Usable Volume Research Articles

The Importance of Cell Saver Usage in Complex Endovascular Repair of Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

The use of the cell saver is well-established in open aneurysm repair; however, its role in endovascular repair is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of cell saver usage in patients undergoing complex endovascular procedures. Single-center retrospective cohort study, including consecutive patients undergoing fenestrated and/or branched repair for the treatment of thoracoabdominal and complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (CAAAs) between January 2019 and December 2022. The cell saver was a standard part of the intraoperative setup of these procedures, and its use was readily available. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients, in which autologous blood collected was transfused (cell saver blood transfusion [CSBT]), alongside the useable amount obtained. Secondary endpoints included mean blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin levels, and 30-day mortality. A total of 170 patients (77.1% male, mean age 71.2±9.2years) were included, with a median blood loss of 700mL (interquartile range [IQR] 400-1,200mL). A total of 96 patients received some kind of blood transfusion (BT) (56.5%): 35 patients were (20.6%) allogenic BT, 31 patients were (18.2%) CSBT only, and 30 patients were (17.6%) a combination of both. In total, 61 patients (35.9% or 63.5% of all patients requiring BTs) received CSBT, with a median useable blood volume of 282mL (IQR, 194.5-508 mL). Thirty-day mortality was similar in both groups. Although the CSBT group had lower intraoperative hemoglobin values (9.25±1.55 vs. 10.36±1.88mg/dL; P<0.001), both groups presented similar postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Blood loss during complex endovascular repair is not insignificant. In this cohort, over 50% of included patients required some kind of BT, 32.3% of which received exclusively CSBT, while 31.3% had supplementary CSBT alongside allogenic BT. This data showcases its potential role in these repairs, paving the way for its standardization in the intraoperative setup of these complex procedures.

An Assessment of the Siltation and Sediment Generation in Yusmerg Dam Located in Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract: Although siltation is a natural process, human activity can speed it up and cause serious issues for reservoirs, lowering their usable volume for irrigation. One illustration of this issue was the Yusmerg dam's mirror water area shrinking by 48.3% over the course of 20 years. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the siltation and sediment production of the dam using a methodology that may be used for small earth dams used for agriculture. The amount of silt deposited in the reservoir was tracked for this purpose every month of the year. With a retention sediment percentage ranging from 53.9 to 94.5% and a high specific sediment output, the Yusmerg dam will fully silt in a maximum of 57 years. Restoring permanent preservation areas and clearing 17,500 m3 of silt from the dam's riverbed should be done as little as possible.

Operation of hydropower plants without storage by optimizing the turbine flow. Variations to the optimization model

Flowing water power plants take advantage of the flows that circulate through the river in which they are implanted. They do not have in their design storage systems that allow the accumulation of river flows for later use. They only have the infrastructures necessary for the conduction of flows and their use. These types of plants are designed and automated to operate between certain flow limits, working with "constant head", using the available flows at any given time. The operating limits are set by the "equipment flow", for which the plant is designed, and the "technical minimum flow", which corresponds to the minimum flow value with which the plant can work, and which depends on each turbine type. This article is a continuation of the research carried out and part of the results of which have been presented in previous congresses. They established the optimization algorithms to take advantage of times of low flow level (dry season) to use the plant's channels as a storage element for flow rates below the technical minimum and to subject the plant to sequential emptying/filling cycles of the same channels, thus allowing energy recovery, which we will call operation by "optimal flow". This article intends to analyze the response of the proposed optimization model to variations in both the design and operation of the power plants in which its implementation is possible. The response of the plant to variations in the usable volume in the channels, the minimum time established for the operation of the plant, as well as the hydrological characteristics of the year of application is presented.

GROUNDWATER OF VOLYN REGION: CONDITIONS OF LOCATION, FEATURES OF USE, WAYS OF PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT

Water is a vital resource that sustains life on our planet. However, its distribution is uneven, leading to water scarcity in some areas and excess in others. Human activities further exacerbate the reduction of usable water volume. It is predicted that water scarcity may become a significant factor in conflicts of the 21st century. Groundwater serves as a primary source of water and is classified as an exhaustible renewable natural resource. However, the replenishment of groundwater occurs at a slow rate. Given the global water scarcity issue, there is a pressing need for comprehensive research on groundwater, particularly at local and regional levels. Therefore, this article focuses on investigating the underground water resources in the Volyn region, including their occurrence, and analyzing their utilization by the local population and regional economy. The article provides a detailed description of aquifers of various geological ages in the Volyn region, including their occurrence patterns and distribution boundaries. The study examines the specific locations of each aquifer in relation to the geological structure of the area, following a geochronological sequence. Additionally, the article investigates mineralized underground waters, noting that the most prevalent types are chloride-sodium, sulfate, sodium, and hydrogen carbonate-chloride calcium waters. The study focused on the period from 2015 to 2020 to assess the current status of groundwater and identify trends in water resource utilization. The research revealed a consistent increase in the proportion of underground water in overall water usage. Surprisingly, however, the actual volume of water extracted from underground sources has been decreasing. The study examined the dynamics of water usage by various industries. It was determined that the housing and communal sector was the largest consumer of water during the study period, mainly due to the region's limited economic development and correspondingly low water demands from other sectors. Analysis showed that, on average, 25.8% and 21.3% of the total water withdrawals were utilized for industrial and agricultural purposes, respectively. Irrigation and fisheries represented the smallest water-consuming activities, accounting for 9.5% and 6.5%, respectively. Notably, a significant portion of water intake, approximately 13%, was attributed to transportation purposes. To ensure the rational utilization, preservation, and enhancement of groundwater quality, several measures have been recommended. These measures include the implementation of water-saving and waterfree technologies in industrial processes, adopting reversible water usage practices, and upgrading water supply systems to improve efficiency. To safeguard and improve the quality of underground water, it is essential to upgrade treatment facilities in communal enterprises, implement rainwater and sewage treatment systems, promote the responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, among other practices. These actions aim to optimize water usage, mitigate pollution, and enhance the overall management of groundwater resources. The article represents a significant contribution as it provides a comprehensive description of the characteristics of underground aquifers in relation to the geological structure of the Volyn region. It establishes the distribution boundaries of underground waters of different geological ages within the region, offering valuable insights. The creation of a modern geochronological scale during the research adds further value to the study. The article also sheds light on the utilization of water resources by various economic sectors during the specified period (2015–2020), highlighting important trends. The proposed measures for preserving water resources and improving their quality demonstrate a practical approach. The research findings can serve as a valuable resource for the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Volyn Regional State Administration in their efforts to develop regional environmental programs.

Analysis of the Bottom Topography of the Reservoir Due to Sediment Trapping (According to the Krasnodar Reservoir, Russia)

Morphometric descriptions of reservoirs are usually limited to the type, shape, altitude position, bed size and volume of water in them. The article presents the results of the analysis of the bottom topography of the Krasnodar reservoir and the transformations of this for 2005-2021. The analysis was carried out based on the materials of bathymetric surveys for the usable volume of the reservoir on an area of 224 km2 with the creation of digital elevation models. The topography of the reservoir bottom is represented by flat sections of flooded accumulative plain with prevailing slopes of about 0.2–0.4°, dissected by riverbeds of lower-order tributaries. The transformation of the topography is caused by gradual silting. The total volume of sediments for this area in 2005-2021 amounted to 127 million m3 with an average siltation layer of 0.4 m. To describe the morphological properties of the bottom topography, we used geomorphometry techniques with the calculation of the BPI index (Bathymetric Position Index) and the classification of mesoscale topography forms based on it. For the riverbed, there are topography forms related to three types of surfaces: flat (Lower Bank Shelves), concave (Depressions, Deep Depressions) and convex (Reef Crests, Back Reefs, Mid-Slope Ridges). The constructed maps reflect the differentiated morphology of the bed surface, the evolution of topography forms and the change in roughness under conditions of continuous transformation of the basin and allow judging the prevailing morphogenetic processes. Morphologically, the coastal zone and the shallow part of the riverbed are the most difficult to construct. Here, along with long-shore reef crests of different genesis, deep depressions and simple depressions in the form of underwater channels on the deltas of extension can form on the accumulative shoal.

Determining the load on a body of the gondola car with unloading hoppers under the basic operating modes

The object of research is the processes of occurrence, perception, and redistribution of loads in the supporting structure of a gondola car with unloading hoppers. In order to increase the carrying capacity of the gondola car, and accordingly the profitability of railroad transportation, it has been proposed to improve its structure. This improvement implies the installation of unloading hoppers in its middle part. According to preliminary calculations, the use of unloading hoppers could increase the usable volume of the body by 2.82 m3. At the same time, the carrying capacity of the car would increase by 3.8 tons. Accordingly, the axial load on the wheelsets would increase. It is possible to solve this issue by using wheelsets with increased axial load in bogies. As part of the research, a mathematical modeling of the vertical dynamics of the gondola car during its movement in the empty and loaded states of the rail track was carried out. It was established that the movement of the car is evaluated as "excellent". The calculation of the strength of the gondola car body under the main operational load modes was carried out. The stability of the car's equilibrium was determined, and its modal analysis was also carried out. The peculiarity of the results within the framework of the study is that the proposed improvement could be implemented not only when designing a new car structure but also during modernization. The area of practical application of the results is the machine-building industry, in particular, railroad transport. The conditions for the practical application of the research results are compliance with the axial load within the permissible values. The research reported here will contribute to improving the technical and economic indicators of cars, as well as increasing the profitability of railroad transportation

Environmental Flow Assessment using multiple criteria: A case study in the Kumbih river, West Sumatra (Indonesia)

Water withdrawal from rivers is a key resource for agriculture, industry, and power generation. However, in order to maintain riverine ecosystem, withdrawal should not exceed certain thresholds, and normally a requirement is made that a certain amount of water be left in the river, to be assessed via Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA) procedure. In spite of the crucial importance of this task, little or no international standard exists to assess minimum values of the EF. Rather, general guidelines are provided, with large subjectivity entailed. Here, focusing on the case study Kumbih river, in Sumatra, Indonesia, we apply a multiple criteria approach to EFA procedure, testing the values of EF assessed with hydrological methods in a previous study, with a focus on a relevant target species, i.e. the fish Tor Soro. Based upon a two-dimensional hydraulic model, we explore 6 indicators, covering some most important criteria to ensure the welfare of the fish fauna. Indicator II, weighed usable volume, slightly modifies the well-known method PHABSIM. Indicators IIi.IIIII target water depth needed to ensure welfare of target species, whereas criteria IIV-VI target flow velocity, and sediment removal. Use of multiple indicators as shown here, albeit still subjective, may provide more consistent values of EF, and even an outlook of the disparity in terms of flow requirements given by the several criteria. Here we found that the maximum estimated EF under IV (flow velocity), is over twice as large as the flow estimate from II. Overall however, initial EF estimates from the hydrological criterion seem adequate against the criteria proposed. Our study is among the few covering EF for Indonesia, and the only one regarding Kumbih river, and our results are of interest, also as a benchmark for other EFA studies in the region.

The future of Alpine Run-of-River hydropower production: Climate change, environmental flow requirements, and technical production potential

Past studies on the impacts of climate change (CC) on Alpine hydropower production have focused on high-head accumulation power plants. We provide one of the first comprehensive, simulation-based studies on CC impacts on Alpine Run-of-River (RoR) production, also considering effects of environmental flow requirements and technical increase potential. We simulate future electricity production under three emissions scenarios for 21 Swiss RoR plants with a total production of 5.9 TWh a−1. The simulations show an increase in winter production (4 % to 9 %) and a decrease in summer production (−2 % to −22 %), which together lead to an annual decrease of about −2 % to −7 % by the end of the century. The production loss due to environmental flow requirements is estimated at 3.5 % of the annual production; the largest low-elevation RoR power plants show little loss, while small and medium-sized power plants are most affected. The potential for increasing production by optimising the design discharge amounts to 8 % of the annual production. The largest increase potential is related to small and medium-sized power plants at high elevations. The key results are: i) there is no linear relationship between CC impacts on streamflow and on RoR production; the impacts depend on the usable streamflow volume, which is influenced by the Flow Duration Curve, environmental flow requirements, and design discharge; ii), the simulated production impacts show a strong correlation (>0.68) with the mean catchment elevation. The plants at the highest elevations even show an increase in annual production of 3 % to 23 %, due to larger shares of precipitation falling as rain instead of snow. These general results are transferable to RoR production in similar settings in other Alpine locations and should be considered in future assessments. Future work could focus on further technical optimisation potential, considering detailed operational data.

Experimental study of venting efficiency of salinity current

ABSTRACT The dam is one of the most prominent hydraulic constructions on the world. Sediment flows into dam reservoirs because of human involvement in the dam catchment region, eventually affecting its functional storage. Density currents are a key feature of sedimentation. The use of bottom outflow gates to preserve the reservoir’s usable volume is one approach of mitigating the effects of sedimentation. This could have an effect on the quality of the water as it exits the dam. The purpose of this research was to see how well salt current from lock exchanges was vented at different levels and outlet gate sizes. Based on the latest study’s experiments, this is the highest venting efficiency when the location of outlets is in the quarter of the bottom of the dam. The output concentration will be equal to the average concentration of the concentrated input current, which is the best height for installing the outlet gates, based on the maximum venting efficiency demonstrated in the recent study’s experiments, which may be described as the best height for the turbidity current outlet gate. Discharge efficiency increases when the intake concentration is lower.

Development of a new type of household appliances – refrigerators with a heating chamber

The object of this study is absorption-type refrigeration appliances, which allow to expand the functionality of household appliances without additional energy consumption.&#x0D; Investigated problem: The aim of this study: firstly, due to the novelty of the proposed technique, it was necessary to show the real possibility of obtaining the temperature level required for technological processes (up to 70 °C); secondly, taking into account the experience gained in experimental studies, it was necessary to propose new designs for solving the problems of refrigeration and heat treatment of food products and raw materials in domestic conditions.&#x0D; The main scientific results: It is shown that the development of devices that combine the functions of refrigeration storage and heat treatment of food products, semi-finished products and agricultural raw materials can become a promising area for energy saving in household appliances. In such household combined appliances, the heat released during the implementation of the refrigeration cycle is not immediately removed to the environment, but is transferred to a special heating chamber, while the temperature in the volume of the heating chamber is maintained higher than the air temperature in the room. The effect of energy saving is achieved by expanding the functionality of household appliances without attracting additional energy costs.&#x0D; The original designs of combined absorption-type household appliances are proposed, a description of their operation, advantages and disadvantages, and areas of application are given.&#x0D; The area of practical use of the research results: In the course of experimental studies, it was shown that the introduction of an additional heating chamber into the structure of household absorption refrigerators, thermally connected with the lifting section by the dephlegmator of the absorption refrigeration unit, does not lead to an increase in energy consumption (according to the test results below than in the standard version by 5 %) and does not impair the performance of the cooling chambers.&#x0D; The area of practical use of the research results: household energy-saving appliances.&#x0D; Innovative technological product: the use of an evaporation-condensation cycle that provides highly efficient heat transfer at a distance of up to 1 meter from the heat dissipation zone of the refrigeration unit to the usable volume of the heating chamber of the household appliance.

Inside the Hydra: Taking the Ancient Water Organ Seriously

Abstract Although ancient sources describe the mechanism of the ancient water organ’s wind supply in considerable detail, modern attempts at recreating such a device have remained unsatisfactory. A study of the relations between the shape of the pressure chamber, its size, possible water levels and the ensuing usable air pressure and volume suggests that the true hydraulis played at much higher pressures than has been commonly assumed. Such pressures would support reed pipes much more readily than flue pipes; this, in turn, can explain the sound volume that we must expect from an instrument that was used in open spaces and inherently noisy environments.

Sampling of a driving cycle for e-trucks with a mechatronic transmission

Traction battery vehicles (TBV) are currently gaining more and more popularity and are gradually replacing vehicles with ICE and traditional transmissions. The usage of an electric traction drive as part of TBV solves a number of problems that manufacturers of this type of equipment face today: reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere, reducing noise, used lubricants recycling, and the increase of the energy efficiency. From the point of view of the scientific research, this type of wheeled vehicles is also of high interest due to the large number of problems and tasks that have formed at the moment. It is a common knowledge, that one of the main problematic issues for the TBV is a rather limited range. In cargo electric vehicles and buses, in order to reduce the size and increase the usable volume of the passenger compartment or cargo space, as well as to unify the products of the power unit and drive, there are used the transmissions, which are the combination of mechanical and electrical components with appropriate control systems. The mechanical component includes a gearbox with one or more gear ratios, an inter-wheel differential, axle shafts, bearings and other components. The electrical component is a traction motor located directly in the drive axle (integrated) or on the outside of the crankcase, as well as a voltage converter with a control system and the necessary switching elements. Similar implementations of the driving axles of vehicles with traction batteries are called mechatronic transmissions.

ОЦІНКА ЗАРЕГУЛЬОВАНОСТІ СТОКУ РІЧКИ СЕРЕТ

The Seret River is a 242 km long left tributary of the Dniester, flowing within the Ternopil region. The basin covers an area of 3900 km2, a river slope of 0,9 and a river network density of 2,44 km2/km. The average long-term water discharge in the river is 12,1 m3/s, the water turbidity is 100-200 g/m3 and the salinity is 350-550 mg/dm3. There are 8 small hydropower plants on the river with a total capacity of 21,57 MW. The aim of the study is to assess the regulated flow of the Seret River and determine the amount of siltation in the reservoirs in its channel. The study found that 8 reservoirs have been created on the Seret River, with a total water surface area of 21 km2 and a total volume of 57,4 million m3. The Seret River is one of the most heavily regulated rivers in the Western Podillia. The Seret River basin contains 30% of all reservoirs in the Ternopil region. The upper reaches of the river are the most regulated, with 5 reservoirs with a total volume of about 33 million m3 and a usable volume of 25 million m3. According to the results of the calculations, it was found that the coefficient of flow regulation of the Seret River is 0,17; the degree of flow regulation is 0,25. The volume weight of sediment in the Seret River is 0,79 t/m3. It was found that the river transports about 57 thousand tonnes of sediment per year. Over the estimated period of operation (40 years), 3 million m3 of sediment will accumulate in the Seret River reservoirs. The siltation of Ternopil reservoir is 3,5 %, Vertelivske – 5 %, Zalozhtsivske – 10 %, Verkhnya Ivachyvka – 58 %, Bilche-Zolotetske – 65 %, Skorodynske – 75 %. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the Seret River is undergoing significant anthropogenic pressure, and there are risks of degradation of the watercourse and a decrease in the energy potential of the reservoirs in the middle and lower reaches of the river. Therefore, there is a need to develop scientifically based measures to optimise nature management and renaturalise the Seret River basin and valley.

Development of control algorithms for magnetoelectric generator with axial magnetic flux and double stator based on mathematical modeling

The object of this research is electromechanical processes in a generator with an axial magnetic flux and a double stator and an additional non-contact excitation winding operating as part of autonomous electric power systems. The power of the additional excitation system is about 2 % of the generator power. The presence of an additional non-contact winding, which is powered by direct current, makes it possible to control the generator voltage by changing the excitation current. This resolves the task to stabilize the output voltage of the generator with permanent magnets when the load and shaft speed change. This paper reports the construction of a three-dimensional field axisymmetric mathematical model of the generator under study, which has made it possible to calculate and investigate its characteristics and parameters, in particular the magnitude of magnetic induction in all structural elements. The model built takes into account the influence of finite effects, magnetic scattering fields, and the radial-axial nature of the closure of the main magnetic flux and the magnetic flux of the additional excitation winding. The use of a structure with a double stator makes it possible to more efficiently utilize the usable volume of the generator and to increase its power. A mathematical model of the generator in the d-q coordinate system was built, which has made it possible to synthesize algorithms for controlling the automatic voltage stabilization system of the generator voltage under conditions of change in load and shaft speed. Control algorithms were developed on the basis of the concept of inverse dynamics problems in combination with minimizing local functionalities of instantaneous energy values, which ensures that the system is robust when changing generator parameters and that regulators are implemented in a simple way, due to the lack of differentiation operations. Based on the models built and algorithms developed, the quality of control of the generator's output voltage when the load and frequency of the generator change was investigated by modeling in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. When setting a jump in the rated load and changing the rotational speed within ±15 % of the rated value, the automatic stabilization system provides astatic voltage control at a given level of 48 V. The results can be practically used in the design of autonomous electric power systems with high energy conversion efficiency, in particular wind turbines and hydraulic units

A truncated twisted solenoid RF phase gradient transmit coil for TRASE MRI

Transmit array spatial encoding (TRASE) is an MR imaging technique that achieves k-space encoding through the use of phase gradients in the RF transmit field. Without requiring B0 gradient fields, TRASE MRI can be performed using significantly cheaper bi-planar permanent magnets or Halbach arrays. For TRASE encoding with these magnets, the twisted solenoid has been demonstrated as the most efficient RF transmit coil; however, this specific geometry results in a long coil with a relatively short imaging volume. We introduce a new truncated design to increase the usable imaging volume relative to the coil length. Based on simulations of optimal parameters, a 200 mm long, 100 mm inner diameter coil pair was constructed with an imaging volume 100 mm in length and 80 mm in diameter. The coil pair was tested using an un-shimmed 2.84 MHz Halbach array. Results indicate the truncated design can create a similar imaging volume and quality to the untruncated version whilst significantly reducing the length of the coil by as much as a half.

Study of operating modes of a double-chamber diaphragm milk pump

Diaphragm (membrane) pumps refer to a class of devices with a reciprocating movement of the working body that are widely used in various industrial technologies and in everyday life. In agricultural production, these pumps are used in the production line of milking installations and for creating a vacuum in individual milking machines. The most important distinguishing feature of a diaphragm pump is the minimum mechanical effect on the pumped product due to the excluded action of centrifugal forces, which in turn excludes mechanical impact and foaming. Therefore, they are mainly used for delicate pumping of products, in particular milk. Another important feature of the pump design is its tightness that serves as a reliable barrier to isolate the working and external environments. A significantly smaller number of rubbing parts in comparison with centrifugal pumps ensures higher reliability and minimum maintenance. Analysis of modern designs of diaphragm pumps showed that their productivity and operational reliability can be improved as follows: two-chamber version; the increased usable volume of the chamber due to the diaphragm structuring; electric drive of the working body. The team of authors substantiated the design of a two-chamber milk pump with an electromagnetic drive, substantiated its supply to ensure stable operation of the milking installation throughout the entire milking time, and calculated the effect of the structured diaphragm diameter on the pump flow. The laboratory bench of the Department of Machines and Technologies of Agro-industrial Complex, Stavropol State Agrarian University, was used for experimental studies, and the estimated payback period for the developed pump design was found not to exceed 1.2...1.5 years.

Adapting the load-bearing structure of a gondola car for transporting high-temperature cargoes

This paper determines the load on the load-bearing structure of a universal gondola car during the transportation of cargo with a temperature of 700 °C in it. It has been established that the maximum equivalent stresses, in this case, significantly exceed permissible ones. The maximum temperature of the cargo, at which the strength indicators of the carrying structure of the gondola do not exceed the permissible values, is 94 °C. At the same time, the temperature of the cargo transported in the cars by rail can be much higher. In this regard, in order to use gondola cars for the transportation of cargoes with high temperatures, it is possible to arrange them in heat-resistant containers of open type – flatcars. Therefore, in this study, a structure of the flatcar with convex walls has been proposed. Such configuration of the sidewalls makes it possible to increase the usable volume of the container by 8 % compared to the prototype. As a flatcar material, a composite with heat-resistant properties is used. To justify the proposed solution, the strength of a flatcar was calculated. It has been established that the maximum equivalent stresses in the carrying structure of the flatcar are about 300 MPa and do not exceed permissible ones. To determine the main indicators of the dynamics of the gondola car loaded with flats, its dynamic load was mathematically modeled. The calculation results showed that the accelerations that operate in the center of the mass of the load-bearing structure of a gondola car are about 1.5 m/s2. The vertical dynamics coefficient is 0.22. The estimated dynamics indicators are within the permissible values. The study reported here could contribute to improving the efficiency of the use of gondola cars and to further advancements in the design of innovative vehicles

Production of tambaqui and of the tambatinga and tambacu hybrids: Performance, morphometric traits, and body yield

This study evaluates the performance, morphometric traits, and body yield of the freshwater fish tambaqui, and of the tambatinga and tambacu hybrids. These fish were reared in cages with a 6 m3 usable volume, during three production phases: (I) 0–77 d of rearing (600 fish/cage), (II) 77–264 d of rearing (200 fish/cage), and (III) 264–402 d of rearing (100 fish/cage). In total, 5400 fish from three genetic groups were used in each experimental group (replicated three times). Phase I showed no significant difference in performance between the genetic groups. The exceptions to this were the condition factor and body height, which were highest (p < 0.05) for tambatinga; and specific growth rate and body width, which were highest (p < 0.05) for tambaqui and tambatinga. During phase II, the final weight was higher (p < 0.05) in tambaqui (943.6 g) and tambatinga (686.8 g) than in tambacu (276.4 g). The same was true for other performance traits, whereas the morphometric traits were highest (p < 0.05) in tambaqui. During phase III, tambaqui showed a higher final weight (1764.1 g; p < 0.05) than tambacu (654.8 g), whereas the final weight of tambatinga (906.0 g) did not differ from that of the other genetic groups. The morphometric traits were higher (p < 0.05) in tambaqui than in tambacu in phase III. The evaluated body yield percentages were similar between the groups, with the exception of bone yield, which was highest (p < 0.05) in tambacu. The results showed that during phase II, tambaqui was superior to tambatinga in terms of its morphometric traits, and that it outperformed tambacu in performance and morphometric traits. In phase III, tambaqui achieved greater biomass gains than tambatinga and had better performance and morphometric traits than tambacu. The body yields (with the exception of bones) were similar to those of tambatinga and tambacu.

Supply of wood processing residues – a basic calculation approach and its application on the example of wood packaging

Waste reduction, recycling and increased material efficiency are key objectives in complex industrial ecology. The wood processing industry also aims at a more intensive resource recovery and usable residual volumes. Important volumes of wood processing residue potentials can be found at the EU level. However, to date no reliable calculation approach has been established. To fill the information gap, this study presents an approach for calculating the supply of wood processing residues. The methodological approach follows the concept of a material flow analysis. We quantify the material flows based on product-specific conversion factors and the coefficients of material efficiency. This paper intends to develop a calculation approach based on existing statistical data from official classifications such as Prodcom. We perform the calculation approach on standardised wood packaging products at the European level. The calculated supply of wood processing residues the European Union in 2018 was 29.7 million m³f with a total material input of about 70.8 million m³f and a production volume of 40.8 million m³f. A maximum volume of 29.6 million m³f sawnwood is used for the production of wooden containers. Quantification results can be further differentiated – e.g., the share of sawmill by-products. Hence, the calculation approach supports the visualisation and understanding of material flows within the forest-based sector. Wood processing residue coefficients resulting from product specific MFA can be repeatedly applied to annual production data of wood products, wood composites and wood supply chains. Thus, the quantification of wood processing residues improves the results of existing and future wood resource balances including cascade uses by increasing their level of detail.

Characterization and Pilot Human Trial of Dedicated Breast Ring Positron Emission Tomography (BRPET) System

We describe the design and performance of BRPET, a novel dedicated breast PET (dbPET) scanner designed to maximize visualization of posterior regions of the breast. BRPET uses prone imaging geometry and a 12-module detector ring built from pixelated LYSO crystals coupled to position sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMTs). Optical coupling via slanted plastic fiber optic light guides permits partial insertion of the crystals into the exam table’s breast aperture. Image quality testing procedures were adapted from the NEMA NU4-2008 protocol. Two additional phantom tests quantified the posterior extent of the usable volume of view (VoV). BRPET axial, radial, and tangential FWHM spatial resolutions at the isocenter were 1.8, 1.7, and 1.9 mm, respectively. The peak absolute system sensitivity was 0.97% using an energy window of 460–562 keV. The peak noise equivalent counting rate was 5.33 kcps at 21.6 MBq. The scanner VoV extends to within ~6 mm of the plane defining the location of the chest wall. A pilot human study (n = 10) compared the diagnostic performance of FDG-BRPET to that of contrast enhanced MRI (CEMRI), with biopsy as ground truth. Averaged over three expert human observers, the sensitivity/specificity for BRPET was 0.93/1.0, compared to 1.0/0.25 for CEMRI.