Characteristics Of Processes Research Articles

Evaluating coupled influences of slope class and land use change on water quality using single and composite indices in an agricultural basin

Understanding the critical source areas (CSAs) of pollution and their key relationships with land use is essential for efficient water quality improvement. Despite much efforts to examine their influences on water quality, the role of topographic characteristics in land use processes acting on water quality in lowland regions remains unclear. Therefore, taking a typical rural lowland catchment-the Stör catchment (in northern Germany) as the study area, the influences of different land use types with varying slopes on sediment, total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) loads, as well as on the relevant CSAs of a single or combined index (Ij) were determined using an integrated approach that applies hydrologic model SWAT3s (Soil and Water Assessment Tool, adapted with three groundwater aquifers) and multivariate statistical techniques. The results indicated: (1) sediment and nutrients have markedly declined from 1990 to 1991 over 2009–2011 to 2018–2019, particularly in summer and in comparatively steeper areas with slopes above 5%; (2) the subbasins in the southwest or northeast of the catchment dominated by larger arable fields with slope > 5% and urban areas were identified as CSAs; (3) the spatial heterogeneity of overall water quality was more explained in summer (75% on average) and particularly by croplands (50% on average); (4) water quality indicators were mostly and positively affected by cropland and pasture with relatively steeper slope (>5%). In particular, cropland with slopes > 5% was among those land use indicators producing the highest values of sediment, TP, TN, and Ij. This study demonstrates that the identification of seasonal CSAs could provide insights into the seasonal targeting of conservation practices. Furthermore, communicating model outputs to cause-effect analysis can help formulate slope-adaptability measures for water quality protection.

Sensitivity Analysis of Different Hydrothermal Characteristics in the Variable Thermodynamic Processes of Soft Clay Rock

Sensitivity Analysis of Different Hydrothermal Characteristics in the Variable Thermodynamic Processes of Soft Clay Rock

A critical Review on Advanced Membrane Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment: Fouling Reduction and Energy Demand

Objectives:Rapid industrialization has highlighted the importance of addressing environmental issues and the increasing demand for water supply. As a result, innovative solutions to improve water circulation management in both public and industrial sectors have been proposed, one of which is the introduction of Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology. This study aims to understand the mechanisms and characteristics of membrane fouling in MBR processes and compare the associated energy consumption, with the goal of improving process efficiency and energy performance.Methods:In this study, various factors influencing the MBR process were considered to analyze the mechanisms and characteristics of membrane fouling. The impact of fouling on the process was assessed, and energy consumption was compared. Specifically, the power consumption of flat-sheet and hollow-fiber MBRs was analyzed, focusing on the proportion of energy used for microbial treatment and membrane cleaning. The Specific Energy Demand (SED) was calculated to evaluate the energy consumption efficiency of different fouling control methods in MBRs.Results and Discussion:In typical MBR processes, 68.0% (flat-sheet) and 53.0% (hollow-fiber) of the power consumption is attributed to air scouring for microbial treatment and membrane cleaning. Notably, 57.0% (flat-sheet) and 36.0% (hollow-fiber) of the power is consumed to supply air for detaching adhered foulants to maintain filtration performance. These results indicate that aeration is a major energy consumer in MBR processes. SED is a critical indicator for assessing the energy consumption of specific fouling control methods, with typical MBR processes having an SED of 0.2-0.3kWh/m3. In contrast, using a non-aerated membrane module with reciprocating inertial force for fouling control reduces SED to 0.005-0.01 kWh/m3, representing a 20-60 fold decrease in energy consumption, highlighting the need for energy reduction.Conclusion:This study provides insights into fouling reduction characteristics in MBR processes, suggesting a new paradigm for enhancing the economic feasibility of MBR technology. Applying non-aerated membrane modules to reduce energy consumption can significantly improve MBR efficiency, contributing to energy reduction and environmentally friendly technology development. Therefore, strategies to maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact in MBR processes are essential.

Comparative examination of leaching kinetics of soluble solids and effluent characteristics in different soaking processes of paddy parboiling

ABSTRACT Paddy was soaked with 30% moisture, and hot water soaking (35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 °C) was compared to cold soaking (CS) and submerged aerated soaking (SAS) in terms of the parameters of the paddy grain and the effluent. The investigation demonstrated that hot water soaking yielded the highest total solids (TS) (1.946±0.045 g/L), total dissolved solids (TDS) (1.724±0.013 g/L), and electrical conductivity (EC) (2.651±0.039 mS/cm) values. Elevated dissolved oxygen (DO) (3.72±0.04 mg/L) was observed in the hot water soaking (60 °C) due to the reduction of soaking duration (2 h). By contrast, the SAS maintained a nearly neutral pH (7.35±0.01) and lower turbidity (510.0±1.4 NTU) level compared to the hot water soaking. The leaching rates and moisture absorption were computed using Pseudo-second-order and Peleg models, and a higher leaching rate (0.081 g/L min) was detected at 60°C. The SAS produced higher efficiency with less resource consumption by reducing effluent strength while maintaining TS in paddy grains. The new knowledge created by the comprehensive evaluation CS, SAS, and hot water soaking of paddy parboiling using leaching models and paddy hydration adds new insights to the development of efficient paddy parboiling methods.

Flood damage models and flood damage factors in a data-scarce river basin, Nigeria

ABSTRACT To evaluate the effectiveness of various adaptation strategies, it is critical to develop a flood damage function that considers building characteristics for future risk evaluation. This study analysed the contributions of some important flood and household characteristics in flood damage processes and developed a new, more accurate, multi-variable flood loss model for flood damage assessment for residential buildings and contents, considering different house types in Ogun River Basin, Nigeria. A detailed household questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data (149 samples). Depth-damage functions were developed to estimate direct flood damage to building structures and contents using the nonlinear logistic and power (concave) models, and the model parameters were estimated using the Gauss–Newton algorithm. The performance of all flood damage regression analysis functions for building structures and building contents under different construction materials and basement floors was evaluated by comparing predicted damages and after-flood survey damages, which demonstrated acceptable comparativeness. In the event of a flood disaster in the area, the models can be used to forecast future damages and devise risk-mitigation strategies. The study’s findings will aid in developing flood protection adaptation measures.

Концептуальная роль инновационных процессов в устойчивом развитии аграрных формирований

The scientific article is devoted to the study of the essential characteristics of innovative pro-cesses in the sustainable development of agricultural formations. In the theoretical aspect, an understanding of the definition of “innovative potential” has been developed, which has made it possible to form a three-component model of the system of innovative potential of agricul-tural formations (SIPAF), which includes: the actual components of SIPAF - resource, internal and effective; review of existing conceptual approaches to the content of this category; condi-tions for the development of the system. The methodology for assessing the innovative poten-tial of agricultural formations is substantiated. A system of general and specific indicators for assessing the innovative potential of agricultural formations of the form “component of inno-vative potential – aggregated indicator – private characteristics” is proposed. It has been prov-en that such an important indicator as labor productivity, which reflects the efficiency of the use of labor resources, acts as a significant factor in increasing the technical level of agricultur-al production and the innovativeness of agricultural formation as a whole. Labor productivity is formed under the influence of a favorable investment climate, as well as the generation of innovation, since innovation and investment factors complement each other. The study showed that the institutional infrastructure of the intellectual capital market is not fully inte-grated into the activities of agricultural entities, which cannot provide sufficient access to the necessary resources and services for participants in the innovation process.

Case Study of a Social-Venture Planning Course : Focusing on Characteristics of Social Problem-Solving Processes and the Effects on Entrepreneurial Competency

This study developed an educational program, the “Social-Venture Planning Course”, to tackle social issues and aimed to identify features of the social problem-solving processes of students and to scrutinize changes in their entrepreneurial competencies. The course was designed as a liberal arts class for undergraduate students. Various qualitative data were gathered throughout the program, and entrepreneurial competency was assessed before and after the course and then analyzed. The study revealed three key characteristics in the students' problem-solving processes. First, students demonstrated a nuanced understanding of social problems, recognizing their complexity beyond a simple dichotomy of solver and affected stakeholder. Second, they showed a practical and feasible approach to solutions, prioritizing real-world applicability over idealistic perfection. Third, students displayed creativity by adapting existing solutions and presenting their own unique approaches, showcasing their ability to think innovatively within practical constraints. The Social-Venture Planning Course led to significant improvements in students' entrepreneurial competencies. Notably, substantial enhancements in problem-solving competency and management knowledge indicated the course's effectiveness in these areas, while interpersonal skills and idea generation competency remained unchanging. The study's conclusions and discussions offered valuable insights for the effective implementation of the Social-Venture Planning Course, highlighting its potential to foster a wide range of entrepreneurial competencies.

Si precursor inhibitors for area selective deposition of Ru

Area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) using highly process-compatible precursor inhibitors (PIs) has garnered attention because of the need to overcome three-dimensional nanofabrication bottlenecks. The main advantages of precursor inhibitor (PI) molecules are their high process compatibility and their inherent bifunctionality as inhibitors and precursors. Herein, we examined the inhibition properties, adsorption mechanisms, and adsorption configurations of two PIs, bis(N,N-dimethylamino)dimethylsilane (PI1) and tris(dimethylamino)silane (PI2). Both PIs selectively inhibited the SiO2 surface but not the Cu surface, which enabled the AS-ALD of Ru films on the latter. The inhibition mechanisms were elucidated on the basis of chemical reactivity and steric hindrance considerations using density functional theory calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. PI1 featured a larger areal coverage than PI2 because of the favorable adsorption configuration of the former, inducing a stronger steric hindrance effect and achieving a higher inhibition performance against Ru ALD, although the two PIs had similar chemical reactivities toward the examined surface. Furthermore, PI1 and PI2 formed SiO2 ALD films when ozone was used as a reactant. The differences in the growth characteristics of the corresponding ALD SiO2 films were explained by the different adsorption configurations of PIs. Thus, our work elucidates the adsorption configurations of silane-based PIs and thus paves the way for the more effective utilization of their bifunctionality, inhibition properties, and growth characteristics in future AS-ALD processes.

Dynamics of the ohmic heating and chemically reactive time-dependent flow of magnetized Casson fluid inside a rectangular pipe

Chemical reaction and ohmic heating can significantly influence the flow behavior and heat transfer characteristics in industrial processes involving non-Newtonian fluids. These processes include polymer processing, food processing, and manufacturing processes where non-Newtonian fluids are commonly encountered. Therefore, the impacts of chemical reaction and ohmic heating on the unsteady flow of an incompressible magnetized non-Newtonian Casson liquid through a rectangular pipe with a variable pressure gradient is scrutinized in this article. The impacts of heat generation/absorption and viscous dissipation are also incorporated through the energy equation. The numerical simulations of partial differential equations (PDEs) are acquired utilizing the finite difference method with the incorporating relaxation (SOR) algorithm. The impacts of dissimilar imperative parameters on various flow fields are scrutinized through graphs. Outcomes indicate that liquid velocity decreases with enhancing values of the Casson parameter. Furthermore, the liquid temperature has an enhancing behavior with the impact of the heat source/sink parameter. Comparisons of numerical results with previously published results show an excellent agreement. This kind of research may find specific industrial and medical utilizations such as glass manufacturing, crude oil purification, lubrication, paper production, blood transport study in cardiovascular design, etc.

Monitoring Aggregation Processes in Multiphase Systems: A Review

Particle aggregation is essential in many industrial processes, spanning the pharmaceutical and food industries, polymer production, and the environment, among others. However, aggregation can also occur, in some processes, as a non-desired side effect. Thus, to be able to monitor aggregation in industrial processes is of high importance to guarantee that the final, required product characteristics are obtained. In this paper, we present an extensive review of the different techniques available for monitoring particle characteristics in industrial processes involving particulate materials, with special emphasis on aggregation processes. These methods include both off-line and on-line techniques, based either on image acquisition techniques or different radiation scattering techniques (light-scattering and ultrasound spectroscopy). The principles behind each technique are addressed, together with their relevant applications, advantages, and disadvantages.

Synergistic effects of micronanobubbles and AC/Ag–TiO2 nanocomposites in photocatalytic process

The AC/Ag–TiO2 nanocomposites were prepared by sol-gel method using different concentrations of Ag. Comprehensive characterization of the crystalline structure, surface morphology, elemental composition, and optical properties of the AC/Ag–TiO2 photocatalysts was carried out using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM, and UV–vis DRS techniques. Consequently, a detailed investigation into the photocatalytic degradation of Indigo Carmine (IC) and Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dyes was conducted, thoroughly examining the involved photocatalytic mechanisms. The study revealed promising outcomes, particularly with the hybrid photocatalyst AC/0.5%Ag–TiO2, showcasing enhanced characteristics in both photooxidation and absorption processes, thereby boosting overall efficacy for IC (70.15%) and RB5 (69.9%). Remarkably, the introduction of small air bubbles significantly improved the removal efficiency of IC and RB5 dyes, achieving removal levels of 93.66% and 88.66%, respectively. The utilization of these micro-nanobubble systems (MNBs) resulted in notably higher first-order reaction constants compared to scenarios without MNBs, indicating the pivotal role of the photocatalyst in dye removal processes. Additionally, the photocatalyst showed unmatched efficacy in eliminating the pesticide carbaryl, attaining 100% removal with and without the presence of MNBs. Moreover, the AC/Ag–TiO2 photocatalyst exhibited significant inhibition of both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, showcasing its capability to curb their growth even without MNB aeration. This underscores its potential for applications in environmental remediation and microbial control.

Optimal age replacement time for coherent systems under Geometric Point Process

In spatial context, the understanding of event dynamics and point distributions is a fundamental requirement. This study addresses a critical need by introducing the Geometric Point Process (GPP) and explaining its potential impact on optimizing the determination of optimal replacement ages for coherent systems. Our paper has three overarching aims: firstly, to bridge the gap by presenting the novel GPP model that effectively captures the geometric distribution of points, filling a void in point process theory. Secondly, we calculate the optimal replacement age for the coherent system based on the principles of GPP. This involves employing the Infinitesimal-Look Ahead stopping rule within the framework of Smooth Semi-Martingale (SSM) decomposition. A comprehensive comparative analysis is conducted to assess the distinct features and advantages of the GPP in relation to other point processes, offering valuable insights into its applicability and performance. Lastly, we extend the practical application of GPP by examining optimal replacement strategies for components in coherent systems, offering a bridge between theory and real-world practices, especially in the context of aircraft and wind turbine component deterioration. Additionally, we conduct reliability and sensitivity analyses, providing management suggestions, and present Monte Carlo simulations as an alternative method for validating optimal solutions. This research invites the industrial community to utilize the proposed replacement policy, paving the way for exploring geometric characteristics in stochastic processes. The timeliness and significance of this work are underscored by the relatively unexplored field of smooth semi-martingales, with the most recent publication dating back to 2015 by Bueno.

Quantum-chemical calculations of thermodynamic characteristics of some heterogeneous catalytic processes with the use of multilayer cluster models

The approaches to estimating the changes in enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs energy of adsorption processes and heterogeneous catalytic reactions on the basis of the quantum chemical calculation data were studied. By comparing with the experimental data on CO adsorption on the anatase (TiO2) surface, the applicability of the developed multilayer cluster model for calculation of the adsorption energy (enthalpy) was shown. The data on the calculation methods of the entropy change in heterogeneous processes were analyzed. The use of the theories of an ideal two-dimensional gas and an ideal two-dimensional lattice gas for estimating a configuration contribution to the entropy of a heterogeneous process was studied. The density of adsorption centers on the (101) anatase surface and the population corresponding to the standard state of an ideal two-dimensional gas were calculated. The consistency of the studied models at low populations was shown, and the limits of their applicability were established.

Observed Characteristics of Planetary Boundary Layer Processes and Associated Convection over a Tropical Location on the East Coast of India

Observed Characteristics of Planetary Boundary Layer Processes and Associated Convection over a Tropical Location on the East Coast of India

Assessing spatiotemporal characteristics of atmospheric water cycle processes over the Tibetan Plateau using the WRF model and finer box model

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is the highest and one of the most extensive plateaus in the world and serves as a hotspot of climate change. In the context of climate warming, changes in evapotranspiration (ET) and external water vapor transport have a significant impact on assessing atmospheric water cycle processes over the TP. By using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for long-term simulations and the finer box model for the calculation of water vapor along the boundary of the TP, the external atmospheric water vapor transport and its spatiotemporal characteristics over the TP are finely described. The simulated precipitation and ET are well-simulated compared with observation. Research results show that: (1) The total water path on the TP decreases from southeast to northwest. Water vapor is mainly transported into the TP from the western and southern boundaries. The net water vapor flux transported from the western boundary to the TP by westerly wind is negative, while the net water vapor flux transported from the southern boundary to the TP by southerly wind is positive. (2) In spring and winter, water vapor is mainly transported into the TP by mid-latitude westerlies from the western boundary. In summer, water vapor transport controlled by mid-latitude westerlies weakens, and water vapor is mainly transported into the TP from the southern boundary. In autumn, water vapor controlled by mid-latitude westerlies gradually strengthens, and water vapor is mainly transported into the TP from the western boundary. In addition, the ratio of ET to precipitation on the TP is about 0.48, and the moisture recycling is about 0.37. Water vapor mainly comes from external water vapor transport.

Mathematical modeling of dynamic processes of agricultural mobile energy vehicles on an electric drive

The article considers the issues of modeling the processes of agricultural mobile energy vehicles (MEV) with electric drive (ED). A review of modern literature on the problem under study as well as questions on modeling the functional properties of mobile machines and improving the quality indicators of MEV work are presented. A mathematical model of the motion of the MEV with an electric motor is presented, as well as a description of the method used and a sequence of actions for conducting research. Preliminary theoretical studies of motion in different modes of operation have been carried out. The proposed model is convenient for implementation and calculation in any of the applied software products that support the modeling of dynamic systems with an electromechanical drive. The proposed model, the solution of which is based on the methods of numerical integration of systems in the Matlab Simulink software environment, made it possible to simulate the dynamic processes of electromechanical power transmission of MEV during various agricultural operations. With the help of this model, the analysis of electromechanical processes in transient and steady-state operating modes, as well as dynamic processes in the power transmission were carried out. Graphs of changes in the studied parameters of the MEV power transmission are obtained and elastic moments in the joints of the 5-mass design scheme are determined. The use of the model allows you to track the change in statistical characteristics when the conditions of the experiment change. The model has shown its operability when performing simulation of agricultural operations: fertilization, cultivation and sowing, and it can be used at the design stage to study the characteristics of dynamic processes of small-class traction MEV power transmissions with an electromechanical drive. With different parameters of the model, there is a change in the mathematical expectation of the angular velocity of the ED from 147.89 to 156.87 rad/s, a change in the mathematical expectation of the speed of the MES from 4.51 to 4.79 m/s.

Designing stepping-stones landscapes: a 2D perspective does not lead to more standardization than an in-situ perspective.

Previous research found that when participants across the lifespan could be the architect of their own stepping-stones landscapes, they create nonstandardized configurations with gap-width variation. Yet, architects often use standardized dimensions in their designs for playgrounds and outdoor fitness areas. To scrutinize why architects tend to seek for more standardized designs than the examined target users, we tested the hypothesis that the difference is caused by a different perspective during the making process. After all, landscape architects generally design on 2D maps, while the participants designed in situ. We asked 67 participants to design a stepping-stones landscape on a 2D map and 67 other participants to create the landscape in situ. Contrary to our expectations, we found no indications that designing on a 2D map leads to more standardized configurations. We end with discussing other characteristics of the design processes that could potentially explain the omnipresent standardization in design.

Multifractal information on reading eye tracking data

The study of the multifractal characteristics of physiological processes attracted wide interest in recent decades, since evidence has been found that the presence of certain alterations in these processes is reflected in the variability of their dynamics. However, neurocognitive processes have not been so widely studied from this perspective. We aim to provide new insights regarding the alterations that dyslexia produces in eye movements during reading. For this reason, we performed fractal and multifractal analysis of eye movements of children with and without dyslexia. This investigation showed that disorders in the cognitive process of reading, such as the one caused by dyslexia, induce slight alterations in the variability of eye movements usually found in neurotypical subjects. In particular, we found differences in the dynamics of fixations and saccades presented by children with dyslexia, a fact that is reflected in the long-range correlation behavior of the recorded eye-tracking data. This finding may provide hints about the neurocognitive organization of the reading process and how it is altered in dyslexic subjects, and also an inexpensive and non-invasive means to detect the condition in its early stages.

Migrant Issues in Contemporary Japan

Japan has an interesting and ambivalent policy toward the migration process; therefore, it is interesting to examine the migration position of a mono-ethnic state, which has also had a history of “closure” and exclusion from the outside world. The research objective is to examine the characteristics of immigration processes in contemporary Japanese society. The research methods used include narrative, comparative, analytical, and structural. As a result, it can be argued that the legislative framework is important in dealing with migrants, which in Japan is recognized as highly effective; in general, the mechanism formed by the Japanese government for dealing with the migrant population copes with all its tasks. In the course of the work, the main problems of adapting to life in Japan were identified, which are the focus of the governing authorities.

Stress relief simulation for post-weld heat treatment process of pressure equipment: Creep constitutive equation considering temperature and stress variations

Due to the limited testing methods and high costs, researches on the evolution law of residual stress in the post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) process of pressure equipment are mainly by numerical simulation, in which the selection of a reasonable and reliable creep constitutive model is crucial to ensure the accuracy of numerical predictions. It is worth noting that the temperature changes and residual stress variation during the heat treatment process result in the following creep characteristics: the creep occurs under different temperatures during the heat treatment processes of heating, holding, and cooling; the creep occurs under different residual stress level where the residual stress varies during the heat treatment stages. Thus, to accurately simulate the stress release behavior during the PWHT process, the proper creep constitutive model must involve the influences of the temperature and the stress state. Meanwhile, current heat treatment simulation usually adopts simplified qualitative approaches, and the creep constitutive models often ignore the physical mechanisms and characteristics of actual creep processes, such as the Norton, the Norton-Bailey, and the Omega models. As a result, the accuracy of heat treatment simulation is limited. In this paper, a new creep constitutive relation under varying temperature and stress is proposed. The hyperbolic-sinusoidal function is used to represent the complete three stages of creep, which compensate the inaccuracy prediction at the first and the third creep stages. Moreover, the Arrhenius function is introduced to characterize the creep response under varying temperature conditions, which enables the prediction of residual stress evolution throughout the entire heating-holding-cooling process of heat treatment. Then, a typical pressure vessel cylindrical circumferential weld is simulated. The stress release during the heat treatment is calculated, and the efficacy of the proposed model is validated through surface residual stress testing. It is found that the creep behavior is a crucial factor in numerical simulation of heat treatment, and the creep constitutive relation can significantly affect the accuracy of heat treatment simulation. The simulation utilizing the hyperbolic-sinusoidal temperature-dependent creep model is much more accurate compared to the classical simulation. The simulation results are much more consistent to the experimental results. Specifically, the traditional model often underestimates the stress state, the residual stress drops abruptly during the heating stage. The residual stress evolution mechanism is simulated using the new model: The majority of residual stress are released during the heating process which primarily relies on the creep strain transformation (contributes up to 85%). The stress state does not change during the holding stage and slight higher at the cooling stage.