Integrating Virtual Reality and Energy Analysis with BIM to Optimize Window-to-Wall Ratio and Building’s Orientation for Age-in-Place Design at the Conceptual Stage

This study unfolds an innovative approach aiming to address the critical role of building design in global energy consumption, focusing on optimizing the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), since buildings account for approximately 30% of total energy consumed worldwide. The greatest contributors to energy expenditure in buildings are internal artificial lighting and heating and cooling systems. The WWR, determined by the proportion of the building’s glazed area to its wall area, is a significant factor influencing energy efficiency and minimizing energy load. This study introduces the development of a semi-automated computer model designed to offer a real-time, interactive simulation environment, fostering improving communication and engagement between designers and owners. The said model serves to optimize both the WWR and building orientation to align with occupants’ needs and expectations, subsequently reducing annual energy consumption and enhancing the overall building energy performance. The integrated model incorporates Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR), and Energy Analysis tools deployed at the conceptual design stage, allowing for the amalgamation of owners’ inputs in the design process and facilitating the creation of more realistic and effective design strategies.

A gated recurrent unit model to predict Poisson’s ratio using deep learning

Static Poisson’s ratio(vs)is crucial for determining geomechanical properties in petroleum applications,namely sand production.Some models have been used to predict vs;however,the published models were limited to specific data ranges with an average absolute percentage relative error(AAPRE)of more than 10%.The published gated recurrent unit(GRU)models do not consider trend analysis to show physical behaviors.In this study,we aim to develop a GRU model using trend analysis and three inputs for predicting n s based on a broad range of data,n s(value of 0.1627-0.4492),bulk formation density(RHOB)(0.315-2.994 g/mL),compressional time(DTc)(44.43-186.9 μs/ft),and shear time(DTs)(72.9-341.2μ s/ft).The GRU model was evaluated using different approaches,including statistical error an-alyses.The GRU model showed the proper trends,and the model data ranges were wider than previous ones.The GRU model has the largest correlation coefficient(R)of 0.967 and the lowest AAPRE,average percent relative error(APRE),root mean square error(RMSE),and standard deviation(SD)of 3.228%,1.054%,4.389,and 0.013,respectively,compared to other models.The GRU model has a high accuracy for the different datasets:training,validation,testing,and the whole datasets with R and AAPRE values were 0.981 and 2.601%,0.966 and 3.274%,0.967 and 3.228%,and 0.977 and 2.861%,respectively.The group error analyses of all inputs show that the GRU model has less than 5% AAPRE for all input ranges,which is superior to other models that have different AAPRE values of more than 10% at various ranges of inputs.

Thermodynamic analysis on synthesis of fibrous Ni-Co alloys precursor and Ni/Co ratio control

According to the principles of simultaneous equilibrium and mass equilibrium, a series of thermodynamic equilibrium equations in Ni（II）-Co（II）-C2O4^2--NH3-NH4^＋-H2O system at ambient temperature were deduced. The diagrams of logarithm ion concentrations versus pH values at different solution compositions were drawn. The results show that Ni^2＋ and Co^2＋ can completely precipitate at pH less than 5.0 and the predefined Ni/Co ratios can be well kept in the precursor. The precursor morphology is granular aggregation. However, rod aggregation precursor is obtained in the pH range of 5.0-8.0, and fibre-shape precursor is got at pH value higher than 8.0. The Ni/Co ratios in the above two precursors are not reproduced as that in the feed due to the formhtion of multi-coordinated Ni（NH3）n^2＋ and Co（NH3）n^2＋ （n=1-6）. Modification of precipitation medium is favorable for the precursors to keep the predefined Ni/Co ratios of the feed in the pH range of 2.0-8.6. Meanwhile, the precursors with fibrous morphology can be obtained.

Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio predicts overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio(FAR)has been found to be of prognostic significance for several types of malignant tumors.However,less is known about the association between FAR and survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients.AIM To explore the association between FAR and prognosis and survival in patients with HCC.METHODS A total of 366 histologically confirmed HCC patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 in a provincial cancer hospital in southwestern China were retrospectively selected.Relevant data were extracted from the hospital information system.The optimal cutoff for baseline serum FAR measured upon disease diagnosis was established using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the crude and adjusted associations between FAR and the overall survival(OS)of the HCC patients while controlling for various covariates.The restricted cubic spline(RCS)was applied to estimate the dose-response trend in the FAR-OS association.RESULTS The optimal cutoff value for baseline FAR determined by the ROC was 0.081.Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that a lower baseline serum FAR level was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.43(95%confidence interval:1.87–3.15)in the OS of HCC patients,with identifiable dose-response trend in the RCS.Subgroup analysis showed that this FAR-OS association was more prominent in HCC patients with a lower baseline serum aspartate aminotransferase or carbohydrate antigen 125 level.CONCLUSION Serum FAR is a prominent prognostic indicator for HCC.Intervention measures aimed at reducing FAR might result in survival benefit for HCC patients.

MULTI-PEAK MATCH INTENSITY RATIO METHOD OF QUANTI-TATIVE X-RAY DIFFRACTION PHASE ANALYSIS

A new method for quantitative phase analysis is proposed by using X-ray diffraction multi-peak match intensity ratio. This method can obtain the multi-peak match intensity ratio among each phase in the mixture sample by using all diffraction peak data in the mixture sample X-ray diffraction spectrum and combining the relative intensity distribution data of each phase standard peak in JCPDS card to carry on the least square method regression analysis. It is benefit to improve the precision of quantitative phase analysis that the given single line ratio which is usually adopted is taken the place of the multi-peak match intensity ratio and is used in X-ray diffraction quantitative phase analysis of the mixture sample. By analyzing four-group mixture sample, adopting multi-peak match intensity ratio and X-ray diffraction quantitative phase analysis principle of combining the adiabatic and matrix flushing method, it is tested that the experimental results are identical with theory.

Effect of water absorption ratio on tensile strength of red sandstone and morphological analysis of fracture surfaces

Brazilian disc tests were undertaken on a number of red sandstone samples with different water absorption ratios.The tensile strength of the red sandstone decreases as the water absorption ratio increases.The fracture surfaces of failed red sandstone discs were scanned by Talysurf CLI 2000.With the aid of Talymap Gold software,based on ISO25178,a set of statistical parameters was obtained for the fracture surfaces.The maximum peak height(S_p),maximum pit height(S_v) and maximum height(S_z) of the fracture surfaces exhibited the same decreasing trend with increasing water absorption.Sa and Sku values for the fracture surfaces showed a downward trend as the water absorption ratio increased.The fractal dimensions of fracture surfaces were calculated and found to decrease as the water absorption ratio increased.Through analysis of PSD curves,the smallest dominant wavelength was observed to reflect the roughness of the fracture surfaces.Additionally,the results suggest that the roughness of fracture surfaces becomes small as the water absorption ratio increases.

Identification and analysis of serum samples by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with characteristic ratio method and PCA for gastric cancer detection

This study aimed to explore the application of surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)in the rapid diagnosis of gastric cancer.The SERS spectra of 68 serum samples from gastric cancer patients and healthy volunteers were acquired.The characteristic ratio method(CRM)and principal component analysis(PCA)were used to differentiate gastric cancer serum from normal serum.Compared with healthy volunteers,the serum SERS intensity of gastric cancer patients was relatively high at 722 cm^(-1),while it was relatively low at 588,644,861,1008,1235,1397,1445 and 1586 cm^(-1).These results indicated that the relative content of nucleic acids in the serum of gastric cancer patients rises while the relative content of amino acids and carbohydrates decreases.In PCA,the sensitivity and specificity of discriminating gastric cancer were 94.1%and 94.1%,respectively,with the accuracy of 94.1%.Based on the intensity ratios of four characteristic peaks at 722,861,1008 and 1397 cm^(-1),CRM presented the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100%and 97.4%,respectively,and the accuracy of 98.5%.Therefore,the three peak intensity ratios of I_(722)/I_(861),I_(722)/I_(1008)and I_(722)/I_(1397)can be considered as biologicalfingerprint information for gastric cancer diagnosis and can rapidly and directly reflect the physiological and pathological changes associated with gastric cancer development.This study provides an important basis and standards for the early diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Analysis of the elastic-plastic indentation properties of materials with varying ratio of hardness to Young’s modulus

The elastic-plastic indentation properties of materials with varying ratio of hardness to Young’s modulus(H/E) were analyzed with the finite element method. And the indentation stress fields of materials with varying ratio H/E on the surface were studied by the experiment. The results show that the penetration depth, contact radius, plastic pile-up and the degree of elastic recovery depend strongly on the ratio H/E. Moreover, graphs were established to describe the relationship between the elastic-plastic indentation parameters and H/E. The established graphs can be used to predict the H/E of materials when compared with experimental data.

Equivalence of Ratio and Residual Approaches in the Homotopy Analysis Method and Some Applications in Nonlinear Science and Engineering

A ratio approach based on the simple ratio test associated with the terms of homotopy series was proposed by the author in the previous publications.It was shown in the latter through various comparative physical models that the ratio approach of identifying the range of the convergence control parameter and also an optimal value for it in the homotopy analysis method is a promising alternative to the classically used h-level curves or to the minimizing the residual(squared)error.A mathematical analysis is targeted here to prove the equivalence of both the ratio approach and the traditional residual approach,especially regarding the root-finding problems via the homotopy analysis method.Examples are provided to further justify this.Moreover,it is conjectured that every nonlinear differential equation can be considered as a root-finding problem by plugging a parameter in it from a physical viewpoint.Two examples from the boundary and initial and value problems are provided to verify this assertion.Hence,besides the advantages as deciphered in the previous publications,the feasibility of the ratio approach over the traditional residual approach is made clearer in this paper.

Evaluation of Source Rock Potential for Hydrocarbon Generation in Shallow Offshore, Lamu Basin, Kenya

The ever-increasing demand for oil and gas has driven its exploration in rather extreme conditions. In Lamu offshore, which is hitherto underexplored, most of the wells already drilled turned out dry save for a few wells with hydrocarbon shows despite the promising reservoir properties and related geological structures. This, therefore, necessitated a source rock evaluation study in the area to ascertain the presence and potential of the source rock by integrating the geochemical data analysis and petroleum system modeling. The shallow Lamu offshore source rock quantity, quality, and maturity have been estimated through the determination of the total organic carbon (TOC) average values, Kerogen typing, and Rock-Eval pyrolysis measurements respectively. Geochemical data for Kubwa-1, Mbawa-1, Pomboo-1, and Simba-1 were evaluated for determining the source rock potential for hydrocarbon generation. Petroleum system modeling was applied in evaluating geological conditions necessary for a successful charge within a software that integrated geochemical and petrophysical characterization of the sedimentary formations in conjunction with boundary conditions that include basal heat flow, sediment-water interface temperature, and Paleo-water depth. The average TOC of 0.89 wt % in the study area suggests a fair organic richness which seems higher in the late cretaceous (0.98 wt %) than in the Paleocene (0.81 wt %). Vitrinite reflectance and Tmax values in the study area indicate the possible presence of both mature and immature source rocks. Type III Kerogen was the most dominant Kerogen type, and gas shows are the most frequent hydrocarbon encountered in the Lamu Basin with a few cases registering type II/III and type II. The charge properties (i.e. Temperature, transformation ratio, and Vitrinite reflectance) over geologic time at each of the wells have been estimated and their spatial variation mapped as seen from the burial history and depth curves overlaid with temperature, transformation ratio, and Vitrinite reflectance respectively. From the upper cretaceous maturity maps, the results seem to favor near coastal regions where average TOC is about 1.4 wt %, Vitrinite reflectance is more than 0.5%, transformation ratio is more than 10%, and temperatures range from 80°C to 160°C. The results postulate the absence of a definitive effective source rock with a likelihood of having cases of potential and possible source rocks. Moreover, greater uncertainty rests on the source rock’s presence and viability tending toward the deep offshore. Geochemical analysis and petroleum system modeling for hydrocarbon source rock evaluation improved the understanding of the occurrence of the possible and potential source rocks and processes necessary for hydrocarbon generation.

Speech Separation Methodology for Hearing Aid

In the design of hearing aids(HA),the real-time speech-enhancement is done.The digital hearing aids should provide high signal-to-noise ratio,gain improvement and should eliminate feedback.In generic hearing aids the perfor-mance towards different frequencies varies and non uniform.Existing noise can-cellation and speech separation methods drops the voice magnitude under the noise environment.The performance of the HA for frequency response is non uni-form.Existing noise suppression methods reduce the required signal strength also.So,the performance of uniform sub band analysis is poor when hearing aid is con-cern.In this paper,a speech separation method using Non-negative Matrix Fac-torization(NMF)algorithm is proposed for wavelet decomposition.The Proposed non-uniformfilter-bank was validated by parameters like band power,Signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),Mean Square Error(MSE),Signal to Noise and Dis-tortion Ratio(SINAD),Spurious-free dynamic range(SFDR),error and time.The speech recordings before and after separation was evaluated for quality using objective speech quality measures International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication standard ITU-T P.862.

Using DEA and AHP for Ratio Analysis

This research proposes an integrated approach to the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodologies for ratio analysis. According to this, we compute two sets of weights of ratios in the DEA framework. All ratios are treated as outputs without explicit inputs. The first set of weights represents the most attainable efficiency level for each Decision Making Unit (DMU) in comparison to the other DMUs. The second set of weights represents the relative priority of output-ratios using AHP. We assess the performance of each DMU in terms of the relative closeness to the priority weights of output-ratios. For this purpose, we develop a parametric goal programming model to measure the deviations between the two sets of weights. Increasing the value of a parameter in a defined range of efficiency loss, we explore how much the deviations can be improved to achieve the desired goals of the decision maker.This may result in various ranking positions for each DMU in comparison to the other DMUs. An illustrated example of eight listed companies in the steel industry of China is used to highlight the usefulness of the proposed approach.

Influence of signal-to-noise ratio on accuracy of spectral analysis by near infrared spectroscopy

As one of the important indicators of spectrometer,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)reflects the ability of spectrometer to detect weak signals.To investigate the influence of SNR on the prediction accuracy of spectral analysis,we first introduce the major factors affecting the spectral SNR.Taking green tea as an example,the influence of spectral SNR on the prediction accuracy of the origin identification model is analyzed by experiments.At the same time,the relationship between the spectral SNR and prediction accuracy of spectral analysis model is fitted.Based on this,the common methods for improving the spectral SNR are discussed.The results show that the accuracy of the prediction set model first decreases slowly,then decreases linearly,and finally tends to be flat as the spectral SNR decreases.Through calculation,in order to achieve the prediction accuracy of prediction model reaching 90%and 85%,the spectral SNR is required to be higher than 23.42 dB and 21.16 dB,respectively.The overall results provide certain parameters support for the development of new online analytical spectroscopic instruments,especially for the technical indicators of SNR.

Structural Modeling and Aeroelastic Analysis of High-Aspect-Ratio Composite Wings

A unified structural model for high-aspect-ratio composite wing with arbitrary cross-section is developed. Two types of lay-ups of the composite wing, namely, circumferentially uniform stiffness （CUS） configuration and circumferentially asymmetric stiffness （CAS） configuration, are investigated. The present structural modeling method is validated through ANSYS FEM software for the case of a composite box beam. Then, the case of a single-cell composite wing with NACA0012 airfoil shape is considered. To investigate the aeroelastic problem of high-aspect-ratio composite wings, the linear ONERA aerodynamic model is used to model the unsteady aerodynamic loads under the case of small angle of attack. Finally, flutter speeds of the high-aspect-ratio wing with various composite ply angles are determined by using U-g method.

Production optimization in a fractured carbonate reservoir with high producing GOR

The Gas-Oil Ratio(GOR)is a crucial production parameter in oil reservoirs.An increase in GOR results in higher gas production and lower oil production,potentially leading to well shut-ins due to economic infeasibility.This study focuses on a real fractured oil field that requires urgent production operations to reduce the producing GOR.In this study,the static model for the field was developed using commercial software,involving steps such as data collection,fault modeling,meshing,and statistical analysis to prepare for dynamic simulation.The dynamic model incorporates geometry,gridding,and rock properties from the static model,utilizing a dual-porosity approach for the naturally fractured reservoir and the Peng-Robinson equation for fluid phase behavior.Initial reservoir conditions,production history,and rock-fluid interactions were defined,with relative permeability curves indicating a water-wet reservoir and low critical gas saturation affecting the GOR.To better understand the relationship between reservoir and production parameters,a detailed sensitivity analysis was performed using the Response Surface Methodology(RSM).Following the sensitivity analysis,a history matching process was conducted using the Designed Exploration and Controlled Evolution(DECE)optimizer to validate the model for future forecasts.Six operational scenarios were defined to decrease the production GOR and enhance final recovery from the field.The results indicate that the water injection scenario is effective in preventing the GOR increase by maintaining reservoir pressure,thereby sustaining production over a longer period.This scenario also improves oil recovery by approximately 6%compared to the base case.Finally,optimization was carried out using the DECE optimizer for each scenario to fine-tune the operational parameters.The goal was to maximize oil revenue for each scenario during the optimization process.This study stands out as one of the few that provides a comprehensive analysis of production behavior and development planning for a real fractured reservoir with high producing GOR.

A Quantitative Factorial Component Analysis to Investigate the Recent Changes of Japan’s Weight-Based Food Self-Sufficiency Ratio

We investigate the weight-based food self-sufficiency ratio (WSSR) for Japan over a 50-year period (1961-2011) by applying factorial component analysis technique in order to measure the changes of the WSSR quantitatively. Quantitative data analysis is employed to determine the drivers of those changes. Numerical results show that Japan experienced a drastic decline in its food self-sufficiency ratio (FSSR) during the above period. The factorial component analysis shows that such a decline was caused by the changes in the FSSR of the food groups/items, not in the quantity of the food supply. A number of characteristics of those changes are presented and a list of major food groups that have major impacts on the changes is constructed. The findings in this paper reiterate the alarming food security problem in Japan and provide clear insight into the causes of this problem. The findings in this study pick up where previous studies have left off, aid the food-related policy-making process and identify new ideas for future food research.

Dynamic genetic analysis for body weight and main length ratio in turbot Scophthalmus maximus

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of body width(BW)to body length(BL)ratio(BW/BL)and of body weight traits(BWT)in turbot,and to elucidate the genetic mechanism of the two traits during ontogeny by dynamic genetic analysis.From 3 to 27 months,BW,BL and BWT of each communally stocked fish were measured every 3 months.The BW/BL ratio was measured at different sampling ages.A twotrait animal model was used for genetic evaluation of traits.The results showed that the heritability values of BW/BL ratio ranged from 0.2168 to 0.3148,corresponding to moderate heritability.The BWT heritability values ranged from 0.2702 to 0.3479 corresponding to moderate heritability.The heritability of BW/BL ratio was lower than that of BWT,except at 3 months of age.Genetic correlation between BW/BL ratio and BWT decreased throughout the measurement period.Genetic correlations were higher than the phenotypic correlations.The current results for estimating genetic parameters demonstrate that the BW/BL ratio could be used as a phenotypic marker of fast-growing turbot,and the BW/BL ratio and BWT could be improved simultaneously through selective breeding.

Finite element analysis on the collapse of infill walls with holes and different length-to-height ratios

Wenchuan earthquake damage survey displayed the major structures of buildings suffered only small damages,but it was common that infill walls suffered heavy damages or even collapse. To study the failure forms and collapse mechanism of infill walls in an earthquake,the influence of opening or length-to-height ratio on shake-resisting capability of filling walls was analyzed,and measures to improve the anti-collapse ability of infill walls were put forwaed. The numerical simulations on collapse process in earthquake were carried out by using ABAQUS software. We used 5 single story and single span models. It is revealed that the rigidity and compressive capacity of infill walls are reduced because of the infill walls with holes and the increases of length-to-height ratios. Adding constructional columns and horizontal beams can ensure structural integrity and improve the anti-collapse ability of the wall.

Bearing ratio and leachate analysis of pond ash stabilized with lime and lime sludge

Recycling of industrial waste is one of the effective ways to overcome their disposal problem. Ash produced by thermal power plants and lime sludge produced by paper mills require huge disposal land and may create environmental problems such as dusting and leaching of harmful heavy metals. Stabilization of the ash can improve its engineering properties and address the environmental problems. This paper reports the laboratory test results of a Class F pond ash stabilized with lime(2%, 4%, 6% and 8% by weight)alone and in combination with lime sludge(5%, 10% and 15% by weight). The X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron micrograph(SEM) tests were also performed to identify the possible formation of crystalline phases after stabilization. The effects of lime sludge on the unsoaked and soaked bearing ratios of pond ash with different lime contents, after 7 d, 28 d and 45 d of curing, were observed. Test results indicated that the bearing ratio increased considerably up to a 4% lime content which can be taken as the optimum lime content. Further increase in lime content increased bearing ratio gradually but at a slower rate. The effect of lime sludge was more pronounced at the optimum lime content,particularly at a low curing period. Lime sludge improved the bearing ratio in soaked condition significantly. Leachate analysis of stabilized ash was performed using toxicity characteristic leaching procedure(TCLP-1311) method. The concentrations of toxic elements Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni and Cr in the stabilized mixes were lower than those in the unstabilized waste. The results indicated that the pond ash-lime-lime sludge mixes have potential application as road subbase material.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials to Check Role of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs as Protective Factor in Alzheimer Disease Subjects

Background: Alzheimer’s disease is the major neurodegenerative disease, affecting more than two third cases of dementia in the world. NSAIDs are widely used anti-inflammatory analgesic agents representing 7.7% of worldwide prescriptions of which 90% are in patients over 65 years old. Based on mixed findings observed by different RCTs, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to develop a better understanding of the protective role of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in AD. Methods: Database search was Pubmed, WebScience, and Embase. RCTs investigating the effect of NSAIDs on AD or test scores assessing cognitive function in people without AD at baseline were included. Three indicators were MMSE Score, ADAS-cog score, and CDR-sob. 10 studies were included in the present Meta-analysis. Results: For the ADAS-cog score, the pooled effect size was -0.31 with 95% CI -0.06 to 0.02, which was statistically significant (p = 0.03). MMSE score difference, the pooled effect size was -0.06 with 95% CI -0.22 to 0.10, which was statistically insignificant (p-value = 0.47). For the MMSE average score, the pooled effect size was -0.002 with 95% CI -0.03 to 0.07, which was statistically insignificant (p-value = 0.87). For the CDR-sob score difference, the pooled effect size calculated using the random effect model was -0.06 with 95% CI -0.39 to 0.05 which was statistically insignificant (p = 0.14). For CDR-sob average score, the pooled effect size calculated using the random effect model was 0.21 with 95% CI -0.09 to 0.51, which was statistically insignificant (p-value = 0.17). Conclusion: Present Meta-analysis shows that NSAIDs in general are not effective in the treatment of AD. They also have no protective effect against the development of AD on their sustained use.