Short Space Research Articles

Integration of Pt/Fe‐silicalite‐1 and acidic zeolite as a bifunctional catalyst for boosting ethane dehydroaromatization

AbstractEthane dehydrogenation to aromatics (EDA) is one of the most promising routes to produce aromatics. Herein, the tandem of dehydrogenation component and acidic zeolite are prepared and investigated for EDA. Pt/Fe‐S‐1 coupled with ZSM‐5 of Si/Al of 14 via mixing homogeneously shows excellent EDA performance with 54.0% ethane conversion, 61.5% aromatics selectivity as well as a deactivation rate constant of 0.00010 h−1. According to catalysts characterizations and controlled experiments, it is confirmed the highly dispersed positive Ptδ+ species around Fe species over Pt/Fe‐S‐1 is the active sites for ethane dehydrogenation to ethylene and subsequent naphthenes dehydrogenation to aromatics, Brønsted acid sites of ZSM‐5 and MFI pore are responsible for ethylene oligomerization and cyclization to naphthenes and further naphthenes dehydrogenation to aromatics. The short spatial space between dehydrogenation active sites and acid sites is beneficial for EDA. And the ethylene generation rate is the rate‐determining step of EDA.

Design methodology for heavy-haul railway track foundations under 40-tonne axle loads

ABSTRACT Heavy haul railway, recognized for high capacity and efficiency, is gaining traction worldwide. However, heavier axle loads can accelerate track and foundation deterioration without robust structural design. This study proposes a practical design methodology for heavy-haul track foundations under 40-tonne axle loads. Short axle spacing was considered in analyzing train load distribution, revealing significant stress superposition on the subgrade. Based on general strength, deformation, and long-term stability, a standardized multi-axle load pattern (4Z1800/2400) is introduced to capture these effects. The recommended design ensures cumulative deformation remains within the subgrade “working zone” by integrating induced stress levels and fill materials, surpassing single-factor approaches. Long-term stability, indicated by cumulative deformation approaching slow convergence, serves as the control requirement. Proposed design solutions include: 1) roadbed thickness of 3.5 m, with subgrade reaction modulus (K30) ≥110 MPa/m below the roadbed; 2) lower roadbed of 2.3 m, K30 ≥130 MPa/m, with thickness adjustments as needed; 3) upper roadbed of 0.7 m using high-quality graded gravel. These measures effectively control deformation, thus ensuring the performance and longevity of heavy-haul track foundations under extreme axle loads. The outcomes support global heavy-haul development.

Analysis of Implementation of Marker-Based Augmented Reality (AR) Business Cards as a Media Company Profile - Study Case of Marker-based Augmented Reality (AR) in Business Cards as a Media for Company Profile

The rapid development of Augmented Reality technology has inspired a new way of introducing oneself to the audience using while using the traditional business cards. In today’s business tradition, even an old precept of ‘first impression matters’ still intact. Business cards still being used in formal meetings between two interested business parties. This new way of employing AR technology in the reformed business cards thus creates more engagement between the two parties involved in the short time and space of self-branding and business promotion. Augmented Reality manifests elements of the virtual world, namely avatar, in the physical realm and has been applied and used for various schemes in game-making, medical facility, education and learning, and promotional aspect of marketing to name a few instances.This research aims to carve a space for applied technology of AR for creative corporate promotional media, where we designed an immersive way of presenting the company profile by displaying a persona/avatar and video profile that stores the information of the company’s line of business and the forwarding representative so partners could recognize the company’s profile and be impressed in the event of introduction exchange. While implementing the principle of service design, specifically the design thinking for User Interface and User Experience to enhance the experience of exchanging the ‘first impression’ by business cards, this research hopes to weave a collaboration between UX designers and business parties in sustaining the creative industries. Keywords: augmented reality, company profile, user interface, user experience

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONTROL OF JOINT FAULTING OF UNDOWELED PAVEMENTS

Based on a study of the performance of undoweled concrete pavements, it is concluded that the degree of joint faulting depends on the number of heavy trucks carried, slab thickness, joint spacing, and the type of subbase and subgrade. The effect of different degrees of joint faulting on the quality of ride, or serviceability, of pavements is evaluated. A correlation of the faulting data provides an improved method for predicting the degree of faulting and serves as a more definite basis than previously available to decide whether or not a doweled joint design is required. The fault prediction model may also be used, with stated, limitations, to estimate the required thickness of undoweled pavements designed thicker than conventional doweled pavements to compensate for the absence of dowels. The results are intended to apply to the design of highway and street pavements with short joint spacings.

Gas explosion overpressure loads in utility tunnels under different pipe support spacing

Gas explosion overpressure loads in utility tunnels under different pipe support spacing

An engineered Palivizumab IgG2 subclass for synthetic gp130 and fas mediated signaling.

Recently, we phenocopied Interleukin (IL-)6 signaling using the dimerized single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) IgG1-antibody Palivizumab (PscFvLHFc) to activate a Palivizumab anti-idiotypic nanobody (AIPVHH)-gp130 receptor fusion protein. Palivizumab was unable to activate STAT3 signaling, so we aimed to create a similar ligand capable of triggering this pathway. Here, we created three variants of the ligand called PscFvLH0Fc, PscFvLH4Fc and PscFvLH8Fc by shortening the spacer region connecting PscFvLH and Fc from 23 amino acids in PscFvLHFc to 0 amino acids or expanding it by rigid linkers of 4 or 8 alpha helical loops, respectively. The rigid-linker ligands had completely altered cellular activation patterns via AIPVHHgp130 fusion proteins. Deleting the extracellular stalk region between transmembrane and AIPVHH in the synthetic receptors AIP2VHHgp130Δstalk and AIP3VHHgp130Δstalk to increase rigidity and enhanced the biological activity of the short spacer PscFvFc ligands. Since scFv constructs are less stable than antibodies and have not been FDA approved, we looked for different antibody backbones. Transferring Palivizumab's variable region to a more rigid and hence more agonistic IgG2 backbone (PIgG2) maintained affinity while improving agonistic properties activating cells expressing AIP2VHHgp130Δstalk and AIP3VHHgp130Δstalk but not their full-length counterparts. Furthermore, we engineered a tetravalent Palivizumab variant (PscFvPIgG2) capable of inducing higher-order receptor clustering, activating Fas-induced apoptosis. In summary, we engineered a fully-synthetic cytokine/cytokine receptor pair based on the IgG2-variant of Palivizumab and the AIPVHHgp130Δstalk variants opening avenues for therapeutic applications utilizing non-physiological targets in immunotherapy.

Hydration and Antibiofouling Behavior of Zwitterionic Polycarboxybetaine-Grafted Surfaces Studied with Atomistic Simulations.

Fouling-resistant coating materials have important applications in marine industry and biomedicine. Zwitterionic carboxybetaine polymers have demonstrated robust antibiofouling functionalities in experiments. In this work, we performed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to study the molecular mechanism of hydration and antibiofouling of poly(carboxybetaine acrylamide) (polyCBAA) brush surfaces. We focused on the zwitterionic carboxybetaine, which has only a short methylene spacer between the positive quaternary ammonium and the negative carboxylate groups. Our study shows that a large amount of water is present within the polyCBAA surface, and a condensed water layer of single-molecular thickness covers the top of the polymer surface. Moreover, the clustering of the zwitterionic chains results in an amorphous structure of the polymer surface, a reduced degree of order in the interfacial water molecules, and weak protein attachment. The low protein desorption free energy demonstrates that the polyCBAA surface exhibits strong fouling resistance due to its significant interfacial hydration and the small dipole moment of the carboxybetaine group, minimizing protein-surface electrostatic interactions. Our study at the molecular level will be important to the future development of zwitterionic materials.

Dimensional Accuracy of Intraoral Scanners in Recording Digital Impressions of Post and Core Preparations: A Systematic Review.

This study aims to perform a review by selecting, analyzing, and evaluating articles that discuss the accuracy of intraoral scanners (IOSs) in recording post space compared to conventional impression-making techniques. The review question framed using the PITR framework (participant, index test, targeted condition, and reference standard) is as follows: What is the dimensional accuracy (T) of impressions made using intraoral scanners (I) for post space (P) compared to impressions made using conventional techniques and digitalized using extraoral scanners (R)? Four electronic databases were searched using pre-set keywords. The guidelines and strategies recommended by PRISMA formed the basis for planning, executing, and documenting this systematic review. QUADAS-2 was used to critically analyze the quality of all the selected articles. After excluding ineligible articles, the end synthesis has nine studies (n = 9) for qualitative analysis. All nine evaluated studies were found to be at risk of bias, with high or unclear risk in one or more domains. Three out of nine evaluated studies had unclear concerns regarding the applicability, and the remaining six had low concerns. In all the included studies, the IOSs were reported to have deviations in accuracy compared to the conventional techniques for making digital impressions of post space. The accuracy of IOSs was found to be inversely proportional to the length of post space and directly proportional to the diameter of post space. IOSs, when used adequately in short post spaces, can be an alternative to conventional impression-making for making custom posts and cores.

The silence between: The role of transitional time and space to adjust to key life events in the Orthodox Jewish Community

This article aims to present two vignettes that illustrate the impact on emotional and psychological adjustment when significant life events occur in a short space of time, at a young age, using the Orthodox Jewish Community as a vehicle. These are due to religious and cultural mores. There is often sparse opportunity to process transitions, navigate new identities and roles, and just "be" in the silent liminal space between. This often reveals itself floridly in the perinatal period when opportunities for personal expansion and self- actualisation may become considerably attenuated. The author examines transitional space, the liminal, quiet time separating life events that enable self-growth, reflection, and adjust- ment. The features of different life-stages, maturity, and development of the individual will also be considered. The clinical vignette and the semi-structured interview intend to stimulate thinking about the effect on the mental health of mothers of these rapid transitions and, in turn, the capacity to attach and attune to infants. It highlights the overlap between symptoms of perinatal mood disorders and adjustment disorder. This article invites discus- sion and further exploration of whether junctures exist where the pace could be decelerated, whilst honouring sacred beliefs and practices within the context of faith.

Multivalent GCase Enhancers: Synthesis and Evaluation of Glyco-Gold Nanoparticles Decorated with Trihydroxypiperidine Iminosugars.

The present study reports the preparation of the first multivalent iminosugars built onto a glyco-gold nanoparticle core (glyco-AuNPs) capable of stabilizing or enhancing the activity of the lysosomal enzyme GCase, which is defective in Gaucher disease. An N-nonyltrihydroxypiperidine was selected as the bioactive iminosugar unit and further functionalized, via copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition, with a thiol-ending linker that allowed the conjugation to the gold core. These bioactive ligands were obtained with either a linear monomeric or dendritic trimeric arrangement of the iminosugar. The concentration of the bioactive iminosugar on the gold surface was modulated with different amounts of a glucoside bearing a short thiol-ending spacer as the inner ligand. The new mixed-ligand coated glyco-AuNPs were fully characterized, and those with the highest colloidal stability in aqueous medium were subjected to biological evaluation. Glyco-AuNPs with trimeric iminosugar bioactive units showed the ability to stabilize recombinant GCase in a thermal denaturation assay, while Glyco-AuNPs with monomeric iminosugar bioactive units were able to enhance the activity of mutant GCase in Gaucher patient's fibroblasts by 1.9-fold at 2.2 μM.

Rh(I) Catalyzed Polymerization of Propargylated Monosaccharides to Electrospinable Helically Chiral Linear Polyacetylenes and Sorption‐Active Porous Polyacetylene Networks

ABSTRACTWe report the Rh(I)‐catalyzed chain‐growth polymerizations of propargylated monosaccharides to form π‐conjugated polyacetylene‐type products with the monosaccharide substituents attached to the polyacetylene backbone via short methylene spacers. The homopolymerization provides helically chiral linear polyacetylenes of M w ~ 20,000 soluble in either water (monosaccharide substituents with free OH groups) or organic solvents (acetylated monosaccharide substituents). The methodology is established for the transformation of prepared chiral polymers into fibers (average diameter ~2.7 μm) taking advantage of the electrospinning technique. Copolymerization of propargylated monosaccharides with 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene cross‐linker provides hyper‐cross‐linked polyacetylene networks with monosaccharide units content up to 46 wt.%, permanent micro/mesoporosity and S BET area up to 482 m2 g−1. The monosaccharide substituents of the networks serve as centers active in reversible isothermal adsorption of water vapor from the air. The achieved H2O capture capacity of 200 mg g−1 (298 K, RH = 90%) shows monosaccharides as promising (co)building blocks for the construction of porous materials effective in water harvesting from air.

Scale-Up of Continuous Metallaphotoredox Catalyzed C-O Coupling to a 10 kg-Scale Using Small Footprint Photochemical Taylor Vortex Flow Reactors.

We report the development and optimization of a scalable flow process for metallaphotoredox (Ir/Ni) C-O coupling, a mild and efficient approach for forming alkyl-aryl ethers, a common motif in medicinal and process chemistry settings. Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy (TRIR) highlighted the amine as the major quencher of the photocatalyst triplet excited state, along with the formation of an Ir(II) species that, in the presence of the Ni cocatalyst, has its lifetime shortened, suggesting reductive quenching of Ir(III)*, followed by reoxidation facilitated by the Ni cocatalyst. TRIR and batch reaction screening was used to develop conditions transferrable to flow, and many processing benefits of performing the reaction in flow were then demonstrated using a simple to construct/operate, small-footprint FEP coil flow reactor, including short (<10 min) space times and reduced catalyst loadings (down to 0.1 mol % Ir, 1 mol % Ni) while retaining good yield/conversion. Scalability was demonstrated by increasing the length or diameter of the FEP coil flow reactor tubing, however, due to suspected mass transfer/mixing limitations, the yield decreased upon scale-up in some cases. Therefore, we applied a modified version of our previously reported photochemical Taylor Vortex Flow Reactor (PhotoVortex), where Taylor vortices and a short-irradiated path length allow photochemical reactions to be performed efficiently via excellent mixing. In a small PhotoVortex (8 mL irradiated volume), we have demonstrated projected productivities around 1 kg day-1 and >10 kg day-1 in a large PhotoVortex (185 mL irradiated volume) with good product yields (>90%) and low catalyst loadings (0.1 to 0.5 mol % of [Ir{dF(CF3)ppy}2dtbbpy]PF6), enabled by excellent mixing ensuring sufficient mass transfer between short-lived photoexcited and other transient species.

No paleoclimatic anomalies are associated with the late Eocene extraterrestrial impact events

Two distinct extraterrestrial impacts events struck the Earth less than 25,000 years apart in the late Eocene, approximately 35.65 million years ago. These resulted in the Popigai (northern Siberia) and Chesapeake Bay (eastern North America) impacts structures, the largest of the Cenozoic era. To examine the paleoclimatic consequences attributed to the late Eocene Chesapeake and Popigai extraterrestrial impact events, we present multispecies planktonic and benthic foraminiferal oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotope records. Here we generate data from the Gulf of Mexico, Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 94 covering 35.85 to 35.49 million years ago. No isotopic anomalies or excursions were recorded across the impact horizons. However, ~100,000 years before the impacts, a negative 0.75‰ δ18O shift occurs in planktonic foraminifera, coincident with a 0.25‰ positive change in benthic foraminifera. We interpret this as a warming of ~2 °C in the surface ocean, accompanied by 1 °C deep water cooling, but these modifications are before and not coeval with the impact horizons. Despite the close succession of two or more large extraterrestrial impact events within a short space of time (less than 25,000 years), our study from the Gulf of Mexico indicates no detectable paleoclimatic response.

Determining Groundwater Table in Slopes With Horizontal Drains and Design Framework for Length and Spacing

ABSTRACT Horizontal drains (HDs) are commonly implemented in slope stabilization to reduce the pore water pressure (PWP); however, they also cause complex three-dimensional (3D) variations in the groundwater table (GWT), which require intricate 3D flow models. To address this challenge, we propose a novel semi-empirical method based on a series of numerical simulations validated through numerical and field studies to determine the GWT of a slope with HDs. Subsequently, the proposed method was extended to calculate the average PWP (U) acting on a predefined slip surface via linear integration. The decrease of U (ΔU) resulting from HDs can be used to evaluate the performance of HDs. To create design charts that consider the impact of length and spacing of HDs on ΔU for a specific slope, we developed a Python-based computer program. Two case studies were conducted, which showed that ΔU increases with longer HDs and shorter spacing. The results also indicated that extending the HDs beyond a particular length does not significantly affect ΔU; it is highly sensitive to the spacing in short HDs and not sensitive in long HDs. Furthermore, we found that the total length of HDs required to achieve a target ΔU is less in wide spacings than in short spacings. In conclusion, long HDs with wide spacings are more effective and economical. Owing to the unique nature of each slope stability problem, this study offers a practical tool for analyzing the effectiveness of HDs instead of providing a general guide.

Family Size and Past Obstetric History of Married Women Aged 45 Years and Older in Erbil.

The family size plays an important role in fulfilling the primary needs of each family member and providing a quality life for them. This research studies the association of family size with various socioeconomic and demographic factors and the lifetime fertility patterns of previous decades. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The data was collected from December 11, 2023, to April 15, 2024, after the ethics committee of the Kurdistan Higher Council for Medical Specialties approved the proposal. A convenience sample of 400 women aged 45-74 years who had completed their families were directly interviewed. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). The prevalence of large family size (seven members and above) was 78.5%. The lifetime fertility rate of the women was 6.78 live births per woman. Large family size is significantly (p < 0.001) associated with age <18 years at marriage, short birth spacing interval, and unplanned pregnancies. The majority (91.7%) of the participants were grand multipara. The Cesarean section (CS) rate was 7.3%, 60.2% of the births were delivered at home, and 46.6% of the live births were delivered with a preceding birth interval of less than two years. The majority (82.2%) of the pregnancies were unplanned. Large family size is highly prevalent among women who have completed their families in Erbil. Many demographic and socioeconomic factors are associated with large family sizes, such as rural residency, age <18 years at marriage, low socioeconomic status (SES), short birth spacing interval, and unplanned pregnancies.For a more desired family size, it is recommended that young females be empowered by encouraging their education and providing occupation opportunities. In addition to that, prohibiting early marriageand providing/strengthening premarital programs focusing on the importance of family planning including birth spacing and utilizing contraceptive methods properly play a great role.

Boosting Carrier Transport in Quasi-2D/3D Perovskite Heterojunction for High-Performance Perovskite/Organic Tandems.

Wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskites are continuously in the limelight owing to their applicability in tandem solar cells. The main bottlenecks of WBG perovskites are interfacial non-radiative recombination and carrier transport loss caused by interfacial defects and large energy-level offsets, which induce additional energy losses when WBG perovskites are stacked with organic solar cells in series because of unbalanced carrier recombination in interconnecting layer (ICL). To solve these issues, 1,3-propanediammonium iodide (PDADI) is incorporated to form Dion-Jacobson -phase quasi-2D perovskites with mixed high-n-values in WBG perovskites. PDADI simultaneously repairs the shallow/deep defects and establishes a Type-II energy-level alignment between quasi-2D/3D and 3D perovskites for rapid carrier extraction. More importantly, the short-chain diammonium cation in quasi-2D perovskite with high n-values results in a short Pb-I inorganic layer spacing, which enhances the interlayer electronic coupling and weakens the quantum-well confinement effect that restricts carrier transport. The suppressed transport loss increases the electron concentration in the ICL for balanced carrier recombination. The 0.0628 and 1.004 cm2 perovskite/organic tandems achieve remarkable efficiencies of 25.92% and 24.63%, respectively. The quasi-2D capping layer can inhibit ion migration, allowing perovskite/organic tandems to show excellent operational stability (T85 >1000h).

Impact of acid surface pretreatment on the hydrophobic agglomeration of micro-fine ilmenite and titanaugite in flotation

Impact of acid surface pretreatment on the hydrophobic agglomeration of micro-fine ilmenite and titanaugite in flotation

Effect of prefatigue-induced persistent slip bands on the strength-ductility match in -oriented Cu single crystals

Effect of prefatigue-induced persistent slip bands on the strength-ductility match in <112>-oriented Cu single crystals

Review of Oriental species of the genus Atopotrophos (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).

A new species of tryphonine Darwin Wasps in the genus Atopotrophos Cushman, 1919, (A. bubeng sp. nov.). is described from Bubeng, Mueang La, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. The new species can be distinguished from all other Atopotrophos species by having 35 flagellomeres, a very short malar space, both scutellum and postscutellum with apical teeth, and from the most similar species, A. spiniger, by its larger size, longer area superomedia, longer T1, and shorter ovipositor. Re-descriptions, illustrations of holotype specimens of A. chinensis and A. spiniger are provided. The type localities of these species are defined, and approximate coordinates and habitat description are added. A key for Oriental species is provided.

Solar-Hydrogen system of additional power supply and digital control system for on-board power supply system

Solar-Hydrogen system of additional power supply and digital control system for on-board power supply system