bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Automatic Generation of Heterogeneous Knowledge Graph for Global Disease Support: A Demonstration of a Cancer Use Case
Authors: Maghawry Noura , Ghoniemy Samy , Shaaban Eman , Emara Karim
Published: January 2023

Semantic data integration provides the ability to interrelate and analyze information from multiple heterogeneous resources. With the growing complexity of medical ontologies and the big data generated from different resources, there is a need for integrating medical ontologies and finding relationships between distinct concepts from different ontologies where these concepts have logical medical relationships. Standardized Medical Ontologies are explicit specifications of shared conceptualization, which provide predefined medical vocabulary that serves as a stable conceptual interface to medical data sources. Intelligent Healthcare systems such as disease prediction systems require a reliable knowledge base that is based on Standardized medical ontologies. Knowledge graphs have emerged as a powerful dynamic representation of a knowledge base. In this paper, a framework is proposed for automatic knowledge graph generation integrating two medical standardized ontologies- Human Disease Ontology (DO), and Symptom Ontology (SYMP) using a medical online website and encyclopedia. The framework and methodologies adopted for automatically generating this knowledge graph fully integrated the two standardized ontologies. The graph is dynamic, scalable, easily reproducible, reliable, and practically efficient. A subgraph for cancer terms is also extracted and studied for modeling and representing cancer diseases, their symptoms, prevention, and risk factors.
Bone Laser Patterning to Decipher Cell Organization
Authors: Touya Nicolas , Al-Bourgol Samy , Désigaux Théo , Kérourédan Olivia , Gemini Laura , Kling Rainer , Devillard Raphaël
Published: January 2023

The laser patterning of implant materials for bone tissue engineering purposes has proven to be a promising technique for controlling cell properties such as adhesion or differentiation, resulting in enhanced osteointegration. However, the possibility of patterning the bone tissue side interface to generate microstructure effects has never been investigated. In the present study, three different laser-generated patterns were machined on the bone surface with the aim of identifying the best surface morphology compatible with osteogenic-related cell recolonization. The laser-patterned bone tissue was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the bone surface morphology. The cortical bone patterning impact on cell compatibility and cytoskeleton rearrangement on the patterned surfaces was assessed using Stromal Cells from the Apical Papilla (SCAPs). The results indicated that laser machining had no detrimental effect on consecutively seeded cell metabolism. Orientation assays revealed that patterns with larger hatch distances were correlated with higher cell cytoskeletal conformation to the laser-machined patterns. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to consider and evaluate bone as a biological interface that can be engineered for improvement. Further investigations should focus on the in vivo implications of this direct patterning.
Researcher’s Perspective on Musculoskeletal Conditions in Primary Care Physiotherapy Units through the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF): A Scoping Review
Authors: Hernández-Lázaro Héctor , Mingo-Gómez María Teresa , Jiménez-del-Barrio Sandra , Lahuerta-Martín Silvia , Hernando-Garijo Ignacio , Medrano-de-la-Fuente Ricardo , Ceballos-Laita Luis
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are the second cause of disability in the world. The International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) is a tool for systematically describing functioning. Outcome measures for musculoskeletal disorders and functioning concepts embedded in them have not been described under the ICF paradigm. The objective of this scoping review was to identify ICF categories representing the researcher’s perspective and to compare them with the ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions. (2) Methods: This review was conducted as follows: (a) literature search using MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus databases; (b) study selection applying inclusion criteria (PICOS): musculoskeletal conditions in primary care, application of physiotherapy as a treatment, outcome measures related to functioning, and experimental or observational studies conducted in Western countries during the last 10 years; (c) extraction of relevant concepts; (d) linkage to the ICF; (e) frequency analysis; and (f) comparison with the ICF core set. (3) Results: From 540 studies identified, a total of 51 were included, and 108 outcome measures were extracted. In the ICF linking process, 147 ICF categories were identified. Analysis of data showed that 84.2% of the categories in the ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions can be covered by the outcome measures analyzed. Sixty-eight relevant additional ICF categories were identified. (4) Conclusion: Outcome measures analyzed partially represent the ICF core set taken as a reference. The identification of additional categories calls into question the applicability of this core set in primary care physiotherapy units.
Expression of CISH, an Inhibitor of NK Cell Function, Increases in Association with Ovarian Cancer Development and Progression
Authors: Acosta Jasmin C. , Bahr Janice M. , Basu Sanjib , O’Donnell James T. , Barua Animesh
Published: January 2023

Epithelial ovarian cancer (OVCA), a fatal malignancy of women, disseminates locally. Although NK cells mount immune responses against OVCA, tumors inhibit NK cells, and the mechanism is not well understood. Cytokines stimulate NK cells; however, chronic stimulation exhausts them and induces expression of cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH). Tumors produce anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 which may induce NK cell exhaustion. The goal of this study was to examine if CISH expression in NK cells increases during OVCA development and to determine the mechanism(s) of OVCA-induced CISH expression in NK cells. Normal ovaries (n = 7) were used for CISH, IL-10 and GRP78 expression. In tumor ovaries, CISH was examined in early and late stages (n = 14 each, all subtypes) while IL-10 and GRP78 expression were examined in early and late stage HGSC (n = 5 each). Compared to normal, the population of CISH-expressing NK cells increased and the intensity of IL-10 and GRP78 expression was significantly higher in OVCA (p < 0.05). CISH expression was positively correlated with IL-10 expression (r = 0.52, r = 0.65, p < 0.05 at early and late stages, respectively) while IL-10 expression was positively correlated with GRP78 expression (r = 0.43, r = 0.52, p < 0.05, respectively). These results suggest that OVCA development and progression are associated with increased CISH expression by NK cells which is correlated with tumor-induced persistent cellular stress.
A Review of Bullous Dermatologic Adverse Events Associated with Anti-Cancer Therapy
Authors: Parisi Rose , Shah Hemali , Shear Neil H. , Ziv Michael , Markova Alina , Dodiuk-Gad Roni P.
Published: January 2023

The rapid evolution of anti-cancer therapy (including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy) in recent years has led to a more favorable efficacy and safety profile for a growing cancer population, and the improvement of overall survival and reduction of morbidity for many cancers. Anti-cancer therapy improves outcomes for cancer patients; however, many classes of anti-cancer therapy have been implicated in the induction of bullous dermatologic adverse events (DAE), leading to reduced patient quality of life and in some cases discontinuation of life-prolonging or palliative therapy. Timely and effective management of adverse events is critical for reducing treatment interruptions and preserving an anti-tumor effect. Bullous DAE may be limited to the skin or have systemic involvement with greater risk of morbidity and mortality. We present the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management of bullous DAE secondary to anti-cancer therapies to enable clinicians to optimize management for these patients.
Thrombo-Inflammation in COVID-19 and Sickle Cell Disease: Two Faces of the Same Coin
Authors: Chiang Kate Chander , Gupta Ajay , Sundd Prithu , Krishnamurti Lakshmanan
Published: January 2023

People with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at greater risk of severe illness and death from respiratory infections, including COVID-19, than people without SCD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA). Vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in SCD and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection are both characterized by thrombo-inflammation mediated by endothelial injury, complement activation, inflammatory lipid storm, platelet activation, platelet-leukocyte adhesion, and activation of the coagulation cascade. Notably, lipid mediators, including thromboxane A2, significantly increase in severe COVID-19 and SCD. In addition, the release of thromboxane A2 from endothelial cells and macrophages stimulates platelets to release microvesicles, which are harbingers of multicellular adhesion and thrombo-inflammation. Currently, there are limited therapeutic strategies targeting platelet-neutrophil activation and thrombo-inflammation in either SCD or COVID-19 during acute crisis. However, due to many similarities between the pathobiology of thrombo-inflammation in SCD and COVID-19, therapies targeting one disease may likely be effective in the other. Therefore, the preclinical and clinical research spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, including clinical trials of anti-thrombotic agents, are potentially applicable to VOC. Here, we first outline the parallels between SCD and COVID-19; second, review the role of lipid mediators in the pathogenesis of these diseases; and lastly, examine the therapeutic targets and potential treatments for the two diseases.
A Parental-Report Questionnaire for Language Abilities and Pragmatics in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: O’Shea Aimee , Holmes Claudia H. B. , Engelhardt Paul E.
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to test and validate a parental-report questionnaire, which assesses language abilities and pragmatics, in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We report two experiments: The first served as the initial test and the second sought to provide the first assessment of convergent validity. In total, we recruited 230 parents, where approximately two-thirds had a child with ASD. Results of factor analyses showed a consistent factor structure within each subscale, and the internal consistency was excellent for both sub-scales (Cronbach’s alpha >0.90). Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the results of the questionnaire with two sub-scales of the Autism Quotient questionnaire. The correlations were all greater than 0.60. The final version of the questionnaire (following exclusion of problematic items) contains 30 items (12 for language abilities and 18 for pragmatics). We conclude that the questionnaire is a concise and practical instrument for use in a variety of contexts for assessing language functioning and communication in children with ASD.
g-C3N4 as Photocatalyst for the Removal of Metronidazole Antibiotic from Aqueous Matrices under Lab and Pilot Scale Conditions
Authors: Lykos Christos , Sioulas Sotirios , Konstantinou Ioannis
Published: January 2023

The presence of pharmaceuticals in water is a problem of utmost importance due to the various adverse effects that these compounds may have on aquatic organisms and also humans. Since conventional wastewater treatment plants fail to efficiently remove many of these compounds, new techniques such as heterogeneous photocatalysis have been developed that are capable of degrading them. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was used as photocatalyst to remove metronidazole (MTZ), which is a widely prescribed antibiotic that has been reported as a potential carcinogen. The experiments were performed under lab and pilot scale conditions. During the lab scale experiments, 90.6% of the initial pharmaceutical concentration was removed after 360 min of irradiation and its removal followed a pseudo first order kinetic model with a degradation rate constant of k = 0.00618 min−1. Moreover, scavenging studies indicated that the indirectly produced hydroxy radicals contribute very little to the degradation mechanism. Through high precision mass spectrometry techniques, eight transformation products (TPs) were identified, and possible transformation pathways were suggested. Similarly, in the case of pilot scale experiments, 100 and 200 mg L−1 of g-C3N4 were used and the antibiotic’s removal also followed pseudo first order kinetics with k = 0.00827 min−1 and k = 0.00942 min−1, respectively. However, starting from low level inherent concentrations, only two TPs were identified. By using in silico tools (ECOSAR and T.E.S.T.), various ecotoxicological values were predicted for the TPs, which were generally found to be less toxic than the parent compound and with lower mutagenic and bioaccumulative potential. Moreover, the monitoring of the ecotoxicity with the in vitro Microtox bioassay showed that at the end of all the photocatalytic processes, the toxicity was reduced. In conclusion, this technique could have the potential to remove MTZ and other similar pharmaceuticals in full-scale applications. However, for this to happen with the highest possible efficiency, further studies must be conducted, focusing on improving the catalyst’s performance and reusability, improving the separation of catalyst as well as finding the optimum conditions for this process.
The Effect of Counterions on the Detection of Cu2+ Ions in Aqueous Solutions Using Quartz Tuning Fork (QTF) Sensors Modified with L-Cysteine Self-Assembled Monolayers: Experimental and Quantum Chemical DFT Study
Authors: Rahman Shofiur , Al-Gawati Mahmoud A. , Alfaifi Fatimah S. , Muthuramamoorthy Muthumareeswaran , Alanazi Amal F. , Albrithen Hamad , Alzahrani Khalid E. , Assaifan Abdulaziz K. , Alodhayb Abdullah N. , Georghiou Paris E.
Published: January 2023

In this study, a sensing device employing a gold-coated quartz tuning fork (QTF) modified with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of L-cysteine was evaluated for the sensitive detection of Cu2+ ions in aqueous solutions. Three copper (II) salts, CuSO4, CuCl2, and Cu(NO3)2, at four different concentrations (10−12, 10−10, 10−8, and 10−6 M) in small (100 μL) water sample amounts were each used as analytes to investigate the influence of their counterions in the detection of the Cu2+ ions. It was found that, among the counterions, the sulfate anion had the largest effect upon the detection of Cu2+ in water, in the following order: SO42− > Cl− > NO3−. The lower limit of detection of the Cu2+ ions detected was in the 10−12 M range. The frequency shifts measured with the QTFs relative to deionized water were inversely proportional to the concentration/mass of the analytes. Density functional theory calculations were conducted to understand the effect of the counterions on the respective electronic interaction energies for the apparent host–guest binding of the analytes with L-cysteine and with gold surface-bound L-cysteine molecules. Gas phase (both with and uncorrected BSSE) and solution phase interaction energies (ΔIE) calculated at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ and ωB97XD levels of theory showed that the stability for the complexes were in the following order: [L-cysteine]⊃[CuSO4] > [L-cysteine]⊃[CuCl2] > [L-cysteine]⊃[Cu(NO3)2], which supports our experimental findings, as they were in the same order as the experimentally observed order for the copper salts tested: CuSO4 > CuCl2 > Cu(NO3)2.
Insight on Atmospheric Hydrothermal Aging for Polyester and Polyimide Film Used in Dry-Type Reactor
Authors: Lin Hao , Guo Jiang , Huang Xiang , Jiang Shengbao
Published: January 2023

The breakdown of the dry-type reactor induced by being exposed to moisture needs to be further explored. For this purpose, as the common insulating films in the dry-type reactor, PET and PI films were targeted to investigate the effects of atmospheric hydrothermal aging on the microstructure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the films. As the result of hydrothermal aging, the moisture-based thermal degradation obviously occurred on the surface of both PET and PI films, even at a low temperature. More defects and flaws can be observed on the surface of PET than that of PI film, which were responsible for decreasing the transmittance and tensile strength of films. According to the statistical analysis with a one-sample t test, the thermal stability of aged PET and PI films has no significant difference with raw films during the hydrothermal aging. Compared with thermal stress, the hydrolysis of ester linkage and the imide ring are the main factors of hydrothermal aging for PET and PI films, respectively. Improving the waterproof ability of PET and PI films can be effective to prevent deterioration of the interturn insulation performance of the dry-type reactor.
Prognostic Relevance of PDL1 and CA19-9 Expression in Gallbladder Cancer vs. Inflammatory Lesions
Authors: Rawal Neetu , Awasthi Supriya , Dash Nihar Ranjan , Kumar Sunil , Das Prasenjit , Ranjan Amar , Chopra Anita , Khan Maroof Ahmad , Saluja Sundeep , Hussain Showket , Tanwar Pranay
Published: January 2023

Chronic inflammation in the gallbladder leading to persistent epithelium damage promotes invasive cancer. The study aimed to assess the prognostic value of PDL1 and CA19-9 markers in cancer/inflammatory lesions of the gallbladder. A total of 29 cases (19 cancer and 10 inflammatory) were included. The PDL1 protein concentration level and mRNA expression were assessed in the tissues’ lysates by ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively. PDL1 and CA19-9 concentration levels were compared and statistically related with clinico-pathological variables. The PDL1 protein level and its relative mRNA expression were correlated. Kaplan–Meir survival and Cox regression analyses were conducted for predicting prognosis. This study investigated the PDL1 and CA19-9 marker expression in both cancer and inflammatory cases of the gallbladder (p = 0.48 and p = 0.17 respectively). PDL1 protein expression was significantly associated with the hormonal profile of the cases (p = 0.04) at an optimum cut-off value of 13 pg/mL, while the CA19-9 marker expression was correlated with the status of liver metastasis (p = 0.0043) and size of the tumor (p = 0.004). A low PDL1 concentration was found when compared to the CA19-9 level among cancer cases (p = 0.12) and proportional in the inflammatory lesions (p = 0.63). A significant positive correlation was found between the PDL1 protein and its relative mRNA expressions in the inflammatory lesions (p = 0.029) when compared to cancer cases (p = 0.069). Our results showed that a protein-based assay for PDL1 expression would be more sensitive compared to RNA based assays for GBC risk stratifications. Overall survival was predicted with CA19-9 and PDL1 levels (p = 0.0074, p = 0.23, respectively). PDL1 and CA19-9 may act as a probable predictor of a poor prognosis in gallbladder cancer (GBC) cases.
Lean Laboratory—Designing an Application of Lean for Teaching and Research Laboratories
Authors: Marcelino Sara M. , Lima Tânia M. , Gaspar Pedro Dinis
Published: January 2023

Although Lean Thinking (LT) is becoming popular in service organizations, few studies have applied Lean tools to the education sector. Furthermore, although inventories are one of the main wastes in this sector, to date, no study has presented a decision support system (DSS), based on LT, for stock management in academic institutions. This study aims to design an application of LT in teaching and research laboratories to provide improvements in workplace organization, setup times, and stock management. Lean tools were implemented in a case study, and an e-Kanban DSS was designed to determine when and in what quantity an order should be placed, considering factors such as forecasting demand, demand level (high or low), and component deterioration. For testing the DSS, a simulation was carried out using as an example a set of articles that integrate the protocol of laboratory activity. The implementation of Lean tools improved the organization of the workplace, which contributed to a reduction in unnecessary movements and the setup time of practical activities. Additionally, the study demonstrated that the developed DSS calculates the quantities to be ordered according to the selected mathematical formulas and generates appropriate visual alerts, depending on the need to place an order.
Rank-Adaptive Tensor Completion Based on Tucker Decomposition
Authors: Liu Siqi , Shi Xiaoyu , Liao Qifeng
Published: January 2023

Tensor completion is a fundamental tool to estimate unknown information from observed data, which is widely used in many areas, including image and video recovery, traffic data completion and the multi-input multi-output problems in information theory. Based on Tucker decomposition, this paper proposes a new algorithm to complete tensors with missing data. In decomposition-based tensor completion methods, underestimation or overestimation of tensor ranks can lead to inaccurate results. To tackle this problem, we design an alternative iterating method that breaks the original problem into several matrix completion subproblems and adaptively adjusts the multilinear rank of the model during optimization procedures. Through numerical experiments on synthetic data and authentic images, we show that the proposed method can effectively estimate the tensor ranks and predict the missing entries.
Thermodynamic Feasibility of the Black Sea CH4 Hydrate Replacement by CO2 Hydrate
Authors: Kvamme Bjørn , Vasilev Atanas
Published: January 2023

There is an international consensus that reductions of CO2 emissions are needed in order to reduce global warming. So far, underground aquifer storage of CO2 is the only commercially active option, and it has been so since 1996, when STAOIL started injecting a million tons of CO2 per year into the Utsira formation. Storage of CO2 in the form of solid hydrate is another option that is safer. Injection of CO2 into CH4 hydrate-filled sediments can lead to an exchange in which the in situ CH4 hydrate dissociates and releases CH4. Two types of additives are needed, however, to make this exchange feasible. The primary objective of the first additive is related to hydrodynamics and the need to increase injection gas permeability relative to injection of pure CO2. This type of additive is typically added in amounts resulting in concentration ranges of additive in the order of tens of percentages of CO2/additive mixture. These additives will, therefore, have impact on the thermodynamic properties of the CO2 in the mixture. A second additive is added in order to reduce the blocking of pores by new hydrates created from the injection gas and free pore water. The second additive is a surfactant and is normally added in ppm amounts to the gas mixture. A typical choice for the first additive has been N2. The simple reasons for that are the substantial change in rheological properties for the injection gas mixture and a limited, but still significant, stabilization of the small cavities of structure I. There are, however, thermodynamic limitations related to adding N2 to the CO2. In this work, we discuss a systematic and consistent method for the evaluation of the feasibility of CO2 injection into CH4 hydrate-filled reservoirs. The method consists of four thermodynamic criterions derived from the first and second laws of thermodynamics. An important goal is that utilization of this method can save money in experimental planning by avoiding the design of CO2 injection mixtures that are not expected to work based on fundamental thermodynamic principles. The scheme is applied to hydrates in the Black Sea. Without compositional information and the knowledge that there is some verified H2S in some sites, we illustrate that the observed bottom hydrate stability limits are all with hydrate stability limits of hydrates containing from 0 to 3 mole% H2S. A limited number of different injection gas mixtures has been examined, and the optimum injection gas composition of 70 mole% CO2, 20 mole% N2, 5 mole% CH4, and 5 mole% C2H6 is feasible. In addition, a surfactant mixture is needed to reduce blocking hydrate films from injection gas hydrate.
Investigation on Summer Thermal Comfort and Passive Thermal Improvements in Naturally Ventilated Nepalese School Buildings
Authors: Shrestha Mishan , Rijal Hom Bahadur
Published: January 2023

Students require a comfortable thermal environment for better academic learning and health in general. In Nepal, the majority of school buildings are constructed using local materials, but little consideration is provided to the thermal environment required for comfort. Therefore, this study demonstrates the advantages of using passive design measures through a simulation that can be used either in the early stages or as a retrofit to determine how the building performs in terms of comfort and the thermal environment. First, the thermal environment of school buildings and thermal comfort of students were evaluated through field surveys. Subsequently, a simulation was performed to investigate the operative temperatures in the classroom of a school building in Kathmandu. DesignBuilder software was used to create the base model and the simulated operative temperature was validated using the measured globe temperature. Subsequently, passive strategies, such as natural ventilation, insulation, and thermal mass, were applied and analysed. The field survey showed that the indoor globe and outdoor air temperatures were correlated, and the students perceived a hotter environment and preferred a cooler environment. Within this context, the average comfort temperature was 26.9 °C. The simulation results showed that the operative temperature was reduced to below 27 °C with a maximum reduction of 3.3 °C due to the integrated design impact, which is within the comfortable limit required during school hours. This study helps to design Nepalese school buildings in a better way by considering passive design strategies during architectural design to make classrooms more thermally comfortable.
The Effect of Diluents on the Flame Structure and NO Generation Characteristics of H2/CO Micromixing Flames
Authors: Wang Wentong , Chen Dengke , Zhu Wenkun , Sun Rui
Published: January 2023

This paper uses numerical simulation to investigate the effects of diluents on the flame structure and NO generation of H2/CO micromixing flames. The results show that under the same thermal power condition, the diluents reduce the flame temperature and decrease the combustion reaction rate and flame propagation velocity. In addition, the diluents downsize the flame and force it downstream. With an increase in the diluent fraction, these trends are amplified. The NO production decreases due to the diluents, and the NO is lowest when H2O is added. When the diluents are CO2 and H2O, the NO generation is dominated by the reactants’ concentration. This results in the lowest temperature not corresponding to the lowest NO production. The diluents also reduce the sensitivity of the NO production to the temperature, and the CO2 diluent highly weakens the sensitivity.
The Relationship between Geothermal Energy Consumption, Foreign Direct Investment, and Economic Growth in Geothermal Consumer Countries: Evidence from Panel Fourier Causality Test
Authors: Zeren Feyyaz , Gülcan Nazlıgül , Gürsoy Samet , Ekşi İbrahim Halil , Tabash Mosab I. , Radulescu Magdalena
Published: January 2023

This paper investigates the relationship between geothermal energy consumption, economic growth, and foreign direct investments in countries where geothermal energy production is possible. Panel Fourier Granger causality and panel Fourier Toda–Yamamoto causality tests (2020–2021) were applied, which can take into account smooth transitional structural breaks with trigonometric functions using quarterly data for the period 2016 Q1–2020 Q3. Data were obtained from the International Energy Agency (IEA), Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), and the OECD official website. According to the results obtained based on panels, there is one-way causality from economic growth to geothermal energy and one-way causality from geothermal energy consumption to foreign direct investments. The results obtained based on individual countries indicate that one-way causality from foreign direct investment to geothermal energy consumption was found for Mexico and Portugal, and one-way causality from geothermal energy consumption to economic growth was found for Italy and Mexico. On the other hand, causality from economic growth to geothermal energy consumption was observed for Germany, Japan, and USA. No significant results were found for Turkey and New Zealand, and it is understood that the macroeconomic structures of these countries are not affected by geothermal energy. The difference in the results reveals that the application recommendations on this subject should also be different.
Influence of Phosphorus Speciation on Its Chemical Removal from Reject Water from Dewatering of Municipal Sewage Sludge
Authors: Kulbat Eliza , Czerwionka Krzysztof
Published: January 2023

The aim of the presented research was the assessment of phosphorus speciation impact on the precipitation of phosphorus in reject water using Ca(OH)2. To achieve this, phosphorus speciation (organic and inorganic phosphorus in suspension and in dissolved form) in reject water that is produced during sludge dewatering, after methane digestion in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), was determined. This study covered the materials from four WWTPs with different compositions of feedstock for anaerobic digestion (AnD). In one, the AnD process of primary and secondary sludge was carried out without co-substrate, while in three others, co-substrate (waste from the agri-food industry and external waste-activated sludge and fats from industrial plants) was examined. The investigation was conducted in batch reactors using doses of Ca(OH)2 ranging from 2500 to 5500 mg Ca/dm3. The percentage of phosphorus forms determined in the raw reject water was similar, with the dominant form being soluble reactive phosphorus (SPR) (percentage from 87 to 96%). The small differences observed were dependent on the composition of the AnD feedstock. The results showed that, in all analysed wastewater, very high (exceeding 99.9%) phosphate phosphorus removal efficiencies were obtained using Ca(OH)2 for short reaction times (t = 1 h). The efficiency of phosphate removal depended on pH but not on the forms of phosphorus in the analysed reject water.
The Influence of Distributed Generation on the Operation of the Power System, Based on the Example of PV Micro-Installations
Authors: Chamier-Gliszczynski Norbert , Trzmiel Grzegorz , Jajczyk Jarosław , Juszczak Aleksandra , Woźniak Waldemar , Wasiak Mariusz , Wojtachnik Robert , Santarek Krzysztof
Published: January 2023

This article describes the problems associated with distributed electrical power generation and the most frequent interruptions occurring in power grids. The most common methods of improving the quality of the power supply were analyzed and the possibilities offered by energy storages in this respect were considered. The operating parameters of an exemplary PV system connected to the power grid were analyzed. For this purpose, the model implemented in the Matlab/Simulink environment was used. Based on the conducted analysis and a review of the literature, conclusions were drawn and solutions were presented which could improve the quality and the reliability of power supply. The simulations conducted focused on the co-operation of individual photovoltaic, micro-installations, with rated powers of 12.2, 19.825, and 39.65 Kw in the power grid, which also corresponds to the co-operation of several, smaller micro-installations with low density.
Diminishing Active Power Loss and Improving Voltage Profile Using an Improved Pathfinder Algorithm Based on Inertia Weight
Authors: Adegoke Samson Ademola , Sun Yanxia
Published: January 2023

Part of the widely discussed problem in electrical power systems is the optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD) due to its reliability and economical operation of electrical power systems. The ORPD is a complex and nonlinear optimization problem. The pathfinder algorithm (PFA) is a newly developed algorithm that inspires the group movement of prey with a leader called a pathfinder when hunting for food. The inertia weight is added to the PFA and is called an improved pathfinder algorithm (IPFA) to support the proper random work of the swarm to avoid the decrease in searchability of the PFA. The IPFA was proposed in this work to diminish the active power loss while improving the voltage profile. The IPFA was validated on the IEEE 30 and 118 bus systems along with particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the teaching–learning-based optimizer (TLBO). The proposed IPFA provides the best result as the losses of the IEEE 30 and 118 test systems were reduced to 16.035 and 115.048 MW from the initial base of 17.89 and 132.86 MW, respectively. The losses of PSO and the TLBO were 16.1568 and 16.1607 MW for the IEEE 30 bus system, respectively, while for the IEEE 118 bus system, the PSO provided 117.9129 MW and the TLBO provided 118.0524 MW. The two test systems’ reduction percentages (%) were 10.37% and 13.41%, respectively. The results were compared with those of other algorithms in the literature, and the IPFA provided a superior result, thereby suggesting the superiority of IPFA methods in diminishing the power loss and improving the system’s voltage profile.
Insights on the Effects of Magnetic Forces on the Efficiency of Vibration Energy Harvesting Absorbers in Controlling Dynamical Systems
Authors: Alvis Tyler , Mesh Mikhail , Abdelkefi Abdessattar
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the effects of magnetic constraints on a piezoelectric energy harvesting absorber while simultaneously controlling a primary structure and harnessing energy. An accurate forcing representation of the magnetic force is investigated and developed. A reduced-order model is derived using the Euler–Lagrange principle, and the impact of the magnetic force is evaluated on the absorber’s static position and coupled natural frequency of the energy harvesting absorber and the coupled primary absorber system. The results show that attractive magnet configurations cannot improve the system substantially before pull-in occurs. A rigorous eigenvalue problem analysis is performed on the absorber’s substrate thickness and tip mass to effectively design an energy harvesting absorber for multiple initial gap sizes for the repulsive configurations. Then, the effects of the forcing amplitude on the primary structure absorber are studied and characterized by determining an effective design of the system for a simultaneous reduction in the primary structure’s motion and improvement in the harvester’s efficiency.
Designing Reconfigurable Cyber-Physical Systems Using Unified Modeling Language
Authors: Bazydło Grzegorz
Published: January 2023

Technological progress in recent years in the Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) area has given designers unprecedented possibilities and computational power, but as a consequence, the modeled CPSs are becoming increasingly complex, hierarchical, and concurrent. Therefore, new methods of CPSs design (especially using abstract modeling) are needed. The paper presents an approach to the CPS control part modeling using state machine diagrams from Unified Modelling Language (UML). The proposed design method attempts to combine the advantages of graphical notation (intuitiveness, convenience, readability) with the benefits of text specification languages (unambiguity, precision, versatility). The UML specification is transformed using Model-Driven Development (MDD) techniques into an effective program in Hardware Description Language (HDL), using Concurrent Finite State Machine (CFSM) as a temporary model. The obtained HDL specification can be analyzed, validated, synthesized, and finally implemented in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices. The dynamic, partial reconfiguration (a feature of modern FPGAs) allows for the exchange of a part of the implemented CPS algorithm without stopping the device. But to use this feature, the model must be safe, which in the proposed approach means, that it should possess special idle states, where the control is transferred during the reconfiguration process. Applying the CFSM model greatly facilitates this task. The proposed design method offers efficient graphical modeling of a control part of CPS, and automatic translation of the behavior model into a synthesizable Verilog description, which can be directly implemented in FPGA devices, and dynamically reconfigured as needed. A practical example illustrating the successive stages of the proposed method is also presented.
Developing an Integrated Energy–Economy Model Framework for Islands
Authors: Flessa Anna , Fragkiadakis Dimitris , Zisarou Eleftheria , Fragkos Panagiotis
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a new energy–economy system modelling approach, developed specifically for energy system planning in non-interconnected islands, aiming for decarbonization. Energy system planning is an essential tool to shape the energy transition to reach carbon neutrality in the medium- and long-term horizon. Islands, as small-scale energy systems, have a limited contribution to the global climate targets, but due to their geographical and natural limitations, they present the potential to become frontrunners in the clean energy transition, especially regarding the efficient use of resources. The specificities and complexities of geographical islands cannot be adequately covered by the available energy modelling tools and new advanced approaches need to be developed to provide the appropriate support in designing the future decarbonized energy systems at insular level. Our methodological approach follows the adaptation and customization of well-established energy–economy modelling tools towards the development of an integrated island-scale energy–economy system model, capturing energy demand and supply by sector, heating/cooling and mobility requirements, energy efficiency potentials and their complex interactions through energy prices, storage, flexibility services and sectoral integration. By soft-linking the energy and economy system modelling tools through the consistent exchange of model parameters and variables, we developed a fully fledged modelling framework called IntE3-ISL, designed for islands with a horizon up to 2050.
Remote Sensing Applications for Mapping Large Wildfires Based on Machine Learning and Time Series in Northwestern Portugal
Authors: dos Santos Sarah Moura Batista , Duverger Soltan Galano , Bento-Gonçalves António , Franca-Rocha Washington , Vieira António , Teixeira Georgia
Published: January 2023

Mapping large wildfires (LW) is essential for environmental applications and enhances the understanding of the dynamics of affected areas. Remote sensing techniques supported by machine learning and time series have been increasingly used in studies addressing this issue and have shown potential for this type of analysis. The main aim of this article is to develop a methodology for mapping LW in northwestern Portugal using a machine learning algorithm and time series from Landsat images. For the burnt area classification, we initially used the Fourier harmonic model to define outliers in the time series that represented pixels of possible burnt areas and, then, we applied the random forest classifier for the LW classification. The results indicate that the harmonic analysis provided estimates with the actual observed values of the NBR index; thus, the pixels classified by random forest were only those that were masked, collaborated in the processing, and reduced possible spectral confusion between targets with similar behaviour. The burnt area maps revealed that ~23.5% of the territory was burnt at least once from 2001 to 2020. The temporal variability of the burnt area indicated that, on average, 6.504 hectares were affected by LW within the 20 years. The annual burnt area varied over the years, with the minimum annual area detected in 2014 (679.5 hectares) and the maximum mapped area detected in 2005 (73,025.1 hectares). We concluded that the process of defining the mask with the outliers considerably reduced the universe of pixels to be classified within each image, which leaves the training of the classifier focused on separating the set of pixels into two groups with very similar spectral characteristics, thus contributing so that the separation of groups with similar spectral behaviour was performed automatically and without great sampling effort. The method showed satisfactory accuracy results with little omission for burnt areas.
On The Flame Behavior during Cable Insulation Material Ignited by Fault Arc: A Flame Extracting and Noise Reduction Algorithm
Authors: Wang Yalong , Li Chaoying , Liu Haidong , Lin Jin , Lu Shouxiang , Liew Kim Meow
Published: January 2023

The electric fault arc, particularly the series arc, leads to plenty of electrical fire. The limitations of t previous studies include: (1) most existing research focused on gaseous atmospheres rather than solids materials, which is contrary to the actual demand; and (2) the studied external heat sources were restricted to cone heaters and flames, while the electric arc was seldom studied. To overcome these limitations, we developed an experimental platform to investigate the flame behavior when cable insulation material was ignited by the fault arc. We proposed a flame-extracting and noise-reduction algorithm to process the enormous number of photos shot by the high-speed camera. The main obtained findings were: (1) the appropriate size of the structuring element plays an essential role in filtering the flame region in the photos, too small a size resulted in the wrong recognition of incandescent particles, while too large a size made a jagged distortion; (2) the mean flame area increased as the system load grew; (3) The flame size became more prominent, and the flame appeared more frequently in specific locations when the system load increased. The in-depth understanding of flame behavior provided by this work will help to optimize the design of electric systems and disaster prevention reduction.
Surface Mechanical Effects of Wildfires on Rocks in Climbing Areas
Authors: Yeste-Lizán Pablo , Gomez-Heras Miguel , García-Rodríguez Manuel , Pérez-López Raúl , Carcavilla Luis , Ortega-Becerril Jose A.
Published: January 2023

Wildfires are widely recognized as a cause of mechanical damage to rocks. Nevertheless, previous research has neglected how wildfires might impact sport climbing areas. In Spain, two large wildfires affected two climbing areas between 2020 and 2021. This paper addresses the rock mechanical effects of wildfires that could lead to safety issues, such as rock falls, climbing hold deterioration, and climbing anchor damage. In this study, the Non-Destructive Techniques (NDTs) of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) and Schmidt Hammer (SH) were used, and two types of measurements were carried out: randomized grid measurements and measurements along the climbing routes. Two phenomena were recognized: (a) thermal breakdown and (b) mineralogical changes. The results of using the SH show a relationship between the decrease in the rebound value and the observed mechanical damage. Field observations showed mechanical weathering, such as cracking, spalling, granular disaggregation, and thermochemical weathering with different temperature thresholds. Observed thermochemical reactions included reddening, CaCO3 calcination, rock decomposition, and quartz cracking. The set of changes involves a major rock outcrop transformation and an acceleration of fire-induced weathering processes. Both areas exhibited more effects at the bottom of the wall. Furthermore, in this paper, we explore how iconic climbing routes can be considered a form of cultural heritage and the consequences of their loss.
Fire Risk Assessment of Heritage Villages: A Case Study on Chengkan Village in China
Authors: Wu Yunfa , Chen Sarula , Wang Dongzhe , Zhang Qiang
Published: January 2023

Fire risk assessment is important in heritage-village risk management and cultural relics protection. This study aims to establish a fire risk assessment system and model to assess fire safety for heritage villages. Given the complexity and openness of the heritage village system, the nonlinearity of the driving factors, and the dual attributes of residence and tourism, this paper constructs an index system of three aspects: cultural relic value sensitivity, village fire hazard, and evacuation accessibility. Based on ANP and the Bayes algorithm, a hybrid intelligent model is developed, and the index is weighted by combining subjective expert scoring and objective fact statistics. Finally, ArcGIS buffer and network analysis functions are used for grid processing to quantify and evaluate the difference in fire risk distribution in spatial units of heritage villages. We apply this assessment method to Chengkan Village, a national critical cultural relic protection unit. The results reveal that the cluster settlement layout pattern of the ancestral temple buildings plays a decisive role in the fire risk distribution in Chengkan Village; furthermore, the main factors leading to fire risk were analyzed. In Chengkan Village’s core area, the focus of the local government should be on strengthening active fire prevention measures to reduce the probability of fire. In contrast, in the northern and southern areas, it should focus on enhancing passive fire prevention measures to reduce the possibility of significant fires.
The Threshold Effect of Overfishing on Global Fishery Outputs: International Evidence from a Sustainable Fishery Perspective
Authors: Pham Ca-Van , Wang Hui-Cheng , Chen Sheng-Hung , Lee Jie-Min
Published: January 2023

Using global fishery outputs from 62 countries during the period 2001–2020, this study applies the threshold panel data model of Hansen (2000) to empirically explore the nonlinear relations between the number of fishing vessels, fishers, and fishery production, with distinct overfishing stocks (overfishing) and fish caught by trawling or dredging techniques (trawling) as the threshold variables. Our findings show that the levels of fishery outputs could be increased by different combinations of primary factors, such as the number of fishing vessels and fishers. More specifically, when the number of fishing vessels and fishermen operating in countries with a high ratio of overfishing (overfishing > 4.4456) increased, their fishery outputs significantly increased as compared with countries with a low percentage of overfishing. As overfishing activities increase, they can result in significant shortages and imbalances of fishery resources, directly influencing fish biomass, biodiversity, and sustainability of fisheries, as well as making destructive fishing practices worse for marine ecosystems. Countries with a relatively high proportion of trawler net usage (trawling > 4.5516) would have significantly lower fishery outputs, as more fishing vessels are invested in them, compared with countries with a low proportion of trawling net use. This implies that trawler net usage is a non-sustainable fishing technique and harms fishery resources. The policy implications of this study indicate that taxing overfished species and implementing trawling regulations could significantly improve species richness and site-based abundance, thus helping to sustain fishery outputs.