Ring Diameter Research Articles

Structural Optimization of Ring Type Oxygen Injector for Waste Incineration Research

Waste incineration is one of the most effective means to achieve harmless, reduction and resource recovery. As environmental problems become more and more prominent, increasingly stringent environmental standards will greatly limit the development of conventional waste incineration technology, therefore, the development of a new clean and efficient waste incineration technology will be the inevitable development trend of the waste incineration industry. Based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology, the structural optimization of the ring oxygen injector used in the oxygen-enriched incineration technology of the waste grate incinerator is investigated. The results show that the oxygen injection ring diameter is 0.7071D, the air duct length is 1.4D, and the oxygen injection ring outer hole is 0.28d and inner hole is 0.4d.

Sources of variance in the results of a commercial bovine immunoglobulin G radial immunodiffusion assay.

Radial immunodiffusion (RID) is used to quantify IgG concentration in neonatal beef or dairy calf serum; variability has been noted that may affect the precision and accuracy of assay results. We determined the source, range, and homogeneity of variance in the results of a commercial bovine IgG RID assay (Triple J Farm). To estimate the variance in the precipitin ring diameter, we used 6 sera, measured 28 times across 8 plates and 4 lots, and 3 standards with known IgG concentrations, measured 75 times across 69 plates and 5 lots. The source of diameter variance was determined using variance partition coefficients for lot, plate, and repetition. We used 11 different methods to generate standard curves to convert RID precipitin ring diameters to IgG concentrations. The Levene test of homogeneity of variance (α = 0.1) was used to evaluate the equality of variance between the standards or serum precipitin ring diameters and calculated IgG concentrations. Lot and plate contributed minimally to the diameter variance. Precipitin ring diameters had equal variance. Calculated IgG concentrations for serum not requiring dilution had equal variance. A linear equation from aggregated standards, performed within the same day, had greater accuracy for the calculated IgG concentrations of the standards compared to other equation methods. Regardless of standard curve methodology or IgG concentration, variability inherent to the assay limits its clinical usefulness.

Impact of the bladder detrusor muscular ring on lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A quantitative MRI analysis.

The etiology of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) remains uncertain. The purpose of our study was to quantitatively analyze anatomic characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess novel independent factors for symptoms. This retrospective single-institution study evaluated treatment-naïve men who underwent prostate MRI within 3 months of international prostate symptom score (IPSS) scoring from June 2021 to February 2022. Factors measured on MRI included: size of the detrusor muscular ring (DMR) surrounding the bladder outlet, central gland (CG) mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), levator hiatus (LH) volume, intrapelvic volume, intravesicular prostate protrusion (IPP) volume, CG volume, peripheral zone (PZ) volume, prostate urethra angle (PUA), and PZ background ordinal score. Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used to analyze factors for moderate/severe (IPSS ≥ 8) and severe LUTS/BPH (IPSS ≥ 20). A total of 303 men (mean age: 66.1 [SD: 8.1]) were included: 154 demonstrated moderate or severe symptoms with 28 severe and 149 with asymptomatic/mild symptoms. Increasing age [p = 0.02; odds ratio (OR): 1.05 (1.01-1.08)], PUA [p = 0.02; OR: 1.05 (1.01-1.09)], LHvolume [p = 0.04; OR: 1.02 (1.00-1.05)], and DMR size measured as diameter [p < 0.001; OR: 5.0 (3.01-8.38)] or area [p < 0.001; OR: 1.92 (1.47-2.49)] were significantly independently associated with moderate/severe symptoms, with BMI [p = 0.02; OR: 0.93 (0.88-0.99)] inversely related. For every one cm increase in DMR diameter, patients had approximately five times the odds for moderate/severe symptoms. Increasing DMR size [diameter p < 0.001; OR: 2.74 (1.76-4.27) or area p < 0.001; OR: 1.37 (1.18-1.58)] was independently associated with severe symptoms. Optimal criterion cutoff of DMR diameter for moderate/severe symptoms was 1.2 cm [sensitivity: 77.3; specificity: 71.8; AUC: 0.80 (0.75-0.84)]. Inter-reader reliability was excellent for DMR diameter [ICC = 0.92 (0.90-0.94)]. Expansion of the DMR surrounding the bladder outlet is a novel anatomic factor independently associated with moderate and severe LUTS/BPH, taking into account prostate volumes, including quantified IPP volume, which were unrelated. Detrusor ring diameter, easily and reliably measured on routine prostate MRI, may relate to detrusor dysfunction from chronic stretching of this histologically distinct smooth muscle around the bladder neck.

GSOR6 Presentation Time: 9:25 AM: Integrating a Novel GYN Brachytherapy Workflow Using In-Room CBCT Images with MR-LINAC Scans

<h3>Purpose</h3> Imaging capabilities within Radiation Oncology departments are increasing. Departments now have access to MRI imaging with MR-Linacs and designated brachytherapy mobile CBCT scanners. Utilization of these within-department imaging capabilities have the potential to improve clinical brachytherapy workflow. The purpose of this report is to investigate the feasibility of utilizing an MR-LINAC and a mobile CBCT scanner for patient imaging during HDR GYN brachytherapy. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> To compare the spatial integrity of these imaging modalities, an HDR ring and tandem applicator was placed in a water phantom and imaged using a CT simulator (SOMATOM go.Open Pro, Siemens), 0.35T MR-LINAC (MRIdian, ViewRay) and a mobile CBCT scanner (ImagingRing, Elekta). The images acquired included a MR T2 weighted scan, a pelvis image guided brachytherapy CBCT acquisition, and a CT simulation. The images from the MR-LINAC and mobile CBCT scanner were each rigidly registered to CT-SIM images focusing on the applicator. Deviations in ring diameter, angle, and the position of the tip of the applicator was measured on each fusion. Additionally, a patient was imaged with the applicator inserted using the CT-Sim and the MR-LINAC systems. Physician drawn contours using these two modalities were compared to one another to investigate the benefits of incorporating MR-LINAC scans in the clinical HDR treatment planning process. <h3>Results</h3> The applicator was visible on each of the imaging modalities investigated. The deviation in the position of the applicator dimensions were less than 1mm on the MR-CT and CBCT-CT fusions. The analysis of the multimodality image fusions for the applicator revealed no large geometric distortions or loss of image quality when comparing the MR-CBCT image sets to MR-CT image sets. In patient scans, The MR planning image provided superior soft tissue contrast compared to the image acquired using the CT simulator. In this particular case, the superior soft tissue contrast provided by the MR scan provided more information for the physician for target delineation and resulted in a clinical decision to reduce the volume of the GTV. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This work presents a novel clinical workflow for HDR GYN brachytherapy using a mobile CBCT scanner and MR-LINAC for patient imaging. Incorporating the MR T2 scans into the clinical HDR brachytherapy workflow may aide in GYN brachytherapy target and OAR delineation. Additionally, the mobile CBCT scanner can reduce the challenges associated with patient setup and transportation between imaging and treatment locations. We found that the image quality and spatial resolution of MR and mobile CBCT based applicator images were clinically acceptable. A potential clinical workflow could involve using the MRIdian to obtain a planning image and contours the first fraction of treatment. Then on subsequent fractions the mobile CBCT scan could be fused to MR scans and used for daily applicator verification. For future work we will investigate a modified T2 sequence for MR guided brachytherapy to improve catheter reconstruction. Our work validates the clinical feasibility of using new technology for an MR-CBCT clinical workflow for HDR brachytherapy treatment planning.

PO41 Presentation Time: 4:45 PM: Initial Experience with the New Commercial Aarhus MR Compatible Hybrid Interstitial Brachytherapy Applicator in Indian Setting

<h3>Purpose -</h3> We have been using CT based intracavitary applicator in our clinic for cervical cancer. The advent of new hybrid applicator and short sequence cube MRI sequence opened up opportunity to do advanced MRI based brachytherapy in our clinic. We present the initial clinical experience of Aarhus ring and tandem MR compatible hybrid interstitial applicator with both straight and oblique needles and no ring channel (Varian may need to add TM) which was recently approved for use in a patient with bulky cervical cancer. <h3>Material and methods -</h3> A 45 years old lady, with initial diagnosis of carcinoma cervix, stage 1B3, completed External beam radiotherapy to a total dose of 45Gy in 25 Fractions, with a good clinical response, was taken up for further treatment with brachytherapy to a total dose of 28 Gy in 4 fractions. Brachytherapy was split into two applications one week apart and two treatment fractions delivered with each application, with 8 hours gap between each fraction.We used 60 degree Aarhus applicator set with Intrauterine tandem of 40 mm length and outer ring diameter of 32 mm. The Ring includes 19 guide holes for plastic interstitial needles arranged in 2 circles, 9 in inner circle for oblique needles and 10 in outer circle for straight needles.After external radiation patient underwent MRI pelvis with only T2 weighted axial and Cube sequences, which showed residual disease limited to cervix on the right side. The depth of needle insertion into the cervix was measured on MRI to be 3cms. Procedure performed under short general anaesthesia and 4 straight plastic needles through the ring were inserted with two on either side along with 4 cm central Tandem. CT and MR performed for both applications and fused. GTV-primary and HR CTV delineated on MRI, while OARs were delineated on CT. A dose of 7 Gy per fraction prescribed to HR CTV. An optimised plan was generated on eclipse treatment planning system with repeat CT planning for remaining fractions. <h3>Results -</h3> Treatment delivery went uneventful with very minimal blood loss. Average Dose per fraction received by 90 % of volume (D90) of HR CTV was 7.617 Gy and D98 of GTV primary was 10.35 Gy, delivering a total EQD2 of 89 Gy to HR CTV and at the same time delivering 115 Gy to the GTVp. OAR doses were well constrained with Bladder 2cc receiving 79.25 Gy, Rectum 2cc constrained to 53.48 Gy, sigmoid 2cc to 58.99 Gy and small bowel to 51.98 Gy. <h3>Conclusions -</h3> We successfully implemented MRI based planning with new Aarhus applicator in our clinic. Procedure was uneventful with excellent dosimetry. We will continue to use it in our clinic for patients with locally advanced cancer.

Aptamer-linked photonic crystal hydrogel sensor for rapid point-of-care detection of human immuno-deficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)

The detection of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) at an early stage is vital and could be realized through its cell surface glycoprotein-120 (gp120) without virus preprocessing. Here, we present an ssDNA-aptamer-linked photonic crystal (APC) hydrogel sensor for HIV detection which is comprised of photonic crystals (PCs) made of polystyrene nanoparticles embedded in the polyacrylamide hydrogel. ssDNA aptamers specific for gp120 are crosslinked in the hydrogel which can selectively bind to gp120 by hydrogen bonding increasing the PCs particle spacing and swelling of the hydrogel. The binding response can be visually monitored as a color change due to the diffraction of light from PCs and can eventually be measured (1–1000 ng mL−1 of gp120) and 100 to 108 VP mL−1 of HIV by the Debye’s ring diameter or a UV/Vis spectrometer. APC-hydrogel can be regenerated by Tris-HCl and EDTA washing buffer system. The sensor demonstrates LOD of 7.1 ± 1.55 ng mL−1 for gp120 and 4 VP mL−1 for the whole HIV, a rapid response of 5 min, reusability up to 70 % (in fifth use), and recovery of 95.4 ± 0.1 % to 99.0 ± 0.2 % in plasma samples. The sensor is cost-effect and stable compared to antibody-based sensors and can be utilized to develop point-of-care testing (POCT) devices for HIV diagnosis.

Bio-Mimicry: Tree rings and three-dimensional printing – Preliminary biomimetic experiments with fused deposition modeling using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene filament

Wood is a complex, natural structure and an essential source of nutrition, construction and building materials, energy, etc. Because of its microscopic structure, it is difficult to model its composition. In this study, the bio-mimicry of annual rings of the wood was evaluated by modeling and printing four different models with different ring diameters. The CATIA v5 software was used for 3D modeling. The designed models were additively manufactured using a 3D printer via the fused deposition of the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filament. The infill density and type, shell, layer height, and printing speed were evaluated for their influence on the structure of the ring. According to the results of preliminary biomimetic experimental, none of the models were exactly printed using the FDM method and ABS filament. Furthermore, the printing parameters did not significantly improve ring structure formation. Only the earlywood section of Model 4 could be moderately printed. Therefore, using these tools with printing parameters and materials was not found to be suitable for bio-mimicry of tree rings even if the size of the rings was multiplied by ten. In future work, the same models will be printed using different methods and tools to evaluate the printing ability or differences.

Detailed damage mechanism of deformed shield tunnel linings reinforced by steel plates

To ascertain the variance in the detailed damage characteristics of tunnels reinforced at different deformation degrees with steel plates, a refined finite element (FE) model of a stagger-jointed shield tunnel was established, and an FE approach to simulate the bond behaviour between steel plates and linings was proposed. After the rationality of the FE analysis was verified with a refined physical model test on the steel-plate-reinforced tunnel, a series of FE simulations were performed to investigate the influence of the existing deformation on the detailed damage mechanism of the post-reinforcing lining. The results show that the bond damage occurring near the crown is mainly caused by the combination of tension and shear and has high brittleness, whereas the bond damage occurring near the waist is mainly caused by shear and has high ductility. A decrease in the existing structural deformation before reinforcement improves the effectiveness of steel plate reinforcement, as manifested by less bond damage near the crown, a better co-bearing effect between steel plates and segments, and a greater improvement in the flexural stiffness of the joints near the waists. To guarantee the effectiveness of the steel plate reinforcement on the deformed tunnel, it is reasonable to set the upper limit of the structural deformation before reinforcement at 15.0‰ of the outer diameter of the segmental ring.

Study on Selection of Bacillus Sp. Strain Has Active Carbon Metabolism for Peat Treatment

The objective of selecting strains of Bacillus sp. has high activity in carbon metabolism for peat treatment, firstly focusing on the ability to degrade lignin, cellulose, phosphorus and protein. From the gene pool, by surveying the microbial strains capable of degrading carbon-rich substrates including lignin, cellulose, insoluble phosphate, proteolytic, we have identified two Bacillus sp. strains contain Bacillus polyfermenticus and Bacillus subtilis strains have strong ability to metabolize carbon-rich substrates and decompose phosphorus in peat. The Bacillus polyfermenticus strain had cellulose, lignin, organophosphorus and starch-degrading ring diameters of 41, 40, 23 and 38 mm, respectively. The Bacillus subtilis strain had cellulose, lignin, organophosphorus and starch-degrading ring diameters of 40, 41, 24 and 29 mm, respectively. In addition, the content of humic acids formed after 48 hours of fermentation increased 2.5 times compared to the original without the addition of Bacillus polyfermenticus strain and increased 2.8 times compared to the original without the addition of Bacillus subtilis strain. Therefore, two strains of Bacillus sp. selected with high efficiency in producing humic acid products. At the same time, the selected microbial strains have a high biosafety level (level of 1, the safest level in the biosafety scale).

Tricuspid regurgitation severity and transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty

Abstract Introduction Transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty is a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients with a high surgical risk. To date, the published experience with percutaneous tricuspid devices is quite limited. The objective of this study is to present the impact of the transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty with band implantation on the degree of TR and on several echocardiographic parameters in a series of 27 patients. Methods A single-center cohort of 27 patients was followed up prospectively after the transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty with band implantation (mean follow-up: 10,39 months) (Figure 1). The degree of tricuspid regurgitation (mild, moderate, severe, massive, torrential) was measured before and after the procedure, as well as at 6 months and one year of follow-up. Other parameters have also been considered, such as the septal-lateral end-diastolic diameter of the tricuspid annulus, the vena contracta (VC), regurgitant orifice area (ROA) 2D, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and fractional area change (FAC). Results Initially, there were 22.3% of patients with torrential TR, 29.6% massive and 48% severe. After the procedure, these percentages were reduced to 3.8%, 7.7% and 23.1% respectively, leading to an amount of 65% of patients with mild or moderate TR. With respect to the the diameter of the lateral septum ring, the mean was initially 44.74 mm. After the procedure, it decreased to 34.5 mm (22% of reduction) and, as can be seen during follow-up, it remains stable over time. The ROA and VC were also significantly reduced while TAPSE, CAF and RVEF do not show significant changes (Figure 2). Percutaneous tricuspid annuloplasty demonstrated a notable impact on the degree of tricuspid regurgitation reduction in the patients in our study. The differences are already noticeable from the moment of the procedure and are maintained throughout the follow-up, where the stability of the diameter of the septolateral ring, the ERO and the vena contracta is observed. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Inkjet-printed Mn-Zn ferrite nanoparticle core for fluxgate

Non-planar fluxgate sensors measuring the magnetic fields in the μT range are required for electric current, position, and torque transducers. We report the first sensor based on an inkjet-printed 17 mm diameter ring core. The sensor wide open-loop linear range of ± 1.5 mT allows to operate it without feedback. We describe the preparation of the very stable magnetic ink based on citrate-stabilized 13 nm diameter Mn-Zn ferrite nanoparticles that occur in superparamagnetic regime at room temperature. By printing 100 layers the total thickness of the inkjet-printed core was 2.2 µm. The achieved sensitivity was 10 mV/mT for 25 kHz excitation frequency.

SMC complexes can traverse physical roadblocks bigger than their ring size.

Ring-shaped structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes like condensin and cohesin extrude loops of DNA. It remains, however, unclear how they can extrude DNA loops in chromatin that is bound with proteins. Here, we use invitro single-molecule visualization to show that nucleosomes, RNA polymerase, and dCas9 pose virtually no barrier to loop extrusion by yeast condensin. We find that even DNA-bound nanoparticles as large as 200nm, much bigger than the SMC ring size, also translocate into DNA loops during extrusion by condensin and cohesin. This even occurs for a single-chain version of cohesin in which the ring-forming subunits are covalently linked and cannot open to entrap DNA. The data show that SMC-driven loop extrusion has surprisingly little difficulty in accommodating large roadblocks into the loop. The findings also show that the extruded DNA does not pass through the SMC ring (pseudo)topologically, hence pointing to a nontopological mechanism for DNA loop extrusion.

A Ring Gyroscope With On-Chip Capacitive Stress Compensation

We present long-term stress compensation results for a 3.2mm diameter ring gyroscope integrated with 16 capacitive stress sensors for the first time in this work. A bridge-type capacitive sensor is preferred due to its compact size and temperature insensitivity for on-chip stress measurements. The ring design enables a high level of integration and stress sensor-gyroscope output correlation. We first demonstrate the stress sensor operation on a stress test-bed. The drift test for sixteen days at mismatched mode and the drift test for eight days at matched mode in room temperature reveal that the stress compensation can eliminate the gyroscope drift. The stability of the stress compensated gyroscope output can reach 0.008°/h in mismatched mode and 0.003°/h in matched mode at an averaging time of two days with no signs of long-term drift. High gyroscope stability is achieved with a partial least-squares fitting algorithm; however, we believe that stress and gyroscope output relation might be linear time-variant with possible nonlinear and hysteresis effects. Analysis of the drive and sense mode frequencies shows that only temperature cannot explain the frequency variations, and the inclusion of stress can comprehensively describe the frequency changes. [2022-0108]

Design and validation of a wheel-rail adhesion simulator in PLS-Circulator

A 1:4 scaled test rig called 'PLS-Circulator' is introduced for wheel-rail contact research under large slip conditions, which is composed of two wheel assemblies, 2 m diameter ring track with sprinklers surrounded, gearbox and two servo motors. On this basis, a wheel-rail adhesion simulator was designed to generate and measure the wheel-rail contact force. The slip ratio is the specific value of two motor speeds, which brings convenience to precisely control. SIMPACK simulation results showed that the slip ratio converged to the target value after the initial time in consideration of gear meshing vibration. The validation of the adhesion recovery was carried out utilizing PLS-Circulator under large slip conditions. Experimental results showed that in both steady and dynamic slip ratio experiments the adhesion coefficient could increase up to 26% from a lower adhesion caused by wet wheel-rail interface at the vehicle velocity of 20 km/h.

&lt;i&gt;Anthyllis hermanniae&lt;/i&gt; L. subsp. &lt;i&gt;brutia&lt;/i&gt; Brullo &amp;#x26; Giusso (Fabaceae): population survey and conservation tasks

Anthyllis hermanniae subsp. brutia, is an Italian endemic shrub occurring just in one locality by the Calabrian Ionian coast in southern Italy. Objective of this study is to provide data on population numbers, demography and ecology, as well as to identify the main threats on the long term conservation of the target taxon. The survey has been carried out through field census work, sampling biometric and dendrometric data, and applying simple statistics. The population, counting totally 962 individuals, is divided in two stands concentrated in the central part of the distribution area. It is restricted to a narrow belt on the inland part of the dune slope encompassed between an artificial pine forest at the dune top, and the dune-specialized vegetation on the slope. Some biometric insights, such as stem diameter, plant height and number of annual rings, suggest the role of micro-ecology in individual shaping. The most relevant threating factor for the long term conservation of this rare taxon is the rapidly spreading Pinus halepensis subsp. halepensis. Local population of this invasive alien species, deriving from planted individuals, is now invading the A. hermanniae subsp. brutia habitat. Chorological and ecological data here provided should hopefully steer further population dynamics investigation as well as any urgent environment management actions.

Transverse deformational behaviors of segmental lining during shield tunneling: A case study

In order to better understand the deformational behaviors of lining segments during shield tunneling, a case study of the real-time monitoring on the deformation of a constructing shield tunnel in Shanghai by using the wireless sensor network (WSN) is presented. Eight tilt WSN nodes are installed on two rings with monitoring frequency of 10 min right after the erection of the rings. The nodes monitor the tilt change of segments in the tunnel cross section until the completion of the tunnel. The deformational behavior reflected by the rotation of segments reveals two kinds of deformation mode of tunnel ring during construction: the rotation and the ovalization. The rotation direction of tunnel ring is opposite to that of shield cutter. The direction of major axis of ovalization is horizontal most of the time and become vertical when the grouting of shield tail acts on the segments. When the lining segments are buried in the shield machine, the rotation of the ring plays an important role. The value of rotation is closely related to the cutter torque, and the relative rotation between the two monitored rings is 7.9 mm, which is large and needs considering as a load on tunnel structure during construction. While the lining segments are pulled out of the shield tail, the ovalization model are gradually dominant in these two modes. The horizontal diameters of rings show an increase–decrease–increase trend.

Pull-out strength of post-installed connectors in thin UHPC members

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has recently been introduced to the precast industry in the form of thin components such as the insulated double wythe precast concrete (DWPC) panels. Existing connectors for conventional DWPC panels may not be applicable for the very thin UHPC-DWPC panels. This paper presents an experimental campaign investigating the behavior and design of screw anchors and a newly designed threaded rod connector embedded in thin UHPC members under pull-out forces. The parameters examined are concrete thickness (tc), connector diameter (d), fiber percentage in UHPC (pf), embedment depth (hef), support ring diameter (ds) of the slab, and concrete compressive strength (f’c). The failure modes consisted of concrete breakout, radial cracking, or a combination of the two. The threaded rod demonstrated better structural performance, with ultimate pull-out loads (Pu) 20 to 50% greater than the screw anchor. Increasing the embedment depth from 0.75tc to 1.0tc (full embedment) increased Pu on average by 19% and 67% for the screw anchor in 25 and 38 mm thick slabs, respectively. Increasing slab thickness from 15 to 38 mm, with 1.0tc embedment, resulted in Pu to be on average over 3.5 and 4 times greater for the screw anchor and threaded rod, respectively. Results showed that connector diameter, fiber percentage, and support ring size did not have significant effect on Pu. Two existing models were evaluated and were found to over-estimate the pull-out capacity based on the parameters of the study. A regression analysis was performed on the data and two new design equations were developed to predict the pull-out capacity of each connector with a high degree of accuracy. A design case study is also presented.

Stainless steel ring strengthened removable dowel bar connection system: Effect of key parameters and design recommendations

This paper numerically studies key parameters which affect the structural performance of the stainless steel ring strengthened removable dowel bar connection system. Finite element models were firstly validated against experimental test results in terms of the failure mode and load–deflection relationship. Then validated models were used to carry out the parametric investigation. The dowel bar diameter, the stainless steel ring length as well as the stainless steel ring thickness were studied with 90 generated models. According to the finite element analysis results, it was found that the vertical stiffness and ultimate load were enhanced with the increase of the dowel bar diameter. And the application of the stainless steel ring significantly relieved the compressive stress concentration at joint surface due to the expanded contact area. Close relationships were then observed between the ultimate load and the stainless steel ring thickness and length, respectively. Empirical equations were also derived to predict the ultimate load under the ultimate limit state (ULS). Meanwhile, under 20 kN service limit state (SLS), a close relationship was also found between the maximum compressive stress of concrete and the external diameter of the stainless steel ring. Through this two-stage design, the stainless steel ring strengthened removable dowel bar connection system will be more durable and reliable.

Acquisition and evaluation procedure to improve the accuracy of SAED.

The achievement of this work is that fine tuning of experimental and evaluation parameters can improve the absolute accuracy and reproducibility of selected area electron diffraction (SAED) to 0.1% without using internal standard. Due to the proposed procedure it was possible to reach a reproducibility better than 0.03% for camera length between sessions by careful control of specimen height and illumination conditions by monitoring lens currents. We applied a calibration specimen composed of nanocrystalline grains free of texture and providing narrow diffraction rings. Refinements of the centre of the diffraction pattern and corrections for elliptic ring distortions allowed for determining the ring diameters with an accuracy of 0.1%. We analyze the effect of different error sources and reason the achieved absolute accuracy of the measurement. Application of the proposed evaluation procedure is inevitable in case of multicomponent nanocomposites or textured materials and/or having close diffraction rings where application of automated procedures is limited. The achieved accuracy of 0.1% without internal standard is approaching that of routine laboratory XRD, and reduction of instrumental broadening due to the elaborated evaluation procedure allows for separation of close reflections, provides more reliable ring width and thus improved input parameters for further nanostructure analysis as demonstrated on dental enamel bioapatite.

A Comprehensive Account of Synthesis and Biological Activities of α‐lidene‐ Benzocycloalkanones and Benzoheterocycles

Abstractα‐lidene‐benzocycloalkanones or benzene‐fused cycloalkanones are a significant moiety in medicinal chemistry. Drug development using these moieties can explore the pharmacophoric space owing to their sp2 and sp3 hybridization, highly flexible bicyclic structure, and varied ring diameters. In addition, it imparts a more significant contribution based on stereochemistry and pliability in the three‐dimensional space. The α‐lidene‐benzocycloalkanone series is a challenging target as it has multiple reactive sites, such as the bicyclic benzo‐annulated center, the reactive carbonyl fragment, and the partly hydrogenated ring of varying sizes. This domain lacks discussion and organized material, and this review can fill that gap, focusing on medicinally essential moieties like tetralone, indanone, and suberine. In addition, this review discusses α‐lidene‐benzoheterocycles that are promising in the field of drug development. Due to their stereogenecity and target selectivity, most research and applications focus on unstrained 5 and 6‐membered rings, such as α‐lidene‐benzocyclopentanones, α‐lidene‐benzocyclohexanones, α‐lidene‐benzofurano‐3‐ones, α‐lidene‐benzopyrano‐3‐ones, and α‐lidene‐indolin‐3‐ones. This review shall also aid medicinal chemists in determining the optimal technique for developing novel benzene fused heterocycles or carbocycles with various biological activities.