Evaluation Of Key Parameters Research Articles

Application of well logging technology in geothermal resource evaluation: A case study of geothermal water wells in the Qianjiang sag, Jianghan Basin.

Geothermal resources are green and environmentally friendly renewable energy. An accurate evaluation of geothermal resources will help subsequent efficient exploitation. However, to save costs and improve efficiency, core-free drilling and without mud logging are adopted in the actual exploration, which results in an inability to directly obtain the relevant evaluation parameters of a geothermal reservoir for exploration and evaluation. Well logging technology can effectively delineate the geothermal reservoir and determine the location of the major aquifer, while also allowing for the accurate measurement of key reservoir evaluation parameters, such as the shale content, porosity, and well temperature. Moreover, coupled with the calculated logging parameters, a volumetric method can be used to determine the regional geothermal reserves. This research takes the geothermal wells of the Guanghuasi Formation in the Qianjiang sag, Jianghan Basin as an example to conduct the application research. The findings can be of reference for similar geothermal wells in China and facilitate the development of "carbon neutrality."

Wearable Hand Orthotic Device for Rehabilitation: Hand Therapy with Multi-Mode Control and Real-Time Feedback

IoT-based wearable devices are significantly contributing to personalized and pervasive modern healthcare. Traditional healthcare systems are handicapped by several factors, including shortages of physicians, nurses, healthcare devices, hospital beds, healthcare cost, etc. Conventional therapy is carried out either at a hospital or at home by certified therapists which is not affordable for many in developing nations. In this research work, we present IoT-based monitoring and an evaluation of key parameters and indicators of a wearable device used during the rehabilitation process in stroke patients’ hand therapy which can be operated by the users at home without the need for therapists. Sensors along with a controller board are used for signal acquisition, processing, and monitoring. The efficiency of therapy can be increased through real-time follow-up and feedback from therapists. Three different control methods are proposed and studied: smartphone-based speech, smartphone-based touch, and Internet of Things (IoT)-based dashboard. In addition, four different architectures, including: therapist therapy wearable, dual therapy wearable, user therapy wearable, and multiuser therapy wearable architectures are discussed. A rehabilitation therapy-based case study using the proposed wearable device with multiple volunteers was conducted. Therapists can remotely operate the device and train the users. Users can benefit and save on costs without the need to visit hospitals or therapy centers or hire therapists. Based on the results of the experiments with volunteers, we can confidently say that the proposed IoT-based wearable device can enhance the quality of life and well-being of the users.

Net-zero energy optimization of solar greenhouses in severe cold climate using passive insulation and photovoltaic

To take into account the crop growth of greenhouse and reduce energy consumption, this study investigated to optimize and retrofit a typical solar greenhouse in the severe cold climate of China into a net-zero energy solar greenhouse (NZESG). The envelope passive insulation measure and roof flexible photovoltaic (PV) technique are innovatively combined and some optimization cases were proposed based on simulation and analytical studies. The foamed cement insulation boards with different thicknesses and envelope positions were added as 11 passive insulation retrofit cases. The flexible PV panels in checkerboard (PV1), horizontal (PV2) and longitudinal (PV3) arrangements were positioned on the greenhouse roof and their electrical energy was estimated through PVsyst software. The optimal case was obtained based on the local technical standard for nearly zero energy consumption buildings and energy-saving, carbon reduction, payback period and cost multi-objective entropy weight method. The key finding is that passive energy-saving retrofit Case (a) & PV1 has the highest comprehensive score and is the optimal NZESG case. Its investment cost and payback period of Case (a) & PV1 are 45526.40 CNY and 5.23 years respectively. Case (a) adopts 50 mm foamed cement board with external insulation. Although the effect of energy-saving and CO2 reduction is poor, Case (a) has the shortest payback period and the lowest cost. PV1 has the lowest investment and higher power generation. It also shows that the investment payback period and cost weight are high, which are the key parameters for comprehensive evaluation of the retrofit cases; The entropy weight method is objective and scientific. The retrofit measures and optimization method can facilitate the promotion and application of NZESGs.

High Mass-Loading Biomass-Based Porous Carbon Electrodes for Supercapacitors: Review and Perspectives.

Biomass-based porous carbon (BPC) with renewability and flexible nano/microstructure tunability has attracted increasing attention as efficient and cheap electrode materials for supercapacitors. To meet commercial needs, high mass-loading electrodes with high areal capacitance are preferred when designing supercapacitors. The increased mass percentage of active materials can effectively improve the energy density of supercapacitors. However, as the thickness of the electrode increases, it will face the following challenges including severely blocked ion transport channels, poor charging dynamics, poor electrode structural stability, and complex preparation processes. A bridge between theoretical research and practical applications of BPC electrodes for supercapacitors needs to be established. In this review, the advances of high mass-loading BPC electrodes for supercapacitors are summarized based on different biomass precursors. The key performance evaluation parameters of the high mass-loading electrodes are analyzed, and the performance influencing factors are systematically discussed, including specific surface area, pore structure, electrical conductivity, and surface functional groups. Subsequently, the promising optimization strategies for high mass-loading electrodes are summarized, including the structure regulation of electrode materials and the optimization of other supercapacitor components. Finally, the major challenges and opportunities of high mass-loading BPC electrodes in the future are discussed and outlined.

Risk Assessment Method of Project Whole Process Based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation

the whole process of risk assessment is a necessary part of the project preparation stage, which can avoid the risk factors and ensure the safety of the project. However, the existing assessment methods have the problem of weak control. Given this situation, a project whole process risk assessment method based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is proposed. Based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, the risk weight is solved. The relevant influencing parameters are combined. The value range of the interdependence index is determined, and the calculation of risk factors is completed. Then, the standard evaluation data is fused by filtering high-risk data so as to deduce the core evaluation criteria. Complete the design of the whole process risk assessment method of the project based on a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The experimental results indicate that the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model can greatly reduce the value of the key evaluation parameters, which can play a promoting role in avoiding risk factors and completing the accurate evaluation of the whole process of project risk.

Linking microbial carbon pump capacity and efficacy to soil organic carbon storage and stability under heavy metal pollution

Heavy metal pollution can lead to a great loss of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the microbial mechanisms that link heavy metal pollution to SOC remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated five apple-orchard soils at different distances from a Pb−Zn smelter. After assessing the heavy metal pollution level based on Grade II of the national soil environmental quality standard (China), we found SOC stocks and microbial carbon pump (MCP) capacity (i.e., microbial residue carbon) under medium and heavy pollution levels were significantly lower than those under safe, cordon and light pollution levels. The structural equation model showed causality in the SOC variations linked to pollution level through MCP capacity, which could contribute 77.8% of the variance in SOC storage. This verified MCP capacity can serve as a key parameter for evaluation of SOC storage under heavy metal pollution. Soil MCP efficacy, i.e., the proportion of microbial residue carbon to SOC, also decreased under medium and heavy pollution. This suggested that, with a heavier pollution level, there was a higher rate of reduction of microbial residue carbon in soil than the rate of reduction of SOC. As MCP efficacy can be a useful assessment of SOC stability, the significantly positive relationship between MCP efficacy and clay content in correlation analysis implied that lower MCP efficacy was correlated with SOC stability under the heavier pollution level. Our study provides valuable insights to identify the mechanisms of microbially mediated C transformation processes that are influenced by heavy metal pollution in agroecosystems.

Shear Strength Models for Reinforced Concrete Slender Beams: Comparative Analysis and Parametric Evaluation

Shear failure of reinforced concrete (RC) members belongs to brittle failure and has always been concerned. In this paper, 16 existing shear strength models of RC slender beams have been selected and comprehensively compared based on a set of 781 experimental test results. These formulas from eight national codes and eight published papers are mainly the semi-empirical models or the analytical models. These experimental test results were collected from 66 published papers, and the range of key parameters is relatively wide. The accuracy of these shear strength models is evaluated from overall prediction level and the effect of key parameters. These key parameters mainly contain concrete compressive strength, shear-span-to-depth ratio, effective depth, and stirrup ratio. According to the results of overall prediction and evaluation of key parameters, the prediction results of Zsutty’s, Gunawan’s, and Bazant–Kim’s models are more accurate than others for both beams with stirrups and without stirrups. The models of ACI and JSCE exhibit higher prediction accuracy and safety margin, and their average values are between 1.19 and 1.28. The results of this study may provide reference for the selection and/or improvement of the shear strength model for RC slender beams.

Unilateral acute lung injury in pig: a promising animal model

BackgroundAcute lung injury (ALI) occurs in 23% unilateral. Models of unilateral ALI were developed and used previously without clearly demonstrating the strictly unilateral nature and severity of lung injury by the key parameters characterizing ALI as defined by the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Thus, the use of unilateral ALI remained rare despite the innovative approach. Therefore, we developed a unilateral model of ALI and focused on the crucial parameters characterizing ALI. This model can serve for direct comparisons between the injured and intact lungs within single animals, thus, reducing the number of animals required for valid experimental conclusions.MethodsWe established the model in nine pigs, followed by an evaluation of key parameters in six pigs (main study). Pigs were ventilated using an adapted left double-lumen tube for lung separation and two ventilators. ALI was induced in the left lung with cyclic rinsing (NaCl 0.9% + Triton® X-100), after which pigs were ventilated for different time spans to test for the timing of ALI onset. Ventilatory and metabolic parameters were evaluated, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for measurements of inflammatory mediators. Finally, histopathological specimens were collected and examined in respect of characteristics defining the lung injury score (LIS) as suggested by the ATS.ResultsAfter adjustments of the model (n = 9) we were able to induce strictly left unilateral ALI in all six pigs of the evaluation study. The median lung injury score was 0.72 (IQR 0.62–0.79) in the left lung vs 0.14 (IQR 0.14–0.16; p < 0.05) in the right lung, confirming unilateral ALI. A significant and sustained drop in pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) of the left lung occurred immediately, whereas Cdyn of the right lung remained unchanged (p < 0.05). BAL fluid concentrations of interleukin-6 and -8 were increased in both lungs.ConclusionsWe established a model of unilateral ALI in pigs, confirmed by histopathology, and typical changes in respiratory mechanics and an inflammatory response. This thoroughly evaluated model could serve as a basis for future studies and for comparing pathophysiological and pharmacological changes in the uninjured and injured lung within the same animal.

Computer-aided analysis for identification of novel analogues of ketoprofen based on molecular docking, ADMET, drug-likeness and DFT studies for the treatment of inflammation

Computer-based drug design is increasingly used in strategies for discovering new molecules for therapeutic purposes. The targeted drug is ketoprofen (KTP), which belongs to the family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are widely used for the treatment of pain, fever, inflammation and certain types of cancers. In an attempt to rationalize the search for 72 new potential anti-inflammatory compounds on the COX-2 enzyme, we carried out an in silico protocol that successfully combines molecular docking towards COX-2 receptor (5F1A), ADMET pharmacokinetic parameters, drug-likeness rules and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). It was found that six of the compounds analyzed satisfy with the associated values to physico-chemical properties as key evaluation parameters for the drug-likeness and demonstrate a hydrophobic character which makes their solubility in aqueous media difficult and easy in lipids. All the compounds presented good ADMET profile and they showed an interaction with the amino acids responsible for anti-inflammatory activity of the COX-2 isoenzyme. The calculation of the MEP of the six analogues reveals new preferential sites involving the formation of new bonds. Consequently, this result allowed us to understand the origin of the potential increase in the anti-inflammatory activity of the candidates. Finally, it was obtained that six compounds have a binding mode, binding energy, and stability in the active site of COX-2 like the reference drug ketoprofen, suggesting that these compounds could become a powerful candidate in the inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Geological characteristics and resource potential of shale oil in major basins of China

China shale oil can be classified as interlayer shale oil (in sandstone, carbonate, and diamictite) and genuine shale oil. Considering the characteristics and strong heterogeneity of continental shales, it is recommended to evaluate the interlayer shale oil resources using the elemental volume method based on pore volume, and the genuine shale oil resources using the elemental weight method based on oil content. Four key parameters for genuine shale oil resource evaluation (i.e., S 1, TOC, R o, and shale thickness) and three key parameters for interlayer shale oil resource evaluation (i.e., interlayer thickness, porosity, and oil saturation) are determined, and the lower limits of parameters are defined accordingly. The evaluation results show that the geological resources of genuine shale oil in Qing-1 member of Songliao Basin are 52.23 × 108 t; the geological resources of shale oil in Chang-73 sub-member of Ordos Basin are 66.80 × 108 t, including 27.73 × 108 t interlayer shale oil and 39.07 × 108 t genuine shale oil; the geological resources of shale oil in Lucaogou Formation of Junggar Basin are 15.62 × 108 t, including 11.99 × 108 t interlayer shale oil and 3.63 × 108 t genuine shale oil. This study provides a reference for exploration decision of shale oil in China.

Evaluation of key parameters during ohmic-assisted hydro-distillation of essential oil from aerial part of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.)

In the current study, the essential oil (EO) extraction from aerial parts of yarrow through ohmic-assisted hydro-distillation (OAHD) technique was optimized. The operational parameters were voltage gradient (5–15 V/cm), salt concentration (0.5–1.5 % (w/v)), and extraction time (30–120 min). This optimization was carried out to maximize the extraction yield (EY), total phenolic content (TPC) and to minimize energy consumption (EC) compared to the hydro-distillation (HD) method. To evaluate the antimicrobial properties the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration was determined using the Micro-broth dilution method. The results indicated that the effect of operational parameters of voltage gradient and extraction time on EY, EC, and TPC was significant (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the effect of the salt concentration on TPC was not significant (p > 0.05). Optimized OAHD conditions were voltage gradient of 12.97 V/cm, extraction time of 86.5 min and salt concentration of 0.7 % w/v. The findings revealed that the extraction efficiency of OAHD (0.2231 ± 0.0021%) was significantly (p˂0.05) higher than the HD method (0.1726 ± 0.0034%). Compared to the HD, the OAHD method resulted in a shorter total extraction time (86.5 ± 0.2 min), lower EC (0.39 ± 0.07 kWh/g) and higher TPC (92.5 ± 3.6 mg GAE/g EO). Yarrow essential oil (YEO) from the OAHD method had better antimicrobial and antioxidant properties than the HD. In addition, more damage was observed for the structure of glands containing EO in the OAHD method.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Nanomaterials for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution.

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an energy-determined half-reaction for water splitting and many other energy conversion processes, such as rechargeable metal-air batteries and CO2 reduction, due to its four-electron sluggish process. To reduce the energy consumption and cost of these advanced technologies, various transition metal-based nanomaterials, like metal oxides/hydroxides, nitride, and phosphide are synthesized. Among these, metal-organic framework (MOF)-based materials are considered as the ideal candidate for the fabrication of efficient OER electrocatalysts owing to their unique physicochemical properties. In this review, the fundamental catalytic mechanisms and key evaluation parameters of OER in acidic and alkaline media are presented first. Then, design strategies for MOF-based OER catalysts and research progress in the study of the structure-performance relationship are summarized. Subsequently, the recent research advances of MOF-based OER electrocatalysts in alkaline, acidic, and neutral electrolytes are overviewed. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities are provided under the frame of materials design, theoretical understanding, advanced characterization techniques, and industrial applications.

Experimental Study on the Influence of Cross-Section Type of Marine Cable Conductors on the Bending Performance

Through the development of marine energy, marine cables are the key equipment for transmission of electrical energy between surface platforms and underwater facilities. Fatigue failure is a critical failure mode of marine cables. The bending performance of the cable conductor has a major influence on both bending and fatigue performances of the overall cable structure. To study the influence of different types of the conductor cross-section on the bending performances of marine cable conductors, three types of copper conductors with the same cross-sectional area, i.e., noncompressed round, compressed round, and shaped wire conductors, were selected. The experimental results demonstrated that the cross-section type significantly affects the bending performances of copper conductors. In particular, the bending stiffness of the shaped wire conductor is the highest among the three conductor types. Four key evaluation parameters, i.e., the bending stiffness, maximum bending moment, envelope area, and engineering critical slip point, were selected to compare and analyze the bending hysteresis curves of the three copper conductors. The differences in the key evaluation parameters were analyzed based on the structural dimensional parameters, processing methods, and classical bending stiffness theoretical models of the three copper conductor types. The results provide an important theoretical guidance for the structural design and engineering applications of marine cable conductors.

Carbon Dioxide Capture in Metal-Organic Framework

The greatly risen level of atmospheric carbon dioxide after the industrial revolution leads to serious problems and concerns, including health issues and global warming. Therefore, the significance of carbon dioxide capture can not be overemphasized. Metal-organic framework (MOF), a brand-new and potential kind of material, can be utilized in several processes of CO2 capture because of its high capacity as well as high selectivity. In this review, the key parameters for evaluation of the MOF used for CO2 capture, which is directed related to the performance of materials, are addressed and discussed. Several important and practical evaluation indicators are also mentioned, for economic cost and stability, and tolerance to impurity. Additionally, factors that affect the performance of CO2 adsorption in both structural and external degrees of MOF are shown and reviewed. This article provides a different perspective of parameters for MOF materials and indicates critical features for the organic linkers and metal ions that are used to build the whole framework.

Mechanism study on magnitude of mass transfer coefficients in liquid desiccant dehumidification and regeneration

• Mass transfer coefficients of regeneration are much lower than dehumidification. • Lower mass transfer coefficients of regeneration are decided by transfer direction. • Water release has a huge free energy barrier but water absorption has not. • Correlations considering parameters of aqueous solution show higher accuracy. Liquid desiccant systems have attracted extensive attention due to huge energy-saving and environmental potential. Mass transfer coefficients are key parameters for system design and performance evaluation. Contrast experiments between liquid desiccant dehumidification and regeneration were conducted here to investigate the magnitude of mass transfer coefficients by using LiBr aqueous solutions. Mass transfer coefficients of dehumidification were found to be much higher than regeneration even under the condition that the mass transfer driving force and inlet parameters except solution temperatures were kept the same. To obtain microscopic explanation, free energy curves of water transport were simulated by molecular dynamics based on umbrella sampling. Results show that large energy obstacle should be overcome for water moving into air, which is unnecessary for water transported into aqueous solution. Lower mass transfer coefficients of regeneration should be attributed to the mass transfer direction rather than higher solution temperatures of regeneration than dehumidification. Dimensionless correlations of mass transfer coefficients using water diffusivity in LiBr aqueous solution and correlations using surface tensions show better prediction performance than dimensionless correlations using water diffusivity in air. This study discloses changing mechanism of mass transfer coefficients and helps develop correlations with high accuracy.

Optimization of thermal storage using different materials for cooking with solar power

Previous studies into the use of solar power have been limited to storage materials and general applications; however, our study focused on the use of solar power for food preparation (cooking) and the selection of materials for the major components (storage material, insulation, convective lid) of a thermal energy storage system to optimize the use of solar power for cooking when sunlight is absent, e.g., evening/night. Our study incorporated different materials for each component, considering system performance and the costs of materials as key evaluation parameters. Based on our results, we optimized the system using selected materials and then compared it with an experimental model used for validation. Solar salt was selected as the storage material, sugarcane fibers were used as insulation, and copper was used as the convective material for the lid of the cooking pot. The results showed that the optimized system was 38.8 % more efficient than the experimental model. Moreover, the materials we selected for the optimized system are inexpensive, increasing affordability and thus encouraging consumers to use this eco-friendly system.

Critical Review, Recent Updates on Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67) and Its Derivatives for Electrochemical Water Splitting.

Design and construction of low-cost electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity and long-term stability is a challenging task in the field of catalysis. Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are promising candidates as precursor materials in the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage applications. This review starts with a summary of basic concepts and key evaluation parameters involved in the electrochemical water-splitting reaction. Then, different synthesis approaches reported for the cobalt-based Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) and its derivatives are critically reviewed. Additionally, several strategies employed to enhance the electrocatalytic activity and stability of ZIF-67-based electrocatalysts are discussed in detail. The present review provides a succinct insight into the ZIF-67 and its derivatives (oxides, hydroxides, sulfides, selenides, phosphide, nitrides, telluride, heteroatom/metal-doped carbon, noble metal-supported ZIF-67 derivatives) reported for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and overall water splitting applications. Finally, this review concludes with the associated challenges and the perspectives on developing the best economic, durable electrocatalytic materials.

Molecular modeling and structural analysis of some tetrahydroindazole and cyclopentanepyrazole derivatives as COX-2 inhibitors

In an attempt to rationalize the search for new potential anti-inflammatory compounds on the COX-2 enzyme, we carried out an in silico protocol that successfully combines the prediction of physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and free energy calculation. Starting from a small library of compounds synthesized previously, it was found that 70% of the compounds analyzed satisfy with the associated values to physicochemical principles as key evaluation parameters for the drug-likeness; all the compounds presented good gastrointestinal absorption and cerebral permeability and they showed an interaction with the Arg 106 residue of the COX-2 isoenzyme. Finally, it was obtained that compound 3ab has a binding mode, binding energy, and stability in the active site of COX-2 like the reference drug celecoxib, suggesting that this compound could become a powerful candidate in the inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme. In addition, we realized the crystallographic analysis of compounds 3j, 3r, and 3t defining the crystal parameters and the Packing interactions.

Efficacy and Security Effectiveness: Key Parameters in Evaluation of Network Security

Efficacy and Security Effectiveness: Key Parameters in Evaluation of Network Security

Application of NIR spectroscopy for rapid quantification of acid and peroxide in crude peanut oil coupled multivariate analysis

Two key parameters (acidity and peroxide content) for evaluation of the oxidation level in crude peanut oil have been studied. The titrimetric analysis was carried out for reference data collection. Then, near-infrared spectroscopy in combination with chemometric algorithms such as partial least square (PLS); bootstrapping soft shrinkage-PLS (BOSS-PLS); uninformative variable elimination-PLS (UVE-PLS), and competitive-adaptive reweighted sampling-PLS (CARS-PLS) were attempted and assessed. The correlation coefficients of prediction (Rp), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and residual predictive deviation (RPD) were used to individually evaluate the performance of the models. Optimum results were noticed with CARS-PLS, 0.9517 ≤ Rc ≤ 0.9670, 0.9503 ≤ Rp ≤ 0.9637, 0.0874 ≤ RMSEP ≤ 0.5650, and 3.14 ≤ RPD ≤ 3.64. Therefore, this affirmed that the near-infrared spectroscopy coupled with CARS-PLS could be used as a simple, fast, and non-invasive technique for quantifying acid value and peroxide value in crude peanut oil.