High Reliability Research Articles

The cosmic ray muons tomography system with wavelength shifting fiber and plastic scintillator plane and vertical borehole detectors and improved 3d image reconstruction algorithm: a simulation study

In this paper, a cosmic ray muon plane detector tomography system based on wavelength shifting fiber and scintillation is built in GEANT4, and the relevant experimental platform is established, then the image reconstruction experiment based on the muon scattering imaging principle is carried out. Finally, based on the research above, a vertical drilling muon detector system is proposed and the simulation studies is completed. The position resolution of the fiber-scintillation detector system is studied in detail, and the chamber position resolution of parallel fiber-optic grid with different parameters is described and compared. Based on the experimental data of the plane detector system, an image reconstruction algorithm and correction method based on muon scattering are proposed, and some engineering applications of the vertical borehole detector system are simulated. The general guiding theory applicable to fiber-scintillation detectors has not been established and detailed simulation studies are required through simulation programs. By using GEANT4, the photon-photon yield of optical light in WLS fiber can be extracted and compared with the existing experiments. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results, indicating that the detector system modeled in the simulation study has high reliability and practical value.

The preparation of SiO2/GO/PVA based hydrogel sensor and its application for rapid and sensitive detection of NH3

Gas sensors have received significant interest due to their miniaturization, low power consumption and high reliability. In this paper, hydrogel film with high sensing properties toward NH3 were prepared using silicon dioxide (SiO2), porous graphene oxide (GO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The morphology and structure of hydrogel were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and specific surface area analysis. Compared with the conventional gas sensors based on planar GO sheets, the prepared porous SiO2/GO/PVA based hydrogel sensor could be used to detect NH3 with low concentration (10 ppm) and wide range of 10-1000 ppm. At the same time, a high response rate of 118% and an ultra-fast recovery (12s) were achieved. Finally, a sensing mechanism for SiO2/GO/PVA based hydrogel film was proposed: NH3 was adsorbed onto the surface of the film through hydrogen bonding and then reacted with the oxygen negative ions on the surface of the film to form nitrogen oxides. After degassing, oxygen was adsorbed on the surface of the film again to form oxygen negative ions. In addition, the film could monitor the freshness of fish over a period of 0-7 days, where the correlation between the resistance change and TVB-N was as high as 0.975. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of porous SiO2/GO/PVA based hydrogel film in improving gas-sensitive properties, providing a viable solution for food freshness detection, contamination tracking, and hazardous substances monitoring, etc.

Investigating the factors determining service quality in Bhopal’s multimodal public transport system: A factor analysis

Multimodal public transport systems are crucial for sustainable urban mobility in growing cities like India. This study investigates the factors determining service quality in Bhopal’s multimodal public transport system using factor analysis. A survey of 650 regular users was conducted to assess service quality perceptions. Exploratory factor analysis revealed six significant factors: integration (22.12 % of variance explained), reliability (14.30 %), comfort (9.38 %), safety (8.07 %), accessibility (6.85 %), and customer service (5.74 %). The factors demonstrated high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.8). Satisfaction levels varied across factors, with accessibility and comfort receiving higher ratings than reliability. Demographic comparisons revealed significant differences based on gender and age. The findings provide insights into the critical factors shaping service quality perceptions and offer a framework for assessment. The results highlight the need for targeted interventions, particularly in areas with lower satisfaction levels. This research contributes to the literature on public transport service quality in developing cities and underscores the importance of considering passenger perspectives in multimodal transport planning and management. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on public transport service quality in developing cities and underscores the importance of considering passenger perspectives in the planning and management of multimodal transport systems.

Development and application of software for designing axial fans in high-temperature environments

Abstract This paper presents the development of software specifically designed for designing axial fans operating in high-temperature environments. The software’s accuracy and reliability are validated under extreme conditions. Key features of the software include adjustments for air physical properties, calculations for blade aerodynamic performance, and geometric dimension design. Through various design examples and experimental validation, the results indicate that the airflow error of the software under high-temperature conditions is 9.1%, while the total pressure error is 4.8%, demonstrating its high accuracy and reliability. Additionally, this paper proposes improvements to models of air physical properties, blade surface roughness, multi-condition simulations, and optimization algorithms to further enhance the software’s performance and applicability. The findings suggest that this design software holds significant application value in the field of high-temperature fan design.

Carbon-anchoring synthesis of Pt1Ni1@Pt/C core-shell catalysts for stable oxygen reduction reaction

Proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells demand highly efficient catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction, and core-shell structures are known for maximizing precious metal utilization. Here, we reported a controllable “carbon defect anchoring” strategy to prepare Pt1Ni1@Pt/C core-shell nanoparticles with an average size of ~2.6 nm on an in-situ transformed defective carbon support. The strong Pt–C interaction effectively inhibits nanoparticle migration or aggregation, even after undergoing stability tests over 70,000 potential cycles, resulting in only 1.6% degradation. The stable Pt1Ni1@Pt/C catalysts have high oxygen reduction reaction mass activity and specific activity that reach 1.424 ± 0.019 A/mgPt and 1.554 ± 0.027 mA/cmPt2 at 0.9 V, respectively, attributed to the optimal compressive strain. The experimental results are generally consistent with the theoretical predictions made by our comprehensive microkinetic model which incorporates essential kinetics and thermodynamics of oxygen reduction reaction. The consistent results obtained in our study provide compelling evidence for the high accuracy and reliability of our model. This work highlights the synergy between theory-guided catalyst design and appropriate synthetic methodologies to translate the theory into practice, offering valuable insights for future catalyst development.

Psychometric Properties of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in Heart Failure Patients: A Cross Sectional Study Using Health Action Process Approach Perspective.

The present study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate the exercise self-efficacy tool within the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) framework among heart failure patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. This study assessed 205 patients who had suffered heart attacks at the Shahid Chamran Cardiac Rehabilitation Center of Isfahan. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to evaluate the construct. Internal reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha. Additionally, external reliability was measured through a test-retest approach. EFA identified four factors within the self-efficacy questions (task self-efficacy 1, task self-efficacy 2, coping self-efficacy, and recovery self-efficacy), which accounted for 70.1% of the total variance explained. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were as follows: 0.836 for the first factor, 0.896 for the second factor, 0.921 for the third factor, 0.914 for the fourth factor, and 0.9 for the overall instrument. The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.901 for the first factor, 0.887 for the second factor, 0.826 for the third factor, and 0.885 for the fourth factor. The cardiac rehabilitation self-efficacy questionnaire exhibited high validity, reliability, and desirable item commonalities. Therefore, it can be effectively employed in pertinent HAPA-based studies involving heart failure patients.

Enhancing flexibility and system performance in 6G and beyond: A user-based numerology and waveform approach

A Mixed Numerology OFDM (MN-OFDM) system is essential in 6G and beyond. However, it encounters challenges due to Inter-Numerology Interference (INI). The upcoming 6G technology aims to support innovative applications with high data rates, low latency, and reliability. Therefore, effective handling of INI is crucial to meet the diverse requirements of these applications. To address INI in MN-OFDM systems, this paper proposes a User-Based Numerology and Waveform (UBNW) approach that uses various OFDM-based waveforms and their parameters to mitigate INI. By assigning a specific waveform and numerology to each user, UBNW mitigates INI, optimizes service characteristics, and addresses user demands efficiently. Guard Band (GB) requirements, expressed as a ratio of user bandwidth, vary significantly across different waveforms at an SIR of 25 dB. For instance, OFDM-FOFDM needs only 2.5%, while OFDM-UFMC, OFDM-WOLA, and conventional OFDM require 7.5%, 24%, and 40%, respectively. The time-frequency efficiency also varies between the waveforms. FOFDM achieves 85.6%, UFMC achieves 81.6%, WOLA achieves 70.7%, and conventional OFDM achieves 66.8%. The simulation results demonstrate that the UBNW approach not only effectively mitigates INI but also enhances system flexibility and time-frequency efficiency, while simultaneously reducing the required GB.

Novel amino-functionalized MOF-based sensor for zinc ion detection in water and blood serum samples

Aquatic systems with low zinc levels can experience a significant decrease in carbon dioxide uptake and limited growth of phytoplankton species. In this study, we describe the use of a new fluorescent sensor based on NH2-MIL-53(Al), and modified with glutaraldehyde and sulfadoxine, for selectively detecting zinc ions in water and blood serum samples. Characterization of the synthesized material was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confirming successful functionalization and preservation of the MOF structure. The sensor’s performance for Zn2+ detection was evaluated by spectrofluorometry, demonstrating a significant fluorescence enhancement upon Zn2+ binding due to the interaction between Zn2+ ions and the sulfonamide groups. With a detection limit as low as 3.14 × 10–2 ppm, the sensor demonstrates high selectivity for Zn2+ over other common metal ions. The sensor’s response is rapid, stable, and reproducible, making it suitable for practical applications. Real sample analysis was conducted in tap water and blood serum samples, with the results compared to those obtained using ICP-OES and a colorimetric test with 5-bromo-PAPS. The comparison confirmed the high accuracy and reliability of the fluorescent sensor in detecting Zn2+ ions in complex matrices. NH2-MIL-53(Al) modified with glutaraldehyde and sulfadoxine shows potential as a selective fluorescent sensor for Zn2+ detection, making it a valuable tool for monitoring the environment and biology.

Anchor carbon dots inside NH2-MIL-88B via ship-in-a-bottle strategy for dual signal enhancement in colorimetric-fluorescent sensors

The increase in oxytetracycline (OTC) pollution has become a significant risk to ecological stability and human health because of excessive use. Therefore, developing a precise and reliable sensor for trace OTC detection is critical. In this work, a dual-mode sensor of colorimetric-fluorescent (CL-FL) with dual signal-on was developed for OTC detection. Firstly, a novel carbon dots encapsulating in cavities of MOFs composite (CDs@NH2-MIL-88B) was constructed by the ship-in-a-bottle approach, which enhanced peroxidase-like activity and fluorescent intensity. Further, combining with surface molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), the dual-mode sensor was constructed to develop selectivity (CDs@NH2-MIL-88B@rMIP). Finally, the dual signal enhancement mechanism of the sensor comes from the interaction between OTC and identifying binding site involving strong hydrogen bonding and metal complexation from imprinted cavity and CDs@NH2-MIL-88B, respectively. The prepared sensor has a linear detection range of 1.00 × 10-9 - 1.00 × 10-5M with the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.47 × 10-10M for the CL mode and a detection range of 1.00 × 10-11 -1.00 × 10-7M with the LOD of 1.84 × 10-12M for the FL mode. Meanwhile, the sensor shows high sensitivity, accuracy and reliability in OTC detection. Overall, this work provides a promising CL-FL dual-mode sensing systems with signal-on in the detection of antibiotics and other hazardous pollutants.

Adaptation of the Taiwan Version of the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT-TW) and Its Association with Six-Month Mortality: A Multi-Center Validation Study in Older People.

Background: The Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) was developed for identifying, in a timely manner, patients who may benefit from supportive and palliative care for better treatment review, care-plan discussion, and end-of-life care. Although the SPICT has been validated in different languages and for patients living in different settings, it has not been validated for patients receiving home-based medical care (HBMC), or in the context of using traditional Chinese characters. Objectives: The present study aimed to validate the Taiwanese version of the SPICT (SPICT-TW) and to measure its ability to predict six-month mortality in patients who received HBMC in Taiwan. Methods: Seven HBMC agents (five clinics and two hospitals) participated in this validation study. We recruited 129 patients aged ≥ 50 years who had been consistently receiving HBMC for >two months. Results: The results revealed that the SPICT-TW demonstrated similar reliability and validity compared to other language versions of the SPICT. It may be an appropriate tool for healthcare professionals to detect, in a timely manner, the needs for palliative care in older people who receive home healthcare. Furthermore, we found that a combination of four general indicators and one clinical indicator in the SPCIT-TW has the best prediction ability at predicting six-month mortality in these HBMC recipients. This multi-center study validated the SPICT-TW among HBMC recipients in Taiwan. Conclusions: The SPICT-TW demonstrated high reliability and validity through the Kuder-Richardson 20, an intraclass correlation coefficient, Cohen's kappa, and receiver operating characteristic analysis, supporting its potential as a practical tool for identifying older adults at risk of dying within six months who have not yet received palliative care but may benefit from it.

Development of Assembly Techniques for Miniaturized in-line Pressure Sensor by Utilizing Thin Strain Sensor for High Reliability

Development of Assembly Techniques for Miniaturized in-line Pressure Sensor by Utilizing Thin Strain Sensor for High Reliability

Validation of a family planning self-efficacy measure with married women in Bihar, India: Findings from the Bihar Integrated Family Planning Survey

ObjectivesAdapting and testing a novel measure of family planning self-efficacy (FPSE) capturing reproductive agency and examining its association with fertility intention and contraceptive use in India. Study DesignData were analyzed from 13,901 non-sterilized, currently married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the Bihar Integrated Family Planning Survey (BIFS) 2021. We adapted an FP Self Efficacy measure previously developed in Guatemala comprising women’s agency to overcome barriers to accessing, discussing and using contraception, regardless of family pressure and social judgment. We used factor analyses to assess construct metrics including reliability and validity. Regression analyses were used to examine the associations of FPSE with key family planning outcomes, adjusted for age, education, caste/tribe status, religion, parity, age at marriage and family type. ResultsThe BIFS women’s sample was relatively young (35% below 25 years of age), with 43% reporting no education and over half (52%) married before 18 years of age. The 9-item FPSE scale demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach’s α=0.82) with two factors – self-efficacy to access and discuss contraception versus self-efficacy to use contraception in the face of resistance. Higher FPSE was associated with spousal communication [AOR: 2.35 (95% CI: 2.18, 2.54), traditional [AOR: 1.24 (95% CI: 1.12,1.36)] and reversible modern contraception [AOR: 1.58 (95% CI: 1.43,1.75)], and fertility intention [AOR: 1.13 (95% CI: 1.01,1.25)]. ConclusionFP Self Efficacy was found to be a reliable and valid measure associated with spousal communication, reversible contraception use and fertility intention. ImplicationsInnovations in measurement to understand reproductive agency, such as family planning self efficacy, place women’s choice as important goals of FP programming. Placing women’s choice and agency as goals of FP programs can help in meeting community needs and the demand for contraceptive use.

Altered resting-state functional connectivity in a thalamo-cortico-cerebellar network in patients with schizophrenia

The diagnosis of schizophrenia is associated with a complex psychopathology related to disrupted brain circuitry causing a failure in coordinating information across brain sites with no consensus regarding the mechanisms. Although schizophrenia is well-studied, the great majority of studies investigated pre-selected ROIs or Seed-based connectivity. Whole brain ROI-wise studies that consider all ROIs available simultaneously are lacking. This technique helps understand large- and local-scale dynamics of information exchange across the whole brain. We investigated ROI-wise whole brain networks in 35 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia and 41 control participants. To unveil dysfunctions in brain subnetworks and to characterize network topology, we applied a statistical tool specially developed for network comparison called network-based statistic and graph theory. We observed a hyperconnected thalamo-cortico-cerebellar subnetwork in participants with schizophrenia; nodal analysis revealed higher number of thalamic connections. Our results suggest disruptions at the local level of the subnetwork rather than globally spread across the brain and driven by hyperconnectivity. Importantly, this subnetwork emerged from an exploratory analysis directly comparing ROI-wise whole brain network. This fact makes it an important contribution to the field as additional evidence, demonstrating the high reliability of malfunction in the local thalamo-cortico-cerebellar network.

De-Med—a tool to identify and classify potentially inappropriate medication according to Beers criteria, STOPP, and FORTA: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective A significant number of older adults are affected by the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), leading to various adverse outcomes, such as increased physical and cognitive impairment, frailty, hospitalization, and mortality. The objective of this study was to develop and test the reliability and feasibility of the De-Med tool. Methods This tool was developed using ReactJS for data extraction and manipulation. Users can upload drug lists for analysis, and the software delineates PIMs adhering to the Beers 2019 version, Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) Version 2, and Fit fOR The Aged (FORTA) 2021 criteria. Reliability was assessed by juxtaposing software-generated outputs with manual assessments conducted by independent research pharmacists using retrospective medication records. The System Usability Scale (SUS) and AttrakDiff Mini questionnaires were used to assess feasibility and usability, respectively. Key findings Manual and software-generated PIM identifications agreed completely, demonstrating high reliability (100% concordance). A total of 1496 PIMs were identified from 231 records, with an average of 0.63 encounters per patient. The overall usability score was 83.75, indicating “Excellent.” According to the AttrakDiff ratings, users attributed the software to both pragmatic (mean PQ:1.84) and hedonic (mean HQ:1.50) qualities, with moderate overall attractiveness (mean ATT:2.13). Conclusions This web-based tool successfully identified PIMs with perfect reliability, high usability, and a moderate level of attractiveness. This tool has the potential to improve medication management in older adults by reducing PIMs.

A subset of brain regions within adult functional connectivity networks demonstrates high reliability across early development.

The human cerebral cortex contains groups of areas that support sensory, motor, cognitive, and affective functions, often categorized into functional networks. These networks show stronger internal and weaker external functional connectivity (FC), with FC profiles more similar within the same network. Previous studies have shown these networks develop from nascent forms before birth to their mature, adult-like structures in childhood. However, these analyses often rely on adult functional network definitions. This study assesses the potential misidentification of infant functional networks when using adult models and explores the consequences and possible solutions to this problem. Our findings suggest that although adult networks only marginally describe infant FC organization better than chance, misidentification is primarily driven by specific areas. Restricting functional networks to areas with adult-like network clustering revealed consistent within-network FC across scans and throughout development. These areas are also near locations with low network identity variability. Our results highlight the implications of using adult networks for infants and offer guidance for selecting and utilizing functional network models based on research questions and scenarios.

Automatic construction and verification algorithm for smart contracts based on formal verification

As an emerging technology, blockchain demonstrates strong potential for applications in digital finance. As a core component of blockchain, the security and reliability of smart contracts is crucial. To ensure the high reliability of smart contracts, this study employs formal construction and verification techniques based on game theory. Initially, the profit function is defined using distortion techniques, and a game model for supply chain participation is designed. However, the equilibrium solution of the two-party game does not represent the optimal solution for the supply chain system. Therefore, the study introduces third-party participation to optimize the equilibrium solution. Finally, a probability model detection method is used to verify the constructed smart contract model. The results show that the supply chain model, analyzed through formal methods, has attributes consistent with theoretical analysis. Consequently, the research on automatic construction and verification algorithms for smart contracts based on formal verification proves to be effective and feasible in practical applications.

The Application of PLC in Industry Fields

This article explores the widespread application and importance of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) in industry. PLC, as an industrial controller designed specifically for industrial environments, occupies an important position in the field of industrial automation control due to its advantages of being less susceptible to interference, high reliability, easy programming, fast installation, and small size. With the rapid development of PLC technology, great progress has been made in the development of technology, hardware, and software, resulting in increasingly powerful functionalities and significantly enhanced system development and compatibility. This paper mainly analyzes the design ideas and applications of PLC in life and industry in detail, aiming to research PLC and find more scenes in industry fields in which PLC can participate. PLC has a wide range of applications and significant importance in industry. The continuous progress and innovation of its technology will bring more opportunities and challenges to the field of industrial automation control. In the future, with the deepening development of advanced manufacturing models such as Industry 4.0 and intelligent manufacturing, PLC technology is expected to play a greater role in more fields and promote industrial automation to a higher level.

Design and Application of a Lightweight Plate-Type Acoustic Metamaterial for Vehicle Interior Low-Frequency Noise Reduction

To reduce the low-frequency noise inside automobiles, a lightweight plate-type locally resonant acoustic metamaterial (LRAM) is proposed. The design method for the low-frequency bending wave bandgap of the LRAM panel was derived. Prototype LRAM panels were fabricated and tested, and the effectiveness of the bandgap design was verified by measuring the vibration transmission characteristics of the steel panels with the installed LRAM. Based on the bandgap design method, the influence of geometric and material parameters on the bandgap of the LRAM panel was investigated. The LRAM panel was installed on the inner side of the tailgate of a traditional SUV, which effectively reduced the low-frequency noise (around 34 Hz) during acceleration and constant-speed driving, improving the subjective perception of the low-frequency noise from “very unsatisfactory” to “basically satisfactory”. Furthermore, the noise reduction performance of the LRAM panel was compared with that of traditional damping panels. It was found that, with a similar installation area and lighter weight than the traditional damping panels, the LRAM panel still achieved significantly better low-frequency noise reduction, exhibiting the advantages of lightweight, superior low-frequency performance, designable bandgap and shape, and high environmental reliability, which suggests its great potential for low-frequency noise reduction in vehicles.

Cross Cultural Validation of Oral Health Index Profile for Temporomandibular Disorders in Spanish Speaking Population.

Structured patient-centred assessment is critical for improving care. OHIP-TMDs are a validated English-language outcome measure for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) which evaluates the biopsychosocial impact of TMD. Due to language and cultural changes, the original instrument's phrasing of its items may change when translated to Spanish. This study cross-culturally adapted and validated OHIP-TMDs for Spanish-speaking individuals with TMD. OHIP-TMDs was forward-backward translated into Spanish (OHIP-TMDs-Sp) and cross-culturally adapted to a Hispanic population with TMD (Diagnostic Criteria for TMD n = 154) according to international norms. All patients completed the OHIP-TMDs-Sp, the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-20). A subsample (n = 30) recompleted the OHIP-TMDs-Sp after a 3-week washout to measure test-retest reliability using an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC 2.1). OHIP-TMDs-Sp, JFLS-20, and GCPS were analysed for convergent validity and internal consistency. The sample with articular and muscular TMD diagnoses was 85.7% female with a mean age of 29.5. (SD 9.01). OHIP-TMDs-Sp had high internal reliability (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.95) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.57-0.93). In terms of convergent validity, the OHIP-TMDs-Sp demonstrated moderate to large positive correlations with the total JLFS-20 score (ρ = 0.72; p < 0.01), Mastication (ρ = 0.68; p < 0.01), Communication (ρ = 0.68; p < 0.001), as well to GCPS disability score (ρ = 0.59; p < 0.01), and characteristic pain intensity (ρ = 0.69; p < 0.01). The total score of OHIP-TMDs-Sp is reliable for assessing quality-of-life in Spanish-speaking TMD patients.

Design and Investigation of a High-Performance Quartz-Based SAW Temperature Sensor

In this work, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) temperature sensor based on a quartz substrate was designed and investigated. Employing the Coupling-of-Modes (COM) model, a detailed analysis was conducted on the effects of the number of interdigital transducers (IDTs), the number of reflectors, and their spacing on the performance of the SAW device. The impact of the transversal mode of quartz SAWs on the device was subsequently examined using the finite element method (FEM). The simulation results indicate that optimizing these structural parameters significantly enhances the sensor’s sensitivity and frequency stability. SAW devices with optimal structural parameters were fabricated, and their resonant frequencies were tested across a temperature range of 25–150 °C. Experimental results demonstrate that the SAW temperature sensor maintains high performance stability and data reliability throughout the entire temperature range, achieving a Bode-Q of 7700. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits excellent linearity and repeatability. An analysis of the sensor’s response under varying temperature conditions reveals a significant temperature dependency on its Temperature Coefficient of Frequency (TCF). This feature suggests that the sensor possesses potential advantages for applications in industrial process control and environmental monitoring.