Early Stages Of Process Research Articles

Numerical simulations on non-reactive multiphase flow during the transition from vent activation to venting with vent cap fragments in 18650 lithium-ion batteries

Mandatory safety devices, prevalent in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), enable current interrupt device (CID)-and vent-activated power-off protection by sensing the electrochemical gas production boost triggered by thermal runaway (TR). For an in-depth understanding of the early warning of safety devices, the thermodynamic and multiphase flow behaviour of gases-vent particles interaction under the non-combustion venting phase is numerically investigated. From the gas phase simulation results, the flow field structure of the counter-rotating vortex pairs (CVPs) bounded by vent cap fragments enhances the heat transfer between ambient air and the venting gas, and the local venting gas temperature can reach a drop of >100 K. The transient three-dimensional spatial evolution characteristics of vent particles interacting with vent cap fragments at the early stage of the venting process after 18650 thermal runaway-induced vent-activation is originally demonstrated, including gas temperature and velocity as well as particle size and temperature. The spatial distributions of polydisperse particle size and temperature under the process of non-combustion venting are used to characterize the ejected particles' behaviour, which reveals the particle trajectories in particle-laden streams and their heat-transfer characteristics. The results show that ejected particles with relatively high temperatures and large sizes are mainly clustered within the cell diameters, and possible thermal runaway propagation inside the module can be triggered by the smaller-size particles of higher temperature sprayed in the periphery when the blocking effect of the vent cap fragment is weakened.

YOLO-DHGC: Small Object Detection Using Two-Stream Structure with Dense Connections

Small object detection, which is frequently applied in defect detection, medical imaging, and security surveillance, often suffers from low accuracy due to limited feature information and blurred details. This paper proposes a small object detection method named YOLO-DHGC, which employs a two-stream structure with dense connections. Firstly, a novel backbone network, DenseHRNet, is introduced. It innovatively combines a dense connection mechanism with high-resolution feature map branches, effectively enhancing feature reuse and cross-layer fusion, thereby obtaining high-level semantic information from the image. Secondly, a two-stream structure based on an edge-gated branch is designed. It uses higher-level information from the regular detection stream to eliminate irrelevant interference remaining in the early processing stages of the edge-gated stream, allowing it to focus on processing information related to shape boundaries and accurately capture the morphological features of small objects. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed YOLO-DHGC method, we conducted experiments on several public datasets and a self-constructed dataset. Exceptionally, a defect detection accuracy of 96.3% was achieved on the Market-PCB public dataset, demonstrating the effectiveness of our method in detecting small object defects for industrial applications.

Embodied Semantics: Early Simultaneous Motor Grounding in First and Second Languages

Background/Objectives: Although the embodiment of action-related language is well-established in the mother tongue (L1), less is known about the embodiment of a second language (L2) acquired later in life through formal instruction. We used the high temporal resolution of ERPs and topographic ERP analyses to compare embodiment in L1 and L2 and to investigate whether L1 and L2 are embodied with different strengths at different stages of linguistic processing. Methods: Subjects were presented with action-related and non-action-related verbs in a silent reading task. Subjects were late French–German and German–French bilinguals, respectively, and we could therefore collapse across languages to avoid common confounding between language (French and German) and order of acquisition (L1, L2). Results: We could show distinct effects of embodiment and language. Embodiment affected only the sensory and lexical stages of processing with increased strength and power of the N1 component for motor vs. non-motor verbs, and language affected the lexical and semantic stages of processing with stronger P2/N400 components for L2 than for L1. Non-motor verbs elicited a stronger P1 component in L2. Conclusions: Our results suggest that processing words in L2 requires more effortful processing. Importantly, L1 and L2 are not embodied differently, and embodiment affects early and similar stages of processing in L1 and L2, possibly integrating other process of action–language interaction

Few-femtosecond time-resolved study of the UV-induced dissociative dynamics of iodomethane

Ultraviolet (UV) light that penetrates our atmosphere initiates various photochemical and photobiological processes. However, the absence of extremely short UV pulses has so far hindered our ability to fully capture the mechanisms at the very early stages of such processes. This is important because the concerted motion of electrons and nuclei in the first few femtoseconds often determines molecular reactivity. Here we investigate the dissociative dynamics of iodomethane following UV photoexcitation, utilizing mass spectrometry with a 5 fs time resolution. The short duration of the UV pump pulse (4.2 fs) allows the ultrafast dynamics to be investigated in the absence of any external field, from well before any significant vibrational displacement occurs until dissociation has taken place. The experimental results combined with semi-classical trajectory calculations provide the identification of the main dissociation channels and indirectly reveal the signature of a conical intersection in the time-dependent yield of the iodine ion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the UV-induced breakage of the C-I bond can be prevented when the molecule is ionized by the probe pulse within 5 fs after the UV excitation, showcasing an ultrafast stabilization scheme against dissociation.

Endoscopic diagnosis of laryngeal precancerous lesions and early laryngeal cancer

ISince laryngeal cancer currently occupies a leading position in frequency of occurrence among all tumors of the upper respiratory tract of modern humans, the importance of its detection at an early stage of development cannot be overestimated. Existing diagnostic methods using rigid endoscopes, including direct and indirect laryngoscopy, have significant limitations in a number of patients. The use of modern video endoscopic technology allows diagnosing precancerous lesions and laryngeal cancer at an early stage of the tumor process, which significantly expands the possibilities of minimally invasive organ-preserving treatment.

Multiple mechanisms enable broad-spectrum activity of the Pelargonium sidoides root extract EPs 7630 against acute respiratory tract infections.

There is clinical evidence showing that the Pelargonium sidoides root extract EPs 7630 is a safe and effective treatment for a range of acute infectious respiratory illnesses. Moreover, EPs 7630 has been shown to reduce the use of antibiotics, which is important in the context of rising antibiotic resistance levels. A wide range of mechanisms appears to contribute to the beneficial effects of EPs 7630, e.g. antibacterial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and epithelial barrier effects. This broad spectrum of pharmacological activities seems to enable the clinical activity of EPs 7630 against multiple respiratory infections. In particular, the combination of antiviral and immunomodulatory effects may enable EPs 7630 to tackle acute viral respiratory infections both in early stages of the disease process, which are driven by virus replication, as well as in later stages, which are caused by an overshooting immune response. Hence, EPs 7630 is a prime example of a plant extract with evidence-based clinical efficacy, including a solid understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action. The example of EPs 7630 demonstrates that plant extracts have a potential role as evidence-based clinical treatments and that they deserve pre-clinical and clinical testing and investigation in the same way as any other drug class.

Control charts for monitoring the capability of unstable process

Stability is an important criterion to be investigated at the early stage of any industrial process and stable processes are usually preferred over unstable ones. But a process can be unstable and nevertheless capable and, therefore, there is a clear need to monitor such situations to ensure an acceptable capability. In this study we introduce, in a first step, a new Shewhart-type control chart for normal processes based on the yield index S pk to monitor the capability of potentially unstable processes and then, in a second step, we extend it using an Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) scheme. Moreover, the optimal values of the control parameters are obtained using a nonlinear optimization problem for which the out-of-control average run length is the objective function. The introduced charts’ sensitivity is examined for deterministic shift sizes. Numerical and graphical analyses are given to display the features of the proposed charts. A simulation study shows, how in such a situation, the introduced tool is successful to recognize changes in the process capability.

Proposed framework for medication delivery system in the Jordanian public health sector

BackgroundIn Jordan, the confluence of traffic congestion and overcrowding in public hospitals poses a significant challenge for patients to collect their medications timely. This challenge was further intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing this issue, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Electronic Health Solutions (EHS) intend to establish a Medication Delivery System (MDS), designed to provide patients with home delivery of medications and ensure proper treatment. This paper outlines a comprehensive framework to guide requirements engineers in devising an effective MDS framework, with a focus on expediting the development and testing processes and mitigating the risks associated with constructing such a system.MethodThe proposed methodology entails a robust, structured approach to requirements development for an MDS that integrates an electronic health record system, billing system, pharmacy application, the patient-oriented My Hakeem app, and a delivery tracking system. The requirements elicitation and analysis processes were undertaken by a multidisciplinary committee from MOH and EHS teams, ensuring a diverse understanding of stakeholder needs and expectations. The requirement specifications were meticulously documented via a data dictionary, unified modeling language (UML), and context diagrams. The quality and accuracy of the requirements were verified through an extensive validation process, involving thorough review by various EHS teams and the MOH committee.ResultsThe MDS was implemented across numerous MOH facilities within a timeline that was a third of the original projection, leveraging the same level of resources and expertise. Post the requirements development phase, there were no changes requested by any stakeholders, indicating a high level of requirement accuracy and satisfaction.ConclusionThe study illustrates that our proposed methodology significantly results in a comprehensive, well-documented, and validated set of requirements, which streamlines the development and testing phases of the project and effectively eliminates requirement errors at an early stage of the requirements development process.

Connector hubs in semantic network contribute to creative thinking.

Semantic memory offers a rich repository of raw materials (e.g., various concepts and connections between concepts) for creative thinking, represented as a semantic network. Similar to other networks, the semantic network exhibits a modular structure characterized by modules with dense internal connections and sparse connections between them. This organizational principle facilitates the routine storage and retrieval of information but may impede creativity. The present study investigated the effect of hub concepts with varying connection patterns on creative thinking from the perspective of a modular structured semantic network. By analyzing a large-scale semantic network, connector hubs (C-hubs) and provincial hubs (P-hubs) were identified based on their intra- and intermodule connections. These hubs were used as cue words in the alternative uses task, a widely used measure of creative thinking. Across four experiments, behavioral and neural evidence indicated that C-hubs facilitate the generation of more novel and remote ideas compared to P-hubs. However, this effect is predominantly observed in the early stage of the creative thinking process, involving changes in brain activation and functional connectivity in core regions of the default mode network and the frontoparietal network, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, angular gyrus, and precuneus. Neural findings suggest that the superior performance of C-hubs relies on stronger interactions between automatic spreading activation, controlled semantic retrieval, and attentional regulation of salient information. These results provide insight into how concepts with varying semantic connection patterns facilitate and constrain different stages of the creative thinking process through the modular structure of semantic network. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Predictive Role of visual attention bias in aggressive driving decisions among violation-involved drivers on attitudes of right-of-way

This study, based on dual-process theory, explores the aggressive driving decision-making characteristics and cognitive processing of violation-involved drivers in right-of-way infringement scenarios. It aims to identify an eye-movement indicator that can predict drivers’ prosocial behaviors. The study recruited 75 drivers aged 19–58 years, who completed a video-based aggressive driving decision-making test and the Driver Attitudes of Right-of-way Questionnaire (DARQ). The results indicate that age moderates the relationship between violation history and visual attentional bias. Younger drivers with a history of violations exhibit an attentional bias towards aggressive words, whereas older drivers do not. After controlling for age, violation-involved drivers demonstrated a higher rate of aggressive decision-making, especially in situations with very short lane-change time headway. Visual attentional bias towards aggressive words can effectively predict positive emotions in attitudes towards the right-of-way. This suggests that early eye movement indicators during the driving decision-making process represent a form of socioemotional characteristic. The more positive the driver’s right-of-way attitude, the stronger their prosocial behavior and the weaker their intuitive impulsiveness during the early cognitive processing stages of driving decision-making. This indicates that the driving decision-making eye-movement assessment paradigm is an objective and effective method for evaluating drivers’ pro-sociality.

Internal radiation effect on semiconductor β-Ga2O3 crystals grown by the VB Method and anisotropic thermal stress

Gallium oxide crystals are semitransparent semiconductors with good optical and electrical properties, which allow their use for several technological applications. During the growth process of β-Ga2O3 crystals, internal radiation plays a crucial role that affects the growth process and then the crystal quality. In this work, the effect of the melt and the crystal transparency on the vertical Bridgman growth of β-Ga2O3 oxide is thoroughly studied. Using a global 2D/3D finite element model, temperature, melt flow, melt-crystal interface, and three-dimensional anisotropic thermal stress are computed at different growth stages. At each stage, four cases are considered, namely, opaque melt and crystal, semi-transparent melt and opaque crystal, semitransparent crystal and opaque melt, and finally semitransparent melt and crystal. The role of internal radiation in each case at different growth stages is then highlighted separately and then coupled together. It was found that the melt-crystal interface is shifted from a convex shape at the early stage to a nearly plane and then to a concave shape at the last stage. The melt flow is then changed from two rolls pattern at the beginning to a single-roll structure at the last stage. Thermal stress of the as-grown ingot is decreased during the growth due to the decrease of temperature non-linearities. Internal radiation inside the crystal acts to increase the melt-crystal interface convexity at the early and middle stages of the growth process and leads to a decrease in its concavity at the final stage. However, the melt transparency leads to the opposite effects, i.e., it decreases the interface convexity at the early stage and increases the interface concavity at the final stage. As a result, for semitransparent crystal and melt, the interface is between the two previous cases. The calculated thermal stresses are found to be more affected by the transparency of the crystal than the melt as the absorption coefficient of β-Ga2O3 crystal is smaller than that of the melt. At all stages, the thermal stresses are found to be larger for the opaque case due to the increase of temperature non-linearities in the crystal. Large values are found at the bottom and the lower part of the periphery. Furthermore, internal radiation inside the melt plays a major role during the early growth stage due to the large liquid volume. It reduces the melt flow intensity close to the free surface where the shear stress is combined with the buoyant force and leads to the flattening of the interface decreasing then the radial temperature gradients, which leads to small attenuation of the thermal stress. At the final stage, the transparency of the melt plays the opposite role due to the increase of the interface concavity which leads to an increase in both of the temperature gradients and the thermal stress inside the crystal. Due to the crystal anisotropy, and especially to the large thermal expansion coefficient in the [010] direction, the 3D thermal stress values are found to be larger in this direction, especially in the bottom part of the ingot. Comparisons with available experimental and numerical works are provided in this paper.

ChemAP: predicting drug approval with chemical structures before clinical trial phase by leveraging multi-modal embedding space and knowledge distillation

Recent studies showed that the likelihood of drug approval can be predicted with clinical data and structure information of drug using computational approaches. Predicting the likelihood of drug approval can be innovative and of high impact. However, models that leverage clinical data are applicable only in clinical stages, which is not very practical. Prioritizing drug candidates and early-stage decision-making in the de novo drug development process is crucial in pharmaceutical research to optimize resource allocation. For early-stage decision-making, we need a computational model that uses only chemical structures. This seemingly impossible task may utilize the predictive power with multi-modal features including clinical data. In this work, we introduce ChemAP (Chemical structure-based drug Approval Predictor), a novel deep learning scheme for drug approval prediction in the early-stage drug discovery phase. ChemAP aims to enhance the possibility of early-stage decision-making by enriching semantic knowledge to fill in the gap between multi-modal and single-modal chemical spaces through knowledge distillation techniques. This approach facilitates the effective construction of chemical space solely from chemical structure data, guided by multi-modal knowledge related to efficacy, such as clinical trials and patents of drugs. In this study, ChemAP achieved state-of-the-art performance, outperforming both traditional machine learning and deep learning models in drug approval prediction, with AUROC and AUPRC scores of 0.782 and 0.842 respectively on the drug approval benchmark dataset. Additionally, we demonstrated its generalizability by outperforming baseline models on a recent external dataset, which included drugs from the 2023 FDA-approved list and the 2024 clinical trial failure drug list, achieving AUROC and AUPRC scores of 0.694 and 0.851. These results demonstrate that ChemAP is an effective method in predicting drug approval only with chemical structure information of drug so that decision-making can be done at the early stages of drug development process. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first of its kind to show that prediction of drug approval is possible only with structure information of drug by defining the chemical space of approved and unapproved drugs using deep learning technology.

Removal of raffinose and stachyose from soy-based beverages using soluble and immobilized MelA α-D-galactosidase from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1

The hydrolysis of α-galactose-carbohydrates in soy-based beverages using the enzyme MelA α-D-galactosidase (Lp_3485) from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 is presented. MelA is a highly unstable trimeric enzyme whose activity and stability are strongly dependent on the dilution and polarity of the reaction medium. Considering this, the enzyme was immobilized and stabilized using different immobilization protocols. Post-immobilization techniques consisting of cross-linking with different polyfunctional polymers were used. The optimal derivative was used to hydrolyse different oligosaccharides of the raffinose family (raffinose and stachyose) present in soy drink preparations. Remarkably, MelA showed specific activity and high hydrolytic efficiency towards RFOs in soy-based beverages at a relatively low temperature (20 °C). Therefore, these results suggest that this enzyme could be preferentially used in the early stage of soybean processing to remove RFOs from soy-based beverages and soy-derived products, thereby improving their nutritional value.

Preparation, pore structure and properties of uniformly porous glass-ceramics sintered from granite powder using SiC@SiO2 foaming agent

Granite sludge produced during the processing of granite blocks should be efficiently recycled for environmental protection and as a sustainable resource. In this work, porous glass-ceramics were prepared by stepwise sintering of granite powder using core-shell SiC@SiO2 foaming agent. The SiC and SiC@SiO2 foaming agents were compared in terms of the sintering and foaming behaviors of the powder compacts by thermal expansion, thermogravimetry and mass spectroscopy. The foaming agent and foaming temperature were investigated to study their effects on the pore structure and properties of the porous glass-ceramics. The SiO2 shells of the SiC@SiO2 particles inhibited the oxidation of the SiC cores and the release of CO2 at the early stage of the sintering process, thus preventing pore coalescence and increasing the densification and specific strength of the sintered glass-ceramics. As the foaming temperature increased, the porous glass-ceramics exhibited a linear relationship between pore size and foaming temperature, and the specific strength first increased and then decreased due to pore coalescence and reduced crystallinity. Furthermore, the linear relationship between thermal conductivity and porosity indicates a closed pore structure, as demonstrated by computed tomography. At a foaming temperature of 1220 °C, the porous glass-ceramic has a porosity of 50.1 %, a specific strength of 16.6 kN⋅m/kg and a thermal conductivity of 0.747 W/(m⋅K). Numerical simulation confirms that lightweight glazed glass-ceramics have potential applications in energy-efficient building tiles.

The Arena Liga Portugal: aiming for SMART design

The new Portuguese Football League headquarters – Arena Liga Portugal – is a high-profile, prestigious project located in the city of Porto. LAIII was presented with a brief to deliver the architectural vision of a 'floating' cube against a challenging programme, incorporating a diverse range of uses, including office space, auditorium, museum, sports hall, and a vast green podium. The result is a striking head office whose structural design, detailing and complexity are masked by the simplicity of its concept. As engineers, we see ourselves as more than just designers. We believe true value can only be delivered if we share common drivers with other stakeholders and work together to create answers that balance our overall goals, to arrive at the most suitable solutions possible. Throughout the design process, our main goal was to ensure we reached a cost-effective solution for Arena Liga Portugal, by balancing design drivers; in particular, we sought to avoid jeopardising the project vision in any way. This mindset was particularly important during the early stages of the design process. At this point, not only are the opportunities to create an impact the greatest, and the ideas the most abundant, but the exploration of these is the most rewarding. The challenge was to find the 'best' design options for the project. The best structural design is something that is very difficult to define and achieve, since every stakeholder has its own definition of 'best'. Some might define it as the most efficient in terms of cost and time/programme, while others judge it in terms of performance or sustainability credentials. There is not a single correct definition. The best solution is the one that gathers the most value among all the stakeholders for a given project. The entire building aims to be a fluid and open space, with strong links to the city and the local community. Arena Liga Portugal HQ will be an urban beacon, visible day and night. Expected to be completed by the end of 2024 as a landmark institutional building that is simultaneously a sports, cultural and leisure facility. it will raise the profile of an area of the city that is sometimes forgotten.

The Impact of Online Opinion on Justice: Two Cases in Comparative Law Perspective

In the early stages of the judicial process, trials were characterized by a pursuit of independence and justice, with judges adhering strictly to legal statutes and delivering judgments that aligned with legal logic. However, as today's digital landscape evolves, Internet users engage with the judiciary in distinct ways; they communicate online, actively voice their opinions, and gradually cultivate a representative form of public opinion on the web. As the impact of online public sentiment on judicial administration grows stronger, it increasingly exhibits a tendency to exert dominance. While the independence of the judiciary remains unquestionable, certain explosive instances of online public opinion also highlight pressing societal issues that warrant attention and cannot be overlooked. Using two well-known cases as an entry point, we will compare how networked public opinion influences justice differently in Japan and China. This analysis will delve into the underlying jurisprudence while seeking solutions tailored to China's national context. The goal is to foster positive interaction between these two realms—leveraging the constructive influence of online public opinion on judicial processes—and ultimately enhance China's judiciary system.

Autophagy Blockage Up-Regulates HLA-Class-I Molecule Expression in Lung Cancer and Enhances Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy Efficacy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have an established role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. The loss of HLA-class-I expression allows cancer cell evasion from immune surveillance, disease progression, and failure of immunotherapy. The restoration of HLA-class-I expression may prove to be a game-changer in current immunotherapy strategies. Autophagic activity has been recently postulated to repress HLA-class-I expression in cancer cells. NSCLC cell lines (A549 and H1299) underwent late-stage (chloroquine and bafilomycin) and early-stage autophagy blockage (ULK1 inhibitors and MAP1LC3A silencing). The HLA-class-I expression was assessed with flow cytometry, a Western blot, and RT-PCR. NSCLC tissues were examined for MAP1LC3A and HLA-class-I expression using double immunohistochemistry. CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity was examined in cancer cells pre-incubated with chloroquine and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (Moabs); Results: A striking increase in HLA-class-I expression following incubation with chloroquine, bafilomycin, and IFNγ was noted in A549 and H1299 cancer cells, respectively. This effect was further confirmed in CD133+ cancer stem cells. HLA-class-I, β2-microglobulin, and TAP1 mRNA levels remained stable. Prolonged exposure to chloroquine further enhanced HLA-class-I expression. Similar results were noted following exposure to a ULK1 and a PIKfyve inhibitor. Permanent silencing of the MAP1LC3A gene resulted in enhanced HLA-class-I expression. In immunohistochemistry experiments, double LC3A+/HLA-class-I expression was seldom. Pre-incubation of H1299 cancer cells with chloroquine and anti-PD-L1 MoAbs increased the mean % of apoptotic/necrotic cells from 2.5% to 18.4%; Conclusions: Autophagy blockers acting either at late or early stages of the autophagic process may restore HLA-class-I-mediated antigen presentation, eventually leading to enhanced immunotherapy efficacy.

From Proteomics to the Analysis of Single Protein Molecules.

Limit of detection (LoD) is a term that is used to characterize the sensitivity of an analytical method. The existing limitation of the sensitivity of analysis using modern mass spectrometry methods has been experimentally shown to be a limiting factor in the application of proteomic technologies in medicine. This article proposes a concept of a new technology that will set a new vector of development in the development of systems for solving problems of medical diagnostics and deals with theoretical and practical aspects of creating a new technology for the detection of single biomacromolecules (in particular, proteins) in biological samples. Such technology should be based on the principle of signal registration similar to that used in a Geiger counter (also known as a Geiger-Müller counter or G-M counter), a device that automatically counts the number of ionizing particles that hit it. This counter is free from probabilistic components; it registers a signal if there is at least one target molecule in the analysis chamber. Predictive medical diagnostics require technology based on methods where sensitivity allows for the detection of single marker molecules in a biological sample volume of 1-10 µL, the smallest volume of biomaterial used in laboratory diagnostics. Creation of a detector with a sensitivity of 10-18 M would allow for the detection of one molecule in 1 µL of the sample, which fundamentally makes this approach analogous to a G-M counter for solutions. To date, bioanalytical methods are limited to a sensitivity of 10-12 M (which is approximately 1 million molecules per 1 μL), which is insufficient to capture the early stages of pathological processes.

High spatiotemporal resolution optical measurements of two-stage ignition and combustion in Engine Combustion Network Spray D flames

This study explores flame structures and combustion dynamics in high-pressure n-dodecane fuel sprays, focusing on the formation and consumption of formaldehyde (CH2O) during autoignition and the development of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) as soot precursors. These processes are crucial for optimizing combustion efficiency and reducing emissions. However, traditional approaches, which rely on single-shot measurements or ensemble-averaged visualizations, often overlook critical early-stage processes during low-temperature ignition. To overcome these challenges, we employed an innovative high-speed planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) technique at 50 kHz using a pulse-burst Nd:YAG laser system with an excitation wavelength of 355 nm. This approach, applied for the first time to Engine Combustion Network (ECN) Spray D flames, provides unprecedented insights into the combustion processes at varying ambient temperatures and oxygen concentrations. Additionally, simultaneous high-speed schlieren imaging at 100 kHz was used to visualize spray penetration, first-stage ignition, and thermal expansion zones. Our findings reveal that, similar to Spray A flames, CH2O forms in cold, fuel-rich zones well upstream of the combustion zone. However, in Spray D flames, the schlieren signal softening observed in the jet's head does not lead to complete disappearance, and the CH2O signal is absent from the full head of the spray. During the second-stage ignition, CH2O consumption accelerates due to high-temperature reactions, leading to a significant reduction in its signal. Unlike the mushroom-shaped structure seen in Spray A flames, Spray D flames exhibit a quasi-steady PAH phase structure, with lean peripheral mixtures insufficient for soot precursor formation. Notably, reducing ambient oxygen concentration to 13 % while maintaining or increasing temperature prolongs the presence of CH2O, highlighting its influence on ignition dynamics and oxidation processes in dodecane spray flames. This study provides new insights into the combustion mechanisms of high-pressure sprays and offers valuable data for developing next-generation combustion technologies, including models, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

Effects of acute stress on biological motion perception.

Biological motion perception is an essential part of the cognitive process. Stress can affect the cognitive process. The present study explored the intrinsic ERP features of the effects of acute psychological stress on biological motion perception. The results contributed scientific evidence for the adaptive behavior changes under acute stress. After a mental arithmetic task was used to induce stress, the paradigm of point-light displays was used to evaluate biological motion perception. Longer reaction time and lower accuracy were found in the inverted walking condition than in the upright walking condition, which was called the "inversion effect". The P2 peak amplitude and the LPP mean amplitude were significantly higher in the local inverted perception than in the local upright walking condition. Compared to the control condition, the stress condition induced lower RT, shorter P1 peak latency of biological motion perception, lower P2 peak amplitude and LPP mean amplitude, and higher N330 peak amplitude. There was an "inversion effect" in biological motion perception. This effect was related to the structural characteristics of biological motion perception but unrelated to the state of acute psychological stress. Acute psychological stress accelerated the reaction time and enhanced attention control of biological motion perception. Attention resources were used earlier, and less attentional investment was made in the early stage of biological motion perception processing. In the late stage, a continuous weakening of inhibition was shown in the parieto-occipital area.