bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extent of Resection in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: Impact of a Specialized Neuro-Oncology Care Center
Authors: Haj Amer , Doenitz Christian , Schebesch Karl-Michael , Ehrensberger Denise , Hau Peter , Putnik Kurt , Riemenschneider Markus , Wendl Christina , Gerken Michael , Pukrop Tobias , Brawanski Alexander , Proescholdt Martin
Published: December 2017

Treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) consists of microsurgical resection followed by concomitant radiochemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. The best outcome regarding progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) is achieved by maximal resection. The foundation of a specialized neuro-oncology care center (NOC) has enabled the implementation of a large technical portfolio including functional imaging, awake craniotomy, PET scanning, fluorescence-guided resection, and integrated postsurgical therapy. This study analyzed whether the technically improved neurosurgical treatment structure yields a higher rate of complete resection, thus ultimately improving patient outcome. Patients and methods: The study included 149 patients treated surgically for newly diagnosed GBM. The neurological performance score (NPS) and the Karnofsky performance score (KPS) were measured before and after resection. The extent of resection (EOR) was volumetrically quantified. Patients were stratified into two subcohorts: treated before (A) and after (B) the foundation of the Regensburg NOC. The EOR and the PFS and OS were evaluated. Results: Prognostic factors for PFS and OS were age, preoperative KPS, O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation status and EOR. Patients with volumetrically defined complete resection had significantly better PFS (9.4 vs. 7.8 months; p = 0.042) and OS (18.4 vs. 14.5 months; p = 0.005) than patients with incomplete resection. The frequency of transient or permanent postoperative neurological deficits was not higher after complete resection in both subcohorts. The frequency of complete resection was significantly higher in subcohort B than in subcohort A (68.2% vs. 34.8%; p = 0.007). Accordingly, subcohort B showed significantly longer PFS (8.6 vs. 7.5 months; p = 0.010) and OS (18.7 vs. 12.4 months; p = 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed complete resection, age, preoperative KPS, and MGMT promoter status as independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Our data show a higher frequency of complete resection in patients with GBM after the establishment of a series of technical developments that resulted in significantly better PFS and OS without increasing surgery-related morbidity.
Contributing to Overall Life Satisfaction: Personality Traits Versus Life Satisfaction Variables Revisited—Is Replication Impossible?
Authors: Lachmann Bernd , Sariyska Rayna , Kannen Christopher , Błaszkiewicz Konrad , Trendafilov Boris , Andone Ionut , Eibes Mark , Markowetz Alexander , Li Mei , Kendrick Keith , Montag Christian
Published: December 2017

Virtually everybody would agree that life satisfaction is of immense importance in everyday life. Thus, it is not surprising that a considerable amount of research using many different methodological approaches has investigated what the best predictors of life satisfaction are. In the present study, we have focused on several key potential influences on life satisfaction including bottom-up and top-down models, cross-cultural effects, and demographic variables. In four independent (large scale) surveys with sample sizes ranging from N = 488 to 40,297, we examined the associations between life satisfaction and various related variables. Our findings demonstrate that prediction of overall life satisfaction works best when including information about specific life satisfaction variables. From this perspective, satisfaction with leisure showed the highest impact on overall life satisfaction in our European samples. Personality was also robustly associated with life satisfaction, but only when life satisfaction variables were not included in the regression model. These findings could be replicated in all four independent samples, but it was also demonstrated that the relevance of life satisfaction variables changed under the influence of cross-cultural effects.
Effect of Surface Modifications of Recycled Concrete Aggregate on Concrete Properties
Authors: Junak Jozef , Sicakova Alena
Published: December 2017

The experiment aims to test the specific way of producing concrete with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). To reduce its negative impact on the concrete properties, two different ways of treatment of the RCA with geopolymer slurry were applied—coating during the mixing using the specific mixing approach and coating prior to the mixing of concrete. As control samples, a mixture prepared by natural aggregate only and a mixture with RCA that was prepared by standard mixing with no coating process were tested as well. The results of density, total water absorption, and compressive strength in periods of 28, 90, 180, and 365 days of curing are presented and evaluated. Both methods of coating of the RCA with geopolymer slurry allow for the preparation of concrete with properties comparable to those of normal concrete (prepared by standard mixing with natural aggregate); thus, it seems to be a promising way to enhance the rate of RCA application. The positive effect of coating is clearly visible after a longer period of curing (180 days). When comparing the methods of RCA coating, coating directly during the mixing yields somewhat better results; it is also positive from the technological point of view, since the process is simpler in practice.
Olefins from Biomass Intermediates: A Review
Authors: Zacharopoulou Vasiliki , Lemonidou Angeliki
Published: December 2017

Over the last decade, increasing demand for olefins and their valuable products has prompted research on novel processes and technologies for their selective production. As olefins are predominately dependent on fossil resources, their production is limited by the finite reserves and the associated economic and environmental concerns. The need for alternative routes for olefin production is imperative in order to meet the exceedingly high demand, worldwide. Biomass is considered a promising alternative feedstock that can be converted into the valuable olefins, among other chemicals and fuels. Through processes such as fermentation, gasification, cracking and deoxygenation, biomass derivatives can be effectively converted into C2–C4 olefins. This short review focuses on the conversion of biomass-derived oxygenates into the most valuable olefins, e.g., ethylene, propylene, and butadiene.
Influence of the Sodium Impregnation Solvent on the Deactivation of Cu/FER-Exchanged Zeolites Dedicated to the SCR of NOx with NH3
Authors: Tarot Marie-Laure , Barreau Mathias , Duprez Daniel , Lauga Vincent , Iojoiu Eduard , Courtois Xavier , Can Fabien
Published: December 2017

The effect of the sodium addition mode was investigated on model Cu/FER selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts with two copper loadings (2.8 wt. % and 6.1 wt. %) in order to compare samples with or without over-exchanged copper. Na was added by wet-impregnation using two solvents: water or ethanol. Catalysts were evaluated in Standard and Fast-SCR conditions, as well as in NO and NH3 oxidation. They were characterized by H2-TPR, NO and NH3 adsorption monitored by FT-IR. As expected, whatever the copper loading, ammonia adsorption capacity was decreased by Na additions. Interestingly, characterizations also showed that Na impregnation in water favors the migration of the Cu-exchanged species, leading to the formation of CuO extra-framework compounds. Consequently, for both copper loadings, Na impregnation in water led to a stronger catalyst deactivation than impregnation in ethanol. Finally, the NOx conversion at low temperature (250 °C) appeared mainly affected by the loss in NH3 adsorption capacity whereas the deNOx deactivation at high temperature (500 °C) was rather governed by the decrease in the exchanged copper ratio, which also induced a partial inhibition of NO and NH3 oxidation behaviors.
Biosynthesis of Medium- to Long-Chain α,ω-Diols from Free Fatty Acids Using CYP153A Monooxygenase, Carboxylic Acid Reductase, and E. coli Endogenous Aldehyde Reductases
Authors: Ahsan Md Murshidul , Sung Sihyong , Jeon Hyunwoo , Patil Mahesh D. , Chung Taeowan , Yun Hyungdon
Published: December 2017

α,ω-Diols are important monomers widely used for the production of polyesters and polyurethanes. Here, biosynthesis of α,ω-diols (C8–C16) from renewable free fatty acids using CYP153A monooxygenase, carboxylic acid reductase, and E. coli endogenous aldehyde reductases is reported. The highest yield of α,ω-diol was achieved for the production of 1,12-dodecanediol. In the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) cofactor regeneration system, 5 g/L of 1,12-dodecanediol was synthesized in 24 h reaction from the commercial ω-hydroxy dodecanoic acid. Finally, 1.4 g/L 1,12-dodecanediol was produced in a consecutive approach from dodecanoic acids. The results of this study demonstrated the scope of the potential development of bioprocesses to substitute the petroleum-based products in the polymer industry.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Low Temperature Methane Steam Reforming for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Khzouz Martin , Gkanas Evangelos I.
Published: December 2017

Low temperature methane steam reforming for hydrogen production, using experimental developed Ni/Al2O3 catalysts is studied both experimentally and numerically. The catalytic activity measurements were performed at a temperature range of 500–700 °C with steam to carbon ratio (S/C) of 2 and 3 under atmospheric pressure conditions. A mathematical analysis to evaluate the reaction feasibility at all different conditions that have been applied by using chemical equilibrium with applications (CEA) software and in addition, a mathematical model focused on the kinetics and the thermodynamics of the reforming reaction is introduced and applied using a commercial finite element analysis software (COMSOL Multiphysics 5.0). The experimental results were employed to validate the extracted simulation data based on the yields of the produced H2, CO2 and CO at different temperatures. A maximum hydrogen yield of 2.7 mol/mol-CH4 is achieved at 700 °C and S/C of 2 and 3. The stability of the 10%Ni/Al2O3 catalyst shows that the catalyst is prone to deactivation as supported by Thermogravimetric Analysis TGA results.
Intra- and Intercellular Quality Control Mechanisms of Mitochondria
Authors: Kiriyama Yoshimitsu , Nochi Hiromi
Published: December 2017

Mitochondria function to generate ATP and also play important roles in cellular homeostasis, signaling, apoptosis, autophagy, and metabolism. The loss of mitochondrial function results in cell death and various types of diseases. Therefore, quality control of mitochondria via intra- and intercellular pathways is crucial. Intracellular quality control consists of biogenesis, fusion and fission, and degradation of mitochondria in the cell, whereas intercellular quality control involves tunneling nanotubes and extracellular vesicles. In this review, we outline the current knowledge on the intra- and intercellular quality control mechanisms of mitochondria.
Devices for Ambulatory Monitoring of Sleep-Associated Disorders in Children with Neurological Diseases
Authors: Ulate-Campos Adriana , Tsuboyama Melissa , Loddenkemper Tobias
Published: December 2017

Good sleep quality is essential for a child’s wellbeing. Early sleep problems have been linked to the later development of emotional and behavioral disorders and can negatively impact the quality of life of the child and his or her family. Sleep-associated conditions are frequent in the pediatric population, and even more so in children with neurological problems. Monitoring devices can help to better characterize sleep efficiency and sleep quality. They can also be helpful to better characterize paroxysmal nocturnal events and differentiate between nocturnal seizures, parasomnias, and obstructive sleep apnea, each of which has a different management. Overnight ambulatory detection devices allow for a tolerable, low cost, objective assessment of sleep quality in the patient’s natural environment. They can also be used as a notification system to allow for rapid recognition and prompt intervention of events like seizures. Optimal monitoring devices will be patient- and diagnosis-specific, but may include a combination of modalities such as ambulatory electroencephalograms, actigraphy, and pulse oximetry. We will summarize the current literature on ambulatory sleep devices for detecting sleep disorders in children with neurological diseases.
Effects of Negative Bias Voltage and Ratio of Nitrogen and Argon on the Structure and Properties of NbN Coatings Deposited by HiPIMS Deposition System
Authors: Ding Jicheng , Zhang Tengfei , Mei Haijuan , Yun Je , Jeong Seong , Wang Qimin , Kim Kwang
Published: December 2017

The NbNx>1 coatings were deposited on Si wafer and SUS 304 stainless steel substrates by a high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) system at various bias voltages and the ratios of nitrogen and argon (N2/Ar). By virtue of electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and nano indentation test, the relationships between deposition parameters and coatings properties were examined in detail. These coatings show a strong preferred orientation of (200) plane at free bias voltage. With increasing bias voltage, the intensity of (200) plane peak became weaker and the full width at half maximum of peaks ((200) and (111) peaks) became broader, implying the crystalline grain size were decreased. The (200) plane almost is disappeared at −150 V bias voltage and the phase transition maintains the same change tendency with the increase of N2/Ar gas ratio. The coating microstructure gradually evolved from coarse columnar to dense columnar, and then to compact featureless structure with increase of the bias voltage, corresponding to the decreased surface roughness. The columnar structure of coatings is unrelated to N2/Ar gas ratio and the thickness is minimum at high N2/Ar ratio, which is attributed to the poor sputtering capability of nitrogen compared with argon instead of target poisonous effect. The higher hardness (H) and elastic recovery value are obtained for NbNx>1 (H = 31.3 GPa and We = 69.2%) at −150 V bias voltage, suggesting considerable influence of bias voltage on hardness than that of the N2/Ar gas ratio.
Macroalgae-Derived Ingredients for Cosmetic Industry—An Update
Authors: Pimentel Filipa , Alves Rita , Rodrigues Francisca , P. P. Oliveira M.
Published: December 2017

Aging is a natural and progressive declining physiological process that is influenced by multifactorial aspects and affects individuals’ health in very different ways. The skin is one of the major organs in which aging is more evident, as it progressively loses some of its natural functions. With the new societal paradigms regarding youth and beauty have emerged new concerns about appearance, encouraging millions of consumers to use cosmetic/personal care products as part of their daily routine. Hence, cosmetics have become a global and highly competitive market in a constant state of evolution. This industry is highly committed to finding natural sources of functional/bioactive-rich compounds, preferably from sustainable and cheap raw materials, to deliver innovative products and solutions that meet consumers’ expectations. Macroalgae are an excellent example of a natural resource that can fit these requirements. The incorporation of macroalgae-derived ingredients in cosmetics has been growing, as more and more scientific evidence reports their skin health-promoting effects. This review provides an overview on the possible applications of macroalgae as active ingredients for the cosmetic field, highlighting the main compounds responsible for their bioactivity on skin.
Solvent Dependent Disorder in M2(BzOip)2(H2O)·Solvate (M = Co or Zn)
Authors: McCormick Laura , Morris Samuel , Teat Simon , Slawin Alexandra , Morris Russell
Published: December 2017

Coordination polymers derived from 5-benzyloxy isophthalic acid (H2BzOip) are rare, with only three reported that do not contain additional bridging ligands, of which two M2(BzOip)2(H2O) (M = Co and Zn) are isomorphous. It was hoped that by varying the solvent system in a reaction between H2BzOip and M(OAc)2 (M = Co and Zn), from water to a water/alcohol mixture, coordination polymers of different topology could be formed. Instead, two polymorphs of the existing M2(BzOip)2(H2O) (M = Co and Zn) were isolated from aqueous methanol and aqueous ethanol, in which a small number of guest solvent molecules are present in the crystals. These guest water molecules disrupt the hexaphenyl embrace motif, leading to varying degrees of disorder of the benzyl groups.
Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of New Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on Zinc(II) Ions and 2,5-Thiophendicarboxylate Ligands
Authors: Lysova Anna , Samsonenko Denis , Dybtsev Danil , Fedin Vladimir
Published: December 2017

Six new metal-organic frameworks based on 2,5-thiophendicarboxylate (tdc2–) and zinc(II) ions were prepared in different reaction conditions, and their crystal structures were determined by XRD analysis. The compound [Zn(tdc)(dabco)(H2O)]∙DMF (1) is based on mononuclear Zn(II) ions connected by tdc2– and dabco linkers into square-grid layered nets. The compound [Zn3(tdc)3(dabco)2] (2) is a rare example of monocoordinated dabco ligands in the metal-organic framework chemistry. Its crystal structure contains trinuclear linear carboxylate building units, connected into a distorted primitive cubic net. Similar trinuclear units were also found in [Zn5(tdc)4(Htdc)2(dabco)2]∙4DMF∙14H2O (3), although as a part of more complicated pentanuclear motives. The compound [Na2Zn(tdc)2(DMF)2] (4), quantitatively isolated by the addition of NaOH to the mixture of Zn(NO3)2 and H2tdc, is based on 1D chain motives, interconnected by tdc2– linkers into a three-dimensional framework. The compounds [Zn3(tdc)3(DMF)2]∙0.8DMF∙1.1H2O (5) and [Zn3(tdc)3(DMF)3]∙0.8DMF∙1.3H2O (6) were prepared in very similar reaction conditions, but with different times of heating, indirectly indicating higher thermodynamic stability of the three-dimensional metal-organic framework 6, compared to the two-dimensional metal-organic framework 5. The crystal structures of both 5 and 6 are based on the same trinuclear linear units as in 2. Luminescence properties of the compounds 4–6 were studied and compared with those for Na2tdc salt. In particular, the luminescence spectra of 4 practically coincide with those for the reference Na2tdc, while 5 and 6 exhibit coherent shifts of peaks to higher energies. Such hypsochromic shifts are likely associated with a different effective charge on the tdc2– anions in Na2tdc and sodium-containing 4, compared to zinc-based 5 and 6.
Van der Waals Heterostructure Based Field Effect Transistor Application
Authors: Li Jingyu , Chen Xiaozhang , Zhang David , Zhou Peng
Published: December 2017

Van der Waals heterostructure is formed by two-dimensional materials, which applications have become hot topics and received intensive exploration for fabricating without lattice mismatch. With the sustained decrease in dimensions of field effect transistors, van der Waals heterostructure plays an important role in improving the performance of devices because of its prominent electronic and optoelectronic behavior. In this review, we discuss the process of assembling van der Waals heterostructures and thoroughly illustrate the applications based on van der Waals heterostructures. We also present recent innovation in field effect transistors and van der Waals stacks, and offer an outlook of the development in improving the performance of devices based on van der Waals heterostructures.
Nanoindentation-Induced Pile-Up in the Residual Impression of Crystalline Cu with Different Grain Size
Authors: Hu Jiangjiang , Zhang Yusheng , Sun Weiming , Zhang Taihua
Published: December 2017

Nanoindentation morphologies of crystalline copper have been probed at the grain scale. Experimental tests have been conducted on nanocrystalline (NC), ultrafine-grained (UFG), and coarse-grained (CG) copper samples with a new Berkvoich indenter at the strain rate of 0.04/s without holding time at an indentation depth of 2000 nm at room temperature. As the grain size increases, the height of the pile-up around the residual indentation increases and then exhibits a slightly decrease in the CG Cu. The maximum of the pile-up in the CG Cu obviously deviates from the center of the indenter sides. Our analysis has revealed that the dislocation motion and GB activities in the NC Cu, some cross- and multiple-slip dislocations inside the larger grain in the UFG Cu, and forest dislocations from the intragranular Frank-Read sources in the CG Cu would directly induce this distinct pile-up effect.
Demand Response Design of Domestic Heat Pumps
Authors: Al Essa Mohammed
Published: December 2017

This paper proposes an emergency-based demand response (DR) controller of domestic heat pump (DHP) units based on an estimated frequency of the UK electricity in 2035. The normal pattern of DHP demand is adjusted to maintain system frequency within its limit using a linear model of power and temperature inside low-carbon houses, while considering consumer comfort. Simulation results show that the proposed DR design of static/dynamic frequency-controlled DHPs will increase the amount of power reserve by 75% and the amount of electricity market by 70%, as compared to their values of the current frequency response by flexible loads.
UAVs in Context: Archaeological Airborne Recording in a National Body of Survey and Record
Authors: Cowley David , Moriarty Charles , Geddes George , Brown Georgina , Wade Tom , Nichol Caroline
Published: December 2017

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is the lead public body which investigates, promotes and cares for the historic environment in Scotland. It undertakes a range of archaeological airborne work from detailed documentation of individual sites to extensive national programmes of prospection. In undertaking this work HES draws on a variety of aerial platforms to collect imagery, including light aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV—used throughout this paper as an umbrella term). In all cases, the archaeological questions at hand are the key driver for choice of methodology and platforms, recognising that different types of survey and documentation demand different responses. Differing strands of aerial work will be briefly described, followed by short case studies that illustrate the range of our activities, concluding with thoughts on the context of UAV work for archaeological applications.
State Estimation for General Complex Dynamical Networks with Incompletely Measured Information
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Jiang Guo-Ping , Wu Xu
Published: December 2017

Estimating uncertain state variables of a general complex dynamical network with randomly incomplete measurements of transmitted output variables is investigated in this paper. The incomplete measurements, occurring randomly through the transmission of output variables, always cause the failure of the state estimation process. Different from the existing methods, we propose a novel method to handle the incomplete measurements, which can perform well to balance the excessively deviated estimators under the influence of incomplete measurements. In particular, the proposed method has no special limitation on the node dynamics compared with many existing methods. By employing the Lyapunov stability theory along with the stochastic analysis method, sufficient criteria are deduced rigorously to ensure obtaining the proper estimator gains with known model parameters. Illustrative simulation for the complex dynamical network composed of chaotic nodes are given to show the validity and efficiency of the proposed method.
Entropy Measures as Geometrical Tools in the Study of Cosmology
Authors: Weinstein Gilbert , Strauss Yosef , Bondarenko Sergey , Yahalom Asher , Lewkowicz Meir , Horwitz Lawrence , Levitan Jacob
Published: December 2017

Classical chaos is often characterized as exponential divergence of nearby trajectories. In many interesting cases these trajectories can be identified with geodesic curves. We define here the entropy by S = ln χ ( x ) with χ ( x ) being the distance between two nearby geodesics. We derive an equation for the entropy, which by transformation to a Riccati-type equation becomes similar to the Jacobi equation. We further show that the geodesic equation for a null geodesic in a double-warped spacetime leads to the same entropy equation. By applying a Robertson–Walker metric for a flat three-dimensional Euclidean space expanding as a function of time, we again reach the entropy equation stressing the connection between the chosen entropy measure and time. We finally turn to the Raychaudhuri equation for expansion, which also is a Riccati equation similar to the transformed entropy equation. Those Riccati-type equations have solutions of the same form as the Jacobi equation. The Raychaudhuri equation can be transformed to a harmonic oscillator equation, and it has been shown that the geodesic deviation equation of Jacobi is essentially equivalent to that of a harmonic oscillator. The Raychaudhuri equations are strong geometrical tools in the study of general relativity and cosmology. We suggest a refined entropy measure applicable in cosmology and defined by the average deviation of the geodesics in a congruence.
A Novel Method for Multi-Fault Feature Extraction of a Gearbox under Strong Background Noise
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Wang Junyuan , Zhao Zhifang , Wang Rijun
Published: December 2017

Strong background noise and complicated interfering signatures when implementing vibration-based monitoring make it difficult to extract the weak diagnostic features due to incipient faults in a multistage gearbox. This can be more challenging when multiple faults coexist. This paper proposes an effective approach to extract multi-fault features of a wind turbine gearbox based on an integration of minimum entropy deconvolution (MED) and multipoint optimal minimum entropy deconvolution adjusted (MOMEDA). By using simulated periodic transient signals with different noise to signal ratios (SNR), it evaluates the outstanding performance of MED in noise suppression and reveals the deficient in extract multiple impulses. On the other hand, MOMEDA can performs better in extracting multiple pulses but not robust to noise influences. To compromise the merits of them, therefore the diagnostic approach is formalized by extracting the multiple weak features with MOMEDA based on the MED denoised signals. Experimental verification based on vibrations from a wind turbine gearbox test bed shows that the approach allows successful identification of multiple faults occurring simultaneously on the shaft and bearing in the high speed transmission stage of the gearbox.
Impact of Thermal Pretreatment Temperatures on Woody Biomass Chemical Composition, Physical Properties and Microstructure
Authors: Wang Ping , Howard Bret
Published: December 2017

Thermal pretreatment of biomass by torrefaction and low temperature pyrolysis has the potential for generating high quality and more suitable fuels. To utilize a model to describe the complex and dynamic changes taking place during these two treatments for process design, optimization and scale-up, detailed data is needed on the property evolution during treatment of well-defined individual biomass particles. The objectives of this study are to investigate the influence of thermal pretreatment temperatures on wood biomass biochemical compositions, physical properties and microstructure. Wild cherry wood was selected as a model biomass and prepared for this study. The well-defined wood particle samples were consecutively heated at 220, 260, 300, 350, 450 and 550 °C for 0.5 h under nitrogen. Untreated and treated samples were characterized for biochemical composition changes (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), physical properties (color, dimensions, weight, density and grindablity), chemical property (proximate analysis and heating value) and microstructural changes by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hemicellulose was mostly decomposed in the samples treated at 260 and 300 °C and resulted in the cell walls weakening resulting in improved grindability. The dimensions of the wood were reduced in all directions and shrinkage increased with increased treatment temperature and weight loss. With increased treatment temperature, losses of weight and volume increased and bulk density decreased. The low temperature pyrolyzed wood samples improved solid fuel property with high fuel ratio, which are close to lignite/bituminous coal. Morphology of the wood remained intact through the treatment range but the cell walls were thinner. These results will improve the understanding of the property changes of the biomass during pretreatment and will help to develop models for process simulation and potential application of the treated biomass.
Control of Variable Speed Wind Turbines with Doubly Fed Asynchronous Generators for Stand-Alone Applications
Authors: Arnaltes Santiago , Rodriguez-Amenedo Jose , Montilla-DJesus Miguel
Published: December 2017

This paper addresses the design and implementation of a novel control of a variable speed wind turbine with doubly fed induction generator for stand-alone applications. In opposition to grid-tied applications, in stand-alone systems the voltage and frequency must be generated by the doubly fed induction generator. Therefore, a voltage and frequency controller is required for supplying the load at constant voltage and frequency. This controller is implemented by orientation of the generator stator flux vector along a synchronous reference axis. In this way, constant voltage and frequency is obtained and the generator will supply the active and reactive power demanded by the load, while the wind turbine will be responsible for achieving power balance in the system. Then, power control is assumed by the pitch actuator controlling the rotational speed of the wind turbine for power balancing. A load shedding mechanism is needed if the load power exceeds the maximum available wind power. Detailed simulation results are presented and discussed to demonstrate the capabilities and contributions of the proposed control scheme.
Simulation and Empirical Studies of the Commercial SI Engine Performance and Its Emission Levels When Running on a CNG and Hydrogen Blend
Authors: Saaidia Rafaa , Jemni Mohamed , Abid Mohamed
Published: December 2017

This article is a report on a simulation based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and an empirical investigation of in-cylinder flow characteristics, In addition, it assesses the performance and emission levels of a commercial-spark ignited engine running on a CNG and Hydrogen blend in different ratios. The main objective was to determine the optimum hydrogen ratio that would yield the best brake torque and release the least polluting gases. The in-cylinder flow velocity and turbulence aspects were investigated during the intake stroke in order to analyze the intake flow behavior. To reach this goal, a 3D CFD code was adopted. For various engine speeds were investigated for gasoline, CNG and hydrogen and CNG blend (HCNG) fueled engines via external mixtures. The variation of brake torque (BT), NOX and CO emissions. A series of tests were conducted on the engine within the speed range of 1000 to 5000 rpm. For this purpose, a commercial Hyundai Sonata S.I engine was modified to operate with a blend of CNG and Hydrogen in different ratios. The experiments attempted to determine the optimum allowable hydrogen ratio with CNG for normal engine operation. The engine performance and the emission levels were also analyzed. At the engine speed of 4200 rpm, the results revealed that beyond a ratio of 50% of the volume of hydrogen added to CNG a backfire phenomenon appeared. Below this ratio (0~40%) of the hydrogen volume, the CNG and Hydrogen blend seemed to be beneficial for the engine performance and for curtailing the emission level. However, at low engine speeds, the NOX concentration increased simultaneously with hydrogen content. In contrast, at high engine speeds, the NOX concentration decreased to its lowest level compared to that reached with gasoline as a running fuel. The concentration levels of HC, CO2, and CO decreased with the increase of hydrogen percentage.
Statistics to Detect Low-Intensity Anomalies in PV Systems
Authors: Vergura Silvano , Carpentieri Mario
Published: December 2017

The aim of this paper is the monitoring of the energy performance of Photovoltaic (PV) plants in order to detect the presence of low-intensity anomalies, before they become failures or faults. The approach is based on several statistical tools, which are applied iteratively as the data are acquired. At every loop, new data are added to the previous ones, and a proposed procedure is applied to the new dataset, therefore the analysis is carried out on cumulative data. In this way, it is possible to track some specific parameters and to monitor that identical arrays in the same operating conditions produce the same energy. The procedure is based on parametric (ANOVA) and non-parametric tests, and results effective in locating anomalies. Three cumulative case studies, based on a real operating PV plant, are analyzed.
Calibration of Mine Ventilation Network Models Using the Non-Linear Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Xu Guang , Huang Jinxin , Nie Baisheng , Chalmers Duncan , Yang Zhuoming
Published: December 2017

Effective ventilation planning is vital to underground mining. To ensure stable operation of the ventilation system and to avoid airflow disorder, mine ventilation network (MVN) models have been widely used in simulating and optimizing the mine ventilation system. However, one of the challenges for MVN model simulation is that the simulated airflow distribution results do not match the measured data. To solve this problem, a simple and effective calibration method is proposed based on the non-linear optimization algorithm. The calibrated model not only makes simulated airflow distribution results in accordance with the on-site measured data, but also controls the errors of other parameters within a minimum range. The proposed method was then applied to calibrate an MVN model in a real case, which is built based on ventilation survey results and Ventsim software. Finally, airflow simulation experiments are carried out respectively using data before and after calibration, whose results were compared and analyzed. This showed that the simulated airflows in the calibrated model agreed much better to the ventilation survey data, which verifies the effectiveness of calibrating method.
A Novel High Accuracy PV Cell Model Including Self Heating and Parameter Variation
Authors: Gontean Aurel , Lica Septimiu , Bularka Szilard , Szabo Roland , Lascu Dan
Published: December 2017

This paper proposes a novel model for a PV cell with parameters variance dependency on temperature and irradiance included. The model relies on commercial available data, calculates the cell parameters for standard conditions and then extrapolates them for the whole operating range. An up-to-date review of the PV modeling is also included with series and parallel parasitic resistance values and dependencies discussed. The parameters variance is analyzed and included in the proposed PV model, where the self-heating phenomenon is also considered. Each parameter variance is compared to the results from different authors. The model includes only standard components and can be run on any SPICE-based simulator. Unlike other approaches that consider the internal temperature as a parameter, our proposal relies on air temperature as an input and computes the actual internal temperature accordingly. Finally, the model is validated via experiments and comparisons to similar approaches are provided.
Evaluation of the Internal and Borehole Resistances during Thermal Response Tests and Impact on Ground Heat Exchanger Design
Authors: Lamarche Louis , Raymond Jasmin , Koubikana Pambou Claude
Published: December 2017

The main parameters evaluated with a conventional thermal response test (TRT) are the subsurface thermal conductivity surrounding the borehole and the effective borehole thermal resistance, when averaging the inlet and outlet temperature of a ground heat exchanger with the arithmetic mean. This effective resistance depends on two resistances: the 2D borehole resistance (Rb) and the 2D internal resistance (Ra) which is associated to the short-circuit effect between pipes in the borehole. This paper presents a field method to evaluate these two components separately. Two approaches are proposed. In the first case, the temperature at the bottom of the borehole is measured at the same time as the inlet and outlet temperatures as done in a conventional TRT. In the second case, different flow rates are used during the experiment to infer the internal resistance. Both approaches assumed a predefined temperature profile inside the borehole. The methods were applied to real experimental tests and compared with numerical simulations. Interesting results were found by comparison with theoretical resistances calculated with the multipole method. The motivation for this work is evidenced by analyzing the impact of the internal resistance on a typical geothermal system design. It is shown to be important to know both resistance components to predict the variation of the effective resistance when the flow rate and the height of the boreholes are changed during the design process.
A Transient Analytical Model for Predicting Wellbore/Reservoir Temperature and Stresses during Drilling with Fluid Circulation
Authors: Wu Bisheng , Liu Tianle , Zhang Xi , Wu Bailin , Jeffrey Robert , Bunger Andrew
Published: December 2017

Accurate characterization of heat transfer in a wellbore during drilling, which includes fluid circulation, is important for wellbore stability analysis. In this work, a pseudo-3D model is developed to simultaneously calculate the heat exchange between the flowing fluid and the surrounding media (drill pipe and rock formation) and the in-plane thermoelastic stresses. The cold drilling fluid descends through the drill pipe at constant injection rates and returns to the ground surface via the annulus. The fluid circulation will decrease the wellbore bottom temperature and reduce the near-wellbore high compressive stress, potentially leading to tensile fracturing of the well. The governing equations for the coupled heat transfer stress problem are formulated to ensure that the most important parameters are taken into account. The wellbore is subject to a non-hydrostatic in situ far-field stress field. In modeling heat exchange between fluid and surrounding media, the heat transfer coefficients are dependent on fluid properties and flow behavior. Analytical solutions in the Laplace space are obtained for the temperatures of the fluid in both the drill pipe and annulus and for the temperature and stress changes in the formation. The numerical results in the time domain are obtained by using an efficient inversion approach. In particular, the near-well stresses are compared for the cases with fixed and time-dependent cooling wellbore conditions. This comparison indicates that the using a fixed temperature wellbore conditions may over-estimate or under-estimate the bottom-hole stress change, potentially leading to wellbore stability problems.
Simultaneous Provision of Flexible Ramping Product and Demand Relief by Interruptible Loads Considering Economic Incentives
Authors: Hu Jiahua , Wen Fushuan , Wang Ke , Huang Yuchun , Salam Md.
Published: December 2017

To cope with the net load variability in real time, sufficient ramp capability from controllable resources is required. To address the issue of insufficient ramp capacity in real time operations, flexible ramping products (FRPs) have been adopted by some Independent System Operators (ISOs) in the USA as a new market design. The inherent variability and uncertainty caused by renewable energy sources (RESs) call for new FRP providers apart from conventional generating units. The so-called interruptible load (IL) has proved to be useful in maintaining the supply-demand balance by providing demand relief and can be a viable FRP provider in practice. Given this background, this work presents a stochastic real-time unit commitment model considering ramp requirement and simultaneous provision of IL for FRP and demand relief. Load serving entities (LSEs) are included in the proposed model and act as mediators between the ISO and multiple ILs. In particular, incentive compatible contracts are designed to encourage customers to reveal their true outage costs. Case studies indicate both the system and LSEs can benefit by employing the proposed method and ILs can gain the highest profits by signing up a favorable contract.
Co-Digestion of Napier Grass and Its Silage with Cow Dung for Bio-Hydrogen and Methane Production by Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion Process
Authors: Prapinagsorn Wipa , Sittijunda Sureewan , Reungsang Alissara
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study was to efficiently utilize the napier grass and its silage to produce bio-hydrogen and methane by a two-stage process in batch mode. First, the production of hydrogen from a co-digestion of grass with cow dung and silage with cow dung by Clostridium butyricum Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) 1032 was conducted. The results indicated that bio-hydrogen production by C. butyricum TISTR 1032 gave a higher hydrogen yield (HY) than without C. butyricum addition. The HY of 6.98 and 27.71 mL H2/g-Volatile solidadded (VSadded), were obtained from a co-digestion of grass with cow dung and silage with cow dung by C. butyricum, respectively. The hydrogenic effluent and solid residue left over after hydrogen fermentation were further used as substrates for methane production (Batch I). Methane yield (MY) from hydrogenic effluent of grass with cow dung and silage with cow dung were 169.87 and 141.33 mL CH4/g-CODadded (COD: chemical oxygen demand), respectively. The maximum MY of 210.10 and 177.79 mL CH4/g-VSadded, respectively, were attained from solid residues left over after bio-hydrogen production pretreated by enzyme (cellulase cocktail) and alkali (NaOH). Afterward, solid residue left over after methane production (Batch I) was used as the substrate for methane production (Batch II). A maximum MY of 370.39 and 370.99 mL CH4/g-VSadded were achieved from solid residue repeatedly pretreated by alkaline plus enzyme, respectively. The overall energy yield in the two-stage bio-hydrogen and methane production process was derived from a bio-hydrogen production, a methane production from hydrogenic effluent, methane production of pretreated solid residue (Batch I) and methane production of repeatedly pretreated solid residue (Batch II), which yielded 480.27 and 204.70 MJ/g-VSadded, respectively.
Economic Model Predictive and Feedback Control of a Smart Grid Prosumer Node
Authors: Liberati Francesco , Di Giorgio Alessandro
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a two-level control scheme for the energy management of an electricity prosumer node equipped with controllable loads, local generation, and storage devices. The main control objective is to optimize the prosumer’s energy bill by means of intelligent load shifting and storage control. A generalized tariff model including both volumetric and capacity components is considered, and user preferences as well as all technical constraints are respected. Simulations based on real household consumption data acquired with a sampling period of 1 s are discussed. The proposed control scheme bestows the prosumer node with the flexibility needed to support smart grid use cases such as bill optimization (i.e., local energy trading), control of the profile at the point of connection with the grid, demand response, and reaction to main supply faults (e.g., islanding operation), etc.
An Exploratory Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on Macedonian Agriculture
Authors: Hristov Jordan
Published: December 2017

Using a mixed input–output model, this study examines potential changes in sector output and water requirements in Macedonia arising from climate change. By defining three climate change scenarios and exogenously specifying the warming shocks for five key agricultural sub-sectors, the effects on the economy were quantified. The results indicated that except for cereals and grapes, agricultural production would benefit from the low climate change scenario due to moderate changes in precipitation and temperature and longer cropping period, while there would be negligible effects on the rest of the economy. Contrary, the medium and high climate change scenarios would negatively affect agriculture due to increase in temperature and decline in precipitation, with severe losses in grape, apple and cereal production, but again with low effects on other economic sectors. As a result, water consumption by agriculture sector will increase by around 6% in the low climate change scenario, and decrease by around 8% and 16% in the medium and high climate change scenarios, respectively, relative to the current agriculture water consumption. Capital investment in irrigation equipment could mitigate the negative climate change impacts in the medium and high climate change scenarios. However, it would impose additional stresses on the existing limited water resource over time.
A Gene Encoding Scots Pine Antimicrobial Protein Sp-AMP2 (PR-19) Confers Increased Tolerance against Botrytis cinerea in Transgenic Tobacco
Authors: Jaber Emad , Kovalchuk Andriy , Raffaello Tommaso , Keriö Susanna , Teeri Teemu , Asiegbu Fred
Published: December 2017

Both the establishment of sustainable forestry practices and the improvement of commercially grown trees require better understanding of mechanisms used by forest trees to combat microbial pathogens. We investigated the contribution of a gene encoding Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) antimicrobial protein Sp-AMP2 (PR-19) to the host defenses to evaluate the potential of Sp-AMP genes as molecular markers for resistance breeding. We developed transgenic tobacco plants expressing the Sp-AMP2 gene. Transgenic plants showed a reduction in the size of lesions caused by the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea. In order to investigate Sp-AMP2 gene expression level, four transgenic lines were tested in comparison to control and non-transgenic plants. No Sp-AMP2 transcripts were observed in any of the control and non-transgenic plants tested. The transcript of Sp-AMP2 was abundantly present in all transgenic lines. Sp-AMP2 was induced highly in response to the B. cinerea infection at 3 d.p.i. This study provides an insight into the role of Sp-AMP2 and its functional and ecological significance in the regulation of plant–pathogen interactions.