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The study evaluated the influence of titanium discs, coated with polyacrylonitrile infused curcumin nanofibers on osteoblast activity.

Amorphous thioacetamide (TA) ice was prepared by deposition on a low-temperature substrate in an ultrahigh-vacuum simulation chamber, exposing the sample to a beam of hydrogen atoms. The structural changes were monitored by reflection–absorption FT-IR spectroscopy. The spectral data unambiguously evidence the formation of the higher-energy thiol tautomeric forms of TA upon interaction with H atoms, resulting from the more stable thione tautomer, which is otherwise exclusively present in unprocessed ice. The regeneration of the thione species from the thiol tautomeric forms occurs upon heating the sample above 100 K. Quantum-chemical computations were conducted to confirm the conclusions drawn from the experimental results. According to the theoretical findings, the thiol molecules, formed on the surface of amorphous ice upon H-atom-assisted thione → thiol tautomerization, cannot survive in the crystalline material. A mechanism for the process at the molecular level is also proposed. This work provides the first example of H-atom-assisted tautomerization occurring on the surface of amorphous ice without the action of UV light as the source of energy.

A promising approach to energy-efficient hydrogen production is coupling the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with the urea oxidation reaction (UOR), significantly reducing the energy requirements. However, achieving a low-cost yet high-performance electrocatalyst for both HER and UOR remains challenging. Here, we present a facile method for synthesizing nanoporous nickel sulfide (NiS) and nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) nanocubes directly on nickel foam (NF) without any added nickel source using a cyclic voltammetry technique. In this approach, NF serves simultaneously as the substrate and nickel source, streamlining the synthesis process. The unique nanoarchitecture of NiHCF and NiS promotes highly efficient catalytic activity for both UOR and HER. NiHCF catalyzes urea oxidation by dual active sites of Ni and Fe with its synergistic interaction, without the formation of NiOOH or FeOOH. For hydrogen production, the self-supporting NiHCF/NF||NiS/NF-coupled system achieves a notably low cell voltage of 1.8 V at 100 mA cm–2, which is approximately 487 mV lower than traditional IrO2/NF||Pt/C/NF water electrolysis. This innovative electrochemical method enables the controlled synthesis of Ni-based nanoelectrocatalysts, offering a sustainable, energy-efficient pathway for H2production from urea-rich wastewater. This environmentally friendly strategy holds significant potential to reduce the global carbon footprint, paving the way for a greener future.

Bolted connections are widely used in steel structures. Detection of bolt loosening is the prime concern in the bolted joints to avoid sudden failure leading to catastrophe. Loosening of the bolts causes interfacial movement by reducing the pre-torque when subjected to vibrations due to dynamic loads. With the advent of computing capabilities, sensor technologies, and machine learning model accuracy in bolt loosening detection, damage recognition efficiency in bolted joints has increased. Integrating deep learning with machine vision, effective models can be proposed without human interventions. The present paper summarizes the research review on bolt loosening detection using machine vision and deep learning techniques from the past decade.

This work evaluates the potential impact of interface traps on the interface of oxide and semiconductor on a 2-D-based ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) using a surface potential-based model and Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) simulation calibrated for pH sensing applications. The electrolyte/oxide interface in the proposed 2-D ISFET model is modeled using the Guoy-Chapman–Stern technique and the site binding association model. The baseline field-effect transistor (FET) of the ISFET is modeled using Fermi-Dirac statistics to obtain surface potential, which is further used to derive a compact drain current expression. The proposed ISFET model development is carried out by accounting for the interface trap effect. The voltage and current sensitivity of ISFET with and without interface traps are calculated to demonstrate the impact of interface traps in 2-D material-based pH sensors. It is observed that voltage sensitivity remains close to the Nernst limit (59 mV/pH), and a decrease in current sensitivity from 34 to 2 nA/pH is observed, as the density of interface traps is varied from 0 to ${5}\times {10} {^{{12}}}$ cm $^{-}2 $ eV $^{-}1 $ . Another sensitivity metric, the transconductance to drain current ratio, is analyzed for its variation with changes in the density of interface traps. The noise level of ISFET in the presence of interface traps is analyzed, and its influence on the minimum resolvable pH is demonstrated. The proposed model prediction closely matches the TCAD simulation data obtained from a calibrated TCAD simulation setup. The model is suitable for implementation in Verilog-A for ISFET-based circuit simulation, and the impact of interface traps on the response time of ISFET-based circuits is also demonstrated.

The optimal timing of anticoagulation for patients with acute ischaemic stroke with atrial fibrillation is uncertain. We investigated the efficacy and safety of early compared with delayed initiation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation.

The building industry is crucial in consuming vast quantities of energy in the modern era. Therefore, it is essential to carry out cutting-edge alterations to reduce energy usage and improve the energy performance of buildings. Thermal energy storage (TES) has become a principal point of investigation for researchers worldwide. Particularly in Phase change materials (PCMs) due to their significant advantages in strengthening energy efficiency, satisfying thermal comfort, and mitigating environmental pollution. Also, TES integrated with PCMs earns outstanding attention for its pivotal role in advancing energy conservation in building heating and cooling applications. Further, PCMs are incorporated in residential, commercial, and other building heating and cooling applications based on their reliance on heating and cooling methods. Hence, the present study provides an up-to-date analysis of recent academic research on TES management that utilizes PCMs for building heating and cooling. It explores the properties, characterization, and selection criteria determining their suitability for usage in building applications. Additionally, the thermal properties, incorporation techniques, factors that affect a building's energy efficiency, drawbacks of PCMs, and their alterative actions in building climate control are critically discussed. In addition, PCMs possible solutions for building applications and the policies of the PCMs to promote building thermal comfort are discussed comprehensively. Moreover, research investigations have demonstrated that incorporating PCMs has enhanced the energy efficiency of buildings, reduced energy costs, boosted heat retention, and maintained conformance to thermal comfort regulations. Therefore, PCMs integration in buildings can provide efficient solutions to issues arising from energy shortages, carbon emissions, and the significant environmental concerns they raise.

Higher order MDS codes are an interesting generalization of MDS codes recently introduced by Brakensiek et al., (2023). In later works, they were shown to be intimately connected to optimally list-decodable codes and maximally recoverable tensor codes. Therefore (explicit) constructions of higher order MDS codes over small fields is an important open problem. Higher order MDS codes are denoted by $\rm {MDS}(\ell)$ where $\ell $ denotes the order of generality, $\rm {MDS}(2)$ codes are equivalent to the usual MDS codes. The best prior lower bound on the field size of an ${[}n,k{]}$ - $\rm {MDS}(\ell)$ codes is $\Omega _{\ell } (n^{\ell -1})$ , whereas the best known (non-explicit) upper bound is $O_{\ell } (n^{k(\ell -1)})$ which is exponential in the dimension. In this work, we nearly close this exponential gap between upper and lower bounds. We show that an ${[}n,k{]}$ - $\rm {MDS}(3)$ codes requires a field of size $\Omega _{k}(n^{k-1})$ , which is close to the known upper bound. Using the connection between higher order MDS codes and optimally list-decodable codes, we show that even for a list size of 2, a code which meets the optimal list-decoding Singleton bound requires exponential field size; this resolves an open question by Shangguan and Tamo, (2020). We also give explicit constructions of ${[}n,k{]}$ - $\rm {MDS}(\ell)$ code over fields of size $n^{(\ell k)^{O(\ell k)}}$ . The smallest non-trivial case where we still do not have optimal constructions is ${[}n,3{]}$ - $\rm {MDS}(3)$ . In this case, the known lower bound on the field size is $\Omega (n^{2})$ and the best known upper bounds are $O(n^{5})$ for a non-explicit construction and $O(n^{32})$ for an explicit construction. In this paper, we give an explicit construction over fields of size $O(n^{3})$ which comes very close to being optimal.

IMPORTANCE: Administrative harm (AH), defined as the adverse consequences of administrative decisions within health care that impact work structure, processes, and programs, is pervasive in medicine, yet poorly understood and described. OBJECTIVE: To explore common AHs experienced by hospitalist clinicians and administrative leaders, understand the challenges that exist in identifying and measuring AH, and identify potential approaches to mitigate AH. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A qualitative study using a mixed-methods approach with a 12-question survey and semistructured virtual focus groups was held on June 13 and August 11, 2023. Rapid qualitative methods including templated summaries and matrix analysis were applied. The participants included 2 consortiums comprising hospitalist clinicians, researchers, administrative leaders, and members of a patient and family advisory council. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Quantitative data from the survey on specific aspects of experiences related to AH were collected. Focus groups were conducted using a semistructured focus group guide. Themes and subthemes were identified. RESULTS: Forty-one individuals from 32 different organizations participated in the focus groups, with 32 participants (78%) responding to a brief survey. Survey participants included physicians (91%), administrative professionals (6%), an advanced practice clinician (3%), and those in leadership roles (44%), with participants able to select more than one role. Only 6% of participants were familiar with the term administrative harm to a great extent, 100% felt that collaboration between administrators and clinicians is crucial for reducing AH, and 81% had personally participated in a decision that led to AH to some degree. Three main themes were identified: (1) AH is pervasive and comes from all levels of leadership, and the phenomenon was felt to be widespread and arose from multiple sources within health care systems; (2) organizations lack mechanisms for identification, measurement, and feedback, and these challenges stem from a lack of psychological safety, workplace cultures, and ambiguity in who owns a decision; and (3) organizational pressures were recognized as contributors to AHs. Many ideas were proposed as solutions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings of this study suggest that AH is widespread with wide-reaching impact, yet organizations do not have mechanisms to identify or address it.

This comprehensive review uniquely investigates the evolving landscape of nano-Phase Change Materials (nano-PCMs), with a particular focus on their transformative impact in energy storage systems under dynamically changing environmental conditions. Unlike previous reviews, this work not only highlights the fundamental role of nano-PCMsin boosting energy efficiency and reliability but also identifies new thresholds in the development of adaptive and resilient energy strategies. We conduct a meticulous analysis of the most recent academic literature, providing fresh insights into the origins, characteristics, and progressive utilization of nano-PCMsacross a spectrum of energy infrastructures, from residential to industrial scales. A key novelty of our review lies in the detailed exploration of the remarkable thermal properties of nano-PCMs, such as their exceptional latent heat storage and enhanced thermal conductivity, which are pivotal for managing temperature fluctuations and maximizing storage efficacy. We reveal how the nanometric scale of these materials affords a superior surface area, facilitating quicker thermal responses essential for tackling diverse meteorological challenges. Our critique not only reaffirms the essential role of nano-PCMsin future energy storage advancements but also discusses ongoing research efforts that are refining their properties and broadening their applications. These efforts aim to foster sustainable energy management and enhance climatic resilience, marking a significant step forward in the field. This review contributes to the literature by integrating cutting-edge research with practical applications, setting a new benchmark for future explorations in nano-PCMtechnology.

A scalable platform to synthesize ultrathin heavy metals may enable high-efficiency charge-to-spin conversion for next-generation spintronics. Here, we report the synthesis of air-stable, epitaxially registered monolayer Pb underneath graphene on SiC (0001) by confinement heteroepitaxy (CHet). Diffraction, spectroscopy, and microscopy reveal that CHet-based Pb intercalation predominantly exhibits a mottled hexagonal superstructure due to an ordered network of Frenkel–Kontorova-like domain walls. The system’s air stability enables ex situspin torque ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) measurements that demonstrate charge-to-spin conversion in graphene/Pb/ferromagnet heterostructures with a 1.5× increase in the effective field ratio compared to control samples.

The design approach and analysis of a compact wideband cavity-backed E-slotted E-shaped patch antenna is proposed in this article. In the proposed configuration, an E-shaped patch is imprinted on an E-shaped slot to provide a slot around the patch antenna. When the patch is excited by the coaxial probe, surface currents travel a wider area due to the modified structure, resulting in increased bandwidth. The resultant resonant frequencies correspond to 15.5 and 17.5 GHz, which are close to each other. Unlike the conventional E-shaped patch antenna, the proposed antenna offers 21.5% of the impedance bandwidth, compact structure, and improved radiation characteristics. To avoid grating lobes in a phased array antenna, the size of the proposed antenna is restricted to 0.854 λg × 0.854 λg, where λg is the guided wavelength at 18 GHz. It operates in linear polarization with achieved cross polarization of better than <−18 dB over the operating band and the radiating element is fabricated and tested. It attains a fractional bandwidth of 21.5% (14.5–18 GHz) in measurements. The peak gain of the antenna is 6.5 dBi at 16 GHz and 4.7 dBi at 17 GHz, respectively. The antenna could be directly mated with either brick or tile plank T/R module, and it serves well in most Ku-band phased array applications, communication, and satellite applications.

In a spatially augmented reality system, multiple projectors are tiled on a complex shaped surface to create a seamless display on it. This has several applications in visualization, gaming, education and entertainment. The main challenges in creating seamless and undistorted imagery on such complex shaped surfaces are geometric registration and color correction. Prior methods that provide solutions for the spatial color variation in multi-projector displays assume rectangular overlap regions across the projectors that is possible only on flat surfaces with extremely constrained projector placement. In this article, we present a novel and fully automated method for removing color variations in a multi-projector display on arbitrary shaped smooth surfaces using a general color gamut morphing algorithm that can handle any arbitrarily shaped overlap between the projectors and assures imperceptible color variations across the display surface.

The shielding from and prediction of harmful activity in the wireless sensor network (WSN) are vital research problems. To solve these problems, an Energy-Aware Routing using a Variational auto-encoder Wasserstein generative adversarial network with a Nomadic People Optimizer (VAWGAN-NPOA-EAR-WSN) is proposed in this paper for secure data transmission in WSN. The proposed Variational auto-encoder Wasserstein generative adversarial network (VAWGAN) selects the Cluster Head (CH) based on multiple objective fitness functions such as delay, distance, energy, cluster density, and traffic rate. After that, energy-aware trust path selection is selected based on parameters such as trust, connectivity, and degree of amenity using the proposed Nomadic People Optimization Algorithm (NPOA). The data are transmitted from the cluster head to the base station and vice versa via a perfect trust path. The proposed VAWGAN-NPOA-EAR-WSN method is done in MATLAB and its efficacy is assessed with performance metrics, such as energy consumption, network lifetime, throughput, etc. compared with existing such as DNN-WSN, EESNN-WSN, and ANN-WSN. Finally, the proposed method provides a lower energy consumption of 2 mJ compared with existing methods.

AbstractThe enhancement of mechanical properties in welds is heavily reliant on grain refinement. This study aims to investigate the impact of the addition of AZ61 filler and the impact of the absence of filler on the macrostructure and microstructure, as well as the mechanical properties, of Mg-Al-Zn alloy (AZ31) gas tungsten arc (GTA) welds. The AZ61 filler was employed to introduce a higher concentration of aluminum into the molten pool of AZ31 using the alternating-current GTA welding technique. It has been shown that the welds prepared with AZ61 filler had high strength and low ductility [yield strength (YS): 121 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS): 226 MPa, and percent elongation (%El): 5] when compared with other welds made without filler (YS: 105 MPa, UTS: 164 MPa, and %El: 8), and the presence of the refined equiaxed grains and a significant volume fraction of second-phase Mg17Al12- β particles in the fusion zone (FZ) may explain this phenomenon. The results revealed that the average grain size of the weld decreased from 104 to 56 μm as the Al content in the weld metal increased from 2.7 wt% (without filler) to 4.5 wt% (with AZ61 filler). This grain refinement that was observed with the AZ61 filler may be attributed to the high growth restriction factor value caused by increased constitutional supercooling ahead of the solid-liquid interface.

Powder bed fusion using a laser-based (PBF-LB) process offers design freedom with an acceptable surface finish in several industrial applications. The judicial selection of the process parameters in the PBF-LB process can result in better performance of the additively manufactured products. The bead shape and size obtained in the PBF-LB process depend on the melt pool dimensions, while experimentally investigating the melt pool to understand the effect of PBF-LB process parameters is expensive and exhausting. Therefore, in the present study, melt pool dimensions are numerically envisaged for different process parameters to comprehensively understand the effect of various process parameters on the temperature distribution and molten pool size during PBF-LB of SS316L alloy. In this regard, a three-dimensional heat transfer analysis using finite element method (FEM) is attempted, and furthermore, the heat and mass transfer phenomenon in the molten pool during solidification is also analyzed utilizing finite volume method (FVM). A systematic comparison of the simulated results obtained from both methods is carried out in detail to understand the need to opt for FEM or FVM approach in predicting molten pool characteristics. The numerically predicted molten pool size is in good agreement with the experimental results.

AbstractAntibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, is a common pathogen found in hospital settings and has become nosocomial due to its high infection-causing tendency amongst ICU patients. The present study explores the cyanocompoundswhich were capable to inhibit the Penicillin Binding Protein of A. baumannii through molecular docking, ADMET, and molecular dynamicssimulation strategy. A database having structural and origin details was generated for 85 bioactive compounds in MS Excel. The 3-D structures weredownloaded from the PubChem database and minimized. The receptor protein was minimized and validated for structure correctness. The database was screened against the penicillin-binding protein of A. baumannii through PyRx software. The top 5 compounds including the control molecule werefurther redocked to the receptor molecule through Autodock Vina software. The molecule pose having the highest affinity was further subjected to 100ns MD- simulation and simultaneously the in-vitro activity of the methanol extract and hexane extract was checked through agar well diffusion assay.Docking studies indicate Tolyporphine K to be a lead molecule which was further assessed through Molecular dynamics and MM/PBSA. The in-silicoresults suggested that the protein-ligand complex was found to be stable over the 100 ns trajectory with a binding free energy of -8.56 Kcalmol-1. Theligand did not induce any major structural conformation in the protein moiety and was largely stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. The bioactivityscore and ADME properties of the compounds were also calculated. The in-vitro agar well diffusion assay showed a moderate zone of inhibition of12.33mm. The results indicate that the compound Tolyporphin- K could be a potential inhibitor of penicillin-binding protein in A. baumannii. Yet furtherwork needs to be done to have a more concrete basis for the pathway of inhibition.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Clustering of variables is a specialized approach for dimensionality reduction. This strategy is evaluated for data reduction with a Kaggle diabetes dataset. Since the original dataset is small, Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) and Variational Autoencoders (VAE) are used to generate 100,000 records and tested for resemblance to the real data using standard statistical methods. VAE-data is more representative of the real data than GAN-data when analyzed using machine learning (ML) models. Applying Clustering of Variables on VAE-data yields new synthetic variables (SV). SV-data is then augmented with target variable data. Random Forest model is used on VAE and SV data. SV-data results matched VAE-data, proving the new data's quality. SV-data also provides insights into correlations and data dispersion patterns. This analysis implements a combination of Unsupervised learning (clustering of variables) and Supervised learning (classification) which is reflected in the results.

Introduction: Nutrition plays an important role in management of acute pancreatitis (AP) and decreases its severity and infectious complications. Various formulations of enteral nutrition (EN) are available and are costly. For developing countries, cost and availability is a major issue and kitchen-based diet should be explored in patients with AP. Aim: Comparison of kitchen-based diet with a commercially available polymeric formulation in terms of various outcomes in patients with AP within 14 days after the onset of pain. Methods: Sixty patients (39 male, mean age 36.1 ± 12.7 years) of moderately severe and severe AP of any etiology were randomized (30 in each group) to either kitchen-based diet or commercial polymeric formulation group. Outcome measures were refeeding pain, tolerability, infectious complications, mortality, total hospital/intensive care unit stay; and change in serum C-reactive protein (CRP), transferrin and pre albumin. Results: There was no significant difference in baseline demographic and biochemical parameters in both groups. No difference was observed in refeeding pain (7.1% vs 8%, p= 0.99), tolerability (28.6% vs 12%, p= 0.17), infectious complications (57.14% vs 36%, p= 0.12), mortality (31.7% vs 20%, p= 0.69), hospital stay (19.5 vs 23.5 days, p= 0.86), CRP (74.4 vs 59 mg/L, p= 0.97), transferrin levels (23.6 vs 25.6 mg/dL, p= 0.75) and pre albumin (9.45 vs 13.09 mg/dL, p= 0.68) in both groups. Conclusion: Kitchen-based diet is comparable to commercial polymeric formulation for the early initiation of enteral nutrition in patients with severe or moderately severe acute pancreatitis. Clinical trial registration: Trial registered with the Clinical Trials registry-India (CTRI/2018/01/011188).

The frosty polar environment houses diverse habitats mostly driven by psychrophilic and psychrotolerant microbes. Along with traditional cultivation methods, next-generation sequencing technologies have become common for exploring microbial communities from various extreme environments. Investigations on glaciers, ice sheets, ponds, lakes, etc. have revealed the existence of numerous microorganisms while details of microbial communities in the Arctic fjords remain incomplete. The current study focuses on understanding the bacterial diversity in two Arctic fjord sediments employing the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding and its comparison with previous studies from various Arctic habitats. The study revealed that Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum from both the fjord samples followed by Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi and Chlamydiae. A significant proportion of unclassified reads derived from bacteria was also detected. Psychrobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Photobacterium, Flavobacterium, Gramellaand Shewanellawere the major genera in both the fjord sediments. The above findings were confirmed by the comparative analysis of fjord metadata with the previously reported (secondary metadata) Arctic samples. This study demonstrated the potential of 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding in resolving bacterial composition and diversity thereby providing new in situ insights into Arctic fjord systems.

Phase change materials (PCMs) are used to store thermal energy. They possess high specific energy at nearly constant temperatures. The usage of the PCMs is limited due to their very low thermal conductivity, which results in poor heat transfer. To overcome this problem usage of fins is a potential technique. In the current analysis, the surface area of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) tube is increased by radial (R-type), spiral (S-type), and longitudinal (L-type) fins. A 3D numerical analysis of melting and solidification is carried out on R-type, S-type, and L-type shell and tube (S&T) PCM heat exchanger (HX) by considering the inclination effects. Lauric acid is used as PCM. Phase change time, energy ratio, and exergy efficiency are considered to analyze the performance of HXs. MOORA analysis is carried out to select the best HX. It is observed that R-type HX at the vertical position has shown better performance among the selected HXs. Among the considered geometries, the maximum average exergy efficiency is obtained for 45° inclination with R-type HX and minimum for horizontally positioned L-type HX during both melting and solidification. The charging time of the vertically positioned HX, when compared to 45ooriented HX with R type, S type, and L type HX is observed to decrease by 47.5%, 45.7%, and 23%, respectively.

AbstractThis study investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of DP780 steel that has been tungsten inert gas welded and post weld heat treated. Microscopy studies revealed that the weldment’s microstructure varied from martensite in the fusion zone to a mixture of martensite and ferrite in the heat affected zone (HAZ). This heterogeneity in the microstructure resulted in the formation of hardened and softened zones in the cross section of the weldment. The DP780 as-welded joint exhibited lower strength and ductility [yield strength (YS): 492 ± 5 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS): 668 ± 8 MPa, and percent elongation (%El): 8 ± 1] compared to the base metal (BM) (YS: 538 ± 2 MPa, UTS: 794 ± 5 MPa, and %El: 27 ± 2) due to strain localization in the subcritical HAZ. The weldments subjected to post weld heat treatment (PWHT) at 500°C exhibited lower strength and higher ductility (YS: 471 ± 3 MPa, UTS: 624 ± 5 MPa, and %El: 13 ± 1) than the weldments subjected to PWHT at other conditions: 300°C (YS: 501 ± 7MPa, UTS: 658 ± 6 MPa, and %El: 9 ± 1) and 400°C (YS: 492 ± 3 MPa, UTS: 649 ± 5 MPa, and %El: 11 ± 1). The decrease in strength and ductility after PWHT can be attributed to the tempering of martensite present in the weldment. Erichsen cupping tests indicated a reduction in the formability of the as-welded joint due to the presence of a softened zone. While a significant increase in formability is observed in the weldments subjected to PWHT with an increase in temperature, the formability is still inferior to that of the BM due to the inhomogeneity in the microstructures across the weldment.

AbstractThe current work aims to examine the influence of various welding speeds (500, 700, and 800 mm/min) on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of electron beam–welded Ti-6Al-4V alloy joints. The base metal microstructure was composed of a slightly elongated α phase and a transformed β phase, whereas the fusion zone (FZ) exhibited an acicular martensitic α′ microstructure. This is due to faster cooling rates in the FZ associated with electron beam welding. The welds prepared with a 800 mm/min welding speed showed higher strength and lower ductility [yield strength (YS): 959 ± 6 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS): 993 ± 5 MPa, percent elongation (%El): 8] compared to those prepared with 500 mm/min (YS: 909 ± 4 MPa, UTS: 956 ± 5 MPa, %El: 11). This was due to a decrease in the width of the α-platelets in the FZ owing to faster cooling rates at higher welding speeds. For all welding speeds, samples that underwent post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) displayed a noteworthy reduction in both UTS and hardness values compared to all the as-welded samples. However, the welds at lower welding speeds showed lower strength and higher ductility (YS: 868 ± 5 MPa, UTS: 922 ± 4 MPa, %El: 13) compared to higher welding speeds (YS: 892 ± 5 MPa, UTS: 938 ± 6 MPa, %El: 9) after PWHT. This is due to the formation of the diffusional product α + β phase in the FZ, as evidenced by the transmission electron microscope results.

Clean, non-toxic water is currently one of the most essential natural resources in today's world. The provision of a pure drinking water system means the adoption of an eco-friendly water treatment mechanism for the removal of toxic chemicals and biological contaminants like organic dyes, bacteria, and fungus. To address this issue, a cost-effective sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis technique was adopted to form zinc oxide nanoparticles using Eucalyptus honey and Longan honey as combustion fuels. The effects of honey fuels on the structural and surface morphologic characteristics were examined using experimental techniques such as X-ray diffraction, electronic microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy investigations. The synthesized nanoparticle's hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure was validated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectrum analysis. Particles with a spherical shape were seen in electron micrographs, and the particles fabricated using Eucalyptus honey as fuel have lower particle sizes than those made using Longan honey. The goal of this study is to investigate how the combustion fuels used affect the synthesized nanoparticles' photocatalytic, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. The obtained data showed that ZnO nanoparticles made with Eucalyptus honey fuel had a higher photodegradation efficiency of around 95.77% following 105 min of light exposure. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay and well diffusion technique were adopted to assess the antioxidant and E. coli microorganism antibacterial activity. The ZnO nanoparticles synthesized with Eucalyptus honey as fuel demonstrated more potent antioxidant and antibacterial effectiveness than those prepared with Longan honey fuel.

Graphical Abstract:

The concept of the time-modulated array has been emerging as an alternative to the complex phase shifters, which lowers the cost of the array feeding network due to the utilization of radio frequency (RF) switches. The various forms of hexagonal antenna array geometries can be used for applications like surveillance tracking in phased array radar and wireless communication systems. This work proposes the generalized array factor (AF) for the hexagonal antenna array geometry based on time modulation. The time modulation in generalized hexagonal geometry can maintain the fixed static amplitude excitation, giving more flexibility over time. Furthermore, a novel trapezoidal switching function is also proposed and applied to the generalized array factor to enable future researchers to use this array factor in the field of advancement to observe how switching schemes like trapezoidal and rectangular affect the array pattern's side lobe level (SLL). The generalized equation can be utilized for the analysis and synthesis of radiation characteristics of the time-modulated hexagonal array (TMHA), time-modulated concentric hexagonal array (TMCHA), time-modulated hexagonal cylindrical array (TMHCA), and time-modulated hexagonal concentric cylindrical array (TMHCCA). The numerical result illustrates the generation of AF of time-modulated hexagonal structures and also shows that the trapezoidal switching sequence outperforms the rectangular switch using the cat swarm optimization (CSO) approach.

Seaweed extracts are proven to be potent biostimulants due to the presence of wide range of nutrients including mineral like potassium and other macro-micronutrients, plant growth hormones, amino acids, vitamins, glycine betaines and quaternary ammonium compounds in them. In the present study, potassium-rich powders were obtained from some commercially important tropical red seaweeds viz. Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria salicornia, G. edulis, G. firmaand G. heterocladaand Eucheuma spinosumand checked for their biostimulant effect through green gram seedling bioassay study on in vitro using WinRhizo software, and we found that extracts of all species increased the root development at significant level (p< 0.05) as compared to standard nutrient medium. G. salicorniaof Indian origin which is naturally available on a commercial level (>1000 t dry per year) was taken for further studies and manufactured 3 variants of potassium-rich biostimulants, viz. concentrated seaweed extract (CSE), potassium-rich water-soluble powder (PSP) and seaweed fortified granule (SFG), and tested their biostimulant activity on cassava root at farmer’s field and found to increase the tuber yield to 17.40%, 20.09% and 22.19%, respectively, with high starch content, less incidence of cassava brown streak virus disease (CBSD) and increased nutrient use efficiency over control plants. Based on the results of present study, potassium-rich biostimulant obtained from G. salicorniacan be applied to cassava for yield and quality improvement.

The present study discusses the effect of a hard titanium nitride (TiN) coating deposited on the stainless steel (SS) 316 L substrate using the cathodic arc deposition (CAD) technique. The hardness, X-ray diffraction, and roughness of the coating properties of as-received, and ceramic coated samples were studied. The osbornite phase increased in the coated specimen due to TiN which is observed from X-ray diffraction analysis. The SS 316 L sample showed a hardness of 217.66 HV, and the cathodic arc deposition coating samples increased five times compared to uncoated disc in hardness. The bio tribological testing of the hard TiN coated 316 L stainless steel was carried out using a ball-on-disc tribometer under simulated body fluid (SBF). The specific wear rate and its mechanism were carried out for the testing conditions of 2, 4, and 6 N with the counterpart of stainless steel. Scanning electron microscopy observation of the worn surfaces revealed the wear mechanisms of the contact surfaces. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell viability tests were conducted in order to confirm the biocompatibility with the normal cell line on the ceramic coated SS 316 L specimen. The present study focused on the demand for stainless steel 316 L and the usage of CAD coatings to suppress wear in bioimplant applications.

To enhance the adaptability of electric vehicles (EVs) and mitigate the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, energy storage via batteries is imperative. Accurate forecasting of battery performance parameters is vital for optimal utilisation. This study introduces a machine learning algorithm for electric vehicle battery management systems (BMS), focusing on predicting state of charge (SoC) efficiently and precisely. Utilising linear regression and long short-term memory (LSTM) models, the algorithm constructs and deploys predictions. Training data, obtained from Li-ion battery packs during charge-discharge cycles via smart BMS, enables precise modelling. Predicted values are validated against empirical results, and the resultant error guides algorithm refinement for enhanced accuracy. The algorithm, integrated into a web application using Streamlit, achieved a remarkable 99% R2_score, indicating its robust performance. This framework advances EV battery management, facilitating informed decision-making and optimising energy utilisation in conjunction with renewable sources.

Prior works on multi-projector displays have focused primarily on static rigid objects, some focusing on dynamic rigid objects. However, works on projection based displays on deformable dynamic objects have focused only on small scale single projector displays. Tracking a deformable dynamic surface and updating projections precisely in real time on it is a significantly challenging task, even for a single projector system. In this paper, we present the first end-to-end solution for achieving a real-time, seamless display on deformable surfaces using mutliple unsychronized projectors without requiring any prior knowledge of the surface or device parameters. The system first accurately calibrates multiple RGB-D cameras and projectors using the deformable display surface itself, and then using those calibrated devices, tracks the continuous changes in the surface shape. Based on the deformation and projector calibration, the system warps and blends the image content in real-time to create a seamless display on a surface that continuously changes shape. Using multiple projectors and RGB-D cameras, we provide the much desired aspect of scale to the displays on deformable surfaces. Most prior dynamic multi-projector systems assume rigid objects and depend critically on the constancy of surface normals and non-existence of local shape deformations. These assumptions break in deformable surfaces making prior techniques inapplicable. Point-based correspondences become inadequate for calibration, exacerbated with no synchronization between the projectors. A few works address non-rigid objects with several restrictions like targeting semi-deformable surfaces (e.g. human face), or using single coaxial (optically aligned) projector-camera pairs, or temporally synchronized cameras. We break loose from such restrictions and handle multiple projector systems for dynamic deformable fabric-like objects using temporally unsynchronized devices. We devise novel methods using ray and plane-based constraints imposed by the pinhole camera model to address these issues and design new blending methods dependent on 3D distances suitable for deformable surfaces. Finally, unlike all prior work with rigid dynamic surfaces that use a single RGB-D camera, we devise a method that involve all RGB-D cameras for tracking since the surface is not seen completely by a single camera. These methods enable a seamless display at scale in the presence of continuous movements and deformations. This work has tremendous applications on mobile and expeditionary systems where environmentals (e.g. wind, vibrations, suction) cannot be avoided. One can create large displays on tent walls in remote, austere military or emergency operations in minutes to support large scale command and control, mission rehearsal or training operations. It can be used to create displays on mobile and inflatable objects for tradeshows/events and touring edutainment applications.

Since the first report on high entropy alloys (HEAs) in the year 2004, HEA systems have opened up new avenues in the development of novel materials, where the formation of simple structures could be realized in the multi-principal element alloys. Due to their concentrated alloying concepts, these alloys have shown many exciting properties compared to conventional ones. Despite the promise of HEAs, the research community is still struggling to utilize the concept to design processes and to develop superior alloys. The biggest challenge is the paucity of data and the vast possibility of alloys from where one needs to find the best. These challenges pertain to composition screening of the alloys for specific applications, alloy processing, thermodynamic database and overall cost. In the present work, we have discussed the status and the challenges related to fundamental issues and prospects of Fe-containing high and medium entropy alloys to meet industrial requirements. The results of the selected Fe-containing medium entropy alloys will be discussed with their microstructural evolution and promising mechanical properties.

A new three-phase four-level (4L) hybrid clamped T-type inverter (4L-HCT2I) topology and its capacitor voltage balancing algorithm (CVBA) is investigated in this paper. The topology consists only a common half-bridge (CmHB) module and any existing three-phase three-level (3L) T-type inverter or neutral point clamped inverter (NPCI). In comparison with 4L-NPCI topologies which require eighteen active switches, the proposed 4L-HCT2I topology requires only fourteen active switches. Therefore, a significant reduction in the cost and complexity of the proposed converter has been achieved. The voltage balancing of the three DC-link capacitors in the proposed 4L-HCT2I is accomplished by employing the virtual three-level operation concept to cancel out the effect of neutral currents flowing through the clamping points during operation. Therefore, the proposed 4L-HCT2I does not require any additional circuitry for balancing the capacitor voltages. The duty ratios of the voltage vectors are adjusted online using a dynamically calculated multiplication factor and duty ratio perturbations. The voltage total harmonic distortion (THD) and the power losses of the proposed 4L-HCT2I are compared with that of the existing four-level and three-level topologies incorporating different capacitor voltage balancing approaches. MATLAB/SIMULINK and a downscale experimental prototype are used to validate the proposed 4L-HCT2I and its CVBA.