Search

Not long after the Colonia Copia Felix Munatia Lugdunum, in present day Lyon, France, was founded in 43 BCE by Lucius Munantius Plancus on the 300 m high Fourvière hill overlooking the Saone and Rhône rivers and the plains to the north and east, it became the capital of the Gallia provinces, growing to be with some 50,000 inhabitants the largest town in Gaul. In the early days, the colonia on the west valleys surrounded Fourvière hill and depended on local springs, wells, and rain cisterns for its water provision, which soon became insufficient for the growing city. A first aqueduct was constructed in 20 BCE, bringing waters from a spring some 10 km north of the town. In the decades to follow, another three aqueducts were added. All of the aqueducts were equipped with one or more pressure lines and installations of (inverted) siphons, totaling nine, to cross valleys that were thought too deep or too wide for a bridge. Today, the Métropole de Lyon counts over a million inhabitants; it is after Paris and Marseille the third largest town in France. Since 1998, Lyon has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, among others, because of the historic architecture in its urban settlements over 2000 years of age. This manuscript recounts the history and present remains of the four aqueducts and their nine extraordinary siphons, and is dedicated to Dr. Jean Burdy, who, with his team over many years of research of earlier literature and of investigations and discoveries of the physical remains of valley sites, produced a great number of publications saving the Lyon aqueducts from oblivion and leading to restorations in recent times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine the impact of the digital economy on urban entrepreneurship and its spatial spillover effects. To achieve this purpose, this research relies on data from 252 prefecture-level cities in China from 2012 to 2019. The findings demonstrate that the development of the digital economy has a positive influence on entrepreneurial activity in cities, with particularly effects observed robust at higher quantile levels. Additionally, the results suggest that urban entrepreneurial activity may be a siphoning effect, impeding entrepreneurship in neighboring cities. Furthermore, further investigation shows regional and policy heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To experimentally measure renal pelvis pressure (PRP) in an ureteroscopic model when applying a simple hydrodynamic principle, the siphoning effect. Methods: A 9.5Fr disposable ureteroscope was inserted into a silicone kidney-ureter model with its tip positioned at the renal pelvis. Irrigation was delivered through the ureteroscope at 100 cm above the renal pelvis. A Y-shaped adapter was fitted onto the model's renal pelvis port, accommodating a pressure sensor and a 4 Fr ureteral access catheter (UAC) through each limb. The drainage flowrate through the UAC tip was measured for 60 s each run. The distal tip of the UAC was placed at various heights below or above the center of the renal pelvis to create a siphoning effect. All trials were performed in triplicate for two lengths of 4Fr UACs: 100 cm and 70 cm (modified from 100 cm). Results: PRP was linearly dependent on the height difference from the center of the renal pelvis to the UAC tip for both tested UAC lengths. In our experimental setting, PRP can be reduced by 10 cmH20 simply by lowering the distal tip of a 4 Fr 70 cm UAC positioned alongside the ureteroscope by 19.7 cm. When using a 4 Fr 100 cm UAC, PRP can drop 10 cmH20 by lowering the distal tip of the UAC 23.3 cm below the level of the renal pelvis. Conclusion: Implementing the siphoning effect for managing PRP during ureteroscopy could potentially enhance safety and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the well-preserved Ediacaran sack-like soft-bodied fossils assigned as Finkoella ukrainica and Finkoella oblonga from the Sonia Formation of the Jodhpur Group, Marwar Supergroup, western Rajasthan, India. The F. ukrainica is found in elliptical, ovate-shaped and sometimes oblong or cucumber-shaped forms with a distinct short neck, and a small circular protrusion or depression may be present on the organism. F. oblonga is elongated, ovate to cucumber-shaped fossil specimen with poorly preserved six longitudinal low grooves and ridges arranged parallel to the marginal ridges of the organism. Both F. ukrainica and F. oblonga are also well comparable to the type materials of Ukraine in the preservation of concave (negative relief) and convex (positive relief) with oral/atrial siphons, double marginal ridges/grooves and elevated edges in the Sonia Formation. The Finkoella fossil remains are believed to be the flattened bodies of tunicate organisms. Similar sack-shaped Burykhia fossils recorded in the White Sea of Russia contrasted to sponges and similar hollow-shaped organisms have been interpreted and compared with lichenized fungi and fungal affinity. Thus, the biological affinity of the Finkoella organism is still unresolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of water‐based electromagnetic devices opens up new possibilities for controlling electromagnetic performance due to the liquid state of crucial parts of the device. This letter proposes the siphon mechanism as a novel way to achieve reconfigurability in these types of electromagnetic devices. To demonstrate this, a simple polarization‐reconfigurable device based on a siphon is introduced. The device is designed to scatter horizontal and vertical polarizations differently depending on the amount of water added to it. The siphon mechanism offers a sharp transition between two states after water is added above a threshold. The device is simulated, manufactured using 3D printing, and measured in different states filled with both distilled and tap water. The results demonstrate that polarization reconfigurability is achieved with the different states scattering the two polarizations as expected. Siphons similar to this could be used to offer new types of control in other electromagnetic devices based on liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of third-generation coffee brewing techniques (Chemex, V60, and Syphon) on sensory properties were examined. The research was conducted at a coffee tasting workshop in Mersin, involving 18 semi-trained panelists aged between 18 and 55. Panelists evaluated the coffees subjectively using a 9-point hedonic scale. The results revealed statistically significant differences in sensory attributes such as appearance, taste, aroma, and texture depending on the brewing methods used. Coffee prepared using the V60 method scored higher than those brewed using other methods. These differences were confirmed using the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signedrank test. The findings highlight the sensory differences among third-generation coffee brewing techniques and document the sensory superiority of the V60 method over others. These insights could serve as an important reference for product development and marketing strategies in the coffee industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancement of farmer professional cooperatives in China, the prevalence of the "empty shell" phenomenon has posed a significant challenge to the health and sustainability of these cooperatives. Utilizing data from 1570 such cooperatives in Guizhou Province, China, this study uses the multi-time differential model and the spatial Durbin model to study the impact of demonstration cooperatives on the "empty shell" of cooperatives and the spatial spillover effect of demonstration cooperatives. The study results show the following: (1) Agricultural professional cooperatives are rated as national or provincial demonstration cooperatives, which are conducive to their development, and the policy evaluation of demonstration cooperatives can effectively inhibit the "empty shell" phenomenon of cooperatives. (2) National and provincial demonstration cooperatives can effectively inhibit the "empty shell" of cooperatives in the region. (3) When there are provincial demonstration cooperatives in the surrounding areas, there will be a spatial spillover effect and the empty shell of regional cooperatives will be inhibited. However, to restrain the "empty shell" of cooperatives, it is essential to capitalize on the spatial policy influence of "demonstration cooperatives" while being vigilant against potential spatial siphoning effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to geological complexities and observational gaps, it is challenging to identify the governing physical processes of geothermal field deformation including ground subsidence and earthquakes. In the west and east regions of the Heber Geothermal Field (HGF), decade-long subsidence was occurring despite injection of heat-depleted brines, along with transient reversals between uplift and subsidence. These observed phenomena contradict current knowledge that injection leads to surface uplift. Here we show that high-yield production wells at the HGF center siphon fluid from surrounding regions, which can cause subsidence at low-rate injection locations. Moreover, the thermal contraction effect by cooling increases with time and eventually overwhelms the pressure effects of pressure fluctuation and poroelastic responses, which keep relatively stable during geothermal operations. The observed subsidence anomalies result from the siphoning effect and thermal contraction. We further demonstrate that thermal contraction dominates long-term trends of surface displacement and seismicity growth, while pressure effects drive near-instantaneous changes. Thermal contraction effect increases with time dominates the long-term deformation trend of the Heber geothermal field, while pressure effects of pressure fluctuation and poroelastic responses keep relatively stable and drive short-term changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specimens utilized for this investigation comprise adult individuals of Culex pipiens and their immature forms. The Culex pipiens mosquitoes are captured using a net trap, while larvae are collected using conventional dipping techniques. The samples are selected at random from fourteen locations in the provinces of the Kurdistan area of Iraq, specifically Erbil, Duhok, Sulaimaniyah and Halabja. From September 15, 2020 to November 20, 2021, a total of 291 female Culex pipiens mosquitoes were collected from the four provinces stated above. The breakdown of the samples is as follows: 135 from one province, 82 from another province, 23 from a third province, and 51 from the fourth province. The diagnosis key is provided for adult individuals and fourth-stage larvae, which originate from a species of mosquito. To illustrate this study, a concise morphological description was utilized, and photos were included to provide a vivid depiction. The findings of the present investigation indicate that adult females had a greater wing length compared to males. The wing length of females ranged from 3.3 to 4 mm, with an average of 3.55 mm. When adult Culex pipiens were looked at, the costa and sub-costal intersections were found at or beyond the point where R2+3 splits in most of the samples. The siphons of fourth-instar larvae are elongated and taper gradually towards the end. On average, their length is 1.4 mm, with a range of 1.3 to 1.5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial concentration of knowledge production leads to increased regional inequality, but technology flows have the potential to improve the distribution of innovation. This study examines the role of technology flows in regional specialization at the technology level in China during 2005–2016 using patent data. To unpack technology flows, we distinguish three directions based on patent transactions: trickle-down, proximity and siphon. Results show that regions are more likely to specialize in technological activities, which exhibit a greater number of external linkages characterized by relatively low relatedness and a limited number of strong links. Access to external technological linkages is identified as a key pathway for less innovative regions to achieve place breakthroughs. The technology flows of trickle-down help less innovative regions specialize in more complex technologies than their local knowledge base, while siphon does not significantly impact place breakthroughs in innovative regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyrenoida implexa sp. nov. is the first species of Cyrenoididae in the Southern West Atlantic. This new species exhibits external similarities to C. floridana but is distinguished by distinct right hinge dentition, larger siphons and a more extensive siphonal area at the mantle border, an incurrent siphon with three rows of papillae, a lack of papillae at the middle mantle fold, and smaller adductor muscle volume. In the environment, it possesses a higher saline tolerance than C. floridana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The siphon effect in the health service market is notably pronounced in many countries. How to measure and identify the determinants contributing to the siphon effect presents a substantial challenge. This study aimed to analyse the effect of two different social medical insurances, the Basic Medical Insurance System for Urban Employees (BMISUE), and the Basic Medical Insurance System for Urban and Rural Residents (BMISURR), on the siphon effect in the health services market. Methods: The data used in this study were from the 2021 Health Life Satisfaction Survey of Yangtze River Delta (HLSSYRD) conducted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The logistic model was used to evaluate the association between social medical insurances and individual choices of medical institutions, and the Propensity Score Matching method (PSM) was used to check the robustness of basic results. Results: Residents covered by BMISUE were more likely to choose a general hospital when they first sought medical treatment (OR = 5.377, 95% CI: 4.887, 5.915) relative to those insured by BMISURR. Further analysis showed that BMISUE would accelerate the siphon effect of general hospitals, people insured by BMISUE were still more likely to choose general hospitals despite being close to primary hospitals compared to those insured by BMISURR (OR = 3.240, 95% CI: 2.945, 3.565). Heterogeneity analysis indicated BMISUE had a greater impact on residents aged 15– 59 years and those with high income compared to older people and individuals with low income. Conclusion: Different social medical insurances can substantially affect residents' first choice of medical institutions. BMISUE with higher benefits level could exacerbate the siphon effect in the health service market. More equitable medical security system should be strengthened to bridge the benefits gap between BMISUE and BMISURR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The razor clam genus Novaculina is a secondary marine-derived freshwater taxa within the otherwise exclusively marine family Pharidae. Novaculina currently comprises four valid species that are distributed allopatrically across several drainages in Asia. We employed an integrated approach, combining morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the taxonomic placement of members within this genus. The multi-locus phylogenetic trees based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA gene sequences demonstrate that Novaculina is polyphyletic. Specimens identified as N. siamensis form a distinct clade that is not sister group to other currently recognised congeners. Furthermore, morphological examination reveals distinct characteristics in 'N. siamensis', namely a fused, fringed siphon, in contrast to the separated, smooth siphons observed in other species. Based on these findings, we propose the establishment of a new genus, Cenonovaculina gen. nov., to accommodate 'N. siamensis'. The new genus is distinguished from other genera in having a short shell, deep pallial sinus, elongate, oval to bean-shaped anterior adductor scar and long fused siphons surrounded by conical tentacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siphons are devices that transport liquids uphill between two containers. It has been proposed that a siphon principle operates in closed circulatory systems, as best exemplified by the circulation of blood in mammals. This principle is supposed to ensure that no additional work is necessary to pump blood above the level of the heart, and that there is no gravitational static pressure gradient in the column of blood. The first statement is correct, while we demonstrate that, ignoring hydraulic resistance to blood flow, the static pressure gradient is equal to the hydrostatic gradient in a siphon model of blood circulation, although the details of the proof do not depend on the geometry of the circulatory system and the proof can be trivially extended to other models such as a vascular waterfall. This implies that the controversy over the siphon principle has no implications for the description of blood circulation, and that mechanisms such as the "baffle," which some authors have appealed to in order to obtain the expected gradient, are not necessary. In our discussion, we also discuss empirical data that appear to provide additional verification of our results, as well as several everyday occurrences that provide additional support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inter-tip times (ITTs) of tipping-bucket rain gauges (TBRGs) potentially provide the highest-resolution intensity data that can be acquired from this type of gauge. At an intensity of 100 mm h−1, a typical gauge with a sensitivity of 0.2 mm of rainfall would be expected to tip every 7.2 s. However, TBRGs are often equipped with syphons to reduce the dynamic calibration error that results from continued (and unmeasured) inflow to a bucket as it tips. This increases the accuracy of rainfall depth recording, but the time to fill and empty the syphon can reduce the ability of a TBRG to respond to (and for the ITTs to reflect) short-term intensity fluctuations. This ability is already limited by the discretisation arising from the filling and emptying of the buckets themselves. Laboratory tests with controlled water inflow rates were performed using two high-quality TBRGs, one a 'straight-through' design and the other syphon-equipped. These confirmed that at all intensities at which the syphon operates, a regular sequence of fixed-duration ITTs (such as the 7.2 s mentioned above) does not occur. Rather, the ITTs are perturbed by the syphon cycling. The gauges were also co-located in the field and linked to carefully synchronised event data loggers. Data collected during several rainfall events revealed differences in the ITTs and again confirm that the ITT sequence of a syphon-equipped TBRG exhibits artefacts related to syphon operation that are not present in the 'straight-through' data. These artefacts can result in ITT differences of many minutes, depending on the rainfall intensity and are problematic for the use of ITTs to estimate intensity. Peaks and troughs in the intensity profile also differed between the two gauges. It is recommended that in the application of TBRGs for studies where short-term intensity data are required, 'straight-through' gauges should be used, and syphon-equipped gauges should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the disruption risk and congestion deterioration caused by recurrent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several ports, this study developed a port capacity decision three-stage game model by adopting a sharing approach, which comprised a combined port management committee and a two-port system. The former determines the capacity-sharing rate, and the latter sequentially chooses its terminal handling charge (THC). Through backward induction, the capacity-sharing decisions among multiple extrema are derived, and then the "siphon effect" and "spillover effect" of capacity-sharing are analyzed. A case study of Shanghai and Ningbo Zhoushan Ports is presented to further illustrate the findings. • Three-stage game model is developed by first adopting a capacity sharing approach in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. • The three-stage game model focuses on the imbalanced capacity and congestion deterioration. • A combined port management committee and a two-port system are considered. • The optimal capacity-sharing decisions among multiple extremums are derived. • "Siphon effect" and "spillover effect" of capacity-sharing are comparatively analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional drainage methods for marine reclamation typically consume large amounts of energy and have a negative environmental impact. The siphon-vacuum drainage method (SVD) automatically forms a vacuum and drains using less energy. It has significant potential for research and application. In this study, a theoretical model is used to calculate the vacuum formation process and drainage rate. Qualitative analysis and global sensitivity analysis were conducted to investigate the effect of various factors in the SVD on vacuum formation and drainage. The qualitative analysis suggests that modifying the length and diameter of the siphon pipe and the thickness of the sealing soil column to increase the siphon rate can improve the vacuum degree and drainage efficiency. Sobol global sensitivity analysis reveals that the sealing soil column thickness is the main factor affecting the vacuum, with a first-order sensitivity index accounting for up to 79.48%. The impact of cylinder diameter and the local resistance coefficient (0.43%) can be almost neglected. A fitting equation for estimating the maximum achievable vacuum is provided. Calculations show that the vacuum formed by the SVD can reach over 80 kPa. This work can help optimize SVD design and advance environmentally friendly marine reclamation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the often employed flow structures in vertical pumping stations is the siphon outlet pipe. It has a complicated geometric structure and internal flow field, which directly affects how effectively, safely, and steadily pumping stations operate. The entire flow conduit of the vertical axial flow pump device was adopted as the study object in order to elucidate the mechanism of the internal biased flow of the siphon outlet pipe caused by the axial flow pump under different flow conditions, and the three-dimensional unsteady flow field of the vertical axial flow pump device was numerically solved using the numerical simulation technique. Physical model tests were used to confirm the results of the numerical simulation. The findings demonstrate that there is a horizontal bias in the flow of the inlet surface and outlet surface of the elbow pipe of the siphon outlet pipe, and that when the flow rate rises, the degree of the horizontal bias in the flow gradually diminishes, and the ratio of biased flow gradually decreases. The flow in hump segment presents up-and-down flow, and when the flow rate increases, the ratios of biased flow first rises before falling. The major causes of the production of biased flow in the outlet pipe are residual velocity circulation at the guide vane's outlet, wall constraint at the elbow pipe, and flow inertia; Under various flow conditions, the morphologies of the vortex structures in the outlet pipe vary; the characteristics of the energy conversion of each part of the pump device are disclosed, with the inlet pipe having the lowest proportion of energy conversion. Under the optimal flow condition, the elbow-inlet pipe's proportion of energy conversion is only around 1.04%, and the proportions of the guide vane, 60° elbow pipe, and siphon outlet pipe's energy conversion are significant and fluctuate with time. The proportion of energy conversion in the elbow-inlet pipe and siphon outlet pipe steadily increases as flow rate rises, but the proportion in the guide vane and 60° elbow pipe drops initially before increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Not long after the Colonia Copia Felix Munatia Lugdunum, in present day Lyon, France, was founded in 43 BCE by Lucius Munantius Plancus on the 300 m high Fourvière hill overlooking the Saone and Rhône rivers and the plains to the north and east, it became the capital of the Gallia provinces, growing to be with some 50,000 inhabitants the largest town in Gaul. In the early days, the colonia on the west valleys surrounded Fourvière hill and depended on local springs, wells, and rain cisterns for its water provision, which soon became insufficient for the growing city. A first aqueduct was constructed in 20 BCE, bringing waters from a spring some 10 km north of the town. In the decades to follow, another three aqueducts were added. All of the aqueducts were equipped with one or more pressure lines and installations of (inverted) siphons, totaling nine, to cross valleys that were thought too deep or too wide for a bridge. Today, the Métropole de Lyon counts over a million inhabitants; it is after Paris and Marseille the third largest town in France. Since 1998, Lyon has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, among others, because of the historic architecture in its urban settlements over 2000 years of age. This manuscript recounts the history and present remains of the four aqueducts and their nine extraordinary siphons, and is dedicated to Dr. Jean Burdy, who, with his team over many years of research of earlier literature and of investigations and discoveries of the physical remains of valley sites, produced a great number of publications saving the Lyon aqueducts from oblivion and leading to restorations in recent times.

Critical height or critical submergence is liquid level at which air-core vortex extends from the free surface into drain hole when a liquid is drained from a container/tank. Extensive analytical and experimental studies have been reported on critical height of bath tub vortex, for liquid draining downward from flat bottom propellant tanks. Rockets making use of liquid propellants mostly employ spherical bottom propellant tanks as well as siphon or upward drain flow. Keeping in view of such practical applications, analytical models are developed for critical height, considering the effects of siphon drain and the shape of tank bottom. Additional design parameters influencing the behavior for each case are identified. Appropriate governing equations and a solution methodology are developed pertinent to the system considered, to predict the critical height for siphon drain and spherical bottom tank independently as well as for both combined. The results indicate that the critical height for spherical bottom tank is higher than for flat bottom tank, due to higher local flow velocity. Siphon geometry can be designed for critical height much less than normal drain from flat bottom tank. These observations are in accordance with the results published in the literature. This paper reports the analytical models and solution methodology to predict the critical height for vortexing for normal draining from spherical tank bottom, siphon draining from both flat and spherical bottom tanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ongoing taxonomic studies of Australian marine algae have led to the recognition of a new species of the green algal genus Rhipilia , here named R. psammophila Huisman & Verbruggen. The new species is unusual for this typically tropical genus in growing in the colder temperate waters of southern Australia and can be distinguished from its congeners by the morphology of its laterally adhering siphons, in addition to unique molecular sequences (rbc L and tuf A). In molecular analysis, the new species is sister to the southern Australian Chlorodesmis baculifera , which is here transferred to Rhipilia and represents the third species in the genus with laterally unattached, free siphons, a feature that previously would have excluded it from the genus. Lateral gametangia are described for R. psammophila and represent the first record of reproduction in Rhipilia. A species of green algae, Rhipilia psammophila, growing in south-western Australia. Taxonomic studies of Australian seaweeds are showing a wealth of undiscovered species. In this paper, a new species of green seaweed, Rhipilia psammophila , is described for specimens from south-western Australia, and a closely related species currently known as Chlorodesmis baculifera is transferred to Rhipilia. Morphological features are proving unreliable in distinguishing genera in this group and molecular analyses are essential. (Photograph by John Huisman.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid pandemic has impacted institutions and the people who inhabit them in unprecedented ways. It is demanding a wide variety of new forms of work and relationship and has siphoned energy and commitment from those activities central to our lives. The classroom is not immune to these effects as attention and commitment to learning have been impacted for both students and faculty. This paper is an attempt to rethink and re-interpret what to do on the first day of a course to maximize the potential that exists in that pregnant moment, especially in these turbulent times. To address these dramatic changes, details of an opening talk are offered that confront the new reality and provide a way forward. This talk is intended to capture students' curiosity and compel them to commit to the time together in the classroom. The impact of the talk is interpreted through deLuse's (2018) three-part model and Dweck's (2006) Fixed and Growth mindsets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to ensure the safe construction of the Xiazhuang inverted siphon project, this paper is based on this project, focusing on the centre of safe construction, using digital twin technology, designing and constructing an intelligent control construction platform through Mockplus and Unity3D software. This platform can monitor the construction site in an all-round way, provide real-time feedback and timely control, and correct and optimise the construction plan through data interaction, so as to improve the quality and efficiency of building construction, reduce the potential safety hazards during the construction, and achieve the purpose of intelligent construction and safe building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centrifugal microfluidics have emerged as a pivotal area of research spanning multiple domains, including medicine and chemistry. Among passive valving strategies, siphon valves have gained prominence due to their inherent simplicity and self-reliance, eliminating the need for external equipment. However, achieving optimal valve performance mandates supplementary elements like surface adjustments or pneumatic pressure. These introduce intricacies such as time-dependent behavior and augmented spatial demands. This research introduces inventive design and manufacturing methodologies to amplify siphon valve functionality. Our proposed innovation situates the siphon microchannel on the external surface of the primary chamber, linked via an inlet. The crux of novelty lies in the adaptable material selection for the microchannel's upper or lower surfaces, allowing the integration of hydrophilic materials such as glass or super hydrophilic coverslips, ensuring a leakage-free operation. Our approach offers a streamlined concept and manufacturing process, ensures consistent time-independent functionality, and accommodates the integration of multiple siphon valves within a solitary chamber, tailored for specific applications. Experimental evaluations validate a robust alignment between acquired data and analytical outcomes based on a modified equation. A customized disc is engineered, featuring four siphon valves meticulously calibrated for hematocrit (HCT) levels spanning from 20% to 50% at 10% intervals. Harnessing these valves yields a substantial surge in plasma separation efficiency, scaling up to 75%. Notably, this performance eclipses traditional single-valve reliant microfluidic methodologies, achieving a purity level exceeding 99% in plasma separation. These findings underscore the auspicious practical applicability of our proposed technique in plasma separation, fostering heightened platelet concentration, and expediting blood sample analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) are highly sensitive to elevated salinity, particularly at initial seedling establishment stage. Seedling screening would be an effective means to identify novel sources of donors for salt tolerance. Aim: This study aimed to identify salt stress tolerant genotypes at seedling stage from 50 chickpea accessions. Methods: The screening of 50 chickpea accessions was done under two salinity conditions including salt stress (8 dS m−1) and control (no salt stress). Accessions were studied for morphological traits, root system architectural analysis, and CSTI (Cumulative salt tolerance index). Further, principal component analysis was conducted to validate these results for more accuracy and reliability. Key results: For morphological traits, a high degree of genetic variation was seen among genotypes, and root traits were found to be the better indicators of salt stress tolerance. CSTI was used to classify the accessions; 22 (44%) were identified as salt sensitive, 21 (42%) were found to be moderately salt tolerant, and 7 (14%) had moderate to high salt tolerance. The most salt tolerant and salt sensitive genotypes were found to be ICCV10 and ILC5595, respectively. Conclusions: Early seedling screening has a great potential to identify genotypes with robust root systems, which can withstand salinity. Implications: We used a novel approach to classify chickpea landraces based on the combination of CSTI and principal component analysis methods. By choosing suitable donors and prospective genotypes at early growth stages, the knowledge gathered from this study may aid scientists and chickpea breeders in developing salt tolerant cultivars. Salinity is a major problem in chickpea; landraces were used to identify novel sources using a seedling screening technique. We find two analysis methods (cumulative salt tolerance index and principal components analysis) that enable salt tolerant genotypes to be identified; and both techniques were equally reliable.. We identified ICCV10, CSG8962, ILC11902, IG5980, IG5893 as five salt tolerant genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-density marine aquaculture has been one of the most important ways to develop the marine economy. However, the difficult treatment of high-salinity aquaculture wastewater has restricted the marine aquaculture industry. Particularly, salinity has a significant effect on the microbial activity. Marine microorganisms can be expected to degrade the pollutants in high-salinity aquaculture wastewater. Nevertheless, it is still lacking on the large-scale marine microorganisms to treat marine aquaculture water. The main bottleneck of treatment can be attributed to the low growth and metabolism efficiency of marine microorganisms. Fortunately, the constructed wetland coupled microbial fuel cell process (CW-MFC) has been widely used in the treatment of freshwater aquaculture wastewater. CW-MFC can also make full use of membrane hanging, filtration and adsorption in constructed wetlands, combing with the electrochemical process and electrochemical microbial degradation. The efficient treatment can realize the low carbon and nitrogen ratio of aquaculture wastewater. However, the treatment of mariculture wastewater focused mainly on the membrane attachment, treatment performance, and microbial flora analysis of CW-MFC. In this study, the electroactive bacterial-algal biofilm was coupled with siphon aeration tidal current in the lab scale, in order to improve the efficiency of CW-MFC treating mariculture aquaculture wastewater. The results showed that the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, total nitrogen, sulfamethoxazole and copper ion (Cu2+) in the CW-MFC by electroactive bacterial-algal biofilm and siphon aeration tidal current reached 83.49%, 93.56%, 91.26%, 96.54%, 86.11%, 92.03%, 99.25% and 98.58%, respectively. Compared with the CW-MFC group, the removal efficiency of the above pollutants increased by 33.46, 31.07, 17.44, 26.77, 16.7, 25.64, 12.83 and 25.87 percentage points, respectively. Muricauda(10.86%), Xanthomarina (10.62%) and other marine salt-tolerant bacteria in the microbial community were significantly improved under a high salt environment in the adaptation system. The electroactive microorganism (such as Geobacteraceae (10.43%) and Pseudomonas (4.12%)) and marine microalgae bacteria (such as Pseudooceanicola (12.45%) and Hoeflea (7.45%)) were highly enriched after enhancement, which promoted the electron transfer efficiency and metabolic rate, accelerating degradation of antibiotics and heavy metals. Aeration also improved the microbial activity. Siphon aeration reduced the energy loss for a better aerobic and anaerobic alternating environment, in order to ensure the reoxidation and reduction reaction, which promoted the microbial nitrification and denitrification, while the removal efficiency of microbial nitrogen and phosphorus, and the degradation efficiency of organic matter. Therefore, the electroactive biofilms coupled with the siphon aeration technique in CW–MFC can be expected to accelerate the formation of electroactive biofilm and microbial processes, such as nitrification while saving energy. The findings can provide the theoretical and technological reference for the mariculture wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nuclear Safety is the property of Nuclear & Radiation Safety Center 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.)

Siphons represent a remarkable example of evolutionary convergence in different bivalve lineages. In Protobranchia, the siphons, when present, are used exclusively to channel the water currents used for respiration, waste removal and gamete release. Their emergence is thought to be associated with the taxonomic and morphological diversification within the Nuculanida. While siphons have been extensively studied in other bivalve groups, particularly the Heterodonta, gaps remain in the knowledge of protobranch siphons, especially on their morphology, including the musculature and innervation, and their functioning. The few data on Protobranchia siphons are restricted to some Nuculanoidea, and information is still missing for other nuculanid lineages, such as the Sareptoidea. The present study provides a description of the siphonal morphology of Aequiyoldia eightsii , a sareptid bivalve. Histological data were obtained to investigate their organization and infer their functioning. All traits observed were compared with those of heterodont siphons. In A. eightsii , the siphons are fused with each other and distinguished by their reduced longitudinal musculature in bundles that do not form layers, by the presence of a blood lacunal system that fills most of the wall of the siphon and by the innervation that is likely diffuse. This suggests that the siphons are hydrostatic organs with a hydraulic mechanism whose expansion occurs when the lacunar system is filled with blood. Our results provide the first morphological and functional details of a protobranch siphon and thus contribute to knowledge on the comparative anatomy of Bivalvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diclofenac (DCF), one of the most current and widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), has been frequently detected in aquatic environments worldwide. However, the ecotoxicological effects of DCF on freshwater invertebrates remain largely unknown. In the present study, Corbicula fluminea were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of DCF (0, 2, 20, and 200 μg/L) for 28 days, and the potential adverse effects of DCF on siphoning behavior, antioxidant responses, and apoptosis were investigated. Our results showed that the siphon efficiencies of clams were significantly suppressed under DCF stress. DCF exerted neurotoxicity via reducing the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in gills and digestive gland of C. fluminea. Exposure to DCF induced antioxidant stress and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in both gills and digestive gland of C. fluminea. Transcriptional alterations of apoptosis-related genes indicated that DCF might induce apoptosis by triggering mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. These findings can improve our understanding of the ecological risk of DCF in freshwater ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siphon frequently is employed in pump stations as a pump outlet with a convenient flow cutoff mode for pump shutdown, and it usually works with axial-flow pumps with a large discharge and low head. After the pump starts, the initial air pocket in the siphon should be removed quickly from the siphon to generate a primed siphon flow, a process called priming. In this study, experiments were conducted to investigate the characteristics of air pocket removal during priming, in which two stages can be defined: air-compression and air-entrainment stages. During the air-compression stage, the air is compressed by the pumped water, and the increased air pressure can break the downstream water seal and expel some air out of the siphon. During the air-entrainment stage, the air is removed mainly in the form of bubbly flow. The air-entrainment stage can be divided further into two states: at a small water discharge, the priming process stays in State 1, in which the air pocket always remained in the siphon hump; and at a large discharge, the residual air pocket can be entirely swept out of the siphon in State 2, finally generating the primed siphon flow. The air-compression stage accounts for less than 5% of the priming time but discharges 20%–60% of the initial air. For the bubbly flow during the air-entrainment stage, the bubble diameters follow a log-normal distribution with the median of about 2.3 mm. The critical flow rate for generating primed siphon flow was predicted based on the bubble clearing velocity and force and on the motion analysis of the bubble, which can be a rough value for the calculation of the critical flow rate. The prediction indicates that the critical flow rate should increase with the descending angle and cross-section area of siphon. Siphons are inverted U-shaped pipes that commonly are used as pump outlets. We experimentally studied the air–water interactions during siphon priming in a laboratory-scale siphon model to elucidate the hydraulic removal of the air in the siphon. Because air-entrainment is the typical feature of siphon priming, high-speed photography was used to capture the bubble characteristics during siphon priming. Based on the in-depth observations of siphon priming at the bubble-scale, the priming time and the critical conditions for generating the primed siphon flow are discussed. The study shows that as the flow rate decreases, the priming time increases significantly and even the primed siphon flow cannot be generated; the priming time also increases with the increasing cross-sectional area and descending angle of the siphon. The empirical equation of the priming time was established, and the corresponding coefficients should be decided based on the siphon geometries. The prediction of the critical condition for generating the primed siphon flow was analyzed from the perspective of bubble motion. This study improves the understanding of air–water flow patterns during siphon priming and their influence on the siphon characteristics, which can be a reference for structural design and operational optimization in practical siphons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh water mussel, Lamellidens marginalis are favourable candidates for monitoring of water quality and they perform a major role in aquatic ecosystem. Siphons are of great importance for Fresh water mussels, yet very little emphasis has been given on its morphological and Histological aspects. In the present study deals with their external structures, Anatomy and Histomorphology. Morphologically two types of siphons are present in Lamellidens marginalis, Inhalent siphon and Exhalent siphon. Both siphons are well developed and highly sensory in nature, and participate in defence as well as create water current for maintaining water flow throughout the body. Histologically Siphon of L. marginalis was comprises of the outermost siphonal sheath, outer epithelial layer and inner epithelial layer having sensory cells, nerve fibers and muscle fibers. Role of both Exhalent and Inhalent siphons in life cycle of fresh water mussel, L. marginalis have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discharge from most karst springs exhibits a consistent and reasonably predictable response to recharge but a few exhibit short-term ('rhythmic') changes in flow that are commonly attributed to the geometry of feeder conduits and the action of siphons. This paper investigates water flow in a karst system that exhibits rhythmic and episodic changes in discharge due to variations in flow from two phreatic conduits (Main Rising (MR) and Whirlpool Rising (WR)) that pass through Speedwell Cavern en route to the springs. Water tracing experiments indicate that the conduits receive both allogenic and autogenic recharge. Flow dynamics and conduit behaviour were investigated using high-resolution (2-min) water depth data collected from MR and WR between 2012 and 2015 (when MR was dominant) and between 2021 and 2023 (when WR was dominant). Water depths were also logged in a cave at the upstream end of a conduit draining to both MR and WR and at springs. The short-term temporal variability in water depths at both MR and WR is greater than any documented in previous studies. This is attributed to conduit bedrock geometry and changes in conduit permeability due to sediment accumulation in phreatic loops, which together influence the response to recharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe a novel syphon ureteral access sheath (UAS) intended for use during flexible uretero-renoscopy (fURS). We aimed to report on a pilot study as well as intrarenal pressures (IRP) and irrigant flow volumes compared to traditional UAS. Patients undergoing routine fURS for single, <2cm intrarenal nephrolithiasis were identified, and written informed consent was obtained. Irrigation via the fURS was instilled through the novel 11/13 Fr UAS without (a proxy for a traditional UAS) and with the novel syphon box attached. Measured minute irrigant flow volume, steady state and bolus IRP were compared. Ten participants (6 males and 4 females) were treated with the syphon UAS. All procedures were completed safely without intraoperative complications. The mean baseline IRP with and without the syphon was 18 vs 29 mmHG (P <.001, SD 4.0 vs 4.8). The mean minute irrigant flow volume with and without the syphon was 31 vs 21 ml (P <.001, SD 6.4 vs 3.3). The mean peak IRP following a 10 ml bolus with and without the syphon was 71 vs 104 mmHg (P =.03, SD 74 vs 59). The described novel UAS is different from traditional devices by incorporating a syphon mechanism. This pilot trial demonstrates that the novel syphon UAS may hold clinical potential to reduce IRP and increase irrigant flow compared to traditional UAS. Firm conclusions about efficacy and safety require assessment of the device in a larger clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical observations indicate that the shape and tortuosity of the carotid siphon are some of the contributing factors to the initiation and growth of an aneurysm. The present study explores the validity of this observation by performing systematic numerical simulations. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based calculations are performed to compare and contrast four different types of patient-specific carotid siphons, viz., C-, S-, U-, and helical shape, to investigate the hemodynamic influences on flow features, secondary flow patterns, and helicity. Fewer curved regions and the presence of local acute curvature were found to result in higher velocity magnitude, leading to giant sidewall aneurysms in the distal end of this curvature. In contrast, a larger number of curved regions in the parent vessel resulted in disturbed flow and reduced maximum streamwise velocity. When the velocity is lower, smaller aneurysms are observed at the bifurcation carina. The influence of siphon tortuosity, which is exemplified through the Dean number and linked to secondary flows, causes higher helicity when the vessel is more tortuous. It is hypothesized that a highly tortuous vessel protects the further growth of an aneurysm. This is in contrast to a less tortuous vessel with single acute curvature and prone to further expansile behavior of an aneurysm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unsteady three‐dimensional numerical simulation calculation of the vertical axial flow pump device is performed based on CFD to examine the pressure pulsation and energy distribution features of the water flow within the siphon outlet conduit (SOC) under the hydraulic coupling of the pump and the flow conduit. The pressure pulsation signals (PPS) of monitoring points are decomposed using the Hilbert–Huang approach via empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and Hilbert spectrum analysis. The results show that the PPS of monitoring points of the SOC has no obvious periodicity. The low‐frequency range below 20 Hz serves as the primary frequency, and the energy ratio of the high‐frequency signal above 700 Hz is less than 1%. Under the condition of a small flow rate 0.3Qbep, there is obvious high‐frequency pulsation above 500 Hz at the inlet of the upstream section of the SOC, and there are periodic components distributed around 200 Hz. The energy of the pressure pulsation is primarily focused in the low‐frequency range below 40 Hz at the SOC outlet section. The PPS at the top and bottom monitoring points of the hump section are consistent, and the pressure pulsation energy (PPE) is mainly concentrated in the low frequency below 40 Hz. In both the big flow condition (1.2Qbep) and the optimal flow condition (1.0Qbep), the PPE of the monitoring points at the top of the hump section is distributed in the middle and low‐frequency band below 40 Hz, and the energy of monitoring points at the bottom of the hump section is concentrated in the low‐frequency band below 20 Hz, accounting for more than 70%. When the flow rate increases from 0.3Qbep to 1.2Qbep, the peak value of the pressure pulsation coefficient at the main frequency of each monitoring point at the top of the hump section changes little, and the peak value of the pressure pulsation coefficient at the main frequency of each monitoring point at the bottom increases first and then decreases. From the upstream section to the hump section of the SOC, the average frequency of each intrinsic mode function (IMF) of the PPS under different flow conditions shows an overall increasing trend. From the hump section of the SOC to its outlet, the average frequency of each IMF of the PPS decreases under the conditions of 1.0Qbep and 1.2Qbep, and there is no obvious change under the condition of 0.3Qbep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay revisits Sylvia Wynter's 1971 essay "Novel and History, Plot and Plantation" in relation to a quandary: the history of provision grounds not only as a resource but also as an initiation into property relations during and after West Indian slavery. In this light, the plot becomes a space of instruction in how to become a free subject through exchange. The essay draws out the plot's histories of dispossession, enclosure, and dispute. Ultimately, it offers another term, siphon, as the condition of the overlapping conjunctures of West Indian emancipation and the postcolonial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of a siphon is a drainage method that does not require the use of external power, and siphons are used extensively in practice. The application of siphons in the treatment of soft soils has become a popular approach in recent years. Analyzing the change in the water level in multi-well siphoning is the basis of the application of siphons. The calculation model of multi-well siphoning is established through equivalent transformation. A finite difference method is used to solve the model, and the accuracy is verified by comparing the results with a test of the model and with field tests. Using the numerical model, the feasibility of siphoning drainage in soft soil is demonstrated from two aspects, i.e., well spacing and the permeability coefficient. The results show both the "minimum drop increase" and the "average drop increase", as well as the spacing of the decreases or increases in the permeability coefficient. When the permeability coefficient is 1 × 10−8 m/s and the well spacing is 2 m, the decrease in the water level is approximately 9.72 m after 100 days of drainage. It is feasible to apply siphon drainage technology to discharge the groundwater in soft soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concentrates on robust deadlock control problems for an automated manufacturing system with uncontrollable, unobservable events and resource failures, which is modeled by a subclass of Petri nets. A recovery subnet is added to the holder of each unreliable resource to model resource failure and recovery. In order to prevent a strict minimal siphon in a Petri net model from being emptied, an extended constraint set is constructed based on the complementary set of a strict minimal siphon to obtain a robust liveness constraint. Due to the uncontrollability and unobservability of the transitions, an automated manufacturing system cannot enforce inadmissible robust liveness constraints. It is necessary to decide the admissibility of robust liveness constraints and transform the inadmissible constraints into admissible ones. To this end, a monitor is designed for each admissible robust liveness constraint such that it can be enforced. Finally, an iterative algorithm is developed to perform the above steps and a robust liveness controlled system is obtained. The feasibility of the control strategy is demonstrated by examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drainage consolidation method can reduce porosity to consolidate soft soils. In this study, a novel siphon drainage method is used as the drainage consolidation method to lower the groundwater level. Compared to other drainage methods, the siphon drainage method is power-free, environmental-friendly, and highly efficient. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify the feasibility of the siphon drainage method on soft soil treatment. In addition, the effects of soil permeability and drainage hole spacing on its application efficiency have been studied. The results show that: (a) The siphon drainage method can accelerate the consolidation by lowering the groundwater level; (b) The larger the soil permeability is, the faster the pore water pressure decreases; (c) Adopting 1 m hole-spacing in the siphon drainage is much more efficient than methods which have a 2 m hole-spacing. In addition, the siphon drainage method is proven the effective in soft soil foundation treatment by a field test in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate understanding and grasping of green finance's role and effect process would help improve the accuracy of policies and, thereby, the development of renewable energy in China. Based on a newly built structural break modified SPDM (Spatial Panel Dobbin Model), this study explores the spatiotemporal consistency effects of green finance on renewable energy development and their geographical attenuation process. Several results could be obtained: (1) green finance plays an improving role in developing renewable energy in terms of both local and neighboring regions; (2) the effect objective areas of green finance are transferred from local regions to neighboring regions progressively as green finance grows in China, since the effect degree become weaker in local regions but stronger in neighboring regions; (3) the outflow phenomenon of green finance's effect on renewable energy development is stopped and reversed to siphon effect by the public health crisis that happened in 2019; (4) for green finance's spillover effects on renewable energy development, there are apparent geographic attenuation boundaries in areas near 700 km and impacting dense regions in areas near 350 km. • A new structural break modified SPDM model is built. • The temporal and spatial features in the process is identified. • The spatiotemporal consistency effects are researched. • Attenuation boundary of spatial effect and its characteristics are calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new ichnotaxon Bromleyia magnifica n. igen., n. isp., attributed to the feeding activity of bivalves, is proposed. This ichnotaxon consists of clusters of closely spaced curved ridges that form a fan-shaped structure oppositely distributed on both sides of a longitudinal axis or, more rarely, being present only on one side. Intergradation between Protovirgularia, Lockeia, and Bromleyia forms a compound trace fossil that records the activity of a cleft-foot protobranch bivalve while burrowing, moving through the sediment, and stopping to deposit feed. A specimen from the Carboniferous of Arkansas, previously regarded as Lophoctenium isp., is here included in Bromleyia magnifica. The spreite in Lophoctenium reflects complex behavioural patterns of horizontal strip-mining deposit feeders, including bundles of tubes bending to one side in a pectinate way or arranged on both sides in a highly systematic fashion, which contrasts with the coarse, horizontal fan-shaped, curved bundle of ridges from the Arkansas specimen. The trace fossil Hillichnus lobosensis records the activities of tellinacean deposit feeders and displays feather-like spreite structures reminiscent of Bromleyia. However, the spreite in Hillichnus is more organized, recording repetitive probing through the sediment in horizontal, oblique, and vertical directions of the tubular inhalant siphon. The resulting complex feeding structure, recorded in multiple preservational tiers, displays an alternate arrangement of ridges on either side of an axial basal structure. This configuration differs from the mostly horizontal, less-organized, coarse bundle of ridges with broadly opposite distribution to the sides of an axis present in Bromleyia. Moreover, contrary to Hillichnus, Bromleyia is commonly associated with Lockeia, indicating significant differences in burrowing strategy and mode of construction between these two ichnotaxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated Manufacturing Systems (AMS) consisting of many cooperating devices incorporated into multiple cooperating production lines, sharing common resources, represent industrial Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). Deadlocks may occur during operation of such MAS. It is necessary to deal with deadlocks (more precisely said, to prevent them) to ensure the correct behavior of AMS. For this purpose, among other methods, methods based on Petri nets (PN) are used too. Because AMS are very often described by PN models, two PN-based methods will be presented here, namely based on (i) PN place invariants (P-invariants); and (ii) PN siphons and traps. Intended final results of usage these methods is finding a supervisor allowing a deadlock-free activity of the global MAS. While the former method yields results in analytical terms, latter one need computation of siphons and traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]