Experimental Study of Local Scour Around Four Piles Under Different Attack Angles and Gap Ratios

In an effort to investigate and quantify the patterns of local scour,researchers embarked on an in-depth study using a systematic experimental approach.The research focused on the effects of local scour around a set of four piles,each subjected to different hydromechanical conditions.In particular,this study aimed to determine how different attack angles—the angles at which the water flow impinges on the piles,and gap ratios—the ratios of the spacing between the piles to their diameters,influence the extent and nature of scour.A comprehensive series of 35 carefully designed experiments were orchestrated,each designed to dissect the nuances in how the gap ratio and attack angle might contribute to changes in the local scour observed at the base of pile groups.During these experimental trials,a wealth of local scour data were collected to support the analysis.These data included precise topographic profiles of the sediment bed around the pile groups,as well as detailed scour time histories showing the evolution of scour at strategic feature points throughout the test procedure.The analysis of the experimental data provided interesting insights.The study revealed that the interplay between the gap ratio and the attack angle had a pronounced influence on the scouring dynamics of the pile groups.One of the key observations was that the initial phases of scour,particularly within the first hour of water flow exposure,were characterized by a sharp increase in the scour depth occurring immediately in front of the piles.After this initial rapid development,the scour depth transitioned to a more gradual change rate.In contrast,the scour topography around the piles continuously evolved.This suggests that sediment displacement and the associated sculpting of the seabed around pile foundations are sustained and progressive processes,altering the underwater landscape over time.The results of this empirical investigation have significant implications for the design and construction of offshore multi-pile foundations,providing a critical reference for engineers and designers to estimate the expected scour depth around such structures,which is an integral part of decisions regarding foundation design,selection of structural materials,and implementation of scour protection measures.

Isotopic dependence of the yield ratios of light fragments from different projectiles and their unified neutron skin thicknesses

The yield ratios of neutron-proton(R(n/p))and^(3)H-^(3)He(R(^(3)H∕^(3)He))with reduced rapidity from 0 to 0.5 were simulated at 50 MeV/u even-even ^(36−56)Ca+^(40)Ca,even-even ^(48−78)Ni+^(58)Ni,and ^(100−139)Sn(every third isotopes)+112 Sn for full reduced impact parameters using the isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics(IQMD)model.The neutron and proton density distributions and root-mean-square radii of the reaction systems were obtained using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model,which was used for the phase space initialization of the projectile and target in IQMD.We defined the unified neutron skin thickness asΔRnp=<r^(2)>^(1∕2) n−<r^(2)>^(1∕2)p,which was negative for neutron-deficient nuclei.The unifiedΔRnp values for nuclei with the same relative neutron excess from different isotopic chains were nearly equal,except for extreme neutron-rich isotopes,which is a type of scaling behavior.The yield ratios of the three isotopic chain-induced reactions,which depended on the reduced impact parameter and unified neutron skin thickness,were studied.The results showed that both R(n/p)and R(^(3)H∕^(3)He)decreased with a reduced impact parameter for extreme neutron-deficient isotopes;however,they increased with reduced impact parameters for extreme neutron-rich isotopes,and increased with theΔRnp of the projectiles for all reduced impact parameters.In addition,a scaling phenomenon was observed betweenΔR np and the yield ratios in peripheral colli-sions from different isotopic chain projectiles(except for extreme neutron-rich isotopes).Thus,R(n/p)and R(^(3)H∕^(3)He)from peripheral collisions were suggested as experimental probes for extracting the neutron or proton skin thicknesses of non-extreme neutron-rich nuclei from different isotopic chains.

Using Pearson’s System of Curves to Approximate the Distributions of the Difference between Two Correlated Estimates of Signal-to-Noise Ratios: The Cases of Bivariate Normal and Bivariate Lognormal Distributions

Background: The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is recognized as an index of measurements reproducibility. We derive the maximum likelihood estimators of SNR and discuss confidence interval construction on the difference between two correlated SNRs when the readings are from bivariate normal and bivariate lognormal distribution. We use the Pearsons system of curves to approximate the difference between the two estimates and use the bootstrap methods to validate the approximate distributions of the statistic of interest. Methods: The paper uses the delta method to find the first four central moments, and hence the skewness and kurtosis which are important in the determination of the parameters of the Pearsons distribution. Results: The approach is illustrated in two examples;one from veterinary microbiology and food safety data and the other on data from clinical medicine. We derived the four central moments of the target statistics, together with the bootstrap method to evaluate the parameters of Pearsons distribution. The fitted Pearsons curves of Types I and II were recommended based on the available data. The R-codes are also provided to be readily used by the readers.

An Experimental and Numerical Thermal Flow Analysis in a Solar Air Collector with Different Delta Wing Height Ratios

This study conducts both numerical and empirical assessments of thermal transfer and fluid flow characteristics in a Solar Air Collector(SAC)using a Delta Wing Vortex Generator(DWVG),and the effects of different height ratios(Rh=0.6,0.8,1,1.2 and 1.4)in delta wing vortex generators,which were not considered in the earlier studies,are investigated.Energy and exergy analyses are performed to gain maximum efficiency.The Reynolds number based on the outlet velocity and hydraulic diameter falls between 4400 and 22000,corresponding to the volume flow rate of 5.21–26.07 m^(3)/h.It is observed that the delta wing vortex generators with a higher height ratio yield maximum heat transfer enhancement and overall enhancement ratio.The empirical and numerical findings demonstrate that the exergy and thermal efficiencies decline in a specific range.TheNusselt number,pressure drop,energy,and exergy efficiencies enhance with rising Reynolds number,although the friction coefficient diminishes.The maximum heat transfer enhancement is 57%.According to the evaluation of exergy efficiency,the greatest efficiency of 31.2%is obtained at Rh=1.4 and Reynolds number 22000.

Humic Acid Effects on Reducing Corn Leaf Burn Caused by Foliar Spray of Urea-Ammonium Nitrate at Different Humic Acid/Urea-Ammonium Nitrate Ratios

Technologies for reducing corn leaf burn caused by foliar spray of urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) during the early growing season are limited. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of humic acid on corn leaf burn caused by foliar spray of undiluted UAN solution on corn canopy at Jackson, TN in 2018. Thirteen treatments of the mixtures of UAN and humic acid were evaluated at V6 of corn with different UAN application rates and different UAN/humic acid ratios. Leaf burn during 1 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 14 days after UAN foliar spray significantly differed between with or without humic acid addition. The addition of humic acid to UAN significantly reduced leaf burn at each UAN application rate (15, 25, and 35 gal/acre). The reduction of leaf burn was enhanced as the humic acid/UAN ratio went up from 10% to 30%. Leaf burn due to foliar application of UAN became severer with higher UAN rates. The linear regression of leaf burn 14 days after application with humic acid/UAN ratio was highly significant and negative. However, the linear regression of leaf burn 14 days after application with the UAN application rate was highly significant and positive. In conclusion, adding humic acid to foliar-applied UAN is beneficial for reducing corn leaf burn during the early growing season.

Binary Phase Shaping and SHG Contrast Ratios

Finding binary sequences with Large SHG ratios is very important in the field of ultrafast science, biomedical optics, high-resolution microscopy and label-free imaging. In this paper, we have demonstrated the relation between the SHG contrast ratio and the traditional Merit Factor values. And in the light from known results in Merit Factor Problems, we have shown that Legendre Sequences or Jacobi Sequences, are still the best candidates to obtain binary sequences with large SHG contrast ratios. The authors also discussed the SHG behaviors on some sequences obtained from cyclotomic classes over the finite field GF (2l) .

Calcium-Magnesium Ca/Mg Ratios and Their Agronomic Implications for the Optimization of Phosphate Fertilization in Rainfed Rice Farming on Acidic Ferralsol in the Forest Zone of Ivory Coast

This study is a contribution to improving rice productivity on acidic plateau soils of the tropical rainforest zone. It is based on taking into account the cationic balances of the soil in order to optimize the phosphorus (P) nutrition of rice on these acidic soils, where this nutrient constitutes a limiting factor for agricultural production. Three (3) pot trials were conducted in Adiopodoumé in the forested south of Côte d’Ivoire. The interactive effects of calcium carbonate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Ca ha−1) and magnesium sulfate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Mg ha−1) were evaluated on the response of NERICA 5 rice at doses 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg P ha−1 of natural phosphate from Togo, applied only once at the start of the experiment. Additional fertilizers of nitrogen (N) (100 kg N ha−1) and potassium (K) (50 kg KCl ha−1) were added to each of the tests in a split-plot device. The test results revealed a paddy production potential of approximately 3 to 5 t⋅ha−1 for NERICA 5 on an acidic soil, under the effect of the interaction of P, Ca and Mg. The quadratic response of rice yield to the doses of these fertilizers would be more dependent on their balance, itself influenced by Ca nutrition. For the sustainability and maintenance of rice production in agro-ecology studied, it was recommended doses of 38 kg Ca ha−1, 34 kg Mg ha−1 in a Ca/Mg ratio (1/1) with intakes of 41 kg P ha−1, overall in a ratio 1/1/1 (P/Ca/Mg) more favorable to the availability of free iron considered a guiding element of mineral nutrition. Thus, these promising results should be confirmed in a real environment for better management of the fertilization of rice cultivated on acidic plateau soils in Côte d’Ivoire.

Diagnostic implications of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,platelet-tolymphocyte ratio,and systemic immune-inflammatory index for gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of gastric carcinoma(GC)is essential for improving clinical outcomes.However,the biomarkers currently used for GC screening are not ideal.AIM To explore the diagnostic implications of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),and systemic immune-inflammatory index(SII)for GC.METHODS The baseline data of 133 patients with GC and 134 patients with precancerous gastric conditions admitted between January 2022 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The information on peripheral blood platelet,neutrophil,and lymphocyte counts in each patient was collected,and the NLR,PLR,and SII levels of both groups were calculated.Additionally,multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted,and the diagnostic implications of NLR,PLR,and SII in differentiating patients with precancerous gastric conditions,compared with those with GC,were analyzed through receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS The data indicated that NLR,PLR,and SII had abnormally increased levels in the patients with GC.Gender and body mass index were risk factors for the occurrence of GC.ROC data revealed that the areas under the curve of three patients with precancerous gastric conditions,who were differentiated from those with GC,were 0.824,0.787,and 0.842,respectively.CONCLUSION NLR,PLR,and SII are all abnormally expressed in GC and have diagnostic implications,especially when used as joint indicators,in distinguishing patients with precancerous gastric conditions from those with GC.

Preoperative serum total bilirubin-albumin ratio as a prognostic indicator in patients with hepatitis-related cirrhosis after splenectomy

BACKGROUND Splenectomy is an effective yet invasive intervention for alleviating portal pressure in patients with hepatitis cirrhosis.However,the current prognostic indicators for predicting long-term overall survival of these patients have several limitations.AIM To assess the potential of preoperative total bilirubin-albumin(B/A)ratio as a prognostic indicator for patients with hepatitis cirrhosis undergoing splenectomy.METHODS A total of 257 patients diagnosed with hepatitis cirrhosis were retrospectively enrolled in the study.Normality test,t-test,Wilcoxon test,χ2 test,or Fisher’s exact test was employed to analyze the intraoperative and postoperative conditions of the patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was utilized to depict the 10-year overall survival rate.RESULTS During the follow-up period,85.99%of the patients survived,with a median survival time of 64.6 months.Multivariate analysis revealed that total serum B/A ratio was an independent risk factor for overall survival(P=0.037).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that a B/A ratio of 0.87 was the optimal cut-off value.Consequently,the patients were categorized into two groups:High B/A group(n=64)and low B/A group(n=193).The median follow-up time for the high B/A group and low B/A group was 56.8 months and 67.2 months,respectively(P=0.045).Notably,the high B/A group exhibited a significantly lower 10-year overall survival compared to the low B/A group(P<0.001).Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)had lower overall survival rates.Patients with a high B/A ratio exhibited a lower overall survival than those with a low B/A rate in the overall cohort and the subgroups of patients with HCC or not,early Child-Pugh grade,low albumin-bilirubin grade,and model for end-stage liver disease score≥10(log-rank test,P<0.001 for all).CONCLUSION The B/A ratio can serve as an effective prognostic indicator for overall survival in patients with hepatitis B virusrelated cirrhosis following splenectomy,and a higher B/A ratio may suggest a poorer prognosis.

Prognostic value of preoperative fibrinogen to albumin ratio in predicting postoperative outcomes in patients with gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND Gallbladder cancer(GBC)is known for its poor prognosis and challenging management.The preoperative fibrinogen to albumin ratio(FAR)has been proposed as a potential prognostic marker for predicting postoperative outcomes in GBC patients,but its efficacy and prognostic value remain underexplored.AIM To evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative FAR in GBC outcomes.METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 66 patients who underwent curative surgery for GBC at our institution from January 2018 to January 2022.Preoperative FAR values were obtained within one week prior to surgery.Patients were followed through outpatient visits or telephone interviews,with overall survival(OS)as the primary endpoint.Statistical analyses,including receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates,were performed using SPSS software(version 27.0).RESULTS The cohort consisted of 36 male and 30 female patients,with a mean age of 61.81±8.58 years.The optimal FAR cut-off value was determined to be 0.088,with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.7899,sensitivity of 68.96%,and specificity of 80.01%.Patients with FAR≤0.088 showed significantly better survival rates(1-year:60.5%,2-year:52.6%,3-year:25.9%)and a median OS of 25.6 months(95%confidence interval:18.8-30.5 months),compared to those with FAR>0.088 who had a median OS of 10.8 months(95%confidence interval:6.3-12.9 months).CONCLUSION Lower preoperative FAR is associated with longer OS in GBC patients,confirming its potential as a valuable prognostic indicator for improving outcome predictions and guiding patient management strategies in gallbladder cancer.

OPTIMUM OF PRESSURE RATIOS OF MULTI-STAGE RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR WITH PRACTICAL INTER-COOLING

The optimum pressure ratio distribution of a multistage reciprocating compressor is presented based on the assumption, i.e. the inter stage cooling is perfect and there are no pressure losses. The optimization of the two or three stage pressure ratio is analyzed in two cases of constant heat transfer rate for the inter cooler or constant inter stage inlet temperature, based on the minimum of the sum of theoretical compression power at each stage about a multi stage reciprocating compressor. Furthermore, with an example of two stage compressor the influence on the sum of the power of each stage is analyzed when practical pressure ratio deviates from the optimum value. It is obtained that under different cooling conditions the optimum pressure ratio distribution of the multi stage compression is various, and the change of the optimum pressure ratio within a small range has little influence on the sum of the power each stage. For the two stage compression, this range can be represented as ε 1=(0 96～1 06)ε 1j .

基于改进Ratio统计量的重尾AR(p)时间序列均值变点检验

文章提出两个改进的Ratio统计量来研究重尾AR(p)时间序列均值变点检验问题,在原假设下推导了统计量的渐近分布,且在备择假设下证明了其一致性。由于重尾指数未知且难以估计,因此结合Wild Bootstrap重抽样方法来确定渐近分布的临界值;在均值变点存在的情形下,给出了变点位置的一致估计量。数值模拟结果表明:统计量的临界值均不受重尾指数和自回归系数的影响,其经验水平和经验势均取得满意的效果;尤其在原假设下,积分型Ratio统计量的经验水平表现出更好的稳健性,而在备择假设下,最值型Ratio统计量则具备更好的显著性。最后,基于一组股票数据,从实际应用角度进一步阐明所提方法的有效性和可行性。

Changes of nutrient concentrations and N:P:Si ratios and their possible impacts on the Huanghai Sea ecosystem

To investigate the impacts of nutrient concentrations and N：P：Si ratios on the ecosystem of the Huanghai Sea （Yellow Sea）, the current status and long-term variation of nutrients concentrations and ratios as well as phytoplankton community structure in the Huanghai Sea were collected and analyzed. The results reveal great annual and seasonal fluctuations in the nutrient concentrations and N：P：Si ratios during 1998-2008 with no clear pattern observed in the whole region. Yet on a seasonal scale of spring and in the coastal regions such as the Jiaozhou Bay and Sanggou Bay, the increase of DIN concentration and N：P ratio as well as the decrease of phosphate and sili- cate concentrations and Si：N ratios were relatively significant. Many pelagic ecosystem changes have occurred concurrent with these changes of the nutrient regime, such as the recent increase of primary production, changes of phytoplankton chlorophyll a biomass and abundance, an increase of eutrophication, and occurrence of HABs. In addition, new trends in the variation of nutrients seem to be developing in some particular transect such as 36N, which suggests that long-term and systematic ecosystem monitoring in the Huanghai Sea is necessary.

Effects of porosity on seismic velocities, elastic moduli and Poisson's ratios of solid materials and rocks

The generalized mixture rule(GMR) is used to provide a unified framework for describing Young’s(E),shear(G) and bulk(K) moduli, Lame parameter(l), and P- and S-wave velocities(Vpand Vs) as a function of porosity in various isotropic materials such as metals, ceramics and rocks. The characteristic J values of the GMR for E, G, K and l of each material are systematically different and display consistent correlations with the Poisson’s ratio of the nonporous material(v0). For the materials dominated by corner-shaped pores, the fixed point at which the effective Poisson’s ratio(n) remains constant is at v0=0.2, and J(G) > J(E) > J(K) > J(l) and J(G) < J(E) < J(K) < J(l) for materials with v0> 0.2 and v0< 0.2, respectively.J(Vs) > J(Vp) and J(Vs) < J(Vp) for the materials with v0> 0.2 and v0< 0.2, respectively. The effective n increases, decreases and remains unchanged with increasing porosity for the materials with v0< 0.2,v0> 0.2 and v0=0.2, respectively. For natural rocks containing thin-disk-shaped pores parallel to mineral cleavages, grain boundaries and foliation, however, the n fixed point decreases nonlinearly with decreasing pore aspect ratio(a: width/length). With increasing depth or pressure, cracks with smaller a values are progressively closed, making the n fixed point rise and finally reach to the point at v0=0.2.

Monomer reactivity ratios for fluoroacrylate and butyl methacrylate in miniemulsion copolymerizations initiated by potassium persulphate

Miniemulsion copolymerization of butyl mathacrylate （BMA） with fluoroacrylate （HFMA, TFMA） was carried out at 70 ℃ by employing potassium persulphate （KPS） as initiator. Copolymer compositions at low conversion levels were determined by ^1H NMR spectra techniques. The reactivity ratios were evaluated by employing Kellen-Tudos （K-T） methods, which yields the apparent reactivity ratios, rBMA = 0.74, rHFMA = 0.87 and rBMA = 0.73, rTFMA = 0.75, respectively, and Q- and e-values of HFMA and TFMA were calculated by the Alfrey-Price method. The results show that HFMA and TFMA are more active than BMA, and the cross-propagation rate constant is greater than the self-propagation one in these two copolymerizations.

U and Th Contents and Th/U Ratios of Zircon in Felsic and Mafic Magmatic Rocks:Improved Zircon-Melt Distribution Coefficients

High-precision data on U and Th contents and Th/U ratios of zircon obtained using secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis have been collected from the literature. Zircon in the granitic rocks has median values of 350 ppm U, 140 ppm Th, and Th/U=0.52; the recommended zircon-melt partition coefficients are 81 for Du and 8.2 for DTh. In zircon from mafic and intermediate rocks, the median values are 270 ppm U, 170 ppm Th, and Th/U=0.81, and the recommended zirconmelt partition coefficients are 169 for Du and 59 for DTh. The U and Th contents and Th/U ratios of magmatic zircon are low when zircon crystallizes in equilibrium with the melt. Increasing magma temperature should promote higher Th contents relative to U contents, resulting in higher Th/U ratios for zircon in mafic to intermediate rocks than in granitic rocks. However, when zircon crystallizes in disequilibrium with the melt, U and Th are more easily able to enter the zircon lattice, and their contents and Th/U ratios depend mainly on the degree of disequilibrium. The behavior of U and Th in magmatic zircon can be used as a geochemical indicator to determine the origins and crystallization environments of magmatic zircon.

Constraining Anthropogenic CH_4 Emissions in Nanjing and the Yangtze River Delta,China,Using Atmospheric CO_2 and CH_4 Mixing Ratios

Methane （CH4） emissions estimated with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change （IPCC） inventory method at the city and regional scale are subject to large uncertainties.In this study,we determined the CH4：CO2 emissions ratio for both Nanjing and the Yangtze River Delta （YRD）,using the atmospheric CH4 and CO2 concentrations measured at a suburban site in Nanjing in the winter.The atmospheric estimate of the CH4：CO2 emissions ratio was in reasonable agreement with that calculated using the IPCC method for the YRD （within 20％）,but was 200％ greater for the municipality of Nanjing.The most likely reason for the discrepancy is that emissions from unmanaged landfills are omitted from the official statistics on garbage production.

Impact parameter dependence of the yield ratios of light particles as a probe of neutron skin

The yield ratios of neutron/proton(R(n/p)) and ~3H=~3He(R(t/~3He)) with reduced rapidity from 0 to 0.5 are investigated for 50 MeV/u ^(42;44;46;48;50;52;54;56)Ca+^(40)Ca.This was conducted at whole reduced impact parameters using the isospin-dependent quantum-molecular-dynamics model in which the initial neutron and proton densities are sampled within the Skyrme–Hartree–Fock model, using which the neutron skin thickness(△R_(np)) is determined for different neutron-rich Ca isotopes. The results show that both R(n/p) and R(t/~3He) have strong linear correlations with △R_(np) of different Ca isotopic projectiles from five different centralities. It is suggested that R(n/p) and R(t/~3He), from the same centrality, could be treated as possible experimental observables to extract the neutron skin or halo thickness for neutron-rich isotopic nuclei,including the nuclei near the neutron drip line.

Yield ratios and directed flows of light particles from proton-rich nuclei-induced collisions

The neutron-to-proton and3 H-to-3 He yield ratios, and the directed flows of particles dependent on a reduced rapidity, the transverse momentum per nucleon,and a reduced impact parameter are investigated for ^(28)S+^(28)Si and ^(32)S+^(28)Si systems at 50 and 400 MeV/u using an isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics model.The results show that these yield ratios of projectile-like fragments are approximately equal to the constituent neutron-to-proton ratio of the projectile. There are clear differences of the directed flows for isospin-related fragments neutron and proton,~3H and ~3He from ^(28)S+^(28)Si collisions.The differences in directed flows for neutrons and protons and ~3H–~3He from a proton-rich nucleus ^(28)S- induced collisions are noticeably larger than those from a stable nucleus ^(32)S- induced reactions under medium impact parameters. Thus, the yield ratios and differences in directed flows for the neutrons and protons and ~3H–~3He under medium impact parameters are proposed as possible observable items for studying isospin physics.

Crustal thicknesses and Poisson's ratios beneath the Chuxiong-Simao Basin in the Southeast Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

In the Southeast Margin of the Tibetan Plateau, low-velocity sedimentary layers that would significantly affect the accuracy of the H-κ stacking of receiver functions are widely distributed.In this study, we use teleseismic waveform data of 475 events from 97 temporary broadband seismometers deployed by ChinArray Phase I to obtain crustal thicknesses and Poisson's ratios within the Chuxiong-Simao Basin and adjacent area, employing an improved method in which the receiver functions are processed through a resonance-removal filter, and the H-κ stacking is time-corrected.Results show that the crustal thickness ranges from 30 to 55 km in the study area, reaching its thickest value in the northwest and thinning toward southwest, southeast and northeast.The apparent variation of crustal thickness around the Red River Fault supports the view of southeastern escape of the Tibetan Plateau.Relatively thin crustal thickness in the zone between Chuxiong City and the Red River Fault indicates possible uplift of mantle in this area.The positive correlation between crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio is likely to be related to lower crust thickening.Comparison of results obtained from different methods shows that the improved method used in our study can effectively remove the reverberation effect of sedimentary layers.