Search Results (1,266)

This study developed a design framework for porous mixtures using a 100% sustainable non-bituminous epoxy–polyurethane binder system. Conventional design protocols for porous asphalt mixtures exhibit limitations in accurately controlling void content and mixture composition. This study proposed a novel design framework for porous mixtures containing 100% sustainable binder based on statistical analysis and theoretical calculations. The relationships among target air voids, binder content, and aggregate gradation were systematically analyzed, and calculation formulas for coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and mineral filler contents were derived. A mix design framework was further established by applying the void-filling theory, where the combined volume of binder, fine aggregate, and filler equals the void volume of the coarse aggregate skeleton, thereby ensuring precise control of the target void ratio. Additionally, mixing procedures were investigated with emphasis on feeding sequence, compaction method, and mixing temperature. Results indicated that the optimized feeding sequence significantly improved binder distribution; specimens compacted using the Marshall double-sided compaction method achieved a density of 89.60%. Rheological analysis revealed that at 30 °C, the viscosities of sustainable binder and polyurethane filler were 1280 mPa·s and 6825 mPa·s, respectively, suggesting optimal mixture uniformity. The proposed methodology and process parameters provide essential technical guidance for engineering applications of porous mixtures containing 100% sustainable binder. Full article

This study employs numerical simulation methods to systematically analyze the multiphase flow and heat transfer characteristics in a circulating fluidized bed flue gas desulfurization (CFB-FGD) reactor handling ascharite ore roasting flue gas. Based on the simulation results, key structural optimization strategies are proposed. A three-dimensional mathematical model was developed based on the Fluent 19.1 platform, and the multiphase flow process was simulated using the Eulerian-Lagrangian method. The study examined the effects of venturi tube structure, atomized water nozzle installation height, and gas injection disruptor configuration on reactor performance. Optimization strategies for key structural components were systematically evaluated. The results show that the conventional inlet structure leads to significant non-uniformity in the velocity field. Targeted adjustments to the dimensions of venturi tubes at different positions markedly improve the velocity distribution uniformity. Reducing the atomized water nozzle installation height from 1.50 m to 0.75 m increased the temperature distribution uniformity index in the middle part of the straight pipe section by 5.5%. Moreover, a gas injection disruptor was installed in the upper part of the straight pipe section of the CFB-FGD reactor. Increasing the gas injection velocity from 15 m/s to 30 m/s increased the average residence time of desulfurization sorbents by 17.0%. This increase effectively enhances gas–solid mixing within the CFB-FGD reactor. The optimization strategies described above significantly reduced the extent of flow dead zones and low-temperature regions in the CFB-FGD reactor and improved flow conditions. This study provides important theoretical and technical support for the optimization and industrial application of CFB-FGD technology for ascharite ore roasting flue gas. Full article

Temperature homogeneity assumes a crucial role in the manufacture of asphalt mixtures due to its impact on mechanical formation and mixing homogeneity. The existence of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) exacerbates its impact on temperature inhomogeneity. To address this, the RAP contents of 20%, 40%, and 60%, combined with RAP preheated temperatures of 353 K, 373 K, and 393 K, were taken into consideration to examine the thermal transition and evolution of temperature for the recycled asphalt mixtures in the mixing. Thermal images captured within the range of 30 s to 120 s were used to monitor the temperature evolution of the recycled asphalt mixtures during the mixing. To quantitatively assess the level of thermal non-uniformity, a Relative Thermal Equilibrium Temperature Index (RETI) was introduced. This index reflects the degree of deviation from ideal thermal equilibrium within the recycled mixtures. Based on the RETI calculation, complete temperature homogeneity cannot be attained until the end of the mixing of hot recycled asphalt mixtures. However, a prolongation of the mixing time or an elevation in the RAP preheated temperature can expedite the thermal equilibrium process of recycled asphalt mixtures. Additionally, the RAP contents also exerted a crucial influence on the thermal equilibrium process of the recycled asphalt mixtures. Full article

Background and Objectives: Brain metastases frequently evolve over time in multiple waves, especially in patients with prolonged survival. Despite repeated imaging and targeted therapies, lesion-level continuity is fragmented in clinical practice, as follow-up is typically limited to pairwise MRI comparisons. The aim of the study is to assess the ability of routine narrative MRI follow-up reports to preserve longitudinal lesion identity and to reconstruct a coherent trajectory of disease evolution. Materials and Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational study of all brain MRI examinations performed between June 2024 and June 2025 (n = 731 scans, 616 patients). All imaging reviews and longitudinal lesion tracking were performed by one board-certified neuroradiologist. Adult patients with confirmed brain metastases and at least three MRI examinations (including external studies) were included. We assessed the concordance of routine narrative MRI follow-up reports against a longitudinal review of all available MRIs and treatment timelines, which served as the reference standard. Lesion identity was considered preserved when reports explicitly recognized and linked lesions across time points, and lost when identity was omitted or ambiguous in at least one report. Results: The final cohort comprised 73 patients (477 tracked lesions). More than half of monitored lesions disappeared (42.9%) or evolved into post-treatment sequelae (9.9%), and were omitted from narrative reports, limiting retrospective recognition without prior imaging. The ability of routine reports to preserve lesion identity declined as cases became more complex. Concordance was higher in uniform evolution patterns (≈60%) but dropped to 18.2% in mixed evolution. A similar decline was seen with sequential metastatic waves, defined as new metastases appearing at distinct time points: 65.2% (1 wave), 46.7% (2 waves), 18.2% (3 waves), and complete loss of continuity when >3 waves occurred. Conclusions: Routine narrative MRI follow-up reports generally provide adequate information in simple cases with uniform lesion behavior, but tend to lose critical details as disease trajectories become more complex, particularly in heterogeneous or multi-wave disease. Even when individual lesions are identified across examinations, documentation remains fragmented and reflects only a snapshot of the disease course rather than an integrated longitudinal perspective. These findings highlight a critical vulnerability in current follow-up practices. Improving lesion-level continuity, potentially through AI-assisted tools, may enhance the accuracy, consistency, and clinical utility of MRI surveillance in patients with brain metastases. Full article

Water-saving agricultural irrigation systems depend heavily on the hydraulic stability of pressure-compensating (PC) emitters, whose performance is fundamentally shaped by internal flow-path geometry. This study analyzes six commercial PC emitters (E1–E6) operated under pressures of 0.8–2.0 bar to quantify how key geometric descriptors influence hydraulic parameters critical for efficient water use, including actual discharge (q_act), discharge coefficient (k), pressure exponent (x), emission uniformity (EU), and flow variability. All emitters had discharge deviations within ±7% of nominal values. Longer and more tortuous labyrinths enhanced compensation stability, while emitters with wider cross-sections and shorter paths produced higher throughput but weaker regulation efficiency. Linear mixed-effects modeling showed that effective flow area increased k, whereas normalized path length and tortuosity reduced both k and x. Predictive equations derived from geometric indicators closely matched measured values, with deviations below ±0.05 L/h for k and ±0.05 for x. These results establish a geometry-based hydraulic framework that supports emitter selection and design in water-saving agricultural irrigation, aligning with broader Agricultural Water–Land–Plant System Engineering objectives and contributing to more efficient and sustainable water-resource utilization. Full article

Heat exchangers are central to energy and process industries, yet performance is bounded by the trade-off between higher heat transfer and greater pressure drop. This review targets indirect-type heat exchangers and organizes bioinspired strategies through a multi-scale lens of surface, texture, and network scales. It provides a structured comparison of their thermo-hydraulic behaviors and evaluation methods. At the surface scale, control of wettability and liquid-infused interfaces suppresses icing and fouling and stabilizes condensation. At the texture scale, microstructures inspired by shark skin and fish scales regulate near-wall vortices to balance drag reduction with heat-transfer enhancement. At the network scale, branched and bicontinuous pathways inspired by leaf veins, lung architectures, and triply periodic minimal surfaces promote uniform distribution and mixing, improving overall performance. The survey highlights practical needs for manufacturing readiness, durability, scale-up, and validation across operating ranges. By emphasizing analysis across scales rather than reliance on a single metric, the review distills design principles and selection guidelines for next-generation bioinspired heat exchangers. Full article

To promote waste tyre resource utilisation and reduce environmental pressure, this study prepared five stone sample groups using waste tyre rubber fibre (RF) as a modifier, combined with blast furnace slag, fly ash, carbide slag, and calcium chloride, with RF contents of 0%, 6%, 10%, 14%, and 18%. Working performance was analysed via density, fluidity, and water separation rate tests, while mechanical properties and failure mechanisms were explored through uniaxial compression tests, acoustic emission (AE) monitoring, and SEM microstructure observations. Results showed that as RF content increased, slurry density and fluidity decreased nonlinearly, water separation rate first rose then fell, and uniaxial compressive strength dropped significantly (64.97% lower at 18% RF than 0%). Failure mode shifted from shear to tensile–shear mixed failure, AE signal activity weakened, energy release gentled, and crack propagation was delayed. Microstructurally, 6–10% RF ensured uniform fibre dispersion, blocking microcracks and optimising interfacial zones, while 14–18% RF caused agglomeration and pore defects. The optimal grouting material ratio was determined as 10% RF, blast furnace slag: fly ash = 4:1, 40% carbide slag, 1% calcium chloride, and a 0.7 water–cement ratio (total solid component 100%). Full article

Phosphorus is an essential resource for numerous industrial applications. However, its uneven global distribution makes Europe heavily dependent on imports. Recovering phosphorus from waste streams is therefore crucial for improving resource security. The FlashPhos project addresses this challenge by developing a process to recover phosphorus from sewage sludge, in which phosphorus-rich slag is produced in a flash reactor and subsequently reduced in a Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF). In this process, approximately 250 kg/h of sewage sludge is converted into slag, which is further processed in the SAF to recover about 8 kg/h of white phosphorus. This work focuses on the development of a computational model of the SAF, with particular emphasis on slag behaviour. Due to the extreme operating conditions, which severely limit experimental access, a numerically efficient three-dimensional CFD model was developed to investigate the internal flow of the three-phase, AC-powered SAF. The model accounts for multiphase interactions, dynamic bubble generation and energy sinks associated with the reduction reaction, and Joule heating. A temperature control loop adjusts electrode currents to reach and maintain a prescribed target temperature. To further reduce computational cost, a novel simulation approach is introduced, achieving a reduction in simulation time of up to 300%. This approach replaces the solution of the electric potential equation with time-averaged Joule-heating values obtained from a preceding simulation. The system requires transient simulation and reaches a pseudo-steady state after approximately 337 s. The results demonstrate effective slag mixing, with gas bubbles significantly enhancing flow velocities compared to natural convection alone, leading to maximum slag velocities of 0.9–1.0 m/s. The temperature field is largely uniform and closely matches the target temperature within ±2 K, indicating efficient mixing and control. A parameter study reveals a strong sensitivity of the flow behaviour to the slag viscosity, while electrode spacing shows no clear influence. Overall, the model provides a robust basis for further development and future coupling with the gas phase. Full article

Carbon–metal composite NiCrFeC coatings, prepared with and without controlled oxygen addition, were investigated to evaluate the influence of oxygen on the structure, mechanical response, and tribological performance. X-ray diffraction revealed that oxygen-containing films (NiCrFeC + O₂) exhibit a mixed metallic–oxide microstructure with CrNi, CrO, and NiO phases, whereas oxygen-free coatings show only CrNi crystalline peaks. The incorporation of oxygen led to a substantial increase in nano-hardness, from 0.84 GPa for NiCrFeC to 1.59 GPa for NiCrFeC + O₂. Scratch testing up to 100 N indicated improved adhesion and higher critical loads for the oxygen-rich coatings. Tribological measurements performed under dry sliding conditions using a sapphire ball showed a significant reduction in friction: NiCrFeC + O₂ stabilized at ~0.20, while NiCrFeC exhibited values between 0.25 and 0.35 at 0.5 N and 0.4–0.5 at 1 N, accompanied by non-uniform sliding due to coating failure. Wear-track analysis confirmed shallower penetration depths and narrower wear scars for NiCrFeC + O₂, despite similar initial roughness (~35 nm). These findings demonstrate that oxygen incorporation enhances hardness, adhesion, and wear resistance while substantially lowering friction, making NiCrFeC + O₂ coatings promising for low-friction dry-sliding applications. Full article

This investigation provides a critical analysis of the digital forensics field within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), specifically focusing on its educational systems, and the effectiveness of prosecutorial efforts. Utilizing a mixed-methodology framework and extensive literature reviews, this study reveals pronounced deficiencies in digital forensics against increased cybercrime activities. Furthermore, it highlights a general lack of preparedness among digital forensics professionals in KSA and notes significant variations in forensic applications across different judicial and educational contexts. The research recommends creating a uniform national educational framework for digital forensics, improving professional training programs, and strategically enhancing forensic technologies. Through a thorough analysis of demographic trends, educational programs, and adherence to procedural standards, this study proposes targeted strategies to fortify the digital forensic infrastructure of KSA, aligning with the strategic imperatives of Vision 2030. Full article

Recent applications of low-field NMR in alkali-activated materials (AAMs) often adopt interpretation models developed for Portland cement systems, overlooking the distinct influences of paramagnetic/ferrimagnetic components and free-water redistribution. This study investigates how paramagnetic or ferrimagnetic component and free water distribution influence low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and proton density magnetic resonance imaging (PD-MRI) characterization of alkali-activated materials (AAMs). Blast furnace slag, fly ash, and steel slag were activated with NaOH solution at liquid-to-solid ratios of 0.45 and 0.5, and analyzed across top, middle, and bottom layers. Slurries prepared with less mixing water and CaO-rich raw materials exhibited negligible settling and uniform relaxation behavior, whereas those with higher water content and CaO-deficient raw materials showed pronounced stratification, resulting in distinct gradients in signal intensity. The results indicate that the LF-NMR data interpretation of relatively dilute system may be unreliable as the relaxation time of protons will be extended after they transfer from bottom to the top of the slurry. A preliminary method for assessing slurry suitability for LF-NMR characterization is proposed for future validation. Full article

There exists an east–west trending albitite (breccia) zone, approximately 400 km in length, closely related to gold mineralization, in Devonian strata in the South Qinling tectonic belt. The genesis and formation age of these albitite (breccia) are of great significance for understanding gold enrichment mechanisms and guiding future exploration. Past studies have mainly focused on the Fengxian–Taibai area in the western segment of the albitite (breccia) zone, whereas the eastern segment remains significantly understudied. In this study, a systematic field investigation, as well as petrology, geochemistry, and accessory-mineral geochronology studies were conducted on albitites and albitite breccias in the Shangnan area, the eastern segment of the albitite (breccia) zone. The results show that the albitites are interlayered with or occur as lenses within Devonian clastic rocks. The albitite breccias are mostly enclosed in albitite and Devonian strata, and the clasts within are subangular, uniform in type, and exhibit minimal displacement. Both albitites and albitite breccias exhibit similar trace-element characteristics and detrital zircon age spectra to those of Devonian clastic rocks. Abundant hydrothermal monazites with U–Pb ages ranging from 260 to 252 Ma are present in both albitites and albitite breccias but absent in Devonian clastic rocks. Collectively, these results indicate that the albitites in the Shangnan area are of hydrothermal metasomatic origin, while the albitite breccias record hydraulic fracturing and cementation, and both are products of the same fluid activity event in the Late Permian. We propose that albitite (breccia) zones in the South Qinling tectonic belt were formed under distinct tectonic settings during different evolution stages of the Late Paleozoic Mianlüe Ocean. Specifically, the albitites (breccias) in the Shangnan area are products of thorough metasomatism, local fracturing, and cementation of Devonian clastic rocks by mixed fluids, which ascended along the Fengzhen–Shanyang Fault coeval with the emplacement of magmatic rocks related to subduction of the Mianlüe Ocean. In contrast, the albitite breccias in the Fengxian–Taibai area are the result of fluid activity during the transition from regional compression to extension after the closure of the Mianlüe Ocean. Full article

Flock uniformity is a critical factor influencing productivity, production efficiency, animal welfare, and overall economic outcomes in broiler production. Despite its importance, uniformity is often overlooked in commercial settings, where production goals typically focus on maximizing average BW and overall flock performance rather than minimizing variation among individual birds. This review aims to summarize the diverse factors that affect flock uniformity in broilers. Under standard conditions between days 14 and 49, flock uniformity typically reaches approximately 90%. Both intrinsic factors, such as genetics, initial BW, age, sex, and rearing method, and extrinsic factors, including housing, management, and vaccination practices, have been shown to influence uniformity. Environmental and management challenges, such as heat stress, nutrient deficiencies, microbial infections, high stocking density, feed form, and mixed-sex rearing, can further reduce uniformity by 2.5–15%. These findings highlight the high sensitivity of flock uniformity to multiple stressors, which may interact rather than act independently. Moreover, these findings highlight the need to consider both baseline and challenging factors in broiler production and support the development of targeted management and environmental strategies to improve flock uniformity and enhance overall production efficiency. Full article

Livestock production in the high Andes is vital for rural livelihoods and food security but is limited by poor pasture quality, environmental variability, and restricted resources. Pasture improvement, achieved through management practices and particularly through fertilization, may enhance productivity and sustainability in high-Andean livestock systems. This study aimed to characterize mixed herds composed of domestic sheep (Ovis aries), alpacas (Vicugna pacos), llamas (Lama glama), and domestic cattle (Bos taurus) and to evaluate the role of pasture fertilization on herd composition and livestock size. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 88 randomly selected livestock producers, complemented by direct field observations of grazing areas, corrals, shelters, and water sources. The survey documented herd structure, grazing management, pasture conservation, fertilization practices, and farm infrastructure. Data from multiple farms were analyzed using a clustering approach to group production units with similar characteristics, and statistical models were applied to assess the effects of fertilization, pasture area, and water sources. Three distinct clusters were identified: one dominated by alpacas, another by sheep, and a third by llamas with the most uniform stocking density. Pasture fertilization was most common in the sheep-dominated cluster and was significantly associated with higher sheep numbers, while no significant effects were detected for alpacas, llamas, or cattle. Farms without fertilization showed slightly higher overall livestock size; however, a strong negative interaction between pasture area and lack of fertilization indicated that expanding grazing land alone could not offset low forage quality. These findings suggest that targeted fertilization, when combined with sustainable grazing practices, may contribute to improved herd performance and long-term resilience in heterogeneous Andean livestock systems. Full article

In rice and food processing, spray mixing plays an essential role, with radial distribution uniformity serving as a key metric for assessing mixing performance. However, noticeable variations in the radial migration behavior of brown rice particles can occur even at identical stirring-shaft speeds, and the underlying mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. To clarify the influence of stirring-shaft speed on radial particle mixing, this study employed the discrete element method (DEM) to numerically simulate particle motion under different stirring-shaft speeds. The DEM model was experimentally validated by comparing simulated and measured particle volume proportions and power consumption, thereby ensuring the reliability of the numerical predictions. The results indicate a critical stirring-shaft speed of 20 rpm. Below this threshold, mixing uniformity increases with speed; above it, further increases yield negligible improvement. Analysis of different radial regions shows that selecting an appropriate stirring-shaft speed can effectively improve the mixing homogeneity across layers. In addition, the diffusion behavior of particles in different layers was analyzed, revealing that the diffusion capacity of each layer increases with stirring-shaft speed. These findings offer theoretical support for the optimal design and parameter setting of spray mixing equipment for brown rice and related food products. Full article