Intensity Values Research Articles

Dynamic Response Simulation for a Novel Single-Point Mooring Gravity-Type Deep-Water Net Cage Under Irregular Wave and Current

This study investigated the structural response characteristics of a novel single-point mooring gravity-type deep-water (SPM-GDW) net cage under irregular waves and currents. A hydrodynamic numerical model of the cage was created and validated through model experiments. Based on the validated cage model, the structural response characteristics such as cage motion response, mooring line forces, and floating collar stress were studied, considering the actual operating conditions in the target sea area. The response time history curves, wave height time history, and spectral density statistics were studied and compared. The results showed that the heave motion of the cage was consistent with wave elevation in the vertical direction and mainly influenced by wave conditions. The surge motion of the cage was closely related to the current, with a significant lag effect compared to wave elevation motion. Low-frequency loads under the combined action of waves and currents had a significant impact on the surge motion of the cage. In addition, the mooring line tension and pontoon stress were closely related to the wave elevation, with peak values of tension and stress occurring almost simultaneously with the peak wave elevation. However, the pontoon stress exhibited high-frequency response characteristics while satisfying the wave frequency response trend. It was found that the flow velocity had a significant impact on the spectral density of mooring line tension and pontoon stress in the low-frequency range, with an increase in spectral density values as the flow velocity increased. The structural response characteristics identified in this study provide a computational basis for the optimized design and analysis of single-point mooring gravity-type deep-water cages.

Long-Term Monitoring of Cable Tension Force in Cable-stayed Bridges using the Vibration Method. The Case Study of Binh Bridge, Vietnam

The tension force of a cable is an important parameter used to ensure the stable and safe working of cable-stayed bridges. This parameter needs to be strictly controlled throughout the operation of the bridge by installing direct force measurement sensors or indirect determination methods through analyzing vibration data of the oblique cables. This article introduces a method for predicting the cable tension value of a cable-stayed bridge using vibration-based data ready for application to in-service cable-stayed bridges. A method is proposed for calculating the effective length of stay cables while considering the influence of damping devices to improve the accuracy of cable tension assessment. The database to verify the model is a series of data on vibration testing in 32/80 cables of the Binh Bridge (Hai Phong) through inspections from 2007 to 2019. The bridge was damaged in 2010 and was completely repaired in 2012. The tension force monitoring during the damaged event, compared with that before and after the repair gives realizable results. The tension force was reduced over time and was recovered after the repair. Using vibration data to estimate the tension force is a fast and cost-effective method that helps minimizing risks during the exploitation and operation of cable-stayed bridges.

A vision-based approach to estimate enzymatic glucose concentration and to investigate the effects of temperature and time on colorimetric responses

Abstract The estimation of glucose is important for managing health conditions, like diabetes and supporting advancements in non-invasive diagnostic tools. The propose work introduces a simple, fast, reliable, and cost-effective vision-based colorimetric method for detection of enzymatic glucose by using a Raspberry Pi. Unlike traditional methods, which often require invasive procedures, complex equipment, or expert intervention, the proposed approach leverages image processing and open-source computing to provide a non-invasive, portable, and efficient solution. The concentration of sample solutions varying from 0.02 M to 1.20 M is prepared for detection. The principle of the proposed technique is based on the change of color by using ammonium metavanadate and sulphuric acid upon interaction with glucose solution. A camera module interfaced with a Raspberry Pi single-board computer captures the colorimetric changes. The captured images are studied by using HSV (Hue, Saturation, and Value) color model. This model is chosen for its ability to separate color information (hue) from intensity (value), enabling more accurate quantification of colorimetric responses. We present here the results of the effect of temperature and time on the colorimetric responses of the prepared samples. The novelty of the technique is its simple design, portability, rapid analysis, cost-effectiveness, suitable for environmental conditions, non-invasive in nature, and simple measurement procedure.

How Capital Investment and Integrated Reporting Shape Firm Value in Consumer Cyclicals

Firm value reflects performance and competitiveness, which are the main concerns for investors, especially in the consumer cyclicals sector which is sensitive to economic cycles. Inconsistencies in previous research regarding the effect of working capital management and capital intensity on firm value requires further study. This study uses panel data from 83 companies selected by purposive sampling during the 2021-2023 period. The analysis employs a moderation regression method using EViews software. The results show that capital intensity has a significant positive effect on firm value, while working capital management has no significant effect. Integrated reporting strengthens the relationship between capital intensity and firm value, but doesn’t moderate the relationship between working capital management and firm value. These findings highlight the importance of investment in fixed assets and reporting transparency to increase firm value. This study provides insights for managers on leveraging integrated reporting in creating sustainable firm value. Keywords: Working Capital Management; Capital Intensity; Firm Value; Integrated Reporting; Consumer cyclicals

Study on the synthesis and properties of Gemini surfactant with ester spacers

Abstract A group of cationic Gemini surfactants with ester spacers, C12-E2-C12, C16-E2-C16, C18-E2-C18, were synthesized and confirmed by IR, 1H NMR and MS. The surface parameters of the synthesized Gemini surfactants including: the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the surface tension value at CMC (γ CMC), efficiency (pC 20), maximum surface excess (Γ max) and minimum surface area (A min), were obtained from surface tension measurements. These Gemini surfactants showed higher surface activity than the traditional monomeric surfactants. The thermodynamic parameters of the micellization process from conductivity measurements showed that the micellization was a spontaneous and exothermic process, and the micellization process became less favorable with decreasing alkyl chain length and increasing temperature. The micro polarity was evaluated from steady-state fluorescence spectra. It was found that the micelle aggregation number of Cn-E2-Cn aqueous solution gradually increased with the increase of alkyl chain.

Discriminatory power of trabeculectomy bleb internal reflectivity and morphology in surgical success using anterior segment optical coherence tomography

BackgroundThe post-operative evaluation of trabeculectomy blebs has traditionally relied on subjective clinical grading systems performed at the slit-lamp. This study explores the use of swept source anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to objectively measure bleb internal reflectivity and morphology, and to distinguish blebs with surgical success vs. failure.MethodsCross-sectional study of patients with glaucoma who had undergone trabeculectomy at least one year prior. Swept source AS-OCT was used to capture filtering blebs in the sagittal plane. Standardised regions of interests on the sagittal plane were segmented, and pixel intensity values and bleb height were measured. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to examine the discriminatory ability of pixel intensity values and bleb morphology to classify blebs with surgical success or failure.Results100 eyes of 65 patients were included, with a median post-operative follow up of 7.0 years (IQR 3.2–16 years). The proportion of complete success, qualified success and failure was 45%, 33%, and 22% respectively. The maximum bleb height was significantly greater in the blebs with complete success (1.74 vs. 1.25 vs. 1.23 mm in CS vs. QS vs. F, one-way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). Mean pixel intensity was significantly lower in blebs with complete success (150.8 vs. 157.4 vs. 167.4 in CS vs. QS vs. F, p = 0.0001). Bleb intensity standard deviation (AUC 0.81), maximal bleb height (AUC 0.76), mean pixel intensity (AUC 0.75) and minimum pixel intensity (AUC 0.75) offered the best discrimination between surgical success and failure.ConclusionsSwept-source AS-OCT can be used to quantify bleb internal reflectivity and morphology, which can be used to distinguish between well vs. poorly functioning blebs. These parameters may assist surgeons in the objective evaluation of post-operative bleb outcomes.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ РАБОТЫ ЛОПАСТНОГО СМЕСИТЕЛЯ СЫПУЧИХ РАСТИТЕЛЬНЫХ КОМПОНЕНТОВ В ЭКСТРЕМАЛЬНЫХ РЕЖИМАХ

The purpose of the study is to compare the results of theoretical and experimental studies of the developed and patented design of a paddle mixer in the field of applicability of the theory of mixing loose plant components proposed by the authors. Objectives: to carry out experimental studies of the parametric area of applicability of the theory of mixing with an assessment of the discrepancy between theoretically predicted and actual values of variability and energy intensity in the vicinity of their optimum in order to adapt the model to production conditions. Theoretical estimates of the result indicators and their comparison with similar experimentally obtained values were made using the author's computer program for the process of mixing bulk plant components. For the theoretical description of the boundaries of the region, the Maple computer mathematics system was used in the range of result indicators from minimum to maximum. Research checks were carried out to determine the performance indicators of the paddle mixer operation: the variability and energy intensity of the process of mixing bulk plant components when choosing the optimal modes in the allowable parametric region specified by the angular speed of the shaft rotation, the angle of the blades and the content of millet in the mixture. The quality of the mixing process under the conditions of choosing the best modes of operation of the mixer is estimated by the relative deviation of the actual value of the result indicator from the similar optimal value. It has been established that with the calculation format used, the indicated discrepancy between the minima and maxima does not exceed 5%: for variability it is 2.64832 and 0.36521%, respectively, and for energy intensity it is 0.35019 and 1.34564%.

What 25+ Years of “Did You Feel It” Intensities Tell Us About Shaking in California

Abstract “When will the Big One happen?” is a question that people often have for earthquake scientists. But while waiting for the “Big One” to occur, people will usually experience frightening or damaging shaking from multiple relatively smaller-magnitude earthquakes. Given this context, it raises the question: “Where does most of the damage come from?” Could smaller, yet more frequent, earthquakes account for the majority of reported impactful shaking? To explore this question, we consider reports of earthquake damage and felt shaking experiences from a catalog of community-collected intensity values from the U.S. Geological Survey’s “Did You Feel It?” system. Comparing these intensities to expectations from a ground-motion model, we find that earthquakes of magnitudes smaller than expected are responsible for most reported intensities of community decimal intensities (CDI) 4.5 and above (moderate and higher shaking intensity levels). (Here “expected value” is meant in its mathematical sense of the mean or equivalently median shaking intensity.) We also present a regional analysis of observed earthquake shaking for specific areas, detailing the maximum intensity experienced within a predetermined area. We identify several instances of M &amp;lt; 4.5 events that generated maximum intensities of CDI &amp;gt; 5 in regions in California surrounding the cities of Eureka, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Our results motivate the need to include smaller-magnitude earthquakes in communications about earthquake hazard and risk reduction.

Absolute Paleointensity Estimates from Precambrian India and the Long-Term Thermal Evolution of the Earth

Summary Despite significant progress in paleomagnetic research over the last century, the origin, evolution, and long-term behavior of the geomagnetic field remains poorly understood. One significant open question is when and how the inner core nucleated. Since geomagnetic field behavior is intrinsically linked to the thermal evolution of the core, scientists have turned to the global paleointensity record to search for proxies for inner core nucleation. From this record, two signals have been identified as possible indicators of inner core nucleation: (1) A spike in magnetic field strength between 1.5–1.0 Ga, and (2) an initially strong, but gradually decreasing field strength that resulted in a weak dynamo in the Ediacaran. Although both these hypotheses are vastly different, they do have one common challenge hindering rigorous testing: A paucity of paleointensity data. This is especially true for the Precambrian time period for which well-preserved outcrops are scarce and weathering/alteration is nearly inescapable. Despite making up almost 90% of Earth's history, data from this super eon comprises &amp;lt;10% of the global paleointensity database. This lack of data for most of Earth's history represents a considerable gap in our knowledge and greatly impedes our ability to understand the origin and evolution of our planet and its magnetic field. In an effort to fill in this gap, we performed paleointensity experiments on Precambrian-aged mafic dikes from India (Malani Igneous Suite and Bastar, Dharwar, and Bundelkhand cratons) with ages ranging from ∼740 Ma to ∼2.36 Ga. To monitor thermal alteration and minimize the effects of non-ideal grain sizes, the Thellier method following the IZZI protocol was used. Successful results were obtained for samples from the Bundelkhand (∼740 Ma) and Bastar (∼1.89 Ga) cratons. The Bastar results fall in a ∼40 Myr gap in the database and corroborate field trends predicted by the Monte Carlo axial dipole moment model (MCADAM), which suggests that intensity values were moderately low (2–4 × 1022 Am2) in the middle Paleoproterozoic. The Bundelkhand result suggests that the field may have been rapidly decaying in the late Tonian to early Cryogenian.

Upper quantile-based CUSUM-type control chart for detecting small changes in image data

Image monitoring is an important research problem that has wide applications in various fields, including manufacturing industries, satellite imaging, medical diagnostics, and so forth. Traditional image monitoring control charts perform rather poorly when the changes occur at very small regions of the image, and when the changes of image intensity values are small in those regions. Their performances get worse if the images contain noise, and the changes occur near the edges of image objects. In applications such as manufacturing industries, the changes in the images are often too small to be detected by human eyes. In this article, we propose a CUSUM-type control chart for online monitoring of grayscale images. Depending on what kind of changes we wish to detect, big or small, we propose to use a certain upper quantile of the local CUSUM statistics. We incorporate a state-of-the-art jump preserving image smoothing technique in the proposed chart that ensures good performance even in presence of low to moderate noise. Theoretical justifications, and superior performance in numerical comparisons ensure that the proposed control chart can be useful to many researchers and practitioners.

Metasurface-based single-pixel recognition through scattering media

Taking advantage of optoelectronic hybrid neural networks, we propose a metasurface-single-pixel hybrid neural network for object recognition. It employs only eight illumination patterns trained by the digital neural network to convolve the object from two-dimensional images into only eight intensity values measured by a single-pixel detector, achieving a 93.8% accuracy rate in handwritten digit recognition. Our work therefore paves an image-free way for metasurface-based object recognition using only a single-pixel detector, which exhibits its powerful information compression and accurate extraction capabilities coupled with a compact structural design.

Implicit Measurement of Sweetness Intensity and Affective Value Based on fNIRS

This study explores the effectiveness of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) as an implicit measurement tool for evaluating sweetness intensity and affective value. Thirty-two participants tasted sucrose solutions at concentrations of 0.15 M, 0.3 M, and 0.6 M, while both their neural responses were recorded with a 24-channel fNIRS system and their self-reported assessments of sweetness intensity and affective value were collected. The neural fNIRS data were converted into oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) concentrations using the modified Beer–Lambert Law, and analyzed through univariate activation analysis and multivariable decoding analysis to identify neural activation patterns associated with sweetness perception. The results showed significant activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in response to varying levels of sweetness intensity and affective value, with channels 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 17 consistently activated across all sucrose concentrations. As sweetness concentration increased from 0.15 M to 0.6 M, the number of significantly activated channels rose from seven to eleven, indicating stronger and more widespread neural responses corresponding to higher sweetness intensity. The multivariable decoding analysis further demonstrated the capability of fNIRS in accurately distinguishing positive affective responses, with up to 72.1% accuracy. The moderate positive correlation between explicit self-reports and implicit fNIRS data regarding sweetness intensity further supports the validity of fNIRS as a reliable tool for assessing taste perception. This study highlights the potential of fNIRS in sensory neuroscience, demonstrating its effectiveness in capturing the neural mechanisms underlying sweet taste perception.

Prognostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in dogs with acute renal injury treated with haemodialysis.

It is clinically relevant to predict outcomes in dogs with acute kidney injury (AKI) treated with haemodialysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and its role in discriminating between AKI and acute impairment associated with chronic kidney disease (AKI/CKD). Dogs diagnosed with AKI or AKI/CKD were prospectively enrolled in the study. For all dogs, CEUS was performed at admission (T0). In addition, in haemodialysis-treated dogs, it was performed after the first dialysis (T1) and 7days (T7) and 30 days (T30) after admission. A total of 41 dogs were enrolled, of which 30 were treated with haemodialysis and 11 received medical therapy. No significant difference was found between CEUS values at T0 in surviving and non-surviving patients after haemodialysis. A significant difference in cortical peak enhancement intensity (PI) values was found between T0, T1, T7 and T30, with the highest PI value at T0, a significant reduction at T1 and a progressive reduction in subsequent checks. There were no significant differences in CEUS parameters at T0 between patients with AKI and AKI/CKD. AKI aetiology was unknown in most cases, which limits the generalisability of the findings. Furthermore, the small sample size means that the statistical analysis is likely underpowered. CEUS could be helpful in evaluating of the prognosis of dogs with AKI during haemodialysis.

Three-dimensional complementary breast ultrasound (3D CBUS): Improving 3D spatial resolution uniformity with orthogonal images.

With increasing evidence supporting three-dimensional (3D) automated breast (AB) ultrasound (US) for supplemental screening of breast cancer in increased-risk populations, including those with dense breasts and in limited-resource settings, there is an interest in developing more robust, cost-effective, and high-resolution 3DUS imaging techniques. Compared with specialized ABUS systems, our previously developed point-of-care 3D ABUS system addresses these needs and is compatible with any conventional US transducer, which offers a cost-effective solution and improved availability in clinical practice. While conventional US transducers have high in-plane resolution (axial and lateral), their out-of-plane resolution is constrained by the poor intrinsic elevational US resolution. Consequently, any oblique view plane in an acquired 3DUS image will contain high in-plane and poor out-of-plane resolution components, diminishing spatial resolution uniformity and overall diagnostic utility. To develop and validate a novel 3D complementary breast ultrasound (CBUS) approach to improve 3DUS spatial resolution uniformity using a conventional US transducer by acquiring and generating orthogonal 3DUS images. We previously developed a cost-effective, portable, dedicated 3D ABUS system consisting of a wearable base, a compression assembly, and a mechanically driven scanner for automated 3DUS image acquisition, compatible with any commercial linear US transducer. For this system, we have proposed 3D CBUS approach which involves acquiring and registering orthogonal 3DUS images ( and ) with an aim of overcoming the poor resolution uniformity in the scanning direction in 3D US images. The voxel intensity values in the 3D CBUS image are computed with a spherical-weighted algorithm from the original orthogonal 3DUS images. Experimental validation was performed with 2DUS frame densities of 2, 4, 6 frames mm-1 using an agar-based phantom with a speed of sound of 1540 ms-1 and an embedded nylon bead. Lateral and axial full-width at half-maximum (FWHMLAT and FWHMAX) values were calculated from cross-sections taken at polar view planes ranging from 0° to 90° for 3DUS and 3D CBUS images of a bead phantom in focal zone and far field regions. Kendall's Tau-b correlation coefficients were calculated between FWHM measurements and cross-section angle for all frame density settings at a significance level of . Volumetric 3D segmentations were performed for 3DUS and 3D CBUS images of an inclusion phantom to confirm volumetric reconstruction accuracy. For statistical analysis, a repeated measures ANOVA with the Greenhouse-Geisser correction was performed at a significance level of . Experimental validation of the orthogonal 3DUS images show complementary trends of increasing and decreasing FWHMLAT from in-plane to out-of-plane (0° and 90° and vice versa) views. This is exemplified with the scan taken at 4 frames mm-1 in the focal zone, where FWHMLAT ranges from 3.51 to 1.10 mm for and 1.02-3.02 mm for , spanning 0°-90°, respectively. When combined in the 3D CBUS image, the FWHMLAT exhibits greater uniformity across view angles by mitigating poor out-of-plane resolution using its complementary in-plane component, with corresponding FWHMLAT values of 1.27 and 1.46 mm. While visual enhancements were seen in the 3D CBUS image, no statistically significant differences were found in volumetric measurements of the spherical inclusions in the 3DUS and 3D CBUS images. The out-of-plane resolution in the orthogonal 3DUS images is improved upon their combination into a single 3D CBUS image. These results demonstrate that the proposed 3D CBUS generation approach can improve 3D spatial resolution uniformity, while employing a commercial US transducer. The proposed 3D CBUS method shows potential utility for improving image resolution uniformity in 3D ABUS images, with the goal of improving point-of-care breast cancer supplemental screening and diagnostic applications, particularly in women with dense breasts and limited resource settings.

Exploring chaos and stability: dynamic insights into the stochastic Davey-Stewartson system through advanced sensitivity analysis

In this study, we investigate the stochastic Davey-Stewartson equation in the presence of noise. These two-dimensional integrable equations are higher-dimensional versions of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Davey-Stewartson equations are important in plasma physics, nonlinear optics, hydrodynamics, and other disciplines because the solutions they provide are valuable in understanding many complex physical phenomena. We employ a modified version of the G′G2 approach to handle variable-coefficient systems with imaginary components, such as nonlinear Schrödinger systems. We have discovered a wide range of precise traveling wave solutions, including solitons, kink, periodic, and rational solutions. These solutions may have a significant impact in the domains of engineering and plasma physics. The presented techniques effectively achieve a variety of exponential solutions, including bright, dark, single, rational, and periodic solitary wave solutions. We used MATLAB to simulate our findings and provide 3D, 2D, and counter graphs that illustrate the impact of noise on the precise solutions of the stochastic Davey-Stewartson problem. We apply the Galilean transformation to derive the planar dynamical system, which enhances our understanding of the system’s dynamical analysis. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis to observe the systematic response to various initial conditions. This analysis focuses on the symmetrical aspects of the system and includes the illustration of phase portraits with equilibrium points. We also investigate the chaotic behavior of the planer dynamical system by introducing an additional external force. We predict the system’s behavior to increase the value of intensity and frequency. Our analysis reveals periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic processes.

A low-dose CT reconstruction method using sub-pixel anisotropic diffusion.

We present a new low-dose CT reconstruction method using sub-pixel and anisotropic diffusion. The sub-pixel intensity values and their second-order differences were obtained using linear interpolation techniques, and the new gradient information was then embedded into an anisotropic diffusion process, which was introduced into a penalty-weighted least squares model to reduce the noise in low-dose CT projection data. The high-quality CT image was finally reconstructed using the classical filtered back-projection (FBP) algorithm from the estimated data. In the Shepp-Logan phantom experiments, the structural similarity (SSIM) index of the CT image reconstructed by the proposed algorithm, as compared with FBP, PWLS-Gibbs and PWLS-TV algorithms, was increased by 28.13%, 5.49%, and 0.91%, the feature similarity (FSIM) index was increased by 21.08%, 1.78%, and 1.36%, and the root mean square error (RMSE) was reduced by 69.59%, 18.96%, and 3.90%, respectively. In the digital XCAT phantom experiments, the SSIM index of the CT image reconstructed by the proposed algorithm, as compared with FBP, PWLS-Gibbs and PWLS-TV algorithms, was increased by 14.24%, 1.43% and 7.89%, the FSIM index was increased by 9.61%, 1.78% and 5.66%, and the RMSE was reduced by 26.88%, 9.41% and 18.39%, respectively. In clinical experiments, the SSIM index of the image reconstructed using the proposed algorithm was increased by 19.24%, 15.63% and 3.68%, the FSIM index was increased by 4.30%, 2.92% and 0.43%, and the RMSE was reduced by 44.60%, 36.84% and 15.22% in comparison with FBP, PWLS-Gibbs and PWLS-TV algorithms, respectively. The proposed method can effectively reduce the noises and artifacts while maintaining the structural details in low-dose CT images.

Mechanical Behavior of PEEK and PMMA Graphene and Ti6Al4V Implant-Supported Frameworks: In Silico Study.

A comparative analysis has been carried out between three different dental materials suitable for the prostheses manufacturing. The analysis performed is based on the finite elements method (FEM) and was made to evaluate their performance under three different loading conditions. Three different materials were modeled with 3D CAD geometry, all of them suitable to be simulated by means of a linear elastic model. The materials employed were graphene polymethyl methacrylate (G-PMMA) with 0.25% of graphene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and Ti6Al4V. Three loading conditions have been defined: distal, medial, and central. In all cases under study, the load was applied progressively, 5 N by 5 N until a previously fixed threshold of 25 N was reached, which always ensures that work is carried out in the elastic zone. The behavior of G-PMMA and PEEK in the tests performed is similar. Regarding maximum deformations in the model, it has been found that deformations are higher in the G-PMMA models when compared to those made of PEEK. The highest values of maximum stress according to the von Mises criteria are achieved in models made of Ti6Al4V, followed by G-PMMA and PEEK. G-PMMA is more prone to plastic deformations compared to Ti6Al4V. However, due to its relatively higher stiffness compared to other common polymers, G-PMMA is able to withstand moderate stress levels before significant deformation occurs, placing it in the intermediate position between Ti6Al4V and PEEK in terms of stress capacity. It should be noted that there is also a difference in the results obtained depending on the applied load, whether distal, medial, or central, proving that, in all simulations, it is the distal test that offers the worst results in terms of presenting a higher value for both displacement and tension. The results obtained allow us to identify the advantages and limitations of each material in terms of structural strength, mechanical behavior, and adaptability to loading conditions that simulate realistic scenarios.

CdSe/ZnS quantum dots-doped polymer optical fiber microprobe for pH sensing.

pH is an important physiological parameter within organisms, playing a crucial role in functional activities in cells and tissues. Among various pH sensing methods, optical fiber pH sensors have gained a wide attention due to their unique advantages. However, current silica optical fiber-based pH sensors face some challenges such as weak biocompatibility, low biological safety, complex or unstable surface modification. Herein, we develop what we believe to be a novel pH sensor based on a CdSe/ZnS quantum dots-doped polymer optical fiber microprobe (POF MP) grown at the end of the silica optical fiber using the free radical photopolymerization process, which has the advantages of significant compactness, high flexibility, good biocompatibility, easy functionalization, high structural stability and safety. Moreover, the size of the POF MP are controllable, which is highly significant for applications requiring specific probe sizes or those used in special terrains. The proposed sensor is demonstrated to have a sensitivity of 0.18097/pH in a wide pH range from 4.5 to 9.0, while it exhibits a highly linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and pH value (R 2 = 0.99448) and good reversibility and reusability. This proposed pH sensor offers a promising solution for pH monitoring in biological environments, contributing to advancements in biosensing, microenvironment monitoring, and potential therapeutic applications.

Measurement of capillarity using oblique plates as a function of the separation angle, temperature and glycerol concentration in water

Abstract Capillarity refers to the ability of a liquid to move within narrow spaces such as tubes and pores with reduced diameters or between two oblique plates with a very small angle between them. It is well known that the height a liquid can reach due to capillarity is directly related to the values of the surface tension, the density, and the contact angle. In this investigation, a study is conducted on the dependence of these properties on the glycerol concentration in an aqueous solution and on the water temperature. The experimental device used is a capillary formed by two oblique glass plates, which allows for the direct observation of the liquid height variation as a function of the separation angle between the plates. This phenomenon is studied using Jurin's law, widely used in the study of capillarity. The results are explained using the Connors-Wright surface tension model and the Eötvös rule. The experiment is very low cost and easy to implement in undergraduate science laboratories, making it useful for exploring the capillarity phenomenon of liquids.&amp;#xD;

Research on the Classification of Traditional Building Materials in Southern Fujian Using the Reflection Intensity Values of Ground-Based LiDAR.

Ground-based LiDAR technology has been widely applied in various fields for acquiring 3D point cloud data, including spatial coordinates, digital color information, and laser reflectance intensities (I-values). These datasets preserve the digital information of scanned objects, supporting value-added applications. However, raw point cloud data visually represent spatial features but lack attribute information, posing challenges for automated object classification and effective management. Commercial software primarily relies on manual classification, which is time-intensive. This study addresses these challenges by using the laser reflectance intensity (I-value) for automated classification. Boxplot theory is applied to calibrate the data, remove noise, and establish polynomial regression equations correlating intensity with scanning distances. These equations serve as attribute functions for classifying datasets. Focusing on materials in traditional Minnan architecture on Kinmen Island, controlled indoor experiments and outdoor case studies validate the approach. The results show classification accuracies of 74% for wood, 98% for stone, and 93% for brick, demonstrating this method's effectiveness in enhancing point cloud data applications and management.