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It has been widely accepted that the most effective way to mitigate airborne disease transmission in an indoor space is to increase the ventilation airflow, measured in air change per hour (ACH). However, increasing ACH did not effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19. To better understand the role of ACH and airflow large-scale patterns, a comprehensive fully transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of two-phase flows based on a discrete phase model (DPM) was performed in a university classroom setting with people present. The investigations encompass various particle sizes, ventilation layouts, and flow rates. The findings demonstrated that the particle size threshold at which particles are deemed airborne is highly influenced by the background flow strength and large-scale flow pattern, ranging from 5 µm to 10 µm in the cases investigated. The effects of occupants are significant and must be precisely accounted for in respiratory particle transport studies. An enhanced ventilation design (UFAD-CDR) for university classrooms is introduced that places a premium on mitigating airborne disease spread. Compared to the baseline design at the same ACH, this design successfully reduced the maximum number density of respiratory particles by up to 85%. A novel airflow-related parameter, Horizontality, is introduced to quantify and connect the large-scale airflow pattern with indoor aerosol transport. This underscores that ACH alone cannot ensure or regulate air quality. In addition to the necessary ACH for air exchange, minimizing horizontal bulk motion is essential for reducing aerosol transmissibility within the room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-target regression with two-directional stacking is proposed and applied to spectral reflectance reconstruction. Most of the previous studies for this problem have focused on proposing or improving the prediction model between RGB response space and spectral reflectance space, without considering the correlation between the components of the spectral reflectance vector. In this paper, we use the multi-target stacking regression for spectral reflectance reconstruction, the aim is to exploit the correlation between the output components. Furthermore, in order to overcome the overfitting or underfitting of traditional stacking regression method, we propose a novel two-directional stacking regression method. This paper also demonstrates that the stacking regression method has no effect with linear models and is only effective with nonlinear models. Experimental results show that the multi-target stacking regression is better than the no-stacking regression, and the multi-target regression with two-directional stacking is better than using the traditional one-directional stacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow behavior of three-dimensional (3D) dendrite growth with random preferred angle under natural convection was studied by using the Lattice Boltzmann-Cellular Automata (LB-CA) method with dynamic and static grids. In this model, the temperature field, flow field and solute field calculated by Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and dendrite growth calculated by CA method were carried out in static and dynamic grids respectively, and the coupling between LBM and CA was performed by interpolation of calculation parameters between dynamic and static grids. Results show that the asymmetry of solid phase distribution makes the streamline distribution more complex. At the initial stage of multiple dendrites growth, the fluid flow is relatively free. When dendrites grow close to each other, the fluid flow is blocked and can only flow along the gap between dendrites. During the wall equiaxed-columnar-central equiaxed crystals transformation (ECET) process, dense eddy current is formed at the wall equiaxed crystals at first. Then, when the wall equiaxed crystals gradually develop into columnar crystals, the eddy current moves with the solid-liquid interface. When the central equiaxed crystals are formed, the eddy current at the front of the columnar crystals gradually disappears. New eddies appear as the central equiaxed crystal grows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonconvulsive electrotherapy (NET) defined as electrical brain stimulation administered like standard electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but below seizure threshold, could be effective for patients with treatment-refractory depression (TRD) with fewer adverse neurocognitive outcomes. However, there is a lack of studies in Chinese patients with TRD. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of adjunctive NET for Chinese patients with TRD. Twenty TRD patients were enrolled and underwent six NET treatments. Depressive symptoms, response, and remission were assessed with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 NET treatments. Neurocognitive function was assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) at baseline and after the completion of six NET treatments. Mean HAMD-17 scores declined significantly from 26.2 to 10.4 (p < 0.001) after post-NET. The rates of response and remission were 60.0% (95% CI: 36.5–83.5) and 10.0% (95% CI: 0–24.4), respectively. Neurocognitive performance improved following a course of NET. No significant association was found between changes in depressive symptoms and baseline neurocognitive function. Adjunctive NET appeared to be effective for patients with TRD, without adverse neurocognitive effects. Randomized controlled studies were warranted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model that combines a cellular automaton (CA) and lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is presented. The mechanism of A-segregation in an Fe-0.34 wt pct C alloy ingot is analyzed on the basis of microstructural morphology calculations. The CA is used to capture the solid/liquid interface, while the LBM is used to calculate the transport phenomena. (1) The solidification of global columnar dendrites was simulated, and two obvious A-segregation bands appeared in the middle-radius region between the ingot wall surface and the centerline. In addition, the angle of deflection to the centerline increased with the increasing heat dissipation rate of the wall surface. When natural convection was ignored, the A-segregation disappeared, and only positive segregation was present in the center and bottom corner of the ingot. (2) Mixed columnar-equiaxed solidification was simulated. Many A-segregation bands appeared in the ingot. (3) Global equiaxed solidification was simulated, and no A-segregation bands were found. The results show that the upward movement of the high-concentration melt is the key to the formation of A-segregation bands, and remelting and the emergence of equiaxed grains are not necessary conditions to develop these bands. However, the appearance of equiaxed grains accelerates the formation of vortexes; thus, many A-segregation bands appear during columnar-equiaxed solidification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on solidification theory and a volume-averaged multiphase solidification model, the solidification process of NHCl-70 pct HO was numerically simulated and experimentally verified. Although researchers have investigated the solidification process of NHCl-70 pct HO, most existing studies have been focused on analysis of a single phenomenon, such as the formation of channel segregation, convection types, and the formation of grains. Based on prior studies, by combining numerical simulation and experimental investigation, all phenomena of the entire computational domain of the solidification process of an NHCl aqueous solution were comprehensively investigated for the first time in this study. In particular, the sedimentation of equiaxed grains in the ingot and the induced convection were reproduced. In addition, the formation mechanism of segregation was studied in depth. The calculation demonstrated that the equiaxed grains settled from the wall of the mold and gradually aggregated at the bottom of the mold; when the volume fraction reached a critical value, the columnar grains stopped growing, thus completing the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). Because of solute partitioning, negative segregation occurred at the bottom region of the ingot concentrated with grains, whereas a wide range of positive segregation occurred in the unsolidified, upper part of the ingot. Experimental investigation indicated that the predicted results of the sedimentation of the equiaxed grains in the ingot and the convection types agreed well with the experimental results, thus revealing that the sedimentation of solid phase and convection in the solidification process are the key factors responsible for macrosegregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Windblown methane is an important gas resulting in atmospheric greenhouse effect. Therefore, reduction in windblown methane is one of the important measures to mitigate atmospheric greenhouse effect. In China, weak coal seam of low permeability is common in coal mines, so it is beset with difficulties to decrease the methane emission rate by means of gas drainage from the virgin coal seam, further to decrease the windblown mine gas. Utilizing the pressure relief and permeability and fluidity improvement effect in coal mining an approach to release methane emission through surface borehole was established, for example establishing a comprehensive deformation fracture model of surface borehole in extraction area based on quantitative rule of overlying rock movement in pit and forming a technology to select the surface borehole arrangement site in extraction area on the basis of deformation of bore frame structure and distribution characteristics of extraction flow field. And optimization technology of shape and structure of surface borehole in extraction area on the basis of ultimate stress analysis of surface borehole casing was given. The technology overcomes effectively the problem that surface borehole casing is vulnerable to premature fracture due to impact of strata movement on the surface borehole, and further increases the drainage result of the surface borehole. The technology has been test in China Shanxi Jincheng Sihe Coal Mine, achieving good results, including 12,000 Nm/d pure methane drainage rate from single borehole, 85% methane concentration and 1.1 million Nm accumulative methane drainage, which demonstrate practicability and advanced performance of the technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Droplet impact and equilibrium contact angle have been extensively studied. However, solidification contact angle, which is the final contact angle formed by molten droplets impacting on cold surfaces, has never been a study focus. The formation of this type of contact angle was investigated by experimentally studying the deposition of micro-size droplets (∼39 μm in diameter) of molten wax ink on cold solid surfaces. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to visualize dots formed by droplets impacted under various impact conditions, and parameters varied included droplet initial temperature, substrate temperature, flight distance of droplet, and type of substrate surface. It was found that the solidification contact angle was not single-valued for given droplet and substrate materials and substrate temperature, but was strongly dependent on the impact history of droplet. The angle decreased with increasing substrate and droplet temperatures. Smaller angles were formed on the surface with high wettability, and this wetting effect increased with increasing substrate temperature. Applying oil lubricant to solid surfaces could change solidification contact angle by affecting the local fluid dynamics near the contact line of spreading droplets. Assuming final shape as hemispheres did not give correct data of contact angles, since the final shape of deposited droplets significantly differs from a hemispherical shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the development stages of ageing and its regional differences in China based on examination of official statistics and documents. The development of ageing in China has experienced three major stages. Firstly, in the 1950s, low coefficient of elderly population (over 65 years) paced up to primary adult type. Secondly, there was a deeply drop of the elderly population because of natural disaster and political factors in the 1960s. Thirdly, from the 1970s to the end of 20th century, the constant increasing of elderly coefficient made China close to elderly society. With statistic data of population, Logistic model is used to simulate the future development of ageing, and two characteristics of development of ageing are presented. Firstly, as for ageing from 2005 to 2050, the elderly coefficient will grow up significantly from 8.48% to 16.30%. Secondly, after 2025, the increasing rate of elderly coefficient will slow down gradually. The regional differences of elderly population in China can be summarized as follows: 1) the eastern China possesses higher elderly coefficient and huger elder population than the western China; 2) about 47.4% of municipalities and provinces in the eastern China become elderly especially Shanghai, Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province, Beijing, Tianjin and Shandong Province; 3) ageing intensity is higher in rural area than urban area but getting close each other, and there are more elderly people in rural area than in urban area. Therefore, these will arose aged care problems, and it becomes important issue to establish the social security system in rural areas as soon as possible for elderly people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to get a sound casting of the alloy with a solidification range, the principle of directional solidification (DS) and the layer-by-layer solidification(LBLS) should be followed, especially in designing foundry process of steel casting. Using the principles, the reasons for the forming of the defects on the surface of the chain wheels teeth and groove and the forming of MT (magnetic particle testing) thin lines were analyzed. The results of the metallographic observation and the numerical simulation show that the low temperature gradient results in a wider mushy zone at the S/L interface that causes the defects and MT thin lines on the surface of the chain wheel casting. Based on the analysis, a new casting technology of the chain wheel was designed and used m the casting production successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By SIMPLE method and Van-Leer scheme, a program on numerical simulation for 3D mold filling has been developed. The fluid flow field of gas and liquid is calculated in couples by a single phase N-S equation using SIMPLE method, and free surface control equation is handled by Van-Leer scheme. Then it is verified by an anti-gravity mold filling of thin wall plate. In order to demonstrate its ability to simulate 3D casting, an anti-gravity mould filling of a cube is computed by the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The boundary mesh of the casting model was determined by direct calculation on the triangular facets extracted from the STL file of the 3D model. Then the inner and outer grids of the model were identified by the algorithm in which we named Inner Seed Grid Method. Finally, a program to automatically generate a 3D FDM mesh was compiled. In the paper, a method named Triangle Contraction Search Method (TCSM) was put forward to ensure not losing the boundary grids; while an algorithm to search inner seed grids to identify inner/outer grids of the casting model was also brought forward. Our algorithm was simple, clear and easy to construct program. Three examples for the casting mesh generation testified the validity of the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]