of decorrelation stretch [...] Read more.
The Neoproterozoic Wadi Mahasin metavolcanics (WMVs) in the Central Eastern Desert, Egypt, were remapped using Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery and verified by field observations, and their petrogenesis was evaluated using petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, and Pb isotopes. The image processing techniques of decorrelation stretch (DS), band ratios (BR), principal component analysis (PCA), and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) were applied to three remotely sensed datasets from Landsat-8, Sentinel-2B, and Planet to produce an updated geologic map of the study area. Moreover, two robust supervised classification techniques, maximum likelihood (MLC) and the support vector machine (SVM), enhanced geological contacts, structural elements, and produced classified images by 95.68% and 96%, respectively. The WMV suite comprises metadacite and metarhyolite with SiO2 contents of 61.8–66.5 and 77.8–79.8 wt.%, respectively, and belongs to a subalkaline calc–alkaline series with a transitional medium- to high-K character at the felsic end. Primitive mantle-normalized patterns show enrichment in LILEs (Rb, U, K, and Pb) and depletion in Nb, Ta, Ti, and P, consistent with subduction-related felsic magmatism. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns are characterized by enriched LREEs, flat to weakly fractionated HREEs ((Gd/Yb)N ≈ 1.5), and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.30–0.81). The flat HREE segment suggests melting of a garnet-free source, most plausibly a plagioclase–amphibole-bearing crustal assemblage. Eu/Eu* correlates positively with Sr for the suite as a whole, indicating plagioclase control during differentiation. Metarhyolite samples form a tightly clustered evolved group, whereas metadacites show broader scatter that mainly reflects differentiation. Pb isotopes and crust-like trace-element ratios (high Y/Nb, low Ce/Pb, and low Nb/U) indicate strong crustal involvement. Although assimilation–fractional crystallization from a mantle-derived parent magma cannot be excluded completely, the available isotopic data do not define a simple mantle-to-crust differentiation trend, and the uniformly evolved major- and trace-element signatures favor direct partial melting of felsic continental crust, followed by limited fractional crystallization. The WMV suite is, therefore, interpreted as a mature continental-arc felsic assemblage within the Arabian–Nubian Shield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
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19 pages, 3067 KB  
Article
Microstructure-Controlled g-C3N4: From Photocatalyst to Potential UV-Shielding Pigment with Enhanced Skin Feel
by Masanori Sakamoto, Akari Nakata, Misa Shimizu, Ayuka Tagashira, Hideyuki Hirazawa, Yugo Imai, Hazuki Saka and Kokona Okabe
Micro 2026, 6(2), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro6020037 - 18 May 2026
Viewed by 182
Abstract
Conventional organic and inorganic ultraviolet (UV) filters often face limitations related to photostability, skin penetration, and potential toxicity arising from their photocatalytic activity. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was investigated as a candidate biocompatible UV-shielding pigment. g-C [...] Read more.
Conventional organic and inorganic ultraviolet (UV) filters often face limitations related to photostability, skin penetration, and potential toxicity arising from their photocatalytic activity. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was investigated as a candidate biocompatible UV-shielding pigment. g-C3N4 powders were synthesized via thermal polymerization using urea and melamine as precursors. The melamine-derived samples exhibited a dense, block-like morphology with a strong yellow coloration and poor spreadability. In contrast, the urea-derived samples formed a distinctive porous and rounded structure. This morphology, originating from multistage gas evolution during polymerization, significantly reduced the static friction coefficient, resulting in a smoother texture and improved skin adaptability. Preliminary biological evaluation indicated high cell viability in cytotoxicity tests. Combined with the observed low photocatalytic activity, these findings suggest a favorable biocompatibility profile for topical applications. Overall, the results demonstrate that precursor engineering using urea enables the synthesis of high-performance g-C3N4 pigments with improved texture, desirable optical properties, and reduced biological reactivity. Full article
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46 pages, 8708 KB  
Review
Mechanistic Structure–Property Relationships in Carbon/Polymer Composites: Connectivity, Junction Resistance, and Durability
by Sachin Kumar Sharma, Reshab Pradhan, Lokesh Kumar Sharma, Yogesh Sharma, Yatendra Pal, Drago Bračun and Damjan Klobčar
Polymers 2026, 18(10), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18101220 - 16 May 2026
Viewed by 445
Abstract
Carbon/polymer composites are increasingly designed as microstructure-engineered multifunctional materials that combine mechanical reinforcement with electrical/thermal transport, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and sensing. Performance is governed less by filler fraction than by the coupled control of network topology, junction resistance, and interfacial thermal boundary [...] Read more.
Carbon/polymer composites are increasingly designed as microstructure-engineered multifunctional materials that combine mechanical reinforcement with electrical/thermal transport, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and sensing. Performance is governed less by filler fraction than by the coupled control of network topology, junction resistance, and interfacial thermal boundary resistance under processing-induced shear and thermal histories. Electrical response follows percolation combined with tunneling/contact-controlled junctions, producing nonlinear σ(φ) behavior and high piezoresistive sensitivity near the percolation threshold. In contrast, thermal transport is commonly limited by Kapitza resistance and filler–filler junction resistance, restricting exploitation of the intrinsic conductivity of CNTs and graphene. Recent advances emphasize hybrid and 3D carbon architectures that densify connectivity, reduce junction losses, and enable programmable anisotropy via scalable routes such as masterbatch extrusion and additive manufacturing. However, translation remains constrained by dispersion-driven variability, transport–toughness trade-offs, and incomplete durability assessment under cycling, humidity, and reprocessing. This review consolidates mechanistic structure–processing–property relationships and provides application-driven design rules for sensors, EMI shielding, and thermal management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)
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21 pages, 5409 KB  
Article
An Axial Parallel Memory Machine with DC-Bias Flux-Adjustment Capability
by Yanwen Zheng, Yuanyuan Shan and Ling Qin
Energies 2026, 19(10), 2368; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19102368 - 15 May 2026
Viewed by 132
Abstract
Conventional memory machines often suffer from magnetic interference between high-coercive-force (HCF) and low-coercive-force (LCF) permanent magnets, which unintentionally alters the magnetization state and limits overload capability. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel axial parallel memory machine (DCB-AXMM) featuring a DC-bias-controlled [...] Read more.
Conventional memory machines often suffer from magnetic interference between high-coercive-force (HCF) and low-coercive-force (LCF) permanent magnets, which unintentionally alters the magnetization state and limits overload capability. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel axial parallel memory machine (DCB-AXMM) featuring a DC-bias-controlled variable-flux capability. Instead of a conventional structure, the proposed machine employs an axially segmented topology to spatially isolate the excitation sources, effectively shielding the LCF PMs from HCF PM interference and armature reaction. Furthermore, integrated windings are utilized to perform both armature excitation and pulse magnetization, thereby enhancing the overall space utilization. The flux-regulating mechanism is theoretically elucidated using a piecewise linear hysteresis model. To maximize electromagnetic performance, a two-step optimization framework based on a genetic algorithm (GA) is implemented. Comprehensive non-linear finite element analysis (FEA) is conducted to validate the proposed design. Quantitative results demonstrate that the DCB-AXMM achieves a wide flux regulation range, characterized by a 21.8% average torque reduction from 2.2 Nm at full magnetization to 1.72 Nm at zero magnetization, while maintaining a robust 1.5-times overload capability. These measurable outcomes confirm the topology’s effectiveness and reliability for high-performance variable-flux applications. Full article
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16 pages, 14161 KB  
Article
Atomic-Scale Insights into the Regulatory Mechanisms of Impurity Ions on the Stability and Growth Pathways of CaCO3 Pre-Nucleation Clusters in Tunnel Drainage Systems
by Donghui Xiao, Jianliang Xie, Shiyang Liu, Dinglue Wu, Yucai Zhang, Yibo Tan and Benhua Liu
Processes 2026, 14(10), 1576; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14101576 - 13 May 2026
Viewed by 118
Abstract
Crystallization and blockage in tunnel drainage systems represent a major challenge in the operation and maintenance of tunnels in karst regions. This study focuses on a tunnel in Guilin, Guangxi, employing a combined approach of field investigation, laboratory characterization, and molecular dynamics (MD) [...] Read more.
Crystallization and blockage in tunnel drainage systems represent a major challenge in the operation and maintenance of tunnels in karst regions. This study focuses on a tunnel in Guilin, Guangxi, employing a combined approach of field investigation, laboratory characterization, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore the atomic-scale mechanism of CaCO3 crystallization within the drainage system. Field investigations reveal that the groundwater is dominated by Ca2+ and HCO3 ions, and the crystalline products consist primarily of high-crystallinity single-phase calcite, characterized by typical rhombohedral geometric structures and heterogeneous stacking. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the CaCO3 nucleation process is accompanied by the desolvation of Ca2+, while background electrolyte ions exert distinct regulatory effects on the nucleation kinetics. SO42− participates in cluster construction through strong coordination, inducing the formation of loose, chain-like aggregates; conversely, Cl delays cluster coalescence primarily through charge shielding and steric hindrance effects. Additionally, Na+ influences the overall solution dynamics and the stability of pre-nucleation clusters by constructing stable hydration shells and providing charge neutralization. This research reveals the formation mechanism of tunnel crystallization from a microscopic perspective, providing theoretical support for the prevention and control of crystallization in tunnel drainage systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Chemical Processes and Systems)
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24 pages, 38928 KB  
Article
Mix Proportion Optimization and Performance Evaluation of Bismuth Oxide/Clay Functional Shotcrete for Radiation Protection in Underground Spaces
by Yuhan Wei, Zhengjie Yuan, Guorui Feng, Yingjing Wei, Yin Li and Kai Hou
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(10), 4749; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16104749 - 11 May 2026
Viewed by 224
Abstract
To address underground shotcrete support scenarios with potential radiation-protection requirements, a bismuth oxide/clay functional filler was incorporated into a baseline shotcrete formulation. Functional filler dosage, calcium formate dosage, and PCE dosage were selected as variables, and Box–Behnken response surface methodology was used to [...] Read more.
To address underground shotcrete support scenarios with potential radiation-protection requirements, a bismuth oxide/clay functional filler was incorporated into a baseline shotcrete formulation. Functional filler dosage, calcium formate dosage, and PCE dosage were selected as variables, and Box–Behnken response surface methodology was used to establish quadratic regression models for 28 d compressive strength, fluidity, and bond strength. Representative optimized mixtures were further evaluated by MCNP5 simulation, gamma-ray air-kerma attenuation tests, and SEM. The models showed good fitting and predictive performance within the investigated design space. Functional filler dosage mainly controlled compressive strength and bond strength, whereas PCE dosage dominated fluidity. Under the constraints of compressive strength ≥ 25 MPa, fluidity of 160–170 mm, and bond strength ≥ 0.8 MPa, three representative mixtures were selected for shielding-, strength-, and interface-priority strategies. Simulated and measured results showed consistent shielding-performance rankings, and the optimized mixtures exhibited higher gamma-ray attenuation than the blank mixture. BBD26 achieved the highest shielding performance, with measured shielding rates of 65.51% and 51.54% at 661.7 keV and 1.25 MeV, respectively. Thickness-gradient tests indicated exponential attenuation, while SEM revealed differences in Bi-bearing particle distribution and matrix continuity. Full article
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19 pages, 4384 KB  
Article
Hierarchical Carbon Architecture Derived from Polybenzoxazine–Melamine Composites: A Strategy for High-Rate Electrochemical Performance
by Thirukumaran Periyasamy, Shakila Parveen Asrafali and Jaewoong Lee
Polymers 2026, 18(10), 1157; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18101157 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 468
Abstract
Developing sustainable, low-cost carbon materials for advanced energy storage remains a major challenge. This study reports the synthesis of three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous carbon foams using a polybenzoxazine-coated melamine sponge template, followed by carbonization at 600, 700, and 800 °C. The melamine sponge [...] Read more.
Developing sustainable, low-cost carbon materials for advanced energy storage remains a major challenge. This study reports the synthesis of three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous carbon foams using a polybenzoxazine-coated melamine sponge template, followed by carbonization at 600, 700, and 800 °C. The melamine sponge provided an interconnected porous framework, while nitrogen-rich polybenzoxazine enabled the formation of heteroatom-doped carbon structures. Structural analyses (SEM, XRD, Raman, and XPS) showed that carbonization temperature strongly influenced graphitization, pore development, and nitrogen functionalities. Among all samples, the foam carbonized at 800 °C showed the best electrochemical performance, delivering a specific capacitance of 287 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, 84% retention at 10 A g−1, and 94% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles. Its superior behavior is attributed to the synergistic effect of improved conductivity, hierarchical porosity, and favorable nitrogen doping. These findings demonstrate that controlled carbonization is an effective strategy for designing high-performance carbon electrodes for supercapacitors, with additional potential in catalysis, adsorption, and EMI shielding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage)
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19 pages, 6423 KB  
Article
Comparative Fatigue Analysis of CF-PLA Metamaterial Bone Plates for Orthopaedic Fixation
by Ani Daniel, Hamed Bakhtiari, Barun K. Das, Muhammad Aamir and Majid Tolouei-Rad
Polymers 2026, 18(10), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18101152 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 401
Abstract
Bone plates are widely used in orthopaedic surgery to stabilise fractured bones and support healing following traumatic injuries or osteotomies. However, conventional metallic bone plates suffer from stress shielding and stiffness mismatch with bone, which can hinder optimal healing. Additive manufacturing enables the [...] Read more.
Bone plates are widely used in orthopaedic surgery to stabilise fractured bones and support healing following traumatic injuries or osteotomies. However, conventional metallic bone plates suffer from stress shielding and stiffness mismatch with bone, which can hinder optimal healing. Additive manufacturing enables the incorporation of novel metamaterial architectures into polymer-based implants to enhance mechanical properties. The fatigue behaviour of these implants during the healing period is critical to ensuring their structural integrity and long-term performance. In this study, the compressive fatigue performance of fused deposition modelling (FDM)-printed carbon fibre-reinforced polylactic acid (CF-PLA) bone plates were investigated. Four metamaterial structures—tetrachiral, re-entrant, rotating square, and hexagonal—were evaluated under strain-controlled cyclic loading at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of their respective yield strains. The results showed a strong dependence of fatigue behaviour on lattice geometry. Among the tested configurations, the re-entrant structured bone plate exhibited the best overall fatigue performance, sustaining up to 100,000 cycles at moderate strain levels and showing delayed stiffness degradation under high strain conditions. In contrast, rotating square and hexagonal structures showed early stiffness loss and failure at higher strain levels. These findings highlight the importance of lattice design in fatigue performance, although FDM-induced printing defects significantly influence overall fatigue behaviour. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Scaffold for Tissue Engineering Applications, 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 3009 KB  
Article
Research on Hybrid Modeling Method of the EPB Process for Intelligent Shield Machines
by Chunlin Peng, Xiaowei Yuan, Fei Wang, Jiachun Sun, Shaochen Yang and Yakun Zhang
Machines 2026, 14(5), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14050522 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 243
Abstract
The Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) shield machine plays a pivotal role in underground tunnel excavation, where precise control of chamber pressure is essential for maintaining tunnel stability and minimizing risks. Traditional EPB control methods heavily rely on operator experience, resulting in delays and [...] Read more.
The Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) shield machine plays a pivotal role in underground tunnel excavation, where precise control of chamber pressure is essential for maintaining tunnel stability and minimizing risks. Traditional EPB control methods heavily rely on operator experience, resulting in delays and limited responsiveness to sudden geological changes. This paper presents an improved EPB mechanism model that builds upon traditional approaches, which primarily consider chamber pressure changes caused by soil volume variations. The improved model further incorporates the effects of excavation face pressure variations, arising from factors such as cutterhead soil extrusion and changing geological conditions. By integrating these additional influences, the model achieves more accurate predictions of chamber pressure. To further enhance performance, a hybrid modeling approach is proposed, combining the improved mechanism model with a data-driven component that compensates for residual prediction errors. The hybrid model is validated using field data from two distinct tunneling projects, demonstrating superior prediction accuracy and generalization capability compared to standalone mechanisms and data-driven models. The results confirm that the proposed hybrid model significantly improves pressure prediction accuracy and provides a more reliable solution for intelligent control of the EPB process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Machine Design and Theory)
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34 pages, 955 KB  
Article
V-CHIMERA: An Immune-Inspired Verified Framework for Organizational Cyber Crisis Response Under Misinformation
by Fahad Alghamdi and Saad Alqithami
Biomimetics 2026, 11(5), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11050324 - 6 May 2026
Viewed by 621
Abstract
In organizational cyber crises, incident response and official communication form coupled control loops, yet they are usually engineered separately. We present V-CHIMERA (Verified Coupled Human–Information–Machine Incident Response Architecture), a framework for organizational cyber crisis response under misinformation that jointly models cyber state, belief [...] Read more.
In organizational cyber crises, incident response and official communication form coupled control loops, yet they are usually engineered separately. We present V-CHIMERA (Verified Coupled Human–Information–Machine Incident Response Architecture), a framework for organizational cyber crisis response under misinformation that jointly models cyber state, belief dynamics, trust, and communication governance. The framework combines three elements: an explicit cyber–social coupling architecture, a runtime protocol shield for communication safety, and immune-gated coupling (IGC) that uses danger signaling, tolerance thresholds, and immune memory to regulate when social feedback should affect operational response and how strongly counter-messaging should be targeted. Across three representative scenarios—ransomware rumor, outage rumor, and exfiltration scam—and eight seeds per scenario, all shielded policies achieved zero executed protocol violations. Relative to naive coupled control, IGC reduced cyber-harm area under the curve (AUC) by 57.6% in ransomware rumor and 42.6% in outage rumor while also reducing misbelief. Results were scenario-dependent rather than uniformly dominant: in exfiltration scam, a broadcast-only ablation outperformed targeted messaging, showing that targeting can fail when diffusion rapidly crosses community boundaries. Sensitivity analysis further shows that IGC attenuates the brittleness observed under strong coupling and weak moderation. The results suggest that biomimetic regulation is valuable not because coupling always helps, but because it prevents overreaction, clarifies when targeting should be used, and yields safer organizational defaults for misinformation-aware incident response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Machine Learning and Evolutionary Computing)
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21 pages, 4457 KB  
Article
Enhancing the Ultraviolet Aging Resistance of Asphalt by Incorporating TiO2-Intercalated Layered Pitch-Based Porous Carbon
by Rui Tian, Chunyu Wang, Yongling Ding, Cailing Yu, Qinxi Dong, Hengxing Zhang, Jianping Sui, Huadong Sun and Hong Yin
Coatings 2026, 16(5), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16050555 - 5 May 2026
Viewed by 344
Abstract
The long-term exposure of asphalt pavement to ultraviolet radiation causes significant performance degradation and reduces its service life. To enhance the UV resistance of asphalt, nanocomposite modifiers have been incorporated through mechanical blending. However, their effectiveness has been largely limited by poor component [...] Read more.
The long-term exposure of asphalt pavement to ultraviolet radiation causes significant performance degradation and reduces its service life. To enhance the UV resistance of asphalt, nanocomposite modifiers have been incorporated through mechanical blending. However, their effectiveness has been largely limited by poor component uniformity. To address this issue, UV-resistant antioxidant nano-TiO2 was employed to modify the UV-shielding of layered porous carbon (PC), resulting in the synthesis of nano-TiO2 intercalated PC (TiO2/PC). The PC nanosheet was modified by TiO2 nanoparticles via in situ growth, significantly improving the dispersion homogeneity of TiO2. Comprehensive characterization (SEM/EDS/FT-IR/XPS) confirmed the successful synthesis of TiO2/PC with well-defined interfacial bonding. Compared to control samples (PC, TiO2, and TiO2 + PC), the asphalt modified by TiO2/PC-2 composite demonstrated superior UV aging resistance, lower physical aging indices and reduced rheological aging parameters. Moreover, TiO2/PC modifier prominently suppressed the formation of oxidative groups (C=O/S=O), improved the colloidal stability, and delayed the sol–gel transition of the modified asphalt. The synergistic UV shielding mechanism was attributed to the enhanced UV absorption of TiO2, multi-reflection and scattering within the PC matrix, and the radical scavenging capabilities of both components. These results provide new design insights for developing anti-UV aging modifiers for asphalt pavements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Coatings: Materials, Methods, and Applications)
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21 pages, 5645 KB  
Article
Study on the Influence of Isolation Pile Density on the Deformation of High-Speed Railway Bridge Piles Induced by Lateral Shield Tunneling
by Yongzhi Cheng, Xuan Zhang, Shou Liang, Lei Lei, Yuan Wen and Tao Yang
Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1810; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091810 - 1 May 2026
Viewed by 277
Abstract
The impact of short-distance lateral shield tunneling threatens the safety of operational high-speed railways (HSRs). To address the engineering challenge of “how to select isolation pile density under fixed cost constraints,” this study focuses on the Xi’an Metro shield tunnel section passing laterally [...] Read more.
The impact of short-distance lateral shield tunneling threatens the safety of operational high-speed railways (HSRs). To address the engineering challenge of “how to select isolation pile density under fixed cost constraints,” this study focuses on the Xi’an Metro shield tunnel section passing laterally adjacent to the Daxi and Zhengxi Passenger Dedicated Lines. Under the constraint of identical total economic costs, two isolation pile schemes—low-density and high-density—were established to investigate the control patterns of different densities on HSR bridge piles and surrounding ground surface deformation. A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model was developed for the lateral shield tunneling process. Combined with field-measured data, numerical simulations were conducted for corresponding construction stages to analyze the disturbance effects of shield tunneling on HSR piers and the surrounding ground, as well as the deformation restraint performance of isolation piles. The results indicate that the high-density isolation pile scheme (pile spacing: 2.0 m; pile length: 22 m) provides superior control compared to the low-density scheme (pile spacing: 4 m; pile length: 28 m). Following single- and double-track excavation, the vertical displacement of HSR piers was reduced by 0.6 mm and 1.1 mm, respectively—a reduction of 40–74%. Furthermore, the pier displacement along the depth direction shifted from non-uniform to relatively uniform. The difference in surface settlement between the two schemes was only 0.2 mm, suggesting that isolation pile density has a marginal impact on ground deformation. The horizontal displacement of high-density isolation piles stabilized at 1.7–1.9 mm, with vertical heave ranging from 1.2 to 1.4 mm. The lateral displacement profile exhibited a regular “double-C outward expansion” shape, which is better suited to the characteristics of water-rich sand layers. Initial excavation causes significant disturbance to the original strata, necessitating enhanced stress field protection measures. The high-density scheme is recommended for engineering applications, as it achieves optimal control of bridge pile deformation under cost constraints and meets regulatory specifications. Full article
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