Increase In Capacity Research Articles

Vanadium recovery from oil sands petcoke fly ash: A comprehensive techno-economic assessment.

Bitumen-derived petcoke contains significant quantities of vanadium, recoverable from the fly ash formed during combustion. Despite efforts to process vanadium recovery from petcoke, detailed cost information, critical for stakeholders and decision-makers, remains absent in the public domain. To address this gap, we developed data-intensive techno-economic models specifically for vanadium recovery from petcoke fly ash. The considered route involves roasting with NaCl, followed by water-leaching and vanadium precipitation. Through process modeling, we performed material and energy balances, sized equipment, assessed capital and operating costs, and determined the vanadium cost. For instance, a plant processing 16,000 tonnes of fly ash annually recovers 404 tonnes of vanadium pentoxide at $18.77/kg V2O5. Operating expenses constitute 88% of the total recovery cost, dominated by labor, gas cleaning, solid waste disposal, feedstock, and consumables. The developed scale factors reveal that production costs vary with plant size; currently, the cost exceeds market prices, but profitability could be achieved with a threefold increase in capacity. Uncertainty analysis indicates a vanadium cost ranging from $16.88 to $25.80 per kg V2O5, with a mean of $21.15/kg V2O5. Key cost drivers include carbon removal from off-gases, the on-stream factor, and solid waste management. Strategies such as alternative means of fly ash decarbonization and the use of leaching solid cake in commercial applications could significantly reduce production costs.

Hormonal induction and seasonal variation in male reproductive viability of the Southern Rocky Mountain boreal toad.

The Southern Rocky Mountain boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) depends on both the rearing of wild-collected egg masses and a long-standing conservation breeding program (CBP), the latter of which heavily relies on assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to support wild populations. Achieving consistent reproductive success in the CBP, however, remains a significant challenge. Natural breeding has not led to a sustained increase in reproductive capacity, prompting the exploration of exogenous hormone treatments as an alternative strategy. This study specifically examined male responses to the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a previously tested hormone, in combination with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A), either individually or together, to evaluate their effects on sperm induction and viability across different seasons. Insights into how hormone treatments and seasonality influence sperm acquisition can guide managers in improving breeding outcomes within ex situ populations by enhancing their understanding of reproductive health, applying hormone treatments at the optimal time of year, and determining the best timing for high quality sperm collection. These advancements can increase reproductive capacity and support long-term genetic management through biobanking. Results indicated that combining hCG and GnRH-A yielded the highest sperm quantity and quality, although further optimization of hormone dosages could improve outcomes. Seasonal factors significantly influenced hormonal efficacy, with variations in sperm concentration and quality observed across months.

Enhancing micro-scale SiOx anode durability: Electro-mechanical strengthening of binder networks via anchoring carbon nanotubes with carboxymethyl cellulose

With the increasing prevalence of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) applications, the demand for high-capacity next-generation materials has also increased. SiOx is currently considered a promising anode material due to its exceptionally high capacity for LIBs. However, the significant volumetric changes of SiOx during cycling and its initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) complicate its use, whether alone or in combination with graphite materials. In this study, a three-dimensional conductive binder network with high electronic conductivity and robust elasticity for graphite/SiOx blended anodes was proposed by chemically anchoring carbon nanotubes and carboxymethyl cellulose binders using tannic acid as a chemical cross-linker. In addition, a dehydrogenation-based prelithiation strategy employing lithium hydride was utilized to enhance the ICE of SiOx. The combination of these two strategies increased the CE of SiOx from 74% to 87% and effectively mitigated its volume expansion in the graphite/SiOx blended electrode, resulting in an efficient electron-conductive binder network. This led to a remarkable capacity retention of 94% after 30 cycles, even under challenging conditions, with a high capacity of 550 mA h g−1 and a current density of 4 mA cm−2. Furthermore, to validate the feasibility of utilizing prelithiated SiOx anode materials and the conductive binder network in LIBs, a full cell incorporating these materials and a single-crystalline Ni-rich cathode was used. This cell demonstrated a ∼27.3% increase in discharge capacity of the first cycle (∼185.7 mA h g−1) and exhibited a cycling stability of 300 cycles. Thus, this study reports a simple, feasible, and insightful method for designing high-performance LIB electrodes.

Comparison on the performance of green and conventional magnetic chitosan-based composites in the removal of complex dyes: Synergetic effect, experimental and theoretical studies.

The presence of complex dyes, which possess four or more aromatic rings, is pervasive in environmental matrices. Nanomaterials offer a promising avenue for their removal. In this study, we synthesized novel magnetic nanocomposites comprising nanochitosan (nCS) and iron nanoparticles through the application of green and conventional protocols. In the preparation of the green composite, designated as G-nCS@FeNPs, eucalyptus leaves extract and proanthocyanidins were employed as reducing and crosslinking agents, respectively. In contrast, the conventional composite, designated as C-nCS@FeNPs, utilized ammonia and glutaraldehyde as the reducing and crosslinking agents, respectively. The G-nCS@FeNPs exhibited a more electropositive surface, and prominent magnetic properties. The zeta potential measurements of the G-nCS@FeNPs (ranging from +36 to +30mV) were more positive than those of the C-nCS@FeNPs (+35 to -2.79mV). Additionally, the C content in C-nCS@FeNPs was less (36.4%) than in G-nCS@FeNPs (57.2%), which is likely due to the higher nanochitosan content and the presence of proanthocyanidins in the green nanocomposite. The G-nCS@FeNPs exhibited a tridimensional porous structure, whereas the conventional composite appeared to form a CS film with an uneven surface and embedded FeNPs. G-nCS@FeNPs demonstrated remarkable potential as an adsorbent material for the removal of anionic reactive dyes, namely orange 122 (RO122) and red 250 (RR250). It exhibited an exceptional adsorption capacity of 3005mg.g-1 for RO122. A DFT study revealed that the RO122 molecule displays enhanced reactivity towards the adsorbent surface. Moreover, experiments conducted in saline media and XPS and FTIR analyses post-adsorption indicated that 78.8% of the interactions between RO122 and the adsorbent are based on electrostatic and ion exchange, while the remaining 22.2% are attributed to π-π and hydrogen bonds. Also, G-nCS@FeNPs demonstrated a synergistic effect on the removal of the cationic dye safranin in multicomponent systems, exhibiting an increase in removal capacity from 0 to 169mg.g-1.

Aging-mediated selective adsorption of antibiotics by tire wear particles: Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions effects.

Tire wear particles (TWPs), as a prevalent form of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, have been shown to adsorb antibiotics, potentially exacerbating their toxic effects. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the adsorption of ofloxacin (OFL), ciprofloxacin (CIP), sulfadiazine (SDZ), and tetracycline (TC) on TWPs that have undergone various aging processes, including cyclic freeze-thaw and ozone aging. We observed a significant increase in the specific surface area (SBET) of TWPs after aging, from an initial 2.81±0.29 to 6.63±0.16m2/g for ozone-aged TWPs. This enhancement in surface area and pore volume led to a respective 1.36-fold and 28-fold increase in adsorption capacity for OFL and CIP, highlighting the substantial impact of aging on TWPs' adsorptive properties. Conversely, the adsorption of SDZ and TC was reduced post-aging, suggesting a complex interaction between antibiotic physicochemical properties and TWPs' surface characteristics. The pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption interactions, effectively described the adsorption kinetics, with the Freundlich isotherm model capturing the adsorption behavior more accurately than the Langmuir model. Our findings underscore the critical role of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions in the adsorption process, particularly for SDZ and TC. This study's results offer crucial insights into the environmental implications of TWPs, emphasizing the need for further research on their role in the transport and fate of antibiotics in aquatic ecosystems.

Constructing artificial photosynthetic system based on graphdiyne double heterojunction to enhance REDOX capacity and hydrogen evolution efficiency

Although traditional type II heterojunction designs for artificial photosynthesis show promise for photocatalytic hydrogen production, their redox capacity is somewhat limited due to the spatial separation of hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions at less favorable sites. To overcome this limitation, ohmic junctions based on type II heterojunctions have been designed to enhance hydrogen evolution by transferring electrons to the metal component. In this study, a copper powder graphdiyne (Cu-GDY) composite catalyst with ohmic angle contact was synthesized by coupling copper foil with hexa-hexylbenzene. Incorporating Cu-GDY into CoGdO3 results in an interleaved band structure forming a type II heterojunction at the contact interface. This configuration overcomes the issue of the unfavorable conduction band position of CoGdO3, thereby promoting charge transfer. The internal electric field created by the Fermi level difference between Cu-GDY and CoGdO3, increase in REDOX capacity is the main reason for the increase of carrier separation rate. In addition, the plasmonic properties of copper expand the active reaction sites and promote the hydrogen evolution reaction. The composite catalyst exhibits b a hydrogen production rate that is 10.5 times higher than that of the individual catalysts. This work demonstrates that the formation of two distinct contact interfaces between Cu-GDY and CoGdO3 significantly improves the electron transfer and hydrogen evolution performance.

Comparative Analytical study of GFRP strengthened Deep Beams

Abstract: Deep beams play a very significant role in the design of mega and as well as small structures. Sometimes for architectural purposes, buildings are designed without using any columns for a very large span. The flexural behavior of deep beams with and without web reinforcement and strengthened with GFRP strips and steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) was investigated in this paper. CFRP has been used extensively for strengthening of RCC structures. In this study GFRP strips are used as an alternative. GFRP strips have been used in place of CFRP strips. The four-point flexural response of one reference beam strengthened with high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete was investigated by carrying out a FEM analysis using ANSYS software and comparing it with theoretical calculation done as per ACI code using Strut Tie Model. The analytical and theoretical data (strain, load, etc.) are compared and discussed. For comparison the results from an earlier study [11] on CFRP strengthened deep beams is used as a reference. The RC and SFRC deep beams showed formation of compression struts. The deflection and shear stress values for FRC deep beam were comparatively lesser than RC deep beam and an increase in load carrying capacity was observed with reduced deflection. It was observed that the GFRC strengthened deep beams produced better results than the CFRC strengthened beams. SFRC-GFRP strengthened deep beam showed the highest ultimate load value compared to other options. While values of deflection were reduced in both GFRP strengthened RC and SFRC deep beams. RC-GFRP, SFRC- GFRP strengthened and SFRC showed reduction in shear stresses compared to RC deep beam.The study suggests that GFRP strengthened FRC deep beam is a better alternative to RC deep beams as it has better ultimate strength and shear stress values compared to RC deep beams and GFRP being an economical and sustainable option can be an alternative to strengthening with CFRP wraps

A bHLH transcription factor RrUNE12 regulates salt tolerance and promotes ascorbate synthesis.

RrUNE12 binds to the RrGGP2 promoter to facilitate biosynthesis of AsA in Rosa roxburghii fruit. Furthermore, RrUNE12 upregulates antioxidant-related genes and maintains ROS homeostasis, thereby improving tolerance to salt stress. L-ascorbic acid (AsA) plays an essential role in stress defense as a major antioxidant in plant cells. GDP-L-galactose pyrophosphatase 2 (RrGGP2) has been previously identified as the key structural gene operating in AsA overproduction in Rosa roxburghii fruit. However, the transcriptional regulation of RrGGP2 in response to abiotic stress is not fully elucidated. In this study, we identified a bHLH transcription factor, RrUNE12, whose transcription level significantly correlated with RrGGP2 abundance and AsA accumulation in developing fruit. RrUNE12 is localized in the nucleus and specifically binds to the promoter of RrGGP2 to promote its transcription. The overexpression or silencing of RrUNE12 in R. roxburghii fruit and fruit callus further confirmed that RrUNE12 positively regulated RrGGP2 transcription and AsA level. Different abiotic stress treatments indicated that RrUNE12 was greatly induced by salt. Exogenous NaCl treatment on the RrUNE12-overexpressing or RrUNE12-silencing fruits also led to enhanced transcripts abundance of both RrUNE12 and RrGGP2, compared to the treatment without adding NaCl. RrUNE12 overexpression in fruit callus alleviated salt stress damage by upregulating the expression of RrGGP2 and antioxidant-related genes. Additionally, stable overexpression of RrUNE12 in tomato plants resulted in a significant increase in AsA content and antioxidant capacity, accompanied by an increased resistance to the salt stress. Collectively, the results suggest that RrUNE12 functions as an activator of AsA biosynthesis in R. roxburghii fruit and plays a positive role in mitigating salt stress by increasing both AsA level and the oxidation resistance.

Assessment of Opuntia ficus-indica supplementation on enhancing antioxidant levels

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFi) is a major fruit source prevalent in semiarid and arid regions across various countries worldwide. It is widely recognised for its potential health benefits; however, most studies investigating its effects have been limited to pre-clinical models, highlighting the need for further validation through clinical trials. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of OFi supplementation in enhancing antioxidant levels. Fifty healthy participants, aged 18 years and older, including males and females, received a daily OFi supplement of 1500 mg for 3 months. These findings revealed a significant 48.1% increase in salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P < 0.001), indicating improved antioxidant activity. Simultaneously, oxidative stress biomarkers showed substantial reductions: malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased by 28.3%, nitrotyrosine (3-NT) decreased by 51.5%, and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) decreased by 59.8% (P < 0.001). Furthermore, participants reported a 20.1% improvement (P < 0.001) in Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), reflecting a notable enhancement in overall well-being. In conclusion, OFi exhibited promising efficacy in elevating antioxidant levels and mitigating oxidative stress. These findings suggest its potential as an adjuvant therapy for managing chronic conditions associated with oxidative stress.

Secular trends of physical fitness for college students in Anhui Province over the past decade

BackgroundSince the beginning of the 21st century, China’s economy has experienced rapid growth, resulting in a steady improvement in its citizens’ living standards. However, alongside the emergence of modern civilization-related health issues, the overall physical fitness of the population has been declining. In the final year of 2019, a global COVID-19 pandemic emerged and persisted for three years, causing a significant diminution in human physical well-being. This article aims to delve into the changes in the physical fitness of college students over the past decade and anticipates future trends.MethodsA total of 58,472 university students aged 16–23 from 16 prefecture-level cities in Anhui province were recruited for this study. Total ten physical fitness indicators were tested: body height, body weight, vital capacity, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, 50-m dash, 1000 m run and pull-up (for boys), and 800 m run and sit-ups (for girls).The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, LSD tests, and Pearson’s correlations.ResultsThe overall physical fitness scores of college students ranged from 68.71 (2023) to 71.13 (2019) during the last decade, with girls consistently demonstrating superior performance in physical tests. There was a statistically significant difference in physical fitness scores between the periods of 2015–2022 and 2023 (p < 0.05). When dividing the total physical fitness scores into four levels, a noteworthy downward trend was observed in the pass grade, while the other three grades exhibited an increasing trend year by year. Compared to the year of 2019, there has been a substantial decline in the physical fitness levels of college students, along with a notable uptick of “failed” candidates, in the year of 2020.In terms of individual physical fitness, boys outperformed girls in all physical testing items except for sit-and-reach, and significant differences were observed in most years for both boys and girls. Additionally, a consistent downward trend was observed in the proportion of underweight and normal weight students, while the proportion of overweight (increased by 2.1 times) and obese (increased by 4.4 times) students showed a marked upward trend from 2014 to 2023.ConclusionsIt is imperative to allocate special focus to the profound ramifications of the three-year COVIE-19 pandemic on the physical well-being of college students. In 2024, it is anticipated that the proportion of overweight and obese college students will increase, along with a continued increase in body height and vital capacity. However, there will be a notable increase in the time taken to complete the 50-meter dash and the 1000-meter/800-meter run. Conversely, a decline is forecasted for the performance in standing long jump, sit-and-reach, and pull-ups/sit-ups exercises, with an accelerating rate of deterioration. It is crucial to promptly identify the underlying reasons for the deteriorating physical fitness among college students, particularly in relation to obesity, and to implement effective measures promptly to address this issue.

Cutting-edge Nano-therapeutics: silver nanoparticles loaded with ciprofloxacin for powerful antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic action against resistant pathogenic bacteria

Abstract The rise of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria poses a critical challenge to global healthcare, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This study addresses this gap by developing ciprofloxacin-loaded silver nanoparticles (CIP@Ag NPs), combining robust antibacterial efficacy with additional therapeutic benefits. CIP@Ag NPs were synthesized and characterized through UV–visible spectroscopy, revealing a distinct redshift to 401 nm and a reduced band gap of 2.24 eV, enhancing their photocatalytic and bioactive properties. Structural and morphological integrity was confirmed using XRD and SEM analyses. The nanoparticles exhibited remarkable multifunctionality, with 84% DPPH radical scavenging activity and a fourfold increase in total antioxidant capacity compared to bare Ag NPs. Anti-inflammatory activity was evidenced by 86.43% inhibition of egg albumin denaturation at 800 μg/ml. Additionally, CIP@Ag NPs demonstrated potent antidiabetic effects, achieving 73% α-amylase and 68% α-glucosidase inhibition at 60 μg/mL. Antibacterial assays of CIP@Ag NPs showed significant improvement, with inhibition zones of up to 34 mm against multidrug-resistant strains like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, surpassing the efficacy of both Ag NPs and ciprofloxacin individually. These findings underscore the potential of CIP@Ag NPs as a multifunctional nanoplatform, offering a promising solution to combat antibiotic resistance while addressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and diabetes-related complications.

Beyond Energy Access: How Renewable Energy Fosters Resilience in Island Communities

People, communities, and economies in small island developing states are extremely vulnerable to climate change, disasters, and other crises. Renewable energy can play an important part in building the resilience of these communities. Three case studies were conducted in Fiji (i.e., a grid-connected secondary school with roof-top solar PV and biogas, an off-grid community with solar home systems, and a farm that uses solar PV for irrigation) to demonstrate how renewable energy initiatives build community resilience. This study used the community resilience framework, RETScreen tool, information gathered from key informants’ interviews, and secondary data sources to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses. It found that seven community assets, i.e., human, social, cultural, financial, natural, built, and political assets, are enhanced, leading to an increase in absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities for these communities. Furthermore, current research shows that human capital is one of the key instruments in the adoption of new innovative technologies. The results from this study can be used by decisionmakers to promote and implement similar technologies in communities, which not only provide clean electricity and clean cooking energy for climate change mitigation but also build community resilience.

A comprehensive DFT/TDDFT investigation into the influence of electron acceptors on the photophysical properties of ullazine-based D-π-A-π-A photosensitizers

The type of electron acceptor group has a significant effect on the photovoltaic properties of solar cell sensitizers. In this study, on the basis of previous studies of the π1- and π2-linked groups of D-π1-A1-π2-A2-type sensitizers, the photoelectric properties of Ullazine-Based photosensitizing dyes were further optimized by adjusting the electron-absorbing groups at the A1 and A2 positions. DFT and TDDFT calculations revealed that substituting the A1 position with a BTD moiety led to a substantial increase in the light absorption capacity of the dye. Furthermore, the incorporation of a CSSH moiety at the A2 position resulted in a significant redshift of the absorption spectrum and a notable increase in the light trapping efficiency. Moreover, TDM analysis indicates that HOMO→LUMO is the predominant mode of transition in the S0→S1 exciton transition of the dye molecule on the basis of the BTD motif. This mode remains the dominant mode after the introduction of the CSSH motif, although its contribution is reduced. Notably, HJ19 (A1 for BTD, A2 for CSSH) and HJ20 (A1 for difluorosubstituted BTD, A2 for CSSH) dyes demonstrate optimal optoelectronic properties, exhibiting redshifted absorption wavelengths by more than 79 nm and enhanced maximum absorption efficiencies by more than 40% with those of the YZ7 sensitizer.

Effects of exercise intensity on nutritional status, body composition, and energy balance in patients with COPD: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHigh-intensity exercise is recommended for the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, it can cause an energy imbalance due to increased energy expenditure. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of reducing exercise intensity on energy balance in patients with COPD experiencing high-intensity training-induced weight loss.MethodsAll participants underwent high-intensity endurance and resistance training for a 2-week preliminary period. Those who lost more than 1% of their weight were then randomized to either continue high-intensity exercise (AA group) or switch to low-intensity exercise (AB group) for another 2 weeks (experimental period).ResultsThe analysis included 30 participants (AA, n = 15; AB, n = 15). The AA group showed significant increases in body composition, dietary intake, nutritional status, muscle strength, and exercise capacity at week 4 than at week 2, with no significant changes in the AB group. After the experimental period, a greater proportion of the AA group had energy intake exceeding expenditure than did the AB group (80% vs. 40%).ConclusionsIn patients with COPD who lost body weight during pulmonary rehabilitation with high-intensity exercise, continuing this exercise had a more positive effect on body composition, nutritional status, physical function, and energy balance than did reducing exercise intensity. These results suggest the importance of continuing high-intensity exercise, while taking into consideration energy intake and nutritional therapy, even when body weight loss occurs during pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD.Trial registrationThis study was retrospectively registered on the UMIN-CTR as UMIN000050976 on May 5, 2023.

Optical semantic communication through multimode fiber: from symbol transmission to sentiment analysis

We propose and validate a novel optical semantic transmission scheme using multimode fiber (MMF). By leveraging the frequency sensitivity of intermodal dispersion in MMFs, we achieve high-dimensional semantic encoding and decoding in the frequency domain. Our system maps symbols to 128 distinct frequencies spaced at 600 kHz intervals, demonstrating a seven-fold increase in capacity compared to conventional communication encoding. We further enhance spectral efficiency by implementing 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4), achieving 9.12 bits/s/Hz without decoding errors. Additionally, we explore the application of this system for sentiment analysis using the IMDb movie review dataset. By encoding semantically similar symbols to adjacent frequencies, the system’s noise tolerance is effectively improved, facilitating accurate sentiment analysis. This work highlights the potential of MMF-based semantic communication to enhance both capacity and robustness in optical communication systems, offering promising applications in bandwidth-constrained and noisy environments.

Synthesis and Assessment of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Adsorbents for CO2 Capture: A Comparative work of the CO2 Adsorption Capability of Mono- and Bimetal-based MOFs Adsorbents

Adsorption utilising porous solid adsorbent has been considered a feasible option for conventional CO2 absorption over the past few decades. As a preliminary investigation towards obtaining Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) adsorbent for CO2 capture, the CO2 adsorption efficiency using mono- and bimetal-based MOFs was assessed in this study. Among the numerous MOFs, Mg-MOF-74 exhibits the best CO2 uptake at low pressures because of its open metal sites. A strategy to incorporate Zn in Mg-based MOF as a co-metal node is required to enhance the CO2 adsorption performance of solid adsorbent. Selecting Zn as a metal node in MOF synthesis allows for the creation of stable, versatile, and functional materials for CO2 adsorption. Therefore, combining several metals in a structure to develop a new MOF with an improved gas uptake is quite a useful approach to further harness the immense potential of MOFs. This study aims to compare the performance of mono- and bimetallic-MOFs and select the most suitable adsorbent for CO2 capture. The performance of CO2 adsorption was conducted using three parameters: the effect of metal loading on MOFs, pressure (1–5 bar) and adsorbent dosage (0.2–0.5g). Based on the characterisation findings, the studies confirm the formation of Mg-MOF-74, Zn-MOF and 50wt.%Zn/50wt.%Mg-MOF. Overall, it was found that the bimetal adsorbent with 50 wt.%Zn/50wt.%Mg-MOF displayed the highest CO2 adsorption capacity (323 mgCO2/gadsorbent) when compared to the monometallic MOFs (Zn-MOF (134mgCO2/gadsorbent) and Mg-MOF-74) (122 mgCO2/gadsorbent) indicating a 50% increase in adsorption capacity over monometallic MOFs.

P1025 A mental health intervention can support increased capacity and revenue in the IBD outpatient setting

Abstract Background A national reference centre for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the UK supports around 10000 people with inflammatory bowel disease. A mental health service development in our centre has provided access to medical treatments for IBD that have traditionally been used to treat mental health conditions. Fatigue, affecting an estimated 40% of patients with IBD, predicts increased use of outpatient services. In a psychiatrist-led clinic, modafinil, a medication used to treat narcolepsy, produced a mean 58% improvement in fatigue in a case series of 10 patients. This snapshot of patients treated in this clinic looks at the potential for cost and efficiency improvements to reduce the waiting list for consultant-led care. Methods The electronic health records of 10 individuals treated with modafinil (dose 50-400mg/day based on clinical response) were analysed. Contacts were compared for 12 months before and 12 months after the intervention. The mean average of any saved appointments was calculated. All patients had severe fatigue, defined as an IBD Fatigue Assessment Score &amp;gt;10/20, for six months or more. Anonymous demographic data were collected, and potential savings in appointments between follow-ups charged at £87.00 and new appointments charged at £150.00; the possible increase in capacity was calculated. Results Of the 10 patients analysed, the mean age was 33.8; 40% were male and 60% female. Twenty per cent had comorbid irritable bowel syndrome, 10% had comorbid Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, 60% were prescribed advanced therapy (AT) and 30% had been on one or more previous ATs. IBD outpatient appointments for the combined cohort were reduced from 70 to 27 for the 12 months before modafinil commencement to the 12 months of treatment, a reduction of 43(61%) appointments and a mean average of 4.3 If clinic templates were altered to new from follow-up, for these appointments’ revenue would be increased from £3,741.00 to £6,450.00, representing an increase in revenue of £2,709.00. If just 10% of the 4000 patients estimated to have fatigue at our centre benefit from this treatment, 1,720 appointments in 12 months would be saved, representing a cost saving of £149,640.00. These appointments could also be made available for new patients with a revenue increase of £108,360.00. With 1,720 appointments made available, this also offers increased access to specialist opinions for patients with IBD who need it Conclusion In addition to improving patient quality of life, modafinil shows potential health-economic benefits in IBD, including reduced burden on outpatient services and potential for increased revenue for specialist services. Replication of these findings in larger cohorts and randomised trials is needed.

Enhancing Mixed Traffic Flow with Platoon Control and Lane Management for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

As autonomous driving technology advances, connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) will coexist with human-driven vehicles (HDVs) for an extended period. The deployment of CAVs will alter traffic flow characteristics, making it crucial to investigate their impacts on mixed traffic. This study develops a hybrid control framework that integrates a platoon control strategy based on the “catch-up” mechanism with lane management for CAVs. The impacts of the proposed hybrid control framework on mixed traffic flow are evaluated through a series of macroscopic simulations, focusing on fundamental diagrams, traffic oscillations, and safety. The results illustrate a notable increase in road capacity with the rising market penetration rate (MPR) of CAVs, with significant improvements under the hybrid control framework, particularly at high MPRs. Additionally, traffic oscillations are mitigated, reducing shockwave propagation and enhancing efficiency under the hybrid control framework. Four surrogate safety measures, namely time to collision (TTC), criticality index function (CIF), deceleration rate to avoid a crash (DRAC), and total exposure time (TET), are utilized to evaluate traffic safety. The results indicate that collision risk is significantly reduced at high MPRs. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the deployment of CAVs, using control strategies to improve mixed traffic flow operations.

Research on Improving the Horizontal Bearing Performance of Wind Power Pile Foundation with Added Wing Structure

The growing recognition of renewable energy’s importance, particularly its role in sustainability, has propelled wind energy to a prominent position. Receiving substantial global policy support due to its unique advantages, wind energy has seen a significant increase in installed turbine capacity. Consequently, expectations for the foundational bearing performance of these turbines have heightened, reflecting the enhanced focus on sustainable energy solutions. In response to these demands, this research introduces an innovative single pile foundation design that aims to elevate bearing capabilities to new heights. This research delves into the horizontal bearing properties of this novel foundation and the stress-strain dynamics of geotechnical materials under loading conditions. To achieve this, we utilize the Gudehus-Bauer subplastic model, specifically tailored for coastal sands within the ABAQUS finite element analysis software. Calibration and verification of the Gudehus-Bauer model’s parameters were meticulously conducted based on laboratory tests focusing on the coastal sands of the Yangtze River basin in China, enabling the development of a precise finite element model for the new single pile foundation in sandy coastal soils. Our findings reveal that this reinforced single pile foundation not only mirrors the horizontal bearing capacity and failure mechanisms of traditional designs but also surpasses them in performance. Numerically, this innovative structure boasts a remarkable 19.34% increase in horizontal ultimate bearing capacity and a minimum of 21.91% reduction in maximum displacement compared to standard single piles. These results underscore the superior horizontal bearing performance of our novel foundation design, which not only enhances structural integrity but also aligns with the principles of sustainable engineering by optimizing material usage, reducing environmental impact, and contributing to the broader goal of promoting renewable energy as a sustainable energy source.

Study on partial ER fluid hybrid two-lobe hole-entry journal bearing with genetic algorithm for bionic surface

This work focuses on ER (Electrorheological) fluid-based hybrid hole-entry journal bearings, which studies the effect of ER fluid with partial electric field on the tribological nature of two-lobe bearings with bionic textured surfaces. The design of bionic textures, by virtue of their capacity to influence fluid flow, load capacity, and friction reduction for the enhancement of bearing performance, has been analytically investigated. The integration of ER fluid subjected to partial electric field along with bionic textured surfaces displays an optimistic improvement in performance metrics of bearings, which clearly manifests through preliminary results. Notably, the optimization of bionic textures through genetic algorithms resulted in a 13.04% reduction in friction coefficient and a significant increase in load capacity. The combination of partial ER fluid lubrication and bionic textures also improved fluid film stiffness by up to 66.11%, further enhancing stability and overall bearing efficiency. The obtained results are expected to further enhance design and development activities of high-performance hybrid journal bearings for numerous industrial applications.