Search Results (208)

In the process of producing ferroalloys, a large amount of secondary raw materials is formed, including slag, aspiration dusts and sludge. The recycling of secondary raw materials can create resources and bring environmental and economic benefits. Wet secondary raw materials (WSRMs) are characterized by a high chromium oxide content (averaging 24%), but due to their high moisture levels, they cannot be directly used in arc furnaces. As a strategic approach, mixing WSRMs with drier, more chromium-rich dusts (up to 45% Cr₂O₃) has been proposed. This not only reduces the overall moisture content of the mixture but also enhances the metallurgical value of the charge material. This paper presents the results of laboratory studies on the agglomeration of secondary wet raw materials using briquetting, extrusion and pelletizing methods. The main factors influencing the quality of the resulting product were analyzed, including the method of agglomeration, the composition of the mixture, as well as the type and dosage of the binder component. The strength characteristics of the finished agglomerated samples were evaluated in terms of resistance to splitting, impact loads and falling. Notably, the selected binders are organic and polymer substances capable of complete combustion under metallurgical smelting conditions. Full article

The construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, primarily due to its reliance on cement-based materials. Simultaneously, plastic bottle waste presents a significant environmental challenge. This study aims to address both issues by exploring the integration of plastic bottle waste into cob–earth materials as a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete modules. The research involves testing various mixes with plastic bottles arranged in different patterns to assess their load-bearing capacity and distribution. The cob mix with bottles arranged in a modified pattern demonstrated the highest load resistance, bearing over 47.1 kN, making it suitable for prototype development. The study also investigates the potential of using cob as an exterior finishing layer, reducing the need for cement. The results show that using local earth materials significantly lowers embodied carbon, offering a more sustainable construction solution. This approach helps mitigate plastic waste and supports climate resilience by promoting low-carbon, locally sourced materials, aligning with Egypt’s national sustainability commitments. Full article

The current research trends of production engineering are based on optimizing the machining process concerning human and environmental factors. High-performance materials, such as hardened steels, nickel-based alloys, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, and titanium alloys, are classified as hard-to-cut due to their ability to maintain strength at high operating temperatures. Due to these characteristics, such materials are employed in applications such as aerospace, marine, energy generation, and structural. The purpose of this article is to investigate the machinability of these alloys under various cutting conditions. The purpose of this article is to compare cryogenic cooling and cryogenic processing from the perspective of machinability and sustainability in the manufacturing process. Compared to conventional machining, hybrid techniques, which mix cryogenic and minimal quantity lubricant, led to significantly reduced cutting forces of 40–50%, cutting temperatures and surface finishes by approximately 20–30% and more than 40%, respectively. A carbon footprint is determined by several factors including power consumption, energy requirements, and carbon dioxide emissions. As a result of the cryogenic technology, the energy consumption, power consumption, and CO₂ emissions were reduced by 40%, 28%, and 35%. Full article

Background: The effective use of electronic health records (EHRs) is an essential clinical skill, but medical schools have traditionally provided limited systematic teaching on the topic. Inefficient use of EHRs results in delays in diagnosis, fragmented care, and clinician burnout. This study investigates the impact on medical students’ confidence, efficiency, and proficiency in extracting clinically pertinent information from patient records following an organised EHR teaching programme. Methods: This observational cohort involved 60 final-year medical students from three London medical schools. Participants received a structured three-phase intervention involving an introductory workshop, case-based hands-on practice, and guided reflection on EHR navigation habits. Pre- and post-intervention testing involved mixed-method surveys, simulated case tasks, and faculty-assessed data retrieval exercises to measure changes in students’ confidence, efficiency, and ability to synthesise patient information. Quantitative data were analysed using paired t-tests, while qualitative reflections were theme-analysed to identify shifts in clinical reasoning. Results: All 60 students successfully finished the intervention and assessments. Pre-intervention, only 28% students reported feeling confident in using EHRs effectively, with a confidence rating of 3.0. Post-intervention, 87% reported confidence with a rating of 4.5 (p < 0.01). Efficiency in the recovery of critical patient information improved from 3.2 to 4.6 (p < 0.01). Students also demonstrated enhanced awareness regarding system-related issues, such as information overload and fragmented documentation, and provided recommendations on enhancing data synthesis for clinical decision making. Conclusions: This study emphasises the value of structured EHR instruction in enhancing the confidence and proficiency of medical students in using electronic records. The integration of structured EHR education to medical curricula can better prepare future physicians in managing information overload, improve diagnostic accuracy, and enhance the quality of patient care. Future research should explore the long-term impact of structured EHR training on clinical performance, diagnostic accuracy, and patient outcomes during real-world clinical placements and postgraduate training. Full article

Infrared thermography (IRT), a widely used nondestructive testing method, is commonly employed to identify moisture in historic walls. However, its reliance on manual interpretation by experts makes the process both time-consuming and costly. This study addresses the challenge of detecting wall moisture; this issue is closely linked to the deterioration of cultural heritage structures. This study focuses on the brick walls of the Tainan Confucian Temple, the oldest Confucian temple in Taiwan. The targeted are walls coated with lime plaster mixed with red mineral pigments, a traditional finish that gives the temple its distinctive red appearance. This study proposes a system to automatically identify wall areas, mark low-temperature zones, and determine the presence and distribution of moisture. Visible and infrared thermal images of these walls are captured and preprocessed to normalize the size and enhance the features. Finally, two convolutional neural network (CNN) models are trained in this study: one for identifying wall regions and the other for detecting low-temperature areas. The proposed method achieves an accuracy of 91.18% in detecting wall moisture, representing a 24.05% improvement over conventional object recognition techniques, the accuracy of which is 73.5%. In addition, this method requires only 3 s to detect the wall moisture, representing a 99.92% reduction in processing time compared to the conventional manual method. This method not only provides a fast and objective method for assessing moisture in lime-plastered heritage walls but also significantly enhances the efficiency of restoration efforts. This method can be applied to similar wall structures in other Confucian temples, offering broad potential for heritage conservation. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of mixed meal replacement of soybean meal on growth conditions, carcass traits, and meat quality of finishing pigs by partially and entirely replacing soybean meal with equal proportions of rapeseed, cotton, and sunflower meal. A total of fifty-four pigs with an average initial weight of 97.60 ± 0.30 kg were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to their initial weight, with six pens in each group and three pigs in each pen. The experimental groups were as follows: control group (CON), fed corn–soybean meal type basal diet; corn–soybean mixed meal group (CSM), using equal proportions of rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal (3.52% each) to replace 9.06% of soybean meal in the basal diet; and corn mixed meal group (CMM), using equal proportions of rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal (6.46% each) to replace soybean meal in the basal diet completely. According to the results, the use of mixed meal as a replacement for soybean meal did not have a significant impact (p > 0.05) on the average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, feed-to-weight ratio, body size, carcass traits, and meat quality of finishing pigs. The entire replacement of soybean meal with a mixed meal resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in leaf fat weight. The use of mixed meal as a substitute for soybean meal had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the antioxidant capacity and fatty acid composition of the longissimus thoracis in finishing pigs. However, longissimus thoracis muscle fiber diameter was reduced in the mixed meal partially replaced soybean meal group compared to the mixed meal completely replaced soybean meal group (p < 0.05). In addition, mixed meal replacing soybean meal did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) the expression of the longissimus thoracis muscle fiber type genes MYHC1 and MYHC2. Mixed meal replacement of soybean meal did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) the expression of ACACA, FASN, and PPARG genes in the longissimus thoracis. This study showed that mixed meal as an alternative to soybean meal in diets did not have significant negative effects on the growth performance and meat quality of finishing pigs. These results can help develop further mixed meals as a functional alternative feed ingredient for soybean meals in pig diets. Full article

A crucial stage in the post-harvest processing of cocoa beans, drying, has a direct effect on the finished product’s quality and market value. This study investigates the efficiency, quality outcomes, and environmental implications of a mixed forced convection solar dryer designed for drying cocoa beans in Ntui, Cameroon, compared to traditional open-air drying methods. The solar dryer’s design, incorporating a solar collector, forced ventilation, and thermal storage, leverages local materials and renewable energy, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative by reducing fossil fuel reliance and post-harvest losses. Experimental trials were conducted to assess key drying parameters, including the temperature, relative humidity, water removal rate, pH, and free fatty acid (FFA) content, under the equatorial climate conditions of high solar irradiation and humidity. Results demonstrate that the solar dryer significantly reduces drying time from an average of 4.83 days in open-air drying to 2.5 days, a 50% improvement, while maintaining optimal conditions for bean quality preservation. The solar-dried beans exhibited a stable pH (5.7–5.9), a low FFA content (0.282% oleic acid equivalent, well below the EU standard of 1.75%), and superior uniformity in texture and color, meeting international quality standards. In contrast, open-air drying showed greater variability in quality due to weather dependencies and contamination risks. The study highlights the dryer’s adaptability to equatorial climates and its potential to enhance cocoa yields and quality for small-scale producers. These findings underscore the viability of solar drying as a high-performance, eco-friendly solution, paving the way for its optimization and broader adoption in cocoa-producing regions. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable drying technologies, addressing both economic and environmental challenges in tropical agriculture. Full article

The dual-pole magnetic abrasive finishing (DMAF) method was proposed to achieve a smooth surface on TC4 titanium alloy. Firstly, both the distribution of the magnetic field and the intensity of magnetic induction produced by nine combinations of magnetic poles of different shapes were simulated using Ansys Maxwell software (2024R2). According to the results of the simulation, the optimal combination of magnetic poles was determined. Then, the machining parameters of multi-stage DMAF were optimized through comparative experiments on major single factors. Finally, combinations of the mixed magnetic abrasive in three polishing stages were obtained as follows: #100 electrolytic iron powder (Fe₃O₄) + #2000 white abrasive (WA), #200 Fe₃O₄ + #8000 WA, and #450Fe₃O₄ + #w1 diamond (DMD). The gap between the upper and lower magnetic poles was set to 5 mm, the rotational speed of the magnetic pole was set to 300 rpm, and the quality ratio of the abrasive was 2:1. The experiments indicated that the average surface roughness Ra was reduced from an initial value of 0.433 μm to 8 nm after 30 min of multi-stage DMAF, and a nano-level mirror polishing effect was essentially achieved in the polishing zone. Full article

Inconel 617 is a nickel-based superalloy that is a primary candidate for use in next-generation nuclear applications such as the Gen IV Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) and Very-High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR) due to its corrosion and oxidation resistance and high strength in elevated temperatures. However, Inconel 617 machinability is poor due to its hardness and tendency to work harden during manufacturing. While the machinability of its sister grade, Inconel 718, has been widely studied and understood due to its applications in aerospace, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the behaviour of Inconel 617 in machining. To address this gap, this paper investigates the influence of cutting parameters in the turning of Inconel 617 and compares the impact of Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) turning against conventional coolant. This investigation was performed through three distinct studies: Study A compared the performance of commercial coatings, Study B investigated the influence of cutting parameters on the surface finish, and Study C compared the performance of MQL to flood coolant. This work demonstrated that AlTiN coatings performed the best and doubled the tool life of a standard tungsten carbide insert compared to its uncoated form. Additionally, the feed rate had the largest impact on the surface roughness, especially at high feeds, with the best surface quality found at the lowest feed rate of 0.075 mm/rev. The utilization of MQL had mixed results compared to a conventional flood coolant in the machining of Inconel 617. Surface finish was improved as high as 47% under MQL conditions compared to the flood coolant; however, work hardening at the surface was also shown to increase by 10–20%. Understanding this, it is possible that MQL can completely remove the need for a conventional coolant in the machining of Inconel 617 components for the manufacturing of next-generation reactors. Full article

Background: This study examines the role of the built environment in mitigating risk in healthcare facilities, with a particular focus on how the design of hospital infrastructures can influence and improve the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. Methods: A two-phase mixed-methods approach was adopted. First, a scoping literature review was conducted to identify design-based strategies targeting five categories of risk: healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), indoor air quality (IAQ), safety, falls, and emergency resilience. Based on this review, a structured questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample of hospital facilities in Northern Italy to assess the implementation of the strategies emerged. Results: The literature review identifies recurring specific design solutions and strategies that have proven effective in mitigating risks in healthcare infrastructures in the following dimensions: infection mitigation, indoor air quality, falls reduction, safety, emergency preparedness. At the same time, survey data from (n = 9) hospitals indicate a significant implementation gap. Key shortcomings included a lack of spatial flexibility, limited environmental monitoring (especially for IAQ and acoustic conditions), and underutilization of antibacterial surfaces. Antibacterial flooring and wall finishes were absent in (n = 4/9) and (n = 6/9) of the facilities, respectively. IAQ monitoring was mostly confined to surgical areas, with (n = 0/9) facility reporting comprehensive building-wide monitoring. Only two (n = 2) facilities reported adaptable spaces suitable for emergency conversion and accessible green areas. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive overview of risk mitigation strategies in hospital design. The results reveal critical gaps in implementation, particularly in spatial flexibility, environmental monitoring, and antimicrobial surfaces. Future research should focus on developing adaptable design models that are context-sensitive, scalable, and capable of enhancing healthcare resilience in response to emerging global health threats. Full article

This research focuses on the impact of a pozzolanic additive (zeolite) on the durability properties of concrete and the evaluation of the surface finish of the final product (concrete). Durability is one of the key characteristics of concrete that ensures the performance of concrete structures, landscaping elements, and products over their lifetime and beyond. To reduce CO₂ emissions, replacing part of traditional cement with pozzolanic additives is necessary. We tested concrete mixes in which up to 20% of cement was replaced with a pozzolanic additive. Concrete flow and entrained air content were measured. The following properties of hardened modified concrete were determined: density, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water absorption, freeze–thaw resistance, and mechanical properties after 7 and 28 days of curing. The compressive strength values were normalised and expressed in MPa/g to obtain a deeper insight into the effect of a pozzolanic additive on the mechanical properties of concrete. The test results showed that the pozzolanic additive selected for testing reduced the flowability, density, and ultrasonic pulse velocity; increased entrained air content; and reduced the porosity of concrete. The compressive strength results at 28 days (normalised and expressed in MPa/g) showed that all specimens modified with up to 20% zeolite had a higher compressive strength than that of the reference specimen (from 0.0138 to 0.0164). Freeze–thaw resistance results showed that 15% was the optimum content of zeolite additive that could replace cement in the mix to obtain concrete with appropriate durability properties. Concrete surface finish evaluation tests showed that 15% of the pozzolanic additive is recommended to obtain a good-quality surface finish of exposed concrete. Full article

High levels of social stress are known to negatively impact pig welfare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of social stress in growing–finishing pigs by measuring serum metabolome changes and saliva biomarkers. Seventy-two undocked pigs (thirty-six males and thirty-six females) were housed in single-sex pens of four, with the second dominant pig in each pen selected as the focal pig. A social challenge was conducted by mixing the focal pig with three new pigs in its home pen on two consecutive days on trial days 62–64. Saliva and blood samples were collected, and the pigs’ behaviour and body lesions were evaluated pre- and post-challenge. A total of 630 serum metabolites were analysed, 292 of which could be statistically compared using Biocrates WebIDQ v5 software. Salivary haptoglobin concentrations and the number of body lesions significantly increased after the challenge (p < 0.001), whereas the average daily weight gain decreased (p < 0.05). The serum showed decreases in essential amino acids (Thr, Met, and Phe), non-essential amino acids (Glu, Asn, Asp, Pro, and Tyr), betaine, ornithine, indoxyl sulphate, taurine, and some blood di- and triacylglycerols (q < 0.05), and increases in oleic, eicosanoic, eicosadienoic, and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acids; EPA; and DHA post-challenge (q < 0.05). Overall, the results suggest the potential of metabolomics as a tool providing a more holistic view of the impact of social stress. Full article

This study addresses the critical challenge of precise control over active abrasive particles in magnetorheological polishing (MRP) through innovative core–shell particle engineering. A sol–gel synthesized CIP@SiO₂ magnetic composite abrasive with controlled SiO₂ encapsulation (20 nm shell thickness) was developed using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the silicon precursor, demonstrating significant advantages in optical-grade fused silica finishing. Systematic polishing experiments reveal that the core–shell architecture achieves a remarkable 20.16% improvement in surface quality (Ra = 1.03 nm) compared to conventional CIP/SiO₂ mixed abrasives, with notably reduced surface defects despite a modest 8–12% decrease in material removal rate. Through synergistic analysis combining elastic microcontact mechanics modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, we establish that the SiO₂ shell mediates stress distribution at tool–workpiece interfaces, effectively suppressing deep subsurface damage while maintaining nano-scale material removal efficiency. The time-dependent performance analysis further demonstrates that extended polishing durations with CIP@SiO₂ composites progressively eliminate mid-spatial frequency errors without introducing new surface artifacts. These findings provide fundamental insights into designed abrasive architectures for precision finishing applications requiring sub-nanometer surface integrity control. Full article

Roll wear significantly affects production efficiency and product quality in hot-rolled strip steel manufacturing by reducing roll lifespan and impeding the control of strip shape. This study addresses these challenges through a comprehensive analysis of the roll wear mechanism and the integration of an elastic deformation model. We propose an optimized wear prediction model for work and backup rolls in a hot continuous rolling finishing mill, dynamically accounting for variations in strip specifications and cumulative wear effects. A three-dimensional elastic–plastic thermo-mechanical coupled finite element model was established using MARC 2020 software, with experimental calibration of wear coefficients under specific production conditions. The developed dynamic simulation software achieved high-precision wear prediction, validated by field measurements. The optimized model reduced prediction deviations for work and backup rolls to 0.012 and 0.004, respectively, improving accuracy by 5.3% and 3.25% for uniform and mixed strip specifications. This research provides a robust theoretical framework and practical tool for precision roll wear management in industrial hot rolling processes. Full article

In the casting and stamping process of automobile, ship, aerospace, and other fields, improving the atomization quality of the spray release agent can effectively solve the problems of difficult film removal, low efficiency, and poor surface finish, and greatly improve the efficiency of production and manufacturing. The geometric model of the external mixing nozzle was constructed, and the calculation domain and grid were divided. The atomization flow field velocity, liquid film thickness, particle distribution, and cooling amount were calculated using fluid simulation software. Finally, an experimental platform was set up for verification. With the increase in the distance between the iron plate and the nozzle, the velocity of the flow field decreases from the nozzle exit to the periphery, and the frequency distribution of D_60–70 increases gradually. With the increase in the pressure ratio (K), the particle velocity increases gradually, the liquid film thickness increases first, and then gently decreases, and the D_60–70 frequency distribution decreases. The influence of gas pressure on atomized particle velocity and liquid film thickness is greater than that of liquid phase pressure, and the ion velocity reaches the peak value when K = 2. When K = 1.5, the average thickness increment of absolute liquid film is small, the atomized particle diameter changes the least, the frequency distribution of D₆₅ particles is approximately the same, and the atomization effect is the most stable. When the spraying time is 1 s, the K value is larger, and the smaller the temperature drop will be. In 2–4 s, the change in K value has little influence on the cooling amount. Full article