bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of temperature control on tribological and corrosion properties of copper in cathodic cage plasma nitriding
Authors: Khalid Muhammad Bilal , Hussain Syed Salman , Farooq Ameeq , Shafiq Muhammad , Khan Yasin , Shoaib Muhammad
Published: January 2025

Cathodic cage plasma nitriding (CCPN) is a proficient and cost-effective technique for surface modification of metallic samples that has been in use for the last two decades. The effectiveness of CCPN depends upon different controlled parameters. The main objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of temperature on CCPN performance. Copper (Cu) samples were nitrided at various temperatures (100–400 °C) for a fixed time of 4 h. The treated samples were investigated using a micro-hardness tester, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, ball-on-disc wear tester, and potentiodynamic polarization. An improvement in hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance has been reported with an increase in temperature. The treated samples possessed aluminum nitride (AlN), copper(I) nitride (Cu3N), copper(I) azide (CuN3), copper(II) azide (CuN6), and AlCu4 phases with intensity increasing with temperature. The current study clarified the reactivity of the CCPN system on treated samples in a broad manner. Untreated samples have shown abrasive wear at low temperatures, whereas adhesive wear is the predominant mechanism at high temperatures. At high temperatures, a low friction coefficient has been achieved due to smoother surfaces. Nitrided samples have shown an overall increased corrosion resistance with an increase in temperature.
Stretchable wearable thermoelectric generator from in situ reaction wavy tellurium films
Authors: Liu Dongmei , He Dunren , Huang Huihui
Published: January 2025

Recent years have witnessed substantial advancements in wearable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) leveraging 2D thin-film structures. However, the rational design of TEGs that harmonizes high output performance, stretchability, and comfort remains a challenge. Herein, p-type and n-type thermoelectric units are alternately arranged on a flexible tellurium (Te) film using a solvothermal method combined with an in situ reaction. This methodology facilitates the fabrication of a wearable wavy structure TEG with an impressive stretchability of up to 300%. The effect of the geometric parameters of the wavy structure on TEG performance is explored. The designed TEG with three p–n pairs (TEG-3pn) achieves an open-circuit voltage output of 50.46 mV at a temperature difference of 60 K. Demonstrations of thermal energy harvesting from the human wrist and a hot water cup underscored the TEG's efficient exploitation of vertical temperature gradients and its versatility for diverse applications. This work provides a straightforward and practical strategy for designing thin-film-based 3D TEGs, addressing both structural considerations and the impact of geometric parameters on performance.
The spatio-temporal evolution of detailed cavitating vortex structures in an axial flow waterjet pump
Authors: Liu Xinran , Chen Tairan , Huang Biao , Wang Guoyu
Published: January 2025

The emergence of complex cavitating vortex flow creates a significant challenge to the safe and stable performance of axial flow waterjet pumps when it operates under extreme conditions. This paper aims to investigate the intricate structures of cavitation vortices and examine the interaction between cavitation dynamics and vortex evolution under typical vortical cavitation conditions. The temporal and spatial evolution of tip leakage vortex cavity (TLVC) cavitation at different cavitation indices are investigated. The Wedge-shaped cavity (WSC) first appears near the leading edge in the initial stage of cavitation (σ = 0.624). In the growing stage of cavitation (σ = 0.247), the interaction between the TLVC and WSC ultimately leads to the shedding of the perpendicular cavitating vortices cavity (PCVC). In the severe stage of cavitation (σ = 0.173), the PCVC in big scale and shedding cavity block flow passage and the head drops significantly. The tip leakage vortex cavitating flow at the rated operating point is simulated using large eddy simulation coupled with the Burgers vortex cavitation model. A comparative analysis of various vortex identification methods highlights their respective capabilities in capturing vortex structures. The spatial evolution of tip leakage vortices has three typical characteristics in different locations corresponding to generation, mergence, and dissipation, respectively. Finally, the analysis of each term in vorticity transport equation shows that the stretching term is the most prominent factor. This study is of great significance for improving the understanding of cavitating flow mechanisms and enhancing the performance of axial flow waterjet pump operating under extreme conditions.
The actin filament pointed-end depolymerase Srv2/CAP depolymerizes barbed ends, displaces capping protein, and promotes formin processivity
Authors: Towsif Ekram M. , Shekhar Shashank
Published: January 2025

Cellular actin networks exhibit distinct assembly and disassembly dynamics, primarily driven by multicomponent reactions occurring at the two ends of actin filaments. While barbed ends are recognized as the hotspot for polymerization, depolymerization is predominantly associated with pointed ends. Consequently, mechanisms promoting barbed-end depolymerization have received relatively little attention. Here, using microfluidics-assisted three-color single-molecule imaging, we reveal that cyclase-associated protein (CAP), long known for its roles in nucleotide exchange and pointed-end depolymerization, also acts as a processive depolymerase at filament barbed ends. CAP molecules track barbed ends for several minutes, inducing depolymerization rates of up to 60 subunits per second. Importantly, CAP modulates barbed-end dynamics even under cytosol-mimicking assembly promoting conditions. We further show that CAP can colocalize with both formin and capping protein (CP) at barbed ends. CAP enhances formin processivity by 10-fold, allowing CAP–formin complexes to track fast-elongating barbed ends. In contrast, CAP destabilizes CP-bound barbed ends and accelerates dissociation of CP by fourfold. Our findings, combined with CAP’s previously reported activities, firmly establish CAP as a key regulator of cellular actin dynamics.
Enzymes in a human cytoplasm model organize into submetabolon complexes
Authors: Samuel Russell Premila P. , Rickard Meredith M. , Pogorelov Taras V. , Gruebele Martin
Published: January 2025

Enzyme–enzyme interactions are fundamental to the function of cells. Their atomistic mechanisms remain elusive mainly due to limitations of in-cell measurements. We address this challenge by atomistically modeling, for a total of ≈80 μs, a slice of the human cell cytoplasm that includes three successive enzymes along the glycolytic pathway: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), and phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM). We tested the model for nonspecific protein stickiness, an artifact of current atomistic force fields in crowded environments. The simulations reveal that the human enzymes co-organize in-cell into transient submetabolon complexes, consistent with previous experimental results. Our data both reiterate known specificity between GAPDH and PGK and reveal extensive direct interactions between GAPDH and PGM. Our simulations further reveal, through force field benchmarking, the critical role of protein solvation in facilitating these enzyme–enzyme interactions. Transient interenzyme interactions with μs lifetime occur repeatedly in our simulations via specific sticky protein surface patches, with interactions often mediated by charged patch residues. Some of the residues that interact frequently with one another lie in or near the active site of the enzymes. We show that some of these patches correspond to a general mode to interact with several partners for promiscuous enzymes like GAPDH. We further show that the non-native yeast PGK is stickier than human PGK in our human cytoplasm model, supporting the idea of evolutionary pressure to reduce sticking. Our cytoplasm modeling paves the way toward capturing the atomistic dynamics of an entire enzymatic pathway in-cell.
Growth decline in European beech associated with temperature-driven increase in reproductive allocation
Authors: Hacket-Pain Andrew , Szymkowiak Jakub , Journé Valentin , Barczyk Maciej K. , Thomas Peter A. , Lageard Jonathan G. A. , Kelly Dave , Bogdziewicz Michał
Published: January 2025

Climate change is impacting forests in complex ways, with indirect effects arising from interactions between tree growth and reproduction often overlooked. Our 43-y study of European beech (
Fagus sylvatica
) showed that rising summer temperatures since 2005 have led to more frequent seed production events. This shift increases reproductive effort but depletes the trees’ stored resources due to insufficient recovery periods between seed crops. Consequently, annual tree ring increments have declined by 28%, dropping from a stable average of 1.60 mm y
−1
between 1980 and 2005 to 1.16 mm y
−1
thereafter. Importantly, this growth decline occurred without an accompanying trend in summer drought, indicating that altered reproductive patterns—not moisture stress—are driving the reduction. This creates a “perfect storm”: Increased reproductive effort drains resources, viable seed output falls due to the loss of mast-seeding benefits via pollination and lower seed predation, and the ongoing growth decline reduces current carbon uptake and future reproductive potential. These compounding factors threaten the sustainability of Europe’s most widespread forest tree. Our findings unveil a critical yet underrecognized indirect mechanism by which climate change endangers forest ecosystems, emphasizing the need to consider interactions between demographic processes when assessing species vulnerability to climate change.
Everything-cleft constructions in spoken British English
Authors: Seitanidi Eleni , Põldvere Nele , Paradis Carita
Published: January 2025

Within the framework of Construction Grammar, this study examines constructions with a cleft form containing
everything, e.g., that’s everything that’s happened, in spoken British English, using the
London-Lund Corpora and the British National Corpora. We trace the development of everything-clefts in recent
history and make comparisons with all-clefts since both all and everything
express totality. Our aim is to determine the form-meaning properties of everything-clefts, to examine
whether everything-clefts too express the smallness and exhaustiveness readings associated with
all-clefts, and whether everything-clefts are also dialogically contractive. The frequency
per million words of everything-clefts, however, is 3.3, which is lower than for all-clefts.
Also, based on the distinction between regular predicational, reverse predicational and reverse specificational
everything-clefts, we find that most everything-clefts are predicational and express
quality and that only a small number of reverse specificational everything-clefts express
exhaustiveness and are dialogically contractive. Moreover, an even smaller number of
everything-clefts also express smallness. We argue that exhaustiveness in
everything-clefts stems from a metonymic link to the boundary involved in the totality
meaning of everything in analogy with reverse all-clefts. The reverse exhaustive specificational
everything-clefts are similar to all-clefts and clearly deserve a place in the
constructional network of English specificational cleft constructions.
A minority within a minority
Authors: Velázquez Isabel , Gomes Pérez Marcelo
Published: January 2025

We explore self-reported use of the second-person singular
pronoun vos by a group of speakers of Central American Spanish
in the state of Nebraska. A specific case of interdialectal contact that takes
place in five non-metropolitan communities in the Midwest is described. All
speakers included in this study lived or had grown up in communities with low
ethnolinguistic vitality for Spanish and intense contact with speakers of
Mexican American and Mexican Spanish. Our analysis focuses on the pronoun
vos because it is a feature absent from the dialects of
Spanish spoken by the majority of Latinx Nebraskans, and because its use and
intergenerational transmission are closely inosculated with social meaning.
Respondents’ articulation of their sociolinguistic experience describes a
situation that includes complex processes of language brokering, acquisition,
loss, inter- and intra-dialectal contact, and intra- generational language
planning. Three forces that foster the use of vos by speakers
of Central American varieties of Spanish in Nebraska, and three factors that
hinder it are identified.
Lancelot Hogben’s hybrid tongues
Authors: Gordin Michael D.
Published: January 2025

Lancelot Hogben (1895–1975), a peripatetic and prolific mathematical geneticist and science populariser, occupies
a special niche in the history of scientific communication and translation. Not only was he a trenchant observer of the increasing
dominance of Global English in scientific publications, he also leveraged his command of the cosmopolitan scientific lexicon to
offer an alternative: a constructed language he called ‘Interglossa’. His extensive attention to linguistic evolution and
linguistic futures peaked during World War II, particularly as a result of his forced circumnavigation of the globe during the
‘Phoney War’ of 1940. Both political and linguistic disillusionments following the war pushed him inexorably to a grudging
reconciliation with some form of English as the basis for scientific (and other) communication.
Geometry of Carrollian stretched horizons
Authors: Freidel Laurent , Jai-akson Puttarak
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we present a comprehensive toolbox for studying Carrollian stretched horizons, encompassing their geometry, dynamics, symplectic geometry, symmetries, and corresponding Noether charges. We introduce a precise definition of ruled stretched Carrollian structures (sCarrollian structures) on any surface, generalizing the conventional Carrollian structures of null surfaces, along with the notions of sCarrollian connection and sCarrollian stress tensor. Our approach unifies the sCarrollian (intrinsic) and stretched horizon (embedding) perspectives, providing a universal framework for any causal surface, whether timelike or null. We express the Einstein equations in sCarrollian variables and discuss the phase space symplectic structure of the sCarrollian geometry. Through Noether’s theorem, we derive the Einstein equation and canonical charge and compute the evolution of the canonical charge along the transverse (radial) direction. The latter can be interpreted as a spin-2 symmetry charge. Our framework establishes a novel link between gravity on stretched horizons and Carrollian fluid dynamics and unifies various causal surfaces studied in the literature, including non-expanding and isolated horizons. We expect this work to provide insights into the hydrodynamical description of black holes and the quantization of null surfaces.
Advancements in mathematical modeling and design configurations of piezoelectric energy harvesters: a comprehensive review
Authors: Kaneez Hajra , Palacz Magdalena
Published: January 2025

Beam-type piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs), particularly those utilizing piezoelectric materials, have garnered considerable attention as efficient devices for converting ambient mechanical vibrations into electrical energy. This comprehensive review article thoroughly examines the mathematical models employed in beam-type PEHs, emphasizing their evolution and limitations. The study also delves into both theoretical and experimental analyses of design configurations, placing a special focus on the impact of geometries on energy harvesting efficiency. In conclusion, the paper explores recent advancements and improvements, along with potential avenues for future research, providing a concise overview tailored for professionals and scholars engaged in this specialized field.
Observation of radio-frequency Mie resonances in high-permittivity dielectric spheres
Authors: Galante Angelo , Contestabile Alessandra , Capocefalo Angela , Galdi Vincenzo , Rizza Carlo , Alecci Marcello
Published: January 2025

We investigate Mie resonances in a high-permittivity dielectric (ceramic) sphere within the radio-frequency (RF) range, exploring its potential application in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using a transmitting and a receiving RF coil, we observe Mie resonance signatures in both the transmission frequency spectrum and the magnetic field distribution surrounding a 40 mm-diameter sphere. Through full-wave numerical simulations and a standard fitting technique, we identify and characterize the lowest-frequency transverse-electric resonance modes of the sphere at 141.6, 201.4, 259.6, and 282.6 MHz, each exhibiting high-quality factors (

∼

300

). Remarkably, we experimentally map the magnetic field distributions corresponding to each Mie resonance. Our results provide valuable insights for developing innovative approaches to manipulate RF waves, particularly by shaping and controlling the near-field outside the dielectric resonator through Mie resonances, an area largely unexplored in MRI technology.
The second-level preheating
Authors: Risdianto Norma Sidik , Adam Apriadi Salim , Zamakhsyari Lalu
Published: January 2025

This paper proposes two levels of preheating for the inflaton that is non-minimally coupled with gravity. The first level, later named by the quadratic regime, corresponds to the matter-dominated era and is responsible for draining the inflaton's energy density. The second level, which we will call the quartic regime, corresponds to the radiation-dominated era and is responsible for the reheating of the universe. We investigate the behavior of non-renormalizable higher dimension operators in both the quadratic and quartic regimes. In the quadratic regime, the preheating is also efficient, even though it is less than the lower dimension.
On the other hand, the non-renormalizable higher dimension operators in the quartic regime are extremely inefficient. In our work, we also introduce a simple mechanism controlled by the characteristic momentum α to suppress the particle production during preheating. Additionally, we emphasized the significance of the small momentum of the particles produced during preheating for the abundance of primordial black holes. This result supports the efficient preheating in the quadratic regime. Finally, we evaluate two modes of the reheating temperature, which differ based on the preheating efficiency during the quadratic regime.
Removing spurious degrees of freedom from EFT of gravity
Authors: Glavan Dražen , Mukohyama Shinji , Zlosnik Tom
Published: January 2025

In the effective field theory approach to gravity, the Lagrangian density for
general relativity is supplemented by generally covariant terms of higher order
in the Riemann tensor and its derivatives. At face value, these terms will result
in higher derivative equations of motion and additional degrees of freedom
beyond those of general relativity. This is seemingly at odds with the goal of
effective field theory which is to encode ultraviolet corrections
in terms of existing low energy degrees of freedom. Here we apply an
action-based procedure for the removal of spurious degrees of freedom for the
case of general relativity supplemented by a term cubic in the Riemann
tensor.
To the order we work in, the resulting reduced theory takes the form of
minimally modified gravity, which is a class of modified
gravity theories that propagate just the massless spin-2 graviton, but exhibit a preferred
frame at short distances due to a deformation of time diffeomorphisms.
Our work suggests that this class of theories can be understood as an
effective
theory of gravity, capturing effects of unknown ultraviolet physics.
Radio emission from atmosphere-skimming cosmic ray showers in high-altitude balloon-borne experiments
Authors: Tueros Matías , Cabana-Freire Sergio , Álvarez-Muñiz Jaime
Published: January 2025

Atmosphere-skimming air showers are initiated by cosmic rays with incoming directions that allow the cascade to develop entirely within the atmosphere, without reaching the ground. Radio pulses induced by this type of showers have already been observed in balloon-borne experiments such as ANITA, but a detailed characterisation of their properties is lacking. The extreme range of densities in which these cascades can develop gives rise to a wide range of shower profiles, with radio emission characteristics that can differ significantly from those of regular downward-going showers. In this work, we have used the ZHAireS-RASPASS program to characterise the expected radio emission from atmosphere-skimming air showers and its properties. We have studied the interplay between the magnetic field and atmospheric density profile in the expected radio signal, focusing on its detection aboard balloon-borne experiments. The almost horizontal geometry of the events gives rise to a significant refractive asymmetry in the spatial distribution of the electric field, due to the propagation of the radio signals across a gradient of index of refraction. In addition, a unique coherence asymmetry appears in the intensity of the signals, as a consequence of the cumulative effect of the Earth's magnetic field over the very long distances that these particle cascades traverse. The implications of the peculiar characteristics of the emission are discussed regarding their impact both on the interpretation of collected data and in the exposure of balloon-borne experiments.
Bardeen-Dirac stars in Anti-de Sitter spacetime
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yu , Zhao Li , Wang Yong-Qiang
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we construct a static spherical symmetric Bardeen-Dirac stars (BDSs) in the four-dimensional Anti-de Sitter (AdS) spacetime, which consists of the electromagnetic field and Dirac field coupled to gravity. We investigate the ADM mass, Noether charge and light rings of BDSs in AdS spacetime. In asymptotically Minkowski spacetime, the maximum frequency of BDSs is one. However, we observe that the maximum frequency of BDSs increases as the cosmological constant decreases in AdS spacetime. Additionally, BDSs can exhibit extreme behavior at low frequencies, refer to as Frozen Bardeen-Dirac stars (FBDSs) in AdS spacetime. FBDSs have a critical event horizon, where the metric function gtt
is very close to zero. The matter is entirely encapsulated by this critical horizon, highly concentrated within it. When the magnetic charge is fixed, the FBDSs gradually disappear as the cosmological constant decreases.
Coil optimization methods for a planar coil stellarator
Authors: Kruger T.G. , Martin M.F. , Gates D.A. ,   the Thea Energy Team
Published: January 2025

The planar coil stellarator design is a novel approach to producing the confining magnetic field of a stellarator plasma. The work presented here details the optimization of the two types of planar coils that are used in the planar coil design: the plasma encircling coils, and the shaping coils. The plasma encircling coils provide the mean magnetic field and linking current, similar to the toroidal field (TF) coils in a tokamak. The plasma encircling coils can be rotationally symmetric TF-like coils and produce a

B
∝
1

/

R

field, but optimizing their placement, tilt, and shaping can substantially reduce the magnetic field error. In addition, an array of dipole-like shaping coils, that lie on a surface between the plasma boundary and the encircling coils, correct for the residual magnetic field error following encircling coil optimization. As a proof-of-concept, it is shown that by optimizing both types of coils, subject to realistic engineering constraints, reasonable magnetic field errors of ∼1% have been achieved. Comparison to a traditional modular coil set reveals that similarly low magnetic field errors can be attained with the planar coil stellarator.
Hybrid kinetic-MHD modeling of alpha-driven TAEs in the SPARC tokamak
Authors: Tinguely R.A. , Gonzalez-Martin J. , Todo Y.
Published: January 2025

As the magnetic confinement fusion community prepares for the next generation of fusion devices and burning plasmas, there is still a question of whether fast ions (FIs) will drive MHD instabilities, causing significant redistribution or even loss of FIs, thereby leading to reduced plasma performance and possibly threatening the integrity of the first wall. In this paper, we explore the existence and stability of toroidicity-induced Alfvén eigenmodes (TAEs) in the

>

100

MW

,

Q
∼
9

–11 DT-fusion power ‘Primary Reference Discharge’ (PRD) of the SPARC tokamak; the PRD has a relatively low on-axis alpha pressure,

β

α
0

≈
0.6
%

, due to the high magnetic field strength,

B
0

=
12.2

T

. A scan in toroidal mode number is performed in the vicinity of the estimated ‘most unstable’ modes, n ≈ 5–20, with the linear eigenvalue code NOVA-K and nonlinear initial-value code MEGA. Both codes identify the same (even) n = 10 TAE located near q = 1 with frequency

f
≈
360

kHz

and alpha drive

γ

/

ω
≈
+
0.6
%

. While MEGA evaluates this mode to be marginally unstable for the nominal alpha pressure, NOVA-K instead identifies a higher frequency (odd) n = 10 TAE as marginally destabilized; different evaluations of radiative damping are likely the cause of this discrepancy. These results indicate that AEs may be only marginally unstable for the highest performing SPARC PRD, at least for the q profile explored here. They also serve as a starting point for further scans, inclusion of FIs from auxiliary heating systems, and exploration of AE-induced FI transport, as well as a guide for diagnostic measurements of these n ≈ 10 AEs.
Heat Transfer Enhancement: Exploring Nanofluids and Devices
Authors: Sousa Antonio C. M.
Published: January 2025

Effective heat transfer is crucial for energy conservation, efficiency of industrial processes, and the development of advanced heating and cooling systems. Heat transfer enhancement techniques aim to facilitate faster and more efficient thermal energy transport. The first part of the lecture focuses on the emerging field of nanofluids, which, as a novel class of heat transfer fluids, has gained significant attention in recent years due to their unique properties and potential for improving heat transfer effectiveness. It is presented a brief overview of the experimental methods involved in the preparation of the nanofluids along with their combination with other heat transfer enhancers such as turbulators and vortex generators. Their application to small-scale solar thermal systems is also reported. Current challenges, such as nanoparticle agglomeration and long-term stability, are addressed, while exploring new nanoparticle materials for multi-purpose use. The second part of the lecture stresses the urgent need for further heat transfer enhancement by device development in two specific and very distinct areas: thermal management of battery assemblies in electric vehicles and geothermal energy extraction using super-long gravity heat pipes. The thermal management of battery assemblies in electric vehicles is vital to maintain safe operating temperatures under different weather conditions and prevent thermal runaway. Effective heat transfer within the battery pack is critical for optimizing battery performance, increasing its operational lifespan, and ensuring safety. A particular CFD study is reported along its main conclusions. In what concerns geothermal energy extraction, the super-long gravity heat pipe, with lengths over 3,000 meters, offer unique promise. Data from field tests for a prototype are reported along with preliminary conclusions. They are also noted several challenges, which include, among others, design of the heat pipe internals, reduction of the thermal resistance between pipe and surrounding ground, insulation of the adiabatic region, and reservoir recovery.
Data-driven thermal characterization of a 1-D model for sensible stratified thermal energy storage
Authors: Anacreonte A V , Capolupo F , Russo R , Vitobello R , Musto M
Published: January 2025

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) facilities have a wide range of applications in thermal networks. They enable adaptable functionality by effectively and timely managing the supply and demand of thermal energy. This practice offers both environmental and economic benefits, such as reduced CO2 emissions, lower energy generation costs, and decreased operational expenses. Although there are various TES technologies available in the market with higher energy density, such as those based on latent heat and phase change materials, hot water TES units are predominantly used due to their cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and favourable thermal properties. Although many two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulation approaches have been employed to assess the fluid dynamic behaviour of TES components, there has been growing interest in one-dimensional models, as they are better suited for time-dependent, plant-scale optimization studies. However, 1-D models often sacrifice accuracy for computational efficiency, leading many researchers to focus on improving their precision. In this study, field data acquired in an industrial solar thermal power plant are employed to validate and thermally characterize a sensible stratified thermal energy storage using pure water as Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). This approach aims to bridge the gap between qualitative 1-D modelling and practical applications. The results demonstrate the advantages of data-based approaches while also highlighting some of the inherent limitations of 1-D modelling methods.
Influence of Bed Medium on Bubbling Fluidized Bed Reactors for Biomass Gasification: Experimental Study
Authors: Montuori Lina , Vargas-Salgado Carlos , Alcazár-Ortega Manuel , Frosina Emma
Published: January 2025

This research provides a contribution to biomass gasification technology development and to its establishment into the market as mature and functional technology, competitive for large and medium-scale applications. In this article, an experimental analysis of Bubbling Fluidized Bed Reactors (BFBR) for power generation with different sand mixtures is presented. This experimental study is based on a 50 kW and a 10 kW BFBR, respectively, with inner diameters of 10 cm and 22.2 cm. In the experiments, three different bed sands (molochite, silica and alumina) have been tested attending to their properties, such as operating temperatures, bulk density for fluidisation, homogeneous grain size and commercial availability. According to the implemented tests, the obtained results demonstrate that molochite (calcined kaolin) has best effectiveness as bed additive for optimizing the reactor pressure drop, operating temperature, mean particle size and fluidization conditions. On the other side, the most appropriate range for the relation between the sand bed height and the reactor inner diameter to reduce the energy consumption was determined. Finally, the distributor pressure drop and the range of pressured drop were experimentally evaluated.
Numerical investigation on mixed convection with nanofluids in vertical channels with opposing moving plate
Authors: Buonomo B , Manca O , Nardini S , Sarli G
Published: January 2025

A numerical investigation on 2-dimensional steady-state mixed convection in a vertical channel asymmetrically heated with water-alumina (Al2O3) nanofluids is performed to evaluate the thermal and fluid dynamic behavior. The interest in this problem is related to several technological applications such as nuclear reactors and electronic components. Nanoparticles have a diameter of 30 nm and four different values of concentration (from 0 to 6%). The computational domain is made up of the channel and two lateral reservoirs, which simulate the external ambient. The channel is bounded by two vertical parallel plates with a constant aspect ratio. One of the plates is heated with a constant heat flux, while the other is considered adiabatic and is moving in the opposite direction of the buoyancy force. The governing equations are numerically solved with finite volume method by means of the ANSYS-Fluent code. Four different values of wall heat flux (with Ra=7×102 to 106) and six different velocities of the unheated plate (with Re=1 to 102) are considered. Results are presented in terms of velocity, temperature, pressure and stream function. Finally, correlations for the prediction of the average Nusselt number along the heated plate are presented.
Evaluating the potential of green roofs for greywater treatment
Authors: Romali N S , Jemail M I , Artino N A A , Mohamed I A
Published: January 2025

Greywater, comprising household wastewater excluding toilet waste, represents a significant portion of daily wastewater. Effective greywater treatment is crucial to mitigate environmental pollution, especially when greywater flows directly into water bodies without clear controls, discharge limits, and treatment requirements. Nature-based solution (NBS) approaches, such as green roofs, are gaining popularity for their urban benefits and potential for greywater treatment. However, in Malaysia, the application and literature on green roofs are limited, primarily focusing on stormwater management. The potential for greywater treatment remains understudied, despite numerous successful implementations worldwide. Hence, this study aims to explore the effectiveness of green roofs in improving greywater quality. Two green roof models were constructed: one using commercial materials and the other using recycled coconut waste. Greywater samples from washing and kitchen activities were tested, with influent and effluent samples analyzed for key water quality parameters including pH, turbidity, BOD, COD, TSS, TN, and TP. Both green roof models demonstrated notable effectiveness in reducing BOD concentrations, achieving removal efficiencies between 12% to 33%. The resulting BOD levels ranged from 21 to 25 mg/L, which is slightly above the limit of Standard A but compliant with Standard B of the Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974. While green roofs show potential in reducing BOD from greywater, their effectiveness in treating other water quality parameters remains limited. Addressing these shortcomings through system enhancements and integrated treatment approaches can lead to more robust and reliable greywater treatment solutions.
An experimental investigation on the mechanical performance of sustainable asphalt pavement incorporating waste glass powder
Authors: Hasan Kamrul , Fariha Noshin Anjum , Bashar Jummana Benta , Alakhali Ahmed K. , Yahaya Fadzil Mat
Published: January 2025

The disposal of waste glass (WG) poses a challenge due to its non-decomposable nature. Recycling WG plays a key role in sustainability, given its significant contribution to the global waste stream. This study investigates the use of waste glass powder (WGP), with a maximum size of 0.15 mm, as an aggregate inclusion at varying percentages (4%, 7%, and 10%) by weight to asphalt mixtures to enhance pavement strength and promote sustainable waste management. Therefore, in this research, mechanical characteristics, including Marshall stability and resilient modulus tests of modified asphalt mixtures, were evaluated. The results show that incorporating 7% glass powder yields the best Marshall stability and resilient modulus compared to the control mix. Although the 10% WGP modification resulted in the highest bulk density and voids filled with asphalt (VFA), it significantly reduced the resilient modulus. Thus, adding proper amount of glass powder significantly improves the hardness, strength, and resistance to structural deformation like rutting and cracking, making it a valuable option for pavement construction.
The effect of corrosion on physical properties of materials at precast concrete joint: a review
Authors: Ismail Mohd Erie Husairrie , Hamid Roszilah , Radzi Noor Azim Mohd
Published: January 2025

Degradation of concrete and steel reinforcement due to corrosion is a worldwide issue that deteriorates the durability and integrity of concrete structures. Even though nowadays precast concrete has been used widely to replace conventional concrete structures, the joints between the precast concrete elements are also prone to corrosion due to the different concrete interfaces. The difference between precast element and cast in-situ concrete is a weak point that creates a pathway to the penetration of corrosive agents. These interface differences can lead to differential movement and stress concentrations, eventually developing a minor crack that allows the ingress of corrosive agents. The void and micro-cracks that may exist during the construction process exacerbate the corrosion process. Once the steel reinforcement starts corroding, it creates expensive stress within the concrete joints. When this stress exceeds the stress capacity of the concrete, cracks are developed, leading to spalling and delamination. The precast concrete joint weakness exposes it to the degradation of the physical properties of concrete and steel reinforcement, eventually affecting the durability and integrity of precast concrete structures. This paper gives a brief review of the corrosion effect on the physical properties of materials at precast concrete joints and encourages other researchers to explore further in this field.
A review on Induced Accelerated Corrosion Methods of Reinforced Concrete Slab and their Issues and Challenges
Authors: Tarmizi Muhammad Izzat Mohamed , Hamid Roszilah , Radzi Noor Azim Mohd
Published: January 2025

Deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures due to corrosion of steel reinforcement embedded in concrete significantly impacts their structural performance. There are numerous studies focusing on the impact of corrosion on RC beams, however, RC slabs are also vulnerable to corrosion due to the moisture and chemical ingress through the concrete cover. Since the slabs are always thinner than beams, the effect of corrosion will lead to a faster loss of cross-sectional area of steel reinforcement. Slabs typically have larger exposed surface areas and are often subjected to chloride exposure especially for structures near the seaside, increasing their risk to corrosion. However, the natural process of steel reinforcement corrosion takes many years to occur. This paper provides an overview of several induced corrosion methods that have been shown to accelerate the corrosion process of slabs in laboratory experiments for testing the deteriorated slabs structural performances, focusing on the effects of chloride exposure on specific target corrosion area of the RC slabs. In summary, this paper provides a comprehensive review on various laboratory induced accelerated corrosion methods and their effectiveness on inducing corrosion of steel rebars in RC slabs, its issues and challenges of each test and to recommend the most effective method for future studies on corrosion of RC slab.
Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Latex-Modified Concrete: A Review
Authors: Tariq Hassaan Bin , Hamid Roszilah , Kaish A. B. M. A.
Published: January 2025

Natural rubber latex (NRL) has been studied and applied as an additive to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete. Its use improves important aspects like compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength, making concrete stronger and more durable. By modifying the internal matrix, NRL helps concrete resist cracking and several stresses, particularly those related to harsh environments. This review highlights insights from various studies, showing how NRL can effectively improve the performance of conventional and high-performance concrete, especially in terms of their strength performances. The potential of NRL-modified concrete presents notable benefits, making it a significant consideration for diverse construction projects, providing better mechanical properties with relatively simple adjustments to the mix compared to synthetic latex polymers. This study not only enhances understanding of NRL benefits but also guides future research directions in optimizing eco-friendly, high-performance concrete. However, there are still practical challenges in its use that require more research and understanding.
Assessing the Performance of NDVI as A Proxy for Land Surface Temperature Using Linear and Nonlinear Models in Different Intensity of Anthropogenic Activities: A Case Study of Yogyakarta City, Indonesia
Authors: Hadibasyir H Z , Firdaus N S , Sari D N , Fikriyah V N , Rahmi K I N , Fadhilah A
Published: January 2025

Numerous studies have tested the relationship between vegetation density (using normalized difference vegetation index/NDVI as a proxy for vegetation density) and land surface temperature (LST) using a linear regression model. Few studies have explicitly compared linear and nonlinear regression models in describing the relationship between NDVI and LST in different intensities of anthropogenic activities. Hence, this study aims to investigate multitemporal variations of LST and to compare the performance of NDVI as a proxy for LST over various urban activities in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. NDVI and LST were extracted from Landsat images for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. The years of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 represent different anthropogenic activities i.e. pre Covid-19, emergency response to Covid-19, transition period of Covid-19, and new normal conditions, respectively. The mean LST of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 were 29.64 °C, 24.52 °C, 28.93 °C, and 29.47 °C, respectively, in which the lowest temperature was during emergency response to Covid-19. During emergency response to Covid-19 in 2020, the highest R2 was non-linear logarithmic regression by 0.31, while the highest R2 for 2019, 2021, and 2022 was R2 of nonlinear exponential regression by 0.36, 0.45, and 0.56, respectively. However, linear regression models were still relatively good at describing the relationship between NDVI and LST during the whole period by having R2 of 0.30 to 0.55.
A Preliminary Study on the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for the Prioritization of Flash Flood Risk Index in Development Projects
Authors: Saad Mohammad Syamsyul Hairi , Ali Mohamad Idris , Razi Putri Zulaiha , Bawono Adi Setiabudi , Ramli Noram Irwan
Published: January 2025

Flash floods are a significant threat to urban development in Malaysia, often reported to be related to construction activities. The construction activity is one of the stages of any development project. This research aims to develop a comprehensive framework using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for prioritizing flash flood risk index in new development projects. The methodology involves constructing a hierarchical model of flash flood risk vulnerability factors, conducting expert assessments using fuzzy logic to handle imprecise and uncertain information, and converting qualitative data into quantitative ratings. Six experts from academia, industry, and government were involved in assessing factors influencing the flash flood vulnerability during development projects’ pre-construction and construction phases. Findings reveal that construction phases and best management practices (BMPs) are critical in mitigating flash flood risks. The FAHP framework effectively prioritizes the flash flood risk index, offering a scientifically validated and flexible approach to decision-making. This study contributes to the field by providing a robust method for integrating expert judgments and handling uncertainties in flash flood risk assessment. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of FAHP in improving flood risk management for new development projects in Malaysia. This study enhances decision-making by addressing the identified gaps, ensuring more resilient and sustainable infrastructure development. Future research should focus on refining the FAHP model and developing user-friendly tools for wider urban planning and construction adoption.
Evaluation of building construction approval service quality performance in Banda Aceh City, Indonesia
Authors: Fitriana M , Mubarak M , Aulia T B , Abdullah A , Bulba A T , Saiful K P , Mastura C A W S
Published: January 2025

Building Construction Approval (BCA), is a permit issued by the government to the owner of a building or his/her representative to start construction, renovate, maintain, or change the building according to plan. Currently, there are still many of building owners who have not or are even reluctant to complete the process. Considering these conditions, this study aims to evaluate the quality of BCA services based on the level of interest and community satisfaction. This study focuses on buildings in Banda Aceh City. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires to 65 building owners as respondents who already have BCA permit letters using the proportional stratified random sampling technique. Data analysis applied descriptive statistics and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). The results of the study presented that the quality of BCA services based on the level of interest and community satisfaction in Banda Aceh City should consider 6 performance indicators, namely the determination of the examination date of BCA application documentations by the Professional Expert Team (PET) or Technical Assessment Team (TAT), data clarity, timeliness in completing documentations, rapid and precise service according to expectations, employee friendliness in providing services, and being able to give a good impression in providing services.
Enhancing Highway Work Zone Safety and Mobility: Risk Factors from Drivers’ Perspective
Authors: Ismail Azlina , Al-Hakim Muhammad Luqman , Puan Othman Che , Razlan Intan Suhana Mohd
Published: January 2025

Road crashes in highway work zones continue to be a persistent issue. When a driver passes through a highway work zone, their risk of being involved in an incident is higher. Highway work zone risks are usually assessed by examining historical crash data to identify the factors contributing to crashes in these areas. This study explored a first-hand view of possible risk factors at highway work zones from the drivers’ perspective. A quantitative approach employing questionnaire distribution was conducted to achieve this study’s goal. The relative importance index (RII) was performed to provide drivers insight into the riskiest contributing factors to highway work zone crashes. The analysis revealed that inefficient nighttime delineation with the highest RII score of 0.914, is considered the riskiest contributing factor in highway work zone crashes perceived by drivers that need further scoured. This study’s findings may help decision-makers optimize safer highway work zone configurations by incorporating drivers’ risk perceptions. Raising awareness of highway work zone risks will promote safer driving practices and enhance traffic mobility, contributing to more sustainable highway work zone management.
Young People’s Engagement with Gifted Spaces, 1970–1987
Authors: Crane Jennifer
Published: January 2025

This chapter explores the lived experiences of being ‘gifted’, for children and families, in the 1970s and 1980s, and analyses how participation in voluntary organisations helped families to manage their social and intellectual lives. These were decades in which the National Association for Gifted Children flourished, and, more broadly, educational and cultural interest in giftedness also grew. This chapter first explores who joined the National Association as it grew, demonstrating that the organisation made significant attempts to recruit a diverse membership, though these efforts were not always realised. The chapter also examines parents’ stated motivations for joining: emotional support and solidarity, and typically looking to supplement existing educational provision, rather than replace it. Children’s own writings show that many child-members relished these voluntary spaces, while others were very critical of the label ‘gifted’ and the system of intelligence testing behind it. When labelled ‘gifted’, young people’s opportunities were still restricted by ideas of their ‘youthful’ and ‘childlike’ nature.