bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved quality tests of R11410-21 photomultiplier tubes for the XENONnT experiment
Authors: Antochi V.C. , Baudis L. , Bollig J. , Brown A. , Budnik R. , Cichon D. , Conrad J. , Ferella A.D. , Galloway M. , Hoetzsch L. , Kazama S. , Koltman G. , Landsman H. , Lindner M. , Mahlstedt J. , Marrodán Undagoitia T. , Pelssers B. , Volta G. , Wack O. , Wulf J.
Published: August 2021

Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) are often used in
low-background particle physics experiments, which rely on an
excellent response to single-photon signals and stable long-term
operation. In particular, the Hamamatsu R11410 model is the light
sensor of choice for liquid xenon dark matter experiments, including
XENONnT. The same PMT model was also used for the predecessor,
XENON1T, where issues affecting its long-term operation were
observed. Here, we report on an improved PMT testing procedure
which ensures optimal performance in XENONnT. Using both new and
upgraded facilities, we tested 368 new PMTs in a cryogenic xenon
environment. We developed new tests targeted at the detection of
light emission and the degradation of the PMT vacuum through small
leaks, which can lead to spurious signals known as afterpulses, both
of which were observed in XENON1T.

We exclude the use of 26 of the 368 tested PMTs and categorise the
remainder according to their performance. Given that we have
improved the testing procedure, yet we rejected fewer PMTs, we
expect significantly better PMT performance in XENONnT.
Atmospheric methane underestimated in future climate projections
Authors: Kleinen Thomas , Gromov Sergey , Steil Benedikt , Brovkin Victor
Published: August 2021

Methane (CH4) is the second most important naturally occurring greenhouse gas (GHG) after carbon dioxide (Myhre G et al 2013 Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) pp 659–740). For both GHGs, the present-day budget is dominated by anthropogenic emissions (Friedlingstein P et al 2019 Earth Syst. Sci. Data
11 1783–838; Saunois M et al 2020 Earth Syst. Sci. Data
12 1561–623). For CO2 it is well established that the projected future rise in atmospheric concentration is near exclusively determined by anthropogenic emissions (Ciais P et al 2013 Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) pp 465–570). For methane, this appears to be the common assumption, too, but whether this assumption is true has never been shown conclusively. Here, we investigate the evolution of atmospheric methane until 3000 CE under five Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios, for the first time using a methane-enabled state-of-the-art Earth System Model (ESM). We find that natural methane emissions, i.e. methane emissions from the biosphere, rise strongly as a reaction to climate warming, thus leading to atmospheric methane concentrations substantially higher than assumed in the scenarios used for CMIP6. We also find that the natural emissions become larger than the anthropogenic ones in most scenarios, showing that natural emissions cannot be neglected.
Ecosystem services of tree windbreaks in rural landscapes—a systematic review
Authors: Weninger T , Scheper S , Lackóová L , Kitzler B , Gartner K , King N W , Cornelis W , Strauss P , Michel K
Published: August 2021

Windbreaks are key structural elements in the rural environment and affect the functionality of landscapes in multiple ways. A broad interdisciplinary view on these functions lacks in scientific literature and common knowledge. This led to under informed management decisions, a decrease in the number of windbreaks in wide areas, and a subsequent loss of landscape functionality. Therefore, the knowledge on windbreaks and associated ecosystem services (ES) was systematically reviewed to guide the way for a holistic comprehension of such structural landscape elements. We defined eight bundles of ES on the basis of the Common International Classification of ES scheme. Search terms that allowed to include only vegetative windbreaks consisting of at least one tree row were combined with appropriate search terms for the eight ES bundles in individual searches resulting in a total of 6094 hits. We considered only publications that provided quantitative data and allowed to derive a clear effect of windbreaks on ES so that 222 publications from all over the world were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The outcomes provide information about the dimension of effort, scientific consensus or dissensus, and knowledge gaps in the different research disciplines involved. It was shown that windbreaks bring predominantly positive effects to landscapes in the course of all investigated ES bundles. Apparent positive effects were found for soil protection, biodiversity and pest control, whereas for biomass production, nutrient and water balance, also adverse or indifferent effects were reported. The present review reveals an intense need for further interdisciplinary research using indicators, ES approaches or similar instruments that enable quantitative and comparable statements about the functionality of windbreaks in rural landscapes.
Anthropogenic influence on Northern Hemisphere blocking during the winter 1960/1961–2012/2013
Authors: Chen Dong , Qiao Shaobo , Zhu Xian , Cheung Ho-Nam , Freychet Nicolas , Hao Xin , Tang Shankai , Feng Guolin
Published: August 2021

Atmospheric blocking (‘blocking’) in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) is a crucial driver of extreme cold spells in winter. Here we investigate the anthropogenic influence on the NH blocking and its impact on surface air temperature (SAT) during the winter 1960/1961–2012/2013 using two HadGEM3-GA6-N216 simulations with 15 ensemble members: (a) with anthropogenic and natural forcing (All-hist) and (b) with natural forcing only (Nat-hist). Compared to the Nat-hist run, the blocking frequency in the All-hist run decreases in the Euro-Atlantic, the Urals and the western Pacific, whereas it increases in the eastern Pacific and Greenland. These responses can be explained by the response of planetary waves and storm tracks. On the other hand, the decrease in SAT downstream of the blocking regions in the All-hist run is more pronounced than the Nat-hist run, especially in Europe and the Urals. Correspondingly, the proportion of cold days during all blocking days in these sectors is higher in the All-hist run than the Nat-hist run. These responses can be explained by the wind response associated with blocking. Overall, the spatiotemporal characteristics of blocking is crucial for evaluating the impact of blocking on extreme weather, and their response to anthropogenic forcing should be investigated by more models.
Digital technologies in forestry
Authors: Bespalova V V , Polyanskaya O A , Lipinskaya A A , Gryazkin A V , Kazi I A
Published: August 2021

In Russia today, one of the national development goals is the development of the introduction of digital technologies in the economy and social sphere. The national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation”, as well as the introduction of digital technologies as a national development priority, raised the relevance of these issues to a high political level. This is an example of a national goal implemented on the basis of the principle of project management and requiring a significant investment of budgetary funds. In this article, the process of introducing digital technologies in the forestry industry is considered on the basis of the application of N Venkatraman’s model, and their effectiveness is proved. The main result presented in this article is the evidence base for the need to introduce digital technologies at enterprises for the further development of the industry; examples of the use of new achievements, both in forestry and in the forest industry, are considered, and some difficulties in their application are shown.
Application of the Levinson filter to predict the state of the environment affecting the occurrence of forest fires
Authors: Istomin E , Kolbina O , Sidorenko A , Yagotinceva N , Petrov Y
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the application of the Levinson filter for the formation of an input sample in the already existing methods for assessing forest fires. This will allow you to plan in advance measures to minimize the risks of fire hazardous situations. The properties of cross-correlation of elements of the matrix of transition coefficients are applied to find the matrix of transition coefficients. The article provides an example of testing the application of the Levinson filter in the form of an application program. The results described in the article make it possible to judge the applicability of the chosen method of forestry area management.
Analysis transformation of forests of the Southern Sakhalin by remote sensing data using geoinformation technologies
Authors: Sabirov R N , Melkiy V A , Verkhoturov A A
Published: August 2021

The forests in the south of Sakhalin are classified as taiga zone and before the begining of large-scale use almost completely covered its territory. The reserves of spruce and fir forests often reached 600 m3 per 1 ha. Only in south-western part of Sakhalin broad-leaved forests grows as an admixture in dark coniferous forests. Above the belt of dark coniferous forests were indigenous forest communities of stone birch and thickets of cedar elfin wood. In the floodplains of many rivers, willow-alder and poplar forests grew with the participation of coniferous and some broad-leaved species. The composition, structure and qualitative state of modern forests, due to long-term industrial logging, large-scale fires and other anthropogenic transformations of natural landscapes, significantly differ from their original, natural state. The article evaluates the current state and structure of the forest cover in southern part of Sakhalin according by data obtained from the Landsat-8 spacecraft, soften-up with using geoinformation technologies. Dark coniferous forests have undergone the greatest changes, reducing the occupied area more than 3 times due to their active exploitation over the past century. Currently zonal dark coniferous forests are mostly replaced to derived stone-birch forests, their share have increased significantly in the forest fund.
The use of multi-agent systems in forestry
Authors: Safonova T V , Kolbina O N , Yagotintceva N V , Mokryak A V
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the study is to review the current situation in the forestry sector, as well as to identify and accomplish tasks that could change the situation in this area.It focuses on the disclosure of operation principleof the multi-agent approach, as well as the identification of problem areas in forestry.The scientific novelty comes down to a promising direction in forestry that reduces the processing time of incoming information since the multi-agent approach gives a parallel process of assessing data that retrieved by an unmanned vehicle. In addition, the approach simplifies the structure of the agent’s algorithm. With that research, the technology of operation of multi-agent systems was disclosed, and examples of the application of this approach in production were presented. It is emphasized that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles with a multi-agent approach to recognition of terrain in the field of forestry will improve the quality of the data obtained, increase the amount of information received and processed, and increase the reliability of this process. The main advantages of the proposed approach are minimal control during remote use, forest resource taxation and analysis of the terrain for emergency situations.
Digital differential spectrometry in the assessment of the structural characteristics of wood and wooden composite materials
Authors: Skurydin Yu G , Skurydina E M
Published: August 2021

The results of the application of digital differential spectrometry in the processing of the results of the study of the structure of wood and wood materials by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) are shown. The experimental temperature dependences of the dynamic shear modulus G’ are smoothed using cubic splines. Smooth curves G‘(t) are obtained that are suitable for automated processing, including for finding the temperature derivatives of G’. The analysis of the temperature dependences of the first and second derivatives of the dynamic shear modulus allows us to determine the position, range, and intensity of temperature transitions in the components of the material under study. The results of the practical application of the DMA method and digital data processing are presented on the example of studying the dynamic mechanical characteristics of birch wood, apple wood, composite material made of hydrolyzed wood, particle board. It is shown that the use of digital processing of experimental data provides more accurate results, simplifies their interpretation, and expands the understanding of the processes occurring in wood materials at the level of intermolecular interaction.
Information support of the dynamics of system connectivity of wheel harvester operations
Authors: Svoikin F , Svoikin V , Bazarov S , Alexandrov A , Ugryumov S
Published: August 2021

The article discusses the initial system dynamics of the connectivity of the work of the harvester head and the basic machine for the production of logs from the position of forming by processing the dynamics of work in a single functional space of time. On the basis of a deeper analysis of the dynamics of the production cycle of secondary raw materials and logs of the harvester head and the base machine in combination from the position of system analysis, a mathematical model for calculating the productivity of wood materials obtained from trees in a multi-operational sequential representation was built, performed by one harvester head. The total functional time of production of a unit of labor by the performed suboperations and its storage for all trees in the cycle becomes the main connecting parameter that allows us to represent the dynamics of the process. A solution is proposed to reduce the functional time for the operator of the harvester to make a decision on the production of logs of one or another quality and dimensional characteristics by using program for dynamic calculation and graphical representation of the output of finished products from a separate part of the tree trunk «STMLOGIC».
Robotic systems in forestry
Authors: Boitsov A , Vagizov M , Istomin E , Aksenova A , Pavlov V
Published: August 2021

The article presents review of modern robotic system technologies implemented in forestry. This study shows the importance of partly and fully automated robotechnic complexes specifically designed for forest management in Russia. The research provides characteristics of goals in forestry and their solutions based on designing technologies of robotechnic systems. The article contains the review of management methods with various partly and fully automated systems that are already used in the areas close to forestry. This study shows technological aspects of development of these systems in terms of their implementation in forest sector. The research contains review of existing models, technologies and prototypes presented abroad. Active prototypes have a detailed description and their current implementation in forest sector. The analogue systems that are used in agriculture and mining have a good potential of usage in forest sector. The provided study highlights the possibility of robotechnic systems use in terms of forest planting and fighting forest fires.
Digital technologies in the economy: opportunities and threats
Authors: Vasil’eva L P , Polyanskaya O A , Khartanovich K V , Milenkiy A V , Tereshchenko S V
Published: August 2021

The article discusses current trends in the development of the newest digital technologies. Their development is an urgent task for the Russian Federation, since they have become the driving force behind the digital transformation of the economy and society. The article describes the components of an individual enterprise profile. Attention is focused on the emergence of the block chain system, the method of big data, expert systems and general decentralization, which is the process of business optimization, in the organizational structure of all industries and spheres of activity. The analysis of factors constraining the process of digital transformation in economic processes has been carried out.
Geotechnological structure of a combined opencast and underground mining method in the condition of integrated development of coal deposits
Authors: Anfyorov B A , Kuznetsova L V
Published: August 2021

A combined opencast-to-underground mining method is widely used for final extraction of border zone coal reserves and extracting areas with limited and non-technological reserves. The idea of the method is that coal is extracted by opencast method and continued by underground mining using highwall mining complex, mobile mining mechanical equipment, augers, mechanized complexes and water jetting facilities.
Monitoring of physical condition changes in strata boreholes during coal mining
Authors: Tailakov O V , Zastrelov D N , Makeev M P , Saltymakov E A , Kolesnichenko S E
Published: August 2021

The approach to determine the length of degasification boreholes by profilometry using echolocation method in mine conditions is substantiated. The results of cameral processing of echograms obtained in field studies are presented. The relationship between the effective length of boreholes and their methane content has been established. The bearing pressure zone influence of on physical condition of horizontal boreholes drilled to undertake strata degasification is shown.
Outburst danger criteria for acoustic prediction methods at the initial and final stages of preparing sudden coal and gas outburst
Authors: Shadrin A V
Published: August 2021

Two stages of preparing coal and gas outburst are studied in the article. At the first stage the cracks which create a coal block structure are being developed ahead of the moving workings in a zone of high rock pressure. At the second stage the crashing of a narrow coal layer in the mouth of starting outburst cavity and its outsqueezing into the workings takes place. The control of cracks development is fulfilled by acoustic emission method. For controlling the rock pressure spectral-acoustic method is applied. The outburst danger criterion of spectral-acoustic method is corrected depending on the coal strength and in-situ pressure and they are estimated according to the methane concentration in the workings atmosphere. The results of outburst danger criteria comparison for different variants of spectral-acoustic method in a form of relation between high frequency and low-frequency amplitudes of the operating equipment “noise” spectrum and in the form of current and critical values of amplitude-frequency characteristic medians of noise are introduced. It is demonstrated that a crack development criterion and the criterion of a coal layer outsqueezing coincide if there is no gas in a coal seam. With the increasing of methane concentration at the face the crack development criteria decrease much faster than outsqueezing criterion. It is concluded that the result of the outburst danger prediction made by acoustic emission method is a necessary but not sufficient condition for initiating the outburst. The prediction, made by acoustic emission method supplemented by controlling methane concentration and coal strength allows estimating outburst danger within the whole process of outburst preparation.
Regional features of the influence of inter-fuel competition on energy consumption
Authors: Yu Nemov V , Filimonova I V , Provornaya I V , Komarova A V , Chebotareva A V
Published: August 2021

The article analyzes the main stages of the formation of inter-fuel competition. A statistical analysis of changes in the fuel and energy balance at the global and regional levels has been performed. The key factors contributing to inter-fuel competition at the present stage of development of energy markets are highlighted.
Selection of a structure of jaw crusher regulator
Authors: Nikitin A G , Tagiltsev-Galeta K V , Laktionov S A , Fastykovskii A R
Published: August 2021

To control a crushing machine at various industrial enterprises, including the mining industry, different types of typical regulators are used. It should be taken into account that a modern jaw crushing machine is not only an element of a crushing and screening complex, but it is also a system in itself. Realizations of various typical regulators for the electrical protection subsystem are shown.
Study of hydrogen concentration in the weld seam during welding of mining equipment
Authors: Usoltsev A A , Kozyrev N A , Mikhno A R , Kryukov R E , Ya V , sellermayer T
Published: August 2021

The study of the hydrogen content in the weld during the welding of mining equipment was carried out. It was found that with an increase in current strength, voltage and welding rate, a decrease in the hydrogen concentration in the welded joint of the samples is possible. The obtained welded samples meet the requirements for the hydrogen content – the hydrogen concentration in all samples is less than 2 cm3/100g.
Numerical study of the influence of rock massif heterogeneity on its geomechanical state in the vicinity of mine workings for substantiating the underground coal mining digitalization
Authors: Pavlova L D , Fryanov V N , Eremin M O
Published: August 2021

Based on the results of a numerical experiment, the patterns of stress-strain state distribution of inhomogeneous rock massif in the vicinity of a worked-out area and development working, protected by a coal pillar, were revealed.
Numerical modeling of the geomassif stress-strain state with account of different rock resistance to tension or compression
Authors: Tsvetkov A B
Published: August 2021

The results of numerical modeling of the stress-strain state of the geomassif under the influence of natural technogenic forces are presented. To carry out computational experiments, a mathematical model was developed, in the constitutive relations of which the nonlinear relationship between stresses and deformations of rocks and their different resistance to tension or compression are taken into account. A computer program was developed, and an example is given in which the results of a nonlinear solution and a boundary value problem of the theory of elasticity are compared.
Algorithmization of control processes of a hoisting unit induction motor with adjustable resistances in the rotor
Authors: Yu Ostrovlyanchik V , Kubarev V A , Yu Popolzin I , Marshev D A
Published: August 2021

The induction electric drive with a rotary station, despite its shortcomings, is still widely used for existing lifting installations. One of the ways to modernize these electric drives is the transition to a digital control system. The article presents a mathematical model of an induction motor when regulating resistances in the rotor circuit. A mathematical model of a logical control system is proposed and an algorithmic structure of a digital logical control system is drawn up, which allows problems of implementing these control systems to be solved.
Mathematical models based analysis of the efficiency of joint processing of pulverized coal and metallurgical waste using a melting gasifier
Authors: Tsymbal V P , Rybenko I A , Sechenov P A , Rybushkin A A , Kalashnikov S N
Published: August 2021

The paper presents options for almost waste-free technologies for joint and separate processing of pulverized metallurgical and coal waste based on a jet-emulsion melting gasifier with obtainment of three liquid products. The results of mathematical modeling are presented, technological modes and main design parameters of the units are determined.
Soil and ecological state of reclaimed sites with the use of waste coal
Authors: Semina I S , Androkhanov V A , Kulyapina E D
Published: August 2021

The results of the survey of reclaimed areas with waste coal are presented. The assessment of the soil and ecological state showed that the restoration of disturbed lands in the areas of reclamation with the formation of a geological substrate from waste coal and bulk root inhabited horizons allows a stable vegetation cover on the reclaimed surface to be formed and waste coal to be used for reclamation purposes in a environmentally safe way.
Construction of polar fronts of reactions in gas-air flows of mine workings near the centers of self-heating
Authors: Cherdantsev S V , Shlapakov P A , Lebedev K S , Erastov A Yu , Khaymin S A , Shlapakov E A , Kolykhalov V V
Published: August 2021

Gas and thermodynamic phenomena often occur during the operation of coal plants, especially at deep horizons. These are sudden emissions of coal and gas, deflagration and detonation processes in gas and dust-gas-air mixtures that generate explosions and shock waves in the atmosphere of mining operations, which are complex movements of a continuous medium containing strong rips. The peculiarity of these movements is that for their theoretical study, it is necessary to take into account not only the fundamental laws of continuum mechanics, but also the basic provisions of thermodynamics and thermophysics. This article considers a mathematical model of a stationary oblique reaction front based on the laws of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, assuming that the gas-air flow in which the reaction occurs is an ideal gas whose flow is stationary. Formulas are obtained and polars of reaction fronts are constructed, both in supersonic and subsonic gas-air flows in the atmosphere of mine workings. Based on the analysis of the constructed polars, a number of regularities of reactions in oblique fronts at different Mach and Damkeler numbers have been established.
Dismantling of the powered complex using a dismantling shield in the conditions of Southern Kuzbass mines
Authors: Nikitina A M , Rib S V , Borzykh D M , Dadynsky R A
Published: August 2021

The experience of works on dismantling powered coal face systems at the mines of Kuzbass and the USA is discussed. The factors influencing the duration of dismantling of powered complexes are determined. Based on the experience of dismantling works, a scheme with a polymer mesh canopies and pilot sections of powered mining complexes with the formation of a chamber by a face has become widespread. To reduce the time for dismantling works, a technology with the use of dismantling shield (two “pilot” sections connected by an E-frame), which allows the minimum possible time for reassembly of the coal face system equipment to be achieved.
Development of a control system for the technological complex of “Mine No. 12” processing plant based on the Wonderware System Platform 2017
Authors: Grachev V V , Myshlyaev L P , Lyakhovets M V , Ivushkin K A , Makarov G V
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of creating an automation system for the technological complex control of “Mine No. 12” processing plant based on the Wonderware System Platform 2017. The hardware and software of the system are described, the key points and features of the use of the Wonderware System Platform 2017 are given, which made it possible to reduce labor costs during development and to increase efficiency during system operation.
The effect of structural aspect for planar systems with 2DOF upon the stability of motion
Authors: Alaci S , Ciornei F-C , Suciu C-C , Romanu I-C
Published: August 2021

The paper analyses all planar chains with 2DOF from the point of view of stability of motion. For the rotation-prismatic structural solution first there are obtained the equations of motion and then, the numerical integration procedure is applied. A strong instability of the system can be noticed. The same dynamical system is modelled using dynamical analysis software and the instability is confirmed.
Quality improvement of the primary cable of the handbrake lever: a QFD approach
Authors: Baban C F , Baban M , Popi I S
Published: August 2021

Quality function deployment is one of the most used tools for the quality improvement of products or services. According to the literature, manufacturing is one of the industries that has benefited most from its employment. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to illustrate the usability of the quality function deployment in improving the quality of the primary cable of the handbrake lever. In this way, the technical priorities of this product were established by comparison with those of the main competitors in the market and the target values of each technical characteristic of the product were determined. In addition, the attention of the manufacturer of the primary cable of the handbrake lever can be also focused on the fulfillment of the customer expectations.
Designing a vacuum chamber and substrate positioning system for magnetron sputtering deposition applications
Authors: Tarcă D.I. , Ghincu R.V. , Crăciun D.
Published: August 2021

A new custom vacuum chamber with a substrate positioning system in our SMARTMAT laboratory is needed, as the previous one that we installed did not suit our needs. Based on our experiences with the old sputtering system, we designed a smaller vacuum chamber that could be attached to our existing load-lock system, and that could have a substrate positioning system suited for our magnetrons which would work with the load-lock. The new system replicates our initial experiments and is compatible with our experimental data acquisition system. We mounted the sensors and vacuum equipment on the chamber, and initial vacuum tests were a success, which validated our design.
Agile, waterfall and iterative approach in information technology projects
Authors: Fagarasan C , Popa O , Pisla A , Cristea C
Published: August 2021

The aim of this paper is to analyse the Agile methods implementation capability within software projects as a more viable alternative to the waterfall model and determine the key factors that guarantee the continuous delivery of software to market at the right and agreed quality level. Two Agile implementation methods were considered: Scrum and Kanban, which were evaluated based on factors like predictability, practicability and complexity. The conclusions show the selected methodologies advantages and disadvantages, and project key attributes can be used to choose the suitable methodology for a project. Regarding the Agile implementation methods, the most straightforward and predictable one was proven to be Scrum. This framework supports frequent delivery of software products that can address complex problems and adapt to the rapid market changes.
Parametric study of air-cooled TEG heat exchanger design for waste heat recovery in heavy-duty vehicle
Authors: Burnete NV , Mariasiu F , Moldovanu D , Burnete N , Capata D , Jurchis B
Published: August 2021

This study focuses on the influence of different heat exchanger (HX) design parameters like the fin height, fin number, and fin thickness on the performance of an air-cooled exhaust gas thermoelectric generator (TEG). The TEG is considered to be installed on a heavy-duty truck traveling at 85 km/h on the highway thus ensuring the required cooling air for the cold side HX. It was found that the number of fins has the highest influence on the amount of extracted heat and power output of the system, but it also negatively affects the pressure drop. Increasing the fin height improves the pressure drop, but the performance increase is limited. Similarly, increasing the fin thickness provides only limited output improvements, but it also affects the pressure drop. Finally, compared to the hot side HX, the cold side HX has a limited influence on TEG output, but its design is not restricted by the pressure drop.
Researching Diesel car CO2 emissions in cold and warm-up transient test cycle
Authors: Andrei L , Chindea V , Băldean D L
Published: August 2021

Research of CO2 emissions is not only important, but it is standard practice for homologation, technical inspections, registration of vehicles and for environmental greenhouse effect. Different agencies are taking into consideration the fact that greenhouse emissions are seriously impacting the climate change and events on the planet. Road traffic and transportation are, beside animal agriculture, the most significant polluters in dense areas, with high values of emissions. For diminishing the impact of automotive sector in the emissions field, the present work approaches the practical side of this topic. During the testing, some results will allow the definition of those conditions in which the pollutant emissions fall into control and are drastically diminished. Main objective of the paper is to research the CO2 emissions generated by a Diesel engine in a transient test cycle, both at cold operation and after warm-up phase. Second objective is to analyse the graphics from low speed and medium speed operation regimes. The CO2 emission are influenced by fuel consumption, engine speed and coolant temperature. Highway testing of CO2 emissions are to be made in further and advanced research.
Enhancing Productivity of CNC Machines by Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) implementation. A Case Study
Authors: Gherghea I C , Bungau C , Indre C I , Negrau D C
Published: August 2021

Lean manufacturing is a business system that contributes to the growth of production efficiency and the company profit, by identifying and eliminating waste. TPM is one of the techniques used to eliminate production waste, being focused on the maintenance of production equipment, so as to increase their operation and efficiency, while ensuring the quality of production due to preventing the causes that lead to waste. In the present paper for the continuous improvement of the manufacturing process within the work cells equipped with CNC processing centers, TPM is implemented, which contributes to the optimization of predictive, preventive and corrective maintenance activities of production equipment, thus improving the efficiency of machine tools. TPM ensures maximum equipment efficiency due to the elimination of unforeseen equipment downtime, respectively increasing the speed and availability of the machine. The research is based on a case study from automotive industry. Monitoring the daily activities of the equipment is done through the TPM component, namely Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) which presents the situation in the manufacturing process. The waste related to technological equipment were identified, such as: incorrect operation of the work equipment, unplanned shutdowns, respectively damages that occurred in the manufacturing process.
Designing and building a remote-controlled 3D printed prototype robot arm implant
Authors: Török M , Erdei T I , Tóth Sz , Husi G
Published: August 2021

The basis of this projects are robot arms, and within that topic, implants. This area of science belongs to mechatronics, or more precisely, bionics. The goal of this project was to build and remotely control a 3D printed robot arm implant. The robot arm itself was printed with a custom-built 3D printer using biodegradable materials. The completed implant allows interaction with other physical objects using remote control. This allows to lower direct physical interactions during a pandemic or allow work in an environment where an operator could not stay for a long period of time without health risks.
Applications of nonconventional technologies in the current global pandemic
Authors: Veres R , Ilea S , Feier B C , Veres G , Corb F
Published: August 2021

Starting from the first part of the previous year, the mankind faced a very unusual challenge. Starting with the spread of an animal-based virus found in the exotic food markets in Wuhan Province, China, the SARS-COV-2 virus quickly began to spread on a global basis on the entire planet. With such a high contagiousness it was only a matter of time till the virus made its presence in the countries all over the world, infecting many people and, unfortunately, rising the death toll every day. Based on this situation, a global pandemic was instituted by the World Health Organization resulting many restrictions and rising many problems for the medical systems all around the world. In this paper we would like to present some of the applications of modern technologies that helped, in way or another, in the fight against the pandemic, b eing sometimes a helping hand in the global fight against this virus.
Shielding parameters for cobalt free steel alloys
Authors: Mourad M M , saudi H A , Eissa M M , Hassaan M Y , A Abdel-Latif M
Published: August 2021

Steel alloys are widely used for radiation shielding in nuclear applications since Cobalt is an expensive element, this leads to the steels is may be expensive, so it is preventing wider application and selection. So the important direction of this research is preparing cobalt-free maraging stainless steel as shielding to reduce the production cost. Therefore, seven different free-cobalt steel alloys were prepared by using an electro slag re-melting technique. Steel compound ratios were calculated by using the software WinXCOM program for Monte Carlo simulation, at energies of photon 662, 1173 and 1332 keV. The attenuation properties of these alloys were studied. Furthermore, the total of removal macroscopic cross-section, transmission number and mean free path were determined using Geant4 code for fast neutrons radiation shielding. Therefore, shielding parameter variations are applied to the steel alloys to investigate the superior shielding properties to gamma rays than other materials.
Effects of Cr content on the corrosion behavior of porous Ni–Cr–Mo–Cu alloys in H3PO4 solution
Authors: Yang Junsheng , Zou Haoran , Li Xide , Chen Junxiao , Lv Li , Wen Yi , Fan Yiquan , Xiong Lieqiang , Liu Yuzuo
Published: August 2021

Porous Ni–Cr–Mo–Cu alloys were prepared via reaction synthesis of mixed powders. Electrochemical performance test and weight-loss method were used to evaluate the effects of chromium content in the range of 10 ∼ 30 wt% on the alloys corrosion performance in 30 wt% H3PO4 solution. The microstructure, element valence and phase composition of the porous Ni–Cr–Mo–Cu alloys were characterized via scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), respectively. And the results show that the alloys exhibited serviceable corrosion performance and the corrosion behavior was better than that of pure Ni and Cu. Incremental changes in the chromium contents within a certain range enhanced the corrosion resistance of the alloys. These alloys with 30 wt% chromium exhibited excellent anti-corrosion ability in the H3PO4 solution. The electrochemical test displayed that the double capacitive loops of the alloys in the H3PO4 solution increased with the chromium content; at chromium content of 30 wt%, the charge transfer resistance and activation energy were 1123 Ω and 74.10 kJ mol−1, respectively. The possible corrosion-inhibition mechanism was examined by XPS, which may be owing to the formation of MoO
x
(x = 1, 2, 3) and Cr2O3 passivation layers in the H3PO4 solution, which prevent further corrosion in acid environments.
Influence of silicon carbide mixed used engine oil dielectric fluid on EDM characteristics of AA7075/SiCp/B4Cp hybrid composites
Authors: Iyyappan S Ganapathi , Sudhakarapandian R , Sakthivel M
Published: August 2021

In this study, AA7050/SiC/B4C hybrid composites were machined using the Electric Discharge Machining process, used engine oil as the dielectric fluid to obtain wealth from waste. The experiments were conducted by varying Silicon Carbide (SiC) powder concentration, electrode material (copper and brass), discharge current, pulse on time and reinforcement wt%. The Material Removal Rate (MRR), Tool Wear Rate (TWR), Surface Roughness (Ra) and machined surface hardness were recorded as responses. The inclusion of SiC particles increases the MRR because of the bridging effect, whereas the Ra value was improved due to the complete flushing of the dielectric fluid. Owing to the existence of carbon content in used engine oil, black spots were found on the machined topography. The specimens machined with a brass electrode offer better machining performance as compared with those machined with a copper electrode. The results revealed that the MRR, TWR and Ra upsurge with the intensification of discharge current and pulse on time. Owing to the absence of a re-melted layer, composites with lower machined surface hardness have a higher surface finish. The parameters were optimized using the TOPSIS method, and it was found that under used engine oil dielectric medium with a powder concentration of 3 g l−1, parametric value sets of pulse on time 45 s, current 6 A, and machined with brass electrode offers superior machining efficiency.
Climate Change and Alternative Hosts Complicate the Eradication of Cattle Fever Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Southern United States, a Review
Authors: Osbrink Weste L A , Thomas Donald B , Lohmeyer Kimberly H , Temeyer Kevin B
Published: August 2021

Potential reinvasion of the United States by cattle fever ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say) and R. (B.) microplus (Canestrini), which are endemic in Mexico, threatens the domestic livestock industry because these ticks vector the causal agents (Babesia bovis (Babes) (Piroplasmida: Babesidae) and B. bigemina Smith & Kilborne) of bovine babesiosis. The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program safeguards the health of the national cattle herd preventing reemergence of bovine babesiosis by keeping the United States cattle fever tick-free. Free-living southern cattle tick, R. (B.) microplus, larvae have been collected from vegetation in the wildlife corridor of Cameron Co.- Willacy Co., Texas. Finding R. microplus larvae on vegetation complements reported infestations in wildlife hosts inhabiting the south Texas coastal plains. Substantial population expansion of native white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann) (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), and exotic nilgai antelope Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae), both of which are definitive hosts for the cattle fever tick, support local tick populations independent of cattle. Increasing prevalence of native and exotic wild ungulates, widespread tick acaracide resistance, and climate change, undermine efforts to control bovine babesiosis. Thus, ecological conditions have changed since cattle fever ticks were eradicated from the United States in 1943 using cattle-centric control strategies. These changes complicate efforts by the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program to keep cattle in the United States free of these cattle fever disease vectors. Technologies that could be applied to integrated eradication efforts are discussed.
Look a Little (Chuck) Closer: Aesthetic Attention and the Contact Phenomenon
Authors: Anscomb Claire
Published: August 2021

There is a sustained phenomenological tradition of describing the character of photographic pictorial experience to consist in part of a feeling of contact with the subject of the photograph. Philosophers disagree, however, about the exact cause of the ‘contact phenomenon’ and whether there is a difference in the phenomenal character between the pictorial experiences of photographs and handmade pictures so that, if a viewer mistakes the type that a token image belongs to, their sense of contact can alter. I argue that the contact phenomenon is contingent upon, and triggered by, the viewer’s perceptual experience of the image, which may be subject to change depending upon how a viewer attends to an image. I develop a hybrid account to resolve how the perceptual and cognitive aspects of a viewer’s experience interact and produce the complex phenomenology, including conflicting mental states, that a viewer can undergo during the described experiences.
Immune Escape Mechanisms in Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Molecular Cytogenetic and Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Patel Nisha , Slack Graham W , Bodo Juraj , Ben-Neriah Susana , Villa Diego , Durkin Lisa , Socha Daniel , Steidl Christian , Hsi Eric D
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Intravascular large B-cell lymphomas (IVLBCLs) are rare extranodal LBCLs in which relapse is relatively frequent. We sought to further characterize potential immune escape mechanisms in IVLBCLs that newer therapies can exploit.

Methods

A series of 33 IVLBCLs were evaluated for programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), chromosomal alterations (CAs) in the PDL1/PDL2 locus by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II expression by IHC.

Results

Cases were subclassified as classical (n = 22) or hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS)–associated (n = 11) variants. A total of 12 cases (39%; n = 12/31) expressed PD-L1 and/or PD-L2. CAs were seen in 7 cases (7/29 [24%]) and included gains, amplifications, and rearrangements. CAs in classical variant cases (24%; n = 5/21) included gains (n =1), gains with concurrent rearrangements (n = 2), and amplifications (n = 2). The 2 HPS-associated variant cases with CAs (25%; n = 2/8) both showed amplification, including 1 case with a concurrent rearrangement. A majority of cases with CAs (71%; n = 5/7) were PD-L1/PD-L2 IHC positive. Among PD-L1/PD-L2 IHC–positive cases, 45% harbored a CA. Loss of MHC class I and/or class II was seen in 27% (n = 9/33) of cases.

Conclusions

Altogether, our data show that 65% (n = 20/31) of IVLBCLs may exploit immune evasion strategies through PD-L1/PD-L2 expression or downregulation of MHC proteins.
Clinically Significant CUX1 Mutations Are Frequently Subclonal and Common in Myeloid Disorders With a High Number of Co-mutated Genes and Dysplastic Features
Authors: Dermawan Josephine K , Wensel Christine , Visconte Valeria , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P , Cook James R , Bosler David S
Published: August 2021

Objectives

CUX1 mutations have been reported in myeloid neoplasms. We aimed to characterize the mutational landscape, clonal architecture, and clinical characteristics of myeloid disorders with CUX1 variants.

Methods

We reviewed data from a targeted 62-gene panel with CUX1 variants. Variants were classified as of strong or potential clinical significance (tier I/tier II) or of unknown significance (VUS).

Results

CUX1 variants were identified in 169 cases. The 49 tier I/tier II variants were found in older patients (mean age, 71 vs 60 years old) and predominantly inactivating alterations, while the 120 VUS cases were missense mutations. Monosomy 7/deletion 7q was more common in tier I/tier II cases. Co-mutations were detected in 96% of tier I/tier II cases (average, 3.7/case) but in only 61% of VUS cases (average, 1.5/case). Tier I/tier II CUX1 variants tend to be subclonal to co-mutations (ASXL1, SF3B1, SRSF2, TET2). Among myeloid disorders, tier I/tier II cases were more frequently diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes and had a higher number of bone marrow dysplastic lineages.

Conclusions

CUX1 mutations are seen with adverse prognostic features and could be a late clonal evolutional event of myeloid disorders. The differences between CUX1 tier I/tier II and VUS underscore the importance of accurate variant classification in reporting of multigene panels.