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The hot‐dip galvanizing behavior of an advanced high‐strength steel DP980 is investigated, focusing on selective oxidation and reactive wetting, as compared with interstitial‐free (IF) steel. The steels are annealed with varying dew points of −50, −25, and 0 °C, and then immersed in a galvannealing bath containing 0.13 wt% dissolved Al. The results show that higher concentrations of Mn and Si elements in DP980 steel result in an increase of nonwettable Mn2SiO4/MnSiO3. The increase in dew point does not promote the internal oxidation of alloying elements in DP980 as in IF steel, and DP980 displays the lowest external oxidation at −50 °C. After galvanizing, Mn and Si oxides are observed above the inhibition layer, which is due to the oxide cracking caused by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient between the surface oxides and the steel, and then the oxide flaking and incorporation are caused by the interfacial infiltration through cracks and the formation of intermetallic crystals of Fe–Al and subsequent Fe–Zn. Therefore, IF steel maintains good wetting in the presence of external oxides, while DP980 steel exhibits more external film oxides and poor coating quality at high dew points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is a promising solution to the water shortage problem. Current sorption-based AWH (SAWH) systems seldom obtain both wide climatic adaptability and high energy efficiency due to the lack of thermodynamic optimization. To achieve the ideal harvesting circulation in SAWH systems, the "optimal harvesting window" (OHW) design based on thermodynamic analysis was first proposed and validated by our prototype. The "OHW" theory indicates the water production rate and energy efficiency could be improved by properly reducing the adsorption temperature. As the humidity increases, the optimal adsorption temperature should be closer to the dew point of the environment. Experimental results revealed that, loaded with 3 kg widely adopted silica gel, the daily water production could reach 5.76–17.64 L/d with ultrahigh energy efficiency of 0.46–1.5 L/kWh. This prototype could also achieve optimal performance in wide climatic conditions in terms of 13–35 °C and 18%–72% RH. Lastly, the performance of photovoltaic (PV)-driven SAWH was evaluated. Results showed that a 1 m2 PV panel could generate 0.66–2 L water per day in Shanghai throughout the year, the highest in opening literature. Notably, this work introduces a promising concept that can help achieve large-scale, ultra-fast, energy-efficient AWH worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A natural gas (NG) dehydration unit based on glycol absorption is considered one of the most important gas processing units, aiming to decrease water content and consequently adjust its dew point. However, during this process, not only water is absorbed by the glycol solvent, but also some aromatic compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), in addition to volatile organic compounds (VOC), are absorbed. These compounds are released during glycol regeneration into the atmosphere, resulting in environmental pollution and consequent catastrophic mental and physical health problems. This study aims to minimize BTEX emissions while ensuring efficient dew point control. Various strategies have been adopted to control BTEX emissions, but the present work focuses on optimizing operating conditions and investigating the influence of operational variables on BTEX emissions, as well as NG water content. LINGO optimization software and HYSYS (version 11) are used to find the plant's optimum conditions for minimizing BTEX emissions and satisfying efficient dew point control. Simulation results show that stripping gas, triethylene glycol (TEG) circulation rate, and inlet feed gas temperature significantly affect BTEX emissions. The proposed optimum operating conditions in this work resulted in a reduction in BTEX emissions by about 81% while satisfying the required NG dew point. Furthermore, two quadratic equations are developed based on regression analysis for efficient calculation of the BTEX emissions and water dew point at any operational variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological complexity of urban environments results in a high spatial and temporal variability of the urban microclimate. The consequent demand for high-resolution atmospheric data remains a challenge for atmospheric research and operational application. The recent widespread availability and increasing adoption of low-cost mobile sensing offer the opportunity to integrate observations from conventional monitoring networks with microclimatic and air pollution data at a finer spatial and temporal scale. So far, the relatively low quality of the measurements and outdoor performance compared to conventional instrumentation has discouraged the full deployment of mobile sensors for routine monitoring. The present study addresses the performance of a commercial mobile sensor, the MeteoTracker (IoTopon Srl), recently launched on the market to quantify the microclimatic characteristics of the outdoor environment. The sensor follows the philosophy of the Internet of Things technology, being low cost, having an automatic data flow via personal smartphones and online data sharing, supporting user-friendly software, and having the potential to be deployed in large quantities. In this paper, the outdoor performance is evaluated through tests aimed at quantifying (i) the intra-sensor variability under similar atmospheric conditions and (ii) the outdoor accuracy compared to a reference weather station under sub-optimal (in a fixed location) and optimal (mobile) sensor usage. Data-driven corrections are developed and successfully applied to improve the MeteoTracker data quality. In particular, a recursive method for the simultaneous improvement of relative humidity, dew point, and humidex index proves to be crucial for increasing the data quality. The results mark an intra-sensor variability of approximately ± 0.5 °C for air temperature and ± 1.2 % for the corrected relative humidity, both of which are within the declared sensor accuracy. The sensor captures the same atmospheric variability as the reference sensor during both fixed and mobile tests, showing positive biases (overestimation) for both variables. Through the mobile test, the outdoor accuracy is observed to be between ± 0.3 to ± 0.5 °C for air temperature and between ± 3 % and ± 5 % for the relative humidity, ranking the MeteoTracker in the real accuracy range of similar commercial sensors from the literature and making it a valid solution for atmospheric monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaics (PV), which is one of variable renewable energies, have been installed largely. In the environment of largely installed PV, the output fluctuates of PV influences on the operation of power gird network adversely. Therefore, PV energy generation forecasting is valid for power grid operation and management and needs the reduction of large forecast error as well as average error. Due to a day‐ahead forecast of the total PV energy generation in the power grid area, we developed the forecasting method by using meteorological forecast data of many points in the target area. In order to forecast the regional PV energy generation, the proposed method uses auto‐encoder and convolutional neural network (CNN) for extracting requirements and valid data, and forecast with neural network (NN) by means of extracted information. In this paper, we improved the forecasting error by using multiple meteorological elements as input data. As a result, we indicated that using both of global horizontal irradiance and low cloud cover is required for the reginal PV energy generation forecasting, and large forecasting error can be reduced by adding either dew point depression, or cumulative precipitation as input data. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Holding times for raw materials are relevant since they enable us to understand the allowable time that a raw material can be kept under ideal storage conditions before the start of the manufacturing process without its quality attributes being affected. The quantification of water activity can be used as an indicator of the microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic stability of a specimen, since low water activity retards autohydrolysis and microbiological growth. Objective The main purpose of this investigation was to test the stability of powdered raw materials for a maximum holding time of 8 days through water activity measurements. Thus microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic measurements were carried out in parallel and simultaneously to experimentally establish a relationship between the status of the water activity of processed raw materials and the microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic results. Methods The raw materials were stored for a maximum holding time of 8 days, in accordance with United States Pharmacopeia monographs. For all the raw materials tested, water activity measurements were performed using the dew point chilled-mirror method on days 0, 3, and 8. On days 0 and 8, microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic assessments were performed. Results It was established that under these storage conditions, the processed raw materials exhibited water activity below 0.60 during the entire holding time. However, there were statistically significant differences in water activity levels between days 0, 3, and 8 (ANOVA P  < 0.05). Despite observing statistically significant differences between days, the microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic features were within specification at those water activity levels below 0.60. Conclusions Water activity below 0.60 does not allow the growth of microorganisms, and the organoleptic and physicochemical features remain unperturbed. The results indicate that water activity can be used as an indicator of the microbiological load and chemical stability of the raw materials tested. Highlights This research provides evidence that corroborates that water activity status may be used as a reliable indicator for the microbiological burden and physicochemical features of pharmaceutical material during stability studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Variations in climate have been associated with a greater risk of surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, and changes in the skin microbiome; however, limited data exist on the impact of climate on inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) infections. Aim: We sought to evaluate the impact of climate on the risk of IPP infections in a large international, multicenter cohort. Methods: We performed a multi-institutional, retrospective study of patients undergoing IPP surgery. We then evaluated whether the month or season, during which surgery was performed, affected device infections. Implant infections were defined as infections requiring device explantation. A univariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken. Outcomes: Our primary outcome was implant infection. Results: A total of 5289 patients with a mean age of 62.2 ± 10.8 years received IPP placement. There was a fairly even distribution of implants performed in each season. A total of 103 (1.9%) infections were recorded. There were 32 (31.1%) IPP infections in patients who underwent surgery in the summer, followed by 28 (27.2%) in the winter, 26 (25.2%) in the spring, and 17 (16.5%) in the fall. No statistically significant differences were recorded in terms of season (P = .19) and month (P = .29). The mean daily temperature (P = .43), dew point (P = .43), and humidity (P = .92) at the time of IPP placement was not associated with infection. Clinical Implications: These findings provide reassurance to prosthetic urologists that infection reduction strategies do not need to be tailored to local climate. Strengths and Limitations: Climate data were not directly recorded for each hospital, but rather based on the monthly averages in the city where the surgery was performed. Conclusion: The climate at time of IPP placement and time of year of surgery is not associated with IPP infection risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic study is performed on the development of hot-dip galvanized coatings on a Mn-containing high-strength steel sheet by varying the dew point (− 50, − 10, and + 10 °C) during inter-critical annealing of the steel strip at 800 °C. It also studies the effect of dew point on the corrosion behavior of the coatings in freely aerated 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The reducing gas atmosphere consists of 95% N2 and 5% H2, where inter-critical annealing is carried out. Surface oxidation of the steel has a strong effect on the development of sound coating. A defect-free adherent galvanized coating is obtained on the annealed steel surface at a fixed dew point of + 10 °C, and it is attributed to the fine and continuous compact Fe-Al crystals compared to galvanized coatings produced at other dew points as well as the highest atomically dense (0002) basal plane. This also leads to the lowest corrosion rate (~ 0.164 mm y−1, where mm and y stand for millimeter and year, respectively) of the galvanized coating produced at a dew point of + 10 °C when compared with galvanized coatings produced at dew points of − 50 °C (~ 0.279 mm y−1) and − 10 °C (~ 0.259 mm y−1). The lowest corrosion rate of the galvanized specimen developed at + 10 °C dew point can be attributed to the uniform and defect-free coating surface, together with the dominance of the more atomically dense (0002) basal plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern and southern fog events are identified over eastern China across 40 winters from 1981 to 2021. By performing composite analysis on these events, this study reveals that the formation of fog events is controlled by both dynamic and thermodynamic processes. The fog events were induced by Rossby wave trains over the Eurasian continent, leading to the development of surface wind and pressure anomalies, which favor the formation of fog events. The Rossby wave trains in northern and southern fog events are characterized by their occurrence in northern and southern locations, respectively, with different strengths. The water vapor fluxes that contribute to the enhancement of the northern fog events originate from the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, whereas the southern fog events are characterized by water vapor from the East China Sea and the South China Sea. In both northern and southern fog events, dew point depression and positive A and K index anomalies are found in northern and southern regions of eastern China, which are indicative of supersaturated air and the unstable atmospheric saturation from the low to the middle troposphere, thus providing favorable conditions for the establishment of fog events in northern and southern regions of eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given difficulties with modelling radiation fog and the similarity of meteorological conditions linked to dewfall and frost we investigated the formation of dew, frost and fog. For a site in the UK seven years of data were analysed representing high‐resolution atmospheric profiles and dew meter measurements for radiation nights with stable conditions. Classical dewfall occurs by condensation when the surface is below the dew point and cooler than the air above. However, the profiles show that, in the absence of fog, typically dew and frost form with the surface warmer than the immediately overlying air due to lifted temperature minima (LTMs) at about 0.15 m. Observations of aerosol number density and average hydrated radii show that aerosol optical extinction (and hence their radiative effect) is weakly but significantly correlated with the intensity of LTMs. Low wind speed on stable nights allows settling of aerosols which radiatively cool the air near the ground more quickly than the surface cools – thus creating LTMs. In the presence of LTMs typically dew and frost form not by condensation, but by occult deposition of water droplets onto the canopy and ground. Among radiation fog observations, 91% are associated with light near‐surface winds and LTMs. When the rate of removal of suspended water droplets by occult deposition generating dew or frost is too slow, then build‐up of droplets in the air just above the surface leads to the formation of radiation fog. Future modelling should allow for the accumulation of near‐surface aerosols and their radiative effects during stable nights to represent the formation of LTMs. Modelling of typical dew and frost will require representation of occult deposition. Assessing rates of occult deposition compared to rates of generation of suspended water droplets is needed to forecast the onset of radiation fog formed near the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the characterization of radio propagation, and data communication in a marine environment. More specifically, we consider signal propagation when three different sub-gigahertz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands, i.e., 169 MHz, 434 MHz, and 868 MHz, are used. The main focus of the paper is to evaluate the path loss (PL), i.e., the power loss that a propagation radio wave would experience when communication occurs between a sail boat and a buoy. We describe the measurement results obtained performing three different radio power measurement campaigns, at the three different aforementioned ISM sub-gigahertz bands. We also want to correlate the radio propagation quality with the weather conditions present in the measurement areas. The obtained results show that higher distances are achieved by transmitting at lower frequencies, i.e., 169 MHz, and, on average, the propagation is directly dependent from the dew point index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) act as the heart of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). To address the challenges of the chemical stability of AEMs and the trade-off between ionic conductivity and dimensional stability. Here, we report the non-covalent crosslinking strategy. The synergistic interaction of cation-dipole interactions and hydroxyl groups provide a dense hydrogen bonding network and form non-covalent crosslinking. The QPBTTP-PEG-10 membrane has a low swelling ratio (28.62%) and excellent hydroxide conductivity (127.76 mS cm−1) at 80 °C. Furthermore, the QPBTTP-PEG-10 treated in 3 M NaOH for 1200 h maintined ≥90.87% of its hydroxide conductivity. In addition, excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties (58.92 MPa and can withstand more than 10,000 times its own weight). The open circuit voltage and peak power density of QPBTTP-PEG-10 are 0.988 V and 369.64 mW cm−2 at 80 °C in H 2 –O 2 with A/C dew points of 75 °C/77 °C. [Display omitted] • QPBTTP-PEG-10 with low swelling and excellent hydroxide conductivity. • QPBTTP-PEG-10 can withstand more than 10,000 times its own weight. • Hydrogen-bonds between C – O –C bone and hydroxyl groups construct new OH− transport channels. • Dynamic non-covalent cross-linking promote the self-aggregation of cations and then enhance OH− transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An apparatus for high-accuracy gas density and adsorption measurements over the range of temperature from (193 to 423) K and pressure from (0 to 15) MPa is described. This instrument is based on the two-sinker densimetry principle and incorporates a magnetic suspension balance. In addition to the two "density sinkers", two "sorption sinkers" are weighed to investigate density and adsorption of a gas sample simultaneously. The design of the sinkers increases the resolution of density and adsorption investigations and enables the correction of sorption effects on density measurements. The complete apparatus, including the sinkers, the temperature and pressure measuring systems, and the measurement procedure, is described. For the density range investigated, the uncertainty (k = 2) is between (0.0034 to 0.019) kg · m−3, corresponding to (0.060 to 0.011)%. The uncertainty (k = 2) in adsorption load is (0.16 to 0.26) μ g · cm−2. Density measurements at T = (283 and 293) K and pressures up to 10 MPa of high-purity argon and nitrogen validate the instrument for density. Adsorption measurements of high-purity carbon dioxide and propane on a gold surface validate the instrument for adsorption investigation at T = (283 and 293) K and up to the saturation pressure of the investigated gas. The apparatus was used to measure the binary mixture (0.75 CO 2 + 0.25 C 3 H 8 ). In the future, the apparatus will also be used to accurately determine dew-point densities and pressures of pure gases and gas mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase behavior of gas condensate in reservoir formations differs from that in pressureevolume etemperature (PVT) cells because it is influenced by porous media in the reservoir formations. Sandstone was used as a sample to investigate the influence of porous media on the phase behavior of the gas condensate. The pore structure was first analyzed using computed tomography (CT) scanning, digital core technology, and a pore network model. The sandstone core sample was then saturated with gas condensate for the pressure depletion experiment. After each pressure-depletion state was stable, realtime CT scanning was performed on the sample. The scanning results of the sample were reconstructed into three-dimensional grayscale images, and the gas condensate and condensate liquid were segmented based on gray value discrepancy to dynamically characterize the phase behavior of the gas condensate in porous media. Pore network models of the condensate liquid ganglia under different pressures were built to calculate the characteristic parameters, including the average radius, coordination number, and tortuosity, and to analyze the changing mechanism caused by the phase behavior change of the gas condensate. Four types of condensate liquid (clustered, branched, membranous, and droplet ganglia) were then classified by shape factor and Euler number to investigate their morphological changes dynamically and elaborately. The results show that the dew point pressure of the gas condensate in porous media is 12.7 MPa, which is 0.7 MPa higher than 12.0 MPa in PVT cells. The average radius, volume, and coordination number of the condensate liquid ganglia increased when the system pressure was between the dew point pressure (12.7 MPa) and the pressure for the maximum liquid dropout, Pmax (10.0 MPa), and decreased when it was below Pmax. The volume proportion of clustered ganglia was the highest, followed by branched, membranous, and droplet ganglia. This study provides crucial experimental evidence for the phase behavior changing process of gas condensate in porous media during the depletion production of gas condensate reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weather observations and forecasts are crucial for aviation safety and efficiency, particularly in the presence of hazards such as fog. Hence, climatological studies of this phenomenon are standard information for the aviation industry. Aeronautical stations combined with synoptic stations have to provide local and current weather conditions in two different types of reports by using the same instrumentation: SYNOP for synoptic purposes and METAR for aeronautical purposes. When climatological studies have to be carried out, the question of which type of report is more appropriate for the task arises. In this work, a comparison between these two types of hourly meteorological observation reports is made, with the aim of identifying the conditions under which differences can have a significant impact on the final results. For this purpose, SYNOP and METAR reports for the period 2000–2019 from 13 Argentine airports were selected from different databases. Results show that level of agreement depends strongly on the variable of interest. A key difference is found in "present weather" mainly due to different reporting rules. In this context, six different selection criteria using visibility, dew point depression, and present weather are used to evaluate the impact of the differences found in the fog and mist climatology. In conclusion, SYNOP data could be used instead of METAR in statistical studies if the need arises, but with the caveat that the frequency of fog occurrence should not be interpreted too strictly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study sought to identify the sources of differential performance and misclassification error among local (Indian) and external (non-Indian) corneal specialists in identifying bacterial and fungal keratitis based on corneal photography. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of survey data assessing the ability of corneal specialists to identify acute bacterial versus fungal keratitis by using corneal photography. One-hundred images of 100 eyes from 100 patients with acute bacterial or fungal keratitis in South India were previously presented to an international cohort of cornea specialists for interpretation over the span of April to July 2021. Each expert provided a predicted probability that the ulcer was either bacterial or fungal. Using these data, we performed multivariable linear regression to identify factors predictive of expert performance, accounting for primary practice location and surrogate measures to infer local fungal ulcer prevalence, including locality, latitude, and dew point. In addition, Brier score decomposition was used to determine experts' reliability ("calibration") and resolution ("boldness") and were compared between local (Indian) and external (non-Indian) experts. Results: Sixty-six experts from 16 countries participated. Indian practice location was the only independently significant predictor of performance in multivariable linear regression. Resolution among Indian experts was significantly better (0.08) than among non-Indian experts (0.01; P < 0.001), indicating greater confidence in their predictions. There was no significant difference in reliability between the two groups (P = 0.40). Conclusion: Local cornea experts outperformed their international counterparts independent of regional variability in tropical risk factors for fungal keratitis. This may be explained by regional characteristics of infectious ulcers with which local corneal specialists are familiar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the suitability of four land surface schemes (LSSs) in Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model over different West Africa's (WA) climatological zones, namely Guinea, Savanna, and Sahel. The four LSSs include Noah, Noah (Multiparameterization) MP, Noah MP with the groundwater option (Noah GW), and Community Land Model Version 4 (CLM4). A 3-month simulation was carried out with each LSS during July–September 2012. Temperature and dew point temperature (Dpt) were evaluated using the ERA5 dataset, while precipitation was evaluated using the TRMM product. Based on the three variables, CLM4 is most suitable for the Guinea zone; Noah, Noah MP, and CLM4 perform equally well for Savanna; and Noah MP is most suitable for the Sahel zone. In general, and over all zones, Noah MP is most suitable for precipitation simulation, while CLM4 is the best for dew point temperature as Noah MP and Noah GW are equally suitable for 2 m temperature. Noah GW overestimates surface moisture, altering surface fluxes, increasing evaporative fraction, and increasing convective activities (especially in semi-arid areas), which led to a significant bias in temperature and precipitation. Also, over the Savanna and Sahel zone, a strong African Easterly Jet (AEJ) with a weak Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) in Noah led to lower rainfall. In contrast, weak AEJ with strong TEJ in Noah MP and Noah GW caused higher rainfall. Further studies would be to evaluate the sensitivity of each LSS under different initial conditions, and their land-atmosphere interactions strength over the zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate pollution has become one of the major issues in the mega-cities of Pakistan. As with the increase in rapid urbanization, poor air quality, climate change, and health-related issues are increasing gradually in Lahore. Therefore, the implications for the variability of air pollution need to be better understood for the improvement of air quality. So, in this article, we used aerosol robotic network (AERONET) and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) datasets along with the variability of different meteorological parameters (temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, dew point, and sea level pressure) over Lahore during 2006 to 2022. Moreover, the multi-linear regression model is used to analyse the linear relation of AERONET-retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) and particulate matter (PM2.5) with MODIS-retrieved AOD during the time period. Both AOD and PM2.5 increase gradually throughout the time period. AERONET-retrieved AOD showed a significant variability during the time period where each meteorological parameter gives a significant value (p < 0.05) except pressure (p > 0.05). The AERONET-retrieved AOD and PM2.5 give a strong positive value (0.78 and 0.63) of the coefficient of correlation. Seasonally, the value of the coefficient of correlation is observed high during summer (0.92) followed by autumn, spring, and winter. Considering the outcomes of this study, different methods like using better quality of fuel, use of public transport, plantation of trees, etc., can be employed to reduce air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) has emerged as a promising fruit crop in Ecuador, but the recent identification of rust poses a potential threat to its productive development. This study focused on elucidating the morphological aspects of the basidiomycete and assessing rust intensity across different canopy levels of physic nut hybrids and genotypes under field and semi-controlled conditions in Manabí, Ecuador. For the first time, this study confirms that Phakopsora arthuriana should be responsible for rust on physic nut in Ecuador based on the characteristics of the fungal structures. Rust incidence was 100% across all canopy layers, with the lower and middle canopies exhibiting higher severity and lesion numbers than the upper canopy. Using the Weibull nonlinear distribution model, we epidemiologically modeled disease progression, revealing that hybrid JAT 001100 displayed the highest temporal progress, recording 15% severity and an area under the disease progression curve of 3228.9 units. Promising genotypes CP-041 and CP-052 demonstrated lower rust intensity. Environmental parameters, including dew point, temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity, were correlated with rust severity and lesion numbers. In greenhouse assays, hybrid JAT 001165 showed higher severity, whereas JAT 001103 and JAT 001164 had more lesions than other genotypes. In contrast, promising genotypes CP-041 and CP-052 consistently exhibited lower rust intensity in both field and greenhouse environments. This study demonstrated that P. arthuriana could be epidemiologically modeled with the Weibull model, providing crucial insights into the dynamic interplay between rust infection and physic nut hybrids and genotypes under diverse conditions in the Manabí region of Ecuador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we evaluated the influence of outdoor environmental conditions (synoptic weather conditions) on human thermal discomfort in the five macro-regions of Pelotas city, located in the southernmost region of Brazil. To do this, meteorological sensors (HOBO MX2301A) were installed outside the residences to measure the air temperature, dew point temperature, and relative humidity between 18 January and 20 August 2019. Two well-established simplified biometeorological indices were examined seasonally: (i) humidex for the summer months and (ii) effective temperature as a function of wind for the autumn and winter months. Our findings showed seasonal differences related to human thermal discomfort and outdoor environmental conditions. The thermal discomfort was highest in the afternoons during the summer months and at night during the winter months. The seasonal variation in human thermal discomfort was highly associated with the meteorological conditions. In summer, the presence of the South Atlantic Subtropical Anticyclone (SASA) contributed to heat stress. The SASA combined with the continent's low humidity contributed to the perceived sensation of thermal discomfort. In the winter, thermal discomfort was associated with the decrease in air humidity caused by high atmospheric pressure systems, which led to a decrease in both air temperature and air moisture content. Our findings suggest that a better understanding of the complex interplay between outdoor environmental factors and human thermal comfort is needed in order to mitigate the negative effects of thermal discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The positive pressure condensation dehumidification method for humid air is proposed. • The heat and mass transfer model of the new dehumidification process is developed. • Condensation dehumidification experiments with different pressures are carried out. • Heat and mass transfer rate is about 3 times higher than that at atmospheric pressure. • Air humidity after dehumidification is less than half of that at atmospheric pressure. Air condensation dehumidification is the main dehumidification method, which dehumidifies by cooling the air temperature below its dew point temperature. The process of atmospheric condensation dehumidification requires chillers to obtain lower temperature cooling sources, which leads to reheat loss. In this paper, the positive pressure condensation dehumidification method for humid air is proposed, as the dew point temperature of air is increased with the pressure. By this way, natural cooling sources or evaporative cooling towers can be used instead of refrigeration systems for cooling and dehumidification. The heat and mass transfer model of the positive pressure condensation dehumidification process for humid air is developed, which has three parts: single droplet part, droplet growth part, and single tube condensation part. Positive pressure condensation dehumidification experiments with different pressures are carried out, and experimental results show that the model accuracy is within ± 10 %. Additionally, theoretical results indicate that the heat and mass transfer rate within the pressure range of 160–290 kPa is about 2.5–3.4 times higher than that at atmospheric pressure, and the humidity of the air after dehumidification is 15.6–10.9 g/kg, which is less than half of that at atmospheric pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfide‐based all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) have attracted wide attention due to their notable advantages in energy density and enhanced safety. However, whether or not copper (Cu) current collectors can be adopted in sulfide‐based ASSBs remains unclear, as sulfide electrolyte (SE) may react with Cu, causing premature failure of the ASSBs. Herein it is reported that in the presence of traces amount of water, e.g. in a dry room with a dew point of −50 °C, the SE reacts with water to produce H2S, which corrodes Cu to produce Cu2S, causing serious performance degradation to the ASSBs. Conversely, in an anhydrous environment (such as within a glove box), SE is virtually inert to Cu, rendering Cu a valid current collector. This study establishes the conditions that Cu can be used as the current collectors for sulfide‐based ASSBs, which provides important guidance for the industrialization of ASSBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topoclimate, orographically enhanced rain on windward slopes and leeward rain shadows, control rainfall variability in tropical mountains. Such variability may cause a substantial societal impact in populated highlands such as in Ethiopia. This study aims at understanding the rainfall diurnal cycle and the orographic driving factors over the Ethiopian highlands using the ALARO‐0 regional climate model at convection‐permitting resolution, over a period of 21 years. While the evaluation against satellite‐based observations shows a too early onset of the model diurnal cycle and a too low nocturnal rainfall, several conclusions can be drawn from the model simulations presented here. Elevation is the most important determining factor for modelled rainfall with increased average rainfall and rainfall per rainfall event towards higher elevations. Ethiopia's simulated summer rain exhibits a pronounced diurnal cycle with the highest rainfall occurring during the early afternoon hours and the minimum values occurring in the late night. Average rainfall and rainfall per rainfall event are substantially larger on the windward sides than on the leeward sides of the mountains, except during the peak hours. The diurnal cycles of temperature and humidity start earlier in the morning and recede later than the cycles of wind speed and rainfall. Moreover, rainfall peaks occur earlier in the day at higher elevations, and at night in valleys and in Afar Triangle. Rain intensities around noon on the leeward side are slightly higher than those on the windward side of the highest mountains (>3000 m). This could be due to delayed onset of cloudiness and larger morning insolation on the leeward side of the mountain, but this needs further study. The prevalence of windward over leeward rainfall, the stark contrast in wind‐speed diurnal cycle between windward and leeward slopes, and the early peak hour of surface air and dew point temperature all point towards temperature‐induced rather than wind‐induced convection. These differences are likely to determine hydrology and vegetation distribution, and farmers economy at large. Hence, the need for a way out from the 'one‐size‐fits‐all' agro‐ecosystem management approach towards a site‐specific policy that takes into account climatic differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rain acts as a triggering factor for the mass emergence of females of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (CBB), which shelter in old and unharvested berries, mainly in regions with a dry season. As they emerge from the old berries, thousands of CBB females fly out to search for and infest the coffee berries of the new crop. Very little information is available, however, about the effect microclimate on CBB or, in particular, about the interaction between the shade trees, the microclimate, and the mass emergence of CBB females. We conducted a field experiment in two Robusta coffee plots, one grown under shade trees and the other in full sun exposure. During the coffee intercropping period, when mass emergence of the CBB occurs, we set up a meteorological station to record microclimate data and installed traps to capture the females that fly out during the day, collecting caught individuals every hour. We found that female emergence increased after midday. Although more flying females were captured in the coffee plot grown under shade trees, the relationship between microclimatic variables and CBB mass emergence was similar for both shade conditions. This behavior has important implications for monitoring and pest management, because female CBB populations are more concentrated and exposed to natural and artificial mortality factors. The rainfall regime has a significant impact on the microclimate and mass emergence of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (CBB). Little is known, however, about the shade tree–microclimate–CBB mass emergence interaction. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of microclimate on the mass emergence of CBB in a full sun-exposed plot with a plot shaded by trees. The experiment was conducted on a Robusta coffee farm in southern Chiapas, Mexico. In each plot, 18 traps baited with an alcohol mixture were installed to capture flying females, collecting caught individuals every hour from 8:00 to 18:00 h. A meteorological station recorded several microclimatic variables on 13 weekly sampling dates from February to May 2022. Significantly more CBB females were captured in the shaded plot. The largest number of CBB captures was recorded between 14:00 and 16:00 h for the shade plot and between 15:00 and 17:00 h for the sun-exposed plot. The mass emergence of CBB showed a positive association with precipitation, dew point, and wind speed samples and a negative association with maximum air temperature, average relative humidity, ultraviolet radiation, wind speed, and equilibrium moisture content. Our observations show that the relationship between shade trees, microclimate, and mass emergence of CBB is complex and that its study helps us to gain deeper insight into CBB bioecology and advance control techniques against this important pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim is to solve the problem that a triethylene glycol(TEG) dehydration unit on an offshore platform could not meet the dehydration requirements. Methods Based on the actual production data, the simulation analysis of the process system was carried out by HYSYS software to found out the causes of the operation problems of the system. Results The high water content in the natural gas at the inlet of the dehydration tower is the main factor affecting the effect of the dehydration system. Both the inlet filter separator and the reboiler should be considered in the transformation plan. Combined with the actual situation of the platform, the transformation scheme was finally determined to replace the inlet filter separator filter element and the electric heater of reboiler. After the transformation, the dew point of dry gas water at gauge pressure of 5.2 MPa was reduced from 6 ℃ to -23 ℃ which achieved the expected effect and reserved the operation space for subsequent expansion. Conclusions The reason why the processing capacity of the TEG dehydration unit on the offshore platform cannot reach the design value might be that the performance of the inlet filter separator was not up to standard, which leads to the excessive water content of the natural gas at the inlet of the dehydration tower. It was suggested that the processing index of the inlet filter separator should be strictly controlled during the process design of the TEG dehydration unit, and the TEG dehydration device should be matched according to the treatment index of the inlet filter separator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last 15 years, more than 2700 meteorites have been recovered and officially classified from the Atacama Desert. Although the number of meteorites collected in the Atacama has risen, the physical and climatic properties of the dense collection areas (DCAs) have not been fully characterized. In this article, we compiled the published data of all classified meteorites found in the Atacama Desert to (i) describe the distribution by meteorite groups, (ii) compare the weathering degree of chondrites among different Atacama DCAs and other hot and cold deserts, and (iii) determine the preservation conditions of chondrites in the main Atacama DCAs in relation with the local climatic conditions. The 35 DCAs so far identified in the Atacama Desert are located in three main morphotectonic units: The Coastal Range (CR), Central Depression (CD), and Pre‐Andean Range/Basement. A comparison with reported weathering data from other cold and hot deserts indicates that the mean terrestrial weathering of Atacama chondrites (W1–2), displays less alteration than other hot deserts (W2–3) and resembles the weathering distribution of the Antarctic meteorites (W1–2). The highest abundance of Atacama chondrites with low weathering (≤W2) is localized in the CD (78.8%, N = 1435), which is protected from the coastal fog influence and seasonal rainfalls and displays the oldest surfaces in the Atacama Desert. The morphogenetic classification based on present‐day temperatures and precipitations of the main Atacama DCAs reveals similar regional/subregional climatic conditions in the most productive areas and a truly productive surface for meteorite recovery between 5% and 58% of the quadrangles formally defined for each Atacama DCA. Our morphogenetic classification lacks consideration of some meteorological parameters such as the coastal fog, so it cannot fully explain the differences in weathering patterns among CR chondrites. Future studies of chondrite preservation in the Atacama DCAs should consider other meteorological variables such as relative humidity, specific humidity, or dew point, in combination with exposure ages of meteorites and its surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In gas condensate reservoirs, the dew point pressure (PDew) plays a significant role in gas and liquid assessment, reservoir characterisation, surface facility design, and reservoir simulation. Although field and laboratory measurements of PDew give accurate results, both approaches are time-consuming and resource-intensive; hence, a fast and accurate determination of PDew is very important. Equation of states (EoS) and empirical correlations are other alternative methods that are used for PDew determination. However, these methods are unable to fully capture the non-linear and complex relationships between fluid composition and PDew. Machine Learning (ML) methods, as reliable tools, have emerged in different aspects of engineering. In this study, for the first time, the application of different decision tree-based methods for the prediction of PDew is investigated. A comprehensive database, containing 681 samples (almost all the available experimental data set of pure and impure samples published from 1942 to 2018), is collected from open literature and different decision tree-based methods namely Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting (GB), and Extremely Randomised Tree (ET) are used for modelling. The statistical analysis of developed models' performance showed that the ET method yields the best predictions by Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and R2 values of 441 psi and 0.9227, respectively for the testing dataset. Moreover, the results show that the novel ET model has a better performance compared with existing models in the literature and EoSs for the prediction of PDew of gas condensate reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polymer desiccant wheel with high water uptake and low regeneration temperature is studied. • Polymer's adsorption capacity of 1.15 g kg−1 at 90 %RH is five times that of silica gel. • Polymer's desorption rate coefficient is 1.32–1.64 times that of silica gel at 40–70 °C heat sources. • The maximum ∆ Y and DCOP of the polymer desiccant wheel are 4.0 g kg−1 and 0.66, respectively. • Polymer desiccant wheel offers a promising measure for ultra-low dew point humidity control. Desiccant wheels have been widely used in humidity control, particularly under conditions with ultra-low dew point temperatures. However, traditional desiccants such as silica gel and zeolites are subject to relatively low adsorption capacity and high regeneration temperature. To address these challenges, a type of polymer material with high water uptake and low regeneration temperature is investigated in this paper. Firstly, the adsorption/desorption capacity of this polymer is thoroughly tested. Results reveal that its remarkable equilibrium adsorption capacity and desorption rate coefficients k LDF,de are 350% and 32–64% higher than that of silica gel, respectively. Moreover, its required regeneration temperature is just about 40–70 °C. The performance of the desiccant wheel using this polymer is simulated by a model validated by experiments tests. Parameter analysis demonstrates that the desiccant wheel is suitable for cool and humid conditions, reaching the maximum moisture removal (∆ Y) and dehumidification coefficient of performance (DCOP) of 4.0 g kg−1 and 0.66, respectively. Furthermore, the corresponding relationship between other parameters and the optimal rotation speed is discussed in detail. The ω opt is around 18 rph, enabling the attainment of the highest ∆ Y. Finally, the performance comparison with a traditional silica gel desiccant wheel is carried out. The results indicate that the polymer one performs 17–53.9% higher in terms of both ∆ Y and DCOP than the silica gel counterpart. And the most significant improvement is observed in low relative humidity conditions (45%RH), where ∆ Y and DCOP are 1.25–1.53 times that of the silica gel's, highlighting the advantageous utilization of the polymer material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO 2 -based binary mixtures have good performance and environmental friendliness, which are considered a good choice for working fluid in cooling and power cycles. Analyzing the properties of the vapor-liquid equilibrium is used to calculate the enthalpy and entropy of the dew and bubble point, which are fundamental parameters of thermodynamics. In this study, we measure the vapor-liquid equilibrium experimental data of CO 2 -propylene mixture by static thermostatic analysis experimental system. The working fluids in this state are repeatedly collected from the equilibrium cell to the gas chromatograph by the two electromagnetic capillary samplers to analyze the molar fractions. The maximum pressure deviation and maximum relative pressure deviation of the saturation vapor pressure of propylene are -0.004 MPa and -0.38%, respectively. We measure 5 sets of isotherms from 283.73 to 323.72 K, two of which are supercritical temperatures (313.73 K and 323.72 K). The pressure is up to about 6.4 MPa. The standard experimental uncertainties of mole fractions, pressure, and temperature are within 0.004, 0.002 MPa, and 0.06 K, respectively. The association model (the Peng-Robinso equation incorporating the Wong-Sandler mixing rule and the Non-Random Two-Liquid model) is used to fit the obtained vapor-liquid equilibrium data. The value of the average absolute relative deviation of pressure (AARD p) and the average absolute deviation of vapor phase molar fractions of component 1 (AAD y 1) is 0.29 % and 0.0062, respectively. The relative volatility under the five isotherms is also calculated, and most of the experimental data were within ± 5 % deviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Standard of China has recommended the typical meteorological year (TMY) method for assessing solar energy resources. Compared with the widely adopted multi-year averaging (MYA) methods, the TMY method can consider the year-to-year variations of weather conditions and characterize solar radiation under climatological weather conditions. However, there are very few TMY-based solar energy assessments on the scale of China. On the national scale, the difference between the TMY and MYA methods, the requirement of the data record length, and the impacts of the selection of meteorological variables on the TMY-based assessment are still unclear. This study aims to fill these gaps by assessing mainland China's solar energy resources using the TMY method and China Meteorological Forcing Dataset. The results show that the data record length could significantly influence annual total solar radiation estimation when the record length is shorter than 30 years. Whereas, the estimation becomes stable when the length is greater or equal to 30 years, suggesting a thirty-year data record is preferred. The difference between the MYA and TMY methods is exhibited primarily in places with modest or low abundance of solar radiation. The difference is nearly independent of the examined data record lengths, hinting at the role of regional-specific weather characteristics. The TMY and MYA methods differ more pronounced when assessing the seasonal stability grade. A total of 7.4% of the area of China experiences a downgrade from the TMY relative to the MYA methods, while a 3.15% area experiences an upgrade. The selection of the meteorological variables has a notable impact on the TMY-based assessment. Among the three meteorological variables examined, wind speed has the most considerable impact on both the annual total and seasonal stability, dew point has the second most significant impact, and air temperature has the least. The results are useful for guiding future research on solar energy assessment in China and could be helpful for solar energy development planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Short-term temperature variability, defined as the temperature range occurring within a short time span at a given location, appears to be increasing with climate change. Such variation in temperature may influence acute health outcomes, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Most research on temperature variability has focused on the impact of within-day diurnal temperature range, but temperature variability over a period of a few days may also be health-relevant through its impact on thermoregulation and autonomic cardiac functioning. To address this research gap, this study utilized a database of emergency department (ED) visits for a variety of cardiovascular health outcomes over a 27-year period to investigate the influence of three-day temperature variability on CVD. Methods: For the period of 1993–2019, we analyzed over 12 million CVD ED visits in Atlanta using a Poisson log-linear model with overdispersion. Temperature variability was defined as the standard deviation of the minimum and maximum temperatures during the current day and the previous two days. We controlled for mean temperature, dew point temperature, long-term time trends, federal holidays, and day of week. We stratified the analysis by age group, season, and decade. Results: All cardiovascular outcomes assessed, except for hypertension, were positively associated with increasing temperature variability, with the strongest effects observed for stroke and peripheral vascular disease. In stratified analyses, adverse associations with temperature variability were consistently highest in the moderate-temperature season (October and March-May) and in the 65 + age group for all outcomes. Conclusions: Our results suggest that CVD morbidity is impacted by short-term temperature variability, and that patients aged 65 and older are at increased risk. These effects were more pronounced in the moderate-temperature season and are likely driven by the Spring season in Atlanta. Public health practitioners and patient care providers can use this knowledge to better prepare patients during seasons with high temperature variability or ahead of large shifts in temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological complexity of urban environments results in a high spatial and temporal variability of the urban microclimate. The consequent demand for highly-resolution atmospheric data remains a challenge for atmospheric research and operational application. The recent widespread availability and increasing adoption of low-cost mobile sensing offers the opportunity to integrate observations from conventional monitoring networks with microclimatic and air pollution data at a finer spatial and temporal scale. So far, the relatively low quality of the measurements and outdoor performance compared to conventional instrumentation has discouraged the full deployment of mobile sensors for routine monitoring. The present study addresses the performance of a commercial mobile sensor, the MeteoTracker (IoTopon Srl), recently launched on the market to quantify the microclimatic characteristics of the outdoor environment. The sensor follows the philosophy of the Internet of Things technology, being low cost, having an automatic data flow via personal smartphones and online data sharing, supporting user-friendly software, and having the potential to be deployed in large quantities. In this paper, the outdoor performance is evaluated through tests aimed at quantifying (i) the intra-sensor variability under similar atmospheric conditions and (ii) the outdoor accuracy compared to a reference weather station under sub-optimal (in fixed location) and optimal (mobile) sensor usage. Data-driven corrections are developed and successfully applied to improve the MeteoTracker data quality. In particular, a recursive method for the simultaneous improvement of relative humidity, dew point, and humidex index proves crucial for increasing the data quality. The resultsmark an intra-sensor variability in the range of±0.5℃ for air temperature and±1.2%for the corrected relative humidity, both within the declared sensor accuracy. The sensor captures the same atmospheric variability as the reference sensor during both fixed and mobile tests, showing positive biases (overestimation) for both variables. Through the mobile test, the outdoor accuracy is observed between ±0.3℃ to ±0.5℃ for air temperature, between ±3% and ±5% for the relative humidity, ranking the MeteoTracker in the real accuracy range of similar commercial sensors from the literature and making it a valid solution for atmospheric monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supersonic separation technology is a cutting-edge method for efficient dehydration and hydrocarbon removal, yet challenges arise from the intricate flow dynamics within a supersonic nozzle. To address these challenges, a novel cascade drainage structure is proposed in this paper, combining the high swirl intensity of flush-type drainage with the extended drainage section, larger opening area, and reduced flow velocity of cylindrical drainage with oblique openings. Through comprehensive physical modeling and numerical analysis, this design is shown to enhance separation performance and mitigate fluid blockage within the nozzle. Through physical modeling and numerical analysis, we demonstrate its effectiveness in enhancing separation and mitigating fluid blockage. Experimental results confirm the cascade drainage structure's superiority, particularly at an optimal pressure ratio (${R_{np}}$ R np = 1.4). Ethanol vapor removal rate (${\delta _{steam}}$ δ steam ) and dew point drop ($\Delta {T_d}$ Δ T d ) reach 53.94% and 18.32°C, respectively, surpassing alternatives. Maintaining a 2 mm discharge clearance yields an outstanding dry gas ratio of approximately 85%. The findings contribute to advancements in dehydration and hydrocarbon removal processes, showcasing the potential for enhanced performance in supersonic separation technology within a concise framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dew point pressure plays a critical role in developing gas condensate reservoirs. It is a crucial factor used in fluid characterisation, performance estimation of gas reservoirs, and design of production systems. However, the composition of gas condensate fluid varies from one location to another, and thus, empirical correlations have been developed to determine the dew point pressure without conducting routine tests. As a result, correlations that are solely useful in the region where they were developed and analysed are developed. This work developed an empirical correlation using data from gas condensate wells in the Niger Delta using multiple linear regression. The model was developed using the Analytical Tools and techniques in Microsoft Excel. To develop the model, we utilised 63 data sets from the Constant Volume Depletion (CVD) experiment, which involved gas condensates from resources in the Niger Delta. The model comprises an empirical correlation that estimates the dew point pressure for gas condensate reservoirs. It uses compositional information of the fluid and reservoir temperature as input parameters. The correlation is derived through multiple regression analyses. Comparing the prediction accuracy of formulas based on the developed model and other conventional methods indicated that this model is more accurate than other statistical methods in predicting DPP within the Niger Delta region. This model can produce more accurate results than other estimation methods when working under limited field information and time constraints. The correlation developed in this process has a coefficient of determination of R2=0.869 and an Average Absolute Relative Error (AARE) of -2.0767%, along with a root mean square of 195279, indicating a high level of reliability in the proposed correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of climatic conditions and supplementation based on palm kernel cake, on the thermoregulation of crossbred buffaloes in the eastern Amazon. Over a 12-month period, 24 female buffaloes with an initial age of 54 ± 7 months and an average weight of 503.1 ± 23 kg were divided into four groups with different levels of palm kernel cake supplementation relative to body weight. The animals were kept in Brachiaria brizantha pastures with access to water and mineral salt. Supplementation did not influence the physiological variables of thermoregulation. Throughout the year, mean values of rectal temperature, respiratory rate and body surface temperature were higher in the afternoon (p > 0.05). Supplementation with palm cake did not result in influences on the thermoregulation of buffaloes in the study region. The respiratory rate showed an association with the annual seasonality of temperatures, with higher averages in the afternoons of the rainy season. The positive correlation between the rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and body surface temperature indicates that buffaloes respond to atmospheric thermal elevations (afternoon period), which is reflected in increasing thermal indices. In ruminants, diet composition has a positive correlation with heat production, which can influence thermoregulation, energy expenditure and, consequently, animal performance. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of climatic conditions and supplementation based on palm kernel cake, on the thermoregulation of crossbred buffaloes in the eastern Amazon. The research was carried out at Embrapa Amazônia Oriental (01°26′ S and 48°24′ W), Belém, Pará, and lasted 12 months (representing the entire year). Twenty-four buffaloes, females, with initial age and an average weight of 54 ± 7 months and 503.1 ± 23 kg, respectively, non-pregnant, non-lactating and clinically healthy were used, divided into four treatments based on the supplementation content of the palm cake (%DM) in relation to their body weight (%): 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0. The animals were kept in paddocks with Brachiaria brizantha (cv. Marandu), in a rotating system, with water to drink and mineral salt ad libitum. Equipment was installed to record environmental data (temperature and relative humidity, dew point temperature, wet bulb and black globe) and physiological data: rectal temperature (RT); respiratory rate (RR); and body surface temperature (BST), recorded twice a day, always in the morning (6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.) and afternoon (12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.) shifts, and were used to calculate the Globe Temperature and Humidity Index (GTHI). Supplementation did not influence the physiological variables of thermoregulation (p > 0.05). However, there were differences in the GTHI between the shifts, with higher means in the afternoon shift, especially in the less rainy period of the year, where the GTHI reached 92.06 ± 2.74 (p < 0.05). In all periods of the year, the mean values of RT, RR and BST were higher in the afternoon shift (p > 0.05). The respiratory rate (RR) is associated with the annual seasonality of the thermal waters, with higher averages in the afternoons of the rainy season. The positive correlation for rectal temperature, respiratory rate and body surface temperature indicated that buffaloes respond to thermal elevations in the atmosphere (afternoon period) and, consequently, reflect on the GTHI. Supplementation does not influence thermoregulation; the changes observed occurred in response to the region's thermal and rainfall conditions (mainly in the afternoon shift), with higher GTHI values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim is to solve the problem that a triethylene glycol (TEG) dehydration unit on an offshore platform could not meet the dehydration requirements. Methods Based on the actual production data, the simulation analysis of the process system was carried out by HYSYS software to found out the causes of the operation problems of the system. Results The high water content in the natural gas at the inlet of the dehydration tower is the main factor affecting the effect of the dehydration system. Both the inlet filter separator and the reboiler should be considered in the transformation plan. Combined with the actual situation of the platform, the transformation scheme was finally determined to replace the inlet filter separator filter element and the electric heater of reboiler. After the transformation, the dew point of dry gas water at gauge pressure of 5.2 MPa was reduced from 6 ℃ to -23 ℃ which achieved the expected effect and reserved the operation space for subsequent expansion. Conclusions The reason why the processing capacity of the TEG dehydration unit on the offshore platform cannot reach the design value might be that the performance of the inlet filter separator was not up to standard, which leads to the excessive water content of the natural gas at the inlet of the dehydration tower. It was suggested that the processing index of the inlet filter separator should be strictly controlled during the process design of the TEG dehydration unit, and the TEG dehydration device should be matched according to the treatment index of the inlet filter separator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid electrolytes with a low melting temperature are promising for the all-solid-state lithium batteries because such electrolytes enable the battery fabrication without high-temperature sintering (for example, ~ 1000 °C for oxide materials). In this study, a series of LiOH-Li2SO4 systems with different LiOH/Li2SO4 ratios is fabricated by melting LiOH and Li2SO4 at 430 °C, and their ion conduction properties are investigated. The stoichiometric compounds are obtained in 2.2LiOH‧Li2SO4 without segregation of LiOH and Li2SO4, which is rather different from the previously known composition (3LiOH‧Li2SO4). The deviation from this LiOH/Li2SO4 fraction results in a segregation of LiOH or Li2SO4. The conductivities of 2.2LiOH‧Li2SO4 with 5 mol% of Li3BO3 are 1.9 × 10−6 and 6.0 × 10−3 S/cm at 25 and 150 °C, respectively. The all-solid-state batteries are fabricated by hot pressing the solid electrolyte with Li(Ni0.3Co0.6Mn0.1)O2 (cathode) and graphite (anode) at 250 °C under 150 MPa. The contacts of the solid electrolyte with Li(Ni0.3Co0.6Mn0.1)O2 and graphite are intimate, and the by-products are not found at the interphase. The discharge capacities of 80 mAh/g are obtained for 100 cycles at 150 °C when the charging voltage is restricted to 3.95 V. The results of cyclic voltammetry measurement indicate the reductive decomposition of the solid electrolyte at 2.3 and 1.6 V. These reduction currents are decreased with cycling, suggesting the passivation of the anode interphase. On the other hand, the oxidation current is observed above 3.6 V which is not terminated during voltage cycling. In the battery fabrication process, high-temperature sintering is not necessary, and the dense contacts with electrode materials can be made by hot pressing at 250 °C. Furthermore, the batteries are constructed in a dry room where the dew point is maintained at − 40 °C. The present results suggest the potential of the LiOH-Li2SO4 as the solid electrolyte for all-solid-state lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliable early detection of dew condensation can efficiently protect target solid surfaces from numerous negative effects such as surface fogging and corrosion. Achieving this goal beneficially requires a specially designed moisture sensor whose surface needs to be thermally identical with the target surface via a thermal conductor. However, the effect of the geometrical shape of the thermal conductor on the thermal conduction process is yet to be experimentally emphasized. In this study, we examined the potential detection of dew condensation events at our recently developed moisture sensor chip (MSC) under an effective control of its surface temperature via an attachment with Al-based thermal conductors. Precise and practical dew condensation detections were carried out in a multi-step and a one-step temperature-controlling modes, respectively. The experimental results revealed that the MSC response current (as a measure of dew condensation detection) increased when its surface temperature was dropped below the dew point. Moreover, the geometrical shape of thermal conductor attached to the backside of MSC can affect its thermal resistivity leading to a remarkable improvement in dew condensation detection. Therefore, it can be concluded that the geometrically designed thermal conductor can work effectively to minimize the temperature difference between MSC and target surface. This finding is believed to enable MSC to detect the target surface condition precisely in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vertically integrated horizontal vapour transport (IVT) accompanied by westerlies and southwesterlies mainly contributes as a distant source of moisture to the seasonal precipitation (PR). The moisture transport and PR patterns across the eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, northern Sub‐Himalayan West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh) are strongly modulated by the orographic setup, local land‐atmospheric factors and teleconnection with climate indices of the Indian and Pacific oceans. This study elaborates on the changing patterns of PR and IVT, changes in IVT contribution to the seasonal PR under the nonstationary framework and evaluates the nonlinear dependency on local and distant drivers with piecewise regression model. Asymmetries in significant seasonal trends are conspicuous due to multi‐altitude interactions. Strong declining trend over Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is evident for PR with concurrent rising trend over the Meghalaya plateau. The IVT signals show a significant decline in post‐monsoon (October and November) and winter (December to February) across Assam Plain. The increase in mean IVT contributes significantly to seasonal PR. Significant decline in the contribution of heavy IVT to winter PR is observed over Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and part of Assam. Surface 2 m temperature and net thermal radiation exhibit contrasting influence on seasonal PR. IVT shows mainly positive association with surface 2 m dew point temperature and latent heat flux across the eastern Himalayas. NINO3.4 index exhibits strong negative influence on post‐monsoon PR. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation is strongly associated with summer (March to May) PR. Monsoon (June to September) IVT is negatively influenced by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation over the Sub‐Himalayan West Bengal, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. The Southern Oscillation Index is negatively linked with summer IVT. The combination of local driving forces mainly controls the seasonal PR and IVT across all seasons. Besides, distant drivers are prominent in monsoon and post‐monsoon. This study reveals insights into recent changes of PR and IVT, their contribution to seasonal water resources in the eastern Himalayas and the controlling strength of local land‐atmosphere feedback mechanism and distant land‐ocean coupling drivers under nonstationary climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meteorological factors like air and dew point temperature and relative humidity levels influence a pavement surface's response to rapidly increasing air temperature combined with freezing conditions. This scenario can result in black ice. Black ice is dangerous due to its thinness and transparency. Understanding the conditions for black ice development benefits winter pavement maintenance by limiting chemical overuse and forming a basis for warning systems. However, limited experimental data on this weather scenario exists. A fully instrumented model column was built using soil and a concrete pavement slab obtained from the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) airport. The column duplicated the airport pavement structure and subgrade. The system was placed in a freezer box and wrapped in insulation. The weather scenarios simulated historic airport weather involving freezing temperatures followed by rapid temperature increases and high relative humidity. After multiple baseline tests, two successfully replicated the rapid temperature increase scenario. The formation of frost on the pavement surface occurred 40 min after condensation developed combined with a surface temperature of −2°C and dew point temperatures above 0°C. The results of this study provide insight into frost development on pavement and is useful in implementing proactive winter pavement maintenance for black ice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop pests reduce productivity, so managing them through early detection and prevention is essential. Data from various modalities are being used to predict crop diseases by applying machine learning methodology. In particular, because growth environment data is relatively easy to obtain, many attempts are made to predict pests and diseases using it. In this paper, we propose a model that predicts diseases through previous growth environment information of crops, including air temperature, relative humidity, dew point, and CO2 concentration, using deep learning techniques. Using large-scale public data on crops of strawberry, pepper, grape, tomato, and paprika, we showed the model can predict the risk score of crop pests and diseases. It showed high predictive performance with an average AUROC of 0.917, and based on the predicted results, it can help prevent pests or post-processing. This environmental data-based crop disease prediction model and learning framework are expected to be universally applicable to various facilities and crops for disease/pest prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of gas-condensate reservoirs, the phase behavior of gas condensate undergoes continuous changes. The phase behavior of gas condensate in PVT cylinders is different from that in fractured-vuggy gas-condensate reservoirs because multiscale pore structures can affect the phase behavior. By vuggy, we mean the formation of a reservoir contains cavity structures. To elucidate the influence of fractured-vuggy porous media on phase behavior of gas condensate, a microfluidic chip and a fractured-vuggy carbonate sample were prepared for pressure depletion experiments. The phase behavior of gas condensate in the chip during depressurization was observed via brightfield optical microscopy. The real-time computed tomography scanning was used to analyze pore structure of the sample and to obtain the phase behavior of gas condensate under different pressures. The results showed that the dew point pressure of the gas condensate was increased from 12.0 MPa in PVT cylinders to 14.8 MPa in nanochannels of the chip. The condensate liquid appeared in micropores at 14.4 MPa. The change of the average radius, coordination number, and tortuosity of condensate liquid ganglia were calculated and analyzed using pore network models. The shape factor and the Euler number were used to classify the condensate liquid into four types including clustered, branched, membranous, and droplets ganglia. The condensate liquid was generally distributed as clustered ganglia. This study provided evidence of the effect of fractured-vuggy porous media on phase behavior of gas condensate and clarified that the phase behavior of gas condensate varies in multi-scale pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vapor/liquid equilibria of mixtures are of utmost importance in the design of chemical processes. Because of the combinatorial complexity of mixtures, the available experimental data are small when considering the large molecular space. To fill this knowledge gap, molecular equations of state like PCP-SAFT show promise due to their explicit consideration of intermolecular interactions that can be transferred to mixtures. In this work, we comprehensively assess and exploit PCP-SAFT for modeling phase equilibria of mixtures. First, we provide binary interaction parameters for 7861 binary systems for which pure-component parameters and experimental data are available. Bubble and dew point pressures are described with a median deviation of 2.3 %. Secondly, we adjust a matrix of binary group/group interaction parameters for the homosegmented and heterosegmented group-contribution (GC) methods for PCP-SAFT. Among 1389 mixtures that can be described with the GC methods, the median deviation in bubble and dew point pressures are 6.4 % for the homosegmented approach and 5.1 % for the heterosegmented approach. The detailed analysis shows the importance of hydrogen bonds in mixtures of non-self-associating components with self-associating components. The parametrization is only possible by introducing a fast numerical method to calculate the derivative of bubble and dew point pressures with respect to arbitrarily many model parameters. The approach leverages reverse mode automatic differentiation (backpropagation), the same method used in machine learning to regress millions of model parameters to large datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective GB/T 17283-2014 is an important test method for measuring the dew point in natural gas and similar gases. At present, the standard does not stipulate the precision of the measurement results. This study determines the precision index of the dew point results, which provides the consistency evaluation basis for the users of the standard, and also can provide technical reference for revising the standard. Methods Using eight dew point instruments with different instrument manufacturers and models, the precision test is carried out through testing water-gas standard substance dew points under different pressure. Referring to the repeatability standard deviation of the determination results provided by the Russian standard GOST 20060-2021 Determination of water dew point temperature of natural gas, the precision index of the results of water dew point measured by cooling mirror condensate hygrometer was studied and determined. Results The limits of repeatability and reproducibility of measurement results are specified according to the measurement range of water dew point. The water dew point is -40.0 ℃≤tB≤-30.0 ℃, the limit of repeatability is ≤2.0 ℃, and the limit of reproducibility is ≤3.0 ℃. The dew point of water is -30.0 ℃

Every year, frost causes the loss of many agricultural products. There is numerous equipment to protect plants against frost. Late turning on these equipment causes inefficiency in raising the air temperature, and early turning them on will increases energy consumption and costs. Therefore, accurately forecasting frost is crucial for turning on the equipment on time. In this research, an intelligent radiation frost forecasting and warning system (IFFS) based on the Internet of Things (IoT) technology was designed and constructed. This system comprises a wireless sensor, computing, and intelligent forecasting based on deep learning methods and warning announcements to the farmer by a message. Intelligent forecasting based on forecasting dew point temperature for the next three hours according to the in-situ measurement of temperature and relative humidity of the air. The meteorological data of the studied regain from 2011-2021 were used to train the network. The IFFS Performance was evaluated. Based on the obtained results, the system accuracy in measuring temperature and relative humidity of the air was 99% and 98%, respectively. The F-score of the IFFS obtained 96%, and the system accuracy in the warning announcement obtained 100%. Finally, applying the IFFS for better protection of plants is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four meteorological components (geopotential height Z, air temperature T, dew point temperature Td, and relative humidity RH) collected from ERA-5 and ERA-Interim were compared with the observations of nine radiosonde stations with different climatic changes, at different isobaric levels (850, 700, 500, and 200 hPa) during the period 2000–2017, in order to assess the accuracy of the aforementioned reanalysis datasets. The results showed that both reanalysis datasets have a strong correlation with the observed variables, except with dew point temperature and relative humidity in the upper troposphere. The mean values of geopotential height and temperature from both grid dataset are generally consistent with the radiosonde values, whereas considerable bias in the mean Td and RH exists and increases upwards. The study clearly proved that the reanalysis datasets can be used to compensate for the lack of radiosonde observation. Furthermore, air temperature (during 1959–2021) showed an increasing trend from the surface to the lower troposphere, while the temperature decreased in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Finally in this study, the impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI) on the air temperature was also examined, and a negative relationship was found between NAOI and temperature at the levels: surface, 850, 700, and 500 hPa, while a positive relationship was found, only in winter, at 200 hPa. At the level of 100 hPa, the correlation is positive for both seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce the impact of outdoor extreme weather events on crop production in winter, energy saving in greenhouses that are regularly heated is of great importance in reducing production costs and carbon footprints. For this purpose, the variations in indoor temperature, relative humidity and dew point temperature in the vertical direction (2 m, 4 m, 5.7 m) of thermal curtains in greenhouses were determined. In addition, depending on the fuel used, the curtains' effects on heat energy consumption, heat transfer coefficient, carbon dioxide equivalents released to the atmosphere and fuel cost were investigated. To reach this goal, two greenhouses with the same structural features were designed with and without thermal curtains. As a result of the study, the indoor temperature and relative humidity values in the greenhouse with a thermal curtain increased by 1.3 °C and 10% compared to the greenhouse without a thermal curtain. Thermal curtains in the greenhouse significantly reduced fuel use (59.14–74.11 m3·night−1). Considering the heat energy consumption, the average heat energy consumption was 453.7 kWh·night−1 in the greenhouse with a curtain, while it was 568.6 kWh·night−1 in the greenhouse without a curtain. The average heat transfer coefficient (U) values were calculated at 2.87 W·m−2 °C with a thermal curtain and 3.63 W·m−2 °C without a thermal curtain greenhouse. In the greenhouse, closing the thermal curtain at night resulted in heat energy savings of about 21%, related to the decrease in U values. The use of a thermal curtain in the greenhouse reduced the amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere (116.6–146.1 kg·night−1) and fuel cost (USD 21.3–26.7·night−1). To conclude, extreme weather events in the outdoor environment adversely affect the plants grown in greenhouses where cultivation is performed out of season. A thermal curtain, used to reduce these adverse effects and the amount of energy consumed, is essential in improving indoor climate conditions, providing more economical greenhouse management and reducing the CO2 released into the atmosphere due to fuel use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main visibility forecast factors were identified with the support of data from routine meteorological observations from the Mianyang Airport and the Mianyang Environmental Monitoring Station from 2015 to 2018, and a visibility grading forecast model was established and tested by dint of the multiple linear regression and the KNN algorithm based on big data mining technology, and the variation characteristics of visibility in winter at the Mianyang Airport were studied. The results showed that (1) in addition to having a significant positive correlation with wind speed, the visibility in winter at the Mianyang Airport has a significant negative correlation with relative humidity, dew point temperature, AQI, PM2.5 concentration, PM10 concentration, and CO, and it has the strongest correlation with relative humidity, and the correlation coefficient is −0.76. (2) The multivariate linear regression model and the KNN model were adopted for grading forecasting experiments on visibility, and the results revealed that both models could be used for visibility grading forecasts. The multiple regression model secures an accuracy of over 70% for forecasts of level 1–5 visibility. In terms of the KNN model, the forecast accuracy is the best when K = 3 or K = 5, notably for level-2, level-4, and level-5 visibility. The forecast accuracy rate is 100% for level-2 visibility, but the forecast for level-1 visibility is poor. (3) The minimum value of the average daily visibility of the Mianyang Airport in winter appeared at 09 : 00 and the maximum value appeared at 17 : 00. The level-1 visibility occurred and developed before 09 : 00 and faded and vanished between 08 : 00 and 15 : 00. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic solid electrolytes (SEs), such as sulfides and halides, are crucial for developing practical all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) owing to their high ionic conductivities and mechanical sinterabilities. However, their sensitivity to humid air necessitates stringent dry‐room conditions during processing, which increases production costs. This study demonstrates that ultrathin (≈5 nm) superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or fluorinated PDMS (F‐PDMS) protective layers can enhance the stability of air‐sensitive sulfide (Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl)) and halide (Li2.5Zr0.5In0.5Cl6) SEs in ASSBs. The (F)‐PDMS coatings are applied using a scalable, straightforward vapor‐phase deposition process, achieving high Li+ conductivity retention (92%, from 2.5 to 2.3 mS cm−1 at 30 °C). The protective layers effectively inhibit LPSCl degradation under practically relevant dry room conditions (dew point of −50 °C or −10 °C): e.g., from 2.3 to 0.97 mS cm−1 for PDMS‐coated LPSCl versus from 2.5 to 0.57 mS cm−1 for bare LPSCl. Surprisingly, the superhydrophobic coatings facilitate the recovery of Li+ conductivity via vacuum heat treatment. This new phenomenon, known as regeneration, is achieved by the facile elimination of adsorbed water. Furthermore, the regenerated (F)‐PDMS‐coated LPSCl demonstrates significant performance in NCM||Li‐In ASSB cells. These findings suggest that superhydrophobic (F)‐PDMS coatings are a promising solution for practical all‐solid‐state technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]