Emphasizing the importance of acoustic attenuation in maintaining compliance with stringent noise regulations and enhancing workplace safety, the analysis covers the theoretical and practical aspects of sound attenuation in a turboengine testing stand. This paper presents a preliminary analysis and also an evaluation of a procedure for projecting a noise attenuator for industrial application and especially for turboengine test stands. While primarily focusing on the static acoustic behavior of the attenuator, considerations were also made regarding flow dynamics, Mach number-dependent attenuation, pressure drop, and self-generated noise aspects to provide a comprehensive perspective in selecting the optimal design configuration. The study investigates different calculation methods for assessment of the noise reduction for linear and staggered baffles, applied on a scaled reduced model of attenuator. Thus, the critical parameters and projecting requirements necessary for effective noise reduction in high-performance turboengine testing environments will be evaluated in a down-scaled model. Key factors examined include the selection of design parameters and configurations from various options. Advanced computational methods, like analytic and finite element analysis (FEM) are utilized to predict the acoustic performance and identify potential design optimizations. Experimental validation is performed to corroborate the simulation results, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the attenuator. The findings indicate that a well-designed sound attenuator module can significantly reduce noise levels without compromising the operational performance of the turboengine inside a test cell.

This work presents the results regarding the synthesis of tungsten nanoparticles (W NPs) by magnetron sputtering combined with gas aggregation (MSGA) when H2 mixed with Ar is used as working gas, the amount of H2 being increased up to 82%. The results show that up to 40% H2 in discharge the synthesis rate increases over 60 times, rapidly decreasing for over 50% H2 in discharge. The W dust is still produced in H2 dominated discharge (82%), the deposition rate being small but not negligible (20 mg/hour). The obtained WNPs are isolated, with the diameter decreasing from 50 nm to 15 nm when the amount of H2 in discharge is smaller than 41%. Over this value, the particles tend to agglomerate, forming structures similar to film-like deposits. Also, the diameter of the deposited spots on substrates is dependent on the H2 content in discharge. This allows the efficient coating of substrates with dimensions up to 26 mm by translating them in front of the MSGA cluster source exit aperture. Supplementary, for 41% H2 in discharge, the influence of synthetic air leaks (0-5%) in discharge was investigated. The deposition rate decreases rapidly (ceasing for around 4% air in discharge) and the obtained nanoparticles tend to agglomerate (at 2% air content, the dust deposit has the aspect of a near continuous film). Chemical composition investigations show a pronounced tendency of oxidation, nitridation and oxynitride formation in the presence of air leaks.

In the present work, an innovative range of foams, based on flax gum-filled epoxy resin was developed, reinforced or not by flax fibers. Foams and composites with different gum and epoxy resin contents were produced and characterized for mechanical and thermal performances. To enhance the organic flax gum filler's cross-linking, we exploited the oxidized components' reactivity with the amine hardener (isophorone diamine). We compared the materials obtained with those derived from the native components. Flax gum and fibers were primarily characterized by chemical analysis, NMR, and FTIR to evaluate the mild oxidation of native materials. The formation of chemical bonds between oxidized polymer chains, epoxy resin, and hardener has been evidenced by FTIR, and the materials were then studied by SEM, X-ray computed micro-tomography (CT), and submitted to mechanical and thermal tests. The relevance of oxidation treatment was highlighted, through a significant increase in density and mechanical performances (+36% and +81%, respectively for the 100% flax gum material). The positive effect of flax fibers on homogeneity evidenced through micro-CT analysis was also clearly addressed. This set of promising results paves the way for future development of fully flax-based insulation composite materials.

Detection of partial discharge (PD) activities in high-voltage equipment can be done according to the several mechanisms of signal detection, which are electromagnetic wave signal detection, acoustic signal detection, chemical reactions, electrical signal detection, or optical emission detection. Recently, multiple methods of detection and localization of partial discharge activities occurred in power transformers and gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) have been proposed to monitor the health condition of high-voltage equipment, especially when the awareness regarding preventive maintenance has been emphasized at the industrial level and electrical providers. In aligning the needs of industrial and the improvement of PD detection methods, this manuscript focused on reviewing the current practice methods for the detection and localization of PD signals in high-voltage equipment and comparing their efficacy, in summarizing the future direction of research work-related methods of PD detection. The comparative reviews are discussed in terms of the mechanism of PD signal detection, indication parameters, calibration technique, advantages, and limitations of each method of PD measurement in detail.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in the generation of evolutionary-related variants. The S-protein of the B.1.1.7 variant (deletion N-terminal domain (NTD) His69Val70Tyr144) may contribute to altered infectivity. These mutations may have been presaged by animal mutations in minks housed in mink farms that according to the present analysis by modelling of protein ligand docking altered a high affinity binding site in the S-protein NTD. These mutants likely occurred only sporadically in humans. Tissue-adaptations and the size of the mink relative to the infected human population size back then may have comparatively increased the relative mutation rate. Simple, multi-threaded automated docking that is widely available, assigns increased binding of the blood type II A antigen to the SARS-Cov-2 S-protein NTD of B.1.1.7 with an overall increased docking interaction of blood group A harbouring glycolipids relative to group B or H (H, p=0.04). The top scoring glycan is identified as a DSGG (also classified as sialosyl-MSGG or disialosyl-Gb5) that may compete with heparin, which is similar to heparan sulfate linked to proteinaceous receptors on the tissue surface. Other glycolipids are found to interact with lower affinity, except long ligands that have suitable ligand binding poses to match the curved binding pocket.

Pore structure characterization and fractal analysis have great significance for understanding and evaluating tight limestone reservoirs. In this work, the pore structure of tight limestone is characterized combined with low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LTNA) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and the fractal dimension of tight limestone pore structure is discussed based on LTNA and NMR data. The results indicate that the pores of tight limestone have H3 and H4 types, the pore size distribution (PSD) of H3 type is a wave distribution ranging from 2 to 10 nm, and the PSD of H4 type is a unimodal distribution ranging from 2 to 10 nm. The transverse relaxation time (T2) spectrum of tight limestone shows single peak (DF), double peak (SF) and three peak (TF), and the T2 spectrums for micropores, mesopores and macropores range from 0.1 to 10 ms, from 10 to 100 ms, and greater than 100 ms, respectively. The LTNA fractal dimension of tight limestone (DL) ranges between 2.4446 and 2.7688, with an average of 2.5729, and the NMR fractal dimensions of micropores (DNMR1), mesopores (DNMR2) and macropores (DNMR3) are distributed between 0.3744 to 1.1293, 2.4263 to 2.9395 and 2.6582 to 2.9989, respectively. Moreover, there is no correlation between fractal dimension and permeability and porosity, a negative correlation between DL and average pore radius, a positive correlation between DL and specific surface area, and a positive correlation between DNMR2 and DNMR3 and micropore content, while DNMR2 and DNMR3 are negatively correlated with the content of mesopores and macropores.

Abstract: Circuit breakers are affected by multiple lightning strikes after the breaker has been tripped and can break down again, which will reduce the life of the circuit breaker and threaten the stable operation of the power system. Aiming at this problem, the paper obtained the temperature diffusion process of the inrush current process of circuit breaker opening and breaking through the schlieren technique, and combined with the existing image recognition technology to obtain the temperature characteristics of the airflow in the air gap of the contact, and the characteristics of the airflow flow. The results of the study show that the circuit breaker breakdown process generates a shock wave with a velocity approximately equal to the speed of sound under the same conditions. The maximum velocity of the airflow boundary diffusion is about 1/4 of the speed of sound under the same condition, and it decays very fast, reducing to the airflow drift velocity within 10ms after breakdown. The maximum temperature of the thermals is concentrated between 6000 and 8000 K and the temperature change is approximately inversely proportional to the square of time. The research provides the basis for the design of circuit breaker contact structure, opening speed optimization method, interrupter chamber and insulation design optimization.

Accurate assessment of shale gas reserves hinges on a detailed characterization of gas and water distribution within shale reservoirs. Despite its importance, the nanoscale behavior of water and methane in deep shale formations, especially under elevated temperatures and pressures, remains poorly understood. This study proposes a novel molecular modeling approach to represent the complex nanocomposite porous media found in deep shale matrices. Leveraging quantitative data from experimental analyses of shale pore composition, we developed a molecular model that accurately reflects the intricate pore-slit structure within a composite of kerogen and illite, common constituents of shale. Employing a hybrid grand canonical Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulation technique, we investigated the micro-scale distribution and preferential adsorption sites of water and methane within the shale matrix. Our research further elucidates the impact of water on the pore structure of shale and delineates the co-occurrence patterns of water and methane. The simulations reveal that water and methane share similar adsorption preferences on kerogen surfaces, while methane does not exhibit specific adsorption preferences on water-bearing illite. We also find that the presence of water significantly alters the illite pore space, leading to a reduction in larger pore volumes and a concomitant increase in smaller pores. The decrease in methane content with increasing water content is more pronounced in the shrinkage cracks compared to the kerogen matrix pores and is particularly notable in the macropores of illite. The findings underscore the differential sensitivity of methane content to water levels across various shale pore types. These insights contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of gas and water distribution mechanisms in deep shale reservoirs, offering valuable support for the evaluation of deep shale gas resource potential.

In this work, we propose a method to measure planar temperature fields of fluids flow. We used a focusing schlieren technique together with a calibration procedure to fulfill such purpose. The focusing schlieren technique uses an off-axis circular illumination to reduce the depth of focus of the optical system. The calibration procedure is based on the relation of the intensity level of each pixel of a focused schlieren image to the corresponding cutoff grid position measured at the exit focal plane of the schlieren lens. The method is applied to measure planar temperature fields of the hot air issuing from a 10 mm diameter nozzle of a commercial Hot Air Gun Soldering Station Welding. Our tests are carried out at different temperature values and different planes along the radial position of the nozzle of the Hot Air Gun Soldering Station Welding. The temperature values obtained experimentally are in agreed with those obtained with a thermocouple.

With the increasing demand for precise condition monitoring and diagnosis of gas-insulated switchgears (GIS), it has become a challenge to improve the detection sensitivity of partial discharge (PD) induced in the GIS spacer. This paper deals with the elimination of the capacitive component from the phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) signal generated in GIS spacer based on the discrete wavelet transform. Three types of typical insulation defects were simulated using PD cells. The single PD pulses were detected and were further used to determine the optimal mother wavelet. As a result, the bior6.8 was selected to decompose the PD signal into 8 levels and the signal energy at each level was calculated. The decomposed components related with capacitive disturbance were discarded whereas those associated with PD were de-noised by a threshold and a thresholding function. Finally, the PRPD signals were reconstructed using the de-noised components.

We investigate solutions of the classical Mathieu-Hill (MH) equation which characterizes the dynamics of trapped ions, based on the Floquet theory and starting from a well known analytical model. The analytical model we introduce demonstrates that the equations of motion are equivalent to those of the harmonic oscillator (HO). Two independent approaches are used, based on two classes of complex solutions of the MH equation. The paper addresses both the damped HO and parametric oscillator (PO) for an ion confined in an electrodynamic (Paul) trap. Stability and instability regions for the periodic orbits associated to the MH equation which describes a HO (PO) confined in an electrodynamic trap are also discussed, depending on the values of the Floquet exponent, for very small values of the $q$ parameter. The main objective of the paper is to identify stable and bounded solutions for the dynamics of a HO levitated in an electrodynamic trap. This paper represents a follow-up of a recently published article in Photonics, 11 (6) 551.

The stability properties of the Hill equation are discussed, and especially those of the Mathieu equation that characterize ion motion in electrodynamic traps. The solutions of the Mathieu equation for a trapped ion are characterized by using the Floquet theory and Hill's Method solution, which yields an infinite system of linear and homogeneous equations whose coefficients are recursively determined. Stability is discussed for parameters $a$ and $q$ that are real. Characteristic curves are introduced naturally by the Sturm-Liouville problem for the well known even and odd Mathieu equations $ce_m(z,q)$ and $se_m(z,q)$. We illustrate the stability diagram for a combined (Paul and Penning) trap and represent the frontiers of the stability domains for axial and radial motion. In case of a Paul trap the stable solution corresponds to a superposition of harmonic motions. The problem of evaluating the maximum amplitudes of stable oscillations for the ideal conditions (taken into consideration) is also approached. Anharmonic corrections are discussed within the frame of the perturbation theory, while the frontiers of the modified stability domains are determined as a function of the chosen perturbation parameter. The results apply to 2D and 3D ion traps used for different applications in quantum engineering, among which optical clocks, quantum logic and quantum metrology, but not restricted only to these.

The increasing demand for higher power in rocket launchers is driving the development of higher power nozzles, achieved essentially by increasing the expansion ratio. However, this can lead to flow separation and resulting unsteady, asymmetrical forces, called side loads, which can limit the life of both the nozzle itself and other engine components. If this problem can be overcome, engine performance can be significantly increased. Therefore, various separation control methods have been proposed, but none have been fully implemented to date due to the uncertainties associated with modeling and predicting the flow phenomena. A numerical study of high area ratio rocket engine is presented to analyze the aeroelastic performance of the structure under the condition of flow separation. The finite volume method, the 2nd order upwind scheme and the extended wall function are used to analyze the flow inside the rocket nozzle and the transition of the Free Shock Separation (FSS) to Restricted Shock Separation (RSS) separation pattern ) to be discussed in detail. Since the location of the flow separation point depends heavily on the flow.

Pea shoots is a popular vegetable in certain regions of the world due to their unique taste and abundance of health-promoting phytochemicals. The perishable nature and susceptibility of root rot of pea shoots necessitate a new soilless production system located close to the market. This study compared the growth of pea shoots using various cultivation methods in LED plant factory. The results showed that early topping (4 days after transplanting, ET) promoted early harvest compared to later topping (20 days after transplanting, LT) and increased the number of harvested shoots by extending the harvest time to 2.8 times, ultimately resulting in a substantial yield improvement. Moreover, the yield of ET with lower planting density (72 plants m-2, ET-LD) was 8.7% higher than ET with higher planting density (126 plants m-2, ET-HD). Particularly, the average fresh weight of individual pea shoots under ET-LD exceeded that of ET-HD by 48.9%. It is advisable to consider adopting ET-LD for the cultivation of pea shoots in LED plant factory. Based on ET-LD, the yield, nutritional quality, and light use efficiency of pea shoots were further explored at different stages under three levels of light intensity (50, 100, 150 μmol m-2 s-1). Contrasted against the light intensity of 50 μmol m-2 s-1, the average fresh weight per pea shoots, number of harvested, and total fresh yield under light intensity of 150 μmol m-2 s-1 treatment increased by 60.2%, 62.8%, and 165.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the fresh weight per pea shoots, photosynthetic capacity, soluble sugar and vitamin C levels in leaves, as well as light use efficiency and photon yield, initially increased and then decreased with the extension of the planting period. Among these, soluble sugar, LUE, and PY started to decrease after reaching the maximum value at 60-70 days after transplanting. In conclusion, light intensity of 150 μmol m-2 s-1 with a photoperiod of 16 h d-1 using LEDs, combined with early topping within a planting period of 60-70 days, proves to be suitable for the hydroponic production of pea shoots in LED plant factory.

In order to achieve the dual carbon goal and simplify the decarbonization process, a CO2 recovery process of the fire-flooding exhaust was designed. The process adopted the two-stage membrane separation method to recover CO2 and obtain high purity CO2 rich flow, and then through the mixed refrigerant liquefaction and rectification column, food grade liquid CO2 was obtained. HYSYS process simulation shows that for the fire-flooding exhaust with a flow rate of 1000 kg/h and a given composition, the process can achieve a CO2 recovery of 69.02%, total product sales S=2086.8 yuan/h, and specific power consumption of 2.818 kW∙h/kg. On this basis, a hybrid simulation platform of HYSYS & Matlab was established. Taking the specific power consumption of the product as the objective function, sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm was adopted to optimize the process, and the optimized specific power consumption was reduced by 18.8%. Finally, by adjusting N2/CO2 components, the adaptability of the optimization condition was analyzed.

The alternating stress caused by periodic high-pressure injection and extraction in gas storage can potentially induce fault slippage, compromising the sealing integrity of faults within these facil-ities. Understanding the mechanical behavior of faults under alternating stress is crucial for en-suring the long-term stability and safety of gas storage operations. To explore the impact of fault dip angle and fault gouge strength on fault slip characteristics, fault samples were prepared with uniaxial compressive strengths of 20.1, 30.2, 42.4, and 51.4 MPa at two distinct dip angles. Triaxial compression experiments were conducted under alternating stress conditions corresponding to operational pressures at a specific gas storage in China. Results indicate that faults with dip angles of 30° and 45° tend to fail at their weakest points. Increasing strength of fault gouge shifts failure mechanisms from interfacial failure between gouge and surrounding rock towards internal gouge failure, often accompanied by shear failure across sections, resulting in characteristic "X"-shaped conjugate shear failures. The decrease in the ratio of bedrock strength to fault gouge strength elucidates the observed phenomena of initial reduction followed by increased fault deformation. Transition points for faults with 30° and 45° dips occur around the strength ratios of 1.7/1 and 1.2/1, respectively. Fault damage exhibits a negative correlation with fault gouge strength and a positive correlation with fault dip angle. Samples with higher strength fault gouge at a 30° dip angle generally incur less damage compared to those with lower strength fault gouge at a 45° dip angle. Moreover, higher maximum static friction coefficients denote greater fault resistance to slipping, with 30° faults consistently demonstrating superior resistance compared to 45° faults. Additionally, higher strength fault gouge consistently enhances slip resistance under identical dip angles.

Accurate measurement of low-level thoron gas and high-accuracy calibration of thoron measurement devices are essential for assessing and preventing thoron radiological risks. This study aimed to develop a thoron gas measurement technique using an airflow-through scintillation cell for both low-level measurement and high-accuracy calibration. To achieve this, a compartment model was developed to estimate the influence of progeny deposition and accumulation on the wall of the scintillation cell to prevent overestimation of thoron. A self-developed scintillation cell was utilized to implement and validate this technique. The lower detection limit and measurement uncertainty were then evaluated to assess the feasibility of the technique for low-level measurement and high-accuracy calibration. The results showed that the compartment model effectively addressed the influence of the progeny deposition. The measurement technique achieved a lower detection limit below 100 Bq m-3 even with the coexistence of 100 Bq m-3 of radon and attained a measurement uncertainty (k = 2) below 10% when the concentration of thoron exceeded 1,000 Bq m-3. In summary, this study developed a reliable and practical thoron gas measurement technique using an airflow-through scintillation cell with consideration for progeny deposition, and is expected to contribute to the assessment and prevention of thoron radiological risk.

In the process of oil and gas development and production, when the flow rate in the wellbore is large, the materials underground will be eroded, causing the operation to be unable to proceed smoothly and reducing the efficiency of oil and gas production. Therefore, optimizing the anti-erosion coating under high-speed flow conditions in wellbore is a very interesting thing. It can greatly improve operational efficiency. In this paper, laser cladding was used to prepare the new coating used in the PDC drill bit. Then, the effects of tungsten carbide and multi-layer graphene on the microstructure and properties of the tungsten carbide coating were studied. The research results indicate that, for new coatings, 60% tungsten carbide and 0.3% graphene are the optimal ratios. After adding WC, the hardness has significantly improved. However, when the WC content further increases more than 30%, the increase in hardness is relatively small. In addition, when the content of graphene is more than 0.3%, the branched structure became thicker, and not only the segregation of Cr, Si and W became very obvious again, but also the segregation of Fe occurred at the Ni enrichment site. The research results contribute to improving oil and gas production and operational efficiency under high-speed fluid flow conditions in the wellbore.

This study investigates the performance and environmental impact of n-butanol blended with Jet-A fuel in turbo-engines, aiming to assess its viability as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The research involves experimental testing of various blends, ranging from low to high concentrations of methanol, to determine their effects on engine performance and emissions. The experimental setup includes comprehensive measurements of engine parameters such as thrust, fuel consumption rates, and exhaust gas temperatures. Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and unburned hydrocarbons (HC) are also analysed to evaluate environmental impacts. Key findings indicate that n-butanol/Jet-A blends can significantly enhance combustion efficiency and reduce emissions compared to conventional Jet-A fuel. Higher n-butanol concentrations lead to improved thermal efficiency and lower NOx and CO emissions. However, PM emissions slightly increase with higher methanol content. The study underscores the potential of n-butanol as a SAF for turbo-engines, highlighting its ability to mitigate environmental impacts while maintaining or improving engine performance. This research supports the feasibility of integrating n-butanol into Jet-A blends for turbo-engine applications, emphasizing its role in achieving more environmentally friendly aviation operations.

The No. 3 coal seam in the Yuxi Coal Mine has a measured maximum gas content of 25.59 m3/t, along with a maximum gas pressure of 2.9 MPa, indicating its high risk to gas and outbursts. To mitigate outburst risks of the coal seam, the 1301 working face has been implemented gas pre-drainage measures by grid boreholes from underlying roadways. After one year of extraction, it was confirmed that the gas content at all 33 test sites was below 8 m3/t, meeting the outburst prevention standards. However, during subsequent coal tunnel excavation, the gas desorption index K1 value frequently exceeded the standard, resulting in numerous occurrences of abnormal gas emission or small-scale outbursts. To tackle the challenges associated with safe excavation following the first round regional outburst prevention measures, a research and industrial trial of CO2 gas fracturing(CO2-Frac) technology for secondary outburst prevention and rapid excavation was completed. Results show that the dual-hole and high-pressure (185MPa) CO2-Frac considerably contribute to outburst prevention. K1 exceedances per hundred meters of tunnel excavations were from average 2.54 without CO2-Frac to average 0.28 after the new technology being implemented, leading to a eight fold reduction. Additionally, the monthly excavation footage increased from average 81.64 m without CO2-Frac to average 162.42 m with CO2-Frac, resulting in a 2-fold improvement. The dual-hole and high-pressure CO2-Frac is an advanced technology for safe and efficient excavation for secondary outburst elimination in highly outburst-prone coal seams in the Yuxi Coal Mine, with potential for widespread application in similar coal seam conditions.

This study aims to investigate the interfacial tension, emulsion stability, and the impact on oil displacement effectiveness of mixed systems containing nonionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants at different ratios. To achieve this, three different emulsion stability formulations were prepared by mixing betaine and nonionic surfactants in ratios of 1:1, 3:2, and 3:1 respectively. By adjusting the proportions of betaine and nonionic surfactants, variations in interfacial tension and emulsion formation among the three mixed systems were studied to analyze the mechanism of interaction between betaine and nonionic surfactants and evaluate their effects on crude oil displacement and enhanced oil recovery in reservoirs. Subsequently, microscopic and macroscopic oil displacement experiments were conducted on the three mixed systems, along with experiments on emulsion flow resistance. The aim was to verify the oil displacement effectiveness of different mixed systems and further understand their potential applications in reservoirs. By comprehensively analyzing the experimental results, optimal ratios and conditions for the mixed systems were determined. The experimental results indicate that the emulsification system formed by mixing betaine and nonionic surfactants at a ratio of 3:1 achieves molecular synergies through electrostatic interactions and mixed adsorption with betaine, resulting in a compact arrangement of interface membranes and demonstrating a synergistic effect in reducing interfacial tension to an ultra-low value of 10 -4 mN/m. Additionally, as the proportion of betaine surfactant increases, the viscosity of the aqueous phase liquid film increases, the rate of thinning of the liquid film slows down, the rate of water release slows down, and the stability of the emulsion increases. Microscopic oil displacement experiments verified that the three mixed systems increase oil washing efficiency through low interfacial tension and emulsification stripping action, thereby increasing the oil displacement mechanism's coefficient. Emulsion flow resistance experiments demonstrated that as the proportion of betaine surfactant increases, the system exhibits better plugging ability. However, macroscopic oil displacement experiments revealed differences in compatibility between different emulsion stability solutions and rocks with different permeabilities. The mixed system of betaine and nonionic surfactants at a ratio of 3:1 exhibits the best emulsification plugging ability in rocks with a permeability of 109mD, while the 1:1 mixed system performs best in rocks with a permeability of 12mD. This holds significant theoretical and practical significance for reservoir development and enhanced production.

The erosion of surface pipelines induced by proppant flowback during shale gas production is significant. The surface pipelines in a shale gas field in the Sichuan Basin experienced perforation failures after only five months of service. To investigate the erosion features of L360N, coatings, and ceramics and optimize the selection of two protective materials, a gas-solid two-phase flow jet erosion experimental device was used to explore the erosion resistance of L360N, coating, and ceramic under different impact velocities (15 m/s, 20 m/s, and 30 m/s). An energy dispersive spectroscope, a scanning electron microscope, and a laser confocal microscope were employed to analyze erosion morphologies. With the increase in flow velocity, erosion depth and erosion rate of L360N, coating, and ceramic increased and peaked under an impact velocity of 30 m/s. Maximum erosion rate and maximum erosion depth of L360N were respectively 0.0350 mg/g and 37.5365 µm. Its primary material removal mechanism was plowing of solid particles and microcracks were distributed on the material surface under high flow velocities. Maximum erosion rate and maximum erosion depth of coating were respectively 0.0217 mg/g and 18.9964 µm. Its primary material removal mechanism was the detachment of the binder phase Co caused by plowing. Maximum erosion rate and maximum erosion depth of ceramics were respectively 0.0108 mg/g and 12.4856 µm. The erosion mechanisms were micro-cutting and plowing. Under different particle impact velocity, different erosion morphologies were observed, but the primary erosion mechanism was the same. The erosion resistance of ceramics was higher than that of coating. Therefore, ceramic lining materials could be used to protect the easily eroded parts, such as pipeline bends and tees, and reduce the failure rate by more than 93%. The study provided the data and theoretical basis for the theoretical study on oil and gas pipeline erosion and pipeline material selection.

In the realm of metal steel and iron manufacturing, there is a constant drive to optimize production efficiency and enhance the quality of the final products. This abstract explores a paradigm shift in this industry through the utilization of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a powerful tool for achieving these goals .The study focuses on various critical aspects of the manufacturing process. Firstly, it delves into three-phase processes such as slag and gas entrainment in liquid steel, which have a significant impact on the overall product quality. Understanding and optimizing these processes is crucial to ensure the desired chemical composition and physical properties of the final metal.The abstract investigates the role of CFD in vacuum degassing, a process that plays a pivotal role in removing impurities, such as hydrogen and oxygen, from the liquid steel. By leveraging CFD to simulate and analyze the fluid flow patterns, researchers and engineers can design more efficient vacuum degassing systems, leading to improved product purity and reduced waste.Another crucial aspect explored in this abstract is the alloy melt and mixing process. By employing CFD simulations, researchers can gain insights into the movement of different alloy components and optimize their distribution within the melt. This aids in achieving the desired alloy composition, ensuring uniformity, and enhancing the mechanical properties of the final product.In addition, the study delves into the movement and flotation of inclusions, which are unwanted impurities present in the metal. CFD can be utilized to model and analyze the behavior of these inclusions, enabling engineers to design efficient strategies for their removal, thereby enhancing the purity and integrity of the final product.Moreover, the abstract considers the impact of melt temperature losses, which can occur during different stages of the manufacturing process. By employing CFD, it becomes possible to understand and mitigate these temperature losses, leading to improved energy efficiency and better control over the manufacturing parameters.Part 1 of this abstract critically evaluates the use of CFD in iron making, analyzing its benefits and limitations. It highlights how CFD can aid in process optimization, improving the understanding of complex phenomena involved in iron making, and ultimately leading to enhanced production efficiency.Part 2 focuses on the application of CFD in steel making and steel operation. It explores the fluid flow dynamics during different stages of steel production, including refining, casting, and rolling. By leveraging CFD, engineers can optimize these processes, leading to improved product quality, reduced defects, and increased productivity.This abstract demonstrates the transformative potential of Computational Fluid Dynamics in metal, steel, and iron manufacturing. By utilizing CFD as a tool to model and analyze complex fluid flow phenomena, researchers and engineers can revolutionize the production process, maximizing efficiency, and ensuring high-quality end products.

Driven by mounting environmental apprehensions stemming from the over dependence on fossil fuels in energy and transportation sectors, extensive exploration into alternative energy sources, particularly biomass, has stimulated profound research on harnessing the potential of computational and mathematical techniques. This comprehensive survey delves into optimal models and strategies, unveiling their pivotal role in the design of biomass gasification processes.of hydrogen through biomass gasification. In this study, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the computational and mathematical techniques employed in optimizing biomass gasification processes, with a specific focus on enhancing hydrogen yield. Through an extensive literature review, various models and strategies will be examined, including thermodynamic analysis, kinetic modeling, reactor design, and process optimization. By uncovering the power of these techniques, we aim to contribute to the advancement of sustainable and efficient biomass utilization for the hydrogen-based future economy.This paper aims to provide an updated and comprehensive coverage of the investigations conducted on the potential of producing hydrogen from biomass through gasification. To achieve this, we incorporate the latest works that have utilized numerical modeling, simulation, optimization techniques, process heat integration, and co-generation in their studies. By encompassing these aspects, we aim to offer a broader and more in-depth re-appraisal of the subject matter. This will ensure that readers gain a holistic understanding of the advances made in the field and the potential for sustainable hydrogen production of biomass gasification.Through a meticulous re-appraisal and analysis of each subject, we can identify their respective strengths and areas that require further research effort. By thoroughly examining numerical modeling, simulation, optimization techniques, process heat integration, and co-generation, we can assess their effectiveness and applicability in the context of biomass gasification for hydrogen production. This analysis shed light on the areas where these techniques excel, as well as pinpoint limitations or gaps in current understanding. By identifying these areas, we can highlight the need for further research and development, enabling us to make significant advancements in biomass gasification processes and pave the way for a sustainable and efficient hydrogen-based future economy..

Carbon dioxide (CO2)miscible fracturing huff and puff technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the recovery rate of crude oil, particularly in reservoirs with challenging physical properties, strong water sensitivity, high injection pressure, and complex water injection dynamics. In this study, the oil-increasing mechanism and huff and puff effect of CO2 miscible fracturing fluid are investigated through a comprehensive experimental approach. Specifically, experiments on PVT gas injection expansion, minimum miscible pressure, and CO2 miscible fracturing huff and puff are conducted on the G fault block reservoir in J Oilfield. The findings demonstrate that injecting CO2 into reservoirs leads to oil volume expansion, viscosity reduction, and saturation pressure increase. Additionally, the inclusion of solubilizers and viscosity reducers further enhances the efficiency of crude oil extraction. Solubilizers not only improve oil recovery but also reduce the minimum miscible pressure required for effective CO2 dispersion. Furthermore, the shut-in time, permeability, and huff and puff method all have considerable impacts on huff and puff recovery rate. This study offers valuable technical insights, supporting the application of CO2 miscible fracturing huff and puff technology to enhance oil recovery in low-permeability reservoirs.

The function of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be impaired by the alternation of the extra- and intracellular environment such as disruption of calcium homeostasis, expression of mutated proteins and oxidative stress. In response to disruptions to ER homeostasis, eukaryotic cells activate canonical branches of signal transduction cascades, collectively termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR attempts to recover the protein folding capacity and avoid irreversible cellular damage. Additionally, the UPR has been shown to play unique physiological roles in the regulation of diverse cellular events, including cell differentiation and development and lipid biosynthesis. Recent studies have indicated that these important cellular events are also regulated by contact and communication among organelles. These reports suggest strong involvement among the UPR, organelle communication and regulation of cellular homeostasis. However, the precise mechanisms for the formation of contact sites and the regulation of its dynamics by UPR remain unresolved. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of how the UPR regulates morphological changes to the ER and the formation of contact sites between the ER and other organelles. We also review how UPR-dependent connections between the ER and other organelles affect cellular and physiological functions.

The function of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be impaired by the alternation of the extra- and intracellular environment such as disruption of calcium homeostasis, expression of mutated proteins and oxidative stress. In response to disruptions to ER homeostasis, eukaryotic cells activate canonical branches of signal transduction cascades, collectively termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR attempts to recover the protein folding capacity and avoid irreversible cellular damage. Additionally, the UPR has been shown to play unique physiological roles in the regulation of diverse cellular events, including cell differentiation and development and lipid biosynthesis. Recent studies have indicated that these important cellular events are also regulated by contact and communication among organelles. These reports suggest strong involvement among the UPR, organelle communication and regulation of cellular homeostasis. However, the precise mechanisms for the formation of contact sites and the regulation of its dynamics by UPR remain unresolved. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of how the UPR regulates morphological changes to the ER and the formation of contact sites between the ER and other organelles. We also review how UPR-dependent connections between the ER and other organelles affect cellular and physiological functions.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the conformational dynamics of pseudo-endocannabinoid receptors (p-CBRs) CB₁ and CB₂ in response to ligand binding. The ligands studied include N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA), Cannabidiol (CBD), known agonists (FUB-MDMB and E3R), and inverse agonists (Taranabant and AM630). Using homology models based on crystal structures (PDB ID: 5U09 for CB₁ and 5ZTY for CB₂), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the research validates the structural integrity and dynamic behaviours of these pseudo-receptors. Induced-fit docking revealed NADA as having the highest binding affinity for both receptors, with docking scores of −13.92 kcal/mol for CB₁ and −13.32 kcal/mol for CB₂, facilitated by key hydrogen bond interactions. MD simulations over 250 ns at ~298 K showed successful equilibration, indicating the most stable interaction for NADA, thereby further validating the models. CB₁ and CB₂ exhibited distinct conformational responses to ligands, with Cα RMSD and Cα RMSF analyses suggesting a more rigid binding pocket for CB₁ and a flexible binding pocket for CB₂. These findings highlight the significance of receptor behaviour and dynamics in the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics, supporting the potential of CBD and NADA as modulators for CB₁ and CB₂, respectively.

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) may convey high current and sustain high breakdown voltages; it may provide high power control. In a sense, how IGBT demonstrates the capability of power control was not specifically described, and the equivalent bipolar junction transistors (BJT) activated by an applied bias to the insulated gate is intriguing. As seen in Figure 1, IGBT shows an equivalent circuit structure containing two types of BJT, (NPN-type Bipolar transistor and PNP-type Bipolar transistor), which can be modeled as diode-associated transistor. Apparently, as a bias applies to the controlling gate, the channel beneath the gate oxide gets strongly inversed and turns out to be conductive just like what happens on metal-oxide-silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET), which provides necessary igniting currents to both BJTs and thus causes high current gain flowing through them-selves from the bottom. A proposed and renewed formula provides addressing the above scenario and successfully fitting the measured data that forms the characteristic curves. Some parameters in the proposed formula, which includes size and mobility associated constant, threshold voltage, and Early-Voltage-related lambda for MOSFET, explain and explore the underlying physics. IGBT thus enjoy high input impedance and high current gain due to MOSFET (Insulated Gate) and BJT, respectively. This formula combines both merits of MOSFET and BJT in order to fit the measured data. Indeed, the formula intimately fits IGBT electrical characteristic curves, and thus may be qualified and served as a model. The new model is then advisable for designing power integrated circuit to exactly achieve power saving, power control, and power efficiency.

This paper addresses the lack of analytical tools for visual data analysis in IEEE Xplore, an abstract database of publications on technical problems in electronics and electrical engineering. The openness of the platform and the good fillability of a large number of bibliometric record fields make it attractive for visual data analysis. The topic of machine learning and artificial intelligence applied to power systems, which are critical issues in the energy transition process, is chosen as an example for visual data analysis. The programs and utilities used for data analysis were VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, FP-Growth algorithm, Inkscape, and MultiDendrograms. The use of IEEE Terms field data to identify publication topics in the exported data is analyzed in the most comprehensive way. This paper can be considered a reference for professionals interested in bibliometric analysis and visualization of IEEE Xplore data.

Objectives. The aim of the study is to identify relevant research topics based on pooled bibliometric data of International Journal of Hydrogen Energy publications from 2022-2024, collected from The Lens and ScienceDirect platforms. Data source. Bibliometric records of International Journal of Hydrogen Energy articles published in 2022-2024 from The Lens and ScienceDirect platforms were used. Programs and utilities used. VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, Inkscape, FP-growth utility. Results. The study showed the feasibility of merging bibliometric records from the open platforms ScienceDirect and The Lens, which complement each other. The 'Fields of Study' data of The Lens can be rationally interpreted as system keywords similar to Scopus Index Keywords. The possibility of using 'Fields of Study' data in a method similar to bibliographic coupling is shown. The practicality of using an Alluvial diagram to show the co-occurrence of the four terms was demonstrated. The study also emphasizes the advisability of joint use of VOSviewer and Scimago Graphica programs for complex visualization of bibliometric analysis results. The study identified two dominant publication topics in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy for 2022-2024, which can be described in terms of: 'Catalysis, Hydrogen, Physical_chemistry, Chemical_engineering, Nanotechnology, Electrochemistry, Organic_chemistry, Materials_science' and 'Electrical_engineering, Hydrogen_production, Renewable_energy, Environmental_science, Hydrogen_economy, Hydrogen, Engineering'.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the ability to visualize the results of the Scilit platform's bibliometric data analysis on the topic "AI & Machine Learning" to identify publications reflecting specific issues of the topic. Data source. Bibliometric records exported from the Scilit platform on the topic "AI & Machine Learning" for the years 2021–2023 were used. For each year, 6,000 records were downloaded in CSV and RIS format. Programs and utilities used. VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, Inkscape, FP-growth utility, GSDMM algorithm. Used services: Elicit, QuillBot, Litmaps. Results. It has been shown that bibliometric data from the open access abstract database Scilit can serve as a quality alternative to subscription-only databases. Data exported from the Scilit platform require preprocessing to make them available in a format that can be processed by programs such as VOSviewer and Scimago Graphica. The use of GSDMM and FP-growth algorithms is effective for structuring bibliometric data for further visualization. The Scimago Graphica software provides wide possibilities for building compound diagrams, in particular, for representing the network of keywords in such important coordinates for bibliometric analysis as average year of publication and average normalized citation, as well as for building an alluvial diagram of co-occurrence of more than two keywords. The possibility of using such services as elicit.com, quillbot.com and app.litmaps.com to accelerate the selection of publications on the topic under study is shown.

Background. Keyword co-occurrence analysis is a crucial tool for comprehending research trends, identifying relevant studies, and gaining insight into the connections between various concepts and topics. Objective. This study focuses on analyzing the co-occurrence of keywords using FP-growth algorithm and direct search methods. Materials and methods. The methodology involved extracting bibliometric data of Energies journal for 2023-2024 from MDPI publisher platform, keyword lemmatization and keyword co-occurrence estimation. Clustering and visualization were performed using Multidendrograms and Scimago Graphica software. Results. The results showed that the FP-growth algorithm can achieve a close match with the direct search results, which facilitates data preparation for clustering. In addition, finding the co-occurrence of three or more keywords significantly reduced the number of possible combinations, which allowed the identification of specific research topics. Conclusions. This study highlights the usefulness of the FP-growth algorithm in keyword analysis and provides insights into ways to refine search queries to abstract databases for the purpose of designing and writing literature and systematic reviews.

Relevance of the subject. Keyword selection is critical to finding relevant literature and requires justification for querying abstract databases and other sources to ensure accuracy and completeness. The topic of Energy Systems is of great importance due to the introduction of renewable energy sources, modern control methods, and complex energy systems during the energy transition. The aim of this study. The goal of this paper was to identify keywords that would be useful to subject matter experts when collecting literature on a particular topic, based on entries in the IEEE Terms field. Data. Bibliometric data were exported from the IEEE Xplore platform in the following order: for 2019-2023, 2000 records sorted by relevance, for 2024, 1680 records current as of April 11, 2024. Analytical methods applied and software used. VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica implementing the Clauset-Newman-Moore algorithm and agglomerative hierarchical clustering method implemented in Multidendrograms. Results. The main issues of the Energy Systems topic are presented in tabular and graphical formats. The fpgrowth utility offers flexible data preparation options, which makes it worthwhile to conduct a separate study to analyze the score of co-occurrence terms given by its algorithm.

Purpose of publication: - Preparation of bibliometric data exported from the Scilit platform on energy efficiency and conservation for further analysis to identify relevant research topics. - To identify potential issues in the processing of data exported from the Scilit platform. - Providing colleagues with the opportunity to use the prepared data and examples of their analysis for independent research on topical issues of energy efficiency and energy conservation using materials provided by the Scilit platform. Research Materials: Files in CSV and RIS formats exported from Scilit for the query "energy conservation OR efficiency" in Common Fields [Title, Abstract, Keyword], using filters: Content Type → Journal Article; Year→2021-2023; Subject → Industrial Engineering (29.8K), Energy and Fuel Technology (9.8K), Manufacturing Engineering (9.2K). A total of 30K records sorted by their relevance (10K for each year) were exported. Data are current as of 14-03-2024. Methods: Preprocessing of title, annotation, and keyword field texts using lemmatization dictionaries collected on GitHub, removal of keywords taken from GATE and spaCy, and "manual" editing. Using VOSviewer to analyze publication topics by clustering keywords based on their co-occurrence. Using Scimago Graphica to build bubble diagrams.Application of the GSDMM algorithm for clustering bibliometric records by title and annotation texts. Creation of a dictionary for this algorithm using the keyword field.Use of the Carrot2 demo version and the NMF algorithm for a more detailed analysis of the topics of the record clusters obtained from GSDMM. Results: are presented in the form of initial and interim tables and graphs obtained in the course of this study. The full tables are provided as references to the attached materials. Supplementary material for this preprint on figshare: Chigarev, Boris (2024). Supplementary material for preprint "Analyzing the Possibilities of Using the Scilit Platform to Identify Current Energy Efficiency and Conservation Issues". figshare. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25574058.v1

The surface characterization of indium tin oxide (ITO) films was processed by oxygen (O2) plasma gas using a magnetron sputtering method of varying O2-plasma gas from 20 sccm to 100 sccm for potentially fostering in electronic devices applications on dye-sensitize solar cells (DSSC) in this work. In order to gain an outstanding performance rate with high-quality thin films, the affect of correlation between the electrical, optical, and morphology properties was significantly investigated. Clearly, the content of investigation exhibited that the films properties was changed by variation of the gas composition. These changes have contemporary relevance to the sputtering gas during the deposition process. To conclude, the greatest electrical properties was displayed by O2 -plasma gas flow rate of 20 sccm, which showed the lowest resistivity. In addition to this, the final products were practically fabricated to active layers for dye-sensitize solar cells (DSSC) applications. The highest efficiency of DSSC device was indicated of approximately 0.35% which was located by 40 sccm of the O2-plasma gas. Consequently, the study could be a possibility way of preparing ITO thin films with improved special properties of substantial applications for solar cells devices in the near future.

We describe a forecast system based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for the prediction of high-impact weather events affecting power utilities, particularly conditions conducive to wildfires. The system was developed for Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation (PG&E) to operationally forecast conditions in Northern and Central California. It was established in 2014 and has been periodically improved. In the current configuration, WRF forecasts are routinely performed multiple times each day on a 2-km grid, and the results are used as input to wildfire fuel moisture, fire probability, and wildfire spread models. Components of the system include a stochastically perturbed ensemble; an annually updated reanalysis covering more than 30 years; and validation against PG&E’s extensive mesonet and other observing networks. We describe the development and validation of the next operational edition. Configurations tested include irrigation triggered by crop growing season and an ensemble-based approach with intelligently sub-selected Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) members. The latter approach allows for enhanced uncertainty sampling in WRF forecasts and can greatly improve WRF forecasts when calibrated by observations.

Interpore hydrates are the main occurrence forms of marine gas hydrates. Pore characteristics are a vital factor affecting the thermodynamic properties of hydrates and their distribution in sediments. Currently, the characterization of the pore system for hydrate-bearing reservoirs are little reported. Therefore this paper focus on the Krishna-Godavari Basin, via varies methods to characterize the hydrate-bearing sediments in the region. The results showed that X-ray Diffraction(XRD) combined with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)and Cast Thin Section (CTS) can better characterize the mineral composition in the reservoir, High Pressure Mercury Injection (HPMI) focused on the contribution of pore size to permeability, Constant Rate Mercury Injection(CRMI) had the advantage of distinguishing between pore space and pore throat, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Cryoporometry (NMRC) technique can not only obtain the pore size distribution of nanopores with a characterization range greater than Nitrogen Gas Adsorption (N2GA), but also quantitatively describe the trend of fluids in the pore system with temperature. As for pore system, Samples 58 and 68 all developed nanopores, the mineral distribution was relatively scattered, and they were rich in paleontological shells such as foraminifera, among which Sample 68 had more pyrite content, and abundant pyrite framboid was observed, which made the intergranular pore develop and provide more nanopores. Sample 58 has a high concentration of pore and throat, high pore connectivity, low pore curvature, and pores with a diameter of 10μm contributing to the main permeability, with an average pore radius of 2.495μm, whereas Sample 68 has poor pore connectivity, high curvature, and pores with a diameter of 1μm contributing to the main permeability, with an average pore diameter of 60 nm, which explains the obvious difference in permeability between the two samples.

Materials engineering based on metal oxides for manipulating the solar spectrum and producing solar energy have been under intense investigation over the last years. In this work, we present NiO thin films double-doped with niobium (Nb) and nitrogen (N) as cation and anion dopants (NiO:(Nb,N)) to be used as p-type layers in all oxide transparent solar cells. The films were grown by sputtering a composite Ni-Nb target on room-temperature substrates in plasma containing 50% Ar, 25% O2 and 25% N2 gases. The existence of Nb and N dopants in the NiO structure was confirmed by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy techniques. The nominally undoped NiO film, which was deposited by sputtering a Ni target and used as the reference film, was oxygen-rich, single-phase cubic NiO, having a visible transmittance of less than 20%. Upon double doping with Nb and N the visible transmittance of NiO:(Nb,N) film increased to 60%, which was further improved after thermal treatment to around 85%. The respective values of the direct band gap in the undoped and double-doped films were 3.28 eV and 3.73 eV just after deposition and 3.67 eV and 3.76 eV after thermal treatment. The changes in the properties of the films such as structural disorder, direct and indirect energy band gaps, Urbach tail states and resistivity were correlated with the incorporation of Nb and N in their structure. The thermally treated NiO:(Nb,N) film was used to form a diode with a spin-coated two-layer, mesoporous on top of a compact, TiO2 film. The NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2 heterojunction exhibited visible transparency of around 80%, showed rectifying characteristics and the diode’s parameters were deduced using the I-V method. The diode revealed photovoltaic behavior upon illumination with UV light exhibiting a short circuit current density of 0.2 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage of 500 mV. Improvements of the output characteristics of the NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2 UV-photovoltaic by proper engineering of the individual layers and device processing procedures are addressed. Transparent NiO:(Nb,N) films can be potential candidates in all-oxide ultraviolet photovoltaics for tandem solar cells, smart windows and other optoelectronic devices.

Micro-plasma is generated in ultra-high-pure hydrogen gas filled inside a cell at a pressure of (1.08 ± 0.033) × 10⁵ Pa (810 ± 25 Torr) by using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser device operated at 1064 nm wavelength and 14 ns pulse duration. Micro-plasma emission spectra of the hydrogen Balmer alpha line, H_α, are recorded with a Czerny-Turner type spectrometer and an intensified charge-coupled device. The spectra are calibrated for wavelength and corrected for detector sensitivity. During the first few tens of nanoseconds after initiating optical breakdown, significantly Stark-broadened and Stark-shifted H_α lines mark the well-above hypersonic outward expansion. The vertical diameters of the spectrally resolved plasma images are measured for time delays of 10 ns to 35 ns to determine expansion speeds of the order of 100 km/s to 10 km/s. For time delays of the order of 0.5 µs to 1 µs, the expansion decreases to the speed of sound of 1.3 km/s in the near ambient temperature and pressure hydrogen gas.

With the offshore oil-gas fields entering decline phase, high-efficiency separation of oil-gas-water mixtures becomes a significant challenge. As essential equipment for separation, the three-phase separators play a key role in Offshore Oil-Gas production. However, level control is critical in the operation of three-phase gravity separators on offshore facilities, as it directly affects the efficacy and safety of the separation process. This paper introduces an advanced deep deterministic policy gradient with adaptive learning rate weights (ALRW-DDPG) control algorithm, which improves the convergence and stability of the conventional DDPG algorithm. An adaptive learning rate weight function is meticulously designed, and an ALRW-DDPG algorithm network is constructed for simulating three-phase separator liquid level control. The effectiveness of the ALRW-DDPG algorithm is subsequently validated through simulation experiments. The results show that the ALRW-DDPG algorithm achieves a 15.38% improvement in convergence rate compared to the traditional DDPG algorithm, and the control error is significantly smaller than that of PID and DDPG algorithms.

In the presented work, on the example of thin-walled specimens made by selective laser melting technology from AlSi10Mg subjected to preliminary heat treatment, it is shown that there is a critical point of transition from the elastic-plastic region of the engineering stress-strain diagram to the yield and fracture stresses. It was found that the critical point has a strong statistically significant correlation (0.83 by Spearman and 0.93 by Pearson) with the strain hardening coeffi-cient calculated in the section from yield strength to fracture strength. A regression equation linking the critical transition point to the strain hardening coefficient was obtained. It is shown that with increasing plasticity of thin-walled samples obtained by selective laser melting of AlSi10Mg leads to a change in the type of stress distribution in the elastic-plastic region (the Weibull distribution changes to a normal distribution) and the contribution of the probability density of stress distribution described by the Cauchy distribution with a mode near the fracture stress to the full probability density of fracture increases.

Flexible capacity applications demands to large energy storage density and high breakdown electric field strength of flexible films. Here, P(VDF-HFP) with ultra-thin Al2O3 nanosheets composite films were designed and fabricated through an electrospinning process followed by hot-pressing in sandwich structured. The results show that the insulating ultra-thin Al2O3 nanosheets and the sandwich structure can enhance the composites' breakdown field (by 24.8%) and energy density (by 30.6%) remarkedly to P(VDF-HFP) polymer matrix. An energy density of 23.5 J/cm3 at the ultrahigh breakdown field of 740kV/mm can be therefore realized. Insulating test and phase-field simulation results reveal that ultra-thin nanosheets insulating buffer layers can reduce the leakage current in composites, thus it effects the electric field spatial distribution to enhance breakdown strength. Our research provides a feasible method to increase the breakdown strength of ferroelectric polymers, which is comparable to those of non-ferroelectric polymers.

Leakage is important in groundwater cycle research and water resource management, the key is to construct the spatial distribution of aquitard. Influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors, the density of boreholes restricts the accuracy of aquitard structure. This paper explores the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) method to construct multi-layer aquitard structure in the hinterland of Songnen Plain, Northeast China, with limited boreholes, and compare it with Inverse Distance Weight (IDW) and Ordinary Kriging (OK) methods to evaluate the leakage. The KNN needs to first identify the eigenvalue-k of each layer, which is used to enhance the trainset to obtain the testset with a larger amount of sample data enhanced, and to make a prediction to obtain the 3-dimensional structure of aquitard. KNN is more accurate than the IDW and OK. The aquitrad structure obtained by the KNN is different from the IDW and OK, the thickness difference is 3.53%-54.00%, the area difference is 2.28%-23.91%, and the difference in leakage can be up to 24.51%. KNN also has a high degree of identification of aquitard edges, which can help the prevention of groundwater pollution. The results provide guidance for water balance analysis, borehole engineering design, water resources management and exploitation.

Predation is a driving force of organismal ecology and evolution. Predator-prey interactions, constrained by other environmental factors and historical contingency, shape physical and behavioral phenotypes of organisms on both sides of the interaction arrow. Yet despite the universality of trophic interactions in biology, study of the ecology and evolution of anti-predator defense is challenging because these interactions tend to be brief and unpredictable, and thus gathering direct evidence requires patience and serendipity. The evolution of prey defenses can be studied by DNA sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis, and the ecology can be studied by field observation and bringing tractable systems into the lab. However, animal models generally do not allow genetic manipulation, strict control of environmental variables, or detailed observation of evolution in real time, all of which are important for demonstrating evolutionary causes and consequences. Developing complementary microbial predator-prey systems can help overcome this hurdle. There is an extensive body of work on microbial experimental evolution, and many microbes come with well-characterized genomes and established methods for genetic manipulation. As understanding of microbial ecology and the mechanisms of their trophic interactions grows apace, these systems are poised to make valuable contributions to our understanding of how predator behaviors evolve, why certain anti-predator defenses evolve and not others, and how multiple defenses function together in a single defense portfolio. These systems will enable us to both test hypotheses formulated from the study of larger organisms and to propose new ones that can be tested in larger organisms with existing methods.

Developing a dependable gas and condensate value chain is vital for the ongoing prosperity of the oil and gas industries. To achieve this, NNPC is enhancing its production facilities by employing process modeling and simulation with the assistance of Symmetry iCON®. As a part of this initiative, a simulation model was created using the Symmetry iCON® pipe plexus solver to simulate the dynamic environment of the gas and condensate pipeline network in the Nigerian Southern region. To validate the model, data from a single month, specifically December 2022, was utilized. Furthermore, the algorithm was utilized to generate projections for the month of January 2023, providing valuable insights into its effectiveness. The study also highlighted the significance of accurately estimating the characteristics and properties of a pseudo component of C6+ in relation to thermodynamics and material properties, which was a particularly insightful finding. he assessment of this property has transitioned from being relatively unimportant to becoming critically important, primarily due to the lack of condensate data monitoring at specific terminals. However, it's worth noting that the model currently has an error margin of 4-6% when predicting the data. As more information becomes available in the future, the model can be easily fine-tuned to better align with the actual conditions, allowing for more accurate predictions.

CoFe2O4 is a promissing catalytic material for many chemical reactions. We have used ab initio molecular dynamic simulations to study the structure and reactivity of the A- and B-terminations of the low index CoFe2O4 (001) surfaces to water adsorption at room temperature. Upon adsorption, water partly dissociates on both termination with a higher dissociation degree on the A- termination (30% versus 19%). The 2-fold coordinated Fe3+(tet) in the tetrahedral voids and the 5-fold coordinated Fe3+(oct) in the octahedral voids are the main active sites for water dissociation on the A- and B-termination, respectively. Molecular water, hydroxydes and surface OH resulting from proton transfer to surface oxygens are present on the surfaces. Both water free sur- face terminations undergo reconstruction. The outermost Fe3+(tet) on the A-termination and B-termination move towards the nearby unoccupied octahedral voids. In the presence of a thin film of 32 water molecules, the reconstructions are partially and completely lifted on the A- and B-termination, respectively.

The aim of this work is the preparation of contact active antimicrobial films by blending copolymers with quaternary ammonium salts and polyacrylonitrile as matrix material. A series of copolymers based on acrylonitrile and methacrylic monomers with quaternizable groups were designed with the purpose of investigating the influence of their chemical and structural characteristics on the antimicrobial activity of these surfaces. The biocide activity of these systems was studied against different microorganisms, such as the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomona aeruginosa and the yeast Candida parapsilosis. The results confirmed that parameters such as flexibility and polarity of the antimicrobial polymers immobilized on the surfaces strongly affect the efficiency against microorganisms. In contrast to the behavior of copolymers in water solutions, when they are tethered to the surface, the active cationic groups are less accessible and then the mobility of the side chain is critical for a good contact with the microorganism. Blend films composed of copolymers with high positive charge density and chain mobility present up to a more than 99.999% killing efficiency against the studied microorganisms.

The article presents the results of the technical-economical study regarding the optimization of the FDM parameters (Lh – the height of the layer deposited in one pass and Id – the filling percentage) for the manufacture of PETG and ASA parts. To carry out the technical-economical study, we used the fundamental principle of value analysis, which consists in maximizing the ratio between Vi/Cp, where Vi - represents the mechanical characteristic, and Cp - represents the production cost. The results of the study show that for the tensile specimens made of PETG, the parameter that significantly influences the results of the Vi/Cp ratios is Lh, and in the case of the compression specimens made of PETG, the parameter that significantly influences the results of the Vi/Cp ratios is Id. In the case of specimens manufactured by FDM from ASA, the parameter that decisively influences the results of the Vi/Cp ratios of the tensile and compression specimens is Id – the filling percentage. By performing optimization of the process parameters with multiple responses, we identified the optimal parameters for FDM manufacturing of parts from PETG and ASA: Lh = 0.20 mm and Id = 100%.

Green Infrastructures (GI) are considered key to reconcile ecological and social benefits by providing multiple functions. The concept is increasingly promoted and guidelines for its implementation have been developed in many countries and regions of the Western Hemisphere. However, for other parts of the world, especially for countries with less developed infrastructures, promotion, guidance for decision-making and manuals for GI are often lacking. But the state of infrastructure development and often unplanned character of settlements in the Global South differ and result in specific constraints as well as demands to GI that need to be addressed explicitly. This study presents a methodological approach to explicitly address the specific conditions and physical limitations to GI development in urban areas of the Global South. A four step methodology was developed to assess the implementation potential for retrofitted and multifunctional urban green infrastructure in public areas. An initial site analysis (1) and the definition of design criteria as well as general strategies (2) to achieve the different dimensions of multi-functionality are the basis to derive spatial typologies (3) for GI elements and finally the spatial suitability assessment for potential placements (4). An application of the methodology to a study area in the metropolitan region of San José, Costa Rica, shows exemplarily that the potential to improve the hydrological conditions (up to 34% of surface runoff reduction), ecological conditions (increase of green space by 2,2 %, creation of 1500 m length of roadside greenery and two new habitat types), and social conditions (2.200 m of road type upgrading) of multi-functionality of the site through Green Infrastructures. These assessment results of different multi-functionality dimension can serve as a guidance for GI promotion and implementation in urban areas of the Global South.

The surface thermodynamic properties of polymers and copolymers modified by supramolecular structures are very used in several industrial processes, such as selective adsorption, paints, coatings, colloids, and adhesion applications. Background: Inverse gas chromatography at infinite dilution was proved to be the best technique to determine the surface properties of solid surfaces by studying the adsorption of some model polar and non-polar organic molecules adsorbed on solid surfaces by varying the temperature. Methods: The retention volume of adsorbed solvents is a precious parameter to obtain the London dispersive and polar free energies and the London dispersive surface energy of styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer modified by supramolecular structure of melamine using the Hamieh thermal model and our new methodology consisting in the separation of the two polar and dispersive free energy of interaction. This led to the determination of the polar acid and base surface energy, and the Lewis’s acid-base constants of the various solid materials. Results: all surface energetic properties of styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer modified by melamine at different percentages were determined as a function of temperature, following our new methodology. Conclusions: It was observed that the styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer exhibited the highest London dispersive surface energy which decreased when the melamine percentage increased. All materials presented higher Lewis’s basicity and this Lewis’s basicity increased with the percentage of melamine.

In order to establish the formation patterns of the Co–Mg oxide system, samples with different Co:Mg ratios and heat treatment temperatures were synthesized and studied. Study of the sam-ples confirmed the phase transition of MgxCo2–xO4 spinels into corresponding solid solutions at 800–900 °C. The similarity of formation patterns for different compositions is shown. The rock-salt oxide in low-temperature samples is an anion-modified paracrystalline phase that forms a “true” solid solution only upon spinel decomposition. TPR profiles of decomposed Co3O4 spinel show surface Co3O4 peaks and a wide peak corresponding to well-crystallized CoO, while par-tial Co3O4 TPR up to 380 °C results in dispersed and amorphous CoO. High-temperature non-stoichiometric samples are poorly reduced, indicating their low oxygen reactivity. Spinel reoxidation after heat treatment to 1100 °C by calcination at 750 °C showed complete regenera-tion for MgCo2O4–Co3O4 samples and its absence in case of an excess of MgO relative to stoi-chiometry. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the processes governing the formation of Co–Mg oxide systems are determined by both Co:Mg ratio and the heat treatment conditions, potentially providing the possibility of fine tuning for specific catalytic processes.

Natural rivers in urban areas bear significant potential to provide ecosystem services for the surrounding inhabitants. However, surface sealing by houses and street networks, urban drainage, disposal of waste and wastewater resulting from advancing urbanization usually lead to the deterioration of urban rivers and their riparian areas. This ultimately damages their ability to provide ecosystem services. This paper presents an innovative methodology for a rapid and low-cost assessment of the ecological status of urban rivers and riparian areas in developing countries under data scarce conditions. The methodology uses a combination of field data and freely available high-resolution satellite images to assess three ecological status categories: river hydromorphology, water quality, and riparian land cover. The focus here is on the assessment of proxies for biophysical structures and processes representing ecological functioning that enable urban rivers and riparian areas to provide ecosystem services. These proxies represent a combination of remote sensing land cover- and field-based indicators. Finally, the three ecological status categories are combined to quantify the potential of different river sections to provide regulating ecosystem services. The development and application of the methodology is demonstrated and visualized for each 100 m section of the Pochote River in the City of León, Nicaragua. This spatially distributed information of the ecosystem service potential of individual sections of the urban river and riparian areas can serve as important information for decision making regarding the protection, future use, and city development of these areas, as well as the targeted and tailor-made development of nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure.

Epidemiological studies indicate an increased risk of cancer from the consumption of very hot foods and beverages. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has already recommended threshold values for the maximum drinking temperature of very hot beverages. The contact time and the contact temperature are decisive for the risk of injury when hot media come into contact with human skin. However, measuring the contact temperature is not easily possible in practice. In the present study, a numerical simulation based on the solution of the heat conduction equation was initially used to investigate whether and for what period of time a constant contact temperature is to be expected under oral conditions. For small circular 3-cm food samples (e.g., cooked potatoes) with 2.5 mm thickness in contact with the tongue, the simulation results in a constant contact temperature of 10 s before cooling. With a thickness of 0.5 mm, the contact temperature is only maintained 1 s. Hot beverages, which spread as a thin film and thereby increase their surface area, can therefore be consumed at higher temperatures than solid foods. Furthermore, a simple test technique with a "measuring spoon" was developed. A hot sample is placed on the tongue. Orientating measurements were used to determine which contact temperature was considered to be just comfortable for any period > 10 s and for which period of less than 10 s it was still just bearable. The contact temperature, which was still perceived as tolerable for periods > 10 s, was 46.5 °C. The time spans for the higher contact temperature 48 °C were between 2 and 4 s and for 49 °C between 1 and 2 s. The course of the contact temperatures determined in the experiment over time allows to calculate the corresponding threshold values of consumption temperatures for various foods. Consumption temperatures of about 56 °C for potatoes and 60 °C for cheese are still perceived as tolerable. In view of the fact that the contact temperature is obviously the determining factor for the risk of injury from burns in the oral cavity in addition to the contact time, it makes sense to reference threshold values to the contact temperature rather than to the surface or consumption temperature of a food product, which is current customary practice. If this contact temperature is defined as a threshold value, the surface or consumption temperature for any other food can be calculated.

This research will investigate how heat treatments affect the behaviour of 3D printed gears made from Polyamide 6 (PA6), a thermoplastic polymer with excellent mechanical properties. However, imperfect structures can result from the 3D printing process, which involves rapid cooling of the molten polymer. Gears were manufactured from PA6 by means of a dedicated 3D printer and their behaviour in gears was then analysed by means of various specific test protocols. Some of the gears were subjected to annealing heat treatments to determine material behaviour, which was a key aspect of this study. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was used to investigate the effect of heat treatments on the mechanical properties of PA6 thermoplastic material, specifically in the area of 3D printed gear mechanisms. The simulations included both static and transient conditions to determine the influence of different heat treatments on the mechanical properties of PA6. Through the use of comprehensive FEA, the research investigates the deformation, stress distribution and strain rates in 3D printed gears and elucidates the correlation between the mechanical properties and the contact pressure on the tooth flanks during gear operation. As conclusion the study mainly uses numerical simulations based on mechanical characteristics determined in our laboratory. The contribution of the study lies in the novelty of highlighting, through the results obtained, the influence of heat treatments on wear and mechanical stress related factors.

This report aimed to know the performance of local mineral-based composite ceramic. The materials used consist of Indonesian local minerals, which are jarosite and manganite minerals as sources of oxide iron and Mangan. The materials were synthesized using the precipitation method, whereas composite ceramic was fabricated using a screen printing method and fired at 600 oC using a furnace. The results of the characterizations indicate that the sample forms three phases on diffraction peaks. The differences in the resistance values in ambient and ethanol environments indicate that the sample has very different responses. The high porosity of the sample greatly support the gas adsorption process. Thus, the sample has a high level of sensitivity. With the above characteristics, the composite ceramic which was fabricated has the potential to be applied to gas sensors, especially ethanol gas sensors.

Twelve overnight fasted, healthy, male volunteers received on separate days a test breakfast consisting of (A) 100 g fresh white bread (providing 50 g starch) and 250 mL drinking water, (B) the same bread with a supplement of 10 g alpha-cyclodextrin dissolved in the drinking water (250 mL), and (C) 250 mL drinking water containing 25 g alpha-cyclodextrin. Capillary and venous blood samples were collected before breakfast and at regular intervals for a period of 3 hours thereafter. Plasma glucose was determined in capillary blood and plasma insulin in venous blood samples. Breakfast (A) let to the expected rise in blood glucose and insulin concentrations. Breakfast (C) did not produce a significant glycemic and insulinemic response, demonstrating that alpha-cyclodextrin is not hydrolyzed to glucose in the human digestive tract. Mild intestinal symptoms after the ingestion of alpha-cyclodextrin were reported by 4 subjects. The postprandial rises of plasma glucose and insulin were significantly smaller after breakfast (B) than (A). Under the conditions of this study, alpha-cyclodextrin reduced the glycemic and insulinemic index of white bread by 57 and 55 %, respectively. The postprandial time profile of plasma glucose and insulin suggests that, in an initial phase, the digestion of starch is inhibited by alpha-cyclodextrin almost completely. Yet, despite the delayed and reduced digestion of starch, the intake of breakfast (B) was not associated with flatulence or any other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Treatment of neurological disease is hampered by the lack of validated specific and sensitive biomarkers, resulting in delayed diagnosis and nonspecific disease modifying therapies. For example, in ALS the lack of a sensitive and specific biomarker impedes the ability to administer a treatment prior to or at the onset of motor neuron dysfunction. Although viral or other infectious etiologies have been proposed as a contributing factor to neurodegeneration, it can be argued that these are casual and not causal associations. In the case of ALS, evidence for direct causality would require in vivo validation of specific nucleotide sequences of microbial origin which are known to be neuroinvasive with tropism for motor neurons, such as polio and non-polio. Several viral enteropathogens recapitulate the pathological events in sporadic ALS, including the ability to cleave TDP-43 resulting in accumulation of misfolded proteins in the cytoplasm. This review provides supporting evidence that motor neuron disease is causally related to specific enteroviruses and argues that prospective validation is imperative for effective prevention and treatment.

Lubricated tribosystems such as main-shaft bearings in gas turbines have been successfully diagnosed by oil sampling for many years. In practice, the interpretation of wear debris analysis results can pose a challenge due to the intricate structure of power transmission systems and the varying degrees of sensitivity among test methods. In this work, oil samples acquired from the fleet of M601T turboprop engines were tested with optical emission spectrometry. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with interaction analysis and post hoc tests were carried out on measurement data from the whole fleet of the M-601T turboprop engines to study the impact of aluminum and zinc concentration on iron concentration. Finally, the developed model was used to evaluate the oil testing results for two specific engines of this type. Thanks to ANOVA, the assessment of engine health is based on a statistically proven correlation between the values of the dependent variable and the classifying factors.

A configurable design of a microstrip square spiral RFID tag antenna, for a wide range of microwave frequencies in S- and C-band, is presented. The design is parameterized in dimensions, and hence changing the design frequency (or frequencies) is easy, by changing only an initial value for the spiral geometry. A tag specimen was fabricated using Cu electroplating technique according to the design for frequencies of interest in the areas of 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. The substrate material is a 320 μm high resistivity Si and the bridge dielectric is a 15μm polyimide PI2525. The microfabrication process involves steps of metallic structure pattern transfer techniques with optical UV lithography procedures. The reflection coefficient and gain of the specimen were measured inside an anechoic enclosure using a vector network analyzer (VNA) and a TEM horn test antenna over a frequency range of up to 6 GHz. Simulated and measured results are presented and discussed, exhibiting reasonable agreement.

The radiative heat transfer in arc plasma models is considered from the point of view of its description in terms of a net emission coefficient, the method of spherical harmonics in its lowest order, and the discrete ordinate method. Net emission coefficients are computed applying approximate and numerical approaches, the multi-band representation of the spectral absorption coefficient with three kinds of its averaging and two datasets. The self-consistent access to the radiative heat transfer is applied to a two-dimensional axisymmetric model of free-burning arc in argon at atmospheric pressure. The results obtained from the models employing the net emission coefficient, the method of spherical harmonics, and the discrete ordinate method are compared.

Ensuring fire safety is an important condition for the successful operation of industrial enterprises. It is necessary to detect the threat of fire before ignition. An indicator of danger is the appearance of gas, which occurs as a result of unauthorized heating of equipment. Gas sensors make it possible to detect the appearance of gases characteristic of the decomposition of materials at the stage of smouldering and pyrolysis, which cause a change in the composition of the atmosphere. This paper presents a mathematical method for the rational placement of gas analyzers for premises of potentially hazardous industries. It is the rational placement of gas sensors, which ensures safety, taking into account economic feasibility that determines the effectiveness of their use. For the first time, the analysis of gas accumulation during the movement of the flow from the source to the ceil-ing, then propagation to the location of the sensors, is used for the first time to select the placement of gas sensors. Depending on the permissible values of the gas volume, the placement and number of gas sensors are selected. The calculation of the conditions for the rational placement of gas sen-sors for the most common indicators, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen at different sizes and heights of rooms, is carried out. The method of calculating the location of gas analyzers makes it possible to diagnose and predict fire hazard at technological facilities on the basis of gas control, and compare the obtained values with the maximum permissible values. This method provides cal-culation of the coordinates of the gas source from the coordinates of the triggered sensors. Knowing the coordinates of all sensors, the coordinates of the sensors that gave the alarm, and the formula for determining the volume of the gas cloud under these sensors, it is possible to assess the localization of the source of dangerous gas in the protected room. This increases the efficiency of the fire safety system. The method makes it possible to control the layout of sensors depending on the volume of protected premises, types of production, the creation of new sensors, changes in the composition of hazardous gas in different technological conditions.

Green Infrastructure promotes the use of natural functions and processes as potential solutions to reduce negative effects derived from anthropocentric interventions such as urbanization. In cities of Latin America, for example, the need for more nature-sound infrastructure is evident due to its degree of urbanization and degradation of ecosystems, as well as the alteration of the local water cycle. In this study, an experimental approach for implementation of a prototype is presented. The experiment took place in a highly urbanized watershed located in the Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica. Initially, understanding the characteristics of the study area at different scales was achieved by applying the Urban Water System Transition Framework to identify the existing level of development of the urban water infrastructure, and potential future stages. Subsequently, preferences related to spatial locations and technologies were identified from different local decision-makers. Those insights were adopted to identify a potential area for implementation of the prototype. The experiment consisted on an adaptation of the local sewer to act as a temporal reservoir to reduce the effects derived from rapid generation of stormwater runoff. Unexpected events, not considered initially in the design, are reported in this study as a means to identify necessary adaptations of the methodology. Our study shows from an experimental learning-experience that the relation between different actors advocating for such technologies influences the implementation and operation of non-conventional technologies. Furthermore, the perception of security associated to green spaces was found as a key driver to increase the willingness of residents to modify their urban environments. In consequence, those aspects should be carefully considered as factors of designs of engineering elements when they are related to complex socio-ecological urban systems.

Epidemiological surveillance and phylogenetic studies rely nowadays on processing and analysing huge volumes of data. Processing tasks consist on running and refining a series of intertwined computational tasks. And, despite of existing several web applications for data processing and interactive visualization for phylogenetic studies, integrating many different tools and algorithms, their execution is total or partially on the client side, making them unsuitable for dealing with huge volumes of data. Studies are often also not easy to reproduce. On the other hand, in recent years, data-centric workflow systems have been proposed, allowing to deal better with increasingly larger datasets. The integration of these systems within phylogenetic tools will allow to scale them as required, and will contribute also to promote studies reproducibility. We propose then the FLOWViZ middleware for facilitating the integration of a state of the art data-centric workflow system, Apache Airflow, within web applications for phylogenetic analyses. This framework abstracts contracts and a core API for defining tools and workflows, where tools are assumed to be containerized. FLOWViZ has been tested and evaluated within the PHYLOViZ web application, a tool supporting phylogenetic inference and data visualization.

The dynamic response of the shed-tunnel structure under rockfall impact attracts much attention in recent years. However, the research on the dynamic response of the shed-tunnel structure under rockfall impact mostly focuses on the rockfall single impact, while in practical engineering, the shed-tunnel structure often encounters the rockfall repeated impacts during its service life. Therefore, this research focuses on exploring the dynamic response characteristics of the shed-tunnel structure under the rockfall repeated impacts. First of all, based on the model test of the shed-tunnel under rockfall impact as a reference, the FEM (Finite Element Method)-SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) coupling numerical calculation model is established based on ANSYS/LS-DYNA finite element code. The numerical simulation of the dynamic response of the shed-tunnel structure under rockfall impact is realized, and the rationality of the model is verified. Then, with this model and the full restart technology of LS-DYNA code, the effects of four factors, e.g. rockfall mass, rockfall impact velocity, rockfall impact angle and rockfall shape, on the impact force and impact depth of the buffer layer, the maximum plastic strain and axial force of the rebar, the shed roof vertical displacement and the shed-tunnel plastic strain are studied. These results show that the cumulative deformation and damage of the shed-tunnel structure caused by the rockfall repeated impacts play an important role in the destruction of the shed-tunnel structure, and the special attention should be paid to this issue.

In offshore drilling, accidents such as gas invasion, overflow, and kicks are inevitable, and they can escalate into blowouts and other catastrophic events that result in casualties and substantial economic losses. Therefore, maintaining drilling safety requires accurate monitoring of gas invasion and overflow. The majority of overflow monitoring methods currently utilized at drilling sites are threshold-based. However, monitoring parameters acquired during actual drilling operations frequently contain noise signals, making it difficult for threshold-based methods to strike a balance between improving accuracy and minimizing false positives. In this paper, Pattern Recognition-based Kick Detection (PRKD) is proposed as a novel method for diagnosing overflow in offshore drilling. This method utilizes the overflow evolution process by integrating multi-phase flow calculations, data filtering theory, pattern recognition theory, the Bayesian framework, and other theoretical models. The PRKD effectively detects and monitors gas intrusion and overflow based on single parameters by analyzing the shape and wave characteristics of the curves. The case analysis demonstrates that the proposed method for monitoring drilling overflow achieves high precision while maintaining a low false positive rate. By combining advanced computational techniques with pattern recognition algorithms, the PRKD improves the accuracy and reliability of kick detection, enabling proactive responses to potential risks, protecting the environment and human lives, and optimizing drilling operations.

Purpose of research was to determine changes in optical quality for monthly disposable soft contact lenses (SCL) wearers with new and monthly worn SCL. Retinal straylight was assessed in SCL wearers using a C-Quant straylight meter. The study included 33 participants (age 22 ± 1.4 years) who wore monthly disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Measurements were taken with month-old SCL that had been worn for no more than 4 hours. Participants then replaced the old lenses with new ones. After a 15-minute adaptation period, straylight measurements were taken with the new SCL. A questionnaire was administered to all participants, inquiring about vision complaints and the type of contact lens material used. The decimal logarithm of the stray-light parameter, log(s), was notably higher with month-old SCL (log(s) = 0.97±0.17) than with brand-new SCL (log(s) = 0.86±0.15), p < 0.001. The average increase in retinal straylight after a month of SCL use was log(s) = 0.11 ± 0.08. The questionnaire revealed that 35% of participants observed a reduction in visual quality after wearing the contact lenses for a month. Results showed that monthly disposable soft contact lenses could reduce visual quality when scheduled replacement time has been reached.

This study aims to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from China's sludge treatment industry and explore the potential of novel technologies to mitigate these emissions, promoting sustainable sludge management practices. Using a life cycle assessment approach, the total GHG emissions from sludge treatment in 2017 were estimated at 18.54 Mt CO2-eq, with significant regional variations. Incineration contributed the highest emissions (1,011.53 kg CO2-eq/t dry sludge), followed by landfill (717.51 kg CO2-eq/t) and land application (276.41 kg CO2-eq/t). The uneven distribution of emissions across cities highlights the need for targeted mitigation strategies that consider local sustainability challenges. Principal component analysis revealed that economic factors and treatment scale significantly influence emissions, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability goals with economic development. To reduce the carbon footprint of sludge treatment and enhance sustainability, the mitigation potential and costs of various technologies were evaluated, including thermal conversion, anaerobic digestion, hydrothermal processes, and wet oxidation. These technologies offer GHG emission reductions ranging from 0.09 to 0.46 t CO2-eq/t dry solids compared to conventional methods, while also promoting resource recovery and circular economy principles. However, further optimization is necessary to enhance their environmental and economic performance, ensuring long-term sustainability. By implementing these technologies and adopting optimization strategies, China's sludge treatment industry can significantly contribute to achieving the country's carbon neutrality goal and fostering sustainable development.

Due to its potential harm to space payload, microwave corona breakdown of microstrip circuits has attracted much attention. This work describes an efficient way to suppress corona breakdown. Since corona breakdown threshold is determined by the highest electric field intensity at the surface of microstrip circuits, lacquer coating with thickness of tens of microns is sprayed on the top of microstrip circuits. The applied dielectric coating is used to move the discharge location away from circuit’s surface which is equivalent to reduce the highest electric field intensity on the in-terface of solid/air of the circuit and thus results into higher breakdown threshold. Two designs of classic coupled-line band-pass filter were used for verification. Corona experimental results at 2.5 GHz show that, in the interested low pressure range (100 to 4500 Pa), 5.3 dB improvement of mi-crowave corona breakdown threshold can be achieved for a filter with narrowest gap of 0.2 mm while its electrical performances like insertion loss, Q-factor are still acceptable. A threshold improvement prediction method is also presented and validated.

This paper presents a novel sensor for the detection and characterization of regions of air turbulence that would be of use to improve UAV stability in bad weather. It consists of a combined Schlieren imager and a Radar Acoustic Sounding System (RASS) to produce dual modality “images” of air movement within the measurement volume. The ultrasound modulated Schlieren imager consists of a strobed point light source, parabolic mirror, light-block and camera which are controlled by two laptops. It provides a fine scale projection of the acoustic pulse modulated air turbulence through the measurement volume. The narrow beam 40 kHz/ 17 GHz RASS produces spectra based on Bragg enhanced Doppler radar reflections from the acoustic pulse as it travels. Tests using artificially generated air vortices showed some disruption of the Schlieren image and of the RASS spectrogram. This should allow the higher resolution Schlieren images to identify the turbulence mechanisms that are disrupting the RASS spectra.

This paper introduces an innovative approach to numerically model Structure-Soil-Structure Interaction (SSSI) by integrating the Boundary Element Method (BEM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) in a coupled manner. To assess the accuracy of the proposed method, a comparative study is undertaken, comparing its outcomes with those generated by the conventional FEM technique. Alongside accuracy, the computational efficiency aspect is crucial for the analysis of large-scale SSSI problems. Hence, the computational performance of the coupled BEM-FEM method undergoes a thorough examination and is compared with that of the standalone FEM method. The results from these comparisons illustrate the superior capabilities of the proposed method in comparison to the FEM method. The novel approach provides more reliable results compared to traditional FEM methods, serving as a valuable tool for engineers and researchers involved in structural analysis and design.

Micro satellites must survive severe mechanical conditions during their launch phase. Therefore, structural design requirements are imposed on the micro satellites. These requirements are the strength requirement and the stiffness requirement. Usually, the structural design of a micro satellite is performed using the internal stress analysis and the natural frequency analysis, which are based on a Finite Element Method (FEM). The validity of this structural design is evaluated through vibration tests. In an early stage of development, which has a FEM model of a satellite in the process of creation, presumption of the natural frequency of a satellite may be difficult. In this study, a simple method for determining the longitudinal and lateral minimum natural frequencies of the micro satellites during the ascent phase was clarified. The structure of the micro satellites used in this research is made of aluminum alloy, and they have a monocoque structure. The Young's modulus and moment of inertia of area used to calculate the minimum natural frequencies were determined using the area ratio of the monocoque structure to the entire satellite. When this method is used, the estimated minimum natural frequencies of the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction are in agreement with the measured values acquired by the vibration tests. In order to shorten the process of micro satellites development, this paper describes a practical estimation method of the minimum natural frequency for micro satellites.

Contact inhibition (CI) represents a crucial tumor-suppressive mechanism responsible for controlling the unbridled growth of cells, thus preventing the formation of cancerous tissues. CI can be further categorized into two distinct yet interrelated components: CI of locomotion (CIL) and CI of proliferation (CIP). These two components of CI have historically been viewed as separate processes, but emerging research indicates that they share both distinctive and common pathways. Moreover, they exhibit intriguing intersections with mechanotransduction, a process that involves cells sensing and responding to mechanical forces. This review article describes the intricate interplay between mechanical forces and CI, shedding light on how these forces regulate CIL and CIP. Emphasis is placed on filamin A (FLNA)-mediated mechanotransduction, elucidating how FLNA senses mechanical forces and translates them into crucial biochemical signals that regulate cell locomotion and proliferation. In addition to FLNA, trans-acting factors (TAFs) emerge as sensitive players in both CI and the mechanotransduction process. This article presents methods for identifying these TAFs and profiling the associated changes in chromatin structure, offering valuable insights into CI and mechanotransduction regulation. Finally, it addresses unanswered research questions in these fields and delineates their possible future directions.

Our decisions today are part of an economic thinking which aims to fix problems and increase the efficiency of capital markets. Our economy is still largely approached as a system which is unre-lated to our environment or social returns like community well-being, social cohesion, equitable distribution of resources, etc. To fully incorporate sustainability into cost-benefit analysis, busi-nesses need to change their financial approach, showcasing how long-term thinking impacts prof-its. Money's value is not static and evolves with time and technology. We propose to introduce a variation of cost/benefit and present value calculations. Precise calculations reveal the benefits of long-term strategies over short-term profit focus. As financial systems evolve and technology advances, the accurate calculation of money's time value will continue to play a crucial role in shaping economic landscapes and guiding financial choices. In this article, we demonstrate that updated calculations could be a key enabler to visualize the benefits of long-term thinking or “patient finance” as compared to a short-term focus on profit. We introduce the concept and calculation of a Present Future Value (PFV).

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are used in the manufacturing process of the semiconductor and display industries, and the need for emission reduction is growing as a greenhouse gas with a very large global warming potential. The decomposition characteristics of etch type and water film (WF) type plasma-wet scrubbers were investigated. The PFCs used in the study were CF4, SF6, NF3, CHF3, C2F6, C3F8, and C4F8, and the destruction removal efficiency (DRE) and by-product gas generation rate according to the changes in the parameters (total flow rate and power) of the plasma-wet scrubber were confirmed. When the total flow rate was 100 L/min and the measured maximum power (11 kW), the reduction efficiency of CF4 in the etch type was 95.60 % and the DRE of other PFCs was 99.99 %. And, in the WF type, the DRE of CF4 was 90.06 %, that of SF6 was 96.44 %, and that of other PFCs was 99.99 %. When the total flow rate was 300 L/min and 11 kW, the DRE of SF6 in the etch type was 99 %, and the DRE of NF3, CHF3, C2F6, C3F8, and C4F8 were 99.80 %, 95.34 %, 85.38 %, 88.49 %, and 98.22 %, respectively. And, in the WF type, the DRE of SF6 was 94.39 %, and the DRE of NF3, CHF3, C2F6, C3F8, and C4F8 were 99.80 %, 95.34 %, 85.38 %, 88.49 %, and 98.22 %, respectively. The by-product gas generation rate was significantly lower in the WF type.

Current paper is aiming to show the obtained results in manufacturing and characterization of graphite-based and metal composite materials suitable to be used in high voltage applications of automotive and/or aviation field. Thus, 4 types of materials have been processed and tested in order to assess their suitability to be used as current collector material for electric engines. The novelty of this work is the presentation of the new innovative technological process for obtaining the carbon/metal composite material used in the manufacture of sliding contacts for current collector heads, as well as the characteristics obtained for this material. All 4 obtained materials have been characterized from structural, mechanical and functional point of view and the most suitable of them has been chosen to be further developed by the end beneficiary.

This paper presents a methodology for determining the sensitivity of the main air flow directions in ventilation subnetworks to changes of aerodynamic resistance and of air density in mine workings. Formulae for determination of the sensitivity of the main subnetwork air flows by establishing the degree of dependency of the air volume stream in a given working on the variations in resistance or air density of other workings of the network have been developed. They have been implemented in the VentGraph mine ventilation network simulator. This software, widely used in Polish collieries provides an extended possibility to predict the process of ventilation, air distribution and, in the case of underground fire, also the spread of combustion gasses. The new method facilitates assessment by mine ventilation services of the stability of ventilation systems in exploitation areas and determine of the sensitivity of the main subnetwork air flow directions to changes of aerodynamic resistance and air density. Recently in some Polish collieries new longwalls are developed in seams located deeper then the bottom of the intake shaft. Such solution is called “exploitation below the level of access” or “sublevel”. The new approach may be applied to such developments to assess the potential of changes of direction and air flow rates. In addition, interpretation of the developed sensitivity indicator is presented. While analyzing air distributions for sublevel exploitation, application of current numerical models for calculations of the distribution results in tangible benefits, such as the evaluation of the safety or risk levels for such exploitation. Application of the VentGraph computer program, and particularly the module POŻAR (fire) with the newly developed options, enables an additional approach to the sensitivity indicator in evaluating air flow safety levels for the risks present during exploitation below the level of the intake shaft. The analyses performed and examples presented enabled useful conclusions in mining practice to be drawn.

The contact materials in high-voltage vacuum interrupter require properties such as high conductivity, high density, and high hardness to minimize arc heat damage. In this study, copper–molybdenum-chromium alloys contact materials are examined for a high voltage contact material. Ball milling process was carried out after analyzing the raw materials of copper, chromium, and molybdenum powders. A green compact was produced using a high press with the mixed powder. Afterwards, composite was produced by sintering method according to temperature and infiltration method according to Cu content in green compact. The composite of sintering method showed a density of 8.55 g/cm3 (relative density 93%) a hardness of 217 HV, and an electrical conductivity of 40.7 IACS% at 1200 °C. The composite of 10 wt.% Cu produced by the Cu infiltration method showed a density of 8.7 g/cm3 (relative density 94%), Hardness of 274HV and electrical conductivity of 39 IACS% at 1300 °C. The measurements of physical properties showed the new possibility of using the Cu–Cr–Mo alloy as a contact material for high-voltage vacuum interrupters.

In this paper, we study the global existence and exponential decay for a dynamic contact problem between a Timoshenko beam with second sound and two rigid obstacles, of which the heat flux is given by Cattaneo's law instead of the usual Fourier's law. The main difficulties arise from the irregular boundary terms, from the low regularity of the weak solution and from the weaker dissipative effects of heat conduction induced by Cattaneo's law. By considering related penalized problems, proving some a priori estimates and passing to the limit, we prove the global existence of the solutions. By considering the approximate framework, constructing some new functionals and applying the perturbed energy method, we obtain the exponential decay result for the approximate solution, and then prove the exponential decay rate to the original problem by utilizing the weak lower semicontinuity arguments.

The correct classification of defects originating from partial discharges (PD) in medium-voltage (MV) switchgears with air insulation (AIS) remains a challenging research topic for scientists worldwide. In this article, the authors simulated four possible defects occurring in the power industry, including one that is a simultaneous combination of two commonly ones. In addition, the correctness of the algorithm was checked by adding a classification class without any fault. The measurement signals were recorded with TEV sensors. The effectiveness of various hy-brid-connected neural networks was tested and discussed: GoogleNet and SqueezeNet based on spectrograms, SAE with FNN, 2D-CNN with LSTM, and hybrid AE combined with CNN and LSTM. The highest effectiveness – approximately 97% – was demonstrated by the GoogleNet and SqueezeNet networks. The research results are expected to form the basis for the development of a universal and wireless capacitive sensor for monitoring the level of PD in switchgears.

Analyses of the three predominant types of sedimentation – clastic, carbonate and black shale – revealed their discontinuity/continuity in different facies environments of the Middle and Late Devonian of the central part of the Volga-Urals petroleum province, namely (1) in depressions, both condensed and non-condensed, (2) on the slopes of depressions and (3) in shallow water environments represented by tectonic arches or localised biohermal uplifts. The regional zonation of conodonts, correlated with the global chronostratigraphic scheme, substantiates the stratigraphic completeness of the general Devonian sequence in this area. In particular, the sedimentation of organic-rich black shales, traditionally considered as source rocks, lasted more than 29 million years, starting from the Late Eifel and ending at the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary. There was only one hiatus in the deposition of both black shales and carbonate sediments, lasting about 2.5 million years at the end of the Frasnian. That interval is dominated by clastic sediments, which are considered to be the most productive reservoirs of the Volga-Ural province. In the time interval from the beginning of the Eifel to the end of the Frasnian (about 17 Ma), (a) clastic sediments show the highest accumulation rates; (b) the most complete sequences occur in depressions; and (c) arches and uplifts show the most significant gaps in the geological record. During Famennian, (a) clastic sedimentation has completely ceased; (b) differences between the slopes of troughs and shallow-water environments have diminished, resulting in stable accumulation of carbonate sediments in both settings; (c) the decrease in sequence thickness (up to 50 m) in depressions suggests reduced accumulation rates of deep-water organic-rich black shales. The results help to understand the complex spatial relationship between different coexisting sedimentation types and focus attention to the incompleteness of the geological record in different environments.

Electrical contacts are important circuit components with diverse industrial applications, and their failure can lead to multiple unwanted effects. Hence, the behavior of electrical contacts is a widely studied topic in scientific literature based on various approaches, tools, and techniques. The present study proposes a numerical modeling and simulation approach based on the Holm contact theory to study the dependence between the electric potential and the temperature within an electrical contact. Structured in 5 sections, the research was conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics software and its solid-state mechanics, electric current, and heat transfer modules in order to highlight contact behavior from mechanical, electrical and thermal points of view: the von Mises stress, contact force, the electric field amplitude, the variation of the electrical potential along the current path, the temperature gradient, and dependence of temperature along the contact elements edges were obtained by simulation and graphically represented. The results are in line with the expectations and with past research that was studied in the literature review.

High-precision conical threads are widely used in responsible joints in the drilling of oil and gas wells. Difficult underground drilling conditions due to the occurrence of significant mechanical loads and an aggressive environment in wells require the use of workable materials that are often difficult to machine. The huge need for such connections dictates the use of high-performance cutting tools, which means that high demands are placed on their effective geometric performance. The study describes the theoretical dependence of the profile precision of the tapered drill-string tool-joint threads of all standard sizes on the complex of a cutting tool geometric parameters and cutting tool setting accuracy. The experiments include an assessment of the geometric accuracy of the profile of the obtained NC23 thread connector, depending on the values of the installation angles and the declared tangential displacement of the standard threaded carbide insert.

Registration of the flow pattern fine structure and the matter distribution of a free falling liquid drop in a target fluid at rest in the impact mode of coalescence, when the kinetic energy of the drop exceeds its available potential surface energy (APSE), was carried out by photo and video recording. The main attention was paid to the study of the flow structure at the initial stage of the cavity formation. To carry out color registration, the flow pattern was illuminated by several matrix LED and fiber optic sources of constant light. The planning of experiments and interpretation of the results were based on the properties of the complete solutions of the fundamental equations of fluid mechanics system, including the transfer and conversion of energy processes. Complete solutions of the system of equations describe large-scale flow components that are waves or vortices as well as thin jets (ligaments, filaments, fibers, trickles). In experiments, the jets are accelerated by the converted available potential surface energy (APSE) when the free surfaces of merging fluids were eliminated. The experiments were performed with the coalescence of water, solutions of alizarin ink, potassium permanganate, copper sulphate or iron sulphate drops in deep water. In all cases, at the initial contact, the drop begins to lose its continuity and breaks up into a thin veil and jets, the velocity of which exceeds the drop contact velocity. Small droplets, the size of which grows with time, are thrown into the air from spikes at the jet tops. On the surface of the liquid, the fine jets leave colored traces that form linear and reticular structures. Part of the jets penetrating through the bottom and wall of the cavity forms an intermediate covering layer. The forming layer jets are separated by interfaces of the target fluid. The processes of molecular diffusion equalize the density differences and form an intermediate layer with sharp boundaries in the target fluid. All noted structural features of the flow are also visualized when a fresh water drop isothermally spreads in the same tap water. The fast-changing and finely structured diffuse boundary of merging fluids, which at the initial stage has a complex and irregular shape, is gradually smoothed out by molecular diffusion processes. The similar flow patterns were observed in all performed experiments, however the geometric features of the flow depend on the individual thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the contacting fluids.

Article contents the analytical model of the drift of a separate ice field under action of wind and current, which velocities and directions can vary during time. Model takes into account the mass of ice, added mass of sea water and the effects of the wind and current on the ice field in form the friction on its upper and underwater surfaces and frontal resistance on its end (forward and backward) surfaces. Results of performed the steady wind drift of the ice fields modelling show the drift velocity exceeds considerable known velocity of a compact ice cover wind drift. Drifting ice field has the certain kinetic energy that should be released when collision with unmovable obstacle and spent on brittle breakdown of part of the ice field. Volume of formed small ice pieces (fragments of ice field) was estimated by comparison of the specific energy of the sea ice brittle destruction and the kinetic energy of drifting ice field. Article presents the results of estimation of possible volume of the ice pieces and the scales of formed piles as result of collision with an obstacle depending on initial dimensions of ice field and wind speed. Developed models and the results of computer modelling can be used to estimate the ice pile sizes near the stationary platforms and terminals on the Arctic seas.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) of pharmaceutical drugs that contain paracetamol is investigated in air and argon atmospheres. Characteristic neutral and ionic spectral lines of various elements and molecular signatures of CN violet and C₂ Swan band systems are observed. The relative hardness of all drug samples is measured as well. Principal component analysis, a multivariate method, is applied in data analysis for demarcation purposes of the drug samples. The CN violet and C₂ Swan spectral radiances are investigated for evaluation of possible correlation of the chemical and molecular structures of the pharmaceuticals. Complementary Raman and Fourier-transform-infra-red spectroscopies are used record molecular spectra of the drug samples. The applicationof the above techniques for the drug screening are important for identification and mitigation of drugs that reveal additives that may cause adverse side-effects.

In the moist environment of soil-water-air, there is a problem of low accuracy in monitoring Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) using a Photoionization Detector (PID). This paper analyzes the reasons for the low accuracy of the traditional Support Vector Machine (SVM) regression method. To address the issue, the PID signal is subjected to feature extraction and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce the data dimensionality. Moreover, the optimal SVM parameters are selected using a Genetic Algorithm (GA), and a combined approach of SVM regression with PCA and GA is utilized for PID signal regression analysis. And the effectiveness of the method is validated through extensive experiments and simulations. Furthermore, the influence of the sample quantity on the regression accuracy is analyzed, enabling accurate monitoring of VOCs concentration in a moist environment.

Anomaly detection plays a significant role in helping gas turbines run reliably and economically. Considering collective anomalous data and both sensitivity and robustness of the anomaly detection model, a sequential symbolic anomaly detection method is proposed and applied to the gas turbine fuel system. A structural Finite State Machine is to evaluate posterior probabilities of observing symbolic sequences and most probable state sequences they may locate. Hence an estimating based model and a decoding based model are used to identify anomalies in two different ways. Experimental results indicates that these two models have both ideal performance overall, and estimating based model has a strong ability in robustness, while decoding based model has a strong ability in accuracy, particularly in a certain range of length of sequence. Therefore, the proposed method can well facilitate existing symbolic dynamic analysis based anomaly detection methods especially in gas turbine domain.

A comprehensive study of the interactions of human serum albumin (HSA) and α-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) with two isoquinoline alkaloids: allocryptopine (ACP) and protopine (PP) was performed. The UV-Vis spectroscopy, molecular docking, competitive binding assays, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy were used for the investigations. The results showed that ACP and PP form spontaneous and stable complexes with HSA and AAG, with ACP displaying a stronger affinity towards both proteins. Molecular docking studies showed also revealed the preferential binding of ACP and PP to specific sites within HSA, with site 2 (IIIA) being identified as the favored location for both alkaloids. This was supported by competitive binding assays using markers specific to HSA's drug binding sites. Similarly, for AAG, a decrease in fluorescence intensity upon addition of the alkaloids to AAG/ Quinaldine Red (QR) complexes indicated the replacement of the marker by the alkaloids, with ACP showing a greater extent of replacement than PP. CD spectroscopy showed that the proteins’ structures remained largely unchanged suggesting that the formation of complexes did not significantly perturb the overall spatial configuration of these macromolecules. These findings are crucial for advancing the knowledge on the natural products-protein interactions and the future design of isoquinoline alkaloid-based therapeutics.

Medical institutions, where several patients are treated and medical workers engaged, are always exposed to secondary viral and bacterial infections. It is critical to prevent infection transmission by indirect as well as direct contact through air or splash. The infections of most diseases can be transmitted through the air. HEPA filters installed in air conditioning equipment are used to prevent infection transmission through air in medical institutions, but air circulation takes a long time in a large space. Virus and bacteria smaller than 0.3 μm cannot be removed by the HEPA filter; hence, those microbes remain alive throughout the air ventilation. A plasma sterilizer has the capability to provide environmental friendly sterilization by employing reactive oxide species and reactive nitrogen species at a low cost. We developed an excellent plasma sterilizer by using a non-thermal atmospheric-pressure biocompatible plasma (NBP). Ozone concentration in plasma sources has been derived by Kuhn et al. [1]. The diffusion coefficients inside (D₀) and outside (D₁) the plasma sterilizer have been calculated to be 0.0641 m² s^-1 and 0.717 m² s^-1, respectively. To sustain high O₃ concentrations over 121 ppm inside the plasma source and low O₃ concentrations below 0.05 ppm outside the sterilizer, it is necessary to keep O₃ concentrations at the exit of plasma sterilizer below 0.28 ppm. so that diffusion coefficient D₁ has been designed to be as large as 11 times of D₀.

The widespread use of renewable energy sources has considerably expanded distributed generation. An unbalanced load on distribution cables may also result from the recent increase in novel appliances and electric vehicles, the reverse power flow may create short-term overloads. These transient overloads increase the temperature for a short time beyond the limit, which causes degradation. However, the temperature distribution on the cable is not even. Therefore, the cable components are not degraded evenly and similarly. This publication describes the change in electrical properties of low-voltage cables caused by short-term cyclic artificial ageing to track the impact of these brief temperature rises. This study examines how cable structure affects the dielectric characteristics of cable specimens. Four cable samples, each measuring 50 cm in length (SZAMKAM 0.6/1 kV 16 mm2× 4 manufactured by Prysmian MKM Kft, Hungary) put through an accelerated ageing test in a temperature-controlled oven after changing their structures by removing their layers. Three rounds, each of six hours, accelerated thermal ageing were applied. After each round of ageing, the dielectric parameter tanδ and capacitance were measured by Dirana Dielectric Response Analyzer in the laboratory at room temperature 24±0.5∘C. Furthermore, the polarization and depolarization currents were also studied. The results show that changing the cable structure impacts the dielectric parameters, especially the effect of belting layer is significant. From point of view of aging the PVC belting layer protects the diffusion of plasticizers of inner structure.

The paper presents a new procedure for assessing the polarity and hydrophobicity of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on the measurement of the DES contact angle on glass. DESs consisting of benzoic acid derivatives and quaternary ammonium chlorides – tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) and benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride (16-BAC) in selected mole ratios were chosen for the study. To investigate the DESs polarity, an optical goniometer and an ET(30) solvatochromic scale based on the Reichardt’s dye were used. The research demonstrated the high accuracy and precision of the developed procedure. The simplicity of the examination and the availability of basic equipment allow the implementation of the developed procedure in routine investigations of DESs.

Plaque psoriasis is a common, long-lasting illness that affects the immune system and causes significant negative impacts on a patient's physical health, well-being, and ability to work effectively. Deucravacitinib (DEU) is the first oral medication used in the treatment of plaque psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin. DEU is a type of medication called an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, which works by blocking specific enzymes that play a role in the inflammation and immune response associated with psoriasis. Therefore, a quick, easy, novel, reliable, sensitive, and straightforward Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach was used to analyse DEU in plasma samples. The LC-MS/MS method for the determination of DEU in human plasma was based on using trimethoprim as an internal standard (IS). The separation of DEU and IS was carried out via liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The isolated substances were then subjected to the chromatographic system using the ACE-C18 column (4.6x100 mm, 5 µm). The mobile phase employed consisted of methanol and a solution of 2 mM ammonium formate (80:20 v/v, respectively). The flow rate used was set at 0.9 mL min-1. The creative strategy was performed by running an ABSCIEX API 4000 mass spectrometer with an electron spray ionization source in Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) modes. The ion transitions m/z 426.3  358.2 was used for DEU quantitation, while the ion transitions m/z 291.1  261.1 was used for trimethoprim quantitation. The accuracy, precision, linearity, recovery, and selectivity of DEU were deemed acceptable when validated for a concentration range between 0.500 to 601.050 ng/mL, utilizing a weighting factor of 1/x2.

Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) is a possible earliest detectable sign of dementia, but we do not know what mental processes lead to elevated concern. We summarize the previous literature on the biomarkers and functional neuroanatomy of SCD. To extend the current most-popular theory of SCD, compensatory hyperactivition, we introduce a new model: breakdown of homeostasis in the prediction error minimization system. A cognitive prediction error is a discrepancy between an implicit cognitive predictions and the corresponding outcome. Experiencing frequent prediction errors may be a primary source of elevated subjective concern. Our homeostasis breakdown model explains the progression both from normal cognition to SCD and from SCD to advanced dementia stages.

The quiet-time solar wind electrons feature non-thermal characteristics when viewed from the perspective of their velocity distribution functions. They typically have an appearance of being composed of a denser thermal “core” population plus a tenuous energetic “halo” population. At first, such a feature was empirically fitted with the Kappa velocity space distribution function, but ever since the ground-breaking work by Tsallis, the space physics community has embraced the potential implication of the Kappa distribution as reflecting the non-extensive nature of the space plasma. From the viewpoint of microscopic plasma theory, the formation of non-thermal electron velocity distribution function can be interpreted in terms of the plasma being in a state of turbulent quasi equilibrium. Such a finding brings forth the possible existence of a profound inter-relationship between the non-extensive statistical state and the turbulent quasi-equilibrium state. The present paper further develops the idea of solar wind electrons being in the turbulent equilibrium, but unlike the previous model, which involves the electrostatic turbulence near the plasma oscillation frequency (i.e., Langmuir turbulence), the present paper considers the impact of transverse electromagnetic turbulence, particularly, the turbulence in the whistler-mode frequency range. It is found that the coupling of spontaneously-emitted thermal fluctuations and the background turbulence leads to the formation of non-thermal electron velocity distribution function of the type observed in the solar wind during quiet times. This demonstrates that the whistler-range turbulence represents an alternative mechanism for producing the Kappa-like non-thermal distribution, especially close to the Sun and in the near-Earth space environment.

An outbreak caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. Up to March 2, 2020, at least 80180 cases have been reported. Most of the patients had a history of visiting Hubei Province or contacting with people who had ever stayed in or passed by Hubei Province, or exposed to symptoms. Some patients got infected only from asymptomatic contacts. This study aimed to report the epidemic features and lab identification of a patient confirmed with COVID-19 infection only from asymptomatic contact.

Maritime data not only identify financial resources that can significantly enhance the efficiency of shipping companies but also play a pivotal role in promoting eco-friendly and sustainable shipping practices. However, active corporate strategies are required to include maritime data essential for the commercial operation of autonomous ships in the form of corporate assets by transparent evaluating the data. The aim of this study is to review previous studies on da-ta-valuation models, identify a valuation model suitable for maritime business, consider the characteristics of maritime data. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method is used to derive priorities for valuing maritime data assets, with emphasis placed on the characteristics of mari-time data, followed by the character of the future-oriented maritime-data market and the da-ta-valuation model. The results obtained that the most important factors in selecting a maritime data-valuation model by analyzing the AHP method were identified as the characteristics of the maritime data(M1). The next most important factors analyzed were the features of the mari-time-data market(M2) and the features of the maritime data-valuation model(M3) in order. In addition, the characteristics of maritime data were preferentially considered among the main criteria, and the market approach (A2) was selected as the most optimal valuation model. The potential impact of this implementation could contribute to the establishment of an intelligent technology market by estimating the value of data and developing a platform for maritime data trading, allowing for more efficient data sharing and utilization by maritime autonomous sur-face ship(MASS).

Monitoring is an important component of pest management, to prevent or mitigate outbreaks of native pests, and to check for quarantine organisms. Surveys often rely on trapping, especially when the target species respond to semiochemicals. Many traps are available for this purpose, but they are bulky in most cases, which raises transportation and deployment issues, and they are expensive, which limits the size and accuracy of any network. To overpass these difficulties, entomologists have used recycled material, such as modified plastic bottles, producing cheap and reliable traps but at the cost of recurrent handywork, not necessarily possible for all end-users (e.g., for national plant protection organizations). These bottle-traps have allowed very large surveys which would have been impossible with standard commercial traps, and we illustrate this approach with a few examples. Here we present, under a Creative Commons BY-SA License, the blueprint of a fan-trap, a foldable model, laser-cut from a sheet of polypropylene, that can rapidly be produced in large numbers, and could be transported and deployed in the field with very little efforts. Our first field comparisons show that fan-traps are as efficient as bottle-traps, and we describe two cases where they are being used for monitoring.

Tellurium exhibits exceptional intrinsic electronic properties. However, investigations into the modulation of tellurium's electronic properties through physical modification are notably scarce. Here, we present a comprehensive study focused on the evolution of the electronic properties of tellurium crystal flakes under plasma irradiation treatment by employing conductive atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The plasma-treated tellurium experienced a process of defect generation through lattice broken. Prior to the degradation of electronic transport performance due to plasma irradiation treatment, a remarkable observation emerged: in the low-energy region of hydrogen plasma-treated tellurium, a notable enhancement in conductivity was unexpectedly detected. The mechanism underlying this enhancement in electronic transport performance was thoroughly elucidated by comparing it with the electronic structure induced by argon plasma irradiation. This study not only fundamentally uncovers the effects of plasma irradiation on tellurium crystal flakes, but also unearths an unprecedented trend of enhanced electronic transport performance at low irradiation energies when utilizing hydrogen plasma. This abnormal trend bears significant implications for guiding the prospective application of tellurium-based 2D materials in the realm of electronic devices.

As a photo-catalytic titanium oxide film deposition process, thermal spray is hoped to be utilized practically on the condition that it is relatively easy to deposit anatase rich films. However, because of its high equipment and feedstock powder costs, it is very difficult to introduce thermal spray equipment into small companies. In this study, to develop a low cost thermal spray system, low power atmospheric suspension plasma spray equipment with titanium hydroxide suspension created by hydrolysis of titanium tetra iso butoxide using Ar, N2 as working gases. For avoiding sedimentation of the hydroxide particles in the suspension, mechanical milling of the suspension was conducted to create colloidal suspension before using it as feedstock. Moreover, an Ultrasonic wave container was used to keep the suspension particles moving while the spray process was conducted. After the film deposition, with As for the coating, anatase rich TiO2 film could be obtained. For characterization of the film, microstructure observation by optical microscope and X-ray diffraction was carried out. Consequently, by creation of colloidal suspension, deposition could be conducted without sedimentation of the hydroxide particle in the suspension during operation. Besides, it was proved the film had enough photo-catalytic property to decolor methylene-blue droplet