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Abstract Insulin has been shown to modulate neuronal processes through insulin receptors. The ion channels located on neurons may be important targets for insulin/insulin receptor signaling. Both insulin receptors and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are expressed in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. However, it is still unclear whether there is an interaction between them. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of insulin on the functional activity of ASICs. A 5 min application of insulin rapidly enhanced acid-evoked ASIC currents in rat DRG neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. Insulin shifted the concentration–response plot for ASIC currents upward, with an increase of 46.2 ± 7.6% in the maximal current response. The insulin-induced increase in ASIC currents was eliminated by the insulin receptor antagonist GSK1838705, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lavendustin A, and the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase antagonist wortmannin. Moreover, insulin increased the number of acid-triggered action potentials by activating insulin receptors. Finally, local administration of insulin exacerbated the spontaneous nociceptive behaviors induced by intraplantar acid injection and the mechanical hyperalgesia induced by intramuscular acid injections through peripheral insulin receptors. These results suggested that insulin/insulin receptor signaling enhanced the functional activity of ASICs via tyrosine kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathways. Our findings revealed that ASICs were targets in primary sensory neurons for insulin receptor signaling, which may underlie insulin modulation of pain.

In microsurgery, many different imaging techniques are available in both flap and lymphatic surgery that all come with their own advantages and disadvantages. In flap surgery, CT angiography is considered as the gold standard. Among others, Doppler ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasound, ICG, and smartphone-based thermal cameras are valuable imaging techniques. In lymphatic surgery, photoacoustic imaging, laser tomography, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and high frequency ultrasound stand available to surgeons next to the current standard of lymphoscintigraphy. It is crucial to know the advantages and disadvantages to various techniques and highly adviced to microsurgeons be capable of using a variety of them.

This work investigates the discrepancies in electrical parameters of mono-crystalline solar panels between Ago-Iwoye weather conditions and the manufacturer’s specified ideal conditions. Manufacturer’s specifications are typically based on 1,000 W/m2 global solar irradiance, AM 1.5, and 25°C operating temperature, while actual weather conditions at installation sites can vary significantly. Mono-crystalline (single-crystal) silicon solar panels of capacities 60, 80, 100, and 150 W were evaluated through current-voltage (I-V) response tests at an installation site in Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria, with solar irradiance exposure from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The analysis of I-V and P-V curves revealed a significant reduction in maximum power output by 28.6%, 25.9%, 28.9%, and 19.36%, respectively, compared to the manufacturer’s stated values. This deviation underscores the importance of considering local weather conditions during solar PV projects, and we recommend adding an additional 20%–30% of the total solar panel capacity during installations to account for variations in solar irradiance and operating temperatures, ensuring optimal performance and effective solar power generation in Ago-Iwoye and similar areas.

This study aims to determine the reliability of applying a thermal management system in conjunction with Internet of Things in solar electric cars. In conventional electric cars or those whose driving energy source comes from gasoline fuel; the applied thermal management system is mainly used as a coolant for the internal combustion engine. However, for electric cars the thermal management system may be used for the main components such as controllers that convert solar module energy into electricity and batteries. Results from tests utilizing six DC fans for air cooling of the thermal management system yield two variations of battery charging conditions from the solar modules, namely variations of 25 and 400 turns of the trimmer constant current step-up charger. Test results from the proposed thermal management system show that the highest step-up charger temperature is 35.75 °C with voltage of 57.64 V for the variation of 25 laps. The test results on the battery voltage and temperature show that the highest battery temperature reaches 31.75 °C with voltage of 57.3 V at the variation of 25 rounds.

This work presents the results of manufacturing a single Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) with Micro-Porous Layers (MPLs) and an active area of 25 cm2, and the experimental study required to build its polarization curve. Based on the physical model data, a numerical model of this PEMFC is created in the ANSYS PEM Fuel Cell module. Numerical simulations were performed with boundary conditions consistent with the experimental conditions on the test station. The calculation and experimental result comparison of the polarization curves for voltages ranging from 0.29 V to 0.94 V proved that the utilized numerical model is highly reliable. The simulation of PEMFC without MPLs was conducted according to other stable input parameters and boundary conditions. The results show that the PEMFC performance decreases significantly due to the flooding phenomenon inside PEMFC without MPLs compared to PEMFC with MPLs. Such phenomena are challenging to observe experimentally. Numerical modeling can be further used to optimize the fuel cell components.

In this work, for the first time, samples of nanoparticles of the multicomponent AlCuNiCoCrFe alloy were obtained by the method of joint electric explosion of wires of Al, Cu, Ni metals and N06003, NiCo29-18 alloys in an argon atmosphere. As the basic mode of wire explosion, a mode close to the matched one was chosen, which made it possible to minimize the influence of the energy of the arc stage of the discharge on the structural-phase state of the forming nanoparticles. It is shown that the obtained samples are represented by spherical particles with sizes ranging from 15 to 500 nm. The number-average size of nanoparticles of the obtained samples varies from 40 to 58 nm. The particle size distribution is described by a normal-logarithmic law, the crystal structure of the particles corresponds to substitutional solid solutions with a bcc and/or fcc lattice. An increase in the Al content in the explosion products leads to an increase in the content of the phase with a bcc lattice in the samples, while an increase in the Cu content leads to an increase in the phase with a fcc lattice. The resulting samples can be used in electrocatalysis.

Ultrasound guided peripheral nerve block (USgPNB) refers to anaesthetic techniques to deposit local anesthetic next to nerves, permitting painful surgery without necessitating general anesthesia. Needle tip position prior to local anesthetic deposition is a key determinant of block success and safety. Nerve puncture and intra-neural injection of local anesthetic can cause permanent nerve injury. Currently ultrasound guidance is not sufficiently sensitive to reliably detect needle to nerve proximity. Feedback with bioimpedance data from the smart needle tip might provide the anesthetist with information as to the relationship between the needle tip and the target nerve prior to local anesthetic deposition.

Pekalongan City is an area that frequently experiences floods. In response, the government has launched a flood management program for the Pekalongan area, which includes the relocation of the National Fishery Harbor Pekalongan. The construction of the Pekalongan Onshore Harbor will change marine hydrodynamics, current, waves and sediments. To address these issues, it is necessary to conduct a study of these changes. According to the modeling results, the maximum current speed in the harbor pool ranges from 0 to 0.28 m/s, while the maximum wave height in the harbor pool falls within the range of 0 to 0.40 meters. The bed level change at the end of modeling in the harbor pool is 0.108 mm. Notably, the construction of the Pekalongan Onshore Harbor, as per the planned layout, induces hydrodynamic changes. An indicator of a hydrodynamics change is the alteration in currents at T4 and T5 in each model. In the proposed harbor layout, T4 and T5 exhibit a decrease in current speed, while the wave height remains relatively consistent. This change reduces erosion at T5 and even leads to sedimentation at T4 within the planned harbor layout.

In this article a diagnosis of the power quality in the welding hall of the company CIAUTO Cía. Ltda. is carried out, following the Ecuadorian regulation No. ARCERNNR - 002/20. The electrical parameters are recorded with the FLUKE 435-II and analyzed according to the quality of the product and the consumer. The results reveal that the power factor is below 0.92, indicating inefficient use of electrical energy. In the evaluation of the quality of the product, it is observed that the voltage remains within the established limits, although it decreases considerably during working hours, on the other hand, the Flicker does not meet the standard, also the individual harmonic distortion specifically in the fifth harmonic 20% of variables recorded exceed 5%, unlike the total harmonic voltage distortion (THD) that meets the regulation. Likewise, an analysis of the quality in relation to the consumer is performed, revealing alarming levels of current consumption that exceed the nominal levels of the 800 kVA transformer at 325 A, also 90% of individual current harmonics greatly exceed the limits and the total demand distortion (TDD) has records of harmonics up to 80.04%. Finally, it is determined that the power quality in the welding hall of CIAUTO Cía. Ltda. presents deficiencies in power factor, Flicker and harmonic distortion. These results highlight the need to take measures to improve energy efficiency and ensure power quality for both the product and the consumer.

Bearings are one of the most essential elements in an induction motor, and they are built with different materials and constructions according to their application. These components are usually one of the most failure-prone parts of an electric motor, so correct and accurate measurements, instrumentation, and processing methods are required to prevent and detect the presence of different failures. This work develops a methodology based on the fusion of current and magnetic stray flux signals, calculation of statistical and non-statistical indicators, genetic algorithms (GAs), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and neural networks. The proposed approach achieves a diagnostic effectiveness of 99.8% for detecting various damages in the outer race at 50 Hz frequency and 96.6% at 60 Hz. It also demonstrates 99.8% effectiveness for detecting damages in the presence of contaminants in lubrication at 50 Hz and 97% at 60 Hz. These results apply across metallic, ceramic, and hybrid bearings.

This study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of the phytoplankton in the coral habitat of Dongshan Bay (China), along with critical factors affecting the distribution, during June, August, and December 2022. Phytoplankton abundance in Dongshan Bay exhibited considerably temporal variation, peaking in June 2022, gradually decreasing thereafter, and reaching its lowest point in December 2022. The abundance of bottom-layer phytoplankton consistently exceeded that of the surface layer throughout all seasons. The average phytoplankton abundance in the coral habitat of Dongshan Bay was lower than that in non-coral habitat areas. Fluctuations in the Zhangjiang River and coastal upwelling influenced the diversity and community structure of the phytoplankton. Critical factors causing spatiotemporal variability in phytoplankton community structure included nutrient concentrations and seawater temperature. Nutrients played key roles in influencing various phytoplankton groups. Dominant diatom species, such as Thalassionema nitzschioides and Thalassiosira diporocyclus, were positively correlated with ammonia nitrogen, seawater salinity, coral cover, and the number of coral species present. In winter, Calanus sinicus exhibited a negative correlation with harmful algal bloom species. Additionally, it was found that both in the coral habitat and surrounding open sea, currents, nutrients, and zooplankton may play crucial roles in determining the spatiotemporal variability in the phytoplankton community structure.

This paper presents an analytical model for computing and designing a three-phase Amorphous Core Transformer (ACT) with a power rating of 3 kVA, 380/127 V. Based on the main parameters obtained from the analytical model, a Finite Element Method (FEM) was developed to simulate the electromagnetic parameters, such as electric currents, operating voltages, and losses. Finally, an ACT installation was carried out with the steel material of code 2605SA1. The simulation results were compared with the experimental measurements under no-load and full-load operating conditions. Furthermore, the no-load loss of ACT was also compared to that of traditional transformers using silicon steel material. The obtained results prove that the use of ACT can save energy in the fields of education, health services, and industries.

Oceanographic monitoring was conducted in the southern basin of the Caspian Sea to evaluate the physical structure of seawater and sea currents. This monitoring aimed to gather data and analyze the characteristics of the seawater, including temperature, salinity, density, and other relevant parameters. Additionally, the monitoring also focused on studying the patterns and dynamics of sea currents in the region. The collected data and analysis from this monitoring period provided valuable insights into the oceanographic conditions of the southern basin of the Caspian Sea. During storm events, a high level of correlation between the current and wind data was observed in the southern basin of the Caspian Sea during the 2017-2018 monitoring period. The measured current data indicated that the predominant directions were north (N) and northwest (NW). It was observed that strong gusts predominantly originated from the north (N) and northwest (NW) directions. Additionally, a smaller portion of the strong gusts was observed to come from the South-Southeast (S-SE) direction. These findings indicate that the prevailing wind patterns during the monitoring period were primarily from the north and northwest, with a lesser contribution from the South-Southeast direction. The current profiles observed during the monitoring period in the southern basin of the Caspian Sea were primarily influenced by the general circulation pattern of the region. This circulation pattern played a significant role in shaping the current profiles observed during the measurements. In terms of the surface current speed, the maximum recorded value was approximately 200 cm/s, which occurred in January. This indicates that there were instances of relatively high-speed currents in the southern basin of the Caspian Sea during that time. The evaluation of inter-annual variability in vertical structure and seawater temperature profiles during the monitoring period confirmed the presence of seasonal stratification in the water column of the southern basin of the Caspian Sea. This stratification was observed to consist of different layers, including the surface mixed layer, thermocline, and deep-water layers. The formation of these layers is indicative of the seasonal variations in temperature and density within the water column. The vertical changes in the water’s physical parameters during the monitoring period revealed the formation of stratification in the southern basin of the Caspian Sea. In March, it was observed that the water temperature decreased from 11.5°C at the surface to 8.5°C at a depth of 100 m, indicating the presence of a temperature gradient. As the monitoring progressed into May, the stratification became stronger, with the surface water temperature reaching around 23°C. By August, the surface layer of the sea water experienced a significant increase in temperature, reaching 29°C. These observations highlight the development of stratification and the seasonal variations in water temperature during the monitoring period in spring and summer seasons. The water temperature beneath the thermocline layer, specifically at a depth of 100 meters, was recorded to be around 8-8.5 oC. Additionally, the water salinity in the water column exhibited fluctuations between 12-12.5 (psu). Monitoring and understanding physical properties variations are crucial for assessing the oceanographic conditions and their potential impact on marine ecosystems in the southern basin of the Caspian Sea.

The article presents the most current economic situation in United Kingdom of Great Britain. It shows cost of living which currently facing adults in UK, increase in young people not in training, employment or education, current social spendings, rising cost of living students in the UK, average wages, rise of inflation, retail volume raise, businesses suffer a drop in performance, GDP grow in last three months in England, long term sickness rise in economic inactivity. It was done comparison according to Economic Situation in Poland based on available data base. The information in the ONS report will help to: • see the strengths and data limitations; • learn about current uses and data users; • have a clear the used methods to data creating; • to decide appropriate apply for the data; • minimize the risk of data misusing.

Purpose. The main objective of this study is to assess the phenomena that affect the parameters of power quality, to consider ways to counteract the deterioration of power quality, to assess the effect of electromagnetic interference on the human body, and to review the available devices for measuring the parameters of electric energy. Methodology. To obtain relevant data, the authors conducted a literature review on the topic of the work using full-text and abstract databases. The main causes of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) violations and ways to counteract these violations are considered. The main parameters of electricity quality, conditions for their measurement and permissible ranges according to the State Standards of Ukraine (SSU) are highlighted. A review of devices for measuring the parameters of electricity quality and the search for a suitable one that meets Ukrainian standards was carried out. Findings. The authors have proved: 1) the problem of measuring electricity quality parameters is relevant and important for its accurate accounting; 2) control of electricity quality parameters and compliance with state standards allows avoiding negative impact on the electricity supply system; 3) the use of modern digital measuring devices provides greater measurement accuracy than analog ones, and they are able to take into account more parameters in one measurement. Originality. The authors conducted a study in the field of electromagnetic compatibility in the field of electromagnetic compatibility using a digital device that gives more accurate and reliable results of power quality parameters. Practical value. Based on the results obtained, it is possible both to correct the personal research of individual scientists or teams of scientists and to predict further prospects for the development of the subject area «Electromagnetic Compatibility» in traction power supply systems in railway transport. The research can also be useful in the study of the disciplines «Electromagnetic Compatibility of Railway Automation Systems» and «Electrical Circuits and Lines of Railway Automation», organization of scientific and practical seminars, advanced training courses, etc.

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are essential supplementary structures used in tropical tuna purse-seine fishing. They are strategically placed to attract tuna species and enhance fishing productivity. The hydrodynamic performance of FADs has a direct effect on their structural and environmental safety in the harsh marine environment. Conventional FADs are composed of materials that do not break down naturally, leading to the accumulation of waste in the ocean and potential negative effects on marine ecosystems. Therefore, this work aimed to examine the hydrodynamic performance of biodegradable drifting FADs (Bio-DFADs) in oceanic currents by numerical modelling. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation was used to solve the flow field and discretized based on the realizable k-ε turbulence model, employing the finite volume method. A set of Bio-DFADs was developed to assess the hydrodynamic performance under varying current velocities and attack angles, as well as different balsa wood diameters and sinker weights. The results indicated that the relative current velocity significantly affected the relative velocity of Bio-DFADs. The relative length of the raft significantly affected both the relative velocity and the relative wetted area in a pure stream. Finally, the diameter of the balsa wood affected the drift velocity, and the sinker’s relative weight affected the hydrodynamic performance of the Bio-DFADs.

The problem of getting rid of expensive and metal-intensive current transformers has been declared by CIGRE as strategically important for the electric power industry. However, almost all traditional current protections receive information from measuring current transformers. In this work, a resource-saving reed switch overcurrent protection without current transformers is suggested, which can be used as an alternative to traditional current protections for 6–10 kV electrical installations connected to a switchgear cell. The protection is designed following the novel method we have developed based on inductance coils. Inductance coils measure the electromotive force under different operation modes of an electrical installation and at different points inside the switchgear cell it is connected to; the EMF values are recalculated in the values of magnetic induction, and reed switches are mounted instead of inductance coils at the points where the magnetic induction is maximal. Moreover, these values are sufficient to detect phase-to-phase short circuits in the electrical installation. The dependence of the induction value on the position of an inductance coil inside the cell is derived with the use of the simplest formula of the Biot–Savart law. The results can be used at large and small industrial enterprises, electric power stations, and substations of plants; they can be interesting for the scientific community because they help to solve the topical problem of the electric power industry.

Abstract On the night of 1 November 2022, a luminous discharge was produced above a storm over the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. An unprecedented set of optical and electrical data makes it possible to characterize this event. It is embedded in a lightning flash which starts with a positive discharge producing a high‐power very high frequency (VHF) source at 6 km followed by VHF sources at 10 and 4 km within the cloud. The luminous event above the cloud is identified as a negative leader emerging from the cloud and reaching 14.2 km, topped with streamers up to about 17.2 km, and followed by channel rebrightening phases connected to the negative charge of a positive dipole. It is preceded by a convective surge and a production of positive flashes within the same storm region. Its polarity and its triggering conditions show similarities with those of gigantic jets.

In the present work, the impact that the longitudinal shape of channels has on the current produced in the flow of a magneto-hydrodynamic microgenerator (MHDMG) is studied. The goal is to find the micro-channel geometry via modeling to maximize the current output for low Reynolds and Mach regimes. To carry out this study, a 3D dynamic numerical tool relying on the finite volume method was handled with the open-source software OpenFOAM. It is the base model to study the impact of intricate geometries on the ability to produce energy. An additional steady-state 2D analytical model was also developed to check some basic modeling assumptions. Both models have been experimentally validated on the simplest flow system having a constant square cross-section throughout. The results produced by both models cross-check very well and compare favorably with respect to experimental data. Hence, using the validated numerical tool, three shapes have been further investigated, namely, progressive (linear decrease of the cross-section), arc (parabolic decrease of the cross-section), and wavy (sinusoidal shape). It was found that the arc channel provides the greatest current output for the same volumetric flow. It is therefore the preferred choice for developing high current gain and more efficient MHDMG used in micro-scaled actuators and sensors.

Background. The object of the study is a symmetrical current source for bioimpedance measurements. The subject of the study is to determine the ways of occurrence of errors in the measurement of bioimpedance. The aim is to develop a method for reducing parasitic leakage of high-frequency current in the process of bioimpedance measurement. Materials and methods. To determine the sources of measurement error, the idea of the paths of parasitic leakage currents into the ground is used. Results. A method is proposed to eliminate the parasitic effect of leakage current from the measuring object into the ground. As a result, the bioimpedance measurement circuit is insensitive to any types of leakage currents from the measuring object into the ground. Conclusions. The proposed symmetrical current source for bioimpedance measurements makes it possible to completely eliminate the influence of parasitic leakage current from the measuring object into the ground, which positively affects the accuracy and reliability of determining the parameters of the human body.

Abstract In the present study, polycrystalline films of layered zinc phosphate hydrate are produced by a facile, low‐temperature single‐step hydrothermal fabrication method on top of Cu metal substrates. Despite containing structural water, the as‐grown films remain crystalline, chemically stable, and electrically conductive. The photoluminescence spectrum obtained at room‐temperature reveals the presence of a spectrally narrow, high‐intensity ultraviolet band that consists of two Gaussian peaks at ≈377 and 383 nm and a UV‐to‐visible peak emission intensity ratio of ≈5.3. The electrical charge‐transport properties remain Ohmic for electric fields of up to ≈2 kV m−1 and temperature (T) range of ≈223–368 K. The electrical conductivity is further found to vary exponentially with the inverse temperature, and the thermal activation energy, Ea is 285 ± 8 meV. A moderate UV‐vis photoconduction effect is registered and assigned to light‐assisted electronic transitions that involve near‐band edge defect states. This study can potentially open a door to the engineering and deployment of water‐based compounds with advanced, semiconducting‐like attributes in short‐wavelength opto‐electronic devices.

This paper presents a review of cross-shore sediment transport for non-cohesive sediments in the coastal zone. The principles of sediment incipient motion are introduced. Formulations for the estimation of bedload transport are presented, for currents and combined waves and current flows. A method to consider the effect of sediment heterogeneity on transport, using the hiding–exposure coefficient and hindrance factor, is depicted. Total transport resulting from bedload and transport by suspension is also addressed. New research is encouraged to fill the knowledge gap on this topic.

Accurate assessment of dough kneading is pivotal in pasta processing, where both under-kneading and over-kneading can detrimentally impact dough quality. This study proposes an innovative approach utilizing a cost-effective current sensor to ascertain the optimal kneading time for dough. Throughout the kneading process, the dough’s tensile resistance gradually increases, reflecting the evolution of properties such as the gluten network. This leads to a discernible ascending phase in dough quality, evident through an increase in the load current of the mixing machine, succeeded by a subsequent decline beyond a certain threshold. The identification of this peak point enables the achievement of optimal dough consistency, thereby enhancing the overall quality of both the dough and subsequent pasta products. After the final product quality assessment, this novel method promises to be a valuable tool in optimizing pasta processing and ensuring consistent product quality.

In order to address the challenges of low recognition accuracy and the difficulty in effective diagnosis in traditional converter transformer voiceprint fault diagnosis, a novel method is proposed in this article. This approach takes account of the impact of load factors, utilizes a multi-strategy improved Mel-Frequency Spectrum Coefficient (MFCC) for voiceprint signal feature extraction, and combines it with a temporal convolutional network for fault diagnosis. Firstly, it improves the hunter–prey optimizer (HPO) as a parameter optimization algorithm and adopts IHPO combined with variational mode decomposition (VMD) to achieve denoising of voiceprint signals. Secondly, the preprocessed voiceprint signal is combined with Mel filters through the Stockwell transform. To adapt to the stationary characteristics of the voiceprint signal, the processed features undergo further mid-temporal processing, ultimately resulting in the implementation of a multi-strategy improved MFCC for voiceprint signal feature extraction. Simultaneously, load signal segmentation is introduced for the diagnostic intervals, forming a joint feature vector. Finally, by using the Mish activation function to improve the temporal convolutional network, the IHPO-ITCN is proposed to adaptively optimize the size of convolutional kernels and the number of hidden layers and construct a transformer fault diagnosis model. By constructing multiple sets of comparison tests through specific examples and comparing them with the traditional voiceprint diagnostic model, our results show that the model proposed in this paper has a fault recognition accuracy as high as 99%. The recognition accuracy was significantly improved and the training speed also shows superior performance, which can be effectively used in the field of multiple fault diagnosis of converter transformers.

Background. The study is devoted to the issue of improving the accuracy of automated measuring instruments for the electrical parameters of oxide coatings. In measuring instruments, integrating circuits based on an operational amplifier, which is a universal amplifying device, are used to perform linear mathematical operations on analog signals. The disadvantage of the integrating circuit is the use of an operational amplifier, when using which it is necessary to take into account many parameters and factors that can affect the output signal, and hence the accuracy of the measured value. Materials and methods. Methods of indirect measurement of voltage and current on the studied sample with an oxide coating using the proposed structures of measuring channels are presented. It is shown that the parameters of operational amplifiers have a significant influence on the additive and multiplicative errors of measurement results, for the analysis of which a linear model of an operational amplifier is considered. Results. Based on the metrological analysis of the voltage measurement channel on the test sample, formulas for estimating additive, multiplicative and nonlinear error components are obtained. The contribution of multiplicative and additive parameters of the operational amplifier to the error of measurement results is analyzed in detail. Conclusions. Metrological analysis of the equivalent circuit of an operational amplifier with feedback has been performed, which can be used to estimate additive and multiplicative errors of circuits based on operational amplifiers widely used in instruments and measuring systems. It is shown that the total relative error of the developed channels for measuring current and voltage does not exceed 0.5%, which makes it possible to measure these values of the studied oxide coatings with guaranteed accuracy.

Abstract 2D ferromagnet is a good platform to investigate topological effects and spintronic devices owing to its rich spin structures and excellent external‐field tunability. The appearance of the topological Hall Effect (THE) is often regarded as an important sign of the generation of chiral spin textures, like magnetic vortexes or skyrmions. Here, interface engineering and an in‐plane current are used to modulate the magnetic properties of the nearly room‐temperature 2D ferromagnet Fe5GeTe2. An artificial topology phenomenon is observed in the Fe5GeTe2/MnPS3 heterostructure by using both anomalous Hall Effect and reflective magnetic circular dichroism (RMCD) measurements. Through tuning the applied current and the RMCD laser wavelength, the amplitude of the humps and dips observed in the hysteresis loops can be modulated accordingly. Magnetic field‐dependent hysteresis loops demonstrate that the observed artificial topological phenomena are induced by the generation and annihilation of the magnetic domains. This work provides an optical method for investigating the topological‐like effects in magnetic structures and proposes an effective way to modulate the magnetic properties of magnetic materials, which is important for developing magnetic and spintronic devices in van der Waals magnetic materials.

The purpose is to examine the long-term relationship & cointegration among gross domestic product (GDP), gross capital formation (GFC), and gross national savings (GNS) at the current price level in Oman. The study has taken secondary data from the last 10 years (2010–2021). The study design is longitudinal. The studies applied the correlogram test to check whether the series are stationary or not. and also, the Granger causality test to find the direction of the GDP, GFC, and GNS. This study further used the Eagle Granger residual-based cointegration test and DOLS approaches to identify the long-run cointegration between GDP and its independent variable. With the application of the correlogram test, it has been found that GDP and GFC are stationary at their current levels, whereas GNS is stationary at the first difference. The study reported that there is no significant relationship between saving, capital formation, and economic growth at current prices. However, the finding also that there is no long-run cointegration between GDP at current prices and GNS and GFC. As the study is based on the current price which affects nominal GDP, not real GDP. It has been suggested to increase the saving to achieve a constant growth rate.

In this paper, we calculated current–voltage characteristic curves (IV curves), Conductivity, real space charge distribution, transmission spectrum, photocurrent, and thermal current of the borophene-black phosphorus heterostructure. Our results show that the zigzag device has excellent photocurrent characteristics. The direction of photocurrent can be adjusted by changing the wavelength of incident light and adding gate voltage. The armchair device has excellent IV curve characteristics and good linear characteristics at low voltage. The armchair device also has good thermoelectric current properties. The position distribution of covalent bonds formed between atoms in this heterostructure is revealed by the real space charge distribution. Our results are significant for applying borophene-black phosphorus heterostructure in electric transport devices.

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have been paid much attention due to its low cost and high efficiency. In this work, high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) made of a combination of TiO2 nanoparticle and dye were fabricated and tested. Three types of Ruthenium dyes; N3, N719 and N749 Black Dye were used. Three concentrations of each dye; 30, 40 and 50% were tested. Under optimized conditions, the solar energy conversion efficiencies were measured. The short-circuit current density (JSC), the open-circuit voltage (VOC), the fill factor (FF), and the overall efficiency (η) of the DSSCs are measured. Results indicated that N3 dye resulted in the most efficient DSSC. When working in the voltage range 0 - 0.577V, values of the resulting current were 5.711, 4.836 and 3.965 mA for N3, N719 and N749 Black Dye, respectively. These values of current remained constant with increasing voltage till voltage values of 0.436, 0.4 and 0.47V; for the three dyes, respectively. This means that higher current is obtained from N3 dye followed by N719 dye and finally by Black Dye. The values of the maximum power obtained were 2.223, 1.832 and 1.748 mW for N3, N719 and Black Dye, respectively. The efficiency of the TiO2 cells was 5.56, 4.58 and 4.37% when using N3, N719 and N749 Black Dye, respectively. Experimentation on different dye concentrations showed that N3 dye with concentration 50% gives the best performance for DSSC with FF value of 79.21 and photo conversion efficiency of 6.002%.

High automation, high speed and high efficiency are the advantages of laser welding metallurgical products. It is a great significance to study the quality of laser welding. In the paper, the input current and pulse width of laser are used as variables to improve the tensile strength of welding samples. Firstly, the effect of current and pulse width on tensile strength is obtained through experiments. Then the fitting formula and cureve of experimental data are obtained by orthogonal regression method. Finally, the prediction and optimization of tensile strength are carried out, and the error of the results is less than 12,5 %, indicating that they have a certain guiding role.

In this study three different types of manure (bird, cattle and sheep) with three doses (10, 20 and 30 g) were mixed with soil to investigate and compare the different performance of energy generation and provides ways of increasing the efficiency for such an application. The mixed soil was incubated for ten days after wetting with tap water as needed, then the voltage and current readings were taken every twenty four hours for ten days. Experiment results indicated that 30 g cattle manure was the best use for energy generating purposes, delivering a voltage peak of 7.4mVand current of 0.48 mA compared to 7.4mV; 0.34mA for bird manure and 6.56mV; 0.32mA for sheep manure. Cattle manure produced the highest peak for voltage with all doses and was therefore the best to use. In general, all treatments provide enough voltage to power the LED bulb successfully.

Protections are suggested on the basis of a current relay with two capacitors and a reed switch, which is mounted at a safe distance from a busbar inside the busduct enclosure. The relay does not need in current transformers thus saving copper, steel, and insulating materials. It differs from reed switch based analogs in the noise immunity due to signaling after two actuations of the reed switch; non-operation in the case of sealing (due to the control of duration of breaker contact); the presence of a reed switch fastening structure, and built-in test diagnostics by mean of current supply into the reed switch winding. A technique for selecting protection parameters and assessing their sensitivity is presented. The inductions of magnetic fields which affect the reed switch are calculated with the use of the simplest formulas for the shielding coefficient and of the Bio–Savart–Laplace law, where experimentally derived correcting coefficients are introduced. Examples of the calculation of the induction of protection operation and of reed switch selection are presented along with an oscillogram which confirms the cutoff operability and speed.

Aluminum 5454 alloys are considered a subject in this research, widely used in the industry, to develop die tools, molds, engine blocks, aircraft structural components, and many other commercial products. In this research, the WEDM process parameters effects on the Aluminum 5454 alloy tapered workpiece have been investigated. Tapered workpieces with angles of 30°, 45° and 60° are prepared, in which slots are generated using the WEDM process. The taper angle, peak discharge current and pulse-off time are selected as the controllable parameters in this research. Whereas other parameters are kept constant. Impact of the parameters over; kerf width, surface finish, MRR and wire have been investigated. ANOVA is applied to statistically analyze the influence of the factors over the four variables. Regression models for the four variables are determined and the Genetic Algorithm is applied to determine the feasible WEDM process parameters for the desirable magnitudes of the four variables. The regression models and optimized parameter values for different taper angles workpieces of Aluminum 5454 alloy can be used in the industry to increase the productivity and enhanced results.

The central coast of Bangladesh is dynamic for its geographical location, hydrodynamic characteristics and residual flow. The research employed the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS), an ArcGIS extension tool, to conduct a historical trend analysis of shoreline. The study demonstrates that the central coast is eroding to the north and accreting to the south. The highest accretion value was found as 195.42 m/year, whereas the maximum value of erosion was estimated as −185.83 m/year, according to End Point Rate (EPR). The Linear Regression Rate (LRR) indicates that the average rate of erosion and accretion are −17.77 m/year and 17.88 m/year, respectively. Meanwhile, using Weighted Linear Regression (WLR), 0.48% of all transects demonstrated statistically significant erosion, while 0.43% showed statistically significant accretion. During the wet season, heavy river discharge leads to a low salt level in the ocean. Ocean currents hit central coast of Bangladesh from east to west, affecting the majority of the islands in the Meghna Estuary in the dry season. Changes in current directions can be seen during the wet seasons. Southern central coast areas are hit by south-east currents that split in two directions. The Sandwip Channel has a flow of 10,000 to 15,000 m³ s−1 northward. The Tetulia River, Shahbazpur Channel, and Hatia-Sandwip flow southward at rates ranging from 3000 to 17,000 m³ s−1, 14,000 to 60,000 m³ s−1, and 7000 to 39,000 m³ s−1, respectively. In the Meghna Estuary, the combined forces result in a counter-clockwise residual circulation, with the northward flow in the Sandwip channel and southbound flow in the Hatia and Shahbazpur channels. As a result of hydrodynamic, ocean currents, and residual flow, the Central Coast of Bangladesh is continually changing in appearance.

Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) are widely used in industry applications such as home appliances, manufacturing process, high-speed trains, and electric vehicles. Unexpected faults of PMSM are directly related to the significant losses in the engineered systems. The majority of motor faults are bearing fault (mechanical) and stator fault (electrical). This article reports vibration and driving current dataset of three-phase PMSM with three different motor powers under eight different severities of stator fault. PMSM conditions including normal, inter-coil short circuit fault, and inter-turn short circuit fault in three motors are demonstrated with different powers of 1.0 kW, 1.5 kW and 3.0 kW, respectively. The PMSMs are operated under the same torque load condition and rotating speed. Dataset is acquired using one integrated electronics piezo-electric (IEPE) based accelerometer and three current transformers (CT) with National Instruments (NI) data acquisition (DAQ) board under international organization for standardization standard (ISO 10816-1:1995). Established dataset can be used to verify newly developed state-of-the-art methods for PMSM stator fault diagnosis. Mendeley Data. DOI: 10.17632/rgn5brrgrn.5

Artificial floating reefs are an important supplement to bottom reefs in marine habitat construction, which provide a good environment for fish to survive, breed and habituate in the middle and upper layers of water. They can adapt to the silt bottom of the East China Sea. To make full use of the water space and improve the effective space of the floating reef, based on the field tidal current data, an upper- and lower-layered artificial floating reef has been designed in this study. The connection method of the upper and lower reefs has been described in detail and a hydrodynamic numerical model has been established. At the same time, the effects of floating reef structure ratio, wave height and wave steepness on its force and motion are discussed under the action of tidal current and wave current. The result shows that, at a specific flow rate, the change of the proportion of the layered floating reef structure had little effect on the roll of the upper and lower reefs. The maximum roll angle does not exceed 15°, and the tilt angle of the upper and lower reefs is consistent, which ensures the good flow resistance and stability of the floating reef. Under the specific length of the connecting cable and the main mooring, the hydrodynamic characteristics of the layered floating reef are better when the ratio of the sum height of the lower reef and the connecting cable to the height of the upper reef is not greater than one and the extreme proportion structure is not considered. The tension of the stratified floating reef is proportional to the wave height and wave steepness under the action of wave and current. The main mooring rope is the most stressed, and the rolling motion of the upper and lower reefs is consistent. Above all, results can provide a theoretical basis for the optimization design of the artificial floating reef structure.

In this report, natural dyes extracted from three different, black-colored fruits were used as photosensitizers for the construction of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The natural dyes were extracted from the dark-colored peels of jamun (also known as Indian black plum), black plum, and blackberry fruit. These natural dyes contain polyphenolic compounds—most prominently anthocyanins—which interact strongly with titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductors and accordingly enhance the efficiency of DSSCs. The natural dyes extracted from the various fruits were characterized utilizing UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The interaction between the dyes and TiO2 was monitored with FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The fabricated DSSCs were characterized via current–voltage measurements and electrochemical impedance analysis. DSSCs fabricated with jamun produced the highest efficiency of 1.09% with a short-circuit current of 7.84 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage of 0.45 V, and a fill factor of 0.31. The efficiencies of the DSSCs from black plum and blackberry were 0.55% and 0.38%, respectively. The flow of charge occurring at the interfaces between the natural dye and the TiO2 layers were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to directly compare three distinct types of black DSSCs. Computation analysis was also carried out utilizing SCAPS-1D software (version 3.3.07), which revealed how the type of defects in the devices impacts their performance.

Optimizing input parameters not only improves production efficiency and processing quality but also plays a crucial role in the development of green manufacturing engineering practices. The aim of the present study is to conduct a comparative evaluation of the cutting performance and machinability process during the turning of AISI 4340 steel under different cooling conditions. The study analyzes cutting operations during turning using dry, minimum quantity lubrication, and nano- minimum quantity lubrication. As control parameters in the experiments, three different cooling types, cutting speeds (100, 150, 200 m/min), and feed rate (0.1, 0.15, 0.20 mm/rev) levels were applied. The experimental results show that the optimal output values are found to be Vb = 0.15 mm, Ra = 0.81µm, 88.1 dB for sound intensity and I = 4.18 A for current. Moreover, variance analysis was performed to determine the effects of input parameters on response values. Under dry, minimum quantity lubrication, and nano-minimum quantity lubrication processing conditions, parameters affecting tool wear, surface roughness, current by the motor shaft, and sound level were examined in detail, along with the chip morphology. The responses obtained were optimized according to the Taguchi S/N method. As a result of optimization, it was concluded that the optimum values for cutting conditions were nano-minimum quantity lubrication cooling and V = 100 m/min, f = 0.1 mm/rev cutting. Finally, it was observed that there was a 13% improvement in tool wear, 7% in current, 9% in surface roughness, and 8% in sound intensity compared to the standard conditions. In conclusion, it was determined that nano-minimum quantity lubrication with the lowest level of cutting and feed rate values provided the optimum results.

Laser cutting is a non-contact machining employed for producing small, intricate shapes. The acrylic materials are widely used in many applications. The parametric and heat affected zone study of acrylic materials by using CO2 laser machining is attempted in this research to evaluate the process variables, laser scanning speed, current, and nozzle-work material gap. • Research result indicate that the higher the current and the higher the cutting speed, result in higher the material removal rate • Other parameter such as current and nozzle, work material gap are also significant impact on the cutting process of the acrylic material. • In addition, heat affect zone increase with laser scanning speed.

This manuscript has introduced an algorithm based on current signals and frequency rate change (ROCOF) to identify islanding events. Current is analyzed by the use of Stockwell transform (ST) at 3.84 kHz sampling frequency (SF) and a median of absolute values of every column of output matrix (CSIRI) is computed. Rate of change of CSIRI (ROCOCSIRI) is computed. Proposed current based islanding recognition index (IRIC) is computed by multiplying ROCOF with CSIRI & ROCOCSIRI and a weight factor (WC). Threshold values THI1 & THI2 are selected 100 and 3000 for IRIC for identifying the Islanding condition. These are also effective to differentiate islanding conditions from non-islanding events which include both the faulty and operational events. Magnitude of IRIC is greater than 3000 for the faulty events and lower than 100 for operational events. For islanding events magnitude of IRIC falls in between the 100 and 3000. Algorithm is effective to identify and classify the events in three categories which are islanding events, faulty events and operational events effectively. Study is realized in MATLAB/Simulink scenario.

With the aim of reducing environmental, energy and quality problems in the field of farming of animal species, laboratory for agricultural technique in animal husbandry, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, integrally develops a system for wet air purification, wet scrubber, and its energy control. The goal of electrical measurements in a wet scrubber is to determine instantaneous and interval-accurate values of electrical quantities, defined by physical methods. Devices for electrical measurements give precise values of basic electrical quantities: current, electromotive force, voltage, impedance, electrical work, power, and energy. Simple periodic voltages and currents are crucial for wet scrubber drive elements. They are determined by three quantities: amplitude, frequency, and phase. The paper presents the basic patterns for the measured values of wet scrubber drive elements: AC operation, AC power, AC power with active resistances in the circuit and AC power with impedance in the electric circuit. The presence of many drive elements for partial operational actions in a wet scrubber is the basic reason for choosing a central atomizer, as the object of methodologically original energy analysis of this work.

In order to improve the operational safety and stability of power cables, it is necessary to conduct targeted research on different grounding modes. Firstly, the appropriate cable parameters were selected according to the specific use, and the model was established in ATP-EMTP according to the selected cable parameters. Then, the availability of three grounding modes models of grounding at one end, grounding at both ends and cross-connection grounding (cable core grounding, shielding layer grounding and armor layer grounding) were compared and verified by simulation. Finally, by setting the shielding layers of different thicknesses as a comparison, the impedance and current characteristics of the cables under three different grounding methods were analyzed. The result indicates that the impedance values of the three grounding methods are essentially the same. However, according to the current characteristics, when the shielding layer and the armored layer are cross-connected and grounded, their current is much smaller than that which is grounded by other grounding methods. Therefore, under the comprehensive consideration of economic benefits, this grounding is the best choice. This study provides guidance for the grounding mode of cable early laying and a reference for other cable related research.

THE PURPOSE. To consider issues related to the study of methods for determining the sources of violations of the quality of electrical energy in power supply systems, in particular consumers which create rapid voltage changes or voltage fluctuations that create rapid changes in the luminous flux in electric lighting installations. Show that electrical receivers with a sharply variable operating mode are sources of fluctuations in the consumed current and voltage in the electrical network of power supply systems, which in turn manifests itself in the form of unacceptable values of one of the indicators of the quality of electricity - flicker, defined as the subjective perception of fluctuations in the luminous flux of lighting devices. To study the possibilities of determining the places of occurrence of significant voltage fluctuations without the use of expensive and complex instruments for measuring flicker values in the electrical network. To develop a simplified method for determining the locations of electricity consumers that negatively affect the operation of electric lighting systems and, ultimately, the vision of personnel. Conduct a check on a computer model of a simplified method for determining the places of occurrence of voltage fluctuations that are inadmissible in their magnitude, which are expressed in the appearance of significant doses of flicker that exceed the standard values.METHODS. Solving the problem, a computer model was used, created in the Simulink extension package of the Matlab scientific and technical calculation system.RESULTS. The article describes the relevance of the problem, discusses the quality of electricity in power supply systems. It has been shown using experimental data that in electrical networks there is an excess of the standard values of flicker doses. The possibility of using interharmonic components of the mains voltage to determine the sources of unacceptable doses of flicker is considered. A simplified method for finding flicker sources based on obtaining the values of the derivatives of currents at various points of the electrical network is presented. Computer simulation of an electrical network diagram with electrical receivers, which have both calm and sharply variable nature of work, has been performed. It is shown that the use of the values of the derivatives of the current at various points of the electrical network makes it possible to identify the sources of the occurrence of unacceptable doses of flicker.CONCLUSION. The occurrence of significant rapid voltage changes in the electrical network negatively affects vision, which is inevitably accompanied by increased personnel fatigue and can lead to industrial injuries. The results obtained by the authors of the article show that it is possible to use it to determine the places of occurrence of large voltage fluctuations, which are manifested in unacceptable doses of flicker of the derivatives of currents. It should be taken into account when conducting surveys of power supply systems in order to use fairly simple hardware to identify sources of disturbance in the quality of electrical energy.

With the consumption of terrestrial metal resources, deep-sea polymetallic nodule minerals have been widely exploited around the world. Therefore, the environmental impact of deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining cannot be ignored. In this study, for the first time, a field disturbance and observation device, integrated with multiple sensors, is used to simulate the disturbance process of mining on seabed sediments in the polymetallic nodule area of the western Pacific Ocean at a depth of 5700 m. The impact of the process of stroking and lifting on the bottom sediment in the polymetallic nodule area is 30 times higher than that caused by the waves or the current. The time for turbidity to return to normal after the increase is about 30 min, and the influence distance of a disturbance to the bottom bed on turbidity is about 126 m. The time it takes for density to return to normal is about four hours, and the influence is about 1000 m. At the same time, the resuspension of the bottom sediment leads to an increase in density anomaly and salinity. Moreover, suspended sediments rich in metal ions may react with dissolved oxygen in water, resulting in a decrease in the dissolved oxygen content and an increase in ORP. During the observation period, the phenomenon of a deep-sea reciprocating current is found, which may cause the suspended sediment generated by the continuous operation of the mining vehicle to produce suspended sediment clouds in the water near the bottom of the mining area. This could lead to the continuous increase in nutrients in the water near the bottom of the mining area and the continuous reduction in dissolved oxygen, which will have a significant impact on the local ecological environment. Therefore, the way mining vehicles dig and wash in water bodies could have a marked impact on the marine environment. We suggest adopting the technology of suction and ore separation on mining ships, as well as bringing the separated sediment back to the land for comprehensive utilization.

Due to the regional differences between the North and South Yellow Sea, and under the influence of winter winds, the relative changes in the coastal current and the Yellow Sea warm current will lead to the instability of the front, which will lead to the cross-front transport of sediment. Therefore, the study of sediment exchange between the North and South Yellow Sea has become an indispensable part of the study of the Yellow Sea environment. In this study, the current field and sediment concentration in the southern part of Chengshantou, a representative area of the Yellow Sea, were observed in winter in order to analyze the sediment exchange process between the North Yellow Sea and the South Yellow Sea in winter. The observation results show that in the southern sea area of Chengshantou, in winter, the current velocity does not change with the water depth when it exceeds 15 m, and the tides are regular semi-diurnal tides. When the water depth is less than 15 m, the current direction changes clockwise with the increase in the water depth. The turbidity increases rapidly when the wind direction is offshore and the bottom residual current is onshore, which may cause the sediment transported offshore under the action of wind and ocean current to settle under the obstruction of the Yellow Sea warm current, resulting in the rise of bottom turbidity. This also indicates that the change in residual current direction at different water depths may also lead to an increase in suspended sediment concentration. Based on this, in the estuarine area, the relative change in the current direction between the wind current and the coastal current may also be the cause of the change in the maximum turbidity zone.

Purpose. Given the need to improve the performance of modern mainline rolling stock, the authors analyze the possibility of using deeper regulation of attenuation. Methodology. The analysis of the operation of the thyristor-pulse converter of ER200 electric train is performed. It is established that in the acceleration mode at the limit traction characteristic it is necessary to consider two zones: the zone of constant value of traction force and the zone of constant power. A method for determining the minimum value of the attenuation coefficient for different types of DC and PC traction motors was proposed. The methods of theoretical research and analytical calculation of electrical circuits, theoretical foundations of electric traction, mathematical modeling of electrical and energy processes were used for the analysis. Findings. The complex of theoretical research and calculations allows confirming the technical possibility of deep attenuation use to regulate the speed regulation and obtain additional across-the-line positions for the rolling stock with DC and PC traction motors. The minimum attenuation coefficient value for different types of traction motors was determined. Originality. The methodology for determining the minimum value of the attenuation coefficient for traction motors of main electric locomotives in terms of using deeper magnetic flux control, replacing the use of experimental research data with theoretical studies. The essence of the studies is to form the required type of the limit traction characteristics by reducing the minimum permissible value of the excitation coefficient, which will reduce the electricity consumption. The research on determination of quantitative indicators of electricity consumption for the analysis of energy saving reserves on the main transport was further developed. Practical value. The results of theoretical research can be the basis for the modernization of main electric locomotives of direct and pulsating current with the systems of deep attenuation regulation. The research conducted will make it possible to create recommendations on designing the systems of magnetic flux regulation for traction engines with the improved technical and economic characteristics which are capable to increase the transport process efficiency on the main transport.

This study aims to determine the effect of variations of the current with combining two welding techniques SMAW and FCAW in double v-groove against the hardness and microstructure of the dissimilar material of JIS G3101-SS400 and ASTM A36. JIS G3101 SS400 and ASTM A36 each with a thickness of 10 mm were used as the materials. The combination of SMAW welding with E7018 electrodes and FCAW with E71T-1 were used as the welding techniques. The current used in SMAW welding were 60 A, 75 A, and 90 A. While in FCAW welding the current used were 190 A, 205 A, and 220 A. Hardness and microstructure tests were carried out on each sample. The results of the study showed that the current in welding process affect the hardness value and microstructure of material. The higher the welding current, the value of hardness of the material going to decrease and vice versa. The highest hardness values in SMAW and FCAW welding are at currents of 60 A and 190 A. Then the current in the welding process also affect the microstructure produced in the weld and HAZ. The formed microstructure containing pearlite and ferrite. The higher welding current, the percentage of pearlite produced increase and the percentage of ferrite decrease.

Background: Defibrillation guidelines recommend avoiding patient contact during shock delivery. However, hands-on defibrillation (compressions during shock) and manual pressure augmentation (MPA – pushing on the defibrillator pads during shock) may lead to improved clinical outcomes. There are limited data addressing the protection provided by personal protective equipment (PPE) during hands-on defibrillation and MPA. This study investigated the hand-to-hand and hand-to-knee leakage current experienced by a simulated kneeling provider wearing different PPE. Methods: A defibrillator was used in experiments on a pork shoulder, investigating three different hands-on positions: closed fist on defibrillator pads; open palm on pads with inadvertent finger contact (overhang); and open palm on the chest. Evaluated PPE included single and double gloves (nitrile and latex) and rescuer cargo trousers in wet and dry conditions (N = 126 experiments). Results: Mean hand-to-hand leakage currents in MPA without PPE was 0.41 mA (0.2–0.74 mA) and with PPE was 0.2 mA (0.08–0.58 mA). For experiments involving finger or palm contact on the chest, wearing any PPE resulted in a >99% reduction in mean leakage currents from an average 354.58 mA (258.96–446.22 mA) to an average 0.48 mA (0.16–1.56 mA). Rescuer trousers were insulative in dry conditions even without gloves (0.2–1.2 mA). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the tested clinical examination gloves markedly reduced leakage current to the rescuer and that the lowest levels of leakage current occurred during MPA attributed to the electrical insulation of the pads.

The performance of solar cells in realistic operating conditions usually differs from the specified efficiency at standard test conditions (STC). Among other factors, the illumination intensity (irradiance) is often lower than at STC, which leads to a lower device efficiency. Therefore, it becomes important to optimize the output power at low-light conditions in order to achieve a high energy yield at a specific location. For this purpose, it is essential to have a detailed knowledge of the relevant parameters that govern the low-light behaviour. This study investigates the impact of the diode parameters on the low-light performance of thin-film solar cells based on chalcopyrite Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 absorbers. Experimental irradiance-dependent current-voltage results are analysed with the help of an analytical model. For each parameter the contributions of its absolute value and its irradiance dependence are assessed. Additionally, relations between the diode parameters and material parameters are examined by analysing different cell variations. The results show that cell performance at low-light conditions is primarily governed by the irradiance dependence of the fill factor, which in turn is mainly determined by the parallel resistance of the device. Moreover, a reduction of the dark saturation current and the ideality factor towards lower irradiances is observed which indicates an irradiance-dependent change of recombination dynamics. The consequence is an increase of the open-circuit voltage at low-light conditions which indirectly also boosts the fill factor. The results suggest that cell optimization for low-light conditions should focus on improving the parallel resistance and tuning recombination in a way that the dark saturation current decreases with decreasing irradiance.