Source Material Research Articles

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ПАРАМЕТРОВ ТЕХНИЧЕСКОГО СРЕДСТВА ДЛЯ КРАЕВОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ ПОЛЯ ОТ СОРНЯКОВ И ВРЕДИТЕЛЕЙ ПОЛЕВЫХ КУЛЬТУР

The main method of spraying for plant protection in the fight against weeds and pests in the marginal area of the field with forest plantations is currently implemented by various technical means. The following shortcomings have been identified: when using the main chemical method of spraying weeds and pests by technical means, universal requirements for droplet dispersion are not met; when spraying the forest belt with fans - instability of aerosol jets in the external environment; when creating a cold aerosol with fans - uncontrollability for achieving the required dispersion, and when creating a cold aerosol with generators, the initial conditions of its formation are insufficient to justify the spread of dispersion as intended; when using aerosol generators with a thermo-mechanical principle of operation - non-compliance with modern environmental requirements. The recommendations for the use of air means given in literary sources are not relevant. The technical means including an axial fan with a diameter of 0.61 m and an air capacity of 22,000 m3 /h were studied. The conical nozzle was equipped with nozzles with spray tips on its generatrix. The working process of the axial fan with a hydraulic motor was provided by the tractor hydraulic system, and the supply of working fluid from the sprayer tank to the spray tips was carried out by a pump. Theoretical studies were conducted to justify the nozzle to the fan with the justification for creating an air-dispersed system and settling polydisperse droplets from it on the target objects. Experimental data on the dispersion of droplets were processed using software. The results of the studies represent the novelty of theoretical and practical solutions for the combined use of the process of spraying the edge area of the field with its further development in practical application for plant protection.

SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL SOURCING IN THE FASHION SUPPLY CHAIN: CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

This review article aims to find the increasing need to source materials that are sustainable to mitigate the effects on the environment, improve the social status, and adapt to the dynamic fashion consumer needs. Some of the main trends discussed in this work include the use of organic fibers, recycling fabrics and the introduction of new biodegradable textiles. The review article also further discusses the implication of certifications and standards in the issue of transparency and accountability. This paper analyses the broader environmental, social and economical root causes of sustainable sourcing which focus on the long term gains although possibly costly in the short run. Moreover, the article also points out the directions for future research comprising of technology advances in recycling, biofabrication techniques, status changes in frameworks and policies and trends in consumer behaviour that may potentially influence the sustainability of fashion.

Enhancing the efficiency of e-commerce through digital technologies: Economic and legal aspects

The research is aimed at analyzing the economic and legal aspects of the functioning of digital technologies in the field of electronic commerce, as well as studying the impact of these technologies on the efficiency of processes and their interaction with various aspects of legislation regulating the field of electronic commerce. In the course of the research, literary sources and legal acts were analyzed with the aim of generalizing approaches to understanding electronic commerce and establishing the main principles of its regulation. The analysis of statistical data made it possible to identify trends in the development of the e-commerce market and the influence of negative external factors. In turn, the application of methods of generalization and systematization made it possible to determine the key aspects of the implementation of digital technologies to increase the efficiency of electronic commerce and identify regulatory gaps in this area. The results of the research confirm that e-commerce in Ukraine plays an important role in the digital economy, ensuring efficiency and profitability for businesses. An analysis of the e-commerce market showed the growth of the use of the Internet for shopping, even in difficult socio-political conditions. Therefore, despite the challenges facing the country, e-commerce remains a sustainable and powerful tool for business development and consumer activity. However, it is necessary to improve the legal framework in order to meet the requirements of modernity and to ensure the protection of consumers’ and market participants’ rights from technical and other risks related to electronic commerce.

Pulse current stabilizer with digital control for the power supply system of the plasmatron

Purpose. Solution of theoretical and practical problems on providing digital control of a pulse converter using high-speed microprocessor tools in the output current stabilization mode with provision of a specified duration of transient processes caused by an increase in load voltage and output current astaticity, which allows to obtain significant advantages over analog versions. Methodology. Review of literary and patent sources on the subject, theory of pulse automatic control systems, mathematical modeling of processes in pulse current stabilizers in the MATLAB / Simulink software environment and physical prototyping. Findings. A simulation model of an autonomous power supply system based on a converter using soft switching technology of transistors and an arc load is presented. A control law is synthesized and a model of a pulse current stabilizer is developed. A method is proposed and ways are found to control a pulse current stabilizer that provide a given duration of transients and astatism of the output current. A model of a pulse stabilizer with digital control based on a single-crystal computing module is developed and manufactured. The results of the study confirm the achievement of a finite duration of transient processes caused by a step change in the load voltage, close to 3-4 periods of conversion and output current astaticism. It is shown that the use of a pulse stabilizer using a fully digital control circuit has undeniable advantages over analog systems. Originality. The problem of synthesizing a digital controller for a given control time by the method of desired transfer functions for a soft switching operating converter on an arc load is solved. In addition to the given control time, additional quality requirements in the steady state are provided. Practical value.The use of microprocessor technology makes it possible not only to implement complex and new highly efficient control algorithms for a converter operating in the pulse current stabilizer mode, but also to perform additional functions for overload protection, self-diagnostics and telemetry of pulse converters. The use of this same digital device simultaneously for the purpose of controlling a pulse converter will allow to abandon analog PWM controllers and thereby reduce its own energy consumption and weight and size characteristics, increase the reliability of the functioning of pulse converters in power supply systems as a whole.

The role of biased polar question particles in discourse: the case of Macedonian zar and neli

Abstract This paper focuses on biased polar questions in Macedonian headed by the interrogative particles zar and neli. These particles function as veridicality markers: neli asserts the truth of p, while zar challenges it by emphasizing the conflict between the epistemic and the evidential bias. Consequently, these questions have different discourse functions. Our goal is to examine the discourse-pragmatic properties of these questions and determine the factors influencing their distribution. We argue that their felicity depends on the interplay of contextual factors: the degree of speaker’s certainty in the truth of the proposition, the existence of conflicting contextual evidence, and the assertiveness component of the biased question. A statistical analysis of 340 examples from literary and social media sources revealed that the most decisive factor for the occurrence of neli- and zar-questions is the degree of speaker certainty in prior belief, highlighting the assertive force of neli-questions compared to the more inquisitive nature of zar-questions.

Assessment of the efficiency of functioning of the environmental management system of enterprises

Purpose. A multifactor model is developed to assess the efficiency level of an enterprise’s environmental management system, depending on the effectiveness of organizational environmental measures. Methodology. The authors’ method for determining a comprehensive criterion for monitoring the effectiveness of the environmental management system, which characterizes the efficiency of operation and determines the level of environmental safety of enterprises, is proposed and used. To solve the tasks, a complex research method was also used, which included the analysis and generalization of literary and patent sources, and analytical, experimental research using computer and mathematical modeling methods. Findings. According to the studies and calculations of the generalized environmental quality indicator – 0.64, 0.66 and 0.66, the largest negative impact on the environment is caused by the activities of enterprises in the Pecherskyi, Podilskyi, and Solomianskyi districts of Kyiv, respectively. The obtained data testify to the relationship between the effectiveness of the implemented environmental measures (saving and rational use of resources, application of environmental technologies, advanced training, and environmental competence of employees) and the level of efficiency of the environmental management system of enterprises. Originality. As a result of the studies conducted using actual data, a system of indicators of the generalized environmental quality indicator has been proposed for the first time, which allows determining the environmental efficiency and effectiveness of the implemented environmental measures to assess the effectiveness of the functioning of the implemented environmental management system of the enterprise. Practical value. Based on the research results, a technique is proposed to assess the effectiveness of the environmental management system of enterprises by determining a generalized environmental quality indicator in terms of reducing the negative impact of the enterprise’s activities on the environment. Such an assessment system will help the management of the enterprise to promptly introduce corrective actions to improve the efficiency of the environmental management system and increase the level of environmental safety.

Ibuprofen Removal by Aluminum-Modified Activated Carbon (AC@Al) Derived from Coconut Shells

In this study, a new composite adsorbent consisting of aluminum-modified activated carbon (abbreviated hereafter AC@Al) was synthesized for the removal of the Ibuprofen compound (IBU), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Coconut shells were used as a source material for activated carbon, which was then modified with AlCl3 to improve its properties. Adsorbent dosage, pH and initial IBU concentration, as well as contact time and temperature, are some of the factors affecting adsorption that were investigated in this work. Specifically, at pH 2.0 ± 0.1 with the application of 0.5 g/L of AC@Al in 100 mg/L of IBU, more than 90% was removed, reaching 100% with the addition of 1.0 g/L of the adsorbent. The IBU kinetic data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Non-linear Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Redlich–Peterson isotherm models were used to interpret the adsorption. According to the correlation coefficient (R2), the Langmuir model was found to best match the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) according to the Langmuir model was found to be as high as 2053 mg/g. The positive values of ΔH0 (42.92 kJ/mol) confirmed the endothermic nature of the adsorption. Due to the increasing values of ΔG0 with temperature, the adsorption of IBU onto AC@Al proved to be spontaneous. Also, the adsorbent was regenerated and reused for five cycles. This study shows that AC@Al could be used as a cost-effective adsorbent.

Reef Adapt: A tool to inform climate-smart marine restoration and management decisions.

A critical component of ecosystem restoration projects involves using genetic data to select source material that will enhance success under current and future climates. However, the complexity and expense of applying genetic data is a barrier to its use outside of specialised scientific contexts. To help overcome this barrier, we developed Reef Adapt ( www.reefadapt.org ), an innovative, globally applicable and expandable web platform that incorporates genetic, biophysical and environmental prediction data into marine restoration and assisted gene flow planning. The Reef Adapt tool provides maps that identify areas with populations suited to user-specified restoration/recipient sites under current and future climate scenarios. We demonstrate its versatility and practicality with four case studies of ecologically and evolutionarily diverse taxa: the habitat-forming corals Pocillopora damicornis and Acropora kenti, and macroalgae Phyllospora comosa and Ecklonia radiata. Reef Adapt is a management-ready tool to aid restoration and conservation efforts amidst ongoing habitat degradation and climate change.

Inside Ceramics and Between MgO Grains: Solid-State Synthesis of Intergranular Semiconducting or Magnetic Spinels.

Configurations of composite metal oxide nanoparticles are typically far off their thermodynamic equilibrium state. As such they represent a versatile but so far overlooked source material for the intergranular solid-state chemistry inside ceramics. Here, it is demonstrated how the admixture of Fe3+ and In3+ ions to MgO nanoparticles, as achieved by flame spray pyrolysis, can be used to engage ion exsolution, phase separation, and subsequent spinel formation inside the network of diamagnetic and insulating MgO grains. Extremely high uniformity in the distribution of intergranular ferrimagnetic MgFe2O4 films and grains with resulting magnetic coercivity values that depend on the nanoparticles' initial Fe3+ concentration is achieved. Moreover, percolating networks of semiconducting MgIn2O4 are derived from MgO nanoparticles with admixtures of 20 at% In3+ that gives rise to an enhancement of dc conductivity values by more than five orders of magnitude in comparison to the insulating MgO host. The here presented approach is general and applicable to the synthesis of a variety of functional spinel nanostructures embedded inside ceramic matrices. Nanoparticle loading with aliovalent impurity ions, the level of nanoparticle powder density after compaction, and sintering temperature are key parameters for this novel type of solid-state chemistry in between the host grains.

Greenwashing by the fossil fuel industry: impediments to SDGs

Abstract The fossil fuel industry, a major commercial determinant of public and environmental health, constitutes a central challenge to the achievement of the SDGs. Motivated by profit, the industry has contributed to establishing the current global reliance on fossil fuel as the primary energy source and essential raw material in global production. Major oil companies have purposefully hindered the research and transition towards renewable energy. This was achieved through an intricate web of interference and mechanisms that fall under the corporate playbook, such as political interference through lobbying to stagnate carbon emission reduction, influences on carbon pricing policies, and hinderances to environmental protection legislation. These practices known as ‘greenwashing’ have resulted in misinformation, interfered with climate action in an aim to increase demand for their products, to decrease the pressure from society on the industry, and portray a green image to consumers. Using the commercial determinants of health framework and focusing on the Middle East, this presentation will illustrate how fossil fuel companies falsely advertise their products as environmentally friendly, resulting in environmental degradation, and impede the achievement of most SDGs, especially SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), and SDG 13 (climate action).

Frequency Conditions in the Description of Historical Phonological Dialectal Differences

Abstract The primary and direct source material for describing phonological dialectal differences is represented by linguistic data found in charters. The source value of the data in particular charters for historical linguistics, however, may vary greatly. This is especially true for the earliest attested era, the early Old Hungarian period, which lasted from 895 to 1350. My study deals with the usability of linguistic records of the early Old Hungarian period. In this period the data found in charters are mainly proper names: place names and personal names, accordingly my examples are also of this category.

Kompetencje cyfrowe Polaków w świetle teorii przyspieszenia społecznego

The dynamic development and spread of information and communication technologies have caused contemporary society, also known as modern or information society, to undergo constant changes. These are taking place both in the technological, economic and social spheres, becoming the focus of researchers in social, economic, engineering and technical sciences. As a result of these changes, we can even, according to Hartmut Rosa (2020), speak of a society of acceleration, in which technological acceleration is accompanied by an acceleration of the pace of living. As part of numerous consequences, acquiring new skills and improving those already acquired, especially in the use of ICT, becomes particularly important. Achieving an appropriate level of expertise turns out to be almost indispensable, both at the micro level - the realm of work and everyday life of individuals, and at the macro level, as a condition for stable and systematic socio-economic development. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to analyze the level of digital competence of Poles, primarily focusing on the level of overall digital skills and its changes over recent years, the type of digital skills that pose particular challenges, as well as to determine the rank of Poland as compared to other European Union member states regarding the subject matter. The source material is statistical data from Eurostat and Poland Statistics.

Чисельно-експериментальне дослідження високотемпературної багатоциклової втомної міцності монокристалічних лопаток газових турбін

The subject of the research is anisotropic single-crystal turbine blades of aircraft gas turbine engines (AGTE), as well as their multi-cycle fatigue strength characteristics at high temperatures. The goal of this study was to determine the endurance limit of single-crystal high-pressure turbine blades of an AGTE at high temperatures of 820°C. The objective of the study is to develop a method for calculating and experimentally investigating the characteristics of high-temperature multi-cycle fatigue strength of gas turbine blades made of single-crystal nickel heat-resistant alloys. The research methods used are: method of computer modelling, which was used to create a 3D model of a cooled high-pressure turbine blade; finite element method, which was used to determine the stress-strain state of the blade according to the selected form of resonant vibrations; strain and resonance methods, which were used to determine the fatigue strength characteristics of single-crystal turbine blades under high-temperature loading. The following results were obtained. Literary sources describing theoretical and experimental methods for determining the strength characteristics of blades under combined dynamic and high-temperature loading were analyzed. The developed special installation for testing turbine blades under conditions of temperature and dynamic (resonant) loading was described. A combined method for assessing the multi-cycle fatigue strength at high temperatures is proposed, which includes studies on full-scale turbine blades and finite element calculations. The dynamic and temperature characterization of single-crystal turbine blades selected for the study was carried out and described. Fatigue tests were performed to determine the endurance limit of the blades at a high temperature equal to T = 820 °C. Conclusions. The scientific novelty of the obtained results is as follows. A specialized experimental setup was developed to study the endurance limit of single-crystal AGTE blades under high-temperature loading. A method for combining numerical (ANSYS) and experimental (field tests) study of high-temperature multi-cycle fatigue strength of turbine blades made of single-crystal heat-resistant alloys was developed. The direction of further research is presented.

Medicinal Plant Microbiomes: Factors Affecting Bacterial and Fungal Community Composition.

This exploratory study was designed to identify factors implicating microbial influence on medicinal plant metabolomes. Utilizing a whole-microbiome approach, amplicon sequencing was used to identify the makeup of fungal and bacterial assemblages from endophytic (interior) and epiphytic (external) environments in two different sets of congeneric host-plant pairs, with collection of multiple samples of two medicinal plant species (Actaea racemosa, Rhodiola rosea) and two generic analogs (Actaea rubra, Rhodiola integrifolia). Diversity analysis of microbial assemblages revealed the influence of three primary factors driving variance in microbial community composition: host-plant taxonomy, the compartmentalization of microbial communities within discrete plant parts, and the scale of distance (microhabitat heterogeneity) between sampling locations. These three factors accounted for ~ 60% of variance within and between investigated microbiomes. Across all our collections, bacterial populations were more diverse than fungi (per compartment), and microbial density in epiphytic compartments (aerial parts, rhizosphere) were higher than those of endophytes (leaf and root). These comparative data point to key loci associated with variation between congeneric pairs and plant genera, providing insight into the complex and contrasting relationships found within this multi-kingdom coevolutionary relationship. Although reflective of only a limited set of botanical source materials, these data document the richness of a relatively unexplored component of the plant world and highlight the relevance of a whole-microbiome ecology-driven approach to botanical research and directed natural product investigations.

Durability Evaluation of GGBS-RHA-Based Geopolymer Concrete Along with Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate Using SEM Images and EDAX Analysis

The durability of geopolymer concrete containing Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA), along with Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA), was investigated. Six different LWGPC mixtures were made with NaOH molarities of 8, 10, and 12M. For each molarity, two combinations of source materials were selected: 100% GGBS (G) and 80% GGBS with 20% RHA (RG). In all the mixtures, coarse aggregate was substituted with 35% LECA. LWGPC mixtures were exposed to 3% HCl, 5% MgSO4, and 3.5% NaCl for studying the durability properties. The test results demonstrate that 100% GGBS with 12M NaOH (12G) outperformed all other mixtures. The residual compressive strength of 12G mix LWGPC specimens after six months of exposure was found to be 86.4% in an acid environment, 90.6% in a sulfate environment, and 91.4% in a salt environment. The elemental composition analyzed using EDAX reveals that silica, alumina, calcium, and sodium are the predominant elements that form a dense microstructure with N-A-S-H, C-A-S-H, and C-S-H. Further, the inner properties of the specimens exposed to chemicals were examined using MATLAB R2023b and ImageJ 1.54f based on SEM images. The SEM image showed that the porosity of LWGPC specimens ranged from 0.5194 to 0.6748 µm, signifying an enhanced durability performance. The experimental results and microstructural analysis show that the LWGPC incorporating RHA and GGBS with LECA offers a superior performance, making it a promising solution for sustainable and durable construction.

Utilization of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Equitable Healthcare Access for Breast Implant Patients

Abstract The recently mandated US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) patient decision checklists were developed with the goal of improving the informed decision-making process for patients considering breast implants. Yet, prior research has demonstrated that these checklists are written at reading levels far in excess of that recommended by the National Institutes of Health and the American Medical Association. Patients considering breast implants are required to sign these forms prior to surgery, even if they have little to no comprehension of their contents. This study aims to improve the accessibility, and therefore the utility, of the mandated FDA patient literature using the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). Patient decision checklists were obtained from the three most utilized breast implant manufacturers in the United States– Allergan, Mentor, and Sientra. AI was then asked to synthesize a novel patient decision checklist, written at the 6th grade reading level, using these checklists as source material. The AI-assisted checklist was edited by plastic surgeons for both formatting and content. Readability analysis of all documents was performed using the Flesch Reading-Ease Score, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning-Fog Index, Coleman-Liau Index, Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook, and Automated Readability Index. Textual analysis included sentence count, word count, number and percentage of complex words, average number of words per sentence, and average number of syllables per word. The overall readability of Allergan, Mentor, and Sientra patient checklists correlated with the college reading level. These documents were of a statistically significantly higher reading level the AI-assisted checklist, which was written at the recommended 6th grade level. Text composition analysis similarly demonstrated substantial differences between the AI-assisted and FDA mandated literature. The currently mandated breast implant patient checklists are written at a college reading level and are inaccessible to the average patient. We propose a new patient decision checklist, generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence, in order to improve healthcare access within plastic surgery. This simplified material can be used as an adjunct to the current checklists in order to improve shared decision making.

Annealing Temperature Effect on TeO2 Thin Films for Optical Detection Devices

Physical vapor deposition method was used for the preparation of nanostructured TeO2. Different morphologies of TeO2 are synthesized using a physical evaporation method with Te powder as the source material and quartz SiO2 as the growth substrates. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) analyses are used to characterize the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the TeO2 products obtained. By varying the annealing temperature, different morphology of TeO2 structures is investigated. TeO2 nanostructure progress is initiated by the crystallization of particles. Different temperatures have different effects on structures, which are discussed. The films as deposited nature was amorphous; crystallization occurred at a higher annealing temperature (175 oC). With an increase in annealing temperature, the TeO2 films grain size increased. The research also points to the impact of post-deposition thermal annealing temperatures in excess of 100 °C in enhancing TeO2 film characteristics.

Identifying mïmï as ‘Linseed’

Summary mïmï appears to have diverse applications, appearing in administrative documents, jar labels, depictions of commodity transportation, as well as being used in therapeutic recipes. To date, a consensus for its translation has not been reached. This article re-evaluates the suitability of past identifications in terms of new perspectives in Egyptology, and explores an extended corpus of source material that together suggest a new identification, ‘linseed’, is more appropriate. The hypothesis is further supported through the recreation and discussion of the materiality of ancient Egyptian medical recipes composed of mïmï and other ingredients with secure translations, and demonstrates: 1) that linseed was a commodity which was taxed, stored, and distributed by the ancient Egyptian administration; 2) that the effect of this product upon the body was observed and harnessed in therapeutic medical recipes.

Printed Design Proposals as Salvaged Remainders of the Goldsmith’s Workshop

Abstract When turning to the techniques of etching on metal to make intaglio prints on paper, goldsmiths addressed potential clients and other fellows in their trade. In doing so, they put forth statements about what constituted property for members of each of these social stations. Multiple claims competed to classify to whom the raw materials belonged, the skills to transmute them or the forms that such handiwork took and whether the ownership of such entities could be transferred, redirected or even undone. The Nuremberg goldsmith Christoph Jamnitzer stages these questions in an etching that shows a tailor who is holding a flag stitched together from remaindered pieces of cloth. Connecting for the first time this image to its literary source, Hans Sachs’s ‘The Tailor and the Flag’, published in 1563, this essay demonstrates how the episode attests against the hoarding of materials, and for the ethos of giving clients and apprentices their due.

Heat Transfer in Double Pipe Heat Exchangers with Small Tube Spacing

Abstract In this current work, the heat transfer in double pipe heat exchangers with small tube spacing is analysed. This type of heat transfer is generally described in many literary sources, however, in laminar flow, the resulting values of the theoretical equations differ. Moreover, the small spacing of the pipes can affect the fluid flow and subsequent heat transfer. The suitability of using available theoretical methods for the design of double pipe heat exchangers (the Stephan, VDI and Baehr methods) was evaluated. A series of experiments was carried out on a double pipe heat exchanger with a tube spacing of 1.4 mm. The experimentally determined value of the heat transfer coefficient was up to two times higher in comparison with the values calculated according to theoretical methods. The relative increase was more significant for the lower Reynolds number values. At the same time, the difference of the wall temperature along the circumference of the outer tube was detected. This phenomenon was theoretically analysed and can be explained by tube misalignment in the small tube spacing. The procedure of quantification of this effect was proposed. This effect may cause an inhomogeneity of the media flow and temperature distribution and, as a result, increase the performance of the heat exchanger by tens of percent.