Search Results (2,132)

To address the governance challenges of “delayed response, fragmented strategies, and cognitive disconnection” in traditional emergency management, this paper proposes an intelligent framework—Scenario–Learning–Decision (SLD)—powered by Large Language Models (LLMs). The framework integrates Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) and prospect theory-based parameter modeling to build an emergency simulation platform featuring scenario perception, human–AI learning, and collective decision-making. Using the 2022 wildfire in City C as a case study, the research verifies the effectiveness of the SLD model in complex emergency contexts and provides theoretical support and practical pathways for developing human-centered intelligent emergency decision-making systems. Full article

Real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) evaluates the dynamic performance of a structure by physically testing the selected components while modeling the remaining structure numerically, making it efficient in both cost and testing space requirements. In RTHS, accurately imposing target boundary conditions on specimens is critical, as it directly influences test accuracy and overall simulation stability. However, boundary condition application often experiences tracking errors due to the dynamics of the servo–hydraulic loading system and control-structural interaction. This challenge intensifies with multiple actuators operating in a multi-axial setup, introducing dynamic coupling effects. Thus, an outer-loop controller enabling precise actuator tracking of reference boundary conditions is essential for reliable RTHS. While advancements in outer-loop controllers for uniaxial RTHS exist, multi-axial RTHS (maRTHS) employing multiple degrees of freedom control remains underexplored. This study applies the adaptive discrete feedforward controller (ADFC), consisting of a discrete feedforward compensator and an online identifier, to a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) system for maRTHS. To validate ADFC’s performance and robustness, 1000 virtual maRTHS tests incorporating plant uncertainties were conducted under seismic excitations. Ten evaluation criteria were applied. Results confirm that ADFC achieves robust and stable control by reducing phase and amplitude errors, while also improving estimation accuracy at the physical–numerical interface. Full article

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a crucial process in electrochemical systems, such as fuel cells, as it effectively converts oxygen into water, thereby contributing significantly to sustainable energy generation. In this study, copper oxide (CuO) thin films were deposited onto silver (Ag) substrates using a modified successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method, followed by an investigation of their electrocatalytic performance toward ORR in an alkaline medium. Comprehensive electrochemical characterizations, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and open circuit potential (OCP), were employed to evaluate catalyst behaviour. Elemental analysis through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the uniform distribution of CuO, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a sponge-like surface morphology which potentially enhances catalytic efficiency. Moreover, EIS spectra revealed a lower charge transfer resistance for the CuO/Ag electrode (3.37 kΩ) compared to bare Ag (4.23 kΩ), reflecting improved ORR kinetics. Among different deposition cycles, 15 SILAR cycles yielded the highest current density of 0.8 mA cm⁻² at 0.60 V. Kinetic analysis revealed that the reaction is irreversible, with a lower value of Tafel slope (32 mV dec⁻¹) and high transfer coefficient (α = 0.45), indicating a concerted reduction mechanism. The ORR pathway was found to follow a four-electron (4e⁻) transfer process. Full article

Dolostone is an important reservoir for hydrocarbons, and significant hydrocarbons have been produced in the Middle Permian Qixia Formation dolostone reservoirs in the southeastern Sichuan Basin. The origin and formation process of the dolomite reservoir in the research area are studied through thin-section, geochemical, and sedimentary cycle analyses and U-Pb geochronology. Three types of dolomites were identified, including stratiform fine-crystalline dolomite (D1), patchy fine-crystalline dolomite (D2), and saddle dolomite cement (SD). D1 and D2 exhibit a range of δ¹³C values from 3.39‰ to 4.21‰ and a range of δ¹⁸O values from −6.06‰ to −5.75‰, indicating a mild depletion of δ¹⁸O relative to coeval seawater while maintaining seawater-equivalent δ¹³C signatures. Their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and REE patterns indicate seawater-derived fluids for D1 and D2 (both test results showed a U-Pb age of ≈274 Ma) and hydrothermal origin for SD. Sedimentary cycle analysis found that the regression process in the fourth-order sequence is conducive to the formation of dolomite under the background of regression in the third-order sequence. Exposure of bioclastic shoals enabled evaporated seawater reflux, forming penecontemporaneous D1 in fluid-saturated settings. Selective dolomitization occurred in the bioturbation structure with good porosity and permeability, forming D2. In the burial stage, the hydrothermal fluid had a slight transformation on the dolomite and formed SD. This model highlights transgressive–regressive cycle controls on reservoir development, providing exploration criteria for analogous carbonate systems. Full article

Detecting available road space is a fundamental task for autonomous driving vehicles, requiring robust image feature extraction methods that operate reliably across diverse sensor-captured scenarios. However, existing approaches process each input independently without leveraging Accumulated Experiential Knowledge (AEK), limiting their adaptability and reliability. In order to explore the impact of AEK, we introduce MemRoadNet, a Memory-Augmented (MA) semantic segmentation framework that integrates human-inspired cognitive architectures with deep-learning models for free road space detection. Our approach combines an InternImage-XL backbone with a UPerNet decoder and a Human-like Memory Bank system implementing episodic, semantic, and working memory subsystems. The memory system stores road experiences with emotional valences based on segmentation performance, enabling intelligent retrieval and integration of relevant historical patterns during training and inference. Experimental validation on the KITTI road, Cityscapes, and R2D benchmarks demonstrates that our single-modality RGB approach achieves competitive performance with complex multimodal systems while maintaining computational efficiency and achieving top performance among single-modality methods. The MA framework represents a significant advancement in sensor-based computer vision systems, bridging computational efficiency and segmentation quality for autonomous driving applications. Full article

Nitrogen-modified atmosphere technology, due to its effectiveness in pest control, is widely used in grain storage as an eco-friendly preservation method. This study compared the quality changes in unhulled rough rice (paddy) stored under nitrogen-modified atmosphere and conventional conditions. Fatty acid value (FAV), reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, coenzyme levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, and concentrations of central carbon metabolism-related metabolites of paddy were monitored during storage under different storage conditions. The results revealed that compared to conventional storage, nitrogen-modified atmosphere resulted in lower FAV and ROS levels, as well as higher pyridine nucleotides contents and antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR). Metabolomic profiling demonstrated that N₂-MAS induced metabolic changes characterized by the down-regulation of 2-hydroxyglutaric acid and the up-regulation of fructose 6-phosphate, glucose 1-phosphate, glycerol 3-phosphate, gluconic acid, fumaric acid, and malic acid, which collectively contribute to reduced oxidative damage and enhanced preservation quality. These findings elucidated the mechanism of N₂-MAS-delayed quality deterioration and revealed the regulatory role of the antioxidant system and central carbon metabolism. Full article

The Baijianshan deposit is the sole skarn Zn-Cu polymetallic deposit in the Xiaoshitouquan ore field, Xinjiang, China. Its ore genesis remains controversial, which hinders understanding of the relationship between skarn-type Zn-Cu and adjacent epithermal Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization and consequently impedes further regional exploration. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating on zircons from the granite and granite porphyry from the mining area yielded ages of 311 ± 1.7 Ma and 312 ± 1.6 Ma, respectively. The corresponding zircon ε_Hf(t) values and T_DM ages are 8.7–9.9 and 624–555 Ma for the granite, and 7.2–9.9 and 673–552 Ma for the granite porphyry. These granites are metaluminous, high-K calc-alkaline I-type granites, with high LREE/HREE ratios (4.92–9.03) and pronounced negative Eu anomalies. They are enriched in K, Th, U, Zr, and Hf, with significant depletions in Sr, P, and Ti. Combined geological and geochemical evidence indicate that these Late Carboniferous granites were derived from the juvenile crustal and formed in subduction-related back basin. Two-phase aqueous inclusions in the ore-bearing quartz and calcite have homogenization temperatures ranging from 117 to 207 °C and 112 to 160 °C, respectively, with the salinities in the ranges of 0.18~7.17 and 0.53~5.26 wt% NaCl eq. The S and Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides in the ores indicate that the ore-forming metals were sourced from the medium-acidic magmatite. The δ¹⁸O_H2O and δD_H2O values of hydrothermal fluids range from −6.97% to −5.84% and −106.8% to −99.6%, respectively, suggesting that the ore-forming fluids originated from the mixing of magmatic and meteoric water. Fluid mixing and corresponding conductive cooling were identified as the principal mechanism triggering the metallic mineral precipitation. The Baijianshan skarn Zn-Cu polymetallic deposit shares contemporaneous magmatic-mineralization ages and analogous material sources with the epithermal polymetallic deposits in the Xiaoshitouquan ore field, collectively constituting a unified skarn-epithermal metallogenic system. This hypothesis indicates that the deep parts of the epithermal deposits within the Yamansu volcanic rocks possess potential for exploring the porphyry-skarn-type deposits. Full article

This study investigates the ballistic performance of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with raffia fabric, aiming to evaluate their potential as the second layer in multilayered armor systems (MAS), replacing conventional synthetic aramid (Kevlar™) laminates. Composite plates with different volumetric fractions of raffia fabric (10, 20, and 30%) were manufactured and integrated with a ceramic front layer (Al₂O₃/Nb₂O₅) in MAS structures, which were then subjected to ballistic impact tests using high-energy 7.62 mm caliber ammunition. The backface signature (indentation depth) measured in ballistic clay, used as a human body simulant, showed that only the 10% raffia-reinforced composite (ER10) met the National Institute of Justice (NIJ 0101.06) safety threshold of 44 mm. Higher raffia contents (20% and 30%) led to increased indentation, compromising ballistic integrity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the fractured surfaces revealed typical energy dissipation mechanisms, such as fiber rupture, fiber pull-out, and interfacial delamination. The results indicate that raffia fabric composites with 10% fiber content can serve as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to Kevlar™ in personal armor applications, while maintaining compliance with ballistic protection standards. Full article

The efficiency of liquid unloading in dewatering wells directly affects the performance of the Liaohe Ma-19 gas storage facility—the first strongly water-flooded depleted reservoir in China converted for storage use. However, existing hydraulic jet pumps often exhibit low liquid-removal efficiency and capacity mismatches with field operating conditions. To address these limitations, a gas-powered negative-pressure pump system was developed based on gas dynamics principles. Using a custom-built flow loop with injection pressures up to 10 MPa and flow rates of 500–1200 m³/h, the effects of backpressure, nozzle-to-throat area ratio, and formation pressure on pump performance were systematically investigated. The results indicate that an optimal nozzle-to-throat area ratio of 0.19 achieves critical gas velocity at the throat, maximizing the negative pressure effect. Compared with conventional hydraulic jet pumps, the gas-driven system reduces start-up pressure by 87% and increases pressure drawdown by over 50%, while eliminating post-shut-in liquid accumulation through the use of compressed gas as the power fluid. This study demonstrates that the proposed system offers an efficient and reliable artificial lift solution for liquid unloading in gas storage operations. Full article

The Altyn Tagh Fault plays a critical role in understanding the tectonic evolution of the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. However, considerable debate persists regarding its activity and deformation history. This study investigates volcanic rocks from the Beidayao-Jianquanzi-Hanxia-Hongliuxia area in the eastern segment of the fault. By employing zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd isotope analysis, we aim to elucidate their petrogenesis and tectonic setting, thereby providing new insights into the crustal evolution of the eastern Altyn Tagh Fault. Zircon U-Pb dating of the Hongliuxia rhyolite yields a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 106.6 ± 0.6 Ma, indicating an Early Cretaceous eruption. Geochemically, the western part of the study area (Beidayao and Jianquanzi) is dominated by basalts that exhibit significant enrichment in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, together with high Nb concentrations (>20 ppm), as well as high Nb/La (0.64–1.12) and Nb/U (29.8–35.42) ratios, consistent with the characteristics of high-Nb basalt. In contrast, the eastern area (Hanxia and Hongliuxia) is characterized by andesitic rocks that display typical continental arc affinities, marked by enrichment in Th, U, and Pb and depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti. Isotopically, the basalts show initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.706–0.707 and ε_Nd (t) values ranging from −3.2 to 0.8, whereas the andesites possess more radiogenic Sr isotopic compositions, with (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.710–0.717, and more negative ε_Nd (t) values from −11.4 to −1.5, suggesting derivation from an enriched mantle source. Integrating geochemical data with regional geological records, we propose that the eastern part of the Altyn Fault experienced a significant intracontinental extensional setting during the Early Cretaceous, where asthenospheric mantle upwelling played a key role in the generation of the volcanic rocks. This study provides key petrological and geochemical constraints on Early Cretaceous deformation and activity along the Altyn Tagh Fault, and also offers a valuable reference for understanding the evolution of similar fault systems. Full article

High-efficiency power management is essential for silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)-based sensing systems, especially in portable radiation detectors that demand long battery life and stable operation. Conventional fixed-frequency, voltage-mode boost converters face two critical issues: efficiency degradation at light load due to dominant switching losses, and narrow loop bandwidth in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), which limits transient response. This work proposes a boost converter IC that integrates a pulse-skipped switching (PSS) scheme with a Gm-boosted compensator to address these challenges. The PSS method adaptively suppresses unnecessary switching events, significantly improving light-load efficiency, while the Gm-boosted compensator enhances loop gain, expanding the bandwidth and enabling faster recovery under dynamic conditions. Implemented in a 250 nm BCD process, the converter provides up to 30 V output from a 3.3–5 V supply with load currents up to 10 mA. Simulation results show a peak efficiency of 86.3% at 1 mA and a loop bandwidth increase of more than 14 times compared with a conventional fixed-frequency, voltage-mode design. Beyond radiation applications, the proposed converter is broadly applicable to battery-powered IoT, medical monitoring, and portable energy systems requiring efficient high-voltage generation. Full article

Background and objectives: Evaluating Large Language Models (LLMs) presents two interrelated challenges: the general problem of assessing model performance across diverse tasks and the specific problem of using LLMs themselves as evaluators in pedagogical and educational contexts. Existing approaches often rely on single metrics or opaque preference-based methods, which fail to capture critical dimensions such as explanation quality, robustness, and argumentative diversity—attributes essential in instructional settings. This paper introduces PEARL, a novel framework conceived, operationalized, and evaluated in the present work using LLM-based scorers, designed to provide interpretable, reproducible, and pedagogically meaningful assessments across multiple performance dimensions. Methods: PEARL integrates three specialized rubrics—Technical, Argumentative, And Explanation-focused—covering aspects such as factual accuracy, clarity, completeness, originality, dialecticality, and explanatory usefulness. The framework defines seven complementary metrics: Rubric Win Count (RWC), Global Win Rate (GWR), Rubric Mean Advantage (RMA), Consistency Spread (CS), Win Confidence Score (WCS), Explanation Quality Index (EQI), and Dialectical Presence Rate (DPR). We evaluated PEARL by evaluating eight open-weight instruction-tuned LLMs across 51 prompts, with outputs scored independently by GPT-4 and LLaMA 3:instruct. This constitutes LLM-based evaluation, and observed alignment with the GPT-4 proxy is mixed across metrics. Results: Preference-based metrics (RMA, RWC, and GWR) show evidence of group separation, reported with bootstrap confidence intervals and interpreted as exploratory due to small samples, while robustness-oriented (CS and WCS) and reasoning-diversity (DPR) metrics capture complementary aspects of performance not reflected in global win rate. RMA and RWC exhibit statistically significant, FDR-controlled correlations with the GPT-4 proxy, and correlation mapping highlights the complementary and partially orthogonal nature of PEARL’s evaluation dimensions. Originality: PEARL is the first LLM evaluation framework to combine multi-rubric scoring, explanation-aware metrics, robustness analysis, and multi-LLM-evaluator analysis into a single, extensible system. Its multidimensional design supports both high-level benchmarking and targeted diagnostic assessment, offering a rigorous, transparent, and versatile methodology for researchers, developers, and educators working with LLMs in high-stakes and instructional contexts. Full article

End-stage temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders often necessitate total joint replacement, and the selection of biomaterial directly impacts long-term outcomes. Ti6Al4V and CoCrMo are commonly used alloys, yet their biomechanical performance in patient-specific prostheses remains insufficiently compared. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical response of custom TMJ prostheses fabricated from these alloys using finite element analysis (FEA). A three-dimensional mandibular model was created from computed tomography data, and a patient-specific prosthesis was designed in SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes, SolidWorks Corp., Waltham, MA, USA) and analyzed in ANSYS Workbench 2022 R1 (Ansys Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). Physiological loading was simulated by applying forces at the insertion sites of the temporalis, masseter, and medial pterygoid muscles. In the Ti6Al4V model, maximum von Mises stresses reached 192.18 MPa on the mandibular component and 92.004 MPa on the fossa prosthesis, whereas the CoCrMo model demonstrated higher stresses of 204.31 MPa and 94.182 MPa, respectively. Both alloys exhibited similar stress distributions, but Ti6Al4V generated lower stress magnitudes, indicating more favorable load transfer and a reduced risk of mechanical overload on articulating components. These findings underscore the significance of alloy selection in optimizing TMJ prostheses and demonstrate the value of FEA as a tool for guiding future patient-specific designs. Full article

We evaluated the effects of fenofibrate (FF) in a SU5416/hypoxia model of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with a specific focus on its influence on the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). We assessed right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), medial pulmonary artery wall thickening, right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), pulmonary artery effective elastance (PAEa), RV diastolic pressure (RVDP), RV developed pressure (RVDevP), right ventricular–pulmonary arterial coupling index (RVPAC), RV dp/dt max and dp/dt min. Levels of angiotensin II, angiotensin (1–7), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), Bmpr2, Smad5 and nitrite (NO₂⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) in the lung and RV were evaluated. The expression of AT1R, MAS receptors, and ACE2 in lung tissue was assessed. FF prevented the increase in RVSP, mPAP, RV hypertrophy, reduced pulmonary arterioles remodeling, and attenuated the rise in SPAP, mPAP, and PAEa. In the RV, it reduced RVDevP and prevented the decrease in dp/dt min, without affecting RVDP. RVPAC showed partial improvement. In lung tissue, FF decreased angiotensin II levels, the Ang II/Ang-(1–7) ratio, and reduced angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) expression, while preserving the receptor for the angiotensin-(1–7) (MAS) and ACE2. FF tended to restore Bmpr2/Smad5 expression. NO₂⁻ levels were preserved and tended to preserve (NO₃⁻) levels. In the RV, Ang-(1–7) increased, ACE2 was preserved, and NO₂⁻ and NO₃ levels were maintained. FF exerts protective effects in Su/Hx-induced PAH. Full article

Several industrial applications rely on induction motors to carry out processes essential for product manufacturing. Speed control of an induction motor commonly requires a pulse width modulated inverter capable of driving a system with long cables, suppression of common mode voltage, reduction in common mode current, and suppression of electromagnetic interference. This paper proposes a three-phase motor drive aimed at maintaining a constant common-mode voltage. The proposed system consists of two three-phase conventional full bridge inverters connected in parallel and having as an input two separate direct current sources. The proposed system is controlled by using the space vector pulse width modulation technique. By properly designing the switching signal sequences for both converters, the common-mode voltage can be maintained constant, thereby reducing the associated common-mode current to an RMS value of $92.3$ mA and enhancing the overall reliability of the system. The proposed system is validated through numerical simulations and by the implementation of an experimental prototype. Full article