Freight Fleet Management Problem: Evaluation of a Truck Utilization Rate Based on Agent Modeling

The article deals with the problem of estimating the rational number and utilization rate of the vehicles' fleet. According to the analysis results of the state-of-the-art literature it has been revealed that the issue of substantiating the rational fleet size and the rate of its utilization were not fully solved. The purpose of the study was to increase the efficiency of servicing transportation orders by determining the required number of vehicles. The goal of the research was the influence of the transportation process parameters on the truck utilization rate. Originating from the probabilistic nature of the transportation process, it has been proposed to use the AnyLogic software product to develop a simulation model for vehicle orders' servicing. From the processing of the experimental results by the regression analysis methods, it has been found that the dependence of changes in the vehicle utilization rate is of a linear form.

English Article Style Recognition and Matching by Using Web Semantics

With the explosion of internet information, people feel helpless and difficult to choose in the face of massive information. However, the traditional method to organize a huge set of original documents is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also not ideal. The automatic text classification can liberate users from the tedious document processing work, recognize and distinguish different document contents more conveniently, make a large number of complicated documents institutionalized and systematized, and greatly improve the utilization rate of information. This paper adopts termed-based model to extract the features in web semantics to represent document. The extracted web semantics features are used to learn a reduced support vector machine. The experimental results show that the proposed method can correctly identify most of the writing styles.

A preliminary study of improving the MICP effects via the extractions from seashell nacre

In microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) process, it is the precipitated CaCO3 that cements loose sand particles together to improve their mechanical properties. Seashell nacre composed of CaCO3 is a natural product, which is worth researching for its great hardness, strength, and toughness. However, there is no study connecting this natural nacre mineralization with MICP. Therefore, a precedent herein is established to modify the MICP process via the water-soluble matrix (WSM) extracted from nacre, where WSM contributes to the great mechanical properties of nacre. Correspondingly, this study examines the effects of WSM with different concentrations on urease activity and strength as well as microstructure of bio-cemented sand samples. The experimental results show that a small number of WSM (50mg/L) can improve the average strength of bio-cemented sand samples 1.5 times. This is because 50mg/L WSM can significantly improve the urease activity of bacteria meanwhile increasing the Ca2+ utilization rate. Thus, more CaCO3 crystals are precipitated, and the higher UCS of bio-cemented sand samples is achieved. Moreover, the XRD results indicate that the precipitated CaCO3 is almost calcite, and only a little aragonite is detected when the concentration of WSM increases to 100mg/L. Additionally, the SEM images demonstrate that WSM involvement can affect the shapes and sizes of CaCO3 crystals. Overall, this work is an unprecedented exploration imitating nacre that hopefully paves way for future studies.

The Influence of Highly Dispersed Metal Forms on Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism in Polygastric Animals

Determining which forms of mineral feed additives can increase farm animal productivity is a key area of research. This study assessed the mineral composition of ruminal fluid and the effectiveness of calcium and phosphorus used by animals after the introduction of finely dispersed particles (FDP) of SiO2 (group I) and FeCo (group II) with a hydrodynamic radius of 109.6 ± 16.6 and 265 ± 25 nm, respectively. The deposition and use of calcium and phosphorus in the body of the experimental animals exceeded the control values. In group I, 30.8% more calcium was deposited (p ≥ 0.05), and in group II, the value was 30.3% (p ≥ 0.01). In the experimental groups, the calcium utilization rate was 27.3% higher in group I (p ≥ 0.05), and 28.2% higher in group II (p ≥ 0.01) compared to in the control. Phosphorus deposition was 34% higher (p ≤ 0.01) in experimental group I and 6% higher in experimental group II, compared with the control. Group I had a high utilization rate of phosphorus from the feed (with a 29% difference compared to the control). Comparison of the experimental groups revealed that the introduction of SiO2 FDP promoted an increase in the concentration of silicon, phosphorus, and calcium in the ruminal fluid. The introduction of FeCo FDP was accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of iron and cobalt in the ruminal fluid. Thus, the use of feed additive in finely dispersed form in the diet of animals was accompanied by an increase in the use of calcium and phosphorus by the animal’s body, which is advisable when intensifying milk and meat productivity. The obtained results require further research. Keywords: finely dispersed forms of microelements, ruminants, calcium and phosphorus exchange, feeding

Crystallizing Metal Shrinkage: Automation of High-Pressure Crystallization Control

The properties of bulk metal products are formed when molten metal transforms from an unstructured liquid into a solid crystal state. We suggest a new approach to the automation of the control over crystallized metal shrinkage compensation based on controlling the law of change in pressure applied to crystallizing metal through a program taking into account the transition process in the hydraulic system of the production equipment. We observed the increase in rigidity, durability, and pliability of В95-alloy samples as compared to cast aluminum alloys. The metal utilization rate can be increased up to 0.90 of the liquid metal volume.

Strength Tests and Numerical Simulations of Loess Modified by Desulfurization Ash and Fly Ash

Desulfurization ash and fly ash are solid wastes discharged from boilers of power plants. Their utilization rate is low, especially desulfurization ash, most of which is stored. In order to realize their resource utilization, they are used to modify loess in this paper. Nine group compaction tests and 32 group direct shear tests are done in order to explore the influence law of desulfurization ash and fly ash on the strength of the loess. Meanwhile, FLAC3D software is used to numerically simulate the direct shear test, and the simulation results and the test results are compared and analyzed. The results show that, with the increase of desulfurization ash’s amount, the shear strength of the modified loess increases first and then decreases. The loess modified by the fly ash has the same law with that of the desulfurization ash. The best mass ratio of modified loess is 80:20. When the mass ratio is 80:20, the shear strength of loess modified by the desulfurization ash is 12.74% higher than that of the pure loess on average and the shear strength of loess modified by fly ash is 3.59% higher than that of the pure loess on average. The effect of the desulfurization ash on modifying the loess is better than that of the fly ash. When the mass ratio is 80:20, the shear strength of loess modified by the desulfurization ash is 9.15% higher than that of the fly ash on average. Comparing the results of the simulation calculation with the actual test results, the increase rate of the shear stress of the FLAC3D simulation is larger than that of the actual test, and the simulated shear strength is about 8.21% higher than the test shear strength.

The Oxidation Mechanism of Aniline by Ozone Water and Ozone Micro-nano Bubble Water and Its Influencing Factors

Aniline is a kind of refractory contaminant that is difficult to be degraded by microorganisms. Ozone is a green and efficient reagent to oxidize aniline, while the ozone oxidation efficiency is restricted by the low ozone mass transfer rate. Micro-nano bubble ozonation has been developed as a new method to significantly improve the ozone utilization rate, while the characteristics of ozone micro-nano bubble when compared with dissolved ozone is not clear. The paper carried out batch experiments to research the oxidation effect of aniline by ozone water (OW) and ozone micro-nano bubble water (OMNBW), and found that the degradation rate of aniline by OMNBW was 2.8~5.9% higher than that by OW. The increase of pH had a negative effect on the degradation of aniline by OW and OMNBW. SO42-, Cl-, HCO­3- and Mg2+ could inhibit the degradation efficiency by 0.04%, 0.99%, 0.44% and 10.4% for OW, while the ratios were 1.1%, 6.4%, 4.1% and 1.5% for OMNBW. The addition of humic acid and fulvic acid could decrease the oxidation rate of aniline by 35% and 49% for OW, while the ratios were 41% and 62% for OMNBW. Through quenching experiment, it was found that the direct oxidation by ozone molecules and the indirect oxidation by superoxide radicals were main pathways for aniline oxidation by OW and OMNBW. This work provided a practical guide for the application of OMNBW in wastewater and groundwater treatment process.

The Influence of the Inclination of Lattice Columns on the Safety of Combined Tower Crane

The combined tower crane foundation is widely used in construction sites due to its advanced utilization rate. However, the immature construction method, unavoidable construction deviation during the installation process, and influence of the surrounding construction generally cause the lattice columns to tilt. As the main force transmission components of the tower crane foundation, once its stress and deformation exceed the limit, the entire tower crane will collapse, which requires engineers to accurately control its safety. Therefore, the objective of the work reported here was to study the safety of the lattice columns during operation. A geometrically nonlinear finite element model was utilized to simulate the strain and deformation capacity of tower cranes under various working conditions, including vertical and inclined working conditions, operation and shutdown conditions, and conditions with the tower boom in different orientations. In addition, this study combines the simulation with the on-site measurement. The results of on-site measurement were also recorded to verify the correctness of the proposed calculation model. It was concluded that the inclination of lattice columns has a significant effect on the deformation and stress of the lattice columns of the tower crane foundation, and the measured data and the calculated data trend are consistent. Engineers can accurately judge the safety of the lattice columns of the tower crane foundation through geometric nonlinear finite element model analysis and on-site monitoring to avoid the failure of the lattice columns and the occurrence of safety accidents.

Kinetics and Performance of Biological Activated Carbon Reactor for Advanced Treatment of Textile Dye Wastewater

The kinetics and performance of a biological activated carbon (BAC) reactor were evaluated to validate the proposed kinetic model. The Freundlich adsorption capacity (Ka) and adsorption intensity constants (n) obtained from the batch experiments were 1.023 ± 0.134 (mg/g) (L/mg)1/n and 2.036 ± 0.785, respectively. The effective diffusivity (Ds) of the substrate within the activated carbon was determined by comparing the adsorption model value with the experimental data to find the best fit value (4.3 × 10–4 cm2/d). The batch tests revealed that the yield coefficient (Y) was 0.18 mg VSS/mg COD. Monod and Haldane kinetics were applied to fit the experimental data and determine the biokinetic constants, such as the maximum specific utilization rate (k), half-saturation constant (KS), inhibition constant (Ki), and biomass death rate coefficient (kd). The results revealed that the Haldane kinetics fit the experimental data better than the Monod kinetics. The values of k, KS, Ki, and kdwere 3.52 mg COD/mg VSS-d, 71.7 mg COD/L, 81.63 mg COD/L, and 4.9 × 10−3 1/d, respectively. The BAC reactor had a high COD removal efficiency of 94.45% at a steady state. The average influent color was found to be 62 ± 22 ADMI color units, and the color removal efficiency was 73‒100% (average 92.3 ± 10.2%). The removal efficiency for ammonium was 73.9 ± 24.4%, while the residual concentration of ammonium in the effluent was 1.91 ± 2.04 mg/L. The effluent quality from the BAC reactor could meet the discharge standard and satisfy the reuse requirements of textile dye wastewater.

Participation in Sports Activities before and after the Outbreak of COVID-19: Analysis of Data from the 2020 Korea National Sports Participation Survey

The present study aimed to describe the characteristics and rate of participation in sports activities, changes in sports, and the causes of these changes before and after the COVID-19 out-break in Korea using data from the 2020 Korea National Sports Participation Survey (KNSPS). Furthermore, evidence from this study could be used as basic data to maintain and promote sports activities given the current situation, in which the continued spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, is likely. The KNSPS is an annual survey of subjective health and fitness, sports activities and conditions, and participation in sports activities, conducted among a sample comprising the entire Korean population. The current study analyzed data for 9000 participants, and descriptive statistical analysis was performed to calculate the frequency of each item and sample weight. The rate of regular participation in sports activities at least once a week was found to be 60.10% in 2020, representing a decrease of 6.48% from the rate observed in 2019. Among the types of sports facilities frequently used within the residential area, the most common facilities were private sports facilities (22.97%), other sports facilities (20.60%), and public sports facilities (18.97%), although the utilization rate for other sports facilities increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. After the COVID-19 outbreak, 34.12% of men and 29.72% of women responded that there had been a change in their participation in regular sports activities. Both before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, walking was the most common activity, although the participation rate increased from 29.23% in 2019 to 35.70% in 2020. The rankings and participation rates for indoor sports activities (bodybuilding, swimming, etc.) tended to decrease, while those for outdoor sports activities (climbing, cycling, etc.) tended to increase. These changes may be explained in part by the increasing concern regarding infection with increasing age, except among teenagers, and by economic factors. While participation in physical activity provides numerous health benefits, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on regular participation in sports activities. The results of this survey suggest that government action is required to enhance participation in sports activities, even in the face of a pandemic.