Integrated adsorption and photocatalytic removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution by hierarchical Nb_(2)O_(5)@PAN/PVDF/ANO composite nanofibers

This work presents the development of hierarchical niobium pentoxide(Nb_(2)O_(5))-based composite nanofiber membranes for integrated adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue(MB)pollutants from aqueous solutions.The Nb_(2)O_(5) nanorods were vertically grown using a hydrothermal process on a base electrospun nanofibrous membrane made of polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene fluoride/ammonium niobate(V)oxalate hydrate(Nb_(2)O_(5)@PAN/PVDF/ANO).They were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis,and Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy.These composite nanofibers possessed a narrow optical bandgap energy of 3.31 eV and demonstrated an MB degradation efficiency of 96%after 480 min contact time.The pseudo-first-order kinetic study was also conducted,in which Nb_(2)O_(5)@PAN/PVDF/ANO nanofibers have kinetic constant values of 1.29×10^(-2) min^(-1) and 0.30×10^(-2) min^(-1) for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of MB aqueous solutions,respectively.These values are 17.7 and 7.8 times greater than those of PAN/PVDF/ANO nanofibers without Nb_(2)O_(5) nanostructures.Besides their outstanding photocatalytic performance,the developed membrane materials exhibit advantageous characteristics in recycling,which subsequently widen their practical use in environmental remediation applications.

Traffic Sign Recognition for Autonomous Vehicle Using Optimized YOLOv7 and Convolutional Block Attention Module

The infrastructure and construction of roads are crucial for the economic and social development of a region,but traffic-related challenges like accidents and congestion persist.Artificial Intelligence(AI)and Machine Learning(ML)have been used in road infrastructure and construction,particularly with the Internet of Things(IoT)devices.Object detection in Computer Vision also plays a key role in improving road infrastructure and addressing trafficrelated problems.This study aims to use You Only Look Once version 7(YOLOv7),Convolutional Block Attention Module(CBAM),the most optimized object-detection algorithm,to detect and identify traffic signs,and analyze effective combinations of adaptive optimizers like Adaptive Moment estimation(Adam),Root Mean Squared Propagation(RMSprop)and Stochastic Gradient Descent(SGD)with the YOLOv7.Using a portion of German traffic signs for training,the study investigates the feasibility of adopting smaller datasets while maintaining high accuracy.The model proposed in this study not only improves traffic safety by detecting traffic signs but also has the potential to contribute to the rapid development of autonomous vehicle systems.The study results showed an impressive accuracy of 99.7%when using a batch size of 8 and the Adam optimizer.This high level of accuracy demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed model for the image classification task of traffic sign recognition.

Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bridge Design in the Netherlands： Architectural Challenges toward Innovative, Sustainable, and Durable Bridges

This paper reviews the use of fiber-reinforced polymers （FRPs） in architectural and structural bridge design in the Netherlands. The challenges and opportunities of this relatively new material, both for the architect and the engineer, are discussed. An inventory of recent structural solutions in FRP is included, followed by a discussion on architectural FRP applications derived from the architectural practice of the author and of other pioneers.

Palaeoseismic Events in Karst Terrains along the Northern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast

The study of the palaoseismic events in the karst terrains of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is a very important up-to-date problem. The investigated region is one of the highest-energy regions in Bulgaria with established and recorded catastrophic historic and contemporary earthquakes. The terrain is subjected to the influence not only of its own earthquake foci but also of those in Romania and Russia. The palaeoearthquakes that caused considerable disturbances in the karst terrains along the Northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast have left significant traces. They caused disturbances in the environment and the relief (rearrangement of the surface and ground water karst basins, partially or entirely collapsed caves, deformed caves, oil, gas and salt intrusions and gravitationally formed caves). The ecological consequences in historic and contemporary aspects were catastrophic. The palaeoseismic dislocations were formed as a result of global, regional and local geodynamic events related with the destruction of the Moezian platform and the regional extension of the Black Sea basin. The time of their display and their spatial interrelations were established as a result of complex investigations accompanied by original documents.

ASYMPTOTIC HOMOGENIZATION IN A PARABOLIC SEMILINEAR PROBLEM WITH PERIODIC COEFFICIENTS AND INTEGRABLE INITIAL DATA

In this paper, we study the large time behavior of solutions of the parabolic semilinear equation δtu-div（a（x）△↓u） = -｜u｜^αu in （0,∞） × R^N, where α 〉 0 is constant and a∈ Cb^1（R^N） is a symmetric periodic matrix satisfying some ellipticity assumptions.Considering an integrable initial data u0 and α ∈ （2/N, 3/N）, we prove that the large time behavior of solutions is given by the solution U（t, x） of the homogenized linear problem δtU-div（a^h△↓U）=0,U（0） = C, where a^h is the homogenized matrix of a（x）, C is a positive constant and δ is the Dirac measure at 0.

Asymptotic iteration approach to supersymmetric bistable potentials

We examine quasi exactly solvable bistable potentials and their supersymmetric partners within the framework of the asymptotic iteration method （AIM）. It is shown that the AIM produces excellent approximate spectra and that sometimes it is found to be more useful to use the partner potential for computation. We also discuss the direct application of the AIM to the Fokker-Planck equation.

Artificial Neural Networks in Risk Management: A Bibliometric Study

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of Artificial Neural Networks in Risk Management.The study considered articles from the I.S.I.Web of Knowledge and Scopus databases,Identification of publishers,countries,periodicals and the keywords most frequently cited.We used the CiteSpace® software to analyze this material,which provides a set of features to support bibliometrics,including the reference maps.This study provides data collection on Artificial Neural Networks applied to risk management.The number of works identified in this study is significant,and in the last ten years,the number of citations has increased.We did not identify the increase in paper count within the same period.

Anti-osteoporosis properties of phosphorylated collagen peptidemagnesium chelates in osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells and ovariectomized mice

To the Editor:Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a typical bone metabolic disruption disease caused by estrogen deficiency,characterized by deteriorated bone structure,reduced bone mineral density(BMD),and thinned sclerotin,which has troubled millions of menopausal women worldwide.[1]Additionally,estrogen deficiency is accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation,thus causing the occurrence and deterioration of osteoporosis.[2]Conventional treatment options have limited efficacy and cannot meet the requirements of long-term treatment.[3]Therefore,in order to alleviate the problem of osteoporosis in human health,innovative strategies should explore the possibilities and alternatives to current ones.In this study.

Spatiality of the urban commons:Typo-morphology of the open common spaces in New Belgrade mass housing blocks

The article examines the existing infrastructure of open common spaces within two New Belgrade mass housing blocks(Blocks 23 and 70a)through a typo-morphological analysis.These spaces between the buildings,although the most neglected,underused,and deteriorated components of mass housing neighbourhoods,are at the same time crucial to the quality,vitality and integrated governance of these neighbourhoods.They represent the primary tangible commons in cities and neighbourhoods.The question of urban commons is increasingly present in scientific literature,urban and architectural discourse.Nevertheless,approaches exploring the spatiality of the urban commons are scarce,leading to insufficient understanding of the spatial aspect and potentials of the already existing commons.Therefore,this study includes(1)identification,typological decoding and classification of the common spaces,focusing on the case of New Belgrade blocks,followed by(2)analysis of the spatial patterns and integration of the identified spaces within the blocks.The study confirms the complexity and diverse typology of the common spaces.It finds that the in-between,common spaces contribute to higher integration of different segments of the blocks.The open common spaces have an essential role in humanisation of the blocks,and thus the quality of life in the blocks as integrated neighbourhoods.The findings indicate that the spatial setting of the open common spaces in New Belgrade blocks allows for(re)emergence of collective practices,leading to inclusive and integrated rehabilitation of the neighbourhoods.

Optimal configuration problem identification of electrical power cable in tidal turbine farm via traveling salesman problem modeling approach

Electrical power cables in tidal turbine farms contribute a significant share to capital expenditure(CAPEX). As a result, the routing of electrical power cables connecting turbines to cable collector hubs must be designed so as to obtain the least cost configuration.This is referred to as a tidal cable routing problem. This problem possesses several variants depending on the number of cable collector hubs. In this paper, these variants are modeled by employing the approach of the single depot multiple traveling salesman problem(mTSP) and the multiple depot mTSP of operational research for the single and multiple cable collector variants, respectively. The developed optimization models are computationally implemented using MATLAB. In the triple cable collector cable hub variant, an optimal solution is obtained, while good-quality suboptimal solutions are obtained in the double and single cable collector hub variants. In practice,multiple cable collector hubs are expected to be employed as the multiple-hub configurations tend to be more economic than the single-hub configurations.This has been confirmed by this paper for an optimal tidal turbine layout obtained with OpenTidalFarm. Suggestions are presented for future research studies comprising a number of heuristics.

THE OPTICAL VARIABILITY ON A SHORT TIME SCALE OF 6 BL LAC OBJECTS

Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION BL Lac objects were the prototype of a new class of astrophysically interested objects with these peculiar characteristies: (ⅰ) Absence of emission lines in the core source;(ⅱ) rapid variability at radio, IR and visual wavelengths; (ⅲ) non-thermal

河流样式框架:基于水文地貌评估支撑河流景观的可持续修复与管理

河流景观是人类需求与自然基底相互作用形成的复杂、多尺度嵌套的社会生态和水文地貌系统。基于水文地貌学原理的“河流样式框架”为理解河流“形式与过程”之间的关系提供了一个成熟的分析工具。系统梳理河流样式框架的基本原则、具体步骤与核心内容,提出多尺度的空间层级划分、河流样式与地貌单元的分类体系是该框架解释河流特征与河流行为的核心方法。进而在流域尺度依据地貌状况与修复潜力评估结果确定各个河段修复管理的优先次序,在河段尺度通过河流演变轨迹分析预测河流的变化趋势。以期为“基于过程”的河流景观修复设计与行动计划提供理论支持。

Mid-term clinical outcomes of the uncemented Robert Mathys pressfit cup

BACKGROUND The use of uncemented cups during total hip arthroplasty(THA)has gained popularity in recent years.The Robert Mathys(RM)pressfit cup,an uncemented monoblock implant is expected to preserve bone density due to its composition and external surface,while reducing backside wear with its monoblock construction.These factors should lead to a high survival rate of the implant.AIM To evaluate the mid-term survival and functional outcome of the RM Pressfit cup in a large study population.METHODS Between 2011 and 2020,we included 1324 patients receiving a primary THA using the RM pressfit cup.Final clinical follow-up was performed at 2 years postoperatively with the Dutch arthroplasty register used to assess implant status thereafter.Revision for acetabular failure and reason for revision were reported to evaluate implant survival,while the hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score(HOOS)scores were used to assess functional outcome.RESULTS The mean age at surgery was 64.9 years.The mean follow-up was 4.6 years.Of the 1324 THAs performed,13 needed cup revisions within 5 years after index THA:5 due to aseptic loosening,6 due to infection,2 due to dislocation and 2 due to other causes.This resulted in a 5-year cup survival of 98.8%(95%CI:98.1-99.5).Nine of the cup revisions occurred within the first year after index THA.HOOS scores increased significantly in all domains during the first year and levelled out during the second year.CONCLUSION In the present study,the RM pressfit cup demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up;however,future studies are needed to assess the long-term outcomes of this acetabular implant.

Aqueous-phase reforming of hydroxyacetone solution to bio-based H_(2)over supported Pt catalysts

Aqueous-phase reforming(APR)is an attractive process to produce bio-based hydrogen from waste biomass streams,during which the catalyst stability is often challenged due to the harsh reaction conditions.In this work,three Pt-based catalysts supported on C,AlO(OH),and ZrO_(2)were investigated for the APR of hydroxyacetone solution in afixed bed reactor at 225℃and 35 bar.Among them,the Pt/C catalyst showed the highest turnover frequency for H_(2)production(TOF of 8.9 molH_(2)molPt^(-1)min^(-1))and the longest catalyst stability.Over the AlO(OH)and ZrO_(2)supported Pt catalysts,the side reactions consuming H_(2),formation of coke,and Pt sintering result in a low H_(2)production and the fast catalyst deactivation.The proposed reaction pathways suggest that a promising APR catalyst should reform all oxygenates in the aqueous phase,minimize the hydrogenation of the oxygenates,maximize the WGS reaction,and inhibit the condensation and coking reactions for maximizing the hydrogen yield and a stable catalytic performance.

Mid-term survival of the Optimys short stem: A prospective case series of 500 patients

BACKGROUND In recent years,there has been an increase in the number of total hip arthroplasty procedures in the younger patient population.This active group has higher expectations of their prosthesis in comparison to the older population,and there is a greater physical demand for the prosthesis.Short femoral stems were in-troduced to retain proximal bone stock and joint biomechanics and became more common to implant in this specific population.Currently,the long-term survival and functional outcomes of various short stems are still being investigated in different clinics.AIM To determine the 5-year survival of the Optimys hip stem.METHODS This was a prospective multicenter cohort study of 500 patients conducted in two hospitals in the Netherlands.All patients received the Optimys short stem(Mathys Ltd,Bettlach,Switzerland).The primary outcome measure was survival of the hip stem,with revision as the endpoint.The secondary outcome measurements included patient-reported outcome measures(PROMs).Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate the 5-year survival rate.Log-minus-log transformation was performed to calculate the 95%confidence interval(95%CI).Mixed model analyses were performed to assess the course of the PROMs during the 1st 2 years after surgery.Analyses were modeled separately for the 1st and 2nd years to calculate the yearly change in PROMs during both follow-up periods with accompanying 95%CIs.RESULTS The mean age of the total 500 patients was 62.3 years(standard deviation:10.6)and 202 were male(40%).At a median follow-up of 5.5 years(interquartile range:4.5-6.7),7 patients were deceased and 6 revisions were registered,for infection(n=3),subsidence(n=2)and malposition(n=1).This resulted in an overall 5-year survival of 98.8%(95%CI:97.3-99.5).If infection was left out as reason for revision,a stem survival of 99.4%(95%CI:98.1-99.8)was seen.Baseline questionnaires were completed by 471 patients(94%),317 patients(63%)completed the 1-year follow-up questionnaires and 233 patients(47%)completed the 2-year follow-up.Both outcome measures significantly improved across all domains in the 1st year after the operation(P<0.03 for all domains).In the 2nd year after surgery,no significant changes were observed in any domain in comparison to the 1-year follow-up.CONCLUSION The Optimys stem has a 5-year survival of 98.8%.Patient-reported outcome measures increased significantly in the 1st postoperative year with stabilization at the 2-year follow-up.

Convergence Issues Associated with Cutoff Energies and Ab Initio Studies of Adsorption of CO on W and Pt

The experimental research programs of 1950s, to understand the adsorption of CO on W surfaces, changed to ab initio studies in 2000s. The goals were to seek improved practical applications. Most of the studies were based on density functional theory. Many studies also used programs, such as VASP (Vienna Abinitio simulation package) and CPMD. The computational procedures used plane wave approximations. This needed studies with selection of K points and cutoff energy selection to assure convergence in energy calculations. Observations and analysis of papers published from 2006 to 2022 indicate that the cutoff energies were selected arbitrarily without any needed convergence studies. By selecting a published 2006 paper, this paper has clearly showed that an arbitrary selection of cutoff energy, such as 460 eV, is not in the range of, cutoff energies that assure convergence of energy calculations, with ab initio methods and have indicated correction procedures. .

Artificial intelligence powered large-scale renewable integrations in multi-energy systems for carbon neutrality transition: Challenges and future perspectives

The vigorous expansion of renewable energy as a substitute for fossil energy is the predominant route of action to achieve worldwide carbon neutrality. However, clean energy supplies in multi-energy building districts are still at the preliminary stages for energy paradigm transitions. In particular, technologies and methodologies for large-scale renewable energy integrations are still not sufficiently sophisticated, in terms of intelligent control management. Artificial intelligent (AI) techniques powered renewable energy systems can learn from bioinspired lessons and provide power systems with intelligence. However, there are few in-depth dissections and deliberations on the roles of AI techniques for large-scale integrations of renewable energy and decarbonisation in multi-energy systems. This study summarizes the commonly used AI-related approaches and discusses their functional advantages when being applied in various renewable energy sectors, as well as their functional contribution to optimizing the operational control modalities of renewable energy and improving the overall operational effectiveness. This study also presents practical applications of various AI techniques in large-scale renewable energy integration systems, and analyzes their effectiveness through theoretical explanations and diverse case studies. In addition, this study introduces limitations and challenges associated with the large-scale renewable energy integrations for carbon neutrality transition using relevant AI techniques, and proposes further promising research perspectives and recommendations. This comprehensive review ignites advanced AI techniques for large-scale renewable integrations and provides valuable informational instructions and guidelines to different stakeholders (e.g., engineers, designers and scientists) for carbon neutrality transition.

Advances in scalable gas-phase manufacturing and processing of nanostructured solids： A review

Although the gas-phase production of nanostructured solids has already been carried out in industry for decades, only in recentyears has research interest in this topic begun to increase. Nevertheless, despite the remarkable scientific progress made recently, many long-established processes are still used in industry. Scientific advancements can potentially lead to the improvement of existing industrial processes, but also to the development of completely new routes. This paper aims to review state-of-the-art synthesis and processing technologies, as well as the recent developments in academic research. Flame reactors that produce inorganic nanoparticles on industrial- and lab-scales are described, alongside a detailed overview of the different systems used for the production of carbon nanotubes and graphene. We discuss the problems of agglomeration and mixing of nanoparticles, which are strongly related to synthesis and processing. Finally, we focus on two promising processing techniques, namely nanoparticle fluidization and atomic layer deposition.

COVAX-19 ■Vaccine:Completely blocks virus transmission to non-immune individuals

Various vaccine platforms are geared against COVID-19 vaccine development to produce immunogens in cells.To design a recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine,Vaxine pty Ltd used computer models of the spike protein and its human receptor,ACE2,to identify how the virus infects human cells.Based on this,the COVAX-19 ■vaccine is synthesized.It does reduce not only COVID-19 disease but also blocks virus shedding and transmission.Researchers are optimistic that this vaccine candidate could be clinically available soon with sufficient vaccine efficacy with a considerable amount of reduction in vaccination-related side effects.

Micro-sonic sensor technology enables enhanced grass height measurement by a Rising Plate Meter

Globally,the Rising Plate Meter(RPM)is a device used to measure compressed sward height,to enable estimation of herbage mass.Despite improved farm management practices aided by a variety of technological advances,the standard design of a RPM has remained relatively unchanged.Recently,however,a RPM utilising a micro-sonic sensor,with digital data capture capability via a Bluetooth communications link to a smart device application,has been developed.Here,we assess the comparable ability of both a standard cumulative ratchet counter RPM and the micro-sonic sensor RPM,to accurately and precisely measure fixed heights.Moreover,as correct allocation of grazing area requires accurate geolocation positioning,we assess the associated GPS technology.The micro-sonic sensor RPM was significantly more accurate for height capture than the cumulative ratchet counter RPM.Overall,across all heights,the cumulative ratchet counter RPM underestimated height by 7.68±0.06mm(mean±SE).Alternatively,the micro-sonic sensor RPM overestimated height by 0.18±0.08 mm.In relation to a practical applications,these discrepancies can result in an under-and overestimation of dry matter yield by 13.71%and 0.32%kilograms per hectare,respectively.The performance of the on-board GPS did not significantly differ from that of a tertiary device.Overall,the wireless technology,integrated mapping,and decision support tools offered by the innovative micro-sonic sensor RPM provides for a highly efficacious grassland management tool.