bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Hyperspectral Imaging System to Discriminate Tissue Characteristics in Tissue Phantom and Orthotopic Mouse Pancreatic Tumor Model
Authors: Mun Na Eun , Tran Thi Kim Chi , Park Dong Hui , Im Jin Hee , Park Jae Il , Le Thanh Dat , Moon Young Jin , Kwon Seong-Young , Yoo Su Woong
Published: February 2024

In this study, we developed an endoscopic hyperspectral imaging (eHSI) system and evaluated its performance in analyzing tissues within tissue phantoms and orthotopic mouse pancreatic tumor models. Our custom-built eHSI system incorporated a liquid crystal tunable filter. To assess its tissue discrimination capabilities, we acquired images of tissue phantoms, distinguishing between fat and muscle regions. The system underwent supervised training using labeled samples, and this classification model was then applied to other tissue phantom images for evaluation. In the tissue phantom experiment, the eHSI effectively differentiated muscle from fat and background tissues. The precision scores regarding fat tissue classification were 98.3% for the support vector machine, 97.7% for the neural network, and 96.0% with a light gradient-boosting machine algorithm, respectively. Furthermore, we applied the eHSI system to identify tumors within an orthotopic mouse pancreatic tumor model. The F-score of each pancreatic tumor-bearing model reached 73.1% for the KPC tumor model and 63.1% for the Pan02 tumor models. The refined imaging conditions and optimization of the fine-tuning of classification algorithms enhance the versatility and diagnostic efficacy of eHSI in biomedical applications.
Reliable Off-Resonance Correction in High-Field Cardiac MRI Using Autonomous Cardiac B0 Segmentation with Dual-Modality Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Li Xinqi , Huang Yuheng , Malagi Archana , Yang Chia-Chi , Yoosefian Ghazal , Huang Li-Ting , Tang Eric , Gao Chang , Han Fei , Bi Xiaoming , Ku Min-Chi , Yang Hsin-Jung , Han Hui
Published: February 2024

B0 field inhomogeneity is a long-lasting issue for Cardiac MRI (CMR) in high-field (3T and above) scanners. The inhomogeneous B0 fields can lead to corrupted image quality, prolonged scan time, and false diagnosis. B0 shimming is the most straightforward way to improve the B0 homogeneity. However, today’s standard cardiac shimming protocol requires manual selection of a shim volume, which often falsely includes regions with large B0 deviation (e.g., liver, fat, and chest wall). The flawed shim field compromises the reliability of high-field CMR protocols, which significantly reduces the scan efficiency and hinders its wider clinical adoption. This study aims to develop a dual-channel deep learning model that can reliably contour the cardiac region for B0 shim without human interaction and under variable imaging protocols. By utilizing both the magnitude and phase information, the model achieved a high segmentation accuracy in the B0 field maps compared to the conventional single-channel methods (Dice score: 2D-mag = 0.866, 3D-mag = 0.907, and 3D-mag-phase = 0.938, all p < 0.05). Furthermore, it shows better generalizability against the common variations in MRI imaging parameters and enables significantly improved B0 shim compared to the standard method (SD(B0Shim): Proposed = 15 ± 11% vs. Standard = 6 ± 12%, p < 0.05). The proposed autonomous model can boost the reliability of cardiac shimming at 3T and serve as the foundation for more reliable and efficient high-field CMR imaging in clinical routines.
Mirror Therapy Reduces Pain and Preserves Corticomotor Excitability in Human Experimental Skeletal Muscle Pain
Authors: Nishi Keita , Moriuchi Takefumi , Okamura Ryohei , Hasegawa Takashi , Chang Xiaoqian , Matsumoto Shinichi , Koseki Hironobu , Higashi Toshio
Published: February 2024

Approaches to preserve corticomotor excitability (CE) are attracting interest as a treatment for pain-induced changes in neural plasticity. We determined the effects of mirror therapy (MT) on skeletal muscle pain. Fifteen healthy adults who received hypertonic saline injections (5.8% NaCl, 0.2 mL) into the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle of the right hand to induce experimental skeletal muscle pain were assigned to either the “MT and injection” or “injection only” group. Post-injection, the “MT and injection” group observed their left index finger abducting and adducting for 4 min, creating the illusion that the right index finger was moving. The “injection only” group remained at rest. CE and pain were assessed by measuring motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) of the right FDI triggered by transcranial magnetic stimulation and the numerical rating scale (NRS), respectively. MEP amplitudes were significantly higher in the “MT and injection” group, a trend that persisted post-MT intervention (MT intervention; p < 0.01, post-1; p < 0.05). The time for the NRS score to reach 0 was notably shorter in the “MT and injection” group (p < 0.05). Our preliminary results suggested that MT decreases CE and pain in skeletal muscles, potentially preventing neural plasticity changes associated with skeletal muscle pain and providing early pain relief.
Oral Administration of Probiotic Bacteria Alleviates Tau Phosphorylation, Aβ Accumulation, Microglia Activation, and Memory Loss in 5xFAD Mice
Authors: Kim Yeong Jin , Mun Bo-Ram , Choi Kyu Yeong , Choi Won-Seok
Published: February 2024

The gut–brain axis (GBA) plays a significant role in various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the gut microbiome (GM) can bidirectionally communicate with the brain through the GBA. Thus, recent evidence indicates that the GM may affect the pathological features and the progression of AD in humans. The aim of our study was to elucidate the impact of probiotics on the pathological features of AD in a 5xFAD model. Probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum) were orally administered in 5xFAD mice to modify the GM composition. Additionally, freeze-dried food containing phosphatidylserine was used as the positive control. Behavioral pathogenesis was assessed through the cross maze and Morris water maze tests. Our findings revealed that probiotic administration resulted in significant improvements in spatial and recognition memories. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of probiotics were substantiated by a reduction in amyloid-β accumulation in critical brain regions. Microglial activation in 5xFAD mice was also attenuated by probiotics in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Moreover, elevated tau phosphorylation in 5xFAD mice was ameliorated in the probiotics-treated group. The results highlight the potential use of probiotics as a neuroprotective intervention in AD.
Uni- and Multivariate Analyses of Cancer Risk in Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Battistella Enrico , Mirabella Marica , Pomba Luca , Toniato Riccardo , Giacomini Francesca , Magni Giovanna , Toniato Antonio
Published: February 2024

Every year in Italy, about 60,000 new cases of nodular thyroid pathology are diagnosed, of which almost 30% are cytologically indeterminate (TIR3A/3B). The risk of malignancy reported in the literature on thyroid nodules ranges from 5% to 15% for TIR3A and from 15% to 30% for TIR3B. It is suspected that these percentages are higher in practice. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical risk factors. The medical records of 291 patients who underwent surgery for cytologically indeterminate nodular thyroid disease were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical parameters and preoperative serum markers were then compared between the benign nodular thyroid disease and thyroid cancer groups. For each patient, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, neck ultrasonographic features, and histological reports were statistically analyzed using Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests. A total of 134 malignant neoplasms were found (46%), divided into 55 cases (35%) in the TIR3A group and 79 cases (59%) in the TIR3B group. Statistical analysis was not significant in both populations for both sex and age (TIR3A p-value = 0.5097 and p-value = 0.1430, TIR3B p-value = 0.5191 p-value = 0.3384), while it was statistically significant in patients with TIR3A nodules associated with thyroiditis (p-value = 0.0009). In addition, the patients with TIR3A and 3B nodules were stratified by ultrasound risk for the prediction of malignancy and it was significant (p = 0.0004 and p < 0.0001). In light of these results, it emerges that surgical treatment of nodular thyroid pathology with indeterminate cytology TIR3A should always be considered, and surgery for TIR3B is mandatory.
A 15-Year Single-Institution Retrospective Study of Primary Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Non-Ablative Palliative Radiotherapy
Authors: Kamel Randa , Zhang Tinghua , Comino Suzanne , Dennis Kristopher
Published: February 2024

We studied the use of palliative radiotherapy (RT) among patients with primary, non-curable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In this subset of patients, with very poor survival, various palliative RT dose fractionation schemes are used; but, in the absence of a guideline, practice patterns vary, and dose choice is mainly based on the physician’s intuition. We divided the patients into three groups, according to the dose fractionation schedules received: low (A), intermediate (B), and high (C) dose groups, to study the potential differences in outcome between the different dose prescriptions. Cohort: n = 184. Median age: 69 years. Male: n = 105 (57%), female: n = 79 (43%). Stage IV: n = 117 (64%). T4: n = 127 (69%). Tumor location: head: n = 109 (59%), body: n = 37 (20%), tail: n = 25 (14%), neck: n = 11 (6%), and uncinate: n = 2 (1%). Prior systemic therapy: n = 66 (36%). Most common dose fractionations received: 20 Gy in five fractions n = 67 (36%), 30 Gy in 10 fractions n = 49 (27%), and 8 Gy in one fraction n = 23 (13%). Group A: n = 33 (18%), median overall survival (OS) 19 days (95% CI 4–33). Group B: n = 84 (46%), median OS 52 days (95% CI 43–60). Group C: n = 67 (36%), median OS 126 days (95% CI 77–174). Median days to in-field progression: Group A 59 days (range 7–109), Group B 96 days (range 19–173), and Group C 97 days (range 13–475). To our knowledge, this is the largest reported retrospective cohort of patients receiving non-ablative palliative RT to treat their primary pancreatic tumors. Most patients had metastatic disease, T4 tumors of the pancreatic head and had not received prior systemic therapy. A significant survival benefit was seen favoring the high dose/longer RT fractionation group, presumably due to appropriate patient selection rather than an RT effect. Despite the relatively short median overall survival, one fifth of the patients were found to experience an in-field progression following RT.
Lymphocyte Function at Baseline Could Be a New Predictor of Tumor Burden following Six Cycles of Radium-223 Therapy in Patients with Metastasized, Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Barsegian Vahé , Möckel Daniel , Buehler Sebastian , Müller Stefan P. , Kreissl Michael C. , Ostheim Patrick , Horn Peter A. , Lindemann Monika
Published: February 2024

Previous data indicate that one cycle of treatment with radium-223 (223Ra) did not significantly impair lymphocyte function in patients with metastasized, castration-resistant prostate cancer. The aim of the current study was to assess in 21 patients whether six cycles of this therapy had an effect on lymphocyte proliferation and interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 ELISpot results. Lymphocyte proliferation after stimulation with microbial antigens and the production of interferon-γ continuously decreased after six cycles of radionuclide therapy, reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05) at months 1, 2, 4, and/or 6 after therapy. One month after the last cycle of therapy, 67% of patients showed a decrease in tumor burden. The tumor burden correlated negatively with IL-10 secretion at baseline, e.g., after stimulation with tetanus antigen (p < 0.0001, r = −0.82). As determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, tetanus-specific IL-10 spots at baseline had the highest predictive value (p = 0.005) for tumor burden at month 6, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 78%). In conclusion, we observed an additive effect of treatment with 223Ra on immune function and found that IL-10 secretion at baseline predicted tumor burden at month 6 after treatment.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Old and Emerging Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Pessino Greta , Scotti Claudia , Maggi Maristella ,   Immuno-HUB Consortium
Published: February 2024

Liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), globally ranks sixth in incidence and third in cancer-related deaths. HCC risk factors include non-viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, environmental exposures, and genetic factors. No specific genetic alterations are unequivocally linked to HCC tumorigenesis. Current standard therapies include surgical options, systemic chemotherapy, and kinase inhibitors, like sorafenib and regorafenib. Immunotherapy, targeting immune checkpoints, represents a promising avenue. FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitors, such as atezolizumab and pembrolizumab, show efficacy, and combination therapies enhance clinical responses. Despite this, the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenge, as the complex tumor ecosystem and the immunosuppressive microenvironment associated with it hamper the efficacy of the available therapeutic approaches. This review explores current and advanced approaches to treat HCC, considering both known and new potential targets, especially derived from proteomic analysis, which is today considered as the most promising approach. Exploring novel strategies, this review discusses antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T), and engineered antibodies. It then reports a systematic analysis of the main ligand/receptor pairs and molecular pathways reported to be overexpressed in tumor cells, highlighting their potential and limitations. Finally, it discusses TGFβ, one of the most promising targets of the HCC microenvironment.
Fear of Recurrence in Advanced Cancer Patients: Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Psychological Correlates
Authors: Calderon Caterina , Gustems Marina , Galán-Moral Rocio , Muñoz-Sánchez Maria M. , Ostios-García Lorena , Jiménez-Fonseca Paula
Published: February 2024

Fear of cancer recurrence significantly impacts advanced cancer patients, prompting emotional distress and increased healthcare utilization. This present study aims to analyze the fear of recurrence among patients with advanced cancer undergoing systemic treatment and its relationship with sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 oncology departments across Spain, involving patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic cancer eligible for systemic treatment. Participants provided demographic information and completed instruments such as the Cancer Worry Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and the Duke–UNC-11 Functional Social Support Questionnaire (DUFSSQ). A total of 1195 participants participated: median age 66, 56% male, mostly metastatic cancers (80%), and common tumor sites. Two fear groups emerged: 28% low and 72% high levels of fear. High fear was associated with being female, being younger, lower levels of education, and worse survival estimates. High fear correlated with more depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, uncertainty, and stronger social support. Multivariate analyses indicated that younger patients, those with shorter survival estimates, higher depression and anxiety scores, more uncertainty, and stronger social support had a greater likelihood of experiencing fear of recurrence, while the opposite was true for older patients. This study underscores distinct fear of recurrence profiles in advanced cancer patients, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and support. Future research should delve deeper into understanding their repercussions for improving patient care and well-being.
Eosinophilic Asthma: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Horizons
Authors: Hussain Musaddique , Liu Gang
Published: February 2024

Asthma is a prevalent chronic non-communicable disease, affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by significant airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, obstruction, and remodeling. Eosinophilic asthma, a subtype of asthma, involves the accumulation of eosinophils in the airways. These eosinophils release mediators and cytokines, contributing to severe airway inflammation and tissue damage. Emerging evidence suggests that targeting eosinophils could reduce airway remodeling and slow the progression of asthma. To achieve this, it is essential to understand the immunopathology of asthma, identify specific eosinophil-associated biomarkers, and categorize patients more accurately based on the clinical characteristics (phenotypes) and underlying pathobiological mechanisms (endotypes). This review delves into the role of eosinophils in exacerbating severe asthma, exploring various phenotypes and endotypes, as well as biomarkers. It also examines the current and emerging biological agents that target eosinophils in eosinophilic asthma. By focusing on these aspects, both researchers and clinicians can advance the development of targeted therapies to combat eosinophilic pathology in severe asthma.
Advanced Molecular Solutions for Cancer Therapy—The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Biomarker Paradigm
Authors: Iacobas Dumitru Andrei
Published: February 2024

Identifying the most effective actionable molecules whose “smart” manipulation might selectively kill/slow down/stop the proliferation of cancer cells, with few side effects on the normal cells of the tissue, was for decades the single major objective of countless investigators [...]
Targeting CDK9 in Cancer: An Integrated Approach of Combining In Silico Screening with Experimental Validation for Novel Degraders
Authors: Koirala Mahesh , DiPaola Mario
Published: February 2024

The persistent threat of cancer remains a significant hurdle for global health, prompting the exploration of innovative approaches in the quest for successful therapeutic interventions. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a central player in transcription regulation and cell cycle progression, has emerged as a promising target to combat cancer. Its pivotal role in oncogenic pathways and the pressing need for novel cancer treatments has propelled CDK9 into the spotlight of drug discovery efforts. This article presents a comprehensive study that connects a multidisciplinary approach, combining computational methodologies, experimental validation, and the transformative Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology. By uniting these diverse techniques, we aim to identify, characterize, and optimize a new class of degraders targeting CDK9. We explore these compounds for targeted protein degradation, offering a novel and potentially effective approach to cancer therapy. This cohesive strategy utilizes the combination of computational predictions and experimental insights, with the goal of advancing the development of effective anticancer therapeutics, targeting CDK9.
Sex-Based Analysis of Quality Indicators of End-of-Life Care in Gastrointestinal Malignancies
Authors: Lees Caitlin S. , Seow Hsien , Chan Kelvin K. W. , Gayowsky Anastasia , Merchant Shaila J. , Sinnarajah Aynharan
Published: February 2024

Indices of aggressive or supportive end-of-life (EOL) care are used to evaluate health services quality. Disparities according to sex were previously described, with studies showing that male sex is associated with aggressive EOL care. This is a secondary analysis of 69,983 patients who died of a GI malignancy in Ontario between 2006 and 2018. Quality indices from the last 14–30 days of life and aggregate measures for aggressive and supportive EOL care were derived from administrative data. Hospitalizations, emergency department use, intensive care unit admissions, and receipt of chemotherapy were considered indices of aggressive care, while physician house call and palliative home care were considered indices of supportive care. Overall, a smaller proportion of females experienced aggressive care at EOL (14.3% vs. 19.0%, standardized difference = 0.13, where ≥0.1 is a meaningful difference). Over time, rates of aggressive care were stable, while rates of supportive care increased for both sexes. Logistic regression showed that younger females (ages 18–39) had increased odds of experiencing aggressive EOL care (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.30–2.25), but there was no such association for males. Quality of EOL care varies according to sex, with a smaller proportion of females experiencing aggressive EOL care.
Unlocking the Potential of Therapy-Induced Cytokine Responses: Illuminating New Pathways in Cancer Precision Medicine
Authors: Gunturu Dilip R. , Hassan Mohammed , Bedi Deepa , Datta Pran , Manne Upender , Samuel Temesgen
Published: February 2024

Precision cancer medicine primarily aims to identify individual patient genomic variations and exploit vulnerabilities in cancer cells to select suitable patients for specific drugs. These genomic features are commonly determined by gene sequencing prior to therapy, to identify individuals who would be most responsive. This precision approach in cancer therapeutics remains a powerful tool that benefits a smaller pool of patients, sparing others from unnecessary treatments. A limitation of this approach is that proteins, not genes, are the ultimate effectors of biological functions, and therefore the targets of therapeutics. An additional dimension in precision medicine that considers an individual’s cytokine response to cancer therapeutics is proposed. Cytokine responses to therapy are multifactorial and vary among individuals. Thus, precision is dictated by the nature and magnitude of cytokine responses in the tumor microenvironment exposed to therapy. This review highlights cytokine responses as modules for precision medicine in cancer therapy, including potential challenges. For solid tumors, both detectability of cytokines in tissue fluids and their being amenable to routine sensitive analyses could address the difficulty of specimen collection for diagnosis and monitoring. Therefore, in precision cancer medicine, cytokines offer rational targets that can be utilized to enhance the efficacy of cancer therapy.
Low Contrast Challenge and Limitations of Thermal Drones in Maritime Search and Rescue—Pilot Study
Authors: Medić Dario , Bakota Mario , Jelaska Igor , Škorput Pero
Published: February 2024

This paper analyses the efficiency of thermal infrared (TIR) systems during night search operations under specific weather conditions, with a focus on determining the maximum operating altitude of the drone. The drone used in the research (DJI Matrice 210 V2) is equipped with a thermal camera, in a scenario involving maritime search and rescue (SAR) operation, i.e., person detection at sea with or without a survival suit. By capturing images from different altitudes and measuring key atmospheric and maritime parameters, essential data are obtained for defining optimal DRI parameters (detection, recognition, and identification) within the existing on-site meteorological conditions. This research contributes to more accurate life-saving procedures, underlining the importance of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) technology for maritime SAR. It is expected that the presented model will improve operational readiness for SAR operations in areas with similar climatic profiles. The research results indicate the need to conduct similar research in different climatic conditions to improve the application of the TIR system in maritime SAR operations.
Structural Characterization and Molecular Model Construction of Lignite: A Case of Xianfeng Coal
Authors: Shi Ying , Zhu Yanming , Chen Shangbin , Wang Yang , Song Yu
Published: February 2024

The object of the study is lignite. Analytical testing techniques, such as elemental analysis, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), were used to acquire information on the structural parameters of lignite. The aromaticity of Xianfeng lignite is 43.57%, and the aromatic carbon structure is mainly naphthalene and anthracene/phenanthrene. The aliphatic carbon structure is dominated by cycloalkanes, alkyl side chains, and hydrogenated aromatics. Oxygen is mainly present in ether oxygen, carboxyl, and carbonyl groups. Nitrogen is mainly in the form of pyrrole nitrogen and quaternary nitrogen. Sulfur is mainly thiophene sulfur. According to the analysis results, the molecular structure model of XF lignite was constructed. The molecular formula is C184H172O39N6S2. The 2D structure was converted to a 3D structure using computer simulation software and optimized. The optimized model has a remarkable stereoconfiguration, and the aromatic lamellae are irregularly arranged in space. The aromatic rings were mainly connected by methylene, hypomethylene, methoxy, and aliphatic rings. In addition, the simulated 13C NMR spectra are in good agreement with the experimental spectra. This shows the rationality of the 3D chemical structure model.
Research on New Whitening and Water-Saving Technology Based on Industrial Equipment
Authors: Chai Yufei , Jiang Weiting , Zheng Xin
Published: February 2024

Energy conservation and consumption reduction have always been the goals pursued by the power industry. Based on these goals, this study explored a new type of whitening and water-saving technology for industrial equipment. Unlike existing direct heating and condensation heating technologies, the main innovation of this work lies in not changing the saturated wet flue gas before it is discharged into the atmospheric environment. A series of experiments were conducted on electrode plates with different wind speeds, supersaturation levels, and porosities using three principles, namely droplet electrostatic adsorption, ionic-wind-enhanced condensation, and droplet dipole deflection, through the construction of a parameter-adjustable and -controllable enthalpy and humidity chamber and a pilot development platform with a wind volume of 10,000 m3/h. In addition, the collection efficiency was calculated using thermodynamic laws. The results showed that, under the working conditions of white mist supersaturation of 5.77 g/kg, a hole opening rate of 70%, and a wind speed of 3 m/s, the water collection efficiency was the highest—close to 60%—verifying the feasibility of this technology. This technology not only eliminates white smoke but also saves water resources and has certain economic benefits, providing support for the development of industrial equipment for smoke removal in the future.
Deep Learning for Wind and Solar Energy Forecasting in Hydrogen Production
Authors: Nikulins Arturs , Sudars Kaspars , Edelmers Edgars , Namatevs Ivars , Ozols Kaspars , Komasilovs Vitalijs , Zacepins Aleksejs , Kviesis Armands , Reinhardt Andreas
Published: February 2024

This research delineates a pivotal advancement in the domain of sustainable energy systems, with a focused emphasis on the integration of renewable energy sources—predominantly wind and solar power—into the hydrogen production paradigm. At the core of this scientific endeavor is the formulation and implementation of a deep-learning-based framework for short-term localized weather forecasting, specifically designed to enhance the efficiency of hydrogen production derived from renewable energy sources. The study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of fully connected neural networks (FCNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) within the realm of deep learning, aimed at refining the accuracy of renewable energy forecasts. These methodologies have demonstrated remarkable proficiency in navigating the inherent complexities and variabilities associated with renewable energy systems, thereby significantly improving the reliability and precision of predictions pertaining to energy output. The cornerstone of this investigation is the deployment of an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven weather forecasting system, which meticulously analyzes data procured from 25 distinct weather monitoring stations across Latvia. This system is specifically tailored to deliver short-term (1 h ahead) forecasts, employing a comprehensive sensor fusion approach to accurately predicting wind and solar power outputs. A major finding of this research is the achievement of a mean squared error (MSE) of 1.36 in the forecasting model, underscoring the potential of this approach in optimizing renewable energy utilization for hydrogen production. Furthermore, the paper elucidates the construction of the forecasting model, revealing that the integration of sensor fusion significantly enhances the model’s predictive capabilities by leveraging data from multiple sources to generate a more accurate and robust forecast. The entire codebase developed during this research endeavor has been made available on an open access GIT server.
Challenges, Roadmaps and Smart Energy Transition towards 100% Renewable Energy Markets in American Islands: A Review
Authors: Icaza Daniel , Vallejo-Ramirez David , Guerrero Granda Carlos , Marín Edwin
Published: February 2024

There is no doubt that the transition towards renewable energies is generating many changes on different continents, some with greater impacts than others, but the development that has occurred is recognized and widely accepted. The progress has been significant but it is necessary to analyze the roadmaps that have been proposed so far at the island level so that decision makers have sufficient tools to commit the much-needed economic resources to transform their energy systems into 100% renewable ones. These approaches are not simple and the hard work of the authors who have disseminated their research is recognized. The roadmaps are planned based on the energy potential available in the territories and the future energy demand. Within countries, it is important to increase the economic resources to allocate to investments in environmentally friendly renewable energies. In this review of 100% renewable smart systems on islands, the situation of the American continent, its challenges and its long-term approaches in the different geographical areas facing 2050 are analyzed. This article shows that research into the design of 100% renewable energy systems in scientific articles is fairly new but has gained more and more attention in recent years. In total, 175 articles published since 2002 were identified and analyzed. Many of these articles have a predominant focus on the electricity sector. As a general result, it has been determined that although there has been significant progress towards an orderly energy transition, this has not been consistent with the international agreements signed since the Paris Summit, which is a real challenge in complying with the new commitment of the COP28 of Dubai in tripling the participation of renewables.
Power Production, Inter- and Intra-Array Wake Losses from the U.S. East Coast Offshore Wind Energy Lease Areas
Authors: Pryor Sara C. , Barthelmie Rebecca J.
Published: February 2024

There is an urgent need to develop accurate predictions of power production, wake losses and array–array interactions from multi-GW offshore wind farms in order to enable developments that maximize power benefits, minimize levelized cost of energy and reduce investment uncertainty. New, climatologically representative simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are presented and analyzed to address these research needs with a specific focus on offshore wind energy lease areas along the U.S. east coast. These, uniquely detailed, simulations are designed to quantify important sources of wake-loss projection uncertainty. They sample across different wind turbine deployment scenarios and thus span the range of plausible installed capacity densities (ICDs) and also include two wind farm parameterizations (WFPs; Fitch and explicit wake parameterization (EWP)) and consider the precise WRF model release used. System-wide mean capacity factors for ICDs of 3.5 to 6.0 MWkm−2 range from 39 to 45% based on output from Fitch and 50 to 55% from EWP. Wake losses are 27–37% (Fitch) and 11–19% (EWP). The discrepancy in CF and wake losses from the two WFPs derives from two linked effects. First, EWP generates a weaker ‘deep array effect’ within the largest wind farm cluster (area of 3675 km2), though both parameterizations indicate substantial within-array wake losses. If 15 MW wind turbines are deployed at an ICD of 6 MWkm−2 the most heavily waked wind turbines generate an average of only 32–35% of the power of those that experience the freestream (undisturbed) flow. Nevertheless, there is no evidence for saturation of the resource. The wind power density (electrical power generation per unit of surface area) increases with ICD and lies between 2 and 3 Wm−2. Second, EWP also systematically generates smaller whole wind farm wakes. Sampling across all offshore wind energy lease areas and the range of ICD considered, the whole wind farm wake extent for a velocity deficit of 5% is 1.18 to 1.38 times larger in simulations with Fitch. Over three-quarters of the variability in normalized wake extents is attributable to variations in freestream wind speeds, turbulent kinetic energy and boundary layer depth. These dependencies on meteorological parameters allow for the development of computationally efficient emulators of wake extents from Fitch and EWP.
CO2 Capture and Enhanced Hydrogen Production Enabled by Low-Temperature Separation of PSA Tail Gas: A Detailed Exergy Analysis
Authors: Berstad David , Straus Julian , Gundersen Truls
Published: February 2024

Hydrogen from natural gas reforming can be produced efficiently with a high CO2 capture rate. This can be achieved through oxygen-blown autothermal reforming as the core technology, combined with pressure-swing adsorption for hydrogen purification and refrigeration-based tail gas separation for CO2 capture and recirculation of residual hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. The low-temperature tail gas separation section is presented in detail. The main objective of the paper is to study and quantify the exergy efficiency of this separation process in detail. To achieve this, a detailed exergy analysis is conducted. The irreversibilities in 42 different process components are quantified. In order to provide transparent verification of the consistency of exergy calculations, the total irreversibility rate is calculated by two independent approaches: Through the bottom-up approach, all individual irreversibilities are added to obtain the total irreversibility rate. Through the top-down approach, the total irreversibility rate is calculated solely by the exergy flows crossing the control volume boundaries. The consistency is verified as the comparison of results obtained by the two methods shows a relative deviation of 4·10−7. The exergy efficiency of the CO2 capture process is calculated, based on two different definitions. Both methods give a baseline exergy efficiency of 58.38%, which indicates a high degree of exergy utilisation in the process.
Probability Calculation for Utilization of Photovoltaic Energy in Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Authors: Belany Pavol , Hrabovsky Peter , Florkova Zuzana
Published: February 2024

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the efficient utilization of natural resources across various facets of life. One such area of focus is transportation, particularly electric mobility in conjunction with the deployment of renewable energy sources. To fully realize this objective, it is crucial to quantify the probability of achieving the desired state—production exceeding consumption. This article deals with the computation of the probability that the energy required to charge an electric vehicle will originate from a renewable source at a specific time and for a predetermined charging duration. The base of the model lies in artificial neural networks, which serve as an ancillary tool for the actual probability assessment. Neural networks are used to forecast the values of energy production and consumption. Following the processing of these data, the probability of energy availability for a given day and month is determined. A total of seven scenarios are calculated, representing individual days of the week. These findings can help users in their decision-making process regarding when and for how long to connect their electric vehicle to a charging station to receive assured clean energy from a local photovoltaic source.
Enhancing the Methane Yield of Salicornia spp. via Organosolv Fractionation as Part of a Halophyte Biorefinery Concept
Authors: Cayenne Aadila , Monção Maxwel , Matsakas Leonidas , Rova Ulrika , Christakopoulos Paul , Thomsen Mette H. , Uellendahl Hinrich
Published: February 2024

The present research investigated the effect of organosolv pretreatment on two species of salt-tolerant Salicornia spp. biomass, Salicornia dolichostachya and Salicornia ramosissima, for increasing biomethane production through anaerobic digestion. The final biomethane yield of de-juiced green fibers of Salicornia spp. from wet fractionation increased by 23–28% after organosolv treatment. The highest methane yield of about 300 mL-CH4/gVS was found after organosolv treatment with 60% v/v ethanol solution at 200 °C for 30 min, or at 180 °C for 30 or 60 min treatment time. Furthermore, the methane production rate increased significantly, reducing the time until 95% of the final methane yield was reached from 20 days to 6–10 days for the organosolv-treated biomass. This research shows that the process of anaerobic digestion of halophyte biomass benefits from cascade processing of Salicornia fibers in a biorefinery framework by sequential wet and organosolv fractionation for full utilization of halophytic biomass.
Low Abundant Bacteria Reflect Soil Specificity—Analysis of Bacterial Communities from Archaeological Investigation of Pre-Industrial Saline Ash Deposits of Bad Dürrenberg (Germany)
Authors: Köhler Johann Michael , Ehrhardt Linda , Günther Peter Mike , Böhme Manfred , Cao Jialan
Published: February 2024

Six soil samples from three layers of an archaeological investigation profile from a pre-industrial ash deposit place have been investigated by NGS analyses of 16 S rRNA. The three pairs of sample originate from top soil (internal reference), from an intermediate ash layer and from a lower ash layer, formed about two centuries ago. In addition to general abundant bacteria, special genera known as halophilic or alkaline-tolerant have been found as expected from the history of the place and from the measured pH-value and conductivity measurements. The close relations between samples of pairs and the differences between the three soil layers are clearly indicated by abundance correlation and PCA-diagrams. Comparative PCA correlation plots including samples from an archaeological excavation site dedicated to pre-industrial coal mining illustrate the high distinguishability of investigated soils. These relations are particular clearly shown when lower abundant bacteria are regarded. The investigations are a further example for the “ecological memory of soil” reflecting the strong human impact on this pre-industrial embossed place.
Sap Flow Responses of the Endangered Species Juniperus drupacea Labill. to Environmental Variables in Parnon Mountain, Greece
Authors: Korakaki Evangelia , Avramidou Evangelia V. , Solomou Alexandra D. , Boutsios Stefanos , Daskalakou Evangelia N.
Published: February 2024

In the face of ongoing climatic changes, understanding the species’ sap flow responses is of crucial importance for adaptation and resilience of ecosystems. This study investigated diurnal variability and radial sap flux density (Js) in a natural Juniperus drupacea forest on Mt Parnon and determined the climatic factors affecting its total sap flow (Qs). Between July 2021 and March 2022, Granier-type sensors and automatic weather stations monitored Js of J. drupacea trees and environmental factors. Utilizing a multi-point sensor for Js radial profile variability, correction factors were applied to calculate (Qs), ranging from 4.78 to 16.18 L day−1. In drier months of the study period (July–September), Qs progressively increased with increasing PAR and soil temperature, reaching a plateau at maximum values (app. 600 µmol m−2 s−1 and 26 °C respectively) indicating partial stomatal closure. Whereas, during the wetter period (October–March), when water was no longer a limiting factor, VPD and PAR emerged as significant controllers of stand transpiration. In this period, Qs responded positively to increasing soil water content (θ) only on days with high VPD (>0.5 kPa). The studied J. drupacea stand demonstrated adaptability to varying environmental conditions, crucial for the species’ survival, considering anticipated climate change scenarios.
Analyzing GPU Performance in Virtualized Environments: A Case Study
Authors: Belkhiri Adel , Dagenais Michel
Published: February 2024

The graphics processing unit (GPU) plays a crucial role in boosting application performance and enhancing computational tasks. Thanks to its parallel architecture and energy efficiency, the GPU has become essential in many computing scenarios. On the other hand, the advent of GPU virtualization has been a significant breakthrough, as it provides scalable and adaptable GPU resources for virtual machines. However, this technology faces challenges in debugging and analyzing the performance of GPU-accelerated applications. Most current performance tools do not support virtual GPUs (vGPUs), highlighting the need for more advanced tools. Thus, this article introduces a novel performance analysis tool that is designed for systems using vGPUs. Our tool is compatible with the Intel GVT-g virtualization solution, although its underlying principles can apply to many vGPU-based systems. Our tool uses software tracing techniques to gather detailed runtime data and generate relevant performance metrics. It also offers many synchronized graphical views, which gives practitioners deep insights into GVT-g operations and helps them identify potential performance bottlenecks in vGPU-enabled virtual machines.
Synthesis and Photopatterning of Synthetic Thiol-Norbornene Hydrogels
Authors: Jalloh Umu S. , Gsell Arielle , Gultian Kirstene A. , MacAulay James , Madden Abigail , Smith Jillian , Siri Luke , Vega Sebastián L.
Published: February 2024

Hydrogels are a class of soft biomaterials and the material of choice for a myriad of biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and highly tunable mechanical and biochemical properties. Specifically, light-mediated thiol-norbornene click reactions between norbornene-modified macromers and di-thiolated crosslinkers can be used to form base hydrogels amenable to spatial biochemical modifications via subsequent light reactions between pendant norbornenes in the hydrogel network and thiolated peptides. Macromers derived from natural sources (e.g., hyaluronic acid, gelatin, alginate) can cause off-target cell signaling, and this has motivated the use of synthetic macromers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). In this study, commercially available 8-arm norbornene-modified PEG (PEG-Nor) macromers were reacted with di-thiolated crosslinkers (dithiothreitol, DTT) to form synthetic hydrogels. By varying the PEG-Nor weight percent or DTT concentration, hydrogels with a stiffness range of 3.3 kPa–31.3 kPa were formed. Pendant norbornene groups in these hydrogels were used for secondary reactions to either increase hydrogel stiffness (by reacting with DTT) or to tether mono-thiolated peptides to the hydrogel network. Peptide functionalization has no effect on bulk hydrogel mechanics, and this confirms that mechanical and biochemical signals can be independently controlled. Using photomasks, thiolated peptides can also be photopatterned onto base hydrogels, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) attach and spread on RGD-functionalized PEG-Nor hydrogels. MSCs encapsulated in PEG-Nor hydrogels are also highly viable, demonstrating the ability of this platform to form biocompatible hydrogels for 2D and 3D cell culture with user-defined mechanical and biochemical properties.
POPDC1 Variants Cause Atrioventricular Node Dysfunction and Arrhythmogenic Changes in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Intracellular Calcium Handling in Zebrafish
Authors: Stoyek Matthew R. , Doane Sarah E. , Dallaire Shannon E. , Long Zachary D. , Ramia Jessica M. , Cassidy-Nolan Donovan L. , Poon Kar-Lai , Brand Thomas , Quinn T. Alexander
Published: February 2024

Popeye domain-containing (POPDC) proteins selectively bind cAMP and mediate cellular responses to sympathetic nervous system (SNS) stimulation. The first discovered human genetic variant (POPDC1S201F) is associated with atrioventricular (AV) block, which is exacerbated by increased SNS activity. Zebrafish carrying the homologous mutation (popdc1S191F) display a similar phenotype to humans. To investigate the impact of POPDC1 dysfunction on cardiac electrophysiology and intracellular calcium handling, homozygous popdc1S191F and popdc1 knock-out (popdc1KO) zebrafish larvae and adult isolated popdc1S191F hearts were studied by functional fluorescent analysis. It was found that in popdc1S191F and popdc1KO larvae, heart rate (HR), AV delay, action potential (AP) and calcium transient (CaT) upstroke speed, and AP duration were less than in wild-type larvae, whereas CaT duration was greater. SNS stress by β-adrenergic receptor stimulation with isoproterenol increased HR, lengthened AV delay, slowed AP and CaT upstroke speed, and shortened AP and CaT duration, yet did not result in arrhythmias. In adult popdc1S191F zebrafish hearts, there was a higher incidence of AV block, slower AP upstroke speed, and longer AP duration compared to wild-type hearts, with no differences in CaT. SNS stress increased AV delay and led to further AV block in popdc1S191F hearts while decreasing AP and CaT duration. Overall, we have revealed that arrhythmogenic effects of POPDC1 dysfunction on cardiac electrophysiology and intracellular calcium handling in zebrafish are varied, but already present in early development, and that AV node dysfunction may underlie SNS-induced arrhythmogenesis associated with popdc1 mutation in adults.