Quantitative Evaluation of the Sea-level Drop at the End-Permian: Based on Reefs

The amplitude of pre-Quaternary sea level drop, H, can be calculated by usingthe formula H = D + To, where To is the original thickness from the top of the tidal deposits onthe reef core to the bottom of the tidal deposits on the reef front, or to the bottom of the ancientmeteoric vadose zone, or to the edge of the mixed-water dolostone zone. The identity and similaritybetween the sea-level drop amplitudes calculated from different reefs far away from each otherindicates that such sea-level changes are eustatic rather than relative changes. Evidence of anend-Permian sea-level drop has been found on the Changxingian (i.e. the end of the Palaeofusulinazone) reefs at Ziyun in South China, including algal laminated deposits, sabkha-related dolostone,desiccation cracks, dissolution collapse breccia. According to calculation based on the meteoricdissolution zone of the reef-core sequence at Ziyun, Guizhou province, the amplitude of thesea-level drop at the end-Permian is about 89.3 m. Calculation via the dolomitized upper part of theChangxingian reef in Lichuan, Hubei Province, yields an 88.9 m amplitude of the sea-level drop atthe end-Permian. Comparison shows that the sea-level drop recorded in the two distantly locatedreefs may be of eustatic type. So the amplitude of the sea level drop of the Tethys Sea at theend-Permian might be at least 89.3 m.

A data-driven model of drop size prediction based on artificial neural networks using small-scale data sets

An artificial neural network(ANN)method is introduced to predict drop size in two kinds of pulsed columns with small-scale data sets.After training,the deviation between calculate and experimental results are 3.8%and 9.3%,respectively.Through ANN model,the influence of interfacial tension and pulsation intensity on the droplet diameter has been developed.Droplet size gradually increases with the increase of interfacial tension,and decreases with the increase of pulse intensity.It can be seen that the accuracy of ANN model in predicting droplet size outside the training set range is reach the same level as the accuracy of correlation obtained based on experiments within this range.For two kinds of columns,the drop size prediction deviations of ANN model are 9.6%and 18.5%and the deviations in correlations are 11%and 15%.

Buckling Properties of Water-Drop-Shaped Pressure Hulls with Various Shape Indices Under Hydrostatic External Pressure

The water-drop-shaped pressure hull has a good streamline,which has good application prospect in the underwater observatory.Therefore,this study conducted analytical,experimental and numerical investigation of the buckling properties of water-drop-shaped pressure hulls under hydrostatic pressure.A water-drop experiment was conducted to design water-drop-shaped pressure hulls with various shape indices.The critical loads for the water-drop-shaped pressure hulls were resolved by using Mushtari’s formula.Several numerical simulations including linear buckling analysis and nonlinear buckling analysis including eigenmode imperfections were performed.The results indicated that the critical loads resolved by Mushtari's formula were in good agreement with the linear buckling loads from the numerical simulations.This formula can be extended to estimate the buckling capacity of water-drop-shaped pressure hulls.In addition,three groups of pressure hulls were fabricated by using stereolithography,a rapid prototyping technique.Subsequently,three groups of the pressure hulls were subjected to ultrasonic measurements,optical scanning,hydrostatic testing and numerical analysis.The experimental results were consistent with the numerical results.The results indicate that the sharp end of the water-drop-shaped pressure hulls exhibited instability compared with the blunt end.This paper provides a new solution to the limitations of experimental studies on the water-drop-shaped pressure hulls as well as a new configuration and evaluation method for underwater observatories.

基于MacBERT和R-Drop的地质命名实体识别

地质命名实体识别中常用的基于BERT预训练模型的深度学习方法是基于字的方法,没有利用词信息,且神经网络中的Dropout机制会导致训练阶段和推理阶段之间存在不一致性。针对该问题,提出了一种基于MacBERT和R-Drop的地质命名实体识别模型MBCR。首先,通过MacBERT学习文本特征表示,充分利用字词信息;其次,运用BiGRU编码上下文特征,有效提取完整的语义信息;最后,采用CRF获取标签间的依赖关系,生成最优标签序列。此外,在训练过程中引入R-Drop,进一步提升模型的泛化能力。结果表明:与BiLSTM-CRF、BERTBiLSTM-CRF等模型相比,所提MBCR模型在NERdata数据集上的F1值提高了2.08百分点~4.62百分点,在Boson数据集上的F1值提高了1.26百分点~17.54百分点。

Coral records of Mid-Holocene sea-level highstands and climate responses in the northern South China Sea

High-resolution sea-level data and high-precision dating of corals in the northern South China Sea(SCS)during the Holocene provide a reference and historical background for current and future sea-level changes and a basis for scientific assessment of the evolutionary trend of coral reefs in the SCS.Although sporadic studies have been performed around Hainan Island in the northern SCS,the reconstructed sea level presents different values or is controversial because the indicative meaning of the sea-level indicators were neither quantified nor uniform criteria.Here,we determined the quantitative relationship between modern living coral and sea level by measuring the top surfaces of 27 live Porites corals from the inner reef flat along the east coast of Hainan Island and assessed the accuracy of results obtained using coral as sea-level indicators.Additionally,three in situ fossil Porites corals were analyzed based on elevation measurements,digital X-ray radiography,and U-Th dating.The survey results showed that the indicative meanings for the modern live Porites corals is(146.09±8.35)cm below the mean tide level(MTL).It suggested that their upward growth limit is constrained by the sea level,and the lowest low water is the highest level of survival for the modern live Porites corals.Based on the newly defined indicative meanings,6 new sea-level index points(SLIPs)were obtained and 19 published SLIPs were recalculated.Those SLIPs indicated a relative sea level fluctuation between(227.7±9.8)cm to(154.88±9.8)cm MTL between(5393±25)cal a BP and(3390±12)cal a BP,providing evidences of the Mid-Holocene sea-level highstand in the northern SCS.Besides that,our analysis demonstrated that different sea-level histories may be produced based on different indicative meanings or criteria.The dataset of 276 coral U-Th ages indicates that coral reef development in the northern SCS comprised the initial development,boom growth,decline,and flourishing development again.A comparison with regional records indicated that synergistic effects of climatic and environmental factors were involved in the development of coral reefs in the northern SCS.Thus,the cessation of coral reef development during the Holocene in the northern SCS was probably associated with the dry and cold climate in South China,as reflected in the synchronous weakening of the ENSO and East Asian summer monsoon induced by the reduction of the 65°N summer insolation,which forced the migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

基于drop-off ddPCR方法检测急性髓系白血病C-KIT基因N822位点突变及其临床应用

目的:建立急性髓系白血病(acute myeloid leukemia, AML)患者C-KIT基因N822位点突变的drop-off微滴式数字PCR(droplet digital PCR,ddPCR)定量检测方法,并评价其临床应用价值。方法:针对C-KIT基因第17外显子设计一对引物及探针,优化drop-off ddPCR反应条件及体系,评价该方法的特异性、灵敏度、重复性,使用所建立的方法对140例已行Sanger测序的AML初诊患者骨髓标本进行检测,并用二代测序(next generation sequencing, NGS)验证结果;用drop-off ddPCR对3例阳性患者化疗后C-KIT突变频率进行动态监测。结果:drop-off ddPCR检测C-KIT基因N822位点突变的最适退火温度为54℃,空白检测限为1.62拷贝数/μL,最低检测下限为10.12拷贝数/μL,线性良好。140例AML初诊患者样本中Sanger测序检出2例阳性(1.4%),而ddPCR共检出突变7例(5.0%),突变频率为0.29%~7.41%;进一步应用常规NGS方法对ddPCR阳性样本进行验证,共检出阳性3例(2.1%),等位基因频率为1.26%~8.00%。动态监测3例阳性患者C-KIT突变频率,结果显示治疗达完全缓解时C-KIT突变频率明显下降甚至降低至0。结论:本研究建立了检测C-KIT基因N822位点突变的drop-off ddPCR技术,具有良好的方法学检测性能,其灵敏度高于Sanger测序和NGS,有望用于阳性患者缓解后的可检测残留疾病监测及治疗指导。

Evaluation of frictional pressure drop correlations for air-water and air-oil two-phase flow in pipeline-riser system

Accurate prediction of the frictional pressure drop is important for the design and operation of subsea oil and gas transporting system considering the length of the pipeline. The applicability of the correlations to pipeline-riser flow needs evaluation since the flow condition in pipeline-riser is quite different from the original data where they were derived from. In the present study, a comprehensive evaluation of 24prevailing correlation in predicting frictional pressure drop is carried out based on experimentally measured data of air-water and air-oil two-phase flows in pipeline-riser. Experiments are performed in a system having different configuration of pipeline-riser with the inclination of the downcomer varied from-2°to-5°to investigated the effect of the elbow on the frictional pressure drop in the riser. The inlet gas velocity ranges from 0.03 to 6.2 m/s, and liquid velocity varies from 0.02 to 1.3 m/s. A total of885 experimental data points including 782 on air-water flows and 103 on air-oil flows are obtained and used to access the prediction ability of the correlations. Comparison of the predicted results with the measured data indicate that a majority of the investigated correlations under-predict the pressure drop on severe slugging. The result of this study highlights the requirement of new method considering the effect of pipe layout on the frictional pressure drop.

Ladder Time Stepwise Inertia Coordinated Control Method of Multiple Wind Farms to Suppress System Frequency Secondary Drop

Currently,both regulated and deregulated power trading exist in China’s power system,which has caused imbalanced funds in the electricity market.In this paper,a simulation analysis of the electricity market with wind energy resources is conducted,and the calculation methods of unbalanced funds are investigated systematically.In detail,the calculation formulas of unbalanced funds are illustrated based on their definition,and a two-track electricity market clearing model is established.Firstly,the concept of the dual-track system is explained,and the specific calculation formulas of various types of unbalanced funds are provided.Next,considering the renewable energy consumption,the market clearing model based on DC power flow is constructed and solved;by combining fitting methods of mid-and long-term curves,the unbalanced funds are calculated based on clearing results and formulas.

Efficacy of recombinant human epidermal growth factor plus sodium hyaluronate eye drops in diabetic dry eye post-cataract surgery

BACKGROUND Dry eye syndrome(DES)after diabetic cataract surgery can seriously affect the patient’s quality of life.Therefore,effective alleviation of symptoms in patients with this disease has important clinical significance.AIM To explore the clinical effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF)plus sodium hyaluronate(SH)eye drops on DES after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes.METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 82 patients with diabetes who experienced DES after cataract surgery at Tianjin Beichen Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University between April 2021 and April 2023.They were classified into an observation group(42 cases,rhEGF+SH eye drops)and a control group(40 cases,SH eye drops alone),depending on the different treatment schemes.The therapeutic efficacy,dry eye symptom score,tear film breakup time(TFBUT),basic tear secretion score[assessed using Schirmer I test(SIt)],corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score,tear inflammatory markers,adverse reactions during treat-ment,and treatment satisfaction were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Therapeutic efficacy was higher in the observation group compared with the control group.Both groups showed improved TFBUT and dry eye,as well as improved SIt and FL scores after treatment,with a more pronounced improvement in the observation group.Although no marked differences in adverse reactions were observed between the two groups,treatment satisfaction was higher in the observation group.CONCLUSION rhEGF+SH eye drops rendered clinical benefits to patients by effectively ameliorating dry eye and visual impairment with favorable efficacy,fewer adverse reactions,and high safety levels.Thus,this treatment should be promoted in clinical practice.

Improvement of Temperature Drop Model Parameters for 4200mm/3500mm Rolling of Baosteel Medium and Thick Plate

Based on the temperature situation during the rolling process of 4200 mm/3500 mm medium and thick plates at Baosteel,this article analyzes the influencing factors of temperature changes during the rolling process from the perspective of heat transfer theory and the temperature change law during the rolling process.The temperature loss during the four rolling processes is tracked on site,and the temperature drop model parameters during the rolling process of 4200mm/3500mm medium and thick plates at Baosteel are quantitatively provided.It is applied to actual rolling production and has achieved good results.

电磁脉冲攻击下片上配电网络IR Drop分析方法

电磁脉冲攻击对集成电路的安全具有很强的威胁性.为了有效地抵御电磁脉冲攻击,针对片上配电网络易受电磁脉冲影响的问题,提出了一种电磁脉冲攻击下片上配电网络IRdrop分布的分析方法.首先,在集成电路布局规划阶段,基于有限元仿真构建片上配电网络模型和电磁脉冲攻击模型,仿真获得电磁脉冲下配电网络上感应电流密度的分布并计算感应电流,然后将感应电流加载到配电网络模型上,使用IR分析工具分析IRdrop分布.基于TSMC180 nm工艺版图的IR drop分析结果显示,电磁脉冲攻击能够在电源和地网络中引入2.3 V以上的IR drop.与现有基于电流分布理论值的分析方法相比,该分析方法能够更准确地获取电磁脉冲下配电网络中的IR drop分布.该分析方法可用于指导改进配电网络的设计,提升抗电磁脉冲攻击能力.实验结果显示,增加一组供电端口后,电源和地网络中的最大IR drop分别降低了28%和24%.

A-DROP评分对老年社区获得性肺炎临床结局的预测价值

目的探讨A-DROP评分对老年社区获得性肺炎临床结局的预测价值。方法回顾性分析2019年1月~2020年12月本院呼吸与危重症医学科收治的老年社区获得性肺炎患者(CAP)临床资料,入院后24 h内完成血常规、生化等检测,并完成A-DROP、PSI、CURB-65评分,根据28 d结局分为死亡及存活组,通过比较受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析A-DROP、PSI、CURB-65对患者28 d死亡率的预测效能。结果共纳入137例老年CAP患者,其中死亡组23例,存活组114例,A-DROP、PSI、CURB-65评分在死亡组中更高(P<0.0001);A-DROP、CURB-65、PSI危险分层预测老年CAP患者28 d死亡率的AUC值分别为0.759、0.732、0.755,A-DROP的截断值为极严重组,其敏感性为82.61%,特异性为65.79%;依据A-DROP进行危险分层,极严重组患者中位生存时间为22.638天(95%CI:20.096~25.180),极严重组患者死亡风险是中度组患者8.56倍(95%CI 3.3~22.21),是严重组患者的4.28倍(95%CI:1.32~13.9)。结论A-DROP评分系统对老年CAP患者死亡率具有一定预测价值,与PSI、CURB-65的预测效能相当。

The role of cochlear implantation in alleviating Tumarkin drop attacks of Meniere's disease;a case report

Ménière’s disease(MD)patients may suffer episodes of sudden falls,named Tu markin drop attacks(DAs).This fall occurs abruptly and without warning or loss of consciousness.DAs usually aggravate the clinical picture of MD and are challenging to manage.The present report describes a case treated by cochlear implantation(CI)due to concomitant deafness and offers some clinical considerations for this condition.A male patient aged 48 years with a 10-year history of definite bilateral MD had profound SNHL on the right and severe SNHL on the left side.He suffered from intermittent attacks of vertigo,ear fullness,and tinnitus and,in the last year,had developed DAs and experienced 14 episodes in the previous six months.The preoperative category of acoustic performance was 3.The Dizziness Handicap Inventory(DHI)questionnaire showed a total score of 46,which indicated a moderate degree of disability.A CI was planned for the right side.The patient did not report any further DAs episode for two years since then.The postoperative category of acoustic performance became 11,and the postoperative DHI questionnaire showed a decrease in the total score(from 46 to 19),which indicated a mild disability.Unilateral CI effectively alleviated the DAs associated with bilateral MD.Our report proposes a new modality for managing vertiginous symptoms in cases of MD with hearing loss without the need for more aggressive surgical interventions with the need for clinical trials to confirm our results.

Numerical simulation of drop weight impact sensitivity evaluation criteria for pressed PBXs

A thorough understanding of drop-weight impacted responses for polymer-bonded explosives(PBXs)is significant to evaluate their impact sensitivity.The characteristics of the drop-weight impacted pressed PBXs including deforming,fracturing,forming a local high-temperature region and igniting,were simulated using a coupled mechanical-thermo-chemical model integrating micro-defects evolution.A novel evaluation method for impact sensitivity is established using the relation between the input kinetic energy and the output energy due to deformation,crushing energy,local hot spot energy and ignition.The effects of impact velocity on sensitivity were analyzed and the critical local ignition impact velocity is determined as 4.0-4.5 m/s.The simulated results show that shear-crack friction heating is the dominant ignition mechanism.The region along the boundary of PBXs sample is the most hazardous regions where ignition first occur.The propagation of stress wave in PBXs causes shear-crack hotspot and bulk temperature exhibiting an approximate 45°direction evolution path,which is the main reason that dominated damage-ignition region transits from the boundary to the central of sample.

Effects of endogenous dopamine induced by low concentration atropine eye drops on choroidal neovascularization in high myopia mice

AIM:To evaluate effects of endogenous dopamine induced by low concentration atropine eye drops on choroidal neovascularization(CNV)in high myopia mice.METHODS:The C57BL/6J mice were deprived of the right eye for 4wk,and the high myopia was diagnosed by optometry,the diopter was less than-6.00 D,and CNV was induced by 532 nm laser.The changes of dopamine D1 receptor(DRD1),dopamine D2 receptor(DRD2),and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)were detected by Western blot technology at 0.5,1,2h,and 7d after 0.01%,0.05%,and 0.1%atropine eye drops,respectively,the area of CNV was measured.RESULTS:Significant increases were observed on the expression of DRD2 in mouse high myopia model at 0.5,1,2h,7d with 0.05%and 0.1%atropine eye drops(P<0.05).Significant decreases were observed on the expression of DRD1 and VEGFA in mouse high myopia model at 0.5,1,2h,7d with 0.05%and 0.1%atropine eye drops(P<0.05).The area of CNV induced by laser in the drug-treated group was significantly smaller than that in the control group,and the higher the concentration,the more significant the inhibitory effect(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The 0.01%,0.05%,0.1%atropine eye drops can decrease the level of VEGFA and inhibit high myopia CNV indirectly by up-regulating the level of DRD2 and down-regulating the level of DRD1,and the effect of 0.05%and 0.1%atropine eye drops is more significant.

Drop-off微滴式数字PCR检测急性髓系白血病NRAS基因突变及其临床应用

目的:建立检测急性髓系白血病(acute myeloid leukemia,AML)神经母细胞瘤RAS病毒癌基因同源物(NRAS)基因突变的drop-off微滴式数字PCR(droplet digital PCR,ddPCR)方法,并评价该方法的临床应用价值。方法:针对NRAS G12和G13突变位点设计特异性drop-off ddPCR引物和探针,建立最佳反应体系,并对该方法进行性能验证。应用该方法对140例临床样本进行初筛,其检测结果与Sanger测序进行比较,并用二代测序(next generation sequencing,NGS)进行验证。结果:建立drop-off ddPCR检测NRAS基因G12/G13突变的方法,灵敏度达0.158%,重复性、线性良好,其空白限为5.40拷贝数/μL,最低检测下限为15.84拷贝数/μL。在140例初诊AML患者中,drop-off ddPCR检出NRAS突变28例(20%),其突变负荷为0.26%~52.85%(中位2.14%);而Sanger测序仅检出7例(5%)阳性,为进一步验证,将21例Sanger测序结果阴性而drop-off ddPCR检测阳性的样本进行NRAS基因NGS,检出14例阳性,而另外7例NGS阴性的样本,其drop-off ddPCR检测突变频率为0.53%~1.50%(中位1.10%)。结论:建立了drop-off ddPCR技术检测AML患者中NRAS基因突变的方法,该方法灵敏度高,可用于对NRAS基因G12/G13突变进行定量检测,有望可用于AML患者预后判断和疾病监测。

Effect of dynamic loading conditions on the dynamic performance of MP1 energy-absorbing rockbolts:Insight from laboratory drop test

Energy-absorbing rockbolts have been widely adopted in burst-prone excavation support, and their serviceability is closely related to the frequency and magnitude of seismic events. In this research, the splittube drop test with varying impact energy was conducted to reproduce the dynamic performance of MP1rockbolts under a wide range of seismic event magnitudes. The test results showed that the impact process could be subdivided into four distinct stages, i.e. mobilization, strain hardening, plastic flow(ductile), and rebound stage, of which strain hardening and plastic flow are the primary energy absorbing stages. As the impact energy per drop increases from 8.1 to 46.7 k J, the strain rate of the shank varies between 1.20 and 2.70 s^(-1), and the average impact load is between 240 and 270kN, which may be considered as constant. The MP1 rockbolt has a cumulative maximum energy absorption(CMEA) of 31.9–40.0 k J/m, with an average of 35.0 k J/m, and the elongation rate is 11.4%–14.7%, with an average of 12.7%, both of which are negatively correlated with the impact energy per drop. Regression analysis shows that energy absorption and shank elongation, as well as momentum input and impact duration,conform to the linear relationship. The complete dynamic capacity envelope of MP1 rockbolts is proposed, which reflects the dynamic bearing capacity, elongation, and distinct stages. This study is helpful to better understand the dynamic characteristics of energy-absorbing rockbolts and assist design engineers in robust reinforcement systems design to mitigate rockburst damage in seismically active underground excavations.

基于GRU-GCN-RDrop模型的交通速度预测

准确并实时地预测交通速度是实现智能交通管控和建设智慧交通系统必不可少的一环,然而现有的预测方法无法准确地挖掘其潜在的时空相关性。为了进一步挖掘数据的时空特性以及提高预测精度,设计了基于门控循环神经网络(GRU),图卷积网络(GCN)和正则化Dropout(R-Drop)结合的GRU-GCN-RDrop组合模型。GCN用于学习复杂的拓扑结构来捕获空间依赖性,GRU用于学习交通数据的动态变化来捕获时间依赖性。GCN和GRU相结合后使用R-Drop方法提高模型泛化能力。以SZ-taxi数据集为例进行预测分析,GRU-GCN-RDrop模型预测了未来在15分钟、30分钟、45分钟和60分钟的交通速度,并得出对应的均方根误差、平均绝对误差、精度、判定系数和解释方差。对比GCN、GRU单个模型,GRU-GCN-RDrop模型有效解决了误差的迅速累积问题。对比大多数现有基准模型,GRU-GCN-RDrop模型对于交通速度序列的特征提取及解释能力较为优秀。对比T-GCN模型和ST-AGTCN模型,GRU-GCN-RDrop模型泛化能力更强。由此说明了GRU-GCN-RDrop模型预测的交通速度时间序列具有较高的精度和稳定性。

Visual Outcomes and Risk of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Following Posterior Capsule Rupture during Cataract Surgery: With vs without Dropped Nuclear Lens Fragments

Background: Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgery worldwide. Posterior capsule rupture (PCR) remains one of the most common complications of cataract surgery and a major risk factor for poor visual outcomes. Cataract surgeries complicated by PCR and vitreous loss are managed with anterior vitrectomy at the time of surgery. However, the situation can be further complicated by dropping lens particles into the vitreous cavity necessitating a secondary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Purpose: To compare the visual outcomes and risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) between eyes that required anterior vitrectomy (AV) alone for the management of vitreous loss and eyes that required AV and subsequent PPV for the management of dropped nuclear lens fragments (DNLF) following cataract surgery complicated by PCR in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Medical records of patients in whom PCR occurred during phacoemulsification cataract surgery requiring AV or subsequent PPV for DNLF were retrospectively reviewed over a 6-year period from January 2016 to December 2021. Results: PCR occurred in 183 (2.3%) of 7757 consecutive eyes that underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery during the study period. Seven eyes were excluded from analysis for missing data or short follow-up. Of the 176 eyes, 147 eyes (83.5%) were managed with AV alone, and the remaining 29 eyes (16.5%) underwent a secondary PPV for DNLF. After excluding eyes with pre-existing ocular pathology, final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was similar in both groups with a mean of 0.32 logMAR (P = 0.99). Two of 147 eyes (1.4%) in the AV group developed RRD with poor final BCVA whereas none of the eyes in DNLF group developed RRD. Conclusion: The risk of RRD is lower in eyes that required PPV for DNLF than in eyes that were managed with AV alone following PCR during cataract surgery. The poor visual outcomes in eyes that suffered RRD underscore the importance of postoperative retinal examination and early detection of retinal breaks.

Pressure drop of structured packing in pilot column and comparison to common correlations

Packed columns are widely used in the chemical industry such as absorption,stripping,distillation,and extraction in the production of e.g.organic chemicals,and pharmaceuticals.Pressure loss and pressure drop correlations are of special interest when it comes to the hydrodynamic properties of a column.The pressure loss across the column is of interest in the design phase when the size of the blower to drive the gas stream through the column has to be decided.The loading point and flooding point are also influenced by the pressure loss and the area of operation is determined from these points.This work examines four different correlations on pressure drop.The correlations are(i)Ergun’s equation(1952),(ii)an improved version of Ergun’s equation by Stichlmair,Bravo,and Fair(1989),(iii)an equation developed by Billet and Schultes(1999),and(iv)an equation by Rocha,Bravo,and Fair(1993).The complexity of the correlations is increasing in the mentioned order,Ergun’s equation being the simplest one.This study investigates if the more complicated correlations give better predictions to pressure drop in packed columns.This is determined by comparing the correlations to experimental data for pressure drop in a packed column with 8.2 m of structured packing using water as the liquid and atmospheric air as the gas.Seven experiments were carried out for determining the pressure drop in the column with liquid flows varying from 0 to 500 kg·h^(-1).At constant liquid flow,the gas flow was varied from approximately 10 to 70 kg·h^(-1).The pressure drop across the non-wetted column was best described by the correlation by Rocha et al.while the pressure drop for liquid flows from 100 to 500 kg·h^(-1)was,in general,best described by Stichlmair’s equation.For an irrigated column,the highest deviation was a predicted pressure drop 69.6%lower than measured.The best prediction was 0.1%higher than the measured.This study shows,surprisingly,that for a system of water and atmospheric air,complicated correlations on pressure drop determination do not provide better estimates than simple equations.