bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Assessment of the Bactericidal and Virucidal Properties of ZrN-Cu Nanostructured Coatings Deposited by an Industrial PVD System
Authors: Behrangi Sahand , Sedláček Ivo , Štěrba Ján , Suková Gabriela , Czigány Zsolt , Buršíková Vilma , Souček Pavel , Sochora Vjačeslav , Balázsi Katalin , Vašina Petr
Published: September 2022

Pathogenic microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, can spread quickly via contaminated surfaces. Most of these pathogenic microorganisms can survive on surfaces for a long time. Touching these surfaces can lead to the transmission of the microorganisms to the human body and cause serious illnesses. ZrN-Cu coatings containing different amounts of Cu were deposited using an industrial PVD system, and their ability to inhibit bacteria and inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus was tested. Microstructural studies showed the formation of two distinct ZrN and Cu phases when Cu content was sufficiently high. Hardness and elastic modulus were inversely proportional to the Cu content. The coatings showed outstanding bactericidal properties against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, especially when Cu content was more than 12 at.% and exposure time was longer than 40 min. The coatings, however, did not exhibit any significant virucidal properties. Good mechanical properties, along with excellent antibacterial effects, make these coatings suitable for use as self-sanitizing surfaces on objects that people regularly touch and that are prone to bacterial contamination. Their use would thus allow for only minimal transmission or multiplication of bacteria, and the treated surface would not serve as another source of infection.
High-Efficiency Tandem White Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes by Using an Organic/Inorganic Intermediate Connector
Authors: Yan Yu , Zhang Qi , Wang Zhijian , Du Qifeng , Tang Ruitao , Wang Xiaoyu
Published: September 2022

The performance of monochromatic perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) has undergone rapid development in recent years, while white PeLEDs are still in their infancy. The tandem devices prepared by connecting light-emitting units of different colors with intermediate connectors comprise one of the promising approaches for realizing white light emission. The intermediate connector plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of the light-emitting units. In this work, all-perovskite-based white LEDs are assembled by employing sky-blue (490 nm) and red (690 nm) perovskite emitters as active layers. With mixed p-type and n-type organic charge transport materials as the intermediate connector, the highest external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the device was 1.4%, the electroluminescence (EL) peak position of the blue light part was shifted to 512 nm, and the red light part was shifted to 673 nm. In contrast, with organic and inorganic charge transport materials as the intermediate connector, the devices exhibited better charge generation/injection capabilities and a record EQE of 8.5%. The EL peak position of the device prepared from the stored film was not shifted, implying that the organic/inorganic layer effectively suppresses halide migration. Our work paves the way for highly efficient tandem white PeLEDs.
Selection Criterion of Stable Dendritic Growth for a Ternary (Multicomponent) Melt with a Forced Convective Flow
Authors: Alexandrov Dmitri V. , Osipov Sergei I. , Galenko Peter K. , Toropova Liubov V.
Published: September 2022

A stable growth mode of a single dendritic crystal solidifying in an undercooled ternary (multicomponent) melt is studied with allowance for a forced convective flow. The steady-state temperature, solute concentrations and fluid velocity components are found for two- and three-dimensional problems. The stability criterion and the total undercooling balance are derived accounting for surface tension anisotropy at the solid-melt interface. The theory under consideration is compared with experimental data and phase-field modeling for Ni98Zr1Al1 alloy.
A Study of Peripheral Blood Parameters to Predict Response to Induction Chemotherapy and Overall Survival in Advanced Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Jiaqi , Yang Yifan , Zhong Qi , Hou Lizhen , Ma Hongzhi , Zhang Yang , Feng Ling , He Shizhi , Lian Meng , Fang Jugao , Wang Ru
Published: September 2022

Purpose: the purpose of this study was to screen peripheral blood parameters and construct models predicting the prognosis and induction chemotherapy (IC) response in locally advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients. Methods: A total of 128 stage III/IVa LSCC patients (who required a total laryngectomy) were enrolled in a retrospective study from January 2013 to September 2020 at Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University. Among them, 62 patients received IC (IC group), and 66 patients immediately underwent a total laryngectomy (TL) after diagnosis (surgery group). Demographic information and peripheral blood parameters were collected for further analysis. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were compared between the two groups. The prognosis and survival were also compared between patients with laryngeal function preservation (LFP) and those with TL. Results: The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for IC response in the IC group showed that the AUC of the blood model based on the four peripheral blood parameters of fibrinogen (FIB), platelet (PLT), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and albumin (ALB) was significantly higher than the TNM stage model’s AUC (0.7932 vs. 0.6568). We constructed a nomogram blood model to predict IC response (C-Index = 0.793). Regarding the OS of all patients, an ROC analysis for overall survival, the Kaplan–Meier (K-M) method with a log-rank test, and multivariate analysis indicated age, clinical stage, FIB, and hemoglobin (HGB) were independent prognostic factors for the OS of LSCC patients. The blood–clinical logistic model (AUC = 0.7979) was constructed based on the four prognosis factors, which were superior to the blood (AUC = 0.6867) or clinical models (AUC = 0.7145) alone to predict OS. We constructed a nomogram model based on age, clinical stage, FIB, and HGB to predict OS for LSCC patients (C-Index = 0.792). Besides this, there were no significant differences in OS, PFS, and DSS between IC and surgery groups or LFP and TL groups. Conclusion: Peripheral blood parameters help predict IC response and overall survival. Furthermore, induction chemotherapy significantly improves laryngeal function preservation without lowering the survival prognosis.
Risk Factors and Prognostic Impact of Postoperative Complications in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Yu Hong , Xu Li , Yin Songcheng , Jiang Jianlong , Hong Chunhong , He Yulong , Zhang Changhua
Published: September 2022

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is important to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, it may result in postoperative complications (POCs). The aim of this study is to evaluate risk factors and prognostic impact of POCs in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical information of patients who underwent curative gastrectomy after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2011 and 2018. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Logistic regression and Fisher’s exact test were used to evaluate risk factors for complications. Results: A total of 176 patients were included in our study. The 3-year OS rates for the complication group (n = 30) and non-complication group (n = 146) were 36.7% and 52.7%, respectively (p = 0.0294). Age, BMI, multivisceral resection and operation time were independent risk factors for POCs in patients. Patients with multivisceral resection were more likely to suffer from grade III-IV complications (p = 0.026). Inflammation complications might occur in patients with high BMI (p = 0.017). Low preoperative albumin seemed to be a risk factor for leakage complications (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Our study revealed that patients with POCs had a poor prognosis and we identified the risk factors for complications so that POCs can be avoided in time.
Pollen Types Reveal Floral Diversity in Natural Honeys from Campeche, Mexico
Authors: Villalpando-Aguilar José Luis , Quej-Chi Víctor Hugo , López-Rosas Itzel , Cetzal-Ix William , Aquino-Luna Víctor Ángel , Alatorre-Cobos Fulgencio , Martínez-Puc Jesús Froylán
Published: September 2022

The Yucatan Peninsula, located in southern Mexico, is a central honey-producing region with extraordinary biodiversity of melliferous plants. Approximately 900 plant species have been described as being a source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. They provide ecosystem services that help to keep plant biodiversity high and mitigate the effects of climate change. This study aimed to reveal the diversity of the pollen content in honey through a melissopalynological analysis of 22 honey samples collected in February–August 2021 from the north-central area of Campeche, Mexico. The extraction of pollen from the honey was carried out using standard methods for melissopalynological analysis. The honeys were classified by botanical origin to determine their floral sources and a diverse spectrum of 19 pollen types from 13 families was identified. Only eight were predominant: Milleria quinqueflora, Gymnopodium floribundum, Terminalia buceras, Amaranthus spinosus, Zea mays, Talisia floresii, Guazuma ulmifolia, and Croton icche. Our research shows the high quality of the honey analyzed and highlights the diversity and critical role of local melliferous flora and crops in beekeeping development in southern Mexico. The results in this study are useful for confirming the botanical origins of honey, generating information for designing nature conservation and agroecosystem management strategies, and increasing the knowledge of beekeepers in Campeche, Mexico.
Pterosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of Angola
Authors: Fernandes Alexandra E. , Mateus Octávio , Andres Brian , Polcyn Michael J. , Schulp Anne S. , Gonçalves António Olímpio , Jacobs Louis L.
Published: September 2022

Here, we describe the first pterosaur remains from Angola, an assemblage of fourteen bones from the Lower Maastrichtian marine deposits of Bentiaba, Namibe Province. One new species is introduced, Epapatelo otyikokolo, gen. et sp. nov., which comprises an articulated partial left humerus and ulna as well as an articulated left ulna and radius (from a second individual). Phylogenetic analysis confirms a non-nyctosaurid pteranodontian attribution for this new taxon and supports a new apomorphy-based clade, Aponyctosauria, which is here defined. Late Cretaceous pteranodontians are rare in Sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Preliminary histological analysis also reveals a likely sub-adult age for one of the specimens. This fossil assemblage provides a first glimpse of Angolan pterosaur paleobiodiversity providing further insight into the Gondwanan ecosystems of the Upper Cretaceous.
The Spreading in Europe of the Non-Indigenous Species Oenothera speciosa Nutt. Might Be a Threat to the Autochthonous Moth Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus, 1758)? A New Case Study from Italy
Authors: Bonifazi Andrea , Pacini Marta , Mancini Emanuele
Published: September 2022

Oenothera speciosa Nutt. is a non-indigenous plant that is widespread in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. Although in its native range it is rarely pollinated by sphingid moths, in Europe and Asia, it was found to be associated with the hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus, 1758). However, the plant–insect interaction was negative, and the moths were found with proboscides stuck to the flowers of this plant. This interaction is a relevant conservation issue that requires further studies to assess its ecological impact. This work represents the first record of the negative interaction between O. speciosa and M. stellatarum in Italy.
Spatial Patterns and Determinants of Endemic Taxa Richness in the Genus Viburnum (Adoxaceae) in China
Authors: Lyu Wenjun , Du Shenglan , Ying Jiali , Ngumbau Veronicah Mutele , Huang Sheng , Wang Shengwei , Liu Hongtao
Published: September 2022

Understanding the distribution patterns and formation mechanisms of endemic taxa is essential for effective biodiversity conservation. China is an important distribution and endemic center for genus Viburnum in Asia. However, the distribution pattern and formation mechanism of endemic taxa of Viburnum remains unclear in China. In this study, we determined the distribution information of 61 endemic taxa of Viburnum through specimens’ review and field surveys. Species distribution models were used to clarify the distribution patterns of the endemic taxa of Viburnum. The findings shows that the hotspot for overall endemic taxa of Viburnum in China is mainly distributed in temperate and subtropical mountainous areas, and the highest richness in the mountainous regions were around the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Sichuan Basin. About one-third of the endemic taxa of Viburnum were rare species, whose distribution area was scattered and lacked protection. The distribution pattern of the endemic taxa of genus Viburnum can be well explained within the three hypotheses of environmental energy, water availability and climate seasonality. This study provides additional understanding and explanation of endemic species richness distribution and their formation mechanisms. In addition, it provides conservation measures for endemic taxa of genus Viburnum to guide conservationists and policy makers in China.
Chlamydiaceae-Like Bacterium in Wild Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Authors: Gallo Vaulet Lucía , Vanstreels Ralph Eric Thijl , Gallo Luciana , Entrocassi Andrea Carolina , Peker Laura , Blanco Gabriela S. , Rago Maria Virginia , Rodriguez Fermepin Marcelo , Uhart Marcela M.
Published: September 2022

The family Chlamydiaceae is comprised of obligate intracellular bacteria, some of which are significant pathogens of humans and domestic animals. Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) are susceptible to Chlamydia psittaci outbreaks in captivity, and serological surveys detected antibodies against C. psittaci (or antigenically similar organisms) in wild populations of this species. To investigate the occurrence of Chlamydiaceae in wild Magellanic penguins, 167 cloacal swabs were collected from apparently healthy individuals at four breeding colonies along the coast of Chubut, Argentina. Real-time PCR revealed the presence of DNA from Chlamydiaceae-like bacteria in 61 cloacal swabs (36.5%). Detection did not correlate to nutritional status or to meaningful hematological abnormalities. Isolation in monkey kidney cells was unsuccessful, but DNA sequences for the 16S–23S rRNA region were obtained from one sample. Phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship to unidentified Chlamydiaceae-like bacteria found in chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in Antarctica and seagulls in France and the Bering Sea, and to Chlamydiifrater spp. isolated from flamingos in France. Further studies are necessary to clarify the taxonomy and investigate the epidemiology, pathogenicity, and zoonotic potential of this group of Chlamydiaceae-like bacteria.
Biomass Partitioning and Morphoanatomical Traits of Six Gymnocalycium (Cactaceae) Species Occurring along a Precipitation Gradient
Authors: Perotti Solana B. , Aliscioni Nayla L. , Delbón Natalia E. , Perea Mario , Hammann Ariadna , Gurvich Diego E.
Published: September 2022

As a group, cacti are regarded as plants that tolerate water scarcity, since they present a number of adaptations. However, little is known about how species of the family varied their morphoanatomical characteristics along environmental gradients. The aim of this study was to analyze how six Gymnocalycium species occurring in three sites along a precipitation gradient (arid site: G. pugionacanthum, G. marianae; semiarid site: G. hybopleurum, G. stellatum; subhumid site: G. oenanthenum, G. baldianum) differ in their biomass partitioning and morphoanatomical characteristics. We collected mature individuals of each species and analyzed their biomass partitioning (to spines, aboveground stem, underground stem, main root, and lateral and thin roots), morphological characteristics (such as size ratios, spine length and width, and areole density) and anatomical characteristics (stoma number, and cuticle, epidermis, and hypodermis width). Species differed, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in most of the analyzed variables. For example, biomass allocated to spines was highest in G. pugionacanthum, lowest in G. baldianum, and intermediate in the remaining species. However, these variations were not clearly associated with aridity, but were related to the subgenus of the species. These patterns were clearly observed in the PCA. Phylogenetic relatedness is the main factor associated with morphoanatomical characteristics.
Brachiopod Fauna from the Deep Mediterranean Sea: Distribution Patterns and Ecological Preferences
Authors: Toma Margherita , Enrichetti Francesco , Bavestrello Giorgio , Canese Simonepietro , Cau Alessandro , Andaloro Franco , Angiolillo Michela , Greco Silvestro , Bo Marzia
Published: September 2022

Compared to their fossil counterparts, living brachiopods are investigated far less often, due to their occurrence in remote environments such as dark caves or deep environments. Due to the scarcity of studies targeting in situ brachiopods’ populations, large-scale information on their distribution and ecological preferences is still lacking, especially on hardgrounds. The extensive employment of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), however, has opened up the chance to better explore this taxon’s diversity and ecology in the mesophotic and bathyal zones. The analysis of over 600 h of video footage collected from 624 sites, from 40 m to 1825 m, located along the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian coasts of Italy and the Sicily Channel, allowed for a large-scale investigation. The four identified species, Novocrania anomala, Gryphus vitreus, Megerlia truncata and Terebratulina retusa, emerged as common macrofaunal components of the explored habitats, especially between 150 m and 250 m, with high occurrences in the northern areas, especially on offshore seamounts. All species can form dense aggregations of individuals, with M. truncata showing the densest populations on steep rocky terraces (up to 773 individuals m−2). Except for G. vitreus, the only species also recorded on soft bottoms, the others were found exclusively on hardgrounds, with N. anomala showing a peculiar ability to exploit anthropogenic substrates such as terracotta amphorae. No stable species-specific associations were noted, even if numerous species were frequently observed together. Although brachiopods do not show the conspicuous tridimensionality of large filter-feeders, their substrate occupancy and their role in pelagic–benthic processes support their importance in deep-sea Mediterranean ecosystems.
Design and Implementation of a New Local Alignment Algorithm for Multilayer Networks
Authors: Milano Marianna , Guzzi Pietro Hiram , Cannataro Mario
Published: September 2022

Network alignment (NA) is a popular research field that aims to develop algorithms for comparing networks. Applications of network alignment span many fields, from biology to social network analysis. NA comes in two forms: global network alignment (GNA), which aims to find a global similarity, and LNA, which aims to find local regions of similarity. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in introducing complex network models such as multilayer networks. Multilayer networks are common in many application scenarios, such as modelling of relations among people in a social network or representing the interplay of different molecules in a cell or different cells in the brain. Consequently, the need to introduce algorithms for the comparison of such multilayer networks, i.e., local network alignment, arises. Existing algorithms for LNA do not perform well on multilayer networks since they cannot consider inter-layer edges. Thus, we propose local alignment of multilayer networks (MultiLoAl), a novel algorithm for the local alignment of multilayer networks. We define the local alignment of multilayer networks and propose a heuristic for solving it. We present an extensive assessment indicating the strength of the algorithm. Furthermore, we implemented a synthetic multilayer network generator to build the data for the algorithm’s evaluation.
Decentralized Primal-Dual Proximal Operator Algorithm for Constrained Nonsmooth Composite Optimization Problems over Networks
Authors: Feng Liping , Ran Liang , Meng Guoyang , Tang Jialong , Ding Wentao , Li Huaqing
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we focus on the nonsmooth composite optimization problems over networks, which consist of a smooth term and a nonsmooth term. Both equality constraints and box constraints for the decision variables are also considered. Based on the multi-agent networks, the objective problems are split into a series of agents on which the problems can be solved in a decentralized manner. By establishing the Lagrange function of the problems, the first-order optimal condition is obtained in the primal-dual domain. Then, we propose a decentralized algorithm with the proximal operators. The proposed algorithm has uncoordinated stepsizes with respect to agents or edges, where no global parameters are involved. By constructing the compact form of the algorithm with operators, we complete the convergence analysis with the fixed-point theory. With the constrained quadratic programming problem, simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Discovering Noncritical Organization: Statistical Mechanical, Information Theoretic, and Computational Views of Patterns in One-Dimensional Spin Systems
Authors: Feldman David P. , Crutchfield James P.
Published: September 2022

We compare and contrast three different, but complementary views of “structure” and “pattern” in spatial processes. For definiteness and analytical clarity, we apply all three approaches to the simplest class of spatial processes: one-dimensional Ising spin systems with finite-range interactions. These noncritical systems are well-suited for this study since the change in structure as a function of system parameters is more subtle than that found in critical systems where, at a phase transition, many observables diverge, thereby making the detection of change in structure obvious. This survey demonstrates that the measures of pattern from information theory and computational mechanics differ from known thermodynamic and statistical mechanical functions. Moreover, they capture important structural features that are otherwise missed. In particular, a type of mutual information called the excess entropy—an information theoretic measure of memory—serves to detect ordered, low entropy density patterns. It is superior in several respects to other functions used to probe structure, such as magnetization and structure factors. ϵ-Machines—the main objects of computational mechanics—are seen to be the most direct approach to revealing the (group and semigroup) symmetries possessed by the spatial patterns and to estimating the minimum amount of memory required to reproduce the configuration ensemble, a quantity known as the statistical complexity. Finally, we argue that the information theoretic and computational mechanical analyses of spatial patterns capture the intrinsic computational capabilities embedded in spin systems—how they store, transmit, and manipulate configurational information to produce spatial structure.
Coding for Large-Scale Distributed Machine Learning
Authors: Xiao Ming , Skoglund Mikael
Published: September 2022

This article aims to give a comprehensive and rigorous review of the principles and recent development of coding for large-scale distributed machine learning (DML). With increasing data volumes and the pervasive deployment of sensors and computing machines, machine learning has become more distributed. Moreover, the involved computing nodes and data volumes for learning tasks have also increased significantly. For large-scale distributed learning systems, significant challenges have appeared in terms of delay, errors, efficiency, etc. To address the problems, various error-control or performance-boosting schemes have been proposed recently for different aspects, such as the duplication of computing nodes. More recently, error-control coding has been investigated for DML to improve reliability and efficiency. The benefits of coding for DML include high-efficiency, low complexity, etc. Despite the benefits and recent progress, however, there is still a lack of comprehensive survey on this topic, especially for large-scale learning. This paper seeks to introduce the theories and algorithms of coding for DML. For primal-based DML schemes, we first discuss the gradient coding with the optimal code distance. Then, we introduce random coding for gradient-based DML. For primal–dual-based DML, i.e., ADMM (alternating direction method of multipliers), we propose a separate coding method for two steps of distributed optimization. Then coding schemes for different steps are discussed. Finally, a few potential directions for future works are also given.
Extending Kolmogorov’s Axioms for a Generalized Probability Theory on Collections of Contexts
Authors: Svozil Karl
Published: September 2022

Kolmogorov’s axioms of probability theory are extended to conditional probabilities among distinct (and sometimes intertwining) contexts. Formally, this amounts to row stochastic matrices whose entries characterize the conditional probability to find some observable (postselection) in one context, given an observable (preselection) in another context. As the respective probabilities need not (but, depending on the physical/model realization, can) be of the Born rule type, this generalizes approaches to quantum probabilities by Aufféves and Grangier, which in turn are inspired by Gleason’s theorem.
An Experimental Study of Electromagnetic Field Propagation Due to Lightning Upward Leaders and Its Probability on Different Small-Scale Structures
Authors: Ullah Irshad , Bahrom Mohd Nor Ramdon Bin , Khan Muhammad Adeel , Qazi Azhar
Published: September 2022

In this paper, upward leader initiation and the probability of lightning flashes on different air terminal were analyzed in detail. With the growing global warming, lightning flash density has increased abruptly, especially in tropical countries. Upward leaders are the critical elements to be considered for defining comprehensive protective measures against lightning during thunderstorms. This article presents the lightning flashover phenomenon on scaled buildings with installed lightning rods. Moreover, the electric field and initialization of upward leaders from Lightning Air Terminals (LATs) were analyzed in detail using Ansys Maxwell as a simulation tool. For the experimental work, a high-voltage impulse generator was used. The air gap between the lightning rods and the top electrode was kept constant in all scaled structures. The purpose of using an identical air gap was to study the upward leader and its electric field for all structures. The effects of the upward leaders on the electric field plots are explained in detail and allowed the determination of the electric field’s intensity around each air terminal for the provided air gap between the tip of the rod and the top electrode. A low-cost lightning protection system was taken into account, as the economic crisis is worsening with time. A Franklin rod was used as the primary protection device for the initiation of the upward streamer. The experimental results were obtained in Malaysian weather conditions based on standard values of temperature and pressure. The study presented in this article shows that based on the experimental work, field plots were obtained for both the air insulation scenario and the condition when the upward leader was incepted. The simulation results showed a firm agreement with the measured values. Similarly, by upward leader inception, the strikes could be predicted accurately on every installed air terminal.
Installation’s Conception in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources for the Needs of the Silesian Botanical Garden
Authors: Jastrzębska Małgorzata
Published: September 2022

This study presents the specificity of the Silesian Botanical Garden (SBG) and its importance in protecting biodiversity in the Silesia area in Poland. Due to the special socio-ecological nature of the SBG and the request of the Garden’s Director, various types of renewable energy sources (RESs) installations were considered. These installations were intended to fulfill an educational function for society and meet the energy demands of the SBG. The concepts of on-grid and off-grid, including wind turbine, a system of photovoltaic panels (PVPs), and pumped storage hydropower plant (PSHP), were taken into account in the geoengineering analysis. The guidelines of the RESs device manufacturers do not consider complex soil–water conditions, the value of the loading forces (including influences from wind, temperature, snow, and soil pressure) related to a specific location (e.g., insolation), etc. The preliminary analysis of possible solutions showed that the energy from renewable energy sources meets the demands of the Garden on an annual cycle. In addition, the proposed conceptions take into account the specificity of the Silesian Botanical Garden (for example, a set of photovoltaic panels looks like a solar tree) and interfere with the landscape and ecosystem as little as possible. The selection of specific devices and materials and the accurate design of the proposed solutions may take place in a larger group of specialists in the field of geotechnics, mechanics, energetics, electricity, aerodynamics, etc., after obtaining financing by the SBG authorities.
Prognosis and Health Management (PHM) of Solid-State Batteries: Perspectives, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Sadegh Kouhestani Hamed , Yi Xiaoping , Qi Guoqing , Liu Xunliang , Wang Ruimin , Gao Yang , Yu Xiao , Liu Lin
Published: September 2022

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have proven to have the potential to be a proper substitute for conventional lithium-ion batteries due to their promising features. In order for the SSBs to be market-ready, the prognostics and health management (PHM) of battery systems plays a critical role in achieving such a goal. PHM ensures the reliability and availability of batteries during their operational time with acceptable safety margin. In the past two decades, much of the focus has been directed towards the PHM of lithium-ion batteries, while little attention has been given to PHM of solid-state batteries. Hence, this report presents a holistic review of the recent advances and current trends in PHM techniques of solid-state batteries and the associated challenges. For this purpose, notable commonly employed physics-based, data-driven, and hybrid methods are discussed in this report. The goal of this study is to bridge the gap between liquid state and SSBs and present the crucial aspects of SSBs that should be considered in order to have an accurate PHM model. The primary focus is given to the ML-based data-driven methods and the requirements that are needed to be included in the models, including anode, cathode, and electrolyte materials.
Novel Multi-Physics Computational Simulation of a 10 kW Permanent Magnet Motor for Podded Propulsion
Authors: Park Jang-Hyun , Lee Tae-Woo , Jeong Yeon-Ho , Hong Do-Kwan
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a 10 kW, 12-slot 10-pole surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM) design with fractional-slot concentrated winding for a podded propulsion system. Its load is a propeller that is proportional to the square of the rotational speed and the fifth power of the propeller diameter. Taking this into account, three SPMSMs with rated rotational speeds of 600, 1200, and 1800 rpm with the same rated output power of 10 kW were analyzed. These were designed under the same conditions (i.e., torque per rotor volume, air-gap length, current density, power factor, fill-factor, and supply voltage). Based on the SPMSMs designed by electromagnetic analysis, the housing of a podded propulsor for each SPMSM was modeled for mechanical analysis, including such parameters as forced vibration, radiated noise, and modal acoustics analysis in air and water. From the modal acoustics analysis, it is confirmed that the natural frequencies of a structure in water are lower than those in air because of the added mass effect of water.
Identification of Lightning Overvoltage in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Kossowski Tomasz , Szczupak Paweł
Published: September 2022

This paper presents research on the model developed in the Matlab environment for simulating effects of overvoltage in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) upon lightning discharge. They are based on transmittance obtained from voltage surge impulse measured in drone circuits. Overvoltage waveforms were measured at the input and output of different parts of the machine. It was then possible to calculate the transmittance of those (chosen) circuits. The motors, supply system, communication lines, and sensors were primarily tested. Both positive and negative polarization of the surge pulse were used and compared. The shape of pulse, is standardized by international norms for avionics tests (RTCA DO-160). The special surge generators were used to prepare the same repetition of each pulse (for all measurements). The simplified model of surge pulses propagation in drone circuits was prepared in Matlab. The differential between direct and step-by-step paths of pulse propagation in some connected circuits were also compared.
Carbon Capture and Utilization: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2007–2021
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad , Suleman Humbul , Maulud Abdulhalim Shah
Published: September 2022

It is widely accepted that carbon capture and utilization technologies are an effective way of lowering the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. A bibliometric analysis is presented in this article to investigate the development of carbon capture and utilization. The study was conducted to identify the trends in publishing, dominant contributing authors, institutions, countries, potential publishing sources, and the most cited publications in this research area. A total of 4204 articles published between 2007 and 2021 were analyzed, covering 13,272 authors, 727 journals, and 88 countries. The findings indicate that the most productive and influential authors have British and American affiliations. The United States, the United Kingdom, and China have conducted most studies on the aforementioned topic. Imperial College London, United Kingdom, has the highest number of publications in this field of research. Furthermore, the collaborative analysis was developed by creating links between the keywords, published information, authors, institutions, and countries. In addition, the discussion highlights the tremendous development in the research area of carbon capture and utilization, especially with a focus on the exponential rise in the number of yearly publications.
Life-Cycle Assessment of Bio-Jet Fuel Production from Waste Cooking Oil via Hydroconversion
Authors: Zhang Zongwei , Wei Keheng , Li Junqi , Wang Zihan
Published: September 2022

A life-cycle assessment of bio-jet fuel from waste cooking oil (WCO) produced by hydrotreatment was performed and compared with petroleum-derived jet fuel. This study aimed to evaluate the sustainability and find out the bottleneck restricting the development of WCO-based jet fuel production. The carbon intensity of the WCO-based bio-jet fuel was 63.7% lower compared to the conventional jet fuel, and the proportion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by hydrogen in the WCO was 18.7%. The feedstock stage proportion of GHG emissions of first-, second-, and third-generation biofuels increased. A sensitivity analysis found that the transportation distance of WCO was more sensitive to GHG emissions, and it is important to develop a detailed plan for feedstock collection. A scenario analysis was also performed according to China’s energy structure and hydrogen sources. Although the electric power structure derived from renewable energy will increase GHG emissions in the immediate future, it will eventually reduce emissions due to technical progress by 2050. The preparation of jet fuel from WCO can not only recycle waste but can also contribute to emission reduction for the aviation industry, which is a potential sustainable and feasible aviation fuel route.
Analysis of Convection Phenomenon in Enclosure Utilizing Nanofluids with Baffle Effects
Authors: Al-Farhany Khaled , Al-Muhja Barik , Loganathan Karuppusamy , Periyasamy Umadevi , Ali Farhan , Sarris Ioannis E.
Published: September 2022

The behavior of convective heat transfer in an enclosure filled with Cu–water nanofluid with a baffle has been numerically studied using the finite element method. The enclosure’s top and bottom walls were adiabatic, while the other two were maintained at various temperatures. The left hot wall had an effective thickness and a baffle was added to the bottom wall. The influence of different parameters like the nanoparticle’s concentration (ϕ), Rayleigh number (Ra), the thermal conductivity ratio of the thick wall (Kr), baffle angle (Ø), and the hot wall thickness (D) on the isotherm and fluid flow patterns were examined. The result showed that the average Nusselt number was enhanced, owing to the strength of the buoyancy force becoming more effective. Furthermore, as the baffle inclination angle increased, the maximum stream function at the core corresponded to the angle when it reached Ø=60°, then it gradually decreased to the minimum value as the baffle angle reached close to Ø=120°.
Predicting Vehicle Refuelling Trips through Generalised Poisson Modelling
Authors: Isaac Nithin , Saha Akshay
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a model to predict the number of refuelling trips by vehicles on any given day considering weather conditions and time of the year. The predicted refuelling trips were founded on count-based data, i.e., data that contain events that occur at a certain rate. The paper presents an algorithm developed using Python programming language and the statsmodels module to achieve this. The results indicate that the GP-1 model developed in this paper is statistically significant at the 95% confidence level as it was able to converge—however, precipitation and high ambient temperature conditions are considered statistically insignificant in this model. The viability of the model was further tested on the remaining 20% of the data. Sensitivity tests indicate that there is a good correlation between the actual trips and predicted trips when 70% of the data are used to train the model. Overall, the model presented can be used to predict the number of trips taken by vehicles to refuel as well as model future trends, accurately. This model, can in the future, be applied to predict the refuelling behaviour of alternative fuel vehicles such as hydrogen fuel vehicles, when such data become available.
Synthesis of Mixed Actinide Oxides Using Microwave Radiation
Authors: Dvoeglazov Konstantin , Kulyako Yury , Vinokurov Sergey , Myasoedov Boris , Dmitriev Mikhail , Ushakov Oleg , Mochalov Yuri , Shadrin Andrei , Smolkin Pavel
Published: September 2022

A method has been developed for producing mixed actinide oxides suitable for fabricating mixed nitride uranium plutonium fuel for fast neutron reactors. The method is based on the use of microwave radiation for the direct denitration of actinide nitrate solutions. The possibility of producing uranium, plutonium, and neptunium-mixed oxides was shown. A pilot installation for preparing actinide oxides by microwave denitration was designed and tested. Mixed oxides of uranium and cerium (for plutonium imitation) were successfully used to synthesize uranium cerium nitrides and produce fuel pellets. Compared with the precipitation (ammonia) method of producing mixed oxides, microwave denitration reduces the generation of secondary liquid radioactive waste by more than six times.
Release of Energy from Groundwater/with Reduction in CO2 Emissions of More Than 50% from HVAC in the Extension and Revitalization of the Former Palace of the Sobieski Family in Lublin
Authors: Wrana Jan , Struzik Wojciech , Kwiatkowski Bartłomiej , Gleń Piotr
Published: September 2022

The direct release of energy from the groundwater under the building of the Sobieski Family Palace in Lublin, Poland, and the obtainment of heat and cooling energy for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems (HVAC) provide an opportunity to reduce electricity and heat consumption and to limit CO2 emissions by 15–50%. The upgrade to the Sobieski Family Palace and the addition of new educational and administrative functions require state-of-the-art, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly solutions such as Fuel Cells and Hydrogen for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (FCH HVAC) systems. As part of the program “Research for high-quality air in architecture and urban studies,” carried out since 2018 at the Institute of Architecture Planning, Department of Contemporary Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture of the Lublin University of Technology, in 2021, further research was carried out in order to prepare for the potential implementation in 2022 of the project entitled “Development and Upgrade of the Former Sobieski Family Palace in Lublin. The main body of the building—educational and administrative function,” whose chief designer was Architect J. Wrana, Lublin University of Technology, 2021. The objective of this paper is to identify technologies and solutions specifically designed for HVAC systems in upgraded and renovated historic buildings. This paper is also a call for cooperation among institutions, scientists, higher education institutions, as well as an expression of appreciation for the immense energy stored in groundwater. This energy not only has the lowest carbon footprint but also is the only generally accessible large storage source from which we were unable to obtain ecologically pure energy before the introduction of FCH technology.
Classification of Behavior Profiles for Non-Residential Customers Considering the Variable of Electrical Energy Consumption: Case Study—SAESA Group S.A. Company
Authors: García-Santander Luis , San Martín-Ayala Jerson , Ulloa-Vásquez Fernando , Carrizo Dante , Esparza Vladimir , Rohten Jaime , Mejias Carlos
Published: September 2022

This work allows characterizing and classifying the consumption profiles of non-residential customers (without distributed generation) based on the consumption curves obtained from the records reported by 934 smart meters in the period from January to December 2019, and which belong to an electric power distribution company in Chile, SAESA Group S.A. To achieve the characterization and classification of the consumption profiles, three typical days are analyzed and determined, which correspond to working days (Monday to Friday), Saturdays, and Sundays or holidays. These three typical days are analyzed for each trimester of 2019. The data processing is carried out on the Power Bi and Matlab® platforms. In Power Bi, the data provided by the electricity company are worked, obtaining the average consumption curves for each client in each period of study considered, while in Matlab®, the visualization and classification of the curves is carried out using the K-means algorithm, to finally obtain the results and conclusions. The results show the existence of seven typical profiles representative of the behavior of non-residential clients, which, in some cases, show similar behaviors, despite being from different categories.
CO2 Emissions in Buildings: A Synopsis of Current Studies
Authors: Zarco-Periñán Pedro J. , Zarco-Soto Fco Javier , Zarco-Soto Irene M. , Martínez-Ramos José L. , Sánchez-Durán Rafael
Published: September 2022

CO2 is the most emitted greenhouse gas and is mainly produced by human activity. In fact, about 75% is emitted in cities and 40% of global carbon emissions is produced by the building sector. Therefore, buildings are very important in terms of CO2 emissions. This importance is also reflected in the works that have been developed on this subject. This manuscript reviews the research that has shown or calculated the amounts of CO2 emitted in buildings. For a better understanding of the scope of the investigations, a classification is presented. With this, it is intended to help researchers interested in this area by summarizing the studies carried out to date on the amounts of CO2 emitted depending on the type of building.
Sensitivity Analysis of Influencing Factors of Gas Pipelines with Corrosion Defects under the Action of Landslides
Authors: Gu Xiaoting , Zhang Yaoyao , Huang Chunfeng , Luo Xi , Zhang Hailun , Zhou Rui , Qiu Yijie
Published: September 2022

Sensitivity analysis aids in determining important factors affecting pipeline safety. Sensitivity analysis of stress inside gas pipelines with corrosion defects in a landslide region can provide a theoretical basis for the safe operation of pipelines. This study considered an X80 high-grade steel gas pipeline model with corrosion defects using finite element analysis (ABAQUS software) under lateral landslide conditions. Particularly, we studied the six major engineering elements of soil cohesion to understand the stress variations in buried gas pipelines and performed a sensitivity analysis of each influencing parameter. The calculation results revealed that all the factors influencing the stress in corroded gas pipelines during landslide conditions were positively correlated to the internal pipe stress, except for the axial position of corrosion defects. The factors in the descending order of influence on the sensitivity coefficient are stated as follows: landslide displacement, axial position of corrosion defect, soil cohesion, depth of corrosion defect, pressure, and length of corrosion defect. The results of this study will aid in the design and implementation of such pipelines in mountainous or other landslide-prone terrains.
Prediction of Voltage Sag Relative Location with Data-Driven Algorithms in Distribution Grid
Authors: Yalman Yunus , Uyanık Tayfun , Atlı İbrahim , Tan Adnan , Bayındır Kamil Çağatay , Karal Ömer , Golestan Saeed , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: September 2022

Power quality (PQ) problems, including voltage sag, flicker, and harmonics, are the main concerns for the grid operator. Among these disturbances, voltage sag, which affects the sensitive loads in the interconnected system, is a crucial problem in the transmission and distribution systems. The determination of the voltage sag relative location as a downstream (DS) and upstream (US) is an important issue that should be considered when mitigating the sag problem. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel approach to determine the voltage sag relative location based on voltage sag event records of the power quality monitoring system (PQMS) in the real distribution system. By this method, the relative location of voltage sag is defined by Gaussian naive Bayes (Gaussian NB) and K-nearest neighbors (K-NN) algorithms. The proposed methods are compared with support vector machine (SVM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The results indicate that K-NN and Gaussian NB algorithms define the relative location of a voltage sag with 98.75% and 97.34% accuracy, respectively.