publicationDate stringlengths 10 10 | abstract stringlengths 0 37.3k | title stringlengths 1 5.74k | doi stringlengths 11 47 ⌀ |
|---|---|---|---|
2023-11-18 | Considering the R&D for upgrading the $$K_\text {L}^0$$ K L 0 and $$\mu$$ μ detectors in the Belle II experiment using a scintillator and silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), we designed a compact high-speed and low-noise preamplifier. The preamplifier demonstrated a good gain stability, bandwidth of $$426\,\hbox {MHz}$$ 426 MHz , baseline noise level of $$\sigma \approx 0.6~{\text {m}\text {V}}$$ σ ≈ 0.6 mV , dynamic range of up to $$170~{\text {m}\text {V}}$$ 170 mV of the input signal amplitude, good time resolution of $$20~{\text {p}\text {s}}$$ 20 ps , and it can be comprehensively applied to SiPMs. Adopting pole-zero-cancelation in the preamplifier reduces both the rise and fall times of the SiPM signal, which can significantly improve the time resolution and reduce the pile-up when using a large SiPM or an array of SiPMs. Various combinations of the preamplifier and several types of SiPMs demonstrated time resolutions better than $$50~{\text {p}\text {s}}$$ 50 ps for most cases; when the number of detected photons was larger than 60, a time resolution of approximately $$25~{\text {p}\text {s}}$$ 25 ps was achieved. | Design and performance of a high-speed and low-noise preamplifier for SiPM | 10.1007/s41365-023-01328-7 |
2023-11-18 | Geological facies evaluation is crucial for the exploration and development of hydrocarbon reservoirs. To achieve accurate predictions of litho-facies in wells, a multidisciplinary approach using well log analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods was proposed for the Lower Indus Basin. The study utilized five supervised machine learning techniques, including Random Forest (FR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), to analyse gamma ray, resistivity, density, neutron porosity, acoustic, and photoelectric factor logs. The Concentration-Number (C-N) fractal model approach and log–log plots were also used to define geothermal features. In a study on machine learning models for classifying different rock types in the Sawan field of the Southern Indus Basin, it was discovered that sand (fine, medium and coarse) facies were most accurately classified (87–94%), followed by shale (70–85%) and siltstone facies (65–79%). The accuracy of the machine learning models was assessed using various statistical metrics, such as precision, recall, F1 score, and ROC curve. The study found that all five machine learning methods successfully predicted different litho-facies in the Lower Indus Basin. In particular, sand facies were most accurately classified, followed by shale and siltstone facies. The multilayer perceptron method performed the best overall. This multidisciplinary approach has the potential to save time and costs associated with traditional core analysis methods and enhance the efficiency of hydrocarbon exploration and development. Multidisciplinary approach combines well log analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods for facies evaluation in the Lower Indus Basin. Multilayer Perceptron performs the best among five machine learning methods. Efficiency and cost savings promises to save time and costs in hydrocarbon exploration and development. | A multidisciplinary approach to facies evaluation at regional level using well log analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods | 10.1007/s40948-023-00689-y |
2023-11-17 | The Cu/SAPO-34 zeolite serves as an efficient active component for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) in flue gas by ammonia. Despite its commendable high-temperature hydrothermal stability, the application of Cu/SAPO-34 zeolite is limited due to low-temperature hydrothermal deactivation issues in the steam environment. In this paper, we provide a systematic review on the denitration mechanism, low-temperature hydrothermal deactivation mechanism, factors influencing its low-temperature hydrothermal stability, and the corresponding improvement measures of Cu/SAPO-34 zeolite. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of different methods are analyzed to offer valuable insights for future research. | Advances in low-temperature hydrothermal stability of Cu/SAPO-34 zeolite | 10.1007/s11696-023-03183-7 |
2023-11-17 | Photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to carbon monoxide (CO) offers a promising way for both alleviating the greenhouse effect and meeting the industrial demand. Herein, we constructed a Co single-atom catalyst with intentional low-coordination environment design on porous ZnO (denoted as Co 1 /ZnO). Impressively, Co 1 /ZnO exhibited a remarkable activity with a CO yield rate of 22.25 mmol·g −1 ·h −1 and a selectivity of 80.2% for CO 2 photoreduction reactions under visible light. The incorporation of single Co atoms provided an additional photo-generated electron transfer channel, which suppressed the carrier recombination of photocatalysts. Moreover, the unsaturated Co active sites were capable to adsorb CO 2 molecule spontaneously, thus facilitating the activation of CO 2 molecule during CO 2 reduction course. | Low-coordination environment design of single Co atoms for efficient CO2 photoreduction | 10.1007/s12274-023-6294-6 |
2023-11-17 | The measurement of low frequency vibration signals is of great significance in seismic monitoring, health monitoring of large and medium-sized engineering structures, resource exploration, etc. A cross spring leaf-based novel FBG accelerometer was designed against the problem that it's hard for FBG acceleration sensors to effectively pick up low frequency vibration signals. Firstly, the vibration model of acceleration sensor was built and its operating principle was analyzed; secondly, the effect of structural parameters of sensor on their sensitivity and natural frequency was analyzed, and the sensor was subjected to static stress analysis and dynamic characteristics analysis through the ANSYS simulation software; finally, the sensors were subjected to performance tests with a low frequency vibration test system. Experimental results suggested that the natural frequency of FBG acceleration sensor was 63.65 Hz, it gives a flat sensitivity response in the low frequency band of 0.1–40 Hz; its sensitivity was not lower than 2000 pm/g, and the transverse interference was not higher than 1.99%; moreover, it offered favorable self-temperature compensation. Such FBG acceleration sensors with high sensitivity response at low frequencies provide important reference for the design of like sensors. | High-sensitivity dual-FBG acceleration sensor for low frequency vibration measurement | 10.1007/s12596-023-01477-3 |
2023-11-17 | Background Acute exposures to high levels of air pollutants are thought to be associated with hospitalization of patients with lung infection, while relatively little is known about the association between air pollutants and HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS FOR pulmonary sepsis. Objectives To assess the correlation between low-level exposure to air pollutants and the hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients. Methods A total of 249 elderly patients with pulmonary sepsis from January 2018 to December 2020 in Shenzhen people’s hospital were included. The data regarding hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis, meteorological factors, and daily average levels of air pollutants on single-day lags (Lag0 to Lag7) in Shenzhen were collected. Low-level exposure was defined as the annual means of air pollutants below the levels of the Ambient Air Quality Standard (AAQS) in China (NO. GB3095-2012) and/or Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG). A time-stratified case-crossover study design approach was used to evaluate the associations between exposure to air pollutants and incidence of the disease, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to analyze the association between levels of air pollutants and hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients. Results Exposure to PM 1 ( P = 0.007, Lag 2 day; P = 0.038, Lag6 day), PM 2.5 ( P = 0.046, Lag2 day), PM 10 ( P = 0.048, Lag4 day), and O 3 ( P = 0.044, Lag6 day) was positively correlated with elevated risk of hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis. In addition, logistic regression analysis revealed that exposure to PM 1 (OR = 1.833, 95%CI:1.032 ~ 3.256, Lag6 day) and O 3 (OR = 2.091, 95%CI:1.019 ~ 4.289, Lag6 day) were the independent risk factors of pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that short-term low-level exposure to PM 1 and O 3 could elevate the risk of hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients in Shenzhen, providing evidence for developing early warning and screening systems for pulmonary sepsis. | Impacts of short-term low-level exposure to air pollutants on hospital admissions for pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients | 10.1186/s12890-023-02652-9 |
2023-11-17 | Acid deposition has been one of the major environmental pollution problems for longer than 50 years, since the 1970s. Investigation on the interactive effects of aluminum (Al) and low pH or Ca/Al ratios on red pine ( Pinus densiflora Sieb. and Zucc.) has been required but lacking. In the present study, needles of red pine seedlings exposed to Al treatments with solution pH 4.0 and 3.5 exhibited purplish leaf characteristics of Al toxicity. The dry weights of the needle and whole plant, and the current needle elongation were linearly reduced with Al concentrations from 0, 13 to 26 ppm. Results show that red pine is an intermediate species in sensitivity to Al and is insensitive to low pH. However, the synergistic interactions of low pH treatments with the elevated Al were significant. Al toxicity to red pine was significantly enlarged with reduced pH. The root length and whole plant length were significantly decreased at 1:10 of Ca/Al ratios (p < 0.05), but Al phytotoxicity was completely lost when the Ca/Al molar ratio was 10:1. Liming is still an applicable measure to remediate acidification problems by natural or anthropogenic factors such as acid deposition. | The single and interactive effects of aluminium and low pH, or Ca/Al ratios on red pine seedlings | 10.1186/s13104-023-06609-3 |
2023-11-16 | Climate change has far-reaching repercussions for surgical healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Natural disasters cause injuries and infrastructural damage, while air pollution and global warming may increase surgical disease and predispose to worse outcomes. Socioeconomic ramifications further strain healthcare systems, highlighting the need for integrated climate and healthcare policies. | From emissions to incisions and beyond: the repercussions of climate change on surgical disease in low- and-middle-income countries | 10.1186/s12893-023-02260-8 |
2023-11-16 | Neuroinflammation mediated by microglia and oxidative stress play pivotal roles in the development of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We postulated that kainic acid (KA)-Induced status epilepticus triggers microglia-dependent inflammation, leading to neuronal damage, a lowered seizure threshold, and the emergence of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS). Extensive evidence from our laboratory suggests that dextromethorphan (DM), even in ultra-low doses, has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in many animal models of neurodegenerative disease. Our results showed that administration of DM (10 ng/kg per day; subcutaneously via osmotic minipump for 4 weeks) significantly mitigated the residual effects of KA, including the frequency of SRS and seizure susceptibility. In addition, DM-treated rats showed improved cognitive function and reduced hippocampal neuronal loss. We found suppressed microglial activation-mediated neuroinflammation and decreased expression of hippocampal gp91 phox and p47 phox proteins in KA-induced chronic TLE rats. Notably, even after discontinuation of DM treatment, ultra-low doses of DM continued to confer long-term anti-seizure and neuroprotective effects, which were attributed to the inhibition of microglial NADPH oxidase 2 as revealed by mechanistic studies. | Anti-epileptic and Neuroprotective Effects of Ultra-low Dose NADPH Oxidase Inhibitor Dextromethorphan on Kainic Acid-induced Chronic Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Rats | 10.1007/s12264-023-01140-8 |
2023-11-15 | Background Millions of newborns die annually from preventable causes, with the highest rates occurring in Africa. Reducing neonatal mortality requires investment to scale hospital care, which includes providing hospitals with appropriate technology to care for small and sick newborns. Expensive medical devices designed for high-resource settings often fail to withstand conditions in low-resource hospitals, including humidity, dust, frequent user turnover, complex maintenance, lack of stable power, or difficulty sourcing expensive consumables. Rigorous evaluation protocols are needed to identify effective, affordable, rugged, and easy-to-use medical devices appropriate for quality hospital-based newborn care in low-resource hospitals. Methods We developed an evidence-based technology review process to identify medical devices suitable for small and sick newborn care in low-resource hospitals. The eight-step process consists of: identifying devices needed for effective newborn care; defining Target Product Profiles (TPPs); identifying commercially-available products that may meet TPPs; conducting desk research to evaluate technologies against TPPs; performing technical performance verification testing under laboratory conditions; verifying technical performance after exposure to heat, humidity, dust, and power loss; performing usability evaluations with nurses, and qualifying devices that pass all steps. Devices were purchased, installed, and monitored in newborn wards across Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Results Of 271 devices considered, only 45 (16.6%) met corresponding TPPs based on desk research. Thirty-nine were purchased and evaluated in the laboratory; five (12.8%) failed to meet TPPs. Thirty-four products passing laboratory evaluation underwent short-term environmental testing; only one (2.9%) device failed. Thirty-seven products underwent usability testing with 127 clinicians; surprisingly, 14 (37.8%) failed to meet TPPs. Twenty-three products passed all evaluations, and 2457 devices were installed across 65 newborn wards in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Continuous device monitoring reported minimal device failures, with failed devices typically returned to service within two days, resulting in an average uptime (service days divided by days installed) of 99%. Conclusion An evidence-based device selection process can improve procurement of effective, affordable, rugged, usable newborn care devices for low-resource hospitals, and feedback to manufacturers can improve device quality. Similar processes could be adapted beyond newborn care to identify medical devices suitable for implementation in any low-resource setting. | Avoid equipment graveyards: rigorous process to improve identification and procurement of effective, affordable, and usable newborn devices in low-resource hospital settings | 10.1186/s12887-023-04362-x |
2023-11-15 | Background Medical devices are critical to providing high-quality, hospital-based newborn care, yet many of these devices are unavailable in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and are not designed to be suitable for these settings. Target Product Profiles (TPPs) are often utilised at an early stage in the medical device development process to enable user-defined performance characteristics for a given setting. TPPs can also be applied to assess the profile and match of existing devices for a given context. Methods We developed initial TPPs for 15 newborn product categories for LMIC settings. A Delphi-like process was used to develop the TPPs. Respondents completed an online survey where they scored their level of agreement with each of the proposed performance characteristics for each of the 15 devices. Characteristics with < 75% agreement between respondents were discussed and voted on using Mentimeter™ at an in-person consensus meeting. Findings The TPP online survey was sent to 180 people, of which 103 responded (57%). The majority of respondents were implementers/clinicians (51%, 53/103), with 50% (52/103) from LMIC. Across the 15 TPPs, 403 (60%) of the 668 performance characteristics did not achieve > 75% agreement. Areas of disagreement were voted on by 69 participants at an in-person consensus meeting, with consensus achieved for 648 (97%) performance characteristics. Only 20 (3%) performance characteristics did not achieve consensus, most (15/20) relating to quality management systems. UNICEF published the 15 TPPs in April 2020, accompanied by a report detailing the online survey results and consensus meeting discussion, which has been viewed 7,039 times (as of January 2023). Conclusions These 15 TPPs can inform developers and enable implementers to select neonatal care products for LMIC. Over 2,400 medical devices and diagnostics meeting these TPPs have been installed in 65 hospitals in Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, and Malawi through the NEST360 Alliance. Twenty-three medical devices identified and qualified by NEST360 meet nearly all performance characteristics across 11 of the 15 TPPs. Eight of the 23 qualified medical devices are available in the UNICEF Supply Catalogue. Some developers have adjusted their technologies to meet these TPPs. There is potential to adapt the TPP process beyond newborn care. | Target product profiles for neonatal care devices: systematic development and outcomes with NEST360 and UNICEF | 10.1186/s12887-023-04342-1 |
2023-11-15 | In the present study, an ejector refrigeration cycle with a flash chamber (FC) and a booster compressor is proposed to produce a 300-kW refrigeration effect for evaporator temperature varying between − 10 and 0 °C. R600a and R1234yf are considered as the working fluids. Readily available geothermal water at 95 °C is considered as the heat source. Thermodynamic and economic analyses are conducted by comparing with a vapour compression refrigeration cycle (VCRC) with a FC. It is observed that there exist optimum combinations of booster compressor pressure ratio and flash pressure ratio corresponding to the maximum mechanical COP and minimum levelized cooling cost (LCC). Both the proposed ejector refrigeration cycle and the VCRC yield better economic performance with R600a. For zero-carbon pricing and the specified range of evaporator temperature, the achievable LCC reduction with the R600a-based proposed cycle varies between 11.99 and 13.98%. The corresponding range of the achievable LCC reduction is 15.02–26.20% for a carbon price of $ 75/ton of CO 2 . If the geothermal water flow rate is restricted to 15 kg/s, the achievable range of LCC reductions for an R600a-based system will be 7.48–10.40% if the carbon pricing is ignored. For a reasonable carbon price, the proposed geothermal heat-driven cycle with each considered working fluid yields a much lower LCC compared to that of the conventional cycle as the annual carbon foot print of the presented cycle is much lower. Graphical abstract | Techno-economic assessment of low-grade geothermal heat-driven ejector refrigeration cycle with a flash chamber and a booster compressor | 10.1007/s10098-023-02662-5 |
2023-11-15 | Background Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) coverage target 4 necessitates national scale-up of Level-2 Small and Sick Newborn Care (SSNC) (with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)) in 80% of districts by 2025. Routine neonatal inpatient data is important for improving quality of care, targeting equity gaps, and enabling data-driven decision-making at individual, district, and national-levels. Existing neonatal inpatient datasets vary in purpose, size, definitions, and collection processes. We describe the co-design and operationalisation of a core inpatient dataset for use to track outcomes and improve quality of care for small and sick newborns in high-mortality settings. Methods A three-step systematic framework was used to review, co-design, and operationalise this novel neonatal inpatient dataset in four countries (Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria) implementing with the Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) Alliance. Existing global and national datasets were identified, and variables were mapped according to categories. A priori considerations for variable inclusion were determined by clinicians and policymakers from the four African governments by facilitated group discussions. These included prioritising clinical care and newborn outcomes data, a parsimonious variable list, and electronic data entry. The tool was designed and refined by > 40 implementers and policymakers during a multi-stakeholder workshop and online interactions. Results Identified national and international datasets ( n = 6) contained a median of 89 (IQR:61–154) variables, with many relating to research-specific initiatives. Maternal antenatal/intrapartum history was the largest variable category (21, 23.3%). The Neonatal Inpatient Dataset (NID) includes 60 core variables organised in six categories: (1) birth details/maternal history; (2) admission details/identifiers; (3) clinical complications/observations; (4) interventions/investigations; (5) discharge outcomes; and (6) diagnosis/cause-of-death. Categories were informed through the mapping process. The NID has been implemented at 69 neonatal units in four African countries and links to a facility-level quality improvement (QI) dashboard used in real-time by facility staff. Conclusion The NEST360 NID is a novel, parsimonious tool for use in routine information systems to inform inpatient SSNC quality. Available on the NEST360/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Implementation Toolkit for SSNC, this adaptable tool enables facility and country-level comparisons to accelerate progress toward ENAP targets. Additional linked modules could include neonatal at-risk follow-up, retinopathy of prematurity, and Level-3 intensive care. | Neonatal inpatient dataset for small and sick newborn care in low- and middle-income countries: systematic development and multi-country operationalisation with NEST360 | 10.1186/s12887-023-04341-2 |
2023-11-15 | Background High-quality neonatal care requires sufficient functional medical devices, furniture, fixtures, and use by trained healthcare workers, however there is lack of publicly available tools for quantification and costing. This paper describes development and use of a planning and costing tool regarding furniture, fixtures and devices to support scale-up of WHO level-2 neonatal care, for national and global newborn survival targets. Methods We followed a systematic process. First, we reviewed planning and costing tools of relevance. Second, we co-designed a new tool to estimate furniture and device set-up costs for a default 40-bed level-2 neonatal unit, incorporating input from multi-disciplinary experts and newborn care guidelines. Furniture and device lists were based off WHO guidelines/norms, UNICEF and national manuals/guides. Due to lack of evidence-based quantification, ratios were based on operational manuals, multi-country facility assessment data, and expert opinion. Default unit costs were from government procurement agency costs in Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Third, we refined the tool by national use in Tanzania. Results The tool adapts activity-based costing (ABC) to estimate quantities and costs to equip a level-2 neonatal unit based on three components: (1) furniture/fixtures (18 default but editable items); (2) neonatal medical devices (16 product categories with minimum specifications for use in low-resource settings); (3) user training at device installation. The tool was used in Tanzania to generate procurement lists and cost estimates for level-2 scale-up in 171 hospitals (146 District and 25 Regional Referral). Total incremental cost of all new furniture and equipment acquisition, installation, and user training were US$93,000 per District hospital (level-2 care) and US$346,000 per Regional Referral hospital. Estimated cost per capita for whole-country district coverage was US$0.23, representing 0.57% increase in government health expenditure per capita and additional 0.35% for all Regional Referral hospitals. Conclusion Given 2.3 million neonatal deaths and potential impact of level-2 newborn care, rational and efficient planning of devices linked to systems change is foundational. In future iterations, we aim to include consumables, spare parts, and maintenance cost options. More rigorous implementation research data are crucial to formulating evidence-based ratios for devices numbers per baby. Use of this tool could help overcome gaps in devices numbers, advance efficiency and quality of neonatal care. | Devices and furniture for small and sick newborn care: systematic development of a planning and costing tool | 10.1186/s12887-023-04363-w |
2023-11-14 | Researchers have become interested in using reclaimed asphalt pavement as an economical and environment friendly alternative to flexible pavement. Various natural oils or waste oils are often used in practice as a significant source for modifying and rejuvenating the binder in Researchers have become interested in using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), as they contain light components similar to those found in virgin bitumen. First, basic physio-chemical properties of different oils were introduced, and then a thorough analysis of chemical composition of fresh and waste oils is conducted to offer additional insights into how the chemical contents of fatty acid influence the properties of binders. Further, an assessment was made on how the addition of various oils affects the physical, chemical, and rheological properties of reclaimed binders as well as consequently asphalt mixture properties. This review emphasizes that while both virgin as well as waste oils have vital potential to restore the conventional properties of stiff binders and enhance its fatigue and thermal cracking characteristics, they may compromise the binder's ability to resist rutting. However, increased moisture content and acid value in waste oils due to repeated applications have an adverse impact on physical, chemical, and rheological properties of asphalt binder. Moreover, exceeding the optimal concentration of oils in asphalt mixtures enhances the pavement’s thermal cracking resistance but diminishes its resistance to rutting, fatigue, and moisture susceptibility. In summary, this review article presents a comprehensive overview of advantages and disadvantages associated with using oils as an environment friendly rejuvenator. | Application of Natural and Waste Oils as Rejuvenator in Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement: A Review | 10.1007/s42947-023-00388-7 |
2023-11-14 | Since the construction industry is one of the major sectors responsible for the overexploitation of natural resources and the production of greenhouse gases, there is an urgent need to adopt a sustainable and environmental friendly approach to mitigate climate degradation. Research has explored the potential of recycled aggregate (RA) as a viable alternative to natural aggregate in concrete production. Currently, several treatment methods are being employed to enhance the efficient incorporation of RA into concrete, aiming to address this issue. However, the effective utilization of RA in place of NA remains uncommon. In this study, an effort has been made to develop a low-carbon recycled aggregate concrete by utilizing 100% carbonation treated recycled coarse concrete aggregate (CRCCA) in place of natural coarse aggregate (NCA) and alccofine as mineral admixture. A comprehensive analysis was performed, comparing the properties of CRCCA to those of untreated recycled coarse concrete aggregate. This analysis covered changes in weight, bulk density, water absorption, crushing value, and microstructure. Furthermore, five different concrete mixes were prepared, each varying in the proportion of natural coarse aggregate (NCA), untreated RCCA, and CRCCA. These mixes also incorporated alccofine as a mineral admixture. The evaluation process involved assessing the effectiveness of carbonation treatment and alccofine addition through tests on the workability, water absorption, density, and compressive strength of the concrete mixes. The study demonstrated that carbonation treatment of RCCA resulted in substantial improvements in crushing value and water absorption of CRCCA, alongside enhanced workability, reduced water absorption, and increased density in CRCCA concrete. Moreover, CRCCA concrete exhibited notable compressive strength gains at both 28 and 90 days compared to untreated RCCA concrete. Furthermore, the use of CRCCA and alccofine contributed to reducing GHG emissions associated with cement production, emphasizing the environmentally friendly attributes of this low-carbon concrete formulation. | Development of low-carbon recycled aggregate concrete using carbonation treatment and alccofine | 10.1007/s40974-023-00299-0 |
2023-11-14 | Extremely low-frequency, low-intensity electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) therapy is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that can modulate neuroprotection and neuroplasticity. ELF-EMF was recently shown to enhance recovery in human stroke in a small pilot clinical trial (NCT04039178). ELF-EMFs encompass a wide range of frequencies, typically ranging from 1 to 100 Hz, and their effects can vary depending on the specific frequency employed. However, whether and to what extent the effectiveness of ELF-EMFs depends on the frequency remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of different frequency-intensity protocols of ELF-EMF in promoting functional recovery in a mouse cortical stroke model with treatment initiated 4 days after the stroke, employing a series of motor behavior tests. Our findings demonstrate that a theta-frequency ELF-EMF (5 Hz) effectively enhances functional recovery in a reach-to-grasp task, whereas neither gamma-frequency (40 Hz) nor combination frequency (5–16-40 Hz) ELF-EMFs induce a significant effect. Importantly, our histological analysis reveals that none of the ELF-EMF protocols employed in our study affect infarct volume, inflammatory, or glial activation, suggesting that the observed beneficial effects may be mediated through non-neuroprotective mechanisms. Our data indicate that ELF-EMFs have an influence on functional recovery after stroke, and this effect is contingent upon the specific frequency used. These findings underscore the critical importance of optimizing the protocol parameters to maximize the beneficial effects of ELF-EMF. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and refine the protocol parameters for optimal therapeutic outcomes in stroke rehabilitation. | Theta Frequency Electromagnetic Stimulation Enhances Functional Recovery After Stroke | 10.1007/s12975-023-01202-z |
2023-11-14 | This study explored the changes in cross-linking of low-salt myosin mediated by microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) under high intensity ultrasound (HIU). HIU activated the fish endogenous transglutaminase by 14.11%. Meanwhile, HIU induced the conformational changes in low-salt myosin with decrease of α-helix and increase of β-sheet structures. At 0.1 mol/L salt, compared to solely treated MTGase/solely treated myosin, the most ε-(γ-Glu)-Lys bonds were formed in HIU-treated MTGase + myosin, evidenced by the lowest solubility. Correspondingly, the G’ showed the highest increase rate. Consequently, the samples formed regular and continuous protein matrix structures. Specifically, the microstructures of HIU-treated MTGase + myosin samples at 0.1 mol/L salt were even more compact than those of control samples at 0.3 mol/L salt. Besides, HIU-treated MTGase + myosin improved the water holding capacity by 18.28%. In summary, HIU promoted the cross-linking between low-salt myosin mediated by MTGase through activating the enzyme, improving substrate dispersion, or both, with the largest improvement degree observed for HIU-treated MTGase + myosin group. | Changes in Transglutaminase Activity and Its Contribution to Gelation Properties of Low-Salt Myosin Under Ultrasound | 10.1007/s11947-023-03250-7 |
2023-11-14 | Background In open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair, we have been performing vascular reconstruction under moderate to deep hypothermia and assisted circulation using simultaneous upper and lower body perfusion. This method is effective for protecting the spinal cord and the brain, heart, and abdominal organs and for avoiding lung damage. Methods TAAA repair was performed under hypothermia at 20–28 °C in 18 cases (Crawford type I in 0 cases, type II in 5, type III in 3, type IV in 4, and Safi V in 6) between October 2014 and January 2023. Cardiopulmonary bypass was conducted by combined upper and lower body perfusion, with perfusion both via the femoral artery and either transapically or via the descending aorta or the left brachial artery. Results The ischemic time for the artery of Adamkiewicz and the main segmental arteries was 40–124 min (75 ± 33 min). No spinal cord ischemic injury or brain or heart complications occurred. One patient with postoperative right renal artery occlusion and one with an infected aneurysm required tracheostomy, but the intubation time for the other 16 was 32 ± 33 h. The duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay was 6.5 ± 6.2 days, the length of hospital stay was 29 ± 15 days, and no in-hospital deaths occurred. Conclusions Simultaneous upper and lower body perfusion under moderate to deep hypothermia during thoracoabdominal aortic surgery may avoid not only spinal cord injury, but also cardiac and brain complications. | Simultaneous upper and lower body perfusion using hypothermia during thoracoabdominal aortic surgery | 10.1186/s13019-023-02439-3 |
2023-11-13 | The management of low-grade fever in adults has not been codified. This gap is related not only to the numerous possible aetiologies but also to the difficulty of escaping the monocausal model of diseases. This article explores the complex issue of positive signs in ‘psychogenic fever’ through Reimann’s 1930s series. The discussion emphasises Canguilhem’s positions regarding vital signs and proposes (1) a semantic clarification of ‘habitual hyperthermia’ and (2) an amendment of the Belgian diagnostic criteria based on the concept of functional disorder. This paper also suggests following Peirce’s pragmatism in the face of an uncommon clinical picture. | ‘Functional hyperthermia’: a historical overview | 10.1186/s13030-023-00292-3 |
2023-11-13 | Introduction Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a common challenge in healthcare delivery, with a significant burden in low- and middle-income countries. Preventing HAIs has gained enormous attention from policy makers and healthcare managers and providers, especially in resource-limited settings. Despite policies to enforce infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to prevent HAIs, IPC compliance remains a challenge in hospital settings. In this study, we explore the experiences of healthcare providers and women in the post-natal phase and investigate factors influencing IPC practices in two hospitals in Ghana. Methods The study used a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observations among healthcare providers and women in the postnatal phase in two maternity units from January 2019 to June 2019. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. The data sets were uploaded into the qualitative software NVivo 12 to facilitate coding and analysis. Findings Healthcare providers were driven by the responsibility to provide medical care for their patients and at the same time, protect themselves from infections. IPC facilitators include leadership commitment and support, IPC training and education. Women were informed about IPC in educational talks during antenatal care visits, and their practices were also shaped by their background and their communities. IPC barriers include the poor documentation or ‘invisibility’ of HAIs, low prioritization of IPC tasks, lack of clear IPC goals and resources, discretionary use of guidelines, and communication-related challenges. The findings demonstrate the need for relevant power holders to position themselves as key drivers of IPC and develop clear goals for IPC. Hospital managers need to take up the responsibility of providing the needed resources and leadership support to facilitate IPC. Patient engagement should be more strategic both within the hospital and at the community level. | A qualitative study of infection prevention and control practices in the maternal units of two Ghanaian hospitals | 10.1186/s13756-023-01330-z |
2023-11-11 | Hydrogels electrolytes with flexibility and high conductivity have been widely used in kinds of flexible electronics. However, hydrogels always suffer from the inevitable freezing of water at subzero temperatures, which results in the sacrificing of their electrical properties. Herein, an anti-freezing, flexible hydrogel based on in situ reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and laponite has been developed as electrolyte for high performance supercapacitor and sensitive sensors. The crosslinked GO and laponite in polyacrylamide (PAM) resulted in an enhanced mechanical property, while the in-situ reduction of GO in the hydrogel enhanced the conductivity and diminishes the aggregated of GO. These features guarantee a reliable electro signal as sensor and a high performance of the supercapacitor. Besides, in the process of preparation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hydrogel, the addition of ethylene glycol (EG) and KOH, endows the hydrogel antifreeze properties. This anti-freezing electrolyte can be stretched to a strain of 1600% and maintained a specific capacitance of 37.38 F·g −1 at −20 °C. In addition, the photothermal conversion character of rGO in the hydrogel, endows it’s the potential application in wound healing. The overall merits of the hydrogel will open up a new avenue for sensitive sensor and energy storage device in practical applications. | In situ reduction strategy towards high conductivity, anti-freezing and super-stretchable rGO based hydrogel for diverse flexible electronics | 10.1007/s12274-023-6267-9 |
2023-11-11 | The growing demand for reduced fuel consumption and increased energy efficiency in internal combustion engines underscores the need for continuous advancements in engine technologies. At the same time, the significance of refining driver behavior cannot be ignored, as it stands as a crucial instrument in reducing unnecessary fuel expenses and mitigating escalated levels of pollutant emissions. In this sense, the accurate estimation of fuel consumption is a fundamental prerequisite for the applications of fuel control measures on fuel consumption. Although most modern vehicles offer fuel consumption data assessed by the electronic central unit, this information is primarily designed to provide users with an estimate of their momentary average consumption, without any assurance from manufacturers regarding the reliability of this data. Most of the initiatives aimed at measuring fuel consumption require invasive approaches, and there is still a lack of studies addressing non-invasive methods to evaluate the total fuel consumption, especially for Otto cycle engines operating with pure ethanol and a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. In this regard, the objective of this work is to develop a non-invasive method for the real-time fuel measurement of internal combustion engines based on the Otto cycle with a common rail fuel injection system. The proposed technique requires only the measurement of the electrical signal pulses sent from the engine control unit to the fuel injector and does not affect the performance or operation of the engine in any way. The measurement system was built using low-cost electronic components, and its accuracy was evaluated using a single-cylinder research engine (SCRE). A series of 32 tests were performed, considering four different engine loads, four different speeds, and two different fuels, ethanol (E100) and gasoline and ethanol blend (E27). The results achieved were superior to those obtained with electromechanical sensors. The results obtained by measuring the fuel consumption with the proposed methodology showed a maximum percentage error of ± 2.85% for ethanol (E100) and ± 3.30% for a blend of gasoline with 27% ethanol (E27). | Non-invasive fuel consumption measurement for internal combustion engines based on Otto cycle | 10.1007/s40430-023-04517-y |
2023-11-10 | Water electrolysis is a propitious strategy to overcome the exceeding energy crisis by producing renewable and green hydrogen fuel. However, the practical application of this process is limited due to the inadequacy of earth-rich, economical, and efficient electrocatalysts for carrying out kinetically more sluggish oxygen evolution reactions (OER). In the present research, a simple sol–gel method was employed to produce Co 3 O 4 /Pr 2 O 3 nanocomposite material, which provides exceptional electrical conductivity and lesser charge transfer resistance of mixed-valence cations. The fabricated nanomaterials were analyzed using various scientific techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to determine their crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, and oxidation states. To investigate the water oxidation capability and steadiness of the modified Co 3 O 4 /Pr 2 O 3 electrode material in alkaline conditions, cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and constant current chronoamperometry (CA) were utilized. These outcomes revealed that the resultant nanocomposite exhibits a minimal overpotential around 257 mV and a lower Tafel slope around 78 mVdec −1 at a benchmark current density of 10 mAcm −2 . In addition, the alkaline solution reliability of the electrocatalysts was examined and confirmed to be steady for 24 h via chronoamperometry. The extraordinary electrocatalytic achievement of Co 3 O 4 /Pr 2 O 3 is ascribed to its structural synergistic effect, which encourages the oxygen evolution activity. | Facile engineering of Co3O4/Pr2O3 nanostructure for boosted oxygen evolution reaction | 10.1007/s00339-023-07101-2 |
2023-11-10 | Background Trauma patients frequently receive supplemental oxygen, but its hemodynamic effects in blood loss are poorly understood. We studied the effects of oxygen on the hemodynamic response and tolerance to simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers. Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers were exposed to simulated blood loss by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) on two separate visits at least 24 h apart. They were randomized to inhale 100% oxygen or medical air on visit 1, while inhaling the other on visit 2. To simulate progressive blood loss LBNP was increased every 3 min in levels of 10 mmHg from 0 to 80 mmHg or until hemodynamic decompensation. Oxygen and air were delivered on a reservoired face mask at 15 L/min. The effect of oxygen compared to air on the changes in cardiac output, stroke volume and middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAV) was examined with mixed regression to account for repeated measurements within subjects. The effect of oxygen compared to air on the tolerance to blood loss was measured as the time to hemodynamic decompensation in a shared frailty model. Cardiac output was the primary outcome variable. Results Oxygen had no statistically significant effect on the changes in cardiac output (0.031 L/min/LBNP level, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 0.015 to 0.077, P = 0.188), stroke volume (0.39 mL/LBNP level, 95% CI: − 0.39 to 1.2, P = 0.383), or MCAV (0.25 cm/s/LBNP level, 95% CI: − 0.11 to 0.61, P = 0.176). Four subjects exhibited hemodynamic decompensation when inhaling oxygen compared to 10 when inhaling air (proportional hazard ratio 0.24, 95% CI: 0.065 to 0.85, P = 0.027). Conclusions We found no effect of oxygen compared to air on the changes in cardiac output, stroke volume or MCAV during simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers. However, oxygen had a favorable effect on the tolerance to simulated blood loss with fewer hemodynamic decompensations. Our findings suggest that supplemental oxygen does not adversely affect the hemodynamic response to simulated blood loss. Trial registration This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05150418) December 9, 2021 | Hemodynamic effects of supplemental oxygen versus air in simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers: a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover trial | 10.1186/s40635-023-00561-z |
2023-11-08 | Background Several countries in Southeast Asia are nearing malaria elimination, yet eradication remains elusive. This is largely due to the challenge of focusing elimination efforts, an area where risk prediction can play an essential supporting role. Despite its importance, there is no standard numerical method to quantify the risk of malaria infection. Thus, there is a need for a consolidated view of existing definitions of risk and factors considered in assessing risk to analyse the merits of risk prediction models. This systematic review examines studies of the risk of malaria in Southeast Asia with regard to their suitability in addressing the challenges of malaria elimination in low transmission areas. Methods A search of four electronic databases over 2010–2020 retrieved 1297 articles, of which 25 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In each study, examined factors included the definition of the risk and indicators of malaria transmission used, the environmental and climatic factors associated with the risk, the statistical models used, the spatial and temporal granularity, and how the relationship between environment, climate, and risk is quantified. Results This review found variation in the definition of risk used, as well as the environmental and climatic factors in the reviewed articles. GLM was widely adopted as the analysis technique relating environmental and climatic factors to malaria risk. Most of the studies were carried out in either a cross-sectional design or case–control studies, and most utilized the odds ratio to report the relationship between exposure to risk and malaria prevalence. Conclusions Adopting a standardized definition of malaria risk would help in comparing and sharing results, as would a clear description of the definition and method of collection of the environmental and climatic variables used. Further issues that need to be more fully addressed include detection of asymptomatic cases and considerations of human mobility. Many of the findings of this study are applicable to other low-transmission settings and could serve as a guideline for further studies of malaria in other regions. | Assessment of malaria risk in Southeast Asia: a systematic review | 10.1186/s12936-023-04772-3 |
2023-11-08 | Microorganisms have long captivated researchers for their potential to produce enzymes with diverse industrial applications. Efficient production of proteases from new strains is crucial as these enzymes play a vital role in breaking down protein bonds, enabling their use in industrial applications. Therefore, a novel Exiguobacterium indicum 1.2.3 was isolated (Istanbul, Turkiye) and characterized in this study. This strain produced alkaline serine protease, which works in lower temperatures (20–40 °C) with casein as a specific substrate. The protease was utterly stable for 3 h at 30 °C. The enzyme was also highly stable in the pH range of 8–11. The optimum activity was obtained at pH 10. The crude enzyme activity was enhanced by various metal ions and retained 147%, 125%, 124%, and 117% of its activity within 1 mM Ca 2+ , Mn 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Mg 2+ , respectively. The crude enzyme was inactive with phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, indicating a serine residue on the active side. The enzyme exhibited a significant proteolytic effect in the presence of surfactants and oxidizing agents. The addition of Tween 80, Triton X-100, and sodium perborate improved enzymatic activity up to 135%, 109%, and 105%, respectively. According to the washing results, the crude enzyme effectively removed the blood on different types of standard pre-stained textiles at 30 °C. In conclusion, Exiguobacterium indicum 1.2.3 is a promising candidate for protease production, with its diverse applications spanning various industrial sectors, particularly detergents. Graphical Abstract | Study on active capacity and detergent application potential of low-temperature alkaline serine protease produced by new strain Exiguobacterium indicum 1.2.3 | 10.1186/s40643-023-00701-z |
2023-11-08 | Background Low birthweight (LBW) infants are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months is recommended to help them thrive through infection prevention, growth improvements, and enhancements in neurodevelopment. However, limited data exist on the feeding experiences of LBW infants, their caregivers and key community influencers. The qualitative component of the Low Birthweight Infant Feeding Exploration (LIFE) study aimed to understand practices, facilitators, and barriers to optimal feeding options in the first six months for LBW infants in low-resource settings. Methods This study was conducted in four sites in India, Malawi, and Tanzania from July 2019 to August 2020. We conducted 37 focus group discussions with mothers and family members of LBW infants and community leaders and 142 in-depth interviews with healthcare providers, government officials, and supply chain and donor human milk (DHM) experts. Data were analyzed using a framework approach. Results All participants believed that mother’s own milk was best for LBW infants. Direct breastfeeding was predominant and feeding expressed breast milk and infant formula were rare. DHM was a new concept for most. Adequate maternal nutrition, lactation support, and privacy in the facility aided breastfeeding and expression, but perceived insufficient milk, limited feeding counseling, and infant immaturity were common barriers. Most believed that DHM uptake could be enabled through community awareness by overcoming misconceptions, safety concerns, and perceived family resistance. Conclusion This study fills an evidence gap in LBW infant feeding practices and their facilitators and barriers in resource-limited settings. LBW infants face unique feeding challenges such as poor latching and tiring at the breast. Similarly, their mothers are faced with numerous difficulties, including attainment of adequate milk supply, breast pain and emotional stress. Lactation support and feeding counseling could address obstacles faced by mothers and infants by providing psychosocial, verbal and physical support to empower mothers with skills, knowledge and confidence and facilitate earlier, more and better breast milk feeding. Findings on DHM are critical to the future development of human milk banks and highlight the need to solicit partnership from stakeholders in the community and health system. | Facilitators, barriers, and key influencers of breastfeeding among low birthweight infants: a qualitative study in India, Malawi, and Tanzania | 10.1186/s13006-023-00597-7 |
2023-11-07 | Dendrocalamus strictus , popularly known as “lathi baans”, is a multipurpose bamboo species known for its manifold domestic and industrial applications. In the current scenario, the extraction of raw material (culms) has surpassed the available growing stock, which puts the accessible genetic resource under pressure. Despite the commercial significance and overexploitation, population genetics of this valuable species is poorly studied, mainly due to the paucity of genomic information and marker resources. Moreover, polyploid genome structure obstructs the usage of robust codominant markers like simple sequence repeats (SSRs) for genetic analysis. Hence, the present study was conducted to develop genome sequence information as well as de novo SSRs in D. strictus . About 15 Gb sequence data was generated by sequencing 103.95 million reads using the Illumina protocol, which were further assembled into 902,453 contigs with 47.15% GC content and a 712 bp N50 value. A total of 39,473 microsatellite repeats were identified, wherein di-nucleotides were the most abundant (64.42%), followed by tri (29.66%), tetra (4.53%), penta (1.16%), and hexa-repeats (0.24%). Primer pairs were developed for 20,606 SSRs, and 250 of these were selected for validation. Through PCR amplification in 20 individuals, 69 SSRs displayed polymorphic banding pattern, of which 43 were single-locus and 26 were multi-locus SSRs. By comparison, both primer sets were reliable, giving similar results in analysed individuals. The available sequence data and unique single-locus SSR markers have the potential to improve our understanding towards D. strictus genomic background. The study also highlights the usability of identified SSRs in polyploids. | Genome-wide discovery of single- and multi-locus simple sequence repeat markers and their characterization in Dendrocalamus strictus: a commercial polyploid bamboo species of India | 10.1007/s10722-023-01777-4 |
2023-11-07 | Background The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of PTK6 in different groups of triple negative breast cancer and its impact on prognosis. Methods Retrospective study of a total of 209 surgical specimens of breast cancer were identified by IHC or FISH methods as triple negative,and divided into a lymph node metastasis positive (LNM +)group ( n = 102) and a lymph node metastasis negative(LNM-) group ( n = 107) according to the lymph node status of the surgical specimen. PTK6 expression was detected by IHC technique in all surgical specimens. PTK6 expression and clinicopathological features was explored by Chi-square test. The prognosis of different groups of patients was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and COX analysis. Results The incidence of PTK6 expression in the LNM + group (78.4%) was significantly higher than in the LNM- group (28%). Clinicopathological analysis showed that PTK6 expression in the LNM + group was negatively correlated with the 5-year survival of patients. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that only PTK6 expression in the LNM + group was negatively correlated with OS and DFS. COX analysis also showed that PTK6 expression and N stage were independent prognostic factors for DFS in the LNM + group. No correlation was observed between HER2 and PTK6 expression in any of the groups. Conclusions This study suggests that PTK6 promotes tumor development and was associated with poor prognosis in the LNM + group of triple negative breast cancer. Inhibition of PTK6 may be a new approach for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer patients, especially those with metastasis. | Prognostic impact of PTK6 expression in triple negative breast cancer | 10.1186/s12905-023-02736-y |
2023-11-06 | In recent years, the claim for renewable energy sources has increased worldwide, especially in Europe. In this context, fuel-grade ethanol has been more adopted as energy source. Therefore, the understanding of the carbon steel pipelines’ degradation mechanism when they are in contact with this renewable fuel is of great importance. In this work, fatigue crack growth tests were performed in order to evaluate the effect of modified simulated fuel-grade ethanol (MSFGE) on the fatigue crack growth of API 5L X70 pipeline steel. The tests were conducted under a constant force ratio of 0.1 and frequencies of 0.5 Hz (increasing ∆ K ) and 0.25 Hz (increasing ∆ K and decreasing ∆ K ). The fatigue crack growth rates measured in MSFGE tests were higher compared to those obtained in typical conditions. This effect was more pronounced in the test performed at 0.25 Hz. The microstructure and fracture surface analysis of specimens by scanning electron microscopy confirmed the embrittlement effect of MSFGE. Some of the observations indicated hydrogen-induced cracking contribution. | Fatigue crack propagation of API 5L X70 steel in a modified simulated fuel-grade ethanol (MSFGE) environment | 10.1007/s40430-023-04540-z |
2023-11-06 | Eucalyptus clones have wide plasticity and worldwide dispersion, growing satisfactorily in different edaphoclimatic conditions. Furthermore, clones with higher phosphorus (P) uptake efficiency can grow in soils with lower P availability, due to their fast growth, biomass, and wood production. These traits can promote reduced use of phosphate fertilizers in nurseries and cultivation areas, thus lowering input costs and the likelihood of soil contamination. However, Eucalyptus spp. clones with higher P uptake efficiency are still relatively unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of Eucalyptus plants influence nutritional P efficiency and influence plant growth. Three concentrations of P were used, 10% P (very low level P), 30% P (low level P) and 100% (standard level P), of the standard concentration of P in Hoagland and Arnon solution and three Eucalyptus spp. clones ( Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus saligna , and Eucalyptus urograndis ). Morphological variables associated with shoot and root systems, photosynthetic variables, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme, and acid phosphatase activity were evaluated. Phosphorus concentration of 10% did not promote the production of plants with desirable morphological traits. The highest acid phosphatase values were found in the shoots of E. urograndis and E. saligna grown in the concentration of 10% P. Seedlings of E. urograndis were the most efficient in absorbing P. Furthermore, the concentration of 30% P was the one recommended for plant production to reach economic and ecological benefits. | Selecting Eucalyptus spp. Clones to Enable Higher Phosphorus Uptake Efficiency | 10.1007/s00344-023-11145-2 |
2023-11-06 | The carbon emission abatement within supply chain is an important part of the realization of carbon emission reduction target. This paper first establishes a supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and a retailer and then proposes three modes of carbon abatement under carbon tax mechanism, namely carbon abatement by manufacturer alone (M-mode), by retailer alone (R-mode) and by manufacturer and retailer jointly (J-mode). Based on profit maximization, the Stackelberg game model is adopted to get the optimal decisions, and then, the optimization results under three modes are compared and the sensitivity analyses are carried out. The results show that the impacts of carbon tax on the manufacturer profit and retailer profit under three modes are complex and subject to the changes in the external environment. The carbon abatement level, the market demand, the profit of manufacturer and retailer are all the highest under J-mode, and hence, the J-mode is the optimal choice for the manufacturer and retailer. The management insight is that the firms and the government should increase the publicity of low-carbon products to improve the greenness of products, the market demand, profits and social welfare. The government should consider the external environment to set different levels of carbon tax according to different targets. | A comparative study of carbon emission reduction modes in supply chain under carbon tax mechanism | 10.1007/s10668-023-03964-w |
2023-11-04 | Owing to the increasing low-carbon demand, environmentally friendly supercapacitors with low temperature resistance have attracted increasing attention. Herein, biomass hydrogels were successfully fabricated by covalently cross-linked lignin (Lig) with soy protein isolate (SPI) and assembled into supercapacitors. The performance of hydrogel electrolytes and the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors were studied systematically. The hydrogel electrolyte achieved the highest ionic conductivity of 0.086 S cm −1 with 50% addition of SPI. The supercapacitor displayed an excellent specific capacitance of 150.80 F g −1 at room temperature. Importantly, over 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, the capacitance retention rate maintained more than 73.5%, and the coulombic efficiency was around 100%. Besides, the electrochemical performance of the supercapacitors at low temperature was investigated as well. Even at −20 °C, the flexible supercapacitor could keep a specific capacitance of 135.71 F g −1 , with a capacitance retention rate up to 90% of room temperature, indicating a prominent resistance at subzero temperature. Overall, this work lays a foundation for the preparation of environmentally friendly and low temperature resistant solid-state supercapacitors, which is conducive to the practical application under harsh environments. Graphical Abstract | Lignin/soy protein isolate-based hydrogel polymer electrolytes for flexible solid-state supercapacitors with low temperature resistance | 10.1007/s10008-023-05726-0 |
2023-11-04 | Purpose The middle cluneal nerve (MCN) is a pure sensory nerve around the middle buttock. Its entrapment between the iliac crest and the long posterior sacroiliac ligament elicits low back pain (LBP) that can be treated by MCN neurolysis or neurectomy. Because few studies examined the pathology of MCN entrapment (MCN-E) we subjected 7 neurectomized specimens from 6 LBP patients to pathologic study. Methods We present 6 consecutive patients (7 sides) with intractable LBP who underwent successful MCN neurectomy. Their symptom duration ranged from 6 to 96 months (average 47.3 months); the follow-up period ranged from 6 to 17 months (average 11.7 months). The surgical outcomes were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS) for LBP and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) score. The resected MCNs underwent neuropathological analysis. Results Postoperatively, all 6 patients reported immediate LBP amelioration; their NRS and RDQ scores were improved significantly. Pathological study of the 7 resected nerves showed that the myelinated fiber density was decreased in 6 nerves; we observed marked enlargement (n = 5), perineurial thickening and disruption (n = 6), intrafascicular fibrous changes (n = 5), myelinated fibers separated by fibrous cells under the perineurium (n = 4), and Renaut bodies (n = 3). The 7th nerve appeared normal with respect to the density and size of the myelinated fibers, however, the perineurium was slightly thickened. Conclusion We present pathological evidence at the MCN compression site of 7 nerves from 6 patients whose LBP was alleviated by MCN neurectomy, indicating that MCN entrapment can elicit LBP. | A clinicopathological study of low back pain due to middle cluneal nerve entrapment: case series | 10.1007/s00586-023-07944-6 |
2023-11-03 | In water-based experiments exploring ultralow or super low friction, the implementation of a running-in period before reaching such states is necessary and important. However, the effect of the change in contact geometry has not been fully realized. In this paper, a series of running-in tests on a Si 3 N 4 ball and a WC plate have been performed in glycerol–water mixtures with different concentrations. The shape of the wear scars and the chemical compositions of the worn surfaces were characterized in detail. A numerical EHD and mixed lubrication model was established to comprehensively analyze the effects of geometric profiles, surface roughness, and working/lubrication conditions on ultralow or super low sliding friction. The experiment and simulation results of the study have provided an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of super low friction of liquid lubricated sliding point contacts. Graphical abstract | Effect of Running-In Conditions on the Super Low EHD Sliding Friction of Si3N4 Ball and WC Plate in Glycerol–Water Solution | 10.1007/s11249-023-01796-3 |
2023-11-03 | Background We have been documenting the biological responses to low levels of radiation (natural background) and very low level radiation (below background), and thus these studies are testing mild external stimuli to which we would expect relatively mild biological responses. We recently published a transcriptome software comparison study based on RNA-Seqs from a below background radiation treatment of two model organisms, E. coli and C. elegans (Thawng and Smith, BMC Genomics 23:452, 2022). We reported DNAstar-D (Deseq2 in the DNAstar software pipeline) to be the more conservative, realistic tool for differential gene expression compared to other transcriptome software packages (CLC, Partek and DNAstar-E (using edgeR). Here we report two follow-up studies (one with a new model organism, Aedes aegypti and another software package (Azenta) on transcriptome responses from varying dose rates using three different sources of natural radiation. Results When E. coli was exposed to varying levels of K40, we again found that the DNAstar-D pipeline yielded a more conservative number of DEGs and a lower fold-difference than the CLC pipeline and DNAstar-E run in parallel. After a 30 read minimum cutoff criterion was applied to the data, the number of significant DEGs ranged from 0 to 81 with DNAstar-D, while the number of significant DEGs ranged from 4 to 117 and 14 to 139 using DNAstar-E and the CLC pipelines, respectively. In terms of the extent of expression, the highest foldchange DEG was observed in DNAstar-E with 19.7-fold followed by 12.5-fold in CLC and 4.3-fold in DNAstar-D. In a recently completed study with Ae. Aegypti and using another software package (Azenta), we analyzed the RNA-Seq response to similar sources of low-level radiation and again found the DNAstar-D pipeline to give the more conservative number and fold-expression of DEGs compared to other softwares. The number of significant DEGs ranged 31–221 in Azenta and 31 to 237 in CLC, 19–252 in DNAstar-E and 0–67 in DNAStar-D. The highest fold-change of DEGs were found in CLC (1,350.9-fold), with DNAstar-E (5.9 -fold) and Azenta (5.5-fold) intermediate, and the lowest levels of expression (4-fold) found in DNAstar-D. Conclusions This study once again highlights the importance of choosing appropriate software for transcriptome analysis. Using three different biological models (bacteria, nematode and mosquito) in four different studies testing very low levels of radiation (Van Voorhies et al., Front Public Health 8:581796, 2020; Thawng and Smith, BMC Genomics 23:452, 2022; current study), the CLC software package resulted in what appears to be an exaggerated gene expression response in terms of numbers of DEGs and extent of expression. Setting a 30-read cutoff diminishes this exaggerated response in most of the software tested. We have further affirmed that DNAstar-Deseq2 gives a more conservative transcriptome expression pattern which appears more suitable for studies expecting subtle gene expression patterns. | Transcriptome software results show significant variation among different commercial pipelines | 10.1186/s12864-023-09683-w |
2023-11-03 | Specific workloads are increasingly offloaded to accelerators such as a graphic processing unit (GPU) and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for real-time processing and computing efficiency. Because accelerators are expensive and consume much power, it is desirable to increase the efficiency of accelerator utilization by sharing accelerators among multiple servers over a network. However, task offloading over a network has the problem of latency due to network processing overhead in remote offloading. This paper proposes a low-latency system for accelerator offloading over a network. To reduce the overhead of remote offloading, we propose a system composed of (1) fast recombination processing of chunked data with a simple protocol to reduce the number of memory copies, (2) polling-based packet receiving check to reduce overhead due to interrupts in interaction with a network interface card, and (3) a run-to-completion model in network processing and accelerator offloading to reduce overhead with context switching. We show that the system can improve performance by 66.40% compared with a simple implementation using kernel protocol stack and confirmed the performance improvement with a virtual radio access network use case as a low-latency application. Furthermore, we show that this performance can also be achieved in practical usage in data center networks. | Low-latency remote-offloading system for accelerator | 10.1007/s12243-023-00994-3 |
2023-11-02 | Acetylene terminated polymers are gaining interest due to the need for easily processable thermally stable networks. The Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs)—aluminum fumarate (Al_FA_A) and copper fumarate (Cu_FA_A) MOFs were synthesized and blended with bispropargyl ether (bis (4-propargyloxyphenyl) sulfone—SPE). The (SPE + 1% MOFs) blends were characterized and thermally polymerized to give P(SPE + MOFs). The synthesized materials were characterized using FTIR, DSC, TG and TG-FTIR. The addition of both MOFs decreased the enthalpy of fusion and enthalpy of curing by 60%. The addition of copper MOF to SPE drastically reduced the temperature at which the thermal curing was maximum (300 °C to 252 °C). The 2-H chromenes were formed from bispropargyl ethers by Claisen-type sigmatropic rearrangement. Compared to pure SPE, the polymers resulting from hybrid systems show a slower thermal degradation rate. The sulfone as a swivel group in SPE and the involvement of fumarate π-bonds of MOFs during polymerization make the material more versatile. The investigation concluded that these novel inorganic–organic hybrid blends may be a good start for low-temperature curable sufficiently thermally stable matrix resin systems having a wide scope of applicability in the field of filler-reinforced composites. | Fumarate metal organic frameworks as reactive and curing reaction alternant in hydrophobic bispropargyl ether based matrix resin system | 10.1007/s10965-023-03817-0 |
2023-11-02 | In the course of developing hydrogen-enriched blast furnace ironmaking operation, the carburization and melting behavior of the fully reduced low-reduced iron (LRI) and the iron ore sinter (IOS) on the coke substrate were investigated at 1773 and 1823 K under 40%CO–40%N 2 –20%H 2 gas atmosphere. The LRI sample was not carburized at 1773 K due to the inhibition ash layer on the coke surface; consequently, it was not melted. Although the reduced iron of the LRI sample was melted at 1823 K, it was not carburized due to the prevention of the ash layer. On the other hand, the IOS sample was carburized to be melted at 1773 and 1823 K. The self-fluxing slag cleaned the ash layer on the coke surface, enabling the carburization and melting of the reduced iron. It is concluded that the liquid slag formation accelerated the carburization of the reduced iron, whereas the liquid metal formation did not increase the carburization rate. Due to the difficulty in carburization and melting of LRI, the use of LRI in the hydrogen-enriched blast furnace operation can be limited. Graphical Abstract | Investigation of Carburization and Melting Behavior of Fully Reduced LRI and IOS on Coke Substrates | 10.1007/s12540-023-01551-2 |
2023-11-02 | Incorporation of siloxane-functionalized units into polymers backbone has proven to be an efficient strategy to improve photovoltaic performance. In this work, a low-cost siloxane-containing unit was developed to construct a series of terpolymers, and the effects of siloxane on the polymer performance were systematically studied. Different contents of thiophene containing siloxane-functionalized side chain were introduced into PM6 to obtain a series of polymers (PM6, PM6-SiO-10, PM6-SiO-20 and PM6-SiO-30). The siloxane-functionalized side chains in polymers have only a slight effect on the absorption behavior and frontier molecular orbitals. However, when the siloxane content increased, the terpolymers’ aggregation property decreased and the temperature-dependency increased, leading to improved donor-acceptor compatibility. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) based on PM6:Y6, PM6-SiO-20:Y6 and PM6-SiO-30:Y6 devices was 15.64%, 16.03% and 15.82%, respectively. In comparison, the active layer based on PM6-SiO-10:Y6 exhibits the most appropriate phase separation morphology, resulting in effective exciton dissociation, more balanced hole-electron transport and less recombination. Consequently, the highest PCE of 16.69% with an outstanding short-circuit current density of 26.96 mA·cm −2 was obtained, which are one of the highest values for siloxane-functionalized polymer-based devices. This work demonstrates that finely controlling the content of siloxane-functionalized thiophene is beneficial for obtaining high-performance terpolymer donors and provides a novel and low-cost method to improve photovoltaic performance. | Random Terpolymer Based on Simple Siloxane-functionalized Thiophene Unit Enabling High-performance Non-fullerene Organic Solar Cells | 10.1007/s10118-023-3051-y |
2023-11-02 | Physical human–robotic interaction is a crucial area of concern for robotic exoskeletons. Lower weight requirement for the worn exoskeletons limits the number and size of joint actuators, resulting in a low active degree of freedom for the exoskeletons with joint actuators having limited power and bandwidth. This limitation invariably results in reduced physical human–robotic interaction performance for the exoskeleton. Recently several techniques have been proposed for the low active degree of freedom exoskeletons with improved physical human–robotic interaction performance using better load torque compensators and improved active compliance. However, effective practical implementation of these techniques requires special hardware and software design considerations. A detailed design of a new lower body exoskeleton is proposed in this paper that can apply these recently developed techniques to practically improve the physical human–robotic interaction performance of the worn exoskeletons. The design presented includes the exoskeleton's structural design, new joint assemblies and the design of novel 3-D passive, compliant supports. A methodology of selecting and verifying the joint actuators and estimating the desired assistive forces at the contact supports based on human user joint torque requirements and the degree of assistance is also thoroughly presented. A new CAN-based master–slave control architecture that supports the implementation of recent techniques for improved physical human–robotic interaction is also fully presented. A new control strategy capable of imparting simultaneous impedance-based force tracking control of the exoskeleton in task space using DOB-based-DLTC at joint space is also thoroughly presented. Simulation verification of the proposed strategy based on the actual gait data of elderly is presented lastly. | Design control and actuator selection of a lower body assistive exoskeleton with 3-D passive compliant supports | 10.1007/s40430-023-04480-8 |
2023-11-01 | Today, it can be considered established that the thermal scheme of the human body consists of a "core", which includes the brain, internal organs of the chest and abdominal cavities, and a "shell" consisting of skin, hypodermic matrices, and superficial muscles. The goal of the work is to design a device for slow noncontact defrosting of a limb that has received a cold injury and previously was thermally insulated from the external environment. Measurements were made of the temperature of the muscle tissue of a biological object frostbitten under experimental conditions that was previously placed in a heat-insulating material with subsequent noncontact heating with low-power microwaves. Since the heat-insulating material is ratio transparent for the microwave range, the heating effect will act directly on the sample under study. | Influence of Electromagnetic Waves on the Temperature Field of Frozen Biological Objects in Arctic Conditions | 10.1007/s10891-023-02810-0 |
2023-11-01 | Abstract The development of the friction stir channelling (FSC) technology has a potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry, providing an innovative way to produce continuous sub-surface channels in monolithic components in a single step. However, the process generates heat that can lead to defects and loss of stationarity, affecting the quality of the channels produced and the process’ efficiency and control. To address these challenges, a ground-breaking study was conducted using a cooled copper backing plate to adjust the process temperatures and investigate the influence of the temperature on FSC stability. The results of the study showed that the cooled copper backing plate has a significantly higher rate of heat conduction, effectively preventing the processed component from overheating and ensuring that the process maintains its stationarity. When using the steel backing plate, only one combination of process parameters (a rotation speed of 450 rev/min and a traverse speed of 71 mm/min) yielded satisfactory results. Moreover, the use of the cooled copper backing plate allowed for a wider range of process parameters to be employed, resulting in sub-surface channels with higher quality and fewer defects. The 710/71 parameters combination resulted in a lower heat input, while the 900/45 parameters set produced channels with a more rectangular geometry. A rotation speed of 900 rev/min and a traverse speed of 45 mm/min have been shown to be the best choice. This innovative approach to FSC technology represents a major step forward in solid-state manufacturing, envisaging new possibilities for producing longer sub-surface channels with superior quality and greater efficiency. Highlights • Conducting the FSC process at low temperature has improved its stability. • The use of a cooled copper backing plate enabled a broader range of FSC process parameters. • Longer and stabler leak-free sub-surface channels have been produced in aluminium alloys. Graphical Abstract | Improving the stability of the friction stir channelling technology via a cooled copper backing plate | 10.1007/s00170-023-12211-5 |
2023-11-01 | To achieve stable low air-ratio combustion in stoker-type incinerators for waste power generation, we devised a furnace with high-temperature mixed gas and recirculated exhaust gas blowing in from its ceiling. This method can always keep the pyrolysis gas from the waste layer opposite the high-temperature mixed gas along the furnace width direction for head-on collisions and likely give more stability to combustion. In a demonstration experiment using a 125 kg/h pilot plant, we examined the optimal blowing conditions from the furnace ceiling and, at the same time, confirmed the achievability of stable low air-ratio combustion with low NOx concentrations for waste of widely varied quality with lower calorific values ranging from 7.1 to 13.8 MJ/kg. Moreover, we studied the NOx reduction mechanism based on a three-dimensional CFD calculation and estimated that effective two-staged combustion occurred in the furnace. The actual plant incorporating these development results achieved stable low air-ratio combustion in its operation with the NOx concentration reduced by 22%, and the amount of power sold increased by 17% relative to the conventional stoker-type incinerator. | Development of a waste incinerator based on high-temperature air combustion technology | 10.1007/s10163-023-01748-y |
2023-11-01 | With the development of infrared detection, a single low emissivity or thermal insulation material can no longer meet the needs, and it is particularly important to design a composite material combining these two factors. In this paper, we designed an all-in-one structural composite material combining a flexible low-emissivity silver plating thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fibers and a thermally insulating waterborne polyurethane (WPU) aerogel. The low-emissivity surface is made of silver plated electrostatically spun TPU film, and the thermal insulation part is composed of a WPU/cellulose nanofiber (CNF) aerogel. These two parts are formed by putting TPU fibers on the prepared WPU/CNF solution to obtain the desirable composite by a one-step freeze-drying method without additional binder. The infrared emissivity of the composite surface is as low as 0.294 (3–5 μm) and 0.292 (8–14 μm), and the temperature difference of about 59 °C can be generated with the heat target at 100 °C. It shows good camouflage ability to infrared thermal signal under infrared camera. Besides of the advantages of lightweight, flexible and excellent mechanical properties, we believe due to the synergistic effect of low emissivity and thermal insulating will make it a good candidate in the infrared stealth field. | Low emissivity and thermal insulating infrared stealth composite of silver plating TPU fibers@WPU/CNF aerogel with all-in-one structure | 10.1007/s10570-023-05496-y |
2023-11-01 | This study investigates the potential of using sewage sludge and low-rank coal for the sustainable production of sulfuric acid, which can then be used for the hydrolysis of straw through ASPEN PLUS simulation. Pyrolysis and gasification processes were used to convert sewage sludge and low-rank coal into syngas, which were then purified and oxidized to produce H 2 SO 4 and NH 3 gas. The pyro-gasification enhanced syngas yield. The effects of key process parameters such as temperature, steam-to-biomass ratio, equivalence ratio, and feedstock composition on the yield and composition of syngas and H 2 SO 4 coupled with minor parameters like pressure were investigated. The simulation was conducted over the temperature and pressure range of 400 – 900°°C and 70 – 150 kPa respectively. While the steam-to-biomass ratio and equivalence ratio were respectively varied from 0.66 – 1.65 and 0.14 – 0.35. Part of the 1012.88 kg/h of H 2 SO 4 produced was used to hydrolyze straw, producing glucose as a valuable feedstock for biorefineries. About 3989.10 kg/h of NH 3 was produced. Results showed that the use of sewage sludge and low-rank coal as feedstocks for syngas production can be a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The resulting H 2 SO 4 can also be used for various other applications, such as in the production of fertilizers and detergents. Overall, this study agrees with the literature, demonstrates the potential of integrating biomass and waste resources for the sustainable production of high-value chemicals and fuels, and contributes to the field of sustainable chemical and energy production while addressing environmental and economic considerations. | Conversion of low-rank coal and sewage sludge into syngas for H2SO4 production and straw hydrolysis | 10.1007/s11356-023-30288-z |
2023-11-01 | Gradient ultra-low temperature forming is a novel process for improving the forming limit of thin-walled aluminum alloy components. However, it is critical to prevent wrinkling defects through blank holding. It is not clear whether the gradient temperature can meet the deformation requirements for preventing wrinkling defects with draw beads and blank holding. The effects of a draw bead and the blank-holder force on the wrinkling behavior in gradient ultra-low temperature forming of a 7075 aluminum alloy hemispherical shell were investigated experimentally in this study. The wrinkle control mechanism was revealed through stress and strain analyses. The blank-holder force required to prevent wrinkling could be reduced significantly by setting a draw bead. A blank-holder force of 120 kN could be used to form a sound hemispherical specimen with a diameter of 200 mm, which was 31.5% of the force without the draw bead. This benefited from the reduced hoop compressive stress in the unsupported region, which decreased to 165 MPa from 516 MPa. The hemispherical shell formed using gradient ultra-low temperature forming was twice as high as that at room temperature. The deviation in thickness was only 7.2%. Moreover, microstructural observations revealed the reason for this enhanced formability. The uniformly distributed high-density dislocations at ultra-low temperatures significantly improved the strain-hardening ability, thus allowing the deformation to be withstood and transferred. This could prevent splitting of the unsupported region when using a draw bead to prevent wrinkling. This is beneficial for significantly reducing the tonnage requirements, particularly for large-sized thin-walled components, which can expand the application range of gradient ultra-low temperature forming. Graphical abstract | Wrinkling control and microstructure of 7075 aluminum alloy hemispherical shell in gradient ultra-low temperature forming | 10.1007/s00170-023-12422-w |
2023-11-01 | This paper focuses on utilizing mixed salts to create a synergistic effect, particularly at lower temperatures. In this study, lithium tetrafluoroborate(LiBF 4 ) and lithium difluoro (oxalic acid) borate (LiODFB) were added to an electrolyte consisting of ethyl carbonate (EC), propylidene carbonate (PC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and ethyl acetate (EA) using LiCoO 2 as cathode material. The electrochemical properties of the obtained electrolyte were evaluated by various analytical techniques. Analysis of electrical conductivity showed that there is a certain relationship between solution conductivity and electrolyte composition and temperature. The capacity and cycle stability of LiCoO 2 positive electrode in different electrolyte systems and at different temperatures were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge–discharge cycle, and impedance test. The surface properties of LiCoO 2 cathode after cycling were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that at − 20 °C, the first discharge specific capacity at 0.1C rate is 110.6 mAh/g, and the capacity retention rate of 100th cycle is 89.96%. The results of SEM morphology of the electrode before and after cycling show that too much or more LiODFB can form a thick or sparse CEI film, and the mixed salt 0.7 M LiBF 4 /0.3 M LiODFB-based electrolyte can form a uniform and dense CEI film that protects the electrode and prevents electrolyte decomposition. | Study on synergistic effect and low temperature performance of LiODFB/LiBF4 mixed salt based electrolyte | 10.1007/s11581-023-05170-0 |
2023-11-01 | Nitrate reductase (NR) is an important enzyme for nitrate assimilation in plants, and its activity is regulated by post-translational phosphorylation. The change of nitrogen uptake affects the response of rice to low temperature and its growth. To investigate the effect of NIA1 protein dephosphorylation on the growth of rice and its adaptability to low temperature, we analyzed phenotype, chlorophyll content, nitrogen utilization, and antioxidant capacity at low temperature in lines with a mutated NIA1 phosphorylation site ( S532D and S532A ), an OsNia1 over-expression line ( OE ), and wild-type Kitaake rice (WT). Plant height, dry matter weight, and chlorophyll content of S532D and S532A were lower than those of WT and OE under normal growth conditions but were higher than those of WT and OE at low temperature. Compared with WT and OE , the nitrite, H 2 O 2 , and MDA contents of S532D and S532A leaves were higher under normal growth conditions. The difference in leaf nitrite content between transgenic lines and WT was narrower at low temperature, especially in S532D and S532A , while H 2 O 2 and MDA contents of S532D and S532A leaves were lower than those in WT and OE leaves. The NH 4 + -N and amino acid contents of S532D and S532A leaves were higher than those of WT and OE leaves under normal or low temperature. qRT-PCR results revealed that transcription levels of OsNrt2.4 , OsNia2 , and OsNADH-GOGAT were positively correlated with those of OsNia1 , and the transcription levels of OsNrt2.4 , OsNia2 , and OsNADH-GOGAT were significantly higher in transgenic lines than in WT under both normal and low temperature. Phosphorylation of NR is a steady-state regulatory mechanism of nitrogen metabolism, and dephosphorylation of NIA1 protein improved NR activity and nitrogen utilization efficiency in rice. Excessive accumulation of nitrite under normal growth conditions inhibits the growth of rice; however, accumulation of nitrite is reduced at low temperature, enhancing the cold tolerance of rice. These results provide a new insight for improving cold tolerance of rice. | Dephosphorylation of Nitrate Reductase Protein Regulates Growth of Rice and Adaptability to Low Temperature | 10.1007/s00344-023-10985-2 |
2023-11-01 | The measurement of dielectric properties of foods is essential in the design and control of microwave drying systems as they describe the capability of a material to absorb, transmit and reflect electromagnetic energy. The dielectric properties of selected low-moisture products (corn starch, curry, paprika, rice grain and wheat grain) were evaluated by open-ended coaxial probe (OECP) and cavity perturbation techniques. Semi-skimmed milk powder was heated at 50 and 60 °C, to determine the change in dielectric properties at higher temperatures. The increase in moisture content (from 7.19 to 13.08%, wet basis, w.b.) and its influence on the relative complex permittivity was verified for semi-skimmed milk powder. The results showed that the dielectric constant tends to increase with temperature and moisture content, and with the decrease in frequency from 2450 to 915 MHz. Values ranged from 1 for corn starch (OECP at 2450 MHz) to 4.36 for rice grain (cavity perturbation at 915 MHz). The loss factor ranged from 0.02 for curry to 0.48 for rice grain, both at 2450 MHz. It was possible to obtain a comparison between the two techniques and to have a general idea of the range of values for dielectric properties of foods with low moisture. The OECP technique requires good contact between product and probe, which was possible with the compression system developed in this study. The cavity perturbation technique has been proven to be reliable for many foods, especially at low moisture contents, requiring a specific microwave applicator to be designed for each frequency range. Graphical abstract | Dielectric properties of low moisture foods measured by open-ended coaxial probe and cavity perturbation technique | 10.1007/s00217-023-04333-7 |
2023-11-01 | Acetone is solvent widely used in laboratories and factories. Serious problems will occur when it is exposed to the environment. Therefore, a new design for a bimetallic metal functional group catalyst that can convert acetone into carbon dioxide and water within 250 °C was prepared, in order to effectively treat acetone and reduce the required energy. Hydrophobic Y type zeolite adsorption and low-temperature catalytic combustion were used to continuously treat acetone, and the effect of different operating parameters (including different metal loads, metal content, transformation temperature, pollutant concentration, and space velocity) on the efficiency of acetone treatment was discussed in this study. The isothermal adsorption model, kinetics, and thermodynamic model analysis were also used to establish the reaction mechanism, and to explore the factors affecting the catalyst reaction rate. The results show that the acetone conversion rate of 10-Fe 1 Mn 1 -USY reaches 90% at 400 ppm, 20,000 h −1 space velocity, and 227 °C. The kinetic behavior of the reaction between 10-Fe 1 Mn 1 -USY and acetone is more suited to the Power-rate Law model. Arrhenius equation analysis results show that the required activation energy for the reaction between 10-Fe 1 Mn 1 -USY and acetone is 70.2 kJ mol −1 , and the collision frequency factor is 2.81 × 10 5 s −1 . This reaction is an endothermic reaction, and the main reaction mechanism is surface metal oxidation. Graphical Abstract A new design for a bimetallic metal functional group catalyst that can convert acetone into carbon dioxide and water within 250 ℃ was prepared, in order to effectively treat acetone and reduce the required energy. Hydrophobic Y type zeolite adsorption and low-temperature catalytic combustion were used to continuously treat acetone, and the effect of different operating parameters on the efficiency of acetone treatment was discussed in this study. Result shown that the redox reaction between the adsorbed acetone and the active oxygen on the surface of the catalyst to generate CO 2 and H 2 O. | Specifically Designed Metal Functional Group Doped Hydrophobic Zeolite for Acetone Removal with Low Temperature Catalytic Reaction | 10.1007/s10562-022-04189-8 |
2023-11-01 | Abstract Methods for increasing a pulsed magnetic field with an amplitude of about 40 T that a cylindrical thick-walled inductor made of 30KhGSA grade steel can withstand without destruction under repeated impact are considered. The methods involve a change in the material parameters, in the magnetic pulse characteristics, and in the inner radius, as well as making a profile of resistivity that decreases from the inner surface deep into the material. | Methods for Increasing the Threshold of a Pulsed Magnetic Field That Causes Steel Inductor Destruction under Repeated Impact | 10.3103/S1062873823703707 |
2023-11-01 | A linear fluorinated benzocyclobutene-type monomer (4F-bis-BCB) was facilely synthesized by a one-step copper-catalyzed etherification reaction and a simple precipitation post-purification method. Moreover, a series of BCB-based polymeric low-dielectric (low- k ) materials were obtained by the thermal-induced ring-opening copolymerization of 4F-bis-BCB with divinyl tetramethyl disiloxane-bisbenzocyclobutene (DVS-BCB) monomer and further simple thermal curing at high temperature (200–300 °C). The resultant fully cured materials demonstrated excellent low dielectric properties at high frequency of 10 GHz (dielectric constant ( D k )<2.6, dielectric loss ( D f )<1.57×10 −2 ), great hydrophobicity (water contact angle >116°), ultra-low water absorption (<0.19% after soaked in water at room temperature for 60 h) and excellent planarization ability (surface roughness<0.56 nm of 3 µm-thick film). Overall, this new fluorinated BCB-type monomer provides us an alternative for the facile preparation of low- k polymeric materials and exhibits great potential for future applications in high-frequency communication and three-dimensional high-density packaging technologies. | Low Dielectric Benzocyclobutene-type Polymers Based on Facile Synthesis of Linear Fluorinated Monomer | 10.1007/s10118-023-2955-x |
2023-11-01 | The method of orientation microscopy (EBSD) is used to study the structural and textural states of samples of low-carbon low-alloy steel of type 06G2MB subjected to thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP) by five pilot routes differing in the finishing hot-rolling temperature and in the intensity of the controlled cooling. The interrelation between the processing parameters, the structure and the mechanical properties of the samples is determined. It is shown that the TMCP route with the finishing hot-rolling temperature close to A 3 and maximum cooling intensity is the most optimal treatment. | Effect of Controlled Thermomechanical Processing Routes on the Structural and Textural States of Low-Carbon Low-Alloy Steel | 10.1007/s11041-023-00959-2 |
2023-11-01 | This study reports the fabrication of manganese (Mn) doped antiferroelectric (AFE) thick films (thickness of ~ 2 μm) of (Pb 0.93 La 0.07 )(Zr 0.82 Ti 0.18 )O 3 (PLZT 7/82/18) at room temperature using aerosol deposition (AD) technique without any additional thermal treatment. The Mn-doped PLZT 7/82/18 AD thick films demonstrate excellent energy storage and electrical properties despite being fabricated at room temperature. The dielectric properties of the PLZT AD thick films were investigated across a frequency range of 100 Hz–1 MHz and a temperature range of 25–250 o C. The Mn-doped PLZT AD thick films exhibit a dielectric constant of ~ 108, low dielectric loss of 0.0211, and high-temperature stability of ~ 5.5% (from 1 kHz to 1 MHz). The bipolar P-E and I-E hysteresis loops of the PLZT AD thick films do not show an AFE behavior, however, resemble the paraelectric/dielectric type of loops. The Mn-doped PLZT AD thick films exhibit high dielectric breakdown strength (DBS) of ~ 5420 kV/cm, energy-storage density (ESD) of ~ 38.7 W/cm 3 , with high energy efficiency of ~ 71%. Additionally, the Mn-doped PLZT AD thick films demonstrate a low leakage current and excellent fatigue properties, as indicated by the obtained polarization, DBS, ESD, and energy efficiency after 10 8 cycles. | Low leakage current, enhanced energy storage, and fatigue endurance in room-temperature deposited (Pb0.93La0.07)(Zr0.82Ti0.18)O3 thick films | 10.1007/s43207-023-00322-4 |
2023-11-01 | The NO x emission of coal slime burned in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers could hardly meet the increasingly strict standards in China. Feeding coal slime from the top of furnace led to uneven combustion in furnace and cyclones, short residence time and overheated tail heating surface. The effects of feeding positions on the combustion uniformity and pollutant emission characteristics of coal slime were studied. The experimental results showed that the coal slime combustion was more uniform when feeding from the front wall and longer residence time was conducive to the control of NO x emission. When the boiler temperature and excess air ratio were almost identical, the initial NO x emissions were 45.0 mg·m −3 and 70.7 mg·m −3 when feeding from the front wall and the top of furnace, respectively; the NO x emission was cut down 36.35% when feeding from the front wall, successfully meeting the ultra-low NO x emission standard of China. The adoption of feeding from the front wall greatly reduced the original emission of NO x ; the operation costs in the practical applications were saved to a large extent. | Combustion and NOx Emission Characteristics of Coal Slime Solid Waste at Different Feeding Positions | 10.1007/s11630-023-1863-2 |
2023-11-01 | Low nocturnal temperature (LNT) is a primary limitation in the greenhouse cultivation of vegetables during winter and spring, because it limits the availability of soil phosphorus (P), causing P-deficient symptoms. However, how LNT affects the P-cycling-related bacterial community composition and the turnover of soil P fractions is unknown. To address this issue, a 40-day indoor incubation experiment was used to investigate the effects of four nocturnal temperatures (15 °C, 12 °C, 9 °C, and 6 °C) on soil P fractions, alkaline phosphomonoesterase (ALP) activity, and the absolute abundance and composition of phoD - and pqqC -harboring microbial community. The low temperature decreased labile inorganic P (LPi) and increased labile organic P (LPo) and moderately labile Pi and Po (MLPi, MLPo). Low temperature decreased phoD and pqqC gene absolute abundance while increasing pqqC -harboring bacterial richness. The classes Actinobacteria , Alphaproteobacteria , and Betaproteobacteria dominated the phoD - and pqqC -harboring taxa in response to low temperature, despite low temperature, which decreased the absolute abundance of the phoD gene, potentially decreasing NaHCO 3 -Po and NaOH-Po mineralization. Moreover, low temperature influenced pqqC gene absolute abundance and pqqC -harboring bacterial community composition, likely decreasing NaOH-Pi solubilization. However, the soil LP and MLP fractions were only significantly correlated by pqqC gene absolute abundance and pqqC -harboring community composition. | Microorganisms regulate soil phosphorus fractions in response to low nocturnal temperature by altering the abundance and composition of the pqqC gene rather than that of the phoD gene | 10.1007/s00374-023-01766-w |
2023-11-01 | Abstract The powders of Rh and CeO 2 are synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquid. The Rh–CeO 2 model catalysts are prepared by the calcination of these powders in a wide temperature range from 450 °C to 1000 °C. The formation of individual and mixed (rhodium- and cerium-containing) phases with increasing temperature of catalyst calcination is studied by powder XRD and Raman spectroscopy. The redox properties of prepared catalysts are tested in a temperature-programmed reaction of CO reduction; their catalytic properties are studied on the example of CO oxidation. It is shown that the catalysts remain stable during catalytic tests due to the formation of a nano-heterophase system consisting of rhodium oxide (Rh 2 O 3 ) and cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) nanoparticles. The discovered high stability is most likely explained by the formation of the Rh 3+ –CeO 2 species with the localization of Rh 3+ ions in subsurface CeO 2 layers due to the contacts between rhodium oxide and cerium oxide nanoparticles. Introducing Rh 3+ ions into Ce 4+ positions of the CeO 2 lattice distorts the cerium oxide structure and leads to the formation of active oxygen species interacting with CO at low temperatures. The catalysts are shown to preserve high activity in the reaction of low-temperature CO oxidation even after the calcination at 1000 °C. | Preparation of Model Rh–CeO2 Catalysts by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid | 10.1134/S0022476623110161 |
2023-11-01 | Multimodal therapy presents one of the most promising strategies for combining multiple therapies to treat the usually complex and insidious tumor tissue. Although multifunctional nanomaterials have been designed for the construction of multimodal therapies, the generally existing inadequate coordination among components might result in low synergistic therapeutic effects and prevent the realization of their full clinical potential. Herein, inspired by the controllable “cluster bomb” model, we designed an intelligent, biocompatible, and multifunctional nanofactory system (PDA@GOx@MnO 2 -PEG) that encapsulates a variety of nanoagents to achieve high destruction efficiency against tumor. The stimulus-responsive outer MnO 2 acts as the shell of “bomb” triggering the cascade catalytic reaction and forms a self-sustainable ring catalytic chain with glucose oxidase (GOx). Polydopamine (PDA) as a substrate with excellent protein carrying capacity achieves high GOx loading. Meanwhile, its efficient photothermal conversion efficiency exhibits the potential of low-temperature (∼45°C) to further enhance GOx enzymatic activity. Notably, the internal GOx is like a “sub-bomb” that is released in a controlled manner to increase the accumulation at tumor hypoxic sites, and gives full play to its glucose consumption capacity for starvation therapy under the help of sufficient oxygen and low hyperthermia. In this system, various nanoagents cooperate and advance layer by layer to fully exploit their power, forming a self-sufficient nanofactory model, and achieving excellent low-temperature photothermal-starvation synergistic therapy through a synergistic strategy. Moreover, the nanocomposite exhibits trimodal imaging capability for sensitive diagnosis and real-time monitoring of therapy. This study provides new insights for designing biocompatible and intelligent theranostic nanoplatforms to maximize the multi-modal therapeutic effect in precision medicine. 多模态疗法是结合多种疗法治疗通常复杂而隐蔽的肿瘤组织的最有希望的策略之一. 尽管多功能纳米材料已被设计用于构建多模态疗法, 但普遍存在的各组成部分之间的不充分协调可能导致协同治疗效果不佳, 并妨碍其充分实现临床潜力. 在此, 受可控“集束炸弹”模型的启发, 我们设计了一种智能、 生物相容、 多功能的纳米工厂系统(PDA@GOx@MnO 2 -PEG), 它封装了多种纳米试剂, 以达到对肿瘤组织的高破坏效率. 刺激反应性的外层二氧化锰作为“炸弹”的外壳可触发级联催化反应, 并与GOx形成一个自给自足的环形催化链. PDA作为一种具有良好蛋白质携带能力的基质, 实现了高的GOx负载. 同时, 其高效的光热转换效率显示了低温(~45°C)进一步提高GOx酶活性的潜力. 值得注意的是, 内部的GOx就像一个“子炸弹”, 通过控制释放来增加肿瘤缺氧部位的积累, 并在充足的氧气和低热度的帮助下充分发挥其葡萄糖消耗能力进行饥饿治疗. 在这个体系中, 各种纳米试剂相互配合, 层层推进, 充分发挥其威力, 形成了一个自给自足的纳米工厂模型, 通过协同策略实现了良好的低温光热-饥饿协同治疗. 此外, 该纳米复合材料表现出三态成像能力, 可用于敏感诊断和实时监控治疗. 这项研究为设计生物相容性和智能治疗纳米平台提供了新的见解, 使精准医疗中的多模式治疗效果最大化. | Mutually reinforcing nanofactory mimicking controllable “cluster bomb” for synergistic diagnosis and treatment of hypoxic cancer | 10.1007/s40843-023-2583-5 |
2023-11-01 | In this research, xylene was utilized as a simulated gas, γ-Al 2 O 3 pellets were selected as catalyst carriers, and FeO x , MnO x , CeO x , and CuO x were used as active components to analyze the synergistic treatment of VOCs–O 3 by low-temperature plasma combined with supported catalysts. Different metal oxides and other factors influence the synergistic treatment of VOCs–O 3 . The results showed that the catalytic effect of Fe–Mn/γ-Al 2 O 3 prepared by the equivalent volumes of consecutive impregnation method was better than that of Fe–Mn/γ-Al 2 O 3 prepared by co-impregnation method. When combined with low temperature plasma technology, high-energy electron collision reaction and oxidation reaction between free radicals occurs, which played a synergistic role in the degradation of VOCs–O 3 . The total removal rate of xylene was 94.88%, and the depletion rate of ozone was 84.1%. | Research on the Mechanism of Synergistic Treatment of VOCs–O3 by Low Temperature Plasma Catalysis Technology | 10.1007/s11090-023-10366-3 |
2023-11-01 | Low temperatures limit the development of Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia), and an increase in low-temperature tolerance would increase yields. We studied the responses of tilapia to low temperatures. The fish were labeled CK, AA, BB, and CC based on treatment (25 °C, 12 °C/1 h, 12 °C/24 h, and 12 °C/48 h, respectively) with CK being the control group. We examined the transcriptome responses and the Na + /K + -ATPase activity of gill tissue in each group. The Na + /K + -ATPase activity varied with the treatment time. Transcriptome sequencing of 12 individuals yielded 585.51 million clean reads, and at least 83.26% of the genes were mapped to the reference genome. Comparative analysis revealed 12,448 genes with significantly differential expression, including 792, 1,827, and 1,924 upregulated genes and 992, 3,056, and 3,857 genes downregulated for AA, BB, and CC, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for five genes. Functional annotation analysis of the DEGs identified functions associated with response to low-temperature stress. When tilapia was subjected to low-temperature stress, expression changes occurred in genes associated with cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, metabolic pathways, cell adhesion molecules, material transport, and immunity. The finding will help understand the effects of low temperatures on fish and provide a theoretical basis for the tilapia breeding industry. | Effect of low-temperature stress on transcriptome and Na+/K+-ATPase changes in Oreochromis niloticus gill tissues | 10.1007/s10228-023-00904-6 |
2023-11-01 | As the high calibre candidate of lightweight and flexible solar cells, polymer solar cells (PSCs) have made tremendous progress in recent years. However, the active photovoltaic materials in PSCs are mainly synthesized by metal-mediated coupling reaction requiring harsh reaction conditions, multiple-step synthesis, and cumbersome purification, which is not cost-efficient and may bring toxicity concerns. It is not favorable to the production of photovoltaic polymers and PSC devices on a large scale, and therefore unsuitable for the PSCs industrialization. Direct arylation coupling reaction via aromatic C—H bonds activation enables the synthesis of conjugated polymers under mild conditions and simultaneously reduces synthetic steps, difficulty, and toxic reaction byproducts. This review provides an overview of the history of preparing representative photovoltaic polymers utilized in PSCs through direct arylation reactions and discusses the activity and selectivity of C—H bonds in typical building blocks under different reaction conditions. Especially, the impact of direct arylation condition on defect formation and photovoltaic performance of the photovoltaic polymers is addressed and compared with conventional Stille coupling methods. | Facile and Cost-Efficient Synthesis of Photovoltaic Polymers via Direct Arylation Coupling | 10.1007/s10118-023-2990-7 |
2023-11-01 | Amine ligand, as one of the essential components of the Ag–amine complex, is necessary to reduce the sintering temperature and time of conductive inks. Herein, we report the facile preparation of hybrid amine conductive silver ink, mainly composed of silver oxalate–hybrid amine complex and methanol–acetone solvent. The synergistic effect of long-chain and short-chain amines enhances the uniformity of silver nanoparticles in the silver film. A uniformly conductive silver film is obtained by spin-coating as-prepared ink on the polyimide film, followed by thermal sintering. Then, the influence of butylamine content and sintering parameters on the physical properties and microstructure of silver film is systematically investigated. The resistivity of silver films, sintered at 170 °C for only 20 min, is found to be 6.71 μΩ·cm, which is four times higher than bulk silver. In addition, silver films after bending and adhesion test exhibit low resistivity and excellent adhesion. These results indicate that the hybrid amine conductive silver ink can provide promising opportunities for fabricating highly conductive flexible printed electronics at low temperatures in short times. | Facile preparation of particle-free hybrid amine silver ink with synergistic effect for low-resistivity flexible films | 10.1007/s11998-023-00781-8 |
2023-11-01 | Comparative testing for crack resistance (fracture toughness) of weld metal specimens of a low-carbon steel welded joint in the as-supplied condition and after high-temperature exposure at a temperature of 1200 °C for 3.7 hours is conducted. A welded joint is obtained by automatic argon-arc welding with a consumable electrode in a hot-rolled 22K-type steel sheet of 60 mm thick using welding wire grade SV-08G2S. Tests for static crack resistance of specimens with a stress concentrator are carried out according to a three-point bending scheme. One of the energy criteria of nonlinear fracture mechanics, critical J -integral [J/m 2 ], which takes into account plastic deformation at a crack tip, is used as a crack resistance characteristic. It is shown that high-temperature exposure leads to an increase in crack resistance (the J -integral value increases by two times) as a result of phase recrystallization and improving the coarse-grained overheated weld structure. | Effect of High-Temperature Exposure on Low-Carbon Steel Welded Joint Metal Fracture Toughness | 10.1007/s11015-023-01583-4 |
2023-11-01 | The East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) intensifies in the early twenty-first century and links with frequent impacts of large-scale persistent extreme cold events in winter in East Asia in recent years. We found that there has been a significant positive correlation between the EAWM and Interhemispheric Oscillation (IHO). However, conspicuous interdecadal variations have occurred in the relationship between the EAWM and IHO. The relationship between the IHO and EAWM was most significant during 1979–2020, but this relationship was weak and insignificant during 1962–1978. During 1979–2020, the atmospheric mass (surface pressure) difference between the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH) during 1979–2020 was significantly reduced by 7.85% (0.75 × 10 15 kg) compared with that during 1962–1978. Such interhemispheric redistribution of atmospheric mass (AM) has had a distinct impact on the land-sea pressure contrast in East Asia and has intensified the connection between the EAWM and IHO. A strengthened EAWM has resulted in notable cooling and more severe winters in China. The apparent exportation of AM in the Antarctic region is an important driving factor for this interhemispheric change. The accompanying anomalous accumulation of AM in the NH is linked with an increase in the pressure difference between land and sea in East Asia, resulting in intensifying correlation between IHO and the EAWM. The decadal enhancement of the IHO during 1979–2020 was closely connected with conspicuous warming in the tropical troposphere/lower stratosphere (UTLS). A seesaw pattern of anomalous air temperature and ozone between tropical and Antarctic UTLS has induced a decrease in Antarctic ozone masses and air temperature and has strengthened the polar vortex, corresponding to a decadal enhancement of interhemispheric AM imbalance. | Interdecadal variations and causes of the relationship between the winter East Asian monsoon and interhemispheric atmospheric mass oscillation | 10.1007/s00382-023-06810-x |
2023-11-01 | Most of the energy consumed worldwide is wasted as heat. The usage of this waste heat both increases the efficiency of the system and reduces environmental pollution. The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) has been recognized as a dependable technology for turning low-temperature heat sources into electricity, and it is also a promising solution for recovering wasted heat. This paper investigated the possibility of generating power from the low-temperature waste heat using a Two-stage Compression Refrigeration Cycle (TCRC) integrated with the ORC. The energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and environmental low-temperature ORC for six working fluids (Ammonia, R161, R410a, R152a, R407C, and R32) were thoroughly investigated. The temperature of the heat source required by the ORC is restricted to the experimental temperature of the TCRC, which is the basis for finding the appropriate working fluids. The study demonstrated that R152a, among the other six working fluids, has a maximum power generation of 44.79 kW, an energy efficiency of 5.37%, and an exergy efficiency of 52.48%, respectively. In addition, R161 and R407C, with a value of the product of 41.36 $ GJ −1 , are also economical. Ammonia and R410a have the least exergy destruction in the system, with 104 kW and 109 kW, respectively. From an economic aspect, Ammonia and R152a are the most economical fluid for the suggested system, with a payback period of approximately 3 years. Also, R152a performs a significant role in keeping the environment clean by reducing the emission of CO 2 and NO x , 187.3 tons/year and 30.96 tons/year, respectively. | Exergoeconomic evaluation of an organic Rankine cycle integrated with a compression refrigeration to select the best working fluid for waste heat recovery application: a case study of Isfahan, Iran | 10.1007/s10973-023-12459-9 |
2023-11-01 | A detailed thermal power plant model was developed to evaluate power plant waste heat usage in terms of the operating parameters, energy consumption, water consumption, and pollutant emissions. This model was used to analyze the bypass flue gas energy cascade utilization design which provides excellent energy savings and emission reductions. This paper then presents a design to use the low-temperature waste heat and to extract water from the flue gas. The low-grade heat can be recovered from a coal-fired unit using absorption heat pumps to increase the air preheating. This method significantly reduces the turbine steam extraction in the low pressure stages which increases the turbine power and reduces the coal consumption. This design has a small heat transfer temperature difference between the air preheater and the air warmer, resulting in a smaller exergy loss. The power output of the present design was 1024.28 MW with a coal consumption savings of 3.69 g·(kWh) −1 . In addition, the present design extracts moisture out of the flue gas to produce 46.48 t·h −1 of water. The main goal of this work is to provide a theoretical analysis for studying complex thermal power plant systems and various energy conservation and CO 2 reduction options for conventional power plants. | Thermodynamics of Cascaded Waste Heat Utilization from Flue Gas and Circulating Cooling Water | 10.1007/s11630-023-1886-8 |
2023-11-01 | In this work, the 30Bi 2 O 3 -38B 2 O 3 -3SiO 2 -5Al 2 O 3 -(24-x)MnO-xCuO (x = 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 mol%) lead-free bismuth borate glasses were prepared by the melt-quenching method. The effects of CuO substitution for MnO on the structure and properties of the bismuth borate glass were investigated. As the CuO content increases from 6 to 22 mol%, the density of the glass gradually increases while the molar volume shows an opposite trend. The FTIR spectra show that [BiO 3 ], [BiO 6 ], [BO 3 ], and [BO 4 ] are the main structural units in the bismuth borate glass network. The vibrations of both [BiO 3 ] and [BO 4 ] units are enhanced with the increasing CuO content. With the increase of CuO content, the glass transition temperature ( T g ) decreases from 438 to 417 ℃ and the softening temperature ( T f ) decreases from 470 to 452 ℃. The thermal expansion coefficient ( CTE ) decreases from 7.875 to 7.702 × 10 –6 /℃ in the temperature range of 30–300 ℃, which is between the thermal expansion coefficients of Ag (19 × 10 –6 /℃) and silicon substrates (2.5 × 10 –6 /℃). In addition, the HF resistance of the bismuth borate glasses gradually improves as the CuO content increases, with a minimum dissolution rate of 14.27 × 10 –3 g cm −2 min −1 . The NaOH resistance of the bismuth borate glasses initially decreases and then remains stable, with a maximum dissolution rate of 14.66 × 10 –3 g cm −2 min −1 . The results revealed that the investigated Bi 2 O 3 -B 2 O 3 -MnO-CuO glass can be used as a suitable alternative to lead-based glass for conductive silver paste. | Structure and properties of low-melting Bi2O3-B2O3-MnO-CuO glasses for conductive silver paste | 10.1007/s00339-023-07087-x |
2023-11-01 | The interest of researchers has been more and more focused on identifying adsorption materials for pollutant removal with a specific interest in agriculture waste. It is noteworthy that many agricultural wastes are modified in different ways to improve the porosity and surface area of the material. Activation, carbonisation and grafting are only some of the most utilised technologies to produce adsorbents from agricultural waste. Some agriculture waste filters use less adsorbent and achieve the same metal ion adsorption efficiency of commercial filters at a potentially cheaper price. As they are made from renewable material found in abundance, they provide a solution to environmental problems and offer an additional value to the agricultural economy. This paper presents an overview of the recent improvements in the field and represents an evaluation of the different possibilities of using agricultural by-products to produce activated carbon for water purification. | Water purification using activated carbon prepared from agriculture waste — overview of a recent development | 10.1007/s13399-021-01618-3 |
2023-11-01 | Quasi solid-state succinonitrile (SN)-based polymer electrolytes have emerged for lithium-metal batteries due to their excellent ion-conductivity at room temperature, wide electrochemical stability window (ESW, usually >5 V). However, the practical application of these solid SN-based polymer electrolytes is hampered by the flammability and the inherent instability of SN to Li-metal anode. In this work, solid SN-based polymer electrolytes were prepared with succinonitrile, ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (ETPTA), triethyl phosphate (TEP) and fluoroethylene carbonate for Li-metal battery via in situ polymerization method. The SN-based polymer electrolytes with 5 wt% triethyl phosphate and FEC showed good nonflammability, superior ion-conductivity as high as 1.01×10 −3 S/cm, and wide ESW of 5.41 V. This SN-based polymer electrolyte also exhibited excellent interfacial compatibility to lithium metal anode. And it also delivered a high specific capacity of 156 mAh/g at 0.2 C at ambient temperature, and presented stable cycling at 1.0 C with a specific capacity retention of 98.4% after 1000 cycles. This work provides an alternative and simple strategy to realize the practical application of the solid-state SN-based polymer electrolyte. | Novel Quasi Solid-State Succinonitrile-based Electrolyte with Low-flammability for Lithium-ion Battery | 10.1007/s10118-023-2970-y |
2023-11-01 | This research examines how Nb affects the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of various heat-affected zone (HAZ) microstructures of E690 steel in simulated saltwater under cathodic protection. The results showed that the Nb is in the form of solid solution in coarse-grain HAZ (CGHAZ). In fine-grain HAZ and intercritical HAZ (ICHAZ), the nanosized NbC can precipitate. The anodic dissolution (AD) mechanism governs the SCC behavior of HAZ at open-circuit potential (OCP), and the addition of Nb lowers the SCC susceptibility. Nb in CGHAZ solubilized in the matrix can decrease the corrosion rate by reducing the corrosion current density. In FGHAZ, intercritical HAZ (ICHAZ), the formation of NbC precipitates can restrain the growth of MA islands by optimizing the microstructures. Under cathodic protection, the SCC behavior of steels is controlled by HE. Adding Nb in different microstructures acts as different roles to reduce the SCC susceptibility. In CGHAZ, Nb exists as atoms in solid solution, which can avoid recrystallization and refine the microstructures. In FGHAZ and ICHAZ, nanosized NbC precipitates play a significant role in avoiding the aggregation of hydrogen. | Effects of Nb on Stress Corrosion Cracking of Various Heat-Affected Zone Microstructures of E690 Steel under Cathodic Potential | 10.1007/s11665-023-07806-8 |
2023-11-01 | In order to improve the accuracy of cementing quality evaluation for ultra-low density cement, a full-scale cementing quality evaluation model well group was constructed based on the real underground environment and the requirements for cementing quality and cement filling. A calibration method for cementing quality evaluation indicators was established, and the influence of factors such as logging time and cement density on cementing quality evaluation indicators was analyzed. The results were compared with theoretical calculations, The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical calculation results. According to the experimental results, the evaluation indicators of ultra-low density cement cementing quality are inversely correlated with cement density & logging time. The research results indicate that the accuracy and pertinence of cementing quality evaluation can be significantly improved by applying the ultra-low density cement slurry cementing quality evaluation model well group and verifying the ultra-low density cement cementing quality evaluation indicators. | Experimental Study on the Evaluation Model of Cementing Quality for Ultra Low Density Cement Well Cluster | 10.1007/s10553-023-01626-1 |
2023-11-01 | The application of Low-Temperature Plasmas has shown great potential as an effective and alternative tool for microbial inactivation in recent years. Nevertheless, further investigations are required to fully understand the possible factors influencing these processes. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of square wave modulated Volume Dielectric Barrier Discharge on the direct inhibition of conidial germination in five different fungal species, various discharge conditions, and medium composition. The five different fungal species used were Botrytis cinerea, Monilinia fructicola, Aspergillus carbonarius, Fusarium graminearum , and Alternaria alternata . On water agar, the inhibition of Botrytis cinerea was influenced by the applied voltage, which mainly reflects the uniformity of the treatment. Under the selected voltage condition, the inhibition increased with treatment duration and decreased with fungal spore complexity. B. cinerea and M. fructicola , with unicellular conidia and low melanin content, showed similar behaviour and high sensitivity to the treatment. F. graminearum and A. alternata , both having multicellular conidia, were more resistant to the plasma treatment and showed different sensitivity likely due to different content in melanin. However, after 1 min of treatment, complete inhibition of conidial germination was achieved for all the tested species. Inhibition of A. carbonarius conidia on different agarized media containing dextrose or malt extract was influenced by the complexity and composition of the medium, being potato dextrose agar that more hindered the plasma efficacy. Each medium exhibited a different electrical response studied by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy and morphology observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy images. These differences translated into a different response to the applied electrical field, influencing plasma generation and uniformity. | Exploring Factors Influencing the Inhibitory Effect of Volume Dielectric Barrier Discharge on Phytopathogenic Fungi | 10.1007/s11090-023-10394-z |
2023-11-01 | The area of seaweed beds along Japanese coasts has decreased by approximately 40% in the last 40 years due to climate change and human activity. In addition, there are similar concerns regarding coastlines worldwide. Thus, it is critical to recover seaweed communities quickly to maintain marine plants and environments. The frequency of eruptions at Mt. Sakurajima in the Kagoshima Prefecture of the Kyushu region peaked in 2011 and was the highest since observations began in 1955. Additionally, large amounts of waste material, such as scrap ceramics and gypsum, are discharged from the ceramics industry in the Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures of Kyushu, Japan. The effective use of volcanic ash and industrial wastes (scrap ceramics and gypsum) represents an important problem that must be solved in the Kyushu region of Japan. The objective of this study is to develop environmentally oriented base materials for seaweed beds with a low environmental load using volcanic ash and several recycled materials from industrial waste. The developed base materials were placed into Kagoshima Bay in May 2013, and monitoring began. A discussion of the results of long-term monitoring over 4 years and 2 months is presented. | Development of environment-oriented base materials for seaweed beds by recycled materials | 10.1007/s10163-023-01786-6 |
2023-11-01 | There is a recognized need to address the mismanagement of industrial by-products, as their accumulation severely threatens the environment. Efficient reutilizing of industrial waste is indispensable in realizing environment-friendly sustainable development. Towards this end, supervised adoption of controlled low-strength materials (CLSM) can be a solution. CLSM are cement-based materials which are environmentally safe, with self-levelling and self-consolidating properties. CLSM’s long-term sustainable applications exclusively depend on its geo-environmental properties during and after the construction phase. This comprehensive review explores the impact of geo-environmental properties on the plastic and in-service properties of industrial by-products used for CLSM creation. It critically examines various geo-environmental properties of CLSM comprising interlaced aspects of chemical composition, mineralogical composition, leaching behavior, pH value, and thermal conductivity. It is shown that the geo-environmental properties of CLSM are determined mainly by the characteristics and content of raw materials, wastes, and the quantity of water used in the final blend. Further, the review accentuates the geo-environmental properties’ detrimental effects on the plastic and in-service properties of CLSM. The comprehensive review can aid in effectively utilizing CLSM to reduce environmental concerns while achieving sustainable development. | The influence of geo-environmental properties on the plastic and in-service properties of flowable fills: a comprehensive state-of-the-art review | 10.1007/s11356-023-30343-9 |
2023-11-01 | This study is aimed at utilizing three waste materials, i.e., solid refuse fuel (SRF), tire derived fuel (TDF), and sludge derived fuel (SDF), as eco-friendly alternatives to coal-only combustion in co-firing power plants. The contribution of waste materials is limited to ≤5% in the composition of the mixed fuel (coal + waste materials). Statistical experimental design and response surface methodology are employed to investigate the effect of mixed fuel composition (SRF, TDF, and SDF) on gross calorific value (GCV) and ash fusion temperature (AFT). A quadratic model is developed and statistically verified to apprehend mixed fuel constituents’ individual and combined effects on GCV and AFT. Constrained optimization of fuel blend, i.e., GCV >1,250 kcal/kg and AFT >1,200 °C, using the polynomial models projected the fuel-blend containing 95% coal with 3.84% SRF, 0.35% TDF, and 0.81% SDF. The observed GCV of 5,307 kcal/kg and AFT of 1225 °C for the optimized blend were within 1% of the model predicted values, thereby establishing the robustness of the models. The findings from this study can foster sustainable economic development and zero CO 2 emission objectives by optimizing the utilization of waste materials without compromising the GCV and AFT of the mixed fuels in coal-fired power plants. | Optimization of low-grade coal and refuse-derived fuel blends for improved co-combustion behavior in coal-fired power plants | 10.1007/s11356-023-30471-2 |
2023-11-01 | The effects of the conventional isothermal bainitic transformation (CIT), two-step isothermal bainitic transformation (TIT) on the microstructure, mechanical behavior, and wear resistance of a medium-carbon low-Si steel were investigated. For the bainite reaction, it is well known that the bainite-plate size decreases as the transformation temperature is reduced. In comparison with the CIT, TIT produced finer bainitic ferrite plates with finer carbides, and an optimum combination of strength, ductility, and impact toughness (an ultimate tensile strength of 1500 MPa, total elongation of 8.6%, and V-notch impact value of 42 J), the wear rate is calculated to evaluate its wear performance, and the wear rates of a CIT sample and TIT sample were 0.36 × 10 −4 and 1.46 × 10 −4 mm 3 N −1 m −1 , respectively. | Two-Step Isothermal Bainitic Transformation in Medium-Carbon Low-Si Steels with Exceptional Mechanical Properties and Wear Resistance | 10.1007/s11665-023-07857-x |
2023-11-01 | The degradation behavior of polyacrylamide (PAM) solution by low-temperature plasma was investigated, and the effect of some factors that might affect the degradation process was further examined. The PAM solution was treated with low-temperature plasma generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) combined with H 2 O 2 and a Mn + Cu/AC composite catalyst. The optimal conditions for the oxidation degradation of a PAM solution using low-temperature plasma-H 2 O 2 -Mn + Cu/AC were determined as follows: initial concentration of 1000 mg/L, discharge voltage of 18 kV, H 2 O 2 addition of 2%, and catalyst addition of 810 mg. The results indicated that the degradation rate increased with the increase of the catalyst dosage at the same discharge time. The degradation rate of 180 min increases from 90 to 97.6% with an increase in voltage from 16 to 18 kV, and the molecular weight decreases from 2,720,204.23 to 1,370,815.54. The degradation effect caused by the change of H 2 O 2 addition was considerable compared with other factors. When the discharge time was 180 min, the degradation rate increased 26.3% with the increase of 1.6% H 2 O 2 addition. Under the optimal process conditions, the addition of the catalyst resulted in a more rapid initial decrease in the pH value of the solution compared to the system without the catalyst. | Study on synergistic catalytic degradation of wastewater containing polyacrylamide catalyzed by low-temperature plasma-H2O2 | 10.1007/s11356-023-30287-0 |
2023-11-01 | This study focuses on metal/polymer nanocomposite thin films made by atmospheric pressure Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition. The aerosol of isopropanol-dissolved tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl 4 :3H 2 O gold salt) is injected in a dielectric barrier discharge to synthesize plasmonic nanocomposite thin films. Argon is used as carrier gas with or without 133 ppm addition of ammonia (NH 3 ) to respectively get or not a Penning mixture. Results show that NH 3 largely influences the salt reduction and thin film properties. According to the aerosol characterization, the size distribution at the plasma entrance supports that isopropanol mainly evaporates before injection in the plasma. The salt initially dissolved in each droplet precipitates during evaporation before injection as solid nanoparticles of about 30 nm diameter with eventual traces of solvent. Then, the nanocomposite thins film are studied. Optical properties, as plasmonic resonance, are characterized by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. The chemical composition is analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, complemented by X-ray diffraction analysis as well as chemical mapping obtained by Energy dispersive spectroscopy coupled to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) operating in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy mode. Additionally, the morphology of the deposits is investigated by atomic force microscopy and SEM, highlighting the influence of NH 3 gas on the film nature and therefore its role in the overall deposition process. Finally, optical emission spectroscopy of the plasma gives clue to better understand the effect of NH 3 . The overall results show that the salt nanoparticles are reduced in the plasma phase leading to non-aggregated metal Au NPs embedded in a carbon-based matrix formed by isopropanol polymerization. The presence of NH 3 in the plasma unambiguously decreases the salt reduction and affects the thin film properties, consequently changing their plasmonic response related to the size, concentration, and composition of the embedded NPs. | Synthesis of Gold NPs-Containing Thin Films from Metal Salt Injection in Ar or Ar–NH3 DBDs | 10.1007/s11090-023-10400-4 |
2023-11-01 | Without any type of surfactant or dispersing agent, precipitation polymerization has great superiorities in both polymer synthesis and applications. In the present work, the polymerization of vinyl chloride (VC), n -butyl acrylate (BA), and vinyl acetate (VAc) are conducted in the precipitation polymerization system and series of their random terpolymers poly(vinyl chloride- co-n -butyl acrylate- co -vinyl acetate) (PCBV) are synthesized successfully. The effects of various polymerization conditions, including solvent polarity, temperature, initiator concentration, and monomer feed ratios on the polymerization kinetics, number-average molecular weight ( M n ), and terpolymer composition are investigated systematically. The solvent and the monomer feed ratio are crucial factors not only for the polymer morphology, but also for the reaction kinetic. In the non-polar solvent such as n -hexane, the PCBV displays particle morphology when the composition of BA ratio lower than 10 wt%. Otherwise, the PCBV forms a uniform polymer phase and precipitates out from the mixture. In the polar solvent, e.g. , dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethanol, the PCBV polymer maintains a slurry state either in low or in high monomer feed ratio. Impressively, VC based ternary copolymer that obtained in n -hexane has much lower M n (<20 kDa) and much higher BA units mass fraction (>40 wt%) compared with emulsion and suspension polymerization. Additionally, the terpolymer can be easily separated by simple centrifugation. | Synthetic Features and Mechanism for the Preparation of Vinyl Chloride-co-Butyl Acrylate-co-Vinyl Acetate Terpolymer via Precipitation Polymerization | 10.1007/s10118-023-2965-8 |
2023-11-01 | Multi-objective optimization (MOO) of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) production in a tubular reactor is performed for three problems with three different objectives. For the first problem, the objective is maximization of productivity and minimization of cost of initiators. For the second problem, the objective is maximization of conversion and minimization of cost of initiators. While for the third problem, the objective is maximization of productivity, minimization of cost of initiators, and maximization of conversion. An inequality constraint on reactor temperature is also enforced to prevent the tubular reactor from a runaway condition. The non-dominated sorting–based strategies are utilized to tackle the optimization problem with Aspen simulator as model-based optimization for LDPE production in a tubular reactor. The strategies are non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II), non-dominated sorting grey wolf optimizer (NSGWO), and non-dominated sorting whale optimization algorithm (NSWOA). The inputs for MOO decision variables are mass flowrates of tert-butyl peroxypivalate (TBPPI), tert-butyl peroxyacetate (TBPA), tert-butyl 3,5,5 trimethyl-peroxyhexaonate (TBPIN), and tert-amyl peroxyacetate (TAPA). Performance matrices like hypervolume, spacing, and pure variability are examined to choose the most effective MOO approach. Findings showed that the NSGWO is the most effective MOO approach due to the discovered solution set providing the most precise, diverse, and appropriate in the homogeneity allocation points along the Pareto front (PF). The highest productivity, lowest cost of initiators, and highest conversion obtained by NSGWO are 549.369 Mil. RM/year, 7.5589 Mil. RM/year, and 31.685%, respectively. | Non-dominated Sorting-Based Strategy for Optimizing the Mixture of Initiators in Polyethylene Reactor | 10.1007/s41660-023-00332-z |
2023-11-01 | Abstract In order to study the differentiation of performance and functional bacteria of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) processes inoculated with different anammox sludge impaired by low temperature, two upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors were constructed to treat synthetic nitrogen-contained wastewater. Experimental results showed that anammox sludge exposed to lower room temperature of 0–15 °C for nearly 1 month recovered anammox activity on Day 1 without sludge lysis, and the total nitrogen removal rate (TNRR) gradually increased from 3.23 to 13.41 kg m −3 d −1 . Stover–Kincannon model predicted a maximum nitrogen removal potential ( U max ) of 177.62 kg m −3 d −1 . However, anammox sludge exposed to − 20 °C environment for nearly 30 days experienced three stages of sludge lysis (Days 1–2), sludge lag (Days 3–7) and propagation stage (Days 8–77). Due to the activity loss and FA inhibition, the maximum TNRR of 4.04 kg m −3 d −1 and a predicted U max of 8.51 kg m −3 d −1 were observed after 77 days’ operation. After long-term operation (291 d), the dominant functional bacteria and genes were changed; even two reactors had similar operation performance. Anammox genus Candidatus Jettenia had the maximum RA values of 16.01% with higher nitrogen removal-related genes nir B/K/S, hdh and hzo in reactor feeding sludge exposed to 0–15 °C, but Candidatus Brocadia was dominant with higher hzs gene in reactor inoculating sludge suffering from − 20 °C environment. This work would be helpful to restart the anammox reactor with seeding sludge after long-term storage of anammox sludge under lower temperature conditions. Graphic abstract | Differentiation of performance and functional bacteria of anammox processes with different anammox sludge impaired by low temperature | 10.1007/s13762-022-04747-y |
2023-11-01 | Abstract Results of calculations of temperature trends in the free atmosphere (troposphere and lower stratosphere) using the quantile regression apparatus are considered and analyzed. In traditional techniques used in climatology, trends are estimated by use of regression based on the least squares method. Quantile regression, in contrast to these techniques, makes it possible to estimate regression parameters for each quantile of predictand values in the quantile range from zero to one. Using quantile regression to estimate climate changes results in a detailed picture of the dependence of the climate trend on the variation range of meteorological parameters in the quantile range of these parameters from zero to one. In particular, climate trends can be estimated for meteorological parameter values close to extreme. This paper uses the global radiosonde data array from which the stations are selected if the completeness of their data meets the requirements stated. Using the radiosonde data from the selected stations, the dependences of climatic trends of temperature on isobaric surfaces on values of quantiles (so-called process diagrams), as well as vertical quantile cross sections of climate trend values, are calculated, plotted, and analyzed. For thirteen high-latitude stations in the Northern Hemisphere among the selected ones, temperature trends are estimated both using radiosonde data and based on the ERA 5/ERA 5.1 reanalyses. An analysis of the results allows one to note the nonuniform character of tropospheric warming trends in the range of quantile variation, which is more apparent in the winter season. The nonuniform (for the range of quantile variation) character of tropospheric temperature trends is due to the fact that the tropospheric warming rate in the “cold” part of the quantile range is higher than that in its “warm” part. This agrees with the results obtained previously by analysis of surface temperature trends using the quantile regression method (QRM). The nonuniform character of cooling trends in the lower stratosphere is noted for the range of quantile variations. In winter and, to a lesser extent, in spring, the rate of stratospheric cooling decreases in absolute magnitude with an increase in quantile values at some stations in northern latitudes. Moreover, for the quantiles close to 1.0, negative trends can change sign. This can be both due to incomplete data on lower stratospheric temperature, which is particularly inherent in the high-latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and due to the influence of more frequently occurring sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) on the temperature trend structure that is detailed within the range of quantile values. In is noted that the detailed structures of climate temperature trends that are obtained on the basis of radiosonde data proved to be very similar to those obtained based on arrays of ERA 5/ERA 5.1 reanalysis. | Temperature Trends in the Free Atmosphere: Calculations Using the Quantile Regression Method | 10.1134/S000143382314013X |
2023-11-01 | Phases 5 and 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5 and CMIP6) both grossly underestimate the magnitude of low-frequency Sahel rainfall variability; but unlike CMIP5, CMIP6 mean historical precipitation does not even correlate with observed multi-decadal variability. We demarcate realms of simulated physical processes that may induce differences between these ensembles and prevent both from explaining observations. We partition all influences on simulated Sahelian precipitation variability into (1) teleconnections from sea surface temperature (SST); (2) atmospheric and (3) oceanic variability internal to the climate system; (4) the SST response to external radiative forcing; and (5) the “fast” (not mediated by SST) precipitation response to radiative forcing. In a vast improvement from previous ensembles, the mean spectral power of Sahel rainfall in CMIP6 atmosphere-only simulations is consistent with observed low-frequency variance. Low-frequency variability is dominated by teleconnections from observed global SST, and the fast response only hurts the performance of simulated precipitation. We estimate that the strength of simulated teleconnections is consistent with observations using the previously-established North Atlantic Relative Index (NARI) to approximate the role of global SST, and apply this relationship to the coupled ensembles to infer that both fail to explain low-frequency historical Sahel rainfall variability mostly because they cannot explain the observed combination of forced and internal variability in North Atlantic SST. Yet differences between CMIP5 and CMIP6 in mean Sahel precipitation and its correlation with observations do not derive from differences in NARI, but from the fast response or the role of other SST patterns. | Drivers of low-frequency Sahel precipitation variability: comparing CMIP5 and CMIP6 ensemble means with observations | 10.1007/s00382-023-06755-1 |
2023-11-01 | Abstract It has been previously shown that atmospheric and oceanic heat and moisture transfers play an important role in the development of Arctic warming, and ocean surface temperature anomalies at low latitudes have a significant effect on the formation of transfers. Atmospheric circulation, which transports heat, moisture and precipitation, also affects climatic conditions in the catchment areas of the three main Siberian rivers—the Ob, Yenisei, and Lena—the flow of which is approximately half of the annual average inflow of river water into the Arctic Ocean. According to reanalyses and archival data for 1979–2019, air temperature and precipitation in the Ob, Lena, and Yenisei catchment areas are increasing. The greatest increase in precipitation is recorded in the spring months. There is also a maximum positive trend in air temperature in the spring months (March and April). To assess the impact of low latitudes on changes in climatic conditions in the catchment areas, data from ERA5, HadISST reanalyses, and the GPCC project precipitation gridded gauge-analysis data are used. Based on the average monthly surface air temperature at the nodes of the geographic grid in the Northern Hemisphere, the indices of zonal, meridional, and general circulation are calculated. To determine the relationships between indices and climatic parameters, the methods of multivariate cross-correlation analysis are used. It has been found that zonal atmospheric transfers have a significant impact on climatic conditions most of all in the cold part of the year, especially in November and March. In summer, the increase in zonal circulation is accompanied by a decrease in air temperature in the catchment areas, and meridional transfers increase the temperature. The greatest influence of the meridional transport is noted in spring and summer. Climate changes at low latitudes have the greatest effect in autumn on meridional transport in the spring season and on zonal transport in the cold part of the year, especially in March, with a delay of 2 years. The influence of low latitudes on climatic conditions in water catchments is presented in the form of graphs of correlations of climatic parameters and circulation indices on a generalized scheme. | Influence of Low Latitudes on Climatic Conditions in the Water Catchment Area of the Main Siberian Rivers | 10.1134/S0001433823140013 |
2023-11-01 | The present study aimed to use rice husk as a natural silica precursor in the fabrication of silica-smectite composites. A local smectite clay was respectively mixed with 1) silica sludge from rice husk ash after an acid treatment, 2) an aqueous sodium silicate solution from the alkaline dissolution of silica sludge, and 3) a nanosilica powder obtained after the hydroxylation/polymerization of a sodium silicate solution. Products from the three different synthetic pathways were investigated by X-ray diffraction; Fourier infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and BET specific surface area (SSA) measurements. All techniques showed a heterogeneous morphology, where the distribution of silica particles in the clay matrix changed with each synthetic pathway. For the silica sludge synthetic pathway, a predominantly three-dimensional-like structure with a phyllosilicate matrix skeleton was obtained. For the pathway using a silicate solution, an amorphous compound with limited intergranular cohesion containing silicate agglomerates intercalated between clay sheets was found. The nanosilica reinforced pathway led to a packed morphology with a regular distribution of silica phases in the clay matrix. In all the synthesized composites, the amorphous silica phase was identified, with a potential higher reactivity and SSA of 228, 257, and 300 m 2 /g for pathways 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Correspondingly, the microstructure evidenced both an increased porosity and an increase in chemically active sites. Consequently, the obtained products are potential multifunctional materials. | Low-Cost Pathways to Synthesize Silica-Smectite Clay-Based Composites | 10.1007/s12633-023-02569-2 |
2023-11-01 | The possibility of using a special type of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) – Friction Hydro Pillar Processing (FHPP) to manufacture a joining between dissimilar materials (high-carbon ductile iron FE55006 and low-carbon steel SAE 8620) is studied. The macrostructure, microstructure, microhardness and residual stresses of the welded joint are determined. The efficiency of using the FHPP technology for obtaining high-quality joints from dissimilar iron-based alloys is demonstrated. It is established that such joints have a high hardness due to the formation of a martensitic structure in the alloys during their processing by the FHPP method. | Joining FE55006 Cast Iron and SAE 8620 Steel by Friction Hydro-Pillar Processing (FHPP) | 10.1007/s11041-023-00964-5 |
2023-11-01 | By means of microstructure observation, microhardness, tensile and rotating bending fatigue tests, the effects of austempering treatment on the formation of lower bainite, carbide precipitation and mechanical properties of M50NiL bearing steel were studied. Results showed that multi-layer composite microstructure was formed in the steel after austempering treatment. The microstructure of the surface layer was mainly consisted of lower bainite, martensite and carbides, that of the sub-surface layer contained granular carbides, a little lower bainite, lath martensite, twin martensite and thin film retained austenite, and that of the core region mostly contained lath martensite. In contrast with the traditional martensite quenching treatment, there was more lower bainite formed in the surface layer after austempering treatment. The appearance of acicular bainite dramatically decreased the effective grain size by refining the microstructure, and there were more finer carbides precipitated in the lath martensite. After austempering treatment and tempering, the average hardness in surface layer of the steel increased from 746.5 HV 0.5 to 786.4 HV 0.5 , and the rotating bending fatigue limit of the steel increased from 870.9 to 1170.0 MPa, but the tensile strength of the steel decreased slightly. The effects of austempering treatment on the mechanical properties had a close relationship with the carbide precipitation behavior and the formation of lower bainite. Graphical Abstract | Effect of Austempering Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of M50NiL Bearing Steel | 10.1007/s12540-023-01456-0 |
2023-11-01 | Conversion of carbon-rich waste biomass into valuable products is an environmentally sustainable method. This study accentuates the synthesis of novel SnO 2 QDs@g-C 3 N 4 /biochar using low-cost sawdust by applying the pyrolysis method. Morphology, structure, and composition of the synthesized SnO 2 QDs@g-C 3 N 4 /biochar nanocomposite were characterized using SEM (scanning electron microscope), TEM (transmission electron microscope), XRD (X-ray diffraction), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), FT-IR (infrared spectroscopy) and PL (photoluminescence) spectroscopy. The average diameter of the SnO 2 QDs was measured from TEM and found to be 6.79 nm. Optical properties of the as-synthesized SnO 2 QDs@g-C 3 N 4 /biochar were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy. The direct band gap of synthesized SnO 2 QDs@g-C 3 N 4 /biochar nanocomposite was calculated from Tauc's plot and found to be 2.0 eV. The fabricated SnO 2 QDs@g-C 3 N 4 /biochar photocatalyst exhibited outstanding photocatalytic degradation efficiency for the removal of Rose Bengal (RB) and Methylene Blue (MB) dye through the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). The synthesized photocatalyst showed a degradation efficiency of 95.67% for the removal of RB under optimum conditions of 0.3 mL H 2 O 2 , photocatalyst dosage of only 0.06 gL −1 , and 15 ppm initial RB concentration within 80 min, and 94.5% for the removal of MB dye with 0.5 mL of H 2 O 2 , 0.08 gL −1 of the fabricated photocatalyst and 6 ppm of initial MB concentration within 120 min. The photodegradation pathway followed the pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics with a rate constant of 0.00268 min −1 and 0.00163 min −1 for RB and MB respectively. The photocatalyst can be reused up to the 4 th cycle with 80% efficiency. | Visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of Rose Bengal and Methylene Blue using low-cost sawdust derived SnO2 QDs@g-C3N4/biochar nanocomposite | 10.1007/s11356-023-30297-y |
2023-11-01 | This study examines the changes in strain rate dependence and the deformation behavior of near-eutectic Sn-Bi alloys as a function of Sb concentration using nanoindentation. Alloying near-eutectic Sn-Bi solder with Sb has been shown to increase the strain to failure under tensile and shear conditions in solder ball geometries, with Sb additions remaining in solid solution up to 0.5 wt.% Sb. In this study, the resulting hardness of the three Sb-containing Sn-Bi alloys (Bi-42Sn eutectic, Bi-42Sn-0.5Sb, Bi-42Sn-1.0Sb) exhibits little solid solution hardening at room temperature, and the alloys all exhibited similar strain rate sensitivity behavior, independent of composition for this microstructure. Using nanoindentation and post-indentation microscopy to analyze the deformation behavior of these alloys, the out-of-plane deformation and slip behavior does change with composition. Solute Sb increases the strain hardening behavior at low strains while decreasing planar slip and out-of-plane deformation. The observed changes in deformation modes in this nanoindentation study with the addition of Sb as a solid solution alloy (less slip planarity, more uniform deformation, and more strain hardening) could play a role in previously observed changes in tensile failure modes without the formation of SbSn intermetallic compounds. Graphical Abstract | Sb Additions in Near-Eutectic Sn-Bi Solder Decrease Planar Slip | 10.1007/s11664-023-10666-6 |
2023-11-01 | Patterns on the formation of Fe–Cr–Al–Zr surface alloy on a Zr substrate are presented. The procedure was carried out by alternating magnetron deposition of Fe–Cr–Al films and their subsequent processing with low-energy high-current electron beams. The influence of the energy density on the morphology evolution of both chemical and phase compositions as well as the microstructure of the Fe–Cr–Al–Zr surface alloys were studied. The applied energy parameters led to partial or complete mixing of the deposited films with the substrates. In the first case, the surface alloy possessed both recrystallized layers of the deposited Fe–Cr–Al films and Fe–Cr–Al–Zr transition ones. With complete mixing of the deposited films and the substrates, the nanostructured Fe-Cr-Al-Zr surface alloys were observed. During high-temperature annealing, mutual diffusion rates of the constituent elements between the surface alloy and the substrates were lower by 3–15 times than those in the interface between the initially deposited films and the substrates. | Formation of Fe–Cr–Al–Zr Surface Alloy on a Zirconium Substrate Using a Low-Energy High-Current Electron Beam | 10.1007/s11182-023-03009-9 |
2023-11-01 | Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have become indispensable for environmental monitoring, especially in infrastructures like waste landfills. This research probed the feasibility of underground WSNs employing low-frequency electromagnetic waves (LFEMW) for transmitting data from sensors embedded within landfill waste layers to surface-based receivers. A conceptual WSN system was designed wherein data from these underground sensors was relayed via LFEMW to a surface receiver. This receiver subsequently forwarded the data to a cloud server. We investigated various factors that might influence LFEMW communication performance, including equipment installation conditions and the specific characteristics of landfill waste. Experiments conducted with incineration ash showcased the potential of LFEMW for underground communication. Furthermore, the research delved into how waste attributes like density, moisture, and metal content can impact communication, thereby reinforcing the practicality of using LFEMWs in landfill contexts. Conclusively, the study affirmed successful wireless communication within a simulated waste landfill over a span of 1 year, highlighting the promise of LFEMWs for consistent, real-time monitoring in landfill scenarios. | Wireless communication for environmental monitoring at waste landfills using low-frequency electromagnetic waves | 10.1007/s10163-023-01803-8 |
2023-11-01 | In 2014–2016, creep tests were performed in a dead-end drift of the Altaussee mine, where temperature and relative humidity experience very small fluctuations. These tests, which were several months long, proved that the creep rate of a natural salt sample is much faster in the 0.2–1 MPa deviatoric stress range than the creep rate extrapolated from standard laboratory creep tests performed in the 5–20 MPa range. In addition, the quasi-steady strain rate is a linear function of stress, and it is faster when grain size is smaller. These findings were consistent with microphysical models of pressure solution creep (rather than dislocation creep, which is the governing creep mechanism at high stresses). A gap in experimental data remained in the 1–5 MPa range, calling for a follow-up experimental program. In 2016–2019, three multi-stage creep tests were performed on salt samples from Hauterives (France), Avery Island (Louisiana, USA), and Gorleben (Germany), which had been tested in the 0.2–1 MPa range during the 2014–2016 campaign. Loads of 1.5, 3, and 4.5 MPa were applied successively on each sample for 8 months. Steady state was not reached at the end of each 8-month stage. However, tests results suggest that, in the 0.2–3 MPa range, the relationship between the strain rate and the applied stress is linear, a characteristic feature of pressure solution. For these three samples, the relationship between strain rate and deviatoric stress departs from linearity when the deviator is larger than approximately 3–4.5 MPa, pointing to a transition to dislocation creep at higher deviatoric levels. Very long duration uniaxial creep tests were performed under controlled conditions. The transient phase under low and moderate stress levels is long. Creep rate below 3 MPa is faster than extrapolated from high-stress creep tests. The strain rate-stress dependency is different at low and high deviatoric stresses. The transition between linear and non-linear dependency lies between 3–4.5 MPa. | Salt Creep: Transition Between the Low and High Stress Domains | 10.1007/s00603-023-03485-y |
2023-11-01 | Quartz veins in bonanza-type ore zones of low-sulfidation epithermal deposits frequently contain ore mineral dendrites. Gold and naumannite dendrites hosted by colloform silica bands from four deposits located in California and Nevada were studied to better understand the processes by which these delicate ore mineral aggregates are formed. High-magnification optical petrography revealed that the colloform bands hosting the ore mineral dendrites originally consisted of non-crystalline silica microspheres. Textural relationships suggest that the microspherical silica provided the structural framework for the delicate ore mineral aggregates to grow. The ore mineral dendrites either grew contemporaneously with the deposition of the microspherical silica along the vein walls or after their deposition within permeable gel-like layers of microspheres. Etching in hydrofluoric acid showed that the ore mineral dendrites exhibit complex surface morphologies. The surface morphology of the ore mineral dendrites and their textural relationships with the silica host were modified as a result of post-depositional maturation and recrystallization causing the conversion of the non-crystalline silica to quartz. It is proposed here that ore mineral dendrites formed in low-sulfidation epithermal veins during periods of two-phase flow associated with short-lived events of vigorous boiling or flashing, which caused supersaturation of silica in the liquid and the deposition of the ore minerals. | Textural characteristics of ore mineral dendrites in banded quartz veins from low-sulfidation epithermal deposits: implications for the formation of bonanza-type precious metal enrichment | 10.1007/s00126-023-01187-7 |
2023-11-01 | As climate change intensifies, finding an ecological indicator to quickly and accurately reflect the impact on mountain ecosystems is necessary. The low treeline/timberline, highly sensitive to climate variability and changes significantly within 5–10 years, provides a new way to study the response to regional climate variability. This study explored the distribution and vertical displacement patterns of the low treeline in the Upper Minjiang River of China, using SPOT remote sensing images in 1999 and 2013 and long-term positional observations. Using the Geodetector model, the study investigated the dominant climatic factors influencing the low treeline displacement. The results showed that the low treeline was located at 1700–3200 m elevation on sunny slopes (southeast, south, southwest, and west slopes) with slopes over 25°. From 1999 to 2013, the low treeline moved downward by 6 m from 2561±264 m to 2555±265 m, along with a warm–humid climate tendency. The downward displacement was greater on slopes over 25° and shady slopes (−20 m and −10 m, respectively) than on slopes ≤ 25° and sunny slopes. Additionally, the downward was greater in the warm and humid Zagunao River Basin (−15 m) compared to the arid valley center (−7 m) and the cold Heishui River Basin (−3 m). Meanwhile, the low treeline displacement correlated negatively with precipitation and relative humidity variations at the significance level of 0.05, with correlation coefficients of −0.572 and −0.551, respectively. Variations in relative humidity and temperature significantly affected the spatial differentiation of low treeline displacement with influencing power of 0.246 ( p =0.036 < 0.05) and 0.183 ( p =0.032 < 0.05), respectively. Thus, the low treeline is a moisture-limited line, and its formation and variation are closely related to regional water–heat balance. The study clarifies the indicative value of the low treeline for climate variability in mountain areas and can provide references for ecological restoration in arid valleys. | Indicator of climate variability: low treeline displacement in arid valleys of mountain areas, China | 10.1007/s11629-023-8392-z |
2023-11-01 | Banded structure is a common harmful microstructure for low carbon microalloyed steel, which seriously shortens the service life of processed parts. In order to study the effect of oxide metallurgy on improving banded structure, the Ti–Zr deoxidized low carbon microalloyed steel that can play the oxide metallurgical role of inclusion was chosen as the research object, and the inclusion characteristics, microstructure and transverse and longitudinal mechanical properties after hot rolling were analyzed. The results showed the inclusion number density increased in all experimental steels after hot rolling, and a large number of long strip inclusions with aspect ratio greater than 3 appeared along the rolling direction. In addition, after hot rolling, there were element segregation bands in the experimental steels, and granular bainite bands were formed in the element enrichment zone. However, the intragranular ferrite generated in the cooling process destroyed the continuity of granular bainite bands, so that the microstructure anisotropy indexes of experimental steels were small. The mechanical properties analysis showed that the anisotropy of performance was mainly reflected in plasticity and toughness in the experimental steels. Among them, the difference ratio of elongation, section shrinkage and impact energy of No. 2 steel was 1.69%, 3.87% and 1.69%, respectively, which were less than those of No. 1 steel and No. 3 steel. The anisotropy of microstructure and mechanical properties of No. 2 steel that full played the role of oxide metallurgy were improved, and the banded structure control of low carbon microalloyed steel can be realized by oxide metallurgy technology. | Banded structure control of low carbon microalloyed steel based on oxide metallurgy | 10.1007/s42243-023-00916-6 |
2023-11-01 | Owing to the high specific capacity and cost-effectiveness, cobalt-free high-nickel cathode materials (LiNi x Mn 1− x O 2 , x > 0.5) are widely used in lithium-ion batteries for various electronic equipment and energy storage systems. However, their unsatisfactory electrochemical performance and relatively high cost still limit the large-scale application of LiNi x Mn 1− x O 2 cathodes. Herein, we propose a series of blended LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.4 O 2 (NM64)/LiMn 2 O 4 (LMO) cathode materials synthesized by a simple mechanical mixing method to significantly reduce the cathode material cost, as well as to ameliorate the cycling life span and rate ability. It is demonstrated that this feasible and economic blending strategy fully exploits the advantages of high-specific-capacity NM64 with a layered structure and low-cost LMO with a spinel structure, which could effectively compensate for the inferior rate performance of NM64 and the poor cycling performance of LMO. Specifically, when the mass ratio of NM64 to LMO is 85:15, the NM64 and LMO particles not only uniformly fill their respective inter-particle gaps, effectively increasing the compaction density of the binary blended materials, but also exhibit comprehensively enhanced electrochemical properties in terms of high specific capacity (154.29 mA h g −1 at the first cycle), long cycling life span (79.7% at 0.2C after 100 cycles), and excellent rate performance (70.70 mA h g −1 at 2C). Such ingeniously designed cobalt-free oxides cathode will pave the new avenue in the sustainable development of economical oxides cathodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Graphical Abstract LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.4 O 2 /LiMn 2 O 4 (NM64/LMO) | Binary Cobalt-Free Blended Oxide Cathodes for Cost-Effective Lithium-Ion Batteries | 10.1007/s11664-023-10639-9 |
2023-11-01 | Low-alcohol beer (LAB) is a growing part of the brewing industry in terms of market volumes and consumer interest. Universities and research centres are making efforts to improve organoleptic profile and flavour stability of the product. One of the main limitations of such products is the stability. These beers must be severely filtered and pasteurized, causing a significant loss of quality in terms of flavour. Herein, flavour stability of an unpasteurized and unfiltered LAB was checked during 120 days of cold storage (4 ± 1 °C). The results showed that the beer remained stable for 120 days for many observed parameters. The alcohol content increased from 0.5 to 0.7% v/v. The beer without oxygen was more stable than that filled with oxygen in the headspace. The results confirmed the possibility to produce an unpasteurized craft LAB by Saccharomycodes ludwigii by the cold chain. Graphical Abstract | Flavour Stability of a Cold-Stored Unpasteurized Low-Alcohol Beer Produced by Saccharomycodes ludwigii | 10.1007/s11947-023-03061-w |
2023-11-01 | To build neuromorphic computing networks equivalent to the human brain, single artificial synaptic devices should exhibit low energy consumption down to femtojoules. However, most existing solutions for implementing low-energy synaptic devices based on an Ohmic contact are complex in structure or require specific materials, which hinder the further development of artificial neural networks. In this study, a Schottky-barrier-regulated organic synaptic transistor (SBROST) was reported. The device performance was improved by introducing the Schottky barrier at the contact interface between the source electrode and the semiconductor, thereby considerably reducing the energy consumption of one synaptic event compared with conventional OSTs with an Ohmic contact. The SBROST can not only reduce the device’s operating voltage and current but also possess a simple structure that can be utilized in different organic synaptic devices. Furthermore, high recognition accuracy at low energy consumption can be achieved by the SBROST. After 100 epochs, the SBROST-based handwritten artificial neural network exhibits excellent recognition accuracy (93.53%), which is close to the ideal accuracy (95.62%). The scheme of introducing a Schottky barrier into synaptic transistors offers a new perspective for constructing brain-like neural computing networks. 为了构建类脑神经形态计算网络, 单一的人工突触器件应该表现出极低的能量消耗, 达到飞焦耳级别. 然而, 大多数现有的基于欧姆接触的低能耗突触器件实施方案, 要么结构复杂, 要么需要特定材料, 这些因素都阻碍了人工神经网络的进一步发展. 本文报告了一种肖特基势垒调控的有机突触晶体管(SBROST). 通过在源电极和半导体之间的接触界面引入肖特基势垒, 显著降低了单个突触事件的能耗, 与使用欧姆接触的传统有机突触晶体管相比, SBROST的性能得到了改善. SBROST不仅可在低工作电压和电流下运行, 还具有可适用于不同有机突触器件的简单结构. 此外, SBROST可以实现低能耗下的高识别精度. 经过100个周期, 基于SBROST的手写人工神经网络表现出卓越的识别精度(93.53%), 接近理想精度(95.62%). 将肖特基势垒引入突触晶体管的方案为构建类脑神经计算网络提供了新的视角. | Low-energy-consumption organic synaptic transistors with high recognition accuracy enabled by Schottky barrier regulation | 10.1007/s40843-023-2573-6 |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.