Basic Micro Research Articles

A DFT analysis on the superlubricity performance of structural superlubricity micro/nano-component on silicon-based surface

Friction and wear are important factors which limit the development of Micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS). Therefore, the research and preparation of wear-resistant micro and nano-functional structures in the field of MEMS has profound importance. Structural superlubricity micro/nano-components (the atomic layers are in incommensurate contact, which means that the friction and wear rate is nearly zero when the layers slide) are expected to be the basic micro and nano functional structures for fabricating ultra wear-resistant MEMS. At present, there is a lack of research on the properties of structural superlubricity micro/nano-components on the surface of silicon, which is known to be the most mainstream base material for MEMS. In this paper, the electronic properties and the atomic-scale friction of the silicon-based surface structural superlubricity micro/nano-components are simulated using first-principles calculations based on the Density functional theory (DFT). By analyzing the silicon-based surface structural superlubricity micro/nano-component with adhesion performances and superlubricity characteristics. The calculation shows that the binding energy value of its lower graphene layer is larger than that of the upper layer during the slip process, and it is found that the friction force of the silicon-based structure can reach the range of 10−3 nN and the average friction coefficient can reach the range of 10−3 in the incommensurate state. Throughout the sliding process, electrostatic repulsion plays an important role in the tribological properties. The larger the electrostatic repulsion, the smoother the potential energy fluctuation, indicating less friction, while the analysis of the charge mechanism further justifies the conclusion.

A Compact IIoT System for Remote Monitoring and Control of a Micro Hydropower Plant.

Remote monitoring and operation evaluation applications for industrial environments are modern and easy means of exploiting the provided resources of specific systems. Targeted micro hydropower plant functionalities (such as tracking and adjusting the values of functional parameters, real-time fault and cause signalizing, condition monitoring assurance, and assessments of the need for maintenance activities) require the design of reliable and efficient devices or systems. The present work describes the design and implementation procedure of an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system configured for a basic micro hydropower plant architecture and assuring simple means of customization for plant differences in structure and operation. The designed system features a set of commonly used functions specific to micro hydropower exploitation, providing maximum performance and efficiency.

Thermal Resistance of Gray Modal and Micromodal Socks

Abstract Men's socks were produced on a Lonati circular knitting machine in 18 different combinations in multi-plated plain jersey from basic modal and basic micro modal yarn with the addition of cotton or PA multifilament yarn and elastane yarn in the sock cuff. The modal and micromodal yarns were ring-spun, rotor-spun and air-spun; they consist of 38 mm long staple fibres with a fineness of 1.3 and 1.0 dtex respectively. Thermal resistance was determined by use of the thermal foot. The thermal resistance values for all socks samples range from 0.0091 to 0.01586 m2 °C W−1. The highest thermal resistance per groups of basic modal fibres was obtained in the samples made of air-jet spun yarn of 0.0132 m2 °C W−1 and the lowest in samples of rotor yarn of 0.0109 m2 °C W−1. The highest thermal resistance in all groups of basic micromodal samples made of ring yarn (0.0132 m2 °C W−1) and the lowest in the samples made of air-spun yarn (0.0099 m2 °C W−1). At low levels of thermal resistance, as the thickness of the sample of basic modal and micro modal fibres of ring and rotor yarns increases, the thermal resistance of socks increases with a correlation coefficient of 0.711. The tested sock samples have low thermal resistance, i.e. they can conduct heat better than the sock leg, thus achieving cooling and comfort, which is important for wearing socks in warm weather.

Algorithm for Analyzing the Results of Laboratory Testing of Micro- and Macronutrient Composition of Milk

Introduction: The assessment of actual nutrition of the population, both at the individual and population level, strongly depends on the accuracy of data on the chemical composition of food products. Milk is an important component of a diet, and a precise estimation of micro- and macronutrients consumed with it is essential for public health assessment. Objective: To develop an algorithm for obtaining statistically accurate values of average concentrations and variability of basic micro- and macronutrients in milk. Materials and methods: To elaborate and check the algorithm, we used milk fat test results collected within the Federal Project on Public Health Strengthening by the laboratories of the Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) in the years 2020–2021. Results: Due to numerous missing and outlying values of milk composition testing, an appropriate adjustment of the algorithm was necessary. The best separating ability was demonstrated by the approach of dividing types of milk into clusters based on their fat and calcium content. The three clusters obtained included milk with a 2.5 % fat content and the average calcium concentration of 1,144 mg/L, milk with a 3.2 % fat content and the average calcium concentration of 1,180 mg/L, and milk with both fat contents and the mean calcium level of 597 mg/L. The algorithm was validated by checking the completeness of data on the fatty acid composition and a low variability of values. Conclusion: The developed algorithm has enabled us to obtain up-to-date information on the chemical composition of milk sold by food retailers in the Russian Federation. Low-calcium milk on the market is of special concern as its average consumption fails to satisfy human physiological needs. At the same time, the content of saturated fat was below 2.2 g/100 g in the cluster of milk types with the maximum fat content, thus raising no additional health concerns. Further studies should be aimed at determining the acceptable and correct stages of data preprocessing that maintain a balance between the obtained accuracy of values and their actual reproducibility.

Gestational Nutrition as a Predisposing Factor to Obesity Onset in Offspring: Role for Involvement of Epigenetic Mechanism.

Maternal lifestyle has been implicated as a predisposing factor in the development of metabolic disorders in adulthood. This lifestyle includes the immediate environment, physical activity and nutrition. Maternal nutrition has direct influence on the developmental programming through biochemical alterations and can lead to modifications in the fetal genome through epigenetic mechanisms. Imbalance in basic micro or macro nutrients due to famine or food deficiency during delicate gestational periods can lead to onset of metabolic syndrome including obesity. A major example is the Dutch famine which led to a serious metabolic disorder in adulthood of affected infants. Notably due to gene variants, individualized responses to nutritional deficiencies are unconventional, therefore intensifying the need to study nutritional genomics during fetal programming. Epigenetic mechanisms can cause hereditary changes without changing the DNA sequence; the major mechanisms include small non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and most stable of all is DNA methylation. The significance association between obesity and DNA methylation is through regulation of genes implicated in lipid and glucose metabolism either directly or indirectly by hypomethylation or hypermethylation. Examples include CPT1A, APOA2, ADRB3 and POMC. Any maternal exposure to malnutrition or overnutrition that can affect genes regulating major metabolic pathways in the fetus, will eventually cause underlying changes that can predispose or cause the onset of metabolic disorder in adulthood. In this review, we examined the interaction between nutrition during gestation and epigenetic programming of metabolic syndrome.

Mechanical response and damage mechanism of 2D woven SiCf/SiC ceramic matrix composites under tension-shear coupling load

The macroscopic mechanical behavior and coupling damage mechanism of 2D woven SiCf/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMC) prepared by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process under tension-shear coupling load were experimentally analyzed. At macroscale, the uniaxial tension, uniaxial shear and off-axis tension tests were completed and the results were compared. The tensile modulus and proportional limit have no significant difference with the increase of off-axis angle, while failure strength decreases by 22.3% compared the 45° tensile (165.4 MPa) with the 0° tensile (212.8 MPa). Based on the strain-difference analysis, the coupling damage effect of SiCf/SiC-CMC was characterized. At microscale, the main damage types of SiCf/SiC-CMC during loading were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the corresponding laws between micro damage development and macro mechanical behavior under different loading conditions were revealed by cluster analysis of acoustic emission (AE) signals. The test results show that the micro damage caused by tensile and shear stress components promote each other. The macro mechanical behavior of SiCf/SiC-CMC under complex loading is controlled by basic micro damage forms such as matrix cracking, interface debonding and fiber fracture. The tension-shear coupling load affects the evolution process of the basic damage forms, and then change the macro properties of SiCf/SiC-CMC.

Online training module for micro suturing incorporating motor imagery and mental practice: a design and development research study.

There have been reduced opportunities for surgical skill acquisition due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the regulated training hours. Despite these challenges, self-regulated learning allows trainees to learn continuously, and one form of this is through mental practice and motor imagery. The study aimed to design and develop an online basic micro suturing training module for skill acquisition for self-regulated learning using a low-fidelity rubber glove model. This study utilized a design and developmental research framework and Mayer's multimedia theory guidelines. The primary author created an online instructional module on micro suturing based on the ADDIE instructional design model. This module was then evaluated in a pilot study comparing the new training model to traditional methods of learning using an experimental design. This study describes the use of Design and Development Research to create a new model for surgical skill training and a tool for producing instructional materials and learning products for online learning. The product was evaluated using an experimental design and showed a significant effect on the quality of motor skill outcome and the richness of motor imagery using the resource developed in the research. This study describes the methodological approach of a design and developmental framework to create an online training module for micro suturing which has significant utility in hand surgery.

Discretionary Cut-In Driving Behavior Risk Assessment Based on Naturalistic Driving Data

Cut-in driving behavior is one of the basic micro traffic actions for vehicles. A risk assessment helps vehicles execute the behavior well and determine how to react to the same maneuver from other traffic participants when following a leading car or truck. This article presents a discretionary cut-in driving behavior risk assessment method based on field driving data and a united algorithm that is designed to a combine decision tree and a support vector machine to achieve enhanced sensitivity for the riskiest traffic conditions. To build the learning database, a wavelet method is employed to filter naturalistic driving data, incorporating the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">K</i> -means approach. An unsupervised data learning method is used to categorize the impact on vehicles in the target lane, indicated by a target vehicle’s average and maximum deceleration, into three groups. Experiment results based on self-collected and public databases show that tested vehicles are aware of the risk presented by other cars’ and trucks’ cut-in driving as well as their own impact on traffic participants in the target lane.

Development of a mental script for the mental practice of micro suturing: a methodological approach.

Motor imagery and mental practice are important for the acquisition and mastery of surgical skills. The success of this technique relies on the use of a well-developed mental script. In this study, we shared how we developed a mental script for basic micro suturing training by using a low-fidelity rubber glove model. This study applied the design and development research framework. Five expert surgeons developed a mental script by performing a cognitive walkthrough to repair a vertical opening in a rubber glove model, followed by hierarchical task analysis. A draft script was created, and its face and content validity assessed with a checking-back process. Twenty-eight surgeons used the Mental Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ) to assess the validity of the final script. The process of developing the mental script is detailed. The assessment by the expert panel showed the mental script had good face and content validity. The mean overall MIQ score was 5.2±1.1 (standard deviation), demonstrating the validity of generating mental imagery from the mental script developed in this study for micro suturing in the rubber glove model. The methodological approach described in this study is based on a design and development research framework to teach surgical skills. This model is inexpensive and easily accessible, addressing the challenges of reduced opportunities to practise surgical skills. However, although motor skills are important, the surgeon's other non-technical expertise is not addressed with this model. Thus, this model should act as one surgical training approach, but not replace it.

Methods for metabolic correction in cattle (review article)

The most important task for increasing of the safety and productivity of farm animals is the creation of a feed base, balanced in terms of basic nutrients, micro and macro elements. Lack or excess of vitamins, macroand microelements in the diet is the main reason of the decrease in of use of nutrients in the diet, the decrease in productivity and fertility of farm animals, as well as the appearance of various diseases. Microand macroelements in the animal body are part of vital compounds, participate in the processes of synthesis and decay, absorption and excretion of substances, have a direct effect on the activity of enzymes, hormones and vitamins, maintain a certain osmotic pressure in body fluids. A deficiency or excess of micro and macro elements can not only affect the productivity of animals, but also cause diseases. The article has collected material on the metabolism of cattle over the past ten years. Meth о ds and manners of the prevention of microand macroelements of farm animals using natural sorbents of organic microelements are shown.

Sensitivity Analysis of Loess Triaxial Mesoscopic Parameters Based on PFC3D

Based on PFC3D software and theory, combined with the indoor triaxial test results to calibrate the basic micro parameters of numerical simulation, through a large number of literature reading, respectively, the friction coefficient, porosity, particle size distribution are determined as the sensitivity factors affecting the triaxial numerical simulation of loess. The conventional triaxial numerical simulation of loess numerical samples under 200kPa confining pressure was conducted. The sensitivity analysis of meso-parameters is carried out by changing the degree of influence of meso-parameters such as the minimum particle radius on the macro-mechanical behavior of loess numerical samples, and the relationship between micro parameters of soil and macro mechanics is established. The results show that the order of the influence of particle mesoscopic parameters on peak strength is as follow: porosity> friction coefficient between particles>particle size distribution; the order of influence on residual strength is as follow: porosity>friction coefficient between particles>particle stiffness ratio>particle size distribution; the order of influence on the initial linear elastic modulus of the loess material is as follow: porosity>friction coefficient between particles>particle size distribution; the order of effect on softening characteristics is as follow: porosity>friction coefficient between particles>particle size distribution.

Prospects for application of organic fertilizer from bird litter

Currently, the most effective way to dispose of bird droppings is to process it into organic fertilizer. The processed litter contains the basic micro and macro elements and amino acids in an easily accessible form for plants. Fertilizer from recycled litter is environmentally friendly and effective in neutralizing pathogenic microflora, larvae and helminth eggs, as well as weed seeds. In this work, we studied the modes of processing chicken manure at the Ark plant, the chemical composition of bird manure and organic fertilizer from it obtained in different ways. The effect of various doses of powder on seed germination, plant growth and development was assessed. It is shown that processing of bird droppings into powder increases the content of available macrocells for plants by two times, and also contributes to their longer preservation in organic fertilizer. The study indicates that pre-sowing soil treatment with powder in the optimal dose increases the germination rate of plants by 75 % compared with the control group.

Fabrication of Different Micro Patterned Arrays by Through Mask Electrochemical Micromachining

Patterned microstructures are among the basic micro features that are indispensable in improving the tribological performance and dependability of various mechanical components especially Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Through Mask Electrochemical Micromachining (TMEMM) is a feasible process for fabricating micro-patterned arrays with controlled dimension, location and density by maintaining suitable surface texture. In this paper, appropriate machining parameters along with optimal electrolyte combination have been utilized for achieving patterned arrays in the form of micro-dimples and micro-square features. Low aspect ratio mask made of a negative PR (AZ 4903) is being introduced during TMEMM due to its low cost, availability and chemical resistance. Pattern of micro-holes with an average diameter of 65μm as well as micro-squares with a side length of 65μm imprinted on the mask are being replicated over SS304 substrate with substantial repeatability. The influence of two major Electrochemical Micromachining (EMM) parameters viz. duty cycle and machining time are investigated on the machining accuracy and surface properties of the micro-dimples generated with mask of lean thicknesses. Circular micro-dimples with an undercut of 29.15μm, depth 44.10μm and Ra 0.091μm and square micro-dimples possessing 32.63μm undercut, 40.24μm depth and 0.081μm Ra have been successfully fabricated on SS304 by this process of TMEMM.

Business Models for Social Innovation of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Companies: Comparison of Two Business Cases in Thailand and Taiwan

The significant increase of municipal solid wastes (e.g., food disposals, biomedical wastes, recyclable materials, etc.) is a very important environmental issue around the world. Waste recycling, reduction, and reuse are not only methods to solve environmental problems, but also directions for social innovation for business to create potential social value. This study investigates the business models of two waste recycling companies in Thailand and Taiwan. First, the basic micro and macro environmental factors were analyzed, including the period of firm’s business operations, location of the firm, space for separating and storing recyclable waste and various types of recyclable waste purchasing affecting the firms’ performance in these two economies. Second, different recyclable waste materials, volumes and price strategies between the case companies were compared. Third, this study also investigates the impacts of factors regarding resource characteristics, a firm’s capabilities and an entrepreneur’s abilities to improve a firm’s performance all compose a critical business model. The results showed that there were an increasing number of owners of waste recycling businesses developing and adapting to new business models. Detailed comparisons are reported and discussed in the article to shed light on managerial and policy implications.

The application of structural entropy in tissue based diagnosis

Background: Entropy belongs to the few basic measurable entities in nature. It measures the distance of a closed or open ‘statistical’ system from its present stage to its final stage, and analyzes the probability distribution of the included elements, independently from their meaning. The development can be predicted by use of an ‘ideal transformation’, i.e. additive formula (for example Shannon’s entropy) or by mathematical derivatives such as the more generalized q – entropy, for example Tsallis entropy. Herein, the internal structures of the system are described which include so – called macro – systems. They are created by individual elements or basic micro – systems, and transformed into essentials of tissue – based diagnosis.Entropy and neighborhood: The basic entropy approaches consider a spatially force – independent system, i.e., the calculation of the elements’ probability distribution does not take into account the formation of macro – systems, or the position of the individual elements within the system or between individual elements. The receiver of an informative signal cannot distinguish whether it has been generated in the center or at the boundary of the system. Only the signal’s probability within the information chain and the formation of the chain are informative. However, neighborhood plays an important role in development, maturation, degradation, and dissolution of biological systems. Most cells are generated by cellular division and neighboring cells are more similar in morphology and function than non-neighboring cells. This observation also holds true for ‘higher order’ biological systems such as animal colonies, forests, or even human societies. Thus, a potentially successful approach of estimating the development of a biological system should include neighborhood definitions and considerations.Neighborhood conditioned (MST) entropy and entropy flow: Any definition of a neighborhood condition is based upon the distances between different elements, called objects. The distances can be weighted by additional object features, might be ‘directed’, or might include certain ‘shadow’ conditions (hidden behind another object). The most frequently used algorithm has been introduced by Voronoi in 1902. It can be successfully formulated in graph theory and derived approaches. In microscopic morphology, the construction of weighted minimum spanning trees (MST) is a convincing approach. Living biological systems are open and not closed. They exchange energy, information, and directives for future development with their environment. They have to stabilize their own entropy level against that of their environment. The mandatory entropy exchange or entropy flow from the individual element into its environment or vice versa reflects to the system’s stability and impact on its environment.Tissue–based diagnosis and entropy: Tissue–based diagnosis includes all technical procedures to ascertain a ‘medical diagnosis’, such as microscopic, electron microscopic investigations, gene analysis, proteomics, syntactic structure analysis, liquid biopsies, etc. Herein, the transformation and applicability of the entropy approach are described and discussed.

Development of CO2 emissions futures market in the function of the companies’ stock market value growth

The papers investigates the influence of futures market development and green product trading on companies’ share prices on global markets. Green markets are nowadays characterized by rapid growth and development which particularly refers to CO2 emissions market. The basic objective of the paper is to analyze the current level of development of the emissions market growth in Europe and expand the theoretical understanding of futures trading with this type of products. As an important indicator of new products and tendencies in commodity futures market trading, the paper examines the impact of futures trading on CO2 on European Energy Exchange (EEX) and market value of companies’ shares from the sectors of energy and mining, transport, processing industry and financial services. Starting from the fact that market value indicators provide shareholders with necessary information, such as return on investment, the basic micro fundamental indicators have been chosen: average share price, EPS, P/E ratio, P/B ratio, and market capitalization. The results obtained confirm the knowledge that CO2 emissions trading on the futures market does not have the same impact on every market values indicator of a company and that it varies by analyzed sectors.

Behaviour of Composites Based on Blended Matrix with CNT during Extreme Temperatures

The paper presents the results of research focused on modification of silicate matrix by secondary energy products with current reinforcement using carbon nanotubes (CNT). A suitable CNT sorting method was assessed first. In the following, the influence of various composition of the blended binder (substitution of cement in quantities 15, 25 and 35 %) of reinforced CNT to basic parameters and micro structure was examined. Amphibolite was used as a filling agent. Temperature exposition took its course up to 1,200 °C with consecutive controlled cooling.

Changes in the micro- and nanostructure of siliceous valves in the diatom Synedra acus under the effect of colchicine treatment at different stages of the cell cycle.

The important role of the cytoskeleton in the morphogenesis of siliceous frustule components, which are synthesized within the diatom cells, has been revealed due to experiments with microtubule inhibitors. It has been shown that colchicine entering the diatom cell inhibits polymerization of tubulin, the main protein of microtubules, thereby disrupting the normal processes of biogenic silica deposition and daughter valve morphogenesis. In this study, experiments with a synchronized culture of the pennate diatom Synedra acus have been performed to determine the timing and duration of the formation of various valve components and analyze the effect of colchicine at a subtoxic concentration on the structure of daughter valves at different stages of their morphogenesis. Electron microscopic analysis has revealed several types of micro- and nanoscale anomalies in daughter valve morphology, with their frequency varying depending on the time of colchicine treatment. Laser scanning microscopy of preparations vitally stained with Tubulin Tracker Green has shown that polymerized tubulin at early stages of valve morphogenesis is localized along the periphery of the developing valve. This is evidence for an important role of microtubules in the horizontal growth of the valve at the stage when its general structural pattern is established, including its shape and arrangement of basic micro- and nanostructures. Treatment with a microtubule inhibitor at a certain stage of valve morphogenesis makes it possible to obtain new forms with a specific structure of siliceous components that hold promise for use in nanotechnologies.

Approach of Cross-Country Comparisons on Residential Construction Industry for China

In cross-country comparisons of construction economy, the purchasing power parity index as a currency conversion coefficient can substitute for the exchange rates reduce construction price distortions. According to BOCC method, the special development conditions of residential construction industry for China and the regional differences of non-tradable goods, we propose the practices estimating purchasing power parity for the basic building, small and micro engineering between the countries of geographical proximity, which help the development of space index of China's construction cost and are an effective ways to accelerate contacts with the international construction market.

Analytical overview of dairy industry in the Poltava region, Ukraine

The author presents essential characteristics of the state and place of Poltava region in it. The study aims at identification and description of latest trends in Ukraine’s and Poltava’s dairy industry. The author stresses an important place of the dairy industry in the agriculture of Ukraine, and particularly in the Poltava region. This article also presents the information of main indicators of dairy industry of Ukraine in the comparison with other countries of the World. It describe sources of forming the main agricultural products and directions of their use for the calendar year, data on per capita consumption of main dairy products in Ukraine and the Poltava Region and per capita average daily consumption of basic micro- and macro elements in foods. The study contains basic indicators which characterize the social and economic state of agriculture in Ukraine and its regions for 1990–2012. There are also the data of gross production and main kinds of dairy products per capita and as well as some indicators of livestock’s productivity and so on.&#x0D; The goal of the article is to describe the complex evaluation of the achieved level of milk production, consumption of milk and dairy products in Ukraine and the Poltava Region, to show the specifics of the national dairy cattle breeding, identifying the main challenges in it.