Tortuosity Coefficient Research Articles

Topical and oral peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonist ameliorates diabetic corneal neuropathy

Diabetic corneal neuropathy (DCN) is a common diabetic ocular complication with limited treatment options. In this study, we investigated the effects of topical and oral fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonist, on the amelioration of DCN using diabetic mice (n = 120). Ocular surface assessments, corneal nerve and cell imaging analysis, tear proteomics and its associated biological pathways, immuno-histochemistry and western blot on PPARα expression, were studied before and 12 weeks after treatment. At 12 weeks, PPARα expression markedly restored after topical and oral fenofibrate. Topical fenofibrate significantly improved corneal nerve fibre density (CNFD) and tortuosity coefficient. Likewise, oral fenofibrate significantly improved CNFD. Both topical and oral forms significantly improved corneal sensitivity. Additionally, topical and oral fenofibrate significantly alleviated diabetic keratopathy, with fenofibrate eye drops demonstrating earlier therapeutic effects. Both topical and oral fenofibrate significantly increased corneal β-III tubulin expression. Topical fenofibrate reduced neuroinflammation by significantly increasing the levels of nerve growth factor and substance P. It also significantly increased β-III-tubulin and reduced CDC42 mRNA expression in trigeminal ganglions. Proteomic analysis showed that neurotrophin signalling and anti-inflammation reactions were significantly up-regulated after fenofibrate treatment, whether applied topically or orally. This study concluded that both topical and oral fenofibrate ameliorate DCN, while topical fenofibrate significantly reduces neuroinflammation.

Wettability, imbibition and interdiffusion of lithium-based water-in-salt electrolytes in nanoporous carbon in relation to energy storage: A neutron radiography study

Superconcentrated lithium salt electrolytes, or lithium-based Water-in-Salt (WiS) electrolytes emerge as alternative electrolytes in supercapacitors and advanced batteries, such as the Li–O2 ones, especially when combined with a mesoporous carbon with very high surface area. In this work, we analyze the wettability, imbibition, and diffusivity of very concentrated lithium salts in a bimodal mesoporous carbon with pores of 5 nm and 25 nm in diameter. For the first time a neutron radiography technique is used to determine the imbibition and interdiffusion of lithium salts in mesoporous carbon. We found that a 20 m LiTFSI aqueous solution wets the surface of graphite and mesoporous carbon better than water. As a consequence, this WiS electrolyte is embedded rather fast in the mesoporous carbon by the action of capillary forces, exhibiting an intrinsic permeability K = (1.16 ± 0.03).10−18 m2. Finally, by resorting to the different cross-section of the 6Li and 7Li isotopes for the neutron capture, we could analyze the diffusion of LiCl in D2O confined in the mesoporous carbon. The interdiffusion coefficient of the confined LiCl is 5.0 10−7 cm2 s−1, corresponding to a tortuosity coefficient τ = 1.32. This moderate confinement effect results from the strong ion association of the LiCl that precludes the electrostatic interactions of Li+ ions with the negative charge on the pore walls. In summary, the combined properties of the lithium-based WiS electrolytes and the mesoporous carbon allow us to glimpse their use in supercapacitors and Li–O2 batteries.

Tectonic influence on the evolutionary dynamics of deep-water channel systems along the active accretionary prism margin in the Rakhine Basin, Myanmar: A high-resolution 3d seismic analysis

This study reveals the morphological transformations of a deep-water channel system within the Rakhine Basin in the northeastern Bay of Bengal through a comprehensive analysis of high-resolution 3D seismic data integrated with drilling logs. Employing the “source-channel-sink” paradigm, this investigation examined the impact of various factors, including tectonic transformations, sediment influx, slope dynamics, climatic changes, and relative sea-level fluctuations, on the evolutionary trajectory of these channel systems. Applying precise time-slicing techniques integrating root-mean-square amplitude attributes, coherent amplitude attributes, and horizontal amplitudes on seismic profiles, this investigation recognized three distinct stages in the evolution of channel-levee complexes (CLCs): the Middle Miocene erosional deep-water channel-levee complex (CLC-1), the Pliocene erosional-depositional deep-water channel-levee complex (CLC-2), and the Pleistocene depositional deep-water channel-levee complex (CLC-3). Comparative analysis revealed that the CLC-3 exhibits unique characteristics, including shallower channel depth (D), wider channel width (WC), extensive U-shaped cross-sectional area (S), broader natural levee width (WL) and height (H), and the highest tortuosity coefficient (LC/LS) when contrasted with the other two CLCs. Furthermore, this study substantiated how tectonic processes, primarily the collision between the Indo-Eurasian plates, resulting in the Himalayan and Indo-Burma Range orogenies, have shaped the region's geological and climatic framework, thereby influencing monsoon circulation and precipitation patterns, which in turn augmented detrital material influx into the basin. Moreover, this tectonic collision has led to gradual changes in the slope gradient of the Rakhine Basin and its deep-water areas, impacting internal flow velocities and channel curvature, thus governing deep-water channel systems' development and spatial distribution. Also, episodic sea level fluctuations were identified as significant contributors to sediment transport from shelves to deep-water regions and sediment deposit reworking. Overall, this study underscores the role of tectonic changes after the Eocene in driving the evolutionary dynamics of the deep-water channel system within the Rakhine Basin, Myanmar.

Study of restricted diffusion of lithium salts in diglyme confined in mesoporous carbons as a model for cathodes in lithium-air batteries.

The Li+ ion mobility through the porous cathode is a critical aspect in the development of commercial Li-air batteries. The bulk transport properties of lithium salts in organic solvents are not reliable parameters for the design of this type of battery since confinement could significantly modify the transport properties, especially when pore diameters are below 10 nm. In this work, we studied the effect of the carbon mesostructure and surface charge on the diffusion of LiTf and LiTFSI salts dissolved in diglyme, typical electrolytes for lithium-air batteries. Interdiffusion coefficients of the salts were determined using a conductimetric method. NMR spectroscopy and relaxometry were used to explore the effect of the carbon structure and the surface charge density on the interaction between the electrolytes and the pore wall. We showed that carbon micro/mesoporous structure plays a critical role in the transport properties of the electrolyte, producing a decrease of up to 2-3 orders of magnitude in the salt interdiffusion coefficients when going from bulk solutions to pores below 4 nm in diameter. It was observed that for pores 25 nm in diameter, the reduction in the diffusion coefficient can be mainly ascribed to the porosity of the sample, giving tortuosity factors around 1. However, for smaller pore sizes (1-10 nm diameter) bigger tortuosity coefficients were observed and were related to strong ion-pore wall interactions. Moreover, it was noticed that the ratio between the diffusion coefficients of the two studied salts dissolved in diglyme, is different in bulk and under confinement, demonstrating that the interactions of the ions with the charged pore wall probably compete with the cation-anion interactions, affecting salt association under confinement.

Electrode Parameterization as an Investigative Tool for Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution Monitoring on Commercial Lithium-Ion Battery Electrodes

The formation process is one of the most critical aspects of lithium-ion battery (LIB) production. It involves the creation of an interface layer known as solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The layer predominantly forms during the first few charging cycles of the battery, resulting in approximately 10% capacity reduction [1]. However, forming a stable SEI layer is critical in ensuring uniform cell capacity, safe operation, and a long lifetime of LIBs [2].The thickening of the SEI layer is one of the main contributors to capacity fade over the battery lifetime and strongly depends on electrochemical cycling conditions [1]. Despite its importance, there are still no comprehensive theories and models describing SEI formation and evolution. The difficulties arising from its characterization could explain why various structure models have appeared in the literature [3–5]. Therefore, it is indispensable to go beyond traditional characterization methods to fully elucidate the SEI layer behaviours.In this work, we investigate changes in the kinetic and thermodynamic electrode parameters with growing SEI layer thickness, deriving relevant variables, such as exchange current density, electrode tortuosity, and lithium diffusion coefficient from experimental data. The measurements are performed on commercially relevant electrodes. Parameter evolution monitoring will contribute to developing a predictive understanding of the SEI layer evolution under different cycling conditions, and to unlocking improvements in LIB sustainability by prolonging their lifetime and enhancing safety.

Refined express method for evaluation of porous structure ceramic materials

The express method for evaluating the porous structure of ceramic materials has been refined by replacing a smooth change in gas pressure with a stepwise one with pressure holding at each stage. After determining the average radius, the maximum pressure drop is determined until only one chain of gas bubbles remains. The average coordination number for the solid phase and the coefficient of capillary tortuosity were calculated. The experimental and calculated mean radii are in good agreement with the data, while the tortuosity coefficients differ.

Assessment of the state of bridge crossings and geoinformation spatial analysis of regional engineering and geological conditions of their operation

The article is devoted to the assessment of engineering and geological conditions of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, as a possible factor influencing the safe operation of bridges and bridge overpasses. An analysis of the condition of the bridges was carried out according to age characteristics and the location of the structure in accordance with the engineering and geological zoning of the study area. The possible impact of landslide processes on bridges and bridge crossings was investigated using GIS methods. Reconstruction of bridges is associated with the emergency state of the bridge crossing, which arose as a result of external influences, including as a result of natural phenomena – floods, mudflows, landslides, coastal erosion, changes in the watercourses. These phenomena are especially relevant for the territory of the Carpathian region. The distribution of bridges in relation to their total number on the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk region by year is given, and the connection of their location with engineering and geological zoning is indicated. It is shown that the number of reconstructed bridges is related to the maximum total monthly precipitation. The influence of the development of dangerous exogenous geological processes on the operation of bridge crossings was assessed using the methods of geoinformation analysis. The impact of landslide processes on the state of bridges was studied. The analysis of the histograms of the distribution of the distance from the bridge to the landslide object measured by map layers in the GIS environment shows the differences in the distributions in connection with the distance to the landslides for the reconstructed bridges, which indicates the need to differentiate the assessment of damage threats. The applied statistical non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test for the series of distances to landslides and meandering coefficients of watercourses in the area of the bridges, according to the indicator of grouping - the presence or absence of reconstructions, revealed that the samples by grouping for two types of bridges, reconstructed and not reconstructed, according parameters of distances to landslides and tortuosity coefficients, are dependent, that is, they belong to the same general population. Therefore, the distance to the landslide and the meandering coefficient of the channel are not the determining factors that affect the fact of the reconstruction of the bridge. Further analysis of the stability of bridges and bridge crossings through a detailed study of the engineering and geological conditions of the research area and the dynamics of the state of watercourses with the involvement of GIS tools should be considered logical and justified. Keywords: exogenous geological processes, landslides, engineering-geological zoning, bridge crossings, geoinformation analysis.

Estimation of rough fracture network permeability using fractal and topology theories

Accurate characterization of the rough fracture network in real rocks is an essential prerequisite for precise estimation of fracture network permeability. The characterization of a fracture network in previous theoretical models is usually based on statistical theory, ignoring the topological characteristics of the real fracture network. In this paper, based on fractal and topological theories, the rough characteristics of real rock fractures are considered, and fracture network branch lengths and connectivity are introduced. A new theoretical prediction equation of fractal permeability for rough fracture networks is derived. Subsequently, the reliability of the proposed theoretical model is verified based on discrete fracture network (DFN) modeling and numerical simulation, and the main influencing factors of the rough fracture network permeability are analyzed. The results show that the rough fracture network permeability theoretical model proposed in this paper can effectively evaluate fractured rock permeability. Connectivity is linearly related to permeability. The better the connectivity of the rough fracture network, the denser the streamlines within the fractured rock and the higher the flow rate. The rough fracture network permeability increases with the increase of connectivity, minimum branch length, maximum branch length, tortuosity, and aperture proportionality coefficient, and decreases with the increase of tortuosity fractal dimension and fracture dip angle. When the branch length ratio lbmin/lbmax is less than 0.2, the larger the fractal dimension of the rough fracture network, the lower the permeability. When the ratio is greater than 0.2, the opposite is true. The sensitivity of the rough fracture network permeability to the fracture dip angle θ and the aperture proportionality coefficient β is higher, while the sensitivity to the fractal dimension Df of the rough fracture network is lower.

Prediction of cementation factor using different methods of reservoir rock classification in heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs

Cementation exponent or factor is one of most crucial factors in the Archie’s equations that should be estimated precisely in order to accurately determine relevant petrophysical characteristics of the reservoir. Inaccurate estimation of this factor leads to incorrect petrophysical analysis and inaccurate determination of water saturation which is highly important for the economic forecasting of hydrocarbon reservoirs. An alternative to the cementation factor precise estimation is to classify rocks based on a common petrophysical property such as permeability. This research aims to investigate the cementation factor in different rock types and eventually to provide a suitable model for estimating this parameter based on different approaches of rock classification. In this paper, first, conventional methods of rock classification (e.g., current zone indicator (CZI), flow zone indicator (FZI), permeability and electrical efficiency) have been used for cementation factor estimation. Then, the data, taken from Regnet et al. (J Geophys Res Solid Earth 120:790–811, 2015), have been analyzed by these methods in order to find the best way of rock classification. The analyzed data show that only electrical efficiency method is accurate enough to classify rocks into different groups as high values of determination coefficient (i.e., 0.9828 and 0.9725) are obtained as a result of classification by this method in which the data are classified into distinct groups. The obtained values of determination coefficient as a result of classification by permeability, FZI and CZI methods are 0.805, 0.809 and 0.7568 respectively. Due to this result and high scattering of the classified data, it can be concluded that these three methods have not been precise enough for rock classification of the data. In addition to the above-mentioned existing methods, a new rock classification method based on tortuosity coefficient or factor has also been proposed in this paper. This new method has been proven to be accurate due to low scattering of the data results and falling them into distinct groups in addition to obtaining high values of determination coefficient (i.e., 0.9996, 0.9986 and 0.9951) in the classification by this new method.

Novel periodic pile barriers in saturated soil and applications to propagation attenuation of shear plane waves

The frequency attenuation zones (AZs) of periodic pile barriers have attracted extensive attention in recent years due to their superior performance in ambient vibration reduction. However, the research on vibration isolation of pile barriers in saturated soil is very limited. Also, the configuration of the traditional pile barrier is simple and the AZ width is narrow, which limits its application in engineering practice. In this paper, to develop novel periodic pile barriers with the maximum relative attenuation zone width (RWAZ) in saturated soil, the topology optimization on the periodic pile unit is carried out with the genetic algorithm (GA) and FEM. For different site conditions, the effects of the saturated soil porosity, the drained elastic modulus, the drained density and the tortuosity coefficient of soil on the optimization results are analyzed, and the corresponding optimized pile structures are proposed, respectively. Thus, the effect of material distribution on the RWAZ is disclosed, and novel periodic pile structures for ambient vibration isolation in saturated soil are developed. Furthermore, the superior shear plane wave attenuation performances of the optimized pile structure in saturated soil are both demonstrated by the established 2D and 3D numerical models.

Characterization of Sand Production for Clayey-Silt Sediments Conditioned to Hydraulic Slotting and Gravel Packing: Experimental Observations, Theoretical Formulations, and Modeling

Summary In our previous work (Jin et al. 2021), an experimental effort has been made to microscopically observe sand failure, migration within a matrix, invasion toward gravel-packing zones, and production conditioned to the openhole gravel packing, while three sanding patterns (i.e., fractures, wormholes, and fluidized channels) have been identified. The first pattern is associated with an uneven strain-stress effect, while the last two patterns result from liquid seepage. To theoretically reproduce our previous experimental measurements, in this study, the experimental techniques have been further modified and improved to eliminate the associated uneven strain-stress effect by uniformly injecting water into a radial flow vessel. Experimentally, by generating slots near the gravel packing, sand failure dynamics, sand flow paths, and sand production for the clayey-silt sediments can be microscopically observed, geometrically depicted, and volumetrically quantified conditioned to different operational conditions (i.e., no hydraulic slot, single hydraulic slot without proppants, single hydraulic slot with different lengths, and double hydraulic slots with different intersection angles). Theoretically, a wormhole growth model has been proposed to reproduce the sand production for both hydrate-free and hydrate-bearing sandpacks by accounting for a sand failure criterion as well as the porosity and permeability alteration models. Good agreements between the measured and simulated data (i.e., pressure and temperature profiles, cumulative gas and water production, and produced sediment volumes) have been achieved. The experimental results show that hydraulic slotting can be used to not only effectively mitigate the skin effect near a wellbore but also decrease the pressure gradient near the wellbore. In this way, the possibility of sand failure is decreased if a predesigned hydraulic slotting after well completion is deployed. It is revealed that the operational conditions dictate the sand failure patterns, sand production volumes, and sizes of the produced particles. Similar to hydrate dissociation, sand production is also divided into three stages: before dissociation (transport of free particles or weakly consolidated particles), during hydrate dissociation (sand detachment because of the loss of hydrate cohesion and massive water production), and after hydrate dissociation (transport of fully unlocked particles). Furthermore, sensitivity analysis shows that cumulative sediment production and permeability increment are affected by the following strong-to-weak order: intrinsic failure resistance, tortuosity, Kozeny coefficient, and absolute permeability. Also, the breakdown pressure is dominated by absolute permeability, while pressure during the stable stage is mainly dictated by the intrinsic failure resistance, tortuosity, and Kozeny coefficient.

Electrode fabrication process and its influence in lithium-ion battery performance: State of the art and future trends

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the main energy storage system used in portable devices. Their outstanding characteristics allied to the growing market of portable devices and electric vehicles provides batteries an increasing trend over the next years. During the past decade, improved materials for LIBs have been developed, with less attention being focused on the manufacturing process, despite its critical influence in battery performance. In the present work, the main electrode manufacturing steps are discussed together with their influence on electrode morphology and interface properties, influencing in turn parameters such as porosity, tortuosity or effective transport coefficient and, therefore, battery performance. A state of art on the main steps of the electrode manufacturing process is presented, together with future directions with respect to LIBs fabrication.

Scale dependence of tortuosity and diffusion: Finite-size scaling analysis

Physical and hydraulic properties of porous media are routinely measured/simulated at smaller scales e.g., pore and core. However, their determination at larger scales e.g., field and reservoir has still been a great challenge. Although understanding the scale dependence of transport modes in rocks and soils is essential, the porous media community still lacks in a solid theoretic framework. In this short communication, we propose finite-size scaling analysis from physics to investigate the scale dependence of tortuosity and diffusion coefficient. By comparing with two- and three-dimensional simulations, we demonstrate that the finite-size scaling analysis is a powerful approach. More specifically, we show that the plot of simulated tortuosity or diffusion coefficient versus scale looks scattered. However, after applying the finite-size scaling analysis, the data collapse together showing a quasi-universal trend.

ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ГІС ПРИ ДОСЛІДЖЕННІ ГОРИЗОНТАЛЬНИХ ЗМІЩЕНЬ РУСЛА РІЧКИ СІРЕТ

The aim of the work is to study the horizontal displacements of the Siret riverbed from the settlement of Stara Zhadova to the village of Cherepkivtsi. Methodology: GIS analysis methods, mathematical data processing, analysis of Siret riverbed displacements were used to solve the issues raised in the work on horizontal displacements of the Siret riverbed. Semi-automatic digitization of the Siret riverbed on the scale maps: 1:75 000, 1:50 000, 1:25 000, 1:28000 was carried out and the lengths and coefficients of tortuosity were determined. Areas with the most pronounced meandering and changes in horizontal displacements of the channel are selected. The result of the study: For the study, the course of the river Siret was digitized from space images in 2016, which allowed to establish the coefficient of tortuosity, which is 1.52. Due to the vectorization of the water body on the topographic map of 1987 at a scale of 1:50 000, it was determined that the coefficient of tortuosity increased to 1.57. The military-topographic map of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was linked to the territory of the western part of Ukraine in 1889 and the coefficient of tortuosity along the digitized riverbed equal to 1.75 was calculated. The raster image was also digitized with the formation of vectorized layers on a 1957 map at a scale of 1:25 000 and the twist coefficient was determined to be 1.7. The study used the Austrian military topographic map of Galicia and Bukovina in 1861-1864 in modern western Ukraine, which calculated the coefficient of tortuosity at 1.9, which is the highest value for the entire observation period. The general overlay analysis showed that during the whole period of observations the channel was straightened, which led to a decrease in meandering processes along the entire length of the water body. Areas with the most pronounced meandering and areas with the greatest changes in horizontal displacements of the channel were identified: near the villages of Nova Zhadova, Cherepkivtsi, Kamyanka, Klynivka, and the town of Storozhynets. Scientific novelty: GIS analysis of horizontal displacements of the Siret riverbed during the 152-year observation period was carried out, which allowed to identify the main characteristic parts of the riverbed. Practical significance: the results of the study can be used in organizations and departments, in hydraulic services, in institutions involved in the design of river crossings, in regional and district water departments, as well as in research institutions.

Особенности микроморфологии и анатомии листа Populus tremula L. (sect. Populus) и P. nigra L. (sect. Aigeiros Duby, Salicaceae)

The micromorphology and anatomy of the epidermis of the abaxial surface of the leaf of Populus tremula L. (sect. Populus) and P. nigra L. (sect. Aigeiros Duby, Salicaceae) using light and scanning electron microscopes. The main cells of the epidermis of P. nigra according to N.A. Aneli are curvilinear curvilinear; the coefficient of tortuosity of the anticline walls is 14.3±0.3 µm/mm2; the area is from 437.5 to 1300.0 mm2 (average 820.9±39.9); P. tremula – sinuous, close to indented; 23.2± 0.4 µm/mm2; from 187.5 to 612.5 mm2 (average 351.7±12.6). The closing cells of the stomata in both species are lentil-shaped, multidirectional, located on the same level with the main ones. In P. tremula they are rather small (their length is 17.9± 0.4 microns), and in P. nigra they are larger (24.6± 0.4 microns). Stomata density in P. tremula ranged from 333 to 571 pcs/mm2, in P. nigra – from 100 to 183 pcs/ mm2. There is a folded (striate) microrelief near the stomata. In P. nigra, straight or sinuous folds ranging from 5 to 25 pieces diverge in different directions at a distance of 10 to 27 microns. Three types of microrelief were found. At P. tremula a small number of periosteal folds (from 3 to 17 pcs.) diverged perpendicular to the stomatal slit in different directions at a distance of ~ 10-20 microns.

Biomarkers of in vivo limbal stem cell function

PurposeTo evaluate in vivo parameters as biomarkers of limbal stem cell function and to establish an objective system that detects and stage limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). MethodsA total of 126 patients (172 eyes) with LSCD and 67 normal subjects (99 eyes) were included in this observational cross-sectional comparative study. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (IVCM), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were performed to obtain the following: clinical score, cell morphology score, basal cell density (BCD), central corneal epithelial thickness (CET), limbal epithelial thickness (LET), total corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), and tortuosity coefficient. Their potential correlations with the severity of LSCD were investigated, and cutoff values were determined. ResultsAn increase clinical score correlated with a decrease in central cornea BCD, limbal BCD, CET, mean LET, maximum LET, CNFL, CNFD, CNBD, and tortuosity coefficient. Regression analyses showed that central cornea BCD, CET and CNFL were the best parameters to differentiate LSCD from normal eyes (Coef = 3.123, 3.379, and 2.223; all p < 0.05). The rank correlation analysis showed a similar outcome between the clinical scores and the central cornea BCD (ρ = 0.79), CET (ρ = 0.82), and CNFL (ρ = 0.71). A comprehensive LSCD grading formula based on a combination of these parameters was established. ConclusionsA comprehensive staging system combining clinical presentation, central cornea BCD, CET, and CNFL is established to accurately and objectively diagnose LSCD and stage its severity.

Electrochemically Grown Crystallographically Controlled Energy and Power Dense Cathodes for Li and Na Ion Batteries

Electrochemical synthesis of materials has contributed to significant breakthroughs in materials processing by replacing high temperature, cost and energy intensive pyrometallurgical processes. Although electrodeposition as a technology for reduction of elements and alloys has been practiced since at least the 1940s, a current key and exciting question is to identify and develop electrodeposition strategies for the growth of secondary battery cathodes. Specifically, we focus on anodic electrolytic deposition methods to grow alkali-ion intercalated, layered/spinel transition metal oxide intercalation cathode systems. State-of-the-art synthesis for layered oxide cathodes for Li and Na-ion battery involves prolonged high temperature (>700°C) processing for long reaction times (~24 hours) under high oxygen pressure, followed by slurry casting after mixing with binders and additives. Here, we demonstrate an intermediate temperature (250-350°C) electrodeposition process to grow alkali ion (Li+, Na+) intercalated transition metal oxides across multiple transition metal chemistries of the Li system (orthorhombic LiMnO2, Li2MnO3, LiNixMn1-xO4, LiMn2O4, LiCoO2) and Na system (O3 and P2 NaxCoO2, O’3 and P2 NaxMnO2) in thick film form factors. Even though our cathodes are electrochemically grown at the lowest reported synthesis temperature and reaction times, they retain the key structural and electrochemical performance of the high temperature bulk synthesized analogues. The key features of this alternate high throughput cathode manufacturing technique include formation of binder-and-additive-free, tens of microns thick, >75% dense, highly textured electrodeposits exhibiting near theoretical gravimetric capacity, low tortuosity, and chemical diffusion coefficient of Li+/Na+ ions. Our findings highlight the influence of the unique molten hydroxide-based solution chemistry platform and electrochemical processing parameters, on regulating the phase assemblage, designing the microstructure, and controlling crystallographic orientation during electrocrystallization.

Permeable Pavements Hydraulic Modelling: An Experimental Study

Introduction: The changes in land use associated with urban development cause an increase in urban flooding. Low Impact Development (LID) systems help to mitigate this hazardous phenomenon. Methods: Among LIDs, Permeable Pavement (PP) proved to be a very effective technology in reducing surface runoff. In light of this, the present research analyzes the Retention Capacities (RC) of three different PP samples, which differ in terms of composition and percentage of bitumen and aggregates and have been realized according to Italian national regulations and technical specifications. Hydraulic laboratory tests are conducted using a rainfall simulator to quantify the Retention Capacity (RC) of the three samples in response to rainfall events with different intensities (5, 10, 20, 30 mm/h). Results: The values of RC range between 85% and 20%, depending on the rainfall and sample properties, confirming the high potential of PPs in reducing surface stormwater production. The accuracy of HYDRUS-1D model in simulating the surface runoff from the PP samples has been investigated. HYDRUS-1D has been calibrated using measured data of runoff from the laboratory tests and adopting NSE as an optimization criterion. Conclusion: The parameters sets obtained by the calibration procedure give back Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values close to 1 for each PP configuration, which means a very high accuracy in model prediction. Finally, a sensitivity analysis has allowed to identify, by means of a global sensitivity index S, the most and the less influential parameters within the model, which respectively are the saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks (S=0.57) and the tortuosity coefficient L (S=0.015).

Comparing the results of manual and automated quantitative corneal neuroanalysing modules for beginners

This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of in vivo confocal microscopic neuroanalysis by beginners using manual and automated modules. Images of sub-basal corneal nerve plexus (SCNP) from 108 images of 18 healthy participants were analyzed by 7 beginner observers using manual (CCMetrics, [CCM]) and automated (ACCMetrics, [ACCM]) module. SCNP parameters analyzed included corneal nerve fiber density (NFD), corneal nerve branch density (NBD), corneal nerve fiber length (NFL), and tortuosity coefficient (TC). The intra-observer repeatability, inter-observer reliability, inter-module agreement, and left–right eye symmetry level of SCNP parameters were examined. All observers showed good intra-observer repeatability using CCM (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] > 0.60 for all), except when measuring TC. Two observers demonstrated especially excellent repeatability in analyzing NFD, NBD, and NFL using manual mode, indicating the quality of interpretation may still be observer-dependent. Among all SCNP parameters, NFL had the best inter-observer reliability (Spearman’s rank-sum correlation coefficient [SpCC] and ICC > 0.85 for the 3 original observers) and left–right symmetry level (SpCC and ICC > 0.60). In the additional analysis of inter-observer reliability using results by all 7 observers, only NFL showed good inter-observer reliability (ICC = 0.79). Compared with CCM measurements, values of ACCM measurements were significantly lower, implying a poor inter-module agreement. Our result suggested that performance of quantitative corneal neuroanalysis by beginners maybe acceptable, with NFL being the most reliable parameter, and automated method cannot fully replace manual work.

Determination of Archie’s Tortuosity Factor from Stoneley Waves in Carbonate Reservoirs

One of the fundamental equations in calculate the saturation of fluid in hydrocarbon reservoirs is the Archie’s equation. In addition to the parameters measured by well logging such as porosity and resistivity, there are others parameters that called Archie’s coefficients. Archie provides constant values for this coefficient base on experimental core’s data, accordance with saturation formula in sandstone. In carbonate reservoirs nevertheless the sandstone reservoirs, high heterogeneity, variety in lithology and texture, shape and distribution of pores, due to this coefficient is not constant. So, variation of tortuosity as a coefficient that depends on the way correlation between pores, is high and considering a constant value due to error in calculation of fluid saturation. In this study, with the stoneley waves measured from DSI tools and required calculation, the value of tortuosity coefficient calculated continuously in well no.10 Darkhovin field. The regression of calculated values with the core data is 83.16 percent, that showed this method is useable for calculation the tortuosity.