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As a critical source of marine microplastics (MPs), estuarine MPs community varied in movement due to particle diversity, while tide and runoff further complicated their transport. In this study, a particle mass gradient that represents MPs in the surface layer of the Yangtze River estuary was established. This was done by calculating the masses of 16 particle types using the particle size probability density function (PDF), with typical shapes and polymers as classifiers. Further, Aschenbrenner shape factor and polymer density were embedded into drag coefficients to categorically trace MP movement footprints. Results revealed that the MPs in North Branch moved northward and the MPs in South Branch moved southeastward in a spiral oscillation until they left the model boundary under Changjiang Diluted Water front and the northward coastal currents. Low-density fibrous MPs are more likely to move into the open ocean and oscillate more than films, with a single PE fiber trajectory that reached a maximum oscillatory width of 16.7 km. Over 95 % of the PVC fiber particles settled in nearshore waters west of 122.5°E. Elucidating the aggregation and retention of different MPs types can provide more accurate environmental baseline reference for more precise MP exposure levels and risk dose of ingestion for marine organisms.

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The article presents the results of the characterization of the geometric structure of the surface of unalloyed structural steel and alloyed (martensitic) steel subjected to chemical processing. Prior to phosphating, the samples were heat-treated. Both the surfaces and the cross-sections of the samples were investigated. Detailed studies were made using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XRD, metallographic microscopy, chemical composition analysis and fractal analysis. The characteristics of the surface geometry involved such parameters as circularity, roundness, solidity, Feret's diameter, watershed diameter, fractal dimensions and corner frequencies, which were calculated by numerical processing of SEM images.

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Deep-sea mining inevitably produces plumes, which will pose a serious threat to the marine environment with the continuous movement and diffusion of plumes along with ocean currents. The terminal settling velocity (wt) of irregular particles is one of the crucial factors for determining the plumes' diffusion range. It is generally calculated by drag coefficient (CD), while most existing CD models only consider single shape characteristic parameter or have a smaller range of Reynolds number (Re). In this study, a new shape factor (γ) of irregular particles is proposed by considering the thickness (one-dimension), the projected area (two-dimension), and the surface area (three-dimension) of irregular particles as well as their coupling effect to establish a modified CD model for calculating the wt. A modified Gaussian plume model is proposed to predict the horizontal diffusion distance of the plume particles by considering the settling velocity and diffusion effect of irregular particles. Research results show that the wt increases nearly linearly, with a gradually decreased slope and slightly then greatly with the increasing of γ, dp (diameter) and ρp (density), respectively. The modified CD model is verified to be more valid with a wider application range (Re < 3×105) than five existing CD models by the test results. The larger the ρp or dp, the larger the wt and thus the smaller the Sh. This study could provide a theoretical basis for calculating the plume diffusion range to further study the impact of deep-sea mining on the ocean environment.

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Therapeutic proteins with a high concentration and low viscosity are highly desirable for subcutaneous and certain local injections. The shape of a protein is known to influence solution viscosity; however, the precise quantification of protein shape and its relative impact compared to other factors like charge-charge interactions remains unclear. In this study, we utilized seven model proteins of varying shapes and experimentally determined their shape factors (v) based on Einstein's viscosity theory, which correlate strongly with the ratios of the proteins' surface area to the 2/3 power of their respective volumes, based on protein crystal structures resolved experimentally or predicted by AlphaFold. This finding confirms the feasibility of computationally estimating protein shape factors from amino acid sequences alone. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that, in high-concentration electrolyte solutions, a more spherical protein shape increases the protein's critical concentration (C*), the transition concentration beyond which protein viscosity increases exponentially relative to concentration increases. In summary, our work elucidates protein shape as a key determinant of solution viscosity through quantitative analysis and comparison with other contributing factors. This provides insights into molecular engineering strategies to optimize the molecular design of therapeutic proteins, thus optimizing their viscosity.

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This study aimed to obtain the title spectra and verify the temperature dependence of δDSS of the HOD signal from D2O of the NMR sample. However, the analysis of the collected δX data, extended by the results of other closely related measurements reported in the literature, provided important guidelines for performing routine 1H/13C NMR spectra in aqueous solvents externally referenced to neat liquid TMS contained in a coaxial capillary. Therefore, it is recommended that the previously proposed correction of δX data thus determined, which is mainly due to the difference in volume magnetic susceptibility χv between the sample and the external standard used, usually called the bulk magnetic susceptibility (BMS) correction, has been increased by +0.05 ppm (7%). The new value of this correction, +0.73 ppm, based on NMR experiments carried out at a standard temperature of 25°C, was confirmed in a classical approach using critically reviewed χm, χM, and ρ data for TMS, D2O, and H2O. The BMS correction for H2O solutions is +0.75 ppm. Important issues concerning magnetic susceptibility measurements for D2O and H2O, coaxial bulb-ended inserts, and the geometry of two-tube NMR cells (shape factor αav) are also critically discussed here, partly from a historical perspective.

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BACKGROUND: Age-related loss of strength is disproportionally greater than the loss of mass, suggesting maladaptations in the neuro-myo-tendinous system. Myofibers are often misshaped in aged and diseased muscle, but systematic analyses of large sample sets are lacking. Our aim was to investigate myofiber shape in relation to age, exercise, myofiber type, species and sex. METHODS: Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies (n = 265) from 197 males and females, covering an age span of 20-97 years, were examined. The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of 11 + 22-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were also examined. Immunofluorescence and ATPase stainings of muscle cross-sections were used to measure myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and perimeter. From these, a shape factor index (SFI) was calculated in a fibre-type-specific manner (type I/II in humans; type I/IIa/IIx/IIb in mice), with higher values indicating increased deformity. Heavy resistance training (RT) was performed three times per week for 3-4 months by a subgroup (n = 59). Correlation analyses were performed comparing SFI and CSA with age, muscle mass, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), rate of force development and specific force (MVC/muscle mass). RESULTS: In human muscle, SFI was positively correlated with age for both type I (R2  = 0.20) and II (R2  = 0.38) myofibers. When subjects were separated into age cohorts, SFI was lower for type I (4%, P < 0.001) and II (6%, P < 0.001) myofibers in young (20-36) compared with old (60-80) and higher for type I (5%, P < 0.05) and II (14%, P < 0.001) myofibers in the oldest old (>80) compared with old. The increased SFI in old muscle was observed in myofibers of all sizes. Within all three age cohorts, type II myofiber SFI was higher than that for type I myofiber (4-13%, P < 0.001), which was also the case in mice muscles (8-9%, P < 0.001). Across age cohorts, there was no difference between males and females in SFI for either type I (P = 0.496/0.734) or II (P = 0.176/0.585) myofibers. Multiple linear regression revealed that SFI, after adjusting for age and myofiber CSA, has independent explanatory power for 8/10 indices of muscle mass and function. RT reduced SFI of type II myofibers in both young and old (3-4%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Here, we identify type I and II myofiber shape in humans as a hallmark of muscle ageing that independently predicts volumetric and functional assessments of muscle health. RT reverts the shape of type II myofibers, suggesting that a lack of myofiber recruitment might lead to myofiber deformity.

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This study focuses on the numerical investigation and optimization of the heat-fluid transfer process within a novel cavity containing a ternary nanofluid (Cu-MgO-ZnO/water) influenced by a magnetic field. The research is conducted within a circular cavity featuring a cold wall and a complex internal heat source. The governing equations, converted into dimensionless form, are solved using a computational code based on the finite volume approach. The analysis encompasses the effects of a wide range of physical parameters, including the Rayleigh number (Ra), Hartmann number (Ha), magnetic field angle (α), radiation (Ra), nanoparticle shape factor (Sf), and porosity (ԑ). The results revealed that increasing the nanoparticle shape factor leads to a significant 61 % enhancement in the outer Nusselt number. This finding underscores the substantial influence of the nanoparticle shape factor (Sf) on heat transfer compared to other controlled variables. Furthermore, the response surface method is employed to determine the optimal conditions that yield the highest Nusselt number, resulting in optimal values for Ra, Ha, ԑ, Rd, α, and Sf of 2876, 44.26, 0.75, 0.073, 54.21, and 16.15, respectively. Consequently, the highest average Nusselt number attained is 20.01. As a result, this optimization approach establishes valuable correlations among various control parameters to enhance thermal energy, offering valuable insights for designers in the development of thermal devices.

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This paper presents an analytical study of organic contaminants transport in a cut-off wall and aquifer dual-domain system, considering the effects of the inlet boundary conditions and cut-off structural arrangements. The comprehensive sensitivity analysis of parameters focusing on the breakthrough time, attenuation time and cumulative concentration are presented using the Monte Carlo simulation and Sobol global method. The simplified constant inlet boundary condition can lead to an excessively conservative prediction of the contaminant breakthrough compared to the 'finite mass' and 'decaying source' boundary conditions. The cut-off wall hydraulic performance can be enhanced by reducing the contaminant's head loss, shape factor, half-life and cut-off wall hydraulic conductivity while increasing the retardation factor. The contaminant's half-life can largely influence the maximum contaminant concentration, attenuation time and breakthrough time. For example, the maximum contaminant concentrations for T1/2 = 1.4 years and T1/2 = 100 years are 13 and 123 times greater than that for T1/2 = 0.1 year, respectively. The influence of the variation of shape factor on the breakthrough curve should be taken into consideration. Altering the structural arrangement of the cut-off wall to accommodate a smaller shape factor increases the contaminant breakthrough time. The proposed solution allows the analysis of a cut-off wall and aquifer system with different inlet boundary conditions and structural arrangements of the cut-off wall.

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The fracture toughness of shale is a key parameter guiding hydraulic fracturing design and optimization. The hollow double-wing slotted (HDWS) specimen is a typical specimen configuration for measuring the mode I fracture toughness of rock. The calibration of the shape factor (f) is the basis for accurately obtaining the fracture toughness of rocks. In this study, the influences of crack length, hole size, and the anisotropy of elastic parameters on f for specimens with three typical bedding orientations-arrester (A), divider (D), and short-transverse (ST) orientations-are systematically investigated using finite element software. The numerical simulation results support the following findings. The mode I f increases monotonically with an increase in hole size. The influence of crack length on f varies depending on hole sizes. Under different bedding orientations, significant anisotropy in f was observed. In addition, the degree of anisotropy in Young's modulus has a major impact on f, which is related to the bedding orientation of the specimen. The apparent shear modulus ratio has relatively little influence on f. As the hole size and crack length increase, the influence of the anisotropy of elastic parameters on f increases. Based on numerical calculations, hydraulic fracturing experiments were conducted on HDWS specimens of Longmaxi shale with three bedding orientations, and the results showed that the peak pressure and fracture toughness of the samples in the ST direction were the lowest, while those in the A direction were the highest.

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The paper presents the results of tests of rapid solidification (RS) aluminum alloys with the addition of silicon (5%, 11%, and 20%). Casting by melt-spinning on the surface of an intensively cooled copper cylinder allowed to obtain a metallic material in the form of flakes, which were then consolidated in the process of pressing and direct extrusion. The effect of refinement on structural components after rapid solidification was determined. Rapidly solidified AlSi materials are characterized by a comparable size of Si particles, regardless of the silicon content, and the shape of these particles is close to spheroidal. Not only Si particles are fragmented, but also the Al-Si-Fe phase, which also changed its shape from irregular with sharp edges to regular and spherical. The melt-spinning process resulted in a fine-grained structure compared to materials obtained by gravity-casting and extrusion. The influence of the high-temperature compression test on the mechanical properties of rapidly solidified materials was analyzed, and the results were compared with those of gravity-cast materials. An increase in strength properties was found in the case of the AlSi5 RS alloy by 20%, in the case of AlSi11RS by 25%, and in the case of the alloy containing 20% Si by as much as 86% (tensile test). On the basis of the homogeneity of the particle distribution determined by the SEM method, it was found that rapid solidification is an effective method of increasing the strength properties and improving the plastic properties of Al-Si alloys.

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Reliable quantification and characterization of microplastics are necessary for large-scale and long-term monitoring of their behaviors and evolution in the environment. This is especially true in recent times because of the increase in the production and use of plastics during the pandemic. However, because of the myriad of microplastic morphologies, dynamic environmental forces, and time-consuming and expensive methods to characterize microplastics, it is challenging to understand microplastic transport in the environment. This paper describes a novel approach that compares unsupervised, weakly-supervised, and supervised approaches to facilitate segmentation, classification, and the analysis of <100 µm-sized microplastics without the use of pixel-wise human-labeled data. The secondary aim of this work is to provide insight into what can be accomplished when no human annotations are available, using the segmentation and classification tasks as use cases. In particular, the weakly-supervised segmentation performance surpasses the baseline performance set by the unsupervised approach. Consequently, feature extraction (derived from the segmentation results) provides objective parameters describing microplastic morphologies that will result in better standardization and comparisons of microplastic morphology across future studies. The weakly-supervised performance for microplastic morphology classification (e.g., fiber, spheroid, shard/fragment, irregular) also exceeds the performance of the supervised analogue. Moreover, in contrast to the supervised method, our weakly-supervised approach provides the benefit of pixel-wise detection of microplastic morphology. Pixel-wise detection is used further to improve shape classifications. We also demonstrate a proof-of-concept for distinguishing microplastic particles from non-microplastic particles using verification data from Raman microspectroscopy. As the automation of microplastic monitoring progresses, robust and scalable identification of microplastics based on their morphology may be achievable.

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This paper studies the impact of shape factor on a mass-based hybrid nanofluid model for Homann stagnation-point flow in porous media. The HAM-based Mathematica package BVPh 2.0 is suitable for determining approximate solutions of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations with boundary conditions. This analysis involves discussions of the impact of the many physical parameters generated in the proposed model. The results show that skin friction coefficients of Cfx and Cfy increase with the mass of the first and second nanoparticles of the hybrid nanofluids w1 and w2 and with the coefficient of permeability in porous media. For the axisymmetric case of γ = 0, when w1 = w2 = 10 gr, wf = 100 gr and Cfx = Cfy = 2.03443, 2.27994, 2.50681, and 3.10222 for σ = 0, 1, 2, and 5. Compared with w1 = w2 = 10 gr, wf = 100 gr, and σ = 0, it can be found that the wall shear stress values increase by 12.06%, 23.21%, and 52.48%, respectively. As the mass of the first and second nanoparticles of the mass-based hybrid nanofluid model increases, the local Nusselt number Nux increases. Values of Nux obviously decrease and change with an increase in the coefficient of permeability in the range of γ < 0; otherwise, Nux is less affected in the range of γ > 0. According to the calculation results, the platelet-shaped nanoparticles in the mass-based hybrid nanofluid model can achieve maximum heat transfer rates and minimum surface friction.

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The present work aims at the characterization of the dust particles in South India through an image analysis of glass samples inclined at a tilt of 0° and 13° for four different exposure periods (approximately 30 to 40 days/exposure period). It aims as well at the study of the different factors influencing the accuracy of the image analysis of dust particles. The analysis of the shape factor reveals that the dust particles on tilted surface (13°) have regular shapes, and irregular shapes are more observed in horizontal surfaces. The size analysis of the dust particles with magnification of 20 × has revealed that the size distribution is in the range of 0-4 µm but more concentrated in the range of 0-1 µm. However, with 10 × magnification, larger particles are more detected. Furthermore, average results from three sample images seem to be more precise and representative than results from two images. The fractional coverage area of the dust particles on the sample has been calculated and compared with the transmittance losses. These two variables are found to be proportional with an R2 of 53%. Nevertheless, the comparison showed again that three images give better results with an R2 of 75% against 11% for two images. The results obtained in this study are very useful for the development of high precision soiling sensors that are based on image analysis and outdoor soiling microscopes, which are the main components for an efficient and economic cleaning of solar PV modules.

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The k0 standardization method is one of the most commonly used neutron activation analyses to determine the concentrations of elements in the sample. To perform this method, it is required to know the neutron spectrum parameters such as epithermal neutron flux shape factor (α) and thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio (f). In this study, the α and f parameters were determined using the Cd-ratio dual monitor method and bare triple monitor method. In both methods, irradiation studies were performed in the central thimble at the ITU Triga Mark II research reactor. A gamma-ray counting system (HpGe detector) was used for measuring foil activation values. The selected monitors were 197Au and 94Zr for the Cd-ratio dual monitor method and 197Au/94Zr/96Zr for the bare triple monitor method. The α and f parameters were -0.221 ± 0.018 and 41.826 ± 4.701 for 197Au/94Zr (724 keV) monitors, -0.231 ± 0.019 and 42.626 ± 4.791 for 197Au/94Zr (756 keV) monitors, 0.228 ± 0.025 and 43.917 ± 3.596 for 197Au/94Zr/96Zr monitors, respectively.

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Wankel pump designs have not been fully established, with existing designs limited to bicornous rotor pumps and triangular rotor pumps. Here, on the basis of Wankel geometry, we present a tetragonal rotor pump with a three-lobe epicycloid and its conjugate envelope as chamber and rotor profile. First, the design method and basic working principle of the pump are introduced. Four groups of prototypes with different shape factors were manufactured, and their flow and pressure characteristics were experimentally studied. Numerical study showed that the flow rate irregularity of the pump is lower than that of existing Wankel pumps. Finally, the feasibility the pump for mixing applications was verified by a flow field observation experiment. The work in this paper provides a new type of rotary displacement pump design, representing an study of reverse application of a Wankel engine structure.

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The relationships between coating uniformity and efficiency were explored for tablet coating processes in pan coaters. The factors affecting the size of the spray zone were modeled using one-dimensional deposition analysis of spray droplets. This model was incorporated into the analytical model developed for coating uniformity by Choi et al. (AAPS PharmSciTech 22(7), 2021) that farther elucidated the effects of tablet shape and bed porosity. The results were compared with literature data on coating efficiency. The variables examined included tablet shape and size, coating time, pan speed, atomizing and pattern air flow rates, bed porosity, spray rate, batch size, coating solution concentration, spray gun-to-bed distance, and pan diameter. It is shown that, except for pan diameter and atomizing air flow rate, variables that improve coating efficiency adversely affected coating uniformity and vice versa. Implications of these relationships are discussed to improve formulation, process, and equipment designs.

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A model is proposed to calculate the melting points of nanoparticles based on the Lennard-Jones (L-J) potential function. The effects of the size, the shape, and the atomic volume and surface packing of the nanoparticles are considered in the model. The model, based on the L-J potential function for spherical nanoparticles, agrees with the experimental values of gold (Au) and lead (Pb) nanoparticles. The model, based on the L-J potential function, is consistent with Qi and Wang's model that predicts the Gibbs-Thompson relation. Moreover, the model based on the non-integer L-J potential function can be used to predict the melting points Tm of nanoparticles.

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Influenced by nano-drug delivery applications, the present article considers the collective effects of hybrid biocompatible metallic nanoparticles (Silver and Copper), a stenosis and an aneurysm on the unsteady blood flow characteristics in a catheterized tapered inclined artery. The non-Newtonian Carreau fluid model is deployed to represent the hemorheological characteristics in the arterial region. A modified Tiwari-Das volume fraction model is adopted for nanoscale effects. The permeability of the arterial wall and the inclination of the diseased artery are taken into account. The nanoparticles are also considered to have various shapes (bricks, cylinders, platelets, blades) and therefore the influence of different shape parameters is discussed. The conservation equations for mass, linear momentum and energy are normalized by employing suitable non-dimensional variables. The transformed equations with associated boundary conditions are solved numerically using the FTCS method. Key hemodynamic characteristics i.e. velocity, temperature, flow rate, wall shear stress (WSS) in stenotic and aneurysm region for a particular critical height of the stenosis, are computed. Hybrid nanoparticles (Ag-Cu/Blood) accelerate the axial flow and increase temperatures significantly compared with unitary nanoparticles (Ag/blood), at both the stenosis and aneurysm segments. Axial velocity, temperature and flow rate are all enhanced with greater nanoparticle shape factor. Axial velocity, temperature, wall shear stress and flow rate magnitudes are always comparatively higher at the aneurysm region compared with the stenotic segment. The simulations provide novel insights into the performance of different nanoparticle geometries and also rheological behaviour in realistic nano-pharmaco-dynamic transport and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

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Mechanical sorting plays a pivotal role in current municipal solid waste management systems for resource recovery. However, material recovery facilities, generally face several challenges in meeting quality standards for multiple waste fractions. Improving these facilities requires a better understanding of municipal solid waste physical characteristics, since they are directly targeted by mechanical sorting unit operations. Three waste physical properties (bulk density, particle size and shape factor) were characterized for several recyclable materials. Narrow ranges of densities were observed for similar waste materials, while the particle size distributions were found to vary widely. Statistical parameters were determined for these two properties. A novel approach, based on the void fraction of a waste item, is proposed to quantify the shape factor. Potential applications of the characterization results for improving mechanical sorting are demonstrated through the analysis of the recovery of corrugated cardboards and multilayer cardboards in a material recovery facility.

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In this modern era, nanofluids are considered one of the advanced kinds of heat transferring fluids due to their enhanced thermal features. The present study is conducted to investigate that how the suspension of molybdenum-disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles boosts the thermal performance of a Casson-type fluid. Sodium alginate (NaAlg) based nanofluid is contained inside a vertical channel of width d and it exhibits a flow due to the movement of the left wall. The walls are nested in a permeable medium, and a uniform magnetic field and radiation flux are also involved in determining flow patterns and thermal behavior of the nanofluid. Depending on velocity boundary conditions, the flow phenomenon is examined for three different situations. To evaluate the influence of shape factor, MoS2 nanoparticles of blade, cylinder, platelet, and brick shapes are considered. The mathematical modeling is performed in the form of non-integer order operators, and a double fractional analysis is carried out by separately solving Caputo-Fabrizio and Atangana-Baleanu operators based fractional models. The system of coupled PDEs is converted to ODEs by operating the Laplace transformation, and Zakian's algorithm is applied to approximate the Laplace inversion numerically. The solutions of flow and energy equations are presented in terms of graphical illustrations and tables to discuss important physical aspects of the observed problem. Moreover, a detailed inspection on shear stress and Nusselt number is carried out to get a deep insight into skin friction and heat transfer mechanisms. It is analyzed that the suspension of MoS2 nanoparticles leads to ameliorating the heat transfer rate up to 9.5%. To serve the purpose of achieving maximum heat transfer rate and reduced skin friction, the Atangana-Baleanu operator based fractional model is more effective. Furthermore, it is perceived that velocity and energy functions of the nanofluid exhibit significant variations because of the different shapes of nanoparticles.