Logistic Regression Models have been widely used in many areas of research, namely in health sciences, to study risk factors associated to diseases. Many population based surveys, such as Demographic and Health Survey...Logistic Regression Models have been widely used in many areas of research, namely in health sciences, to study risk factors associated to diseases. Many population based surveys, such as Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), are constructed assuming complex sampling, i.e., probabilistic, stratified and multistage sampling, with unequal weights in the observations;this complex design must be taken into account in order to have reliable results. However, this very relevant issue usually is not well analyzed in the literature. The aim of the study is to specify the logistic regression model with complex sample design, and to demonstrate how to estimate it using the R software survey package. More specifically, we used Mozambique Demographic Health and Survey data 2011 (MDHS 2011) to illustrate how to correct for the effect of sample design in the particular case of estimating the risk factors associated to the probability of using mosquito bed nets. Our results show that in the presence of complex sampling, appropriate methods must be used both in descriptive and inferential statistics.展开更多
Malaria is still a major public health concern in Cameroon as more than 20 million people are at risk of the disease. Despite the government’s effort to scale up the distribution of long lasting insecticide-treated b...Malaria is still a major public health concern in Cameroon as more than 20 million people are at risk of the disease. Despite the government’s effort to scale up the distribution of long lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs), full ownership and optimal use is still limited. In 2021, over a million LLINs were made available for distribution in the South West Region. However, the current situation of malaria has not yet been ascertained following the 2021 mass distribution campaign (MDC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine LLIN ownership, coverage, usage and the prevalence of malaria following the 2021 MDC in the Tiko Health District (THD), South West Region of Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was carried from May 1 to 27, 2022 in which a multi-stage sampling technique was used to enroll eligible participants. Data were collected from household heads using questionnaires and capillary blood samples collected from consented household members were used to test for malaria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 at 0.05 significance level. From the 150 households surveyed, 96 (64.0%) owned a mosquito net before the recent MDC. There was an overall significant increase (p p = 0.644) in LLINs ownership between areas where door-to-door (79.5%) and fixed “Hit and Run” (75.8%) strategies were used in the distribution of LLINs in THD. The prevalence of malaria was 10.2%. The regular use of LLINs was significantly associated (p = 0.007) with low malaria prevalence. The 2021 MDC had an impact on malaria prevalence in those who properly used them.展开更多
Objective:To ascertain the socio-cultural factors influencing the rate of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets(ITNs) in a malaria endemic city of Makurdi,north central Nigeria. Methods:The study was cross-secti...Objective:To ascertain the socio-cultural factors influencing the rate of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets(ITNs) in a malaria endemic city of Makurdi,north central Nigeria. Methods:The study was cross-sectional in nature using systematic sampling method to identify households.Both quantitative and qualitative data was generated from adult women using structured and semi structured questionnaires,and focused group discussions(FGDs) to obtain information on rate and patterns of utilization of ITNs.Information such as age,educational level, marital status,awareness or otherwise of the existence of malaria,and factors influencing rate of ownership and utilization of ITNs were obtained.FGDs were used to obtain qualitative information on rate of utilization of ITNs not captured in the questionnaires.Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software.Results:Among the respondents interviewed,97.0% (2 013/2 075) were aware of existence of malaria and 87.0% of these(1 751/2 013) would associate it with mosquitoes.The rate of ownership of any bed net,ITNs and untreated bed nets(UTNs) was 25.1% ,17.0% and 8.3% ,respectively.Utilization of ITNs among children was 30.0% (112/373) and UTNs 12.9% (48/373).Positive contributors to ITNs utilization were literacy,enhanced economy, experience of marriage,and being gainfully employed(P【0.05);while negative contributors were ignorance,poverty and some cultural beliefs and values.Conclusions:A more synchronized advocacy should be carried out on the potential benefits of ITNs utilization and sustained.Also ITNs should be made available to the people of the community at minimal or no cost.展开更多
Background:Myanmar lies in the Greater Mekong Subregion where there is artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria.As the artemisinin compound is the pillar of effective antimalarial therapies,containing the s...Background:Myanmar lies in the Greater Mekong Subregion where there is artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria.As the artemisinin compound is the pillar of effective antimalarial therapies,containing the spread of artemisinin resistance is a national and global priority.The use of insecticide-treated bed nets/long-lasting insecticidal nets(ITNs/LLINs)is the key intervention for ensuring the reduction of malaria transmission and the spread of resistant strains,and for eventually eliminating malaria.This study aimed at assessing household ownership of,access to,and utilization of bed nets in areas of Myanmar with and without artemisinin resistance containment measures.Methods:Secondary data from a nationwide community-based malaria survey conducted by the National Malaria Control Program in 2014 were analyzed.Based on evidence of artemisinin resistance,Myanmar was divided into tiers 1,2,and 3:townships in tiers 1 and 2 were aggregated as the Myanmar Artemisinin Resistance Containment(MARC)areas and were compared with tier 3 townships,which were defined as non-MARC areas.The chi-square test was used to compare groups,and the level of significance was set at P≤0.05.Results:Of the 6328 households assessed,97.2%in both MARC and non-MARC areas had at least one bed net(any type),but only 63%of households had ITNs/LLINs.Only 44%of households in MARC areas and 24%in non-MARC areas had adequate numbers of ITNs/LLINs(one ITN/LLIN per two persons,P<0.001).Nearly 44%of household members had access to ITNs/LLINs.Regarding the utilization of ITNs/LLINs,45%of household members used them in MARC areas and 36%used them in non-MARC areas(P<0.001,desired target=100%).Utilization of ITNs/LLINs among children aged below five years and pregnant women(high malaria risk groups)was low,at 44%and 42%,respectively.Conclusions:This study highlights the nationwide shortfalls in the ownership of,access to,and utilization of ITNs/LLINs in Myanmar,which is of particular concern in terms of containing the spread of artemisinin resistance.It highlights the need for priority attention to be paid and mobilization of resources in order to improve bed net coverage and utilization through bed net distribution and/or social marketing,information dissemination,and awareness-raising.展开更多
Magnetostrictive Fe-Ga alloys have captivated substantial focus in biomedical applications because of their exceptional transition efficiency and favorable cytocompatibility.Nevertheless,Fe-Ga alloys always exhibit fr...Magnetostrictive Fe-Ga alloys have captivated substantial focus in biomedical applications because of their exceptional transition efficiency and favorable cytocompatibility.Nevertheless,Fe-Ga alloys always exhibit frustrating magnetostriction coefficients when presented in bulk dimensions.It is well-established that the magnetostrictive performance of Fe-Ga alloys is intimately linked to their phase and crystal structures.In this study,various concentrations of boron(B)were doped into Fe_(81)Ga_(19) alloys via the laser-beam powder bed fusion(LPBF)technique to tailor the crystal and phase structures,thereby improving the magnetostrictive performance.The results revealed the capacity for quick solidification of the LPBF process in expediting the solid solution of B element,which increased both lattice distortion and dislocations within the Fe-Ga matrix.These factors contributed to an elevation in the density of the modified-D0_(3) phase structure.Moreover,the prepared Fe-Ga-B alloys also exhibited a(001)preferred grain orientation caused by the high thermal gradients during the LPBF process.As a result,a maximum magnetostriction coefficient of 105 ppm was achieved in the(Fe_(81)Ga_(19))_(98.5)B_(1.5) alloy.In alternating magnetic fields,all the LPBF-prepared alloys showed good dynamic magnetostriction response without visible hysteresis,while the(Fe_(81)Ga_(19))_(98.5)B_(1.5) alloy presented a notable enhancement of~30%in magnetostriction coefficient when compared with the Fe_(81)Ga_(19) alloy.Moreover.the(Fe_(81)Ga_(19))_(98.5)B_(1.5) alloy exhibited favorable biocompatibility and osteogenesis,as confirmed by increased alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity and the formation of mineralized nodules.These findings suggest that the B-doped Fe-Ga alloys combined with the LPBF technique hold promise for the development of bulk magnetostrictive alloys that are applicable for bone repair applications.展开更多
A feasible criterion was established to determine the lower size limit of raw coal(d_(pRm))for efficient beneficiation in the air-fluidized bed with magnetite particles.The feasibility of using small magnetite particl...A feasible criterion was established to determine the lower size limit of raw coal(d_(pRm))for efficient beneficiation in the air-fluidized bed with magnetite particles.The feasibility of using small magnetite particles to accommodate the fine raw coal was demonstrated from the experimental perspective.The minimum size for the magnetite particles to be fluidized smoothly was clarified as 47.1μm,which corresponded to the border between Geldart-B and-A groups.Since the gangue and coal components in the raw coal were crushed into the same size,d_(pRm)depended on the greater one between d_(pGm)(minimum size required for the gangue particles to sink towards the bottom)and d_(pCm)(minimum size required for the coal particles to float towards the top).dpcm was determined as 259μm by supposing that provided the gangue particles accumulated in the lower half bed,they could be potentially extracted from the bottom.On the other hand,it was observed that the coal particles could always accumulate in the upper half bed.Under such circumstances,dpcm was revealed as 9.8μm since finer coal particles would be blown out by air before the 47.1μm sized magnetite particles became fluidized.Eventually,dpRm was clarified as 259μm,agreeing with the common view that raw coal coarser than 6 mm could be effectively beneficiated in the air-fluidized bed with magnetite particles.Additionally,the difficulty in beneficiating the fine raw coal was revealed to arise more from the remixing of sorted gangue particles than that of separated coal particles.展开更多
Metal additive manufacturing(MAM)enables near-net shape production of components with minimized waste and excellent mechanical performance based on multi-scale microstructural heterogeneity.Espe-cially,the dislocation...Metal additive manufacturing(MAM)enables near-net shape production of components with minimized waste and excellent mechanical performance based on multi-scale microstructural heterogeneity.Espe-cially,the dislocation cell network that often bears elemental segregation or precipitation of a secondary phase contributes to enhancing the strength of additively manufactured materials.The cell boundaries can also act as active nucleation sites for the formation of precipitates under post-MAM heat treatment,as the chemical heterogeneity and profuse dislocations generate a driving force for precipitation.In this work,we subjected a Co_(18)Cr_(15)Fe_(50)Ni_(10)Mo_(6.5)C_(0.5)(at%)medium-entropy alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)to post-LPBF annealing at 900℃for 10 min.Microstructural investigation revealed that the cell boundaries of the as-built sample,which were decorated by Mo segregation,are replaced byμphase andM_(6)C typecarbide precipitatesduringannealingwhile thegrainstructureand sizeremain unaffected,indicating that the post-LPBF annealing delivered the proper amount of heat input to alter only the cell structure.The yield strength slightly decreased with annealing due to a reduction in the strengthening effect by the cell boundaries despite an increased precipitation strengthening effect.How-ever,the post-LPBF annealing improved the strain hardenability and the ultimate tensile strength was enhanced from∼1.02 to∼1.15 GPa owing to reinforced back stress hardening by the increased disloca-tion pile-up at the precipitates.Our results suggest that the cell structure with chemical heterogeneity can be successfully controlled by careful post-MAM heat treatment to tailor the mechanical performance,while also providing insight into alloy design for additive manufacturing.展开更多
The dynamics of vapor−liquid−solid(V−L−S)flow boiling in fluidized bed evaporators exhibit inherent complexity and chaotic behavior,hindering accurate prediction of pressure drop signals.To address this challenge,this...The dynamics of vapor−liquid−solid(V−L−S)flow boiling in fluidized bed evaporators exhibit inherent complexity and chaotic behavior,hindering accurate prediction of pressure drop signals.To address this challenge,this study proposes an innovative hybrid approach that integrates wavelet neural network(WNN)with chaos analysis.By leveraging the Cross-Correlation(C−C)method,the minimum embedding dimension for phase space reconstruction is systematically calculated and then adopted as the input node configuration for the WNN.Simulation results demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of this integrated method in predicting pressure drop signals,advancing our understanding of the intricate dynamic phenomena occurring with V−L−S fluidized bed evaporators.Moreover,this study offers a novel perspective on applying advanced data-driven techniques to handle the complexities of multi-phase flow systems and highlights the potential for improved operational prediction and control in industrial settings.展开更多
A dual-phase synergistic enhancement method was adopted to strengthen the Al-Mn-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)by leveraging the unique advantages of Er and TiB_(2).Spherical powders of 0.5w...A dual-phase synergistic enhancement method was adopted to strengthen the Al-Mn-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)by leveraging the unique advantages of Er and TiB_(2).Spherical powders of 0.5wt%Er-1wt%TiB_(2)/Al-Mn-Mg-Sc-Zr nanocomposite were prepared using vacuum homogenization technique,and the density of samples prepared through the LPBF process reached 99.8%.The strengthening and toughening mechanisms of Er-TiB_(2)were investigated.The results show that Al_(3)Er diffraction peaks are detected by X-ray diffraction analysis,and texture strength decreases according to electron backscatter diffraction results.The added Er and TiB_(2)nano-reinforcing phases act as heterogeneous nucleation sites during the LPBF forming process,hindering grain growth and effectively refining the grains.After incorporating the Er-TiB_(2)dual-phase nano-reinforcing phases,the tensile strength and elongation at break of the LPBF-deposited samples reach 550 MPa and 18.7%,which are 13.4%and 26.4%higher than those of the matrix material,respectively.展开更多
A debris flow descending through an erodible convex colluvial bed,originating from a landslide dam and its upstream deposits,can entrain massive amounts of sediment,dramatically increasing the debris flow volume.Most ...A debris flow descending through an erodible convex colluvial bed,originating from a landslide dam and its upstream deposits,can entrain massive amounts of sediment,dramatically increasing the debris flow volume.Most existing erosion models assume that bed sediments are fully saturated,although this condition is rarely observed in nature.Therefore,a thorough understanding of debris flow overtopping erosion on a convex unsaturated bed is crucial for quantifying disaster risk.In this study,we experimentally investigated the effects of sediment composition,specifically coarse-grain size distribution and fine particle content,on the pore pressure evolution and entrainment of debris flows overriding a convex unsaturated colluvial bed.The average entrainment rate at convex sites for continuously graded bed sediment was higher than its discontinuous counterpart.The measured pore pressures within the unsaturated bed sediments were primarily generated by the passing debris flows.Furthermore,it was found that these pressures decreased as the fine particle content increased and the coarse-grain size of the erodible substrates decreased.When the coarse-grain size of the debris flow was smaller than that of the bed sediment,only a portion of the eroded material was entrained by the moving debris flow.In contrast,when the coarse-grain size of the debris flow was equal to or greater than that of the bed sediment,nearly all of the eroded material was entrained.The findings of this study could contribute to the assessment of hazard amplification and inform the design of mitigation and prevention strategies.展开更多
Ecological floating bed is an important biological remediation method for water pollution control.During the removal of excess nutrients and pollutants,changes in environmental factors affect the characteristics of mi...Ecological floating bed is an important biological remediation method for water pollution control.During the removal of excess nutrients and pollutants,changes in environmental factors affect the characteristics of microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems.To understand the influences of ecological floating beds on size-fractionated microorganisms,we investigated the community assembly and nitrogen metabolic characteristics of three size-fractionated microorganism groups in the ecological floating bed area,using 18S rDNA,16S rDNA metabarcoding,and metagenomic sequencing techniques.Firstly,we discovered substantial differences between size-fractionated groups in the diversity and compositions of both microeukaryotic and bacterial communities,as well as the influences of floating beds on specific groups.The floating beds appeared to provide more habitats for heterotrophs and symbiotes while potentially inhibiting the growth of certain phytoplankton(cyanobacteria).Secondly,we observed that microeukaryotic and bacterial communities were predominantly influenced by stochastic and deterministic processes,respectively,and they both exhibited distinct patterns across different size-fractionated groups.Notably,microeukaryotic community assembly demonstrated a greater sensitivity to ecological floating beds,as indicated by an increase in dispersal limitation processes.Finally,the nitrogen metabolism functional genes revealed that microbes associated with large-sized particles played a crucial role in dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium(DNRA)and denitrification processes within the floating bed area,thereby facilitating the removal of excess nitrogen nutrients from the water.In contrast,freeliving microorganisms from small-sized groups were linked mainly to the genes involved in nitrogen assimilation and assimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium(ANRA)processes.These findings help understand the impact of ecological floating beds on the diversity and functional characteristics of microorganism communities in different size-fractionated groups.展开更多
Turbulent flow over gravel beds in open channels is a fundamental yet complex problem in hydraulic engineering,as flow behavior is highly sensitive to channel geometry and bed roughness.In this study,the Volume of Flu...Turbulent flow over gravel beds in open channels is a fundamental yet complex problem in hydraulic engineering,as flow behavior is highly sensitive to channel geometry and bed roughness.In this study,the Volume of Fluid(VOF)method coupled with the standard k-εturbulence model is employed to simulate air-water interactions over gravel beds,with open boundary conditions capturing realistic channel-atmosphere interactions.Numerical simulations are performed to examine how channel design influences the relationship between the friction factor(f)and the Reynolds number(RN).Velocity and VOF contours indicate peak flow near the inlet,with a maximum velocity of 0.64 m/s.The simulations show strong agreement with theoretical predictions,yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.99 for RN,while f and Chezy’s coefficient(C)reach 0.75 and 0.71,respectively.Comparison with experimental measurements shows deviations of approximately 17% for RN,25% for f,and 12% for C.Moreover,further analysis confirms an inverse linear relationship between f and RN,in accordance with classical models such as Bazin’s curves,the Colebrook equation,and Moody’s approximation.Overall,the results demonstrate that the proposed numerical framework reliably captures flow dynamics over gravel beds,offering a robust tool for hydraulic design and performance assessment of open channels.展开更多
In this paper,a novel method for investigating the particle-crushing behavior of breeding particles in a fusion blanket is proposed.The fractal theory and Weibull distribution are combined to establish a theoretical m...In this paper,a novel method for investigating the particle-crushing behavior of breeding particles in a fusion blanket is proposed.The fractal theory and Weibull distribution are combined to establish a theoretical model,and its validity was verified using a simple impact test.A crushable discrete element method(DEM)framework is built based on the previously established theoretical model.The tensile strength,which considers the fractal theory,size effect,and Weibull variation,was assigned to each generated particle.The assigned strength is then used for crush detection by comparing it with its maximum tensile stress.Mass conservation is ensured by inserting a series of sub-particles whose total mass was equal to the quality loss.Based on the crushable DEM framework,a numerical simulation of the crushing behavior of a pebble bed with hollow cylindrical geometry under a uniaxial compression test was performed.The results of this investigation showed that the particle withstands the external load by contact and sliding at the beginning of the compression process,and the results confirmed that crushing can be considered an important method of resisting the increasing external load.A relatively regular particle arrangement aids in resisting the load and reduces the occurrence of particle crushing.However,a limit exists to the promotion of resistance.When the strain increases beyond this limit,the distribution of the crushing position tends to be isotropic over the entire pebble bed.The theoretical model and crushable DEM framework provide a new method for exploring the pebble bed in a fusion reactor,considering particle crushing.展开更多
As the primary functional component of a fusion reactor,the fusion blanket pebble bed,composed of numerous particles,is crucial for tritium breeding,neutron multiplication,and radiation shielding.Particles within trit...As the primary functional component of a fusion reactor,the fusion blanket pebble bed,composed of numerous particles,is crucial for tritium breeding,neutron multiplication,and radiation shielding.Particles within tritium-breeding pebble beds are subjected to prolonged neutron irradiation,high thermal loads,and strong magnetic fields in fusion environments.Such conditions render them susceptible to pulverization and fragmentation.The resulting fragments and powders migrate and are deposited into the gas channel,driven by the purge gas.The reduction in the effective flow area of the gas increases the flow resistance,resulting in tritium retention,degraded heat transfer,and other adverse effects.These conditions impair the thermodynamic properties of the pebble beds and hinder the self-maintenance of tritium.Limited information exists on powder migration and clogging mechanisms in fusion blanket pebble beds,particularly under diverse physical conditions.The aim of this study was to use a computational fluid dynamics model coupled with the discrete element method(CFD-DEM)to numerically explore powder migration and clogging in pebble beds.The model considers factors such as breeder orientation,purge velocity,powder size distribution,and friction coefficient.We propose two migration and clogging mechanisms.One involves powder with a large particle size,and the other does not.The results indicate that the powder migration velocity progresses through three stages:rapid decay,linear decay,and stability.Pebble-bed clogging manifests in two forms:extensive superficial clogging and uniform internal clogging.Two fitted curves were used to depict the migration and clogging tendencies.The powder size distribution significantly influenced the powder migration.The breeder orientation,powder size,and friction coefficient affected the distribution of the clogging powders.However,the impact of the purge velocity on powder migration and clogging in pebble beds was limited,and this effect varied significantly with different particle size ratios.Based on the analysis,a formula is proposed to characterize the behavior of the powder in the pebble beds.The results of this study can aid in analyzing and predicting powder dynamics in pebble beds.展开更多
Zn's natural degradability and biocompatibility make it a promising candidate for implants,however,its mechanical properties remain insufficient for bone applications.In this study,the performance of Zn was enhanc...Zn's natural degradability and biocompatibility make it a promising candidate for implants,however,its mechanical properties remain insufficient for bone applications.In this study,the performance of Zn was enhanced by developing Zn-Cu alloys via laser powder bed fusion(LPBF).Optimal LPBF parameters for forming stable tracks were achieved by adjusting laser power and scanning speed.Under optimized conditions of 100 W and 100 mm/s,high density(99.58%)Zn-Cu alloys with improved hardness(68.2 HV)and yield strength(160 MPa)were achieved.These improvements are attributed to solid solution strengthening,segregation strengthening,and grain refinement.The Zn-Cu alloys also demonstrated favorable degradation behavior,with a rate of 0.16 mm/year.This degradation is primarily driven by micro-galvanic corrosion between the CuZn 5 phase and Zn matrix,along with refined grains and increased grain boundary density.This work demonstrates a viable strategy for fabricating Zn-based implants with enhanced structural integrity and mechanical performance via LPBF.展开更多
Water storage in the Three Gorges Reservoir in China has increased the regional microseismicity.Bedding-rock landslides,one of the most common slope structures in the Three Gorges Reservoir,are highly prone to sliding...Water storage in the Three Gorges Reservoir in China has increased the regional microseismicity.Bedding-rock landslides,one of the most common slope structures in the Three Gorges Reservoir,are highly prone to sliding under seismic loading.Existing research primarily focuses on the stability of bedding rock landslides under strong earthquakes,while studies on the cumulative damage and long-term stability of bedding rock landslides under high-frequency microseismicity remain immature.In this study,we considered bedding rock landslides under high-frequency microseismicity in the Three Gorges Reservoir area as the research subject and equivalent microseismicity as pre-peak cyclic loading.First,we analyzed the shear strength deterioration of rock mass structural planes under pre-peak cyclic loading conditions and found that the deformation and failure of structural planes involve contact and damage effects.The shear strength of the rock mass structural planes under pre-peak cyclic loading conditions is affected by the confining pressure,loading rate,loading amplitude,and number of loading cycles.Among these factors,the shear strength of the structural planes was the most sensitive to the number of loading cycles.As the number of cycles increased,the rock mass structural planes underwent three stages:stress adjustment(increase in shear strength),fatigue damage(gradual decrease in shear strength),and structural failure(rapid decrease in shear strength).The stability of bedding rock landslides under high-frequency microseismicity was analyzed,revealing that the stability of bedding rock landslides under high-frequency microseismicity can be divided into three stages:short-term enhancement,gradual degradation,and rapid deterioration,exhibiting characteristics of gradual and sudden changes.展开更多
The densification characterization,phase constitution,precipitation evolution and mechanical performance of Al−Mg−Sc−Zr alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)were systematically investigated.Moreover,the evo...The densification characterization,phase constitution,precipitation evolution and mechanical performance of Al−Mg−Sc−Zr alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)were systematically investigated.Moreover,the evolution of phase constitution and precipitation behavior after heat treatment were characterized by using X-ray diffraction(XRD)and transmission electron microscope(TEM)analysis.The ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of as-built samples ranged from 396.8 to 414.6 MPa as the scanning speed decreased from 1600 to 1000 mm/s.After post heat treatment,the yield strength(YS)increased to(513.1±1.3)MPa,while the UTS increased from(414.6±5.1)to(539.2±1.5)MPa.The significant improvement of mechanical performance was ascribed to the formation of secondary Al3(Sc,Zr)precipitates.展开更多
Coke oven gas(COG)and natural gas(NG),both high-calorific by-products derived from the steel industry,have gained prominence as alternative fuels in the sintering process,thereby supporting dual objectives of emission...Coke oven gas(COG)and natural gas(NG),both high-calorific by-products derived from the steel industry,have gained prominence as alternative fuels in the sintering process,thereby supporting dual objectives of emission reduction and carbon neutrality.While existing research on hydrogen-rich gas injection has predominantly concentrated on conventional thin-bed sintering,investigations into its application within thick-bed sintering remain comparatively scarce.Thick-bed sintering,recognized for enhancing energy efficiency and increasing sinter output,encounters challenges such as uneven heat distribution and diminished permeability,which can negatively impact process efficiency and product quality.To address these issues,sinter pot experiments were conducted to assess the effects of NG and COG injection on thick-bed sintering performance.Findings reveal that NG injection in thick beds mirrors the behavior observed in conventional thin-bed sintering,effectively optimizing the process and achieving a carbon reduction potential exceeding 10%.In contrast,COG injection in thick-bed conditions demonstrates notable differences,substantially lowering the solid fuel consumption rate but detrimentally affecting sinter strength and overall production.However,by optimizing the timing of COG injection,it is feasible to improve sinter yield while concurrently reducing solid fuel usage.These outcomes provide valuable insights for the advancement of gas injection technologies in thick-bed sintering,thereby contributing to energy conservation and emission mitigation efforts within the sintering industry.展开更多
Laser remelting(LR)was used as an auxiliary post-treatment process for the Ti6Al4V titanium alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF).Optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscope(SEM)and electron back ...Laser remelting(LR)was used as an auxiliary post-treatment process for the Ti6Al4V titanium alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF).Optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscope(SEM)and electron back scattering diffraction(EBSD)observations showed that the grains in melted zone(MZ)transformed into equiaxial grains with an average size of 1.31μm,and the grains in heat affected zone(HAZ)were refined.Moreover,the texture intensity dropped significantly from 13.86 to 6.35 in MZ and 10.79 in HAZ.The temperature gradient(G)to solidification rate(R)ratio decreased when the laser scanning speed slowed down to a certain extent in the LR process,which effectively improved the highly preferred orientation and filled the hole defects in the surface of LPBF-Ti6Al4V.Furthermore,the hardness,wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the surface of the LPBF samples were improved by LR treatment.展开更多
Natural rutile and gaseous chlorine with carbon as reductant were used to prepare titanium tetrachloride. Thermodynamics and kinetics of chlorination of Kenya natural rutile particles in a batch-type fluidized bed wer...Natural rutile and gaseous chlorine with carbon as reductant were used to prepare titanium tetrachloride. Thermodynamics and kinetics of chlorination of Kenya natural rutile particles in a batch-type fluidized bed were studied at 1173-1273 K. Thermodynamic analysis of this system revealed that the equation of producing CO was dominant at high temperatures. Based on the gas-solid multi-phase reaction theory and a two-phase model for the fluidized bed, the mathematical description for the chlorination reaction of rutile was proposed. The reaction parameters and the average concentration of gaseous chlorine in the emulsion phase were estimated. The average concentration of emulsion phase in the range of fluidized bed was calculated as 0.3 mol/m^3. The results showed that the chlorination of natural rutile proceeded principally in the emulsion phase, and the reaction rate was mainly controlled by the surface reaction.展开更多
文摘Logistic Regression Models have been widely used in many areas of research, namely in health sciences, to study risk factors associated to diseases. Many population based surveys, such as Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), are constructed assuming complex sampling, i.e., probabilistic, stratified and multistage sampling, with unequal weights in the observations;this complex design must be taken into account in order to have reliable results. However, this very relevant issue usually is not well analyzed in the literature. The aim of the study is to specify the logistic regression model with complex sample design, and to demonstrate how to estimate it using the R software survey package. More specifically, we used Mozambique Demographic Health and Survey data 2011 (MDHS 2011) to illustrate how to correct for the effect of sample design in the particular case of estimating the risk factors associated to the probability of using mosquito bed nets. Our results show that in the presence of complex sampling, appropriate methods must be used both in descriptive and inferential statistics.
文摘Malaria is still a major public health concern in Cameroon as more than 20 million people are at risk of the disease. Despite the government’s effort to scale up the distribution of long lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs), full ownership and optimal use is still limited. In 2021, over a million LLINs were made available for distribution in the South West Region. However, the current situation of malaria has not yet been ascertained following the 2021 mass distribution campaign (MDC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine LLIN ownership, coverage, usage and the prevalence of malaria following the 2021 MDC in the Tiko Health District (THD), South West Region of Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was carried from May 1 to 27, 2022 in which a multi-stage sampling technique was used to enroll eligible participants. Data were collected from household heads using questionnaires and capillary blood samples collected from consented household members were used to test for malaria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 at 0.05 significance level. From the 150 households surveyed, 96 (64.0%) owned a mosquito net before the recent MDC. There was an overall significant increase (p p = 0.644) in LLINs ownership between areas where door-to-door (79.5%) and fixed “Hit and Run” (75.8%) strategies were used in the distribution of LLINs in THD. The prevalence of malaria was 10.2%. The regular use of LLINs was significantly associated (p = 0.007) with low malaria prevalence. The 2021 MDC had an impact on malaria prevalence in those who properly used them.
文摘Objective:To ascertain the socio-cultural factors influencing the rate of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets(ITNs) in a malaria endemic city of Makurdi,north central Nigeria. Methods:The study was cross-sectional in nature using systematic sampling method to identify households.Both quantitative and qualitative data was generated from adult women using structured and semi structured questionnaires,and focused group discussions(FGDs) to obtain information on rate and patterns of utilization of ITNs.Information such as age,educational level, marital status,awareness or otherwise of the existence of malaria,and factors influencing rate of ownership and utilization of ITNs were obtained.FGDs were used to obtain qualitative information on rate of utilization of ITNs not captured in the questionnaires.Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software.Results:Among the respondents interviewed,97.0% (2 013/2 075) were aware of existence of malaria and 87.0% of these(1 751/2 013) would associate it with mosquitoes.The rate of ownership of any bed net,ITNs and untreated bed nets(UTNs) was 25.1% ,17.0% and 8.3% ,respectively.Utilization of ITNs among children was 30.0% (112/373) and UTNs 12.9% (48/373).Positive contributors to ITNs utilization were literacy,enhanced economy, experience of marriage,and being gainfully employed(P【0.05);while negative contributors were ignorance,poverty and some cultural beliefs and values.Conclusions:A more synchronized advocacy should be carried out on the potential benefits of ITNs utilization and sustained.Also ITNs should be made available to the people of the community at minimal or no cost.
基金The program was funded by the World Health Organization/Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases(WHO/TDR)Impact grant to two TDR alumni from the DMRThe funders had no role in study design,data collection and analysis,decision to publish,or preparation of the paper.
文摘Background:Myanmar lies in the Greater Mekong Subregion where there is artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria.As the artemisinin compound is the pillar of effective antimalarial therapies,containing the spread of artemisinin resistance is a national and global priority.The use of insecticide-treated bed nets/long-lasting insecticidal nets(ITNs/LLINs)is the key intervention for ensuring the reduction of malaria transmission and the spread of resistant strains,and for eventually eliminating malaria.This study aimed at assessing household ownership of,access to,and utilization of bed nets in areas of Myanmar with and without artemisinin resistance containment measures.Methods:Secondary data from a nationwide community-based malaria survey conducted by the National Malaria Control Program in 2014 were analyzed.Based on evidence of artemisinin resistance,Myanmar was divided into tiers 1,2,and 3:townships in tiers 1 and 2 were aggregated as the Myanmar Artemisinin Resistance Containment(MARC)areas and were compared with tier 3 townships,which were defined as non-MARC areas.The chi-square test was used to compare groups,and the level of significance was set at P≤0.05.Results:Of the 6328 households assessed,97.2%in both MARC and non-MARC areas had at least one bed net(any type),but only 63%of households had ITNs/LLINs.Only 44%of households in MARC areas and 24%in non-MARC areas had adequate numbers of ITNs/LLINs(one ITN/LLIN per two persons,P<0.001).Nearly 44%of household members had access to ITNs/LLINs.Regarding the utilization of ITNs/LLINs,45%of household members used them in MARC areas and 36%used them in non-MARC areas(P<0.001,desired target=100%).Utilization of ITNs/LLINs among children aged below five years and pregnant women(high malaria risk groups)was low,at 44%and 42%,respectively.Conclusions:This study highlights the nationwide shortfalls in the ownership of,access to,and utilization of ITNs/LLINs in Myanmar,which is of particular concern in terms of containing the spread of artemisinin resistance.It highlights the need for priority attention to be paid and mobilization of resources in order to improve bed net coverage and utilization through bed net distribution and/or social marketing,information dissemination,and awareness-raising.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52275395,51935014,and 82072084)the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province(No.2023RC3046)+4 种基金the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program byCAST(No.2020QNRC002)the NationalKeyResearchand Development Program of China(No.2023YFB4605800)the Central South University Innovation-Driven Research Programme(No.2023CXQD023)the Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.20224ACB204013)the Project of State Key Laboratory of Precision Manufacturing for Extreme Service Performance,Central South University.
文摘Magnetostrictive Fe-Ga alloys have captivated substantial focus in biomedical applications because of their exceptional transition efficiency and favorable cytocompatibility.Nevertheless,Fe-Ga alloys always exhibit frustrating magnetostriction coefficients when presented in bulk dimensions.It is well-established that the magnetostrictive performance of Fe-Ga alloys is intimately linked to their phase and crystal structures.In this study,various concentrations of boron(B)were doped into Fe_(81)Ga_(19) alloys via the laser-beam powder bed fusion(LPBF)technique to tailor the crystal and phase structures,thereby improving the magnetostrictive performance.The results revealed the capacity for quick solidification of the LPBF process in expediting the solid solution of B element,which increased both lattice distortion and dislocations within the Fe-Ga matrix.These factors contributed to an elevation in the density of the modified-D0_(3) phase structure.Moreover,the prepared Fe-Ga-B alloys also exhibited a(001)preferred grain orientation caused by the high thermal gradients during the LPBF process.As a result,a maximum magnetostriction coefficient of 105 ppm was achieved in the(Fe_(81)Ga_(19))_(98.5)B_(1.5) alloy.In alternating magnetic fields,all the LPBF-prepared alloys showed good dynamic magnetostriction response without visible hysteresis,while the(Fe_(81)Ga_(19))_(98.5)B_(1.5) alloy presented a notable enhancement of~30%in magnetostriction coefficient when compared with the Fe_(81)Ga_(19) alloy.Moreover.the(Fe_(81)Ga_(19))_(98.5)B_(1.5) alloy exhibited favorable biocompatibility and osteogenesis,as confirmed by increased alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity and the formation of mineralized nodules.These findings suggest that the B-doped Fe-Ga alloys combined with the LPBF technique hold promise for the development of bulk magnetostrictive alloys that are applicable for bone repair applications.
基金supported by Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(ZR2023MB038)Youth Innovation Team Program of Shandong Higher Education Institution(2022KJ156)。
文摘A feasible criterion was established to determine the lower size limit of raw coal(d_(pRm))for efficient beneficiation in the air-fluidized bed with magnetite particles.The feasibility of using small magnetite particles to accommodate the fine raw coal was demonstrated from the experimental perspective.The minimum size for the magnetite particles to be fluidized smoothly was clarified as 47.1μm,which corresponded to the border between Geldart-B and-A groups.Since the gangue and coal components in the raw coal were crushed into the same size,d_(pRm)depended on the greater one between d_(pGm)(minimum size required for the gangue particles to sink towards the bottom)and d_(pCm)(minimum size required for the coal particles to float towards the top).dpcm was determined as 259μm by supposing that provided the gangue particles accumulated in the lower half bed,they could be potentially extracted from the bottom.On the other hand,it was observed that the coal particles could always accumulate in the upper half bed.Under such circumstances,dpcm was revealed as 9.8μm since finer coal particles would be blown out by air before the 47.1μm sized magnetite particles became fluidized.Eventually,dpRm was clarified as 259μm,agreeing with the common view that raw coal coarser than 6 mm could be effectively beneficiated in the air-fluidized bed with magnetite particles.Additionally,the difficulty in beneficiating the fine raw coal was revealed to arise more from the remixing of sorted gangue particles than that of separated coal particles.
基金supported by the National Research Founda-tion of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korean government(MSIT)(Nos.2021R1A2C3006662 and RS-2023-00281246)supported by the Principal R&D project(contract no.PNK9950)of the Korean Institute of Materials Science(KIMS).
文摘Metal additive manufacturing(MAM)enables near-net shape production of components with minimized waste and excellent mechanical performance based on multi-scale microstructural heterogeneity.Espe-cially,the dislocation cell network that often bears elemental segregation or precipitation of a secondary phase contributes to enhancing the strength of additively manufactured materials.The cell boundaries can also act as active nucleation sites for the formation of precipitates under post-MAM heat treatment,as the chemical heterogeneity and profuse dislocations generate a driving force for precipitation.In this work,we subjected a Co_(18)Cr_(15)Fe_(50)Ni_(10)Mo_(6.5)C_(0.5)(at%)medium-entropy alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)to post-LPBF annealing at 900℃for 10 min.Microstructural investigation revealed that the cell boundaries of the as-built sample,which were decorated by Mo segregation,are replaced byμphase andM_(6)C typecarbide precipitatesduringannealingwhile thegrainstructureand sizeremain unaffected,indicating that the post-LPBF annealing delivered the proper amount of heat input to alter only the cell structure.The yield strength slightly decreased with annealing due to a reduction in the strengthening effect by the cell boundaries despite an increased precipitation strengthening effect.How-ever,the post-LPBF annealing improved the strain hardenability and the ultimate tensile strength was enhanced from∼1.02 to∼1.15 GPa owing to reinforced back stress hardening by the increased disloca-tion pile-up at the precipitates.Our results suggest that the cell structure with chemical heterogeneity can be successfully controlled by careful post-MAM heat treatment to tailor the mechanical performance,while also providing insight into alloy design for additive manufacturing.
基金supported by the open foundation of State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering(SKL-ChE-22B01)the Natural Science Foundation of China(22008169).
文摘The dynamics of vapor−liquid−solid(V−L−S)flow boiling in fluidized bed evaporators exhibit inherent complexity and chaotic behavior,hindering accurate prediction of pressure drop signals.To address this challenge,this study proposes an innovative hybrid approach that integrates wavelet neural network(WNN)with chaos analysis.By leveraging the Cross-Correlation(C−C)method,the minimum embedding dimension for phase space reconstruction is systematically calculated and then adopted as the input node configuration for the WNN.Simulation results demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of this integrated method in predicting pressure drop signals,advancing our understanding of the intricate dynamic phenomena occurring with V−L−S fluidized bed evaporators.Moreover,this study offers a novel perspective on applying advanced data-driven techniques to handle the complexities of multi-phase flow systems and highlights the potential for improved operational prediction and control in industrial settings.
基金Shaanxi Province Qin Chuangyuan“Scientist+Engineer”Team Construction Project(2022KXJ-071)2022 Qin Chuangyuan Achievement Transformation Incubation Capacity Improvement Project(2022JH-ZHFHTS-0012)+8 种基金Shaanxi Province Key Research and Development Plan-“Two Chains”Integration Key Project-Qin Chuangyuan General Window Industrial Cluster Project(2023QCY-LL-02)Xixian New Area Science and Technology Plan(2022-YXYJ-003,2022-XXCY-010)2024 Scientific Research Project of Shaanxi National Defense Industry Vocational and Technical College(Gfy24-07)Shaanxi Vocational and Technical Education Association 2024 Vocational Education Teaching Reform Research Topic(2024SZX354)National Natural Science Foundation of China(U24A20115)2024 Shaanxi Provincial Education Department Service Local Special Scientific Research Program Project-Industrialization Cultivation Project(24JC005,24JC063)Shaanxi Province“14th Five-Year Plan”Education Science Plan,2024 Project(SGH24Y3181)National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFB4606400)Longmen Laboratory Frontier Exploration Topics Project(LMQYTSKT003)。
文摘A dual-phase synergistic enhancement method was adopted to strengthen the Al-Mn-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)by leveraging the unique advantages of Er and TiB_(2).Spherical powders of 0.5wt%Er-1wt%TiB_(2)/Al-Mn-Mg-Sc-Zr nanocomposite were prepared using vacuum homogenization technique,and the density of samples prepared through the LPBF process reached 99.8%.The strengthening and toughening mechanisms of Er-TiB_(2)were investigated.The results show that Al_(3)Er diffraction peaks are detected by X-ray diffraction analysis,and texture strength decreases according to electron backscatter diffraction results.The added Er and TiB_(2)nano-reinforcing phases act as heterogeneous nucleation sites during the LPBF forming process,hindering grain growth and effectively refining the grains.After incorporating the Er-TiB_(2)dual-phase nano-reinforcing phases,the tensile strength and elongation at break of the LPBF-deposited samples reach 550 MPa and 18.7%,which are 13.4%and 26.4%higher than those of the matrix material,respectively.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2018YFC1505205)the Science and Technology Research Program of the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment,Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.IMHE-ZDRW-01)Sichuan Science and Technology Program(Grant No.2024NSFSC0781).
文摘A debris flow descending through an erodible convex colluvial bed,originating from a landslide dam and its upstream deposits,can entrain massive amounts of sediment,dramatically increasing the debris flow volume.Most existing erosion models assume that bed sediments are fully saturated,although this condition is rarely observed in nature.Therefore,a thorough understanding of debris flow overtopping erosion on a convex unsaturated bed is crucial for quantifying disaster risk.In this study,we experimentally investigated the effects of sediment composition,specifically coarse-grain size distribution and fine particle content,on the pore pressure evolution and entrainment of debris flows overriding a convex unsaturated colluvial bed.The average entrainment rate at convex sites for continuously graded bed sediment was higher than its discontinuous counterpart.The measured pore pressures within the unsaturated bed sediments were primarily generated by the passing debris flows.Furthermore,it was found that these pressures decreased as the fine particle content increased and the coarse-grain size of the erodible substrates decreased.When the coarse-grain size of the debris flow was smaller than that of the bed sediment,only a portion of the eroded material was entrained by the moving debris flow.In contrast,when the coarse-grain size of the debris flow was equal to or greater than that of the bed sediment,nearly all of the eroded material was entrained.The findings of this study could contribute to the assessment of hazard amplification and inform the design of mitigation and prevention strategies.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42141003,42176147)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFF0802204)the Xiamen Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration(USER)(Nos.USER2021-1,USER2021-5)。
文摘Ecological floating bed is an important biological remediation method for water pollution control.During the removal of excess nutrients and pollutants,changes in environmental factors affect the characteristics of microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems.To understand the influences of ecological floating beds on size-fractionated microorganisms,we investigated the community assembly and nitrogen metabolic characteristics of three size-fractionated microorganism groups in the ecological floating bed area,using 18S rDNA,16S rDNA metabarcoding,and metagenomic sequencing techniques.Firstly,we discovered substantial differences between size-fractionated groups in the diversity and compositions of both microeukaryotic and bacterial communities,as well as the influences of floating beds on specific groups.The floating beds appeared to provide more habitats for heterotrophs and symbiotes while potentially inhibiting the growth of certain phytoplankton(cyanobacteria).Secondly,we observed that microeukaryotic and bacterial communities were predominantly influenced by stochastic and deterministic processes,respectively,and they both exhibited distinct patterns across different size-fractionated groups.Notably,microeukaryotic community assembly demonstrated a greater sensitivity to ecological floating beds,as indicated by an increase in dispersal limitation processes.Finally,the nitrogen metabolism functional genes revealed that microbes associated with large-sized particles played a crucial role in dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium(DNRA)and denitrification processes within the floating bed area,thereby facilitating the removal of excess nitrogen nutrients from the water.In contrast,freeliving microorganisms from small-sized groups were linked mainly to the genes involved in nitrogen assimilation and assimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium(ANRA)processes.These findings help understand the impact of ecological floating beds on the diversity and functional characteristics of microorganism communities in different size-fractionated groups.
文摘Turbulent flow over gravel beds in open channels is a fundamental yet complex problem in hydraulic engineering,as flow behavior is highly sensitive to channel geometry and bed roughness.In this study,the Volume of Fluid(VOF)method coupled with the standard k-εturbulence model is employed to simulate air-water interactions over gravel beds,with open boundary conditions capturing realistic channel-atmosphere interactions.Numerical simulations are performed to examine how channel design influences the relationship between the friction factor(f)and the Reynolds number(RN).Velocity and VOF contours indicate peak flow near the inlet,with a maximum velocity of 0.64 m/s.The simulations show strong agreement with theoretical predictions,yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.99 for RN,while f and Chezy’s coefficient(C)reach 0.75 and 0.71,respectively.Comparison with experimental measurements shows deviations of approximately 17% for RN,25% for f,and 12% for C.Moreover,further analysis confirms an inverse linear relationship between f and RN,in accordance with classical models such as Bazin’s curves,the Colebrook equation,and Moody’s approximation.Overall,the results demonstrate that the proposed numerical framework reliably captures flow dynamics over gravel beds,offering a robust tool for hydraulic design and performance assessment of open channels.
基金supported by Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation(2408085QA030)Natural Science Research Project of Anhui Educational Committee,China(2022AH050825)+3 种基金Medical Special Cultivation Project of Anhui University of Science and Technology(YZ2023H2C008)the Excellent Research and Innovation Team of Anhui Province,China(2022AH010052)the Scientific Research Foundation for High-level Talents of Anhui University of Science and Technology,China(2021yjrc51)Collaborative Innovation Program of Hefei Science Center,CAS,China(2019HSC-CIP006).
文摘In this paper,a novel method for investigating the particle-crushing behavior of breeding particles in a fusion blanket is proposed.The fractal theory and Weibull distribution are combined to establish a theoretical model,and its validity was verified using a simple impact test.A crushable discrete element method(DEM)framework is built based on the previously established theoretical model.The tensile strength,which considers the fractal theory,size effect,and Weibull variation,was assigned to each generated particle.The assigned strength is then used for crush detection by comparing it with its maximum tensile stress.Mass conservation is ensured by inserting a series of sub-particles whose total mass was equal to the quality loss.Based on the crushable DEM framework,a numerical simulation of the crushing behavior of a pebble bed with hollow cylindrical geometry under a uniaxial compression test was performed.The results of this investigation showed that the particle withstands the external load by contact and sliding at the beginning of the compression process,and the results confirmed that crushing can be considered an important method of resisting the increasing external load.A relatively regular particle arrangement aids in resisting the load and reduces the occurrence of particle crushing.However,a limit exists to the promotion of resistance.When the strain increases beyond this limit,the distribution of the crushing position tends to be isotropic over the entire pebble bed.The theoretical model and crushable DEM framework provide a new method for exploring the pebble bed in a fusion reactor,considering particle crushing.
文摘As the primary functional component of a fusion reactor,the fusion blanket pebble bed,composed of numerous particles,is crucial for tritium breeding,neutron multiplication,and radiation shielding.Particles within tritium-breeding pebble beds are subjected to prolonged neutron irradiation,high thermal loads,and strong magnetic fields in fusion environments.Such conditions render them susceptible to pulverization and fragmentation.The resulting fragments and powders migrate and are deposited into the gas channel,driven by the purge gas.The reduction in the effective flow area of the gas increases the flow resistance,resulting in tritium retention,degraded heat transfer,and other adverse effects.These conditions impair the thermodynamic properties of the pebble beds and hinder the self-maintenance of tritium.Limited information exists on powder migration and clogging mechanisms in fusion blanket pebble beds,particularly under diverse physical conditions.The aim of this study was to use a computational fluid dynamics model coupled with the discrete element method(CFD-DEM)to numerically explore powder migration and clogging in pebble beds.The model considers factors such as breeder orientation,purge velocity,powder size distribution,and friction coefficient.We propose two migration and clogging mechanisms.One involves powder with a large particle size,and the other does not.The results indicate that the powder migration velocity progresses through three stages:rapid decay,linear decay,and stability.Pebble-bed clogging manifests in two forms:extensive superficial clogging and uniform internal clogging.Two fitted curves were used to depict the migration and clogging tendencies.The powder size distribution significantly influenced the powder migration.The breeder orientation,powder size,and friction coefficient affected the distribution of the clogging powders.However,the impact of the purge velocity on powder migration and clogging in pebble beds was limited,and this effect varied significantly with different particle size ratios.Based on the analysis,a formula is proposed to characterize the behavior of the powder in the pebble beds.The results of this study can aid in analyzing and predicting powder dynamics in pebble beds.
基金Projects(52571276,52275395,U24A20120,52475362)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2025JJ30015)supported by the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation,China+3 种基金Project(2023RC3046)supported by the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province,ChinaProject(2023YFB4605800)supported by National Key Research and Development Program of ChinaProject(2023CXQD023)supported by the Central South University Innovation-Driven Research Programme,ChinaProject supported by the State Key Laboratory of Precision Manufacturing for Extreme Service Performance,Central South University,China。
文摘Zn's natural degradability and biocompatibility make it a promising candidate for implants,however,its mechanical properties remain insufficient for bone applications.In this study,the performance of Zn was enhanced by developing Zn-Cu alloys via laser powder bed fusion(LPBF).Optimal LPBF parameters for forming stable tracks were achieved by adjusting laser power and scanning speed.Under optimized conditions of 100 W and 100 mm/s,high density(99.58%)Zn-Cu alloys with improved hardness(68.2 HV)and yield strength(160 MPa)were achieved.These improvements are attributed to solid solution strengthening,segregation strengthening,and grain refinement.The Zn-Cu alloys also demonstrated favorable degradation behavior,with a rate of 0.16 mm/year.This degradation is primarily driven by micro-galvanic corrosion between the CuZn 5 phase and Zn matrix,along with refined grains and increased grain boundary density.This work demonstrates a viable strategy for fabricating Zn-based implants with enhanced structural integrity and mechanical performance via LPBF.
基金sponsored by the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42407221)the Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection(Grant No.SKLGP2024K009)the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foun-dation,China(Grant No.2023AFB567).
文摘Water storage in the Three Gorges Reservoir in China has increased the regional microseismicity.Bedding-rock landslides,one of the most common slope structures in the Three Gorges Reservoir,are highly prone to sliding under seismic loading.Existing research primarily focuses on the stability of bedding rock landslides under strong earthquakes,while studies on the cumulative damage and long-term stability of bedding rock landslides under high-frequency microseismicity remain immature.In this study,we considered bedding rock landslides under high-frequency microseismicity in the Three Gorges Reservoir area as the research subject and equivalent microseismicity as pre-peak cyclic loading.First,we analyzed the shear strength deterioration of rock mass structural planes under pre-peak cyclic loading conditions and found that the deformation and failure of structural planes involve contact and damage effects.The shear strength of the rock mass structural planes under pre-peak cyclic loading conditions is affected by the confining pressure,loading rate,loading amplitude,and number of loading cycles.Among these factors,the shear strength of the structural planes was the most sensitive to the number of loading cycles.As the number of cycles increased,the rock mass structural planes underwent three stages:stress adjustment(increase in shear strength),fatigue damage(gradual decrease in shear strength),and structural failure(rapid decrease in shear strength).The stability of bedding rock landslides under high-frequency microseismicity was analyzed,revealing that the stability of bedding rock landslides under high-frequency microseismicity can be divided into three stages:short-term enhancement,gradual degradation,and rapid deterioration,exhibiting characteristics of gradual and sudden changes.
基金support of the Research and Development Program in Key Areas of Guangdong Province,China(No.2019B090907001)the Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Province,China(No.2014B010129002)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2017YFB0305800)。
文摘The densification characterization,phase constitution,precipitation evolution and mechanical performance of Al−Mg−Sc−Zr alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)were systematically investigated.Moreover,the evolution of phase constitution and precipitation behavior after heat treatment were characterized by using X-ray diffraction(XRD)and transmission electron microscope(TEM)analysis.The ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of as-built samples ranged from 396.8 to 414.6 MPa as the scanning speed decreased from 1600 to 1000 mm/s.After post heat treatment,the yield strength(YS)increased to(513.1±1.3)MPa,while the UTS increased from(414.6±5.1)to(539.2±1.5)MPa.The significant improvement of mechanical performance was ascribed to the formation of secondary Al3(Sc,Zr)precipitates.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52474347)Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China(Grant No.2024T171095)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2024CDJXY003).
文摘Coke oven gas(COG)and natural gas(NG),both high-calorific by-products derived from the steel industry,have gained prominence as alternative fuels in the sintering process,thereby supporting dual objectives of emission reduction and carbon neutrality.While existing research on hydrogen-rich gas injection has predominantly concentrated on conventional thin-bed sintering,investigations into its application within thick-bed sintering remain comparatively scarce.Thick-bed sintering,recognized for enhancing energy efficiency and increasing sinter output,encounters challenges such as uneven heat distribution and diminished permeability,which can negatively impact process efficiency and product quality.To address these issues,sinter pot experiments were conducted to assess the effects of NG and COG injection on thick-bed sintering performance.Findings reveal that NG injection in thick beds mirrors the behavior observed in conventional thin-bed sintering,effectively optimizing the process and achieving a carbon reduction potential exceeding 10%.In contrast,COG injection in thick-bed conditions demonstrates notable differences,substantially lowering the solid fuel consumption rate but detrimentally affecting sinter strength and overall production.However,by optimizing the timing of COG injection,it is feasible to improve sinter yield while concurrently reducing solid fuel usage.These outcomes provide valuable insights for the advancement of gas injection technologies in thick-bed sintering,thereby contributing to energy conservation and emission mitigation efforts within the sintering industry.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51871243)the National Key Laboratory of Strength and Structural Integrity,China(No.ASSIKFJJ202304001)+3 种基金the State Key Laboratory of Precision Blasting and Hubei Key Laboratory of Blasting Engineering,China(No.PBSKL2022C01)the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering Science and Technology,China(No.HT-CSNS-DG-CD-0092/2021)the Shock and Vibration of Engineering Materials and Structures Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province,China(No.22kfgk06)the Hubei Longzhong Laboratory,China(No.2022KF-08)。
文摘Laser remelting(LR)was used as an auxiliary post-treatment process for the Ti6Al4V titanium alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF).Optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscope(SEM)and electron back scattering diffraction(EBSD)observations showed that the grains in melted zone(MZ)transformed into equiaxial grains with an average size of 1.31μm,and the grains in heat affected zone(HAZ)were refined.Moreover,the texture intensity dropped significantly from 13.86 to 6.35 in MZ and 10.79 in HAZ.The temperature gradient(G)to solidification rate(R)ratio decreased when the laser scanning speed slowed down to a certain extent in the LR process,which effectively improved the highly preferred orientation and filled the hole defects in the surface of LPBF-Ti6Al4V.Furthermore,the hardness,wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the surface of the LPBF samples were improved by LR treatment.
基金Projects(51374064,51004033,51074044)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2012AA062303)supported by High-tech Research and Development Program of China
文摘Natural rutile and gaseous chlorine with carbon as reductant were used to prepare titanium tetrachloride. Thermodynamics and kinetics of chlorination of Kenya natural rutile particles in a batch-type fluidized bed were studied at 1173-1273 K. Thermodynamic analysis of this system revealed that the equation of producing CO was dominant at high temperatures. Based on the gas-solid multi-phase reaction theory and a two-phase model for the fluidized bed, the mathematical description for the chlorination reaction of rutile was proposed. The reaction parameters and the average concentration of gaseous chlorine in the emulsion phase were estimated. The average concentration of emulsion phase in the range of fluidized bed was calculated as 0.3 mol/m^3. The results showed that the chlorination of natural rutile proceeded principally in the emulsion phase, and the reaction rate was mainly controlled by the surface reaction.
