Substitute materials of furfuryl alcohol in furan resin used for foundry and their technical properties

Based on a special synthesis process of furan resin,the furfuryl alcohol(FA),the main component of typical no-bake furan resins is substituted by ethanol and xylitol mother liquor which is relatively low price and chemically active.Through orthogonal test,the optimal amount of xylitol liquor,ethanol and modifier has been determined.Finally,the test results on technical properties show that the performance can meet the production requirement well,which indicate a success in this substituting attempt.

Classification and technical target of water electrolysis for hydrogen production

Continuous efforts are underway to reduce carbon emissions worldwide in response to global climate change.Water electrolysis technology,in conjunction with renewable energy,is considered the most feasible hydrogen production technology based on the viable possibility of large-scale hydrogen production and the zero-carbon-emission nature of the process.However,for hydrogen produced via water electrolysis systems to be utilized in various fields in practice,the unit cost of hydrogen production must be reduced to$1/kg H_(2).To achieve this unit cost,technical targets for water electrolysis have been suggested regarding components in the system.In this paper,the types of water electrolysis systems and the limitations of water electrolysis system components are explained.We suggest guideline with recent trend for achieving this technical target and insights for the potential utilization of water electrolysis technology.

Technical efficiency of cocoa farms at varying elevation levels in Davao City, Philippines: implications to sustainable upland farming systems

Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa farms using cross-sectional data from areas ranging from 190 to 1021 m above sea level which were classified as low, medium, and high elevation in Davao City, considered as the chocolate capital of the Philippines. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the results showed that the cost of inputs per ha and the number of cocoa trees per ha significantly increase yield. Farms at high elevations were less technically efficient, as this entails lower temperatures and increased rainfall, and cocoa farming in those areas and conditions can be more challenging, especially with changes in farming practices, terrain, and distance to markets. Other significant variables were age of cocoa farms, married farmers, and age of the farmers. Older farms may be more developed, farmers who are married benefit from their spouses being able to readily contribute as farm labor, and lastly, older farmers' inefficiency may likely stem from nonadaptation of newer farming practices. With an average technical efficiency of 0.61, 0.63, and 0.26 in low, medium, and high elevation areas, respectively, farmers therefore have an incentive to improve farm practices and consider topographical variations found in high elevation areas. Recommendations for the improvement of technical efficiency of cocoa farms are better connectivity to markets, enhancing farm practices, and continuation and improvement of government programs on cocoa with an added emphasis on research. For farmers in high elevation areas, mitigating solutions such as sustainable agriculture practices and ecolabelling are key to improving efficiency and minimizing the potential negative impact on upland farming systems. Moreover, such adaptation measures may also contribute to sustainability of cocoa farming in high elevation areas.

Construction of a nomogram model to predict technical difficulty in performing laparoscopic sphincter-preserving radical resection for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal surgeons are well aware that performing surgery for rectal cancer becomes more challenging in obese patients with narrow and deep pelvic cavities.Therefore,it is essential for colorectal surgeons to have a comprehensive understanding of pelvic structure prior to surgery and anticipate potential surgical difficulties.AIM To evaluate predictive parameters for technical challenges encountered during laparoscopic radical sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer.METHODS We retrospectively gathered data from 162 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic radical sphincterpreserving surgery for rectal cancer.Three-dimensional reconstruction of pelvic bone and soft tissue parameters was conducted using computed tomography(CT)scans.Operative difficulty was categorized as either high or low,and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify predictors of operative difficulty,ultimately creating a nomogram.RESULTS Out of 162 patients,21(13.0%)were classified in the high surgical difficulty group,while 141(87.0%)were in the low surgical difficulty group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the surgical approach using laparoscopic intersphincteric dissection,intraoperative preventive ostomy,and the sacrococcygeal distance were independent risk factors for highly difficult laparoscopic radical sphincter-sparing surgery for rectal cancer(P<0.05).Conversely,the anterior-posterior diameter of pelvic inlet/sacrococcygeal distance was identified as a protective factor(P<0.05).A nomogram was subsequently constructed,demonstrating good predictive accuracy(C-index=0.834).CONCLUSION The surgical approach,intraoperative preventive ostomy,the sacrococcygeal distance,and the anterior-posterior diameter of pelvic inlet/sacrococcygeal distance could help to predict the difficulty of laparoscopic radical sphincter-preserving surgery.

Productivity and technical efficiency of Robusta coffee farms at varying elevation categories in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines: implications on sustainability

Elevation can affect agricultural outputs,affecting farms’productivity and efficiency.This article identified the significant production inputs influencing productivity and factors influencing technical efficiency(TE)and determined the average TE scores of Robusta coffee farms at varying elevations in Sultan Kudarat,Philippines.Cross-sectional data from the Mahintana Foundation,Inc.using random stratified sampling and power analysis from September 9,2021,to January 13,2022,were used to analyze 604 farms from areas ranging from 0.33 to 1284.18 above mean sea level(amsl),classified as low,medium,and high elevation.Open-Data-Kit-based(ODK)mobile data collection systems were utilized to precisely determine the farms’coordinates and elevation.Using stochastic frontier analysis,results showed that increasing the total fertilizer amount and total trees by 1%significantly increased yield by 0.20%and 0.79%,respectively.Meanwhile,increasing the total land area by 1%,including areas unutilized for coffee farming,decreases total yield by 0.11%.Regarding TE,results showed that TE decreases by approximately 0.58%at high elevations.Meanwhile,increasing net income from coffee farming alone by 1%significantly increases TE by 0.00008%.With an average TE of 0.60,0.77,and 0.63 in low,medium,and high elevations,farms may be incentivized to improve farming practices to increase their TE further.TE improvement recommendations include promoting coffee-agroforestry systems and ecolabelling at medium elevations,such as shade-grown coffee,to promote sustainable production in Robusta coffee farms by assigning a premium to consumers demanding environmental conservation.

Adhesion of Technical Lignin-Based Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Adhesives for Wood Bonding

Lignin is the most abundant aromatic natural polymer,and receiving great attention in replacing various petro-leum-based polymers.The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of technical lignin as a polyol for the synthesis of non-isocyanate polyurethane(NIPU)adhesives to substitute current polyurethane(PU)adhesives that have been synthesized with toxic isocyanate and polyols.Crude hardwood kraft lignin(C-HKL)was extracted from black liquor from a pulp mill followed by acetone fractionation to obtain acetone soluble-HKL(AS-HKL).Then,C-HKL,AS-HKL,and softwood sodium lignosulfonate(LS)were used for the synthesis of technical lignin-based NIPU adhesives through carbonation and polyamination and silane as a cross-linker.Their adhesion per-formance was determined for plywood.FTIR spectra showed the formation of urethane bonds and the reaction between lignin and silane.The NIPU adhesives prepared with C-HKL showed the highest adhesion strength among the three lignin-based NIPU adhesives.As the silane addition level increased,the adhesion strength of NIPU adhesives increased whereas formaldehyde emission decreased for all NIPU adhesives prepared.These results indicate that NIPU adhesives based on technical kraft lignin have a great potential as polyol for the synth-esis of bio-based NIPU adhesives for wood bonding.

Performance in the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery: Does it reflect global rating scales in the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills in porcine laparoscopic surgery?

Objective:To correlate the utility of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery(FLS)manual skills program with the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills(OSATS)global rating scale in evaluating operative performance.Methods:The Asian Urological Surgery Training and Educational Group(AUSTEG)Laparoscopic Upper Tract Surgery Course implemented and validated the FLS program for its usage in laparoscopic surgical training.Delegates’basic laparoscopic skills were assessed using three different training models(peg transfer,precision cutting,and intra-corporeal suturing).They also performed live porcine laparoscopic surgery at the same workshop.Live surgery skills were assessed by blinded faculty using the OSATS rating scale.Results:From March 2016 to March 2019,a total of 81 certified urologists participated in the course,with a median of 5 years of post-residency experience.Although differences in task time did not reach statistical significance,those with more surgical experience were visibly faster at completing the peg transfer and intra-corporeal suturing FLS tasks.However,they took longer to complete the precision cutting task than participants with less experience.Overall OSATS scores correlated weakly with all three FLS tasks(peg transfer time:r=0.331,r^(2)=0.110;precision cutting time:r=0.240,r^(2)=0.058;suturing with intracorporeal knot time:r=0.451,r^(2)=0.203).Conclusion:FLS task parameters did not correlate strongly with OSATS globing rating scale performance.Although FLS task models demonstrated strong validity,it is important to assimilate the inconsistencies when benchmarking technical proficiency against real-life operative competence,as evaluated by FLS and OSATS,respectively.

Evaluating the technical and economic aspects of thermal performance of extensive green roofs:A GIS-based case study in the urban setting of Na dor,Morocco

The increasing demand for green spaces in cities underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to reduce the ecological impact of urban areas.This research focuses on converting unused rooftops into extensive green roofs in Nador,Morocco,offering an innovative approach to enhancing outdoor thermal comfort in this region.Several advanced techniques were used,including photogrammetric restitution(for creating land use maps),integration of light detection and ranging data(for three-dimensional urban modeling),and meteorological data collection(for modeling urban climate conditions).The urban-multiscale-environmental-predictor solar and longwave environmental irradiance geometry(UMEP-SOLWEIG)model was crucial for precisely evaluating the thermal performance of green roofs and their influence on urban microclimates.This model considers considered various parameters,such as the sky view factor,wall height and aspect,and shading conditions,for accurate,comprehensive analysis.Additionally,for accurate,comprehensive analysis,a comparative evaluation was performed between the UMEP-SOLWEIG and ENVI-met models to assess the UMEP SOLWEIG results.The findings were notable,demonstrating a substantial reduction(averaging over 3°C)in the mean radiant temperature on 60%of rooftops,covering 55%of the total surface area.This highlighted the effectiveness of green roofs in improving outdoor thermal comfort.Furthermore,green roofs were closely associated with reductions in air-conditioning energy consumption,with considerable reductions ranging from 17.53%to 43.82%.These savings translated to estimated financial benefits ranging from USD 1.63-4.07 million.These figures clearly verified the notable economic impact of green roofs despite their initially high costs(approximately USD 84.44 million).These potential long-term savings indicated that these investments are financially viable in the long run.The collected data were used to create thermal maps of the area using geographic-information-system tools.A thermal cadaster specific to green roofs was also developed,accessible online through Web mapping.Overall,this approach facilitates decision-making in urban planning by providing visual information on thermal variations,thereby aiding in the precise planning of measures against urban heat and promoting the use of green roofs to reduce environmental impact.

A Comparative Study of Artificial Intelligence and Translation Software in Chinese-English Translation:A Focus on Literary and Technical Texts

In recent years,the domain of machine translation has experienced remarkable growth,particularly with the emergence of neural machine translation,which has significantly enhanced both the accuracy and fluency of translation.At the same time,AI also showed its tremendous advancement,with its capabilities now extending to assisting users in a multitude of tasks,including translation,garnering attention across various sectors.In this paper,the author selects representative sentences from both literary and scientific texts,and translates them using two translation software and two AI tools for comparison.The results show that all four translation tools are very efficient and can help with simple translation tasks.However,the accuracy of terminology needs to be improved,and it is difficult to make adjustments based on the characteristics of the target language.It is worth mentioning that one of the advantages of AI is its interactivity,which allows it to modify the translation according to the translator’s needs.

Analysis of the Impact of Technical Trade Barriers on the Export of Toys-Based on Analysis of Zhejiang,China

Technical barriers to trade,as a non-tariff barrier,have an increasing impact on the international market.As a major province in toy exports,Zhejiang Province’s toy export trade is therefore greatly hindered.This article aims to explore the impact of technical trade barriers on toy exports in Zhejiang Province and analyze countermeasures.Through literature review and some empirical analysis,it is found that technical trade barriers have greatly promoted the development of Zhejiang’s toy industry;however,they have also subjected it to impacts and pressures such as cost and technology.In response to the impact of technical trade barriers on toy exports,this article proposes corresponding countermeasures to avoid such barriers:firstly,establish a quality management system that complies with export product regulations to ensure that the products produced can meet international requirements and standards;secondly,reduce dependence on overseas markets;then enhance one’s own technology,and strengthen product innovation,in order to enhance the international competitiveness of the product and oneself;in addition,we should also explore diversified markets and expand the sales channels and coverage of our products.

Telecommunications and Energy Infrastructure Sharing: Technical and Socio-Economic Impact Analysis in a Multi-Operator Environment in Burundi

The sharing of telecommunications infrastructure and power supply equipment is currently an applicable and very common model for grouping signal transmission and reception equipment and their power supply on the same site to ensure coverage of fixed, mobile, Internet and radio and television broadcasting networks. This study consists of producing an inventory of telecommunications and energy infrastructure sharing, focusing on the one hand on analyzing the impacts of active and passive sharing of telecommunications infrastructure from a technical point of view, particularly in terms of legal framework, deployment, coverage and exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and on the other hand on identifying the effects of infrastructure sharing from a socio-economic point of view in a multi-operator mobile telephony environment, by indicating the economic value of the revenue generated as a result of infrastructure sharing. Finally, the results will contribute to identify strategies for ensuring maximum deployment and coverage of the country, and for developing the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector in order to contribute to the digital transformation by digitising services using mobile telephony and the Internet in Burundi.

Analysis of Technical Intelligence of Tumor Cell Therapy Based on Patent Map

Objective To analyze the technical information in the field of tumor cell therapy in China,and to provide reference for identifying technical trends and predicting technical opportunities.Methods Based on the patent data in the field of tumor cell therapy in China,the patent map method was used to construct a scientific technical information analysis model.Then,the technical status of new drug research and development in this field was explored to identify technical opportunities.Results and Conclusion Studies have found that China’s tumor immunotherapy is in the growth stage.The technical innovation regions are mainly distributed in the east and innovative entities are enterprises.Technology hotspots are concentrated in areas such as A61P35,C12N5,and the patented technical efficacy is high.Besides,the technical research and development opportunities identified are closely related to the background in this field.To better promote the development of the industry,enterprises and research institutions should strengthen cooperation in technological innovation Meanwhile,they should pay attention to technical efficacy analysis to identify more technical opportunities,thereby effectively guiding innovation strategic decisions.

Analysis of the Gravity-1 Sea Launch System and Technical Features

Sea launch has the characteristics of flexible launching points, high landing area safety, and good economy. In recent years, it has become one of the important launch methods. Since 2019, China has carried out a total of 11 successful sea launches. The Gravity-1(YL-1) sea launch system consists of a launch vehicle system and a sea launch platform. The sea launch program includes roll on/roll off boarding, sea mooring, sea maneuvering, anchoring and positioning, system testing, and formal launch. Through the maiden flight of YL-1, the design and manufacturing technology of large tonnage dedicated launch ship, launch vehicle vertical transfer and roll on/roll off boarding technology, anti-shake technology for sea launch, simple inflatable flexible insulation protective cover technology, and remote wireless measurement and control technology have been fully verified.

ISO Certification and Technical Efficiency in the Banking Sector:An Evidence from WAEMU’s Countries Using the DEA Method

In the view of the international organization of standardization,the introduction of ISO standards is typical of quality management systems oriented towards strengthening the efficiency of enterprises.Business banks are not excluded from this requirement.The current study aims to evaluate the effect of ISO certification on the technical performance of WAEMU banks.Using BCEAO data(2020),the DEA model and Tobit estimates show that ISO certification has no effect on the efficiency scores of the banks in the sample.It is therefore appropriate for these banks to work on improving their business climate.

Study of the Evolution of Properties of Concrete Containing Used Tire Aggregates

Concrete is generally composed of cement, water, gravel, and sand. However, some research focuses on substituting aggregates with waste materials. In this study, used tires are used as a substitute for gravel. Characteristics such as tensile strength, compressive strength, and porosity were monitored at 7, 14, and 28 days of maturation. The results show that aggregates made from used tires are suitable for concrete production and can replace natural gravel. Regarding the formed concrete, low substitution rates lead to improved concrete properties, but only at an early age. A reaction between the cement and rubber could be the underlying cause. Additionally, the products of this reaction may mitigate the evolution of the compressive strength of the concrete over time.

The Application of Reinforcement Theory in the Review Stage of English Teaching and Learning in Chinese Higher Vocational and Technical Colleges

Reinforcement theory is a behavioral psychology theory proposed by Skinner,which has been widely applied in various fields such as management and education.Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement are the two types of reinforcement.By adopting these two different reinforcement methods appropriately,human behavior can develop in a positive direction.In the review stage of English teaching and learning in Chinese higher vocational and technical colleges,the use of different reinforcement methods based on various classes,individuals,conditions,and environments can effectively promote or change the behavior of teachers and students,thereby improving the effectiveness of the review.

Measurement of the Level of Knowledge of the Sands Used in Constructions in Togo

Faced with the proliferation of quarries extracting silty sand and river sand used in the building and public works sector in Togo, recognition of the granular properties of these materials remains a major challenge for builders. This study aims to take stock of the use of sand in construction in Togo. One hundred and eighteen (118) sand quarries in operation, including thirty-eight (38) silty sand quarries and eighty (80) river sand quarries, were identified following surveys carried out among stakeholders involved in the chain of construction on 40% of the national territory. It appears from these surveys that river sands (59.43% to 84.68%) are prioritized over silty sands (15.32% to 40.57%). Three (3) main reasons are behind the choice of sand type;namely, proximity (28%), cleanliness (25%), good appearance (25%). These three (03) reasons partly explain the strong dependence of users on the sands located in their vicinity as well as the related expenses. Thus, making data available on the characteristics of sand, the materials most used in construction in Togo, would contribute to improving the housing conditions of the Togolese population. .

Study of The Technical Index of Online Learning Behavior Analysis of Nursing Majors on The Superstar Platform Based on The Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model

Objective:To analyze the technical indexes of students’online learning behavior analysis based on Kirkman’s evaluation model,sort out the basic indexes of online learning behavior,and extract scientific and efficient evaluation indexes of online learning effect through statistical analysis.Methods:The online learning behavior data of Physiology of nursing students from 2021-2023 and the first semester of 22 nursing classes(3 and 4)were collected and analyzed.The preset learning behavior indexes were analyzed by multi-dimensional analysis and a correlation analysis was conducted between the indexes and the final examination scores to screen for the dominant important indexes for online learning effect evaluation.Results:The study found that the demand for online learning of nursing students from 2021-2023 increased and the effect was statistically significant.Compared with the stage assessment results,the online learning effect was statistically significant.Conclusion:The main indicators for evaluating and classifying online learning behaviors were summarized.These two indicators can help teachers predict which part of students need learning intervention,optimize the teaching process,and help students improve their learning behavior and academic performance.

Research on the Path of Cultivating High-Level Technical and Skilled Talents in Vocational Undergraduate Colleges and Universities

This paper explores strategies to cultivate high-level technical talents in vocational undergraduate colleges by analyzing their development,the essence of such talents,and proposing several key measures.Strategies include optimizing professional settings and curricula,enhancing school-enterprise cooperation and the integration of industry-university-research,improving teaching staff quality and educational standards,and expanding international cooperation.The importance of policy support and funding and establishing robust quality assurance systems is emphasized for effectively cultivating skilled talents in vocational undergraduate colleges.

Discussion on the Application of Technical and Tactical Skills in Mixed Martial Arts Competitions

This article mainly analyzes the application of technical and tactical skills in mixed martial arts competitions,including mixed martial arts and its competition characteristics,the main application significance of technical and tactical skills in mixed martial arts competitions,and its primary application strategies.It is hoped that this analysis can provide some guidelines for the appropriate application of mixed martial arts athletes’technical and tactical skills to improve their winning rate in mixed martial arts competitions.