bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Response Rates and Sleep Disorder Prevalence: Insights from a Propranolol Treatment Study for Infantile Haemangiomas
Authors: Opri Francesca , Opri Roberta , Zaffanello Marco , Rigotti Erika
Published: September 2024

Background: Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) sometimes require treatment with propranolol. Sleep disturbances are the most frequently reported side effects. Monitoring adverse drug events necessitates repeated hospital visits, which can be challenging during a pandemic. Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of a new electronic questionnaire in identifying sleep disturbances related to treatment with propranolol and potential confounding factors. To evaluate the response rate to the questionnaire. To report the proportion of patients on propranolol with sleep disturbances. Methods: In an observational, prospective cohort study, caregivers provided clinical information during ambulatory visits and via an electronic questionnaire after an 8-week treatment course with propranolol and at the time of treatment interruption. Adverse drug reaction reporting forms were assessed for causality. Results: The questionnaire response rate was 91%, and the completion rate was 100%. A total of 59% of patients experienced sleep disturbances during propranolol treatment, which were considered adverse reactions. Sleep disorders were frequent during sleep regression phases and in subjects who fell asleep during physical contact with caregivers or bed-sharing with parents. Conclusion: The application of this questionnaire allows for identifying adverse sleep events associated with propranolol in IHs and potential confounders. Counselling on sleep hygiene is recommended before treatment onset.
Stimulation of Angiotensin II Receptor Subtype 2 Reduces Preeclampsia-like Symptoms in a Mouse Model of Preeclampsia
Authors: Matsubara Keiichi , Matsubara Yuko , Uchikura Yuka , Sugiyama Takashi
Published: September 2024

Angiotensin II (AngII) receptor subtype 1 (AT1R) is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Angiotensin II receptor subtype 2 (AT2R) can antagonize the effects of AT1R, but its effects during pregnancy are not known. We investigated the effect of AT2R on the pathogenesis of PE using a mouse model and recently developed AT2R agonist (compound 21 [C21]). Blastocysts collected from pregnant imprinting control region (ICR) mice were incubated with adenovirus containing the CD40L gene and transferred into the uterine horns of pseudo-pregnant ICR mice to express PE-like features. Osmotic pumps were placed subcutaneously on the dorsal side with C21 or saline. C21 reduced the plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) concentration, ameliorating hypertension. The splenic T and B cell profiles in model mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. The gated percentage of IFN-γ-positive Th cells was significantly increased and the percentage of plasma cells in B cells was significantly decreased; however, the percentages were not altered by C21. sFlt-1 and soluble endoglin concentrations in plasma were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and sFlt-1 was reduced. C21 could become a candidate PE drug as it ameliorated the pathophysiology of PE as a result of decreased production of sFlt-1.
Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Polymorphism c.2194G>A Screening Is a Useful Tool for Decreasing Gastrointestinal and Hematological Adverse Drug Reaction Risk in Fluoropyrimidine-Treated Patients
Authors: Ardizzone Alessio , Bulzomì Maria , De Luca Fabiola , Silvestris Nicola , Esposito Emanuela , Capra Anna Paola
Published: September 2024

Although the risk of fluoropyrimidine toxicity may be decreased by identifying poor metabolizers with a preemptive dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) test, following international standards, many patients with wild-type (WT) genotypes for classic variations may still exhibit adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Therefore, the safety of fluoropyrimidine therapy could be improved by identifying new DPYD polymorphisms associated with ADRs. This study was carried out to assess whether testing for the underestimated c.2194G>A (DPYD*6 polymorphism, rs1801160) is useful, in addition to other well-known variants, in reducing the risk of ADRs in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. This retrospective study included 132 patients treated with fluoropyrimidine-containing regimens who experienced ADRs such as gastrointestinal, dermatological, hematological, and neurological. All subjects were screened for DPYD variants DPYD2A (IVS14+1G>A, c.1905+1G>A, rs3918290), DPYD13 (c.1679T>G, rs55886062), c.2846A>T (rs67376798), c.1236G>A (rs56038477), and c.2194G>A by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In this cohort, the heterozygous c.2194G>A variant was present in 26 patients, while 106 individuals were WT; both subgroups were compared for the incidence of ADRs. This assessment revealed a high incidence of gastrointestinal and hematological ADRs in DPYD6 carriers compared to WT. Moreover, we have shown a higher prevalence of ADRs in females compared to males when stratifying c.2194G>A carrier individuals. Considering that c.2194G>A was linked to clinically relevant ADRs, we suggest that this variant should also be assessed preventively to reduce the risk of fluoropyrimidine-related ADRs.
Electric Scooter Falls: The 2023–2024 Experience in the Clinical Emergency Children’s Hospital in Galați
Authors: Popescu Cristina-Mihaela , Marina Virginia , Popescu Floriana , Oprea Andreea
Published: September 2024

(1) Introduction: Since electric scooters were launched in 2017, they have become increasingly popular worldwide and a cause of childhood trauma. (2) Case reports: This paper has a double-fold purpose: it reports two cases of epidural hematomas and compares them with electric scooter-related head trauma in the literature. An overview of the literature on this topic was performed to make such a comparison. Our cases are one of almost 52 cm3 and one of 129 cm3, both in two eight-year-olds. (3) Discussion: Although usually mild, traumatic brain injuries following e-scooter falls can also be moderate and severe. Reduced helmet use, high speed, and a lack of experience are the perfect set-up for potential severe injuries. Intracranial bleeds are not frequent, and epidural hematomas are rare in such cases, but they can significantly impact the individual, community, and healthcare system. No other medium- or large-sized epidural hematomas were reported in children sustaining electric scooter-related head trauma. (4) Conclusions: Our review parallels the literature and our hospital’s experience. Although there are both similarities and discrepancies between our cases and the literature, mild trauma should not be disregarded, for it may hide serious complications requiring immediate surgery.
Wear Behavior of TiN/TiAlSiN Nanocomposite Multilayer Coatings from Ambient Temperature to Medium Temperature
Authors: Ma Hairui , Miao Qiang , Liang Wenping , Sun Shijie , Qi Yan , Jia Feilong , Chang Xiangle
Published: September 2024

TiN/TiAlSiN nanocomposite multilayer coatings were deposited on a titanium alloy by multi-arc ion plating. The investigation of the wear behavior of TiN/TiAlSiN multilayer coatings against Si3N4 was conducted at temperatures of 25 °C, 300 °C, and 500 °C using a ball-on-disk tribometer. Additionally, to gain a deeper understanding of medium-temperature oxidation products, an oxidation test was performed at 500 °C for 10 h. The microstructure and chemical composition of the coatings were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The primary peak in the XRD pattern of the multilayer coating changed from TiN (111) to Ti3AlN (111) after the oxidation test. The hardness of the TiN/TiAlSiN multilayer coating was 1540 HV0.1, representing a notable five times improvement compared to the substrate. The critical load in the scratch test was 52.3 N, indicating robust adhesion performance. The wear rate exhibited a sharp increase from 25 °C to 300 °C, compared to the rise from 300 °C to 500 °C. Furthermore, the friction coefficient of the coated sample was more stable than the substrate, with different scratch track morphologies between the samples before and after the oxidation test.
Optimized Calculation of Radial and Axial Magnetic Forces between Two Non-Coaxial Coils of Rectangular Cross-Section with Parallel Axes
Authors: Babic Slobodan , Guven Eray , Song Kai-Hong , Luo Yao
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we introduce a new algorithm for calculating the radial and axial magnetic forces between two non-coaxial circular loops with parallel axes. These formulas are derived from a modified version of Grover’s formula for mutual inductance between the coils in question. Utilizing these formulas, we compute the radial and axial magnetic forces between two non-coaxial thick coils of rectangular cross-sections with parallel axes. In these calculations, we apply the filament method and conduct investigations to determine the optimal number of subdivisions for the coils in terms of computational time and accuracy. The method presented in this paper is also applicable to all conventional non-coaxial coils, such as disks, solenoids, and non-conventional coils like Bitter coils, all with parallel axes. This paper emphasizes the accuracy and computational efficiency of the calculations. Furthermore, the new method is validated according to several previously established methods.
Current Trends on Unique Features and Role of Nanomaterials in Personal Care Products
Authors: Rathnasinghe Nimasha L. , Kaushani Kotuwegoda G. , Rajapakshe Praveena S. , De Silva Awanthi , Jayasinghe Randika A. , Liyanage Renuka N. , Tissera Nadeeka D. , Wijesena Ruchira N. , Priyadarshana Gayan
Published: September 2024

Nanotechnology has applications in a variety of scientific specialties, encompassing health, technological devices, and now cosmetics under the generic term of nanocosmetics. Due to the improved particle qualities, such as color, transparency, and solubility, acquired at the nanoscale, nanotechnology significantly affects the cosmetic industry. Skin penetration mechanism depends heavily on the nanoparticles’ physicochemical properties, including stiffness, hydrophobicity, size, and charge. An expanding industry that requires more research and development has been created by nanoparticle production technologies. Liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, cubosomes, dendrimers, and other nanomaterials offer advanced skincare properties. Cosmetics made using nanotechnology have the advantages of product diversity, increased bioavailability of active compounds, and enhanced pleasing appearance of cosmetics with long-lasting benefits. The various cosmetic brands’ utilization of various types of nanomaterials in their products is highlighted in this review.
Bacterial Community Structure and Patterns of Diversity in the Sediments of Mountain Rock Basins from a National Park
Authors: de Cos-Gandoy Amaya , Serrano-Bellón Andrea , Macías-Daza María , Pérez-Uz Blanca , Williams Richard A. J. , Sanchez-Jimenez Abel , Martín-Cereceda Mercedes
Published: September 2024

Bacterial microbiomes influence global carbon and nutrient cycling as the environment changes. Rain-fed rock basins are ephemeral aquatic systems, potentially subject to extreme environmental stress, that can host a wide variety of biological communities, including bacteria. However, bacterial communities are barely described in these habitats. Here we provide a detailed description on the occurrence, diversity and distribution patterns of the bacterial communities within and between rain-fed granite mountain rock basins located in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, Spain, using high-throughput sequencing of 16S RNA. We recovered a highly diverse community consisting of 3174 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to 32 phyla. In total, 50% of OTUs were shared among basins and 6–10% were basin-exclusive OTUs, suggesting a robust global bacterial metacommunity colonizes the basins. The existence of 6% replicate-exclusive OTUs and the fact that at least four replicates were required to catalogue 90% of the basin bacterial community emphasized the heterogeneity of these habitats. Both environmental filtering and random dispersal are likely to be involved in the arrangement of the bacterial communities. The taxa identified in this study are versatile in metabolism, and some have biotechnological potential. The taxonomic affiliation of many of the OTUs found suggests that rain-fed rock basins could be a resource for mining novel bacterial biocompounds.
Body Height of MPS I and II Patients after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: The Impact of Dermatan Sulphate
Authors: Lipiński Patryk , Różdżyńska-Świątkowska Agnieszka , Ługowska Agnieszka , Marucha Jolanta , Drabko Katarzyna , Tylki-Szymańska Anna
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) comprises one of the two main treatment regimens for patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS). There is a scarcity of literature concerning the process of growth in children with Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) and Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS II) after HSCT. The aim of this manuscript was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HSCT on the heights of patients with MPS I and MPS II. Material and methods: It was an observational, single-center study on patients with MPS I and II treated with HSCT. Results: 6 MPS patients, including 4 MPS I and 2 MPS II, underwent HSCT at a median age of 2 years. All patients are alive to date, with a median age of 7.7 years (range 5.5–12 years) at the last follow-up. In both (MPS I and MPS II) groups of patients treated with HSCT, the growth rate was higher than in untreated patients and was found to be in line with the population norm. In both MPS I and MPS II patients who were treated with HSCT, normalization of urinary GAG excretion was observed. Additionally, no bands of DS and HS in GAG electrophoresis were visible. Conclusions: Both MPS I and MPS II patients presented height gain after HSCT compared to the curves of untreated patients. The absence of dermatan sulphate after HSCT could lead to normal growth in bone length.
Color Stability Assessment of Single- and Multi-Shade Composites Following Immersion in Staining Food Substances
Authors: Checchi Vittorio , Forabosco Eleonora , Della Casa Giulia , Kaleci Shaniko , Giannetti Luca , Generali Luigi , Bellini Pierantonio
Published: September 2024

Composite resins are the material of choice for direct restorations, and their success depends mainly on their color stability, since discoloration causes color mismatch, and consequent patient dissatisfaction. A single- and a multi-shade resin were compared in order to evaluate their pigmentation after immersion in staining substances and to investigate the effect of the polymerization time on their color stability. Two-hundred-and-forty composite specimens were created, half made of a single-shade (Group ONE, n = 120) and half of a multi-shade composite (Group OXP, n = 120). Each group was further divided into ONE30 (n = 60) and OXP30 (n = 60), polymerized for 30″, and ONE80 (n = 60) and OXP80 (n = 60), polymerized for 80″. Randomly, the specimens were immersed in turmeric solution, soy sauce, energy drink, or artificial saliva. By means of a spectrophotometer, ΔE00 and WId were calculated at 24 h (T0), at 7 (T1), and 30 (T2) days. Single-shade composites showed statistically significant differences in color change from the turmeric solution, energy drink, and soy sauce than the multi-shade composites (p < 0.005), showing a higher discoloration potential. The polymerization time did not have significative effects on color stability. Single-shade composites showed more color change than multi-shade systems after immersion in staining substances, and the curing time did not influence color variations.
Research on Cooperative Obstacle Avoidance Decision Making of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Swarms in Complex Environments under End-Edge-Cloud Collaboration Model
Authors: Zhao Longqian , Chen Bing , Hu Feng
Published: September 2024

Obstacle avoidance in UAV swarms is crucial for ensuring the stability and safety of cluster flights. However, traditional methods of swarm obstacle avoidance often fail to meet the requirements of frequent spatiotemporal dynamic changes in UAV swarms, especially in complex environments such as forest firefighting, mine monitoring, and earthquake disaster relief. Consequently, the trained obstacle avoidance strategy differs from the expected or optimal obstacle avoidance scheme, leading to decision bias. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a method of UAV swarm obstacle avoidance decision making based on the end-edge-cloud collaboration model. In this method, the UAV swarm generates training data through environmental interaction. Sparse rewards are converted into dense rewards, considering the complex environmental state information and limited resources, and the actions of the UAVs are evaluated according to the reward values, to accurately assess the advantages and disadvantages of each agent’s actions. Finally, the training data and evaluation signals are utilized to optimize the parameters of the neural network through strategy-updating operations, aiming to improve the decision-making strategy. The experimental results demonstrate that the UAV swarm obstacle avoidance method proposed in this paper exhibits high obstacle avoidance efficiency, swarm stability, and completeness compared to other obstacle avoidance methods.
Random Transitions of a Binary Star in the Canonical Ensemble
Authors: Chavanis Pierre-Henri
Published: September 2024

After reviewing the peculiar thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of self-gravitating systems, we consider the case of a “binary star” consisting of two particles of size a in gravitational interaction in a box of radius R. The caloric curve of this system displays a region of negative specific heat in the microcanonical ensemble, which is replaced by a first-order phase transition in the canonical ensemble. The free energy viewed as a thermodynamic potential exhibits two local minima that correspond to two metastable states separated by an unstable maximum forming a barrier of potential. By introducing a Langevin equation to model the interaction of the particles with the thermal bath, we study the random transitions of the system between a “dilute” state, where the particles are well separated, and a “condensed” state, where the particles are bound together. We show that the evolution of the system is given by a Fokker–Planck equation in energy space and that the lifetime of a metastable state is given by the Kramers formula involving the barrier of free energy. This is a particular case of the theory developed in a previous paper (Chavanis, 2005) for N Brownian particles in gravitational interaction associated with the canonical ensemble. In the case of a binary star (N=2), all the quantities can be calculated exactly analytically. We compare these results with those obtained in the mean field limit N→+∞.
Enhancing Student Engagement and Outcomes: The Effects of Cooperative Learning in an Ethiopian University’s Classrooms
Authors: Tadesse Tefera , Ware Hashim , Asmare Aregu , Gillies Robyn M.
Published: September 2024

Based on social interdependence and social constructivism theories, the authors of this study examined the effects of a cooperative learning (CL) pedagogical model on the engagement and outcomes of undergraduate students in an Ethiopian university’s classrooms. We did this by using a quasi-experimental post-test control group design. The study participants included undergraduate students enrolled in the courses “Risk Management and Insurance” (n = 99) and “Foundation Engineering I” (n = 94). The control groups received regular lecture-based teaching, while the experimental group received CL instruction over two weeks in six to eight sessions. The results from the Management sample, which demonstrated that the CL intervention group reported significantly higher learning outcomes and more engagement than the control groups, are sufficient evidence for the study to validate the hypothesis. The effect sizes were moderate and ranged from 0.52 to 0.78 Cohen’s d. In the Engineering course, the results demonstrate the smallest difference between the mean scores reported by the CL group and those of the regular lecture group, with the CL group showing slightly higher student engagement and outcomes across the three categories assessed. The Engineering sample’s results, however, did not show any significant differences between the CL and control groups. This study provides evidence that course reform utilizing a CL pedagogical design could improve student engagement and learning outcomes as compared to the regular lecture-based method. By incorporating CL pedagogies, higher educators and institutions can create more engaging and effective learning environments for students.
Writing with AI: What College Students Learned from Utilizing ChatGPT for a Writing Assignment
Authors: Wang Changzhao , Aguilar Stephen J. , Bankard Jennifer S. , Bui Eric , Nye Benjamin
Published: September 2024

To support the integration of AI in education, this empirical study investigated what lessons college students learned from using Generative AI for writing. We recruited 47 students in the United States from a university writing course. Students completed an assignment in which they used Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to draft an application letter or personal statement. Data were collected using a survey of five open-ended questions about their writing process, what worked, what did not work, how to better write with AI, and general lessons learned. We applied thematic analysis and sentiment analysis methods to analyze students’ responses. Results show that (1) students went through multiple rounds of prompting; (2) students identified strengths of AI, such as connection to topic, template generation, and sentence quality; (3) the weaknesses of AI included general language, robotic tone and lacking emotion, lacking personal voice, and lacking critical thinking; (4) students wished to improve AI-generated writing by adding personal stories, connections to posting, feelings and thoughts, and deleting repetitive language; and (5) their overall attitudes toward AI tool were positive. We believe our findings can help relieve some concerns about cheating with AI. We also suggested strategies to regulate the use of AI.
Impact of Weather Conditions on Reliability Indicators of Low-Voltage Cable Lines
Authors: Banasik Kornelia , Chojnacki Andrzej Łukasz
Published: September 2024

This article examines the impact of meteorological conditions represented by ambient temperature, ambient humidity, wind speed, and daily precipitation sum on the reliability of low-voltage cable lines. Cable line reliability is crucial to the stability and safety of power systems. Failure of cable lines can lead to power outages. This can cause serious economic and social consequences, as well as threaten human safety, especially in the public sector and critical infrastructure. In addition, any interruption of cable lines generates costs related to repairs, operational losses, and possible contractual penalties. This is why it is so important to investigate the causes of power equipment failures. Many power system failures are caused by weather factors. The main purpose of this article is to quantify the actual impact of weather conditions on the performance and reliability of power equipment in distribution networks. Reliability indicators (failure rate, failure duration, restoration rate, and failure coefficient) for low-voltage cable lines were calculated as a function of weather conditions. Empirical values of the indicators were determined based on many years of observations of power lines operating in the Polish power system. An analysis of the conformity of their empirical distribution with the assumed theoretical model was also conducted. By quantifying the impact of specific weather factors on the operation of power equipment, it becomes possible to identify the ranges in which failures are most likely.
Frequent Power-Up-and-Down-Induced Degradation of Device and Bandgap Voltage Reference in 14-nm FinFET Technology
Authors: Shi Yiqun , Li Yunpeng , Li Meng , Xu Xin , Zhu Hao , Sun Qingqing
Published: September 2024

The need for low power consumption in highly integrated systems-on-chip (SoCs), such as IoT-based smoke detection systems, has made frequent power-ups and power-downs a common practice. Although the device performance degradation caused by such frequent power-ups and power-downs is ignored in most circuit studies, in high-precision bandgap voltage references, the degradation of particular devices can result in a reference voltage shift. This work investigates the effects of frequent power-ups and power-downs on a simple bandgap reference circuit and demonstrates that the effects are real and non-negligible. Aging simulations based on simple bandgap reference circuits are performed to analyze the causes of device performance degradation and circuit output voltage shifts. The simulation results show that frequent power-ups and power-downs induce the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) effect, a phenomenon that causes performance degradation in devices, such as threshold voltage degradation, under negative bias and high temperature conditions. Further, gate voltage waveforms of these devices were extracted for aging tests and the results of the tests in 14 nm FinFET and the NBTI aging model were used to infer the threshold voltage shift after 10 years at 125 °C. A circuit modification is proposed to mitigate the degradation of device performance and reference voltage shift. This work indicates that NBTI stresses introduced by frequent power-ups and power-downs need to be considered in circuit design.
Network Traffic Prediction in an Edge–Cloud Continuum Network for Multiple Network Service Providers
Authors: Hu Ying , Liu Ben , Li Jianyong , Zhu Liang , Han Jihui , Cai Zengyu , Zhang Jie
Published: September 2024

Network function virtualization (NFV) allows the dynamic configuration of virtualized network functions to adapt services to complex and real-time network environments to improve network performance. The dynamic nature of physical networks creates significant challenges for virtual network function (VNF) migration and energy consumption, especially in edge–cloud continuum networks. This challenge can be addressed by predicting network traffic and proactively migrating VNFs using the predicted values. However, historical network traffic data are held by network service providers, and different network service providers are reluctant to share historical data due to privacy concerns; in addition, network resource providers that own the underlying networks are unable to effectively predict network traffic. To address this challenge, we apply a federated learning (FL) framework to enable network resource providers to no longer need historical network traffic data to be able to effectively predict network traffic. Further, to enable the predicted network traffic to lead to better migration effects, such as reducing the number of migrations, decreasing energy consumption, and increasing the request acceptance rate, we apply the predicted values of the network traffic to the network environment and feed the migration results of the network environment on the multiple factors described above to the neural network model. To obtain the migration results of the network environment, we analyzed and developed mathematical models for edge–cloud continuum networks with multiple network service providers. The effectiveness of our algorithm is evaluated through extensive simulations, and the results show a significant reduction in the number of migrated nodes and energy consumption, as well as an increase in the acceptance rate of the service function chain (SFC), compared with the commonly used scheme that uses only the difference between the predicted and actual traffic to define the loss function.
A Green Wave Ecological Global Speed Planning under the Framework of Vehicle–Road–Cloud Integration
Authors: Li Zhe , Ji Xiaolei , Yuan Shuai , Fang Zengli , Liu Zhennan , Gao Jianping
Published: September 2024

In response to energy consumption and traffic efficiency reduction caused by intersection congestion, a global speed planning that considered both ecological speed and green wave speed was conducted under the vehicle–road–cloud integration framework. After establishing an instantaneous energy consumption model for pure electric vehicles, a radial basis neural network model was used to estimate the queue length of traffic flow, and an isolated-intersection-based eco-approach and departure (I-EAD) plan was proposed based on a valid traffic signal light model. A two-stage optimization multi-intersections-based eco-approach and departure (M-EAD) strategy with multiple objectives and constraints was proposed to solve the optimal green light window and the optimal speed trajectory. The results of the SUMO/Matlab/Simulink/Python joint simulation platform show that the M-EAD strategy reduces the average travel energy consumption by 16.65% and 8.31%, and the average travel time by 26.33% and 12.53%, respectively, compared to the intelligent driver model (IDM) and I-EAD strategy. The simulation results of the typical traffic scenarios and random traffic scenarios indicate that the speed optimization strategies in this study have good optimization effects on energy conservation and traffic efficiency.
Experimental Study on the Optimization of CO2 Displacement and Huff-n-Puff Parameters in the Conglomerate Reservoirs of the Xinjiang Oilfield
Authors: Tuo Hong , Liang Baoxing , Wang Qixiang , Yue Jianghua , Tan Long , Li Yilong , Yang Hao , Meng Zhan
Published: September 2024

Addressing the issue of poor water injection development effectiveness caused by strong water sensitivity damage in the conglomerate reservoirs of the Xinjiang Oilfield, this paper carries out experimental research on CO2 displacement and CO2 huff-n-puff to improve oil recovery in reservoirs under the conditions of reservoirs (86 °C, 44 MPa) by using a high-temperature and high-pressure large physical modeling repulsion device based on the artificial large-scale physical modeling of conglomerate oil reservoirs in the Xinjiang oilfield. The results showed that at any displacement rate, CO2 displacement exhibits the trend where oil production initially increases and then decreases. The higher the gas injection rate, the higher the initial oil well production, and the shorter the time it takes for CO2 to break through to the bottom of the well. After a breakthrough, production declines more rapidly. The oil recovery rate varies with different gas injection rates, initially increasing and then decreasing as the injection rate changes. The highest oil recovery rate was observed at an injection rate of 1.5 mL/min (equivalent to 38 t/d in the field). The efficiency of CO2 displacement with multiple injection-production cycles is low; on the same scale of gas injection, single-cycle injection and production were more effective than multiple-cycle injection and production. CO2 huff-n-puff can improve oil recovery, with a higher CO2 injection pressure and a longer shut-in time leading to greater oil recovery. As the shut-in time increases, the efficiency of CO2 oil exchange also improves. The strong supply capacity of the large physical model results in a tendency for the oil production curves of multiple huff-n-puff cycles to converge.
Power Supply Risk Identification Method of Active Distribution Network Based on Transfer Learning and CBAM-CNN
Authors: Liu Hengyu , Sun Jiazheng , Pan Yongchao , Hu Dawei , Song Lei , Xu Zishang , Yu Hailong , Liu Yang
Published: September 2024

With the development of the power system, power users begin to use their own power supply in order to improve the power economy, but this also leads to the occurrence of the risk of self-provided power supply. The actual distribution network has few samples of power supply risk and it is difficult to identify the power supply risk by using conventional deep learning methods. In order to achieve high accuracy of self-provided power supply risk identification with small samples, this paper proposes a combination of transfer learning, convolutional block attention module (CBAM), and convolutional neural network (CNN) to identify the risk of self-provided power supply in an active distribution network. Firstly, in order to be able to further identify whether or not a risk will be caused based on completing the identification of the faulty line, we propose that it is necessary to identify whether or not the captive power supply on the faulty line is in operation. Second, in order to achieve high-precision identification and high-efficiency feature extraction, we propose to embed the CBAM into a CNN to form a CBAM-CNN model, so as to achieve high-efficiency feature extraction and high-precision risk identification. Finally, the use of transfer learning is proposed to solve the problem of low risk identification accuracy due to the small number of actual fault samples. Simulation experiments show that compared with other methods, the proposed method has the highest recognition accuracy and the best effect, and the risk recognition accuracy of active distribution network backup power is high in the case of fewer samples.
Low-Voltage Ride-Through Strategy to Doubly-Fed Induction Generator with Passive Sliding Mode Control to the Rotor-Side Converter
Authors: Xu Jiayin , Feng Peiru , Gong Junwei , Li Shenghu , Jiang Guifen , Yang Hao
Published: September 2024

The doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) is vulnerable to overcurrent at the stator winding and overvoltage at the DC link due to voltage drop after the grid fault. The large wind farm may have a capacity of several million MWs, whose tripping yields a notable power imbalance and frequency drop in the power systems, which may be avoided by the low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) strategies implemented with the hardware or software. The latter has the merits of low cost and easy to realize, thus studied in this paper. Considering the grid fault uncertainty and DFIG parameters’ correlation, this paper newly introduces the sliding mode structure into the passive control to improve the performance of the inner current control loop of the rotor-side converter (RSC), thus proposing a passive sliding mode control (P-SMC) based RSC control strategy to improve the LVRT capability of the DFIG. The time domain analysis with different fault severities, i.e., voltage drops, at the point of public coupling (PCC) is performed. The simulation results with the P-SMC control or not are obtained and compared to verify the control effect and the robustness of the proposed LVRT strategy. This study is beneficial for maintaining power system security against fast-increasing wind power.
Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery for Diabesity: A Narrative Review
Authors: Gangemi Antonio , Bernante Paolo
Published: September 2024

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, largely due to the rise in obesity rates. Bariatric surgery is a gastrointestinal surgical treatment focused on achieving weight loss in individuals with obesity. A more recent and growing body of literature has shown that improvements in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity and even the remission of T2DM can be seen in patients with obesity and T2DM (“diabesity”), before significant weight loss is achieved, justifying the modification of the terminology from bariatric to metabolic and bariatric surgery (BMS). Main Results: This narrative review provides an overview of the latest literature on BMS for diabesity, discussing key publications and exploring controversial and diverging hypotheses. Robust scientific evidence supporting the use of BMS as a treatment for diabesity has been garnered and new venues are being explored, suggesting the novel and complementary role of the latest generation of incretin-based pharmacotherapy. Conclusions: BMS has emerged as a valuable treatment option for patients with diabesity, offering significant improvements in glycemic control, weight loss, and overall health. The limitations of the currently available and reviewed literature include the flawed knowledge of the mechanisms of action and long-term effects of BMS for the treatment of diabesity. Further studies are also warranted to refine the patient selection criteria and optimal surgical techniques and to evaluate the impact of surgery on T2DM outcomes in diverse populations. Lastly, there is a scarcity of studies investigating the efficacy of BMS against incretin-based pharmacotherapy. The non-systematic, narrative nature of this review and its implicit subjective examination and critique of the body of literature are to be considered additional and intrinsic limitations.
Evaluating Field-Effect Separation on Rare Earth and Critical Metals
Authors: Schroeder Benjamin , Free Michael , Sarswat Prashant , Sadler Easton , Burke Jacob , Evans Zoe
Published: September 2024

The unique electromagnetic properties of rare earth elements (REEs) have led to rapid technological advances, creating a sharp increase in demand for these materials. The inherent challenges of separating REEs and the significant drawbacks of existing processes have driven the development of a new method known as field-effect separation (FES). This technology leverages electrical and magnetic fields to achieve separation by exploiting the differences in magnetic moments or effective charges of REEs in solution. Experiments on REEs were conducted using a microchannel based separation device, which confines fluid flow to facilitate separation within a field, with metal cations in solution being transported based on their respective electrostatic or magnetic properties. The results demonstrate that separation based on effective charge or paramagnetic properties is achievable. The confinement of fluid flow to microchannels allowed advective and osmotic forces to be suppressed sufficiently such that a reasonable separation of ions was achieved, though the impact of these forces were not completely removed. This innovative approach promises to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of REE separation, addressing both the growing demand and the limitations of current methods.
Crystallinity of Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant Polyolefin Compounds Loaded with Natural Magnesium Hydroxide
Authors: Matteucci Vanessa , Meucci Michela , Haveriku Sara , Cardelli Camillo , Pucci Andrea
Published: September 2024

A typical halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) formulation for electric cables may contain polymers, various additives, and fire-retardant fillers. In this study, composites are prepared by mixing natural magnesium hydroxide (n-MDH) with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and a few types of ethylene–octene copolymers (C8-POE). Depending on the content of LLDPE and C8-POE, we obtained composites with different crystallinities that affected the final mechanical properties. The nucleation effect of the n-MDH and the variations in crystallinity caused by the blending of C8-POE/LLDPE/n-MDH were investigated. Notably, in the C8-POE/LLDPE blend, we found a decrease in the crystallization temperature of LLPDE compared to pure LLDPE and an increase in the crystallization temperature of C8-POE compared to pure C8-POE. On the contrary, the addition of n-MDH led to an increase in the crystallization temperature of LLDPE. As expected, the increase in the crystallinity of the polyolefin matrix of composites led to higher elastic modulus, higher tensile strength, and lower elongation at break. It has been observed that crystallinity also influences fire performance. Overall, these results show how to obtain the required mechanical features for halogen-free flame-retardant compounds for electric cable applications, depending on the quantities of the two miscible components in the final blend.
Engineering Properties of Modified Rubberized Concretes: Role of Metakaolin and Ground Blast Furnace Slag as Ordinary Portland Cement Replacements
Authors: Joudah Zahraa Hussein , Abdul Kareem Baydaa
Published: September 2024

Discarded rubber tires (DSRTs) have become a significant landfill and environmental problem that needs to be solved to reduce health risks, fires, and other environmental issues. The inclusion of such rubber can enhance the ductility of concrete and increase its resistance to dynamic loads, as well as enhancing the concrete’s durability and lifespan by modifying its impact resistance (IR). However, the smooth surface and low bond strength with cement pastes directly lead to a decrease in the strength of the proposed concrete, restricting its range of use in the construction industry. The inclusion of pozzolanic materials with high hydraulic capacity in the concrete matrix as partial cement replacements, such as granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), has led to enhanced performance of the modified rubberized concretes (MRCs) in terms of bond strength and other mechanical properties. Based on these facts, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of including 20% GBFS and various levels (5–25%) of metakaolin (MK) as replacements for ordinary Portland cement (OPC), on the engineering properties of newly designed rubberized concretes. For this purpose, twenty-two mixes of MRCs were prepared by replacing the OPC and natural aggregates with various contents of GBFS, MK, and DSRTs. The results indicated that the MRC specimens prepared with a ternary blend of OPC-GBFS-MK illustrated significant improvements in strength performance, wherein the compressive strength (CS) after the curing age of 56 days (46.5 MPa) was higher than that of the OPC control mix (41.2 MPa). Moreover, the mix designed with high amounts of MK-GBFS-DSRTs significantly enhanced the engineering properties of the proposed MRCs by increasing the IR and reducing the total porosity. It can be asserted that, by using MK, GBFS, and DSRTs as renewable resources for construction materials, the environmental problems can significantly be reduced, with excellent benefits in the engineering properties of the designed rubberized concretes.
Investigation and Sensitivity Analysis of Economic Parameters on the Operation of Cogeneration Systems to Supply Required Energies for Residential Buildings
Authors: Ebazadeh Yaser , Alayi Reza , Jamali Eskandar
Published: September 2024

The Combined Cooling, Heat, and Power (CCHP) System is an efficient technology that reduces primary energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by generating heat, cold, and electricity simultaneously from the same fuel source. This study developed an economic optimization model using linear mathematical program theory to determine the optimal sizes of different components in a CCHP system. The study found that CCHP systems with internal combustion engines have the largest optimal size due to lower capital expenditure and improved hourly changes in combined energy production by considering electrical and absorption chillers simultaneously. The analysis compared the size determination of CCHP systems with internal combustion engine (ICE), sterling engine (SE), and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technologies. PEMFC had the highest annual overall cost among the technologies studied. The results of determining the size of the CCHP system are compared with ICE, SE, and PEMFC technologies. It has been noted that PEMFC has the highest annual overall cost among the studied technologies. The usefulness index of the CCHP system increased from 23% to almost 40% when electricity was sold to the grid using internal combustion engine technology.
Enhanced Fermentation Process for Production of High Docosahexaenoic Acid Content by Schizochytrium sp. GCD2032
Authors: Long Liucheng , Ren Xiaoqing , Zhang Feiyu , Shi Aijia , Zhai Yida , Chen Wuxi , Duan Yu , Shi Pengbao , Chen Limei , Li Demao
Published: September 2024

There is significant demand for high-purity DHA in the pharmaceutical industry. Traditionally, this high-purity DHA is extracted from raw materials with relatively low DHA content (10–20%), such as fish oil. Recently, through electroporation-induced mutation, a high-DHA-content strain of Schizochytrium sp. GCD2032 was isolated. To further enhance its DHA production, optimizations were conducted on the culture medium and fermentation conditions (in shaking flasks), as well as different nitrogen source concentrations (in a 5 L fermenter) for biomass, fatty acid content, and DHA content (as a percentage of total fatty acids). In a 5 L fermenter, Schizochytrium sp. GCD2032 achieved a biomass of 50 g/L, with fatty acid content of 55.71% and DHA content of 61.29%. Notably, the DHA content reached an impressive 341.45 mg/g of dry weight. This strain consistently produces high levels of fatty acids and DHA, demonstrating significant potential for pharmaceutical applications.
Rapid Monitoring of Scale Precipitation and Inhibition in Geothermal Fluid Using Optical Fiber Sensor Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance
Authors: Hosoki Ai , Sugiura Kifuyu , Okazaki Takuya , Yang Heejun , Kuramitz Hideki , Ueda Akira , Terai Amane
Published: September 2024

An optical fiber scale sensor based on the detection principle of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was developed for the rapid, high-sensitivity, real-time evaluation of scale precipitation in geothermal fluids. The optical fiber SPR scale sensor was fabricated by depositing a gold thin film onto the surface of an optical fiber with an exposed core. The optimal gold film thickness of the sensor was determined to be 30 nm, which achieved a refractive index sensitivity of 2140 nm per refractive index unit. A field test was conducted using geothermal brine from the Obama Binary Geothermal Power Plant in Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture. A conventional optical fiber scale sensor and the SPR sensor were simultaneously assessed using raw and pH-adjusted brines. For the SPR sensor, a peak shift of 0.27 nm/min was observed at a response time of 1 min, whereas no change in transmittance was observed for the conventional sensor until 180 min. After the experiments, a scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis was conducted on the sensors, and the findings showed that the deposition of Mg-SiO2 scale did not significantly differ between the two sensors. The developed SPR sensor achieved faster scale precipitation detection (tens of minutes to hours) than the conventional sensor.
Effect of Genistein on Starch Digestion In Vitro and Its Mechanism of Action
Authors: Jia Jianhui , Dou Boxin , Gao Man , Zhang Chujia , Liu Ying , Zhang Na
Published: September 2024

The digestive properties of starch are crucial in determining postprandial glycaemic excursions. Genistein, an active phytoestrogen, has the potential to influence starch digestion rates. We investigated the way genistein affected the digestive properties of starch in vitro. We performed enzyme kinetics, fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for analysing the inhibitory properties of genistein on starch digestive enzymes as well as clarifying relevant mechanism of action. Our findings demonstrated that, following the addition of 10% genistein, the contents of slowly digestible and resistant starches increased by 30.34% and 7.18%, respectively. Genistein inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with half maximal inhibitory concentrations of 0.69 ± 0.06 and 0.11 ± 0.04 mg/mL, respectively. Genistein exhibits a reversible and non-competitive inhibiting effect on α-amylase, while its inhibition on α-glucosidase is a reversible mixed manner type. Fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that the presence of genistein caused declining fluorescence intensity of the two digestive enzymes. Molecular docking and MD simulations showed that genistein binds spontaneously to α-amylase via hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and π-stacking, whereas it binds with α-glucosidase via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. These findings suggest the potential for developing genistein as a pharmacologic agent for regulating glycaemic excursions.