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Numerical simulation of polypropylene laminated paper insulation is a serious challenge, as it must take into account the layered structure and presence of longitudinal and radial gaps in the coils of the winded tape for cables with sector-shape conductive cores. Thus far, it has been performed only with serious simplifications. We propose a technique for numerical modeling of electric parameters in this type of insulation by reducing a complex 3D problem to a simplified 2D model that takes into account the main influencing factors. The results of modeling the distribution of electric field strength and current density in insulation are presented, and the influence of the location of gaps between the edges of winded tape on the conductivity of cable insulation is estimated. Analytical expressions are obtained for estimating the electrical resistance of insulation while taking into account the parameters of the butt gap between the insulating tapes. The results of calculations, numerical modeling, and experimentally measured values of electrical resistance are compared, showing that there is a good match. The main effects affecting the properties of polypropylene laminated paper insulation are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to design and fabricate planar constricted–expanded structures that are integrated into paper-based channels in order to enhance their chaotic advection and improve their mixing performance. Chromatography papers were used to print paper-based microfluidics using a solid-wax printer. Three different constricted–expanded structures—i.e., zigzag, crossed, and curved channels—were designed in order to evaluate their mixing performance in comparison with that of straight channels. A numerical simulation was performed in order to investigate the mixing mechanism, and to examine the ways in which the planar constricted–expanded structures affected the flow patterns. The experimental and numerical results indicated that the proposed structures can successfully mix confluents. The experimental results revealed that the mixing indices (σ) rose from the initial 20.1% (unmixed) to 34.5%, 84.3%, 87.3%, and 92.4% for the straight, zigzag, curved, and cross-shaped channels, respectively. In addition, the numerical calculations showed a reasonable agreement with the experimental results, with a variation in the range of 1.0–11.0%. In future, we hope that the proposed passive paper-based mixers will be a crucial component in the application of paper-based microfluidic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most nursing simulation programs focus on persons' healthcare needs in hospital settings, and little is known about how to identify them in home settings. This study aims to develop and validate a virtual reality (VR) simulation program for nursing students to improve their clinical reasoning skills and confidence in assessing persons' healthcare needs in home settings. We developed a VR simulation program based on a literature review and expert discussion. In Phase 1, home visit nurses or public health nurses will validate the program through their interviews in 2022. In Phase 2, we will conduct a pilot and main single-blinded randomized trial for nursing students to confirm the effectiveness from 2022 and 2023. Participants will be randomly allocated into an intervention group using VR simulations and a control group receiving videos regarding three kinds of community residents' lives [1:1]. After obtaining informed consent, the students will submit their anonymous data to the researchers to prevent associating their grade evaluation. The primary outcome will be their clinical reasoning skills. The second outcome will include their satisfaction and self-confidence. This study will examine the effectiveness of improving their clinical reasoning skills and confidence in assessing persons' healthcare needs in home settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-span, post-tensioned (PT) beams play a crucial role in maximizing the benefits of post-tensioning techniques. Bonded and unbonded systems are prevalent, with the latter being more widespread in the United States. While bonded systems are advantageous for creating long spans when multiple tendons are grouped in ducts, limited studies in the literature exist on their demolition. With a case study, this paper addresses the unique challenge of demolishing large-span-bonded, post-tensioned beams that occurs due to a building's functional change. Emphasizing insights for engineers, it explores the use of cutting and dismantling methods, thereby considering the presence of prestressed cables. The demolition process is distinctive due to the presence of numerous prestressed cables along the beams, necessitating a specialized and cautious cutting approach. This is accomplished through the use of a drilling technique that selectively distresses the tendons, ensuring they are not all affected simultaneously. An intriguing observation discussed in this paper pertains to the occurrence of horizontal cracks accompanied by loud sounds following the drilling process, thereby offering insights from the design perspective of PT systems. This paper details an innovative method for safely demolishing large-span, bonded PT beams using ground-penetrating radar and computer models to navigate structural complexities and ensure nearby structures' safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the use of computed tomography, an advanced method for evaluating the quality of aluminium castings. Casting quality is a key factor in ensuring safety and reliability in industrial applications. Computed tomography is a comprehensive method allowing a three-dimensional, high-resolution view of the internal structure of materials. The main focus of this paper is the study of BRACKET REAR aluminium castings, manufactured in two-piece moulds using a high-pressure die-casting technology. In this paper, four castings have been analysed which are produced in one cycle. The focus is on the problem of porosity and open stagnation in the castings. A numerical simulation has also been used to illustrate the occurrence of porosity, which can be used to determine both the occurrence of porosity and the occurrence of unfilled volume. The experimental part of the paper describes the methods used to evaluate the BRACKET REAR castings. The numerical simulation was performed in ProCAST 18.0 to determine the occurrence of porosity in the castings under study. The evaluation of computed tomography was performed in myVGL 3.0 2023 software to analyse the internal defects in the castings. The evaluation focused on assessing internal defects and their subsequent effect on the functionality of the final casting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precoding techniques are widely used to eliminate interference between multiple user signals in a wireless fading channel environment. The linear MMSE precoding technique, one of the most widely used techniques so far, has low computational complexity but has the disadvantage of relatively poor symbol error rate (SER) performance. The symbol-level precoding (SLP) technique, on which much research has been conducted recently, has excellent SER performance but has the disadvantage of being too computationally complex. In this paper, we propose a hybrid precoding technique that simultaneously applies SLP and MMSE precoding to appropriately adjust SER performance and computational complexity performance. If two different types of precoding techniques are applied simultaneously, interference may occur between signals to which different types of precoding are applied, which can significantly deteriorate SER performance. Therefore, in this paper, precoding is designed to prevent interference between the two signals using the null space of the channel matrices. Through computer simulation, the proposed scheme showed that its SER performance was superior to that of the linear MMSE scheme, and the computational complexity was much lower than that of the SLP scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dryer is an important part of the paper drying process, and the uniformity of the dryer wall temperature distribution has an important influence on paper production quality and efficiency. In this paper, improving the temperature uniformity of the traditional gas dryer wall is taken as the research goal, and the distribution trend and uniformity of the traditional gas dryer wall temperature are studied and analyzed, and the structural improvement plan is put forward. On the basis of this, in order to further improve the uniformity of the wall temperature of the improved gas dryer, the optimization scheme of applying endothermic coating in the low-temperature area of the inner wall of the dryer is proposed. The numerical simulation and experimental research methods are used to compare and analyze the temperature uniformity of the wall of the improved gas dryer. The results show that the axial uniformity of the wall temperature of the modified gas dryer is significantly improved. Compared with the traditional gas dryer, the temperature difference of the cylinder wall is reduced from 40 °C to 13 °C, the maximum axial temperature difference of the cylinder wall is reduced by 57%, and the temperature uniformity is increased from 66.7% to 89.6%. Compared with the improved gas dryer, after the endothermic coating is applied to the low-temperature area of the inner wall of the dryer, the temperature difference of the cylinder wall is reduced from 13 °C to 7 °C, the maximum axial temperature difference of the cylinder wall is further reduced by 46%, and the temperature uniformity is increased from 89.6% to 94.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, flow over a cluster of three equally spaced circular cylinders was studied by numerical simulation based on the turbulence model k-kl-ω for two incidence angles β = 0° and 60°, at different Reynolds numbers, and flow interference pattern characteristics between cylinders, characteristics of force parameters, and Strouhal number of each cylinder with different spacing ratios ranging from 1.5 to 4 at Re 8 × 104, 2 × 105 and 2 × 106 were obtained. Analyzing the flow field around three cylinders, the following results have been obtained: (1) at incidence angle β = 0° and 60°, the wake was nearly symmetrical if S/D ≥ 2.0; (2) at β = 60°, S/D = 1.5, and Re = 2 × 105, an asymmetric periodic flow pattern occurred in the wake region which produced a significant effect on the surface mechanical parameters and Strouhal number, and this was observed for the first time. The periodic flow regime of the wake region also occurred at S/D = 1.35 and 1.5, without the same phenomenon at S/D = 1.7 and 2.0; this phenomenon is described for the first time in this paper; (3) the phenomenon of periodic flow regime in the wake region was intrinsic and related to Reynolds number and space ratio. In addition, the characteristics of force parameters of three cylinders were mainly affected by the interference between cylinders, at 1.5 < S/D < 4, which indicated that the drag coefficient of three cylinders reduces with different Reynolds numbers and increases with enlargement of the spacing ratio for upstream cylinders at incidence angle 0°. At incidence angle 60° and S/D = 1.5~4, the Strouhal number decreases with the enlargement of spacing ratio for the upstream cylinders, but the Strouhal number increases for the downstream cylinder, which is another prominent flow interference influence. The results indicated the effect of flow interference between cylinders subjected to a cross flow over a cluster of three equally spaced cylinders, considering the flow pattern, surface mechanical parameters and Strouhal number, which should be considered in the establishment of standard design codes in fields such as offshore wind turbine engineering for flow interference around groups of cylinders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated and frequent, it is crucial to develop robust cybersecurity measures that can withstand adversarial attacks. Adversarial simulation is an effective technique for evaluating the security of systems against various types of cyber threats. However, traditional adversarial simulation methods may not capture the complexity and unpredictability of real-world cyberattacks. In this paper, we propose the improved deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm to enhance adversarial attack simulation for cybersecurity with real-world scenarios from MITRE-ATT&CK. We first describe the challenges of traditional adversarial simulation and the potential benefits of using DRL. We then present an improved DRL-based simulation framework that can realistically simulate complex and dynamic cyberattacks. We evaluate the proposed DRL framework using a cyberattack scenario and demonstrate its effectiveness by comparing it with existing DRL algorithms. Overall, our results suggest that DRL has significant potential for enhancing adversarial simulation for cybersecurity in real-world environments. This paper contributes to developing more robust and effective cybersecurity measures that can adapt to the evolving threat landscape of the digital world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we first present multiple numerical simulations of the anti-symmetric matrix in the stability criteria for fractional order systems (FOSs). Subsequently, this paper is devoted to the study of the admissibility criteria for descriptor fractional order systems (DFOSs) whose order belongs to (0, 2). The admissibility criteria are provided for DFOSs without eigenvalues on the boundary axes. In addition, a unified admissibility criterion for DFOSs involving the minimal linear matrix inequality (LMI) variable is provided. The results of this paper are all based on LMIs. Finally, numerical examples were provided to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) as a strategic tool for enhancing a region's competitiveness has been increasingly recognized. This paper presents a model of RIS that was developed using the system dynamics (SD) methodology. The goal of this model is to amalgamate the systemic approach with computer modeling and simulation disciplines into a comprehensive dynamic framework for analyzing RIS. Within this framework, the paper explores the impact of smart technologies on regional development through the RIS. Specifically, the SD model serves as an 'experimental tool' for conducting extensive what-if scenario analyses concerning smart technologies. The efficacy of these technologies is examined in terms of their dynamic influence on regional development, with insights derived from simulation outcomes. Data from two Greek regions provides a strategic analysis over a designated time horizon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, there has been a renewed interest in the development of a new generation of supersonic aircraft for civil purposes that could potentially succeed Concorde. However, the noise annoyance is still considered one of the hampering factors to meet public consensus. This paper aims at revealing the potential of numerical simulations to predict sonic boom signature in Near Field at early design stages. In particular, the paper further demonstrates the applicability of the numerical approach proposed by NASA and other partners during the Sonic Boom Prediction Workshops held between 2014 and 2021, to compute the pressure signature of aircraft in the zone close to it. The results highlight the suitability of the approach (1) to capture the impact of aircraft flight condition variations on the sonic boom signature, (2) to enable the characterization of novel aircraft layout, including Mach 5 waverider configuration, (3) to provide near-field shock wave noise predictions that can be used to evaluate shock propagation, on-ground signature analyses, and annoyance assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is widely used in airborne optoelectronic stabilization platforms due to its minimal reliance on the mathematical model of the controlled object. The extended state observer (ESO) is the core of ADRC, which treats internal parameter variations and external disturbances as total disturbances, observes the disturbances as extended states, and then compensates them into the control loop to eliminate their effects. However, the ESO can only achieve a precise estimation of constant or slowly varying disturbances. When the disturbance is periodically changing, satisfactory results cannot be obtained. In this paper, a generalized high-order extended state observer (GHOESO) is proposed to achieve the precise estimation of known frequency sinusoidal disturbance signals and improve disturbance suppression levels. Through numerical simulations, a traditional ESO and GHOESO are compared in terms of disturbance observation capability and disturbance suppression ability for single and compound disturbances based on our prior knowledge of disturbance frequency. The effectiveness of the proposed GHOESO method is verified. Finally, the algorithm is applied to an airborne optoelectronic stabilization platform for a 1°/1 Hz swing experiment on a space hexapod swing table. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the GHOESO proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous search is an ongoing cycle of sensing, statistical estimation, and motion control with the objective to find and localise targets in a designated search area. Traditionally, the theoretical framework for autonomous search combines sequential Bayesian estimation with information theoretic motion control. This paper formulates autonomous search in the framework of possibility theory. Although the possibilistic formulation is slightly more involved than the traditional method, it provides a means for quantitative modelling and reasoning in the presence of epistemic uncertainty. This feature is demonstrated in the paper in the context of partially known probability of detection, expressed as an interval value. The paper presents an elegant Bayes-like solution to sequential estimation, with the reward function for motion control defined to take into account the epistemic uncertainty. The advantages of the proposed search algorithm are demonstrated by numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a fractional active disturbance rejection control (FADRC) scheme is proposed for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to enhance high-precision positioning and docking control in the presence of ocean current disturbances and model uncertainties. The scheme comprises a double closed-loop fractional-order PI λ D μ controller (DFOPID) and a model-assisted finite-time sliding-mode extended state observer (MFSESO). Among them, DFOPID effectively compensates for non-matching disturbances, while its fractional-order term enhances the dynamic performance and steady-state accuracy of the system. MFSESO contributes to enhancing the estimation accuracy through the integration of sliding-mode technology and model information, ensuring the finite-time convergence of observation errors. Numerical simulations and pool experiments have shown that the proposed control scheme can effectively resist disturbances and successfully complete high-precision tasks in the absence of an accurate model. This underscores the independence of this control scheme on accurate model data of an operational ROV. Meanwhile, it also has the advantages of a simple structure and easy parameter tuning. The FADRC scheme presented in this paper holds practical significance and can serve as a valuable reference for applications involving ROVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lime–sand pile is a three-phase particle composite material composed of a lime matrix, sand, and a loess aggregate at the meso level. Establishing a random aggregate model that can reflect the actual aggregate gradation, content, and morphology is the premise of numerical simulations of the meso-mechanics of lime–sand piles. In this paper, the secondary development of Abaqus 2022 is realized by writing Python 3.12 scripts, and a parameterized three-phase mixed lime–sand pile random meso-spherical aggregate model is obtained. A meso-modeling idea of lime–sand piles is creatively proposed, the integrated-generation algorithm of a spherical aggregate of different materials is written, and the material's properties and mesh generation are given by the algorithm. Finally, a numerical simulation of temperature–expansion statics is carried out using an established mesoscopic model. Under different mixing ratios, the expansion force increases with an increase in the lime proportion. The increase in the expansion force is approximately 45% of that without an increased lime proportion. The simulated expansion forces are 8.81 kN, 12.61 kN, and 18.89 kN, respectively, which are similar to the experimental results for laboratory specimens, and the relative error is less than 3%. In the case of different height ratios, with increases in height, the change in the expansion force is very small, and the relative error between the simulated value and the experimental value is less than 2%, which further verifies the reliability of the mesoscopic random model of lime–sand piles. The model can be used to guide the practical application of engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the classical grid theory and related regulations, a structure model of a fiber-wound composite gas cylinder was designed in this paper. Based on the design results, a finite element model of a fully wound composite cylinder of an aluminum alloy inner liner with a working pressure of 35 MPa was established based on the ABAQUS software, and its stress distribution under working pressure and minimum burst pressure was analyzed. According to engineering experience, the pressure tolerance of composite cylinders can be improved by proper autofrettage pressure before working pressure, so the influence of autofrettage pressure was analyzed in this paper. The optimum autofrettage pressure was selected by setting the autofrettage gradient, and damage analysis was carried out on the cylinder with nominal working pressure of 35 MPa based on the Hashin failure criterion. The results show the initial damage sequence: matrix stretching occurs before the fiber stretching, and the damage generally starts from the spiral-wound layer. The tensile damage first appears in the transition section between the head and the barrel body, and the damage of the spiral-wound layer develops from the inner layer of the wound layer to the outer layer, while the damage of the circumferentially wound layer develops from the outer layer to the inner layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In actual operation, there are security risks to the data of the network control system, mainly in the form of possible eavesdropping of signals in the transmission channel and parameters in the controller leading to data leakage. In this paper, we propose a scheme for encrypting linear controllers using fully homomorphic encryption, which effectively removes these security risks and substantially improves the security of networked control systems. Meanwhile, this paper uses precomputation to handle data encryption, which eliminates the encryption time and solves the drawback of fully homomorphic encryption that it is difficult to apply due to the efficiency problem. Compared to previous schemes with precomputation, for the first time, we propose two methods to mitigate the problem of the slight security degradation caused by precomputation, which makes our scheme more secure. Finally, we provide numerical simulation results to support our scheme, and the data show that the encrypted controller achieves normal control and improves safety and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jack Herring had three mid-1960s numerical papers on Rayleigh-Bénard thermal convection that might seem primitive by today's standards, but already encapsulated many of the questions that are still being asked. All of them use severely truncated versions of the incompressible Navier–Stokes–Boussinesq equations with only one, or just a few, horizontal Fourier modes. In the first two papers, 1963 and 1964, the presented results used only one Fourier mode  α  and three variables. The single mode's variables are its vertical velocity profile  w α (z , t) , its temperature profile  θ α (z , t)  and the horizontally uniform vertical profile of the background temperature  ψ (z , t) . All of the second- and third-order terms are ignored except the convective heat flux  w θ ¯ . The objective was to find asymptotic steady-state solutions. Each paper found evidence for the one-third Nusselt versus Rayleigh scaling of  N u ∼ R a 1 / 3 , originally derived from Malkus' maximum flux principle. The 1963 paper uses free-slip upper and lower boundaries, with magnitudes of  N u  that are a factor of three larger than the experiments. In the 1964 paper, by introducing no-slip/rigid boundary conditions, the magnitude of  N u  dropped to within 20% of the experimental values. Both  N u (R a)  relations are in good agreement with circa-1990 direct numerical simulations (DNS). This dependence upon the boundary condition at the walls suggests that to obtain physically realistic scaling, no-slip boundary conditions are necessary. The third paper is discussed only in terms of what it might have been aiming to accomplish and its relation to the earlier free-slip results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proppant transport and distribution law in hydraulic fractures has important theoretical and field guidance significance for the optimization design of hydraulic fracturing schemes and accurate production prediction. Many studies aim to understand proppant transportation in complex fracture systems. Few studies, however, have addressed the flow path mechanism between the transverse fracture and horizontal well, which is often neglected in practical design. In this paper, a series of mathematical equations, including the rock elastic deformation equation, fracturing fluid continuity equation, fracturing fluid flow equation, and proppant continuity equation for the proppant transport, were established for the transverse fracture of a horizontal well, while the finite element method was used for the solution. Moreover, the two-dimensional radial flow was considered in the proppant transport modeling. The results show that proppant breakage, embedding, and particle migration are harmful to fracture conductivity. The proppant concentration and fracture wall roughness effect can slow down the proppant settling rate, but at the same time, it can also block the horizontal transportation of the proppant and shorten the effective proppant seam length. Increasing the fracturing fluid viscosity and construction displacement, reducing the proppant density and particle size, and adopting appropriate sanding procedures can all lead to better proppant placement and, thus, better fracturing and remodeling results. This paper can serve as a reference for the future study of proppant design for horizontal wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the high-temperature mainstream of gas turbines, there is a rim clearance between the rotor and the stator. A rim seal is to prevent the intrusion of high-temperature gas by spraying cool fluid from the inside of the rim clearance to the outside. In the past research on rim seals, the focus was on the overall performance of the sealing structure, and the flow in the disc cavity was studied more, but the high-radius flow was simplified. In recent years, additional research in the field has focused on more complex sealing structures and high-radius flows, such as the interface between the disk cavity and the mainstream. There is more work to be conducted in this area of research. In this paper, the unsteady numerical simulation of the flow in four different rim sealing geometries is carried out by the URANS method. The flow phenomena and the influence of geometry on the flow are studied. The numerical simulation results are validated with the experimental results. It is found that the fluid in the rim sealing obviously presents two distinct forms and confrontations according to the tangential velocity. The flow in the sealing structure presents obvious circumferential non-uniformity. Compared with the single-axial structure, in the single-radial structure, the mixing area is induced by the radial geometry, and more vortex structures are generated, the mixing process is more intense, and the sealing effect is better. In the double-sealing structure, the inner structure plays the role of a barrier, and the cavity geometry between the two layers has a major influence on the sealing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban underlying surface may affect the thunderstorm process. However, current research on this phenomenon is still in its infancy. This paper aimed to analyze the influence of the urban underlying surface on the evolution of thunderstorm organization through ground observation and numerical simulation. The results indicated that when the thunderstorm system with strong synoptic conditions passed through the built-up area of Beijing, it exhibited obvious bifurcation and detour. The dynamic field of near-surface cold pools could serve as diagnostic indicators for understanding how the urban underlying surface affects the thunderstorm process. The large-scale compact-rise clusters in the city center could alter the movement direction and path of the cold pool outflow, thereby influencing the thunderstorm organization process. In addition to the spatial configuration of the building complex, the city size might also be an important factor influencing the thunderstorm process. This study might provide a fundamental foundation and technical support for predicting and assessing urban thunderstorm disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recurrent activity of radio AGN, with phases of activity alternating with periods of quiescence, has been known since the early studies of these objects. The full relevance of this cycle is emphasised by the requirement, from the AGN feedback scenario, of a recurrent impact of the energy released by the SMBH during the lifetime of the host galaxy: only in this way can AGN feedback influence galaxy evolution. Radio AGN in different evolutionary phases can be identified by their properties, like morphology and spectral indices. Dying/remnant and restarted sources have been the most elusive to select and characterise, but they are crucial to quantify the full life cycle. Thanks to the availability of new, large radio surveys (particularly at low frequencies), it is finally possible to make a more complete census of these rare sources and start building larger samples. This paper gives an overview of the recent work conducted using a variety of radio telescopes and surveys, highlighting some of the new results characterising the properties of dying/remnant and restarted radio sources and what has been learned about the life cycle of radio AGN. The comparison with the predictions from numerical simulations is also discussed. The results so far show that remnant and restarted radio AGN have a variety of properties which make these objects more complex than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial truss structures (STSs), serving as the bottom support structure of a cooling tower, effectively harness the superior load-bearing capacity offered by lattice-type truss structures. STSs are composed of main bars, diagonal bars, and horizontal bars, with horizontal bars serving as vital components of the truss structure. They play a pivotal role in maintaining the overall integrity and stability of the structure. The proportional relationship between the stiffness of each bar in STSs has a profound impact on the mechanical characteristics of the overall structure. This relationship directly influences the ultimate load-bearing capacity of the structure. Therefore, conducting research on the influence patterns of this relationship is of utmost importance. This paper explores the study of triangular truss structures (TTSs) and quadrilateral truss structures (QTSs). Firstly, through theoretical analysis, considering structural elements such as the stiffness of the horizontal bars, the number of layers in the truss, and the angle between the diagonal bars and the horizontal bars, theoretical expressions for the calculation of the ultimate load capacity of TTSs and QTSs are derived. Furthermore, a parametric finite element (FE) model was established for the TTSs and QTSs. Through numerical simulations, the validity of the theoretical calculation expressions was verified. Finally, this paper discusses the influence of factors such as the stiffness of the horizontal bars, the number of layers in the truss, and the angle between the diagonal and horizontal bars on the TTSs and QTSs. It analyzes the patterns and trends of these influences. The research results indicate that the theoretical and numerical simulation results for the TTSs have an error ranging from 0.40% to 4.93%, while the relative error for the QTSs ranges from 1.59% to 4.88%. These errors are within an acceptable range for engineering calculations. As the stiffness of the horizontal bars increases, the proportionality coefficient of the truss's ultimate load capacity shows an initial increase followed by a stable trend. It reaches an equilibrium state when the stiffness of the horizontal bars reaches a certain threshold. As the number of layers in the truss and the angle between the diagonal and horizontal bars increase, the proportionality coefficient of the load capacity gradually decreases. The research findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of TTSs and QTSs in cooling towers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is aimed at providing an updated review of prediction methods for the aerodynamic noise of ducted rotor–stator stages. Indeed, ducted rotating-blade technologies are in continuous evolution and are increasingly used for aeronautical propulsion units, power generation and air conditioning systems. Different needs are faced from the early design stage to the final definition of a machine. Fast-running, approximate analytical approaches and high-fidelity numerical simulations are considered the best-suited tools for each, respectively. Recent advances are discussed, with emphasis on their pros and cons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper presents a novel approach to produce virtual contrast enhanced (VCE) images for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) without the use of contrast agents, which carry certain risks. This model uses pixelwise gradient term to capture the shape and a GAN terms to capture the texture of the real contrast enhanced T1C images With similar accuracy to existing models, our method shows an advantage in reproducing texture closer to the realistic contrast-enhanced images. This results are tested by various measures, including mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE) and structural similarity index (SSIM) for similarity accuracy; total mean square variation per mean intensity (TMSVPMI), the total absolute vari-ation per mean intensity (TAVPMI), Tenengrad function per mean intensity (TFPMI) and variance function per mean intensity (VFPMI) Various variations of the model, including fine-tuning of the hyperparameters, normalization methods on the images and using single modality, have also been investigated to test the optimal performance. Background: The development of advanced computational models for medical imaging is crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy in healthcare. This paper introduces a novel approach for virtual contrast enhancement (VCE) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly focusing on nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Methods: The proposed model, Pixelwise Gradient Model with GAN for Virtual Contrast Enhancement (PGMGVCE), makes use of pixelwise gradient methods with Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to enhance T1-weighted (T1-w) and T2-weighted (T2-w) MRI images. This approach combines the benefits of both modalities to simulate the effects of gadolinium-based contrast agents, thereby reducing associated risks. Various modifications of PGMGVCE, including changing hyperparameters, using normalization methods (z-score, Sigmoid and Tanh) and training the model with T1-w or T2-w images only, were tested to optimize the model's performance. Results: PGMGVCE demonstrated a similar accuracy to the existing model in terms of mean absolute error (MAE) (8.56 ± 0.45 for Li's model; 8.72 ± 0.48 for PGMGVCE), mean square error (MSE) (12.43 ± 0.67 for Li's model; 12.81 ± 0.73 for PGMGVCE) and structural similarity index (SSIM) (0.71 ± 0.08 for Li's model; 0.73 ± 0.12 for PGMGVCE). However, it showed improvements in texture representation, as indicated by total mean square variation per mean intensity (TMSVPMI) (0.124 ± 0.022 for ground truth; 0.079 ± 0.024 for Li's model; 0.120 ± 0.027 for PGMGVCE), total absolute variation per mean intensity (TAVPMI) (0.159 ± 0.031 for ground truth; 0.100 ± 0.032 for Li's model; 0.153 ± 0.029 for PGMGVCE), Tenengrad function per mean intensity (TFPMI) (1.222 ± 0.241 for ground truth; 0.981 ± 0.213 for Li's model; 1.194 ± 0.223 for PGMGVCE) and variance function per mean intensity (VFPMI) (0.0811 ± 0.005 for ground truth; 0.0667   ± 0.006 for Li's model; 0.0761   ± 0.006 for PGMGVCE). Conclusions: PGMGVCE presents an innovative and safe approach to VCE in MRI, demonstrating the power of deep learning in enhancing medical imaging. This model paves the way for more accurate and risk-free diagnostic tools in medical imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a computer-simulation-based design of an in-line, coaxial-to-circular waveguide adapter for converting the coaxial transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode to the circular waveguide TE11 mode over more than a one-octave bandwidth. The proposed adapter consists of a coaxial-to-rectangular waveguide transformer employing a stepped-ridge converter and a rectangular-to-circular waveguide transformer employing a curved transition. The proposed adapter has been optimized using a commercial simulation tool. The dimensions of the designed adapter are given so that it can be verified by anyone who is interested. The designed adapter operates from 8.00 GHz to 22.95 GHz (2.87:1 bandwidth) with a reflection coefficient of less than −20 dB and a higher-order mode level of less than −25.0 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous progress in integrated circuit technology, single-event effect (SEE) has become a key factor affecting the reliability of aerospace integrated circuits. Simulating fault injection using the computer simulation technique effectively reflects the SEE in aerospace integrated circuits. Due to various masking effects, only a small number of faults will result in errors; the traditional method of injecting one fault in one workload execution is inefficient. The method of injecting multiple faults in one workload execution will make it impossible to judge which fault results in errors because the propagation characteristic of SEE and faults may affect each other. This paper proposes an improved multi-point fault injection method to improve simulation efficiency and solve the problems of the general multi-point fault injection method. If one workload execution does not result in errors, multiple faults can be verified by one workload execution. If one workload execution results in errors, a specific grouping method can be used to determine which faults result in errors. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves a good acceleration effect and significantly improves the simulation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of fractured rock have always been a focal point in the rock mechanics field. Based on previous research, this paper proposes improvements to the SPH method and applies it to the study of crack propagation in fractured rocks. By conducting uniaxial compression tests and simulating crack propagation on various specimens with different crack shapes, the characteristics of crack propagation were obtained. The comparison between the simulated results in this study and existing experimental and numerical simulation results confirms the validity of the SPH method employed in this paper. The present study utilizes the proposed methodology to analyze the influence of the crack angle, width, and orientation on crack propagation. The SPH method employed in this study effectively demonstrates the expansion process of fractured rock under uniaxial compression, providing valuable insights for the engineering applications of SPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings consume about 40% of the global energy. Therefore, the building sector plays a key role in achieving the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Various energy-saving technologies for buildings, such as building envelops, mechanical systems, and energy resources, have been developed to help to achieve zero- or even net-energy buildings while maintaining comfort and a healthy indoor environment. This Special Issue on building energy-saving technology was open to all contributors in the field of building engineering. The original experimental studies, numerical simulations, and reviews in all aspects of building energy utilization, management, and optimization have been considered. For this event, all of these topics were covered in the extensive submissions which were accepted, but interesting papers on other aspects of building energy efficiency were also received. The purpose of this editorial is to summarize the main research findings of the accepted papers in this Special Issue, including the energy-saving technologies involved in building envelops, mechanical systems, and occupant behaviors, and to identify a number of research questions and research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper evaluates the DARS Traffic Plus mobile application within a realistic driving simulator environment to assess its impact on driving safety and user experience, particularly focusing on the Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS). The study is positioned within the broader context of integrating mobile technology in vehicular environments to enhance road safety by informing drivers about potential hazards in real time. A combination of experimental methods was employed, including a standardised user experience questionnaire (meCUE 2.0), measuring quantitative driving parameters and eye-tracking data within a driving simulator, and post-experiment interviews. The results indicate that the mobile application significantly improved drivers' safety perception, particularly when notifications about hazardous locations were received. Notifications displayed at the top of the mobile screen with auditory cues were deemed most effective. The study concludes that mobile applications like DARS Traffic Plus can play a crucial role in enhancing road safety by effectively communicating hazards to drivers, thereby potentially reducing road accidents and improving overall traffic safety. Screen viewing was kept below the safety threshold, affirming the app's efficacy in delivering crucial information without distraction. These findings support the integration of C-ITS functionalities into mobile applications as a means to augment older vehicle technologies and extend the safety benefits to a broader user base.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer is widely used in various fields today. In order to reveal the structural impact performance of PMMA materials in underwater engineering thoroughly, this paper firstly proposed a simplified plate model for a spherical shell hull under concentrative impact loading. Then, to simulate the hyper-elastic material properties of PMMA in the impact process, the Johnson–Cook constitutive model and damage failure model were adopted. And the least squares method was used to confirm accurately the J–C constitutive and damage failure model parameters of PMMA through material test data. Moreover, the dynamic process of the steel bullet impacting the PMMA plate structure was analyzed by the finite element software ABAQUS. The calculation results show that the numerical simulation results in this paper have a good convergence, and the residual velocities at different initial velocities and thicknesses of plates are in good agreement with the experimental test data. Therefore, the feasibility and accuracy of the impact analysis of PMMA structures based on J–C constitutive and damage failure models in this paper are verified accordingly. Finally, based on the presented finite element model, the structure response and the variation of residual velocity of the bullet with the PMMA plate thickness was analyzed in depth; that is, the results show that the residual velocity of the bullet has a certain linear relationship with the thickness, even in an underwater environment, and even in an underwater environment will increase both with a thicker structure or a higher pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the airway for phonation, fluid flow in an idealized model within a sudden expansion and contraction channel with a geometrically symmetric structure is investigated, and the nonlinear behaviors of the flow therein are explored via numerical simulations. Numerical simulation results show that, as the Reynolds number (Re = U0H/ν) increases, the numerical solution undergoes a pitchfork bifurcation, an inverse pitchfork bifurcation and a Hopf bifurcation. There are symmetric solutions, asymmetric solutions and oscillatory solutions for flows. When the sudden expansion ratio (Er) = 6.00, aspect ratio (Ar) = 1.78 and Re ≤ Rec1 (≈185), the numerical solution is unique, symmetric and stable. When Rec1 < Re ≤ Rec2 (≈213), two stable asymmetric solutions and one symmetric unstable solution are reached. When Rec2 < Re ≤ Rec3 (≈355), the number of numerical solution returns one, which is stable and symmetric. When Re > Rec3, the numerical solution is oscillatory. With increasing Re, the numerical solution develops from periodic and multiple periodic solutions to chaos. The critical Reynolds numbers (Rec1, Rec2 and Rec3) and the maximum return velocity, at which reflux occurs in the channel, change significantly under conditions with different geometry. In this paper, the variation rules of Rec1, Rec2 and Rec3 are investigated, as well as the maximum return velocity with the sudden expansion ratio Er and the aspect ratio Ar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relative permeability is a fundamental parameter affecting reservoir development performance analysis. During the development of oil and gas fields, the displacement pressure gradient changes with time and space. This paper studies the effect of displacement pressure gradient on relative permeability. The oil–water relative permeability curves of a Bohai Oilfield under different displacement pressure gradients are obtained through experimental analysis. Based on the experimental data, a correction model of the permeability curve is established by regression of the Willhite model parameters. The correction model is introduced into the black oil numerical simulation, and the production performance and remaining oil are compared and analyzed. The results show that the displacement pressure gradient can have an obvious impact on the relative permeability curve. As the displacement pressure gradient increases, the two-phase span of the relative permeability curve increases, the oil displacement efficiency increases, and the water relative permeability increases. The relative permeability curves under different displacement pressure gradients can be accurately characterized by the Willhite model. The consideration of the displacement pressure gradient has an obvious impact on numerical simulation results. The conventional method of using a fixed relative permeability curve cannot truly reflect the production performance and the remaining oil distribution. This paper proposes a set of realization methods including obtaining laws from experiments, utilizing the empirical model to correct, and simulating to characterize reservoir changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to marine ecology research that plankton samples are collected without damage, especially for time series samples. Usually, most fixed-point plankton samplers are made using a pump with paddle blades in order to increase the flow rate. But it can easily injure soft plankton. In this paper, a shaftless hollow sampling pump is designed, which can provide a highly efficient driving component for the plankton sampler. The numerical model of the sampling pump is established, and the flow rate of the sampling pump at different rotational speeds is simulated by the computational fluid dynamics method. In order to obtain a higher flow rate, the influence of internal and external cavity size, blade angle, and blade number on the flow rate of the sampling pump with a constant rotational speed of the blade was simulated and discussed. The results show that the flow rate at the internal cavity is positively correlated with the inlet and outlet pressure differences of the internal cavity, and the greater the negative pressure at the outlet of the internal cavity, the greater the flow rate. When the internal and external cavity sizes are h = 14 mm, d = 52 mm, blade angle θ = 45°, and number of blades s = 5, the flow rate of the sampling pump internal cavity reaches the maximum. Finally, the feasibility of the shaftless hollow sampling pump is verified by experiments. The shaftless hollow sampling pump can realize non-destructive sampling of plankton. This paper presents a theoretical design foundation for a new non-destructive siphon sampling method for marine plankton, which is of great significance for marine plankton sampling and subsequent research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shield misalignment is a common problem in shield tunnels, which seriously affects the safety and durability of tunnels. However, at present, there is a lack of research on the influence of shield misalignment on the shear capacity of the circumferential joint structure, and the failure mechanism of the circumferential joint structure before and after reinforcement is not clear. Therefore, this paper simulates the influence of misalignment on the performance mechanism of segmented circumferential connection and the effect of channel reinforcement on the ABAQUS platform. The simulation results are compared with the full-scale test results, and the results show that the shear failure process of the circumferential joint can be divided into three stages under the condition of no reinforcement. In the first stage, the vertical load increases, but the misalignment between the shield tunneling sections is very small. In the second stage, the load almost does not increase, but the degree of misalignment increases. In the third stage, the load–displacement relationship is nonlinear, indicating that the bending bolt has been sheared. Under the condition of unreinforced, the bolt will form two plastic hinges when it fails. After reinforcing the channel, the removal of the bolt forms only one plastic hinge. After channel steel reinforcement, the boundary area between the channel steel web and the steel plate first reaches the ultimate tensile strength of the steel plate, and the failure mode becomes channel steel reinforcement failure. Under the same shear load, the misalignment of the circumferential joint reinforced with channel steel is reduced. In this paper, the misalignment relationship of shear load and the yield of the bending bolt obtained through numerical calculation is consistent with the conclusion of the full-scale test. However, the circumferential connection misalignment obtained via numerical calculation is relatively small. The yield position of the bending bolt is also in good agreement with the test results, and the bolt strain obtained through the test is relatively small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the analysis of TRIP steel HCT690 deformation behaviour. The mechanical properties and deformation characteristics of the tested material are determined using selected material tests and tests that consider the required stress states used to define the yield criterion boundary condition and subsequent deformation behaviour in the region of severe plastic deformation. The measured data are subsequently implemented in the numerical simulation of sheet metal forming, where they are used as input data for the computational process in the form of a selected material model defining the yield criterion boundary and, furthermore, the material hardening law during deformation of the material. The chosen numerical simulation process corresponds to the sheet metal forming process, including the subsequent spring-back of the material, when the force does not affect the material. Furthermore, the influence of the chosen computational model and selected process parameters on the deformation and spring-back process of the material is evaluated. In addition to that, at the end of the paper, the results from the numerical simulation are compared with experimentally produced sheet stamping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compressor characteristic evaluation is a critical step in design and optimization. Corrected characteristic curves are typically derived via experimental testing or CFD computation which is typically executed through manual manipulation. For compressors necessitating extensive characteristic computation across multiple speeds and operational conditions, the involved process is inherently complex. This paper introduces an automation approach, employing dichotomy and optimization algorithms aligned with a 3D numerical solver, to streamline the derivation of compressor characteristic curves. Initially, the paper delineated the procedural frameworks for two methodologies and validated them using a single-stage transonic compressor. Both methods achieved the automated resolution of the characteristic lines. The result indicates that the volume of the iterative computations hinges on the granularity of the space searching step and the precision in identifying the stall boundary point. Pertaining to the subject investigated herein, the dichotomy method entailed fewer iterations relative to the optimization algorithm. Subsequent adjustments to the optimization algorithmic process revealed that direct optimization mitigated computational demands substantially by reducing a cycle, thereby attesting to its superior efficacy. In summary, when simulating compressor characteristic curves, the dichotomy method proves more efficient when the interval value of the stall boundary range can be approximated. Conversely, direct optimization is preferable when the estimation of the compressor's stall boundary is imprecise. The proposed methodologies contribute to compressor research and expedite the progression of compressor development and performance advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of integrated and highly efficient solutions for thermal management is a key capability for different aerospace products, ranging from civil aircraft using hydrogen on board to miniaturized satellites. In particular, this paper discloses a novel numerical tool for the design and thermal performance assessment of heat pipes. To achieve this goal, a numerical Ansys Parametric Design Language code is set up to verify the effective subtractive heat flux guaranteed by the selected heat pipe arrangement. The methodology and related tool show their ability to provide good thermal performance estimates for different heat pipe designs and operating conditions. Specifically, the paper reports two very different test cases: (1) solid metal heat pipes to cool down the crotch leading-edge area of the air intake of a Mach 8 civil passenger aircraft, and (2) a copper-water heat pipe to cool down a Printed Circuit Board of a generic small LEO satellite. The successful application of the methodology and numerical code confirms the achievement of the ambitious goal of developing in-house tools to support heat pipe thermal performance prediction for the entire aerospace domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural irrigation pumps are the main agricultural irrigation machinery, and their performance is closely related to the flow characteristics inside them. This paper combines experimental research and numerical simulation analysis. Based on the good agreement between the experimental results and numerical simulation data, this paper focuses on studying the characteristics of pressure fluctuations of agricultural irrigation pumps under cavitation conditions. The study found that under non-cavitation conditions, the pressure fluctuations at different monitoring points in pumps with different numbers of blades showed periodic variations, which are related to the number of blades. Under cavitation conditions, the pressure fluctuation coefficients of agricultural irrigation pumps with different impeller blade numbers increased, with a significant impact on the distribution of radial forces on the impeller. The research results supplement the relevant theoretical analysis and have certain practical significance for the application of agricultural irrigation pumps to practical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilisation of numerical process simulation has greatly facilitated the challenging task of liquid composite moulding (LCM) process optimisation, providing ease of solution evaluation at a significantly reduced cost compared to complete reliance on physical prototyping. However, due to the process complexity, such process simulation is still considerably expensive at present. In this paper, cost-saving approaches to minimising the computational cost of simulation-based optimisation for LCM processes are compiled and discussed. Their specific applicability, efficacy, and suitability for various optimisation/moulding scenarios are extensively explored in detail. The comprehensive analysation and assimilation of their operation alongside applicability for the problem domain of interest are accomplished in this paper to further complement and contribute to future simulation-based optimisation capabilities for composite moulding processes. The importance of balancing the cost-accuracy trade-off is also repeatedly emphasised, allowing for substantial cost reductions while ensuring a desirable level of optimization reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explosive shock wave protection is an important issue that urgently needs to be solved in the current military and public security safety fields. Non-metallic protective structures have the characteristics of being lightweight and having low secondary damage, making them an important research object in the field of equivalent protection. In this paper, the numerical simulation was performed to investigate the dynamic mechanical response of non-metallic annular protective structures under the internal blast, which were made by the continuous winding of PE fibers. The impact of various charges, the number of fiber layers, and polyurethane foam on the damage to protective structures was analyzed. The numerical results showed that 120 PE fiber layers could protect 50 g TNT equivalent explosives. However, solely increasing the thickness of fiber layers cannot effectively enhance the protection efficiency. By adding polyurethane foam in the inner layer, the stress acting on the fiber could be effectively reduced. A 30 mm thick polyurethane layer can reduce the equivalent stress of the fiber layer by 41.6%. This paper can provide some reference for the numerical simulations of non-metallic explosion protection structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the deformation behavior of Panda optical fiber using different models of material behavior for the tasks of predicting residual stresses after drawing when cooling from 2000 °C to room temperature (23 °C) and indenting the fiber into an aluminum half-space at different parameters. These studies were conducted for single- and double-layer protective coatings (PCs), at different values of external load and thickness of single-layer PC. This paper determined the fields of residual stresses in the fiber formed during the drawing process. They are taken into account in modeling the fiber performance in the further process of this research. This article investigated two variants of PC behavior. The influence of behavior models and the number of covering layers on the deformation of the "fiber-half-space" system was analyzed. This paper establishes qualitative and quantitative regularities of the influence of the external load magnitude and relaxation properties of PCs on the deformation and optical characteristics of Panda optical fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of hardware-in-the-loop simulations (HILs) of indirect matrix converters (IMCs), solving the mathematical models of complex multiswitching converter topologies has become a major problem. The conventional approach is to split the complex mathematical model into multiple serial subsystems; however, this inevitably produces delays in the simulation steps between different subsystems, leading to numerical oscillations. In this paper, the method of latency-free decoupling is adopted, which has no time-step delay between different subsystems, making each subsystem a parallel operation. This can improve the numerical stability of the simulations and can effectively reduce the step size of the real-time simulation and alleviate the problem of real-time simulation resource consumption. In this paper, we discuss in detail the modeling process of IMC hardware-in-the-loop simulations with Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC), and experimentally validate our method using the Speedgoat test platform, resulting in a simulation step size of less than 200 ns. The simulation results are compared with the results of Matlab's Simpower power system, which allows us to evaluate the accuracy of our model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the reliance on ocean resources, the nuclear power powers have set their sights on marine nuclear power plants to break through the bottleneck of energy supply for the development of ocean resources. In this paper, the computational fluid dynamics software ANSYS CFX 2021 is used to simulate the TOSQAN benchmark experiment. Three different turbulence models, the k − ε model, R N G   k − ε model, and S S T model, are selected to analyze the adaptability of the turbulence model. The simulation results are compared with the benchmark experimental results, and the selected numerical calculation model is used to analyze the influence of vapor on the pressure, temperature, hydrogen distribution, and hydrogen risk in the containment space when a hypothetical serious accident occurs in a marine nuclear power plant. The results show that the results simulated with the k − ε turbulence model are closer to the benchmark experimental results. Vapor has no obvious effect on the response speed of pressure balance at each position in the closed containment space, and the condensation of the vapor wall can effectively reduce the pressure peak in the closed containment space. The existence of vapor and the increase in vapor concentration will increase the temperature in the closed containment space. The condensation of vapor on the wall surface will cause the temperature in the containment space to have a peak value, which can effectively reduce the temperature in the containment space. Vapor will promote the mixing of gas in the containment space and make the hydrogen distribution tend to be uniform. The presence of vapor and the increase in vapor concentration can reduce the hydrogen risk in the containment space, but the condensation of vapor may increase the hydrogen risk in the containment space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of "Industry 4.0" encourages the use of automated manufacturing processes and the use of advanced technological systems. Some of the most fundamental needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution can only be met with the help of additive manufacturing. However, the mechanical behavior and reliability of additive-manufactured components are hardly recognized. This paper provides a systematic review of metal additive manufacturing technologies, materials, lattice structures, and fatigue properties as well as the development of numerical simulations. The current state of development in metal alloys and the optimization of cellular structures were presented. In addition, this paper discussed the main challenges in numerical simulation methods, their validation with experimental results, and the limitations of commercial software used. Overall, this paper provides an overview of metal additive manufacturing as well as a survey of its simulation software development to optimize several parameters in industrial and academic research fields. The results were critically analyzed and provided a benchmark for future research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the age of information technology and the additional computational search tools and software available, this systematic review aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets for obesity, evaluated in silico and subsequently validated in vivo. The systematic review was initially guided by the research question "What therapeutic targets have been used in in silico analysis for the treatment of obesity?" and structured based on the acronym PECo (P, problem; E, exposure; Co, context). The systematic review protocol was formulated and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022353808) in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items Checklist for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P), and the PRISMA was followed for the systematic review. The studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria, aligned with PECo, in the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, BVS, and EMBASE. The search strategy yielded 1142 articles, from which, based on the evaluation criteria, 12 were included in the systematic review. Only seven these articles allowed the identification of both in silico and in vivo reassessed therapeutic targets. Among these targets, five were exclusively experimental, one was exclusively theoretical, and one of the targets presented an experimental portion and a portion obtained by modeling. The predominant methodology used was molecular docking and the most studied target was Human Pancreatic Lipase (HPL) (n = 4). The lack of methodological details resulted in more than 50% of the papers being categorized with an "unclear risk of bias" across eight out of the eleven evaluated criteria. From the current systematic review, it seems evident that integrating in silico methodologies into studies of potential drug targets for the exploration of new therapeutic agents provides an important tool, given the ongoing challenges in controlling obesity.

Changes in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen content, and nutrients, which are key factors that cause metal corrosion, are common in marine thermoclines. To study the corrosion behaviours and reveal the corrosion mechanisms of metals in a marine thermocline, COMSOL 6.2 software is used in this paper. With this software, the corrosion behaviour of Q345 steel in a thermocline is numerically simulated, and a simulated marine thermocline is built indoors for experimental research purposes. The corrosion behaviour and mechanism of Q345 steel in a marine thermocline were investigated through numerical simulation, electrochemical testing, and corrosion morphology observation. After 21 days of immersion in the simulated marine thermocline, Q345 steel specimens at different depths are shown to have undergone vertical galvanic corrosion, with two anodes and two cathodes. At depths of 70 m and 150 m, the Q345 steel becomes the anode in the galvanic corrosion reaction, while at depths of 110 m and 190 m, the Q345 steel becomes the cathode in the galvanic corrosion reaction. The cathode is protected by the anode and has a relatively low corrosion rate. The main reason underlying these phenomena is that there are large differences in the dissolved oxygen contents and temperatures at different depths in a thermocline. The different dissolved oxygen contents lead to differences in the oxygen concentrations of Q345 steel specimens at various depths. These variations trigger galvanic coupling corrosion. Moreover, the difference in temperature further aggravates the degree of galvanic corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of locating mixed far-field and near-field sources, sparse nonlinear arrays (SNAs) can achieve larger array apertures and higher degrees of freedom compared to traditional uniform linear arrays (ULAs) with the same number of sensors. This paper introduces a Modified Symmetric Nested Array (MSNA), which can automatically generate the optimal array structure with the maximum continuous lags for a given number of sensors. To effectively address mixed source localization, we designed an estimation algorithm based on high-order cumulants and the subarray partition method, applied to the MSNA. Firstly, a specialized fourth-order cumulant matrix, relevant only to Direction of Arrival (DOA) information, is constructed for the DOA estimation of mixed sources. Then, peak searching using the estimated DOA information enables the estimation of the distance parameters, effectively separating mixed sources. The algorithm has moderate computational complexity and provides high resolution and estimation accuracy. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that, with the same number of physical sensors, the proposed MSNA provides more continuous lags than existing arrays, offering higher degrees of freedom and estimation accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]