Hours Of Operation Research Articles

Challenges and barriers to WIC participation vary by participation status and language: Findings from focus groups in Missouri.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is one of the largest federal food and nutrition program serving women and young children and has a low coverage rate of about 50 percent. There is no peer-reviewed article that compares maternal perceptions of challenges and barriers to WIC participation by language and participation status. We compare challenges and barriers faced by English-speaking mothers to those faced by Spanish-speaking mothers to enrollment and retention in WIC within each group: current participants (n=43), prior participants (dropouts; n=27), and eligible non-participants (n=18), using focus groups we conducted in Missouri in 2021-2023. We used thematic analysis to generate core themes in NVivo 14. We find heterogeneous barriers to WIC participation by participation status and language spoken by the mother. While all participants identified the difficulty in attending WIC appointments as a top barrier, a higher percentage of Spanish-speaking mothers in comparison to English-speaking mothers reported it more frequently. Only eligible non-participants identified lack of information on the WIC program, its benefits, and certification requirements as barrier. Unlike common belief, language was not considered a barrier, but rather a challenge exhibited among Spanish-speaking mothers. While dissatisfaction with food alternatives is a top challenge for current WIC participants, it only becomes a barrier for Spanish-speaking mothers but not for English-speaking ones. Findings highlight the importance of designing creative ways to inform WIC-eligible mothers about the program's benefits and enrollment requirements, and to consider differences by maternal tongue and culture. Increases in food amount and variety may lead to higher participation rates. Moreover, extending hours of operation at the WIC clinics and providing virtual meetings may lead to increasing retention rates and benefits redemption.

Evaluating the synergistic effect of UVC/e-H2O2 applied for benzotriazole degradation in water matrices using catalyst-free printex L6 carbon-based gas diffusion electrode.

The present work investigated the application of UVC combined with electrogenerated H2O2 (UVC/e-H2O2) for BTA degradation using a Printex L6 carbon-based (PL6C) gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The studies were carried out by analyzing the influence of the current density, pH and initial BTA concentration in the contaminant degradation process. Under optimal conditions using 0.05molL-1 K2SO4 as supporting electrolyte, BTA removal was evaluated in different water matrices. In all cases, 100% of BTA elimination was reached in the first 15minutes of treatment under the UVC/e-H2O2 process, while mineralization rates ranging between 59.2 and 78.0% were obtained after 90minutes of electrolysis. The active species O2•- and e- played an important role in the BTA removal. The toxicity test conducted on the river water sample post-treatment using the Lactuca sativa L seeds showed that the BTA by-products had low toxicity. The results obtained from the LC-ESI-MS/MS analyses showed the same BTA degradation by-products when the BTA-containing water matrices were treated using the UVC/e-H2O2 and photo-electro-Fenton processes. The PL6C-GDE developed in the study exhibited high efficiency when applied for H2O2 electrogeneration and BTA degradation. Additionally, the electrode demonstrated remarkable stability and durability, enabling the generation of reproducible data for up to 81 hours of continuous operation.

Distributed communication interference resource scheduling using the master-slave parallel scheduling genetic algorithm

With the increasing intelligence and diversification of communication interference in recent years, communication interference resource scheduling has received more attention. However, the existing interference scenario models have been developed mostly for remote high-power interference with a fixed number of jamming devices without considering power constraints. In addition, there have been fewer scenario models for short-range distributed communication interference with a variable number of jamming devices and power constraints. To address these shortcomings, this study designs a distributed communication interference resource scheduling model based distributed communication interference deployment and system operational hours and introduces the stepped logarithmic jamming-to-signal ratio. The proposed model can improve the scheduling ability of the master-slave parallel scheduling genetic algorithm (MSPSGA) in terms of the number of interference devices and the system’s operational time by using four scheduling strategies referring to the searching number, global number, master-slave population power, and fixed-position power. The experimental results show that the MSPSGA can improve the success rate of searching for the minimum number of jamming devices by 40% and prolong the system’s operational time by 128%. In addition, it can reduce the algorithm running time in the scenario with a high-speed countermeasure, the generation time of the jamming scheme, and the average power consumption by 4%, 84%, and 57%, respectively. Further, the proposed resource scheduling model can reduce the search ranges for the number of jamming devices and the system’s operational time by 93% and 79%, respectively.

A catalyst-coated diaphragm assembly to improve the performance and energy efficiency of alkaline water electrolysers

Alkaline water electrolysers are ideal for gigawatt-scale hydrogen production due to the usage of non-precious metal and low-cost raw materials. However, their performances are modest with the separated electrode and diaphragm structure which can date back to more than 100 years ago. Here we report a catalyst-coated diaphragm assembly to improve the performance of alkaline water electrolysers. The transport resistance of OH- ions is reduced and the electrochemical surface area of catalysts is enlarged by more than forty fold, representing more than 40% increase in hydrogen production rate or as much as 16% reduction in energy consumption. The electrolyser with our catalyst-coated diaphragm assembly delivers current densities as high as 1 A cm−2 at 1.8 V or 2 A cm−2 at 2 V and shows good stability after more than 1000 hours of operation. Therefore, the catalyst-coated diaphragm assembly route is promising for the development of high-performance and efficient alkaline water electrolysers.

Dual-Asymmetric Solid Additive Enables Eco-friendly All-Polymer Solar Cells with Over 19% Efficiency and Excellent Stability.

The optimization of morphology in all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) often relies on the use of solvent additives. However, their tendency to remain trapped in the device due to high boiling points leads to performance degradation over time. In this study, we introduce a novel approach involving the design and synthesis of one dual-asymmetric solid additive featuring mono-brominated-asymmetric dithienothiophene (SL-1). Leveraging the synergistic effects of asymmetric substitution and core structures, fine-tuning the molecule dipole moment enhancing solid additive interactions with host materials, thereby regulating polymer aggregation and influencing blend morphology during device fabrication. This results in highly ordered π-π stacking and a favorable phase-separated morphology within all-polymer active layer. Our work achieved a record efficiency of 19.19% in eco-friendly all-PSCs, significantly outperforming SL-0 (18.37%) and SL-2 (16.60%), both featuring an asymmetric core. Furthermore, SL-1-treated all-PSCs retain over 90% of their initial efficiency after 2140 hours of operation, with an extrapolated T80 lifetime reaching 12400 hours. This represents a significant improvement in stability compared to devices treated with solvent additive (1-CN), which typically exhibits a T90 lifetime of 700 hours. Our findings underscore the efficacy of utilizing dual-asymmetric solid additives as a straightforward and viable strategy for optimizing all-polymer morphology.

Digital Health Transformation: Leveraging a Knowledge Graph Reasoning Framework and Conversational Agents for Enhanced Knowledge Management

The research focuses on the limitations of traditional systems in optimizing information flow in the healthcare domain. It focuses on integrating knowledge graphs (KGs) and utilizing AI-powered applications, specifically conversational agents (CAs), particularly during peak operational hours in emergency departments (EDs). Leveraging the Cross Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) framework, the authors tailored a customized methodology, CRISP-knowledge graph (CRISP-KG), designed to harness KGs for constructing an intelligent knowledge base (KB) for CAs. This KG augmentation empowers CAs with advanced reasoning, knowledge management, and context awareness abilities. We utilized a hybrid method integrating a participatory design collaborative methodology (CM) and Methontology to construct a domain-centric robust formal ontological model depicting and mapping information flow during peak hours in EDs. The ultimate objective is to empower CAs with intelligent KBs, enabling seamless interaction with end users and enhancing the quality of care within EDs. The authors leveraged semantic web rule language (SWRL) to enhance inferencing capabilities within the KG framework further, facilitating efficient information management for assisting healthcare practitioners and patients. This innovative assistive solution helps efficiently manage information flow and information provision during peak hours. It also leads to better care outcomes and streamlined workflows within EDs.

Experimental study and numerical simulation of tribological and mechanical properties of mullite and SiC ceramic matrix composite for journal bearing

This study presents a detailed analysis of mullite and SiC based ceramic matrix composites in comparison to traditional materials used in journal bearings. The research integrates experimental investigations and numerical simulations to analyze the tribological behavior and mechanical properties of these composites. The experimental analysis evaluates the frictional characteristics, wear resistance, microhardness, and thermal stability of mullite and SiC-based composites under conditions relevant to journal bearing applications, comparing them with traditional materials such as Bronze and Babbitt. Results show that the mullite-SiC composites demonstrate a lower friction coefficient of 0.15 and a wear rate of 0.002 g, significantly outperforming the traditional materials. To further understand the material behavior, computational models using finite element analysis simulated the stress distribution, deformation, and frictional characteristics at the bearing interface under varying operational parameters. It predicted no deformation in mullite-SiC composites after two hours of operation, with minimal deformation of 4.6191 mm observed after three hours. Stress analysis revealed uniform stress distribution across the composite, with a maximum stress of 2.93 MPa. Additionally, microstructural analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) identifies minimal abrasive wear and the absence of severe adhesive wear on the composite's surface. The average surface roughness along the wear surface was measured at 2.35 µm. Ultimately, the research outcomes aim to contribute significantly to the advancement of journal bearing technology, facilitating their application in diverse industrial settings where high performance and reliability are crucial requirements.

A platform noise dataset of various types of subway stations during all operating hours

The subjective perceptions of passengers are intricately linked to the noise levels in subway stations of urban rail transit systems. In this study, comprehensive measurement was conducted on the noise environment on the platforms during operational hours at four distinct types of subway stations within an urban metro network. To ensure precise data collection, four different noise and sound pressure measurement points were strategically positioned in the middle and at both ends of each station platform. Subsequently, the platform noise data was continuously monitored throughout the operation period, yielding a time series of original data on sound pressure levels for standardized continuous measurement of the platform. The collected results spanning the entire operation period were organized into hourly sets, encompassing information on noise sources such as vehicles entering and leaving the station, the opening and closing of train doors, and platform announcements. This dataset provides original data on noise sources at subway platforms throughout the all-day train operation period, aiding researchers in understanding the sources and levels of noise at subway station platforms. Additionally, this research supports noise control on subway platforms and provides a scientific basis for predicting the acoustic environment of rail transit stations and improving the platform acoustic environment.

Improving Pediatric Emergency Department Access to Discharge Prescriptions.

One-third of prescriptions prescribed by a pediatric emergency department (PED) are not filled by patients. Fill rates improve with an onsite outpatient pharmacy (OOP). We aimed to increase the percent of PED discharge prescriptions sent to the OOP during open hours from 8.9% to 70% by June 2022. A team of PED providers and pharmacists was formed in early July 2021 to develop a key driver diagram. Retrospective baseline data were obtained from January 2019 to June 2021. Weekly data were then followed prospectively. Statistical process control charts were used to analyze data. Key interventions included an education campaign, electronic medical record modifications to the preferred pharmacy, and implementing on-shift project champions. The primary outcome was the percentage of prescriptions sent to the OOP from the PED during open pharmacy hours. The process measure of unfilled prescriptions at the OOP was also assessed. Baseline OOP utilization was 8.9%. Interventions, including modifying the preferred pharmacy settings, fellow champions, and provider feedback, led to 3 centerline shifts with a peak mean of 70.9% that was sustained for 9 months before decreasing slightly to 60%. As prescriptions being sent to the OOP pharmacy increased, the percent of unfilled prescriptions at the OOP was maintained at a rate of 15.8%. Quality improvement methodology was associated with a sustained increase in prescriptions sent to the OOP and a maintained rate of unfilled prescriptions, which supported the expansion of OOP hours of operation.

Stabilizing Lattice Oxygen of Bi2O3 by Interstitial Insertion of Indium for Efficient Formic Acid Electrosynthesis

Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) emerges as a potent catalyst for converting CO2 to formic acid (HCOOH), leveraging its abundant lattice oxygen and the high activity of its Bi‐O bonds. Yet, its durability is usually impeded by the loss of lattice oxygen causing structure alteration and destabilized active bonds. Herein, we report an innovative approach via the interstitial incorporation of indium (In) into the Bi2O3, significantly enhancing bond stability and preserving lattice oxygen. The optimized In‐Bi2O3‐100 catalyst achieves over 90% Faradaic efficiency for HCOOH production across a wide potential range, in both H‐cells and flow cells, maintaining robust stability after 100 hours of continuous operation. In‐situ surface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that the interstitial In doping precisely tunes the adsorption of CO2* and OCHO* intermediate, facilitating rapid conversion. Further in‐situ Raman spectroscopy confirms the role of In bolstering the oxidized structure's stability within Bi2O3, critical for sustaining lattice oxygen during electrochemical CO2 reduction.

Stabilizing Lattice Oxygen of Bi2O3 by Interstitial Insertion of Indium for Efficient Formic Acid Electrosynthesis.

Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) emerges as a potent catalyst for converting CO2 to formic acid (HCOOH), leveraging its abundant lattice oxygen and the high activity of its Bi-O bonds. Yet, its durability is usually impeded by the loss of lattice oxygen causing structure alteration and destabilized active bonds. Herein, we report an innovative approach via the interstitial incorporation of indium (In) into the Bi2O3, significantly enhancing bond stability and preserving lattice oxygen. The optimized In-Bi2O3-100 catalyst achieves over 90% Faradaic efficiency for HCOOH production across a wide potential range, in both H-cells and flow cells, maintaining robust stability after 100 hours of continuous operation. In-situ surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that the interstitial In doping precisely tunes the adsorption of CO2* and OCHO* intermediate, facilitating rapid conversion. Further in-situ Raman spectroscopy confirms the role of In bolstering the oxidized structure's stability within Bi2O3, critical for sustaining lattice oxygen during electrochemical CO2 reduction.

ANALYSIS OF THE THERMAL-KINETIC-FLUID-DYNAMIC PROFILE OF A SLAB REHEATING FURNACE USING CFD-DYNAMIC MESH

In this work, the actual operating conditions of a walking beam and direct flame reheating furnace for conventional steel slabs in continuous motion were numerically simulated. The fluid dynamics, heat transfer, chemical species and combustion were solved in a coupled way using a continuous readaptation of the computational domain by means of a dynamic mesh. The results were validated by means of temperature measurements averaged over 24 hours of plant operation with 16 thermocouples, resulting in an average error of 2.56%. With the reduction in flow rates in the range of 70-85% and a decrease in load of ?66.5% there was an overheating in the furnace of up to 33% in excess. The use of dynamic meshes allowed the oxide growth rate to be studied showing that, the higher the temperatures and residence times in the furnace, the higher the oxidation rate of the slab. Keywords: Reheating Furnace, CFD, Slab, Dynamic Mesh.

Design and Synthesis of PtPdNiCoMn High‐Entropy Alloy Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: A Theoretically Supported Predictive Design Approach

AbstractElectrocatalytic hydrogen generation requires a cutting‐edge, multifunctional electrocatalyst with abundant active sites to drive multielectron transfer reactions. High entropy alloys (HEA) are complex five or more‐element alloy systems with high configurational entropy which makes them unique materials for next‐generation electrocatalysts. Here, in this work, based on new screening guidelines for catalyst selections that combine density‐functional theory calculated Gibbs formation‐enthalpy with bond length and electronegativity variance, a novel HEA electrocatalyst consisting of five elements, namely, Pt, Pd, Ni, Co, and Mn is designed. By simple room temperature electrodeposition, the designed catalyst is prepared and its hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is explored and validated through experimental and theoretical approaches. The HEA demonstrated a superior HER activity with an overpotential of 22.6 mV at −10 mA cm−2 which outperforms Pt/C commercial catalyst. No evident degradation of the material is detected even after 100 hours of continuous operation under high current density. Moreover, the HEA has shown exceptional performance in harsh electrolyte conditions such as in simulated seawater and actual seawater. Remarkably, the density‐functional theory calculated small Gibbs formation‐enthalpy (≈0 eV) compared to Pt/C places the new HEA near the apex of Trasatti's model of Volcano plot, which is also suggestive of superior HER activity.

Data Clustering for Sentiment Classification with Naïve Bayes and Support Vector Machine

Visitor reviews play a crucial role in determining the success of a business, particularly those offering hospitality and services, such as hotels. The growth of internet technology has made it easier for guests to share their experiences, which can influence potential customers. Google Maps is one of the platforms used for giving and searching reviews This research uses data crawled from Google Maps Review using the playwright library. However, the large volume of reviews can make analysis and topic-based categorization—such as service quality, hotel location, and operational hours—challenging. To address this, DBSCAN is used to cluster reviews based on these topics. Clustering helps improve sentiment classification, making it more targeted and allowing a comparison of two machine learning algorithms: Naïve Bayes and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Naïve Bayes achieved higher accuracy (0.87) in the operational hours cluster, while SVM scored 0.78. However, SVM showed improved accuracy in the location (0.89) and service (0.88) clusters, with Naïve Bayes maintaining a stable 0.86 accuracy in both. Both models demonstrated an average training time of less than one second, excluding preprocessing.

Achieving better engagement with care and support for young people living with HIV in Australia: a mixed-method enquiry

ABSTRACT Young people aged 18–29 are considered “adult” within the Australian HIV health service context. However, evidence increasingly defines this age group as distinct from the broader adult population such that the needs of young people living with HIV may be overlooked in the context of HIV service design and delivery. This analysis draws on the Young + Positive study, a national study in Australia that documented the perspectives of young people (aged 18–29) living with HIV. Data were collected via survey (n = 60) and interview (n = 25) methods between 2018 and 2019. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, exploring the inner- and outer-world factors influencing participant engagement with HIV care and support. Using the multi-dimensional framework by Harms [2021. Understanding human development (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press], we found that both inner- and outer-world factors influenced participants’ ability and motivations to engage with specialist HIV treatment and support. Inner-world factors included psychological outlook, and perceptions of HIV and HIV services. Outer-world factors included workforce competencies of service providers, physical space of the service and hours of service operation. These research findings confirm that opportunities exist to better meet the treatment and care needs of young people living with HIV.

Electronic Buffering Mechanism Enhances Stability and Water Oxidation Efficiency of CeO2@NiFe-LDH.

Nickel-iron layered double hydroxide shows significant promise as an electrocatalyst in facilitating oxygen evolution reactions. But its development is hindered by low conductivity and insufficient cycling stability. Herein, the synthesis of a hierarchically structured heterostructure catalyst, CeO2@NiFe LDH, is reported through a straightforward two-step process involving hydrothermal treatment. The catalyst realizes a significant breakthrough in OER catalytic performance and stability. At a current density of 100 mA cm-2, the overpotentials amount to 255 mV in 1 M KOH, 263 mV in simulated seawater with alkaline conditions, and 346 mV in actual alkaline seawater. After 200 hours of continuous operation under high current density in simulated alkaline seawater, the morphology with no significant alterations observed, highlighting its high stability in complex seawater environments. Introducing CeO2 optimizes the binding energy of the OH intermediate, which facilitates the formation and dissociation of the OOH intermediate. In situ Raman analysis demonstrates the positive impact of CeO2 on the generation of active species. This research emphasizes the efficacy of CeO2 in improving the performance and durability of NiFe LDH for oxygen evolution reactions.

Heteroatom-Based Ligand Engineering of Metal Organic Frameworks for Efficient and Robust Electrochemical Water Oxidation.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising catalysts for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to their high surface area, tunable pore structures, and abundant active sites. Ligand engineering is an important strategy to optimize their performance. Here, we report the synthesis of NiFe-MOFs based on three different ligands: 1,4-terephthalic acid (BDC), 2,4-thiophene dicarboxylic acid (TDC), and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDC), to investigate the effects of heteroatom-based aromatic rings on OER performance. It is revealed that by incorporating electronegative sulfur and oxygen atoms into the ligands, the electron density at the metal sites is reduced, leading to enhanced metal-oxygen covalency and improved charge transfer kinetics. The NiFe-FDC/NF catalyst demonstrates an overpotential of 189 mV at 10 mA⋅cm-2 and stable performance over 1300 hours at 1 A cm-2. In situ infrared spectroscopy reveal minimal structural reconstruction in NiFe-FDC/NF, contributing to its superior stability. The NiFe-FDC/NF were then subjected to 3600 hours of OER operation and it's metal elution was monitored. These findings offer a novel approach to ligand design for high-performance MOF-based OER catalysts, highlighting the potential of furan-based ligands for MOF ligand engineering.

Review on the Air Temperature and Humidity Produce by Solar Dryer and Potential to be Reused

This article presents a comprehensive review of recent advancements in the reuse of waste heat from solar food dryers, a strategy that holds significant potential to improve system efficiency and sustainability. Solar drying systems typically discharge air at temperatures between 40°C and 70°C, resulting in a substantial loss of free solar thermal energy up to 50% of total energy. This review introduces novel approaches to capturing and reusing this low-quality heat, including the integration of desiccant materials that can boost drying efficiency by up to 64%, and innovative designs like rotating dryer wheels, which increase effective heat gains by an average of 153%. Unlike previous studies, this article not only aggregates and analyzes field test data such as outlet temperatures, humidity levels, and heat recovery efficiencies but also identifies practical and scalable solutions for heat reuse, such as water heating, space heating, and heating nearby cold rooms. By providing quantitative results and exploring the potential for continuous 24-hour operation through advanced heat management techniques, this review offers new insights and practical guidelines for engineers and researchers aiming to make solar drying processes more energy-efficient and commercially viable. This work is particularly relevant for those interested in developing sustainable agricultural practices, as it highlights the most promising methods for reducing energy waste and enhancing the overall performance of solar dryers. The novel synthesis of existing technologies and the identification of key areas for future research make this article a valuable resource for advancing the field of solar drying.

Optimized Configuration and Operation Of Isolated Microgrid Systems For Rural Electrification: Baron Technopark

Microgrid systems represent a significant advancement in energy supply technologies, particularly for rural communities lacking access to electricity; however, these systems are predominantly reliant on diesel generators (DG). The formulation and selection of suitable configurations, alongside operational patterns, must be meticulously evaluated in the pursuit of economically viable and dependable microgrid systems. Consequently, this research sought to devise an optimal configuration and operational for microgrid systems situated in isolation, utilizing the Baron Techno Park (BTP) in Indonesia as a case study. The optimization process was executed utilizing HOMER software, integrated with an operating cost comparison, with particular emphasis placed on daily load fluctuations, the selection of control algorithms, the reconfiguration of the power supply system, and the regulation of diesel generator operational hours. The proposed microgrid system yielded a surplus energy production of 16.7%, a renewable fraction (RF) of 100%, a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of $5.6 per kWh, a net present cost (NPC) of $3,97M. In summary, the study shows that by slightly increasing the capital cost of PV system procurement, it can reduce the operating cost of $629 from the base system in the long term.

School Start Times for Solar Alignment: Evaluating the Benefits of Schedule Optimisation for Peak and Cost Reduction

The global push towards sustainable energy usage and the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, requires innovative approaches to energy management, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as education. This study proposes a change in school start time from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. to align operational hours with periods of off-peak electricity demand and maximum solar availability. Four scenarios are compared: baseline (current schedule without solar), shifted schedule without solar, baseline with solar, and shifted schedule with solar integration. The analysis reveals that shifting the school’s operational hours alone leads to a peak demand reduction of 40%, mitigating strain on the grid during high-demand periods. Solar integration without schedule has a less pronounced effect on peak demand (26%). The combination of schedule shifting and solar integration delivers the most significant benefits, with the highest cost reductions (28%) and peak demand reductions (60%). This study demonstrates that synchronised solar energy generation and optimised scheduling can enhance energy efficiency and long-term financial savings, offering a practical solution for reducing operational costs and improving sustainability in schools. This study demonstrates how public institutions can contribute to the energy transition by adapting their operational schedules to align with renewable energy availability, rather than relying on conventional fixed schedules.