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Dike failures often induce highly damaging floods. Improved understanding of the inherent mechanisms is important to predict and prevent dike failures. This research focuses on sand dike failure by overtopping. During the experiments, the evolution of nine sections was monitored using laser-sheet while the water level in the upstream reservoir was captured using ultrasonic gauges. The impact of the grain size was studied by comparing a fine and a coarser sand. Even though the failure mechanisms look similar in both cases, some differences could be observed in the evolution of the geometry of the dike. Finally, the failure was simulated with 1D and 2D models. The 1D model shows good results for the initial stage of the dike evolution and in predicting the evolution of the width of the breach. The 2D model predicts the morphological evolution of the dike more accurately but slightly overestimates the widening of the breach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key ambition in care studies has been to study care in practice and as practice. By turning towards practices, care studies has rendered visible and acknowledged important work that is not captured through looking at formal procedures or official and written materials, such as policy documents and medical protocols. In this literature, document materials and the written have often been seen as unable to demonstrate and address the 'specificities of care' (Mol et al., 2010, p. 9). We challenge this view by showing how pragmatically-oriented approaches can be extended to the procedural and formalized aspects of care practices. We draw upon fieldwork in the life sciences—comparative immunology—investigated through experiments on Atlantic cod (Gadus Morhua). How to care for fish is a contested domain; many uncertainties exist around how to care for fish so that legal requirements are met. We ask: How are existing legal and ethical principles and procedures put to work in cod immunology and animal research? By what document-practices and document-tools is care for cod in research negotiated and settled? How does the cod stand out as an object of care in the life sciences? Our article answers these questions by empirically teasing out how scientists navigate the terrain and arguing for the importance of bringing the document-based realities of animal research into analysis. We do this by delineating three different versions of care: procedural care, skilled care, and dispassionate care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the work is to identify the composition of the initial reservoir hydrocarbon (HC) system of the Bazhenov formation, as well as to assess the influence of the presence of a heavy solid hydrocarbon phase (bitumen) in the formation on the production of mobile fluids using PVT modeling methods. The article describes the necessary experiments to determine the component composition of the C81+ fraction and the PVT properties of the formation mobile fluid taken from the well and the bitumen extract from the rock, and also presents their results. In addition, the properties of fractions up to C81+ were calculated depending on the molecular weight for PVT modeling (extension of the Katz-Firuzabadi table). One of the important parts of the article is the assessment of the ratio of bound and free oil in the original reservoir system. Based on geochemical research data, an analysis was performed to assess the component composition of the original system (using the example of the Bazhenov Formation) using rock pyrolysis and studying formation fluid and bitumen. Using the results of studies of reservoir fluid samples, a PVT model was built and tuned. This PVT model was used to assess the properties of the initial reservoir hydrocarbon system and was adjusted to the fraction of the solid phase in the reservoir at the initial reservoir conditions. After this, based on the PVT model, an assessment was made of the influence of the presence of a solid phase in the composition of the reservoir system on the behavior of a mobile hydrocarbon fluid during reservoir development for depletion, as well as on the use of enhanced oil recovery methods (injection of associated petroleum gas and thermal methods of influencing the reservoir).

In this introduction to the Special Section 'Laboratory Times', the editors argue that a focused body of scholarship at the intersection of time and the laboratory has yet to materialize. To contextualize the papers that comprise the Special Section, we survey the role of the lab within time studies, as well as the place of temporality within Science and Technology Studies (STS). We show how time is made to structure and shape scientific practice and how scientists work with and create time to suit the frames and needs of experimentation. While one might expect to find as many forms of scientific time as there are branches of science, the specific temporalities of bench science have been largely overlooked by scholars. We introduce the arguments of the papers in this Special Section - observing their shared interest in the ways that time is materialized, negotiated and produced in laboratory settings. We conclude by imagining a future in which a research trajectory focused on 'Laboratory TImes' brings scholars in time studies and STS further into conversation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores how scientists make and feel time in the context of the chronobiological laboratory. Like other scholars who have tracked the temporal regimes of scientific knowledge making, I am interested in the kinds of times produced in and around experiments performed by the scientists who study circadian rhythms. During gruelling 'time point' experiments, chronobiologists attempt to mould their own rhythmic, biological bodies to a scientific temporality that emphasises exactness and regularity to facilitate almost continuous data collection. Within this complex 'timescape', scientists tinker with time itself in order to navigate the multiple temporalities produced by their research. They deploy a scientific time convention known as 'Z-Time' or 'zeitgeber time' as a method of 'time work' that allows them to customise the temporal experience of their working lives and their experimental subjects, lab mice. I argue that a case study of the chronobiology lab questions the extent to which time can be 'worked' in the context of biological research. I explore what the tension between scientific and embodied times can tell us about the role of temporality in making 'good science' and the 'emotional culture' that time point experiments foster among chronobiologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery, characterized by significantly reduced surgery times, minimal blood loss, and minimal tissue trauma, has precipitated a paradigm shift in the preoperative management of patients with cardiac disease undergoing elective spine procedures. This perspective article explores how these advancements have influenced the requirements for preoperative cardiac workups and the protocols surrounding the cessation of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies. Traditionally, extensive cardiac evaluations and the need to stop anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents have posed challenges, increasing the risk of cardiac events and delaying surgical interventions. However, the reduced invasiveness of endoscopic spine surgery presents a safer profile for patients with cardiac comorbidities, potentially minimizing the necessity for rigorous cardiac clearance and allowing for more flexible anticoagulation management. This perspective article synthesizes current research and clinical practices to provide a comprehensive overview of these evolving protocols. It also discusses the implications of these changes for patient safety, surgical outcomes, and overall healthcare efficiency. Finally, the article suggests directions for future research, emphasizing the need for updated guidelines that reflect the reduced perioperative risk associated with these innovative surgical techniques. This discussion is pivotal for primary care physicians, surgeons, cardiologists, and the broader medical community in optimizing care for this high-risk patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering / Revista Brasileira de Engenharia de Produção is the property of Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering 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.)

Acid treatment technology has become widespread in the development of carbonate layers in oil fields. Virtually every well in the history of its production has been acid treated downhole, ultimately providing millions of tons of incremental oil production globally. Despite the considerable amount of theoretical and practical research devoted to this technology, the problem of controlling the efficiency of acid treatments remains topical. In this connection, the purpose of this paper is to study the influence of known and available in field conditions geological and technological parameters on the efficiency of acid stimulation in carbonate reservoirs. Laboratory studies (in free volume, filtration and X-ray tomography tests) using two hydrochloric acid compositions and carbonate rock samples of the same geologic age from oil fields of Perm krai to determine the dependencies were performed. Acid treatments were modeled by varying technological parameters (volume, rate and pressure of injection of acid compositions, reaction time of acid with rock) under thermodynamic conditions corresponding to reservoir properties. Statistical processing of empirically obtained data allowed us to note the predominant role of technological parameters to achieve a successful result of acid stimulation. Multivariate statistical models describing the process of formation of acid treatment efficiency in carbonate reservoirs have been developed. It was found that the reservoir stimulation efficiency varies in direct proportion to the increase in the injection pressure of the acid composition and the volume of agent used due to the development of wormholes. The efficiency of acid treatment at dolomite content in the rock is significantly lower, which requires increasing the rate of composition injection and reaction time to achieve the highest stimulation result. Thus, the paper provides a basis for further development of the process of controlling the effectiveness of acid treatments in carbonate reservoirs of oil fields.

The presence of service‐level‐dependent demand has been empirically observed in industry and is well‐documented in the literature. How does the implicit contractual existence of such service dependency impact the ordering decisions of upstream suppliers? We conduct three controlled laboratory experiments to study the impact a service‐reward mechanism may have on the upstream ordering decisions of those charged with inventory ordering decisions. The multistudy approach provides representations of decision dynamics across a variety of scenarios, from one‐shot buys to long‐term supply‐chain relationships. Our combined empirical results consistently suggest that the service‐reward mechanism significantly and systematically elevates order levels and order variability in a manner that increases departure from optimal ordering. This effect is observed even when decision‐makers have incentives to maintain a steady ordering pattern with their suppliers. Our findings shed much‐needed light on individual ordering responses to, and the associated risks of, service‐reward mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocannabinoids were implicated in a variety of pathological conditions including anxiety and are considered promising new targets for anxiolytic drug development. The optimism concerning the potentials of this system for anxiolysis is probably justified. However, the complexity of the mechanisms affected by endocannabinoids, and discrepant findings obtained with various experimental approaches makes the interpretation of research results difficult. Here, we review the anxiety-related effects of the three main interventions used to study the endocannabinoid system: pharmacological agents active at endocannabinoid-binding sites present on both the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, genetic manipulations targeting cannabinoid receptors, and function-enhancers represented by inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation and transport. Binding-site ligands provide inconsistent findings probably because they activate a multitude of mechanisms concomitantly. More robust findings were obtained with genetic manipulations and particularly with function enhancers, which heighten ongoing endocannabinoid activation rather than affecting all mechanisms indiscriminately. The enhancement of ongoing activity appears to ameliorate stress-induced anxiety without consistent effects on anxiety in general. Limited evidence suggests that this effect is achieved by promoting active coping styles in critical situations. These findings suggest that the functional enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling is a promising drug development target for stress-related anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article concerns the mechatronic design and experimental investigations of the HUBO automated human body scanning system. Functional problems that should be solved by using the developed scanning system are defined. These include reducing the number of sensors used while eliminating the need to rotate a human and ensuring the automation of the scanning process. Research problems that should be the subject of experimental research are defined. The current state of the art in the field of systems and techniques for scanning the human figure is described. The functional and technical assumptions for the HUBO scanning system are formulated. The mechanical design of the scanner, the hardware and information system architectures as well as the user's mobile application are presented. The method of operation of the scanning system and its innovative features are discussed. It is demonstrated that the developed solution of the scanning system allows the identified problems to be overcome. The methodology of the experimental research of the scanning system based on the photogrammetry technique is described. The results of laboratory studies with the use of dummies and experimental research with human participation are presented. The scope of the research carried out allows answers to the identified research problems related to the scanning of the human figure using the photogrammetry technique to be obtained. As part of laboratory tests using a measuring dummy, a mean error of 0.65 mm and standard deviation of the mean of 0.65 mm were obtained for the best scanner configuration. Research with human participation was carried out for the scanner version, in which the scanning time was 30 s, with the possibility of its reduction to 15 s. The results of studies using realistic dummies and with human participation were compared using the root mean square error parameter (RMSE) provided by the AliceVision framework, which was available for all analyzed objects. As a result, it was observed that these results are comparable, i.e., the RMSE parameter is equal to about 1 px. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the local scour and the associated flow hydrodynamics around a complex pier with rectangular pile-cap at three different pile-cap elevations are investigated. The pile-cap elevations were selected with respect to the initial sand bed, such that the pile-cap was unexposed (case I), partially exposed (case II), and fully exposed (case III) to the flow. The experiments were performed in a recirculating flume under clear-water scour conditions, and the instantaneous flow velocity was obtained at different vertical planes using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The partially exposed pile-cap case showed the maximum obtained scour-depth (MSD). The reason behind the MSD occurrence in case II was enunciated through the analysis of turbulent flow field which showed that as the pile-cap got exposed to the flow, it dominantly affected the generation of vortices from the pile-cap corners responsible for the higher scour depth. The effect of the pile-cap on the flow field was prominently seen in case III through the mean velocities, vorticity, Reynolds shear stresses and turbulent kinetic energy contours, but since the pile-cap was away from the bed, the pile-cap corners did not show any direct effect on the scour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of new domestic highly effective and safe medicines into medical and veterinary practice is an important task of modern pharmaceutical science. Continuation of the search and conduct of research to bring the biological activity of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives is one of the promising areas of such activity. At this stage of research, it is known that such 1,2,4-triazole derivatives as 4-((5-(decylthio)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl)methyl)morpholine and 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-((4-bromophenyl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol have a wide spectrum of biological activity. Interest for further thorough research is precisely the antimicrobial and antifungal effects. The introduction into medical and veterinary practice of newly created drugs for the treatment of fungal diseases on the skin of animals requires further studies of the properties of these compounds and their mixtures. The aim of the work was to determine the indicators of the morphological composition of the blood of animals and individual biochemical indicators when using a preparation with a mixture of two active compounds: 4-((5-(decylthio)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl)methyl)morpholine and 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-((4-bromophenyl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol in thistle seed oil. Materials and methods. The material for laboratory research was serum and blood plasma, stabilized by adding trilon-B, tissue biopsy. Indicators were determined in healthy animals and experimentally diseased animals on the third and tenth days after the onset of the disease according to the generally accepted method. During the research, in the course of treatment, general clinical examinations and local examinations of purulent wounds were carried out, as well as blood samples taken from each head of the sheep in the experimental and control groups before the beginning and on the third and tenth days of the experiment. The purulent-inflammatory process was caused by injuring the soft tissues in the groin area on the left side, with the help of a specially made template, followed by dilation of the muscle tissue with an angiotrip and implantation of aerobic-anaerobic surgical infection cultures taken from the bed. The resulting wounds had the following dimensions: 10 cm in length, 1 cm in width, and 2 cm in depth. As early as 24 hours after induction of experimental purulent inflammation, characteristic clinical signs appeared in sheep. The general condition of all 12 animals was somewhat depressed, the appetite was normal. The body temperature was in the range of 38.6–40.3 °C, the pulse was 76–82 beats, and the frequency of respiratory movements was 16–18 per minute. The frequency of scar contractions was 3–6 times in 2 minutes. During the examination, slight swelling was also found in the area of the wound and its edges. There was a small amount of serous-bloody exudate on the surface of the wound. On the 3rd day, the maximum manifestation of clinical signs of acute purulent inflammation was observed in all 12 sheep. In particular, the general condition of the animals is depressed. A partial loss of appetite was observed. General temperature 40.4–40.8 °C, pulse 75–82 beats, frequency of respiratory movements 18–22 per minute. The frequency of scar contractions was 3–6 times in 2 minutes. Visible mucous membranes are pale pink in color. When pressing on the area of the wound, a serous-purulent exudate was observed. Results. Laboratory indicators of blood and tissue biopsy that are more optimal than in the control group confirm positive changes in the clinical status of the animals in the experimental group. The use of a potential preparation with a mixture of two active compounds: 4-((5-(decylthio)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl)methyl)morpholine and 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-((4-bromophenyl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol in thistle seed oil leads to faster healing of purulent wounds, in relation to the use of “Vetmikoderm” liniment (control group). The difference in the areas of the wound defect on the 10–11th day was 17.5 %. Clinical studies were confirmed by laboratory studies and wound biopsies. Conclusions. The preparation with two compounds: 4-((5-(decylthio)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl)methyl)morpholine and 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-((4-bromophenyl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol had pronounced pharmacokinetic parameters and was bioavailable.

Radiant cooling and heating systems provide an opportunity to achieve significant energy savings, peak demand reduction, load shifting, and thermal comfort improvements compared to conventional all-air systems. As a result, application of these systems has increased in recent years, particularly in zero-net-energy (ZNE) and other advanced low-energy buildings. Despite this growth, completed installations to date have demonstrated that controls and operation of radiant systems can be challenging due to a lack of familiarity within the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) design and operations professions, often involving new concepts (particularly related to the slow response in high thermal mass radiant systems). To achieve the significant reductions in building energy use proposed by California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC’s) Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan that all new non-residential buildings be ZNE by 2030, it is critical that new technologies that will play a major role in reaching this goal be applied in an effective manner. This final report describes the results of a comprehensive multi-faceted research project that was undertaken to address these needed enhancements to radiant technology by developing the following: (1) sizing and operation tools (currently unavailable on the market) to provide reliable methods to take full advantage of the radiant systems to provide improved energy performance while maintaining comfortable conditions, (2) energy, cost, and occupant comfort data to provide real world examples of energy efficient, affordable, and comfortable buildings using radiant systems, and (3) Title-24 and ASHRAE Standards advancements to enhance the building industry’s ability to achieve significant energy efficiency goals in California with radiant systems. The research team used a combination of full-scale fundamental laboratory experiments, whole-building energy simulations and simplified tool development, and detailed field studies and control demonstrations to assemble the new information, guidance and tools necessary to help the building industry achieve significant energy efficiency goals for radiant systems in California.

Geotechnical and geo-environmental engineers are interested in the desiccation-induced cracks as they significantly influence the performance of geotechnical structures. A comprehensive understanding is required for developing rational tools for the design of geotechnical structures taking account of the morphological characteristics of desiccation-induced cracks. This study provides a critical review based on more than 100 publications related to the morphological characteristics of cohesive soil desiccation cracks from in situ investigations as well as laboratory studies during the past several decades. Both the in situ and laboratory characterization techniques are comprehensively reviewed, and their advantages and limitations are summarized. The mixture of the hexagonal pattern and the orthogonal pattern is typically observed in desiccation cracks, which is a combined result of the simultaneous strain energy release and the successive interaction between the generated stress field and the existing or induced heterogeneities. A theoretical equation is proposed to estimate the crack block size considering the effects of soil layer thickness, base friction, and environmental factors. It has been found that the crack depth increases linearly with the increasing crack width based on limited measurements at different scales. A reliable in situ characterization technique for the three-dimensional crack morphology and a more effective and fully coupled numerical modelling technique for the multi-physical and multi-scale desiccation cracking behavior are recommended for future works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of cyanotoxins and its bioaccumulation in the food chain is an increasingly common problem worldwide. Despite the toxic effects produced by Anatoxin-a (ATX-a), this neurotoxin has been less studied compared to microcystins (MCs) and cylindrospermopsin (CYN). Studies conducted under laboratory conditions are of particular interest because these provide information which are directly related to the effects produced by the toxin. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers the ATX-a toxicological database inadequate to support the publication of a formal guideline reference value. Therefore, the aim of the present work is to compile all of the in vitro and in vivo toxicological studies performed so far and to identify potential data gaps. Results show that the number of reports is increasing in recent years. However, more in vitro studies are needed, mainly in standardized neuronal cell lines. Regarding in vivo studies, very few of them reflect conditions occurring in nature and further studies with longer periods of oral exposure would be of interest. Moreover, additional toxicological aspects of great interest such as mutagenicity, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity and alteration of hormonal balance need to be studied in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewer pipe pressurization is a phenomenon that can cause structural damage in urban drainage systems and can result in a public health issue, especially in cities that have combined sewer systems. Studies have classified the phenomena of downstream to upstream pressurization in stages, proposing several mathematical models to predict pressure variations and the effect generated by air entrapment. This paper considers the opposite pressurization process, upstream to downstream, caused by a sudden increase in discharge. Using a physical model in which drainage time and flow rate magnitude are controlled, severe flood drainage events are simulated. Results show that the increases of water level are gradual, and when the depth reaches full pipe flow, pressure increases are also gradual without any transients. The contribution of this work relies on concluding that it is highly improbable that the pressurization process in this case could cause damage problems in the drainage infrastructure. The same results were obtained regardless of the rate of increase in flow and the maximum final pressure in the pipe, which differs from the downstream-upstream case. There are no pressure transients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trapezoidal-shaped hydrographs are typical of anthropized rivers, as this form is generally associated with the release of water from hydropower dams. To investigate how such unnatural waves can affect bedload rate, preliminary flume experiments were performed in Krakow, Poland, looking at bedload transport rate, bed shear stress and bed morphology. In addition, close-range bed surface photogrammetry was used to investigate bed changes due to the passage of the flood wave. Three scenarios, having the same water volume but different wave magnitudes, were tested. The lowest wave showed almost no sediment transport and no visible changes in bed morphology, while higher waves changed the bed morphology, creating erosion and accumulation zones. The highest wave was characterized by an 8-shaped hysteresis of the bedload rate with a peak during the wave maximum. The lag time between the maximum bedload rate and the wave plateau was longer than expected due to zero-slope conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This technical note presents results from flume experiments conducted in a straight prismatic asymmetric compound channel with two different floodplain roughnesses and rigid emergent vegetation along the floodplain edge in combination with a mobile and fixed main channel bed, respectively. It is found that the contribution of floodplain roughness and vegetation along the floodplain edge to the bulk friction factor is considerably reduced when studied in combination with a mobile main channel bed featuring bedforms. This in turn means that the effect of vegetation along the floodplain edge on the conveyance capacity and bulk friction factor may be overestimated if it is studied solely with fixed bed conditions. The presented results reveal the need to improve our understanding of the complex interplay between mobile beds and vegetation along the floodplain edge and its combined effect on compound channel conveyance capacity and hydraulics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laser profilometry technique was upgraded to detect underwater bed level evolution with a laser and a single camera for highly transient laboratory experiments. The proposed procedure is simple, but achieves a similar performance as that met by more complex and expensive methods. This technique was applied to a dam-break test case over a mobile bed in a channel with a 90° bend, for which water and bed levels were both continuously recorded at five different places. Photogrammetry was then used to reconstruct the final topography, whose main features could be explained by analysing only a few appropriately chosen linear bed profiles. This cheap, simple, flexible and accurate method thus proves to be an interesting alternative to more complex methods for morphodynamics investigations in the case of fast transient flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of obstacles on the hydrodynamic flow structure is of major interest since such flows are representative of flooded urban areas. This study focuses on a pattern depicting a single-family home and garden area, as found in recent suburban development. The purpose herein is to analyze the evolution of the velocity distribution for a densely built area as well as for emerged to slightly submerged situations, which represent various flood situations ranging from commonplace to extreme. Free-surface flows through an in-line distribution of square cylinders were investigated in a laboratory flume, in the aim of assessing the effect of relative submergence on the flow structure within the cylinder array. The results show that the lines of square cylinders channelize the flow. Moreover, the submerged case generated similar flow characteristics below the top of the cylinders, which drastically changed once the water flowed above the square cylinder level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article concerns the mechatronic design and experimental investigations of the HUBO automated human body scanning system. Functional problems that should be solved by using the developed scanning system are defined. These include reducing the number of sensors used while eliminating the need to rotate a human and ensuring the automation of the scanning process. Research problems that should be the subject of experimental research are defined. The current state of the art in the field of systems and techniques for scanning the human figure is described. The functional and technical assumptions for the HUBO scanning system are formulated. The mechanical design of the scanner, the hardware and information system architectures as well as the user’s mobile application are presented. The method of operation of the scanning system and its innovative features are discussed. It is demonstrated that the developed solution of the scanning system allows the identified problems to be overcome. The methodology of the experimental research of the scanning system based on the photogrammetry technique is described. The results of laboratory studies with the use of dummies and experimental research with human participation are presented. The scope of the research carried out allows answers to the identified research problems related to the scanning of the human figure using the photogrammetry technique to be obtained. As part of laboratory tests using a measuring dummy, a mean error of 0.65 mm and standard deviation of the mean of 0.65 mm were obtained for the best scanner configuration. Research with human participation was carried out for the scanner version, in which the scanning time was 30 s, with the possibility of its reduction to 15 s. The results of studies using realistic dummies and with human participation were compared using the root mean square error parameter (RMSE) provided by the AliceVision framework, which was available for all analyzed objects. As a result, it was observed that these results are comparable, i.e., the RMSE parameter is equal to about 1 px.

The ultrasound method is a low-cost, environmentally safe technology that may be utilized in the petroleum industry to boost oil recovery from the underground reservoir via enhanced oil recovery or well stimulation campaigns. The method uses a downhole instrument to propagate waves into the formation, enhancing oil recovery and/or removing formation damage around the wellbore that has caused oil flow constraints. Ultrasonic technology has piqued the interest of the petroleum industry, and as a result, research efforts are ongoing to fill up the gaps in its application. This paper discusses the most recent research on the investigation of ultrasound's applicability in underground petroleum reservoirs for improved oil recovery and formation damage remediation. New study areas and scopes were identified, and future investigations were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-analytical phase in laboratory studies may be influenced by multiple factors, which can be categorized into patient-related, patient-independent, and interfering factors. The first group includes diet, physical activity, body position, medicines, and stimulants. These are the most important factors because here the patient can consciously influence the laboratory results. Second group are the patient-independent factors such as gender, population, age, and pregnancy are beyond the control of the patient. The last category includes conditions such as hemolysis, lipemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. They can alter the results of coagulation tests and other biochemistry studies. Hence, clots in a specimen and the presence of hemolysis and the most common factors account for 80% of pre-analytical phase laboratory errors. It is absolutely necessary to implement procedures for monitoring and assessing pre-laboratory error as well as medical staff training regarding the collection, storage, and transport of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computed tomography of the abdomen (CT) is used as the gold standard for detecting solid organ injuries (SOI) after blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). However, patient selection for CT is still controversial due to its potential risks. In this study, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of laboratory tests in the detection or exclusion of SOI in pediatric patients evaluated in the emergency department due to BAT. The study was planned as a prospective, observational study and was conducted in the emergency department of a university hospital between February 2018 and February 2019. Patients under the age of 18 who were evaluated for BAT in the emergency department were included in the study. In the study, the diagnostic value of abnormal laboratory tests in detecting SOI was calculated by accepting CT results as the gold standard. Of the 323 patients included in the study, 118 (36%) were male. There were 283 patients who underwent CT. SOI was detected in 18 (6%) patients. Abnormal alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase and lipase tests were found to be statistically significant in predicting SOI (p < 0.05). However, none of the tests were found to have sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, lactate and base excess values were not found to be statistically significant in predicting SOI (p > 0.005). The hematologic laboratory tests are insufficient to rule out solid organ injury in pediatric patient with BAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependency of the friction factor on the flow direction was investigated experimentally in a milled scale model of an unlined rock blasted tunnel under pressurized flow conditions by reversing the flow direction. The experimental data were used to highlight the significance of anisotropic roughness structures and variations in the cross-sectional area on the flow resistance. It is hypothesized that local sudden expansions of the cross-sectional area, which are followed by gradual contractions, contribute significantly to the directional dependency of the friction factor due to potential flow separation. For the reversed case, i.e. when sudden large-scale contractions were followed by gradual expansions, 15% lower friction factors were observed. The results were also used to highlight the scale dependency of these topographical features, the dependency of the friction factor from the tunnel driving direction, and to show the need for the development of methods that can be used to parameterize the directional dependency of hydraulic roughness and friction factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-swirl in the approach flow towards a pump leads to a decreased efficiency or even to malfunctioning of a pump. Especially for pumping stations with large rotodynamic pumps, the risk of malfunctioning should be minimized. For this reason, hydraulic investigations are performed prior to the construction of pumping stations to assess the amount of pre-swirl in the approach flow and if needed, to design local measures to decrease it. This article presents a test set-up of a simplified pump sump in which the pump performance characteristics are measured at a real pump for a wide range of predefined corotating and counterrotating swirl angles. The swirl angles are measured in a transparent model pump at scale 1:1 with a swirl meter at four bell diameters above the bell-mouth. The findings discussed in this paper provide insight in the relation between pre-swirl in the approach flow and pump performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes and explores how translational research models, embedded in institutions and standards, interact with the epistemic and material practices of cell biologists of ageing, a field re-energized by emergent technoscientific promises that hinge on the possibility of eliminating or manipulating senescent cells to tackle age-related diseases. Drawing on a 3-year long lab ethnography, the paper suggests that knowledge making in cell biology of ageing relies on two different epistemic and material cultures, to then argue that these cultures combine in four different types of experimental systems, only one of which can properly be seen as pertaining to translation as usually conceived. The paper further analyses how cell biologists articulate the linear temporality of translational research with the unfolding experimental chains where, by shifting between types of experimental system, cell biologists are able to generatively reconfigure their epistemic objects, and the consequences of this fragile arrangements for the field.

Around the turn of the twentieth century, microbiologists in Western Europe and North America began to organize centralized collections of microbial cultures. Collectors published lists of the strains they cultured, offering to send duplicates to colleagues near and far. This essay explores the history of microbial culture collections through two cases: Johanna Westerdijk's collection of phytopathogenic fungi in the Netherlands and Ernst Georg Pringsheim's collection of single-celled algae at the German University in Prague. Historians of science have tended to look at twentieth-century biological specimen collections as either repositories of communal research materials or storehouses of economically important biological variation. An examination of Westerdijk's and Pringsheim's collections illustrates how collectors, researchers, and patrons ascribed different kinds of value to collections featuring distinctive microbial life forms. This essay argues that characteristics of cultivated microorganisms, such as a fungus's propensity to infect crops or an alga's amenability to experimentation, shaped the trajectories of Westerdijk's and Pringsheim's collections as these collectors developed relationships with colleagues and patrons. Letters between Westerdijk and Pringsheim open a window onto divergences in their approaches to collecting cultures, while also shedding light on the aspirational internationality of the collections that resulted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of wax deposits is a common phenomenon in the production and transportation of formation fluids. On the territory of the Perm Krai, this problem occurs in half of the mining funds. One of the most common and promising methods of dealing with these deposits is the use of inhibitor regents. The most popular technique for assessing the effectiveness of a wax inhibitor is the «Cold Finger», which has a number of significant drawbacks. This work presents a number of methods for assessing the effectiveness of inhibition of paraffin formation on the laboratory installation «WaxFlowLoop». A number of laboratory studies have been carried out to determine the effectiveness of a paraffin deposition inhibitor for inhibiting the paraffin formation process of four target fluids. Verification of the obtained values was carried out by comparing them with the field data. As a result of laboratory studies, it was found that the value of the inhibitor efficiency, determined by the «Cold Finger» method, differs from the field data by an average of 2 times. At the same time, the average deviation of the results determined at the «WaxFlowLoop» installation from the field data is 8.1%. The correct selection of a paraffin deposition inhibitor and its dosage can significantly increase the inter-treatment period of the well, thereby reducing its maintenance costs and increasing the efficiency of well operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this paper is to present recommendations from an international workshop which evaluated the methodology and reporting of caries diagnostic studies. As a unique feature, this type of studies is focused on caries lesion detection and assessment, and many of them are carried out in vitro, because of the possibility of histological validation of the whole caries spectrum. This feature is not well covered in the existing reporting STARD guideline within the EQUATOR Network. Participants and methods: An international working group of 13 cariology researchers was formed. The STARD checklist was reviewed and modified for caries detection and diagnosis purposes, in a three-step process of evaluation, consensual modification, and delivery during three 2-day workshops over 18 months. Special attention was paid to reporting requirements of caries studies that solely focus on reliability. Results: The STARD checklist was modified in 14/30 items, with an emphasis on issues of sample selection (tooth selection in in vitro studies), blinding, and detailed reporting of results. Conclusion: Following STARCARDDS (STAndard Reporting of CAries Detection and Diagnostic Studies) is expected to result in complete reporting of study design and methodology in future caries diagnosis and detection experiments both in vivo and in vitro, thus allowing for better comparability of studies and higher quality of systematic reviews. Clinical relevance: Standardization of caries diagnostic studies leads to a better comparability among future studies, both in vivo and in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In experiments with vegetated flows, natural plants are often represented by artificial surrogates, which eliminate effects of plants physiology to easy fit the experimental set-ups. Using surrogates of flexible aquatic plants, the buoyancy and rigidity are supposed to match those in tissues of the natural plants. This paper introduces a new technique for manufacturing composite surrogates from silicon syntactic foams and reports on laboratory tests, which illustrate that such surrogates respond to flow similarly to the natural plants. Practical applications are illustrated by examples from recent field-based experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Laboratory studies are often criticized for not being representative of processes occurring in natural populations. One reason for this is the fact that laboratory populations generally do not capture enough of the genetic variation of natural populations. This can be mitigated by mixing the genetic background of several field populations when creating laboratory populations. From these outbred populations, it is possible to generate inbred lines, thereby freezing and partitioning part of their variability, allowing each genotype to be characterized independently. Many studies addressing adaptation of organisms to their environment, such as those involving quantitative genetics or experimental evolution, rely on inbred or outbred populations, but the methodology underlying the generation of such biological resources is usually not explicitly documented. Here, we developed different procedures to circumvent common pitfalls of laboratory studies, and illustrate their application using two haplodiploid species, the spider mites Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus evansi. First, we present a method that increases the chance of capturing high amounts of variability when creating outbred populations, by performing controlled crosses between individuals from different field‐collected populations. Second, we depict the creation of inbred lines derived from such outbred populations, by performing several generations of sib‐mating. Third, we outline an experimental evolution protocol that allows the maintenance of a constant population size at the beginning of each generation, thereby preventing bottlenecks and diminishing extinction risks. Finally, we discuss the advantages of these procedures and emphasize that sharing such biological resources and combining them with available genetic tools will allow consistent and comparable studies that greatly contribute to our understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes.