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The potential for static liquefaction of tailings is a major focus in the design and operation of tailings storage facilities. This research models the behaviour of unsaturated tailings, with a variety of degrees of saturation, addressing the propensity for static liquefaction during monotonic loading. Unsaturated triaxial tests, including constant suction conditions and constant water–air mass conditions, were performed. A bounding surface plasticity model was used to simulate the results. The constant mass condition is relevant to undrained closed-system loading, which may prevail during fast deformation after the tailings becomes unstable, when the air and water in the pore space remain locked inside the tailings. Boyle's law and hydraulic hysteresis were accounted for to model the changes of pore air and water pressures, and suction, with the change in tailings volume. Good agreement was achieved between test results and model simulations. Additional simulations to mimic rising water tables under constant total stress states in the field, situations that may trigger instabilities, are also shown. Results are added to charts which relate peak and post-liquefaction strengths, as well as collapse lines, to measures of initial state, for unsaturated conditions, which may be of use in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the logistics industry and the continuous growth of e-commerce, effectively monitoring logistics warehouses has become increasingly important to ensure the security of goods and oversee activities within storage facilities. Although current surveillance systems provide a certain level of security for logistics warehouses, they still face issues such as data tampering, storage, and access management. These challenges can compromise the integrity of surveillance video data, making the system vulnerable to unauthorized access. To address these challenges, this paper proposes the implementation of blockchain-based security management and access control of video data in logistics warehouses. Specifically, the solution employs the Hyperledger Fabric consortium blockchain to execute smart contracts and store the hash values of video data, thereby detecting any tampering and enhancing the security and integrity of the data. Additionally, hybrid encryption technology is utilized to ensure the confidentiality of video data during transmission and storage. Furthermore, the solution leverages the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for distributed video storage. This not only increases the redundancy and accessibility of data storage but also reduces the risk of single-point failures. A Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) mechanism is also introduced to strictly manage access permissions to video data, ensuring that only authorized users can access the data, thereby effectively preventing unauthorized access and data breaches. Through a comprehensive analysis of computational and communication costs and the evaluation of blockchain performance at 100 transactions per second for different transaction volumes using Hyperledger Caliper, the results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method. Compared to current research, this solution exhibits higher security, providing a new approach for the secure management and access control of video data in logistics warehouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of layering during the sedimentation process of tailings makes it of great significance to investigate tailings and to analyze their susceptibility to flow liquefaction. In this study, homogeneous iron ore tailings (IOTs) specimens were reconstituted with pure coarser grains and pure finer grains sampled from a typical tailings storage facility. Additionally, an improved sample preparation method was developed to create heterogeneous IOTs samples containing a fine-grained interlayer with different thicknesses and dip angles using the above two materials. A series of standard drained and undrained triaxial compression tests were conducted to investigate the effects of the presence of a layered structure and its geometry on the stress–strain responses, and the properties of the IOTs under the critical state soil mechanics framework, which has been widely adopted in the analysis of liquefaction in mine tailings. The results showed that for the two homogeneous specimens, unique critical state lines (CSLs) can be identified, but they have different degrees of curvature in the e-ln p′ plane, causing a decrease in the susceptibility to liquefaction with increasing fines content. With increasing fine-grained interlayer thickness (FGLT) within 0–40 mm, the critical state friction angle (φcs) decreased steadily, while the CSLs in the e-ln p′ plane translated upward. This may be because the morphology of the microstructure within the fine-grained interlayer restricted the compression of the intergranular pores. With increasing fine-grained interlayer dip angle (FGLA) within the range 0–30°, φcs decreased until a discontinuity occurred at a dip angle of 15°, while the CSLs in the e-ln p′ plane rotated clockwise through a pivot point. Different FGLAs could change the contact area between the different layers and the axial distribution of the fine-grained interlayer and thus may further contribute to the rotation of the CSLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depleted low-permeability gas reservoirs are the primary storage media for underground hydrogen storage (UHS). An accurate assessment of the geomechanics and complex flow mechanisms in a depleted low-permeability gas reservoir is crucial for predicting the injection and production capabilities of UHS facilities. This paper proposes a novel hydromechanical multicomponent model that couples non-Darcy flow, relative permeability hysteresis (RPH), and geomechanics to evaluate the hydrogen storage capacity of UHS facilities in a depleted low-permeability gas reservoir. The coupled model was solved using a fully coupled strategy, employing the finite volume method to solve non-Darcy flow equations and the virtual element method to solve geomechanical problems. The results indicate that the high-velocity non-Darcy (hvnD) and geomechanical effects reduce the working gas volume by 12.82% and 10.56%, respectively. Additionally, the low-velocity non-Darcy (lvnD) effect causes the third stress/strain distribution to exhibit a "focusing" phenomenon, resulting in a 13.19% reduction in the working gas volume. This paper also describes a case where residual gas is captured by mechanisms such as "water lock" and "capillary capture" through the RPH effect. Considering the RPH effect, the gas-water transition zone expanded by 30%, and the peak volume of gas-containing pores in the water zone increased by 1.48 times. Ignoring the RPH effect led to a 19.73% overestimation of the utilization rate of the gas-containing pore space. Hence, this study achieves safe and successful seasonal hydrogen storage and provides theoretical support for designing multicycle operational plans. • A novel coupled hydro-mechanical multicomponent model was proposed. • Non-Darcy flow, hysteresis and geomechanical effects were evaluated thoroughly. • The underground hydrogen storage capacity could be evaluated accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explores the prevalence of phosphine resistance in stored-grain insects. The research, conducted in Greece, examined 53 key insect species and used two assessment protocols, namely, dose–response and CORESTA, to estimate phosphine resistance. The results showed that 13.3% of field populations were resistant, and mortality rates increased with higher phosphine concentrations. According to the dose–response protocol, 37.7% of field populations were found to be resistant, while all populations were susceptible according to the CORESTA protocol. The observed resistance patterns differ from those reported in other regions. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored fumigation strategies considering insect species' susceptibility to phosphine and recommends best management practices and rotational strategies to develop effective resistance management plans. The results offer valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of phosphine resistance in stored-product insects and suggest potential avenues for further research and control measures. Post-harvest losses due to insect infestation and spoilage by bacteria and molds pose significant challenges to global cereal production. This study investigates the prevalence of resistance to phosphine, a commonly used grain protection agent, in stored-grain insects. The research, conducted in various storage facilities across Greece, examined 53 populations of key stored-product insect species. Two assessment protocols, namely, dose–response (at 50–1000 ppm for 3 days exposure) and CORESTA (at 300 ppm for 6 days), were used herein to estimate phosphine resistance. The results showed that 13.3% of field populations were resistant, and mortality rates increased with higher phosphine concentrations. Specifically, according to the dose–response protocol, among the 53 field populations, 37.7% were found to be resistant to phosphine, namely, two populations of O. surinamensis, one of S. oryzae, seven of T. confusum, one of C. ferrugineus, one of T. castaneum, and all populations of R. dominica, whereas, according to the CORESTA protocol, all populations were found to be susceptible to phosphine. The observed resistance patterns differ from those reported in other regions of the world. The study highlights the importance of tailored fumigation strategies, considering insect species varying susceptibility to phosphine. It recommends the use of best management practices and rotational strategies, such as combining phosphine with other methods, to develop effective resistance management plans. The results provide valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of phosphine resistance in stored-product insects and suggest potential avenues for further research and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dates maintain prime importance as sources of income and as symbols of cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia. Ephestia cautella (Walker) is one of the most important insects that attack stored dates. In an effort to safeguard small-scale producers, temperatures of 5 °C (representing typical house refrigerator temperatures), − 14 °C (representing in-house freezer temperatures), and − 25 °C (representing temperatures in small factory freezers) were applied to samples of dates previously infested with E. cautella larvae. Exposure periods of 1, 12, 48, 120, and 240 h were considered to assess the effectiveness of freezing temperatures against stored product insect pests. The temperature of − 25 °C proved to be the most effective, resulting in 100% mortality across all stages after just 1 h of exposure. At 5 °C, the pupal stage exhibited the highest tolerance, with only a mean mortality of 11% after 240 h of exposure. Conversely, at the same temperature, mean mortalities of 89% and 97% were recorded for eggs and larvae, respectively. However, when larvae were placed inside the dates, the mean mortality was only 65% after 240 h at 5 °C, complete larval mortality was achieved in 12 h at − 14 °C and 1 h at − 25 °C. This information can guide strategies for managing E. cautella in storage facilities with limited available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several tailings dam failures have highlighted the potential for instability under prevailing drained conditions, which can be represented in the laboratory using constant shear drained (CSD) loading. In this study, the mechanical response of three mine tailings gradations (coarse, intermediate, and fine) from a tin ore tailings storage facility subjected to CSD loading were evaluated. The experimental results were interpreted using the critical state soil mechanics framework and different instability criteria. Salient findings include the following: (1) the onset of instability in initially loose specimens was dictated by a tradeoff of volumetric strain components (i.e., elastic and plastic), which in turn governed the evolution of the dilatancy and plastic modulus, key properties for modern constitutive models that were also investigated in this study; (2) dense-type instabilities may occur for initial states above the critical state line; this response was observed in the fine tailings due to their compressibility and initial state before CSD stress relief; (3) variable rate tests suggested that drained creep in the intermediate tailings made the second-order work instability criterion unattainable; variable rate effects were manifested in the postinstability responses of the intermediate and fine tailings but not in those of the coarse tailings; and (4) existing instability criteria perform similarly when applicable, but they also have limitations. In this context, a new criterion is proposed by modifying an existing criterion. This study advances the understanding of the mechanical response of mine tailings, under nonstandard stress paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on optimizing the storage capacity of an underground natural gas storage facility through numerical modeling and simulation techniques. The reservoir, characterized by an elongated dome structure, was discretized into approximately 16,000 cells. Simulations were conducted using key parameters such as permeability (10–70 mD) and porosity (12–26%) to assess the dynamics of gas injection and pressure distribution. The model incorporated core and petrophysical data to accurately represent the reservoir's behavior. By integrating new wells in areas with storage deficits, the model demonstrated improvements in storage efficiency and pressure uniformity. The introduction of additional wells led to a significant increase in storage volume from 380 to 512 million Sm³ and optimized the injection process by reducing the storage period by 25%. The study concludes that reservoir performance can be enhanced with targeted well placement and customized flow rates, resulting in both increased storage capacity and economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of salt cavern storage during prolonged operation is a crucial indicator of its safety. This study focuses on an operational underground gas storage facility, conducting comparative numerical simulations for the storage of natural gas and hydrogen. We investigated the evolution of stability for natural gas and hydrogen storage under long-term storage conditions. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) A new equation for stress equilibrium and constitutive relations are derived. (2) At the same storage pressure, the effective stress at the same position in the interlayer is greater for hydrogen storage compared to natural gas storage, signifying a higher level of danger. (3) At the same storage pressure, the displacement at the cavity top for hydrogen storage is greater than that for natural gas storage. The displacement difference between the two is greatest at 9 MPa, amounting to 0.026 m. (4) Due to hydrogen's lower dynamic viscosity and higher permeability, the depth and extent of the plastic zones within the interlayers are greater compared to natural gas. When the storage pressure is 15 MPa, the depth of the plastic zone within the interlayer can be up to 2.1 m greater than when storing natural gas, occurring in the third interlayer from the top. These research findings may serve as a valuable reference for determining the operational parameters of on-site salt cavern hydrogen storage facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storage facilities often comprise the most energy-intensive burden within archives. One green solution is a passive building with high thermal inertia and airtightness, to create stable environmental conditions without mechanical intervention, and provide appropriate temperature and RH ranges and good air quality for preservation. However, where airtightness is concerned, there is potential for accumulation of pollutants within densely occupied repositories such as library and archive stores. This risk is not addressed by current requirements for greener operation, because operational conflicts arise when balancing these three environmental parameters. This article discusses air quality and its effects on archive materials. It contributes to better understanding of green operation for archives. It presents a preliminary study carried out at Norfolk Record Office in the UK on options to increase archives storage capacity whilst improving both public access and preservation. This concluded that an initial programme to replace low-quality packaging which is a generator of VOCs, and the building of on-site passive storage, were the most sustainable solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geological reservoir characteristics and mechanical parameters of oil and gas fields exert significant influence on the stability and preliminary feasibility assessment of underground gas storage facilities, posing an urgent challenge for petroleum engineers to address. This study, grounded in the geological conditions and fundamental characteristics of the Wanshunchang gas field, explores the effects of various factors on stability parameters of gas storage facilities and analyzes the reasons underlying differences in stability. The findings reveal that the geological and mechanical parameters of the Wanshunchang gas field meet the basic requirements for gas storage facilities and can withstand injection and extraction pressures of up to 80 MPa. Furthermore, an increase in reservoir elastic modulus and cohesive strength mitigates reservoir leakage and contributes to maintaining wellbore stability in underground gas storage. Additionally, the pressure and curvature of the overlying strata are important factors affecting the permeability characteristics and stability of gas storage facilities. However, at a reservoir depth of 3000 meters, low leakage rates (23 ml/h) and reservoir damage (8%) can be achieved, highlighting the potential for establishing gas storage facilities with minimal adverse effects. Through comprehensive analysis of the geological reservoir characteristics of the Wanshunchang gas field, optimal parameter configurations suitable for gas storage facilities can be identified, elucidating the stability mechanisms thereof. This study provides essential data support for the Wanshunchang gas field as a potential site for underground gas storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies in evolution, ecology and conservation are increasingly based on genetic and genomic data. With increased focus on molecular approaches, ethical concerns about destructive or more invasive techniques need to be considered, with a push for minimally invasive sampling to be optimised. Buccal swabs have been increasingly used to collect DNA in a number of taxa, including amphibians. However, DNA yield and purity from swabs are often low, limiting its use. In this study, we compare different types of swabs, preservation method and storage, and DNA extraction techniques in three case studies to assess the optimal approach for recovering DNA in anurans. Out of the five different types of swabs that we tested, Isohelix MS‐02 and Rapidry swabs generated higher DNA yields than other swabs. When comparing storage buffers, ethanol is a better preservative than a non‐alcoholic alternative. Dried samples resulted in similar or better final DNA yields compared to ethanol‐fixed samples if kept cool. DNA extraction via a Qiagen™ DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit and McHale's salting‐out extraction method resulted in similar DNA yields but the Qiagen™ kit extracts contained less contamination. We also found that samples have better DNA recovery if they are frozen as soon as possible after collection. We provide recommendations for sample collection and extraction under different conditions, including budgetary considerations, size of individual animal sampled, access to cold storage facilities and DNA extraction methodology. Maximising efficacy of all of these factors for better DNA recovery will allow buccal swabs to be used for genetic and genomic studies in a range of vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies a continuous-review stochastic replenishment model for a multi-component system with regular and emergency orders. The system consists of N parallel and independent components, each of which has a finite life span. In addition, there is a warehouse with a limited stock of new components. Each broken component is replaced by a new component from the stock. When no component is available, an emergency supply is ordered. The stock is managed according to an ((s , S) , (0 , Q e)) policy, which is a combination of an (s , S) policy for the regular order and a (0 , Q e) policy for the emergency order. The regular order is delivered after an exponentially distributed lead time, whereas the emergency order is delivered immediately. We study three sub-policies for emergency orders, which differ from each other in size and in relation to the regular order. Applying the results from queueing theory and phase-type properties, we derive the optimal thresholds for each sub-policy and then compare the economic benefit of each one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bulk cold stores are key in the perishable produce cold handling chain. • The 16 cities had cold storage capacity of 4.5 m3 per 1000 inhabitants. • Temperature varied significantly from set points in all the cold stores. • Majority (90.3% by volume) of the cold stores were privately owned. Investment in the food cold chain has been reportedly identified as a solution to extensive postharvest losses worldwide. However, cold chain investment in the Ugandan food value chain is largely unknown. This study located, characterised, and determined the efficacy of bulk cold storage facilities used in handling perishable agricultural food produce in the 16 city districts of Uganda. Only 9/16 city districts had bulk cold storage facilities, translating to a cold storage capacity of 4.5 m3 per 1,000 inhabitants. The private sector owned the highest proportion by volume (90.3%) of these facilities with the highest volume used for handling multiple perishable products (11,590 m3). Generally, temperature varied significantly from the respective set points in the facilities. Variations were observed for between 1/3 to 3/4 of the logged period above maximum allowable storage temperatures for the different products, showing efficacy lapses. These results indicate investment and management gaps and opportunities in this indelible sector in food value chain by both government and private sector players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is crucial to the development of human civilization. Energy infrastructure, such as oil and gas pipelines, power generation systems, and storage facilities, provide core support for the exploitation and utilization of various types of energy. Thus, energy infrastructure is vital to the economic sustainable development of a country. This paper provides the motivations and a brief introduction to the Special Issue entitled "Frontiers in Construction Technology of Advanced Energy Infrastructure", which aims to present advanced technologies and theories for energy infrastructure. The primary challenges in the current construction technology of energy infrastructure are described. Furthermore, the focus of current research in this field addressed in this Special Issue is presented. A comparison of the articles included or considered for inclusion in this Special Issue with other available literature on this topic is performed, which proves the prospects and relevance of this Special Issue. Finally, perspectives on future directions of energy utilization and energy infrastructure construction are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the strong dependence of the food industry on the cold chain, utilizing an optimal refrigeration facility plays a crucial role. This study focuses on the pattern of energy consumption, energy performance and exergy efficiency, and environmental effects (3E) of compression refrigeration systems used in multi-purpose cold storage. Depending on the climate and storage conditions, cooling load distribution between above and below zero evaporators significantly affects energy consumption and exergy efficiency. The limitations of each system in different cooling load demands using eco-friendly refrigerants determine that R717/R290, R290, and R134a are the optimal refrigerants for cascade, two-stage, and one-stage systems, respectively. The results show that cascade system is the least constrained operationally and technically. Its exergy efficiency is up to 4% higher than two-stage system, depending on how the refrigeration load is distributed. Two-stage system has the highest seasonal energy performance ratio (SEPR) (13% more than cascade in hot and humid climate). Its energy consumption is 18–25% less than cascade system depending on climate. Furthermore, it was found that the one-stage system is only suitable for hot and humid climates while two other systems operate well in all climates throughout the year. The amount of SEPR under cold climates for cascade system is 14% more than hot and humid climates and 3% more than moderate climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ABI Technik is the property of De Gruyter 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.)

Horticulture plays a pivotal role in providing livelihoods, nutrition, and economic growth. However, post‐harvest losses due to inadequate storage facilities and practices remain a significant issue. The storage of horticultural produce involves developing and adopting sustainable, cost‐effective solutions tailored to the unique challenges of resource‐constrained environments. Despite the availability of refrigeration and cold storage facilities, their energy‐intensive and expensive nature renders them inaccessible to many. To tackle this problem, a solar‐assisted evaporative cool chamber (ECC) with a storage capacity of 250 kg was designed. It is powered by a 200 W solar panel, a 150 Ah battery with a charge controller, a 9 W water pump, and two 7.4 W exhaust fans. Extensive performance evaluation optimized water flow rates, air velocities, and pad materials, leading to a significant temperature drop of 14.9°C and a 64.3% humidity increase with 98.48% saturation efficiency, achieved with a water flow rate (6 L/min), air velocity (4 m/s), and honeycomb pad material. The inclusion of a thermoelectric Peltier module further lowered the temperature to 17.0°C and raised humidity to 70.1% within the ECC. Storage studies with four fruits (bananas, apples, papayas, and oranges) and four vegetables (tomatoes, okras, brinjals, and cucumbers) demonstrated that products stored inside the ECC remained marketable for an additional 4–15 days, nearly doubling their shelf life compared with ambient conditions. An economically viable ECC solution effectively addresses the needs of hot climate regions, providing a valuable solution for post‐harvest preservation. Practical applications: Horticulture is crucial for livelihoods, nutrition, and economic growth that face challenges in post‐harvest losses due to inadequate storage facilities. Traditional refrigeration solutions are often inaccessible in resource‐constrained environments. To address this, a solar‐assisted evaporative cool chamber (ECC) with a 250 kg storage capacity was designed and evaluated for performance. The solar‐assisted ECC presents a practical and cost‐effective technology with the potential to significantly improve post‐harvest management, empower small‐scale farmers, and promote sustainable food systems, particularly in resource‐constrained environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The necessity for precise determination of fruit storage durations is paramount in both industrial and domestic spheres, with hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology emerging as a pivotal tool for prognosticating the physicochemical attributes indicative of mature fruit quality. This investigation employed hyperspectral imaging to conduct a noninvasive analysis of variations in soluble solids content (SSC), hardness, and moisture content (MC) in jujube fruit over the course of storage at divergent temperatures. Throughout the storage intervals (0, 7, 14, and 21 days) at varying temperatures (4 and 20°C), both physicochemical and spectral data were amassed. The raw spectral information underwent preprocessing through multiple scattering correction (MSC), standard normal variation (SNV), and Savitzky–Golay (SG) algorithms to refine the methodologies for SSC, hardness, and moisture content. Subsequently, the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) algorithm facilitated the discernment and elimination of extraneous variables, thereby enhancing feature wavelength extraction. This process underpinned the development of partial least squares regression (PLSR), back propagation (BP), and genetic algorithm‐back propagation (GA‐BP) models predicated on CARS‐derived features, culminating in the selection of an optimal model. The findings underscore the capability of hyperspectral imaging technology to swiftly and nondestructively ascertain the SSC, hardness, and MC of jujube throughout the storage phase, thereby enabling the assessment of quality attributes over varying storage durations and facilitating the surveillance of jujube quality maintenance during storage. Practical Applications: The winter jujube garners appreciation from consumers owing to its exquisite flavor, yet its quality diminishes over time in storage due to various factors, thereby impacting its market value. Consequently, it is imperative to surveil the quality alterations of jujube throughout its storage to mitigate the degradation of its quality. Hyperspectral imaging technology offers a sophisticated means to forecast the physicochemical index changes indicative of the fruit's quality at maturity. This research delineates the development of predictive models for the soluble solids, hardness, and moisture content of jujube at divergent temperatures throughout the storage interval, selecting the paramount model through a holistic assessment, thereby fully harnessing the capabilities of hyperspectral imaging technology in monitoring jujube quality during storage. Moreover, the methodology employed herein is adaptable to other fruits in storage, harboring the potential for future application in the real‐time quality monitoring of fruits as they exit the storage facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt cavern storage, characterized by its safety, stability, large scale, economic viability, and efficiency, stands out as a cost-effective and relatively secure method for large-scale petroleum reserves. This paper provides an overview of the current development status of salt cavern storage technologies both domestically and internationally, analyzes the advantageous conditions and numerous challenges faced by salt cavern Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) storage in China, and forecasts the development trends of this technology. The conclusions indicate that China possesses all of the necessary conditions for the development of salt cavern storage. Moreover, utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a macro suitability hierarchical evaluation system is constructed for the site selection and construction of salt cavern storage facilities. This system quantifies various site selection indicators, integrating expert opinions and findings from relevant theoretical research to establish grading standards for the suitability indices of salt cavern storage construction. Applied to the site evaluation of salt cavern storage at the Jintan Salt Mine in Jiangsu, the results indicate its high suitability for storage construction, making it an ideal location for establishing such facilities. The evaluation results are consistent with expert opinions, demonstrating the rationality of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of haymaking is to dry forage adequately to inhibit the growth of undesirable microbes and halt residual plant enzymatic activity that causes nutrient losses. During the field and storage phases of haymaking, the environment, management practices, and other factors influence the extent of dry matter losses. This review discusses these factors and the strategies that have been developed to mitigate nutrient losses. A major emphasis was placed on hay microbiome dynamics, as it has been scarcely studied despite its importance on nutrient losses during storage and harvest, especially under humid conditions. The effects of cutting height, mower type, and swath manipulation on soil contamination were discussed. Also, the impact of environmental conditions and swath manipulation on wilting time was analysed for humid and arid conditions. Special attention was given to design improvements in harvesting equipment to reduce wilting time and field losses. Furthermore, we assessed the nutrient losses during storage caused by microbial and residual plant enzymatic activity resulting from excessive moisture at baling or re‐introduced moisture during storage. The spoilage extent during storage depends on bale moisture, size, density, shape, wrapping, forage type, and storage facilities. A Venn diagram analysis showed that each phase of haymaking process has a unique microbiome and that certain fungal and bacterial genera could be shared across more than one hay production phase. To take corrective actions, hay producers need to be aware of the increased susceptibility to nutrient losses associated with particular field and storage practices, environmental conditions, and forage types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the issue of possible construction of the first large oil storage facility in the history of Kazakhstan. Construction of large oil storage facilities in Kazakhstan is an important step to ensure efficient storage and management of oil products in the country, solving the problem of redistribution and storage of oil products, given the dynamics of production and consumption growth in the country. Construction of a large oil storage facility in Atyrau region, as well as oil depots in the west of Kazakhstan, will optimize the processes of transportation and storage of oil products, reduce the cost of renting other people's storage facilities and ensure the sustainability and reliability of oil products supplies to both domestic and foreign markets. The article considers such important aspects as the need for storage of oil products, technical and environmental aspects of construction, as well as economic and social feasibility. In addition, the article presents a system analysis and study of the potential for construction of a large oil storage facility in Kazakhstan, which makes it significant and relevant in the context of the development of the country's oil and gas industry. Given the current global challenges, such as oil production limitations and volatility of oil and oil products markets, the strategic reserve becomes even more relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the transition of historic gardens and preservation efforts in Canada, particularly highlighting Lougheed House in Calgary and the Nanton grain elevators. Topics include the contemporary focus on sustainability and community engagement in historic gardens, the decline and recent preservation initiatives for grain elevators, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's plans for a new facility to support Indigenous culture and history.

Simple Summary: Infestations of pests in grain storage can have a significant impact on both the quantity and quality of stored grains. Drawing inspiration from the detection abilities of humans and birds in identifying pests, we present an innovative deep learning solution designed for the detection and management of pests in stored grains. Specifically focusing on the detection of small grain pests within cluttered backgrounds, we propose a cascaded feature aggregation convolution network. Our approach outperforms existing models in terms of both trainable parameters and detection accuracy, as evidenced by experiments conducted on our newly introduced GrainPest dataset as well as publicly available datasets. By sharing our dataset and refining our model's architecture, we aim to advance the field of research in grain pest detection and the classification of stored grains based on pest density. This study is expected to contribute to the reduction of economic losses caused by storage pests and to enhance food security measures. Pest infestation poses significant threats to grain storage due to pests' behaviors of feeding, respiration, excretion, and reproduction. Efficient pest detection and control are essential to mitigate these risks. However, accurate detection of small grain pests remains challenging due to their small size, high variability, low contrast, and cluttered background. Salient pest detection focuses on the visual features that stand out, improving the accuracy of pest identification in complex environments. Drawing inspiration from the rapid pest recognition abilities of humans and birds, we propose a novel Cascaded Aggregation Convolution Network (CACNet) for pest detection and control in stored grain. Our approach aims to improve detection accuracy by employing a reverse cascade feature aggregation network that imitates the visual attention mechanism in humans when observing and focusing on objects of interest. The CACNet uses VGG16 as the backbone network and incorporates two key operations, namely feature enhancement and feature aggregation. These operations merge the high-level semantic information and low-level positional information of salient objects, enabling accurate segmentation of small-scale grain pests. We have curated the GrainPest dataset, comprising 500 images showcasing zero to five or more pests in grains. Leveraging this dataset and the MSRA-B dataset, we validated our method's efficacy, achieving a structure S-measure of 91.9%, and 90.9%, and a weighted F-measure of 76.4%, and 91.0%, respectively. Our approach significantly surpasses the traditional saliency detection methods and other state-of-the-art salient object detection models based on deep learning. This technology shows great potential for pest detection and assessing the severity of pest infestation based on pest density in grain storage facilities. It also holds promise for the prevention and control of pests in agriculture and forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceratocystis fimbriata, the causal agent of sweetpotato black rot, is a pathogen capable of developing and spreading within postharvest settings. A survey of North Carolina sweetpotato storage facilities was conducted to determine the arthropods present and identify potential vectors of C. fimbriata. Sixteen taxonomic categories were recovered, and the genus Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) accounted for 79% of individuals sampled, with Drosophila hydei being the most abundant species. Behavioral assays were conducted to determine if D. hydei is attracted to C. fimbriata-inoculated roots and if the pathogen could be recovered from external or intornal surfaces of the insect. Flles were released in insect-trapping pitchers containing either C. fimbriata-inoculated or noninoculated roots or Petri dishes. No significant differences in fly number were detected in sweetpotato-baited pitchers; however, significant differences were found in the pitcher baited with a mature C. fimbriata culture. Flies were subjected to washes to determine if viable C. fimbriata was present (internally or externally); washes were plated onto carrot agar plates and observed for the presence of C. fimbriata colonies. Both external and internal washes had viable C. fimbriata inocula with no significant differences, and inoculated sweetpotatoes had a significantly higher number of flies carrying C. fimbriata. This study suggests that D. hydei can carry C. fimbriata from infected sweetpotatoes and move viable C. fimbriata inocula both externally and internally, making this the first report of any Drosophila sp. serving as a potential vector for the Ceratocystis genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In any inventory and production management, deterioration of physical goods is one of the important factors put into consideration. Therefore, it is very important to control and maintain inventories for decaying items. We considered inventory problem for deteriorating items where demand is stock dependent and deterioration is controllable under two warehouse storage facility, one of the warehouses is owned and the other one is rented. Goods are displayed in both warehouses but demands are met from the rented warehouse until the level of goods get to zero then demands are met from owned warehouse. We derived the optimal inventory management policies for the cases where; the demand is constant function, there is no investment in technology and there is no investment in technology and demand is also constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explicitly modelling tailings consolidation behaviour contributes to improve integrated management approaches and accurately estimate the storage capacity of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) to better predict their static and dynamic stability. However, slurry tailings demonstrate a highly non-linear evolution of stiffness and hydraulic conductivity during consolidation, thus significantly complexifying the determination of their hydromechanical properties. In this study, an approach to update Mohr Coulomb parameters and simulate the continuous evolution of hydraulic conductivity and stiffness of tailings materials with the reduction of the void ratio was proposed and embedded in a finite difference code to more realistically simulate the evolution of material properties during sequential loadings. The model was validated using laboratory column tests and various predictive functions were tested to estimate hydraulic conductivity for field applications. Finally, the developed approach was applied to a simplified model of tailings impoundment to illustrate practical applications. Results from this study indicated that the approach developed was able to capture the non-linearity properties of tailings during consolidation, and that using continuously updated stiffness and hydraulic conductivity could induce significantly different magnitude and rate of consolidation than models with constant properties. Predictive models such as Kozeny–Carman and Kozeny–Carman Modified models also gave a satisfactory estimation of tailings behaviour, at least for preliminary studies. The simple modifications to the numerical codes proposed in this paper could therefore significantly improve the numerical simulation of tailings behaviour in the short term and contribute to a better planning of deposition plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses significant concerns highlighted by the European Parliament regarding the decline of the Italian tomato processing industry, which possess a threat to Italy's culinary heritage and global market position. This research offers a solution that leverages blockchain technology to enhance transparency, traceability and operational efficiency within the tomato supply chain. By integrating Solidity, Remix IDE, MetaMask wallet and Sepolia Testnet, our proposed model establishes a robust blockchain-based smart-contract system. This system actively engages cultivators, wholesalers, retailers and end-users facilitating seamless real-time updates across the entire supply chain. Implementing this model in key tomato-producing regions such as Apulia, utilizing platforms like Mainnet or Hyperledger Fabric, aims to stabilize the industry. Furthermore, this study promotes automating smart contracts, integrating IoT devices and developing decentralized applications (DApps). This strategy ensures transparency for end-users, enhances organic food availability and mitigates contamination risks. This study also recommends government involvement to upgrade transportation and storage facilities, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses. This research establishes the groundwork for the sustainable management of the Italian tomato processing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alluvial river channels respond to changes in sediment supply by adjusting their geometry. Landslide sediment delivery and geomorphic response of river channels during floods are poorly understood and rarely examined in tropical settings. We investigate the impact of landslides on channel geomorphic changes during an extreme typhoon‐induced flood event in the Philippines, specifically the complex geomorphic response of the Antamok River to Typhoon Mangkhut in September 2018, which triggered >500 landslides in the Ambalanga catchment. The catchment has a legacy of anthropogenic modifications, such as extensive small‐scale (artisanal) mining and tailings storage facilities (TSFs) from large‐scale mining activities. We use a novel mix of mapping and computational modelling approaches to test the hypothesis that landslide sediment delivery is a major control on channel geomorphic change. Pre‐ and post‐event imagery show that the overall active channel area increased by 35.9% and the mean active channel width increased by 9.1 m. Spatially, we find no clear relationship between landslide sediment input or unit stream power and channel width geomorphic change, with longitudinal changes in active channel width complicated by TSFs. Multi‐phase modelling using r.avaflow revealed how landslide sediment delivery and TSFs interacted with the flow to generate the observed patterns of channel change. The model simulated channel incision in the upper parts of the catchment (up to 0.78 m) and deposition in the TSFs (up to 1.73 m). Our findings demonstrate that well‐established methods (e.g., stream power threshold) fail to fully explain channel width geomorphic changes, particularly for anthropogenically altered catchments. Integrating techniques, such as landslide mapping and multi‐phase computational modelling improves understanding of sediment supply's role in channel width change during extreme events. Numerical simulations also demonstrate that conventional assumptions of increased erosion and deposition with rising flow discharge are inaccurate with large sediment input, highlighting instead the effectiveness of multi‐phase models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green energy transition calls for various solutions to enhance environmental sustainability. One of these is represented by renewable energy communities, which may help transition from centralized energy production to distributed renewable generation. European countries are actively promoting incentive schemes for energy communities to foster local electricity self-consumption in order to balance demand and renewable generation. In this context, energy storage facilities can be employed to gather the energy production surplus and use it in periods of low generation. In this paper, we focus on the optimal operation of an incentive-based energy community in the presence of energy storage systems. A centralized optimization problem was formulated to optimally operate storage systems at the community level. Starting from this solution, distributed charging/discharging commands were found to optimally operate the single storage units. Moreover, conditions guaranteeing the convenience of using energy storage systems inside the community were derived. Numerical simulations were performed to validate the reported results and to evaluate the potential benefits of energy storage facilities inside renewable energy communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates grid export constraints applicable to photovoltaic (PV) and wind farm (WF) installations, both with and without behind-the-meter storage, aimed at enhancing grid hosting capacity. The study focuses on static output power limitations, i.e., simple export constraints that are preventively imposed on renewable energy source (RES) plants regardless of the prevailing network congestion conditions. These constraints are easy to apply, implemented ex ante and out of market, and do not require additional investments in energy storage or advanced devices. They also yield a measurable increase in hosting capacity and grid utilization, with their impact on RES plant operation and return of investment straightforwardly calculable. Analysis defines the level and shape of these constraints assuming an indicative acceptable curtailment level of 5% for each RES technology attributed to the preventing action of the imposed limitations, while the respective implications for RES energy yield and investment viability are explored. The findings indicate that an export power limitation of ca. 68% is effective for stand-alone PVs, while a stepwise static limitation is necessary for stand-alone WFs and WFs with integrated storage to manage midday solar generation peaks. PV plants tightly coupled with storage facilities can handle static limitations as low as 35% with minimal impact on the economic feasibility of the investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifiable, spatially-resolved, large-scale evidence about traditional food storage facilities is extremely rare, and yet highly insightful for researchers across subjects such as human ecology, anthropology, agronomy, archaeology and economic history. This paper takes advantage of some unusually detailed French colonial era records of cereal storage and agro-pastoral practice in 19th century central Algeria that inventory the underground food stores of different sedentary and nomadic tribes at a moment of colonial confrontation in which these stores were central to ecological and political resilience. We consider how different aspects of these food stores relate to environmental, social and economic variables across the study area. The overall results suggest important north-south trends in agro-pastoral lifestyle and storage practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The awareness of tailings dam safety monitoring has widened due to the recent disasters caused by failures of such structures. The failure rate of tailings dams worldwide (i.e., the percentage of failed dams out of total) is estimated at 1.2%, compared to the 0.01% rate for traditional water dams. Most of the tailings dam monitoring guidelines suggest that the owner develops a robust surveillance program to detect possible indicators of potential failures. This paper presents a thorough review of major guidelines on tailings storage facility (TSF) monitoring and surveillance, the visual parameters to be monitored, as well as good practice in the development of monitoring systems. This paper reviews the recent literature with an emphasis on the development of monitoring systems utilizing sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and satellite images that may be considered as supplementary guarantees against failure events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development and evaluation of semi-automatic controlled atmosphere storage facility for calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) was developed with the application of vapor compression refrigeration engineering principles and arduino system to lengthen the fruit shelf-life for commercialization and processing purposes. The prototype's overall dimension is 210 cm in length, 120 cm in width, and 120 cm in height, and has a storage volume of 0.512 m³. It has a storage capacity of about 90-120 kilograms. Maintaining a temperature range of 8°C-10°C, CO2 of 1%-6%, O2 of 7%-12%, and N of 80%-90% atmospheric concentration inside the semi-controlled atmosphere storage facility resulted in a significant decrease in percentage (13.01%) of rotten calamansi fruit as compared to normal storage room (36.39%) from its initial weight. This demonstrates that the facility can reduce the fruits respiration rate and decrease deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The administrative/economic organization of Persepolis is an example of a large and complex economic organization of the ancient world that has different sections and parts (including production, industrial, civil, service, agriculture, etc.). In terms of geographical area, this organization also covered the vast land of Persia and parts of Khuzestan. Its center and management center were in Persepolis/Kur River and specifically in Parsa. The organization's driving force can be attributed to its vast manpower, consisting of skilled craftsmen, specialized workers, secretaries, and scribes, among others, who were employed in various departments. Another notable aspect of Persepolis' economy, as documented in written sources, is the extensive volume of goods and exchange. A significant and somewhat ambiguous aspect of the royal economy in Persepolis is the role and function of money, both in the form of coins and uncoined currency. This article aims to assess and analyze this issue by utilizing archaeological findings, including the tablets found in Persepolis. The research approach employed is historical, with data gathered from library sources. As indicated by the Persepolis Fortifications and Treasury Tablets, surplus goods were exchanged at the conclusion of each year in storage facilities, with wages for laborers being paid either partially or fully in cash. The records suggest that the purpose of these cash transactions was to utilize a form of uncoined silver currency in varying weights and quantities. This monetary practice appears to have originated prior to the rule of Darius I and expanded during his reign, particularly during the era of the Treasury Tablets (492-458 BC). The recipients of cash payments primarily consisted of artisans, laborers, warehouse workers, and farmers. In addition to uncoined money, while there is evidence of coinage in Persepolis, it does not appear to have had a significant economic impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrialized countries attempted to obtain minerals, resulting in a developed method to extract valuable minerals from the ground. Consequently, waste mine tailings are produced and, when left to pile up, will potentially be hazardous to the environment and the people. However, more mine tailings become a problem when the organization needs clarification on the minerals' value and what they can be used for. This study focuses on a multi-criteria analysis of the potential repurposing of the Philex Mining Corporation (PMC) tailings in Benguet, Philippines. While mining policies were considered, findings show that piles of mine tailings had not been considered for refining to produce more resources for development, construction, and economic growth The study employs qualitative inquiry to understand better the grassroots processes and reconnaissance of the stored tailings. The analysis tries to promote sustainable practices -- presenting a higher sustainability priority, resource conservation, and the responsible management of mining waste, making it a more favorable alternative to traditional tailing storage facilities. Several industrial uses for the tailings have been suggested to reinforce waste diversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The maximum operating pressure for underground gas storage facilities designed for oil and gas reservoirs, both constructed and under construction in China, is currently set at the original formation pressure. There have yet to be successful cases of overpressure operation, which significantly impacts the economic benefits of converting depleted oil and gas reservoirs into underground gas storage facilities. This article aims to evaluate the maximum operating pressure and storage capacity of the Nanpu 1-29 gas storage facility from the perspective of the ultimate bearing capacity of cap layers and faults, with the goal of effectively enhancing the construction benefits of the facility. [Methods] The evaluation of the maximum operating pressure for the Nanpu 1-29 gas storage facility in eastern Hebei is based on the minimum principal stress measured in situ in the mining wells. Different effective porosity calculation methods are employed to quantitatively evaluate the effective storage capacity of gas and oil reservoirs, as well as the incremental capacity after pressure boosting operation, based on their development differences. [Results] The evaluation of the maximum operating pressure for the Nanpu 1-29 gas storage facility indicates that the minimum principal stress of the cap layers determined by the in-situ measurements in the mining wells is 34.00 MPa. Based on the tensile failure criteria determined by the minimum principal stress, the maximum operating pressure for the tensile failure of the cap layer is 27.20 MPa. Combined with the maximum safe injection pressure corresponding to shear failure of the cap layer (30.60 MPa) and the maximum safe injection pressure corresponding to unstable slip of the fault (27.60 MPa), the final maximum operating pressure for the Nanpu 1-29 gas storage facility is determined to be 27.20 MPa. Based on the effective storage capacity calculation model, considering factors such as the water content of the gas reservoir, residual water and edge porosity as well as the coefficient of influence, the efficiency of gas-driven fluid, and the utilization rate of oil-containing space, the maximum operating pressure increased from the original formation pressure of 22.50 MPa to 27.20 MPa. The practical storage capacity of the gas storage facility increased from 15.46x108 m³ to 18.14x108 m³, an increase of approximately 17.3%. [Conclusion] (1) The construction of gas storage facilities can be re-evaluated for the maximum operating pressure based on the minimum principal stress measured in situ in the mining wells, and overpressure design can be conducted under appropriate conditions. (2) Overpressure design can effectively increase storage capacity and improve the economic benefits of reservoir construction. [Significance] The research results have a certain reference value for the quantitative evaluation of the maximum operating pressure and storage capacity of other underground gas storage facilities, and are expected to significantly improve the economic benefits of overpressure-designed reservoir-type gas storage facilities in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demands for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have recently increased exponentially. They are used in a multitude of applications including electric vehicles (EVs), Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and consumer electronics. However, their chemical composition, high energy content and behaviour under abuse conditions pose a significant risk to safety, human health and the environment. This risk is particularly pronounced with the amount of active materials, especially the organic electrolyte and consequently, with the number of cells constituting the battery. To mitigate the risk, critical points throughout the entire life cycle of a lithium battery must be identified. For this purpose, the analysis of accidents occurring around the world acquires a fundamental importance. The evaluation of the main risks associated with the transport, use and storage of LIBs would allow the improvement of specific prevention measures to reduce the risk of fire and explosion during their use and their storage. Additionally, the improvement of safety procedures to manage accidents involving lithium ion batteries should be considered. Furthermore, it enables the updating of legal and technical standards and the development of more reliable storage systems. The aim of this study is to enhance current knowledge on the factors that may trigger fire involving LIBs through the analysis of accidents and recall databases analysis. An Italian database has been developed which includes data on accidents that occurred during the normal use of batteries, as well as those that occurred in storage facilities, during transport and in the disposal of batteries. One example of the reconstruction of data necessary to enhance a database is presented in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a continuous-review stock management of a retailer for a single item in a limited storage (buffer) in a random environment. The stock level fluctuates according to two independent compound Poisson processes with discrete amounts of items (batches) that enter and leave the storage facility. The storage facility is controlled by a three-parameter base-stock replenishment policy. All items exceeding the storage capacity are transferred to an unlimited foreign facility. In addition, a restricted backlogging possibility is permitted; additional demands for items are lost sales. We further assume a random shelf life, the possibility of total inventory collapse, and a random lead time. Applying Markov theory, we derive the optimal control parameters minimizing the long-run expected total cost. A sensitivity analysis is conducted focusing on the comparison between the pure lost-sales policy and a partial backordering policy. Accordingly, we identify cases where one policy is cost effective compared to the other, particularly with respect to the batch patterns (sign, rate, average, and variability), and the associated costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent tailings storage facility (TSF) dam failures recorded around the world have concerned society in general, forcing the mining industry to improve its operating standards, invest greater economic resources, and implement the best available technologies (BATs) to control TSFs for safety purposes and avoid spills, accidents, and collapses. In this context, and as the era of digitalization and Industry 4.0 continues, monitoring technologies based on sensors have become increasingly common in the mining industry. This article studies the state of the art of implementing sensor technologies to monitor structural health and safety management issues in TSFs, highlighting advances and experiences through a review of the scientific literature on the topic. The methodology applied in this article adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and utilizes scientific maps for data visualization. To do so, three steps were implemented: (i) a quantitative bibliometric analysis, (ii) a qualitative systematic review of the literature, and (iii) a mixed review to integrate the findings from (i) and (ii). As a result, this article presents the main advances, gaps, and future trends regarding the main characteristics of the sensor technologies applied to monitor TSF structural health and safety management in the era of digitalization. According to the results, the existing research predominantly investigates certain TSF sensor technologies, such as wireless real-time monitoring, remote sensors (RS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned survey vessels (USVs), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing (CC), and Internet of Things (IoT) approaches, among others. These technologies stand out for their potential to improve the safety management monitoring of mine tailings, which is particularly significant in the context of climate change-related hazards, and to reduce the risk of TSF failures. They are recognized as emerging smart mining solutions with reliable, simple, scalable, secure, and competitive characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunization programs globally have played a pivotal role in reducing mortality rates. However, the effectiveness of these programs often falls short of the intended coverage targets, primarily due to challenges within the supply chain, storage facilities, and distribution processes. Notably, a substantial percentage of vaccine wastage has been observed in numerous countries, thereby imposing a significant financial burden on immunization initiatives, and presenting a formidable challenge to policymakers. This paper undertakes a comprehensive study of the financial dynamics inherent in an immunization program within the context of India. Employing a systems perspective, we scrutinize the intricate interactions among various cost factors. Through a five-year system dynamics simulation, we derive insights into the amplified financial constraints resulting from vaccine wastage and the inefficiencies associated with shared personnel. Furthermore, our analysis extends to evaluate the impact of an additional investment aimed at enhancing the quality of the cold chain infrastructure and health worker proficiency on the overall funds of the immunization program. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of the financial intricacies of immunization programs, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to optimize program efficiency and resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of protective structures in the immediate vicinity of residential buildings where people live provides an additional opportunity for the civilian population to hide during rocket attacks. In this regard, it is very important to design storage facilities in such a way that the evacuation time of the population does not exceed four minutes. The purpose of this article is the analysis of world examples of the construction of protective structures and the implementation of this experience in the construction of new residential buildings in Ukraine. The article provides a general description of protective structures according to Ukrainian regulatory documents. The main requirements for the location of protective structures in the urban development are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of the presence of protective structures in the countries of the world are determined. Recommendations are provided for the construction of houses with the location of protective rooms in residential buildings. The principle scheme of a high-rise building resistant to destruction and the creation of a protected space in it is proposed. A SWOT analysis of the location of protective premises in residential buildings is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the practice of gold mining industry, hazardous waste known as tailings is produced during the ore extraction process. These tailings are typically stored in a dam structure called a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). The planning and construction of a TSF are critical considerations, as the failure of a TSF can have substantial environmental impacts, pose risks to human safety, and result in industrial losses. Therefore, strict control is necessary in the development of TSFs to minimize the potential negative consequences. This research focuses on the transport of contaminants within a TSF, specifically examining the concentration of chloride contaminants and conducting particle movement analysis. The study utilizes modeling through the GeoStudio SEEP/W program to simulate groundwater flow profiles and the GeoStudio CTRAN/W program to understand contaminant movement over a 100-year period. GeoStudio modeling employs 10 materials: impermeable clay soil, filter sandy soil, transition gravel rock, three mine waste types (Fine, Rockfill, and Rockfill with fine), hard rock bedrock layer, in-situ soil representing the original layer, landslide with colluvial soil, and the tailings itself. Back analysis is employed to iterate model parameters and ensure modeling accuracy against field data, including comparisons with water quality test results and readings from vibrating wire piezometer (VWP) instrumentation. The contaminant transport is influenced by advection-dispersion processes and tends to concentrate within the TSF boundary toward the dam toe over a 100-year timeframe. The analysis emphasizes the influence of advection in contaminant transport and underscores the importance of particle position relative to the groundwater level, with Particle Tracking Analysis shows significant movement within the groundwater flow area. This research provides crucial insights into the dynamics of contaminant concentration, informing better decision-making in TSF planning and management. The findings underscore the imperative of strict control measures to minimize environmental impacts and human safety risks associated with TSFs, thereby advancing knowledge in gold mining waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailings storage facility (TSF) failures have tremendous impacts on surrounding populations, communities, and ecosystems. Therefore, a three-dimension risk matrix considering failure probability, event intensity, and exposure of failure-bearing bodies is established to assess the risk of TSF failure. First, based on the established assessment indicator system, the probability level is determined by the uncertainty measurement theory combined with the extension analytic hierarchy process. Then, the event intensity level is determined by two parameters, namely the volume of released tailings and the maximum distance traveled by tailings. The exposure level is characterized by the potential loss of four failure-bearing bodies, including population, economy, environment, and society. Finally, the risk index is calculated by the Euclidean distance method and the risk level is determined. In the proposed model, the probability, intensity, exposure, and the risk of TSF failure are all divided into four levels (Level I, Level II, Level III, Level IV) from high to low. The application of the case verifies the applicability and availability of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-disposition of tailings and waste rocks in open pits in the form of a permeable envelope and/or waste rock inclusions (WRI) can efficiently prevent the transport of contaminants to the environment. Such drainage paths could also accelerate tailings consolidation rate, similarly to WRI in tailings storage facilities, and therefore improve tailings mechanical properties in the short term and maximize the volume of mine waste that can be disposed of. These geotechnical benefits have, however, not been demonstrated yet nor thoroughly investigated. In this research, three-dimensional models were performed to examine the evolution of tailings consolidation in pits under the influences of co-disposed waste rocks. Various disposal scenarios were investigated, including the presence of a permeable envelop only and the addition of WRI as a central inclusion. The influences of operational and practical aspects such as the tailings filling rate, pit slope angles, waste rock and tailings hydro-geotechnical properties, and pit morphology were investigated. Results indicated that a permeable envelope could promote the dissipation of excess pore water pressure (PWP) and accelerate tailings consolidation. The influence zone of the permeable envelope was relatively limited and around 2 times the tailings height. Using a WRI combined with a permeable envelope could be geotechnically beneficial for wide pits whose radius was larger than twice of its depth. Slope angles, filling rate and pit morphology somewhat affected tailings consolidation rate, but their effect was relatively limited and decreased with the increase in the distance to the drainage paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]