Development Of Equipment Research Articles

Calibration of discrete meta-parameters of bamboo flour based on magnitude analysis and BP neural network.

In the research and development of technology and equipment for bamboo products deep processing, such as filling, drying, and medicinal use of bamboo flour (BF), the poor compaction and fluidity of BF materials entails the need for accurate discrete element model (DEM) and BF parameters to provide a reference for the simulation of BF processing operationsand the development of related equipment. The average particle size of the 5 types of BFs ranges from 0.136 mm to 0.293 mm, and the small particle size of BF particles causes to the number of BF particles in bamboo processing equipment to reach tens of millions or even billions. When conventional methods are used for simulation, ordinary computers cannot provide the required computing power. To address the aforementioned challenges, this paper proposes a calibration method for the discrete element contact parameters of BFs based on dimensional analysis and a back propagation (BP) neural network. Using particle scaling theory and dimensional analysis methods, the average particle size of the BF was increased to 1 mm, and the main discrete element contact parameters of the five types of BF to be tested were used as input layers. The injection method and sidewall collapse method were used to obtain the angle of repose (AR) as the output layer. Fifty groups were randomly selected using MATLAB for EDEM simulation, and the simulation results were trained using the BP neural network algorithm; an ideal neural network model was obtained, the discrete element parameters of different BFs were predicted, and physical experiments were performed to verify two types of AR and mold hole compression under calibrated parameters. The relative error between the simulated AR obtained through calibration parameters and the physical experimental values is less than 2.3%. Through BF parameter validity verification, the simulated maximum compression displacement and compression ratio after stabilization were 34.81 mm and 0.477, which were close to the actual experimental results of 34.77 mm and 0.461, respectively, verifying the accuracy of the neural network prediction model. The research results provide a reference for the simulation of BF processing operations and the development of related equipment.

Sugarcane-YOLO: An Improved YOLOv8 Model for Accurate Identification of Sugarcane Seed Sprouts

Sugarcane is a crop that propagates through seed sprouts on nodes. Accurate identification of sugarcane seed sprouts is crucial for sugarcane planting and the development of intelligent sprout-cutting equipment. This paper proposes a sugarcane seed sprout recognition method based on the YOLOv8s model by adding the simple attention mechanism (SimAM) module to the neck network of the YOLOv8s model and adding the spatial-depth convolution (SPD-Conv) to the tail convolution part. Meanwhile, the E-IoU loss function is chosen to increase the model’s regression speed. Additionally, a small-object detection layer, P2, is incorporated into the feature pyramid network (FPN), and the large-object detection layer, P5, is eliminated to further improve the model’s recognition accuracy and speed. Then, the improvement of each part is tested and analyzed, and the effectiveness of the improved modules is verified. Finally, the Sugarcane-YOLO model is obtained. On the sugarcane seed and sprout dataset, the Sugarcane-YOLO model performed better and was more balanced in accuracy and detection speed than other mainstream models, and it was the most suitable model for seed and sprout recognition by automatic sugarcane-cutting equipment. Experimental results showed that the Sugarcane-YOLO achieved a mAP50 value of 99.05%, a mAP72 value of 81.3%, a mAP50-95 value of 71.61%, a precision of 97.42%, and a recall rate of 98.63%.

Research on the Hydrodynamic Characteristics of a Rectangular Otter Board in Different Work Postures Based on a Dynamic Model

This paper investigates the hydrodynamic characteristics of a rectangular otter board in different working postures by using a dynamic model. Dynamic models are mainly based on dynamic mesh techniques. The results of the dynamic model are, compared to the model test, carried out in a flume tank. Furthermore, different rotation speeds of dynamic model were analyzed. The research results are as follows: compared to flume tank results, the maximum error of the dynamic model is 23.77%. Moreover, the influence of rotation speed on the hydrodynamic board is not obvious, and 2 deg./s was chosen as the rotation speed. When the board is tilted slightly (including four working postures), its lift-to-drag ratio first increases slightly and then gradually decreases. Compared with the other three working postures, the pressure center coefficient of the board does not change significantly when it is tilted inward. When studying different working angles (including AOA and tilt angle) of the otter board, the numerical dynamic model significantly reduces repetitive setup work, making simulations more efficient. Its ability to provide continuous curves and a large volume of results offers researchers a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of the board’s hydrodynamics. Additionally, the dynamic model supports innovative fishery equipment development by allowing more accurate and continuous numerical simulations.

Research on the origin and evolution of technical management regulations for railway

PurposeTo facilitate technical managers and field workers to master and understand the provisions of Technical Management Regulations for Railway more accurately, so as to better serve the comprehensive revision of the Regulations, this paper carries out the research on the traceability and evolution of the provisions of the Regulations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper studies and analyzes the evolution of the 11th edition of the Regulations by analyzing the relevance of clauses and summarizes the historical background of the development of calendar editions of the Regulations. The basic research on the traceability and evolution of the Regulations is carried out from four aspects: the continuity of the development of the Regulations, the authority of contents, the relevance of clauses and the richness of historical materials.FindingsFrom the first edition of the Regulations issued by the former Ministry of Railways in 1950 to the 11th edition, there have been ten comprehensive revisions. There is a strong correlation and continuity between the calendar editions of the Regulations in terms of chapter structure and clauses. Studying the context of the terms of the Regulations is an important way to understand and master the current clauses of the Regulations.Originality/valueThrough the research on the traceability and evolution of the clauses of the Regulations, one is to explore the context of the development of railway technical equipment in China, the other is to clarify the historical background when the provisions were formulated and the third is to trace the development and evolution of the provisions. The revision of the Regulations is based on an accurate grasp of the context of the provisions, which can effectively judge the possible security risks caused by the revision of the provisions and avoid the possible risks in field implementation from the source.

Исследование методов и современных технических решений очистки аэрозольных выбросов промышленности

The analysis and characterization of aerosol emissions into the atmosphere are given, the ways of formation of primary and secondary aerosols are considered. The process of atmospheric aging of aerosols, which has a negative impact on the environment, is considered. The functional links between aerosol emissions, their source and impact on climate and public health are presented. The possible influence of the reactions of liquid and solid aerosol particles on the properties of atmospheric air is considered. The main methods of purification of industrial aerosol emissions are considered: adsorption purification, thermal and catalytic neutralization, chemisorption and absorption purification. The ways of increasing the efficiency of adsorption processes, for example, the separation of adsorbent in the apparatus, are analyzed. The essence of the process of thermal neutralization of gas mixtures is described, it is established that thermal installations based on the direct combustion method work more efficiently when combining thermal and catalytic neutralization methods, designs of combined equipment are presented, and ways to increase the intensity of the apparatus are considered. The process of gas purification based on the absorption process is considered. It is determined that absorption plants for cleaning gases from harmful components are the most effective and efficient due to the high level of technical implementation of the process. The development and improvement of the main absorber equipment is aimed at achieving maximum cleaning efficiency with an optimal pressure drop that determines energy consumption. The analysis shows the negative impact of natural and anthropogenic aerosols on the environment. In order to correctly solve the problem, information on the sources, composition and properties of aerosols is needed to select the most effective and economically profitable cleaning method, which will help reduce the anthropogenic load on the atmosphere.

Implementation Of Indonesia's Defence Economy Through The Defence Budget Sector

The implementation of military spending through the Indonesian defense industry has shown gradual positive development, driven by efforts to establish an independent defense sector. This study examines the role of Indonesia's defense budget in supporting national security and fostering economic growth, focusing on the collaboration between state-owned enterprises (BUMN) and private companies (BUMS). The defense budget is applied progressively to balance the country's limited resources and the relatively low level of external threats. Using a qualitative research method, this study analyzes data from relevant literature, reports, and policies to evaluate the impact of the defense budget on the Indonesian economy. The research explores key aspects such as the gradual development of defense equipment, the role of research and development (R&D) in driving innovation, and the partnership between public and private sectors to strengthen the local defense industry. The results indicate that Indonesia's defense budget has steadily increased over the past decade, contributing to economic growth, particularly in the manufacturing and technology sectors. However, the overall impact on the economy remains mixed due to challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and dependence on imported materials. The discussion highlights the potential for defense R&D investments to generate spillover effects into civilian industries and recommends strategies to enhance the efficiency of defense spending. In conclusion, the implementation of defense economic policies has laid a strong foundation for the development of an independent defense industry in Indonesia. The study suggests that a gradual increase in defense spending, combined with strategic partnerships and innovation, can support both national security and economic stability in the long term

Development Directions of Fire-Fighting Equipment Using Aircraft Engines Abroad

In the last century, outstanding fire-fighting technology developments have occurred in Hungary. Mobile, quickly deployable, efficient, environmentally friendly tools and technologies with optimal fire extinguishing material use have come to the fore. This included equipment using exhaust gas from internal combustion engines and combustion products from aircraft engines for fire-fighting. The developers’ goal is to reduce environmental and secondary damage during fire-fighting, and at the same time, they sought to increase the efficiency of fire-fighting processes by using measurably less fire-fighting material. In our article, we present the foreign developments of fire-extinguishing equipment that uses aircraft engines with a unique operating principle and is suitable for applying multiple types of fire-extinguishing materials, thus also for implementing complex fire-fighting. We review the design and construction of the equipment, their operating principle, examine their practical application possibilities, and present directions for future development.

Application of diamond abrasive tools in the processing of technical ceramics in parts of mining machines

Technological development of mining equipment is largely initiated by the improvement of technologies and tools for its production, including in the field of surface treatment quality, which, in turn, determines the reliability and productivity of machines. The use of technical ceramics in designing parts and assemblies of mining machines allows for significantly improved technical and produc-tion characteristics since the quality of the parts' surface treatment is traditionally carried out with diamond-containing tools. The dia-mond tools with ceramic bonds have the highest grinding perfor-mance at the abrasive shaping of ceramics. The tribotechnical characteristics of tools made of a material with a ceramic structure hardened with microdipersed diamond grains are investigated in this work. On the basis of the classical approach to the deformation of rough surfaces, a model has been constructed that makes it possible to estimate the influence of the structural components of a dia-mond mineraloceramic tool on the wear of technical ceramics. The relations for calculation of grinding productivity, diamond content in the worn layer of the abrasive tool and the value of specific dia-mond consumption have been obtained. Experimental studies con-firmed the theoretical conclusions. It has been established that the greatest influence on grinding productivity is exerted by diamond granularity, loading and speed modes; diamond concentration significantly determines the relative wear resistance of the abrasive tool. The obtained relations will be useful in the design of diamond-containing tools for processing technical ceramics, which is increas-ingly used in the design of mining machines since its market is grow-ing dynamically around the world.

Editorial of the 2nd issue of Engineering Manufacturing Letters

This is the second issue of the Engineering Manufacturing Letters (EML). The journal is published by the University of Porto and invites submissions from a diverse array of industries, including transportation (automotive, rail, aeronautical, and marine), packaging, electronics, sports, and more. Additionally, academic institutions and research institutions are encouraged to contribute their research findings in this field. Accepted topics encompass additive manufacturing, vacuum-assisted high-pressure die casting, semi-solid metal casting, compressive and tensile forming processes, micro and nano machining, nanocomposite manufacturing, adhesive bonding, laser cutting and joining, and related areas. Specific subtopics include process modelling and optimization, design for manufacturing strategies, development of novel manufacturing technologies and equipment, comparative case studies, cost-benefit analyses, ecological considerations, and destructive and non-destructive testing of manufactured components. Technological advances in manufacturing often outpace traditional scientific publication methods. To bridge this gap, our journal focuses on concise reports and letters highlighting innovative manufacturing processes. The journal is open access, but no fees will be charged to the authors until the journal is indexed in the major databases. This journal is associated to the international conference on Engineering Manufacture that takes place every even years in May at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (www.fe.up.pt/em2024). The editorial board of this journal includes experienced researchers from all disciplines of engineering manufacture. The papers presented in this first issue are varied. They include papers on health monitoring (Vilela et al.), mechanical characterization (Oliveira et al.) and short papers, two papers on metal forming (Peixoto et al., and Winiarski et al.) and additive manufacturing (Nogueira et al., and Sardinha et al.) which is one very dynamic field at the moment. We extend our sincere thanks to the authors for their gently participation in this second issue. The submitted papers offer valuable insights into the recent advancements in engineering technological processes. These contributions serve as a good foundation for what promises to be a dynamic forum of the last developments in engineering manufacturing.

Evolution and development tendencies of material handling machines

The tools used during mobilities are very diverse, but their operation and structure can be traced back to the same basic principles that created the material handling machines during the previous centuries. Today, knowledge of material handling machines has become a basic necessity not only for industrial and service processes, but also for people's everyday lives, since our lives are almost unimaginably filled with different means of transportation, or without using the vehicles that transport and load our daily consumer goods. As in all areas, material handling is becoming more and more modern, and equipment that serves social and economic needs at a high level is used. One of the most defining characteristics of today's consumer society is extremely rapid change, which also affects our devices, so the design of material handling machines is also constantly changing. An important question of competitive service is how to meet rapidly changing needs. In my article, I review the development of material handling equipment, or the most important handling machines used in modern systems. Based on the outlined processes and technical changes, I will try to show where material handling is headed, what trends prevail today or are expected in server systems of the near future.

Development of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in China

Development of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in China

ANALYSIS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF USING AN AUTONOMOUS MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND REGISTRATION OF THE ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION OF THE ARMOURED VEHICLE CREW

In the context of large-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation and growing losses from mine injuries, there is a significant need to obtain objective information about the level of protection provided by military armoured vehicles. At the same time, Ukrainian defence enterprises are constantly working to develop the latest methods to improve the protection of vehicle crews from the threat of mines and explosives. There is an acute problem and an essential need to quickly improve the mine resistance of standard models of armoured vehicles and, as a result, the need to quickly determine the effectiveness of the measures taken and make engineering decisions. The basis for the development of modern mine protection equipment should be to identify the impact of the shock wave not only on the vehicle structure, but primarily on the crew members. It is possible to evaluate the results, conduct comprehensive research and provide reasonable recommendations for further work only on the basis of the results of tests (experimental physical modelling) during which physical factors affecting the crew are measured. It is impossible to carry out the necessary measurements without the use of modern sensors (sensors) in conjunction with an information and measurement system that will ensure the reception, processing and registration of information. The main criteria for selecting sensors are sensitivity, resolution, linearity, frequency response, temperature response, noise level and long-term stability.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE TEST METHODOLOGY OF AIRCRAFT VIDEO RECORDING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF A SPECIAL PERIOD

The introduction of weapons and military equipment at the stage of Russia's armed aggression requires the rational use of human resources, standard means of measurement, registration and indication as part of measurement systems and further processing of the results obtained in automated systems for collecting and processing information for its use during tests of serial (modernized) samples of OVT. The rapid development of technical means of measurement, transformation and exchange of data within and between systems require the improvement of test methods for video recording of aircraft, which take into account the peculiarities of the development of electronic equipment of aviation equipment and are based on a unified approach to the problem of optimal use of resources. Modern means of video registration have quite justifiably been widely used in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The research was conducted using the methods of the theory of system analysis, synthesis, comparison, and generalization. The purpose of the article is to develop a typical methodology for testing aircraft video recording equipment in the conditions of a special period. To achieve the goal, the following was done: to analyze the existing methods of testing domestic and foreign aircraft video registration means; to consider an improved model of functioning and the technology of conducting tests of means of video registration of aircraft with a reduction in volume; to develop a typical methodology for conducting tests of aircraft video registration devices in the conditions of a special period. The results of the analysis should be taken into account when justifying ways to reduce the amount of tests in the conditions of a special

Experimental Study on the Design and Cutting Mechanical Properties of Bionic Pruning Blades

This study focuses on existing pruning equipment; cutting blades show cutting resistance and lead to high energy consumption. Using finite element (FEA) numerical simulation technology, the branch stress wave propagation mechanism during pruning was studied. The cutting performance of the bionic blade was evaluated with cutting energy consumption as the test index and the branch diameter and branch angle as the test factors, respectively. The test results showed that the blades imitating the mouthparts of the three-pecten bull and the beak of the woodpecker performed well in pruning, and the energy consumption during cutting was reduced by 18.2% and 16.3% compared to traditional blades, making these blades significantly better. These two blades also effectively reduced the cutting resistance and branch splitting by optimizing the edge angle design and increasing the slip-cutting action. In contrast, the imitation shark’s tooth blade increased cutting energy consumption by 14.4% due to the large amount of cutting resistance in the cutting process when cutting larger-diameter branches, making it unsuitable for application in the pruning field. Therefore, the blades imitating the mouthparts of the three pectins and the beak of the woodpecker have significant advantages in reducing the cutting resistance and improving the pruning quality. These findings provide an important theoretical reference for the development of energy-efficient pruning equipment.

Development of linear bearing equipment for modal testing of low-frequency weakly damped spacecraft structures

This article presents the results of a study of the bearing capacity and dissipative properties of an aerostatic linear bearing developed at JSC RESHETNEV for modal testing of complex structures. When selecting equipment for modal testing, the main condition is the requirement to minimize the distortions introduced into the determined dynamic characteristics: frequencies of natural vibration modes, the vibration modes themselves, as well as modal masses and damping coefficients. In other words, all equipment used for ground-based modal testing should ideally have zero added mass, stiffness and friction. The main systems containing elements that create dissipative forces that affect the determination of damping coefficients are systems for weight compensation and vibration excitation on natural modes. The weight compensation system usually contains either elastic elements or a system of guides with rolling or sliding bearings. If the former bring additional rigidity and mass to the test object, the latter bring mass and friction (dry or viscous), which increases the error in determining the dynamic characteristics. The excitation of vibrations on natural modes, in most cases, is carried out by electrodynamic vibrators consisting of a magnetization coil (or permanent magnet) and a movable coil moving in a magnetic gap. The movable coil is oriented in the magnetic gap using a special system containing either elastic elements or a linear guide bearing. Vibrators with elastic coil suspension elements cannot be used for modal tests of extended structures with low rigidity. The problem of creating an ideal bearing to replace classic linear (sliding or roller) ones arose during preparation for modal tests of the wing of a solar battery of a spacecraft (SC). Aerostatic bearings (supports) have virtually zero friction and sufficient load-bearing capacity, in which compressed air acts as a lubricant, eliminating physical contacts of the interacting surfaces. To confirm the possibility of using aerostatic bearings in equipment for conducting modal tests of extended structures with low frequencies of natural oscillations, comparative tests of a roller and aerostatic bearing were carried out. During the tests, optimal air flow parameters (nozzle diameter, operating pressure and gap) were selected, which ensure the required load-bearing capacity for radial forces and torques (bending and torsion). A comparative assessment of dissipative properties was carried out when measuring the attenuation parameters of single-mass harmonic oscillators, which include aerostatic and roller linear bearings. With a nozzle diameter of 0.6 mm, a working gap of 40 μm and a bearing input pressure of 1.0 bar, the logarithmic decrement of oscillations of the harmonic oscillator with an aerostatic bearing was 0.084, which is more than 28 times lower than the logarithmic decrement of oscillations of an oscillator with a roller bearing. The conducted studies confirmed the possibility of using the developed aerostatic bearing in test systems used in modal tests of large-sized transformable spacecraft structures.

PRINCIPLES OF SIMULATION OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT GRANULATION PROCESSES IN A FLUIDIZED BED

The principles of physical and mathematical modeling of inhomogeneous jet-pulsating fluidization in the self-oscillating mode considering the movement of solid granulated particles on the working surfaces of the gas distributing device are investigated. The research tasks include substantiating the method of interaction between the gas phase and granular solids to ensure the implementation of heterogeneous jet-pulsating fluidization in the self-oscillating mode, experimentally determining hydrodynamic parameters to minimize the risk of stagnant zones on the working surface of the gas distributing device and formulating principles for introducing flat gas jets into orthogonal planes through a gas distribution device. The physical model focuses on creating heterogeneous jet-pulsating fluidization which is based on the formation of heterogeneous porosity in the bed of solids within the apparatus chamber. The study highlights the importance of rationally organizing the interaction mode between the gas phase and solids to ensure active circulation of granular material between 3 main technological zones: humidification, active heat exchange and relaxation. This organization enables sufficient mass transfer along the height of the bed and getting a product with the desired properties. Implementing the proposed modeling principles in equipment development will allow increasing the heat utilization coefficient by more than 60 % and will facilitate the implementation of innovative technology. The research contributes to the development of fluidization technology and its application in granulation at temperatures exceeding the melting point of thermolabile components, ensuring efficient use of resources and energy, and enhancing the environmental safety of technological processes. Bibl. 22, Fig. 11.

Transitions in Immunoassay Leading to Next-Generation Lateral Flow Assays and Future Prospects.

In the field of clinical testing, the traditional focus has been on the development of large-scale analysis equipment designed to process high volumes of samples with fully automatic and high-sensitivity measurements. However, there has been a growing demand in recent years for the development of analytical reagents tailored to point-of-care testing (POCT), which does not necessitate a specific location or specialized operator. This trend is epitomized using the lateral flow assay (LFA), which became a cornerstone during the 2019 pandemic due to its simplicity, speed of delivering results-within about 10 min from minimal sample concentrations-and user-friendly design. LFAs, with their paper-based construction, combine cost-effectiveness with ease of disposal, addressing both budgetary and environmental concerns comprehensively. Despite their compact size, LFAs encapsulate a wealth of technological ingenuity, embodying years of research and development. Current research is dedicated to further evolving LFA technology, paving the way for the next generation of diagnostic devices. These advancements aim to redefine accessibility, empower individuals, and enhance responsiveness to public health challenges. The future of LFAs, now unfolding, promises even greater integration into routine health management and emergency responses, underscoring their critical role in the evolution of decentralized and patient-centric healthcare solutions. In this review, the historical development of LFA and several of the latest LFA technologies using catalytic amplification, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, heat detection, electron chemical detections, magnetoresistance, and detection of reflected electrons detection are introduced to inspire readers for future research and development.

A-090 Performance of GFAP and UCH-L1 Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury in the ARCHITECT i1000SR TBI Test

Abstract Background Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has been recognized as an important cause of death and disability and is a growing public health problem. An estimated 69 million people globally experience a TBI annually. The vast majority (80%) of patients evaluated for TBI in the Emergency Department will receive head CT scans, however less than 10% will have findings of acute traumatic abnormalities. This highlights the need for objective, rapid, accurate tools to help clinicians evaluate and triage patients with suspected TBI and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure. Blood based biomarkers such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) have shown utility to predict acute traumatic intracranial injury on CT scan after TBI. Methods The ARCHITECT TBI test is a panel of in vitro diagnostic chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays for the measurement of GFAP and UCH-L1 in plasma and serum. A method comparison study was performed to compare the GFAP and UCH-L1 assays on ARCHITECT i1000SR to the FDA cleared Alinity i assays. Performance characteristics such as detection limits, imprecision, linearity, and measuring interval were established following CLSI guidance. Results The analytical measuring interval (AMI) extends from the limit of quantitation (LoQ) to the upper LoQ and is determined by the range that demonstrates acceptable performance for linearity, imprecision, and bias. The AMI is 6.1 to 42,000 pg/mL for GFAP and 26.3 to 25,000 pg/mL for UCH-L1. Within-laboratory imprecision ranged from 2.2 to 6.2% CV for GFAP and 2.2 to 4.5% CV for UCH-L1. The Overall Reproducibility (includes repeatability, between-run, between-day, between-instrument variance components) results ranged from 2.7 to 6.8% CV for GFAP and 2.4 to 3.9 %CV for UCH-L1. The method comparison study evaluated 123 specimens across the range of 6.5-32,548.6 pg/mL for GFAP, and 51.5-24,127.7 for UCH-L1. The correlation coefficients were 1.0, with a slope of 1.03 and 1.06, an intercept of -0.6 and -6.0, for GFAP and UCH-L1, respectively. The results support use of the established GFAP and UCH-L1 cutoffs and clinical performance findings in a multi-site pivotal study which enrolled 1899 mild TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score 13 to 15) subjects. 116 of the 120 specimens with a positive CT scan had a positive TBI interpretation (Sensitivity 96.7%). Of the 1779 subjects with negative CT scan results, 713 had a negative TBI interpretation (Specificity 40.1%). The negative predictive value (NPV) of the test was 99.4% (713/717). Conclusions The ARCHITECT TBI test performance was evaluated compared to the Alinity i TBI test across a broad concentration range of GFAP and UCH-L1. The results support equivalence of the ARCHITECT TBI test to the Alinity i TBI test. The established cutoffs were evaluated in a prospective cohort of mild TBI subjects and demonstrated high sensitivity and NPV relative to head CT scan results, supporting the utility to rule out the need for CT scan in mild TBI subjects presenting to the emergency department. Funding This work is in collaboration with the US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, US Army Medical Research and Development Command CRADA 20-1266-CRA.

Research on burnup depth measurement of spent fuel board based on thermal neutron imaging technology

The detection equipment for measuring the burnup depth in spent fuel rods is a vital component of the spent fuel management system. which can determine the burnup depth of spent fuel board and plays a crucial role in safeguarding the safety, economic efficiency, and structural integrity of the fuel assembly. This study introduces an innovative technical approach for assessing the burnup depth of spent fuel veneers, utilizing transmitted thermal neutron imaging technology. We have significantly enhanced the design of a thermal neutron moderator collimator, leading to remarkable improvements in the quality of the thermal neutron beam. Following moderation by the collimator, the ultimate thermal neutron injection rate at the designated sample location exceeds 103 n/cm2, with thermal neutrons comprising over 74% of the collimated neutron beam. This advanced measurement system enables us to obtain a detailed two-dimensional distribution map of thermal neutrons transmitted through spent fuel boards with varying burnup depths. By analyzing the grayscale intensity patterns in these maps, we can accurately evaluate the burnup degree within the simulated spent fuel plate. Furthermore, we establish a correlation between the transmitted thermal neutron count in the imaging field and the burnup depth of the spent fuel veneer. This allows for precise determination of burnup depth through the analysis of the two-dimensional distribution of transmission thermal neutron intensity. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of a scheme for detecting the burnup depth in spent fuel boards based on transmission thermal neutron imaging technology, and obtained a linear relationship between the neutron transmission count and the burnup depth of the spent fuel plate, laying a solid theoretical foundation for future research and development of testing equipment to assess burnup in spent fuel veneers.

Study on Coalescence Characteristics and Mechanisms of Salt-laden Droplets Under Electric-magnetic Coupling Field

Abstract Electric-magnetic coupling dehydration technology is a novel method that can significantly improve the efficiency of water-oil separation in water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. However, the electric-magnetic coupling mechanisms and its influence on droplet coalescence have not been understood from a microscopic perspective, which has become a bottleneck restricting the progress of this technology. In this study, the high-speed microscopic experiment and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were combined to study the kinetic properties of droplets coalescence under an electric-magnetic coupling field, and the potential mechanisms of electric-magnetic coupling field strengthening droplet coalescence were articulated from the perspective of salt ions migration and energy evolution. The results show that the experiment and simulation have excellent qualitative consistency. As water molecules polarise and migrate, the contact interface between adjacent droplets forms a cone tip during the approach process. The contact point of the droplet forms hydrogen bonds due to the mutual attraction of water molecules, which are then transformed into a continuously expanding liquid bridge. The salt ions in the droplet undergo migration deflection by the electric-magnetic coupling effect, which may affect the surface charge distribution of the droplets. During the process of droplet coalescence, strong electrostatic attraction occurs between molecules, leading to a significant increase in coulomb potential and dominating the overall potential energy variation. However, excessively small molecular spacing induces exchange repulsion, thereby reducing the van der Waals potential. The study results are of guiding significance for sounding droplet dynamics theory and guiding the research and development of electric-magnetic dehydration equipment.