Effective Area Research Articles

Investigation of the synergistic photocatalytic activity of a ternary ZrTiO4/TiO2/Mn3O4 (ZTM) nanocomposite in a typical water treatment process

Because of the exploration of the increase in the aqueous environment caused by various organic pollutants, an urgent need is sensed to develop novel photocatalysts with high efficiency. Here, ZrTiO4/TiO2/Mn3O4 (ZTM) was in-situ synthesized and relatively well-characterized by XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis DRS, EIS, TG/DTG, TPD, SEM, TEM, and BET characterization techniques. Diffraction data showed the crystallite sizes of about 22 and 13 nm obtained by the Scherrer and Williamson-Hall formulas, respectively, with a d-spacing of about 0.21 nm. Then, the composite catalyst was applied in the photodegradation of Metoclopramide (MCP) and showed a boosted photocatalytic activity concerning ZrTiO4, TiO2, and Mn3O4 alone. The effective surface area of 105, 54, and 93 m2/g were obtained in BET analysis of ZTM, Mn3O4, and TiO2. ZTM, Mn3O4, TiO2, and ZrTiO4 band gap energies were obtained via the DRS spectra as 2.22, 1.88, 3.05, and 3.31 eV The scavenging agent's study confirmed that hydroxyl radical and photoinduced electrons have higher roles in the MCP photodegradation process, accordingly confirmed by a sequential direct Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism in the composite.

THE BIRDS OF THE KANGEAN ISLANDS AND AN APPRAISAL OF THEIR CONSERVATION STATUS

The Kangean islands are a biologically poorly known archipelago situated in the Java Sea, Indonesia, approximately 120 km directly north of Bali. These islands host an avifauna comprising at least 13 endemic subspecies, two of which have by some sources recently been considered species. We combine historical published literature with our own surveys of the archipelago in 2007–2008, 2010 and 2023 to produce a complete list of the islands’ birds (n=140 species) and their distribution across the islands. We evaluate in more detail the conservation status of all endemic taxa, as well as several others we consider to be of concern. Despite its listing as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the endemic Kangean Tit-babbler Mixornis prillwitzi is highly tolerant of habitat degradation and is among the islands’ least threatened birds. However, because of trapping, the archipelago’s endemic taxon of Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri kangeanensis, and its populations of Green Junglefowl Gallus varius and Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa are likely at risk of extirpation. The endemic taxon of White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus, sometimes afforded species rank as ‘Kangean Shama’ C. nigricauda, may already be (at least functionally) extinct in the main archipelago. We recommend longer and more detailed surveys of the islands’ birds, and that an effective protected area is established on main Kangean island, which hosts the largest area of remaining forest in the archipelago and most of its endemic taxa.

Problematic Social Media Use and Employee Outcomes: A Systematic Literature Review

A systematic literature review was conducted to summarize research that examined the association between problematic social media use (PSMU) and employee work-related and psychological outcomes. Following rigorous protocols, 42 peer-reviewed studies published from 2013 to 2022 were identified from the Web of Science, Elsevier, and PubMed databases, which were used to analyze and evaluate the current research boundary, explore the accumulated knowledge, and propose approaches to further enrich this research area. The findings of this review revealed that the current research mainly focuses on four research themes (a) focal areas of effects, (b) divergence of effects, (c) contextual specificity, and (d) investigated variables. However, the existing knowledge on this domain is still limited in understanding the conceptualization of PSMU, along with the narrow focus on methodological, geographical focus, and objective measures. This study contributes to theory, as it is one of the few reviews that link PSMU to employee outcomes, building an integrated framework to outline future research trends.

A Current-Mode bandgap reference with robust start-up behaviour

Abstract Bandgap reference with robust start-up behavior has an important role in analog circuits. In this paper, conventional current-mode bandgap reference (CMBGR) structures are investigated, along with the problem of conventional structures having multiple operating points during start-up. A CMBGR structure that can eliminate all the operating points by a simple start-up circuit is proposed. The CMBGR proposed in this paper utilizes the 180 nm technology and achieves a nominal temperature coefficient of 16.05 ppm/°C. The circuit consumes a current of 6 μA and occupies an effective area of 0.046 mm2.

Photons from Neutrinos: The Gamma-Ray Echo of a Supernova Neutrino Burst

When a star undergoes core collapse, a vast amount of energy is released in a ∼10 s long burst of neutrinos of all species. Inverse beta decay in the star’s hydrogen envelope causes an electromagnetic cascade that ultimately results in a flare of gamma rays—an “echo” of the neutrino burst—at the characteristic energy of 0.511 MeV. We study the phenomenology and detectability of this flare. Its luminosity curve is characterized by a fast, seconds-long rise and an equally fast decline, with a minute- or hour-long plateau in between. For a near-Earth star (distance D ≲ 1 kpc) the echo will be observable at near future gamma-ray telescopes with an effective area of 103 cm2 or larger. Its observation will inform us on the envelope size and composition. In conjunction with the direct detection of the neutrino burst, it will also give information on the neutrino emission away from the line of sight and will enable tests of neutrino propagation effects between the stellar surface and Earth.

Benefits of customizing dust hazard controls to meet your needs

AbstractThe OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP), recent studies commissioned by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research Foundation and U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), as well as emphasis by insurance companies have brought more urgency to combustible dust safety. NFPA standards are being revised for consistency and clarity of standards for combustible dust safety. While that is a significant improvement from conditions of past decades, the situation can be improved even more by implementing risk‐based methods to help develop application‐specific explosion protection. Many facilities that handle combustible particulate solids follow prescriptive requirements of applicable NFPA standards, especially for new installations. Decisions are often driven primarily by meeting codes and standards with minimum capital cost. Legacy installations that do not meet current standards typically claim “grandfather” status as the reason for not implementing the current standard requirement or good engineering practice. The goal of this paper is to present a method of adapting the familiar process safety risk matrix to assess likelihood of a deflagration event rather than the overall the risk of a consequence. This method provides an objective basis to assist staff of a legacy facility to make decisions to prioritize capital improvement projects, to follow current good engineering practice, and to stop relying on “grandfather” status. This paper makes the broad, practical assumption that any deflagration event has serious consequences. The magnitude of those consequences may vary based on facility siting, deflagration area of effect, population of personnel in the affected area, or business criticality of affected equipment and structures. Decisions based solely on the likelihood matrix may inadvertently prioritize a more likely, but less consequential, concern over an event that may put multiple people at risk, or have serious commercial implications. Methods such as Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) are useful to more comprehensively understand risks. Flexible, outside‐the‐box thinking in applying safeguards, Independent Protection Layers (IPLs), administrative controls, and facility siting may provide a better solution than merely following prescriptive code without making the effort to fully understand the hazard.

Air Temperature Projections over the Mid and Southern of Iraq during the 21th Century Under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 Scenarios

Global climate conditions and hydrologic processes have changed significantly as a result of climate change, and as long as global warming persists, extreme events will probably more frequently happen. Climate change significantly affects Iraq through variations in air temperature, environment, agriculture and water supply. This study aimed to evaluate the observed period of temperature 19 80–2023 and the Projecting future trends of air temperature for mid and southern Iraq using BNU-ESM, CCSM4, HadGEM2-AO, and MIRIOC5 climate models from CMIP5 under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios during the periods 2016–2035, 2046–2065, and 2081–2100. The findings verified that, in each of the two RCPs scenarios temperature would increase with different levels. the results showed that the temperature anomaly increased to +15.6 °C, and +18.8 °C under RCR4.5 and RCP8.5 in the MIRIOC5 model, especially in the last decade of the twentieth century. The areas of Iraq most impacted by high temperatures are the south and southeast (Basra, Missan, Thi-Qar, and Muthanna) provinces. In the first period, On the other hand, the less effect areas for the temperature increase were (Anbar and northeast of Diyala) +2.4°C, and +4.4°C for HadGEM2-AO model under RCR4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively. Through all periods, CCSM4, and MIRIOC5 models were the most identical in results. The findings can aid in the evaluation of future drought risks in Iraq by policymakers. Developing suitable adaptation techniques to counter act climate change can also be beneficial.

Developing pedagogical acmeology skills within teacher training frameworks

The article is devoted to the analysis of pedagogical acmeology and the relevance of its application in the system of training future teachers in modern conditions. The authors consider the use of such effective areas of psychological and pedagogical science as pedagogical acmeology, based on appropriate criteria and indicators, and the effectiveness of its application in the formation of the professional competence of the future teacher. This study is considered within the framework of training a new generation of teachers who meet modern requirements for the formation of professional competencies. The role of applied psychology is highlighted, in particular, certain approaches and principles of psychological science, which are aimed at the development of acmeological competencies necessary for the training of “modern” teachers, the development of a culture of self-development and professional self-awareness, based on the principles and concept of pedagogical “acme”. A teacher needs to assess his level of professionalism, know the level of his motivation for his professional activity, be able to reveal and develop these abilities. And in this situation, there is a need to pay special attention to pedagogical acmeology as one of the effective ways to achieve professionalism in the activities of a teacher.

Experimental study on the effect of operational and environmental conditions on photovoltaic modules productivity in El-Oued region, algeria

This experimental study aims to track the changes in electrical properties and energy behavior of two technically identical photovoltaic modules of the RAGGIE type (RG-M165W model) under different operating conditions. The first is the reference photovoltaic module, while the second is the targeted photovoltaic module. Both modules were tested under the same climatic conditions in the Algerian region of El-Oued. Numerous practical experiments were conducted to demonstrate the effect of using a solar tracking system (a horizontal single-axis tracking system manually moved from east to west), changing the tilt angle of the photovoltaic modules, and the cleanliness of the effective photovoltaic module area on their productivity. The study results showed a convergence between experimental and theoretical results. The optimal tilt angle of the photovoltaic modules in El-Oued during the study days is 33°, and any inaccurate selection of this angle results in an efficiency loss of 19.31 %. Additionally, manually tracking the solar path improved the photovoltaic module efficiency by 1.63 %. A decrease in energy productivity by 34.68 % was recorded due to dust deposition of 14.5 g.m−2. Economically, it was shown that installing a photovoltaic system consisting of 14 RAGGIE modules can feed a typical Algerian house with 136.6 MWh over 25 years, with a Levelized Cost of Energy of $0.037/kWh, and the CO2 mitigation is 59.15 tons with a saving of $858.

Comparative Study of Law Enforcement Against Taxation Crimes in Indonesia and Malaysia

This research conducts a comparative study of law enforcement strategies aimed at combatting taxation crimes in Indonesia and Malaysia. The study examines the legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and institutional capacities of tax authorities in both countries. Through an analysis of relevant laws, regulations, and enforcement practices, the research evaluates similarities and differences in approaches to tackling tax evasion, fraud, and non-compliance. Additionally, the study explores the role of collaboration between tax authorities and other government agencies, as well as international cooperation in addressing cross-border tax crimes. By identifying effective strategies and areas for improvement in law enforcement against taxation crimes, the research aims to contribute to the development of more robust and coordinated efforts to combat tax evasion and ensure compliance with tax laws in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Portable Multi-Layer Capsule-Shaped Triboelectric Generator for Human Motion Energy Harvesting.

This paper introduces a novel portable multi-layer capsule-shaped triboelectric generator (CP-TEG), aimed at optimizing the performance of triboelectric generator technology in terms of miniaturization, modularity, and efficient energy collection. The CP-TEG utilizes a unique multi-layer, stacked structure and an elliptical cylindrical design to increase the effective frictional area and enhance power generation efficiency. Its portable design allows for flexible application in various environments and scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that the CP-TEG can maintain stable and efficient electrical output under various motion amplitudes and frequencies, and it shows good adaptability to the direction of motion excitation. With a motion amplitude of 7 cm and a frequency of 1.94 Hz, the CP-TEG can charge a 220 μF capacitor to 1.3 V within 100 s. The power generation unit's output voltage and current are more than three times higher than that of traditional single-layer contact-separation mode triboelectric devices. Particularly, its performance in harvesting energy from human motion underscores its effectiveness as a renewable energy solution for wearable devices. Through its innovative structural design and optimized working mechanism, the CP-TEG demonstrates excellent energy collection efficiency and application potential, offering new options for sustainable energy solutions and development.

The design method and test of a Dual-Focused ultrasound transducer toward small and adjustable F-numbers

An ultrasound transducer with a F-number less than 1.0 has been used in many fields such as non-destructive testing, medical treatment, particle manipulation, and so on. Traditional focusing technologies such as self-focusing structure and lens sets suffer from undesired surface cavitation due to large cavity depth, difficulties in fabrication, and most of designs have a fixed focal depth. This paper presents a small F-number ultrasound transducer design using a combination of acoustic lens and phased array, its fabrication process is not complicated, and focal depth is adjustable when applying different time delays. The design methods, including analytical expression, empirical equation and numerical results, are elaborated in this paper, followed by fabrication and tests. Simulations and experimental results prove that this dual-focused transducer can reach a changeable F-number as small as 0.72. The cavity depth of the transducer is relatively small (1.1 λ) compared to existing focusing transducers (4 ∼ 10 λ), which is not prone to unexpected surface cavitation. Moreover, the array in transducer has no grating lobes with an expanded pitch of 1.43 λ, which not only increase the fill factor and effective area but also further reduces the fabrication difficulty, especially in high frequency applications.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) breeding effort and productivity in seasonal tropical forests of the central Mexican Pacific

Camera trap studies on ocelots in Mexico have focused on abundance, habitat use, and activity patterns, mainly within Protected Areas of tropical humid forests in southern regions. However, their ecology, including breeding effort and productivity in seasonal dry Pacific forests and areas outside Protected Areas, has received less attention. The species’ low reproductive rates make their populations vulnerable to decline. In evaluating the reproduction, the species’ breeding activity was examined for two survey periods performed during 2010–2016. We estimated the percentage of females raising young in the surveys and their associated fecundity–”productivity”. The overall results revealed a population of 26 males and 46 females that included 10 females (21%) rearing 12 young, defined as kittens, cubs, or juveniles, for an effective sample area (ESA) of 200 km2. Overall, the productivity averaged 2.05/100 km2 per season. All parameters varied between the two areas, and productivity was not constant in time in either area or site. Information on species breeding activity in combination with density estimations may facilitate determining the minimum area required for a viable ocelot population in the region. Protected Areas are required in the studied region for the ocelot in order to maintain a viable local population. This is due to the increasing fragmentation caused by agriculture, cattle ranching, and forest fires, and it is hypothesized that ocelots do not tolerate disturbance or severe fragmentation.

Reducing Left Ventricular Wall Stress through Aortic Valve Enlargement via Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: In aortic stenosis, the left ventricle exerts additional force to pump blood through the narrowed aortic valve into the downstream arterial vasculature. Adaptive hypertrophy helps to maintain wall stress homeostasis but at the expense of impaired compliance. Advanced ventricular deformation impacts the extent of functional recovery benefits achieved through transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Methods and Results: Subgroups were stratified based on output, with low-flow severe aortic stenosis defined as stroke volume index <35 mL· m-2. Before intervention, the low-flow subgroup exhibited worse effective orifice area index and arterial and global impedance, along with thinner wall thickness and larger chamber volume marginally. LV performance, including stroke volume index, ventricular elastance, and ventricular-arterial coupling, were notably inferior, consistent with worse adverse remodeling. Although the effective orifice area index was similarly augmented after TAVI, inferior recovery benefits were noted. Persistently higher wall stress and energy consumption were observed, along with poorer ventricular-arterial coupling. These changes in wall stress showed an inverse relationship with alterations in wall thickness and were proportional to changes in dimension and volume. Additionally, they were proportional to changes in left ventricular end-systolic pressure, pressure-volume area, and ventricular-arterial coupling but inversely related to ventricular end-systolic elastance. Conclusions: The study revealed that aortic valve enlargement through transcatheter aortic valve implantation reduces left ventricular wall stress in severe aortic stenosis. The reduced recovery benefits in the low-flow subgroup were evident. Wall stress could serve as a marker of mechanical benefit after the intervention.

How Flow Diverter Selection Can Affect the Flow Changes within a Jailed Ophthalmic Artery: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study.

Introduction Flow diverter (FD) stents are widely used to treat giant aneurysms by reducing blood flow into the aneurysm sac. However, choosing the optimal FD for a patient can be challenging when a nearby artery, such as the ophthalmic artery (OA), is jailed by the FD placement. This study compares the impact of two FD stents with different effective metal surface area (EMSA) values on OA occlusion. Materials and Methods A numerical model of a 59-year-old female patient with a giant aneurysm in the left internal carotid artery and a jailed OA was created based on clinical data. Two FD stents, FRED4017 and FRED4518, with different EMSA values at the aneurysm neck and OA inlet, were virtually deployed in the model. Blood flow and occlusion amount in the OA were simulated and compared between the two FD stents. Results FRED4017 had higher EMSA values than FRED4518 at the aneurysm neck (35% vs. 24.6%) and lower EMSA values at the OA inlet (15% vs. 21.2%). FRED4017 caused more occlusion in the OA than FRED4518 (40% vs. 28%), indicating a higher risk of ocular ischemic syndrome. Conclusion The EMSA value of FD stents affects the blood flow and occlusion amount in the jailed OA. Therefore, selecting an FD stent with a low EMSA value at the OA inlet may be beneficial for patients with a nearby jailed artery at the aneurysm neck.

Efficient prediction of optical properties in hexagonal PCF using machine learning models

This research explores the use of machine learning (ML) models to forecast optical characteristics in photonic crystal fibers (PCF). Specifically, we focus on a solid core index-guided PCF with a hexagonal cladding arrangement. The primary challenges to PCF propagation analysis and predictions are accuracy, computational error, and time constraints. To address these difficulties, we have specially used ML ensemble models including Decision Tree Regressor (DTR), Random Forest Regressor (RFR), Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR), eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regression (XGBR), and Bagging Regressor (BR). Model performance is assessed using metrics like Mean Squared Error (MSE) and R-squared (R2) through 10-fold cross-validation. Our key findings show that the GBR model outperforms other models and shows extremely low MSE and outstanding R2 values in predicting effective refractive index (Neff), effective mode area (Aeff), confinement loss, and dispersion. In addition, the study compares the performance of ML models with that of previous works using Artificial Neural Network (ANN), demonstrating improved efficiency in predicting optical characteristics for hexagonal PCFs.

Fabrication of Coffee‐Ring Nanostructured Membranes for Organic Solvent Nanofiltration

AbstractOrganic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) plays important roles in pharmaceutical ingredients purification and solvent recovery. However, the low organic solvent permeance under cross‐flow operation of OSN membrane hampers their industrial applications. Herein, we report the construction of coffee‐ring structured membrane featuring high OSN permeance. A water‐insoluble crystal monomer that dissolved in EtOH/H2O mixed solvent was designed to react with trimesoyl chloride via interfacial polymerization. Owing to the diffusion of EtOH to n‐hexane, coffee‐ring nanostructure on the support membrane appeared, which served as the template for construction of coffee‐ring structured membrane. The optimal nanostructured membrane demonstrated 2.6‐fold enhancement in the effective surface area with reduced membrane thickness. Resultantly, the membrane afforded a 2.7‐fold enhancement in organic solvent permeance, e.g., ~13 LMH/bar for MeOH, without sacrificing the rejection ability. Moreover, due to the rigid monomer structure, the fabricated membrane shows distinctive running stability in active pharmaceutical ingredients purification and the ability for concentration of medicines.

Fabrication of Coffee-Ring Nanostructured Membranes for Organic Solvent Nanofiltration.

Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) plays important roles in pharmaceutical ingredients purification and solvent recovery. However, the low organic solvent permeance under cross-flow operation of OSN membrane hampers their industrial applications. Herein, we report the construction of coffee-ring structured membrane featuring high OSN permeance. A water-insoluble crystal monomer that dissolved in EtOH/H2O mixed solvent was designed to react with trimesoyl chloride via interfacial polymerization. Owing to the diffusion of EtOH to n-hexane, coffee-ring nanostructure on the support membrane appeared, which served as the template for construction of coffee-ring structured membrane. The optimal nanostructured membrane demonstrated 2.6-fold enhancement in the effective surface area with reduced membrane thickness. Resultantly, the membrane afforded a 2.7-fold enhancement in organic solvent permeance, e.g., ~13 LMH/bar for MeOH, without sacrificing the rejection ability. Moreover, due to the rigid monomer structure, the fabricated membrane shows distinctive running stability in active pharmaceutical ingredients purification and the ability for concentration of medicines.

Assessing the impact of waves and platform dynamics on floating wind-turbine energy production

Abstract. Waves have the potential to increase the power output of a floating wind turbine by forcing its rotor to move against the wind. Starting from this observation, we use four multi-physics models of increasing complexity to investigate the role of waves and platform movements in the energy conversion process of four floating wind turbines of 5–15 MW in the Mediterranean Sea. Progressively adding realism to our simulations, we show that large along-wind rotor movements are needed to increase the power output of a floating wind turbine; however, these are prevented by the current technology of spar and semi-submersible platforms. Wind turbulence is the main cause of power fluctuations for the four floating wind turbines we examined and is preponderant over the effect of platform motions due to waves. In a realistic met-ocean environment, the power curve of the floating wind turbines we studied is lower than that obtained with a fixed foundation, with reductions in the annual energy production of 1.5 %–2.5 %. The lower energy production is mainly ascribed to the platform mean tilt, which reduces the rotor's effective area.

Porous-anodic-alumina-templated Ta-Nb-alloy/oxide coatings via the magnetron-sputtering/anodizing as novel 3D nanostructured electrodes for energy-storage applications

The Ta-52 at.%Nb thin alloy films were magnetron sputter-deposited over a low-aspect-ratio nanoporous anodic-alumina template formed in 0.05 M tartaric acid solution at 250 V and modified by the pore-widening technique to enlarge the pores up to ∼500 nm. The alloy coated the pores evenly, thus forming a 3D continuous conducting nanofilm on the template. Partially anodizing the templated alloy in a borate buffer solution of pH 7.5 generated a compact amorphous mixed-oxide anodic film thickening proportionally to the applied voltage. It was revealed that the oxide on the Ta-52 at.%Nb alloy grows with a slower migration of Ta5+ ions relative to Nb5+ ions, resulting in mixing Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 in the film depth and forming a few-nm-thick Nb2O5 outmost layer. The unique migration of Ta4+, Ta3+, Nb4+, and Nb3+ ions is assumed accountable for forming corresponding suboxides in the 3D anodic film in contrast to a flat Ta-52 at.%Nb alloy film used as a reference. The 3D anodic films behave as an n-type semiconductor with a low donor density Nd = ∼2 × 1018 cm−3, appropriate for dielectric applications. An unusual two-layered structure with a sharp electrical interface revealed in the 3D oxide films anodized to 30–130 V, comprising a low-resistivity layer superimposed on the high-resistivity layer, is explained by an immobile negative space charge in the outer film part. The air-annealing at moderate temperatures releases the space charge and transforms the two layers into a high-resistivity single layer having substantially improved dielectric properties and thermostable (up to 250 °C) capacitance of 1.2 μF cm−2 achieved for the film anodized to practical 50 V. The 3D films having up to 4.5 times enlarged effective surface area can be utilized as novel metal/oxide nanostructured electrodes for electrolytic microcapacitors suitable for classical electronic circuits and energy-storage applications.