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Seismic design of water retaining structures relies heavily on the response of the retained water to shaking. The water dynamic response has been evaluated by means of analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches. In practice, it is common to use simplified code-based methods to evaluate the added demands imposed by water sloshing. Yet, such methods were developed with an inherent set of assumptions that might limit their application. Alternatively, numerical modeling methods offer a more accurate way of quantifying the water response and have been commonly validated using 1 g shake table experiments. In this study, a unique series of five centrifuge tests was conducted with the goal of investigating the hydrodynamic behavior of water by varying its height and length. Moreover, sine wave and earthquake motions were applied to examine the water response at different types and levels of excitation. Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian finite element models were then developed to reproduce 1 g shake table experiments available in the literature in addition to the centrifuge tests conducted in this study. The results of the numerical simulations as well as the simplified and analytical methods were compared to the experimental measurements, in terms of free surface elevation and hydrodynamic pressures, to evaluate their applicability and limitations. The comparison showed that the numerical models were able to reasonably capture the water response of all configurations both under earthquake and sine wave motions. The analytical solutions performed well except for cases with resonance under harmonic motions. As for the simplified methods, they provided acceptable results for the peak responses under earthquake motions. However, under sine wave motions, where convective sloshing is significant, they underpredict the response. Also, beyond peak ground accelerations of 0.5 g., a mild nonlinear increase in peak dynamic pressures was measured which deviates from assumed linear response in the simplified methods. The study confirmed the reliability of numerical models in capturing water dynamic responses, demonstrating their broad applicability for use in complex problems of fluid-structure-soil interaction.

The high-throughput, plasma-based, mass separation techniques of nuclear waste are still an active research topic due to the theoretical and practical complexity of processing such waste. The nuclear waste can be separated according to its masses by plasma centrifugation technique. Because of this, the present research has been performed by setting up $ \vec{E} \times \vec{B} $ E→×B→ rotation in cold cylindrical plasma surrounded by an ideally conducting homogenous shell inside a plasma centrifuge device. The results obtained are useful in analyzing the magneto-rotational instability (MRI) and trajectories of the plasma particles which are beneficial for improving the throughput and separation factor of the device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to insufficient backfilling and compaction, voids existing around the bottom of a buried pipe can have a negative effect on the mechanical behavior of the pipe. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) has been widely utilized in civil engineering as fill, backfill, moisture cutoff, and impact mitigation materials for falling rocks because of its light weight and workability. In this study, centrifuge model tests were conducted in order to investigate the possibility of pipe failure when voids existed around the bottom of the buried pipe, and the effect of installing EPS blocks as a countermeasure. In the test, a model polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe having a diameter of 140 mm was buried in the dry sand and loaded at the ground surface in a centrifugal field of 21G. Cases with voids around the bottom of the buried pipe and with EPS blocks were studied, and the differences in the pipe mechanical behavior under standard backfill conditions were discussed. The loading conditions and the shape of the EPS were varied. The test results showed that the loss of soil around the bottom of the pipe caused a stress concentration by a factor of more than 2.5 compared to the typical burial condition, and could directly cause pipe failure. In addition, it is clear that EPS installation was an effective countermeasure to avoid the risk of insufficient compaction, because it did not significantly affect pipe deformation and strain distribution, although the earth pressure tended to concentrate slightly at the bottom of the pipe. Practical Applications: Pipelines that are buried in the ground usually need to be backfilled uniformly with soil around the pipe. However, due to difficulties in construction, the backfilling and compaction may be insufficient on the bottom sides of the pipe, resulting in voids or localized low-density areas. In this study, centrifuge model tests were conducted to investigate the behavior of pipes buried in such nonuniform ground and the effectiveness of a countermeasure to install expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) blocks as a foundation instead of backfilling with soil. In the tests, a 150-mm-diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe was buried in a container, and the strain of the pipe was measured in detail when a vertical load of up to 140 kPa was applied to the ground surface in a 20G centrifugal force field. As a result, when the soil in the lower part of the pipe is not uniform, a large strain is concentrated at the bottom of the pipe, which may lead to the pipe failure. Then, when EPS was installed, no large strains were measured, indicating that EPS installations are effective as a countermeasure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is devoted to solving the problem of correctly determining capillary pressure functions during mathematical modeling of oil displacement processes during flooding of productive formations. It is shown that the use of these functions, determined in laboratory conditions using traditional methods using capillarimeters and high-speed centrifuges, when modeling processes of oil displacement from low-permeability productive reservoirs can lead to significant errors. The work notes that when conducting laboratory studies in rock samples, there is no formation of residual oil in a stationary form, while in real conditions of displacement of oil by water from productive formations, residual oil is formed in the rock, and in low-permeability formations the residual oil saturation can reach 50% or more of the pore volume. To obtain capillary pressure curves that more reliably reflect the real processes in productive formations during their flooding, it is proposed that when preparing rock samples for laboratory research, it is proposed to provide for the process of preliminary formation of residual oil saturation in these samples. This will make it possible to more reliably simulate the processes of oil displacement during waterflooding of productive formations in real conditions, especially when developing low-permeability oil and gas reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooling performance of a centrifuge was enhanced using a perforated windshield. The windshield spatially separates the rotor and the chamber, reducing turbulence and air resistance. On the other hand, during centrifuge rotation, heat is generated by friction between the internal structure and air. Optimizing the windshield shape and facilitating efficient heat exchange with the chamber wall are essential for cooling the sample container inside the windshield. This study examined the cooling performance of the perforated windshield through analysis and experiment. The effects of the presence, location, and diameter of the perforations were compared using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and considering temperature and flow characteristics. These results suggest that the perforated windshield enhances the cooling performance of the centrifuge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat grafting is a popular procedure that provides a physician with a range of aesthetic, reconstructive, and regenerative clinical applications. It involves the harvest of fat tissue from one region of the body and transfer to another. The indications and techniques of fat grafting have undergone dramatic changes over time and. This review revisits the important milestones in the historical evolution of fat grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-radius centrifugation (SRC) is a promising and economically feasible countermeasure in space flight and applies to gravity therapy in terrestrial medicine. The potential occurrence of undesirable orthostatic and vestibular reactions limits the use of this method. One way to minimize these risks is the ability of a human to adapt to the effects of overload. It is known that artificial gravity training may improve orthostatic tolerance. New data demonstrated that cardio-postural interactions and muscle-pump baroreflex activation are present during short-arm centrifugation. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that repeated SRC in the interval training mode with angular velocities from 22 to 28 rpm may also improve postural tolerance. Six healthy male volunteers were observed before and immediately after five consecutive SRC sessions. The rest between SRC was at least three days. The SRC mode was an interval and included five 300-second platforms with 1.27 g at the feet and four 300-second platforms with 2.06 g at the feet. We registered the main postural characteristics and ground reaction forces data when the participant kept the center of pressure at a given point in a standing position with biofeedback and without this. After the first SRC session, there was a significant posture decondition. The SRC training effect was already noticeable after the second SRC session and was stable until the end of the experiment. The results demonstrate the development of postural tolerance to artificial gravity exposure in this mode and expand the understanding of sensorimotor adaptation capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypergravity can be realized by creating a field imposed by centripetal acceleration in a centrifuge apparatus. Such an apparatus is often used to test soil response in geotechnical engineering problems. Here we present the potential usage of a centrifuge apparatus to study various topics in hydrodynamics. The scaling law associated with hydrodynamics is first reviewed, and the advantage of controlling the body force is described. One of the perceived disadvantages in such experiments is the unwanted presence of the Coriolis effect in the centrifuge. However, we propose exploiting this effect to our advantage to study geophysical fluid-dynamic problems that occur particularly in the equatorial region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary toppling usually occurs in layered rock slopes with large anti-dip angles. In this paper, the block toppling evolution was explored using a large-scale centrifuge system. Each block column in the layered model slope was made of cement mortar. Some artificial cracks perpendicular to the block column were prefabricated. Strain gages, displacement gages, and high-speed camera measurements were employed to monitor the deformation and failure processes of the model slope. The centrifuge test results show that the block toppling evolution can be divided into seven stages, i.e. layer compression, formation of major tensile crack, reverse bending of the block column, closure of major tensile crack, strong bending of the block column, formation of failure zone, and complete failure. Block toppling is characterized by sudden large deformation and occurs in stages. The wedge-shaped cracks in the model incline towards the slope. Experimental observations show that block toppling is mainly caused by bending failure rather than by shear failure. The tensile strength also plays a key factor in the evolution of block toppling. The simulation results from discrete element method (DEM) is in line with the testing results. Tensile stress exists at the backside of rock column during toppling deformation. Stress concentration results in the fragmented rock column and its degree is the most significant at the slope toe.

Copyright of Petroleum Refinery Engineering is the property of Petroleum Refinery Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess lameness in dogs with advanced osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints after a single autologous point‐of‐care transplantation of the Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) into the affected joint. Materials and methods: During a minilaparotomy, 10 g of falciform fat was removed from each patient for each joint to be treated. A modern and time‐saving procedure (ARC TM System, InGeneron GmbH, Houston, USA) was used for the in‐house preparation of the SVF, so that the isolated cells could be applied to the respective joint within 2 h after fat removal. In total, five knee joints of five patients and seven hip joints of four patients were treated. Results: Improvement in lameness according to owner questionnaires was seen in 3 of 5 patients with knee joint arthritis and 2 of 4 patients with hip joint arthritis. Based on gait analysis, only one dog with gonarthrosis and one dog with coxarthrosis showed improvement up to a maximum of 3 months after surgery. Conclusion: This is the first case series on the treatment of osteoarthrosis of the knee or hip joint using point‐of‐care transplantation of the SVF. In individual cases, this method may represent a therapeutic approach for the treatment in dogs with advanced cox‐ or gonarthrosis, although only a short‐term effect can be expected, which calls into question the effort and costs involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new approach to analyzing the components of centrifuge rotor vibrograms using a 2D trajectory fractal analysis based on the Detrended Moving Average method. The method identifies the different noise oscillatory behavior of the rotor depending on the rotation frequencies, ranging from non-stationary unbounded and 1/f pink noise to correlated and uncorrelated noise. Fractal characteristics of the vibrograms were computed for the first time and demonstrated differences for rotation frequencies close to the eigenfrequencies and far from them. This paper also discusses the influence of gyroscopic effects on the natural frequencies of centrifuge oscillations and the excitation of second harmonics when the centrifuge rotates at higher frequencies. The main cause of rotor vibration is identified as the mass imbalance of the rotors, and this paper proposes a vibration classification according to source nodes to diagnose serviceable and faulty technical systems. Finally, the possibility of anisotropy of the vibrogram is discussed, and the oriented fractal scaling components analysis method is applied to pave the way for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory centrifuges are used in various industries. During operation, vibrations occur that lead to resonant frequencies, which in turn impair functionality. This paper presents an overview of the computational model of the HERMLE Z306 laboratory centrifuge used in medical laboratories to separate mixtures of different fractions to determine the dynamic characteristics. The zones of stable operation of the centrifuge and the influence of the rotation speed on the natural frequencies are analytically determined. Experimental results are presented with the influence of imbalances on the dynamic characteristics of the HERMLE Z306 centrifuge. As a result of the modeling, the amplitude-frequency characteristics are determined and a Campbell diagram is constructed. Modeling of dynamic processes in laboratory centrifuges by studying the influence of imbalances on the quality of mixture separation. Determination of zones of stable operation of the centrifuge. Construction of amplitude-frequency characteristics of the centrifuge, determination of zones of stable operation of the laboratory centrifuge during separation and Campbell diagram showing the dependence of natural frequencies on the rotation speed of the HERMLE Z306 centrifuge. This diagram makes it possible to determine the resonance zones. Based on the use of the Lagrange equation of the second kind, a model is obtained that makes it possible to determine the zones of stable operation of the centrifuge. Using experimental equipment, determine the frequency response of the centrifuge and analyze the Campbell diagram to determine the resonance zones. The zones of stable operation of a laboratory centrifuge were analytically determined. The amplitude-frequency characteristics of the HERMLE Z306 centrifuge were constructed, the trajectories of the free end of the shaft were built taking into account the corresponding imbalances, and the resonance zones were experimentally determined. Experimental studies have shown that the free end of a laboratory centrifuge shaft moves along a surface whose shape and, accordingly, the path of movement depend on both the angles of rotation and translational movement that arise as a result of deformations of elastic supports. The analytical and experimental studies made it possible to identify unstable modes and thereby determine the areas of the centrifuge’s operating modes. The separation process will be stable if the roots of the equation have a negative real part, and moreover, the motion will be asymptotically stable in the presence of resistance forces. An experimental technique for determining the dynamic parameters of the centrifuge has been developed. On its basis, the effect of the rotation speed on the natural frequencies was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bearing is the property of Bearing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The presence of pre‐existing fabrics at all lithospheric scales has been proven to be of primary importance in controlling the evolution of continental rifts. Indeed, observations from natural examples show that even in conditions of orthogonal rifting, when extension should result in simple fault patterns dominated by normal faults orthogonal to extension vectors, inherited fabrics induce complex arrangements of differently‐oriented extension‐related structures. This paper explored the influence of inherited fabrics on rift‐related structures by using a series of analog models deformed in a centrifuge. The models reproduced a brittle‐ductile crustal system and considered the presence of pre‐existing discrete fabrics in the brittle crust in conditions of orthogonal narrow rifting. These fabrics were reproduced by cutting the brittle layer at different orientations with respect to the extension direction. Modeling shows pre‐existing fabrics have a significant influence on rift‐related faults, provided that the angle between inherited fabrics and the rift trend is less than 45°. In these conditions, fabrics cause prominent segmentation of rift‐related faults and induce the development of isolated depocenters. Pre‐existing fabrics strongly influence the geometry of extension‐related structures, resulting in curved fault patterns and en‐echelon arrangement of oblique faults. These findings provide insights into the development of continental rift systems in nature: our modeling shows indeed significant similarities (i.e., peculiar fault architecture and geometries) with the faults in different sectors of the East African Rift System (e.g., the Magadi and Bogoria basin, Kenya Rift), testifying that reactivation of inherited fabrics is a paramount process in shaping continental rifts. Key Points: Centrifuge analog models show that inherited fabrics strongly influence rift structures when their angle to the rift trend is <45°Inherited fabrics affect the top‐view geometry of rifts, leading to curvature and segmentation of faults as well as isolated depocentersOur models display strong similarities with different examples in the East African Rift System, well explaining the fault pattern evolution [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel production processes, such as gravity settling, have limitations in terms of biodiesel yield, purification efficiency, operating time in the separation process, and more extensive equipment. Therefore, this study has focused on using a recently developed centrifuge machine for biodiesel separation to address these challenges due to its compact design, high efficiency, and simplicity. Additionally, this study aimed to optimize the separation efficiency of glycerol from biodiesel using a centrifuge machine, employing response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). The optimum conditions for separating glycerol from biodiesel via centrifuge machine are a rotation speed of 1800 rpm, a mixture flow rate of 192.25 ml/min, and a temperature of 55 °C, respectively. In optimum conditions, 94.52% separation efficiency was achieved. Biodiesel production can be improved, leading to higher yields and greater purity. The utilization of RSM proved valuable in determining the optimum conditions for separation. Furthermore, the machine successfully separated the biodiesel to meet ASTM D6751 and EN 14,214 standards. The results highlight the potential of the centrifuge machine for efficient and reliable biodiesel production, contributing to the advancement of the biodiesel industry.

This paper presents a new approach to analyzing the components of centrifuge rotor vibrograms using a 2D trajectory fractal analysis based on the Detrended Moving Average method. The method identifies the different noise oscillatory behavior of the rotor depending on the rotation frequencies, ranging from non-stationary unbounded and 1/f pink noise to correlated and uncorrelated noise. Fractal characteristics of the vibrograms were computed for the first time and demonstrated differences for rotation frequencies close to the eigenfrequencies and far from them. This paper also discusses the influence of gyroscopic effects on the natural frequencies of centrifuge oscillations and the excitation of second harmonics when the centrifuge rotates at higher frequencies. The main cause of rotor vibration is identified as the mass imbalance of the rotors, and this paper proposes a vibration classification according to source nodes to diagnose serviceable and faulty technical systems. Finally, the possibility of anisotropy of the vibrogram is discussed, and the oriented fractal scaling components analysis method is applied to pave the way for further investigation.

The impact of train-induced vibrations originating from underground tunnels has emerged as a significant environmental issue within urban areas. A multitude of studies, encompassing both numerical analyses and experimental investigations, have been undertaken to explore and address this concern. In the experimental tests, the dynamic characteristics of tunnels and soil has generally been studied using physical models with a single tunnel under a 1 g (gravity) environment. However, twin tunnels are commonly constructed in the field, and the stress of the soil is unrealistically simulated in 1 g models. In this paper, the dynamic characteristics of twin tunnels were studied by centrifuge testing. In this paper, results are presented from scaled model tunnel tests conducted at 50 g for four different conditions: a single tunnel, vertical twin tunnels with 60 mm spacing, horizontal twin tunnels with 60 mm and 120 mm spacing. Train load and sweep load were applied by a parallel pre-stressed actuator at the tunnel invert. Accelerometers were employed to gauge the dynamic response of both the tunnels and the surrounding soil. The experimental results illustrate that the interaction between twin tunnels has a clear amplification effect on the dynamic response of the loading tunnel, with the maximum peak particle acceleration (PPA) increasing by up to 43 %. This amplification phenomenon is reduced as the space between the twin tunnels is increased. The experimental results also indicate that the interaction between twin tunnels has a comparatively lower impact on the dynamic response of the surrounding soil when contrasted with the dynamic response of the tunnels themselves. • Ground-borne vibration from twin tunnels is modeled. • The dynamic characteristics of twin tunnels are studied by centrifuge testing. • The twin tunnel interaction leads to an amplification of the dynamic response of the tunnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starches-rich and protein-rich cereal samples commonly need tedious sample preparation steps before instrumental analysis. This study developed a miniaturized centrifugal integrated cold-induced phase separation (CIPS) method for convenient sample preparation. A small-sized centrifuge tube (2 mL) and a low-temperature centrifuge, both of which are easily accessible, make up the basic components of the system. Unlike conventional sample preparation methods that need a step-by-step extraction, enrichment, purification, and centrifugation, this centrifugal integrated CIPS method can be performed by a one-step combination protocol under a low-temperature centrifuge. As a proof-of-concept study, satisfactory recoveries and enrichment factors were demonstrated for the extraction of fumonisins and ochratoxins from cereals. A sensitive and selective quantification method was yielded by combining LC-HRMS using tSIM acquisition mode, with good linearity (R2 > 0.998), accuracy (82.9–106.5%), and precision (<13.4%). This strategy is convenient, low-cost, repeatable, and easy to semi-automate, further expanding the extraction potential for other acidic mycotoxins. [Display omitted] • A centrifugal integrated cold-induced phase separation method (CIPS) was proposed. • A CIPS was successfully applied for extraction of acidic mycotoxins in cereals. • The studied method demonstrates a convenience with a one-step combination protocol. • The greenness profile and practicality of the developed method was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jack-up vessels have been used for the construction of offshore wind turbines, and various studies have been conducted on the ground behavior during the penetration and extraction of their spudcans. In this study, the ground behavior of sand-clay mixed soil was investigated. Specifically, a series of actual operations, such as penetration, repeated loading, extraction, and repenetration, were reproduced by centrifuge model tests using sand and clay, as well as their mixtures with different fine-grain contents. Several elemental tests were also conducted prior to the model tests. In addition, the bearing capacity of the spudcan was discussed using estimation equations. The results of the elemental tests showed that in the soils used, the effect of partial drainage became more pronounced when the fine-grain content exceeded 20%, and the permeability, consolidation coefficient, and shear properties changed. These results were close to those of clay when the fine-grain content exceeded 50%. In the centrifuge model tests, the deformation characteristics of the ground changed, and the penetration resistance decreased as the fine-grain content increased. The influence of consolidation and drainage conditions was suggested. The estimation equations of the bearing capacity showed that, in the case of mixed soil, the bearing capacity obtained by the estimation equation under drained or undrained conditions differed significantly from the test results, and the estimation equation that considered the effect of partial drainage could be used to calculate the bearing capacity. • The effect of partial drainage cannot be ignored when the fine particle content increases. • Increased fines content decreases penetration resistance. • Increased fines content increases extraction resistance. • The bearing capacity of sand-clay mixed soil is estimated by assuming a partially drained condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article evaluates the prediction capabilities and limitations of the ISA-hypoplasticity constitutive model for sands in the simulation of liquefiable sloping ground dynamic centrifuge tests from the LEAP-2017 project. For that purpose, the experimental results of three centrifuge tests performed at different centrifuge facilities are considered. The corresponding dynamic coupled predictions were carried out using the finite element software Abaqus Standard. The material parameters of the adopted constitutive model were determined based on a detailed laboratory characterization of the tested Ottawa F-65 sand, which included drained monotonic triaxial and undrained cyclic triaxial tests considering a wide range of initial conditions and testing characteristics. The comparison between measured and computed sloping ground accelerations and spectral response suggests reasonable predictions by the model. Furthermore, the results suggest that the constitutive model is only able to realistically reproduce the trends of the experimental excess pore water pressure when considering cyclic mobility effects. • The ISA-hypoplasticity model was calibrated based on monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests. • Three centrifuge tests from the LEAP 2017 were compared against its corresponding numerical simulations with ISA-hypoplasticity. • The new ISA-hypoplasticity model accounts for cyclic mobility effects. • The assessment revealed the model prediction capabilities and limitations in predicting the liquefaction-related response of a submerged slope subjected to base excitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A simple heat-shrink pipe-based portable centrifugal device is developed for Blood-Plasma separation. • An microfluidic paper-based device is used for estimation of Albumin concentration. • Colorimetric assay renders a highly accurate estimation of Plasma-Albumin. We are developing a simple, affordable, and biodegradable microfluidic paper-based device (µPAD) for measuring albumin levels using 25 µL of human blood. First, we separate plasma from 25 µL of blood using a portable rotating device. Further, we gently deposit 10 µL of plasma into the µPAD, which is already coated and dried with 8 µL (0.004 M) of Bromothymol blue (BTB). The albumin in the plasma reacts with BTB, and consequently, the color of the detection zone changes from yellow to blue. We use a smartphone to capture the resulting image, and we quantify the albumin level with the help of an in-house developed app (ALB-SENSE). We are comparing the level of albumin measured with the recent device with the gold-standard results, and we observe a strong correlation (R2 = 0.9834) between the two values. In a nutshell, the device for plasma-albumin estimation through a colorimetric assay has true potential for its deployment as a point-of-care device with the involvement of minimally trained human resources in resource-constrained settings where healthcare diagnostic facilities are scarce. The measurement of albumin concentration is performed to figure out various diseases such as kidney damage, liver disease, malabsorption, diarrhoea, eclampsia, and nephrosis. Though clinical assays in gold standard devices as well as miniaturized microfluidic platforms are available for the measurement of plasma albumin, these assays suffer from one or more of the following major shortcomings: (i) complex fabrication and device integration, (ii) less efficacy in blood-plasma separation technique, (iii) Clinical assays are expensive and time-consuming, (iv) involvement of highly skilled technicians, and (v) non-availability of the smartphone app for HSA level measurement. Overcoming the constraints mentioned above, herein, we have developed a hybrid platform to estimate the albumin concentration. Our platform consists of a potable centrifugal device to separate blood plasma with high purity and a paper-based device to detect albumin concentration using an in-house developed app, "ALB-SENSE". The gold-standard clinical assay has been translated in this miniaturized platform without sacrificing its fundamental principle for the determination of plasma-albumin level from the whole human blood, aiming to deploy our hybrid platform with ALB-SENSE app as a perfect candidate for field measurement of plasma-albumin, which would have the greatest possible impact on reducing the burden of above-mentioned disease among the underserved population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The envisaged Pellet Engineering Testbed (PET) in the framework of Direct Internal Recycling Integrated Development Platform Karlsruhe (DIPAK) will provide unique opportunities to advance pellet injection technology and its implementation in the fuel cycle as well as into plasma control of EU-DEMO. This work analyses the parameters for Pellet Launching System (PLS) control according to requirements from plasma control. Main parameter is the particle flux and the related accuracy with respect to amount of flux and arrival time of pellets. Others are addressed as well like dynamic response to setpoint changes and adaptivity of isotope composition of the hydrogen ice. The performance of the PLS is limited by the mass loss in the guiding tubes, both by erosion (applies to any pellet) and loss of an entire pellet, that may apply to only a few pellets, provided a suitable guiding tube geometry is selected depending on the required injection speed. DIPAK-PET has to provide data points in order to enable proper guiding tube design activities based on modelling. A short description of the proposed technical solution for the Pellet Launching System is provided and setup for the Programmable Logic Control (PLC) is suggested comprising a MasterPLC and a dedicated Human Machine Interface (operators' desk). A non-exhaustive proposal of experiments to be performed in DIPAK-PET is listed in order to verify the estimated performance values for the relevant PLS parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel production processes, such as gravity settling, have limitations in terms of biodiesel yield, purification efficiency, operating time in the separation process, and more extensive equipment. Therefore, this study has focused on using a recently developed centrifuge machine for biodiesel separation to address these challenges due to its compact design, high efficiency, and simplicity. Additionally, this study aimed to optimize the separation efficiency of glycerol from biodiesel using a centrifuge machine, employing response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). The optimum conditions for separating glycerol from biodiesel via centrifuge machine are a rotation speed of 1800 rpm, a mixture flow rate of 192.25 ml/min, and a temperature of 55 °C, respectively. In optimum conditions, 94.52% separation efficiency was achieved. Biodiesel production can be improved, leading to higher yields and greater purity. The utilization of RSM proved valuable in determining the optimum conditions for separation. Furthermore, the machine successfully separated the biodiesel to meet ASTM D6751 and EN 14,214 standards. The results highlight the potential of the centrifuge machine for efficient and reliable biodiesel production, contributing to the advancement of the biodiesel industry., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In addition to inducing uncertainty in the predicted response, natural spatial variability of soil properties affects the mechanical response of geotechnical structures. When a failure surface is involved in the response, this surface can deviate from its theoretical location to pass through weaker zones of material. For the case of seismically induced soil liquefaction, it has been found that a larger amount of excess pore water pressure is generated in a soil exhibiting small-scale variability of its properties than in the corresponding uniform soil having geomechanical properties equal to the average properties of the heterogeneous soil. An explanation for this important phenomenon is provided in this paper based on the results of centrifuge experiments and numerical simulations of heterogeneous and homogeneous saturated soil deposits subjected to seismic loads. It is demonstrated, based on a detailed analysis of the results, that partial drainage during the earthquake, consisting of pore water inflow from loose soil zones that liquefy first toward surrounding dense areas, may trigger softening of dilative soils. The water inflow effects in terms of volumetric strains leading to reduced cyclic resistance of dense sands are compared with results of specially designed cyclic triaxial tests reported by other researchers. • Spatially variable soils have lower liquefaction resistance than uniform soils. • Centrifuge experiments and finite element analyses are used in this study. • The results confirm the conclusions of specially designed cyclic laboratory tests. • Partial drainage during "undrained" cyclic loading may lead to soil softening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]