Search Results (313)

Splashed droplets in the vacuum chamber play an important role in decarburization and degassing in Ruhrstahl–Heraeus (RH), but the scholars do not pay attention to the behaviors of splashed droplets. Thus, it is necessary to propose a new method to investigate the splashed droplets. A Euler–Euler model and the inter-phase momentum transfer are applied to investigate the interaction between the molten steel and the bubbles, and the gas domain in the vacuum chamber is included in the computational domain in order to describe the movement of the splashed droplets. Numerical results show that the flow field predicted by Euler–Euler model agrees well with the experimental data. There is a higher gas volume fraction near the up-snorkel wall, the “fountain” formed by the upward flow from the up-snorkel exceeds 0.1 m above the free surface, and the center of the vortex between the upward stream and the downward stream is closer to the upward stream in the vacuum chamber. Full article

Vanadium (V), molybdenum (Mo), and aluminum (Al) are important alloying elements in titanium alloys, typically introduced through master alloys such as V-Al and Mo-Al. Current preparation of these master alloys predominantly relies on the spontaneous reduction of V₂O₅ or MoO₃ by aluminum. However, separate production and addition of master alloys increase the cost of the titanium alloy. Insufficient understanding of the exothermic behavior and slag-forming process during the aluminothermic reaction often leads to low alloy yield and elevated impurity levels due to splashing and poor alloy–slag separation. This study focused on the controllable aluminothermic reaction of V₂O₅ and MoO₃ to produce high-quality and high-yield V/Al/Mo alloy. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that the reduction of MoO₃ to Mo by aluminum is more favorable than the reduction of V₂O₅ to V. Al% in the V-Al-Mo alloy is crucial for controlling reaction temperature. When the Al/O ratio in the raw materials exceeds 1.0, increasing aluminum reduces both the reaction exothermicity and theoretical reaction temperature. A combination of thermodynamic calculations and high-temperature experiments demonstrates that the heat generation and slag composition can be effectively controlled by Al/O ratio in raw materials. When the Al/O ratio in raw materials is 1.6–2.0, the yields of Mo and V exceed 99% and 95%, respectively. This study provides an effective approach to producing V/Al/Mo alloy under controllable conditions, which shows great potential for other aluminothermic reactions. Extensive solid solutions of V/Al/Mo also provide invaluable data for the optimization of the alloy database. Full article

Depression and obesity are comorbid conditions linked through shared neuroinflammatory and immune mechanisms. This study examined the effects of chronic cannabidiol (CBD) treatment on behavior and neuroinflammatory gene expression in female rats exposed to a combined model of high-fat diet (HFD) and unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Rats were subjected to an acute HFD for 2 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of UCMS. CBD (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle was administered during the final 2 weeks of UCMS. Specifically, mRNA levels of nuclear factor kappa B1 (NF-κB1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and IL-6 were measured in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and CA1. CBD’s effects varied depending on the type of stressor. It promoted coping behavior, increased locomotion, reduced freezing, and restored UCMS-induced depressive-like behavior in a splash test. In the vmPFC, CBD normalized the HFD- and UCMS-induced increase in il1β, and downregulated nfkb1 and tnfa expression. In the CA1, it normalized stress-induced downregulation in nfkb1 expression. These findings suggest that the efficacy of CBD in modulating both behavior and neuroinflammation is contingent upon the nature of the stress exposure, highlighting its potential as a targeted treatment for stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders in females. Full article

Landslide-induced impulse waves (LIIWs) are significant natural hazards, frequently occurring in mountain reservoirs, which threaten the safety of waterways and dam project. To predict the impact of impulse waves induced by Rongsong (RS) potential landslide on the dam, during the layered construction period and maximum water level operation period of Rumei (RM) Dam (unbuilt), a large-scale three-dimensional similar physical model with a similarity scale of 200:1 (prototype length to model length) was established. The experiments set five water levels during the dam’s layered construction period and recorded and analyzed the generation and propagation laws of LIIWs. The findings indicate that, for partially granular submerged landslides, no splashing waves are generated, and the waveform of the first wave remains intact. The amplitude of the first wave exhibits stable attenuation while the third one reaches the largest. After the first three columns of impulse waves, water on the dam surface oscillates between the two banks. This study specifically discusses the impact of different water depths on LIIWs. The results show that the wave height increases as the water depth decreases. Two empirical formulas to calculate the wave attenuation at the generation area and to calculate the maximum vertical run-up height on the dam surface were derived, showing strong agreement between the empirical formulas and experimental values. Based on the model experiment results, the wave height data in front of the RM dam during the construction and operation periods of the RM reservoir were predicted, and engineering suggestions were given for the safety height of the cofferdam during the construction and security measures to prevent LIIW overflow the dam top during the operation periods of the RM dam. Full article

Almond anthracnose, primarily caused by Colletotrichum godetiae, severely affects intensively irrigated almond orchards. This polyphagous pathogen is dispersed among plants by rain splashes. Consequently, weeds may contribute to the survival and dispersal of the inoculum during the almond tree’s dormant period. This study investigated how C. godetiae interacts with plants from various species in the spontaneous flora of almond orchards and how these plant species may influence the maintenance and spread of inoculum and the disease. After inoculating a collection of plants with C. godetiae conidia, it was observed that the fungus can cause symptoms and signs on Lathyrus tingitanus and on Trifolium pratense and act as an epiphyte with the ability to maintain and multiply conidia on Conyza canadensis, Medicago orbicularis, Polygonum aviculare, Scorpiurus sulcatus, Taraxacum officinale, and Trifolium vesiculosum, thus contributing to the survival and multiplication of the inoculum. Conidia germinated and produced appressoria on Andryala integrifolia, Cichorium intybus, Medicago polymorpha, Medicago sativa, Torilis arvensis, Picris echioides, and Rumex pulcher, but no further development was detected, suggesting that these plants may limit the spread of the pathogen. A better understanding of the susceptibility of almond orchard flora will support optimized vegetation management to reduce inoculum reservoirs. Full article

The construction and operation of high dam projects at high altitudes have led to concerns about the effectiveness of flood discharge security predictions resulting from the greater flood discharge atomized rain caused by ambient pressure reduction. In this study, self-similar characteristics and variation in atomized raindrop size distributions are analyzed to understand the phenomenon of increased atomized rain intensity under low ambient pressure from a mesoscopic scale. The monographic experiments are characterized by a low ambient pressure range (0.66P₀–1.02P₀) and a high waterjet velocity range (13.89–15.74 m/s). When the ambient pressure decreases by 0.10P₀ (P₀ = 101.325 kPa) from the reference atmospheric pressure condition as the other conditions remain fixed, the total number concentration in a two-dimensional atomized raindrop spectrum (number/(54 cm²)) and the peak value of the individual three-dimensional number concentration (number/(m³·mm) increase, which can lead to the required industry standard protective level of atomized zones increasing by one level in some cases. In addition, the spectrum trend and typical particle size ranges of the atomized raindrop size distributions present self-similarity as the ambient pressure decreases. The above studies further confirm the effects of low-ambient pressure enhancement on flood discharge atomized rain intensity, which can provide a theoretical basis for the development of random splash simulation models characterized by low pressure for high-altitude hydropower stations. Full article

A prerequisite for the efficient utilization of water and fertilizer in the traditional ridge farming model in the black soil region of Northeast China is the precise elucidation of the small-scale temporal and spatial characteristics of rainfall infiltration and redistribution. However, the existing research findings have yet to fully satisfy this requirement. To investigate soil water infiltration and redistribution at different positions (ridge bed, ridge side, and furrow) before ridge closure in ridge-furrow crops within the black soil regions of Northeast China, indoor simulation experiments and field natural rainfall monitoring were conducted. The indoor test involved rainfall settings of 12, 16, 20, 24, and 30 mm with a rain intensity of 90 mm/h. Field monitoring recorded a natural rainfall intensity of 56 mm/h lasting 22.5 min, with cumulative rainfall reaching 21 mm (randomly measured), to analyze the process of soil water movement post-rainfall. Results indicated that under conventional ridge planting in black soil areas, prior to ridge bed coverage, the infiltration amounts for ridge bed, ridge side, and furrow under 16 mm rainfall conditions equaled the rainfall itself, with ratios close to 1:1:1, showing no significant redistribution of precipitation during infiltration. For rainfall levels of 20 mm, 24 mm, and 30 mm, the ratios of infiltration to rainfall at the ridge bed, ridge side, and furrow positions were 0.92:1.03:1.04, 0.90:1.03:1.06, and 0.89:1.04:1.09, respectively. When rainfall exceeded 20 mm, the infiltration-to-rainfall ratio was approximately 0.9 and 1.04, respectively. Approximately 10% of the rainfall on the ridge platform migrated to the ridge side via splash and runoff, increasing the water volume at the ridge side by about 4%. For rainfall less than 24 mm, the ridge bed, ridge side, and furrow reached a stable state after approximately 50 min of infiltration and redistribution. For rainfall between 24 mm and 30 mm, the ridge platform stabilized within 50 min, whereas the ridge side and furrow required longer stabilization times. These findings elucidate the spatial variation laws of small-scale rainfall infiltration, providing insights for enhancing soil water and fertilizer utilization efficiency. Full article

Electrostatic droplets can enhance deposition on target leaves. To comprehensively investigate the main factors affecting droplet adhesion and splashing after electrostatic droplet impact on pepper leaves, a specialized experimental platform was developed to capture the impact behavior of charged droplets on pepper leaves. The following four variables were examined: the applied voltage of the electrode ring, droplet size, impact velocity, and the relative distance from the impact point to the leaf tip (expressed as a percentage of the total leaf length). The results showed that all four factors had significant effects on droplet adhesion. The effect sizes (partial η²) of the four factors, in descending order, were impact velocity (0.935), applied voltage (0.907), impact position (0.895), and droplet size (0.505). Compared with non-electrostatic droplets, the increase in the maximum spreading factor of charged droplets was positively correlated with droplet size, impact velocity, and applied voltage but showed no significant correlation with the relative distance to the leaf tip. The critical velocity for splashing of electrostatic droplets decreased to a certain extent but increased with higher applied voltages. The influence of the four factors on droplet splashing decreases in the following order: impact velocity (odds ratio ≫ 1), charging voltage (odds ratio = 1.246), droplet size (odds ratio = 1.023), and impact position (odds ratio < 1). Among these, impact velocity has the most significant effect on splashing behavior. This study reveals the adhesion and splashing mechanisms of electrostatic droplets on flexible pepper leaves, providing theoretical support for the design of electrostatic spraying systems and the selection of operational parameters. The findings offer a scientific basis for optimizing droplet deposition, minimizing splash losses, and improving application efficiency in precision spraying. Full article

Steel pipes, while essential for modern infrastructure due to their high strength and load-bearing capacity, are prone to corrosion in the marine environment, leading to material degradation, compromised structural integrity, and elevated safety risks and economic losses. In this study, distributed fiber-optic sensors were deployed on steel pipe surfaces to monitor corrosion in the splash zone (a region particularly vulnerable to cyclic wet–dry conditions). The sensors were engineered to withstand aggressive marine exposure. Strain variations induced by expansive corrosion products were detected via the fiber-optic array and used to calculate localized mass loss. Color-coded corrosion severity maps were generated to visualize the non-uniform corrosion distribution. Experimental results demonstrate that sensor-derived mass loss values align with 3D laser scanning measurements, validating the operational efficacy of distributed fiber-optic sensing for marine corrosion monitoring. This approach provides quantitative insights into the field applicability of optical sensing in structural health monitoring. Full article

This paper investigates the special phenomenon that the practical immersed depth of a spiral bevel gear as the driving gear under splash lubrication is significantly less than the static depth. To quantify the practical immersion depth, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach integrated with image processing techniques is utilized to determine the dynamic immersion depth and the associated churning power loss. First, a theoretical method is developed to estimate the churning losses of the bevel gear by replacing the static immersion depth with the practical dynamic immersion depth. Subsequently, the CFD method, which incorporates the overset mesh technique and the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method, is employed to simulate the gear churning phenomenon. Meanwhile, the dynamic immersion depth is determined through image processing techniques that analyze the oil distribution characteristics in the splash-lubricated bevel gear. Finally, experimental results obtained from a dedicated lubrication test rig are favorably compared with the numerical results, confirming that the practical dynamic immersion depth is an accurate and effective parameter for calculating power losses. Full article

The deposition of spray droplets is a critical topic in plant protection. The air-induction nozzle is believed to mitigate spray drift by producing bubble-containing droplets. However, research on the deposition of bubble-containing droplets is limited. In this study, the deposition process of bubble-containing droplets was investigated using high-speed photomicrography. Three typical pesticide solutions, oil-based emulsions, suspensions, and aqueous solutions were used to produce bubble-containing droplets. Both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces were used as deposition targets. The results indicate that the deposition of bubble-containing droplets can generate a central jet resembling the Worthington jet. All three solutions reduced liquid surface tension, thereby increasing the maximum spreading diameter of bubble-containing droplets. On hydrophilic surfaces, a functional curve describing the maximum spreading factor was fitted based on the dimensionless Weber number (We), expressed as $f_{\max }=0.04{\mathrm{We}}^{0.508}+3.21$. On hydrophobic leaves, the dynamic evolution and retention effects of bubble-containing droplets were analyzed. Suspensions and aqueous solutions exhibited droplet rebound, while oil-based emulsions transitioned from rebound (0–0.2% concentration) to adhesion (0.4–0.8% concentration), with 0.4% identified as the critical concentration for this rebound-to-adhesion transition. Morphological variations during deposition, including rebound, splashing, and fragmentation, were also observed across different solution concentrations. Full article

The research focuses on the management of oxygen lance copper tip rotation to mitigate wear on the MgO–C refractory lining in the basic oxygen furnace (BOF). This study investigates the continuous increase in the consumption of gunning mixture throughout the BOF campaign, particularly in the trunnion area. Clear trends in refractory thickness reduction were observed, with two significant wear phases identified: between heats 1000–7000 and between heats 11,000–16,000. These phases correlate with increased gunning mixture consumption. The most significant wear was found between 4–5.2 m height, known as the trunnion area. The study proposes turning of the oxygen lance copper tip (jet) during its replacement to distribute refractory lining wear more evenly and reduce gunning mixture consumption. A detailed analysis of the gunning mixture consumption during whole campaign as well as laser measurements of the working lining profile confirmed localized wear in areas of the trunnions that were excessively exposed by the direct impact of the pure oxygen jet stream and the sprayed and spitted emulsion of molten metal and slag. This position management strategy, coupled with slag splashing and high-basic slag coating, can reduce trunnion area gunning mixture usage and promote uniform MgO–C lining wear. Full article

To compare the use of postoperative analgesia for mastectomy, 44 dogs were randomly allocated to either the Splash treatment group (group A) or the Transverse Abdominis Plane block treatment group (TAP, group B). Following intramuscular (IM) premedication with pethidine (4 mg kg⁻¹) and acepromazine (0.01 mg kg⁻¹), anesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) propofol and maintained with isoflurane by an anesthetist (DC) who was unaware of the treatment. In group A, ropivacaine 0.5% (2 mg kg⁻¹) was administered prior to surgical wound closure. In group B, ropivacaine 0.5% (0.8–1 mg kg⁻¹ per point) was administered by ultrasound-guided TAP block with two injection points per treated body side. At the end of the surgery, all dogs received pethidine (4 mg kg⁻¹ IM), meloxicam (0.2 mg kg⁻¹ IV), and acepromazine (0.005 mg kg⁻¹ IV). The animals’ pain was assessed by the anesthetist, who remained unaware of the treatment type used, via the Short Form of the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale. When the pain scores were ≥6, methadone (0.2 mg kg⁻¹ IV) and gabapentin (10 mg kg⁻¹ per oral) were started. When the pain score remained ≥ 6, ketamine (1 mg kg⁻¹ subcutaneously) was administered. The dogs in the TAP block group had lower postoperative pain scores 3–12 h after anesthesia administration was terminated and required significantly less rescue analgesia. Full article

Air-assisted spraying is vital in modern orchard pest management by enhancing droplet penetration and coverage on complex canopies. However, the interaction between airflow, droplets, and flexible foliage remains unclear, limiting spray efficiency and environmental sustainability. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding leaf motion dynamics in wind and droplet fields and their impact on pesticide deposition. First, we review orchard spraying technologies, focusing on air-assisted systems and their contribution to more uniform coverage. Next, we analyze mechanisms of droplet deposition within canopies, highlighting how wind characteristics, droplet size, and canopy structure influence pesticide distribution. Special attention is given to leaf aerodynamic responses, including bending, vibration, and transient deformation induced by wind and droplet impacts. Experimental and simulation studies reveal how leaf motion affects droplet retention, spreading, and secondary splashing. The limitations of static boundary models in deposition simulations are discussed, along with the potential of fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models. Future directions include integrated leaf-droplet experiments, intelligent airflow control, and incorporating plant biomechanics into precision spraying. Understanding leaf motion in spray environments is key to enhancing orchard spraying efficiency, precision, and sustainability. Full article

In additive manufacturing processes, the metal melt pool is decisive for processing quality. A single sensor is incapable of fully capturing its physical characteristics and is prone to data inaccuracies. This study proposes a multi-sensor monitoring solution integrating an off-axis infrared thermal camera with an on-axis high-speed camera to address this issue; a multi-source data pre-processing procedure has been designed, a multi-source data fusion method based on video frame interpolation has been developed, and a self-supervised training strategy based on transfer learning has been introduced. Experimental results indicate that the proposed data fusion method can eliminate temperature anomalies caused by single emissivity and droplet splashing, generating highly credible fused data and significantly enhancing the stability of metal additive manufacturing and the quality of parts. Full article