Preliminary References Research Articles

Laboratory Model Tests on the Deformation and Failure of Terraced Loess Slopes Induced by Extreme Rainfall

Heavy rainfall is the main factor inducing the failure of loess slopes. However, the failure mechanism and mode of terraced loess slopes under heavy rainfall have not been well investigated and understood. This paper presents the experimental study on the deformation and failure of terraced loess slopes with different gradients under extreme rainfall conditions. The deformation and failure processes of the slope and the migration of the wetting front within the slope during rainfall were captured by the digital cameras installed on the top and side of the test box. In addition, the mechanical and hydrological responses of the slope, including earth pressure, water content, pore water pressure, and matric suction, were monitored and analyzed under rainfall infiltration and erosion. The experimental study shows that the deformation and failure of terraced loess slopes under heavy rainfall conditions exhibit the characteristic of progressive erosion damage. In general, the steeper the slope, the more severe the deformation and failure, and the shorter the time required for erosion failure. The data obtained from sensors embedded in the slope can reflect the mechanical and hydraulic characteristics of the slope in response to rainfall. The earth pressure and pore water pressure in the slope exhibit a fluctuating pattern with continued rainfall. The failure mode of terraced loess slopes under extreme rainfall can be summarized into five stages: erosion of slope surface and formation of small gullies and cracks, expansion of gullies and cracks along the slope surface, widening and deepening of gullies, local collapse and flow-slip of the slope, and large-scale collapse of the slope. The findings can provide preliminary data references for researchers to better understand the failure characteristics of terraced loess slopes under extreme rainfall and to further validate the results of numerical simulations and analytical solutions.

Study on CFRP-Strengthened Welded Steel Plates with Inclined Welds Considering Welding Residual Stress.

Welded steel plates are widely used in various structural applications, and the presence of inclined welds is often encountered in practical scenarios. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) has been proven to be effective for strengthening steel structures. However, the behavior of CFRP-strengthened welded steel plates with inclined welds, particularly considering the influence of welding residual stress, is limited. This paper aims to investigate the tensile behavior of CFRP-strengthened welded Q355 steel plates with inclined welds considering welding residual stress (WRS). First, WRS data were obtained by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method at different locations. The maximum tensile and compressive residual stresses are 0.39 and 0.14 times the yield strength of the steel, respectively. Then, finite element models were established to investigate the effects of weld angles, weld width, and height on the WRS distribution of welded steel plates. Finally, the tensile performance of CFRP-strengthened welded plates with WRS was studied by numerical simulation. The results showed that the weld angles have little effect on the distribution pattern of residual stress but significantly affect the peak tensile WRS. When the weld angle changes from 0° to 60°, the peak tensile WRS decreases significantly from 0.32 to 0.06 times the yield strength of steel; furthermore, the influence of weld width and height on WRS is relatively limited. Under tension loading, the maximum stress occurs near the weld. The ends of the weld enter the yielding state later than the middle part of the weld due to the distribution of the WRS. As the weld angle increases and the length of the weld increases, the stress in the weld zone decreases, while the stress in the base material zone correspondingly increases. In addition, CFRP strengthening can reduce the magnitude of stress. This study provides preliminary references for understanding the tensile behavior of CFRP-strengthened welded steel plates with inclined welds.

Experimental study on spray characteristics of aviation kerosene from a pressure-swirl nozzle in high-speed airflow with elevated temperatures

Spray characteristics of aviation kerosene are critical to the performance of gas turbine combustors. Actual gas turbine combustors are mainly operated at high temperatures and high-speed airflow environments, whereas almost all research on spray characteristics in high-speed airflow is limited to room temperature in the literature. In this paper, the spray characteristics of aviation kerosene from a pressure-swirl nozzle are investigated experimentally in the airflow temperature range of 313–500 K and the airflow speed range of 108–136 m/s. The information on spray characteristics such as droplet flux, velocity, and diameter was obtained by phase Doppler anemometry. Planar Mie scatter was performed to obtain the information on the concentration distribution of spray. The results show that the droplet flux, velocity, concentration, and Sauter mean diameter (D32) change significantly with airflow temperatures. In special, D32 in the center recirculation zone shows an increasing trend with increasing airflow temperature. The difference in the change of D32 along the propagation direction at elevated airflow temperatures is mainly due to the difference in evaporation processes. It was found that the evaporation models of a droplet that existed in literature do not predict well the D32 variation of spray in this experiment. A new spray evaporation model considering turbulence and fuel vapor fraction is proposed, which significantly reduces the prediction errors of variation in D32 in this experiment. This paper can provide experimental data and preliminary theoretical references for subsequent investigation of spray characteristics in high-speed airflow with elevated temperatures.

Do Preliminary References Increase Public Support for European Law? Experimental Evidence from Germany

AbstractExplanations for the successful expansion and consolidation of the European Union and its legal system have long emphasized the importance of domestic courts’ sending preliminary references to the Court of Justice. Key to many of these theoretical accounts is the claim that domestic courts are better equipped than the Court of Justice to compel national governments to comply with EU law. Integrating insights from the comparative judicial politics literature into the context of the EU's preliminary references system, we provide a theoretical and empirical foundation for this claim by arguing that incorporating domestic courts into the EU legal process enhances public support for expansive judicial interpretations of EU law. We go on to argue, however, that this transfer of legitimacy depends on citizens’ views of the national and European courts. We support our argument with evidence from a preregistered survey experiment fielded in Germany.

The Role of Judicial Associations in Preventing Rule of Law Decay in Romania: Informal Communication and Strategic Use of Preliminary References

AbstractThis Article explores the manner in which, faced with the rule of law crisis generated by the 2017–2019 national legislative reforms, the Romanian judicial associations, organized as NGOs, have fulfilled their declared purpose of safeguarding judicial independence. By relying on effective communication tactics—including international networking and lobbying or informal discussions with high-level EU representatives—coupled with a strategic use of preliminary references, they have shed light on some of the most sensitive elements of the Romanian context, garnering both internal and international support in the process. In particular, by taking advantage of the CJEU’s increased willingness to engage with questions concerning the rule of law and the organization of the national judicial systems, the Romanian judicial associations have managed to design strategies capable of triggering preliminary rulings on the most heated and politically charged questions concerning the judiciary. This Article seeks to highlight the specific features and informal elements of such strategies.

Study on the Manufacturing of Composite Materials Made from Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) in Indonesia for Use as Lining in Open Channels

This study explained the potential use of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite materials as an alternative lined material for irrigation channels in Indonesia. Currently, only four recommended materials are used as lining in irrigation channels in Indonesia, i.e., stone masonry, concrete, soil-cement, and ferrocement. Almost all lined material's main constituents are sourced from nature/environment. The exploitation of these mined materials will impact environmental destruction. This study focused on the manufacturing process of GFRP material, GFRP surface roughness testing, and the water flow characteristics in the hydraulic model experimental testing. The manufacturing process of GFRP material used polyester resin as the polymer matrix, E-glass type with a combination of woven roving mat covered by non-woven standard mat as the glass fiber reinforcement, and manufacturing process with a combination of hand lay-up and spray-up techniques. The GFRP material product has an average surface roughness coefficient value of Ra around 5.19 to 5.97 μm. The GFRP manufacturing has a good uniform product, as the average surface roughness coefficients of GFRP material have relatively the same values. It is shown that a factory in Indonesia has sufficient capacity to manufacture GFRP material for lining in open channels. The water flow characteristics in the flume were turbulent during testing in the hydraulic laboratory. The experimental study concluded that the GFRP composite materials could be implemented as preliminary references for alternative lined material in irrigation channels in Indonesia.

2D design and characteristic analysis of an underwater airbag with mooring for underwater compressed air energy storage

Natural shapes are commonly used for balloons and can also be applied in flexible gas containers for underwater compressed air energy storage (UCAES). However, additional consideration of the mooring is required in this application, and the classic natural-shape design carries the structural risk of a significant mooring force acting at a single bottom point. To address these problems, an underwater airbag with mooring (UAM) is proposed considering the practical fixation and stress distribution. This study employs a 2D axisymmetric design method in a dimensionless form based on the natural-shape method. The weightless optimal UAM shape in the zero-pressure state is obtained when the dimensionless mooring length is 0.62. Compared with the classic design in the zero-pressure state, the optimal design decreases the structural height and significantly decreases the mooring tension. Regarding the deflated shape, the results show that the optimal design has a smoother pressure variation and smaller pressure range, which can reduce energy loss and improve the system efficiency. Moreover, a tank experiment was conducted, and the results show good agreement between the prediction and experimental results. The UAM design is closer to practical applications than the classical natural-shape design and can effectively provide preliminary design references for engineering.

Investigation on oxidative pyrolysis characteristics of bituminous coal through thermal analysis and density functional theory

At present, coal is still the main source of energy supply in China. However, However, coal dust, due to spontaneous combustion or gas explosion, seriously affects underground safety production and also threatens the occupational health of underground workers. To understand the causes of harm caused by coal from the perspective of its oxidative pyrolysis characteristics, bituminous coal was selected as the experimental coal sample, To further understand the oxidation pyrolysis characteristics of bituminous coal, thermal analysis and density functional theory were applied. By using industrial analysis, particle size analyzer, SEM and FTIR to characterize the experimental bituminous coal. The multi heating rate experiment of bituminous coal was carried out with thermogravimetric analyzer, and the kinetic analysis results displayed the apparent activation energy of oxidation pyrolysis of bituminous coal ranges from 118.57 to 124.96 kJ mol−1. The TG-FTIR experiments found the main gaseous products of the oxidation pyrolysis of bituminous coal were CO and CO2. The surface electrostatic potential and bond dissociation energy of bituminous coal structure were analyzed by density functional theory. The research results provide important preliminary references for the safe mining of coal mines and the industrial application of bituminous coal.

The ripple effect: A critical analysis of the successful development of the material scope of Directive 2000/78/EC in the context of age

This article analyses the material scope of Directive 2000/78 as it has been interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). From the outset, a very broad interpretation of the material scope provisions in Article 3 has been promulgated to ensure that the equality purposes of the Directive are met. The article analyses three particular areas of concern which have arisen in the age context, namely: access to employment, occupation and vocational training; employment conditions, including pay; and termination of employment and occupation. The article comes to three main conclusions in this regard. Firstly, when access is restricted, the CJEU will invariably find such a measure to fall within the scope of the Directive. Secondly, where conditions of employment, including in this context pay, are impacted in some way, the CJEU has been willing to stretch the boundaries of the scope of the Directive through the use of a contractual nexus approach. There are some red lines that the CJEU has been unwilling to cross, but these are rare. Finally, in the termination of employment, including dismissal and retirement, the CJEU has applied an access/exercise approach so as to adeptly include such measures within the scope of the Directive, despite textual challenges. The article then goes on to apply these principles set out by the CJEU in the context of some recent preliminary references. This application also provides support for the proposition that the material scope is a very broad one which can encompass a range of measures within its terms, and that the situations in which some measures fall outside the scope of the Directive are very limited.

Abdominal ultrasonographic evaluation of the urinary tract, adrenal glands, spleen, hepatobiliary, and gastrointestinal tract in juvenile eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus).

The purpose of this prospective and anatomic study was to describe the ultrasonographic anatomy of the kidneys, urinary bladder, adrenal glands, spleen, liver, gall bladder, and gastrointestinal tract in healthy juvenile eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). As ultrasonographic descriptions are lacking in marsupial species, it was also conducted to develop a systematic approach for abdominal ultrasonographic evaluation in the kangaroo and to provide preliminary quantitative and qualitative references. Ten macropod cadavers (eight eastern grey kangaroos and two swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor)) were used for initial dissections and preliminary ultrasonographic examinations. Seven eastern grey kangaroos (four females and three males; mean mass 18kg (±4.5)) were ultrasonographically examined under heavy sedation in lateral recumbency. The gaseous forestomach occupied a large proportion of the entire abdomen ultrasonographically; therefore, the majority of cranial landmarks were based on an intercostal approach comparable to a deep-chested dog. Compared to domestic species, ultrasonographic differences in anatomy include the forestomach, hindstomach, liver orientation, distinguishable adrenal glands, splenic branching, and epipubic bones, all of which were described. The study was limited by the small sample size (7) and weight range (14-25kg). The systematic approach and description of the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the abdominal organs in the eastern grey kangaroo should provide a foundation for the ultrasonographic diagnosis and interpretation of abdominal disease in this species.

Review of Refractive Index-Matching Techniques of Polymethyl Methacrylate in Flow Field Visualization Experiments

The development of modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology provides many preliminary references for experimental design. In addition, the CFD calculation results verified by experiments can display enormous microdata in areas that are difficult to measure through experiments, as an extension. This can make measurements more reasonable and effective, shorten measurement times, and save manpower and capital significantly. Therefore, it is vital to verify the accuracy of CFD calculation results, especially in cases of complex structures and multiphase flows. The results of model tests can be utilized in a prototype experiment by properly designing a test section and selecting a working fluid if the Reynolds similarity criterion is met. Optical measurement technology is a noninvasive measurement method, and the impact on the flow field can be almost negligible. It is advised to use transparent materials and prepare a refractive index-matching (RIM) fluid to obtain a good optical path. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is widely used in flow field visualization experiments because of its good light transmission and mechanical strength. This review is aimed at introducing the current status of different flow field measurement techniques; moreover, it is intended to help the readers to become more familiar with the principles of RIM, the characteristics, applications, and usage suggestions of various RIM fluid schemes of PMMA, providing references for researchers in the design, preparation, and conducting stages of flow field visualization measurement experiments. This review is divided into five sections. In the introduction section, Chapter 1, relevant research developments and related results of flow field measurements are presented, followed by the innovations and benefits of this paper. In Chapter 2, the flow field visualization measurements are presented and a derivation is shown. In Chapter 3, some RIM fluid schemes of PMMA and their applications are given, which are very valuable for peers. In Chapter 4, the measurement and analysis of some physical properties are described. In the RIM process, it is necessary to focus on the RI, density, dynamic viscosity, compatibility, stability, safety, and cost of RIM fluids. These factors greatly impact the accuracy of experimental results, experimental progress, and safety of the experimenters. Based on the analysis and our practical experience, some suggestions are given for preparing and using RIM fluids. In the conclusion section, Chapter 5, the results and practical implications of this paper are summarized.

The importance of statistical analysis of the activity of the Court of Justice of the European Union with a focus on preliminary references

The importance of statistical analysis of the activity of the Court of Justice of the European Union with a focus on preliminary references

Do Preliminary References Increase Public Support for European Law? Experimental Evidence from Germany

Do Preliminary References Increase Public Support for European Law? Experimental Evidence from Germany

The Law of Arbitration and EU Law – like Oil and Water?

The relationship between EU law and the law of arbitration has often been described as one of mutual indifference. However, from about 2010, the two systems began to interact with one-another through certain decisions of the CJEU. This led some observers to argue that the two systems had become intertwined. In order to establish whether the decisions of the CJEU provide a basis for such a finding, the present article considers the interaction between the two legal systems in three different areas. Firstly, whether in certain situations an arbitral tribunal must take EU law into consideration when deciding a dispute. Secondly, those situations where, one way or another, a Member State has been involved in the arbitration. Thirdly, the question whether arbitral tribunals can make so-called preliminary references to the CJEU under the TFEU. While the examination of the relationship between EU law and the law of arbitration shows that increasingly the two systems interact with each other, it also shows that in relative terms there are only a limited number of instances where EU law plays a role within the field of private arbitration. The article therefore concludes that the law of arbitration and EU law continue to be distinct legal systems.

The European Court of Justice's Transformation of its Approach towards Preliminary References from Member State Administrative Bodies

AbstractAccording to Article 267 TFEU, a ‘court or tribunal of a Member State’ can make a preliminary reference to the Court of Justice. The Court applies a single, homogeneous definition of a ‘court or tribunal’. This has allowed it to admit references from those specialised, independent, administrative bodies that in several Member States have been established instead of administrative courts to decide claims under public law, including EU law. Whether such a ‘dispute settling’ body is entitled to submit a preliminary reference normally depends upon whether it commands sufficient ‘independence’ vis-à-vis both the parties to the dispute and the public administration as such. The Court has tightened these requirements appreciably in connection with the threats against the independence of the judiciary in some Member States, and the consequent more prominent roles that Articles 19 TEU and 47 of the Charter have come to play. Whereas safeguarding the rule of law is of utmost importance, these provisions pursue objectives within the Union's legal order which are materially different from those pursued by Article 267. In this article, it is therefore argued that the Court should apply different constructions of the independence criterion with respect to these provisions.

Procedural Customization & the Limits of Internal Market Law: The ECJ Conducting the Judicial Dialogue

Analyses on the limits of EU internal market law mainly focus on substantive evolutions regarding the underlying concepts. However, once the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has clarified the scope of the free movement principles, the ball is then passed to the national judiciary. In the future application of these boundaries, the judicial dialogue remains crucial to ensure an effective and correct implementation of EU law. This interaction is based on a set of procedural guidelines. Whereas such rules might appear as fixed circumstances, this article will demonstrate how the ECJ – through different dynamics – ensures the correct interaction between substantive and procedural evolutions. This ‘procedural customization’ will be uncovered regarding two central limits of EU internal market law: de minimis thresholds, and the purely internal situation doctrine. internal market law, field of application, limits, de minimis, purely internal situation, preliminary references, European Court of Justice, procedural customization

Key Factors of Mechanical Strength and Toughness in Oriented Poly(l-lactic acid) Monofilaments for a Bioresorbable Self-Expanding Stent.

The investigation of the strength and toughness of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) monofilaments is essential as the fundamental element of a biodegradable braided stent. However, the determining factor remains poorly addressed with respect to influencing the mechanical behavior of PLLA monofilaments. In this work, the electron beam (EB) with different radiation doses was utilized to sterilize PLLA monofilaments. Properties of the monofilaments, including the breaking strength, elongation at break, molecular weight, orientation, and microstructure of the fracture, were characterized. Results showed that a random chain scission of PLLA resulting from EB during this process could cause the decrease in molecular weight, which led to the decline in breaking strength. Meanwhile, the irradiated monofilaments were found to have almost the same elongation at break below a dose of 30 kGy and declined by 71.41% up to a dose of 48 kGy. It was also found that the ductile fracture connection of the monofilament translated to the brittle fracture by comparing the microstructure without and with sterilization. These phenomena could originate from the destruction of the long molecular chains connecting the crystal plates into shorter ones by radiation. PLLA monofilaments with 0, 30, and 48 kGy were used to braid carotid stents. Compared with a carotid Wallstent, the PLLA stent can better provide radial supporting to the carotid lesion. This study provides preliminary experimental references to evaluate and predict the mechanical performance of PLLA braided stents.

Criminal procedures, preliminary references and judicial independence: A balancing act? Case C-564/19 IS

In Case C-564/19 IS, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered a judgement on two significant issues of EU law. First, it clarified the obligations of Member States under Directive 2010/64/EU on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings regarding the provision of linguistic assistance during the criminal procedure and the consequences of failure to adhere to them. Second, it ruled on the EU-law conformity of national judicial decisions taken by higher courts which can indirectly constrict the right of lower courts of a Member State to initiate preliminary ruling procedures before the CJEU. Thirdly, it held national measures where the referring judge is submitted to a disciplinary procedure for referring a question to the CJEU contrary to EU law. The judgment builds on and further develops the Court's jurisprudence on preliminary rulings and judicial independence.

Predictive Analysis and Wine-Grapes Disease Risk Assessment Based on Atmospheric Parameters and Precision Agriculture Platform

In the precision viticulture domain, data recorded by monitoring devices are large-scale processed to improve solutions for grapes’ quality and global production and to offer various recommendations to achieve these goals. Soil-related parameters (soil moisture, structure, etc.) and atmospheric parameters (precipitation, cumulative amount of heat) may facilitate crop diseases occurrence; thus, following predictive analysis, their estimation in vineyards can offer an early-stage warning for farmers and, therefore, suggestions for their prevention and treatment are of particular importance. Using remote sensing devices (e.g., satellites, unmanned vehicles) and proximal sensing methods (e.g., wireless sensor networks (WSNs)), we developed an efficient precision agriculture telemetry platform to provide reliable assessments of atmospheric phenomena periodicity and crop diseases estimation in a vineyard near Bucharest, Romania. The novelty of the materials and methods of this work relies on providing comprehensive preliminary references about monitored parameters to enable efficient, sustainable agriculture. Comparative analyses for two consecutive years illustrate an excellent correlation between cumulative and daily heat, precipitation quantity, and daily evapotranspiration (ET). In addition, the platform proved viable for wine-grapes disease estimation (powdery mildew, grape bunch rot, and grape downy mildew) and treatment recommendations based on the elaborated phenological calendar. Our results, together with continuous monitoring for the upcoming years, may be used as a reference to perform productive, sustainable smart agriculture in terms of yield and crop quality in Romania. In the Conclusion section, we show that farmers and personnel from cooperatives can use this information to make assessments based on the correlation of the available data to avoid critical damage to the wine-grape.

The law requires translation: The Hungarian preliminary reference on preliminary references: IS,

The law requires translation: The Hungarian preliminary reference on preliminary references: IS,