Evaluation Criteria Research Articles

Thermal Performance of a Laminar Flow Double Pipe Heat Exchanger with Spiral Airfoil Inserts

Objective: This study evaluates the thermal performance of a double-pipe heat exchanger using a spiral airfoil insert in the inner pipe. Methods: The enhancement technique is classified as a passive method, as it does not require the direct application of external power to improve the heat transfer coefficient. Spiral pitch ratios of P/D=7, 5, and 3 were used, with the Reynolds number (Re) varying within the laminar flow regime (Re ≤ 2,100). Cold water flows inside the inner pipe, while hot water flows counter to it in the annulus. Results: The experimental results show that the Nusselt number increased by 159%, 161%, and 171%, respectively, compared to a smooth pipe alone, for flow rates of 2L/min, 2.5L/min, and 3L/min. Additionally, the highest friction factor reached 142%. Conclusion: The results indicate that the best performance evaluation criterion (PEC) was achieved within the flow range of 2L/min to 3L/min, with a pitch insertion of 3, yielding a PEC of 158% to 152%, respectively.

Effect of traditional Chinese exercises on the physical and mental health of stroke patients: a meta-analysis

BackgroundThis meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese exercises on stroke and explore the dose-response relationship between the type of exercise and exercise duration with respect to physical and mental health.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database to identify published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to stroke patients and traditional Chinese exercise that met the evaluation criteria, from the inception of the database until September 2022. After assessing the quality of the literature, we used RevMan5.4 for data analysis.ResultsA total of 27 RCTs were included. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that motor function [MD = 4.79, 95% CI: (4.14, 5.43), p < 0.001], balance function [MD = 5.25, 95% CI: (3.93, 6.56), p < 0.001], and mental health [MD = −2.42, 95% CI: (−3.92 to −0.92), p = 0.002] were significantly better in the experimental group than in the control group.ConclusionTraditional Chinese exercises have a positive effect on the physical and mental health of stroke patients, with the most significant benefit observed in balance function. While traditional Chinese exercises improve exercise capacity and mental health in stroke patients, these improvements are not directly correlated with longer practice time, and there appear to be certain limitations regarding duration.

Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab Combination Therapy Who Achieved Complete Response.

To investigate the characteristics and prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atz/Bev) who achieved a complete response (CR) according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). A total of 120 patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) 0 or 1 and Child-Pugh A at the start of Atz/Bev treatment were included. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C was recorded in 59 patients. The CR rate with Atz/Bev alone was 15.0%. The median time to CR was 3.4 months, and the median duration of CR was 15.6 months. A significant factor associated with achieving CR with Atz/Bev alone was an AFP ratio of 0.34 or less at 3 weeks. Adding transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the six patients who achieved a partial response increased the overall CR rate to 20%. Among the 24 patients who achieved CR, the median progression-free survival was 19.3 months, the median overall survival was not reached, and 14 patients (58.3%) were able to discontinue Atz/Bev and achieve a drug-free status. Twelve of these patients developed progressive disease (PD), but eleven successfully received post-PD treatments and responded well. Achieving CR by mRECIST using Atz/Bev alone or with additional TACE can be expected to offer an extremely favorable prognosis.

Decoupled Model-Free Adaptive Control with Prediction Features Experimentally Applied to a Three-Tank System Following Time-Varying Trajectories

In this paper, the performance of three model-free control approaches on a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear system with constant and time-varying references is compared. The first control algorithm is model-free adaptive control (MFAC). The second is a modified version of MFAC (MMFAC) designed to handle delays in the system by incorporating the output error difference (over two sample time steps) in the control input. The third approach, model-free adaptive predictive control (MFAPC) with a one-step-ahead forecast of the system input, is obtained by using predictions of the outputs based on the data-based linear model. The experimental device used is an MIMO three-tank system (3TS) assumed to be an interconnected system with multiple coupled single-input, single-output (SISO) subsystems with unmeasurable couplings. The novelty of this contribution is that each coupled SISO partition is assumed to be controlled independently using a decoupled control algorithm, leading to fewer control parameters compared to a centralized MIMO controller. Additionally, both parameter tuning for each controller and performance evaluation are conducted using an evaluation criterion considering energy consumption and accumulated tracking error. The results demonstrate that almost all the proposed model-free controllers effectively control an MIMO system by controlling its SISO subsystems individually. Moreover, the predictive features in the decoupled MFAPC contribute to more accurate tracking of time-varying references. The utilization of tracking error differences helps in reducing energy consumption.

Assessment of CMIP6 models and multi-model averaging for temperature and precipitation over Iran

In this study, the performances of 40 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 are evaluated against observational data at synoptic stations in Iran using various evaluation criteria. The results reveal diverse model accuracy across different climate conditions and criteria, emphasizing particularly notable disparities in the nonstationarity R criterion compared to others. Although according to the ranking of the raw and bias-corrected outputs of CMIP6 GCMs for Iran, the NorESM2-MM, AWI-ESM-1-1-LR, and MPI-ESM1-2-LR models are consistently among the top six ranked models for precipitation in both raw and corrected outputs. For temperature, MPI-ESM1-2-LR, TaiESM1, INM-CM4-8, and IITM-ESM are consistently among the top six models for both the raw and bias-corrected outputs of CMIP6 GCMs. The Bias correction methods, including quantile mapping and linear scaling, integrated with Bayesian model averaging, were applied. While quantile mapping demonstrates superior performance and less disparity than linear scaling, it proves ineffective for correcting biases at stations with bias nonstationarity over time. The RMSE for monthly precipitation ranges from almost 0 to 200 mm, with a large RMSE value related to the high precipitation stations, and the monthly temperature exhibits a range of 0 to 4 °C. The use of a multi-model ensemble improves accuracy compared to individual models, resulting in a reduction in the differences between the minimum and maximum RMSE values from 178.6 to 91.0. Additionally, the range for mean absolute error decreases from 126.9 to 93.3, and the difference in the correlation coefficient narrows from 0.9 to 0.42. Averaging models after bias correction prevents significant fluctuations while maintaining higher accuracy, in contrast to the second method, which involves bias-correcting models after averaging.

Clinical study of Cross-Union surgery for treatment of pseudarthrosis of tibia with neurofibromatosis type 1 in children

To evaluate the effectiveness of Cross-Union surgery for the treatment of pseudarthrosis of the tibia (PT) with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The clinical data of 8 children of PT with NF1 who met the selection criteria between January 2018 and December 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 boys and 3 girls, and the operative age ranged from 1.8 to 13.3 years with a median age of 3.5 years. According to Paley classification, there were 2 cases of type 2a, 2 cases of type 3, 2 cases of type 4a, and 2 cases of type 4c. There were 5 cases of first operation and 3 cases of re-fracture after previous operation. Six cases had leg length discrepancy before operation, and 2 of them had shortening over 2.0 cm. Except for 1 case of ankle fusion, the other 7 cases had ankle valgus. Preoperative coronal/sagittal angulation was recorded. Postoperative pseudarthrosis healing and refracture were observed. Leg length discrepancy and tibiotalar angle were measured and recorded before operation and at last follow-up. Inan imaging evaluation criteria was used to evaluate the imaging effect. All patients were followed up 12-37 months (mean, 23.5 months). One pseudarthrosis failed to heal at 12 months after operation and healed at 3 months after reoperation, while the other pseudarthrosis healed with a healing rate of 87.5% and a healing time of 4-8 months (mean, 5.3 months). No refracture occurred during the follow-up. At last follow-up, there were 2 new cases with leg length discrepancy, which were 0.7 cm and 1.3 cm, respectively. In 2 cases with the leg length discrepancy more than 2.0 cm before operation, the improvement was from 4.1 cm and 12.6 cm to 2.1 cm and 9.0 cm, respectively. There was no significant difference in leg length discrepancy between pre- and post-operation in 8 cases ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, 6 patients still had ankle valgus, and there was no significant difference in the tibiotalar angle between pre- and post-operation ( P>0.05); the tibial coronal/sagittal angulation significantly improved when compared with that before operation ( P<0.05). According to Inan imaging evaluation criteria, 1 case was good, 6 cases were fair, and 1 case was poor. Cross-Union surgery is an effective method for the treatment of PT with NF1 in children, can achieve good bone healing results with a low risk of re-fracture. The surgery may not have significant effects on leg length discrepancy and ankle valgus, and further treatment may be required.

Investigating Enhanced Convection Heat Transfer in 3D Micro-Ribbed Tubes Using Inverse Problem Techniques

The improved heat dissipation observed in 3D micro-ribbed tubes is primarily influenced by the intricate interplay of multiple structural parameters. Nevertheless, research into the coupling mechanisms of these multi-structural parameters remains constrained by the absence of effective methodology in numerical solutions. In the present work, a new 3D micro-rib structure based on discrete adjoint method is established. Firstly, the research examines the interplay of different parameters (such as arrangement, relative roughness height, angle of attack, and circumferential rows) on the thermo-hydraulic performance. It is noted that the heat transfer efficiency is notably impacted by the relative roughness height. And the arrangement methodology dictates the optimal positioning for heat transfer efficiency. An increase in the number of circumferential rows enhances fluid mixing, while the angle of attack plays a crucial role in the formation of longitudinal vortices. Secondly, the coupling optimization technique is employed to obtain the optimal structure featuring non-uniform relative roughness height by the developed numerical solution. Overall, in comparison to the smooth tube, the optimized ribbed tube exhibits a remarkable 64.9% enhancement in performance evaluation criteria. Finally, a notable enhancement of 10.65–22.78% is observed when comparing with the prevailing micro-rib structures.

Enhanced heat transfer performance in a parabolic trough solar collector: A CFD investigation of silver and copper nanofluids utilizing porous medium

A recent study was being conducted to offer a three-dimensional numerical inspection of the water–Ag/Cu nanofluids’ hydrothermal profitability within a parabolic-trough solar collector incorporating a porous medium. This study aims to improve the thermal efficiency of parabolic-trough solar collectors by integrating nanofluids and porous media into the receiver tube. The focus is on enhancing heat transfer to the working fluid for better performance. In our numerical simulation, the working fluid of water (or nanofluid) at 5 different mass flow rates of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 L/h and with a temperature of 20°C enters the receiving pipe of a parabolic-trough solar collector while the non-constant heat flux is set on it. Copper and silver nanoparticles in volume fractions of (0.1 to 0.5%) and Darcy numbers of 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 are simulated in applied porous media. The results of the simulations revealed that the use of a porous medium with (rp = 1 and Da = 0.1) and also in mass flow rate of 20 L/h, our receiver pipe saw a 2204.8% increase in the Nusselt number and 687.8% pressure drop, and the PEC was equal to the number 11.3. In the following, we examined copper and silver nanoparticles in two cases of applying porosity and without applying porosity in the receiving tube in volume fractions of 0.1 to 0.5%. Due to the creation of a high-pressure drop by the porous medium, nanofluids showed higher numbers for the performance evaluation criterion than unity for the non-porous state. Silver nanoparticles in volume fraction of 0.5% (at rp = 1 and Da = 0.1) showed an increase of 71.3% and 197.8%, respectively, for the Nusselt number and pressure drop. In the case of non-porous copper nanoparticles with a volume fraction of 0.5%, they showcased an uptick in 217.6% and 3.8% respectively for the Nusselt number and pressure drop.

Assessing Educational Quality: Comparative Analysis of Crowdsourced, Expert, and AI-Driven Rubric Applications

Exposing students to low-quality assessments such as multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and short answer questions (SAQs) is detrimental to their learning, making it essential to accurately evaluate these assessments. Existing evaluation methods are often challenging to scale and fail to consider their pedagogical value within course materials. Online crowds offer a scalable and cost-effective source of intelligence, but often lack necessary domain expertise. Advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) offer automation and scalability, but may also lack precise domain knowledge. To explore these trade-offs, we compare the effectiveness and reliability of crowdsourced and LLM-based methods for assessing the quality of 30 MCQs and SAQs across six educational domains using two standardized evaluation rubrics. We analyzed the performance of 84 crowdworkers from Amazon's Mechanical Turk and Prolific, comparing their quality evaluations to those made by the three LLMs: GPT-4, Gemini 1.5 Pro, and Claude 3 Opus. We found that crowdworkers on Prolific consistently delivered the highest-quality assessments, and GPT-4 emerged as the most effective LLM for this task. Our study reveals that while traditional crowdsourced methods often yield more accurate assessments, LLMs can match this accuracy in specific evaluative criteria. These results provide evidence for a hybrid approach to educational content evaluation, integrating the scalability of AI with the nuanced judgment of humans. We offer feasibility considerations in using AI to supplement human judgment in educational assessment.

Utilizing peer evaluation as a collaborative learning tool: fostering autonomy satisfaction in English presentation classes

Abstract The present two-phased sequential explanatory mixed-methods research investigates first and second-year Japanese university students’ perceptions of peer evaluation through self-reflection and its relation to learner autonomy satisfaction in English presentation activities. First, the qualitative data were collected through an open-ended survey questionnaire (n = 17). The findings revealed that students held a positive view of the peer evaluation process, which was facilitated by structured evaluation criteria developed collaboratively with the students using the Leaderful Classroom Practices framework. Furthermore, students’ ownership of the evaluation process enhanced their motivation and commitment to their own presentations. To explore the relationship between the peer evaluation process and students’ autonomy satisfaction, we conducted a survey with advanced-level first-year English major students (n = 87). Despite the small sample size, our multiple regression analysis also supported the qualitative findings, indicating a significant correlation between peer evaluation and learner autonomy satisfaction in English presentation activities. While peer-based activities have been thoroughly studied in the context of academic writing courses, we recommend that the influence of peer evaluation activities on learner autonomy satisfaction be further explored in oral communication activities within the Japanese university EFL settings.

Law enforcement or use of force: The legal nature of activities conducted by CCG and JCG in the disputed waters

In recent years, China and Japan have been engaged in persistent maritime law enforcement competition in the waters surrounding Diaoyu Islands. There is a profound concern that the recent enhancement of their respective coast guards’ capabilities and mission scopes, coupled with a lack of mutual trust, may give rise to mutual misinterpretation of intentions. Such misjudgment has the potential to initiate a sequence of escalating reactions, ultimately culminating in armed conflict. The crucial factor in preventing this domino effect is the rational evaluation of the nature of maritime law enforcement operations conducted by both parties within the contested waters. Providing relatively objective evaluation criteria for these assessments is a critical role that international law can fulfill at this juncture. International judicial precedents have articulated a set of principles governing maritime law enforcement activities. Notably, the Guyana/Suriname case and the Detention of Three Ukrainian Naval Vessels case offered significant insights into the limitations on law enforcement operations in disputed maritime areas. Concurrently, both China and Japan have developed relatively comprehensive legal frameworks pertaining to the law enforcement activities of their respective coast guards. A better understanding of each other’s domestic legal regulations would also aid both China and Japan in avoiding misinterpretations of each other’s intentions. Indeed, through a comprehensive synthesis of the perspectives offered by international judicial bodies and a systematic analysis of each party’s domestic legal frameworks, this paper argues that, at least currently, neither party has exhibited intentions or actions that exceed the bounds of maritime law enforcement.

Fluid resuscitation and application of vasoactive drugs in septic shock: timing, evaluation criteria, and specifications

Septic shock (SS), the most severe complication of sepsis, has always been a major challenge and research focus in the field of critical care treatment. SS is categorized as a distributive shock, where fluid resuscitation and the use of vasoactive drugs are the two standard measures for the clinical management of SS. However, it remains unclear how to accurately monitor macro-circulation, micro-circulation, and cellular metabolism indicators during the process of resuscitation, optimization, stabilization, and evacuation based on the dynamic pathophysiological processes of SS. This monitoring is essential to guide the comprehensive, individualized, and dynamic application of these two measures. Based on recent international management guidelines and literature review, the authors will propose relevant recommendations regarding the use of fluid therapy and vasoactive drugs.

A Novel First-Order Kinetic Model for Simultaneous Anaerobic–Aerobic Degradation of Municipal Solid Waste in Landfills

A first-order kinetic model for the simultaneous anaerobic–aerobic degradation of municipal solid waste (MSW) is presented in the study. The model incorporates the effect of oxygen concentration on anaerobic degradation, enabling the coexistence of anaerobic and aerobic processes within specific oxygen ranges. The model can thoroughly consider the impacts of temperature, moisture content, oxygen concentration, and free air space (FAS) on the degradation rates of five substrates, i.e., holocellulose, non-cellulosic sugars, proteins, lipids, and lignin. The model was successfully verified against two experimental results. The sequential model underestimates both compression strain and degradation ratio, with peak underestimation ratios of 8.7% and 9.2%, respectively. Using the simultaneous model, the effects of anaerobic age, temperature, and aeration rate on landfill aerobic remediation efficacy are quantitatively assessed. Two evaluation criteria, namely the advance rate of aerobic remediation stabilization time (Rt) and the degradation rate after 100 days of aerobic remediation (λ100a), are adopted. The results indicate the following: (1) Rt is more sensitive to anaerobic age and temperature, while λ100a is more affected by anaerobic age and aeration rate; (2) under optimal conditions, Rt and λ100a can reach 86.3% and 70.9%, respectively. The present model provides a crucial theoretical framework for evaluating aerobic remediation effectiveness in both anaerobic sanitary landfills and informal landfills, offering valuable insights for practical implementation and management.

Evaluating the Impact of Mini-Competition on Pharmaceutical Procurement: Challenges, Risks, and Regulatory Implications in Indonesia

This study evaluates the impact of the mini-competition method in pharmaceutical procurement in Indonesia, focusing on its challenges, risks, and regulatory implications. Mini-competition, a procurement method designed to promote competitive pricing in e-purchasing, has been introduced to streamline the procurement process, especially for essential goods such as pharmaceuticals. However, this method faces legal and practical challenges, including risks of fraud, reduced competition, collusion, and issues concerning product quality and innovation. The legal framework governing mini competition, including Presidential Regulation No. 12 of 2021, is analyzed to identify potential weaknesses in ensuring transparency and accountability. The research also includes a case study of pharmaceutical product procurement, highlighting the significant price reductions resulting from mini competition but revealing adverse effects on industry sustainability. The analysis of the cost structure of pharmaceutical companies shows that continued price reductions may force companies to cease operations due to unprofitability. Drawing on international case studies, this study concludes that while mini competition can lower procurement costs, it also poses significant risks to product quality, innovation, and market competition. Traditional tender methods are proposed as a more balanced and sustainable approach for pharmaceutical procurement, emphasizing the need for transparent and comprehensive evaluation criteria.

Analysis of the outcomes in treatment of ulcerative colitis with acupuncture and moxibustion

To clarify the key outcomes of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of ulcerative colitis. The clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for ulcerative colitis treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were searched from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, from the inception of each database to March 20th, 2023. The basic information of literature, intervention measures and outcome indexes were collected. The selection of primary and secondary outcomes, the use frequency of each index and the combination of them in utility were analyzed; and index domains of acupuncture and moxibustion for ulcerative colitis were summarized. A total of 215 RCTs were included and 54 outcomes were involved, classified into 6 categories, i.e. TCM syndromes, symptoms/physical signs, physical and chemical tests, quality of life, long-term prognosis and safety events. The top 3 outcomes with high use frequency were clinical effect evaluation, adverse reactions of acupuncture and moxibustion and the score of main symptoms. Only 3 articles clearly reported the primary outcome and the secondary ones, 180 articles used two types of outcomes simultaneously, 3 articles clearly described the time points of the observation indexes, and 126 articles determined the sources of the evaluation criteria of therapeutic effect, with 57 criteria involved. At present, the outcomes have not been standardized in RCTs of acupuncture and moxibustion for ulcerative colitis. It needs to clarify the primary one and the secondary ones. The criteria have not been unified for the evaluation of therapeutic effects and there is less consideration on the quality of life in patients, the follow-up visit and safety events. The attention should be paid to develop the outcome set, in which, the endoscopic score is taken as the objective, and the improvements in the symptoms/physical signs and the biochemical examination as the supplementary.

Comparing anticoagulant therapy alone, anticoagulant therapy in combination with catheter-directed thrombolysis, and anticoagulant therapy in combination with pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis in the patients with optional inferior vena cava filter-related thrombosis: A single-center retrospective study.

To analyze the treatment methods and efficacy of inferior vena cava filter thrombosis (IVCFT). In this retrospective study, the clinical data for 47 patients with IVCFT who underwent sequential treatment at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital, from January 2020 to January 2023 were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment method: anticoagulant therapy (AC group), anticoagulation plus catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT group), and anticoagulation plus AngioJet thrombectomy plus catheter-directed thrombolysis (PCDT group). The evaluation criteria for efficacy mainly included preoperative and postoperative clinical symptoms (Villalta score), thrombus diameter, thrombus clearance rate, filter retrieval rate, filter retention time, and urokinase dosage. This study included 47 patients, of whom 31 were males (65.9%) and 16 females (34.1%), with a mean age of 72.05 ± 8.32years. An Aegisy filter was used in seven patients, whereas an Illicium filter was used in forty patients. There were a total of nineteen patients in the anticoagulation-only group, with complete dissolution of the intraluminal thrombus in five patients, a residual thrombus with a maximum diameter ≤1cm in three patients, and a residual thrombus with a maximum diameter >1cm in eleven patients. The Villalta score was 7.16 ± 0.6 before treatment and decreased to 3.79 ± 0.59 after treatment. The thrombus diameter decreased from an average of 1.46 ± 0.2cm before treatment to an average of 0.85 ± 0.14cm after treatment. The retrieval rate for the filters was 42.11% (8/19), with an average dwell time of 27.4 ± 1.3days for the filters. The CDT group consisted of 17 patients. Among whom we observed, complete dissolution of the intraluminal thrombus was observed in six patients, residual thrombus with a maximum diameter ≤1cm in nine patients, and residual thrombus with a maximum diameter >1cm in two patients. The Villalta score decreased from 7.53 ± 0.83 before treatment to 2.06 ± 0.39 after treatment. The thrombus diameter also decreased from 1.46 ± 0.16cm before treatment to 0.35 ± 0.11cm after treatment. The retrieval rate of the filters was 88.24% (15/17), and the average filter indwelling time was 19.25 ± 4.5days. The PCDT group consisted of 11 patients. We observed complete dissolution of the intraluminal thrombus in four patients, residual thrombus with a maximum diameter ≤1cm in six patients, and residual thrombus with a maximum diameter >1cm in one patient. The Villalta score decreased from 7.45 ± 0.76 before treatment to 2.09 ± 0.55 after treatment. The thrombus diameter decreased from 1.50 ± 0.21cm before treatment to 0.33 ± 0.35cm after treatment, and the rate of filter retrieval was 90.91% (10/11). The three treatments of anticoagulation therapy, CDT, and PCDT were meaningful for preoperative and postoperative thrombolysis and symptom improvement in patients with IVCFT. The application of CDT and PCDT was superior to anticoagulation therapy, while there was no significant difference between the CDT and PCDT group. The retrieval rate of filters in the anticoagulation therapy group was the lowest, with no significant difference between the CDT and PCDT group.

Numerical Study on Heat Transfer Efficiency and Inter-Layer Stress of Microchannel Heat Sinks with Different Geometries

As electronics become more powerful and compact, laminated microchannel heat sinks (MCHSs) are essential for handling high heat flux. This study aims to optimize the MCHS design for improved heat dissipation and structural strength. An orthogonal experiment was established with the average surface temperature of the heat source as the evaluation metric, and the optimal structure was determined through simulation. Finally, cooling uniformity, fluidity, and performance evaluation criterion (PEC) analyses were carried out on the optimal structure. It was determined that the optimal combination was the triangular cavity microchannel (MCTC), with a microchannel width of 0.5 mm, a microchannel distribution density of 60%, and the presence of surface undulation on the microchannels. The result shows that the optimal structure’s peak inter-layer stress is just 34.8% of its longitudinal tensile strength. Compared to the traditional parallel straight microchannel (MCPS), this structure boasts an 8.6 K decrease in the average surface temperature and a temperature variation along specific paths that is only 9.9% of that in traditional designs. Moreover, the optimal design cuts the velocity loss at the microchannel entrance from 75% to 59%. Thus, this research successfully develops an effective optimization strategy for MCHSs.

Anticipatory climate policy mix pathways: a framework for ex-ante construction and assessment applied to the road transport sector

ABSTRACT Globally, climate policy implementation is failing to deliver on the ambitions outlined in the Paris Agreement and countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions. We argue that a more strategic and anticipatory approach to policy mix design and implementation can help contribute to realizing these ambitions. Policy mixes need to co-evolve as energy transitions progress, in order to effectively target multiple transition challenges as these change over time. Accordingly, policy assessments need to both consider interactions between instruments and adopt a dynamic perspective, in terms of design logics and evaluative criteria. We highlight the need for a construction and assessment methodology for designing policy mix pathways which explicitly considers durability risks which could weaken support and lead to dismantling, and anticipatory design principles which can help mitigate these risks. Our paper addresses this gap by proposing and illustrating a novel framework for policy instrument mix pathway construction and ex-ante assessment. We identify generalizable durability challenges for effective anticipatory design: dynamic cost effectiveness, the distributive impacts and acceptance of pathways, along with fiscal and governance requirements for effective implementation. We demonstrate the value of the approach by application to the German light-duty vehicle sector transition. We construct and comparatively assess three illustrative pathways promising to deliver the German LDV sector 2030 GHG targets. The pathways differ in logic, and which of three main market dynamics driving a diffusion-stage transition they emphasize: battery electric vehicle (BEV) purchase, vehicle stock usage, and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle scrappage. Accordingly, the pathways utilize different instrument combinations, design features and calibrations. We also assess the illustrative pathways and discuss trade-offs. We argue that this approach can help improve climate policy planning and implementation processes, and increase the likelihood attaining ambitious mitigation targets.

Requirements for Design Methods from Circular Design to Support the Product Development of Products for the Circular Economy in SMEs

Against the backdrop of increasing ecological challenges, in connection with excessive use of resources, a rethinking of the current mode of operation of the economy and consumers is required. The circular economy, which describes a system in which products, components, and materials are preserved in recurring cycles, is seen as a counter-design to the currently dominant form of economy. The development of circular products plays a central role in the development of both consumer and capital goods. Design methods from circular design—a part of circular economy—form the basis for the development of circular products. Therefore, this contribution identifies and investigates evaluation criteria for the optimal selection of these design methods for use in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is shown that design methods shall promote circular development of a product and focus on a systemic consideration of the product context along the entire product life cycle as well as closing technical and biological cycles. The contribution formulates evaluation criteria that address the assessment of the applicability, integrability in SMEs, and circularity of a design method and thus provide a basis for the evaluation of design methods from circular design. Product developers in SMEs are thus provided with a set of criteria to support them in product development for the circular economy.

Development of an Indicator System for Evaluating Risks in Trekking Tourism

In today’s fast-paced and and high-stress society, trekking tourism is a leisure activity for stress relief and closer nature engagement. Given the adventurous nature inherent in trekking tourism, risk assessment is deemed both crucial and imperative. This study aims to develop a risk assessment framework for trekking tourism based on the Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Initially, we conducted a literature review and expert interviews grounded in the Systems Theory of Accident Causation and the Human Factors Theory to establish the risk assessment paradigm specific to trekking tourism. Subsequently, we ascertained specific weights for each evaluation criterion and delineated explicit data sources for each operational indicator. The findings indicate that the formulated risk assessment system for trekking tourism is both scientifically grounded and practical, furnishing stakeholders in the tourism industry, organizational teams, and management authorities with an efficacious tool for evaluating the safety conditions of trekking tourism activities.