Scale Thickness Research Articles

Electromagnetic scattering controlled all-dielectric cavity-antenna for bright, directional, and purely radiative single-photon emission

A deterministic, bright, room-temperature stable single-photon source (SPS) has been a major demand in the field of quantum photonics. Here, using computational and analytical techniques, we showed that the Mie-scattering moments of an all-dielectric cavity-cum-antenna help in shaping the spontaneous emission process of an embedded point-dipole emitter, the nanodiamond-based NV− and SiV color centers here. Our resonator-cum-antenna design comprises two top and bottom TiO2 cylinders with a sandwiched polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layer enclosing the nanodiamond crystal. The Cartesian multi-polar decomposition of the Mie-scattering moments of the sandwiched PVA layer (enclosing the dipole emitter) with subwavelength scale thickness showed strong electric-dipole (ED) resonance. This resulted in significant field confinement, making the PVA layer to act as a cavity, providing a Purcell enhancement of more than an order of magnitude for all dipole orientations. The top and bottom TiO2 cylinders were observed to act as an antenna, and the far-field radiation pattern of the embedded dipole-emitter is controlled by the Mie-scattering moments of the TiO2 cylinders. The radiation directionality along the vertical directions was found to be maximum at the Kerker point (electric dipole moment, ED = magnetic dipole moment), the collection efficiency (CE) being about 80%. For dipole emission coupled to the antenna, the quantum efficiency was observed to increase to a high value of 0.98 for nanodiamond NV− center, very close to an ideal case of purely radiative emission. Our scheme is shown to be universal and can be applied to any solid-state-based quantum emitters, for generating on-demand SPS for quantum-photonic applications.

A comparison of surgical scar treatment using various combinations of autologous fat, hyaluronic acid and resurfacing with the 1540 nm non-ablative Erbium laser – a prospective pilot study

ABSTRACT Scars can cause aesthetic or functional disturbance. Several interventions had been described to improve their appearance. We propose that the combination of some of those treatments can synergize their effects on the scar. We designed a prospective pilot study with ten patients using the patient as their own control to compare different interventions. In each patient, the scar was divided into four parts treated differently: 1. No treatment (control), 2. Fat grafting only, 3. Fat grafting and Hyaluronic Acid (HA), 4. Fat grafting, HA and with a non-fractional laser. Each part of the scar was evaluated by the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Treatment of the scar with the combination of the three modalities showed better results in the observer scale. In addition, a combination of fat injection, HA, and subsequent skin resurfacing with non-ablative laser showed better outcomes for all parameters on the Observer Scale except vascularity, while on the Patient Scale thickness, relief, pliability, surface area, and overall measurement were better. The combination of all three treatments tends to improve scarring results and appears to be safe and effective. However, further studies with larger samples are needed to explore the potential use of this combined treatment.

The Process of Steam Oxidation Degradation of High Cr Steel after 125 000 Hours at 568 °C under 16.5 MPa

AbstractThe aim of this work was to analyze the effect of steam oxidation when TP347HFG grade steel was exposed to industrial conditions for 125 000 hrs at 568 °C under 16.5 MPa pressure. The testing material was acquired from one of the coal power plants operating in Poland. Comprehensive investigations were carried out on the outer surface and cross section of the exposed sample using XRD, SEM/EDS and TEM. The analysis revealed the development of a fine grain oxide scale thickness spanning from 20 to 200 µm, consisting Fe2NiO4 (78 %), Cr1.3Fe0.7O3, Fe2O3 (0.8 %) and Fe3Co (0.8 %). Cross-sectional observations showed the formation of grains rich in Nb precipitates type MX carbonitrides surrounded by M23C6 carbides developed as a continuous net at the grain boundaries. The extent of material degradation under the influence of temperature, pressure and exposure time has been meticulously discussed. Graphical Abstract

Ferroelectric Aluminum Scandium Nitride Transistors with Intrinsic Switching Characteristics and Artificial Synaptic Functions for Neuromorphic Computing.

Aluminum Scandium Nitride (Al1-xScxN) has received attention for its exceptional ferroelectric properties, whereas the fundamental mechanism determining its dynamic response and reliability remains elusive. In this work, an unreported nucleation-based polarization switching mechanism in Al0.7Sc0.3N (AlScN) is unveiled, driven by its intrinsic ferroelectricity rooted in the ionic displacement. Fast polarization switching, characterized by a remarkably low characteristic time of 0.00183ps, is captured, and effectively simulated using a nucleation-limited switching (NLS) model, where the profound effect of defects on the nucleation and domain propagation is systematically studied. These findings are further integrated into Monte Carlo simulations to unravel the influence of the activation energy for ferroelectric switching on the distributions of switching thresholds. The long-term reliability of devices is also confirmed by time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) measurements, and the effect of thickness scaling is discussed. Ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) are demonstrated through the integration of AlScN and 2D MoS2 channel, where biological synaptic functions can be emulated with optimized operation voltage. The artificial neural network built from AlScN-based FeFETs achieves 93.8% recognition accuracy of handwritten digits, demonstrating the potential of ferroelectric AlScN in future neuromorphic computing applications.

Classification of damage modes in scaled open-hole composite laminates under combined tension-shear loading using acoustic emission technique

The damage initiation and evolution of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite under multi-axial loading is of fundamental interest. This study investigates intra- and interlaminar damage modes induced in open-hole quasi-isotropic (QI) carbon/epoxy composite laminate under combined tension-shear loading using the acoustic emission (AE) technique. The effect of layer thickness is studied using three types of laminates with stacking sequences PL-1: [−452/452/902/02]s, PL-2: [−453/453/903/03]s (ply blocked), and SL-1: [−45/45/90/0]2s (a sub-laminate blocked or distributed). Clustering of acquired AE signals is carried out using hierarchical methods. Damage modes evolution for the open hole QI CFRP is captured using the clustered AE signal data. It is observed that the thickness scaling significantly affects the open-hole strength and the critical failure mechanisms. Dominant damage mechanisms are identified based on AE cumulative energy. Ply-level blocked (PL-1 and PL-2) laminates exhibit lower strength than the SL-1 blocked laminate. The findings from this experimental investigation indicate that the AE technique in conjunction with the clustering approach is a prospective tool for the structural health monitoring of composite structures under combined loading.

Evaluation of the optimal Y content for the FeCrAl coating with excellent LBE corrosion resistance

FeCrAlY coating with excellent LBE corrosion resistance is considered one of the most important candidate corrosion-resistant coatings in LFRs. However, the critical Y content required to obtain excellent comprehensive properties and the influence of varying Y content on corrosion resistance is still unknown. In this study, FeCrAl coatings with Y content from 0.5 - 5 wt.% were corroded at 500 - 600 °C for 1000 h in static LBE. All the coatings can provide efficient protection for the substrate from LBE corrosion. The FeCrAl0.5Y coating has the best corrosion resistance (with an oxide scale thickness of only ∼ 61 nm), and the increased Y content leads to deteriorated performance. A three-layered corrosion layer formed on the surface of the coatings and the Y element is only distributed in the middle and innermost layers. The corrosion mechanism was discussed and a corrosion model was put forward. The outstanding corrosion resistance of the FeCrAl0.5Y coating makes it possible to have the prospect of practical application in LFRs.

Oxidation model of slabs in an industrial-scale walking-beam reheating furnace with mixed loading

This paper develops a comprehensive numerical model of an industrial-scale walking-beam reheating furnace integrated with an improved oxidation model. The model demonstrates good agreement with experimental data, accurately predicting both temperature distribution and the oxidation process. Utilizing this model, the impact of mixed loading and swirl angles on the oxidation process is investigated. The average porosity of the scale, determined experimentally to be 0.25634, is used as a benchmark for the model. Comparisons of results with and without considering porosity highlight its significant impact on scale thickness distribution. This finding is crucial for the descaling process, allowing for a more accurate determination of descaling pressure and the reduction of production costs. Predicting scale distribution based solely on the temperature at a specific time is challenging due to the lag in scale accumulation. The temperature trend over an extended period is more consistent with the scale distribution. For the reheating furnace studied in this paper, the research results reveal that a swirl angle of 25° emerges as the optimal choice with industrial demands. These results underscore the importance of considering porosity and swirl angle effects on scale distribution and oxidation loss rate, offering valuable guidance for industrial processes.

Anomalous size dependent softening behaviors and related deformation mechanisms of Zr/Mo multilayers

As a representative of hcp/bcc metallic multilayers, the correlation between microstructures and mechanical properties of nanostructured Zr/Mo multilayers with were studied. Zr/Mo multilayers with different layer thicknesses were prepared by magnetron sputtering method. XRD and TEM analyses revealed that Zr/Mo multilayers have Zr (0002) and Mo (110) out-of-plane crystalline texture. The nanoindentation hardness of Zr/Mo multilayers is in the range of ∼9.9–10.8 GPa at h ≤ 10 nm, while decreases with reducing layer thickness at larger h, which is on the contrary of the common rule - smaller is stronger. The aforementioned strengthening mechanism applicable in multilayers, i.e., dislocation bowing-out in nanolayers is not suitable to explain this size dependent softening behavior, while the IBS model fits well with the measured hardness at h = 10 nm. This anomalous softening behavior at large layer thickness scales may be caused by its special structures and deformation mechanisms. Dislocations interact with the grain boundaries, instead of the interfaces, and grains rotation/grain boundaries sliding are the dominant deformation mechanism at large layer thickness scales. The size-dependent strain rate sensitivity and activation volume were also explored, to revealing the rate dependent deformation mechanisms.

Thermoviscous dissipation of nonlinear acoustic waves in channels with wavy walls.

We derive a nonlinear acoustic wave propagation model for analyzing the thermoviscous dissipation of nonlinear acoustic waves in narrow pores with wavy walls using the boundary layer theory. As a nonlinear acoustic wave propagates in a pore, the wave-steepening effect competes with the bulk dissipation, as well as the thermoviscous heat transfer and shear from the pore walls. Due to thermoviscous dissipation, the wave thickness increases beyond the weak shock thickness scale. Using the weak shock thickness scale, we obtain dimensionless linear and nonlinear model wave equations governing the shock-wall interactions. We also perform two-dimensional shock-resolved direct numerical simulation of the wave propagation inside the pores and compare the results with model equations. The direct numerical simulation and model calculations show that, for flat walls and shock strength parameter ϵ, the dimensional wall heat-flux and shear scale as ϵ. For wavy walls, the scaling becomes ϵ3/2-n(k) where k is the wall-waviness wavenumber and the exponent n increases from 0.5 for k = 0 to n(k)≈0.65 for k = 10, n(k)≈0.75 for k = 20, and n(k)≈0.85 for k = 40. Furthermore, we show that both the dimensionless scaled wall shear and wall heat-flux decrease with increasing k.

Investigating the effect of scaling and temperature on the performance of improved junctionless nanowire FET through simulation analysis

An Improved Junctionless Nanowire Field Effect Transistor (I-JL-NWFET) device is proposed in this paper to address the limitations of conventional JL-NWFET. This research paper initially, comprehensively analyzes the impact of channel length (L) and channel thickness (t si ) scaling on the electrical, analog/RF, and linearity performance of I-JL-NWFET and JL-NWFET. The results suggest that the specific design features in I-JL-NWFET contribute to a more robust and less sensitive response to variations in scaling compared to its counterpart, JL-NWFET. Furthermore, an exploration into the impact of temperature on the electrical, analog/RF, and linearity performance is also conducted for both I-JL-NWFET and JL-NWFET. The electrical performance of I-JL-NWFET showcases a significantly reduced temperature sensitivity in parameters like drain current (I D ), Subthreshold Slope (SS) and Drain Induced Barrier Lowering (DIBL) compared to JL-NWFET. Subsequently, analyzing the analog/RF performance in the context of parameters such as transconductance (g m ), Transconductance Gain Factor (TGF), output conductance (g d ), early voltage (V EA ), total gate capacitance (C GG ), and cut-off frequency (f T ) under temperature variation, a lower degree of variability in I-JL-NWFET is observed compared to JL-NWFET. Furthermore, the linearity performance of I-JL-NWFET, assessed through parameters such as second and third-order transconductance (g m2 , g m3 ), second and third-order input voltage intercept points (VIP2, VIP3), and third-order intermodulation distortion (IIP3 and IMD3) is improved at the higher temperature than that of JL-NWFET.

Alkali cation stabilization of defects in 2D MXenes at ambient and elevated temperatures

Transition metal carbides have been adopted in energy storage, conversion, and extreme environment applications. Advancements in their 2D counterparts, known as MXenes, enable the design of unique structures at the ~1 nm thickness scale. Alkali cations have been essential in MXenes manufacturing processing, storage, and applications, however, exact interactions of these cations with MXenes are not fully understood. In this study, using Ti3C2Tx, Mo2TiC2Tx, and Mo2Ti2C3Tx MXenes, we present how transition metal vacancy sites are occupied by alkali cations, and their effect on MXene structure stabilization to control MXene’s phase transition. We examine this behavior using in situ high-temperature x-ray diffraction and scanning transmission electron microscopy, ex situ techniques such as atomic-layer resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry, and density functional theory simulations. In MXenes, this represents an advance in fundamentals of cation interactions on their 2D basal planes for MXenes stabilization and applications. Broadly, this study demonstrates a potential new tool for ideal phase-property relationships of ceramics at the atomic scale.

Research on vibration response distorted similitude of cylindrical shells under modal distribution disorder

Similitude theory enables local-scale models to reflect the dynamic characteristics of full-scale models and is widely employed in engineering experimentation. However, shell structures, constrained by wall thickness, cannot undergo experiments through proportional downsizing. Existing similitude studies with retained wall thickness exhibit only minimal distortion, and accurate prediction of vibration responses is hindered by modal distribution disorder. To address these challenges, a method based on modified frequency response functions of natural frequencies and mode shapes is proposed. Scaling laws for natural frequencies and mode shapes of cylindrical shells with retained wall thickness are established. This method yields a maximum prediction error of 4.29 % for prototype natural frequencies, compared to 50.57 % for existing methods. Predicted prototype vibration acceleration responses correspond well with theoretical calculations in both frequency and amplitude, while existing methods fail entirely. The phenomenon of modal distribution disorder and the effectiveness of the proposed method in mitigating it are verified by modal experiments and response tests. Research reveals that the sensitivity of different modal frequencies to the wall thickness scaling factor varies, serving as the cause of modal distribution disorder. The modal distribution with the same circumferential wave number is unaffected by wall thickness. Modes above the bending frequency, with axial half-wavelength consistent with bending modes, are prone to disorder due to wall thickness distortion. During wall thickness distortion, a mode originally with the lowest frequency is surpassed towards lower frequency by the mode with larger circumferential wave number and the same axial half-wave number, leading to disorder. The proposed method addresses the challenge of minimal distortion in structural vibration response and poor performance, advancing the development of distorted similitude.

Excitonic van der Waals Metasurfaces for Resonant Wavefront Shaping at Deep Subwavelength Thickness Scale.

Dielectric phase gradient metasurfaces have emerged as promising candidates to shrink bulky optical elements to subwavelength thickness scale based on dielectric meta-atoms. These meta-atoms strongly interact with light, thus offering excellent phase manipulation of incident light. However, to fulfill 2π phase control using meta-atoms, the metasurface thickness, to date, is limited to the order of 102 nm. Here, we present the thickness scaling down of phase gradient metasurfaces to <λ/20 by using excitonic van der Waals metasurfaces. High-refractive-index enabled by exciton resonances and symmetry-breaking nanostructures in the patterned layered tungsten disulfide (WS2) corporately enable quasibound states in the continuum in WS2 metasurfaces, which consequently yield complete phase regulation of 2π with the thickness down to 35 nm. To illustrate the concept, we have experimentally demonstrated beam steering, focusing, and holographic display using WS2 metasurfaces. We envision our results unveiling new venues for ultimate thin phase gradient metasurfaces.

Research on the failure mechanism of blast furnace tuyere based on experiment and numerical simulation results

The tuyere, an integral component of a blast furnace, plays a vital role in conveying energy and ensuring stable furnace operation. Given the tuyere’s exposure to a complex working environment within the blast furnace, it is prone to breakage and failure. Thus, investigating the causes of tuyere failure is crucial. This study employs computational fluid dynamics alongside experimental characterization to conduct a numerical simulation of the blast furnace tuyere. The research focuses on comparing the velocity and temperature fields of the tuyere under various cooling conditions to analyze the reasons behind its breakage. The findings reveal that the accumulation of alkali metal elements such as Zn, K, and Na on the tuyere’s surface significantly hampers its longevity. Moreover, the cooling water’s flow rate, inlet temperature, and scale thickness emerge as critical factors influencing the tuyere’s cooling efficiency. Notably, each increase of 30 L/min in the inlet flow rate results in a decrease of approximately 3–5 K in the tuyere’s maximum temperature. For every 2 K rise in the inlet water temperature, the tuyere’s maximum temperature increases by 2–3 K. Furthermore, an exponential increase in the tuyere’s maximum temperature is observed with each 0.1 mm increment in scale thickness. When the scale thickness reaches 0.4 mm, the tuyere’s maximum temperature rises to 545.07 K, an increase of 18.49 %. Thus, this study offers novel insights into the causative factors of tuyere failure, contributing significantly to the efficient utilization of energy within the blast furnace and the optimization of the production process.

The Impact of HCl on Alkali-Induced Corrosion of Stainless Steels/FeCrAl Alloy at 600 °C: The Story After Breakaway

The impact of Cl on alkali-induced high-temperature corrosion of stainless steels/FeCrAl alloys after breakaway oxidation was investigated in a simulated biomass- and waste-fired boiler environment at 600 °C. For this investigation, three alloys were exposed to low Cl load environment (H2O+KCl) and to high Cl load (H2O+KCl+HCl). Post-exposure analysis showed that the stainless steel SVM12 experiences fast oxidation and forms thick double-layered Fe-rich oxide scales. The corrosion attack is further accelerated with addition of HCl for this material with the effect being more pronounced in the inward-growing scale. The FeCrAl and FeCrNi alloys exhibit slower oxidation kinetics after the breakaway corrosion compared to SVM12 in the H2O+KCl exposure. Furthermore, in contrast with SVM12, the addition of HCl did not accelerate the corrosion attack on these alloys. It is argued that the properties of the secondary oxide layer formed after breakaway corrosion are important in the continued corrosion resistance against chlorine-induced corrosion attack. Especially, the Cr content in the inner scales is suggested to be important in corrosion mitigation.

Formation and mechanical properties of AZ31B magnesium alloy welds by power-modulated oscillating laser

an energy-space modulated laser was proposed in welding workpieces with AZ31B magnesium alloy to enhance the efficiency of heat transfer and reduce defects of welds, and the proposed laser was power-modulated oscillating laser (PMOL). To validate the performance of the proposed technique, non-penetration welding and butt welding were conducted on the workpieces with a thickness of 5 mm. The impact of power-modulation parameters was investigated at the aspects of micro-structures, appearance, and mechanical properties of welds. The results showed that in comparison with a conventional laser (CL) or circular oscillation laser (COL), an energy-space modulated laser led to (1) an increased depth of weld penetration and (2) an enhanced coupling efficiency of laser energy. The parameters of power modulation could be optimized to reduce the defects of welds such as spatter, underfill, and thick fish scales significantly reduced; it refined the equiaxed grains in the center area of weld. When the frequency and amplitude of power-modulation were set as 50 Hz and 500 W, respectively, the mechanical properties of the weld were improved with the ultimate tensile strength of 238 MPa and an elongation ratio of 13.9 % which were 96.1 % and 58.7 % of those of the base material (BM), respectively. In comparison with the results welded by CL and COL, the ultimate tensile strength by PMOL was increased by 13.9 % and 4.4 %, and the elongation was increased by 54.4 % and 8.6 %, respectively.

Unveiling niobium pentoxide and cerium oxide-dispersed ferritic stainless steel for solid oxide fuel cells interconnects

Herein, the effect of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) and nano-sized cerium oxide (CeO2) on oxidation behavior and area specific resistance (ASR) of the ferritic stainless steel has been investigated for the development of robust metallic interconnects. An oxide-dispersed ferritic stainless steel alloy is fabricated using the powder metallurgy (PM) process. The morphologies of the alloy before and after oxidation are observed through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) analyses. Addition of Nb2O5 in the alloy formed a C14 Laves phase of (Fe, Cr)2(Nb, Si). The Laves phase and CeO2 controlled the oxidation behavior of the ferritic stainless steels, consequently reducing the oxide scale thickness and improving the ASR. An alloy with 1 wt% Nb2O5 and 3 wt% CeO2 showed an ASR value of 27.1 mΩ cm2 at 800 °C for 1000 h, which is similar to the ASR value of the commercial Fe–Cr alloy. The results of this study indicate that Nb2O5 and CeO2-dispersed ferritic stainless steel using the PM process can be more advantageous than the conventional process for manufacturing metallic interconnects with complex shapes and reducing production costs.

Comparison of Postoperative Seizures Between Burr-Hole Evacuation and Craniotomy in Patients With Nonacute Subdural Hematomas: A Bi-Institutional Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Postoperative seizures are a common complication after surgical drainage of nonacute chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs). The literature increasingly supports the use of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs for craniotomy, a procedure that is often associated with larger collections and worse clinical status at admission. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative seizures in patients treated with burr-hole drainage and those treated with craniotomy through propensity score matching (PSM). A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients with surgical drainage of nonacute SDHs (burr-holes and craniotomies) between January 2017 to December 2021 at 2 academic institutions in the United States. PSM was performed by controlling for age, subdural thickness, subacute component, and preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale. Seizure rates and accompanying abnormalities on electroencephalographic tracing were evaluated postmatching. A total of 467 patients with 510 nonacute SDHs underwent 474 procedures, with 242 burr-hole evacuations (51.0%) and 232 craniotomies (49.0%). PSM resulted in 62 matched pairs. After matching, univariate analysis revealed that burr-hole evacuations exhibited lower rates of seizures (1.6% vs 11.3%; P = .03) and abnormal electroencephalographic findings (0.0% vs 4.8%; P = .03) compared with craniotomies. No significant differences were observed in postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (P = .77) and length of hospital stay (P = .61). Burr-hole evacuation demonstrated significantly lower seizure rates than craniotomy using a propensity score-matched analysis controlling for significant variables.

A Novel Combination Strategy of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation and Corticosteroid Injection for Treating Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: A Retrospective Comparison Study.

The best treatment yielding clinical benefits was still equivocal and controversial for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis (PF). This study aimed to propose a novel combination strategy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and corticosteroid injection (CI) for recalcitrant PF, and to compare its therapeutic effects with CI alone and continued conservative management. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with recalcitrant PF who underwent combined strategy (RFA + CI), CI alone, and continue conservative treatment at our institution between October 2021 and February 2023. The technical pearls were described elaborately. A comparison of demographic data and clinical outcomes, including visual analog scale (VAS), Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS), and plantar fascia thickness, were conducted among the three groups. Seventy-one eligible patients were enrolled in this study, with 17 in the combined strategy group, 25 in the CI group, and 29 in the continued conservative treatment group. Both the combined strategy group and the CI group showed significant improvements in VAS scores, AOFAS-AHS scores, and significant reductions in plantar fascia thickness during the 12-month follow-up period compared to those preoperatively (P < 0.05). The combined strategy group achieved comparable immediate pain relief to the CI group after the intervention ([25.7 ± 15.7] vs. [20.6 ± 17.6], P = 0.850). However, the combined strategy group demonstrated superior improvement in symptom and function compared to the CI group at the 3-month (VAS: [21.9 ± 13.5] vs. [39.6 ± 20.4]; AOFAS-AHS: [77.9 ± 12.4] vs. [60.5 ± 17.4], P < 0.05) and 12-month follow-up (VAS: [15.7 ± 12.0] vs. [56.8 ± 17.5]; AOFAS-AHS: [84.5 ± 10.7] vs. [53.8 ± 12.4], P < 0.05). Obvious adverse effects or complications were not identified in either group, while two cases (11.8%) in the combined strategy group and five cases (20.0%) in the CI group experienced unsatisfactory symptom remission. We introduced and detailed a novel combination strategy involving ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA and CI for treating recalcitrant PF. The strategy is both effective and safe in alleviating pain and enhancing function throughout the entire treatment course.

Calcium carbonate scale thickness prediction in annular three-phase flow using gamma-ray densitometry and artificial neural networks

This study presents a methodology based on gamma-ray densitometry for predicting calcium carbonate (CaCO3) scale thickness in pipelines of three-phase systems (oil, salty water, and gas) in the petroleum industry. Both concentric and eccentric scale thicknesses were calculated using analytical equations and artificial neural networks. The artificial neural networks were trained using a backpropagation algorithm with data acquired from the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP6) computer code. The model utilized to achieve the supervised training of the network consisted of three 1¼ × ¾″ NaI(Tl) detectors positioned 120° apart around the pipe. Results demonstrate that the networks successfully predicted over 96 % of both concentric and eccentric cases of CaCO3 scale thickness with a relative error within 10%.