Chief Factor Research Articles

Energy Advantages and Thermodynamic Performance of Scheffler Receivers as Thermal Sources for Solar Thermal Power Generation

This article examines the prospects of Scheffler solar receivers integrated into renewable energy power plants for civil applications. This kind of solar receiver can offer satisfactory energetic performance with acceptable energy conversion efficiency when compared to other technologies to harness solar energy since the high-quality focal receiver can reduce heat losses also supposing great levels of evaporation temperature. In this research, energetic optimization and a broad assessment of Scheffler-type solar receivers are thoroughly conducted for variable sun radiation and considering a broad range of working conditions. To achieve this goal, thermodynamic optimization of the chief factors was attained via a numerical model which calculated the energy efficiency of the Scheffler solar receiver at part-load working conditions by computing all energy losses negatively affecting the heat exchange phase in the cavity receiver. The results obtained in this study show that the solar collector efficiencies of Scheffler receivers appear more promising than that of usual parabolic trough collectors; moreover, Scheffler receivers persisted with less sensitivity to reductions in solar radiation intensity. For these reasons, solar power systems based on Scheffler-type systems can be used from tens to hundreds of kW to ensure the energetic supply of small urban settlements with acceptable efficiency, optimistic investments, simple construction and reduced overall sizes.

Conceptualizing the Turkish Revolution in the Longue Durée

Abstract Through a combination of the methods of theoretical review and historical-narrative analysis, this study seeks to unveil the main catalysts of the Turkish Revolution by addressing its structural and subjective dynamics in tandem. The literature lacks a theoretically-guided and systematic study of the Turkish Revolution, which marked its centenary in 2023—a significant gap that this paper seeks to fill. The article also contributes to the broader field of revolution studies by presenting an integrated framework that transcends the current fragmented state of prevailing theories. Based on a critical synthesis of revolution theories, the first part of our empirical analysis focuses on the structural dynamics underpinning the Turkish Revolution, with special emphasis on two chief factors: administrative and socio-economic breakdown. Demonstrating that the mere existence of class-structural strains and mass grievances does not automatically trigger revolutionary action, the second part reveals how the Revolution unfolded through a convergence of mediating factors associated with collective agency, namely leadership and ideational dynamics.

U.S.-China Trade War: Analysis Of The Semiconductor Industry

This research paper analyses the causes and outcomes of the U.S.-China trade conflict through the lens of the semiconductor industry. It explores strategic measures the U.S. took to curb China’s technological progress. Furthermore, the paper looks at China’s countermeasures to mitigate the repercussions of U.S. policies. This research paper is a literature review of various research papers to unveil the causes and effects of the trade war, in the semiconductor industry. Some of the leading causes include intellectual property disputes(Huawei and ZTE) and trade relations, the outcomes of the trade war are more directed toward economic competition and global impact. The paper proposes potential policies to mitigate the damages caused by the trade war and recommends policies to create a robust economic environment. The paper explores policies that could enhance diplomatic relations and minimize trade wars. Methodology The research methodology used in this paper is a Literature review. The five main papers reviewed are... 1. “What the Huawei Case Can Teach Us about the U.S.-ChinaPower Game” by Lu Chuanying and Nicolas Huppenbauer. 2. “The U.S.-China Trade War: Is Malaysia benefiting from "Diversions" in US import demand?” by Calvin Cheng, Firdaos Rosli, and Dwintha Maya Kartika. 3. “Economic Security: Uncertainty Rises as U.S.-China Strategic Competition Deepens” by Yeon Wonho. 4. “U.S.-China Bilateral Economic Relations” by Amy P. Celico and Song Guoyou. 5. “The India-China-U.S. Triangle” by Vijay Gokhale. These research papers are analyzed to highlight some of the chief factors in the semiconductor industry that led to the trade war, as well as investigate papers to comprehend the outcomes of the trade war on the semiconductor industry

The structure of finite groups whose elements outside a normal subgroup have prime power orders

The structure of groups in which every element has prime power order (CP-groups) is extensively studied. We first investigate the properties of group $G$ such that each element of $G\setminus N$ has prime power order. It is proved that $N$ is solvable or every non-solvable chief factor $H/K$ of $G$ satisfying $H\leq N$ is isomorphic to $PSL_2(3^f)$ with $f$ a 2-power. This partially answers the question proposed by Lewis in 2023, asking whether $G\cong M_{10}$ ? Furthermore, we prove that if each element $x\in G\backslash N$ has prime power order and ${\bf C}_G(x)$ is maximal in $G$ , then $N$ is solvable. Relying on this, we give the structure of group $G$ with normal subgroup $N$ such that ${\bf C}_G(x)$ is maximal in $G$ for any element $x\in G\setminus N$ . Finally, we investigate the structure of a normal subgroup $N$ when the centralizer ${\bf C}_G(x)$ is maximal in $G$ for any element $x\in N\setminus {\bf Z}(N)$ , which is a generalization of results of Zhao, Chen, and Guo in 2020, investigating a special case that $N=G$ for our main result. We also provide a new proof for Zhao, Chen, and Guo's results above.

NDVI Changes and Influencing Factors of Different Soil and Water Conservation Zones in Shandong Province

Exploring the characteristics of vegetation change and its influencing factors is essential to construct an ecological environment. Based on the NDVI dataset from 2000 to 2020, this study analyzed the spatial temporal attributes of NDVI changes in Shandong Province using the Sen trend analysis and the gravity center migration model. Furthermore, the spatial heterogeneity of NDVI and its influencing factors within the whole study area and different soil and water conservation zones were investigated using a Geo-detector model, considering population, hydrological, topographic, soil types, and vegetation types. The results were as follows： ① The NDVI in Shandong Province from 2000 to 2020 showed a fluctuating upward trend with significant seasonal characteristics that varied from different zones. The annual NDVI change showed a trend of single-peak in the Ⅲ-4-2t, Ⅲ-4-1xt, and Ⅲ-5-2w but showed a trend of double-peak in the Ⅲ-5-3fn. ② Regarding the spatial distribution, the NDVI was higher in the west-north and west-south areas and lower in the north and coastal areas. During the 21 years, the primary type of NDVI change was "medium-high coverage → high coverage," especially in the northeastern part of the soil conservation area of the Ⅲ-4-2t, the western part of the Ⅲ-4-1xt, and the ecological maintenance area of the Ⅲ-5-2w. Overall, 61.47% of the area had a positive trend of NDVI change with the gravity center of high coverage mitigating to the northeast, and the ecological environment was improved. ③ Soil types and population density were the dominant factors affecting NDVI in Shandong Province, with q values of 0.174 and 0.130, respectively. The chief factor in the Ⅲ-5-3fn, Ⅲ-4-2t, and Ⅲ-4-1xt was population density, with q values higher than 0.22, and the dominant factors in the Ⅲ-5-2w were soil types and vegetation types, with q values of 0.326 and 0.227, respectively. The interaction of the two factors enhanced the influence of the single factor, and the relationship between the influencing factors showed two-factor enhancement and nonlinear enhancement. The q-value of population density ∩ relative humidity was the highest, with a value of 0.257 in the Ⅲ-5-3fn. The q-value of population density ∩ soil types was the highest in the Ⅲ-4-2t and Ⅲ-4-1xt, reaching 0.297 and 0.378, respectively. The q-value of soil types ∩ vegetation types was the highest, with a value of 0.444 in the Ⅲ-5-2w. The results are expected to provide valuable references for improving the ecological environment of Shandong Province and lay a scientific foundation to make different conservation strategies for the individual soil and water conservation zones.

On 𝜎-permutable subgroups of 𝜎-soluble finite groups

Abstract Let σ = { σ i ∣ i ∈ I } \sigma=\{\sigma_{i}\mid i\in I\} be some partition of the set of all primes and 𝐺 a finite group. Then 𝐺 is said to be 𝜎-full if 𝐺 has a Hall σ i \sigma_{i} -subgroup for all i ∈ I i\in I and 𝜎-primary if 𝐺 is a σ i \sigma_{i} -group for some 𝑖. In addition, 𝐺 is 𝜎-soluble if every chief factor of 𝐺 is 𝜎-primary and 𝜎-nilpotent if 𝐺 is a direct product of 𝜎-primary groups. We write G N σ G^{\mathfrak{N}_{\sigma}} for the 𝜎-nilpotent residual of 𝐺, which is the intersection of all normal subgroups 𝑁 of 𝐺 with 𝜎-nilpotent G / N G/N . A subgroup 𝐴 of 𝐺 is said to be 𝜎-permutable in 𝐺 provided 𝐺 is 𝜎-full and 𝐴 permutes with all Hall σ i \sigma_{i} -subgroups 𝐻 of 𝐺 (that is, A ⁢ H = H ⁢ A AH=HA ) for all 𝑖. And 𝐴 is 𝜎-subnormal in 𝐺 if there is a subgroup chain A = A 0 ≤ A 1 ≤ ⋯ ≤ A n = G A=A_{0}\leq A_{1}\leq\cdots\leq A_{n}=G such that either A i − 1 ⁢ ⊴ ⁢ A i A_{i-1}\trianglelefteq A_{i} or A i / ( A i − 1 ) A i A_{i}/(A_{i-1})_{A_{i}} is 𝜎-primary for all i = 1 , … , n i=1,\ldots,n . We prove that if 𝐺 is a 𝜎-soluble group, then 𝜎-permutability is a transitive relation in 𝐺 if and only if G N σ ∩ A G = G N σ ∩ A G G^{\mathfrak{N}_{\sigma}}\cap A^{G}=G^{\mathfrak{N}_{\sigma}}\cap A_{G} for every 𝜎-subnormal subgroup 𝐴 of 𝐺.

On finite groups with the Magnus Property

AbstractWe investigate finite groups with the Magnus Property (MP), where a group is said to have the MP if whenever two elements have the same normal closure, then they are conjugate or inverse conjugate. In particular, we observe that a finite MP group is solvable, determine the finite primitive MP groups, and determine all the possible orders of the chief factors of a finite MP group. We also determine the MP finite direct products of finite primitive groups, as well as the MP crown‐based powers of a finite monolithic primitive group.

Facile Synthesis of B/P Co-Doping Multicolor Emissive Carbon Dots Derived from Phenylenediamine Isomers and Their Application in Anticounterfeiting.

Carbon dots (CDs) possess a considerable number of beneficial features for latent applications in biotargeted drugs, electronic transistors, and encrypted information. The synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots has become a trend in contemporary research, especially in the field of controllable multicolor fluorescent carbon dots. In this study, an elementary one-step hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize the multicolor fluorescent carbon dots by co-doping unique phenylenediamine isomers (o-PD, m-PD, and p-PD) with B and P elements, which under 365 nm UV light exhibited signs of lavender-color, grass-color, and tangerine-color fluorescence, respectively. Further investigations reveal the distinctness in the polymerization, surface-specific functional groups, and graphite N content of the multicolor CDs, which may be the chief factor regarding the different optical behaviors of the multicolor CDs. This new work offers a route for the exploration of multicolor CDs using B/P co-doping and suggests great potential in the field of optical materials, important information encryption, and commercial anticounterfeiting labels.

Statistical Analysis on Turmeric Production and Price Movement in Tamil Nadu

Since ancient times, agriculture has been one of the chief factors in the advancement of many nations. Also, it has been a huge contributor to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). But the farmers and the small-scale retailers are still unaware of the demand and supply of the commodities in mandis. Ultimately, they are compelled to use the repetitive pattern of crops. Through knowledge of the intra-mandi prices for seasonal crops is necessary to gain the desired profit. Price trends in several Tamilnadu markets were investigated for Turmeric in order to forecast price volatility and problems that produce mandi-level projections, enhancing its usefulness. Given that medicinal crops have various medical and culinary uses, boosting their productivity could increase farmers' profits in comparison to typical pattern crops. So, the aim of this study is to evaluate the optimum preferred crop conditions for Turmeric with respect to profit. A data from the past decade was screened to observe the variation in prices of the crops along with production analysis. Also, it was validated statistically by various statistical measures like Standard Deviation, Mean and Coefficient of Variation. We examined intra-mandi prices and found that prices fluctuate over the whole peak season, with notable fluctuations in modal prices among several mandis. To demonstrate the variations in pricing reported for certain mandis on specific days, we've given a few instances. A low standard deviation implies that the commodities price is clustered around the mean, whereas a large standard deviation shows that the commodities price is more dispersed. Price volatility is the discrepancy between what is anticipated and what occurs. Keywords: Agriculture, Turmeric, Marginal farmers, Price Movement

On semi-cover-avoiding 2-maximal subgroups of finite groups

A subgroup $H$ of a finite group $G$ is said to be ``semi-cover-avoiding in $G$'', if there exists a chief series of $G$ such that $H$ covers or avoids every chief factor of the chief series. In this article, we will consider some 2-maximal subgroups with the property of semi-cover-avoiding of a group $G$ and explore the structure of $G$.

The incidence of macular atrophy in patients with long-term use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the chief factor in sightlessness in affluent nations. Visual symptoms at a late stage of AMD are frequently severe and irreversible and might include drastically reduced center vision in both eyes. Patients with nAMD are mostly preserved with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications. Chronic anti-VEGF treatment, however, has also been connected to the emergence of macular atrophy (MA). This study aims to determine the prevalence of MA in AMD patients who have been on anti-VEGF medications for a long time. Methods: The literature research was performed by systematically searching PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using the search terms “macular atrophy”, “Anti-VEGF”, “age-related macular degeneration”, and “trial”. The Review Manager v.5.4 and R statistical software v.3.3 are used in this study. Results: The study includes 2094 individuals from 7 clinical trial trials. Anti-VEGF therapy had an overall proportion of MA episodes in MDA patients of 0.29 (95% CI 0.24 - 0.34). Between the anti-VEGF and control groups, there is no discernible difference in the risk of MA (OR 1.44; 95% CI 0.34 - 6.04; p=0.39). Additionally, there is no discernible difference between the comparison group and anti-VEGF regarding mean MA area scores (MD 0.03; 95% CI -0.28 - 0.34; p=0.85). Conclusion: The incidence of MA in long-term anti-VEGF use with other comparators in AMD was not significantly different.

Neuroprotection by acrolein sequestration through exogenously applied scavengers and endogenous enzymatic enabling strategies in mouse EAE model

We have previously shown that the pro-oxidative aldehyde acrolein is a critical factor in MS pathology. In this study, we found that the acrolein scavenger hydralazine (HZ), when applied from the day of induction, can suppress acrolein and alleviate motor and sensory deficits in a mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that HZ can alleviate motor deficits when applied after the emergence of MS symptoms, making potential anti-acrolein treatment a more clinically relevant strategy. In addition, HZ can reduce both acrolein and MPO, suggesting a connection between acrolein and inflammation. We also found that in addition to HZ, phenelzine (PZ), a structurally distinct acrolein scavenger, can mitigate motor deficits in EAE when applied from the day of induction. This suggests that the likely chief factor of neuroprotection offered by these two structurally distinct acrolein scavengers in EAE is their common feature of acrolein neutralization. Finally, up-and-down regulation of the function of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in EAE mice using either a pharmacological or genetic strategy led to correspondent motor and sensory changes. This data indicates a potential key role of ALDH2 in influencing acrolein levels, oxidative stress, inflammation, and behavior in EAE. These findings further consolidate the critical role of aldehydes in the pathology of EAE and its mechanisms of regulation. This is expected to reinforce and expand the possible therapeutic targets of anti-aldehyde treatment to achieve neuroprotection through both endogenous and exogenous manners.

Solubilizers in profinite groups

The solubilizer of an element x of a profinite group G is the set of the elements y of G such that the subgroup of G generated by x and y is prosoluble. We propose the following conjecture: the solubilizer of x in G has positive Haar measure if and only if x centralizes ‘almost all’ the non-abelian chief factors of G. We reduce the proof of this conjecture to another conjecture concerning finite almost simple groups: there exists a positive c such that, for every finite simple group S and every (a,b)∈(Aut(S)∖{1})×Aut(S), the number of s is S such that 〈a,bs〉 is insoluble is at least c|S|. Work in progress by Fulman, Garzoni and Guralnick is leading to prove the conjecture when S is a simple group of Lie type. In this paper we prove the conjecture for alternating groups.

Investigation on carbon fiber-reinforced polymer combined with graphene nanoparticles subjected to drilling operation using response surface methodology and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II

In this article, drilling of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics combined with graphene nanoparticles is investigated. These nanocomposites have the potential to be used widely in different industrial applications such as electrical, biomedical and aerospace engineering due to their superior mechanical and thermal specifications. Nonetheless, to be assembled on different sets, drilling nanocomposites is required especially for rivets and joints. In drilling carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs), delamination is one of the main challenges that should be minimized in order to enhance the produced hole quality. Besides, machining force is a chief factor to control the drilling-induced damages, especially delamination. This article evaluates the effects of machining parameters on machining force and delamination using response surface methodology experimental design and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) multiobjective optimization methodology. Examining delamination is conducted in two parts including peel-up and push-down delamination which are the principal drawbacks in drilling of fiber-reinforced composites. Analysis of variance is also carried out in order to examine the effects of the machining parameters. In addition, predictive quadratic correlations are established by regression analysis. Eventually, multiobjective optimization was implemented by NSGA-II and the optimal values were obtained from pareto-optimal solution set aimed at enhancing the drilling process.

Playing away stress and anxiety: Exploring nondigital game-based vocabulary learning

Anxiety and stress are the chief factors that handicap tribal learners’ cognition when learning the English language. Learners of English as a second language experience anxiety and stress for several reasons. The study showed that the greater the stress and anxiety were, the less motivation the students had toward learning the English language. The present study intends to mitigate the anxiety and stress of upper primary tribal students through nondigital game-based language learning in the classroom. The sampling method employed in this research was convenient. A questionnaire, pretest, intervention (nondisciplinary game-based language learning), posttest and feedback were used to collect the data. The data were collected from middle school tribal students (n = 100). The collected data were analysed through paired t tests in SPSS, and the results revealed that tribal learners’ performance improved after the intervention. The results highlighted the vocabulary progress achieved by the experimental group through game-based learning. The study concludes with limitations and implications for future research.

Teachers' perspectives on technology-mediated plurilingual practices: the TEMPLATE project

Plurilingual-inspired pedagogies show multiple potential benefits for teaching and learning languages and have therefore been strongly promoted by the European Union through various policies. Nonetheless, their implementation is not exempt from limitations and difficulties concerning teaching practices and availability of resources. Meanwhile, technology has long been seen as a chief factor in supporting and enhancing learning in the foreign language classroom, and it can now serve plurilingual-inspired pedagogies due to its flexibility and heterogeneity. The present study reports on the results obtained from a questionnaire completed by 306 teachers across Eu- rope, which explores their perspectives on the use of technology-mediated plurilingual practices. The survey has been designed ad hoc and then distributed among in- and pre-service teachers at primary and secondary levels in 10 European countries. Our final aim is to investigate the integration of technology and plurilingual-inspired pedagogies in terms of awareness, use and training needs. Results indicate that almost half of the participants have implemented a digital-based activity that involved the use of different languages in the past, but yet claim that there is a scarcity of available information and resources. Further results look into the nature and characteristics of these plurilingual practices, as well as the role played by technology in such activities. Finally, teacher training implications derived from the results are discussed.

On $\sigma$-$c$-subnormal subgroups of finite groups

Let $ \sigma=\{\sigma_i:i\in I\} $ be a partition of the set $ \mathbb{P} $ of all primes. A finite group $ G $ is called $ \sigma $-primary if the prime divisors, if any, of $|G|$ all belong to the same member of $ \sigma $. A finite group $ G $ is called $ \sigma $-soluble if every chief factor of $ G $ is $ \sigma$-primary. A subgroup $H$ of a group $G$ is called $\sigma$-subnormal in $G$ if there is a chain of subgroups $H=H_0\leq H_1\leq\cdots\leq H_n=G$ such that either $ H_{i-1} $ is normal in $ H_i $ or $ H_{i}/(H_{i-1})_{H_{i}} $ is $ \sigma $-primary for all $ i=1,\dots,n $; A subgroup $H$ of a group $G$ is called $\sigma$-$c$-subnormal in $G$ if there is a subnormal subgroup $T$ of $G$ such that $G=HT$ and $H\cap T\leq H_{\sigma G}$, where the subgroup $H_{\sigma G}$ is generated by all $\sigma$-subnormal subgroups of $G$ contained in $H$. In this paper, we investigate the influence of $\sigma$-$c$-subnormality of some kinds of maximal
 subgroups on $\sigma$-solubility of finite groups, which generalize some known results.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Cutting Operational Expenses by Implementing Effective Strategic Maintenance

As a peaking power plant, Semarang PGU runs a 1.4 GW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT). Our power plants must start and stop on a regular basis, as well as respond to sudden spikes and drops in load caused by the peaking function. Operating this 30-year-old power plant is likewise getting tougher; the chief factors are component obsolescence and asset age. Tambak Lorok CCGT, on the other hand, was able to achieve less than 0.51% EFOR (Equivalent Forced Outage Rates) in 2022, which was a notable success given the power plant's age in terms of its ability to sustain dependability. Our company created a "end-to-end asset healthiness monitoring dashboard" that reduced the WMATL WO backlog by 14.65%. Semarang PGU completed maintenance efficiently in order to sustain the firm by increasing efficiency and minimizing OPEX. Our principal means of attaining this goal are to improve reliability management, develop a quality-based maintenance approach, and ensure shorter and safer outages. This strategy resulted in an Inventory Turn Over of 6.36 and a profit of IDR 722,695,530,067 for the firm. Our company also combines risk management into outage operations and innovates in asset management pillars integration, which uses real-time monitoring for an asset's life cycle.

What Was Stefan Yavorsky Silent about? Undelivered Sermons as a Multiple Equation

This article examines the circumstances behind Metropolitan Stefan Yavorsky of Ryazan and Murom’s not delivering a sermon about the truth persecuted everywhere on the Day of St John Chrysostom on November 13, 1708. The text is marked as non dictum in the manuscript by the author. In historiography, Yavorsky’s undelivered sermons are often used to characterise the critical mood of the preacher in the context of the protracted Northern War and the author’s intentions, as he allegedly changed his mind in time to deliver an accusatory sermon. The author of the article suggests that the chief factor that prevented Yavorsky from preaching on the day of St John Chrysostom was the anathematisation of Hetman Ivan Mazepa (in 1708), which preceded the event, and the death of Dimitri Rostovsky, a close friend of the Metropolitan's (in 1709). The article provides arguments confirming the author’s intentions to voice the ideas of this sermon, such as the usage of its fragments in other texts. For the first time, the sermon for the Day of St John Chrysostom is presented in the context of Yavorsky’s preaching heritage, and its content is analysed considering the author’s complex intention (the article also contains rare Yavorsky’s poems in Latin and translations thereof). The research emphasises the need to publish the full text of Stefan Yavorsky’s sermons and further study their place in the public sphere and intellectual culture of the Petrine era.

The power of framing: The role of information provision in promoting whistleblowing

AbstractWhistleblowing policies are seldom effective in inducing civil servants to report misconduct. While current literature focusses more upon the identification of the chief factors that prevent witnesses from reporting, it overlooks potentially effective strategies to stimulate active behavior. In particular, it neglects the framing and impact of information provision. According to the prospect theory, information that frames the consequences of non‐reporting as negative is more effective in enhancing the intention to report misconduct, as opposed to information that frames the consequences of reporting as positive. This study tested these propositions through an online survey experiment targeted at the civil servants of a major European city. We exposed participants to four different frames of economic and psychological consequences of reporting wrongdoing, in order to analyze the impact of various frames upon participants' reporting intentions. The results of this study confirm the relevance of the prospect theory and clearly indicate how the presentation of information affects active behavior.