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ABSTRACTSince 2021, China has been actively promoting the Small Reservoir Monitoring Facility Project. However, due to varying levels of expertise among the participating contractors and unclear data review standards, the quality of monitoring data has been unsatisfactory. To improve the quality of the monitoring procedure, this study has implemented a series of measures. Many data review methods and rules have been established as well as automated and manual tools. Then, some statistical analysis were created to evaluate data quality and promptly address any issues. At the end, a mechanism for data review and rectification was created. With those measures, the automatic review can improved data quality and accuracy by approximately 60%. A total of over 11.178 million data were reviewed, with 59,000 data corrected, accounting for 0.05% of the total data. The data quality of 20 small reservoirs in Guangxi has significantly improved, providing reliable information to maximize the effectiveness of the existing monitoring facilities. The findings of this study not only contribute to the foundation of reliable data for future, as well as the development of forecasting and warning systems, but also offer valuable experiences for improving data quality in similar monitoring projects at different levels.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) has become an important aspect in our daily life because of unlimited increase of vehicles and transportation system. This makes it more and more difficult to fully manage and monitor by humans. Due to the diversity of license plates formats, varying scales and sizes, different angles, illuminations, this is quite a challenging problem in the area of computer vision. In this paper, we have proposed methods for automatic detection of a license plate from an image, which is followed by plate correction, or in other words, plate rectification. Thereafter, character recognition methodology has been applied to identify characters from the number plate. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) based approach is used to locate corner points of license plate image, after that plate rectification done using perspective transformation. The CNNs models for locating corner points are neural networks for regression. Here, the loss function is based on an average sum of Euclidean distance between predicted corner points and actual corner points, the loss function is also known as the mean squared error function. The results show that our CNNs models are able to accurately predict corner points from number plate. Furthermore, an optical character recognition (OCR) model is used to identify characters from the plate. The developed methodology shows excellent results on the Chinese City Parking Dataset (CCPD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to developing the technology of phenol and chloroform purification from impurity components. Extractive rectification with diethylene glycol is used for isolation of the target component. The selectivity of the separating agent, including at low pressure, is studied. The working parameters of the columns corresponding to minimal energy consumption and providing preparation of commercial quality substances are determined in the calculating experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to present a practical approach to effective instruments for combating defects of consent in legal acts affecting land rights, such as an action to establish rank, an action for a land benefit or an action to rectify a land register. Given that formalism in the land register system is imposed both by the requirement that the legal act constituting the rights in land must be in authentic form and by the primacy given to the functioning of the land registration system within clearly defined parameters, a check on the effects of defects of consent designed into the land register system is particularly necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a new understanding of the adversarial attack problem by examining the correlation between adversarial attack and visual attention change. In particular, we observed that: (1) images with incomplete attention regions are more vulnerable to adversarial attacks; and (2) successful adversarial attacks lead to deviated and scattered activation map. Therefore, we use the mask method to design an attentionpreserving loss and a contrast method to design a loss that makes the model's attention rectification. Accordingly, an attention-based adversarial defense framework is designed, under which better adversarial training or stronger adversarial attacks can be performed through the above constraints.We hope the attention-related data analysis and defense solution in this study will shed some light on the mechanism behind the adversarial attack and also facilitate future adversarial defense/attack model design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low cost imaging sensors and powerful embedded computers have taken the field of computer vision to new heights. One of the challenges that remains is to shorten the development time that it takes to target one’s algorithm to hardware. This work details the steps necessary to use Model Based Design to first simulate and then to target a stereo rectification and undistortion algorithm to an embedded FPGA system on chip hardware target. In short, Model Based Design provides a mathematical and visual approach to simulating complex systems as well as the capability to generate executable code from those simulations. This work demonstrates what the future of FPGA-based algorithm development might look like by making use of closed loop design techniques with the aid of novel Model Based Design tool flows. We present the use of hardware-abstracted constructs such as ’virtual cameras’ and the capability of pulling images off the target system and feeding them back into the simulation model to help minimize discrepancies between simulation and hardware domains, ultimately reducing the total development time. The developed system is a deterministic real time and low latency implementation as it does not rely on external off chip memory as all necessary buffering is done in the internal FPGA block RAM structures. The design is capable of processing $752\times 480$ images at pixel line rates and is easily expandable to high resolution images. The algorithm being developed is not being touted as novel, rather that it is sufficiently complex in order to demonstrate the power of the Model Based Design tool flows.

Chaotic oscillations induced by single rectification in networks of linear neuron-like elements are examined on three prototype models: one nonautonomous system and two autonomous systems. The first is a system of coupled neurons with periodic input; the second is a system of three coupled neurons with six couplings; the third is a ring of four unidirectionally coupled neurons with one reverse coupling. In each system, the output function of one neuron is ramp and that of the others is linear. Each system is piecewise linear and the phase space is separated into two domains by a single border. Steady states, periodic solutions and homoclinic orbits are derived rigorously and their stability is evaluated with the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrices. The bifurcation analysis of the three systems shows that chaotic attractors could be generated through cascades of period-doubling bifurcations of periodic solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have fabricated non-volatile memory resistive switching (RS) devices and analyzed analog memristive characteristics using lateral electrodes with mesoporous silica–titania (meso-ST) and mesoporous titania (meso-T) layers. For the planar-type device having two parallel electrodes, current–voltage (I–V) curves and pulse-driven current changes could reveal successful long-term potentiation (LTP) along with long-term depression (LTD), respectively, by the RS active mesoporous two layers for 20~100 μm length. Through mechanism characterization using chemical analysis, non-filamental memristive behavior unlike the conventional metal electroforming was identified. Additionally, high performance of the synaptic operations could be also accomplished such that a high current of 10−6 Amp level could occur despite a wide electrode spacing and short pulse spike biases under ambient condition with moderate humidity (RH 30~50%). Moreover, it was confirmed that rectifying characteristics were observed during the I–V measurement, which was a representative feature of dual functionality of selection diode and the analog RS device for both meso-ST and meso-T devices. The memristive and synaptic functions along with the rectification property could facilitate a chance of potential implementation of the meso-ST and meso-T devices to neuromorphic electronics platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretical problem that we want to subject to analysis is of undeniable practical importance. In the activity of notaries, they face very often the request of some collaborators (lawyers, bank advisors, etc.) to include in the act „probatio diabolica", a request that seemed to us somehow „exorbitant" in the light of the current civil legislation and, especially, of the legislation regarding real estate publicity. In the notarial practice, especially in the regions where the publicity rules of the real estate transcription-inscription registers have been applied over time (as a real estate publicity system specific to the former Civil Code), it can be found a certain type of proof of the right to property (or of another real estate right) known as probatio diabolica. This type of proof would require the verification (by the notary) of all previous translative documents, not only of the documents of the immediate transmitter, while the verification stops at the first original manner of acquiring the property. In the land register regions (Transylvania, Bucovina) where the Decree-Law No 115/1938 on the land registers has been applied, this type of proof was encountered extremely rarely (almost non-existent) and this as a result of the legal constitutive effect of the registration in the LR (Land Register). After the appearance of the Law No 7/1996, regarding the cadastral system and real estate publicity, republished, land registers appeared (had to appear) throughout the country, so that the real estate publicity is carried out uniformly, with the same effects throughout the country. The current Civil Code also contributed to this goal, which, by Article 885 and the following, has established the constitutive legal effect of registration in the LR (with the expressly mentioned exceptions), thereby extending the positive experience of the application of the Decree-Law No 115/1938, at the level of the entire country. For incomprehensible reasons, the constitutive legal effect of registration in the LR was suspended by the Law No 71/2011, implementing the Civil Code. Even under the conditions of suspension of the constitutive legal effect of registration in the LR (in this sense, Article 56 of the Law No 71/2011, on the implementation of the Civil Code) there are, in our opinion, serious arguments to restrict drastically the field of application of this truly „diabolical" proof (devil's proof, as the British say). In the end, who benefits from such proof that makes civil transactions so difficult? Why was probatio diabolica preferred to the legal constitutive effect of registration in the LR? Which were the scientific foundations for which the authors of the suspension of the legal constitutive effect of registration in the LR have simply discredited the work and scientific creation of those who „built" the Civil Code on the basis of the constitutive effect of registration (in this sense, Article 885 and the following of the Civil Code)? We will try, in the following, to formulate an answer to these questions. We will also try to answer the question whether probatio diabolica remained just a myth or is a (sad) reality of our days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel flyback synchronous rectification (SR) strategy for both continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) is proposed. The hybrid mode is suitable for the wide input voltage range, and large load range, which can widen the application range. The proposed strategy can reduce the body diode conduction time in the turning‐on interval in both the DCM and CCM and eliminate the cross‐conduction between the primary switch and secondary switch that existed in the conventional CCM SR converter by adding several logic units. A 12‐V/3‐A output mixed‐mode flyback converter prototype is designed and fabricated to verify the strategy. Measurement results show that with the proposed SR strategy, the efficiency is improved by approximately 5.5% in CCM and 0.5% in DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the hydrodynamics, and mass transfer of a cross-current packed grid tray with different types of packing, namely, spiral prismatic, regular, and Raschig rings, were investigated. Hydraulic resistance, efficiency at rectification and absorption, and retention capacity of liquid were experimentally obtained. It was found that the tray with a spiral-prismatic packing is the most effective. Comparison of packing rectification columns was also performed, and the findings revealed that the column with cross- current trays has a lower weight of packing, lower pressure drop, and larger range of steam loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social irresponsibility (CSI) is a critical issue for managers and researchers. In fact, the number of studies on this subject from diverse literature is rapidly increasing, seeking to answer questions regarding the core elements of CSI, its antecedents, and consequences. This paper offers a comprehensive literature review of this topic, identifying and assessing previous studies, synthesizing their findings, and highlighting knowledge gaps. Additionally, it offers recommendations regarding how to move forward. Our review identified 155 studies published from 1962 to 2020 that describe the antecedents, outcomes, mediators, and moderators of CSI according to different levels of analysis. We contribute to the social issues in management literature in that we analyze the facilitators and inhibitors of CSI and the consequences for firms using a multilevel approach. Finally, we provide guidance for future research by assessing the core elements that define the level of irresponsibility—harm to others and intentionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce applications of Artificial Intelligence techniques, such as Decision Trees and Semantic Reasoning, for semi-automatic and semantic-model-based decision-making for archaeological feature comparisons. This paper uses the example of Roman African Red Slip Ware (ARS) and the collection of ARS at the LEIZA archaeological research institute. The main challenge is to create a Digital Twin of the ARS objects and artefacts using geometric capturing and semantic modelling of archaeological information. Moreover, the individualisation and comparison of features (appliqués), along with their visualisation, extraction, and rectification, results in a strategy and application for comparison of these features using both geometrical and archaeological aspects with a comprehensible rule set. This method of a semi-automatic semantic model-based comparison workflow for archaeological features on Roman ceramics is showcased, discussed, and concluded in three use cases: woman and boy, human–horse hybrid, and bears with local twists and shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Romanian Review of Private Law / Revista Română de Drept Privat is the property of Universul Juridic Publishing House 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.)

Roman ceramics provide a unique glimpse into the daily life and culture of ancient Roman society. These ceramics were used for a variety of purposes, from storing food and drink to serving as decoration in homes and public spaces. In this article, we will explore some of the key archaeological features found on Roman ceramics and what they can tell us about Roman society. The main challenge is to create a Digital Twin of the ARS objects and artefacts using geometric capturing and semantic modelling of archaeological information. Moreover, the individualization and comparison of features, along with their visualization, extraction, and rectification, results in a strategy and application for comparison of these features using both geometrical and archaeological aspects with a comprehensible rule set. This method of a semi-automatic semantic model-based comparison workflow for archaeological features on Roman ceramics is showcased, discussed, and concluded in three use cases: woman and boy, human--horse hybrid, and bears with local twists and shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration and miniaturization are the inevitable trends in the development of electronic devices. PZT and graphene are typical ferroelectric and carbon-based materials, respectively, which have been widely used in various fields. Achieving high-quality PZT/graphene heterogeneous integration and systematically studying its electrical properties is of great significance. In this work, we reported the characterization of a PZT film based on the sol–gel method. Additionally, the thickness of the PZT film was pushed to the limit size (~100 nm) by optimizing the process. The test results, including the remnant and leakage current, show that the PZT film is a reliable and suitable platform for further graphene-integrated applications. The non-destructive regulation of the electrical properties of graphene has been studied based on a domain-polarized substrate and strain-polarized substrate. The domain structures in the PZT film exhibit different geometric structures with ~0.3 V surface potential. The I–V output curves of graphene integrated on the surface of the PZT film exhibited obvious rectification characteristics because of p/n-doping tuned by an interfacial polarized electric field. In contrast, a ~100 nm thick PZT film makes it easy to acquire a larger strain gradient for flexural potential. The tested results also show a rectification phenomenon, which is similar to domain polarization substrate regulation. Considering the difficulty of measuring the flexural potential, the work might provide a new approach to assessing the flexural polarized regulation effect. A thinner ferroelectric film/graphene heterojunction and the polarized regulation of graphene will provide a platform for promoting low-dimension film-integrated applications.

In the article fractionation in a rectification column in a laboratory device separation methods are studied. Separator rectification using steam the construction of the column, the principle of operation is given. Rectification column allowing separation of acetic acid without losses in continuous operation plate constructions are studied.

In the R22 (chlorodifuoromethane) steam-cracking process, which is used to produce a TFE (tetrafluoroethylene) monomer, distillation is employed to separate the high-purity TFE monomer from the cracked gas generated during this procedure. Traditionally, this distillation process is carried out using five towers. In this study, the traditional five-tower distillation method was transformed into a four-tower distillation method through the Aspen Plus simulation software, and this process was simulated and optimized. Meanwhile, a double-effect distillation process was designed for the transformed four-tower distillation process. The transformed distillation process not only meets the requirements of 99.999% purity for the TFE monomer and 99.99% purity for R22 recycling, but it also reduces the footprint by eliminating one distillation tower and saves 112.9002 kW of tower load, thus reducing the operating costs. This research provides valuable guidance for practical production.

A calcium fluoride (CaF2) single crystal with asymmetric gold (Au) and aluminum (Al) electrodes is investigated as a photovoltaic sensor of high-energy vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation. A photocurrent of at least 0.13nA is obtained at zero bias voltage, indicating that the sensor may be self-powered and can be operated without an external voltage source. The sensor is responsive only to wavelengths shorter than 130 nm, corresponding to photon energies greater than 9.5 eV. The 130-nm cutoff wavelength aligns with the transmission edge of the crystal, allowing it to screen out unwanted background UV and visible light without having to use filters. The 5.36 μs (fall time) time response of the sensor is similar to that of a commercial diamond UV sensor (5.05 μs). When operated in reverse- and forward-bias with an applied bias voltage ranging from –9 V to 9 V, the sensor exhibits rectification. In reverse-bias operation, increasing then decreasing the bias voltage leads to hysteresis which is attributed to surface defects at the CaF2/Au interface. As a self-powered filterless VUV sensor with a sufficiently fast response speed, the CaF2 sensor would be attractive for applications requiring high-power VUV light sources to be monitored.

Calcium-permeable AMPA-type glutamate receptors (CP-AMPARs) contribute to many forms of synaptic plasticity and pathology. They can be distinguished from GluA2-containing calcium-impermeable AMPARs by the inward rectification of their currents, which reflects voltage-dependent channel block by intracellular spermine. However, the efficacy of this weakly permeant blocker is differentially altered by the presence of AMPAR auxiliary subunits – including transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins, cornichons, and GSG1L – which are widely expressed in neurons and glia. This complicates the interpretation of rectification as a measure of CP-AMPAR expression. Here, we show that the inclusion of the spider toxin analog 1-naphthylacetyl spermine (NASPM) in the intracellular solution results in a complete block of GluA1-mediated outward currents irrespective of the type of associated auxiliary subunit. In neurons from GluA2-knockout mice expressing only CP-AMPARs, intracellular NASPM, unlike spermine, completely blocks outward synaptic currents. Thus, our results identify a functional measure of CP-AMPARs, that is unaffected by their auxiliary subunit content.

Due to its good p-type semiconductor characteristics, MnSe has a great application prospect in high-performance electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, heterojunctions of MnSe still need to be deeply studied to improve its electrical and photoelectric properties. Here, it is reported that the two-dimensional (2D) MnSe/WSe2 heterojunction is structured by the non-layered MnSe nanosheets synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and the mechanically exfoliated layered WSe2. The heterojunction device exhibits a rectification effect and a current on/off ratio of 6,557. Meanwhile, it has a broad spectral range response from ultraviolet (UV) to short-wave infrared radiation (SWIR) (300–2,200 nm), and achieves an ultra-high responsivity of 156 A/W, along with an excellent detectivity of 2.21 × 1012 jones, and an outstanding external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 36,400%. Moreover, the type II band alignment and the built-in potential in the MnSe/WSe2 heterojunction can facilitate the separation of the photoexcited electron-hole pairs, which enables the significant photovoltaic characteristics and self-powered photoswitching response. This work reveals the novel performance of the 2D MnSe/WSe2 heterojunction and a great potential in photoswitching, photodetector, and photovoltaic applications.

In this paper, an advanced exergetic study is carried out to improve the exergy efficiency and minimize the exergy losses of an absorption refrigerator. Two thermal processes based on rectification and distillation were proposed to meet this critical requirement. A numerical simulation model was established in the FORTRAN language, building on the analytical Gibbs free energy equations. This model was validated from a thermodynamic point of view by previously published results. Preliminary results showed that when the efficiency of the absorber and boiler is increased, the vapors produced by the boiler become enriched in ammonia, and the overall exergy efficiency increases, which reduces considerably the irreversibility of the components of the studied absorption system. A comparative study of the effect of these two thermal processes on the overall exergy efficiency and total exergy losses was evaluated simultaneously. The results show that the refrigerator with a distiller has a higher exergy efficiency (ex = 24.37% at 86 °C), and at the same time has a lower total exergy loss (Exl, tot = 457.45 kW) than the refrigerator with a rectifier (ex = 22.34% at 85 °C; Exl, tot = 532.37 kW). This study reveals that the distillation process can contribute more to the exergy improvement and exergy loss minimization of the studied absorption refrigerator than the rectification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many real world oscillatory signals, the fundamental component of a signal f (t) might be weak or does not exist. This makes it difficult to estimate the instantaneous frequency of the signal. A traditional approach is to apply the rectification trick, working with | f (t) | or ReLu (f (t)) instead, to enhance the fundamental component. This raises an interesting question: what type of nonlinear function g : R → R has the property that g (f (t)) has a more pronounced fundamental frequency? g (t) = | t | and g (t) = ReLu (t) seem to work well in practice; we propose a variant of g (t) = 1 / (1 − | t |) and provide a theoretical guarantee. Several simulated signals and real signals are analyzed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-power turbine generators are needed in logging-while-drilling systems to supply power to the downhole instruments. The current high-power power supply system employs a rectifier-voltage regulator, and the rectified direct-current (DC) voltage increases with the mud flow rate. Moreover, as voltage regulator modules operate in limited ranges, various impellers and guide wheel combinations are generally used to generate electronic power. In practice, it is necessary to adjust different impeller and guide wheel combinations according to the mud pump discharge rate at the operation well site to change the flow rate of the mud on the impeller to meet the voltage range requirements of the DC conversion module. This study uses theoretical analysis and simulation calculations, applies a proportional–integral–differential closed-loop control model, and completes the design of a power supply system modulated and stabilized using pulse-width modulation (PWM). Moreover, the study involves analyzing its active-control rectification characteristics, conversion efficiency, and load-adjustment response time with an alternating-current (AC) voltage input of 60–150 Vms. The results suggest that the regulated power supply system can achieve active rectification over various AC inputs, ensuring that the bus voltage always meets the design requirements with high efficiency and satisfactory load adaptability. Therefore, a set of impeller and guide wheel combination based on this stabilized, modulated power supply system can be achieved to meet the operational needs of various AC power inputs under different mud flow ranges, improve applicability in different working wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Arabic Language Sciences & Literature / Maǧallaẗ ʻUlūm Al-Luġaẗ Al-ʻArabiyyaẗ Wa-Ādābi-hā is the property of Arab Journal of Sciences & Research Publishing (AJSRP) 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.)

The ultrafast quantum-based electron-transport mechanism with a typical tunneling time of femtoseconds is appealing to fabricate high-frequency rectifier diode devices for applications such as solar energy harvesting, THz mixers, and infrared detectors. Here, we demonstrate an ultrahigh rectification of more than 104 and a large forward current density of 13.8 A/cm2 at −2 V in the structure of a metal/semiconductor/metal (MSM, Pt/ZnO/TiN) nanoscale tunneling junction. Technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations demonstrate that high rectification originates from the switching of the electron-transport mechanism between direct tunneling (DT) and Fowler–Nordheim tunneling (FNT) under positive and negative voltage biases, respectively. The quantum-based FNT mechanism gives very slight temperature dependence of currents in a wide temperature range of 100–400 K. This work opens an avenue for high-frequency rectifier diodes based on MSM nanoscale tunneling junctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a complete model for a miniature excitation-powered piezoelectric generator (PG), analysis modes of operation and control of a full-bridge joule thief (FBRJT) circuit to identify the optimal points were investigated. The proposed model revealed the PG's power dependency on mechanical excitation, acceleration, and frequency and defined the load behaviour for power optimisation. The proposed circuit, namely FBRJT, was integrated with the conventional full-bridge rectifier (FBR) in Stage 1 for AC-DC conversion and with the joule thief circuit in Stage 2 for DC-DC conversion. This integration acted as a boost converter without utilising the duty cycles and additional switching components. The electrical nature of the input of FBRJT with a simple structure, sensor-less control and auxiliary circuits showed a consistent agreement with the investigated testing scenarios using both ideal and impedance power sources. Additionally, the performance of the proposed circuit was also verified against the published results of power electronics circuits. The developed versatile circuit and control system can be utilised for many applications, such as mobile battery charging and energy harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews a variety of dilute hydrochloric acid wastewater treatment processes, including desorption, rectification, combination, spray roasting, and emerging methods such as membrane separation and metal organic framework adsorption. The principles, processes, advantages and disadvantages and development prospects of various process methods are discussed. According to the existing technology, the concept of adding an azeotropic agent and adopting azeotropic distillation to regenerate dilute hydrochloric acid is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe an optimized fiber orientation density function (fODF) rectification procedure that removes negative values and absorbs all features below a specified threshold into a constant background. The fODF for a white matter imaging voxel describes the angular density of axons. Because of signal noise and Gibbs ringing, fODFs estimated with diffusion MRI may take on unphysical negative values in some directions and contain spurious peaks. In order to suppress such artifacts, an fODF rectification procedure is proposed that both eliminates all negative values and incorporates all features below a specified threshold, η , into a constant background while at the same time minimizing the mean square deviation from the original, unrectified fODF. Calculating this fODF is straightforward, and the directions and shapes of peaks not absorbed into the background are preserved. The rectification method is illustrated for an analytic fODF model and for experimental diffusion MRI data obtained in healthy human brain, with the original fODFs being obtained from fiber ball imaging. Examples of optimal rectified fODFs are given for three choices of the background threshold referred to as minimal rectification (η = 0), average-level rectification (η ≈ 0.08), and fractional-anisotropy-axonal-based rectification (η ≈ 0.1). As η is increased, artifacts and other small features are more strongly suppressed, but the major fODF peaks are largely unaffected for the range of η values illustrated by these three alternatives. Artifactual features of fODFs estimated with diffusion MRI can be effectively suppressed by applying the proposed optimized rectification procedure. Since it minimizes fODF distortion in the mean square sense, it may be useful in the study of how fODF fine structure is affected by aging and disease. • Method for optimized rectification of fiber orientation density functions is given. • All features below a specified threshold are absorbed into a constant background. • Negative values are eliminated, and spurious peaks are suppressed. • Mean square deviation from the original function is minimized. • The method is easily implemented, and the directions of major peaks are unaltered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic transport properties and rectifying behaviors of armchair silicene nanoribbons (ASiNRs) were investigated by using first-principles density functional theory, in which the left lead was pristine ASiNR and the right lead was doped ASiNR where two phosphorus (P) atoms replaced a pair of adjacent silicon atoms in the same sublattice A (AA-P2). Two types of AA-P2-doped models were considered for P dopant-substitute silicon atoms at the center or edges. The results showed that the rectification behavior of the system with a large rectifying ratio could be found, which could be modulated by changing the width of the silicene nanoribbons or the position of the AA-P2 dopant. Mechanisms were revealed to explain the rectifying behaviors and provide a theoretical basis for semiconductor rectifier devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

THE PURPOSE. Development of promising directions for improving the technology of an oil refinery (refinery) based on the use of heat from low-temperature sources of the primary oil distillation system.METHODS. The analysis of the technological scheme of the refinery carried out, in order to identify the most energy-intensive system, while using the methods of analytical and thermodynamic analysis. The analysis of energy use in the circuit of an electric desalination plant (EDP) is carried out according on the basis of the data of the technological regulations of the existing EDP-AVT-7. The assessment of the feasibility of the proposed directions and developed solutions was carried out on the basis of the methods of technical, economic and environmental analysis.RESULTS. This article shows the relevance of the problem and substantiates the importance of its consideration for improving energy and environmental efficiency. Based on a common scheme for the primary processing of crude oil, it is noted that this technology has significant energy saving potential. It is proposed to implement promising directions for the rational use of heat, and a modernization solution is presented aimed at improving the technological elements of the EDP-AVT-7 circuit based on the heat recovery of the hydrocarbon vapor-gas mixture.CONCLUSION. The proposed directions and developed measures for the use of heat from low-grade sources in the refinery scheme show their promise due to a significant reduction in technological energy losses, a reduction in fuel consumption and an increase in the efficiency of its use, which, in general, will positively affect the economic and environmental situation in the region.

On-board processing is increasingly prevalent due to its efficient utilization of satellite resources. Among these resources, geometric rectification can significantly enhance positioning accuracy for subsequent tasks, such as object detection. This approach mitigates the heavy burden on downlink bandwidth and minimizes time delays by transmitting targeted patches rather than raw data. However, existing rectification methods are often unsuitable due to the limitations and conditions imposed on satellites. Factors like hardware quality, heat dissipation, storage space, and geographic positioning are frequently constrained and prone to inaccuracies. This paper proposes a novel on-board rectification method. The method introduces a two-step matching framework to address substantial positioning errors and incorporates a feature-compression strategy to reduce the storage space of reference patches. Quantitative and practical experiments demonstrate the method’s efficacy in terms of storage space, time efficiency, and geometric rectification accuracy.

Asymmetric ethers such as Cyclopentyl Methyl Ether (CPME) found their application as alternative solvents in technology; they are often labeled as “green solvents” as they can be prepared using renewable feedstock. They are almost immiscible with water and can be easily regenerated. Based on earlier experiments with CPME preparation in laboratory conditions and the estimated product yields, an initial assessment of the reaction mixture separation train was performed, for the chosen production capacity of 100 kg·h−1 of CPME. Following suitable thermodynamic model selection, basic analyses in Aspen Plus software were executed. Reactor effluent containing eight chemical species was subjected to multiple separation steps including extraction and several rectifications including one vapor phase compression step to yield saleable products with sufficient purity and unreacted chemicals recyclable to the reactor. Basic simulations were performed to find the optimal working conditions of individual columns and to estimate the associated energy needs. Basic design, without any heat or work integration measures, required a total heating duty of 787 kW and a total cooling duty of 614 kW. This yielded a specific heat consumption of 28.3 GJ per ton of the main product (CPME) which is unacceptably high as it represents around 70% of its chemical energy content (heating value). Further research will be devoted to reducing heating and cooling duty by integrated separation train design development to comply with the reduced carbon footprint mandatory for the syntheses and separations of green solvents.

The article analyzes the Cuban economy from 960 until the fall of the Soviet Union. It shows that after abolishing private ownership of the means of production at the beginning of the revolutionary period, Cuba could not establish a planning system because of Fidel Castro’s widespread intervention. The economic consequences were grave. Only the enormous economic aid received from the Soviet Union ensured the survival of the Cuban revolution and the implementation of the System of Direction and Planning of the Economy (SDPE), which was successively dismantled during the rectification process. What happened in Cuba during this period seems to have been an endemic problem of its political system, in which there was no effective counterweight to the comandante en jefe, on whom all major political and economic decisions depended. That problem was the main reason for Cuba’s poor economic performance.

Multivalent ions modify the properties of the solid/liquid interfaces, and in some cases, they can even invert the polarity of surface charge, having large consequences for separation processes based on charge. The so-called charge inversion is observed as a switch from negative surface charge in monovalent salts, e.g., KCl, to effective positive surface charge in multivalent salts that is possible through a strong accumulation and correlation of the multivalent ions at the surface. It is not known yet, however, whether the density of the positive charge induced by charge inversion depends on the pore opening diameter, especially in extreme nanoconfinement. Here, we probe how the effective surface charge induced by charge inversion is influenced by the pore opening diameter using a series of nanopores with an opening between 4 and 25 nm placed in contact with trivalent chromium ions in tris-(ethylenediamine)-chromium-(III) sulfate at different concentrations. Our results suggest that the effective positive charge density can indeed be modified by nanoconfinement to the extent that is dependent on the pore diameter, salt concentration, and applied voltage. In addition, the correlated ions can increase the transmembrane current in nanopores with an opening diameter down to 10 nm and cause a significant blockage of the current for narrower pores. The results provide guidelines to control ionic transport at the nanoscale with multivalent ions and demonstrate that in the same experimental conditions, differently sized pores in the same porous material can feature different surface charge density and possibly ion selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite having good electronic properties, BODIPY (boron dipyrromethene) and its derivatives attract less research attention towards the development of BODIPY based molecular electronics. Here we have investigated the effect of alkyl chain length attached to BODIPY molecule on its diode and negative differential behaviour. An undecenyl‐BODIPY dye (BODIPY‐C11) was designed, synthesized and deposited on Si (111) surface which was further converted into a bilayer using another BODIPY dye, PM567. Various techniques were used to check the arrangement and thickness of the layers which established that the designed molecule is suitable for compact grafting on Si surface. Electrical behaviour of BODIPY‐C11 monolayer and bilayer showed rectification (rectification ratio=500) and NDR property (peak‐to‐valley ratio=1000), respectively with improved device performances as compared to the electrical characteristics shown by 2,6‐diethyl‐4,4‐difluoro‐1,3,5,7‐tetramethyl‐8‐(4'‐(4"‐penteneoxyphenyl)‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indecene (BODIPY‐C5) grafted on Si. This study established that the electrical behaviour of BODIPY can be modulated by simply changing the alkyl chain length, which will be useful for the development of BODIPY‐based electronic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Possible ways to reduce heat consumption in the separation of liquid mixtures by the rectification method are considered. The main provisions of thermodynamically reversible rectification and the theory of internal energy saving during rectification are given. The proposed methods of energy saving based on these theories are compared. The results of a computational experiment using the Aspen Plus software are presented. It is shown that distributed heat supply along the height of the stripping part of the column, recommended by the theory of reversible distillation, is not an effective way to save energy. This fact is confirmed by the theory of internal energy saving during rectification. The theory of internal energy saving makes it possible to find the most effective ways to reduce heat costs in the rectification of binary mixtures and develop an approach to choosing optimal schemes for the separation of multicomponent mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud Manufacturing (CMfg) is a new manufacturing paradigm that promises to reduce costs, improve data analysis, increase efficiency and flexibility, and provide manufacturers with closer partnerships. However, most past CMfg research has focused on either the information technology infrastructure or the planning and scheduling of a hypothetical CMfg system. In addition, the cost effectiveness of a CMfg application has rarely been assessed. As a result, a manufacturer is not sure whether to adopt a CMfg application or not. To address this issue, an optimally rectified fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (OR-FAHP) approach is proposed in this study to assess a CMfg application. The OR-FAHP approach solves the inconsistency problem of the conventional FAHP method, a well-known technology assessment technique, to make the analysis results more trustable. The OR-FAHP approach has been applied to assess and compare 10 CMfg applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]