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Quantification is a fundamental aspect of performance of an analytical system. Paper-based analytical device (PAD) as an on-site detection platform has drawn wide attention mainly due to its portability and cost effectiveness. In this work, a portable and low-cost PAD for online preconcentration and sensitive determination of fluorescent whitening agent (FWA) was demonstrated, which was consisted of ultra violet light-emitting diode (UV LED), macro-focusing lens, smartphone and miniaturized DC voltage source. Taking a widely used FWA component VBL as the analyte, the performance of the PAD enhanced with electrokinetic stacking (ES) and fluorescence imaging detection was systematically investigated. With ES, the sensitivity of the PAD system was 160-fold enhanced, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.06 μg mL −1 was achieved. The dynamic range was 0.1–10.0 μg mL −1 (linear in 0.1–0.7 μg mL −1 , R 2 = 0.99). With manual operation, the relative standard deviation (RSD) of intra-day and inter-day were all below 15%. Eventually, VBL from different napkin samples and toilet paper was determined with average recovery rates in the range of 90%–95% (RSD = 8.0%–12.0%). This work shows that with ES, the sensitivity of PAD can be greatly improved, and a LOD close to a desktop fluorescent spectrophotometer can be achieved as demonstrated by the detection of FWA component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Inventory pooling occurs when different actors share their inventories with the aim of reducing costs while improving performances. The paper-making industry requires large amounts of ready to install spares aimed at assuring high availability, but presents the drawback of excessive inventory costs. Pooling inventories, with the support of appropriate IT solutions, can be considered an effective strategy to improve availability while reducing the total costs. In the present work a real-life implementation within an important Italian paper-making district has been successfully carried out. Throughout the study the most recent theoretical models have been adapted after a methodical analysis that has been devoted to allow the identification and of the most significant issues and the building of a wide and solid agreement among the participants. Indeed, this required a thorough investigation, since the involved actors are generally competitors and only agree to pool inventories if this leads to increasing profits for themselves. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carbon black, a black material popular for use in electronic paper, could limit the performance of the electronic paper due to its non-uniform structure. Carbon spheres, with spherical shape and relatively narrow size distribution, are expected to overcome this limitation and substitute for carbon black in the electronic paper. Carbon spheres were synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction using glucose as a raw material. By controlling reaction time and glucose concentration, appropriate non-agglomerated carbon spheres with an average diameter of 202.26 (±26.15) nm were fabricated. To increase their dispersibility in dielectric fluid, p-(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) was grafted onto the surface of the carbon spheres. Then, acid and base charge control agents were mixed with the carbon spheres to produce a pigment with higher mobility in the dielectric fluid. The optimized combination of pigment, charge control agent and solvent reveals reasonably fast switching time of about 540 ms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The systematic, transparent and accurate on-line energy information of the production process is quite the basis of mill energy management and conservation. An Energy Management System (EMS) was built according to the characteristics of the energy usage in a typical newsprint paper mill. The EMS first realized the process data acquisition and integration, second fulfilled the on-line energy information calculation from the integrated data. A water and steam properties query component based on IAPWS-IF97 was developed and plugged into the EMS to facilitate the energy calculation of water and steam. The practical performance in the paper mill showed that the integrated energy information of the whole mill was gained and the on-line energy supervisory was achieved. In the end a systematic, transparent and accurate energy usage profile is obtained and it would provide the valuable fundamental energy data for the further energy analysis and optimization in the EMS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The intent of this study is to determine the minimum ambient illumination requirement for legible electronic-paper display. Not only the young but also the elderly were included as research subjects. Through the method of character-search task, the results indicated that the significant performance improvement of all subjects occurred at 52lux on the search time and at 62lux on the subjective visual fatigue. Therefore, the minimum ambient illumination requirement for legible electronic-paper display can be synthesized at 62lux. This minimum point of ambient illumination for the young and the elderly represents that the reflective-type display started presenting its better legibility and the subjective visual fatigue started decreasing. As electronic-paper display technology applications gradually expand, product designers need notice this fundamental limit of electronic-paper display when they continue to create possible applications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Forming fabrics are an integral component in the production of paper. Wet paper is dewatered and partially dried on belts made from the forming fabrics. The process of moving across water removing devices at the high speeds causes the fabric to wear. In fact, wear is the primary degradation mechanisms which control the lifespan of the fabric. Several wear tests exist for measuring the wear of these forming fabrics, however, there is no agreed upon industry standard. Further these tests measure the resistance of a finished woven fabric to wear. In order to overcome this limitation, a new test was devised that measures the performance of single yarn filaments in a realistic simulated environment. This test also allows easy comparison of the wear caused by different counterfaces used during paper production. The test consists of a single loop of filament tensioned against a cylindrical form. This shaped loop is submersed in a test solution and run against a counterface. Two different filament materials were tested against alumina and zirconia counterfaces in several different test solutions. Tests were conducted for both a fixed distance and until filament failure. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the wear mechanisms that occurred during testing. The fabrics tested displayed similar wear characteristics to fabrics used in actual paper production. Differences in wear rate were seen both for different filament materials and counterface materials. This indicates that this new test can be used to evaluate the wear behavior of forming fabrics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study evaluates the effect of presentation media (PC tablet versus pencil and paper) on the performance, level of visual fatigue, and subjective preference of those taking visuospatial tests. Fifty university students participated and performed three visuospatial short-term memory tests and three visuospatial ability tests by using both types of display media. The display medium substantially affected all of the measured variables ( p < 0.01). On average, the paper–pencil test scores of the visuospatial short-term memory tests were about 10% higher and the answer time was about 20% shorter than those of the PC tablet tests. The average paper–pencil test score of the visuospatial ability tests was about 35% higher than the average test score of the PC tablet test. The visuospatial performance was substantially decreased under the PC tablet condition compared with that under the pencil–paper condition. In addition, visual fatigue was greater when participants used the PC tablet than when they used a pencil and paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large deep learning models are impressive, but they struggle when real-time data is not available. Few-shot class-incremental learning (FSCIL) poses a significant challenge for deep neural networks to learn new tasks from just a few labeled samples without forgetting the previously learned ones. This setup can easily leads to catastrophic forgetting and overfitting problems, severely affecting model performance. Studying FSCIL helps overcome deep learning model limitations on data volume and acquisition time, while improving practicality and adaptability of machine learning models. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on FSCIL. Unlike previous surveys, we aim to synthesize few-shot learning and incremental learning, focusing on introducing FSCIL from two perspectives, while reviewing over 30 theoretical research studies and more than 20 applied research studies. From the theoretical perspective, we provide a novel categorization approach that divides the field into five subcategories, including traditional machine learning methods, meta learning-based methods, feature and feature space-based methods, replay-based methods, and dynamic network structure-based methods. We also evaluate the performance of recent theoretical research on benchmark datasets of FSCIL. From the application perspective, FSCIL has achieved impressive achievements in various fields of computer vision such as image classification, object detection, and image segmentation, as well as in natural language processing and graph. We summarize the important applications. Finally, we point out potential future research directions, including applications, problem setups, and theory development. Overall, this paper offers a comprehensive analysis of the latest advances in FSCIL from a methodological, performance, and application perspective. • In-depth survey on FSCIL methods, applications, performance. • Categorizing FSCIL into five subcategories for clear analysis. • Evaluating FSCIL research on benchmarks for strengths, weaknesses. • FSCIL applications in computer vision, NLP, and graph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Architectonics of the paper-structured catalyst for the application to the biofuel reformer or direct internal reforming SOFC (DIRSOFC) was studied. Inorganic fiber network, “paper”, composed of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) fiber (Zf), alumina fiber (Af) and inorganic binder (Al2O3 sol (As) or ZrO2 sol (Zs) or CeO2 sol (Cs)) was prepared by a simple paper-making process. Then, the catalytic activities of the Ni and Ni–MgO loaded papers called “paper-structured catalysts (PSCs)” for the steam reforming of biodiesel fuels (BDFs) were evaluated. Ni–MgO loaded PSC using Cs as an inorganic binder, Ni–MgO/ZfAfCs, exhibited excellent performance over Ru/γAl2O3 catalyst beads. Formation of light hydrocarbons, especially C2H4, was eliminated and water–gas shift reaction was more promoted compared to the catalyst beads. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced paper-based friction (CFRPF) material is a new type wet friction material which has been used in automatic transmission. In this study, four kinds of CFRPF were prepared by paper-making process with cashew-modified phenolic resin. The resin contents ranged from 35wt.% to 50wt.%, and the effect of phenolic resin on properties of CFRPF was investigated. Porosity of the samples was measured by liquid permeation method. The degradation characteristics of the samples were analyzed using a thermal analyzer. The friction and wear properties were tested by a wet friction performance tester. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also employed to study the wear mechanisms. Experimental results indicated that the reinforced fibers were dispersed uniformly in the phenolic matrix, containing some pores with different size. There were three stages in the thermal degradation of CFRPF, and the resin content had great effect on the degradation temperature at the second stage. Lots of tiny wear particles were found on the surface of the worn samples with lower resin content. Continuous friction film was formed on the worn surface with the increasing resin content, which efficiently enhanced wear resistance of the samples. Comprehensively, the samples with lower resin content (ranging from 35wt.% to 40wt.%) demonstrated better potential with high friction coefficient, excellent friction stability, good heat-resistance and reasonable strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was to develop a new building material, Wood-Crete, using sawdust, waste paper and Tradical lime. The paper presents the processing technologies, factors which affect the performance of the developed composites, and properties of Wood-Crete. The results showed that lightweight sustainable blocks can be produced with good insulating and other relevant properties for building construction with density ranging from 356 to 713kg/m3 and compressive strength from 0.06 to 0.80MPa. The properties were closely related to the composition of Wood-Crete with an addition of waste paper being a dominant influence on both strength and thermal conductivity, reflecting its effect on the structure of composite and contribution of self strength of paper fibres. The combined effect of sawdust and waste paper and Tradical lime had a direct effect on the strength properties of Wood-Crete. Of significant importance was the contribution of self strength of Wood-Crete due to the influence of the size of sawdust particles used. The developed Wood-Crete was able to withstand considerable amount of impact load and considered, like hempcrete, most suitable for wall panelling or other non- and semi-structural applications with good thermal insulating properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Our study addresses the following research questions: Are there differences between handwriting movements on paper and on a tablet computer? Can experienced writers, such as most adults, adapt their graphomotor execution during writing to a rather unfamiliar surface for instance a tablet computer? We examined the handwriting performance of adults in three tasks with different complexity: (a) graphomotor abilities, (b) visuomotor abilities and (c) handwriting. Each participant performed each task twice, once on paper and once on a tablet computer with a pen. We tested 25 participants by measuring their writing duration, in air time, number of pen lifts, writing velocity and number of inversions in velocity. The data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects modeling with repeated measures. Our results reveal differences between writing on paper and on a tablet computer which were partly task-dependent. Our findings also show that participants were able to adapt their graphomotor execution to the smoother surface of the tablet computer during the tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant capacity of two active papers (based on solid and emulsion paraffin) with cinnamon essential oil was studied. Mushroom samples were introduced in macroperforated PET trays covered with the active papers, and weight loss and browning monitored for 9 days. The antioxidant capacity of the different papers was evaluated based on scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and tyrosinase inhibition kinetics, and the release of aromatic volatile oils was determined by HSPME–GC–MS. Differences in performance were observed: the active papers were more efficient at avoiding weight loss and mushroom browning when compared to the non-active paraffin-based papers. The efficiency increased when the bottom and walls of the trays were covered rather than the bottom alone. Better results were observed when cinnamon was incorporated as emulsion paraffin instead of a solid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Self-supporting bucky-papers membranes were processed from chemical vapour deposition grown carbon nanotubes and coated with a thin layer of poly(tetra-fluoro-ethylene) (PTFE) to enhance their hydrophobicity and improve their mechanical stability over time, without drastically changing their average pore size and porosity. Contact angles and bubble point pressure were respectively increased by 23% and 28%. After coating the membranes were tested in a direct contact membrane distillation setup at various feed temperatures with 35g/L NaCl feed solution and coated samples exhibited improved lifespan and water vapour permeability at salt rejection higher than 99%. The bucky-paper membranes were also compared with commercial PTFE membranes of similar properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examining gains in undergraduate writing abilities, Haswell (2000) applied a multi-dimension construct of writing to impromptu writing exams composed at the first- and third years. This project replicates Haswell's original study to impromptu writing exams composed at the same points, and extends that methodology to course papers written for common undergraduate curricular contexts—first-year composition, general education requirements, and advanced undergraduate writing in the disciplines requirements—to consider the use of such assessment scores as plausible and appropriate evidence for outcomes assessment purposes within a validational framework (articulated by Kane, 2006, 2013). This study considers the feasibility of reporting such localized assessment information as an alternative to represent progress for undergraduate writing ability, and reports preliminary evidence suggesting positive effects of distributed writing requirements across undergraduate curriculums on student writing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Paper/paperboard has great advantages over plastics as packaging material in terms of cost and sustainability. However, the application of paper/paperboard packaging is limited due to their inferior water resistance performance. Here we report a functional overprint varnish prepared with the aim to significantly abate the wettability of the printed packaging. The prominent water repellency of the varnish is rendered by its unique nano-structured morphology, a technology bio-mimicking lotus surface. The frost formation on the applied packaging is also inhibited. Moreover, the transparency and the application process of the varnish are retained. We expect such varnish has high potential for expanding the application field of paper/paperboard packaging, especially for uses requiring a strict standard of water resistance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since its invention, paper has become one of the main carriers of our cultural, scientific, political, economic and historical information. Given the importance of this material, its preservation is a matter of great interest. Paper can be deteriorated due to physical, chemical and biological agents. Within microorganisms, fungi are the major paper biodeteriogens. Throughout history, several methods have been used to prevent and stop fungal deterioration on paper based materials. In this work we present a review of the main chemical and physical methods used to avoid fungal paper biodeterioration until nowadays and also of some new approaches tested recently. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are discussed as well as their health effects. Studies regarding antifungal compositions, methods of application, performance and effects on the treated materials are also presented with the aim of providing a clear set of conclusions on the topic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of light source, ambient illuminance, character size, and interline spacing on visual performance and visual fatigue in using commercial electronic paper displays. Regarding visual performance the results showed that display type, character size, interline spacing had significant effects on search time. Electrophoretic electronic ink display had a shorter search time than chlorestic liquid crystal display. Searching time decreased as character size and interline spacing increased. Ambient illumination, display type, character size, and interline spacing had significant effects on accuracy. Accuracy was highest for 1500lx ambient illumination. Accuracy of electrophoretic electronic ink display was greater than chlorestic liquid crystal display. Accuracy increased as character size and interline spacing increased. Regarding visual fatigue, results showed that light source and ambient illumination had non-significant effects on change of critical flicker fusion (CFF) and subjective visual fatigue. Results could be able to provide some guidelines for consumers to choose a suitable electronic paper according to lighting condition and set appropriate character size and interline spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Performance of the IGEs prepared by LPT as humidity sensors. [•] Change in roughness was evidence of an alteration in the morphology of the surface after IGE fabrication. [•] It was possible to show that the sensors present 215% of sensitivity and 99% of reversibility. [•] Tracing paper can be applied to the design and fabrication of extremely low-cost electrodes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article analyzes the appropriateness of a text summarization system, COMPENDIUM, for generating abstracts of biomedical papers. Two approaches are suggested: an extractive (COMPENDIUM E ), which only selects and extracts the most relevant sentences of the documents, and an abstractive-oriented one (COMPENDIUM E–A ), thus facing also the challenge of abstractive summarization. This novel strategy combines extractive information, with some pieces of information of the article that have been previously compressed or fused. Specifically, in this article, we want to study: i) whether COMPENDIUM produces good summaries in the biomedical domain; ii) which summarization approach is more suitable; and iii) the opinion of real users towards automatic summaries. Therefore, two types of evaluation were performed: quantitative and qualitative, for evaluating both the information contained in the summaries, as well as the user satisfaction. Results show that extractive and abstractive-oriented summaries perform similarly as far as the information they contain, so both approaches are able to keep the relevant information of the source documents, but the latter is more appropriate from a human perspective, when a user satisfaction assessment is carried out. This also confirms the suitability of our suggested approach for generating summaries following an abstractive-oriented paradigm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Investigates benchmarked performance of global and emerging knowledge cities. [•] Introduces a knowledge-based urban development performance assessment model. [•] Applies the assessment model into an international comparative study. [•] Reveals insights on scrutinizing the development perspectives of knowledge cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polymer desiccant wheel with high water uptake and low regeneration temperature is studied. • Polymer's adsorption capacity of 1.15 g kg−1 at 90 %RH is five times that of silica gel. • Polymer's desorption rate coefficient is 1.32–1.64 times that of silica gel at 40–70 °C heat sources. • The maximum ∆ Y and DCOP of the polymer desiccant wheel are 4.0 g kg−1 and 0.66, respectively. • Polymer desiccant wheel offers a promising measure for ultra-low dew point humidity control. Desiccant wheels have been widely used in humidity control, particularly under conditions with ultra-low dew point temperatures. However, traditional desiccants such as silica gel and zeolites are subject to relatively low adsorption capacity and high regeneration temperature. To address these challenges, a type of polymer material with high water uptake and low regeneration temperature is investigated in this paper. Firstly, the adsorption/desorption capacity of this polymer is thoroughly tested. Results reveal that its remarkable equilibrium adsorption capacity and desorption rate coefficients k LDF,de are 350% and 32–64% higher than that of silica gel, respectively. Moreover, its required regeneration temperature is just about 40–70 °C. The performance of the desiccant wheel using this polymer is simulated by a model validated by experiments tests. Parameter analysis demonstrates that the desiccant wheel is suitable for cool and humid conditions, reaching the maximum moisture removal (∆ Y) and dehumidification coefficient of performance (DCOP) of 4.0 g kg−1 and 0.66, respectively. Furthermore, the corresponding relationship between other parameters and the optimal rotation speed is discussed in detail. The ω opt is around 18 rph, enabling the attainment of the highest ∆ Y. Finally, the performance comparison with a traditional silica gel desiccant wheel is carried out. The results indicate that the polymer one performs 17–53.9% higher in terms of both ∆ Y and DCOP than the silica gel counterpart. And the most significant improvement is observed in low relative humidity conditions (45%RH), where ∆ Y and DCOP are 1.25–1.53 times that of the silica gel's, highlighting the advantageous utilization of the polymer material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an experimental study of a magnetic refrigerator was carried out to identify static and dynamic models, which can be used for proposing and tuning control strategies. For the experimental evaluation, a 40 liter thermally insulated compartment was coupled to a magnetic refrigeration system equipped with an active magnetic regenerator. The influence of fluid flow rate, blow fraction, and magnetic cycle frequency on the temperature behavior inside the refrigerated compartment and on the power consumption of the system was evaluated. The results of the characterizations show that it is possible to reach equivalent cabinet temperatures by changing the flow rate of the thermal fluid or the cycle frequency. However, the former has a greater influence on the temperature of the cabinet, and the latter has a greater impact on the energy consumption and is associated with slower transients. Additionally, the temperature of the cabinet at steady state showed a parabolic behavior with respect to the fluid flow rate, demonstrating that there is an optimal flow rate for a given operating condition. • A magnetic refrigerator is experimentally evaluated at different operating conditions. • A thermally insulated compartment and real heat exchangers are employed. • Control-oriented dynamic and static models based on experimental data are provided. • Fluid flow rate, blow fraction, and magnetic cycle frequency are manipulated. • Temperature of the cabinet and energy consumption are measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to the BeiDou regional navigation satellite system (BDS-2) backward compatible B1I and B3I signals, the BeiDou global navigation satellite system (BDS-3) also broadcast the B1C and B2a signals for compatibility with other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and providing satellite-based augmentation service for the International Civil Aviation Organization. Considering that the majority of the existing researches on the BDS-3 precise orbit determination (POD) and precise point positioning (PPP) are based on the B1I/B3I signals, the special attention that systematically comparing the data quality, POD accuracy and PPP performance through B1I/B3I and B1C/B2a signals is aroused in this paper. Signal characteristics of different receivers and antennas for the aforesaid four various signals were analyzed in terms of the carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/N0), pseudorange multipath and observation noise. The B1C signal exhibits the minimum C/N0 values, and the B3I and B2a signals have the smaller pseudorange multipath errors. The smallest pseudorange noise can be observed form the B2a signal, while the root mean squares (RMSs) for carrier phase noise show tiny differences among the four signals. The BDS-3 POD results indicate that the orbit overlapping arc error in three-dimensional (3D) direction is 0.069 and 0.076 m for the B1C/B2a and B1I/B3I, and the standard deviation of the satellite laser ranging validation is 0.041 m for both the two schemes. The clock offset products were evaluated with respect to the precise clock products from Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ), and the standard deviations (STDs) are 0.166 and 0.176 ns for the B1C/B2a and B1I/B3I. Finally, there is no apparent difference in the RMSs for B1C/B2a and B1I/B3I static PPP, while the convergence time that shortened by 31.4 % can be achieved for B1C/B2a. For kinematic PPP, the 3D RMS is 0.043 m and the convergence time is 31.1 min for the B1C/B2a, which is reduced by 14.0 % and 35.2 %, respectively, compared to B1I/B3I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performances of cellulosic pads made out of Kraft and NSSC corrugated papers in three flute sizes, experimentally. A number of experiments have been done in a wind tunnel in order to evaluate the cooling efficiency and water consumption as a function of air velocity. The tests were carried out at three levels of air velocity (1.8, 2.25, and 2.67ms−1) for three flute sizes of Kraft and NSSC corrugated papers (2.5, 3.5, and 4.5mm). Analysis of the results indicated that cooling efficiency improves with decrease of air velocity and flute size of corrugated papers; however, water consumption increases with the increase of air velocity. The results were compared with each other and it was shown that the cellulosic pad made out of Kraft paper with 2.5mm flute size has the highest performance (92%) at 1.8ms−1 air velocity in comparison with the other cellulosic pads. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of lime mud from paper-making process (LMP) addition on the H2 fermentation of food waste (FW) was investigated. It was found that a slight addition of LMP (1.0–4.0 g in 200 g FW) significantly enhanced the H2 fermentation performance, not only increasing the total amount of H2 produced but also accelerating the whole reaction, shortening the lag period, and increasing the H2 production rate. Fermentation stability and microbial germination were also facilitated by LMP addition. This was attributed to the existence of Ca, Fe, Mn and alkaline substances such as CaCO3 and NaOH. The batch process treating a mixture of FW and LMP was showed that the highest hydrogen production of 137.6 mL H2/g VS was achieved at final pH 5.0, adding 3 g LMP (in 200 g FW) to the fermentation process, which lag-phase time was about 2.5 h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new method for detection of viruses has been developed. The entire assay can be performed within 2h, and consists of a polyelectrolyte-multilayer-modified cellulosic filter paper combined with immunodetection. The M13 bacteriophage was used as a model virus. A visual colour-based detection system, anti-M13 horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), was selected to allow semi-quantitative assessment by human eye, or quantitative assessment using a digital scanner. By filtering a volume of 0.50ml, it was possible to visually detect a concentration of 106 pfu/ml. The detection limit was improved to 5×104 pfu/ml by increasing the volume of the sample to 100ml. For comparison, it was only possible to detect a concentration of 107 pfu/ml using conventional sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the same detection system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: We propose to look at the quality of performance metrics reporting in papers comparing two or more treatments. Our goal is to provide additional context in the focus on evidence-based medicine. Methods: We reviewed papers (1082 papers with 98 papers meeting the inclusion criteria) from four important orthopaedic journals published in 2009 to quantify and analyse the quality of papers reporting performance metrics, defined as (1) radiographic evidence; (2) training/experience of surgeon(s); and (3) intra-operative measurements. Results: Our research revealed that only 32 papers (33%) reported performance metrics. There were no significant differences in the rate of performance metrics reporting amongst the journals included or amongst the different orthopaedic subspecialties topics; however, papers from South Korea and China reported both performance metrics in general and radiographic measurements specifically at a higher rate than papers from the western world. Conclusions: The low rate of performance metric reporting could have an impact on the reader''s ability to determine the reproducibility of the results published. We propose a new section on performance metrics reporting for editors to include in their instructions to authors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Covalently bonded multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to cellulose were used to fabricate electro-active paper (EAPap) and its mechanical properties as well as actuator performance were investigated. A cellulose solution was prepared by dissolving cotton pulp in LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solution. MWNTs were covalently bonded to cellulose by reacting MWNTs-imidazolides with cellulose solution. Using this, MWNTs/cellulose (M/C) EAPap was fabricated with different weight percents of MWNTs. This EAPap was analyzed by Fourier-transform IR, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and their Young''s modulus was measured. The actuator performance of M/C EAPap was evaluated in terms of bending displacement, resonance frequency and electrical power consumption depending on the weight percent of MWNTs and humidity levels. Due to the presence of covalent bonds between MWNTs and cellulose, the Young''s modulus of M/C EAPap was remarkably enhanced more than the MWNTs blended EAPap. The enhanced Young''s modulus was strongly associated with the crystallinity change of cellulose. The actuator performance of M/C EAPap was improved also. More explanation about the characteristics, actuation principle and actuator performance of M/C EAPap actuator is addressed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper provides a systematic study of mobility performance and Bias Temperature Instabilities (BTI) reliability in advanced dielectrics stacks. By studying a large variety of dielectric stacks we clearly demonstrate that mobility performance, interface defects Nit and Negative BTI reliability are strongly correlated. All are affected by nitrogen species N which is clearly identified as the main mobility killer when it reaches unintentionally the Si interface during the deposition of nitrided gates or the nitridation steps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ge CMOS is very attractive for the post size-scaled Si-CMOS. However, we have to tackle a number of challenges with regard to materials and their interface control. In this paper, we discuss gate stack formation and source/drain engineering, as well as their implications for the performance of n- and p-MOSFETs. Because the Ge interface is significantly degraded by the GeO desorption occurring at a relatively low temperature (∼500°C), it is very hard to control Ge gate stack formation by a simple thermal budget control. In addition, strong Fermi-level pinning at the Ge/metal interface is a big problem in source/drain engineering. After discussing ways to control this desorption and Fermi-level pinning at the interface in both p-FETs and n-FETs, we discuss our current status of both electron and hole mobilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper presents a performance assessment method whose purpose is to make controller maintenance based on adjusting the controller gain, more systematic. A normalized gradient of a quadratic cost function is calculated with regard to the loop gain. It is shown that this statistic is very easy to calculate and that the information can be useful to improve performance. Calculations of the gradient for two loops from a pulp and paper mill that had performance problems show the validity of the method in an industrial setting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We review our recent studies of the passivation of the GaAs and InGaAs surface using a combination of in situ and ex situ surface analysis and capacitor measurements. We find that the control of Ga-oxides in particular appears to play an important role in understanding the characteristics of III–V MOS devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

At crime scenes, fingerprints are often found on paper. The visualization of invisible fingerprints, so-called latent fingerprints (LFPs), is critical in forensic investigation. Laser-induced fluorescence technology for fingerprint detection has the advantages of sensibility, high-resolution, non-destructiveness and non-contact. In this paper, the characteristics of commonly used paper and the interaction between ultraviolet light and porous paper are briefly analyzed firstly. Next the fingerprint detection device is introduced. Then the output energy of the laser is optimized and a series of experiments are carried out. Local gray value stretching and power enhancement algorithms are used to process the fingerprint fluorescence data, and the high contrast fingerprint images are obtained. The experimental results show that the fingerprint substance and paper are degraded in different degrees under the excitation of ultraviolet light, and the second or third detection can improve the signal-to-noise ratio of detection. By the method of this paper, clear fingerprint images can be obtained quickly, and more than 10 secondary fingerprint structures can be extracted from these fingerprint images, which provides quantitative evidences for criminal investigation. • No sample paper pre-treatment required, and it is non-destructiveness and non-contact. • It can quickly detect the fingerprint on large-scale paper. • It can realize sensitive and high resolution detection. • It can get high signal-to-noise ratio of fingerprint detection on paper. • It can obtain secondary fingerprint structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A phase duration calculation method is proposed based on multi-phase identification. • The components' fuzzy state probability vectors are acquired using the evidential reasoning rule. • A performance evaluation model of cyclic phased-mission systems is constructed by multi-valued decision diagrams. • A phase duration adjustment method based on the evaluation results is proposed. • The proposed method is verified by a performance evaluation case study on satellite turntable system. Phased-mission systems (PMS) often perform different missions that have multiple consecutive, non-overlapping phases. Many recent studies have focused on the reliability analysis for PMS. However, not much attention has been paid to the PMS performance evaluation and the phase cycle characteristic of PMS. In this paper, a performance evaluation method of non-repairable cyclic phased-mission systems (CPMS) is proposed. Considering the uncertainty caused by the change of phase duration and component performance degradation, the average duration of each phase and the fuzzy state probability vector of each component are obtained by the evidential reasoning rule (ER rule). Then, the multi-valued decision diagrams (MDD) manipulation rules suitable for cyclic phase conditions are proposed, and the component state composition path generation method based on cycle-end component states is developed. On the above basis, MDD models for CPMS (CPMS-MDD) in different states are established, and the system performance is evaluated by the continuous time Markov chains (CTMC). A phase duration adjustment strategy is further proposed based on the evaluation results. The effectiveness and correctness of the proposed method are verified by case studies on performance evaluation of satellite turntable system. Comparative study shows the concise and efficient of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the use of high-powered performance-based incentives for civil servants, focusing on drug-related cases registered by the Russian police. Using an event study approach and bunching analysis, I show that the incentives arising from the performance evaluation system of police officers can significantly influence their behavior. Specifically, I find evidence suggesting that this impact can result in the manipulation of drug quantities seized by the police, moving offenders from below to above the punishment threshold. Further negative consequences of the strong performance-based incentives are inequality in the enforcement of law, prolonged sentences, and increased probability of pretrial detention. Thus, I determine that police officers are more likely to manipulate the drug quantities seized from men. I also find that the manipulation increases the probability of pretrial detention by 9% and adds one more year of incarceration, which is a 67% increase on the average sentence length without manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the design procedure and first results of a large-scale magnetic air-conditioning system prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment compatible with the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. The prototype, which contains all components of a functional cooling system, was experimentally evaluated in an especially developed calibrated calorimeter designed according to international technical standards for testing split-type air-conditioning units. The proposed experimental analysis is one of the first to quantify the impact of external losses associated with the heat exchangers on the cooling system performance. For outdoor and indoor temperatures fixed at 35 and 27 °C, respectively, the coefficient of performance disregarding thermal, flow and mechanical losses beyond the limits of the active magnetic regenerator was 5.72, corresponding to a second-law efficiency of 20.7%. When these losses and other essential operating variables, such as the heat exchanger fan power and the valve power consumption, are included, one-order-of-magnitude reductions are observed in the performance parameters, indicating that they should not be neglected in realistic assessments of not-in-kind cooling technologies. • Design and evaluation of a TRL-6 magnetic air-conditioning prototype is presented. • Tests conducted in a calibrated calorimeter for split-type air-conditioning units. • Impact of heat exchanger losses on the performance parameters is quantified. • The AMR coefficient of performance and second-law efficiency are 5.72 and 20.7%. • Internal and external losses are highly detrimental to the system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fuel cell is a power generation device that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy through chemical reactions; fuel cells are widely used in aerospace, electric vehicle, and small-scale stationary engine applications. The complex phenomena including mass/heat transfer, electrochemical reactions, and ion/electron conduction, can significantly affect the energy efficiency and durability of fuel cells, but are difficult to determine completely. Machine learning (ML) performs well in solving complex problems in engineering applications and scientific research. In this paper, a systematic review is conducted to explore ML methods, including traditional ML and deep learning (DL) methods, applied to fuel cells for performance evaluation (material selection, chemical reaction modeling, and polarization curves), durability prediction (state of health, fault diagnostics, and remaining useful life), and application monitoring. Then comparisons of traditional ML and DL methods are discussed, while the similarities and differences between ML and integrated physics simulations are also concluded. Eventually, the scope of ML methods applied to fuel cells is presented, and outlooks of future researches on ML applications in fuel cells are identified. • A systematical review is conducted to study on tradition ML and DL methods applied to fuel cells. • Applications of ML in performance evaluation, durability prediction and application monitoring of fuel cells are analyzed. • The comparisons of tradition ML and DL methods are investigated. • Similarities and differences between ML and that integrated physics simulation are discussed. • Scope of ML methods applied to fuel cells for local and global problems is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Network-on-Chip (NoC) is the state of the art on-chip interconnection network for packet based communication. NoCs can offer low packet latency, high bandwidth, high throughput with minimum area, better energy efficiency and fault tolerance. Routers are the basic building blocks of the NoCs. In this paper, we present the design of a Congestion Aware Router for NoC which is then implemented using Vivado HLS. The router is then used to develop a scalable NoC based on mesh topology. Using the NoC as a test bed we carry out simulations and estimate performance metrics like latency, waiting time and total packets handled for various configurations of NoC. Provisions to alter parameters like buffer depth, packet size, packet injection interval and traffic are also added. Further, we propose a simple mechanism for detecting congestion at the router. The congestion metric is then used to adapt the XY dimension order routing into a Congestion Aware minimal adaptive X/Y routing strategy with very low hardware overhead. The proposed routing method is compared against conventional XY DOR, GCA routing and RCS based routing algorithms for different parameter variations. The results show that the proposed routing method can reduce packet latency for different traffic patterns at medium packet injection rates. • A Vivado HLS implementation of NoC Simulator. • Performance metrics like latency, waiting time and total packets are estimated. • Effect of traffic pattern, size of the mesh and packet size is carried out. • Proposed routing algorithm has been compared with GCA and RCS algorithms. • HLS NoC simulator results are compared against state-of-the-art Booksim simulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explore the sensitivity of the length tests described in the VDI/VDE 2634-1 guideline to systematic errors in a passive stereo vision system. The results reported here are based on a stereo vision system set up on the table of a Cartesian coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and simulations that match the experimental conditions. The stereo vision system is calibrated using a checkerboard pattern resulting in estimates for 26 camera model parameters. Errors in these model parameters cause errors in the triangulated 3D points, thus resulting in length errors evaluated from those points. In the first part of this study, we consider a grid of points in the measurement volume of the stereo vision system and simulate the effect of induced systematic errors in each model parameter to determine the resulting error in the length for all lines (i.e., between all pairs of points) in that grid. We identify the lines that provide the maximum error in the length for each model parameter. Thus, we identify a collection of lines, which we refer to as model-based lines, that provide maximum sensitivity to the model parameters. Also, through simulations, we assess whether the lines defined in the VDI/VDE guideline are sufficient to detect the systematic errors in the stereo vision system. In the second part of this study, we evaluate the performance of the stereo vision system, i.e. , assess the effect of errors in the model parameters, by using the CMM as the reference. For this purpose, the CMM is commanded to move to the set of points in the rectangular grid previously considered in the simulations with the stereo vision system tracking a small checkerboard target installed on the ram of the CMM. We compare the VDI/VDE and model-based lines in terms of the experimentally obtained length errors. The studies show that selection of lines based on the model (determined through simulations and verified experimentally) is advantageous because of the superior ability in detecting systematic errors in stereo vision systems. • Assessed the sensitivity of lines defined in the VDI/VDE 2634-1 guideline to systematic errors in passive stereo-vision systems. • Identified the position and orientation of lines in measurement volume that provides maximum sensitivity to systematic errors. • Built a stereo-vision system on a CMM and experimentally determined the length errors between any pair of points in a rectangular grid. • Compared the length errors for the VDI/VDE 2634-1 lines against the length error we identified through simulation. • Demonstrated that the lines based on the model is advantageous because of the superior ability in detecting systematic errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Proposed a low-carbon fuel ship power system configuration approach. • Ship demands from the perspective of water area, routes and ship types. • Constructing green low-carbon fuel ship power system from five dimensions. • Demand-configuration-integration-evaluation form a selection framework. The current global consensus to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has placed the maritime industry under increasing pressure to achieve carbon reduction and decarbonization. Low-carbon and zero-carbon power stand out as crucial means for ships to effectively cut emissions. However, implementing such power for ships is immensely intricate due to constraints like water conditions, routes, vessel types, demand, alternative fuels, and carbon reduction policies. Addressing these challenges, this paper establishes a high-level framework for low-carbon power systems in ships. Firstly, it focuses on low-carbon fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), methanol, and biofuels, analyzing and summarizing the demands for low-carbon power in ships. Secondly, it offers a comprehensive overview of the configuration elements of low-carbon ship power systems across five dimensions: fuel, power module, propulsion method, aftertreatment module, and propulsion module. Based on this analysis, the paper proposes a configuration approach termed "demand-configuration-integration-evaluation" and presents six typical configurations for low-carbon ship power systems. Lastly, the paper outlines steps for evaluating low-carbon power systems. This framework and methodology cater to various water conditions (inland/offshore/offshore) and are adaptable to different vessel types (container ships, bulk carriers, cruise ships, and offshore engineering vessels). This systematic study offers crucial insights and references for ship designers and owners in the selection and design of new low-carbon power ships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigation of a solar energy storage system under low-grade solar energy. • Dynamic heat storage and release processes under multiple parameters. • Matched collecting areas for different grades of meteorological conditions. • Performance optimization process of the solar thermal energy storage system. Designed and operational parameters matter greatly in how successful an energy storage system performs. However, a current challenge in matching suitable these parameters lies in the poor understanding of such systems' performance under dynamic weather conditions. In this paper, we investigated a phase change material (PCM) storage unit that is particularly aimed for poor-solar areas, and connected the unit to a flat plate solar collector to establish a complete solar thermal energy storage system (STESS). To optimize the system performance, different grades of solar radiation and outdoor ambient temperatures are introduced, and the effects of heat transfer fluid (HTF) flow rates and solar collecting areas are investigated numerically through multiple performance evaluation parameters. The results indicate that the solar collecting area has a significant effect on the performance of the STESS compared to that of the water flow rate. And different collecting areas of 1 m2, 1.5 m2, and 3 m2 with an optimal water flow rate of 0.06 m3/h are matched to different average daily solar radiation of 203.4 W/m2, 155.2 W/m2, 92.7 W/m2, respectively. Further for the heat release process, different heat release efficiencies from 88.32 % to 97.12 % with different energy consumption of the fan from 0.003 kWh to 0.063 kWh are obtained when the air flow rate is increased from 30 m3/h to 90 m3/h. One of the air flow rates of 60 m3/h is superior for the STESS considering higher heat release efficiency and lower energy consumption of the fan. The findings of this paper will contribute to optimizing the performance of a STESS in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An optimized and efficient PV panel modeling is introduced in this paper. • A realistic analysis of five PV configurations is done using temperature prediction. • The analysis is based on the output power, fill factor and mismatch loss. • The parallel configurations are more efficient than the serial configurations. In this paper, a temperature prediction-based approach for realistic performance analysis of the solar photovoltaic system has been investigated. Dissimilar to general methods, the change in module temperature, due to changing solar irradiance, has been considered for realistic and accurate performance evaluation results under mismatch conditions. The module temperature is predicted by a linear equation representing the effects of ambient temperature, wind speed, and irradiance. An optimized technique has been implemented for photovoltaic panel modeling. It provides an accurate estimation of the series and shunt resistances of the photovoltaic panel. The proposed modeling method provides an accuracy of less than 0.02% at the maximum power point. The temperature prediction-based approach has been applied to a solar photovoltaic system of 16 panels, modeled using the proposed technique. Further, five photovoltaic configurations were investigated: Series, Series-Parallel, Honey-Comb, Bridge-Linked, and Total-Cross-Tied. The performance evaluation of each configuration is based on the generated maximum power, fill factor, and mismatch loss. Under mismatch conditions, the Total-Cross-Tied configuration shows a good immunity against mismatch by minimizing losses in all the considered mismatch patterns. The proposed approach provides more accurate results than the available ones because it considers the temperature effect (due to variation in ambient temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed), accounting for up to 12% reduction in output power of photovoltaic modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BeiDou Global Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) not only performs the normal positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) functions, but also provides featured services, which are divided into geostationary orbit (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite-based featured services in this paper. The former refers to regional services consisting of the regional short message communication service (RSMCS), the radio determination satellite service (RDSS), the BDS satellite-based augmented service (BDSBAS) and the satellite-based precise point positioning service via B2b signal (B2b-PPP). The latter refers to global services consisting of the global short message communication service (GSMCS) and the MEO satellite-based search and rescue (MEOSAR) service. The focus of this paper is to describe these featured services and evaluate their performances. The results show that the inter-satellite link (ISL) contributes a lot to the accuracy improvement of orbit determination and time synchronization for the whole constellation. Compared with some other final products, the root mean squares (RMS) of the BDS-3 precise orbits and broadcast clock are 25.1 cm and 2.01 ns, respectively. The positioning accuracy of single frequency is better than 6 m, and that of the generalized RDSS is usually better than 12 m. For featured services, the success rates of RSMCS and GSMCS are better than 99.9% and 95.6%, respectively; the positioning accuracies of single and dual frequency BDSBAS are better than 3 and 2 m, respectively; the positioning accuracy of B2b-PPP is better than 0.6 m, and the convergence time is usually smaller than 30 min; the single station test shows that the success rate of MEOSAR is better than 99%. Due to the ISL realization in the BDS-3 constellation, the performance and capacities of the global featured services are improved significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This comment on the paper “A comprehensive modeling and vibration analysis of AFM microcantilevers subjected to nonlinear tip-sample interaction forces” by Sohrab Eslami and Jalili (2012) [1] aims to: (1) discuss and elucidate the concept of “virtual resonance” and thus (2) avert a misinterpretation of the experimental results and findings reported in the Tetard et al. Physical Review Letters 106, 180801 (2011) [2]. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Investigated the performance evaluation of a containerized parcel network (CPN). • Studied how container utilisation, sortation and cost changes affect the performance. • Modeled a realistic network using information/data from a postal service provider. • Method: leveraged a combination of mixed-integer programming and machine learning. • Obtained strategic insights offering realistic benchmarks for future investigations. This paper investigates different factors that affect the performance of containerised transportation in parcel delivery networks. Motivated by challenges confronted by a postal delivery company in Australia, we study how container utilisation rate, sortation decisions, and changes in cost parameters can affect the overall performance of a parcel delivery network. Leveraging a combination of mixed-integer programming and machine learning, we model a realistic parcel delivery network and evaluate its performance using data from a major postal service provider. The insights obtained from our analysis offer valuable guidance to parcel delivery companies, empowering them to make informed parcel sortation and containerisation decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robot comprehensive performance optimization is a high dimensional non-convex problem, which is of great significance in the practice of robotic intelligent manufacturing. Existing methods still face many challenges in performance evaluation, local optima, and planning efficiency. In this paper, a novel method based on accelerated gradient descent and directed-mutagenesis genetic algorithm (AGD-DGA) is proposed for efficient robotic motion planning and comprehensive performance optimization. Firstly, the time, energy consumption, and impact (T-E-I) are taken as the optimization objectives. In particular, the power loss sub-model is constructed, which is rarely considered in the previous research on motion optimization, and it is combined with the driving power sub-model to improve the evaluation accuracy. Next, a novel directed-mutagenesis genetic algorithm (DGA) is proposed to address the local optima problem. Compared with existing methods based on random sampling, the DGA further improves the success rate and efficiency by updating the probability model based on the adaptive Gaussian process. Moreover, a hierarchical weight updating mechanism is established to overcome the impact of additional performance indicators on the success rate of collision-free path planning. To improve planning efficiency, an incremental optimization mechanism and an adaptive fine-tuning strategy for population size are proposed to reduce unnecessary sampling, evaluation, and sorting. The simulation and experimental results in different scenarios demonstrate that the proposed AGD-DGA achieves better results than most of the mainstream algorithms in terms of optimization efficiency, success rate, and motion performance. In addition, it is also verified that the modified energy consumption model can achieve an average evaluation accuracy of more than 90% while maintaining the calculation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A morphing nose cone that can achieve length and bending angle adjustments is introduced into an underwater glider. • The optimal configurations of morphing nose cone are determined by multi-objective optimization and surrogate models. • A novel design scheme for the driving mechanism of the morphing nose cone and its principle prototype. • The morphing nose cone effectively balances the glider energy utilization rate, static stability, and voyage velocity. As an autonomous underwater vehicle with low energy consumption, underwater glider has been widely applied to long-term ocean exploration missions. To better deal with complex working environments and various mission requirements, morphing underwater gliders are receiving increasing attention. This paper attempts to introduce the morphing nose cone that can achieve length and bending angle adjustments into the glider to improve its comprehensive performance. The performance indicators of the glider include energy utilization rate, static stability, and voyage velocity. Based on dynamic analysis and CFD simulation, performance evaluation models of a glider are established, and the effect of morphing nose cone configurations on the glider's hydrodynamic characteristics is discussed. Then, mathematical optimization models for morphing parameters of the nose cone are established, and they are solved by a multi-objective optimization algorithm and surrogate model technology. Especially, the diving and ascending motion processes of the glider are separately considered in the above optimization. Finally, the multi-objective optimization results are used for guiding the driving mechanism design of the morphing nose cone, and the principle prototype of a novel design scheme is manufactured to verify the feasibility. The research methods and results will provide new development direction for the morphing underwater glider technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is analyzed that the important part of the fingerprint image is concentrated in one part of the image, and the gray image is the part with useful information in the whole image. Therefore, this paper combines a new fingerprint image encryption algorithm proposed by combining two new one-dimensional chaotic systems, nonlinear functions, and rules with a dynamic "X" model. We propose two new one-dimensional chaotic systems, one is Sin-Cos chaotic system (SCCS) and the other is Cos-Cos chaotic system (CCCS). Firstly, the fingerprint image is binarized and the contour is extracted to get the area of the fingerprint in the image. Then, for the fingerprint area, a round of encryption is carried out by using nonlinear rules and 24 rules of the dynamic X model. Then the whole image is separated into several parts according to the fingerprint position, read into a sequence at one time, and the whole fingerprint image is scrambled and diffused synchronously by using nonlinear rules and functions. The entropy, NPCR, and UACI of the algorithm are very close to the ideal value, and the performance in time efficiency is passable. The algorithm is extremely secure in a large number of test performance analysis results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]