Feeding Channels Research Articles

Study on Feeding Diversification in Infants Aged 6 to 24 Months at the Therapeutic Nutrition Unit in the Paediatric Department of the Regional Hospital Center (RHC) of Man (Côte d’Ivoire)

Introduction: Inappropriate infant feeding practices are a factor in malnutrition in western Côte d'Ivoire, which can cause several problems. In fact, in this part of the country, 26% of children under the age of 5 are undernourished, and 6% of these children are wasted. In order to assess knowledge and practices regarding infant feeding, this survey was carried out among motherchild pairs at the Regional Hospital Center (RHC) of Man. Methods: This was a descriptive survey carried out from February to March 2023 in the therapeutic nutrition unit of the paediatric department of the RHC of Man. The target population consisted of 250 mother-child pairs attending the unit. The questions mainly focused on the sociodemographic characteristics of the infants, the socio-economic characteristics of the household, supplementary feeding, and information channels related to nutrition and feeding of children aged between 6 and 24 months. Results: The age group of 12 to 18 months was the most representative (40%), with a female predominance (56%). Exclusive breastfeeding was practiced in only 42% of infants, with early introduction of water in 63.6% between 4 and 6 months. A total of 98.8% of infants were up to date with their vaccination schedules, and 36.4% received medical follow-up. Diversification began before 6 months in 62% of infants, and in the majority of cases, cereal-based porridge was introduced between 4 and 6 months. The introduction of vegetables and meat was delayed, occurring between 7 and 12 months (42.4%) and between 13 and 18 months (28%) respectively. Breastfeeding cessation occurred in 23.6% between 13 and 18 months. The most common difficulties in supplementary feeding were childhood illness (38%) and children's refusal to eat (26%). Conclusion: Inadequate practices and introduction of complementary foods were noted in the majority of cases. Hence, there is an urgent need to educate mothers on WHO recommendations regarding infant feeding diversification.

Risk Factors of Esophageal Fistula Associated with Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer.

To investigate risk factors for esophageal fistula in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) patients who treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). A retrospective analysis was performed on 171 ESCC patients treated with VMAT at Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, from February 2017 to February 2021. Clinical and dosimetric parameters, including age, gender, feeding channel, tumor location, T stage, ulcerative tumor, were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine risk factors for esophageal fistula. The predictive accuracy of the constructed nomogram was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curves. Esophageal fistula occurred in 12.87% (22/171) of all the patients. Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, diabetes, T4 stage, ulcerative tumor, total radiation dose, maximum gross tumor volume (GTV) diameter, and GTV length correlated with the incidence of esophageal fistula. Multivariable analysis highlighted gender, age, diabetes, T4 stage, and total radiation dose as significant predictors. A predictive nomogram including these five factors was developed and showed an AUC of 0.876 (95% CI 0.807-0.946), a C-index of 0.847, and a corrected C-index of 0.833. Gender, age, diabetes, T4 stage, and total radiation dose emerged as significant risk factors for esophageal fistula in ESCC patients undergoing VMAT. The developed nomogram provides a reliable tool to predict the risk of esophageal fistula risk in this cohort.

Optimizing hot tearing susceptibility of Al-5.5Zn-2.4 Mg-1.3Cu alloys by grain refinement, increasing mold and casting temperature

The Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy is widely used in automotive lightweighting and other applications due to its excellent mechanical properties. However, when this alloy is cast using metal molds, it exhibits high hot tearing susceptibility (HTS), increasing the risk of use. Volumetric shrinkage due to density differences during the transition from liquid to solid metal produces shrinkage stresses. At the same time, lacks feeding of the remaining liquid phase in the late solidification stage can also lead to hot tearing. The purpose of this paper is to present a device for quantitatively determining and optimizing HTS. The relationship between solidification shrinkage displacement and stress was tested in a quantitative way using a Self-designed T-tester equipped with stress and displacement sensors. The test results show that the reduction of grain size shifts the solidification shrinkage of the alloy and reduces the solidification shrinkage stress, which avoids hot tearing caused by higher solidification shrinkage stress and local stress inhomogeneity. Secondly, the grain size reduction increases the number of feeding channels in the solidification vulnerable stage, and more liquid phase is available for crack healing. In addition, the influence of casting process parameters on the HTS was studied.

Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of large pulmonary arteriovenous fistula with Amplatzer Septal Occluder in a young cyanotic girl

ABSTRACT For most instances, percutaneous transcatheter intervention has replaced surgical procedure as the preferred treatment for pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas (PAVFs). Despite its efficacy in interventional occlusions of small- to medium-sized PAVFs, “classic” devices such as detachable balloons and intravascular coils are not recommended for bigger fistulas due to the potential risk of embolization to the systemic circulation. This case report is a unique case of a 17-year-old cyanotic girl who had a large symptomatic solitary PAVF that was effectively closed with a 26 mm Amplatzer Septal Occlude (ASO) device. The PAVF was located in the lower right lobe of the lung. The position of the device in situ occluding the feeding channel was verified by computed tomography pulmonary angiography and postprocedure echocardiography, which also revealed the obliteration of the right-to-left shunt.

Jacobsite as an indicator of genrsis of manganese ore of the Ushkatyn-III deposit (Central Kazakhstan)

Jacobsite is a characteristic minor mineral of manganese ores at the Ushkatyn-III deposit in Central Kazakhstan. It mainly associates with hausmannite, tephroite, sonolite, friedelite, pennantite and calcite in the bulk mass of ores. A similar association, but without hausmannite, is also characteristic of jacobsite from veinlets intersecting the bulk mass ore. The chemical composition of jacobsite varies from Mn1.5Fe1.5O4 to MnFe2O4. A mineral with a high content of manganese (1 atoms per formula unit (apfu)) dominates the bulk mass of ores, while the veins are dominated by stoichiometric jacobsite (Mn ~1 apfu). The mineral composition of ores was formed in the process of low-grade metamorphism of metal-bearing deposits of hydrothermal-sedimentary genesis. The formation of jacobsite in metamorphosed metal-bearing deposits occurs under reducing conditions. With an increase in oxygen fugacity (oxidation potential), jacobsite is replaced by the association of hausmannite with hematite. Crystallization of jacobsite in the veinlets intersecting the hausmannite ores is carried out due to the entry of iron-containing hydrothermal solutions into them. It is assumed that jacobsite veinlets serve as mineralogical markers through seepage of ore-bearing hydrothermal structures («feeding channels») producing manganese-rich ores.

Water Scarcity Effect on Kirkuk irrigation project

Abstract The Kirkuk irrigation project is very importance for the Kirkuk Governorate. The governorate has been significantly affected due to the water scarcity in Iraq. The shortage of the water can be attributed to various factors. The most important one related to influence of recent climatic changes on the water strategies implemented by neighboring nations sharing borders with Iraq. Moreover, Iraq is facing several challenges in the mismanagement of its water resources. The rise in population has led to a higher demand for water. This study examines various stages of the Kirkuk irrigation project, including the main channels and the feeding channel. Also, this study analyses the dams and projects established by Iran they have Indirect effect on project by cutting the feeding tributaries of dam which Kirkuk irrigation project mainly depended on it. Furthermore, this study explores the consequences of water scarcity on the agricultural output of Kirkuk proven. At the normal years of the project the annual discharge of the Kirkuk irrigation project was higher than they are currently. In 1996, the annual discharge for the Kirkuk irrigation project was 104.5 m3/second, and in 2023, t decreased to 30 m3/second. This reduction forced the farmers to excavate wells for irrigation purposes, and by the year 2023, the total number of wells in the Kirkuk had reached 291,480. the study explores the consequences of water scarcity on the agricultural output of Kirkuk project. Drought and water scarcity have decreased the annual share of individual water share, in 2003 the amount of water per capita was 2393.55 m3/year and decreased in 2021 until it became 758.42 m3/year.

Microstructure evolution and crack prevention in TiC nanoparticles-enhanced 2195 Al[sbnd]Li alloy joint fabricated by coaxial fiber-diode hybrid laser wire-feeding welding

High hot crack susceptibility (HCS) in laser-welded 2195 AlLi alloy poses a considerable challenge that restricts its widespread application. Nonetheless, the utilization of advanced laser beam shaping technology and nano-technology presents novel approaches to modify the melting and solidification procedures, enabling precise control over microstructure and crack. Herein, a crack-free and well-formed weld seam (WS) of 2195 AlLi alloy was successfully achieved by employing a coaxial “Gussies + Flat top” hybrid laser source and introducing TiC nanoparticles. The contrast experiments were performed to comprehensively investigate the effect of TiC nanoparticles on the microstructure evolution and hot cracks in welded joints of 2195 AlLi alloy. The results indicated that the crack propagation occurs linearly along the grain boundaries of columnar dendrites and laterally along the grain boundaries of equiaxed dendrite utilizing the conventional AlCu filling wire. With the assistance of TiC nanoparticles, the crack-free WS with homogeneously equiaxed dendrites is facilitated. The elimination of cracks by introducing TiC nanoparticles is attributed to the ameliorative liquid feeding channels, grain refinement, as well as the the pinning effect of TiC nanoparticles.

Design and Development of Flow Fields with Multiple Inlets or Outlets in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

In vanadium redox flow batteries, the flow field geometry plays a dramatic role on the distribution of the electrolyte and its design results from the trade-off between high battery performance and low pressure drops. In the literature, it was demonstrated that electrolyte permeation through the porous electrode is mainly regulated by pressure difference between adjacent channels, leading to the presence of under-the-rib fluxes. With the support of a 3D computational fluid dynamic model, this work presents two novel flow field geometries that are designed to tune the direction of the pressure gradients between channels in order to promote the under-the-rib fluxes mechanism. The first geometry is named Two Outlets and exploits the splitting of the electrolyte flow into two adjacent interdigitated layouts with the aim to give to the pressure gradient a more transverse direction with respect to the channels, raising the intensity of under-the-rib fluxes and making their distribution more uniform throughout the electrode area. The second geometry is named Four Inlets and presents four inlets located at the corners of the distributor, with an interdigitated-like layout radially oriented from each inlet to one single central outlet, with the concept of reducing the heterogeneity of the flow velocity within the electrode. Subsequently, flow fields performance is verified experimentally adopting a segmented hardware in symmetric cell configuration with positive electrolyte, which permits the measurement of local current distribution and local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Compared to a conventional interdigitated geometry, both the developed configurations permit a significant decrease in the pressure drops without any reduction in battery performance. In the Four Inlets flow field the pressure drop reduction is more evident (up to 50%) due to the lower electrolyte velocities in the feeding channels, while the Two Outlets configuration guarantees a more homogeneous current density distribution.

"NOVOSIBIRSK" MUD VOLCANO AND EVIDENCE OF ITS ACTIVATIONS (LAKE BAIKAL)

An integrated study of mud volcanoes in the World Ocean is important for making assessment of potential geological-ecological disasters caused by rapid large-volume gas discharge into the water column and mud volcano eruptions at the bottom. The study of mud-volcanic activity in the past and determination of its periodicity are pioneering for the Baikal. The mud volcanoes and other hydrate-bearing structures are largely concentrated in the Middle Baikal basin along the tectonic faults. The most representative example of these phenomena is the "Gydratny" fault, four of six structures along which are mud volcanoes. An integrated geological-geophysical study (seismoacoustic and hydroacoustic sounding and geological sampling) of the "Novosibirsk" mud volcano, the largest and well-pronounced feature of the lake bottom relief, confirmed its structural identity with classical submarine mud volcanoes. The "Novosibirsk" mud volcano possesses all major elements of other single hydrate-bearing mud volcanoes of the lake which include volcanic cone in the bottom relief, vertical acoustically not transparent feeding channel, mud-volcanic breccia, gas saturation, and gas hydrates. This makes it one of the reference hydrate-bearing mud volcanic-type structures of Lake Baikal.The analysis of the bottom hydroacoustic profiling yielded evidence of the Late Pleistocene mud-volcanic eruptions shaped as two layers-flows at sub-bottom depths of 15 and 26 m (30 and 50 kyr ago, respectively). The presence of mud-volcanic breccia beneath the thin Holocene diatomic silt deposits testifies to the Holocene mud volcano activation due to the warm fluid rising from the depths to the volcano roots along the active segment of the tectonic fault in accordance with the model of the "Baikal-type" mud volcanism. Using the "Novosibirsk" mud volcano and the "Gydratny" fault as an example, it can be shown that the past tectonic activity of the Baikal basin may be determined based on the knowledge of the structure and evolution of the mud volcanoes of the lake.

A Lumped Model of Water and Heat Transport in a PEMFC Fuel Cell and the Associated Methods for Estimating the Effective Transport Parameters

The fine and quantitative modelling of the coupled phenomena of water and oxygen transport and heat and charge transfer in PEMFCs is difficult from a practical point of view because the interfaces between the different layers are heterogeneous and difficult to characterize. They depend in particular on the mechanical stress field. Moreover, the two-phase flows in the porous layers and feeding channels are by nature stochastic and very difficult to predict. This fine modelling requires a perfect knowledge of the geometry, mechanical and thermal properties, wettability, etc... of the materials, their interfaces and their heterogeneity in space and time. Most of these parameters are unknown and so numerous that it is impossible to estimate them independently of each other by simple experiments. Based on this observation, our philosophy is to develop simple models whose effective transport parameters can be estimated by experiments carried out in situ, for real operating conditions [1]. These models are lumped models that depend on few parameters which integrate the properties of the interfaces. In this presentation, we propose a one-dimensional coupled water and heat transport model (adapted to a differential cell), associated with methods for estimating the unknown water transport and heat transfer parameters. The estimation of the parameters is performed in situ, for an imposed flow field geometry and clamping force. Original experiments are developed to decorrelate the effective diffusion coefficients in the gas phase, adsorbed phase and heat transport properties. The estimation of the parameters is based on simple water balances, i.e. a measurement of the quantities of water leaving the anode and cathode. The model and the experimental set-up are presented. The inverse technique of parameter estimation is detailed. Different materials are implemented in order to observe the resulting impact on the estimated effective transport coefficients. Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Lorraine Université d’Excellence program.

Water Transport Modeling in a Microporous Layer for a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzer Having a Gas-Liquid Separating Interdigitated Flow Field

A novel interdigitated flow field design for polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers (proton exchange membrane water electrolysis cells), which has oxygen exhaust channels separated from pressurized liquid water feeding channels, has been developed for ground and space applications 1), 2). This structure separates oxygen and liquid water inside the anode of the cell. Thereby it dispenses with water circulators for bubble removal from the cell and external separators by natural or centrifugal buoyancy. We thus aim to develop a numerical model for further optimization of the cell design.Finite element modeling (COMSOL Multiphysics) of water transport is three-dimensionally conducted for the anode porous transport layer coated with a hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL) (SIGRACET 29BC, SGL Carbon Inc.) assembled with the interdigitated flow field. The MPL works to separate evolved oxygen gas exhausted in the through-plane direction and pressurized liquid water injected in the in-plane direction owing to the capillary pressure 2), 3). Prominent leakage of the liquid water to the oxygen channels has not been detected.Electrochemical kinetic parameters for the model are determined by electrochemical impedance spectra. Current-voltage measurement of the cell is also performed to validate the numerical modeling.We model the current densities and the current ratio between the reactant liquid water and water vapor at the interface between the MPL and catalyst layer (CL). The model involves fractional bubble coverage of the CL with produced oxygen gas and liquid water saturation in the MPL. The vapor evaporating from the liquid water in the MPL is assumed to be mixed with the evolved oxygen for diffusive water transport. The volumetric evaporation rate is assumed as a function of the liquid water saturation in the MPL.References1) Y. SONE, O.S. HERNANDEZ-MENDOZA, A. SHIMA, M. SATO, H. NAKAJIMA, H. MATSUMOTO, Water Electrolysis by the Direct Water Supply to the Solid Polymer Electrolyte through the Interdigitated Structure of the Electrode, Electrochemistry. 89 (2021) 138–140. https://doi.org/10.5796/electrochemistry.20-00145.2) H. NAKAJIMA, V. VEDIYAPPAN, H. MATSUMOTO, M. SATO, O.S. MENDOZA-HERNANDEZ, A. SHIMA, Y. SONE, Water Transport Analysis in a Polymer Electrolyte Electrolysis Cell Comprised of Gas/Liquid Separating Interdigitated Flow Fields, Electrochemistry. 90 (2022) 017002. https://doi.org/10.5796/electrochemistry.21-00097.3) H. Nakajima, S. Iwasaki, T. Kitahara, Pore network modeling of a microporous layer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells under wet conditions, J. Power Sources. 560 (2023) 232677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.232677.AcknowledgmentsThis study is based on results obtained from a project, JPNP21014, commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development (NEDO).

Mountain soil multitrophic networks shaped by the interplay between habitat and pedoclimatic conditions

Our knowledge of the factors influencing the distribution of soil organisms is limited to specific taxonomic groups. Consequently, our understanding of the drivers shaping the entire soil multitrophic network is constrained. To address this gap, we conducted an extensive soil biodiversity monitoring program in the French Alps, using environmental DNA to obtain multi-taxon data from 418 soil samples. The spatial structure of resulting soil multitrophic networks varied significantly between and within habitats. From forests to grasslands, we observed a shift in the abundance of trophic groups from fungal to bacterial feeding channels, reflecting different ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, forest soil networks were more strongly spatially structured which could only partly be explained by abiotic conditions. Grassland soil networks were more strongly driven by plant community composition and soil characteristics. Our findings provide valuable insights into how climate and land-use changes may differentially affect soil multitrophic networks in mountains.

Mathematical model of the hovercraft lift system

BACKGROUND: Currently, hovercrafts are used worldwide thanks to their amphibian capabilities and mobility at water and slightly prepared areas with low supporting properties. Whereas, in practice, hovercrafts have two main systems ensuring motion, lift and traction which can be combined (operating from a common source of mechanical energy) as well as separated.
 This paper considers a hovercraft with separated lift and traction systems. The lift system of this hovercraft consist of piston diesel internal combustion engine (ICE), hydrostatic transmission, axial fans, feeding channel and an air-cushion plenum. The considered variant is chosen because hydrostatic transmission has a number of sufficient advantages in comparison with mechanical transmission with universal shafts and pulley drives, widely used at present time. The paper considers the open plenum lift system.
 AIM: Development of the combined mathematical model of the hovercraft lift system consisting of piston diesel ICE, hydrostatic transmission and a fan supplying air into the air-cushion plenum.
 METHODS: Using the MATLAB/Simulink environment, the engine power adjustment at hovercraft motion on various ground surfaces is studied with regard to increasing the efficiency of the fan and the whole system. Analytical scheme of the system is given, acceptable transient characteristics are obtained. Efficiency and range of optimal operation of the Sauer-Danfoss pump and hydraulic motor are estimated. The process of hovercraft adjustment from the established mode to a new state when motion condition change is considered.
 RESULTS: According to the simulation results, there is influence of the income control signal (adjustment parameter of engine operation modes) and disturbance signal (pressure change coefficient that defines properties of ground surface) on parameters describing the hovercraft motion.
 CONCLUSION: The developed mathematical model helps to choose and evaluate adjustment parameters of engine operation modes at hovercraft motion on various ground surfaces, to analyze and to improve the system energy efficiency.

History of the study and the principal features of the MVT-type lead-zinc massive sulfide deposits of the Priargunsk minerogenic zone

Two types of ore deposits are distinguished within the Priargunsk minerogenic zone: the lead-zinc massive sulfide ore deposits in the Vendian-Cambrian carbonate sedimentary rocks (MVT type) and the polymetallic massive sulfide ones in the Mesozoic volcanogenic rocks (VMS type). The MVT-type deposits are confined to the volcanogenic-carbonate–terrigenous formation and comprise two genetic types of the ore bodies, the stratiform (stratified) beds and the stockwork-shaped hydrothermal-metasomatic zones in the feeding channels. The stratiform ore bodies occur concordantly with stratification of the host rocks in gentle paleodepressions; they are confined to the contacts of limestones with dolomites and carbonaceous siltstones or are controlled by interlayer tectonic deformations. Ore deposits of this type formed synchronously with sedimentation. At the same time, the mechanism of formation of stratiform or stratified ore bodies could be fundamentally different.

Гидрохимические особенности озёр Большое и Малое Турали по результатам исследований в 2018 и 2021 годах

In the summer months of 2018 and 2021, concentrations of major ions, dry residue, pH and temperature were determined in the water of the Maloe and Bolshoe Turali lakes; in various horizons (up to 20 cm) of bottom sediments, in addition to concentrations of methane and total hydrogen sulfide, Eh and pH values, humidity and density were determined. The mineralization of the waters of the Bolshoe and Maloe Turali lakes in 2018 was 275.8 and 19.1 g/dm3, respectively. According to the chemical composition, the class of waters in lakes is chloride, the sodium group, the second type. In 2021, the mineralization of lakes decreased, especially strongly in the lake Bolshoe Turali. It is shown that the significant salinization of its waters is not associated with precipitation, but is caused by artificial flooding of the feeding channel with water. Lake sediments are characterized by a neutral or slightly alkaline environment (pH from 7.01 to 7.88) and strong variability of redox conditions (Eh from -213.8 to 177.1 mV). The concentrations of CH4 in the sediments of the Maloe and Bolshoe Turali lakes varied in the range of 0.006–0.070 μg/g of wet sediment and 0.011–0.12 μg/g, respectively. The concentrations of ΣH2S varied from <0.005 to 0.241 mg/g in the lake of Maloe Turali and from <0.005 to 1.47 mg/g in the lake of Bolshoe Turali. The relationship between CH4 and ΣH2S is weakly manifested, which is due to their insignificant concentrations associated with Eh not low enough for intensive anaerobic processes in most sediment horizons.

Effects of diets rich in Agaricus bisporus polysaccharides on the growth, antioxidant, immunity, and resistance to Yersinia ruckeri in channel catfish.

To promote the application of Agaricus bisporus polysaccharides (ABPs) in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) culture, we evaluated the effects of ABPs on the growth, immunity, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of channel catfish. When the amount of ABPs was 250mg/kg, channel catfish's weight gain and specific growth rates increased significantly while the feed coefficient decreased. We also found that adding ABPs in the feed effectively increased the activities of ACP, MDA, T-SOD, AKP, T-AOC, GSH, and CAT enzymes and immune-related genes such as IL-1β, Hsp70, and IgM in the head kidney of channel catfish. Besides, long-term addition will not cause pathological damage to the head kidney. When the amount of ABPs was over 125mg/kg, the protection rate of channel catfish was more than 60%. According to the intestinal transcriptome analysis, the addition of ABPs promoted the expression of intestinal immunity genes and growth metabolism-related genes and enriched multiple related KEEG pathways. When challenged by Yersinia ruckeri infection, the immune response of channel catfish fed with ABPs was intenser and quicker. Additionally, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that the composition of the intestinal microbial community of channel catfish treated with ABPs significantly changed, and the abundance of microorganisms beneficial to channel catfish growth, such as Firmicutes and Bacteroidota increased. In conclusion, feeding channel catfish with ABPs promoted growth, enhanced immunity and antioxidant, and improved resistance to bacterial infections. Our current results might promote the use of ABPs in channel catfish and even other aquacultured fish species.

Improvement of Hot Tearing Resistance of AZ91 Alloy with the Addition of Trace Ca.

Hot tearing is the most common and serious casting defect that restricts the light weight and integration of magnesium alloy components. In the present study, trace Ca (0-1.0 wt.%) was added to improve the resistance of AZ91 alloy to hot tearing. The hot tearing susceptivity (HTS) of alloys was experimentally measured by a constraint rod casting method. The results indicate that the HTS presents a ν-shaped tendency with the increase in Ca content, and reaches its minimum value in AZ91-0.1Ca alloy. Ca is well dissolved into α-Mg matrix and Mg17Al12 phase at an addition not exceeding 0.1 wt.%. The solid-solution behavior of Ca increases eutectic content and its corresponding liquid film thickness, improves the strength of dendrites at high temperature, and thereby promotes the hot tearing resistance of the alloy. Al2Ca phases appear and aggregate at dendrite boundaries with further increases in Ca above 0.1 wt.%. The coarsened Al2Ca phase hinders the feeding channel and causes stress concentration during the solidification shrinkage, thereby deteriorating the hot tearing resistance of the alloy. These findings were further verified by fracture morphology observations and microscopic strain analysis near the fracture surface based on kernel average misorientation (KAM).

Photocatalytic Degradation of Diclofenac in Tap Water on TiO2 Nanotubes Assisted with Ozone Generated from Boron-Doped Diamond Electrode

Degradation of pharmaceuticals in water by TiO2 photocatalysis often suffers from low efficiency due to low activity and mass transfer limitation. In this work, diclofenac removal in tap water was performed by photocatalysis on TiO2 nanotube growth on Ti mesh substrate assisted by ozone (O3), which was generated from a hole-arrayed boron-doped diamond (HABDD) film electrode. The vertically oriented TiO2 nanotubes were used as the heterogeneous photocatalyst. The HABDD, as a self-standing diamond electrode, was designed and custom-made by MWCVD technology. The microstructures and crystalline of the TiO2 nanotubes and HABDD were characterized by a scanning electronic micrograph (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Unlike other ozone generation methods, direct generation of ozone in the flowing water was applied in the photocatalysis process, and its effect was discussed. The diclofenac removal performance of the electrochemical-photocatalytic system was studied depending on O3 generation efficiency, flowing rate, and the initial diclofenac concentration. The enhanced degradation effect from O3 molecules on TiO2 photocatalysis was attributed to the larger active surface area, the increased photo-generated charge separation rate, and the contact area of O3. The degradation efficiency in the combined electrochemical-photocatalytic TiO2/O3/UV system was higher than that of the O3/UV and TiO2/UV routes individually. Furthermore, a theoretical calculation was used to analyze the TiO2/O3 interface in aqueous media in terms of the final energy. This system created an almost in situ feeding channel of oxidants in the TiO2 photocatalysis process, thus increasing photocatalytic efficiency. This synergetic system is promising in the treatment of pharmaceuticals in water.

Transient deformation of a viscoelastic capsule in a cross-slot microchannel: effects of inertia and membrane viscosity

With an immersed-boundary lattice-Boltzmann method, we consider the transit of a three-dimensional initially spherical capsule with a viscoelastic membrane through a cross-slot microchannel. The capsule is released with a small initial off-centre distance in the feeding channel, to mimic experiments where capsules or cells are not perfectly aligned with the centreline. Our main objective is to establish the phase diagram of the capsule's deformation modes as a function of the flow inertia and capsule membrane viscosity. We mainly find three deformation modes in the channel cross-slot. For a capsule with low membrane viscosity, a quasi-steady mode occurs at low Reynolds numbers ( $Re$ ), in which the capsule can reach and maintain a steady ellipsoidal shape near the stagnation point, for a considerable time period. With $Re$ increasing to 20, an overshoot–retract mode is observed. The capsule deformation oscillates on an inertial–elastic time scale, suggesting that the dynamics is mainly driven by the balance of the inertial and membrane elastic forces. The membrane viscosity slows down the capsule deformation and suppresses the overshoot–retract mode. A capsule with high membrane viscosity undergoes a continuous-elongation mode, in which its deformation keeps increasing during most of its journey in the channel cross-slot. We summarise the results in phase diagrams, and propose a scaling model which can predict the deformation modes of a viscoelastic capsule in the inertial flow regime. We also discuss implications of the present findings for practical experiments for mechanical characterisation of capsules or cells.

Determine the Impact of Bacterial Contents on the Quality of Tap Water in Hawija District Desalination Station.

Polluted tap water with coliform and fecal bacteria produced from the desalination plant of Hawija district/Kirkuk governorate was studied from November 2021 Until April 2022. Ten sites located on Hawija district named 1-10 were selected in this study on the feeding channel, the desalination stages plant and the distribution grid in the district. Total bacterial count and values of coliform cells per 100 ml of water sample was examined. The results of the study indicated that the filtration plant was operating with high efficiency in removing bacterial contaminants in most sites after desalination plant. Sites 5,6 recorded undictable average values and site 9 recorded lower average values (8.33 cell/100ml) respectively. The study also showed that the distribution grid is weak because the obsolescence of the pipes in some residential neighborhoods with average coliform values 17cell/100ml and 17.17 cell/100 ml in sites 8 and 7 respectively as contamination was recorded in some selected water samples. In reference to the results of the station operates with high efficiency and the tap water produced from it was within the Iraqi and international standards for drinking water.