Multiple Plates Research Articles

Application of a posterior anatomical integrated locking compression plate in the treatment of posterior wall acetabular fractures

BackgroundTraditional fixation methods for posterior wall acetabular fractures (PWAFs) typically require the utilization of multiple plates and intraoperative plate contouring, which are technically demanding and carry the risk of intra-articular screw penetration. A novel posterior anatomical integrated locking compression plate (PAILCP) has been designed to optimize these shortcomings. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the PAILCP fixation method for the surgical management of PWAFs.MethodsA total of 48 patients with PWAFs who were treated surgically in our department between January 2018 and December 2022 were selected for retrospective analysis. The 48 patients were classified into groups A (PAILCP fixation, n = 25) and B (traditional fixation, n = 23) according to different fixation methods. Fracture reduction quality, number of utilized plates, blood loss, surgical time, instrumentation time, hip function, and complications were compared between the two groups.ResultsA total of 25 PAILCPs were used in group A, while 34 mini-T plates and 29 reconstruction plates were employed in group B. Compared to the patients in group B, those in group A had significantly shorter instrumentation time (− 16 min) and surgical time (− 23 min) as well as lower blood loss (− 123 ml). However, no significant differences were observed in fracture reduction quality and hip function between the two groups. Additionally, the complication rate was slightly lower in group A (3/25 patients) than in group B (6/23); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Finally, follow-up examination revealed no main plate breakage, miniplate displacement, screw loosening, or intra-articular screw penetration in all patients.ConclusionThe surgical treatment of PWAFs using the PAILCP fixation method results in shorter instrumentation and surgical time and lower blood loss than the traditional fixation method. Thus, the PAILCP fixation method is a promising alternative for PWAFs management, offering enhanced surgical ease and safety.

Upper mantle flow and crustal deformation patterns beneath the Dangerous Grounds and Borneo where multiple plates converge in South China Sea revealed by 3-D anisotropic magnetotelluric imaging

SUMMARY A large-scale magnetotelluric (MT) study was carried out in offshore Borneo to understand the lithospheric structure in this geologically complex region where three tectonic plates converge and past crustal studies generated long-standing debates. Marine MT data were acquired at 1416 stations with 3 km spacing along 13 regional lines (covering 4677 line-km) with periodicities of 0.1 to 10 000 s. These were inverted in 3-D incorporating electrical anisotropy with cross-gradients constraints between vertical and horizontal resistivities and the results were validated with resistivity well-logs from several exploration wells. The models reveal widespread presence of electrically resistive upper crustal and uppermost mantle layers, each underlain by a laterally varying conductive and anisotropic layer. The geometries of the anisotropic layers suggest large-scale ductile flow, thrusting and folding forming belts of alternating deep roots and thin lithosphere, consistent with multiple underthrusting/subduction. Our results are in agreement with the seismologically detected lithospheric variations in northern Borneo suggesting onshore–offshore continuity and a common lithospheric–asthenospheric origin for the deformation patterns. Over thinned lithosphere, we found consistent low resistivity and high anisotropy anomalies in the mantle above the spatial locations of fast shear-wave bodies imaged by recent seismological workers which we interpret to indicate post-subduction lithospheric–asthenospheric ductile flow in response to multidirectional regional compression. We demonstrate that these zones are spatially correlated with the distribution of mainly Cretaceous ophiolitic rocks and melanges exposed onshore and suggest that serpentinization of mantle peridotite can explain some of the anisotropic conductivity anomalies. The taper zones of these deep anisotropic conductors are also associated with Neogene sub-basins, high thermal gradients, and intrasedimentary magmatic bodies indicating a link between lithospheric thinning and magmatism. We propose that such anomalies could be important pathfinders for geothermal and natural hydrogen systems in the ongoing global drive for carbon-free energy resources.

A novel concurrent multiscale method based on the coupling of Direct FE2 and CPFEM

Performing concurrent simulations of macroscopic behaviors and microscopic structures using the crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) presents a substantial difficulty with existing numerical techniques. To address this issue, a novel multi-scale method is proposed that couples CPFEM with a multiscale FEM, specifically Direct FE2. This facilitates the implementation of Direct CP-FE2 in this work. The micro representative volume elements (RVEs) equipped with a crystal plasticity constitutive model and the macro mesh are integrated into a monolithic solution scheme within the Direct FE2 framework. The proposed method integrates the multiscale simulation capability of Direct FE2 with the crystal plasticity model of CPFEM. Alpha titanium (α-Ti), which exhibits two distinct plastic mechanisms of slip and twinning, is chosen as the subject of investigation for conducting numerical experiments. The accuracy and efficiency of the Direct CP-FE2 model are evaluated through multiple plate tension and beam bending tests. The effective validation against the FEM model demonstrated the capability of Direct CP-FE2 to forecast macroscopic deformation behaviors. Meanwhile, the Direct CP-FE2 model can reveal the activation of slip/twinning systems and the evolution of crystal texture at a microscopic level. The influence of the grain orientation-dependent effect can be well considered into the macroscopic analysis with the help of Direct CP-FE2. Based on the testing examples, we demonstrate that the yield state of the macrostructure is enhanced when the crystal orientation is closer to the (0001) direction. Consequently, there exist very little crystal rotation behavior, hindering the evolution of the crystal texture.

The 3D Density Structure of the South China Sea Based on Wavelet Multi-Scale Analysis of Gravity Data and Its Tectonic Implications

Due to its unique geographical location and complex geological evolution processes, the South China Sea has been a focus of extensive research. Previous studies on the density structure of the South China Sea mostly focused on 2D density structures, with relatively limited research on 3D density structures. A comprehensive study is still needed to refine the expansion mechanism and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea. In this study, we utilized wavelet multi-scale analysis of gravity data to obtain a 3D density model of the South China Sea and discussed its tectonic evolution from the pattern of density anomalies. The inversion results show that (1) the expansion of the South China Sea caused the typical thin oceanic crust and parts of the continent–ocean transition zone may fracture due to the expansion; (2) the low-density anomaly in the upper mantle of Luzon Island may indicate partial melting or the upwelling of asthenosphere materials; and (3) the expansion of the South China Sea is influenced by multiple plate forces and uneven forces affect the distribution of high-density anomalies in the upper mantle.

Finite element analysis of bolted joints under torsional loads

The presence of service torque, which is generated after tightening, directly affects the mechanical properties of bolted joint. In this work, the mechanical behavior of bolted joints under torsional loads is investigated using finite element analysis (FEA). Models with two plates and multiple plates are established separately to investigate the mechanical properties of different kinds of bolted joints. Three analysis steps involving the entire process from tightening to torsional loading are adopted, namely tightening step, initial loss step and loading step. Torsional loads in two directions along the thread axis are considered and defined as loosening torsional load and tightening torsional load. The clamping force, as well as the friction torques of various contact surfaces, of the bolted joint are extracted in all the analysis steps. Different scenarios of friction torque combinations for bolted joints are obtained by means of adjusting the friction coefficient of the corresponding contact surfaces. On this basis, the mechanical properties of bolted joints and the corresponding torque thresholds are extracted on various scenarios. FEA results showed that how the service torque makes the directional characteristic of the mechanical properties of bolted joints under torsional loads. Moreover, the service reliability of bolted joint can be further improved based on the directional characteristics and the extracted torque thresholds.

Interaction leads to symmetry breaking in an array of cantilever plates in oscillatory cross flow

By using a computational model based on the immersed-boundary framework, a new mode of symmetry breaking is discovered in a fluid–structure interaction problem featuring an array of cantilever plates in a cross flow whose strength and direction varies sinusoidally with time. Specifically, within the physical parameters considered in this study, the motion of a single plate remains symmetric, whereas a system containing multiple plates can move asymmetrically so that the symmetry-breaking instability comes from fluid-dynamic interactions among individual plates. Further examination suggests that vortices shed from the free ends of the plates play an important role. Indeed, symmetry breaking occurs only when these vortices are sufficiently strong and when the distance between plates lies within certain range. If the distance is too small, a vortex shed from one plate can only stay in the gap between this plate and its neighboring plate for a short time so that it does not have the chance to interact extensively with the neighbor. On the other hand, if the distance is too large it is also difficult for this vortex to interact with the neighbor since it has to travel a long distance to reach there while the background flow keeps changing its direction. In either case, the system does not display asymmetric behavior.

Thermo-fluid performance of axially perforated multiple rectangular flow deflector-type baffle plate in an tubular heat exchanger

The study investigated an unconventional heat exchanger design that utilizes swirling airflow to enhance heat transfer over heated tubes. This innovative system incorporates a perforated round baffle plate, accompanied by multiple rectangular air deflectors oriented in opposite directions at varying inclination angles. These deflectors are symmetrically arranged at different pitch ratios alongside consistently spaced tubes forming a circular configuration, all subject to a uniform heat flux. Enclosed within a circular duct with longitudinal airflow, the combined baffle plate and tube assembly bring forth efficient heat transfer. The air-side turbulence intensified by the deflectors induces a chaotic motion, contributing to enhanced surface heat transfer. Each baffle plate has twelve opposite-oriented deflectors, resulting in opposing swirl flows that further promote flow recirculation and augment surface heat transfer. The performance of this heat exchanger was evaluated by considering different pitch ratios and inclination angles across a Reynolds number range of 16000-30000. The findings demonstrate that the heat exchanger with rectangular flow deflectors on the baffle plate exhibits significant improvements in thermo-fluid performance. Notably, an average enhancement of 1.88 was observed at an inclination angle of 50 degrees and a pitch ratio of 1.2 when compared to an exchanger without baffle plates, emphasizing the considerable impact of these design aspects.

Computerized simulation of 2-dimensional phase contrast images using spiral phase plates in neutron interferometry

Abstract We present calculations of interferograms (interference patterns) of one or multiple spiral phase plates that would be observed with a perfect crystal neutron interferometer of Mach–Zehnder type. A spiral phase plate (SPP) in one of the two coherent beam paths produces a twist in the phase front and thus a vortex beam with intrinsic angular momentum, which in the case of neutrons should be observed as a characteristic interference pattern that appears complementary to each other in both detectors behind the interferometer. Adding additional SPPs in one beam path of the interferometer yield interference patterns similar to that of a single SPP but only due to the cumulative step height. All simulated interferograms have been calculated on the basis of dynamical neutron diffraction without any assumption of a neutron orbital angular momentum and show very convincing agreement with experimental results from the literature, see e.g. (C. W. Clark, R. Barankov, M. G. Huber, M. Arif, D. G. Cory, and D. A. Pushin, “Controlling neutron orbital angular momentum,” Nature, vol. 525, pp. 504–506, 2015). In particular, this clarifies, that the cited experiments do not give evidence of the quantization of interactions caused by a twist of the phase front of a neutron wave in the interferometer and thus no evidence for the effect of a neutron orbital angular momentum.

The modulation of characteristics in AlGaN/GaN High electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) using multiple field plate technology

The modulation of characteristics in AlGaN/GaN High electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) using multiple field plate technology

Analysis of TEC variations and prediction of TEC by RNN during Indonesian earthquakes occurred from 2004 to 2024 and comparison with IRI-2020 model

The Ionosphere, a crucial region of Earth’s atmosphere extending from approximately 50 to 1000 km above the Earth’s surface, plays a pivotal role in global communication, navigation, and satellite-based technologies. Among its various parameters, Total Electron Content (TEC) stands out as a key metric, representing the integrated electron density along a specific path through the ionosphere. This research focuses on analyzing TEC variations during Indonesian earthquakes between 2004 and 2024 using a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) model. The study investigates the ionospheric response to seismic activity, particularly in Indonesia, a region prone to earthquakes due to its location within the Pacific Ring of Fire and complex tectonic setting involving multiple lithospheric plates. The RNN model, designed to predict TEC variations during earthquakes, utilizes data on solar and geomagnetic activity, including the Kp index, solar wind, and geomagnetic storm activity, obtained from the OMNIWEB data centre, along with TEC data from the IONOLAB data servers for the BAKO station in Cibinong, Indonesia. The earthquakes considered for observation include significant events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the 2012 Wharton Basin earthquake, and subsequent seismic events up to 2024. Statistical metrics such as Mean Bias Deviation (MBD), Relative Error (REL_E), Absolute Error (ABS_E), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) are used to evaluate the predictive capability of the RNN model and compare it with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) 2020 model, a widely accepted empirical model for describing ionospheric parameters. The comparison reveals the performance of the RNN model in capturing TEC variations during seismic events, providing valuable insights for earthquake monitoring and early warning systems.

Geotectonic architecture beneath Northern Vietnam revealed by local earthquake tomography combining seismic data from multiple networks

Extrusion tectonics driven by the collision of Indian-Eurasian continents and the relative motion among microcontinents (e.g. South China, Simao-Indochina blocks) has led to multi-phase and complex geological activity and structures in Northern Vietnam. While extensively studied, its detailed crustal architecture in association with multiple large-scale shear zones and plate boundaries remains unclear and is key to resolving long-lasting tectonic debates. This study constructs the first 3-D regional S-wave velocity (Vs) model with consistent P-wave velocity (Vp) and Vp/Vs ratio models by jointly using the crustal and head waves (e.g. Pg/Sg and Pn/Sn phases) from an augmented earthquake catalog combining the Vietnam National Earthquake Catalog (VNCAT) and the data from multiple adjacent seismic networks. The quality of phase picking and earthquake location incorporating seismic data from various sources are carefully examined and collected for the tomographic inversion. We use a stepwise joint inversion scheme to subsequently constrain the earthquake location, 1-D and 3-D velocity models. The output models suggest that the Song Ma suture represents a better candidate for the Indochina-South China boundary rather than the Red River Shear Zone. The latter seems to act as a crustal structure while the former and the Dien Bien Phu Fault are likely lithospheric ones. Several other geologic features such as the Tu Le volcanic basin, the Song Hong basin, and the Day Nui Con Voi metamorphic complex are also clearly depicted and discussed in the model. This new set of the Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs models could further contribute to better assessment to seismic hazards in the northern Vietnam.

Comparison of Antibacterial Activity of Ethanol Extract and Nanoparticles of Crassocephallum Crepidioides S.Moore Against Staphylococcus Aureus

This research seeks to examine the width of the inhibitory zone of extracts and nanoparticles of Crassocephalum crepidioides leaf simplisia, which have many advantages such as wound therapy, diarrhea relief, anti-inflammatory properties, and antibacterial effects. The antibacterial activity of Crassochepallum crepidioides (Benth) was evaluated by using the ethanol extract and nanoparticles. S. Moore departs. The agar diffusion technique was used to test it on paper plates. 0.1 ml of bacterial inoculum was introduced into a sterile petri dish, followed by the addition of 15 ml of Mueller Hinton agar media at a temperature range of 45-50ºC. Subsequently, multiple paper plates were immersed in a test solution containing a strong leaf ethanol extract and nanoparticles with different concentrations. Characterization reveals that Crassocephalum crepidioides is composed of many bioactive components, including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and steroids. The analysis of the extract revealed that it contained 5.92% water, 12.86% total ash, 1.55% acid-insoluble ash, 14.33% water-soluble essence, and 9.34% ethanol-soluble essence. The nanoparticles had a size of 64.37 nm and exhibited antibacterial activity of extract ethanol at a concentration of 50% with a diameter of 12,00 mm. The minor concentration of the extract had a diameter of 3,166 mm, while the nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity at a concentration of 50% with a diameter of 10,53 mm. The minor concentration of the nanoparticle had a diameter of 3,00 mm The activity test results of the ethanol extract of Crassochepallum crepidioides with nanoparticles demonstrated that the inhibitory diameter of the ethanol extraction results remained more strong compared to the nanoparticles of simplisia powder.

Screening 800 putative endocrine disrupting chemicals in a representative mammal, bird, and fish using a neurochemical cell-free testing platform

There is global demand for novel ecotoxicity testing tools that are based on alternative to animal models, have high throughput potential, and may be applicable to a wide diversity of taxa. Here we scaled up a microplate-based cell-free neurochemical testing platform to screen 800 putative endocrine disrupting chemicals from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ToxCast e1k library against the glutamate (NMDA), muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh), and dopamine (D2) receptors. Each assay was tested in cellular membranes isolated from brain tissues from a representative bird (zebra finch = Taeniopygia castanotis), mammal (mink = Neogale vison), and fish (rainbow trout = Oncorhynchus mykiss). The primary objective of this short communication was to make the results database accessible, while also summarising key attributes of assay performance and presenting some initial observations. In total, 7200 species-chemical-assay combinations were tested, of which 453 combinations were classified as a hit (radioligand binding changed by at least 3 standard deviations). There were some differences across species, and most hits were found for the D2 and NMDA receptors. The most active chemical was C.I. Solvent Yellow 14 followed by Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, Gentian Violet, SR271425, and Zamifenacin. Nine chemicals were tested across multiple plates with a mean relative standard deviation of the specific radioligand binding data being 24.6%. The results demonstrate that cell-free assays may serve as screening tools for large chemical libraries especially for ecological species not easily studied using traditional methods.

Single-cell transcriptomic analyses of mouse idh1 mutant growth plate chondrocytes reveal distinct cell populations responsible for longitudinal growth and enchondroma formation.

Enchondromas are a common tumor in bone that can occur as multiple lesions in enchondromatosis, which is associated with deformity of the effected bone. These lesions harbor mutations in IDH and driving expression of a mutant Idh1 in Col2 expressing cells in mice causes an enchondromatosis phenotype. In this study we compared growth plates from E18.5 mice expressing a mutant Idh1 with control littermates using single cell RNA sequencing. Data from Col2 expressing cells were analyzed using UMAP and RNA pseudo-time analyses. A unique cluster of cells was identified in the mutant growth plates that expressed genes known to be upregulated in enchondromas. There was also a cluster of cells that was underrepresented in the mutant growth plates that expressed genes known to be important in longitudinal bone growth. Immunofluorescence showed that the genes from the unique cluster identified in the mutant growth plates were expressed in multiple growth plate anatomic zones, and pseudo-time analysis also suggested these cells could arise from multiple growth plate chondrocyte subpopulations. This data identifies subpopulations of cells in control and mutant growth plates, and supports the notion that a mutant Idh1 alters the subpopulations of growth plate chondrocytes, resulting a subpopulation of cells that become enchondromas at the expense of other populations that contribute to longitudinal growth.

Apatite Fission‐Track Thermochronology in the Tamusu Area, Bayingobi Basin, NW China, and its Geological Significance

AbstractThe Bayingobi basin is located in the middle of Central Asia Orogenic Belt, at the intersection of Paleo‐Asian Ocean and Tethys Ocean, as well as the junction of multiple tectonic plates. This unique tectonic setting underpins the basin's intricate history of tectonic activity. To unravel the multifaceted tectono‐thermal evolution within the southwestern region of the basin and to elucidate the implications of sandstone‐hosted uranium mineralization, granitic and clastic rock samples were collected from the Zongnai Mts. uplift and Yingejing depression, and apatite fission track (AFT) dating and thermal history simulation analysis were performed. AFT dating findings reveal that the apparent ages of all samples fall within the range of 244 Ma to 112 Ma. In particular, the bedrock of the Zongnai Mts. and Jurassic detrital apatite fission tracks have undergone complete annealing, capturing the uplift‐cooling age. Meanwhile, the AFT ages of Cretaceous detrital rocks are either equivalent to or notably exceed the age of sedimentary strata, signifying the cooling age of the provenance. A comprehensive examination of AFT ages and palaeocurrent direction analyses suggests that the Cretaceous source in the Tamusu area predominantly originated from the central and southern sectors of the Zongnai Mts. uplift. However, at a certain juncture during the Late Early Cretaceous, the Cretaceous provenance expanded to include the northern part of the Zongnai Mts. uplift. Based on the results of thermal history simulations and previous studies, it is considered that the Tamusu area has undergone four distinct tectonic uplift events since the Late Paleozoic. The first is the Late Permian to Early Triassic (260–240 Ma), which is associated with the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean and the accretionary orogeny within the Alxa region. The second uplift event took place in the Early Jurassic (190–175 Ma) and corresponded to intraplate orogeny following the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. The third uplift event is the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (160–120 Ma), which is linked to the East Asia's position as the convergence center of multiple tectonic plates during this period. The fourth uplift event is linked to the Late Early Cretaceous (112–100 Ma), driven either by the westward subduction of the eastern Pacific plate or the mantle upwelling resulting from the Bangong–Nujiang oceanic lithosphere subduction and slab break‐off. The primary stress orientation for the first three tectonic uplift phases approximated a nearly SN direction, while the fourth stage featured a principal stress direction of NW. The fourth tectonic uplift event of the Late Early Cretaceous and basaltic eruption thermal event during this period likely exerted a significant influence on the formation of the Tamusu sandstone‐hosted uranium deposit.

Enhancing Bangladeshi License Plate Recognition: A YOLOv8 Approach with Roboflow Integration for Accuracy and Speed Optimization

Abstract: Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) systems are indispensable in modern transportation services, offering crucial benefits in traffic management, parking, toll collection, and surveillance. However, implementing ALPR in Bangladesh presents challenges due to the intricacies of Bangla characters and low-resolution CCTV images. Despite ALPR's potential to enhance safety and security, issues such as license plate variations and image quality hinder its effective implementation. This research addresses these challenges by developing a customized YOLOv8 model tailored for recognizing Bengali license plates, with a focus on precise localization, character segmentation, and script deciphering. Leveraging advanced deep learning techniques, the study aims to enhance efficiency and accuracy for applications in law enforcement and traffic management. Through a comprehensive workflow integrating Roboflow and YOLOv8, effective dataset collection, annotation, augmentation, and model training are demonstrated. System evaluation on diverse test datasets confirms the reliable detection and recognition of Bangladeshi license plates, underscoring the model's practical utility and robustness in real-world scenarios. Additionally, the research showcases notable advancements in ALPR technology specific to Bangladesh's unique context. Noteworthy is the model's exceptional performance in detecting license plates from corner angles, even across various vehicle types, as well as its ability to accurately identify plates amid challenging conditions such as broken or obscured plates and low-resolution images. Moreover, the system's proficiency in scenarios with multiple license plates, like those on buses adorned with banners, contributes significantly to improved road safety and traffic management.

Effect of Acoustic Enclosure on the Sound Transmission Loss of Multi-Layered Micro-Perforated Plates

This study presents an examination of the transmission properties of multilayered partitions made up of multiple micro-perforated plates (MPPs) coupled to acoustic enclosures with general impedance boundaries. Multi-layered MPPs can lower the transmission while minimizing reflection in the source and receiving enclosure. Previous research has mainly focused on the double MPPs or triple MPPs partition itself. However, it is vital to analyze the in-situ sound transmission loss of the multi-layered MPP and their efficiency in a complex vibro-acoustic environment. The case when the multilayered MPPs are coupled to a receiving enclosure or coupled to both a source and receiving enclosure is investigated. The objective is to provide an analytical method to evaluate the transmission properties of multilayered MPPs coupled to acoustic enclosures while being computationally more efficient than the finite element method (FEM). Using the modified Fourier series for the acoustic pressure, a variational form for the acoustic and structure medium yields a completely coupled vibroacoustic system. A comparison between the sound transmission loss of the double MPPs, when mounted on an impedance tube and coupled to acoustics enclosures, shows the modal effect of the enclosures. The effect of enclosure shape, impedance boundary, perforation ratio, air gap thickness on the sound transmission properties of the double MPPs structure is examined for both cases. Finally, in both situations, the performance of triple MPP structure insulation is evaluated.

Insight into the interfacial microstructure and chemistry of hot isostatically pressed AA6061-AA6061 bonds for U-10Mo fuel cladding application

Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is performed on AA6061-AA6061 plates for U-10Mo monolithic fuel cladding application and this process allows us to bond multiple plates and large surface areas in a single run. In the current work, we HIP'd several plates of AA6061 with different HIP can dimensions at 560 °C and 103 MPa for 90 min to gain insight into the interfacial microstructure, chemistry and eventually bond strength. Interfacial microstructure characterizations were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in conjunction with Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to quantify precipitate fractions and study recrystallization, grain growth, and orientation relationships across the interface. Microstructural analyses revealed the precipitation of a large fraction of Mg2Si particles and a ∼50 nm thick Al-Mg oxide layer at the interface. Further TEM analysis confirmed that the oxide layer was not continuous, and Mg2Al2O5 oxide particles with an average size of 18 nm were present in the oxide layer. The bond strength of HIP-processed samples was correlated with peel testing and the bond strength was determined to be a direct function of the Mg2Si particle size at the interface. Finite element modeling analysis was performed to study the HIP can cooldown rate after HIP processing and was correlated with the interface precipitation.

Performance parametric formulation of carbon fiber-reinforced composite locking bone implant plates based on finite-element analysis

The treatment of Giant Cell Tumor (GCT) in the distal radius poses challenges due to the intricate anatomical features of the bone. It often necessitates the use of long implant plates or the interconnection of multiple short plates after tumor excision. However, the deployment of metal plates may increase the risk of screw loosening and various complications. To address these challenges, this study proposes the adoption of carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFRP) as the base material. As a unique strategy, performance parameters (PP) were developed to compare CFRP implant plates with a Ti-6Al-4V plate using the Finite-element Method. The focus was on four elements: the screw axial force, bone growth, callus formation, and bone resorption. The investigation into the screw axial force involved analyzing the internal force of the screw. The remaining parameters were evaluated using the stress, strain, or elastic energy induced in the bones. The findings showed that the second screw endured the largest screw axial force, measuring 10.16 N under a 90-degree 10-N loading at the translocated bone. The model without a callus exerted a significantly greater force on the screw than the model with a callus, leading to screw loosening in the early stage of treatment. The maximum PP, reached 1.62, was achieved with an angle-ply [456 /−456 ] laminate, featuring a weighting fraction of 0.7 for bone growth and 0.1 for the other parameters. This study provides a generalized methodology for assessing the performances of CFRP implants and offers guidelines for future development in composite implant plate technology.

Improving license plate recognition via diverse stylistic plate generation

Deep learning-based license plate recognition heavily relies on the quantity and diversity of training images. However, manually collecting diverse license plate images is a highly time-consuming and labor-intensive task. Hence, generating license plate images to supplement training data emerges as a cost-effective solution for recognition enhancement. Previous generation methods treated the style of license plates as discrete features and extracted style features from a referenced image to generate multi-style license plate images. However, these methods are incapable of generating license plates with arbitrary new styles, as the style of the generated images is constrained by the existing images. To solve this problem, we propose to extract style features from randomly sampled vectors in continuous space for diverse stylistic license plate generation. This way, license plates with arbitrary styles can be generated by simply modifying the sampled style vectors. Besides, to provide controllable content information for the generator, we propose an orientation-aware content encoder to extract multi-oriented glyph content features from the input horizontal glyphs. Moreover, a dual-discriminator is proposed to conduct adversarial learning on both color images and image gradients, aiming to mitigate unnatural patterns and ensure realistic generated results. Finally, extensive experiments on multiple public license plate datasets demonstrate that our method can generate realistic and diverse license plates, and the generated images can significantly improve recognition performance by up to 11.5%.