bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing Food Preservation: Sustainable Green-AgNPs Bionanocomposites in Paper-Starch Flexible Packaging for Prolonged Shelf Life
Authors: Trotta Federico , Da Silva Sidonio , Massironi Alessio , Mirpoor Seyedeh Fatemeh , Lignou Stella , Ghawi Sameer Khalil , Charalampopoulos Dimitris
Published: March 2024

In the pursuit of enhancing food packaging, nanotechnology, particularly green silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs), have gained prominence for its remarkable antimicrobial properties with high potential for food shelf-life extension. Our study aims to develop corn starch-based coating materials reinforced with G-AgNPs. The mechanical properties were examined using a uniaxial tensile tester, revealing that starch coated with the highest G-AgNPs concentration (12.75 ppm) exhibited UTS of 87.6 MPa compared to 48.48 MPa of control paper, a significant (p < 0.02) 65% increase. The assessment of the WVP showcased a statistical reduction in permeability by up to 8% with the incorporation of the hydrophobic layer. Furthermore, antibacterial properties were assessed following ISO 22196:2011, demonstrating a strong and concentration-dependent activity of G-AgNPs against E. coli. All samples successfully disintegrated in both simulated environments (soil and seawater), including samples presenting G-AgNPs. In the food trial analysis, the presence of starch and G-AgNPs significantly reduced weight loss after 6 days, with cherry tomatoes decreasing by 8.59% and green grapes by 6.77% only. The results of this study contribute to the advancement of environmentally friendly packaging materials, aligning with the UN sustainable development goals of reducing food waste and promoting sustainability.
Anomaly Identification for Photovoltaic Power Stations Using a Dual Classification System and Gramian Angular Field Visualization
Authors: Wang Zihan , Cui Qiushi , Gong Zhuowei , Shi Lixian , Gao Jie , Zhong Jiayong
Published: March 2024

With the increasing scale of photovoltaic (PV) power stations, timely anomaly detection through analyzing the PV output power curve is crucial. However, overlooking the impact of external factors on the expected power output would lead to inaccurate identification of PV station anomalies. This study focuses on the discrepancy between measured and expected PV power generation values, using a dual classification system. The system leverages two-dimensional Gramian angular field (GAF) data and curve features extracted from one-dimensional time series, along with attention weights from a CNN network. This approach effectively classifies anomalies, including normal operation, aging pollution, and arc faults, achieving an overall classification accuracy of 95.83%.
Non-Thermal Plasma Technology for Further Purification of Flue Gas in the Resource Utilization Process of Waste Mercury Catalyst: A Case Study in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Feng Qinzhong , Wang Kaiyue , Yang Shitong , Guo Jianbo , Chen Jun , Wang Tongzhe , Liu Liyuan , Chen Yang
Published: March 2024

This study aims to advance the recycling of mercury-containing waste and promote sustainable development within the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry. Our innovative system integrates pre-treatment technology (spraying potassium permanganate and demisting and dust removal) with efficient non-thermal plasma oxidation, resulting in excellent treatment efficiency, low cost, and simple operation. With a processing capacity of 3000 m3/h, the concentration of mercury emissions in flue gas can achieve the target of <0.01 mg/m3, boasting a removal efficiency exceeding 98%, which satisfies the standard “Emission standard of air pollutants for industrial kiln and furnace” (GB 9078-1996). Our results can provide technical support for the comprehensive purification of mercury-containing flue gas during the resource recovery process from mercury-containing waste. The application of our system can contribute to reducing mercury emissions in the PVC industry, lowering occupational exposure risks for workers, and promoting China’s better compliance with “the Minamata Convention on Mercury”.
Physical Modeling of a Water Hydraulic Proportional Cartridge Valve for a Digital Twin in a Hydraulic Press Machine
Authors: Bautista Gonzalez Oscar , Rönnow Daniel
Published: March 2024

Digital twins are an emerging technology that can be harnessed for the digitalization of the industry. Steel industry systems contain a large number of electro-hydraulic components as proportional valves. An input–output model for a water proportional cartridge valve was derived from physical modeling based on fluid mechanics, dynamics, and electrical principles. The valve is a two-stage valve with two two/two-way water proportional valves as the pilot stage and a marginally stable poppet-type cartridge valve as the main valve. To our knowledge, this is the first time that an input–output model was derived for a two-stage proportional cartridge valve with a marginally stable main valve. The orifice equation, which is based on Bernoulli principles, was approximated by a polynomial, which made the parameter estimation easier and modeling possible without measuring the pressure of the varying control volume, in contrast with previous studies of similar types of valves situated in the pilot stage part of the valve. This work complements previous studies of similar types of valves in two ways: (1) data were collected when the valve was operating in a closed loop and (2) data were collected when the valve was part of a press mill machine in a steel manufacturing plant. Model parameters were identified from data from these operating conditions. The parameters of the input–output model were estimated by convex optimization with physical constraints to overcome the problems caused by poor system excitation. For comparison, a simple linear model was derived and the least squares method was used for the parameter estimation. A thorough estimation of the parameters’ relative errors is presented. The model contains five parameters related to the design parameters of the valve. The modeled position output was in good agreement with experimental data for the training and test data. The model can be used for the real-time monitoring of the valve’s status by the model parameters. One of the model parameters varied linearly with the production cycles. Thus, the aging of the valve can be monitored.
Application of Corn Straw, an Agro-Waste, to Remove Dyes in an Aqueous Medium, Producing Blue or Red Fibers
Authors: dos Santos Andressa , Sotiles Anne R. , Anaissi Fauze J.
Published: March 2024

The contaminant dyes that, even at low concentrations, may cause a series of adverse effects in humans and animals, and their removal by adsorption methods using alternative adsorbents as natural fibers, are regarded as a research topic that has become increasingly relevant. In this study, corn straw (CS), an agro-industrial residue, was used to remove dyes. The samples were characterized by ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, zeta potential, diffuse spectra, and colorimetry, before and after dye removal. The analyses allowed us to differentiate the morphology of CS after the treatment’s fiber on the adsorbent surface. The zeta potential showed a negative surface charge, but the acidic or alkaline treatment affected the surface charge of the sample, influencing the adsorption of cationic or anionic dyes. Adsorption data presented an increased removal when alkaline treatment was applied for the methylene blue (MB; qmax = 16.7 mg g−1), and the acid treatment was more effective for the Congo red (CR; qmax = 2.13 mg g−1). After color stability tests, it was observed that the anionic dye CR was more easily desorbed due to the surface charge of the adsorbent. Due to the chemical treatment, corn straw proved to be a good sustainable adsorbent for removing anionic or cationic dyes from aqueous media, contributing directly to the objective of sustainable development (#6—drinking water and sanitation) and with SDG numbers 3, 11, 12, 14, and 17.
Study on the Hydrodynamic Evolution Mechanism and Drift Flow Patterns of Pipeline Gas–Liquid Flow
Authors: Yan Qing , Li Donghui , Wang Kefu , Zheng Gaoan
Published: March 2024

The hydrodynamic characteristic of the multiphase mixed-transport pipeline is essential to guarantee safe and sustainable oil–gas transport when extracting offshore oil and gas resources. The gas–liquid two-phase transport phenomena lead to unstable flow, which significantly impacts pipeline deformation and can cause damage to the pipeline system. The formation mechanism of the mixed-transport pipeline slug flow faces significant challenges. This paper studies the formation mechanism of two-phase slug flows in mixed-transport pipelines with multiple inlet structures. A VOF-based gas–liquid slug flow mechanical model with multiple inlets is set up. With the volumetric force source term modifying strategy, the formation mechanism and flow patterns of slug flows are obtained. The research results show that the presented strategy and optimization design method can effectively simulate the formation and evolution trends of gas–liquid slug flows. Due to the convective shock process in the eight branch pipes, a bias flow phenomenon exists in the initial state and causes flow patterns to be unsteady. The gas–liquid mixture becomes relatively uniform after the flow field stabilizes. The design of the bent pipe structure results in an unbalanced flow velocity distribution and turbulence viscosity on both sides, presenting a banded distribution characteristic. The bend structure can reduce the bias phenomenon and improve sustainable transport stability. These findings provide theoretical guidance for fluid dynamics research in offshore oil and gas and chemical processes, and also offer technical support for mixed-transport pipeline sustainability transport and optimization design of channel structures.
Nano Zero-Valent Iron (nZVI) Encapsulated with ABS (nZVI/(ABS + EC)) for Sustainable Denitrification Performance and Anti-Aggregation
Authors: Meng Fanbin , Yang Yuning , Li Miao , Zhu Qizhi , Qin Bing , Yang Chunpeng
Published: March 2024

Aggregation and sharp reactivity decrease are the key problems of using nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) as a potential reaction medium for a permeable reactive barrier (PRB). In this study, nZVI particles encapsulated within an acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) matrix (nZVI/(ABS + EC)) was fabricated, which for the first time successfully simultaneously solved the above problems via accurately regulating the distribution of nZVI particles in the ABS matrix and regulating the contact between nZVI particles and the contaminated aqueous environment. In addition, the size and number of the pores throughout the ABS matrix were first regulated by ethyl cellulose (EC) for the purpose of controlling the contact between nZVI particles and the nitrate contaminant, affording apparent rate constants (kobs) for denitrification performance in the range of 0.0423 to 0.0820 min−1. The remediation of simulated nitrate-contaminated solution by nZVI/(ABS + EC) was suitably described by the first-order kinetics model, with kobs ranging from 0.0423 to 0.2036 min−1, and functional relationship models of kobs with the dosages of EC (dEC) and nZVI (dFe) during encapsulation were developed for the quantitative regulation of a sustainable denitrification performance. Results revealed that encapsulation prevents the aggregation of nZVI, rendering a sustainable denitrification performance of the material; the denitrification performance was demonstrated to be affected and quantitatively regulated by the encapsulation and application conditions. Using nZVI/(ABS + EC) as the reaction medium for PRB, the pore blocking of PRB can be avoided, and the sustainable remediation performance can be quantitatively regulated and predicted.
Preliminary Study on the Chemical and Biological Properties of Propolis Extract from Stingless Bees from the Northern Region of Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Lindalva Maria de Meneses Costa , Souza Poliana Dimsan Queiroz de , Pereira Rayanne Rocha , da Silva Edilene Oliveira , Barbosa Wagner Luiz Ramos , Silva-Júnior José Otávio Carréra , Converti Attilio , Ribeiro-Costa Roseane Maria
Published: March 2024

Natural products are historically regarded as the main sources of bioactive compounds to fight the most diverse diseases; among them, propolis deserves to be highlighted due to several biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, healing, antibacterial and antileishmanial activity. In this study, the antioxidant and antipromastigote activities and the cytotoxicity of propolis of the Scaptotrigona aff. postica stingless bee were evaluated. Propolis extract was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and spectrophotometry for total polyphenols and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity was assessed spectrophotometrically by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods, while antipromastigote activity and cytotoxicity were assessed by the MTT assay. The infrared spectra showed the characteristic bands of both phenols and alcohols. The thermogravimetry study revealed two events and thermal stability around 370 °C, while differential scanning calorimetry showed two endothermic events and an exothermic event. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were 21.29 ± 0.003 mg/g and 8.17 ± 0.00 mg/g, respectively, and the antioxidant activities identified by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods were 910.09 ± 0.0264 µM Trolox (IC50 18.9 ± 0.01 µg/mL), 859.97 ± 0.0854 µM Trolox (IC50 692 ± 0.01 µg/mL) and 1613.67 ± 0.2610 µM Trolox (IC50 80 ± 0.1 µg/mL), respectively. The satisfactory antioxidant activity of propolis can be related to the high content of phenolic compounds, which adds value to this product and can contribute to the development of meliponiculture in the Brazilian state of Pará. The propolis extract caused a toxic effect on promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis at all concentrations tested, with an IC50 value of 1.50 µg/mL and a statistically significant difference compared to the negative control (p < 0.001). These results show that the propolis extract from S. postica bees may be a promising alternative for treatment against promastigote forms of L. amazonensis.
Study on the Fixation of Mulberry Leaf Tea in a Multiport Microwave System
Authors: He Tao , Li Fengxiu , Hou Desheng , Wang Lin , Gou Dezhi , Hong Tao , Tang Zhengming
Published: March 2024

Microwaves have the advantages of faster heating speed, shorter fixation time, and less pollution in tea fixation. However, there are few studies on the microwave fixation of mulberry leaf tea, which is not conducive to the promotion of mulberry leaf tea production. In order to study the fixation of mulberry leaf tea, the coaxial probe method is used to measure the dielectric constant of mulberry leaves, and the relationship connecting the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant and the moisture content is obtained through fitting. Based on this, a multiphysics model for mulberry leaf fixation in a six-port microwave cavity is established, which combines the characteristics of mulberry leaves, multiport heating, and mobile heating techniques. The impact of some important parameters, such as the layout and position of input ports and the thickness of mulberry leaves on the fixation process, are studied. The results show that the mutual energy coupling between ports can be reduced by using the noncoherent polarization of electromagnetic waves when the position of the ports in their working planes and the thickness of the mulberry leaves are set to (−0. 14 m, −0.15 m), (0.25 m, −0.15 m), (0.25 m, 0.15 m), (0.14 m, 0.15 m), (0.11 m, 0.0 m), (0.25 m, 0.15 m), (−0.14 m, 0.15 m), (0.11 m, 0.0 m), (0.11 m, 0.0 m), and 0.015 m when good fixation of mulberry leaves can be obtained. The study established a continuous microwave fixation experimental system for mulberry leaf tea. The experimental results indicate that the thickness of the tea affects its temperature uniformity in the microwave fixation system, which in turn affects the final quality of the tea. This study provides a reference for the industrialization of the microwave fixation of mulberry leaf tea.
Retrofitting of a Full-Scale Dewatering Operation for Industrial Polymer Effluent Sludge
Authors: Malik Atiq , Sohani Elnaz , Shahreza Mahmoud Saleh , Aliyu Aliyu M.
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the redesign of a dewatering process in a polymer sludge wastewater treatment plant. The study focuses on addressing the challenges posed by high levels of organic pollutants in the sludge, with the aim of enhancing dewaterability, reducing odors, and minimizing suspended solids. Initially, a vacuum belt filter was utilized, but it proved inadequate in removing sufficient water, resulting in substantial annual disposal costs. To address this issue, a filter press system was proposed, which significantly improved the dewatering process, producing a dryer cake with a solid content of 35%, compared to 19% achieved by the vacuum belt filter. Performance evaluation of the processes was conducted based on concentration of solids and capture efficiency, demonstrating the superiority of the filter press method. Furthermore, the filtrate obtained through the filter press met local discharge regulations, eliminating the need for additional treatment before disposal. The implementation of the filter press not only improved the dewatering process and ensured compliance with discharge standards but also resulted in substantial cost savings of up to 50% per year. The payback period for the current system was determined to be 1.5 years, highlighting the economic advantages of the filter press. Overall, the findings of this study emphasize the practical advantages of the filter press in handling sludge cakes and filtrate for disposal, making it a favorable choice for dewatering polymer sludge and other wastewater treatment plants.
Thermoeconomic Modeling as a Tool for Internalizing Carbon Credits into Multiproduct System Analysis
Authors: Santos José Joaquim C. S. , Faria Pedro Rosseto de , Chaves Belisario Igor , dos Santos Rodrigo Guedes , Barone Marcelo Aiolfi
Published: March 2024

In the context of emissions, carbon dioxide constitutes a predominant portion of greenhouse gases (GHGs), leading to the use of the term “carbon” interchangeably with these gases in climate-related discussions. The carbon market has emerged as a pivotal mechanism for emission regulation, allowing industries that struggle to meet emission reduction targets to acquire credits from those who have successfully curbed their emissions below stipulated levels. Thermoeconomics serves as a tool for analyzing multiproduct systems prevalent in diverse sectors, including sugarcane and alcohol mills, paper and pulp industries, steel mills, and cogeneration plants. These systems necessitate frameworks for equitable cost/emission allocation. This study is motivated by the need to expand the scope of thermoeconomic modeling to encompass expenses or revenues linked with the carbon market. By utilizing a cogeneration system as a representative case, this research aims to demonstrate how such modeling can facilitate the allocation of carbon market costs to final products. Moreover, it underscores the adaptability of this approach for internalizing other pertinent costs, encompassing expenses associated with environmental control devices, licenses, and permits. Although certain exergy disaggregation models depict an environmental component within diagrams, which is integral for addressing environmental burdens, even models without explicit environmental devices can effectively internalize carbon credits and allocate them to final products. The integration of carbon credits within thermoeconomic modeling introduces the capability to assess both the financial and environmental implications of emissions. This integration further incentivizes the reduction in GHGs and supports optimization endeavors concerning system design and operation. In summary, this study delves into the incorporation of carbon market dynamics into thermoeconomic modeling. It demonstrates the potential to allocate carbon-related costs, facilitates comprehensive cost analysis, encourages emission reduction, and provides a platform for enhancing system efficiency across industrial sectors.
Kinetic Modelling of Biomass Pyrolysis Processes
Authors: Branca Carmen , Galgano Antonio
Published: March 2024

Pyrolytic conversion is the only biomass exploitation route capable of providing solid and liquid biofuels, as well as platform biomolecules for sustainable energy sources and raw materials for bio-based products [...]
The Aerobic Granules Process for Wastewater Treatment: From Theory to Engineering
Authors: Zeng Ping , Liu Yong-Qiang , Li Juan , Liao Miao
Published: March 2024

Aerobic granules are small, dense aggregates of microbial cells that form naturally in aerobic wastewater treatment systems. They are characterized by their spherical shape, strong structural integrity, and ability to rapidly settle. These granules are formed through a self-immobilization process where different microbial species coalesce to degrade organic and inorganic compounds in wastewater. This study summarizes the development of aerobic granulation technology in wastewater treatment and the mechanism of aerobic granules’ formation, analyzes the characteristics and the factors affecting the aerobic granules’ formation, and presents practical engineering examples of its application from pilot-scale to full-scale operation.
Experimental Study on Yield Strength Variation Law of Casing Materials under Alternating Thermal–Mechanical Coupling Loads
Authors: Lu Caihong , Yang Shangyu , Wang Jianjun , Han Lihong , Zhao Xinbo , Qi Yue , Zhang Hui
Published: March 2024

Unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, characterized by low porosity and permeability, often require multistage fracturing techniques for development. The high-pressure fracturing fluids with large volumes can easily cause alternating changes in both temperature and pressure within the casing. Using a theoretical model and field data from hydraulic fracturing operations, this paper calculated the alternating ranges of axial loads and temperatures in the reservoir section. Based on the calculation results, the temperature–load alternating coupling test of the P110 casing was carried out, and the tensile test was performed to analyze the yield strength variation law of the casing material. The results indicate that the yield strength, ultimate strength, and elastic modulus of casing materials are decreased under alternating thermal–mechanical coupling conditions. As the number of alternating cycles increases, there is an initial rapid decrease followed by a slower declining trend. Moreover, the tension–tension (T–T) cycles induce greater reductions in yield strength and ultimate strength than tension–compression (T–C) cycles. Meanwhile, under the same axial load condition, the higher the circulating temperature, the more significant the reduction in yield strength and ultimate strength. In essence, this is the result of the coupling effect of low-cycle fatigue and temperature aging. Finally, based on the experimental data, a yield strength prediction model of the P110 casing under the alternating thermal–mechanical coupling condition was established. The research results provide theoretical guidance for the safe design and material selection of a casing string under multistage volumetric fracturing conditions of shale gas exploration.
Study on the Flow Behavior of Gas and Water in Fractured Tight Gas Reservoirs Considering Matrix Imbibition Using the Digital Core Method
Authors: Chen Feifei , Duan Yonggang , Wang Kun
Published: March 2024

Tight gas reservoirs possess unique pore structures and fluid flow mechanisms. Delving into the flow and imbibition mechanisms of water in fractured tight gas reservoirs is crucial for understanding and enhancing the development efficiency of such reservoirs. The flow of water in fractured tight gas reservoirs encompasses the flow within fractures and the imbibition flow within the matrix. However, conventional methods typically separate these two types of flow for study, failing to accurately reflect the true flow characteristics of water. In this study, micro-CT imaging techniques were utilized to evaluate the impact of matrix absorption and to examine water movement in fractured tight gas deposits. Water flooding experiments were conducted on tight sandstone cores with different fracture morphologies. Micro-CT scanning was performed on the cores after water injection and subsequent static conditions, simulating the process of water displacement gas in fractures and the displacement of gas in matrix pores by water through imbibition under reservoir conditions. Changes in gas–water distribution within fractures were observed, and the impact of fracture morphology on water displacement recovery was analyzed. Additionally, the recovery rates of fractures and matrix imbibition at different displacement stages were studied, along with the depth of water infiltration into the matrix along fracture walls. The insights gained from this investigation enhance our comprehension of the dynamics of fluid movement within tight gas deposits, laying a scientific foundation for crafting targeted development plans and boosting operational efficiency in such environments.
Optimal Design and Discrete Element Method Model Development of the Acute Angle Hoe Opener for No-Till System
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Kang Rui , Adilet Sugirbay , Hu Guangrui , Yang Huanbo , Liu Guangyao , Chen Qingyu , Jiang Yanwu , Zhao Kaiyuan , Chen Jun
Published: March 2024

A specialized hoe opener was engineered for no-till systems to apply substantial amounts of wheat seeds and granular fertilizers, effectively suppressing early stage weeds. This distinctive hoe opener plants wheat seeds within a 120 mm wide horizontal band, positioning granular fertilizers precisely at the band’s center, all accomplished in a single pass. Notably, the design excels at covering the fertilizer with soil aggregates, compacting it through a wheat separator, and concurrently depositing wheat seeds from above. Our primary research objectives centered on achieving a consistent seedbed post-fertilizer application and ensuring a uniform distribution of wheat seeds within the horizontal band. The DEM (Discrete Element Method) was exploited to optimize the hoe opener’s parameters. Through extensive simulations and comparisons with experimental outcomes, an optimal wing orifice AB length of 60 mm was identified, effectively covering granular fertilizers with soil aggregates and achieving compaction through the wheat separator. Furthermore, parameters of the wheat seed separator’s hump were fine-tuned using the Box–Behnken algorithm, resulting in an optimal dimension of 40 mm for the top radius (A), 140 degrees for the top angle (B), and 90 mm for the bottom length (C).
Inline Inspection of Packaged Food Using Microwave/Terahertz Sensing—An Overview with Focus on Confectionery Products
Authors: Jelali Mohieddine , Papadopoulos Konstantinos
Published: March 2024

Electromagnetic systems, in particular microwave/terahertz sensing technologies, are the newest among nondestructive sensing technologies. Currently, increased attention is pointed towards their use in various applications. Among these, food inspection stands out as a primary area due to its potential risk to human safety. As a result, substantial efforts are currently focused on utilizing microwave/terahertz imaging as a tool to enhance the efficacy of food quality assessments. This paper deals with the exploitation of microwave/terahertz imaging technology for food quality control and assessment. In particular, the work aims at reviewing the latest developments regarding the detection of internal quality parameters, such as foreign bodies, i.e., plastic, glass, and wood substances/fragments, as well as checking the completeness of the packaged food under consideration. Emphasis is placed on the (inline) inspection of wrapped/packaged food, such as chocolates, cookies, pastries, cakes, and similar confectionery products, moving along production conveyor belts. Moreover, the paper gives a recent overview of system prototypes and industrial products and highlights emerging research topics and future application directions in this area.
Performance and Formula Optimization of Graphene-Modified Tungsten Carbide Coating to Improve Adaptability to High-Speed Fluid Flow in Wellbore
Authors: Wang Minsheng , Xuan Lingchao , Wang Lei , Wang Jiangshuai
Published: March 2024

In order to improve the erosion resistance of steel PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) bit under high-speed fluid flow conditions underground, it is necessary to develop a high-performance erosion-resistant coating. In this paper, laser cladding was used to prepare the new coating by modifying tungsten carbide with graphene. And the effects of tungsten carbide content and graphene content on the coating performance have been thoroughly studied and analyzed to obtain the optimal covering layer. The research results indicate that, for new coatings, 60% tungsten carbide and 0.3% graphene are the optimal ratios. After adding tungsten carbide, the hardness has significantly improved. However, when the tungsten carbide content further increases more than 30%, the increase in hardness is limited. In addition, when the content of graphene is more than 0.3%, the branched structure becomes thicker. In detail, this is a phenomenon where the segregation of Cr, Si, and W becomes very obvious again, and the segregation of Fe occurs at the Ni enrichment site. The research results contribute to the development and optimization of high-quality erosion-resistant coatings under the high-speed flow conditions in wellbore. These are of great significance for improving the efficiency of oil and gas exploration and development.
A Sustainable Solution with Improved Chemical Resilience Using Repurposed Glass Fibers for Sewage Rehabilitation Pipes
Authors: Chelot Devanand , Ravichandran Shivnarain , Upadhyaya Priyank
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces a sustainable sewage rehabilitation solution, utilizing repurposed glass fibers for enhanced chemical resilience and environmental conservation. The approach involves dividing a unitary pipe into segments, assembled during commissioning, aiming to reduce installation and transportation costs, particularly in less accessible areas. Each pipe segment comprises a multi-layered glass fiber composite sandwich, joined by an adhesive reinforced with recycled glass fibers. The glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) pipe features a core of blended sand impregnated with resin, an outer layer for impact resistance, and an inner layer to prevent corrosion. Chemical resilience is assessed through a 10,000 h strain corrosion study exposing both unitary and two-piece circular GFRP pipes to sulfuric acid in a deflected condition. An apparent hoop tensile test evaluates mechanical integrity before and after exposure. The experimental results reveal that the two-piece pipe with a tongue and groove joint (TGJ) with recycled glass fiber adhesive exhibits superior long-term bending stress and failure strain % compared to unitary pipes. This enhancement is attributed to the TGJ’s improved load-bearing capability and chemical resistance. The failure strain % of the two-piece pipe (1.697%) is higher compared to the unitary pipe (1.2613%). The long-term bending stress of the two-piece pipe obtained is 119.94 MPa whereas the unitary pipe reaches 93.48 MPa at the 50-year mark. The cost analysis supports the adoption of the two-piece pipe over unitary pipes due to a 40% reduction in carbon emissions and transportation cost. The novelty lies in the utilization of multi-piece pipes with enhanced chemical resilience, achieved through the incorporation of milled fiberglass reinforcements in the TGJ. Strain corrosion tests take a long time to perform; hence, an accelerated test is needed to improve the current recommended testing standard.
Beyond the Secular-Religion Divide: Judaism and the New Secularity
Authors: Rashkover Randi Lynn
Published: March 2024

In his 2018 survey of twenty-first-century American Judaism entitled The New American Judaism: How Jews Practice their Judaism Today, Jack Wertheimer references a 2015 Pew Research study that presupposes the secular-religion binary as the analytical metric for its determination that both the American public and American Jews are becoming less religious. Nonetheless, Wertheimer’s use of this analytical frame prohibits him from making sense of many details of the twenty-first-century American Jewish life that he seeks to describe. Indeed, any survey of the contemporary American Jewish scene is remiss if it does not discuss the rise of orthodox Jewish feminism, current trends towards substantial denominational change, and/or the emergence of a “post-ethnic” Judaism. Even so, recent historical-ethnographic accounts have outpaced analytical challenges to the secular-religion binary. Contemporary historians and ethnographers find themselves forced to choose between an analytically deficient model and a default rejection of analytical tools altogether. Arguably, the roots of the current impasse are derived from the influence of what scholars refer to as the secularization thesis. Therefore, to overcome this impasse, ethnographers and historians of American Judaism need access to a more refined categorical lens. In this essay, I argue that they may find the analytical support they need by turning away from the secularization thesis and turning toward far more complex accounts of the relationship between Judaism and modernity provided by the canon of modern Jewish thought. Such a turn yields an analytical category we may refer to as the “new secularity” which, when applied to studies in Jewish life in America (and potentially elsewhere) sheds light on communal realities that the secular-religious account misses.
Philosophical Reflection on Beauty in the Late Middle Ages: The Case of Jean Gerson
Authors: Torrijos-Castrillejo David
Published: March 2024

The late Middle Ages witnessed a recapitulation of medieval reflection on beauty. Jean Gerson is an important representative of these philosophical and theological contributions, although he has been largely neglected up to this time. A first dimension of his ideas on beauty is the incorporation of beauty (pulchrum) into the number of transcendentals, i.e., the concepts “convertible” with the notion of being (ens), that is, unity, truth, and goodness (unum, verum and bonum). This article revisits Monica Calma’s study on Gerson’s theory of beauty and suggests new hypothetical sources that may have inspired this aspect of his thought. The second aspect emphasised here is Gerson’s classification of beauty, which entails some similarities to the one of Ulrich of Strasbourg, but also differs from it. Moreover, its incorporation of a division entirely devoted to artistic beauty is highly remarkable.
The Algorithm Holy: TikTok, Technomancy, and the Rise of Algorithmic Divination
Authors: St. Lawrence Emma
Published: March 2024

The social media app TikTok was launched in the US in 2017 with a very specific purpose: sharing 15-s clips of singing and dancing to popular songs. Seven years and several billion downloads later, it is now the go-to app for Gen Z Internet users and much better known for its ultra-personalized algorithm, AI-driven filters, and network of thriving subcultures. Among them, a growing community of magical and spiritual practitioners, frequently collectivized as Witchtok, who use the app not only share their craft and create community but consider the technology itself a powerful partner with which to conduct readings, channel deities, connect to a collective conscious, and transcend the communicative boundaries between the human and spirit realms—a practice that can be understood as algorithmic divination. In analyzing contemporary witchcraft on TikTok and contextualizing it within the larger history of technospirituality, this paper aims to explore algorithmic divination as an increasingly popular and powerful practice of technomancy open to practitioners of diverse creed and belief.
Representations of Christianity in Chinese Independent Cinema: Gan Xiao’er’s Postsocialist Religious Critique
Authors: Lai Yung-Hang Bruce
Published: March 2024

Representations of Christianity in contemporary Chinese cinema are very limited, making the scholarship of this subject underexplored. Filmmaker Gan Xiao’er has made three feature-length independent films focusing on Christianity in China. These films, The Only Sons (2003), Raised from Dust (2007), and Waiting for God (2012), are used for case studies, with close analyses of their narratives and formal elements. They are also examined in the social and cultural contexts of postsocialist China. This article argues that Gan’s religious features are significant in the context of postsocialist Chinese cinema. They not only depict the religious experience of Chinese Christians, which has been under-represented cinematically, but also provide a religious critique rarely seen in Chinese films. On the one hand, these films critically engage with the experience of underprivileged people during the Reform period, when economic development and materialism became dominant, while the socialist political system remained. Gan’s religious features provide an alternative perspective that cares for people’s spiritual needs. On the other hand, Gan’s later films interrogate the local religious institution in China, questioning the arbitrary separation of the ‘holy’ and the ‘unholy’, proposing a more inclusive approach to the religious concept of love.
Building Communities through Rituals: Glimpses into the Life of Chinese Christian Communities in the 17th Century
Authors: Yang Valentina Lin Yang
Published: March 2024

As central agents in the cultural dialogue between China and Europe in the 17th century, Christian Chinese communities represent a rich and fascinating source, offering a unique intercultural perspective on the intellectual, cultural, and religious world of late Ming and early Qing China. What did these communities look like? How did they come into being and maintain their significance as a community? By utilising stories depicting scenes of Christian ritual practices in local Chinese contexts between the 1620s and 1640s, collected by a late Ming Christian convert from Fujian, this article delves into the life of Chinese Christian communities, specifically focusing on the dimension of ritual practice. It shows how rituals played a key role in the formation of these communities, not only in keeping them alive, but also in continually redefining their significance for their members.
Hydrochar as an Alternative to Coal: A Comparative Study of Lignocellulosic and Nonlignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Luthfi Numan , Fukushima Takashi , Wang Xiulun , Takisawa Kenji
Published: March 2024

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a widely used process for converting biomass with a wide range of moisture. Biomass selection poses challenges in producing hydrochar with desired properties because of their different constituents. In this study, we investigated the fuel properties of hydrochar of sorghum bagasse (SB) and microalgae (MA) at different severity factors (SFs = 4.08, 4.43, 5.56, 5.90, and 6.63) and their potential as alternatives to coal. The results show that during HTC, both biomasses underwent dehydration, in addition to the noticeable decarboxylation of MA. Fixed carbon increasingly developed in the SB hydrochar, in contrast to the MA hydrochar, which formed volatile hydrocarbon; thus, the MA hydrochar released heat values of 26.7–36.2 MJ·kg−1, which was higher than that of SB at 19.7–28.0 MJ·kg−1. However, owing to the stable hydrocarbons, SB hydrochar is assumed to combust more stably and ignite more decently, as indicated by its fuel ratio (0.83), approaching 0.9–1.5. Moreover, the greater number of solids recovered in SB after carbonization makes its conversion more techno-commercially viable, retaining 1.8 times more of the original energy. Conflating these fuel properties reveals that SB hydrochar (SF = 6.63) is a promising alternative to steam coal, and MA hydrochar is an attractive alternative to both steam (SF = 4.08–5.90) and coking coals (SF = 6.63). Concisely, both biomasses are practically promising as value-added hydrochars, but only SB can be developed beyond the current HTC severity owing to the thermal stability of its hydrocarbons.
COVID-19 and Excess Mortality: An Actuarial Study
Authors: Delbrouck Camille , Alonso-García Jennifer
Published: March 2024

The study of mortality is an ever-active field of research, and new methods or combinations of methods are constantly being developed. In the actuarial domain, the study of phenomena disrupting mortality and leading to excess mortality, as in the case of COVID-19, is of great interest. Therefore, it is relevant to investigate the extent to which an epidemiological model can be integrated into an actuarial approach in the context of mortality. The aim of this project is to establish a method for the study of excess mortality due to an epidemic and to quantify these effects in the context of the insurance world to anticipate certain possible financial instabilities. We consider a case study caused by SARS-CoV-2 in Belgium during the year 2020. We propose an approach that develops an epidemiological model simulating excess mortality, and we incorporate this model into a classical approach to pricing life insurance products.
A Comparison of Generalised Linear Modelling with Machine Learning Approaches for Predicting Loss Cost in Motor Insurance
Authors: Wilson Alinta Ann , Nehme Antonio , Dhyani Alisha , Mahbub Khaled
Published: March 2024

This study explores the insurance pricing domain in the motor insurance industry, focusing on the creation of “technical models” which are essentially obtained after combining the frequency model (the expected number of claims per unit of exposure) and the severity model (the expected amount per claim). Technical models are designed to predict the loss costs (the product of frequency and severity, i.e., the expected claim amount per unit of exposure) and this is a main factor that is taken into account for pricing insurance policies. Other factors for pricing include the company expenses, investments, reinsurance, underwriting, and other regulatory restrictions. Different machine learning methodologies, including the Generalised Linear Model (GLM), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and a unique hybrid model that combines GLM and ANN, were explored for creating the technical models. This study was conducted on the French Motor Third Party Liability datasets, “freMTPL2freq” and “freMTPL2sev” included in the R package CASdatasets. After building the aforementioned models, they were evaluated and it was observed that the hybrid model which combines GLM and ANN outperformed all other models. ANN also demonstrated better predictions closely aligning with the performance of the hybrid model. The better performance of neural network models points to the need for actuarial science and the insurance industry to look beyond traditional modelling methodologies like GLM.
Motion Planning of Differentially Flat Planar Underactuated Robots
Authors: Tonan Michele , Bottin Matteo , Doria Alberto , Rosati Giulio
Published: March 2024

Differential flat underactuated robots have fewer actuators than degrees of freedom (DOFs). This characteristic makes it possible to design light and cost-effective robots with great dexterity. The primary challenge associated with these robots lies in effectively controlling the passive joint, in particular, when collisions with obstacles in the workspace have to be avoided. Most of the previous research focused on point-to-point motions without any control on the actual robot trajectory. In this work, a new method is presented to plan trajectories that include one or more via points. In this way, the underactuated robot can avoid the obstacles in the workspace, similarly to traditional fully actuated robots. First, a trajectory planning strategy is analytically described; then, numerical results are presented. The numerical results show the effects of the via points and of the order of the polynomials adopted to define the motion laws. In addition, experimental tests performed on a two-DOF underactuated robot are presented, and their results validate the proposed method.
Satellite-Based Background Aerosol Optical Depth Determination via Global Statistical Analysis of Multiple Lognormal Distribution
Authors: Chen Qi-Xiang , Huang Chun-Lin , Dong Shi-Kui , Lin Kai-Feng
Published: March 2024

Determining background aerosol optical depth threshold value (BAOD) is critical to aerosol type identification and air pollution control. This study presents a statistical method to select the best BAOD threshold value using the VIIRS DB AOD products at 1 × 1 degree resolution from 2012 to 2019 as a major testbed. A series of multiple lognormal distributions with 1 to 5 peaks are firstly applied to fit the AOD histogram at each grid point, and the distribution with the highest correlation coefficient (R) gives preliminary estimations of BAOD, which is defined as either the intersection point of the first two normal distribution curves when having multiple peaks, or the midpoint between the peak AOD and the first AOD with non-zero probability when the mono peak is the best fit. Then, the lowest 1st to 100th percentile AOD distributions are compared with the preliminary BAOD distribution on a global scale. The final BAOD is obtained from the best cutoff percentile AOD distributions with the lowest bias compared with preliminary BAOD. Results show that the lowest 30th percentile AOD is the best estimation of BAOD for different AOD datasets and different seasons. Analysis of aerosol chemical information from MERRA-2 further supports this selection. Based on the BAOD, we updated the VIIRS aerosol type classification scheme, and the results show that the updated scheme is able to achieve reliable detection of aerosol type change in low aerosol loading conditions.