Search Results (6,012)

Urban roads can effectively handle peak flows during extreme storms by serving as surface flood passages, provided the flow remains within safety thresholds for vehicles and pedestrians. However, studies on flow allocation at crossroad intersections are limited. Previous research has overlooked important factors: road transverse slope and turning radius. This study built a “two in, two out” laboratory crossroad intersection to examine flow allocation patterns. Experiments explored the effects of road longitudinal slope, boundary conditions, and the combined influence of turning radius and side slope. The results indicated that at flatter slopes, flow allocation is more influenced by road slope, while at steeper slopes, the inflow Froude number ratio becomes more significant. The combined effect of the turning radius and side slope results in a flow allocation that differs by 44.3% compared to rectangular orthogonal channel intersections. A straightforward formula is proposed to calculate the flow allocation ratio based on experimental results and inflow power ratio. These findings could improve road intersection designs for better flood mitigation, offering a practical tool for planning flood-resilient road networks. Full article

The waterborne epoxy resin (WER) colored antiskid thin layer has been widely used in asphalt pavement to improve driving safety. The tectonic depth determines the antiskid performance of aparticle antiskid type thin layer. The spalling of aggregate from a thin layer may reduce the tectonic depth, thus damaging antiskid performance. The spreading process of aggregate on the WER binder surface plays an important role in the spalling behavior of the thin layer. Herein, the influence of spreading processes on the ceramic aggregate spalling behavior on the WER thin layer was investigated based on laboratory experiments. The abrasion and British Pendulum Number (BPN) tests were employed to evaluate the antispalling and antiskid properties of the WER thin layers with different amounts of WER mortar, coverage rates of first-spread aggregate, and spreading orders of coarse/fine aggregates. Moreover, the tectonic depths of the layers before/after the spalling test were also investigated. The results indicated that the optimal dosage of WER mortar is 2.8 kg/m². The WER thin layer exhibited better anti-striping property when coarse ceramic aggregate was spread first. The first-spread coverage rate of the aggregate on the WER surface is 70%. The thin layer exhibited a superior antispalling performance according to the resulting scheme, with a spalling rate of 3.77%. The tectonic depth only decreased from 1.87 to 1.80 mm after the spalling test. Full article

Few universities in the world conduct experimental research on high-speed, high-power turbomachinery. The Purdue High-Speed Compressor Research Laboratory has a longstanding tradition of partnering with industry sponsors to perform high-TRL (technology readiness level) experiments on axial and radial compressors for aerospace applications. Early work in the laboratory with Professor Sanford Fleeter and Professor Patrick Lawless involved aeromechanics and the addition of a multistage axial compressor facility to support compressor performance studies. This work continues today under the guidance of Professor Nicole Key. While other universities may operate a single-stage transonic compressor or a low-speed multistage compressor, the Purdue 3-Stage (P3S) Axial Compressor Research Facility provides a unique environment to understand multistage effects at speeds where compressibility is important. Over the last two decades, several areas of important research within the gas-turbine engine industry have been explored: vane clocking, stall/surge inception, tip-leakage/stator-leakage (cavity leakage) flow characterization, and forced response, to name a few. This paper addresses the different configurations of the facility chronologically so that existing datasets can be matched with correct boundary conditions and provides an overview of the different upgrades in the facility as it has developed in preparation for the next generation of small-core compressor research. Full article

Floor impact sound insulation is essential for improving living environments and has become a mandatory requirement for green buildings in Southern China. This study introduces an innovative inorganic sound insulation coating technology for enhancing building floor acoustic performance. Through comprehensive laboratory experiments and field tests, we evaluated inorganic coatings of 3 mm and 5 mm thickness, comparing their performance against traditional methods, including organic coatings and soundproof mortar. Standardized impact sound pressure level measurements, conducted in accordance with the China GB/T 50121 standard, demonstrated significant acoustic improvements. Laboratory testing revealed impact sound reductions of 6–7 dB and 9–10 dB for the 3 mm and 5 mm inorganic coatings, respectively, while field applications of the 3 mm coating achieved an average reduction of 14.3 dB. The inorganic coating exhibited superior performance characteristics compared to both organic coatings and soundproof mortar in terms of sound insulation efficiency, fire resistance, and application feasibility, demonstrating particularly effective attenuation in the mid- to high-frequency range. This investigation presents an innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for improving floor sound insulation in green buildings. Full article

This paper presents the results of experiments conducted on the flotation separation of cyclone dust particles. The flotation process was conducted using a laboratory flotation apparatus comprising three chambers. Experimental tests supported theoretical results of the theoretical reasoning and justification for the choice of parameters that the flotation process should have in order to extract particles of such small sizes. Furthermore, this work elucidates the concept of “nanobubbles” and substantiates their viability for use in the flotation of nanoparticles, given that bubbles of such a magnitude are firmly affixed to the hydrophobic surface of particles. Bubbles of a larger size than nanoparticles will float both hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles. The effective flotation of cyclone dust from the gas cleaning of silicon and ferroalloy production provided two materials as a result. The experiments yielded insights into the rational technological parameters of the flotation mode for obtaining new products. These insights were gleaned from the preliminary conditioning (conditioning time from 0.5 to 1.5 h) of wet cyclone dust (dry dust weight of 4 kg) with liquid glass (1.4 g per 1 dm³ of pulp) in a cavitation unit at a pH value of 8.5. The flotation process was conducted in a three-chamber flotation apparatus with a volume of 0.02 m³ for a duration of 90 min, utilizing a pneumohydraulic aerator with air suction from the atmosphere. In this instance, the pulp was conveyed via a pump at a pressure of 0.4 MPa from the initial cleansing chamber into the aerator. During the flotation process, kerosene (1 mg per 1 dm³ of pulp) and pine oil (2 mg per 1 dm³ of pulp) were added as additives. The resulting products were silicon dioxide (95%) and carbon nanoparticles (94%). Full article

The present work aims to compare two different subsurface hydrological models, namely HYDRUS and MODFLOW UZF package, in terms of groundwater recharge; thus, both models were coupled with MODFLOW. The study area is an experimental kiwifruit orchard located in the Arta plain in the Epirus region of Greece. A novel conceptual framework is introduced in order to (i) use in situ and laboratory measurements to estimate parameter values for both sub-surface flow models; (ii) couple the developed models with MODFLOW to estimate groundwater recharge; and (iii) compare and evaluate the performance of both approaches, with differences stemming from the distinctive equations describing the flow in the unsaturated zone. Detailed soil investigation was conducted in two soil horizons in the research field to identify soil texture zones, along with infiltration experiments implementing both double-ring and single-ring infiltrometers. The results of the field measurements indicate that fine-textured soils are predominant within the field, affecting several hydrological processes, such as infiltration, drainage, and root water uptake. Field measurements were incorporated in unsaturated zone flow modeling and the infiltration fluxes were simulated with the application of both the UZF package of MODFLOW and the HYDRUS code. The two codes presented acceptable agreement between the simulated and observed hydraulic head values with a similar performance in terms of statistics; however, they produced different results regarding recharge rates in the aquifer as simulated by MODFLOW. HYDRUS produced higher hydraulic head values in the aquifer throughout the simulation, related to higher recharge rates arising from the root water uptake and the capillary effects that are computed by HYDRUS but neglected by the UZF package of MODFLOW. Full article

To achieve carbon neutrality in China’s fossil energy sector, saline aquifer CO₂ geological storage has become a critical strategy. As research into carbon reduction and storage potential evaluation advances across various geological scales, the need arises for consolidating key CO₂ storage cases and establishing a standardized classification system and evaluation methodology. This paper provides a comprehensive review of notable CO₂ storage projects in saline aquifers, covering aspects such as project overviews, structural and reservoir characteristics, caprock integrity, and seismic monitoring protocols. Drawing on insights from mineral and oil and gas exploration, as well as international methods, this paper outlines the stages and potential levels of saline aquifer storage in China. It proposes an evaluation framework with formulas and reference values for key coefficients. The study includes successful global projects, such as Sleipner and Snøhvit in Norway, In Salah in Algeria, and Shenhua in China’s Ordos Basin, which provide valuable insights for long-term carbon capture and storage (CCS). By examining geological characteristics, injection, and monitoring protocols in these projects, this paper analyzes how geological features impact CO₂ storage outcomes. For example, the Sleipner project’s success is linked to its straightforward structure, favorable reservoir properties, and stable caprock, while Snøhvit illustrates diverse structural suitability, and In Salah demonstrates the influence of fractures on storage efficacy. CO₂ storage activities are segmented into four stages—survey, investigation, exploration, and injection—and are further categorized by storage potential: geological, technical, techno-economic, and engineering capacities. This study also presents evaluation levels (prediction, control, technically recoverable, and engineering) that support effective reservoir selection, potential classification, and calculations considering factors like reservoir stability and sealing efficacy. Depending on application needs, volumetric or mechanistic methods are recommended, with precise determination of geological, displacement, and cost coefficients. For China, a dynamic evaluation mechanism characterized by multi-scale, tiered approaches and increasing precision over time is essential for robust storage potential assessment. The levels and methods outlined here serve as a scientific foundation for regional and stage-based comparisons, guiding engineering approvals and underground space management. To align with practical engineering demands, ongoing innovation through laboratory experiments, simulations, and field practice is crucial, supporting continual refinement of formulas and key parameter determinations. Full article

The ability of flow cytometry to identify and quantify the presence of cell populations defined by their expression profile of specific markers has made this technique a powerful and routinary tool in clinical diagnostic practice. Specifically in the field of hematological malignancies, flow cytometry allows the identification of the correct type and lineage of each patient’s disease and also sensitively quantifies the presence of the disease at precise moments during treatment, that is, levels of measurable residual disease (MRD). The quantification of MRD by flow cytometry has allowed the adaptation of tailored therapies to patients, contributing to the improvement of the results of the different protocols in recent decades. In this context, our objective in the present work was to evaluate the potential impact that spectral flow cytometry can provide compared to conventional cytometry, which is the one usually used in clinics. We present here a comparative study of both technologies, spectral versus conventional flow cytometry, in primary samples corresponding to the diagnosis and follow-up of children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Our initial experience demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating spectral flow cytometry into the routine workflow of a reference laboratory. Full article

The use of non-degradable plastic mulch has become an essential agricultural practice for increasing crop yields, but continued use has led to contamination problems and in some cropping areas decreases in agricultural productivity. The subsequent emergence of biodegradable plastic mulches is a technological solution to these issues, so it is important to understand how different soil characteristics and field management strategies will affect the rate at which these new materials degrade in nature. In this work, a series of lab-scale hydrolytic degradation experiments were conducted to determine how different soil characteristics (type, pH, microbial community composition, and particle size) affected the degradation rate of a sprayable polyester–urethane–urea (PEUU) developed as a biodegradable mulch. The laboratory experiments were coupled with long-term, outdoor, soil degradation studies, carried out in Clayton, Victoria, to build a picture of important factors that can control the rate of PEUU degradation. It was found that temperature and acidity were the most important factors, with increasing temperature and decreasing pH leading to faster degradation. Other important factors affecting the rate of degradation were the composition of the soil microbial community, the mass loading of PEUU on soil, and the degree to which the PEUU was in contact with the soil. Full article

The Dingtao M2 tomb, the largest and best-preserved imperial “Huangchangticou” tomb in China, holds great significance for its conservation. Currently, varying degrees of microbial degradation are occurring on the surfaces of the M2 tomb. This study aimed to determine the microbial diversity of the M2 tomb and its surrounding environment during July 2021 and August 2022. High-throughput metagenomic sequencing revealed that the dominant fungus on the surface of the tomb chamber was Dacrymyces stillatus (DTT1) in July 2021, which changed to Talaromyces pinophilus (DTT2) in August 2022. Enzymatic activities for cellulose and lignin degradation suggested that DTT1 has high levels of manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, laccase, and cellulase. The wood of the tomb contained higher levels of Fe²⁺ and Ca²⁺, and experiments with different concentration gradients of these ions in the culture medium revealed that DTT1 exhibited greater activity of cellulose and lignin degradation in environments with higher concentrations of Fe²⁺ and Ca²⁺. DTT2 degraded both cellulose and lignin. Lastly, a laboratory plate inhibition experiment demonstrated that isothiazolinone fungicide had a significant fungicidal effect on these two dominant fungi. This study provides valuable data and a theoretical basis for the preservation of the M2 tomb and other wooden cultural relics. Full article

This research develops and evaluates a recyclable corrugated cardboard vibration isolation box reinforced with balsa wood as an alternative to traditional open trench methods for mitigating ground-borne environmental body waves. This study includes designing and testing scaled prototypes, laboratory analyses, prototype fabrication, and full-scale field experiments. In soft ground conditions, ensuring slope stability during deep excavations is a key engineering challenge for open trenches. For this purpose, scaled prototypes were subjected to laboratory tests to assess the resistance of the wave barrier’s wall surface. Numerical analyses were also conducted to evaluate the strength of the internal lattice structure under various loads. A prototype was fabricated for on-site experiments simulating real-world conditions. Field experiments evaluated the vibration isolation performance of the proposed barrier. Accelerometer sensors were strategically placed to gather data, analyzing ground surface vibrations for free field motions to assess the vibration shielding efficiency of both the open trench method and the corrugated vibration isolation box, with and without Styrofoam infill. This study concludes that the recyclable corrugated vibration isolation box is a viable alternative, offering comparable or improved vibration isolation efficiency in soft soil conditions while promoting environmental sustainability using recyclable materials. Full article

The dynamic modulus (∣$E^{*}$∣) is a fundamental mechanical parameter for studying the performance of hot mix asphalt and simulating its viscoelastic behaviour under different loading and thermal conditions. It is a primary tool to replicate road surface behaviour under vehicle traffic loading and temperature variations. Though, laboratory testing to determine this parameter is time-consuming and costly. Several predictive models have been developed to estimate the dynamic modulus, ranging from rheological to empirical regression models. This research was dedicated to studying two predictive models for determining the master curve of the dynamic modulus of hot mix asphalt used in a regular pavement binder course containing different reclaimed asphalt contents (0%, 30%, 40%, and 50%). Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess their accuracy. The results show that Witczak’s sigmoid function provided the best accuracy for the master curves, while the Generalized Huet-Sayegh (2S2P1D) model showed less accurate predictions, particularly at the range of low and high frequencies. Full article

Significant market value discrepancies exist between clear and knotty Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) wood, distinguished not only by their aesthetic variations but also by their distinct material properties. This study aimed to explore the differences in physical and mechanical properties between clear and knotty Chinese fir wood. Nine standard trees were chosen from a 26-year-old Chinese fir plantation for the experiment. Subsequent to felling, trunk segments below 7 m in length were transported to the laboratory. For each tree, detailed preparations were made to obtain clear and knotty wood specimens, and these distinct wood specimens were subjected to thorough physical and mechanical assessments. The results revealed significant variations in properties between clear and knotty Chinese fir wood. The shrinkage and swelling coefficients of knotty wood were generally lower than those of clear wood, except for higher radial and tangential air-dry shrinkage. Specifically, the swelling ratio of knotty wood was at least 0.40% lower, and the oven-dry shrinkage was at least 0.58% lower than that of clear wood. Knotty wood exhibited higher air-dry and oven-dry densities, with its density being at least 0.15 g cm⁻³ higher than that of clear wood. However, its mechanical properties, including tensile strength, compression strength, impact bending strength, bending strength, and modulus of elasticity, were lower than those of clear wood. For instance, the tensile strength parallel to the grain of clear wood was 40.63 MPa higher, the modulus of elasticity was 1595 MPa higher, and the impact bending strength was 27.12 kJ m⁻² greater than that of knotty wood. Although the tangential and radial surface hardness of knotty wood increased significantly compared to clear wood, the end hardness remained relatively lower. Overall, knotty Chinese fir wood displayed enhanced physical properties, whereas clear wood showcased superior mechanical properties. Careful selection between clear and knotty wood is recommended based on the specific requirements of wooden structural elements to optimize timber resource utilization. Full article

Background/Objectives: Slow oscillation (SO) brainwaves observed during sleep have been shown to reflect the process of memory consolidation, that underlies the critical role of sleep in learning, memory, and other cognitive functions. Closed-loop auditory stimulation (CLAS) uses tones presented in phase with SOs to increase their amplitude and number, along with other brainwave signatures related to memory consolidation. Prior studies have found that CLAS maximizes the ability to perform rote memorization tasks, although this remains controversial. The present study examined whether CLAS affects a broader range of learning tasks than has been tested previously, including a rote language learning task requiring basic memorization and also two discovery learning tasks requiring insight, hypothesis testing, and integration of experience, all processes that benefit from memory consolidation. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy participants performed language and discovery learning tasks before sleeping in our laboratory for three continuous nights per week over two weeks, with verum or control CLAS using a prototype NeuroGevity system (NeuroGeneces, Inc., Santa Fe, NM, USA) in a crossed, randomized, double-blind manner. Results: Language learning showed a 35% better word recall (p = 0.048), and discovery learning showed a 26% better performance (p < 0.001) after three continuous nights of CLAS vs. control. EEG measures showed increased SO amplitude and entrainment, SO-spindle coupling, and other features that may underlie the learning benefits of CLAS. Conclusions: Taken together, the present results show that CLAS can alter brain dynamics and enhance learning, especially in complex discovery learning tasks that may benefit more from memory consolidation compared with rote word pair or language learning. Full article

Sustainable development is one of the main directions of modern agriculture. First of all, sustainability in the agricultural sector can be achieved through the possible abandonment of traditional mineral fertilizers. Many decades of using these fertilizers have led to the degradation of arable soils and to soil and environmental pollution. As a result, this causes reductions in yields and the environmental quality of agricultural products and affects the health of the population. An alternative to traditional mineral fertilizers may be the use of innovative organomineral fertilizers obtained from local resources. These include manure, humus, compost, sediments, etc. In recent years, fertilizers obtained from the sapropels of the bottom sediments of lakes have become widespread. Their distinctive feature is the environmental friendliness and completeness of the content of chemical elements and substances necessary for the development and growth of plants. In addition, the methods of obtaining and applying these fertilizers allow us to talk about their effectiveness in use. The range of applications of these fertilizers is diverse, from use in the form of a dry extract applied directly to the soil to the use of liquid suspensions used at various stages of processing and from pre-sowing seed treatment to watering and spraying plants at different periods of vegetation. Moreover, an important aspect is the research work on the variational use of sapropel fertilizers on different crops, with different methods of production and concentrations and at different stages of processing. This publication contains the results of a study of the effect of the obtained innovative sapropel fertilizer on productivity, wheat grain quality, and economic efficiency (Triticum aestivum L.). To identify the optimal concentration of sapropel extract, laboratory studies were carried out to determine the germination energy and germination of wheat seeds of different varieties when they were soaked in various concentrations: 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 g/L. The best indicators of germination energy and germination of wheat seeds during treatment with the extract were obtained at a concentration of 1.2 g/L. The research was conducted at an accredited variety testing laboratory. A field experiment was conducted in the fields of the agrobiological station of North Kazakhstan University named after Manash Kozybayev. The treatment of the seeds was carried out by soaking them in sapropel extract to evenly distribute the substance. The scheme of the field experiment included the option of using foliar treatment with a solution of sapropel extract at the tillering stage. As a result of the application of the obtained extract in the field, environmental and socio-economic efficiency was noted. The conducted field studies note its positive effect and effectiveness on the morphological, qualitative, and quantitative indicators of the wheat harvest. In the areas where wheat seeds were pretreated, as well as where foliar treatment with the resulting sapropel suspension was carried out, the best yield indicators were revealed. In these variants of the experiment with pre-sowing and pre-sowing and foliar treatment with the sapropel extract solution, the yield was 3.63 and 3.81 tons per hectare, respectively. The introduction of sapropel extract at the stage of seed treatment before sowing, as well as foliar processing of wheat at the tillering stage, will increase the efficiency and profitability of the agricultural industry and obtain a synergistic effect in the form of socio-economic efficiency and environmental safety of production. In our opinion, this will contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture and the production of environmental products. Full article