Specifics of Explosion-Venting Structures Providing Acceptable Indoor Explosion Loads

This article experimentally and theoretically demonstrates that the presence of blast-relief openings (windows) equipped with explosion-venting structures (EVS) allows explosive pressure to be reduced to a safe level (2–4 kPa). We provide results of model and full-scale experiments aimed at studying the influence of EVS parameters of blast-relief openings in explosion-hazardous buildings on the intensity of explosive loads. It was demonstrated that the maximum explosive-pressure value inside EVS-equipped buildings depends on the EVS start-to-open pressure, the structure’s response rate (lag), and characteristic dimension of the premises. Thus, each particular building requires individual selection of EVS parameters, which provide a safe level of excessive pressure in case of an explosive accident. This aspect, however, prevents the widespread use of EVS at explosion-hazardous sites. This article offers an modest upgrade of the explosion-venting structure that provides an indoor pressure equal to the EVS start-to-open pressure. The suggested innovation excludes the possibility of a significant increase in explosive pressure due to an EVS response delay. The efficiency of the suggested technical upgrade was proven by numerical experiments and indirectly by experimental studies aimed at exploring the physical processes associated with the opening of EVSs after an explosion accident. The use of upgraded EVSs will allow for provision of a known maximum level of the explosion load should an explosion event occur in an EVS-equipped room.

Four Ways to Store Large Quantities of Hydrogen

Hydrogen can be stored in underground caverns or geological structures in one of four ways. The easiest way to store hydrogen is in salt caverns. These are created by injecting fresh water or water with low salt content into a well down to a salt geological layer, with the extraction of salt-saturated brine. The caverns measure between 50 and 100 metres in diameter and up to several hundred meters tall where the salt formation is thick enough. Salt caverns are not lined, as the salt itself acts as a sealant. This type of storage is suitable for storing hydrogen at extremely high pressures where the salt layer is deep enough. The second way to store large quantities of hydrogen is to inject pure hydrogen or a hydrogen-methane mix into porous rock, in a depleted oil or gas field, or an aquifer. The hydrogen content may vary from a few per cent to 100 per cent. Reservoir and biochemical testing/modelling are to be performed accordingly. The hydrogen-methane mix can be withdrawn and injected into the network. Alternatively, hydrogen can be separated from methane at the well head, for example using pressure swing adsorption technology. Hydrogen can also be stored underground by converting it into a liquid carrier, such as ammonia, which can then be stored in a Lined Rock Cavern. A liner is required to prevent contact between ammonia and water. The pressure and temperature are adapted to optimise the entire supply chain. The advantage of using ammonia is that proper storage conditions can be fulfilled without the need for excessive pressure or temperature. Lastly, hydrogen can be stored underground by directly injecting it into a Lined Rock Cavern. This may take the form of compressed storage (gaseous hydrogen) or cryogenic storage (liquid hydrogen), the choice once again depending on the supply chain as a whole. A liner is required owing to extremely high pressures or extremely low temperatures. It should be noted that storing hydrogen in a Lined Rock Cavern involves a few technical difficulties that have yet to be resolved. These four underground hydrogen storage techniques differ in terms of their technology readiness level (TRL) and cost. All four will likely be required in the coming years to satisfy the needs of a booming market.

Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm Following Intraoral Local Anesthetic Injection During General Anesthesia

Some anesthetic agents or adjunct medications administered during general anesthesia can cause an accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR), which is associated with higher vagal tone and lower sympathetic activity. We encountered AIVR induced by vagal response to injection-related pain following local anesthetic infiltration into the oral mucosa during general anesthesia. A 48-year-old woman underwent extraction of a residual tooth root from the left maxillary sinus under general anesthesia. Routine preoperative electrocardiogram (ECG) was otherwise normal. Eight milliliters of 1% lidocaine (80 mg) with 1:100,000 epinephrine (80 μg) was infiltrated around the left maxillary molars over 20 seconds using a 23-gauge needle and firm pressure. Widened QRS complexes consistent with AIVR were observed for ∼60 seconds, followed by an atrioventricular junctional rhythm and the return of normal sinus rhythm. A cardiology consultation and 12-lead ECG in the operating room produced no additional concerns, so the operation continued with no complications. AIVR was presumably caused by activation of the trigeminocardiac reflex triggered by intense pain following rapid local anesthetic infiltration with a large gauge needle and firm pressure. Administration of local anesthetic should be performed cautiously when using a large gauge needle and avoid excessive pressure.

Analysis of differences in vibroacoustic signals between healthy and osteoarthritic knees using EMD algorithm and statistical analysis

The knee joint is the largest and one of the most vulnerable and most frequently damaged joints in the human body. It is characterized by a complex structure. All articular surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilage. This cartilage has minimal regenerative capacity. Under the influence of cyclical micro-injuries, inflammatory mediators, prolonged excessive pressure or immobility, and thus disturbance of tissue nutrition, the cartilage becomes susceptible to damage and is easily covered with villi, cracks and abrasion. As a result, this translates into changes in the friction and lubrication processes within the joint and may affect the generated vibroacoustic processes. In this study, the signals recorded in a group of 28 volunteers were analysed, 15 of them were healthy people (HC) and 13 were people diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) qualified for surgery. The study aims to check the usefulness of the EMD (Empirical Mode Decomposition) algorithm in the filtration procedures of vibroacoustic signals. This algorithm is most often used in the analysis of signals that are most often nonlinear and non-stationary. Selected statistical indicators, such as RMS, VMS, variance and energy, were determined for the signals constituting the sum of the IMFs (Intrinsic Mode Functions) 1-8, having a normal distribution in the assessment of damage to the articular cartilage of the knee joint. Statistical analysis was performed for the values of individual indicators obtained. The vibroacoustic signals were recorded using CM-01B contact microphones placed in the central part of the medial and lateral joint fissure for movement in the range of 90°–0°–90° in closed kinetic chains (CKC) in the control group (HC) and the group of patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA).

The Use of Ultrasound in the Extraction of Biologically Active Compounds from Plant Raw Materials, Used or promising for Use in Medicine (Review)

Introduction. This review examines the current state of technology for ultrasonic isolation of biologically active components from medicinal vegetal raw materials. The main emphasis is placed on "green" technologies that intensify the processes of isolation of components such as flavonoids.Text. Modern technologies imply the use of combined methods, including, in addition to ultrasound, significant grinding of raw materials before the extraction process, the use of supercritical solvents (liquefied gases) under excessive pressure. The effect of ultrasound power and temperature on the output of the extracted components was also considered.Conclusion. 1. To increase the yield of biologically active compounds from plant raw materials among various physical methods of extraction intensification, the use of ultrasound dominates. 2. Ultrasonic extraction can be divided into several main types: extraction in an ultrasonic bath, the use of submersible ultrasonic emitters, as well as the combination of ultrasonic extraction with additional types of influence. 3. In the literature, examples of the use of ultrasonic extraction for the isolation of phenolic compounds are most fully presented, it being noted that the parameters need to be selected individually for each individual plant. 4. The power of ultrasound and the nature of the extractant can affect the course of oxidative processes in the extract, and such phenomena are characteristic not only for too high capacities, but also for low ones. 5. Ultrasound can significantly increase the yield of biologically active compounds even in aqueous extraction of fresh raw materials. 6. The spectrum of extractants selection for ultrasonic extraction of plant raw materials is quite large. Both organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone) and water can be used, as well as mixtures of various extractants.

Insect Resistance to Neonicotinoids - Current Status, Mechanism and Management Strategies

Pesticides are any substance used for controlling, preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating of pests. Neonicotinoids have been the most commonly used insecticide since the early 1990s, current market share of more than 25% of total global insecticide sales. Neonicotinoid insecticides are highly selective agonists of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that exhibit physicochemical properties, rendering them more useful over other classes of insecticides. This includes having a wide range of application techniques and efficacy in controlling sucking and biting insects. Although neonicotinoids are applied as foliar insecticides with possible direct exposure risks to honeybees, a large part of neonicotinoid use consists of seed coating or root drench application. There are three major detoxification enzymes involved in the development of resistance against insecticides viz., cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, carboxylesterases, and glutathione S-transferases. The repeatedly used use of compounds of the same active ingredients and application of excessive organophosphates (OPs) and pyrethroids in Bemisia tabaci. Resistance to insecticides resulting in loss of efficacy of many older insecticides has placed excessive pressure on novel products. One of the major limitations to resistance management is the occurrence of cross-resistance. This review briefly summarizes the current status of neonicotinoid resistance, the biochemical and mechanisms involved, and the implications for resistance management.

Analysis of Changes in the Tensile Bond Strenght of Soft Relining Material with Acrylic Denture Material

Abrasions and pressure ulcers on the oral mucosa are most often caused by excessive pressure or incorrect fitting of the denture. The use of soft relining materials can eliminate pain sensations and improve patient comfort. The main functional feature of soft elastomeric materials is the ability to discharge loads from the tissues of the mucosa. (1) Background: The aim of the work was a comparative laboratory study of ten materials used for the soft lining of acrylic dentures. (2) Methods: There were materials based on acrylates (Vertex Soft, Villacryl Soft, Flexacryl Soft) and silicones (Sofreliner Tough Medium, Sofreliner Tough Medium, Ufi Gel SC, GC Reline Soft, Elite Soft Relining, Molloplast). Laboratory tests include the analysis of the tensile bond strength between the relining material and the acrylic plate of the prosthesis. The tests were conducted taking into account 90-day term aging in the distilled water environment based on the methodology presented in the European Standard ISO 10139-2. (3) Results: After three months of observation, the highest strength of the joint was characterized by Flexacryl Soft acrylic, for which the average value was 2.5 MPa. The lowest average value of 0.89 MPa was recorded for the GC Reline Soft silicone material. Over time, an increase in the value of the strength of the combination of acrylic materials and a decrease in these values in the case of silicone materials was observed. (4) Conclusion: Each of the tested silicone materials showed all three types of damage, from adhesive to mixed to cohesive. All acrylic-based materials showed an adhesive type of failure. Time did not affect the type of destruction.

Features of Pyrolysis of Plant Biomass at Excessive Pressure

The paper describes methods for producing charcoal (highly porous carbon materials) based on plant (wood) raw materials, and the equipment used to implement these processes, the use of activated carbons. The paper describes results of an experimental study of the effect of pressure on the formation of charcoal in the pyrolysis of birch chips. The experimental investigation was carried out at pressures of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 MPa. To investigate the effect of pressure on the pyrolysis process, a laboratory bench was designed and constructed. It was found that increasing the pressure from 0.1 MPa to 0.7 MPa increases the yield of charcoal from 25.1 to 32.4% by weight (relative to the dry weight of the starting material) and the carbon content from 89.1% by weight at 0.1 MPa to 96.4% by weight at 0.7 MPa. The calorific value of charcoal decreases from 34.86 MJ/kg at a pressure of 0.1 MPa to 30.23 MJ/kg at a pressure of 0.7 MPa. This is due to the release of oxygen-containing components, which have a higher calorific value than pure carbon, from the porous coal structure. Reduction of the charcoal heat combustion with a decrease in the amount of oxygen-containing components confirms conclusion that their calorific value exceeds the calorific value of pure carbon.