Technological Problems Research Articles

How much time to figure out how to get where? Route planning and subjective stress under time pressure.

From a daily commute to military operations in hostile territory and natural disaster responses, people frequently move from place to place. Cognition (e.g., wayfinding) occurs in conjunction with behavior (e.g., locomotion) to facilitate spatial navigation-intentional movement through space. People often use maps to plan routes, which is part of wayfinding. Time pressure is common during navigation, even during route planning, for example from time constraints (e.g., a deadline), waiting periods (e.g., technological problems), or imposed urgency (e.g., someone tells you to hurry up). Route planning requires knowing where to go, determining how to get there, and managing transient stressors that can influence performance. Across cognitive and behavioral domains, time pressure is often conceptualized as a stressor and examined with a single operationalization. As a result, we do not know to what extent time constraints, waiting periods, and imposed urgency independently or interactively a) contribute to the sense of subjective stress, and b) impact spatial performance. Our work addressed these knowledge gaps using a computerized spatial task that centrally involved planning and tracing routes on maps. We describe this new methodology for studying route planning and demonstrate experimental effects of urgency messaging on increased subjective stress and decreased time between map presentation and first click (planning time). When participants took longer to plan or drew longer routes, they reported greater subjective stress. Results carry implications for the design and implementation of time pressure manipulations, route planning in stressful conditions, and mitigating or optimizing stress effects on performance.

Increasing the Wear Resistance of Stamping Tools for Coordinate Punching of Sheet Steel Using CrAlSiN and DLC:Si Coatings

The punching of holes or recesses on computer numerical control coordinate presses occurs in sheets at high speeds (up to 1200 strokes/min) with an accuracy of ~0.05 mm. One of the most effective approaches to the wear rate reduction of stamping tools is the use of solid lubricants, such as wear-resistant coatings, where the bulk properties of the tool are combined with high microhardness and lubricating ability to eliminate waste disposal and remove oil contaminants from liquid lubricants. This work describes the efficiency of complex CrAlSiN/DLC:Si coatings deposited using a hybrid unit combining physical vapor deposition and plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition technologies to increase the wear resistance of a punch tool made of X165CrMoV12 die steel during coordinate punching of 4.0 mm thick 41Cr4 carbon structural steel sheets. The antifriction layer of DLC:Si allows for minimizing the wear under thermal exposure of 200 °C. The wear criterion of the lateral surface was 250 μm. The tribological tests allow us to consider the CrAlSiN/DLC:Si coatings as effective in increasing the wear resistance of stamping tools (21,000 strokes for the uncoated tool and 48,000 strokes for the coated one) when solving a wide range of technological problems in sheet stamping of structural steels.

The application status and key problems of wireless power transfer technology in daily life

The application status and key problems of wireless power transfer technology in daily life

A Review of Up-To-Date Research Knowledge on the Corrosion Inhibiting Capability of Garlic (Allicin Sativum) for Steel Materials

Corrosion is a monumental economic and technological problem worldwide. Despite the poor corrosion resistance of steel material, contributing to about 90% of all corrosion problems worldwide, it remains the most versatile and critical structural material in the construction of automobiles, ships, aircraft, rail transport systems, engine systems, pipeline systems, bridges, buildings, petroleum refineries, etc. Corrosion inhibitors are effective alternatives for protecting steel against corrosion in aqueous environments. Synthetic corrosion inhibitors pose serious problems to global environmental issues and health risks in usage to reduce corrosion of large amounts of steel goods, so natural plant extracts have been under study for replacing synthetic inhibitors in various environments due to their excellent environmental properties, handling safety, and good corrosion inhibition capabilities. This paper aims to present up-to-date research knowledge on the corrosion inhibition capability of garlic for steel materials, covering its requirements as a potential corrosion inhibitor and various research studies on its steel corrosion inhibition capability in various aqueous environments as integrated knowledge for application. The review shows that garlic is a very effective corrosion inhibitor of steel corrosion. It is also a safe-for-handling, biodegradable, and ecofriendly plant that is sustainably available around the world. Its extracts can be dependably prepared in sufficient quantity around the world for corrosion inhibition of steel materials and some other purposes. However, little is seen to have been done with the existing research findings for practical protection of steel materials in various aqueous environments. The review information is therefore posited for standardization and commercialization consideration of garlic extracts as corrosion inhibitors for practical corrosion inhibition of steel materials or further research requirements.

INTERACTIVE BLOCK GAMES TO IMPROVE VISUAL SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

The development of technology and modern lifestyle has changed children's play patterns, where more time is spent with digital devices than manipulative activities that support visual-spatial development, interactive block play is a popular activity for preschool children and has been considered by researchers as a versatile activity to help children develop technological thinking, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and abstract thinking, Data collection was carried out through systematic observation, documentation, and performance tests to measure the development of children's visual-spatial intelligence. The collected data were analyzed using the independent sample t-test statistical test, and the paired sample t-test to analyze the increase in scores from pretest to posttest. The validity and reliability of the instrument trial instrument with a Cronbach's alpha reliability value> 0.7. based on the Sig. (2-tailed) value in the experimental class of 0.010 <0.05. So there is a difference before the intervention or pretest and after the intervention or posttest. Therefore, there is an influence of interactive block play to improve visual spatial intelligence in early childhood. Children who regularly play with interactive blocks show improvements in several cognitive aspects. They have better abilities in recognizing patterns, understanding spatial relationships, and solving problems involving spatial orientation

On social and philosophical problems of technology. Review of the monograph-essay by N.M. Tverdynin "Man in the technoworld: book and reality"

The introductory part of the review provides a description of a new genre of research into the problems of the philosophy of technology. The main part of the review is devoted to examining the structure of the work, which includes an analysis of technical devices emerging in the history of human society and an assessment of their application through the prism of literature; excerpts from the story "After the Feat" about the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident; a study of the dilemma of technocracy and technophobia. It is important to consider three levels of technical creativity: rationalization, invention, scientific and technical creativity. Measures of social support for the revival of inventive and scientific and technical activities are proposed.

Synthesis and Study of Sorption Properties of Zinc-Imprinted Polymer.

Zinc-imprinted polymer (ZnIP) and non-imprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized by radical polymerization, and their properties were studied. The novelty of the work lies in the use of humic acids isolated from coals of the Shubarkol deposit (Karaganda, Kazakhstan) as a basis for the imprinted polymer matrix, with methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a functional monomer and a cross-linking agent, respectively. The composition and structure of ZnIP and NIP were characterized using various physicochemical methods. The specific surface area of ZnIP determined by the BET method was 40.60 ± 0.4 m2/g, which is almost twice as high as the similar indicator for NIP (21.50 ± 0.3 m2/g). In sorption tests of solutions with bimetallic ions, ZnIP demonstrates higher adsorption: 96.15% for Zn2+ and 74.88% for Pb2+, while NIP adsorbs only 81.33% and 60.11%, respectively. Sorption on both polymers is described by a pseudo-first-order equation (r > 0.99). The distribution coefficients for ZnIP are higher than for NIP. ZnIP has a relative selectivity that exceeds NIP by 2.90 times. The research results indicate the promise of using ZnIP for the selective removal of zinc ions from solutions of multicomponent systems, including wastewater, making it a valuable material for solving environmental and technological problems.

USE OF GALLIUM AS MODEL MATERIAL IN GALVANOPLASTY

The article deals with the possibility of using the technology of electroplating for manufacturing large-size exclusive designer accessories for clothing, haberdashery and footwear. The high technological potential of using low-melting conductive materials, in particular, gallium, for manufacturing galvanoplastic models is shown. The features of creation of models from gallium, formation of galvanoplastic precipitation of copper on their surface, technological methods of gallium removal after copper deposition are experimentally investigated. Technological problems arising at work with gallium are shown, practical recommendations on their leveling are given. The advantage of using conductive materials for making models for electroplating is experimentally proved, as compared to dielectrics requiring graphitization of the surface, the process of electrolysis is considerably reduced, which significantly saves money and resources.

Разработка критической технологии извлечения золота из гале-эфельных отвалов (стратегическое минеральное сырьё)

One of the ways to solve the problems of rational and integrated use of mineral raw materials, including canned man-made facilities, is the development of critical technologies for their processing in order to extract strategic metals, which include gold. The object of research is a preserved gold-bearing mineral resource object (landfills) with a conservation period of 10 years. The purpose of the study is to identify the technological and environmental problems facing the Russian gold mining industry, hindering scientific and technological development and ensuring the independence and competitiveness of the state; to develop a critical technology for extracting gold from landfills (strategic mineral raw materials). Research objectives are as follows: to conduct a systematic analysis of the level of development of gold mining equipment and technology in Russia; to identify the technological and environmental problems facing the gold mining industry; to study the material composition of a preserved mineral resource facility (landfills); to develop a critical technology for extracting gold from landfills and conduct laboratory studies. Research methods are presented by the study of the material composition of the mineral raw materials samples, which has been carried out using modern tools: optical and electron microscopy, assay and atomic adsorption analysis methods. Based on a systematic analysis of the level of gold mining equipment and technology development in Russia, the main disadvantages of using non-stationary processing plants have been identified and technological and environmental problems arising during the operation of landfills for heap leaching of gold have been identified. The following flowcharts are presented: environmental assessment of the consequences of open-pit mining; the impact of methods, processes, elements, relationships, structures on environmental components during the processing of gold-containing mineral raw materials; the main components of the negative impact of gold-containing raw materials processing enterprises on the environment. A critical technology for deep processing of strategic mineral raw materials from landfills has been developed, and its technological scheme is given. Experimental studies have been conducted and the results are presented. This technology makes it possible to comprehensively use mineral raw materials, improve the environmental situation and increase the efficiency of gold extraction.

Роль технологических факторов обеспечения прозрачности искусственного интеллекта в развитии мирохозяйственных связей РФ в условиях глобализации

This article is devoted to the analysis of a number of issues related to the study of the role of technological factors in ensuring the artificial intelligence transparency in the world economic relations development of the Russian Federation in the context of globalization. In the article, ensuring the artificial intelligence transparency is due to the contradiction of the legislative system and the international integration of the Russian Federation with other countries. The object of the study is multilateral and diverse cooperation between Russia and international organizations in the field of solving problems of the artificial intelligence technologies’ development and implementation. The subject of the study is the relationships, developing in Russia in connection with the international trade development, using modern artificial intelligence technologies. The purpose of the study is to develop the Russian economy in the world economic system, based on the use of technological factors to ensure the artificial intelligence transparency. The purpose of the study is to determine the AI transparency as a characteristic of the international economic system development, as well as to study various properties of ensuring this transparency. The methodology of theoretical literature review and observation is considered. Regulatory documents, statistical materials, and targeted programs for the artificial intelligence development in the Russian Federation are analyzed. The research results are as follows: the role of technological factors in ensuring the artificial intelligence transparency in the world economic relations development of the Russian Federation in the context of globalization has been identified. In particular, AI transparency as a property of the international economic system and AI transparency as a property of the understandability of the international integration economic processes algorithm are considered. Thus, tools for the world economic processes development in the Russian Federation based on the creation of a transparent artificial intelligence system promote cooperation in the transfer of knowledge and technology, integration cooperation, improvement of the international economic, organizations activities, and growth in labor productivity.

Systematic Analysis Based on the Optimal Design of Photovoltaic Inverter Circuit

As a clean and renewable energy source, solar energy is of great significance to reduce greenhouse gas and harmful gas emissions, stabilize energy supply, promote industrial innovation, and help achieve sustainable development and carbon neutrality goals. In this paper, the structure and working principle of photovoltaic cells are introduced, and the characteristics of solar photovoltaic cells and thin film photovoltaic cells are compared and analyzed. Then, the application scenarios of solar photovoltaic power generation and thin film photovoltaic power generation are compared, and the future development direction of photovoltaic cells is prospected. Finally, the structure and working mechanism of the inverter circuit are introduced, some problems in the current photovoltaic inverter circuit are summarized, and then some optimization design of photovoltaic inverter circuit based on the maximum power point tracking technology and leakage current related problems are analyzed, and suggestions on how to optimize the design of photovoltaic inverter circuit are given.

Искажение геометрии, окисление кромки, структурные изменения и морфология поверхности реза листового проката толщиной 100 мм из алюминиевых, медных и титановых сплавов при плазменной резке на токе обратной полярности

The introduction describes the feasibility of using reverse polarity plasma cutting to produce large-sized non-ferrous metal blanks up to 100 mm thick. Data on the use of plasma cutting with direct and reverse polarity currents for thick sheet metal and the main technological problems associated with its implementation are presented. The purpose of the work is to study the organization of the structure and properties of the near-surface zone, changes in the chemical and phase composition when cutting aluminum, copper and titanium alloys. The research methods are optical and scanning electron microscopy, microhardness measurement, X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive analysis. Plasma cutting was carried out using air as a plasma-forming and shielding gas, simultaneously with water injection into the discharge chamber and the formation of a “water fog” around the plasma column. Results and discussion. It is shown that both the arc stability and the shape of the plasma column are of great importance in reverse polarity plasma cutting of rolled sheets. The distortion of the cutting geometry during normal operation is greatest in the central part, and with insufficient heat input it shifts to the lower part and increases significantly. The operation of the plasma torch in air does not lead to significant changes in the composition of the cutting surface of aluminum and copper alloys. A decrease in the magnesium content near the edge is typical for the aluminum alloy in the surface layers. Cutting of the titanium alloy is accompanied by intense oxidation of the surface, especially in areas of difficult metal displacement from the cutting cavity. The formation of titanium oxides, mainly rutile Ti2O, sharply increases the microhardness values in the surface layers, which negatively affects the machinability of the cutting edge and requires shot blasting to remove the oxide layer. The conclusion describes the main patterns of implementing reverse polarity plasma cutting of sheet metal from aluminum, copper and titanium alloys with a thickness of 100 mm.

Evaluating access to National Health Insurance Scheme Services

Access to health insurance is vital for achieving Universal Health Coverage, yet barriers such as high costs, inadequate coverage, and systemic inefficiencies often impede access to necessary health care. This study evaluated access to the National Health Insurance Scheme-provided services among enrollees at the outpatient department (OPD) of Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH) in Lusaka, Zambia, chosen for its role as a pioneering NHIS-accredited facility and its significance as a major publicly funded referral hospital. Data were collected in May 2024 from 270 systematically sampled NHIS enrollees at the OPD of LMUTH using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis revealed a balanced gender distribution, with most respondents aged 35 and above, married, holding tertiary education, and earning a monthly Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) of 20,000 or less. The thematic analysis using NVivo uncovered positive and negative experiences with NHIS services, highlighting issues such as medical service availability, drug shortages, service delays, technological problems, communication challenges, equity in service delivery, and coverage gaps. The key policy implications for improving access to NHIS services include enhancing supply chains, digital infrastructure, coverage to rural areas, staff training, public awareness of the NHIS, and information technology systems.

Study on surface subsidence law in mining area based on SBAS-InSAR technology

In view of the problems of traditional mine monitoring technology, which is time-consuming, laborious, small amount of monitoring data, and affected by weather, this paper selects radar satellite earth observation technology, adopts SBAS-InSAR image processing method, obtains the surface settlement changes in the study area, and analyzes several typical settlement funnels in the mining area: the data results show that the maximum settlement in the Fengyuan Village mining area is more than -30mm, and the maximum settlement in the Loess Temple mining area and Shagou mining area is more than -50mm. The Kentielinggou mining area and the Heishiyan mining area have the fastest settlement at two points, with a maximum settlement of more than -90mm.

Reflections from a Blended Professional Learning Network for Japanese Teachers of English

Over the years, the problematic issue of teacher isolationism has been well documented by researchers. In the Japanese public school system, many English as an international language (EIL) educators find teaching to be a lonely and frustrating endeavour as they have limited interactions with colleagues and face increasing job demands. This paper highlights a research project that aims to provide Japanese junior and senior high school EIL teachers with emotional and practical support. The pedagogical strategies and lesson ideas that are dis-cussed in this paper emerged during a series of interactive teacher-directed professional development (TDPD) workshops and informal online conversations that took place over an 18-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers utilized Chen and McCray’s (2012) Whole Teacher (WT) conceptual framework for in-service professional development to establish the online and face-to-face training sessions that were part of a blended community of practice. In our current post-COVID-19 world, the growing popularity of video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom) coupled with concerns about cost, time, and environmental issues means that virtual workshops will become increasingly commonplace (Zimmermann et al., 2021). Unfortunately, many virtual training sessions are beset with a host of technological and logistical problems. This paper also highlights five strategies that workshop leaders can utilize to facilitate successful interactive digital learning experiences for pre-service and in-service teachers.

Genesis of artesian waters

Mankind has entered the era of fresh water scarcity. And the questions of the origin of these waters, as well as the methods of effective search for underground fresh water, become fundamental for the assessment of the prospects of water supply of the Earth's population not only in theoretical, but also in applied values. The article considers the volcanic-marine paradigm of artesian water genesis, which allows a logical explanation of a number of deep freshwater phenomena that cannot be resolved by other theories. The main consequences of the volcanic-marine paradigm are: (a) artesian water is recoverable, (b) deep freshwater resources are included in the water cycle in nature like groundwater, (c) the problem of extracting potable artesian water is not a resource problem for mankind, but a technological problem. At present, artesian water is searched for by drilling wells (direct method) and by geophysical methods of groundwater exploration—electrical survey, seismic survey and magnetic resonance method. At the same time, the great depth of artesian water, up to 1000 m, makes it difficult to locate it using geophysical methods. The article considers the geophysical method of direct detection of artesian water in various geological structures at great depths. This method and the service based on it have been named “Geodirect RSS/NMR”. Their physical basis is the resonance between the pre-recorded spectrum of the sought substance (in our case, artesian water) and the spectrum of radiations recorded by the satellite instrumentation in the infrared range. The presence of resonance allows direct identification of artesian water flows and reservoirs without interpretation of indirect data.

ОРГАНІЗАЦІЯ ОСВІТНЬОЇ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ ФОРМУВАННЯ У ПІДЛІТКІВ ПОЗИТИВНОЇ МОТИВАЦІЇ ДО ЗАНЯТЬ ФІЗИЧНОЮ КУЛЬТУРОЮ

The article is devoted to the problem of organization educational technology for the formation of positive motivation for physical education among adolescents. The socio-economic changes taking place in our country and abroad put forward new requirements for educational theory and practice in the field of preparing the younger generation for life and work in the context of European integration partnerships. The problem of forming motivations for learning, including physical education, is becoming particularly relevant today. The special principles of the projective development of educational technology for the formation of positive motivation in adolescents for systematic physical education are defined and characterized An innovative educational technology for the formation of positive motivation in teenagers for systematic physical education. Along with the issues of forming teenagers’ motivation to study, it is also necessary to resolve the issue of forming the need for independent and systematic physical education based on the creation of ideas about a healthy lifestyle.

Problems of Arctic Hydrocarbon Development in The Context of Modern Global Challenges: Development Potential and Industry Strategies

Significant hydrocarbon raw material potential in the Arctic territories and complex technological solutions for its development dictate the need to solve extraordinary organizational, managerial and technical tasks of strategic nature. There are economic difficulties associated with oil and gas production in the Arctic fields and, in particular, in the development of offshore facilities. The article focuses on the sectoral strategies of oil and gas complex development, which should be balanced with regional and corporate strategies. Industry strategies for the development of the Arctic oil and gas complex detail a specific set of measures that fully reflect the technological and economic capabilities of domestic companies, it is especially important to assess the achievability of strategic goals in terms of the development of offshore resources. The purpose of this study is to summarize the strategic problems of the development of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic with the identification of options for the development strategies of oil and gas industry complexes. The methodology of the research is based on the methods of strategic management. Within the framework of solving strategic problems and tasks, it is advisable to apply various scenarios using the methods of strategic alternatives, and, in particular, matrix methods. Matrix methods allow to use the results of the analysis and offer specific alternatives that can be used as a basis for strategic choice in the development of sectoral strategies of the oil and gas complex. The scientific results of the study are determined by the generalization of the problems of the Arctic hydrocarbon potential development and the development of alternative strategy options for solving technological and environmentally-oriented strategic problems. The article presents strategic problems of Arctic oil and gas fields development. The key economic, organizational, technological, social, environmental and geo-political problems are highlighted. Technological strategies largely depend on markets and the policy of technological sovereignty. Using domestic markets or turning to external markets seems to be an important strategic choice, as it determines the level of investment costs — in-house development or purchase of technologies on open markets. For the development of breakthrough technologies in offshore hydrocarbon production, it is possible to rely on the domestic technology market to develop new technical solutions and digital systems. Environmentally-oriented strategies are based on sustainability and efficiency criteria with economic or socio-environmental aspects being prioritized. It is revealed that “green” strategies can take place, but for the development of oil and gas industrial complexes it is important to maintain a balance between production development and environmental safety.

Photocleavable Guide crRNAs for a Light-Controllable CRISPR/Cas9 System.

The design of controllable and precise RNA-targeted CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) systems is an important problem of modern molecular biology and genetic technology. Herein, we have designed a series of photocleavable guide CRISPR RNAs (crRNA) and their 2'-modified (2'-fluoro and locked nucleic acid) analogs containing one or two 1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1,2-ethanediol photolabile linkers (PL). We have demonstrated that these crRNAs can be destroyed by relatively mild UVA irradiation with the rate constants 0.24-0.77 min-1 and that the photocleavage markedly slows down the action of Cas9 nuclease in the model in vitro system. Two PLs provide more rapid crRNA destruction than a single linker. PLs in the crRNA structure improve the specificity of DNA cleavage by Cas9 nuclease for the fully complementary target. The application of photocleavable crRNA in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing permits the system to be switched off in a spatiotemporally controlled manner, thus alleviating its off-target effects.

Recent Research Advances and Challenges in Supply Chain Resilience Management

This paper explores recent research advances and challenges in supply chain resilience management, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current supply chain resilience theory and practice. Firstly, this paper defines the core concepts of supply chain resilience management and describes related theories, including supply chain risk management theory, dynamic capability theory and complexity theory. Next, the paper discusses in detail the latest research progress in supply chain resilience management, analysing it from strategic perspectives, technical support and digital development, enterprise case studies, and indicator systems. Supply chain vulnerability, complexity and uncertainty brought about by globalisation, challenges brought about by technological development and problems in business management are explored. In response to these challenges, the paper proposes future research directions, including dynamic capability enhancement, application of artificial intelligence and machine learning, integrated risk management, cross-industry comparative studies, and sustainable development. Ultimately, the paper summarises the key findings and proposes strategies to address them, such as risk assessment, information transparency, supplier optimisation, inventory management and technological innovation. Through these measures, companies can improve the resilience of their supply chains, ensure that they maintain stable operations in complex and uncertain environments, and achieve long-term competitive advantage.