Panel System Research Articles

Rheological and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete with recycled coarse aggregate from the demolition of large panel system buildings

Abstract Self-compacting concrete (SCC), which can be placed and consolidated under its weight without any vibration effort, was first developed in 1988 to achieve durable concrete structures. Since then, a lot of research has been conducted in order to reduce the consumption of raw materials in SCC. Although coarse aggregate and design methods are known to influence concrete properties, there are still knowledge gaps that need to be filled. This study uses a new source of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), namely the concrete panels of old large panel system buildings demolished in urban areas. The aim of the study is to verify the effect of this aggregate on the rheological and mechanical properties of SCC. To enhance the properties of SCC, the modified equivalent mortar volume (mEMV) method of designing a concrete mix was used. It has not been verified before for SCC, and a literature review suggests it has the potential to eliminate the drawbacks of ordinary equivalent mortar volume methods. The SCC that was used in the study is characterized by having a high viscosity and an average consistency. The hardened SCC used in the research was highly impacted by its mix design and RCA content. Both compressive strength and abrasion resistance decreased when the RCA content increased. However, using the mEMV method resulted in a 10 and 1% improvement in compressive strength and abrasion resistance, respectively.

A gender-based analysis of employment, workforce productivity, and economic growth in West Africa.

The study examined a gender-based investigation of employment, workforce productivity and economic growth in West African countries. The empirical analysis is centred on panel consisting of 16 West African countries over the period 2007-2019 using Esteve-Volarts model. The method of estimation employed are panel system generalised method of moments. The major findings suggest that there exists a positive and major relationship between male and female wage and salaried workers to economic growth although male wage contribution to growth supersedes female contribution. Also, male and female labour force participation rate are directly linked to economic growth. Likewise, female workforce productivity contributed significantly to economic growth of the selected countries. This study recommends that programmes should be put in place to facilitate more female participation in well paid jobs which will help enhance productivity as well as increase the growth in the countries. These recommendations will help to narrow the inequality of gender inequality in employment and productivity of workforce amongst West African countries.

A Deformation Reconstruction Strategy for Integrated Truss Structures Subjected to Thermal-Mechanical Load.

The deformation monitoring of integrated truss structures (ITSs) is essential for ensuring the reliable performance of mounted equipment in complex space environments. Reconstruction methods based on local strain information have been proven effective, yet the identification faces significant challenges due to variable thermal-mechanical loads, interactions among structural components, and special boundary conditions. This paper proposes a deformation reconstruction strategy tailored for ITSs under combined thermal-mechanical load scenarios wherein deformations of both the primary truss structures and the attached panel systems are investigated. The proposed approach utilizes Ko displacement theory as the core algorithm, while the least squares optimization method is employed to determine the integration with unknown initial values during the reconstruction process. Validation is conducted through diverse load scenarios, and the reconstruction results are evaluated using errors based on the root mean square. The result demonstrates that the proposed method can reconstruct deformations of truss structures under both mechanical and thermal loads. Furthermore, the optimization-based approach achieves accurate reconstructed results in the case of panels with two-point fixed boundary conditions. This study provides an effective strategy for in-orbit deformation reconstruction, addressing challenges posed by complex loads and structural configurations.

Validation and evaluation of the performance of QIAstat-Dx gastrointestinal panel in pooled stool samples.

In the current study, the analytical sensitivity, analytical specificity, reproducibility, anti-interferences ability, and clinical performance of the QIAstat-Dx Gastrointestinal Panel (GIP) system were evaluated using pooled stool samples. Results showed that the pooled sample test detected the selected ten targets exclusively, with no cross reaction with any other targets of common enteropathogens. The analytical sensitivity of the pooled sample test on QIAstat-Dx GIP system was 102 CFU/ml for Shigella spp., 103 CFU/ml for Salmonella spp., Y. enterocolitica, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Enteropathogenic E. coli, 104 CFU/ml for V. cholerae, 102 copies/ml for Norovirus, 103 copies/ml for Rotavirus, Astrovirus, Sapovirus, respectively. The Coefficients of variation (CV) during the detection of V. cholerae, Salmonella spp., Y. enterocolitica, Enterotoxigenic E. coli, Enteropathogenic E. coli, Shigella spp., Rotavirus, Norovirus, Astrovirus, and Sapovirus detection was 2.3 %, 2.7 %, 3.9 %, 4.2 %, 1.7 %, 2.6 %, 6.7 %, 1.4 %, 1.3 % and 2.7 %, respectively, indicating the high reproducibility of the pooled sample test, except for Rotavirus. When potentially interfering agents were added, the shifted Ct value was less than the cut off value, suggesting the good anti-interferences ability. During clinical evaluation, the pooled sample test was 97.8 % concordant with gold standard methods (bacterial culture for bacteria and qPCR for viruses). Our results suggest that QIAstat-Dx GIP system could be used for pooled sample test for enteropathogens screening, which would be more economical and could improve throughput while provide comparable test performance.

Design prognostics for 4400 TEU container vessel by multi‐variate Gaidai reliability approach

AbstractThis case study introduces an innovative multivariate methodology for assessing the lifetime of marine engineering systems, specifically in cargo vessel transportation. The analysis focused on stress data collected onboard a 4400 TEU container vessel during multiple trans‐Atlantic voyages. One of the major challenges in marine cargo transport lies in mitigating the risk of container loss due to excessive whipping loads. Accurate prediction of extreme stress levels on vessel deck panels remains difficult, primarily because of the nonlinear and non‐stationary nature of wave and ship motion interactions. Higher‐order dynamic effects, such as second‐ and third‐order responses, often become significant when ships operate under adverse environmental conditions, amplifying nonlinear influences. Laboratory simulations, constrained by wave characteristics and scale similarity issues, may not always provide reliable results. Consequently, data collected from vessels navigating extreme weather conditions serves as a critical resource for comprehensive container ship risk assessment. The primary goal of this study was to validate and demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel multivariate risk evaluation approach, leveraging onboard measurements of dynamic areal pressure on cargo ship deck panels as the core dataset. The Gaidai methodology for multivariate risk evaluation proved to be a robust tool for assessing failure, hazard, and damage risks in complex, nonlinear vessel deck panel and ship hull stress systems.

Single-channel cooling system design by using perforated porous insert and modeling with POD for double conductive panel

Abstract In this study, a single cooling channel system is suggested for conductive double panel systems. The cooling channel for the vertical component uses perforated porous insert (PP-I) and porous insert (P-I), while cylinders are used in the PP-I case. The permeability of the porous channel (Da between 1 0 − 5 1{0}^{-5} and 1 0 − 1 1{0}^{-1} ), size of the cylinders (Rc between 0 and 0.25), and location of the PP plate (Yp between 1 and 4.5) are all taken into account when calculating the effectiveness of the cooling system using finite element method. It is found that PP-I can effectively control the vortex size and enhance cooling performance, particularly for vertical plate. Nusselt number is enhanced in the absence of cylinders in the vertical channel by 92% as contrasted to 51% in the presence of cylinders. When cylinders are used for the vertical channel, the temperature drop of 1 3 ° C 1{3}^{^\circ }{\rm{C}} is computed. The flow field noticeably changes when the permeability of the P-I and PP-I is altered. The equivalent temperature increases for P-I and PP-I with setups at Da = 1 0 − 5 {\rm{Da}}=1{0}^{-5} and Da = 1 0 − 2 {\rm{Da}}=1{0}^{-2} are 7.7 ° C {\text{7.7}}^{^\circ }{\rm{C}} and 4.4 ° C {\text{4.4}}^{^\circ }{\rm{C}} , respectively. The performance of cooling for the vertical plate is influenced favorably by the higher values of the porous plate’s vertical placement. By moving the porous object, it is possible to reduce the temperature by 8 ° C {8}^{^\circ }{\rm{C}} . For panel surface temperature, a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)-based reconstruction model with 12 POD modes is used. The POD-based model accurately captures the effects of utilizing P-I and PP-I on the panel temperature.

The Resilience of Attitude Toward Vaccination: Web-Based Randomized Controlled Trial on the Processing of Misinformation.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was already recognized that internet-based misinformation and disinformation could influence individuals to refuse or delay vaccination for themselves, their families, or their children. Reinformation, which refers to hyperpartisan and ideologically biased content, can propagate polarizing messages on vaccines, thereby contributing to vaccine hesitancy even if it is not outright disinformation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of reinformation on vaccine hesitancy. Specifically, the goal was to investigate how misinformation presented in the style and layout of a news article could influence the perceived tentativeness (credibility) of COVID-19 vaccine information and confidence in COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted a web-based randomized controlled trial by recruiting English-speaking Canadians aged 18 years and older from across Canada through the Qualtrics (Silver Lake) paid opt-in panel system. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 distinct versions of a news article on COVID-19 vaccines, each featuring variations in writing style and presentation layout. After reading the news article, participants self-assessed the tentativeness of the information provided, their confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, and their attitude toward vaccination in general. The survey included 537 participants, with 12 excluded for not meeting the task completion time. The final sample comprised 525 participants distributed about equally across the 4 news article versions. Chi-square analyses revealed a statistically significant association between general attitude toward vaccination and the perceived tentativeness of the information about COVID-19 vaccines included in the news article (χ21=37.8, P<.001). The effect size was small to moderate, with Cramer V=0.27. An interaction was found between vaccine attitude and writing style (χ21=6.2, P=.01), with a small effect size, Cramer V=0.11. In addition, a Pearson correlation revealed a significant moderate to strong correlation between perceived tentativeness and confidence in COVID-19 vaccination, r(523)=0.48, P<.001. The coefficient of determination (r2) was 0.23, indicating that 23% of the variance in perceived tentativeness was explained by confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. In comparing participants exposed to a journalistic-style news article with those exposed to an ideologically biased article, Cohen d was calculated to be 0.38, indicating a small to medium effect size for the difference in the perceived tentativeness between these groups. Exposure to a news article conveying misinformation may not be sufficient to change an individual's level of vaccine hesitancy. The study reveals that the predominant factor in shaping individuals' perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines is their attitude toward vaccination in general. This attitude also moderates the influence of writing style on perceived tentativeness; the stronger one's opposition to vaccines, the less pronounced the impact of writing style on perceived tentativeness. RR2-10.2196/41012.

Structural insulation panel system (SIP) as an alternative for cooling energy saving, decarbonization, and energy cost reduction in hot and dry climates. A simulation-based approach

ABSTRACT During the last decades, the growing urban prospects represent a challenging condition to develop climate change adaptation solutions before the urban overheating effects and its challenges to the environment, human health, and building energy consumption, which is critical in hot arid climates with record-breaking heatwaves where society is turning to air conditioning instead of energy-efficient building envelopes. The primary aim of this study was to examine the influence of the Structural Insulation Panel (SIP) system heat transfer in energy-related aspects and contrast it with those of conventional construction systems. Therefore, a comparative study was carried out in low-income dwellings to measure the thermal transmittance of the building envelope and assess the thermal energy simulation allocated in Köppen-Geiger´s hot desert climate, characterized by typical maximum temperatures of 45°C in the summer season. The investigation ascertained the levels of energy consumption, the capacity of the air conditioning system, the associated energy costs, and the potential decrease in carbon footprint. The study shows SIP as a viable construction system alternative, the evidence shows a 20% heat gain reduction, the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system capacity was reduced by 38%, and energy cost by 27%. The system also contributes to the decarbonization and carbon footprint by 20%. Likewise, to reduce the heat flow, a crucial element is evident, since transmittance in thermal bridges significantly affects the heat transfer in these low thermal conductivity systems with structural reinforcement elements.

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Techniques for Fault Detection in Solar Panel Systems

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Techniques for Fault Detection in Solar Panel Systems

Renewable energy transformation using solar panels in the Red Tilapia Intensive System community

The transition to renewable energy is a strategic response to the global energy crisis and climate change. A community service project was conducted to promote energy independence for the Red Tilapia Intensive System (REDTIS) community by installing solar panels. Utilizing the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) method, the initiative involved installing two solar panels with a total capacity of 200 WP, a 100 AH battery, a 30 A solar charge controller, and a 500 Watt inverter to power a 100-Watt aerator. The project began with community asset identification, renewable energy analysis, system design, installation, and performance monitoring. The solar panel system generated an average of 1 kWh daily, covering approximately 41.3 percent of the aerator's 2.4 kWh daily energy requirement. This reduced reliance on conventional energy, lowering electricity costs and carbon emissions. While the solar panels did not fully meet the aerator's energy needs, the initiative demonstrated significant potential for scalability. Enhancing energy production, storage, and management is expected to achieve complete energy independence. This project serves as a replicable model for other communities seeking sustainable energy solutions.

Climate change and health outcomes in Sub-Saharan African countries

This paper examines the effect of climate change on health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Greenhouse gas emission was used as the measure of climate change, while life expectancy rate was used as the measure of health outcomes. This paper's significant contribution is how the interaction of climate change and government effectiveness index influence health outcomes in SSA. We estimated the impact of climate change on health outcomes using the panel system generalized method of moments (GMM) method. Our empirical result show that there is a negative and significant relationship between climate change and life expectancy in the short and long run. In addition, we find that if effective government policy is interacted with climate change, this mutes the negative impact of climate change on health outcomes in SSA. This implies that, with effective government policies targeted toward achieving net zero carbon emission, climate change is not expected to have a significant impact on health outcomes in SSA.

Reliability analysis of (r,s)-out-of-n multi-state systems using copulas

PurposeThis study evaluates the reliability of a multi-state system (MSS) with n components, each having two s-dependent components via copulas.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs copula functions to model dependencies between components in an MSS. Specifically, it analyzes a (1,1)-out-of-n three-state system using Frank and Clayton copulas for reliability evaluation. A simulation-based case study of a micro-inverter solar panel system is also conducted using the Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern (FGM) copula.FindingsThe study finds that incorporating component dependencies significantly impacts the reliability of multi-state systems. Using Frank and Clayton copulas, the analysis shows how dependency structures alter system performance compared to independent models. The case study on a micro-inverter solar panel system, using the FGM copula, demonstrates that real-world systems with dependent components exhibit different performances. Also some effects of dependence parameters on the performance characteristics of the system such as mean residual lifetime and mean past lifetime are also examined.Originality/valueThis study is original in its use of copula functions to evaluate the performance of multi-state systems, particularly focusing on a (1,1)-out-of-n three-state system with dependent components. By applying Frank and Clayton copulas, the research advances reliability analysis by considering component dependencies, often overlooked in traditional models. Additionally, a case study on a micro-inverter solar panel system using the FGM copula highlights the practical application of these methods.

RELOKASI SISTEM PANEL SURYA UNTUK KEPERLUAN POMPA AIR DI PANTAI GRIGAK GUNUNG KIDUL

The Grigak Beach community experiences difficulty obtaining clean water, especially during the dry season. The lack of duration of the solar panel system that powers the water pump in the drilled well is the cause. Therefore, an effort was made to relocate the solar panel system from the previous location to a new location, which allows the solar panel system to have a longer lifespan. The community service that was carried out successfully relocated the solar panel system from the old location to the new one. The solar panel system can have a lifespan of about two hours longer.

Thermal management enhancement of building-integrated photovoltaic systems using coupled heat pipe and evaporative porous clay cooler

The building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panel systems often lead to a notable decline in PV panels efficiency and lifetime due to their temperature rise because of inadequate cooling. This study investigates the performance of innovative cooling strategy of using a coupled heat pipes and porous clay cooler and compare it with other related three BIPV cooling systems configurations including a conventional BIPV cooling with and without air gap and a pure evaporative porous clay cooling. The aim is to improve the PV panel cooling, ultimately reduce the PV temperature and enhance the overall performance of the BIPV system as well as reducing the building indoor temperature and boosting energy efficiency within the building. The system model, comprising sets of transient equations for the different system configurations, was solved using MATLAB and confirmed with previous experimental findings. The results indicate that comparing with the traditional BIPV system, using BIPV/Clay cooling systems and the hybrid BIPV/Clay-heat pipe cooling systems achieved peak PV temperature reductions of up to 14 °C and 14.7 °C, respectively. Additionally, these cooling methods led to a maximum interior room temperature reduction of approximately 14 °C and an average decrease of 8 °C. Moreover, the hybrid BIPV/Clay-heat pipe cooling system demonstrates superior performance compared to traditional BIPV system, achieving the highest improvements in PV electrical efficiency, output power, and exergy efficiency, with gains of 7.8 %, 6.4 %, and 8.4 %, respectively. Further, when the hybrid BIPV/Clay-heat pipe cooling system was employed, the clay cooling efficiency and clay exergy efficiency values improved on average by 30.2 % and 29.7 %, respectively, compared to the BIPV/Clay cooling system in addition to the increase of the lifetime of the PV panels due to isolating it from the contact with the water/water vapor of the clay cooling system. However, this hybrid approach resulted in a rise in electricity production costs from 0.077 $/kWh to roughly 0.138 $/kWh and extended the payback time from 7.38 years to 13.6 years. But, despite its initial economic drawbacks, the hybrid BIPV/Clay-HP cooling system demonstrates considerable effectiveness and long lifetime compared to other cooling configurations.

Mechanism analysis of the impact of regional digital transformation on the employment quality in the perspective of labor force structure

Regional digital transformation has revitalized economic development and revolutionized the employment landscape of the labor force. The study employs a dynamic panel system GMM model to investigate the direct and indirect effects of regional digital transformation on the employment quality of China’s labor force using panel data from 31 mainland provinces. The findings suggest that regional digital transformation initially has a negative impact on employment quality, but that it continues to improve continuously as it progresses, showing a “U-shaped” trend. A nonlinear mediation analysis across industry, sector, and skill levels of the labor force structure uncovers a complex, bridging effect on employment quality. This study provides valuable insights for improving employment policies and promoting full employment, highlighting the dynamic interplay between regional digitization and the labor market.

Technology Transfer of Humidity and Temperature Control System Using Ultrasonic Mist Maker in the Lamongan Hydroponic Farm Area, Sidoharjo Lamongan District

Lamongan Hydroponic Farm's vegetable farming has a lot of potential, however managing humidity and temperature is a problem. While farmers there have been successful in creating fruitful hydroponic gardens, they struggle to keep the ideal growing environment. Severe temperature and humidity swings have an impact on harvest quality and raise production costs. The community service team suggested using solar energy and ultrasonic mist maker technologies to solve this issue. It is anticipated that this technology will lower operating costs, produce the perfect atmosphere for plant growth, and automatically control the amount of water in the air. Lamongan hydroponic farming may therefore be more productive and long-lasting. Lamongan Hydroponic Farm's community service program is implemented through the following phases: socializing, training, technology application, mentorship, and program sustainability evaluation. Two key technologies were developed as a result of this process: smart agricultural knowledge and ultrasonic mist makers with IoT and solar panel systems attached. According to the evaluation results, the three pretest and posttest questionnaires received resulted in an average improvement in partner knowledge from 49% to 74%.

Modular steel panel for walls: life cycle environmental impact, life cycle cost, and potential for material circulation

The impacts of civil construction are widely recognized and justify the transition from a linear to a circular economy. Furthermore, with building users increasingly demanding greater adaptability, strategies such as modularity and flexibility to adapt to changing uses are being discussed. Modular wall panels allow quick installation and have the potential for disassembly, refurbishment, reuse, and recycling. We evaluate a modular steel panel system in two Brazilian case studies through life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle cost (LCC), and building circularity index (BCI). The study applies the circular reuse and remanufacture, recycling, and life extension strategies for internal and external walls. For the external panel, the life extension strategy (SE02) stands out positively in all impact categories, with the lowest environmental impact and costs. However, the SE02′s BCI does not have the best result. The second best option is reuse (SE03), with the highest percentage of circularity. Furthermore, the differences between SE02 and SE03 are reduced in several impact categories, and the sensitivity analysis (transport, damage, and the number of reuses) shows that the differences could be even smaller. For the internal panel, life extension (SI02) and reuse (SI03) scenarios are the best options. Recycling (SI04) has the highest environmental impact and the best potential for circularity. BCI communication must be aligned with LCA and LCC, such that an increase in circularity is accompanied by a decrease in environmental impacts or with infeasible costs, especially for developing countries.

Lightning damage assessment on solar panels using in-house portable infrared thermography camera with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm

ABSTRACT As the demand for renewable energy sources increases, the vulnerability of solar panels to lightning strikes becomes a critical concern. This research explores the correlation between lightning-induced voltage fluctuations and the resultant damage intensity on solar panels. The study adopts a systematic approach, first investigating the correlation between lightning-induced voltage assessment using 30kV, 60kV and 90 kV impulse voltage with multi-stage Marx impulse generator and the damage intensity on monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. A portable active infrared thermography equipment with tCam-Mini was employed to conduct this research with wireless streaming. Furthermore, the study integrates Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based image classification techniques to enhance the efficiency of damage assessment. The results highlight the potential of neural networks in improving the accuracy and speed of image classification for damaged and undamaged samples. The findings contribute valuable insights into enhancing the resilience of solar panel systems against lightning strikes, ultimately advancing the reliability and sustainability of solar energy infrastructure. A new CNN model was developed to classify the images obtained from thermography with 90.21% accuracy for greyscale and 85.31% accuracy on thermal images.

Smart PV Monitoring and Maintenance: A Vision Transformer Approach within Urban 4.0

The advancement to Urban 4.0 requires urban digitization and predictive maintenance of infrastructure to improve efficiency, durability, and quality of life. This study aims to integrate intelligent technologies for the predictive maintenance of photovoltaic panel systems, which serve as essential smart city renewable energy sources. In addition, we employ vision transformers (ViT), a deep learning architecture devoted to evolving image analysis, to detect anomalies in PV systems. The ViT model is pre-trained on ImageNet to exploit a comprehensive set of relevant visual features from the PV images and classify the input PV panel. Furthermore, the developed system was integrated into a web application that allows users to upload PV images, automatically detect anomalies, and provide detailed panel information, such as PV panel type, defect probability, and anomaly status. A comparative study using several convolutional neural network architectures (VGG, ResNet, and AlexNet) and the ViT transformer was conducted. Therefore, the adopted ViT model performs excellently in anomaly detection, where the ViT achieves an AUC of 0.96. Finally, the proposed approach excels at the prompt identification of potential defects detection, reducing maintenance costs, advancing equipment lifetime, and optimizing PV system implementation.

A study on a micro perforated panel applied luggage board design for road noise reduction

The automotive industry is on the age of rapid transformation from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles powered by motors. The main source of noise in conventional internal combustion engine vehicles is the engine, while electric vehicles are mainly affected by road and wind noise. A road noise in the medium and low frequency bands, caused by friction between tires and road surfaces, can be improved by increasing the thickness and weight of the insulation material. Still, this countermeasure causes other challenges that related to driving efficiency decrease because of limitations space and weight. As a new method to reduce road noise, therefore, the study introduces the luggage board which applied the micro-perforated panel system. This system utilizes a resonance-type sound absorbing material with excellent sound absorption characteristics at specific frequencies so that a tire pattern noise within the 800-1,000 Hz could be reduced. Because the thickness of the luggage board is partially limited, the study set a number of variations such as changing the porosity, perforated diameter in the perforated panel system. As a result, the study confirmed 2% improvement A.I. (Articulation Index) in the interior with installation of the designed luggage board on the vehicle.