bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Qualitative and Comparative Performance Assessment of Logically Centralized SDN Controllers via Mininet Emulator
Authors: Sheikh Mohammad Nowsin Amin , Hwang I-Shyan , Raza Muhammad Saibtain , Ab-Rahman Mohammad Syuhaimi
Published: March 2024

An alternative networking approach called Software Defined Networking (SDN) enables dynamic, programmatically efficient network construction, hence enhancing network performance. It splits a traditional network into a centralized control plane and a configurable data plane. Because the core component overseeing every data plane action is the controller in the control plane, which may contain one or more controllers and is thought of as the brains of the SDN network, controller functionality and performance are crucial to achieve optimal performances. There is much controller research available in the existing literature. Nevertheless, no qualitative comparison study of OpenFlow-enabled distributed but logically centralized controllers exists. This paper includes a quantitative investigation of the performance of several distributed but logically centralized SDN controllers in custom network scenarios using Mininet, as well as a thorough qualitative comparison of them. More precisely, we give a qualitative evaluation of their attributes and classify and categorize 13 distributed but logically centralized SDN controllers according to their capabilities. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive SDN emulation tool, called Mininet-based SDN controller performance assessment, in this study. Using six performance metrics—bandwidth, round-trip time, delay, jitter, packet loss, and throughput—this work also assesses five distributed but logically centralized controllers within two custom network scenarios (uniform and non-uniform host distribution). Our analysis reveals that the Ryu controller outperforms the OpenDayLight controller in terms of latency, packet loss, and round-trip time, while the OpenDayLight controller performs well in terms of throughput, bandwidth, and jitter. Throughout the entire experiment, the HyperFlow and ONOS controllers performed worst in all performance metrics. Finally, we discuss detailed research findings on performance. These experimental results provide decision-making guidelines when selecting a controller.
Innovative Strategies for Photoallergy Assessment: Breaking Free from Animal Models in Cosmetic Ingredient Development
Authors: Maddaleno Adriana Solange , Vinardell Maria Pilar , Mitjans Montserrat
Published: March 2024

Photoallergy, a unique form of skin sensitization induced by specific compounds under ultraviolet irradiation, has traditionally been investigated using animals. However, the prohibition of animal testing for the assessment of cosmetic ingredients in Europe and other countries underscores the necessity for in vitro or in silico alternative methods. Currently, there are no validated methods for assessing photoallergy or photosensitization, presenting a significant challenge in the development of new cosmetic ingredients. This review examines the landscape of alternative methods for detecting photosensitization, emphasizing recent publications, and considering the underlying principles of the different proposed assays.
Online Defect Detection in LGA Crystallization Imaging Using MANet-Based Deep Learning Image Analysis
Authors: Huo Yan , Guan Diyuan , Dong Lingyan
Published: March 2024

In this paper, a MANet-based image detection approach is designed to inspect crystal defects during the cooling crystallization process, like that involving β-form L-glutamic acid (LGA), utilizing an online imaging device. The steps in the presented strategy encompass crystal image preprocessing, crystal image segmentation, and crystal classification. Firstly, the guided image filter is introduced to preprocess the collected crystallization images for offline training and online detection. Then, by using an image augmentation strategy to enlarge the number of crystal image samples for training, the MANet-based network is improved for crystal image segmentation. Accordingly, by defining some features, needle-like crystals can be categorized into four types with an efficient classifier for the detection of normal and defective crystals. The experimental results for the batch crystallization of β-form LGA are provided to illustrate the validity of the presented detection methodology.
Potential of Y2Sn2O7:Eu3+, Dy3+ Inorganic Nanophosphors in Latent Fingermark Detection
Authors: Brini Layla , Douiri Hanen , Abid Marwa , Toncelli Alessandra , Qasymeh Montasir , Maalej Ramzi , Abdelhedi Mohamed
Published: March 2024

In this work, we investigated the potential of Eu3+/Dy3+-codoped Y2Sn2O7 fluorescent nanophosphors to visualize latent fingermarks. We prepared these nanophosphors with various doping concentrations by the conventional coprecipitation reaction. The crystal structure, morphology, luminescence properties, and energy transfer mechanisms were studied. The crystalline phase was characterized by X-ray diffraction and crystal structure refinement using the Rietveld method. XRD measurements showed that the samples crystallized in the pure single pyrochlore phase with few more peaks originated from secondary phases and impurities generated during phosphor production, and that Eu3+ ions occupied D3d symmetry sites. The average crystallite size after mechanical grinding was less than 100 nm for all compositions. The optical characterization showed that, when excited under 532 nm, the Eu3+/Dy3+-codoped Y2Sn2O7 samples’ main intense emission peaks were located at 580–707 nm, corresponding to the 5D0→7Fj (j = l, 2, 3, and 4) transitions of europium. In fact, the 5D0→7F2 hypersensitive transition is strongly dependent on the local environment and was quite weak in Eu3+:Y2Sn2O7 at low Eu3+ doping levels. We found that the presence of Dy3+ as a codopant permitted enhancing the emission from this transition. The calculated PL CIE coordinates for the synthesized nanophosphors were very close to those of the reddish-orange region and only slightly dependent on the doping level. Various surfaces, including difficult ones (wood and ceramic), were successfully tested for latent fingerprint development with the prepared Eu3+/Dy3+-codoped Y2Sn2O7 fluorescent nanophosphor powder. Thanks to the high contrast obtained, fingerprint ridge patterns at all three levels were highlighted: core (level 1) islands, bifurcation, and enclosure (level 2), and even sweat pores (level 3).
Melamine Cyanaurate Microrods Decorated with SnO2 Quantum Dots for Photoelectrochemical Applications
Authors: Reddy Itheereddi Neelakanta , Akkinepally Bhargav , Dhanasekar Moorthy , Shim Jaesool , Bai Cheolho
Published: March 2024

This study employs a simple and cost-effective technique to enhance the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting performance of melamine cyanaurate microrods (M), SnO2 nanostructures (S), and melamine cyanaurate microrods decorated with SnO2 quantum dots (MS) by optimizing NaOH and Na2SO3 electrolytes. Notably, the MS electrode demonstrates a remarkable improvement in PEC efficiency in Na2SO3 solution associated with NaOH solution. Specifically, the induced currents of the MS anode in the Na2SO3 electrolyte are approximately 6.28 mAcm−2 more than those observed in the NaOH electrolyte solution. It is revealed that SO32− anions effectively consume the holes, leading to improved separation of the generated charge pairs. This effective charge separation mechanism significantly contributes to the enhanced PEC performance observed in Na2SO3 electrolytes. The findings of this study suggest a capable approach for improving the PEC activity of the materials through the careful optimization of the supported electrolytes.
Diversity of Flea Species (Siphonaptera) and Their Vector-Borne Pathogens from Bats (Chiroptera) in Lithuania
Authors: Sakalauskas Povilas , Lipatova Indrė , Griciuvienė Loreta , Ražanskė Irma , Snegiriovaitė Justina , Paulauskas Algimantas
Published: March 2024

Bat fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) are highly host-specific ectoparasites distributed worldwide (except Antarctica). The identification of flea species and the detection of flea-borne pathogens plays a significant role not only in veterinary and public health, but also in providing insights into the ecology, behaviour, and geographical distribution of fleas and flea-associated pathogens. The present study aimed to conduct a morphological and molecular identification of fleas collected from Lithuanian bats, as well as to screen for the presence of vector-borne pathogens. A total of 58 flea specimens were collected from bats in Lithuania. Based on morphological analysis, seven flea species were identified (Ischnopsyllus variabilis, I. octactenus, I. simplex, I. elongatus, I. hexactenus, Nycteridopsylla pentactena, and N. eusarca) and screened for the presence of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., and Mycoplasma spp. Molecular analysis of fleas’ COI and 18S rRNA genes showed that the flea species collected from bats are closely genetically related. Bartonella DNA was detected in bat fleas (41.4%). No DNA of Anaplasma, Borrelia, Babesia, Rickettsia, and Mycoplasma was amplified in the tested samples. The Wolbachia sp. was accidentally found in I. elongatus. The phylogenetic analysis of four Bartonella genes (16S-23S rRNA ITS, gltA, rpoB, and groEL) revealed specificity to bats or bats’ ectoparasites. This is the first report about bat flea species and the pathogens in bat fleas in Lithuania. New host records for bat fleas were also reported. This study extends the knowledge about bat fleas and their role as vectors of different pathogens.
Diversity of Freshwater Mollusks from Lake Pampulha, Municipality of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Coelho Paulo Ricardo Silva , Thiengo Silvana Carvalho , de Mendonça Cristiane Lafetá Furtado , de Oliveira Nathália Moreira Teodoro , dos Santos Sonia Barbosa , Caldeira Roberta Lima , Geiger Stefan Michael
Published: March 2024

The artificially created Lake Pampulha, within the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, lacks detailed information about its freshwater mollusks, representing a challenge for the assessment and conservation of this ecosystem. In this study, conducted during June and August 2021, we collected specimens on four different occasions and at five sampling points around the lake, using different sampling equipment, such as a shovel and a scoop. During these collections, we identified, enumerated and measured 1538 species of mollusks and additionally examined the presence of trematode larvae. We identified twelve species of fresh water bivalves and gastropods: Biomphalaria straminea, Biomphalaria kuhniana, Biomphalaria occidentalis, Drepanotrema cimex, Pomacea maculata, Stenophysa marmorata, Physa acuta, Gundlachia ticaga, Melanoides tuberculata, Pseudosuccinea columella, Omalonyx matheroni and Corbicula largillierti. Echinostome and strigeocercaria types of larval trematodes were detected in B. straminea. Notably, some species of mollusks have not previously been recorded at Lake Pampulha. The analyses revealed differences in the composition and abundance of species, highlighting the higher number of mollusk species in areas more impacted by human actions. This study expands our understanding of mollusk diversity at Lake Pampulha, and provides valuable data for longitudinal comparisons of water quality and considerations of the conservation of native species. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of choosing appropriate sampling equipment, depending on the research objectives. The presence of invasive species of medical and veterinary relevance as intermediate hosts of parasites reinforces the need for efficient environmental protection strategies to preserve this artificial, aquatic environment widely used by the local population and by tourists.
Golden Eagle Populations, Movements, and Landscape Barriers: Insights from Scotland
Authors: Fielding Alan H. , Anderson David , Barlow Catherine , Benn Stuart , Reid Robin , Tingay Ruth , Weston Ewan D. , Whitfield D. Philip
Published: March 2024

GPS satellite tracking allows novel investigations of how golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos use the landscape at several scales and at different life history stages, including research on geographical barriers which may prevent or limit range expansion or create population/sub-population isolation. If there are significant barriers to golden eagle movements, there could be demographic and genetic consequences. Genetic studies have led investigations on the identification of sub-species, populations, and sub-populations but should be conjoined with demographic studies and dispersal movements to understand fully such designations and their geographic delimitation. Scottish eagles are genetically differentiated from continental European birds, with thousands of years of separation creating a distinct population, though without sub-species assignation. They present unique research opportunities to examine barriers to movements illustrated by satellite tracking under Scotland’s highly variable geography. We primarily examined two features, using more than seven million dispersal records from satellite tags fitted to 152 nestlings. The first was the presence of unsuitable terrestrial habitat. We found few movements across a region of largely unsuitable lowland habitat between upland regions substantially generated by geological features over 70 km apart (Highland Boundary Fault and Southern Uplands Fault). This was expected from the Golden Eagle Topography model, and presumed isolation was the premise for an ongoing reinforcement project in the south of Scotland, translocating eagles from the north (South Scotland Golden Eagle Project: SSGEP). Second was that larger expanses of water can be a barrier. We found that, for a northwestern archipelago (Outer Hebrides), isolated by ≥24 km of sea (and with prior assignation of genetical and historical separation), there were no tagged bird movements with the Inner Hebrides and/or the Highlands mainland (the main sub-population), confirming their characterisation as a second sub-population. Results on the willingness of eagles to cross open sea or sea lochs (fjords) elsewhere in Scotland were consistent on distance. While apparently weaker than the Outer Hebrides in terms of separation, the designation of a third sub-population in the south of Scotland seems appropriate. Our results validate the SSGEP, as we also observed no movement of birds across closer sea crossings from abundant Highland sources to the Southern Uplands. Based on telemetric results, we also identified where any re-colonisation of England, due to the SSGEP, is most likely to occur. We emphasise, nevertheless, that our study’s records during dispersal will be greater than the natal dispersal distances (NDDs), when birds settle to breed after dispersal, and NDDs are the better shorter arbiter for connectivity.
The Design of Earthquake Evacuation Spaces Based on Local Wisdom: A Case Study of Traditional Houses in South Sulawesi
Authors: Sari Dany Perwita , Sudirman Mutmainnah , Asmuliany Andi
Published: March 2024

Indonesia is situated on the Ring of Fire, which causes a lot of earthquakes. On the 28 September 2018, there was an earthquake in Palu, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, which was one of the strongest shakings since 1980. Surprisingly, most traditional houses in Sulawesi survived. There has been some research on adapting traditional house structures to modern residential buildings. The limited availability of wood and complicated construction make adapting wood structures to current conditions challenging. The purpose of this study is to analyze space organization in ten traditional South Sulawesi house designs. A possible evacuation route can be found through the analysis as the first space for expeditiously escaping from an earthquake. In addition, modernizing the layout of a traditional South Sulawesi house and introducing it to local people was easy since they were familiar with the design. A deep analysis of spatial organization and its interrelations can help develop realistic designs, plans, and knowledge, thus improving the quality of residential projects. A descriptive qualitative method was used as a research method. Data were collected from field observations, brief interviews, and literature reviews. In order to analyz thee data, ORA-LITE was used to redraw the data and create the charts. It was found that different cultures have different evacuation spaces, in this case the Bugis tribe and the Toraja tribe. A corridor and kitchen were the most strategically located areas that could possibly be used for evacuation. Considering the differences in culture among tribes, designing evacuation spaces based on local culture was important. A recommendation based on this finding can also be made to the government of South Sulawesi in the design of residential houses.
Evolution of a Meningothelial Meningioma: From WHO Grade 1 to Anaplastic Grade 3 with Extracranial Metastasis Including Extensive Liver Metastasis
Authors: Ruff Christer , Bombach Paula , Gohla Georg , Hauser Till-Karsten , Paulsen Frank , Farhang Nick , Boesmueller Hans , Beschorner Rudi , Bongers Malte
Published: March 2024

A 61-year-old patient was diagnosed with a left-sided falx meningioma. Histopathological analysis following extirpation showed a meningothelial meningioma ZNS WHO grade 1 with sparse mitoses. Over the course of 12 years, the patient received irradiation (54.0 Gy), peptide radio-receptor therapy (177Lu-DOMITATE) and targeted therapy (mTOR inhibitor). Follow-up imaging revealed an increased size of the residual tumor. Due to increased liver function parameters, imaging of the liver was performed, showing widespread space-occupying lesions with atypical appearance. Biopsy revealed metastasis of the meningioma, now with 2.7 mitoses/mm2, necrosis and homozygous CDKN2A/B deletion, corresponding to an anaplastic CNS meningioma WHO grade 3. A second small meningioma on the left petroclival side has been consistent in size over 12 years. Metastatic meningiomas pose a pertinent clinical challenge due to poor prognosis. The lung, bone, liver and cervical lymph nodes are the most common sites of extracranial metastasis. According to the World Health Organization criteria, the most important predictive factor for recurrence and metastasis is the tumor grade.
Clinical Evaluation of Xpert Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus and Alinity m Resp-4-Plex Assay
Authors: Chan Wai-Sing , Wong Kan-Pui , Yau Siu-Kei , Wong Ching-Yan , Chan Tsz-Ching , Hung Jeffrey , Lai Kristi Tsz-Wan , Leung Chin-Pang , Wang Candy Ling-Na , Au Chun-Hang , Wan Thomas Shek-Kong , Ma Edmond Shiu-Kwan , Tang Bone Siu-Fai
Published: March 2024

The performance of the Xpert Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus and Alinity m Resp-4-Plex Assays were evaluated using 167 specimens, including 158 human respiratory specimens and 9 external quality assessment program (EQAP) samples. For respiratory specimens, CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus exhibited perfect agreement with the standard-of-care (SOC) methods (Cohen’s κ: 1, 100% agreement). The overall positive and negative percent agreement (PPA and NPA) were 100%, with 95% confidence intervals of 96.50 to 100% and 85.70 to 100%, respectively. On the other hand, Resp-4-Plex revealed an almost perfect agreement with the SOC methods (Cohen’s κ: 0.92, 97.71% agreement). The overall PPA and NPA were 100% (95.76 to 100%) and 88.46% (70.20 to 96.82%), respectively. For EQAP samples, the results of CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus (9/9) and Resp-4-Plex (4/4) were concordant with the expected results. The experimental limit of detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the lowest (25 copies/mL for both methods), and that of the respiratory syncytial virus was the highest (400 copies/mL for CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus and 100 copies/mL for Resp-4-Plex). Threshold cycle (Ct) value correlation showed a large positive linear association between CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus and Resp-4-Plex, with R-squared values of 0.92–0.97, and on average, the Ct values of CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus were higher than that of Resp-4-Plex by 1.86–2.78, except for Flu A1 target (−0.66). To conclude, the performance of both assay was comparable to the SOC methods for both upper and lower respiratory specimens. Implementation of these rapid assay may reinforce the diagnostic capacity for the post-pandemic co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.
Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Male Students’ Hesitancy to Study Biology in Ireland: Factors Effecting Intent in the Transition to Upper Secondary School
Authors: Kealy Carmen , McCauley Veronica , Flynn Paul
Published: March 2024

While it is evident that Ireland has the ambition to widen access to higher education, there are challenges; especially regarding the decision-making process of socio-economically disadvantaged youth when selecting subjects for transition into higher education. This is of particular concern when there are abundant science-related courses in higher education, as well as careers, which are fundamental to the global economy, and a cohort of Ireland’s youth is disadvantaged in choosing this pathway. National statistics highlight the disproportionate participation rate across genders in upper secondary school science education. Extensive research has been invested in exploring supporting female access into male-dominated science fields (e.g., physics) but less so regarding male access into female-dominated science fields (e.g., biology) to achieve gender equity. Thus, this paper uses the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a theoretical framework to examine the possible psychosocial elements affecting the decision-making process of socio-economically disadvantaged male students attending DEIS schools in the Republic of Ireland and their intent to study biology as a subject at the upper secondary school level. Data collected from 344 secondary school-level students from 20 schools across nine Irish counties, and subsequently descriptively analysed, revealed that male students were considerably less likely than female students to choose biology at upper secondary level education. Many male students expressed anxiousness and hopelessness when evaluating the study of biology. Teachers were identified as lead influencers and self-efficacy was highlighted as a significant factor in male affinity to the subject. Finally, higher levels of female students’ intent to study biology at upper second level suggested the familial influence of parents and wider family contributes to their overall perspective on the relevance of science to their future prosperity. Considering the various factors influencing intent, the authors suggest that a targeted pedagogical intervention that includes the promotion of self-efficacy; male student mastery experiences through assessment; emphasis on scientific knowledge; and raising the awareness of the various career pathways that studying biology affords could ameliorate this trend amongst teenage males. Additionally, targeted messaging for parents and the wider family as well as continuous professional development for teachers should be integral to any work conducted in this area.
Heart Sound Signals Classification with Image Conversion Employed
Authors: Deng Erqiang , Jia Yibei , Zhu Guobin , Zhou Erqiang
Published: March 2024

The number of patients with cardiovascular diseases worldwide is increasing rapidly, while medical resources are increasingly scarce. Heart sound classification, as the most direct means of discovering cardiovascular diseases, is attracting the attention of researchers around the world. Although great progress has been made in heart sound classification in recent years, most of them are based on traditional statistical feature methods and temporal dimension features. These traditional temporal dimension feature representation and classification methods cannot achieve good classification accuracy. This paper proposes a new partition attention module and Fusionghost module, and the entire network framework is named PANet. Without segmentation of the heart sound signal, the heart sound signal is converted into a bispectrum and input into the proposed framework for feature extraction and classification tasks. The network makes full use of multi-scale feature extraction and feature map fusion, improving the network feature extraction ability. This paper conducts a comprehensive study of the performance of different network parameters and different module numbers, and compares the performance with the most advanced algorithms currently available. Experiments have shown that for two classification problems (normal or abnormal), the classification accuracy rate on the 2016 PhysioNet/CinC Challenge database reached 97.89%, the sensitivity was 96.96%, and the specificity was 98.85%.
A Fast Repetitive Control Strategy for a Power Conversion System
Authors: Zhou Jinghua , Sun Yifei , Chen Shasha , Lan Tianfeng
Published: March 2024

With the expansion of renewable energy sources, the stable and high-quality operation of microgrids composed of new energy sources has attracted widespread attention. Among them, the power conversion system (PCS), as an important part of microgrids, plays a crucial role in their operation and management. The PCS operation modes are classified into grid-connected and off-grid modes. However, in off-grid mode, due to the access of nonlinear and unbalanced loads, the output voltage quality of a PCS is worse, and the voltage waveform distortion is serious. To solve these problems, a fast repetitive control (FRC) strategy is proposed for a power conversion system with an Active Neutral Point Clamped (ANPC) architecture of three levels. The voltage loop control strategy can be applied to the voltage/frequency (V/f) mode and the grid-forming mode. The control strategy can effectively realize the suppression of the harmonics of the output voltage and has a 100% capability to carry unbalanced loads. Finally, a 1725 kVA PCS prototype is developed, and the proposed control strategy is verified using the MT3200 HIL semiphysical simulator of ModelingTech in the V/f mode as an example. This practically verifies the feasibility and validity of the proposed control strategy, which has a certain degree of engineering practicability and reference due to the simplicity of the design and the ease of realization.
Hierarchical Text Classification and Its Foundations: A Review of Current Research
Authors: Zangari Alessandro , Marcuzzo Matteo , Rizzo Matteo , Giudice Lorenzo , Albarelli Andrea , Gasparetto Andrea
Published: March 2024

While collections of documents are often annotated with hierarchically structured concepts, the benefits of these structures are rarely taken into account by classification techniques. Within this context, hierarchical text classification methods are devised to take advantage of the labels’ organization to boost classification performance. In this work, we aim to deliver an updated overview of the current research in this domain. We begin by defining the task and framing it within the broader text classification area, examining important shared concepts such as text representation. Then, we dive into details regarding the specific task, providing a high-level description of its traditional approaches. We then summarize recently proposed methods, highlighting their main contributions. We also provide statistics for the most commonly used datasets and describe the benefits of using evaluation metrics tailored to hierarchical settings. Finally, a selection of recent proposals is benchmarked against non-hierarchical baselines on five public domain-specific datasets. These datasets, along with our code, are made available for future research.
An Extended Method for Reversible Color Tone Control Using Data Hiding
Authors: Nakaya Daichi , Imaizumi Shoko
Published: March 2024

This paper proposes an extended method for reversible color tone control for blue and red tones. Our previous method has an issue in that there are cases where the intensity of enhancement cannot be flexibly controlled. In contrast, the proposed method can gradually improve the intensity by increasing the correction coefficients, regardless of the image features. This is because the method defines one reference area where the correction coefficients are determined, one each for blue and red tones, while the previous method defines a common reference area for both tones. Owing to this, the method also provides independent control for blue and red tones. In our experiments, we clarify the above advantages of the method. Additionally, we also discuss the influence of the data-embedding process, which is necessary to store recovery information, on the output image quality.
Study on Proppant Transport and Placement in Shale Gas Main Fractures
Authors: Liang Tiancheng , Xiu Nailing , Fu Haifeng , Jian Yinlin , Zhang Tao , Du Xingyang , Tu Zhicheng
Published: March 2024

In this paper, based on the background of a deep shale reservoir, a solid–liquid two-phase flow model suitable for proppant and fracturing fluid flow was established based on the Euler method, and a large-scale fracture model was established. Based on field parameters, a proppant transport experiment was conducted. Then, on the basis of the experimental fracture model, proppant transport simulation under different influencing factors was carried out. The results show that the laboratory experiment was in good agreement with the simulated results. The process of proppant accumulation in fractures can be divided into three stages according to the characteristics of sand banks. The displacement mainly affects the sedimentation distance of the proppant in the first stage, and the viscosity of the fracturing fluid represents the strength of the fluid sand carrying performance. Compared with 40/70 mesh proppant, 70/140 mesh proppant is more easily fluidizable, the fracture width has less influence on proppant migration and placement, and the perforation location only affects the accumulation pattern at the fracture entrance, but has less influence on proppant placement in the remote well zone.
Analysis of Thermal Management Strategies for 21700 Lithium-Ion Batteries Incorporating Phase Change Materials and Porous Copper Foam with Different Battery Orientations
Authors: Wang Chen-Lung , Leong Jik Chang
Published: March 2024

The significant amount of heat generated during the discharge process of a lithium-ion battery can lead to battery overheat, potential damage, and even fire hazards. The optimal operating temperature of a battery ranges from 25 °C to 45 °C. Hence, battery thermal management cooling techniques are crucial for controlling battery temperature. In this work, the cooling of 21700 lithium-ion batteries during their discharging processes using phase-change materials (PCMs) and porous pure copper foams were simulated. The effects of discharge intensities, battery orientations, and battery arrangements were investigated by observing the changes in temperature distributions. Based on current simulations for a 2C discharge, air-cooled vertical batteries arranged in unidirectional configuration exhibit an increase in heat dissipation by 44% in comparison to the horizontal batteries. This leads to a decrease in the maximum battery temperature by about 10 °C. The use of either PCMs or copper foams can effectively cool the batteries. Regardless of the battery orientation, the maximum battery temperature during a 2C discharge drops dramatically from approximately 90 °C when air-cooled to roughly 40 °C when the air is replaced by PCM cooling or when inserted with a copper foam of 0.9 porosity. If the PCM/copper foam approach is implemented, this maximum temperature further decreases to slightly above 30 °C. Although not very significant, it has been discovered that crossover arrangement slightly reduces the maximum temperature by no more than 1 °C. When a pure copper foam with a porosity ranging from 0.90 to 0.97 is saturated with a PCM, the excellent thermal conductivity of pure copper, combined with the PCM latent heat absorption, can best help maintain the battery pack within its range of optimal operating temperatures. If the porosity of the copper foam decreases from 0.95 to 0.5, the volumetric average temperature of the batteries may increase from 30 °C to 31 °C.
Working Fluid Selection for High-Temperature Heat Pumps: A Comprehensive Evaluation
Authors: Zini Andrea , Socci Luca , Vaccaro Guglielmo , Rocchetti Andrea , Talluri Lorenzo
Published: March 2024

Heat pumps have the potential for several applications across various industrial sectors, showcasing significant promise, especially in sectors such as pulp and paper, food and beverage, chemical, non-metallic minerals, and machinery. Envisioning the near future, there is confidence that heat pumps can achieve temperatures above 200 °C, offering substantial potential for utilization in these sectors. Nevertheless, a crucial aspect for the advancement of high-temperature heat pumps is the selection of the fluid. Fluid selection involves considerations of both thermodynamic efficiency and environmental impact, requiring fluids with zero ODP, negligible GWP, and no PFAS. Moreover, it is essential to consider the risks to human health associated with a specific fluid. Despite extensive research, particularly in the realm of vapour compression heat pumps, choosing the most suitable working fluid for these applications is a complex undertaking. Therefore, this paper conducts a theoretical analysis to evaluate potential fluids with suitable thermodynamic properties for high-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs). The comparative results gleaned from this study provide valuable insights for the comprehensive analysis of fluids, showing promise within temperature ranges dictated by specific applications. The metrics employed in the comparison emphasise the merits of fluids in terms of the overall performance, dimensions, and operating ranges of applicable compressor, heat exchange capacity, transport properties, and safety. One noteworthy finding from the analysis is that maintaining a constant HTHP lift (at 40 K) results in having the highest COP across all fluids when the condensing temperature ranges between 85% and 90% of their respective critical temperatures. According to the results of the analysis, natural fluids, including water and alcohols like ethanol or methanol, emerge as particularly compelling candidates.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Hydrogen–Gasoline Blends in SI Engine Performance and Emissions
Authors: Jurić Zdeslav , Vidović Tino , Šimunović Jakov , Radica Gojmir
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the influence of adding hydrogen as an additive to gasoline in a four-stroke engine, utilizing comprehensive thermodynamic comparative analysis conducted with self-developed engine model. This research aims to assess the performance, emissions, and efficiency of the engine when using gasoline–hydrogen blends, and to provide insights into the potential benefits of this approach. First, the engine performance and emissions under different hydrogen blending levels were examined. A range of different air/fuel ratios (rich to lean) and varying percentages of hydrogen were considered. This systematic variation allowed for a detailed evaluation of the influence of hydrogen content on combustion efficiency, power output, and emissions characteristics. The analysis results included key parameters such as indicated specific fuel consumption and mean effective pressure. Additionally, the study focused on the range prediction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which are a critical environmental concern associated with internal combustion engines. The analysis of pressure and temperature profiles throughout the engine cycle shed light on the combustion characteristics and efficiency improvements associated with hydrogen addition. In terms of emissions, the study projected that all emissions were reduced except NOx, which is highly dependent on hydrogen percentage, and might be reduced in some cases, but with the higher temperatures and pressures associated with hydrogen addition, in most cases, there is actually a NOx increase, especially at higher engine loads.
A Small Target Tea Leaf Disease Detection Model Combined with Transfer Learning
Authors: Yao Xianze , Lin Haifeng , Bai Di , Zhou Hongping
Published: March 2024

Tea cultivation holds significant economic value, yet the leaves of tea plants are frequently susceptible to various pest and disease infestations. Consequently, there is a critical need for research focused on precisely and efficiently detecting these threats to tea crops. The investigation of a model capable of effectively identifying pests and diseases in tea plants is often hindered by challenges, such as limited datasets of pest and disease samples and the small size of detection targets. To address these issues, this study has chosen TLB, a common pest and disease in tea plants, as the primary research subject. The approach involves the application of transfer learning in conjunction with data augmentation as a fundamental methodology. This technique entails transferring knowledge acquired from a comprehensive source data domain to the model, aiming to mitigate the constraints of limited sample sizes. Additionally, to tackle the challenge of detecting small targets, this study incorporates the decoupling detection head TSCODE and integrates the Triplet Attention mechanism into the E-ELAN structure within the backbone to enhance the model’s focus on the TLB’s small targets and optimize detection accuracy. Furthermore, the model’s loss function is optimized based on the Wasserstein distance measure to mitigate issues related to sensitivity in localizing small targets. Experimental results demonstrate that, in comparison to the conventional YOLOv7 tiny model, the proposed model exhibits superior performance on the TLB small sample dataset, with precision increasing by 6.5% to 92.2%, recall by 4.5% to 86.6%, and average precision by 5.8% to 91.5%. This research offers an effective solution for identifying tea pests and diseases, presenting a novel approach to developing a model for detecting such threats in tea cultivation.
Valorization of Sugarcane Vinasse and Crude Glycerol for Single-Cell Oils Production by Rhodotorula glutinis R4: A Preliminary Approach to the Integration of Biofuels Industries for Sustainable Biodiesel Feedstock
Authors: Maza D. Daniela , Barros Julio Maximiliano , Guillamón José Manuel , Aybar Manuel J. , Viñarta Silvana C.
Published: March 2024

Single-cell oils (SCOs) offer a promising alternative to conventional biodiesel feedstocks. The main objective of this work was to obtain SCOs suitable for biodiesel production from the oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula glutinis R4 using sugarcane vinasse from a local sugar-derived alcohol industry as the substrate. Additionally, crude glycerol from the local biodiesel industry was evaluated as a low-cost carbon source to replace expensive glucose and as a strategy for integrating the bioethanol and biodiesel industries for the valorization of both agro-industrial wastes. R4 achieved a high lipid accumulation of 88% and 60% (w/w) in vinasse-based culture media, containing 10% and 25% vinasse with glucose (40 g L−1), respectively. When glucose was replaced with crude glycerol, R4 showed remarkable lipid accumulation (40%) and growth (12.58 g L−1). The fatty acids profile of SCOs showed a prevalence of oleic acid (C18:1), making them suitable for biodiesel synthesis. Biodiesel derived from R4 oils exhibits favorable characteristics, including a high cetane number (CN = 55) and high oxidative stability (OS = 13 h), meeting international biodiesel standards (ASTMD6751 and EN14214) and ensuring its compatibility with diesel engines. R. glutinis R4 produces SCOs from vinasse and crude glycerol, contributing to the circular economy for sustainable biodiesel production.
Combining Ability of Female Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and Male Blue Catfish, I. furcatus, for Early Growth Performance of Their Progeny
Authors: Odin Ramjie , Elaswad Ahmed , Khalil Karim , Vo Khoi , Backenstose Nathan J. C. , Taylor Zachary , Drescher David , Bugg William S. , Robinson Dalton , Gosh Kamal , Ye Zhi , Qin Guyu , Creamer David , Dunham Rex
Published: March 2024

The hybrid between the female channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and the male blue catfish (I. furcatus) is the best genetic type currently available for commercial catfish farming due to their superior traits. However, further genetic improvements can be achieved by selecting parents with increased combining abilities. Twenty female channel catfish and twelve male blue catfish were crossed in a partial factorial mating design, resulting in forty hybrid families. These families were evaluated for early growth in three different rearing systems, including ponds and aquaria. The early growth performance of hybrid catfish was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the additive gene action of the female parent and the male parent. There were genotype–environment or genotype–age interactions affecting the combining abilities, both the amount and the type of genetic variation. Dam GCA was significant in all environments/ages; however, sire GCA was variable, and SCA was not significant. These findings suggest that reciprocal recurrent selection for growth could potentially improve the performance of F1 hybrid catfish.
Dynamics of a Water Droplet Impacting an Ultrathin Layer of Oil Suspended on a Pool of Water
Authors: Dehghanghadikolaei Amir , Abdul Halim Bilal , Khoshbakhtnejad Ehsan , Sojoudi Hossein
Published: March 2024

This study investigates water droplets impacting a two-layered pool, consisting of a deep pool of water above which an ultrathin a suspended layer of silicone oil is present. Initially, the difference between the impact dynamics of water droplets on ultrathin and thick layers of oil were studied. It was found that the existence of an ultrathin layer of oil changes the impact characteristics such how aggressively the jet rises, how the dimensions of the impact impression change, and how the jets are broken down on their tops. Then, in a series of experiments on ultrathin layers of oil, the droplet size, the velocity of the droplets upon impact, and the viscosity of the oil layers were changed to observe and measure the characteristic dimensions of the formed craters and the jets. It was observed that when the viscosity of oil layers decreased to a minimum of 1 (cSt), the jet height and crater sizes increased to their maximum value. In addition to the effect of the oil viscosity, it was found that the droplet size and the release heights of the droplets were in the next orders of significance in determining the impact dynamics. The impacts were also characterized qualitatively by specifically looking into the crown and crater formations, pinch-off modes in jets, and number of formed secondary droplets. As well as the quantitative conclusion, it was found that the major affecting parameter in changing each of these qualities was the viscosity of the suspended oil layer.
The High Pressure Preservation of Honey: A Comparative Study on Quality Changes during Storage
Authors: Scepankova Hana , Majtan Juraj , Estevinho Leticia M. , Saraiva Jorge A.
Published: March 2024

In commercially available honey, the application of a heat treatment to prevent spoilage can potentially compromise its beneficial properties and quality, and these effects worsen with extended storage. The high-pressure processing (HPP) of honey is being explored, but its long-term impact on honey quality has not been characterised yet. This study evaluated the effects of HPP and thermal processing on the microbial load, physicochemical quality (i.e., hydroxymethylfurfural content and diastase activity), and antioxidant capacity of honey after treatment and following extended storage (6, 12, and 24 months) at 20 °C. Pasteurization (78 °C/6 min) effectively eliminated the microorganisms in honey but compromised its physicochemical quality and antioxidant activity. HPP initially showed sublethal inactivation, but storage accelerated the decrease in yeasts/moulds and aerobic mesophiles in honey (being <1 log CFU/g after 24 months of storage) compared to unprocessed honey and honey thermally treated under mild conditions (55 °C/15 min). The physicochemical characteristics of the quality of HPP-treated honey and raw unprocessed honey did change after long-term storage (24 months) but remained within regulatory standards. In conclusion, HPP emerged as a more suitable and safe preservation method for Apis mellifera honey, with a minimal risk of a loss of antioxidant activity compared to traditional industrial honey pasteurization.
Reactive Carbonyl Species Scavenger: Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate
Authors: Luo Haiying , Ou Juanying , Huang Junqing
Published: March 2024

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a prominent polyphenol found abundantly in tea, has garnered significant attention for its potential in preventing and ameliorating a wide range of diseases. Its remarkable antioxidant properties and ability to capture reactive carbonyl species make it a key player among tea’s polyphenolic components. This paper delves into the synthesis and origins of both EGCG and reactive carbonyl species (RCS), emphasizing the toxicity of RCS in various food sources and their formation during food processing. Understanding EGCG’s capability to capture and metabolize RCS is crucial for harnessing its health benefits. Thus, this paper explores the underlying mechanisms of EGCG for RCS inhibition and its role in capturing these compounds to generate EGCG-RCS adducts. And the absorption and metabolism of EGCG-RCS adducts is also discussed.
Dynamic Study on Water State and Water Migration during Gluten–Starch Model Dough Development under Different Gluten Protein Contents
Authors: Ye Haoxuan , Zhang Yingquan , Wang Lei , Ban Jinfu , Wei Yimin , Fan Fanghui , Guo Boli
Published: March 2024

Mixing is crucial for dough quality. The gluten content influences water migration in dough development and properties, leading to quality changes in dough-based products. Understanding how the gluten protein content influences water migration during dough development is necessary for dough processing. A compound flour with different gluten protein contents (GPCs, 10–26%, w/w) was used to study the dough farinograph parameters and water migration during dough development. According to the farinograph test of the gluten–starch model dough, the GPC increases the water absorption and the strength of the dough. Water migration was determined via low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). With the increase in GPC, the gluten protein increases the binding ability of strongly bound water and promotes the transformation of weakly bound water. However, inappropriate GPC (10% and 26%, w/w) results in the release of free water, which is caused by damage to the gluten network according to the microstructure result. Moreover, the changes in proteins’ secondary structures are related to the migration of weakly bound water. Therefore, weakly bound water plays an important role in dough development. Overall, these results provide a theoretical basis for the optimization of dough processing.