Radiation protection is a critical concern in nuclear facilities, and the use of effective shielding materials is essential to prevent exposure to harmful radiation. This study investigates the potential of using Sb2O3-doped soda-lime glasses as a radiation shielding material. The glasses were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method, and their physical, optical, and radiation shielding properties were characterized. The results demonstrate that the addition of Sb2O3 dopant to the glass matrix enhances its shielding capability against gamma rays. The attenuation coefficient increased with increasing dopant concentration, and the glasses exhibited good optical transparency in the visible range. The study suggests that Sb2O3-doped soda-lime glasses have the potential to be used as an effective radiation shielding material in nuclear facilities.

This research focuses on the study of the interaction between raw cotton and the internal structural elements of drum dryers. A system of equations is presented to analyze the equilibrium of raw cotton clouds on the surface of the blades and the annular layer, determining the conditions for clod sliding or rolling. The conditions necessary for the formation of an annular layer of raw cotton inside the dryer are established. The mechanism of twisting of fibrous bonds during the rolling of excess raw cotton along the annular stand inside the dryer is examined. Examples of the calculation of fibrous bond twisting between cotton balls are provided, and recommendations are developed to mitigate ignition risks in drum dryers.

Object singulation, the process of separating individual objects from a cluttered environment, poses significant challenges in various domains, including robotics and automation. This study focuses on enhancing object singulation in cluttered environments through the case study of the Soma Cube, a popular puzzle composed of several small interconnected cubes. The objective is to investigate two different strategies, scattering and pushing, and their effectiveness in achieving successful singulation. The experiments were conducted using a robotic manipulator equipped with specialized end-effectors. The results show that both scattering and pushing techniques contribute to improved singulation, but with variations in success rates and efficiency. The findings provide insights into the factors influencing singulation performance in cluttered environments and offer valuable guidance for the development of more efficient and reliable object manipulation systems.

This article presents a systematic literature review of studies that have used data mining and learning analytics techniques to predict student performance. The review covers a period of 10 years (2011-2021) and examines a total of 50 papers from various sources. The results show that data mining and learning analytics techniques have been widely used to predict student performance in different educational contexts, including K-12, higher education, and online learning. The most commonly used data mining and learning analytics techniques were decision trees, logistic regression, neural networks, and support vector machines. The review identifies the main challenges and limitations of using data mining and learning analytics techniques for predicting student performance, including issues related to data quality, feature selection, model validation, and ethical considerations. The article concludes with recommendations for future research in this area.

The derivation of kinetic equations for the oxidation processes by the free-radical nonbranched-chain mechanism is shown. This derivation is based on the proposed reaction scheme for the initiated addition of free radicals to the multiple bond of the molecular oxygen includes the addition reaction of the peroxyl free radical to the oxygen molecule to form the tetraoxyl free radical. This reaction competes with chain propagation reactions through a reactive free radical. The chain evolution stage in this scheme involves a few of free radicals, one of which – alkyl(or hydro)tetraoxyl – is relatively low-reactive and inhibits the chain process by shortening of the kinetic chain length. The rate equations (containing one to three parameters to be determined directly) are deduced using the quasi-steady-state treatment. These kinetic equations were used to describe the γ-induced nonbranched-chain processes of free-radical oxidation of liquid o-xylene at 373 K and hydrogen dissolved in water containing various amounts of oxygen at 296 K. The ratios of rate constants of competing reactions and rate constants of addition reactions to the molecular oxygen are defined. In these processes the oxygen with the increase of its concentration begins to act as an oxidation autoinhibitor (or an antioxidant), and the rate of peroxide formation as a function of the dissolved oxygen concentration has a maximum. It is shown that a maximum in these curves arises from the competition between hydrocarbon (or hydrogen) molecules and dioxygen for reacting with the emerging peroxyl 1:1 adduct radical. From the energetic standpoint possible nonchain pathways of the free-radical oxidation of hydrogen and the routes of ozone decay via the reaction with the hydroxyl free radical in the upper atmosphere (including the addition yielding the hydrotetraoxyl free radical, which can be an intermediate in the sequence of conversions of biologically hazardous UV radiation energy) were examined. The energetics of the key radical-molecule gas-phase reactions is considered.

This study investigates the influence of microclimate factors on the uniformity of silk thickness and explores the application of a mechatronic system for optimal control and maintenance. As environmental conditions vary on a daily and seasonal basis, managing temperature and relative humidity becomes crucial for consistent cocoon production. The review delves into the significant role of temperature and humidity in the growth and development of silkworms, highlighting the potential of a mechatronic system for regulating the microclimate. Additionally, the research addresses the creation of an optimal microclimate during cocoon wrapping and examines the impact of temperature and humidity on the quality parameters of the resulting cocoon.

Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) are serious and potentially life-threatening conditions that can result from drug exposure. This prospective study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and clinical patterns of SCARs in a specific population. Participants were enrolled and followed prospectively, with comprehensive clinical assessments, laboratory investigations, and histopathological examinations performed when appropriate. The findings provide insights into the incidence, age and gender distribution, commonly implicated drugs, and specific types of SCARs observed in the study population. Understanding the epidemiology and clinical patterns of SCARs is crucial for early recognition, appropriate management, and prevention. The results of this study contribute to the existing knowledge on SCARs and have important implications for improving patient outcomes.