The available test methods for optimal moisture content of cold recycled mixture(CRM)as well as its bulk specific gravity,and theoretical maximum relative density were analyzed in this work.Some test improvements were...The available test methods for optimal moisture content of cold recycled mixture(CRM)as well as its bulk specific gravity,and theoretical maximum relative density were analyzed in this work.Some test improvements were suggested to improve test control of the CRM road performance based on the discovered flaws.Besides,the properties of reclaimed asphalt pavement(RAP),including the content of old asphalt,penetration index,passing rate of 4.75 mm sieve,and gradation change rate after extraction,were examined.The effects of RAP characteristics on splitting tensile strength,water stability,the high-and low-temperature performance of emulsified asphalt CRM were studied.The results show that the optimum moisture content of CRM should be determined when the compaction work matches the specimen’s molding work.Among the analyzed methods of bulk specific gravity assessment,the dry-surface and CoreLok methods provide more robust and accurate results than the wax-sealing method,while the dry-surface method is the most cost-efficient.The modified theoretical maximum relative density test method is proposed,which can reduce the systematic error of the vacuum test method.The following RAP-CRM trends can be observed.The lower the content of old asphalt and the smaller the change rate of gradation,the smaller the voids and the better the water stability of CRM.The greater the penetration of old asphalt,the higher the fracture work and low-temperature splitting strength.The greater the penetration,the higher the passing rate of 4.75 mm sieve after extraction,and the worse the high-temperature performance of CRM.展开更多
This study was conducted at Fafan Research Center, Golajo research site to evaluate the effect of Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaf supplementation on growth performance of short-eared Somali goat breed. A total...This study was conducted at Fafan Research Center, Golajo research site to evaluate the effect of Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaf supplementation on growth performance of short-eared Somali goat breed. A total of fifteen yearling indigenous short-eared Somali goat breeds with an initial weight of 15.2 ± 0.30 kg were assigned to three treatment groups using completely randomized design. Pigeon pea (Pp) and Moringa stenopetala (MS) feeds were formulated using 0%, 5%, and 10% inclusion levels of MSLM and PPLM as experimental diets, respectively. The feed of the experiment was prepared in two levels (2 kg of Moringa stenopetala and 2 kg of pigeon pea) and was supplemented to experimental animals in treatments one and two, respectively. The average e initial body weight of selected male goats was 18.82 ± 0.37, 18.8 ± 0.37 and 17.8 ± 0.37 kg under treatment groups T1, T2 and control respectively. Data was analyzed using general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS computer package Version 9.0 (SAS, 2002). The final weights gain (FWG) of goats on T1 and T2 of experimental group was significantly (P 0.05) the final weight gain of goat supplemented on Moringa stenopetala (T1) and pigeon pea levels (T2). The mean average weight gains (AWG) obtained from the supplemented group in this study were 7.50 ± 0.37 and 7.82 ± 0.37 kg for T1 and T2, whereas mean weight gains for un-supplemented goats were found to be 6.26 ± 0.37 kg. Feeding of dried Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaves mixture improved body weights and average daily body weight gain without affecting feed intake and overall health of Somali goat breed. As Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaves are rich nitrogen/protein source, they can be used effectively as substitute for conventional concentrate in the diet of growing goats at small holder farmer’s level where they can be grown in abundance. Therefore, for higher quality of forage and higher total DM yield for animal feeding, moringa should be harvested at wider harvesting intervals of at least 6th- to 8th-week intervals. Similarly, for pigeon peas, 4- to 6-week harvesting interval can result in optimum forage as well as feed quality and resulted in better growth performances for Somali short-eared goat breeds.展开更多
The department of Tillabéri is primarily affected by climatic phenomena, impacting crop yields, growing cycles, and consequently, the economic outcomes of agricultural operations. The objective of this study is t...The department of Tillabéri is primarily affected by climatic phenomena, impacting crop yields, growing cycles, and consequently, the economic outcomes of agricultural operations. The objective of this study is to analyze these impacts of climate disruption on the economic performance of farms. The methodology adopted for this study combined documentary research with field surveys conducted on a sample of 250 randomly selected farmers. The analytical methods used mainly consisted of linear regression, profitability calculations, and linear programming. The findings indicate that all productions across different crops have experienced a decrease over the past 30 years. For instance, the production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, which were respectively 812 kg/ha, 260 kg/ha, and 100 kg/ha between the last 30 and 20 years, has now dropped to 412 kg/ha, 106 kg/ha, and 46 kg/ha respectively. A negative and significant effect on agricultural net margin was observed due to variables such as flooding, drought, pest invasion in rice fields, and temperature changes. Smallholder farms show a relatively low margin (46%) to cover their fixed costs, which may indicate a risk if fixed expenses are high. Furthermore, the analysis results from linear programming reveal that farmers could achieve an additional net profit per hectare of 116,861 FCFA, 217201.5 FCFA, and 291988.2 FCFA respectively for small, medium, and large producers by managing variable costs and health-related expenses for households.展开更多
This study was designed to determine factors that influence market performance of avocado fruits among smallholder farmers in Mbeya and Songwe regions. A cross section research design entailing 209 farmers from five (...This study was designed to determine factors that influence market performance of avocado fruits among smallholder farmers in Mbeya and Songwe regions. A cross section research design entailing 209 farmers from five (5) districts of two (2) regions and 15 key informants;5 local service providers (LSP), 5 traders/brokers and 5 district extension officers (DEO) were involved in the study. Random selection procedures were used to select avocado producers and purposive selection procedures were used to select key informants. The study employed survey questionnaires to collect data from avocado farmers and structured interview to collect data from key informants. Collected data were analyzed with an aid of descriptive statistics and linear regression model was used to determine significant factors that determine market prices of avocado fruits among smallholder farmers. The demographic characteristics of avocado farmers showed that;61.2% of farmers had age between 36 to 59 years old, 84.7% were married, 74.6% had primary education level, average number of 5 members of the family, average 4.3 acres of owned land and 1.8 acres planted with avocado. Moreover, findings showed that 90.9% grew improved avocado varieties. Farm gate (88.5%) was the major market outlet chosen by avocado farmers. Local merchants and processors were the major buyers of the produced avocado. Results from linear regression analysis showed that variety grown (P P P P < 0.05) were factors that statistically influenced market prices for avocado fruits. The study concluded that despite the remarkable contributions to livelihood of the farmers yet, it is highly fragile on market prices. Therefore, the study recommends the need to establish market systems that will govern avocado fruits marketing for sustainability of the sub-sector.展开更多
NOx sensors, as a core component of diesel engine exhaust treatment system, play an important role in exhaust emission control, which can accurately and quickly detect the NOx and O2 concentration. It has become a nec...NOx sensors, as a core component of diesel engine exhaust treatment system, play an important role in exhaust emission control, which can accurately and quickly detect the NOx and O2 concentration. It has become a necessary option for the detection of existing exhaust emission standards. At present, there is limited and scattered information on knowledge and test methods of NOx sensors, the research of NOx sensors has become a challenging research topic at home and abroad. Based on these requirements, the article systematically integrates the knowledge of principle and testing methods. First of all, through introducing functional description of NOx sensors and the basic principle of NOx sensors, the relevant scholars can have an overall understanding of the product and master the operation mode of products. Secondly, the current status of performance test bench and methods of NOx sensors were described, which can contribute to having a clear understanding of the development process. After that, a new structure of NOx sensors test bench was purposed, which contains six major units including standard gas source, gas mixing unit, analyzer measurement unit, sensor measurement unit, data processing and display unit, exhaust gas treatment unit. And the test bench was validated. The experimental results show that the test bench has the advantages of high-repeatability, high reliability and low cost. And it can realize automatic detection of multiple target values, which is worthy further promotion. Thereby, the article can contribute to the development of its technology indirectly.展开更多
Background: The study’s primary research suggests the relationship between high-school international students in China’s sleep quality and learning efficiency which is academic performance. Considering the effect of...Background: The study’s primary research suggests the relationship between high-school international students in China’s sleep quality and learning efficiency which is academic performance. Considering the effect of Chinese traditional cultural background, this study mainly investigates Chinese international high school students’ sleeping quality and patterns through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Methods: A sample of 249 Chinese high school students in the Pearl River Region completed the questionnaire about their sleep quality using PSQI, their academic performance, and socio-demographic factors one month before the final exam in July 2023. Results: None of the students have good sleep quality, according to the PSQI;40.8% of students have poor sleep quality, and 59.2% have significant sleep disturbance. The results of ordinal logistic regression show that good sleep quality is positively associated with good academic performance. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the association between sleep and academic performance on the unique sleep patterns of Chinese international high school students, who often follow very different sleep patterns from other conventional students enrolled in the regular curriculum. High school students suffer from severe sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality. Under great academic stress, Chinese high school students should know the importance of sleep, balance sleep, and study.展开更多
Sweet potato is one of the most important crops in Côte d’Ivoire. However, some constraints related to climate change limit its production. This study evaluated the agronomic and technological performances of ei...Sweet potato is one of the most important crops in Côte d’Ivoire. However, some constraints related to climate change limit its production. This study evaluated the agronomic and technological performances of eight varieties of orange-fleshed of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) to identify the most promising ones. The results show three groups of varieties with different agronomic performances. Group 1 composed of Irene and Vita is characterized by low production of small and large tuberous roots, low number of productive plants and low yield. Group 2 consisting mainly of Kabode is characterized by high production and weight of large tuberous roots as well as high yield. Group 3, composed of Tacha-2 Ininda, Ejumula Gloria, TIB-440060, CIP-199062-1, Bela bela is characterized by high production of small and large tuberous roots, high number of productive plants and average yield. The TIB-440060 variety has a recovery rate of 100%. The Irene, Kabode, Vita, Kabode varieties were resistant to viral and fungal diseases. In terms of technological quality, the TIB-440060 and CIP-199062-1 varieties have the best organoleptic qualities. Given the agronomic performances of the Kabode, TIB-440060 and CIP-199062-1 varieties, could be selected as the elites varieties and distributed to producers.展开更多
Zinc oxide(ZnO),as a broadband gap semiconductor material,exhibits unique physical and chemical properties that make it highly suitable for optoelectronics,piezoelectric devices,and gas-sensitive sensors,showing signi...Zinc oxide(ZnO),as a broadband gap semiconductor material,exhibits unique physical and chemical properties that make it highly suitable for optoelectronics,piezoelectric devices,and gas-sensitive sensors,showing significant potential for various applications.This paper focuses on the regulation and application of ZnO-based p-n junctions and piezoelectric devices.It discusses in detail the preparation of ZnO materials,the construction of p-n junctions,the optimization of piezoelectric device performance,and its application in various fields.By employing different preparation methods and strategies,high-quality ZnO thin films can be grown,and effective control of p-type conductivity achieved.This study provides both a theoretical foundation and technical support for controlling the performance of ZnO-based piezoelectric devices,as well as paving new pathways for the broader application of ZnO materials.展开更多
Background The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of commercially processed former foodstuffs(cFF)as dietary substitutes of corn,soybean meal and soybean oil on the growth performance,apparent total trac...Background The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of commercially processed former foodstuffs(cFF)as dietary substitutes of corn,soybean meal and soybean oil on the growth performance,apparent total tract digestibil-ity(ATTD),hematobiochemical profiles,and liver gene abundance in broiler chickens.Two hundred one-day-old male ROSS-308 chicks were assigned to 4 dietary groups(5 replicates of ten birds per replicate)according to their average body weight(BW,38.0±0.11 g).All groups received a two-phase feeding program:starter,d 1–12 and grower,d 12–33.The control group(cFF0)was fed a standard commercial feed based on corn,soybean meal and soybean oil.The other three groups received diets in which the feed based on corn,soybean meal,and soybean oil was partially replaced with cFF at a substitution level of 6.25%(cFF6.25),12.5%(cFF12.5)or 25%(cFF25)for the following 33 d.Results The growth performance data showed no differences in BW or average daily gain among groups,although the average daily feed intake decreased during the grower period(12–33 d)and over entire experimental period(1–33 d)in a linear manner as the cFF inclusion level rose(P=0.026),positively affecting the gain to feed ratio(P=0.001).The ATTD of dry matter of the cFF-fed groups were greater with respect to control group and increased throughout the experimental period,whereas the ATTD of ether extract linearly decreased with increasing levels of cFF-fed groups compared with control group and throughout the experimental period(P<0.05).Additionally,a lin-ear increase in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio,serum cholesterol,triglycerides and alanine-aminotransferase were observed with increasing dietary levels of cFF(P<0.05);however,no differences were observed in lipoprotein lipase or sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor gene abundance.Conclusions The results of this experiment demonstrate that it is possible to incorporate cFF into nutritionally balanced diets for broiler chickens,even up to 25%substitution levels,for up to 33 d without adversely impacting the overall growth performance of male broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions.Further studies are essential to validate the hematological trait findings.展开更多
Detonation performance is crucial for evaluating the power of high explosives(HEs),and the equation of state(EOS)that accurately describes the high-temperature,high-pressure,and high-temperature,medium-pressure states...Detonation performance is crucial for evaluating the power of high explosives(HEs),and the equation of state(EOS)that accurately describes the high-temperature,high-pressure,and high-temperature,medium-pressure states of detonation products is key to assessing the damage efficiency of these energetic materials.This article examines the limitations of the VLW EOS in representing the thermodynamic states of explosive detonation gas products under high-temperature and medium-to high-pressure conditions.A new gas EOS for detonation products,called VHL(Virial-Han-Long),is proposed.The accuracy of VHL in describing gas states under high-temperature and medium-to high-pressure conditions is verified,and its performance in evaluating explosive detonation and working capabilities is explored.The results demonstrate that VHL exhibits high precision in calculating detonation performance.Subsequently,the detonation performance of three new HEs(ICM-101,ONC,and TNAZ)was calculated and compared to traditional HEs(TATB,CL-20,and HMX).The results indicate that ONC has superior detonation performance compared to the other explosives,while ICM-101 shows a detonation velocity similar to CL-20 but with slightly lower detonation pressure.The detonation characteristics of TNAZ are comparable to those of the standard HE HMX.From the perspective of products,considering the comprehensive work performance(mechanical work and detonation heat),both ONC and ICM-101demonstrate relatively superior performance.展开更多
As an evaluation index,the natural frequency has the advantages of easy acquisition and quantitative evaluation.In this paper,the natural frequency is used to evaluate the performance of external cable reinforced brid...As an evaluation index,the natural frequency has the advantages of easy acquisition and quantitative evaluation.In this paper,the natural frequency is used to evaluate the performance of external cable reinforced bridges.Numerical examples show that compared with the natural frequencies of first-order modes,the natural frequencies of higher-order modes are more sensitive and can reflect the damage situation and external cable reinforcement effect of T-beam bridges.For damaged bridges,as the damage to the T-beam increases,the natural frequency value of the bridge gradually decreases.When the degree of local damage to the beam reaches 60%,the amplitude of natural frequency change exceeds 10%for the first time.The natural frequencies of the firstorder vibration mode and higher-order vibration mode can be selected as indexes for different degrees of the damaged T-beam bridges.For damaged bridges reinforced with external cables,the traditional natural frequency of the first-order vibration mode cannot be used as the index,which is insensitive to changes in prestress of the external cable.Some natural frequencies of higher-order vibration modes can be selected as indexes,which can reflect the reinforcement effect of externally prestressed damaged T-beam bridges,and its numerical value increases with the increase of external prestressed cable force.展开更多
The oscillating hydrofoil represents a promising technology for harvesting energy from tidal currents.While previous research has primarily focused on oscillating hydrofoils utilizing a fully activated control strateg...The oscillating hydrofoil represents a promising technology for harvesting energy from tidal currents.While previous research has primarily focused on oscillating hydrofoils utilizing a fully activated control strategy,the industry predominantly employs a semi-activated control strategy in existing tidal current energy converters.It is essential to identify the differences in predicted energy-harvesting performance between these two controlling strategies through experimental modeling or numerical studies.Furthermore,the suitability of the fully activated control strategy in predicting the energy-harvesting capabilities of oscillating hydrofoils is evaluated.The 2D numerical models of hydrofoil based on fully activated and semi-activated control strategies have been developed and validated.The amplitudes of heaving and pitching movements for the fully activated hydrofoil are determined to match those of the semi-activated hydrofoil.The results show that the main difference between the two control strategies lies in the phase shift occurring between the pitching and heaving motions.This phase shift affects the lift force and its coordination with the heaving velocity,which in turn affects the power output.Notably,the maximum relative efficiency difference obtained between the fully activated and semi-activated control strategies can reach 191%.展开更多
Crude petroleum pollution causes some serious ecological disasters in the ocean.Marine sediment microbial fuel cells(MSMFCs)have been utilized as a novel method for in-situ degradation and a long-term power source.Her...Crude petroleum pollution causes some serious ecological disasters in the ocean.Marine sediment microbial fuel cells(MSMFCs)have been utilized as a novel method for in-situ degradation and a long-term power source.Herein,the effect of different concentrations of rhamnolipids biosurfactant on the electrochemical performance of MSMFCs anode and the higher efficiency of oil degradation are creatively investigated.The results indicate that the anode in sediment containing rhamnolipids effectively enriches the indigenous electrogenic Pseudophaeobacter and Pseudomonas,which significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of the MSMFCs.Under rhamnolipids at the concentration of 200 mg kg^(-1)in sediment,the anode specific capacitance(401.45 Fm^(-2)),exchange current density(4.87×10^(-2)mAm^(-2)),and cell maximum power density(140.24 mWm^(-2))increase by 2.50,38.65,and 2.11 times,respectively,in comparison with its natural sediment.And the oil degradation rate(40.06%)was higher than the blank(17.55%).It demonstrates that the synergistic effect between electrochemical catalytic degradation and emulsifying solubilization of rhamnolipids surfactant directly accelerates the degradation of petroleum in marine sediment,which will provide a novel method and theoretical guidance for in-situ degradation and efficient removal of crude petroleum on ocean floor.展开更多
The insufficient damping capabilities of aluminum alloy under low temperatures(<120℃)were addressed by developing high-damping laminated composites of NiTip/5052Al.This is achieved through the incorporation of var...The insufficient damping capabilities of aluminum alloy under low temperatures(<120℃)were addressed by developing high-damping laminated composites of NiTip/5052Al.This is achieved through the incorporation of varied pre-aging states of NiTi particles into the 5052Al matrix using a rolling composite technique.The aim is to enhance the application scope of aluminum alloy for vibration and noise reduction.The results demonstrated a distinct and integrated interface between the particle layer and the 5052Al alloy,with numerous interparticle interfaces within the particle layer.Increasing the aging temperature of the NiTi particles from 450 to 550℃ shifted the phase transition peaks of the composites to lower temperatures.The damping capacity of the laminated NiTip/5052Al composites notably surpasses that of the 5052Al alloy.At 28 and 66℃,the phase transformation damping peaks of the pre-aged NiTi particle layer reinforced 5052Al matrix composites are 1.93 and 2 times those of the 5052Al alloy at the corresponding temperatures,respectively.The collaborative impact of interparticle interface damping mechanism and the phase transformation damping mechanism of NiTi-reinforced particles significantly amplify the low-temperature damping performance of the laminated NiTip/5052Al composites.展开更多
The present study introduces a screw-pressing charging method to tackle deficiencies in automation and charge uniformity during the melt-casting of polymer-based energetic materials.To ensure the safety of the experim...The present study introduces a screw-pressing charging method to tackle deficiencies in automation and charge uniformity during the melt-casting of polymer-based energetic materials.To ensure the safety of the experiments,this study used inert materials with similar physical properties to partially substitute for the actual energetic components in the preparation of simulant materials.By thoroughly analyzing slurry physical properties,a simulation framework and an extensive performance evaluation method were developed.Such tools guide the design of the structure and configuration of process parameters.Results demonstrate that employing the Pin element significantly enhances radial mixing within the screw,minimizes temperature variations in the slurry,and improves both efficiency and safety in the mixing process.Further,adjustments such as widening the cone angle of the barrel,modifying the solid content of the slurry,and varying the speed of the screw can optimize the mechanical and thermal coupling in the flow field.These adjustments promote higher-quality slurry and create a safer production environment for the extrusion process.展开更多
As a key sector in advancing China’s“carbon neutrality”goal,the machinery manufacturing industry has achieved remarkable development in recent years.Against this backdrop,the scientific and objective evaluation of ...As a key sector in advancing China’s“carbon neutrality”goal,the machinery manufacturing industry has achieved remarkable development in recent years.Against this backdrop,the scientific and objective evaluation of the financial performance of machinery manufacturing enterprises has become a pressing issue in financial research.This topic is not only crucial for optimizing enterprise management and improving operational efficiency but also essential for enhancing overall industry performance and promoting sustainable development.This paper first introduces the concept of financial performance,followed by an analysis of related financial performance evaluation theories.It then focuses on the application of the entropy method in evaluating the financial performance of machinery manufacturing enterprises,detailing its analytical steps.Finally,a financial performance evaluation index system is constructed based on four dimensions:profitability,solvency,operational efficiency,and growth potential.展开更多
The behavior of single-phase flow and conjugate heat transfer in micro-channel heat sinks(MCHS)subjected to auniform heat flux is investigated by means of numerical simulations.Various geometrical configurations areex...The behavior of single-phase flow and conjugate heat transfer in micro-channel heat sinks(MCHS)subjected to auniform heat flux is investigated by means of numerical simulations.Various geometrical configurations areexamined,particularly,the combinations of rectangular solid and perforated blocks,used to create a disturbancein the flow.The analysis focuses on several key aspects and related metrics,including the temperature distribution,the mean Fanning friction factor,the pressure drop,the Nusselt number,and the overall heat transfer coefficientacross a range of Reynolds numbers(80–870).It is shown that the introduction of such blocks significantlyenhances the heat transfer performances of the MCHS compared to the straight-through flow channel.Specifically,a case is found where the Nusselt number increases by 2.3 times relative to the reference case.The integrationof perforated blocks facilitates the generation of vorticity within the channel,promoting the mixing of coldand hot fluids.Notably,MCHS incorporating perforated rectangular blocks exhibit more pronounced heat transferbenefits at Reynolds numbers smaller than 400.展开更多
Currently,as environmental pollution becomes increasingly severe,flue gas denitrification has emerged as a significant area of research.With the advancement of modern industry and the improvement of living standards,a...Currently,as environmental pollution becomes increasingly severe,flue gas denitrification has emerged as a significant area of research.With the advancement of modern industry and the improvement of living standards,air pollution has gained growing attention.Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides(NO_(x))have become major contributors to air pollution,posing serious harm to the environment.Consequently,flue gas desulfurization and denitrification technologies have become key research focuses in industrial development.This paper explores the selection of agricultural waste carbon sources and their pretreatment methods.It provides an in-depth analysis of the significance of agricultural waste carbon sources in flue gas denitrification,focusing on their performance and mechanisms.The study also discusses the role of agricultural waste carbon sources in flue gas denitrification,aiming to offer new research perspectives for relevant stakeholders.展开更多
This study investigates the bond performance at the interfacial region shared by Ultra-High Performance Concrete(UHPC)and steel tubes through push-out tests.This study examines how changes in steel fiber volumetric ra...This study investigates the bond performance at the interfacial region shared by Ultra-High Performance Concrete(UHPC)and steel tubes through push-out tests.This study examines how changes in steel fiber volumetric ratio and thickness of steel tube influence the bond strength characteristics.The results show that as the enhancement of the steel tube wall thickness,the ultimate bond strength at the interface improves significantly,whereas the initial bond strength exhibits only slight variations.The influence of steel fiber volumetric ratio presents a nonlinear trend,with initial bond strength decreasing at low fiber content and increasing significantly as fiber content rises.Additionally,finite element(FE)simulations were applied to replicate the experimental conditions,and the outcomes showed strong correlation with the experimental data,confirming the exactitude of the FE model in predicting the bond behavior at the UHPC-Steel interface.These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing the design of UHPC-Filled steel tubes in high-performance structure.展开更多
This study explores the impact of board diversity on firm performance,with a focus on companies listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange(SGX).Board diversity is examined across various dimensions,including gender,age,et...This study explores the impact of board diversity on firm performance,with a focus on companies listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange(SGX).Board diversity is examined across various dimensions,including gender,age,ethnicity,and professional background,to understand its relationship with key performance indicators such as Return on Assets(ROA)and Return on Equity(ROE).Using a quantitative research approach,the study analyzes data from 90 publicly listed firms,employing descriptive statistics,correlation analysis,and multiple regression techniques.The findings reveal that the direct correlation between board diversity and financial performance,particularly in terms of ROA and ROE,is not statistically significant in the studied sample.Despite the lack of direct significance,the research underscores the nuanced and multifaceted role of diversity in corporate governance,suggesting that its impact may be more complex and influenced by various contextual factors.The study concludes by recommending that companies continue to enhance gender diversity,balance age structures,tailor professional backgrounds to industry needs,and manage board tenure effectively to optimize corporate governance and support sustainable growth.展开更多
文摘The available test methods for optimal moisture content of cold recycled mixture(CRM)as well as its bulk specific gravity,and theoretical maximum relative density were analyzed in this work.Some test improvements were suggested to improve test control of the CRM road performance based on the discovered flaws.Besides,the properties of reclaimed asphalt pavement(RAP),including the content of old asphalt,penetration index,passing rate of 4.75 mm sieve,and gradation change rate after extraction,were examined.The effects of RAP characteristics on splitting tensile strength,water stability,the high-and low-temperature performance of emulsified asphalt CRM were studied.The results show that the optimum moisture content of CRM should be determined when the compaction work matches the specimen’s molding work.Among the analyzed methods of bulk specific gravity assessment,the dry-surface and CoreLok methods provide more robust and accurate results than the wax-sealing method,while the dry-surface method is the most cost-efficient.The modified theoretical maximum relative density test method is proposed,which can reduce the systematic error of the vacuum test method.The following RAP-CRM trends can be observed.The lower the content of old asphalt and the smaller the change rate of gradation,the smaller the voids and the better the water stability of CRM.The greater the penetration of old asphalt,the higher the fracture work and low-temperature splitting strength.The greater the penetration,the higher the passing rate of 4.75 mm sieve after extraction,and the worse the high-temperature performance of CRM.
文摘This study was conducted at Fafan Research Center, Golajo research site to evaluate the effect of Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaf supplementation on growth performance of short-eared Somali goat breed. A total of fifteen yearling indigenous short-eared Somali goat breeds with an initial weight of 15.2 ± 0.30 kg were assigned to three treatment groups using completely randomized design. Pigeon pea (Pp) and Moringa stenopetala (MS) feeds were formulated using 0%, 5%, and 10% inclusion levels of MSLM and PPLM as experimental diets, respectively. The feed of the experiment was prepared in two levels (2 kg of Moringa stenopetala and 2 kg of pigeon pea) and was supplemented to experimental animals in treatments one and two, respectively. The average e initial body weight of selected male goats was 18.82 ± 0.37, 18.8 ± 0.37 and 17.8 ± 0.37 kg under treatment groups T1, T2 and control respectively. Data was analyzed using general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS computer package Version 9.0 (SAS, 2002). The final weights gain (FWG) of goats on T1 and T2 of experimental group was significantly (P 0.05) the final weight gain of goat supplemented on Moringa stenopetala (T1) and pigeon pea levels (T2). The mean average weight gains (AWG) obtained from the supplemented group in this study were 7.50 ± 0.37 and 7.82 ± 0.37 kg for T1 and T2, whereas mean weight gains for un-supplemented goats were found to be 6.26 ± 0.37 kg. Feeding of dried Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaves mixture improved body weights and average daily body weight gain without affecting feed intake and overall health of Somali goat breed. As Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaves are rich nitrogen/protein source, they can be used effectively as substitute for conventional concentrate in the diet of growing goats at small holder farmer’s level where they can be grown in abundance. Therefore, for higher quality of forage and higher total DM yield for animal feeding, moringa should be harvested at wider harvesting intervals of at least 6th- to 8th-week intervals. Similarly, for pigeon peas, 4- to 6-week harvesting interval can result in optimum forage as well as feed quality and resulted in better growth performances for Somali short-eared goat breeds.
文摘The department of Tillabéri is primarily affected by climatic phenomena, impacting crop yields, growing cycles, and consequently, the economic outcomes of agricultural operations. The objective of this study is to analyze these impacts of climate disruption on the economic performance of farms. The methodology adopted for this study combined documentary research with field surveys conducted on a sample of 250 randomly selected farmers. The analytical methods used mainly consisted of linear regression, profitability calculations, and linear programming. The findings indicate that all productions across different crops have experienced a decrease over the past 30 years. For instance, the production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, which were respectively 812 kg/ha, 260 kg/ha, and 100 kg/ha between the last 30 and 20 years, has now dropped to 412 kg/ha, 106 kg/ha, and 46 kg/ha respectively. A negative and significant effect on agricultural net margin was observed due to variables such as flooding, drought, pest invasion in rice fields, and temperature changes. Smallholder farms show a relatively low margin (46%) to cover their fixed costs, which may indicate a risk if fixed expenses are high. Furthermore, the analysis results from linear programming reveal that farmers could achieve an additional net profit per hectare of 116,861 FCFA, 217201.5 FCFA, and 291988.2 FCFA respectively for small, medium, and large producers by managing variable costs and health-related expenses for households.
文摘This study was designed to determine factors that influence market performance of avocado fruits among smallholder farmers in Mbeya and Songwe regions. A cross section research design entailing 209 farmers from five (5) districts of two (2) regions and 15 key informants;5 local service providers (LSP), 5 traders/brokers and 5 district extension officers (DEO) were involved in the study. Random selection procedures were used to select avocado producers and purposive selection procedures were used to select key informants. The study employed survey questionnaires to collect data from avocado farmers and structured interview to collect data from key informants. Collected data were analyzed with an aid of descriptive statistics and linear regression model was used to determine significant factors that determine market prices of avocado fruits among smallholder farmers. The demographic characteristics of avocado farmers showed that;61.2% of farmers had age between 36 to 59 years old, 84.7% were married, 74.6% had primary education level, average number of 5 members of the family, average 4.3 acres of owned land and 1.8 acres planted with avocado. Moreover, findings showed that 90.9% grew improved avocado varieties. Farm gate (88.5%) was the major market outlet chosen by avocado farmers. Local merchants and processors were the major buyers of the produced avocado. Results from linear regression analysis showed that variety grown (P P P P < 0.05) were factors that statistically influenced market prices for avocado fruits. The study concluded that despite the remarkable contributions to livelihood of the farmers yet, it is highly fragile on market prices. Therefore, the study recommends the need to establish market systems that will govern avocado fruits marketing for sustainability of the sub-sector.
文摘NOx sensors, as a core component of diesel engine exhaust treatment system, play an important role in exhaust emission control, which can accurately and quickly detect the NOx and O2 concentration. It has become a necessary option for the detection of existing exhaust emission standards. At present, there is limited and scattered information on knowledge and test methods of NOx sensors, the research of NOx sensors has become a challenging research topic at home and abroad. Based on these requirements, the article systematically integrates the knowledge of principle and testing methods. First of all, through introducing functional description of NOx sensors and the basic principle of NOx sensors, the relevant scholars can have an overall understanding of the product and master the operation mode of products. Secondly, the current status of performance test bench and methods of NOx sensors were described, which can contribute to having a clear understanding of the development process. After that, a new structure of NOx sensors test bench was purposed, which contains six major units including standard gas source, gas mixing unit, analyzer measurement unit, sensor measurement unit, data processing and display unit, exhaust gas treatment unit. And the test bench was validated. The experimental results show that the test bench has the advantages of high-repeatability, high reliability and low cost. And it can realize automatic detection of multiple target values, which is worthy further promotion. Thereby, the article can contribute to the development of its technology indirectly.
文摘Background: The study’s primary research suggests the relationship between high-school international students in China’s sleep quality and learning efficiency which is academic performance. Considering the effect of Chinese traditional cultural background, this study mainly investigates Chinese international high school students’ sleeping quality and patterns through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Methods: A sample of 249 Chinese high school students in the Pearl River Region completed the questionnaire about their sleep quality using PSQI, their academic performance, and socio-demographic factors one month before the final exam in July 2023. Results: None of the students have good sleep quality, according to the PSQI;40.8% of students have poor sleep quality, and 59.2% have significant sleep disturbance. The results of ordinal logistic regression show that good sleep quality is positively associated with good academic performance. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the association between sleep and academic performance on the unique sleep patterns of Chinese international high school students, who often follow very different sleep patterns from other conventional students enrolled in the regular curriculum. High school students suffer from severe sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality. Under great academic stress, Chinese high school students should know the importance of sleep, balance sleep, and study.
文摘Sweet potato is one of the most important crops in Côte d’Ivoire. However, some constraints related to climate change limit its production. This study evaluated the agronomic and technological performances of eight varieties of orange-fleshed of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) to identify the most promising ones. The results show three groups of varieties with different agronomic performances. Group 1 composed of Irene and Vita is characterized by low production of small and large tuberous roots, low number of productive plants and low yield. Group 2 consisting mainly of Kabode is characterized by high production and weight of large tuberous roots as well as high yield. Group 3, composed of Tacha-2 Ininda, Ejumula Gloria, TIB-440060, CIP-199062-1, Bela bela is characterized by high production of small and large tuberous roots, high number of productive plants and average yield. The TIB-440060 variety has a recovery rate of 100%. The Irene, Kabode, Vita, Kabode varieties were resistant to viral and fungal diseases. In terms of technological quality, the TIB-440060 and CIP-199062-1 varieties have the best organoleptic qualities. Given the agronomic performances of the Kabode, TIB-440060 and CIP-199062-1 varieties, could be selected as the elites varieties and distributed to producers.
基金The Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(Project No.2023A1515012352)。
文摘Zinc oxide(ZnO),as a broadband gap semiconductor material,exhibits unique physical and chemical properties that make it highly suitable for optoelectronics,piezoelectric devices,and gas-sensitive sensors,showing significant potential for various applications.This paper focuses on the regulation and application of ZnO-based p-n junctions and piezoelectric devices.It discusses in detail the preparation of ZnO materials,the construction of p-n junctions,the optimization of piezoelectric device performance,and its application in various fields.By employing different preparation methods and strategies,high-quality ZnO thin films can be grown,and effective control of p-type conductivity achieved.This study provides both a theoretical foundation and technical support for controlling the performance of ZnO-based piezoelectric devices,as well as paving new pathways for the broader application of ZnO materials.
基金Department of Veterinary Sciences“Ricerca Locale–Linea A”.
文摘Background The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of commercially processed former foodstuffs(cFF)as dietary substitutes of corn,soybean meal and soybean oil on the growth performance,apparent total tract digestibil-ity(ATTD),hematobiochemical profiles,and liver gene abundance in broiler chickens.Two hundred one-day-old male ROSS-308 chicks were assigned to 4 dietary groups(5 replicates of ten birds per replicate)according to their average body weight(BW,38.0±0.11 g).All groups received a two-phase feeding program:starter,d 1–12 and grower,d 12–33.The control group(cFF0)was fed a standard commercial feed based on corn,soybean meal and soybean oil.The other three groups received diets in which the feed based on corn,soybean meal,and soybean oil was partially replaced with cFF at a substitution level of 6.25%(cFF6.25),12.5%(cFF12.5)or 25%(cFF25)for the following 33 d.Results The growth performance data showed no differences in BW or average daily gain among groups,although the average daily feed intake decreased during the grower period(12–33 d)and over entire experimental period(1–33 d)in a linear manner as the cFF inclusion level rose(P=0.026),positively affecting the gain to feed ratio(P=0.001).The ATTD of dry matter of the cFF-fed groups were greater with respect to control group and increased throughout the experimental period,whereas the ATTD of ether extract linearly decreased with increasing levels of cFF-fed groups compared with control group and throughout the experimental period(P<0.05).Additionally,a lin-ear increase in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio,serum cholesterol,triglycerides and alanine-aminotransferase were observed with increasing dietary levels of cFF(P<0.05);however,no differences were observed in lipoprotein lipase or sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor gene abundance.Conclusions The results of this experiment demonstrate that it is possible to incorporate cFF into nutritionally balanced diets for broiler chickens,even up to 25%substitution levels,for up to 33 d without adversely impacting the overall growth performance of male broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions.Further studies are essential to validate the hematological trait findings.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Gant Nos.11372291 and 11902298)。
文摘Detonation performance is crucial for evaluating the power of high explosives(HEs),and the equation of state(EOS)that accurately describes the high-temperature,high-pressure,and high-temperature,medium-pressure states of detonation products is key to assessing the damage efficiency of these energetic materials.This article examines the limitations of the VLW EOS in representing the thermodynamic states of explosive detonation gas products under high-temperature and medium-to high-pressure conditions.A new gas EOS for detonation products,called VHL(Virial-Han-Long),is proposed.The accuracy of VHL in describing gas states under high-temperature and medium-to high-pressure conditions is verified,and its performance in evaluating explosive detonation and working capabilities is explored.The results demonstrate that VHL exhibits high precision in calculating detonation performance.Subsequently,the detonation performance of three new HEs(ICM-101,ONC,and TNAZ)was calculated and compared to traditional HEs(TATB,CL-20,and HMX).The results indicate that ONC has superior detonation performance compared to the other explosives,while ICM-101 shows a detonation velocity similar to CL-20 but with slightly lower detonation pressure.The detonation characteristics of TNAZ are comparable to those of the standard HE HMX.From the perspective of products,considering the comprehensive work performance(mechanical work and detonation heat),both ONC and ICM-101demonstrate relatively superior performance.
基金supported by Henan Province Science and Technology Research Funding Project(No.222102320129)the Key Research Project of Henan Higher Education Institutions(Grant Nos.22A560004,22A56005).
文摘As an evaluation index,the natural frequency has the advantages of easy acquisition and quantitative evaluation.In this paper,the natural frequency is used to evaluate the performance of external cable reinforced bridges.Numerical examples show that compared with the natural frequencies of first-order modes,the natural frequencies of higher-order modes are more sensitive and can reflect the damage situation and external cable reinforcement effect of T-beam bridges.For damaged bridges,as the damage to the T-beam increases,the natural frequency value of the bridge gradually decreases.When the degree of local damage to the beam reaches 60%,the amplitude of natural frequency change exceeds 10%for the first time.The natural frequencies of the firstorder vibration mode and higher-order vibration mode can be selected as indexes for different degrees of the damaged T-beam bridges.For damaged bridges reinforced with external cables,the traditional natural frequency of the first-order vibration mode cannot be used as the index,which is insensitive to changes in prestress of the external cable.Some natural frequencies of higher-order vibration modes can be selected as indexes,which can reflect the reinforcement effect of externally prestressed damaged T-beam bridges,and its numerical value increases with the increase of external prestressed cable force.
基金supported by the Shandong Natural Science Foundation Youth Project(No.ZR2023QE075)the Open Project Program of Shandong Marine Aerospace Equipment Technological Innovation Center(No.MAETIC202210)the Shandong Natural Science Foundation Project(No.ZR2022ME145)。
文摘The oscillating hydrofoil represents a promising technology for harvesting energy from tidal currents.While previous research has primarily focused on oscillating hydrofoils utilizing a fully activated control strategy,the industry predominantly employs a semi-activated control strategy in existing tidal current energy converters.It is essential to identify the differences in predicted energy-harvesting performance between these two controlling strategies through experimental modeling or numerical studies.Furthermore,the suitability of the fully activated control strategy in predicting the energy-harvesting capabilities of oscillating hydrofoils is evaluated.The 2D numerical models of hydrofoil based on fully activated and semi-activated control strategies have been developed and validated.The amplitudes of heaving and pitching movements for the fully activated hydrofoil are determined to match those of the semi-activated hydrofoil.The results show that the main difference between the two control strategies lies in the phase shift occurring between the pitching and heaving motions.This phase shift affects the lift force and its coordination with the heaving velocity,which in turn affects the power output.Notably,the maximum relative efficiency difference obtained between the fully activated and semi-activated control strategies can reach 191%.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22075262)。
文摘Crude petroleum pollution causes some serious ecological disasters in the ocean.Marine sediment microbial fuel cells(MSMFCs)have been utilized as a novel method for in-situ degradation and a long-term power source.Herein,the effect of different concentrations of rhamnolipids biosurfactant on the electrochemical performance of MSMFCs anode and the higher efficiency of oil degradation are creatively investigated.The results indicate that the anode in sediment containing rhamnolipids effectively enriches the indigenous electrogenic Pseudophaeobacter and Pseudomonas,which significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of the MSMFCs.Under rhamnolipids at the concentration of 200 mg kg^(-1)in sediment,the anode specific capacitance(401.45 Fm^(-2)),exchange current density(4.87×10^(-2)mAm^(-2)),and cell maximum power density(140.24 mWm^(-2))increase by 2.50,38.65,and 2.11 times,respectively,in comparison with its natural sediment.And the oil degradation rate(40.06%)was higher than the blank(17.55%).It demonstrates that the synergistic effect between electrochemical catalytic degradation and emulsifying solubilization of rhamnolipids surfactant directly accelerates the degradation of petroleum in marine sediment,which will provide a novel method and theoretical guidance for in-situ degradation and efficient removal of crude petroleum on ocean floor.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52061011)Guangxi Natural Science Foundation,China (No. 2022GXNSFAA035574)Innovation Project of Guangxi Graduate Education,China (No. YCSW2023361)。
文摘The insufficient damping capabilities of aluminum alloy under low temperatures(<120℃)were addressed by developing high-damping laminated composites of NiTip/5052Al.This is achieved through the incorporation of varied pre-aging states of NiTi particles into the 5052Al matrix using a rolling composite technique.The aim is to enhance the application scope of aluminum alloy for vibration and noise reduction.The results demonstrated a distinct and integrated interface between the particle layer and the 5052Al alloy,with numerous interparticle interfaces within the particle layer.Increasing the aging temperature of the NiTi particles from 450 to 550℃ shifted the phase transition peaks of the composites to lower temperatures.The damping capacity of the laminated NiTip/5052Al composites notably surpasses that of the 5052Al alloy.At 28 and 66℃,the phase transformation damping peaks of the pre-aged NiTi particle layer reinforced 5052Al matrix composites are 1.93 and 2 times those of the 5052Al alloy at the corresponding temperatures,respectively.The collaborative impact of interparticle interface damping mechanism and the phase transformation damping mechanism of NiTi-reinforced particles significantly amplify the low-temperature damping performance of the laminated NiTip/5052Al composites.
基金financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.30923011018)。
文摘The present study introduces a screw-pressing charging method to tackle deficiencies in automation and charge uniformity during the melt-casting of polymer-based energetic materials.To ensure the safety of the experiments,this study used inert materials with similar physical properties to partially substitute for the actual energetic components in the preparation of simulant materials.By thoroughly analyzing slurry physical properties,a simulation framework and an extensive performance evaluation method were developed.Such tools guide the design of the structure and configuration of process parameters.Results demonstrate that employing the Pin element significantly enhances radial mixing within the screw,minimizes temperature variations in the slurry,and improves both efficiency and safety in the mixing process.Further,adjustments such as widening the cone angle of the barrel,modifying the solid content of the slurry,and varying the speed of the screw can optimize the mechanical and thermal coupling in the flow field.These adjustments promote higher-quality slurry and create a safer production environment for the extrusion process.
文摘As a key sector in advancing China’s“carbon neutrality”goal,the machinery manufacturing industry has achieved remarkable development in recent years.Against this backdrop,the scientific and objective evaluation of the financial performance of machinery manufacturing enterprises has become a pressing issue in financial research.This topic is not only crucial for optimizing enterprise management and improving operational efficiency but also essential for enhancing overall industry performance and promoting sustainable development.This paper first introduces the concept of financial performance,followed by an analysis of related financial performance evaluation theories.It then focuses on the application of the entropy method in evaluating the financial performance of machinery manufacturing enterprises,detailing its analytical steps.Finally,a financial performance evaluation index system is constructed based on four dimensions:profitability,solvency,operational efficiency,and growth potential.
基金funded by the Project of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology(Grant No.2022CFB957)the Project of Hubei Engineering University of Teaching Research(Grant No.JY2024032)+1 种基金Ministry of Education University-Industry Cooperation Collaborative Education Project(Grant No.220903584161245)College Students’Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(Grant Nos.DC2024031,DC2024032).
文摘The behavior of single-phase flow and conjugate heat transfer in micro-channel heat sinks(MCHS)subjected to auniform heat flux is investigated by means of numerical simulations.Various geometrical configurations areexamined,particularly,the combinations of rectangular solid and perforated blocks,used to create a disturbancein the flow.The analysis focuses on several key aspects and related metrics,including the temperature distribution,the mean Fanning friction factor,the pressure drop,the Nusselt number,and the overall heat transfer coefficientacross a range of Reynolds numbers(80–870).It is shown that the introduction of such blocks significantlyenhances the heat transfer performances of the MCHS compared to the straight-through flow channel.Specifically,a case is found where the Nusselt number increases by 2.3 times relative to the reference case.The integrationof perforated blocks facilitates the generation of vorticity within the channel,promoting the mixing of coldand hot fluids.Notably,MCHS incorporating perforated rectangular blocks exhibit more pronounced heat transferbenefits at Reynolds numbers smaller than 400.
文摘Currently,as environmental pollution becomes increasingly severe,flue gas denitrification has emerged as a significant area of research.With the advancement of modern industry and the improvement of living standards,air pollution has gained growing attention.Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides(NO_(x))have become major contributors to air pollution,posing serious harm to the environment.Consequently,flue gas desulfurization and denitrification technologies have become key research focuses in industrial development.This paper explores the selection of agricultural waste carbon sources and their pretreatment methods.It provides an in-depth analysis of the significance of agricultural waste carbon sources in flue gas denitrification,focusing on their performance and mechanisms.The study also discusses the role of agricultural waste carbon sources in flue gas denitrification,aiming to offer new research perspectives for relevant stakeholders.
基金supported by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province(2021J011062)Minjiang Scholars Funding(GY-633Z21067).
文摘This study investigates the bond performance at the interfacial region shared by Ultra-High Performance Concrete(UHPC)and steel tubes through push-out tests.This study examines how changes in steel fiber volumetric ratio and thickness of steel tube influence the bond strength characteristics.The results show that as the enhancement of the steel tube wall thickness,the ultimate bond strength at the interface improves significantly,whereas the initial bond strength exhibits only slight variations.The influence of steel fiber volumetric ratio presents a nonlinear trend,with initial bond strength decreasing at low fiber content and increasing significantly as fiber content rises.Additionally,finite element(FE)simulations were applied to replicate the experimental conditions,and the outcomes showed strong correlation with the experimental data,confirming the exactitude of the FE model in predicting the bond behavior at the UHPC-Steel interface.These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing the design of UHPC-Filled steel tubes in high-performance structure.
文摘This study explores the impact of board diversity on firm performance,with a focus on companies listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange(SGX).Board diversity is examined across various dimensions,including gender,age,ethnicity,and professional background,to understand its relationship with key performance indicators such as Return on Assets(ROA)and Return on Equity(ROE).Using a quantitative research approach,the study analyzes data from 90 publicly listed firms,employing descriptive statistics,correlation analysis,and multiple regression techniques.The findings reveal that the direct correlation between board diversity and financial performance,particularly in terms of ROA and ROE,is not statistically significant in the studied sample.Despite the lack of direct significance,the research underscores the nuanced and multifaceted role of diversity in corporate governance,suggesting that its impact may be more complex and influenced by various contextual factors.The study concludes by recommending that companies continue to enhance gender diversity,balance age structures,tailor professional backgrounds to industry needs,and manage board tenure effectively to optimize corporate governance and support sustainable growth.
