Search Results (5,723)

Defect detection in the hot rolling process is closely linked to the quality of the final product. Among these defects, slab camber during the intermediate rolling stage is one of the primary manifestations of asymmetry, which significantly impairs both the quality of the finished strip and the stability of subsequent rolling processes. Conventional image-based edge detection methods for slab camber are prone to detection deviations in complex industrial environments, mainly due to their weak noise robustness. To address the scientific challenge of low accuracy and poor robustness in feature extraction for hot-rolled intermediate slab camber detection, which is induced by environmental interference in complex industrial settings, we break through the technical bottlenecks of traditional edge detection methods and existing deep learning models in terms of channel–spatial feature collaborative optimization and anti-interference fusion of multi-scale features. We establish a dense perception network model integrated with a channel–spatial attention mechanism, realize robust feature recognition of slab edges under complex working conditions, and provide theoretical and technical support for the real-time quantitative detection of slab shape defects in the hot rolling process. The proposed model significantly improves detection accuracy and robustness through multi-scale feature enhancement and noise suppression, effectively meeting the requirements for real-time quantitative detection of slab camber in the roughing rolling stage. Field experiments verify that the method increases detection accuracy by 36.55% and achieves favorable performance on evaluation metrics, including ODS and OIS. Full article

Soil compaction and reduced infiltration capacity are critical constraints limiting soil physical quality and hydraulic functioning in semi-arid vineyard systems subjected to repeated machinery traffic. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a geometry-optimized strip tillage tool designed to improve structural functionality within the compacted root zone while minimizing inter-row disturbance. A U-shaped working body configuration, consisting of two oppositely inclined shanks and a central chisel, was theoretically substantiated and optimized using multifactor analysis. Field experiments were conducted to assess changes in penetration resistance, bulk density, and infiltration rate within the 20–40 cm soil layer under semi-arid conditions. The optimized geometry significantly reduced penetration resistance and bulk density in the trafficked strip, indicating alleviation of mechanical impedance and improved root-relevant physical conditions. Infiltration capacity increased after treatment, indicating enhanced hydraulic continuity within the root zone. Unlike full-width subsoiling, the localized strip intervention preserved inter-row soil stability and limited unnecessary disturbance, which is consistent with conservation-oriented soil management. The results indicate that geometry-optimized strip tillage is associated with improved soil physical quality and hydraulic function within compacted vineyard strips. The operational applicability of the developed implement may also depend on vineyard layout and terrain conditions. The prototype tool was tested under conditions representative of vineyards with standard row spacing and relatively moderate slopes typical for the experimental site. In vineyards with very narrow row spacing, steep slopes, or highly heterogeneous soil conditions, adjustments in working width, shank spacing, or tractor–implement configuration may be required. Future studies should therefore investigate the performance of the optimized geometry under contrasting vineyard configurations, including steep hillside vineyards and high-density planting systems. By linking implement design to quantitative soil structural and hydraulic indicators, this study contributes to the development of vineyard soil management practices for semi-arid perennial cropping systems. Full article

Hematocrit (HCT) fluctuations and ambient temperature variations are two critical interference factors limiting the accuracy of electrochemical glucose test strips in self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). In this study, a high-precision screen-printed glucose sensor incorporating in situ impedance-based HCT correction and temperature compensation was developed. The system employs a time-division multiplexing strategy, integrating a normalized thermodynamic model and an in situ impedance-based HCT correction algorithm, to achieve synergistic decoupling and precise compensation of temperature and HCT interferences. Experimental results demonstrate that after multi-parameter synergistic correction, the system exhibits excellent stability across a wide temperature range (10–35 °C) and a broad HCT range (10–70%). The accuracy indicators significantly surpass ISO 15197:2013 standards. In contrast, uncorrected measurements showed deviations ranging from approximately −80% to +30% due to HCT fluctuations. This multiple correction strategy effectively resolves systematic errors in whole blood testing without increasing electrode complexity or requiring pretreatment steps, providing a robust technical solution for high-precision, low-cost personal glucose monitoring. Full article

Electrical imaging logging images play a crucial role in petroleum exploration; however, in practical applications, blank strips frequently appear due to instrument malfunctions or data transmission failures, severely compromising geological interpretation and hydrocarbon evaluation. Existing image inpainting methods have limited adaptability to blank strips at different depth scales and exhibit blurred high-resolution geological textures. To address these issues, this paper proposes a blank strip filling method that integrates Arbitrary Kernel Convolution (AKConv) with the Aggregated Contextual-Transformations Generative Adversarial Network (AOT-GAN). Specifically, the adaptive sampling mechanism of AKConv is incorporated into the generator network of AOT-GAN, enabling the model—to effectively capture long-range contextual information and adaptively handle blank strips of varying scales and shapes through multi-scale feature fusion. Experimental results on real oilfield datasets demonstrate that the proposed method achieves significant improvements in PSNR, SSIM, and MAE, exhibiting superior structural preservation and texture sharpness—especially in restoring deep and large-scale blank strips. Furthermore, visual comparisons confirm the method’s superior performance in recovering key geological features, such as bedding continuity and fracture structures, thus providing an effective approach for electrical imaging logging image restoration. Full article

To address the problem of insufficient shear bearing capacity of highway reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams, this paper systematically conducts a comparative study on the shear performance of RC T-beams strengthened with UHPC-CFP toughened composite plates of different configurations, and proposes a shear strengthening method using UHPC-CFP toughened composite plates. Comparative tests on different strengthening configurations are carried out. Meanwhile, a finite element numerical model is established to compare with the experimental results, analyze the influences of different strengthening schemes on the shear bearing capacity and mechanical properties of the beams, reveal the shear strengthening mechanism, and put forward a recommended formula for calculating the shear bearing capacity. The results show that after the diagonal cracks appeared in Beam T-0, they propagated rapidly from the support to the loading point. Beam T-1 had more diagonal cracks in the concrete between the UHPC-CFP toughened composite strips, while Beam T-2 had fewer. Fine cracks occurred in the UHPC-CFP toughened composite strips of Beams T-1 and T-2, whereas no cracking was observed in the UHPC composite rectangular plate of Beam T-3. The shear capacity of all strengthened beams was improved, with increases of 27.0%, 40.5%, and 43.2% for Beams T-1, T-2, and T-3, respectively. Beam T-3 exhibited the maximum deflection, and the strengthening configuration of Beam T-2 was determined to be the optimal. The carbon fiber strips embedded in UHPC effectively delayed the propagation of cracks in the UHPC plate and played the role of “reinforcement”. The truss–arch model theory is also applicable to the shear mechanism of concrete T-beams strengthened with UHPC-CFP toughened composite plates. Verification of Beams T-2 and T-3 using the proposed formula for shear design of strengthened beams showed that the average ratio of the calculated shear capacity to the experimental value was 0.87, indicating the reliability of the calculation results. Full article

The use of marginal sedimentary aggregates in pavement construction remains a major challenge in mountainous regions due to their high porosity, weak lamination planes, and susceptibility to moisture-induced deterioration. This study investigates the potential of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic waste to enhance the engineering performance of laminated Miocene soft rock aggregates used in bituminous concrete. Aggregates sourced from the Surma Group (Bhuban Formation) in Mizoram, India, were characterized through physico-mechanical, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses to evaluate their durability and moisture sensitivity. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed elevated feldspar and total alkali contents (≈5.15%), indicating a mineralogical composition prone to hydrophilic behavior and stripping within bituminous mixtures. To mitigate these limitations, aggregates were coated with varying proportions of LDPE plastic using the dry process. An optimum LDPE content of 9% by weight of aggregate produced significant improvements in aggregate performance, resulting in a 70.03% reduction in Aggregate Impact Value (from 17.72% to 5.31%), a decrease in Los Angeles Abrasion Value from 42.93% to 31.45%, and an 89.82% reduction in water absorption (from 4.52% to 0.46%). The polymer coating effectively sealed lamination planes and reduced moisture ingress within the sedimentary structure. Bituminous concrete mixtures incorporating LDPE were further evaluated using Marshall stability and indirect tensile strength tests. The addition of 1.1% LDPE by weight of mix significantly enhanced moisture resistance. For mixtures with nominal maximum aggregate sizes (NMASs) of 13 mm and 19 mm, the Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) increased from 52.59% and 58.58% in the control mixtures to 82.81% and 87.10%, respectively, thereby satisfying the minimum requirement of 80% specified by MoRTH. The results indicate that LDPE functions as a hydrophobic barrier and structural sealant that improves binder–aggregate adhesion and prevents stripping along weak lamination planes. The findings demonstrate that LDPE-modified bituminous concrete provides a sustainable and technically viable strategy for upgrading marginal sedimentary aggregates into durable pavement materials while simultaneously promoting the beneficial reuse of plastic waste. Full article

Forest fires occur frequently in China; however, the complex terrain and incomplete road networks severely constrain ground rescue efficiency. Accurate forest road information is essential for the optimization of emergency response and rescue force deployment. Existing road extraction algorithms are primarily designed for urban environments and exhibit limited efficacy in forest scenarios due to dense canopy, complex background interference and specific forest road features. To address this gap, this study proposes a forest road extraction method based on an enhanced DeepLabv3+ model using multi-temporal, high-resolution satellite imagery. Specifically, a Multi-Scale Channel Attention (MCSA) mechanism is embedded in skip connections to suppress background interference, while strip pooling is integrated into the Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) module to better capture slender road features. A composite Focal-Dice loss function is also constructed to mitigate sample imbalance. Finally, by applying the model in multi-temporal remote sensing images, a fusion strategy is introduced to integrate multi-seasonal road masks to enhance overall accuracy and topological integrity. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves a precision of 54.1%, an F1-Score of 59.3%, and an IoU of 41.8%, effectively enhancing road continuity and providing robust technical support for fire-rescue decision-making. Full article

Chieng Hac in northern Vietnam is expanding maize cultivation, intensifying water competition and soil erosion. This study mapped regional water balance and erosion using remote sensing and GISs by coupling the Thornthwaite–Mather (TM) water balance model with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) at 12.5 m resolution. Land cover was classified into maize, tree crops, paddy, forest, and other types using Random Forest. The TM model used 2021 precipitation and temperature measurements to estimate evapotranspiration, surplus, and deficit, while the RUSLE quantified soil loss. Two scenarios were evaluated: a baseline reflecting existing land use and an adjusted case applying strip cropping on 10–20° maize slopes and converting maize to tree crops on slopes > 20°. Tree crop conversion increased evapotranspiration and prolonged seasonal deficits relative to maize, increasing water deficit from 1013.6 to 1022.2 mm/year. In contrast, the interventions reduced mean soil loss from 15.52 to 11.51 t/ha/year, with the largest decline in the 5–25 t/ha/year class. Residual hotspots persisted on steep slopes and near drainage lines. The integrated framework highlights trade-offs between erosion control and seasonal water availability, supporting slope-based land-use planning in upland agricultural systems. These findings offer guidance for slope-based land-use planning by indicating that intervention priorities should vary depending on slope conditions and local water availability. Full article

The harvesting of energy from movements is one of the purposes of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Among the various devices designed to perform this function, floors are one of the primary ones, as they do not need to be individually fitted to each subject and can be manufactured and installed on a large scale. This work classifies previously published TENG-based floors based on their materials, electrical performance in terms of the voltage, current, and power they produce, and their application in different fields. The materials used have been correlated with other important aspects for floors, such as weather or flame resistance, sustainability, recyclability or biodegradability of materials, and price. The synthesis of the variety of TENG-based floor models, which incorporate novel materials, hybrid technologies, or various functionalities, among other characteristics, can enrich and inspire the reader to enhance the performance of future floor designs based on the triboelectric effect. In addition, a novel triboelectric floor design made of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and fluorine kautschuk material is presented, along with the electrical power generated when tribolayers are in contact. For the three floor strips measuring 40 cm long × 4 cm wide and 1 mm thick, electrical current and voltage output was measured, achieving nearly 0.1 W (20 V & 4.5 mA) of electrical power generation. Full article

Periodontitis (PD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of periodontal supporting tissues. As one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, PD affects more than 743 million people globally, some with serious systemic health implications. Plaque accumulation constitutes the key driver of periodontitis, initiating host inflammatory cascades and compromising periodontal microbiome equilibrium. Conventional treatment methods, such as scaling and root planing, are limited by a constrained operative field, resulting in blind spots that impede the complete eradication of bacterial biofilms and the modulation of the inflammatory microenvironment. Therefore, employing new therapeutic strategies (e.g., drug delivery systems) is essential. This review focuses on local drug delivery systems for the treatment of PD, including fibers, strips and films, microspheres, gels, nanoparticles, and vesicle systems, to deliver drugs directly into the periodontal pockets, targeting inflammation and providing sustained antibacterial effects while reducing systemic side effects. The characteristics and clinical implications of each type of local drug delivery system are discussed, along with emerging technologies such as 3D printing and nanotechnology. Full article

Under severe ice and snow weather, ice-covered pantograph–catenary arcs affect the safe operation of high-speed trains. This study investigates the impact of ice-covered arc electrical characteristics, plasma parameters, and material ablation mechanisms. By constructing a comprehensive pantograph–catenary icing experimental platform, arc voltage, current signals, high-speed dynamic images, and emission spectra were synchronously collected under different icing thicknesses ranging from 0 to 15 mm. Research indicates that ice coverture causes frequent “extinction–reignition” phenomena during the arc initiation stage due to the latent heat absorbed by melting ice, significantly reducing the initial stability of arc combustion. Spectral analysis confirms that the arc excitation temperature and energy density are positively correlated with the concentration of hydrogen ions produced by water vapor ionization, reaching a peak under the 5 mm icing condition. Experimental results show that the average energy density of ice-covered arcs is approximately double that of the non-iced condition, causing the ablation pits on the carbon strip to exhibit characteristics of greater depth and wider copper deposition zones. This study reveals the unique mechanisms and damage characteristics of icing pantograph–catenary arcs, providing an important basis for the safe design and maintenance of pantograph–catenary systems in high-cold railway environments. Full article

In recent years, pigeon rotavirus A (PiRVA) infection, an important emerging disease, has posed a major threat to the healthy development of the pigeon industry and public health. Therefore, developing an accurate, rapid and convenient detection method for this virus is vital for monitoring and early diagnosis of the disease. In this study, on the basis of the ORF sequence characteristics of the PiRVA VP6 gene, crRNA and reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) primers were designed. On the basis of the CRISPR/Cas12a system, for the first time, the RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a rapid detection method of PiRVA was established by combining RT-RAA and lateral flow strips. This method could specifically detect PiRVA, and there was no cross-reaction with other common viruses originating from pigeons. The minimum detection limit was 16.8 copies/μL, and the results of the intrabatch and interbatch repeated tests were consistent. Moreover, the method established in this study and the previously established common PCR method were used to analyse 56 clinical tissue samples from racing pigeons and domestic pigeons collected in 2025. The positive rates of racing pigeon and domestic pigeon samples detected by PCR were 17.6% and 12.8%, respectively, and the positive rates of racing pigeon and meat pigeon samples detected by the RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a method were 23.5% and 17.9%, respectively, indicating that PiRVA infection occurs in both racing pigeon and domestic pigeon populations in China. In summary, the PiRVA RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a detection method established in this study has good specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, and allows visualization of the results, which can be used for field applications. This study provides technical support for epidemiological surveillance and etiological research on PiRVA. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a harm reduction tool used to detect fentanyl in illicit substances. However, little is known regarding Americans’ beliefs regarding FTS. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the U.S. general public’s FTS knowledge and perceptions. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design. Adults ≥18 residing in the U.S. were recruited to participate in an anonymous online survey via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants received $5 upon survey completion. The survey instrument was informed by the Health Belief Model, and primary outcome measures included: (1) FTS knowledge (13-items); (2) perceived susceptibility to fentanyl exposure (8-items); (3) perceived severity of fentanyl exposure (10-items); (4) perceived FTS benefits (9-items); (5) perceived barriers to FTS access (13-items); (6) comfort using and accessing FTS (15-items); (7) confidence using and accessing FTS (11-items); and (8) FTS utilization intentions (6-items). Outcomes were measured via 5-point Likert-type scales (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney U tests to compare differences in scale scores across participant sociodemographics. Predictors of FTS utilization intentions were assessed via multiple linear regression, controlling for participant age, race, sex, geographic setting (rural/urban), and recreational drug use history (yes/no) (α = 0.05). Results: Of n = 206 respondents, the majority were male (55.8%) and White (83.0%) with a mean age of 46.4. Approximately 81% resided in urban areas and 58.5% reported a history of recreational drug use. Participants who identified as Black, Asian, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, or Multiracial reported significantly higher mean (SD) perceived susceptibility compared to White participants (2.06 [0.54] vs. 1.91 [0.58]; p = 0.034). Participants residing in urban areas reported significantly higher comfort using and accessing FTS (3.61 [0.86]) than those in rural areas (3.29 [0.92]; p = 0.048), and younger individuals (≤44.5 years) were more confident in their ability to access FTS (3.75 [0.73]) compared to their older counterparts (3.60 [0.64]; p = 0.048). Perceived susceptibility (β = 0.442; p < 0.001), benefits (β = 0.250; p = 0.020), and comfort (β = 0.453; p < 0.001) were positive predictors of FTS utilization intention (R² = 0.417). Conclusions: Perceptions regarding FTS varied across race, geographic setting, and age. Perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and comfort positively predicted the U.S. general public’s FTS utilization intentions. Future interventions may leverage these influential factors to enhance FTS uptake. Full article

Coal mine gas disasters have always been a major threat to coal mine safety production. With the increasing depth and intensity of mining, the importance of studying gas geological laws is becoming increasingly prominent. In the actual mining process in coal mines, there is often a phenomenon of sudden increase in gas accumulation and gas emission in local areas. The study and prediction of the main influencing factors of gas enrichment are important research foundations for guiding the precise implementation of gas control engineering and avoiding coal and gas outburst accidents. Research shows that gas accumulates in local areas (such as abnormal structural and coal thickness areas), and gas pressure also increases locally; in areas where coal seam thickness changes dramatically, there is a sharp increase in gas content in mines. Prominent accidents all occurred in the coal seam area with a thickness exceeding 5 m. There is a significant spatial coupling between gas enrichment zoning and outburst accidents. The strip-shaped high-enrichment area based on gas content gradient division has a northeast southwest distribution consistent with the direction of structural extension. This study reveals the cross scale occurrence law of coalbed methane under multiple disturbances during the mining process, elucidates the non-equilibrium occurrence characteristics of methane, delineates local gas enrichment areas, uses theoretical models to predict gas emission and distribution laws, and provides parameter support for constructing gas geological attribute models. Full article

Background/Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological disorder characterized by painful uterine contractions. Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD) is used to treat menstrual irregularities, but its mechanism in primary dysmenorrhea remains unclear. This study investigated the efficacy of DBD against dysmenorrhea and its calcium signaling-related mechanism. Methods: DBD components were analyzed by UPLC–Orbitrap MS. Isolated uterine muscle strips precontracted with oxytocin (OT, 50 ng/mL) or KCl (60 mM) were used to assess the effects of DBD and its active compounds (Quercetin, Formononetin, Ononin, Ferulic acid, Senkyunolide I, Calycosin, Ligustilide, Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside). Ca²⁺-dependent experiments, intracellular calcium release assays, and inhibitor treatments (Nifedipine, 2-APB) were performed to evaluate the involvement of L-type calcium channels and the IP₃R pathway. A primary dysmenorrhea model induced by estradiol benzoate and oxytocin was used to assess the analgesic effects, histopathology, inflammatory factors, and IP₃/Ca²⁺-related proteins and genes following DBD and Quercetin treatment. Results: A total of 161 compounds were identified in DBD. DBD and its eight active constituents relaxed OT (50 ng/mL) or KCl (60 mM)-induced uterine contractions, with Quercetin, Calycosin, and Ligustilide showing particularly prominent relaxant activity. These three compounds suppressed extracellular calcium influx and intracellular calcium release through the blockade of L-type calcium channels and IP₃R. In vivo, DBD and Quercetin alleviated pain, reduced inflammation, and decreased uterine Ca²⁺ and IP₃ levels in dysmenorrhea mice. Conclusions: DBD and its active component Quercetin promote uterine relaxation by lowering Ca²⁺ levels, which is achieved through suppression of L-type calcium channels and the IP₃/Ca²⁺ pathway. This contributes to their therapeutic action against primary dysmenorrhea. Full article