Land Use/Cover Dynamics and Associated Impacts on Eutrophication, Land Surface Temperature, and Ecosystem Service Values: An Eco-Climatological Investigation of Chilika Lake, India

Chilika Lake, the largest lagoon in Asia, located in Odisha, India, has been subjected to substantial anthropogenic pressures over the past 30 years, necessitating a comprehensive examination of its evolving landscape. Employing Landsat data spanning from 1991 to 2021, our research focuses on meticulous Land use/Land cover (LULC) classification, revealing an alarming 11.7% reduction in the lake area in the last 30 years. This decline is attributed to the conversion of vital mangrove and wetland areas into urban and agricultural expenses. The consequences extend to a 9.3% reduction in plant cover and a 7.8% decrease in catchment area. Notably, visible eutrophication patches and escalating nutrient concentrations in the past decade underscore the lake's vulnerability to environmental stressors. In parallel, the study integrates key indicators such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST), revealing a significant 4°C increase in surface temperature from 1991 to 2021. A forward-looking CA-Markov model forecasts a continued reduction in the lake's area until 2026, coupled with an expansion of urban and agricultural domains. While the pandemic-induced restrictions temporarily improved lake levels in 2021, our overarching findings underscore the urgent need for strategic interventions to safeguard this vital natural resource. This research contributes valuable insights into the ongoing transition and future trajectory of Chilika Lake's landscape, offering a nuanced understanding for stakeholders and policymakers to formulate evidence-based strategies for the preservation and sustainable management of this ecologically significant ecosystem

Design-of-experiments based Modeling & Optimization of LGA Cooling Crystallization via Continuous Oscillatory Baffled Crystallizer

A novel data-driven modeling and optimization method is proposed in this paper for cooling crystallization of L-glutamic acid (LGA) via a continuous oscillatory baffled crystallizer (COBC), based on the design of experiments (DoEs) for the main operating conditions of zone temperature setting and volume net flowrate. The crystal size distribution (CSD) can be effectively predicted by constructing a data-mapping model with double-layer basis functions, where the first layer is composed of wavelet basis functions for reshaping the steady-state CSD in each operating zone of COBC, and the second layer consists of polynomial basis functions for reflecting the nonlinear relationship between the above operating conditions and the corresponding CSD in each zone. Furthermore, a comprehensive cost function related to the desired crystal size, the distribution variance of product crystals and throughput is introduced to design an optimization method for the above operating conditions. A guaranteed convergence particle swarm optimization (GCPSO) algorithm is offered to solve the nonconvex optimization problem based on the established CSD prediction model. Experimental results on the continuous crystallization of LGA demonstrate that the above cost function and the desired crystal product yield can be improved over 23% and 9%, respectively, in comparison with all tests by DoEs

NanoCoating Preparation to Improve Heat Dissipation of a Heat Sink Inside an Enclosure for Power Electronic Devices

Heat sinks dissipate heat from electronic components, and the increase in heat generation owing to technological advancements has prompted researchers to improve heat sink efficiency. The present study aims to improve heat sinks by high-emissivity nanocoating where the coating is prepared using nanoparticles CuO and MWCNT at a rate of 6% in half a liter of Acrylic resin and solvents Xylene and Butyl acetate at a rate of 30%. After coating the heat sink, the emissivity was examined and it was (0.963) while it was before coating (0.202). The heat sink is examined inside a cubic cavity with a right surface containing heaters that give temperature at the same value as the thyristors (58.5°C, 90°C, and 112.5°C) and a cold left surface (30°C). The temperatures at the tip of each fin are measured before and after coating when they change with time and at a steady state. The results showed that the nanocoating significantly reduced the temperature compared to the uncoated condition with the improvement percentage at a heater temperature of 58.5°C ranging from 10% to 15% at 90°C ranging from 24% to 34% and at 112.5°C ranging from 23% to 35%. It is concluded that the nanocoating showed great effectiveness in improving the performance of the heat sink at all temperatures, but the maximum effectiveness was at high thermal loads

Intermolecular sp³C‐H Metalation of Non‐Nucleophilic Brønsted Bases Using Simple Lewis Acids

2,6‐Di‐tert‐butyl substituted pyridines (tBu2‐py) are widely used non‐nucleophilic Brønsted bases. Their ubiquity is due to their highly hindered basic site and chemically robust nature. Herein we report that simple M2X6 Lewis acids (M = Al or Ga, X = Cl, Br or I) effect intermolecular sp3C‐H metalation of tBu2‐py bases under mild conditions. The sp3C‐H metalated products can be converted in‐situ into ‐BPin, ‐iodo, ‐bromo and ‐hydroxy derivatives for further elaboration. Mechanistic investigations indicate that: (i) a frustrated Lewis pair effects sp3C‐H heterolysis to form the C‐M bond and a protonated pyridine; (ii) C‐H metalation requires singly halide‐bridged super‐electrophilic M2X6 dimers for sufficiently low barriers. Finally, sp3C‐H metalation using M2X6 is not limited to tBu2‐py bases. Thus, it is important to be aware of this facile sp3C‐H functionalisation when using a range of non‐nucleophilic Brønsted bases

Cyber risk assessment for capital management

This paper introduces a two-pillar cyber risk management framework to address the pervasive challenges in managing cyber risk. The first pillar, cyber risk assessment, combines insurance frequency-severity models with cybersecurity cascade models to capture the unique nature of cyber risk. The second pillar, cyber capital management, facilitates informed allocation of capital for a balanced cyber risk management strategy, including cybersecurity investments, insurance coverage, and reserves. A case study, based on historical cyber incident data and realistic assumptions, demonstrates the necessity of comprehensive cost-benefit analysis for budget-constrained companies with competing objectives in cyber risk management. In addition, sensitivity analysis highlights the dependence of the optimal strategy on factors such as the price of cybersecurity controls and their effectiveness. The framework's implementation across a diverse range of companies yields general insights on cyber risk management

Towards Adversarial Policy Discovery via Evolutionary Program Synthesis

Recent work has shown that even superhuman reinforcement learning (RL) policies can be vulnerable to adversarial agents. Most existing approaches for generating such adversaries rely on RL-based methods similar to those used to train the original policy under attack, potentially limiting the diversity of discovered exploits. We present a proof of concept showing that genetic programming (GP) can evolve symbolic adversarial agents that expose flaws in trained RL policies. By framing adversarial discovery as a program synthesis task, our approach enables broader and more interpretable search than conventional methods. We evaluate this approach in two competitive game environments against agents trained by OpenAI, showing that GP-evolved agents can outperform RL-based adversaries. These early results suggest that GP is not only effective for discovering unconventional exploits, but may serve as a useful stress-testing tool for RL systems more generally

Bio-inspired multi-mode finger mechanism based on Miura-ori unit equivalent linkages

Origami structures, characterized by predefined crease patterns and configurable properties, offer valuable insights for designing reconfigurable mechanisms. Inspired by diverse grasping states of the human finger and multi-mode characteristics of the Miura-ori unit, this paper proposes a novel finger mechanism capable of four distinct single degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion modes. Each mode corresponds to a distinct finger state, characterized by two interphalangeal joints that are either rotatable or nonrotatable. First, the Miura-ori unit equivalent linkage (PFSFL, plane-symmetric flat-deployable spherical four-bar linkage) is introduced, and its multi-mode characteristics are analyzed through an approach based on dual quaternions. Next, the finger mechanism is constructed by coupling specific links and joints of two PFSFLs, and its multi-mode kinematics are systematically demonstrated. Three such fingers are integrated with an orthogonal Bricard linkage to develop a multi-mode grasping mechanism. A pneumatically actuated, 3D printed gripper based on this mechanism is fabricated, and experimentally confirms its multi-mode grasping capability. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed finger mechanism for developing reconfigurable grippers or hands with enhanced flexibility, adaptability, and multi-task capability

Line-by-line control of 10,000 modes in a 20 GHz laser frequency comb

The independent manipulation of each line in a laser frequency comb is a powerful resource for emerging applications in optical waveform synthesis, spectroscopy, quantum technology, microwave photonics, astrophotonics and metrology. Previous demonstrations of line-by-line modulation reported the control of hundreds of comb modes, with bandwidth:resolution ratios of a few thousand. Here, we present a spectral shaper concept achieving precise amplitude control of 10,000 comb modes spanning 280-950 nm (200 THz), with a bandwidth:resolution ratio exceeding 20,000. We demonstrate its application to the dynamic flattening and free-spectral-range control of an astrocomb, together with fully arbitrary line-by-line grayscale modulation. Our approach is directly extendable to dual amplitude and phase shaping, as an enabler for high-repetition-rate optical waveform synthesis and precision spectral shaping across unprecedented bandwidth

A comprehensive review of the influence of various parameters on convection in different enclosures and heat sinks

Owing to their good efficiency and use as heat exchangers, heat sinks support electronic devices in effective heating dissipation. However, heat dissipation remains a huge challenge to optimum thermal performance of heat sinks. The paper divides into two main broad categories. The first part deals with thermal design and thermal modeling of some various aspects of heat sinks: effects of natural convection heat dissipation mechanisms; geometrical configurations of heat sinks; and intake and outflow positions. The study broadens to the core materials, flat fins (particularly FPFHS and PFHS fins), and porous fins. Multi-wicks and multi-medium heat sinks are investigated, and a comprehensive analysis of the attributes affecting heat transfer and the efficacy of heat dissipation in these mechanisms is also provided. The latter portion examines interior heating by examining several indoor geometries, including cylindrical, circular, rectangular, and hexagonal forms, and evaluating their influence on heat transport. Additionally, empirical investigations examining enclosures with diverse fin designs are evaluated, along with the impact of interior layouts on different fin arrangements for both natural and mixed convection. The project encompasses multiple research initiatives aimed at developing a framework for the continued investigation of heat sinks within cavities. This work offers insightful recommendations for scientists and researchers, providing fundamental understanding of heat sinks and cavitation Procedures. The use of cavitation-based technologies in operations enhances the heat transfer efficiency of heat sinks, specifically heat exchangers employed for cooling electrical equipment, hence accelerating the research process. Their principal attributes, including cost efficiency, good heat dissipation, and ease of production, account for the advantages

A replaceable corrugated web shear link for seismic resilience of double-column bridge bent: Experimental, numerical, and theoretical study

This study introduces an innovative replaceable corrugated steel web (CSW) shear link system for double-column bridge bents, designed to enhance seismic performance and enable rapid post-earthquake recovery. Through a comprehensive experimental program, eight full-scale specimens with varying geometric parameters (span-to-height ratios: 1.46–3.89; corrugation angles: 30–60°; orientation configurations) were subjected to quasi-static testing to evaluate their seismic behaviors, including damage process, energy dissipation, strength, stiffness and ductility. The experimental investigation revealed four characteristic failure modes: (1) CSW tearing, (2) coupled CSW and flange buckling, (3) combined CSW tearing and flange-to-web weld fracture, and (4) endplate-to-CSW connection failure. Key findings demonstrate that specimens with span-to-height ratios below 1.0 and corrugation angles exceeding 45° exhibit superior hysteretic performance, with the vertical-oriented specimen (VL1.89-θ45-a0.29) achieving optimal energy dissipation per unit volume (4.34 × 107J/m3) at the expense of accelerated stiffness degradation (60 % reduction after 3 % drift). Analytical results indicate a nonlinear relationship between ductility enhancement and span-to-height ratios, with measured improvement by 40 % as L/H increased from 1.46 to 3.89. Complementing the experimental work, advanced finite element models incorporating ductile fracture criteria were developed, achieving a 1.06 % correlation with test results. The study further proposes and validates simplified design equations for yield strength and lateral stiffness of CSW links, providing practical tools for engineering implementation. These findings establish a technical foundation for developing resilient bridge systems with rapid recovery capabilities