Passive fluid flow is not sufficient to meet new analytical requirements, therefore further research is needed in the field of flow control in order to improve the application of microfluidic systems. In this work, stimuli-sensitive materials have been studied to act as barriers and repositories to be integrated in μPADs. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (p-NIPAM) has been studied to act as a reservoir and flow retardant. As a reservoir, the swelling/de-swelling behaviour has been characterized as a function of temperature, kinetics, reservoir size and the influence of pH. As a flow retardant, a p-NIPAM ionogel was used to significantly slow down the flow and even stop it. This is very useful for preventing the mixing of reagents until a certain point in time or for controlling where the mixing occurs. The ionogel volume and the delay time were optimised. As proof of concept, they were used in a colorimetric μPAD for nitrite determination based on the Griess chemistry. The results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating the developed stimulus-sensitive materials in μPADs, enabling new applications where these tools are required. • Stimuli-responsive materials were studied and optimised to be used in μPADs. • The materials functioned effectively as barriers and repositories within μPAD systems. • A colorimetric μPAD was successfully fabricated for nitrite detection in water. • Results confirmed their potential for integration into μPAD-based applications.

Flow rate determination in a two-phase system using radioactive particle tracking and deep learning.

Heat transfer enhancement in Darcy–Forchheimer Jeffrey–Hamel flow of a partially ionized power-law nanofluid under Hall and ion-slip effects

This study numerically investigates magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection of a micropolar nanoencapsulated phase change material (NEPCM) suspension in a channel–cavity system representative of compact latent heat thermal energy storage units. The configuration includes an embedded cylindrical obstruction to regulate flow structure and thermal transport characteristics. A steady-state finite element framework is employed to solve the coupled momentum, microrotation, energy, and concentration equations under the combined influence of buoyancy forces, magnetic field, and thermal radiation. The objective is to evaluate the interacting roles of internal particle rotation, latent heat storage, and Lorentz force on double-diffusive transport within a confined geometry. In contrast to conventional Newtonian nanofluid models, the present formulation simultaneously incorporates micropolar dynamics and phase change behavior, enabling a more realistic representation of advanced thermal storage suspensions. The results show that a balanced convection regime ( R i varied from 0 to 2) yields the most favorable thermo-hydrodynamic performance near R i ≈ 1 , where the average Nusselt number increases by 9.49% compared to R i = 0 due to constructive coupling between forced and natural convection, whereas further buoyancy enhancement to R i = 2 deteriorates transport efficiency. Thermal radiation, when increased from R d = 1 to R d = 5 , enhances the average Nusselt number by 76.52% while reducing the pressure difference by 6.86%, intensifying internal heat diffusion while moderating pressure penalties. Increasing the micropolar parameter from Γ = 0 . 1 to Γ = 2 enhances heat transfer by 14.33% but raises drag by 34.19%, indicating a heat transfer-hydrodynamic trade-off. Additionally, aiding solutal buoyancy strengthens mass transfer, particularly at higher Lewis numbers. The coordinated adjustment of micropolar coupling, buoyancy ratio, radiation parameter, and geometric configuration is shown to enhance the effectiveness of NEPCM-based thermal energy storage systems within the investigated parameter ranges. • Optimal thermal storage performance occurs at Richardson number Ri ≈ 1. • Radiation enhances heat transfer by 76.5% while reducing pressure drop by 6.9%. • Micropolar effects boost heat transfer 14.3% but increase drag by 34.2%. • Magnetic field suppresses convection by 30%, offering a flow control mechanism. • Aiding solutal buoyancy critically optimizes phase change in NEPCM suspensions.

Design and optimization of a novel half-airfoil-fin curved rectangular channel structure for conformal heat exchangers in underwater power system

Unified modeling and operation characteristics of traction power supply system with single-phase back-to-back power flow controller

Active material flow control and deformation mechanism in sheet metal deep drawing with a partitioned magnetorheological flexible-die

Clustering of magnetic microcapsules in forced convection: Effects of temperature

High-efficiency evaporation and concentration with exceptional salt resistance via a chitosan annular hydrogel evaporator.

Abstract Ship airwakes, or turbulent airflows produced by the ship’s superstructure, introduce significant challenges to helicopter operations on naval ships. The landing deck may experience unstable aerodynamic conditions because of these airwakes, reducing operational safety. In this study, passive flow control methods were developed to reduce the impact of airwakes on the landing deck. Their effectiveness was evaluated using numerical simulations. Turbulence energy, recirculation zones, and reattachment lengths were the main subjects of the study. The aerodynamic performance of two distinct modifications at the hangar’s rear edges was evaluated using a 1/50 scale model of the NATO-GD. It was found that these modifications improved flow stability, with reattachment length and recirculation zones reduced by up to 79%. However, the hangar volume decreased slightly, as Modification B with the largest fillet radius achieved the greatest reduction in recirculation zones. Its aerodynamic effectiveness varied with wind-over-deck speed, with the modifications exhibiting enhanced aerodynamic behaviour at higher tested wind-over-deck speeds, highlighting the effectiveness of passive design changes in improving helicopter safety on naval vessels.

ABSTRACT This paper addresses peak-hour over-saturation in urban metro systems by collaboratively optimizing train scheduling and passenger flow control. The objective is to minimize total passenger waiting time while ensuring the waiting time for each origin-destination (OD) pair remains within a pre-determined threshold. A space-time network is constructed to represent train trajectories and passenger assignments, tightly integrating scheduling and flow control decisions. An integer programming model is formulated and reformulated into a path-based structure, solved using a Column Generation Fairness Priority (CG-FP) algorithm to handle large-scale computational complexity. Numerical experiments on simulated datasets and real-world Beijing Metro Line 5 data demonstrate that CG-FP achieves near-optimal solutions with significantly reduced computation time compared to the direct Gurobi solver. The proposed policy outperforms the conventional First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) policy in both efficiency and fairness, with advantages especially pronounced under limited train availability, where prioritizing short-distance passengers enables faster capacity turnover.

The unified gas-kinetic wave-particle (UGKWP) method, developed for the multiscale simulation of partially ionised plasmas, is applied to model electromagnetic flows around a hemisphere spanning regimes from near-continuum to rarefied conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first application of a multiscale plasma solver to such a problem. In the formulation, neutrals, ions and electrons are treated as distinct species. The numerical implementation is validated through comparisons with experimental data for a Mach 4.75 pre-ionised argon flow, where UGKWP results show close agreement with the experimental data. A further comparative study across different Knudsen numbers demonstrates that rarefaction effects weaken the influence of electromagnetic control. These findings highlight the capability of UGKWP in modelling electromagnetic control problems and underscore the significant role of rarefied effects in predicting flow-control behaviour, thereby emphasising the necessity of multiscale modelling in plasma flow applications.

Ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals (FNLCs) represent an emerging class of functional soft materials that combine the orientational order of nematic liquid crystals with spontaneous electrical polarization. In a striking departure from the conventional nonpolar nematic liquid crystals, FNLCs form freely suspended liquid filaments that thin in time. These filaments exhibit a two-stage thinning dynamics, consisting of an initial elastocapillary regime followed by a terminal visco-elastocapillary regime before rupture. Videomicroscopy and rheological measurements show that the FNLC studied in this work behave as an elastic liquid with a high extensional relaxation time, closely analogous to Boger fluids-a well-known class of elastic liquids composed of very dilute solutions of flexible polymer and viscous solvent. Our findings point to a substantial contribution of long-range polar order to the mechanical response of ferroelectric nematic phases. The thinning dynamics of FNLC filaments thus reveal distinctive mechanical behavior providing fundamental insights into the mechanics of polar nematic phases and offering unique opportunities for electrically tunable control of flow and morphology over extended timescales.

Abstract Dielectric barrier discharge has promising applications in aircraft anti-icing and de-icing due to plasma thermal effects, while enabling active flow control in specific topologies. This study pioneers the investigation of dark zone phenomena in a three electrode dielectric barrier discharge (- TDBD) configuration featuring a suspension electrode— a critical distinction beyond conventional dielectric barrier discharge system. Experimental results revealed that dark zone phenomenon would be appeared when the suspension electrode covered a certain number of buried electrodes, or was laid in a small range before and after the corresponding position. Quantitative analysis enabled classification of discharge suppression into two mechanistic modes: strong suppression mode and weak suppression mode. Theoretical modeling demonstrated that the local dark zone mechanism was attributed to the superposition of electric fields between electrodes. This fundamental understanding establishes a predictive framework for discharge pattern in multi-electrode plasma systems. The proposed dark zone regulation theory can also facilitate further applications in fields such as anti-icing and de-icing, material modification.

Abstract The proliferation of unstructured supplier documents, particularly PDF invoices, remains one of the most persistent operational bottlenecks in enterprise procure-to-pay (P2P) cycles. Manual extraction, inconsistent data quality at intake, and recurring reconciliation exceptions drive significant labor costs, delay payment cycles, and limit the capture of early-payment discounts. This paper presents a rigorous, architecture-grounded analysis of Generative AI (GenAI)-powered invoice PDF extraction integrated with SAP Ariba Buying and Invoicing. Drawing on primary design analysis, benchmark-aligned case evidence, and enterprise integration patterns (REST API, SAP Cloud Integration Gateway), we articulate the functional flow, value levers, implementation prerequisites, and operational risk controls for this capability. A human-in-the-loop validation model and master data governance (MDG) integration are examined as critical guardrails. Complementary P2P capabilities—AI-guided buying, intelligent supplier onboarding, and the SAP Joule generative AI copilot—are situated within a unified enterprise transformation framework. KPI recommendations and a measurement approach grounded in activity-based costing are provided. Findings indicate that organizations achieving sustained catalog coverage and sufficient non-PO invoice volume can realize positive ROI within 12–18 months, with measurable reductions in touchless rate gaps, exception backlog, and per-invoice processing cost. Keywords: Generative AI | Invoice Processing | SAP Ariba | Procure-to-Pay | Large Language Models | Human-in-the-Loop | Accounts Payable Automation | Master Data Governance

<p>Computational thinking (CT) has become an essential competence in contemporary education, enabling students to analyze, design, and solve problems systematically. However, CT integration at the elementary level remains limited and fragmented due to insufficient teacher competence in informatics and mathematics, as well as the lack of high-quality, engaging, and culturally relevant instructional materials. To address this gap, this study systematically designed and validated Scratch-based batik geometry learning materials aimed at strengthening elementary students’ CT skills. This research adopted the educational design research (EDR) framework, consisting of three rigorous and iterative phases: analysis and exploration, design and construction, and evaluation and reflection. Data were collected through interviews, observations, document analysis, expert judgment, and student and teacher questionnaires. The learning materials incorporated CT practices such as tinkering, making, remixing, creating, debugging, persevering, and collaborating. Expert validation indicated a high level of feasibility, with an average score of 89.41%. Student and teacher responses also showed strong approval, scoring 94.32% and 100%, respectively. Furthermore, Dr. Scratch analysis categorized students’ Scratch projects at the <em>developing</em> level (13 out of 21), indicating substantive application of core CT concepts, particularly in procedural dimensions such as flow control and parallelism. These findings suggest that the Scratch-based batik geometry materials effectively foster foundational CT skills while also revealing the need for further instructional refinement to support more advanced dimensions such as logic, abstraction, and data representation, thereby offering an innovative, culturally grounded approach to addressing current challenges in elementary mathematics and informatics education.</p>

High-flow arteriovenous fistula often goes unnoticed during long-term dialysis in patients with chronic kidney failure until complications arise. The banding procedure is a commonly used method to reduce flow currently. However, data on rare but serious adverse events remain limited. This multicenter case series describes 6 patients who developed vascular rupture following banding for high-flow access, including 5 early and 1 late event. A suture-related cutting effect on dilated, high-tension vessels may be an explanation, although this remains speculative. Although previous studies have reported favorable outcomes with the Minimally Invasive Limited Ligation Endoluminal-assisted Revision and related banding techniques, our cases indicate that vascular rupture can still occur after banding for high-flow access and may be clinically serious. Further studies are warranted to better define its incidence and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.Clinical ImpactThis multicenter case series highlights that vascular rupture may occur after banding for high-flow AVFs, including early events (15-33 days) and a late event at 2 years. For clinicians, the immediate implication is heightened awareness and individualized patient selection, with particular caution in patients with markedly dilated outflow veins (>5 mm, especially approaching 10 mm) or vascular calcification. When these features are present, consider alternatives to a tight circumferential ligature-such as partial vessel excision with direct closure or a short synthetic graft-and implement close postoperative surveillance (flow, access exam, and blood pressure control).

This study, conducted under standard clinical conditions, evaluated the Biobeat wearable sensor in postoperative patients monitored over multiple days without human intervention. The study aimed to assess technical performance (vital sign data collection and artifact frequency), reliability (agreement with nurse-measured values), the sensor's ability to detect vital sign abnormalities, patient satisfaction, and incidence of adverse skin reactions. This multicenter prospective observational study included patients who underwent abdominal surgery with a planned postoperative ward stay between December 2020 and December 2022. Alongside routine care-comprising (2-3 times daily nurse assessments of blood pressure (BP), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and temperature)-participants wore a precordial Biobeat sensor. The sensor transmitted data wirelessly to a cloud-based repository via Wi-Fi without human intervention. Of 109 enrolled patients, 90 were included in the analysis. The median recording duration was 63.8 hours (interquartile range: 42.6-72.3 hours). Data loss occurred in 45% of the recording time, and pulse oximetry data were absent in 16% of the available measurements. Artifacts were infrequent, comprising 277 of 35,998 measurement points. Compared with nurse measurements, Biobeat showed small mean differences for most variables, except for RR and temperature, yet exhibited wide limits of agreement across all variables. Clarke Error Grid analysis revealed excellent concordance between Biobeat and nurse measurements for SpO2 and PR, with lower agreement for mean BP, RR, and temperature. The sensor's continuous monitoring detected more vital sign abnormalities, including severe hypotension (mean BP < 60 mmHg), in 10.0% of patients compared to 3.3% with nurse measurements (P = 0.04). The patients reported high satisfaction and no adverse skin reactions were observed. Significant data loss presents a substantial challenge for analysis, underscoring the critical need for improved data transmission and flow control measures in study protocols and clinical deployment. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04585178, October 14, 2020).

The rheological properties and stability of Water-in-Oil (W/O) emulsions in drilling fluids are critical for improving drilling efficiency. This study investigates the effects of varying water-to-oil ratios (10/90, 15/85, 20/80, and 30/70) and organoclay concentrations (0.1%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.30%, 0.50%, and 0.75% (m/m)) on emulsion behavior. Viscosity measurements demonstrate consistent shear-thinning, typical of non-Newtonian fluids. Increasing water content enhances initial viscosity due to stronger interfacial interactions, with the 30/70 emulsion showing the highest value. Organoclay improves emulsion stabil- ity by limiting droplet coalescence and promoting uniform dispersion. At 0.30 wt.%, emulsions with low water content (10/90) exhibit resistance to phase separation. In contrast, high water emulsions (30/70) with low organoclay levels (0.10 wt.%) display larger droplet sizes, indicating weaker stabilization. Microscopic observations confirm that higher clay loadings yield finer, more uniformly dispersed droplets, strengthening emulsion integrity under shear. Shear-thinning behavior was observed in all systems, with elevated organoclay concentrations providing enhanced viscosity retention under shear. At 0.75 wt.%, emulsions maintained higher viscosities, improving cuttings sus- pension and flow control. This dual viscosity response high at low shear, low at high shear is advantageous for drilling performance. Overall, the results emphasize optimizing water-to-oil ratios and organoclay loadings to achieve stable, effective drilling fluids. Major Findings: The rheology and stability of water-in-oil drilling emulsions are governed by the combined effect of waterto- oil ratio and organoclay concentration. All systems exhibited shear-thinning non-Newtonian behavior, while organoclay concentrations ≥ 0.30 wt.% significantly improved droplet dispersion and resistance to phase separation. At 0.75 wt.% organoclay, emulsions showed the highest viscosity retention and structural stability, demonstrating its key role in designing high-performance drilling fluids.

Atomic-scale insights into phase transitions and structural dynamics of crystals in liquids are fundamental for understanding chemical, physical, and biological processes. Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM) integrates diffraction, imaging, and spectroscopy and has opened new opportunities to study nanoscale materials in liquid environments. Yet, atomic-scale electron crystallographic analysis of crystals in liquids remains elusive. Here, we establish sub-Ångström liquid-phase three-dimensional electron diffraction (LP-3D ED) for capturing phase transformation and determining atomic crystal structures in situ by exploiting nanochannel liquid cells. The well-defined and ultrathin liquid layers confined within the nanochannels enable the acquisition of 3D ED data at 0.80 Å resolution from organic molecular crystals in liquids at room temperature. Using LP-3D ED combined with liquid flow control, we observe the β-to-α phase transformation of glycine and in situ crystallization of a novel hydrated aluminum-glycine phase in aqueous solution in the nanochannels. We demonstrate ab initio crystal structure determination at sub-Ångström resolution by LP-3D ED, and identify a novel hexanuclear aluminum-hydroxide-glycine cluster in the in situ formed aluminum-glycine phase. This work demonstrates the capability of LP-3D ED to probe structural evolution and to reveal solvated crystal structures of nano- and microcrystals directly in liquid environments.