bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Language Training for Engineering Students: Integrating Resource-Efficiency into the Course Content through the Educational Process
Authors: Gordon Neil , Kemerova Natalya , Bolsunovskaya Lyudmila , Osipov Sergey
Published: February 2023

The sustainable use of the Earth’s resources is recognized as increasingly important on a global scale, especially in relation to natural resource management, and is effectively addressed under the auspices of resource efficiency within engineering education. This has led to an increased demand for engineers able to carry out professional activities whilst considering sustainable issues, as well as adopting state-of-the-art technologies, and applying the best domestic and foreign practices. The study of resource efficiency encompasses a range of aspects, from natural resources, through information management, technological tools, time, and other resources. Effective engineering education should include resource efficiency, whilst enabling students to become autonomous lifelong learners, and to develop as potential researchers and professionals, able to take account of emerging issues and approaches for resource efficiency. This paper begins by analyzing the concept of resource efficiency and key research in this area. It goes on to provide a framework to demonstrate how resource-efficiency can be delivered as part of the teaching of year one engineering students, with a theoretical and methodological scaffolding. The paper presents a case study which utilizes resource efficiency within language training. The paper defines the notion of language training resources and their classification. The case study demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed approach and includes a formal assessment to show its effectiveness.
Non-Singular Terminal Sliding Mode Controller with Nonlinear Disturbance Observer for Robotic Manipulator
Authors: Guo Keyou , Shi Peipeng , Wang Pengshuo , He Chengbo , Zhang Haoze
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the problems of model uncertainties and other external interference in trajectory tracking control of n-degree of freedom manipulators, a non-singular terminal sliding mode controller with nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO–NTSMC) trajectory tracking method is proposed. A nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) is designed to forecast and compensate the system external interference, and a nonlinear gain is designed to make the observer error achieve the expected exponential convergence rate so that the feedforward compensation control is realized. Then, a non-singular terminal sliding mode controller (NTSMC) built on nonlinear sliding surface is designed to surmount the singularity fault of classic terminal sliding mode controller (TSMC). Therefore, the time required from any initial state to reach the equilibrium point is finite. In addition, the redesign of the sliding surface ensures the tracking accuracy rate of uncertain systems. Then, based on Lyapunov principle, we complete the stability analysis. Finally, the method is applied to a 2-DOF robotic manipulator model compared with other methods. In the simulation, the manipulator needs to track a continuous trajectory under the condition of joint friction disturbance. The simulation result shows that the torque output of the designed method is chattering-free and smooth, and the tracking effect is precise. Simulation results indicate that the proposed controller has the advantages of excellent tracking performance, strong robustness, and a fast response.
A Benchmark for Dutch End-to-End Cross-Document Event Coreference Resolution
Authors: De Langhe Loic , Desot Thierry , De Clercq Orphée , Hoste Veronique
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we present a benchmark result for end-to-end cross-document event coreference resolution in Dutch. First, the state of the art of this task in other languages is introduced, as well as currently existing resources and commonly used evaluation metrics. We then build on recently published work to fully explore end-to-end event coreference resolution for the first time in the Dutch language domain. For this purpose, two well-performing transformer-based algorithms for the respective detection and coreference resolution of Dutch textual events are combined in a pipeline architecture and compared to baseline scores relying on feature-based methods. The results are promising and comparable to similar studies in higher-resourced languages; however, they also reveal that in this specific NLP domain, much work remains to be done. In order to gain more insights, an in-depth analysis of the two pipeline components is carried out to highlight and overcome possible shortcoming of the current approach and provide suggestions for future work.
Ammonia Recovery from Livestock Manure Digestate through an Air-Bubble Stripping Reactor: Evaluation of Performance and Energy Balance
Authors: Abbà Alessandro , Domini Marta , Baldi Marco , Pedrazzani Roberta , Bertanza Giorgio
Published: February 2023

The recovery of livestock manure, rich in nutrients, as fertilizer in agriculture, could pose the risk of an excessive load of nitrogen on the soil. Ammonia stripping is one of the available technologies for reducing the amount of nitrogen in the digestate obtained by the anaerobic digestion of manure. The study investigated the performance and energy consumption of a full-scale ammonia-stripping plant, equipped with a bubble reactor and working without the use of any alkaline reagent under semi-batch conditions. Stripping tests were conducted on the liquid fraction of the digestate, studying the current and optimized operative conditions of the plant. The main variables influencing the process were pH, temperature, airflow, and feed characteristics. In the experimental tests, the pH spontaneously increased to 10, without dosing basifying agents. Higher temperatures favoured the stripping process, the higher tested value being 68 °C. The airflow was kept equal to 15 Nm3 h−1 m−3digestate in the pre-stripping and to 60 Nm3 h−1 m−3digestate in the stripping reactors, during all tests. The energy requirement was completely satisfied by the CHP (combined heat and power) unit fed with the biogas produced by manure digestion. Results showed anaerobic digestion coupled with stripping to be a suitable solution for removing up to 81% of the ammonium with neither external energy input nor reagent dosage.
Towards Waste-to-Energy-and-Materials Processes with Advanced Thermochemical Combustion Intelligence in the Circular Economy
Authors: De Greef Johan , Hoang Quynh , Vandevelde Raf , Meynendonckx Wouter , Bouchaar Zouhir , Granata Giuseppe , Verbeke Mathias , Ishteva Mariya , Seljak Tine , Van Caneghem Jo , Vanierschot Maarten
Published: February 2023

Waste-to-energy processes remain essential to ensure the safe and irreversible removal of materials and substances that are (or have become) unsuitable for reuse or recycling, and hence, to keep intended cycles of materials in the circular economy clean. In this paper, the behavior of inorganic compounds in waste-to-energy combustion processes are discussed from a multi-disciplinary perspective, against a background of ever tightening emission limits and targets of increasing energy efficiency and materials recovery. This leads to the observation that, due to the typical complexity of thermally treated waste, the intelligence of combustion control systems used in state-of-the-art waste-to-energy plants needs to be expanded to better control the behavior of inorganic compounds that typically end up in waste furnaces. This paper further explains how this goal can be achieved by developing (experimentally validated) predictive numerical models that are engineering-based and/or data-driven. Additionally, the significant economic potential of advanced thermochemical intelligence towards inorganic compounds in waste-to-energy combustion control systems is estimated on the basis of typical operational figures.
A Data-Driven Method to Monitor Carbon Dioxide Emissions of Coal-Fired Power Plants
Authors: Zhou Shangli , He Hengjing , Zhang Leping , Zhao Wei , Wang Fei
Published: February 2023

Reducing CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants is an urgent global issue. Effective and precise monitoring of CO2 emissions is a prerequisite for optimizing electricity production processes and achieving such reductions. To obtain the high temporal resolution emissions status of power plants, a lot of research has been done. Currently, typical solutions are utilizing Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) to measure CO2 emissions. However, these methods are too expensive and complicated because they require the installation of a large number of devices and require periodic maintenance to obtain accurate measurements. According to this limitation, this paper attempts to provide a novel data-driven method using net power generation to achieve near-real-time monitoring. First, we study the key elements of CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in depth and design a regression and physical variable model-based emission simulator. We then present Emission Estimation Network (EEN), a heterogeneous network-based deep learning model, to estimate CO2 emissions from CFPPs in near-real-time. We use artificial data generated by the simulator to train it and apply a few real-world datasets to complete the adaptation. The experimental results show that our proposal is a competitive approach that not only has accurate measurements but is also easy to implement.
Impact of Primary Air Separation in a Grate Furnace on the Resulting Combustion Products
Authors: Kozioł Michał , Kozioł Joachim
Published: February 2023

When burning fuel in grate furnaces, supplying the right amount of air to them is as important as the method of air supply. In a furnace with a fixed grate, the supply method of primary air is determined by the distribution of the supplied air stream over time, and in a furnace with a movable grate, the said method involves the distribution of the stream along the active length of the grate. The need to account for air distribution is attributable to complex processes that occur during the combustion process. The paper describes experimental studies aimed at determining the influence of the distribution of the supplied primary air on the emission of CO2, CO, SO2, NOx, and on the content of combustible parts in the slag. In all cases, the total amount of primary air supplied to the process as well as other process control parameters was identical, and only the distribution of primary air was different. The paper proposes the use of a generalized function to describe the distribution of air, defined by its total demand and the relative time R that fuel remains on the grate until the maximum air stream is obtained. The quantity R was accepted at the value ranging from 1/6 to 2/3. With the rise of R, the emissions of CO2, CO, and SO2 increased by 53%, 125%, and 27%, respectively, and the emissions of NOx and the share of combustibles in the slag decreased by 12% and 79%, respectively.
Testing the INSIM-FT Proxy Simulation Method
Authors: Ovsepian Mkhitar , Lys Egor , Cheremisin Alexander , Frolov Stanislav , Kurmangaliev Rustam , Usov Eduard , Ulyanov Vladimir , Tailakov Dmitry , Kayurov Nikita
Published: February 2023

This paper describes testing of the INSIM-FT proxy simulation method (interwell-numerical-simulation model improved with front-tracking method) to assess the dependencies between production and injection wells, as well as to assess the forecast of oil/liquid production by wells depending on their operation parameters. The paper proposes the approach of taking into account the influence of various production enhancement operations. The method was tested on a synthetic hydrodynamic model and on a sector of a real field. The results show a good match between historical data and simulation results and indicate significant computational efficiency compared to classical reservoir simulators.
A Review on Interoperability of Wireless Charging Systems for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Song Kai , Lan Yu , Zhang Xian , Jiang Jinhai , Sun Chuanyu , Yang Guang , Yang Fengshuo , Lan Hao
Published: February 2023

Wireless charging technology has become an important development trend in future electric vehicle (EV) power supply technology due to its safety, flexibility, and convenience. With its industrialized development, interoperability has become an essential technical link. The interoperability of wireless charging systems refers to the ability of output performance to meet specified indicators when different transmitter and receiver devices are matched. This study reviews the research status of the interoperability of EV wireless charging technology. First, the definition and composition of the interoperability of wireless charging systems are briefly given. Then, the article provides a review of standards about interoperability so far. The interoperability of various magnetic couplers and compensation topologies is also analyzed and summarized. After that, the paper reviews the existing interoperability evaluation methods. Finally, this work highlights the existing problems and challenges in current research of interoperability. We hope that this work will contribute to the further development of EV wireless charging technology.
Geothermal Play Types along the East Africa Rift System: Examples from Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania
Authors: Pasqua Claudio , Chiozzi Paolo , Verdoya Massimo
Published: February 2023

Based on geophysical, geological and geochemical investigations carried out in the last decade, we reviewed three major geothermal plays that well represent the different structural, volcanological and hydrogeological realms that can be encountered in the East African Rift System (EARS). Alalobeda (Ethiopia) and Menengai (Kenya) are examples of typical geothermal plays of the Eastern Branch of EARS. The former is a fault-leakage-controlled geothermal play located in a graben structure. The heat source is likely deep-seated, widespread magmatism, associated with the lithosphere thinning that regionally affects this area. The reservoir temperature of the water-dominated system ranges from 185 to 225 °C. Menengai can be classified as a convection-dominated magmatic play type. The heat source could be a magmatic intrusion located beneath a caldera. A shallow, liquid-dominated reservoir (with temperatures of 150–190 °C) and an intermediate-deep reservoir, hosting steam and liquid (with temperatures of 230–340 °C), were detected. The Kilambo-Ilwalilo play (Tanzania) is an example of geothermal play of the Western Branch of EARS. It is in a half-graben realm where a regional fault controls the ascending groundwater flow. Reservoir temperatures are about 110–140 °C, and the heat source is provided by lithosphere thinning. The results of this study provide helpful guidelines for future studies on the geothermal resources in the rift.
Rainwater Energy Harvesting Using Micro-Turbines in Downpipes
Authors: Carter Josie , Rahmani Amin , Dibaj Mahdieh , Akrami Mohammad
Published: February 2023

Renewable energy sources are rapidly increasing in demand and importance as governments and countries around the globe begin to understand their vital role in reducing climate change. This project aimed to design and create an optimised micro-hydro turbine system for downpipes to harness the currently untapped potential energy from rainwater. Experimental methods were used to determine the magnitude of voltage output available at different rainfall intensities by simulating such flow rates on a hydraulic bench. The viability of this energy to power household appliances was then evaluated, and methods of increasing the voltage output were assessed, such as layering the turbines in a single downpipe or placing multiple downpipes around the building. The study determined that, during average rainfall in the UK, a single turbine could produce a maximum of 7.21 V of DC voltage, or 50.49 V during heavy rainfall—enough energy to power a mobile device charger or a vacuum cleaner, respectively. Therefore, this proves a high potential in rainwater energy harvesting as a renewable energy source. It was also concluded that a positive correlation occurred for both the number of turbines in a downpipe and the number of pipes around the building with the voltage output of the whole system.
Quantitative Characterization of Pore Structure Parameters in Coal Based on Image Processing and SEM Technology
Authors: Jia Mingyue , Huang Wenhui , Li Yuan
Published: February 2023

The pore structure parameters of coal have an important influence on the exploration and development of coalbed methane. In this study, a series of pore structure parameters, including porosity, pore radius, pore throat radius, pore coordination number, pore throat ratio, and specific surface area, are identified, extracted, and calculated in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of coal reservoir samples using algorithms and application programs in MATLAB. Constant rate-controlled mercury injection and low-temperature N2 adsorption experiments were carried out to determine the accuracy of the SEM image-based processing analysis results. Characterization results show that the distribution of pore radius in the target coal samples of different organic matters range from 15 nm to 500 μm with porosity of 1.87–8.31% and radius distribution of 12.7 nm to ~100 μm. A noise-reduction system was constructed to eliminate the optical noise of non-porous features and repair the space affected by binarization noise. It is suggested that the characterization processing in this study is suitable for coal or other organic-rich porous materials with porosity > 2% and pore radius > 15 nm.
Detection of Blockages of the Belt Conveyor Transfer Point Using an RGB Camera and CNN Autoencoder
Authors: Bortnowski Piotr , Gondek Horst , Król Robert , Marasova Daniela , Ozdoba Maksymilian
Published: February 2023

In the material transfer area, the belt is exposed to considerable damage, the energy of falling material is lost, and there is significant dust and noise. One of the most common causes of failure is transfer chute blockage, when the flow of material in the free fall or loading zone is disturbed by oversized rock parts or other objects, e.g., rock bolts. The failure of a single transfer point may cause the entire transport route to be excluded from work and associated with costly breakdowns. For this reason, those places require continuous monitoring and special surveillance measures. The number of methods for monitoring this type of blockage is limited. The article presents the research results on the possibility of visual monitoring of the transfer operating status on an object in an underground copper ore mine. A standard industrial RGB camera was used to obtain the video material from the transfer point area, and the recorded frames were processed by a detection algorithm based on a neural network. The CNN autoencoder was taught to reconstruct the image of regular transfer operating conditions. A data set with the recorded transfer blockage state was used for validation.
Optimal Energy Management System of Isolated Multi-Microgrids with Local Energy Transactive Market with Indigenous PV-, Wind-, and Biomass-Based Resources
Authors: Ali Sayyed Ahmad , Hussain Arif , Haider Waseem , Rehman Habib Ur , Kazmi Syed Ali Abbas
Published: February 2023

The availability of sustainable, efficient electricity access is critical for rural communities as it can facilitate economic development and improve the quality of life for residents. Isolated microgrids can provide a solution for rural electrification, as they can generate electricity from local renewable energy sources and can operate independently from the central grid. Residential load scheduling is also an important aspect of energy management in isolated microgrids. However, effective management of the microgrid’s energy resources and load scheduling is essential for ensuring the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the system. To cope with the stochastic nature of RERs, the idea of an optimal energy management system (EMS) with a local energy transactive market (LETM) in an isolated multi-microgrid system is proposed in this work. Nature-inspired algorithms such as JAYA (Sanskrit word meaning victory) and teaching–learning based optimization algorithm (TLBO) can get stuck in local optima, thus reducing the effectiveness of EMS. For this purpose, a modified hybrid version of the JAYA and TLBO algorithm, namely, the modified JAYA learning-based optimization (MJLBO), is proposed in this work. The prosumers can sell their surplus power or buy power to meet their load demand from LETM enabling a higher load serving as compared to a single isolated microgrid with multi-objectives, resulting in a reduced electricity bill, increased revenue, peak-average ratio, and user discomfort. The proposed system is evaluated against three other algorithms TLBO, JAYA, and JAYA learning-based optimization (JLBO). The result of this work shows that MJLBO outperforms other algorithms in achieving the best numerical value for all objectives. The simulation results validate that MJLBO achieves a peak-to-average ratio (PAR) reduction of 65.38% while there is a PAR reduction of 51.4%, 52.53%, and 51.2% for TLBO, JLBO, and JAYA as compared to the unscheduled load.
Nanoarchitectonics of Layered Metal Chalcogenides-Based Ternary Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting
Authors: Arulraj Arunachalam , Murugesan Praveen Kumar , C. Rajkumar , Zamorano Alejandra Tello , Mangalaraja Ramalinga Viswanathan
Published: February 2023

The research on renewable energy is actively looking into electrocatalysts based on transition metal chalcogenides because nanostructured electrocatalysts support the higher intrinsic activity for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A major technique for facilitating the conversion of renewable and sustainable energy is electrochemical water splitting. The aim of the review is to discuss the revelations made when trying to alter the internal and external nanoarchitectures of chalcogenides-based electrocatalysts to enhance their performance. To begin, a general explanation of the water-splitting reaction is given to clarify the key factors in determining the catalytic performance of nanostructured chalcogenides-based electrocatalysts. To delve into the many ways being employed to improve the HER’s electrocatalytic performance, the general fabrication processes utilized to generate the chalcogenides-based materials are described. Similarly, to enhance the OER performance of chalcogenides-based electrocatalysts, the applied complementary techniques and the strategies involved in designing the bifunctional water-splitting electrocatalysts (HER and OER) are explained. As a conclusive remark, the challenges and future perspectives of chalcogenide-based electrocatalysts in the context of water splitting are summarized.
Selecting the Safe Area and Finding Proper Ventilation in the Spread of the COVID-19 Virus
Authors: Karami Shahram , Lakzian Esmail , Shabani Sima , Dykas Sławomir , Salmani Fahime , Lee Bok Jik , Warkiani Majid Ebrahimi , Kim Heuy Dong , Ahmadi Goodarz
Published: February 2023

Coughing and sneezing are the main ways of spreading coronavirus-2019 (SARS-CoV-2). People sometimes need to work together at close distances. This study presents the results of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the dispersion and transport of respiratory droplets emitted by an infected person who coughs in an indoor space with an air ventilation system. The resulting information is expected to help in risk assessment and development of mitigation measures to prevent the infection spread. The turbulent flow of air in the indoor space is simulated using the k-ε model. The particle equation of motion included the drag, the Saffman lift, the Brownian force and gravity/buoyancy forces. The innovation of this study includes A: Using the Eulerian–Lagrangian CFD model for the simulation of the cough droplet dispersion. B: Assessing the infection risk by the Wells–Riley equation. C: A safer design for the ventilation system (changing the ventilation supplies and exhausts in the indoor space and choosing the right location for air ventilation). The droplet distribution in the indoor space is strongly influenced by the air ventilation layout. The air-curtain flow pattern significantly reduces the dispersion and spreading of virus-infected cough droplets. When the ventilation air flow occurs along the room length, it takes about 115 s for the cough droplets to leave the space. However, when the ventilation air flow is across the width of the indoor space and there are air curtain-type air flow patterns in the room, it takes about 75 s for the cough droplets to leave the space.
Recovering Corrupted Data in Wind Farm Measurements: A Matrix Completion Approach
Authors: Silei Mattia , Bellavia Stefania , Superchi Francesco , Bianchini Alessandro
Published: February 2023

Availability of reliable and extended datasets of recorded power output from renewables is nowadays seen as one of the key drivers to improve the design and control of smart energy systems. In particular, these datasets are needed to train artificial intelligence methods. Very often, however, datasets can be corrupted due to lack of records connected to failures of the acquisition system, maintenance downtime periods, etc. Several recovery (imputation) methods have been used to guess and replace missing data. In this paper, we exploit the matrix completion approach. The available measures of several variables referring to a real onshore wind farm are organized into a matrix in a daily range and the Singular Value Thresholding method is used to carry out the matrix completion process. Numerical results show that matrix completion is a reliable and parameter-free tuning tool to impute missing data in these applications.
Investigation of High-Efficiency and Stable Carbon-Perovskite/Silicon and Carbon-Perovskite/CIGS-GeTe Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Saeed Ahmed , Salah Mostafa , Zekry Abdelhalim , Mousa Mohamed , Shaker Ahmed , Abouelatta Mohamed , Amer Fathy , Mubarak Roaa , Louis Dalia
Published: February 2023

The primary purpose of recent research on solar cells is to achieve a higher power conversion efficiency with stable characteristics. To push the developments of photovoltaic (PV) technology, tandem solar cells are being intensively researched, as they have higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than single-junction cells. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are recently used as a top cell of tandem solar cells thanks to their tunable energy gap, high short circuit current, and low cost of fabrication. One of the main challenges in PSCs cells is the stability issue. Carbon perovskite solar cells (CPSCs) without a hole transport material (HTM) presented a promising solution for PSCs’ stability. The two-terminal monolithic tandem solar cells demonstrate the commercial tandem cells market. Consequently, all the proposed tandem solar cells in this paper are equivalent to two-terminal monolithic tandem devices. In this work, two two-terminal tandem solar cells are proposed and investigated using the SCAPS-1D device simulator. Carbon perovskite solar cell (CPSC) without hole transport material (HTM) is used as the top cell with a new proposed gradient doping in the perovskite layer. This proposal has led to a substantial enhancement of the stability issue known to be present in carbon perovskite cells. Moreover, a higher PCE, exceeding 22%, has been attained for the proposed CPSC. Two bottom cells are examined, Si and CIGS-GeTe solar cells. The suggested CPSC/Si and CPSC/CIGS-GeTe tandem solar cells have the advantage of having just two junctions, which reduces the complexity and cost of solar cells. The performance parameters are found to be improved. In specific, the PCEs of the two proposed cells are 19.89% and 24.69%, respectively.
Investigations on the Heat Transfer between an Electrical Heating Rod and a Rail for Heated Railway Switch Points
Authors: Schladitz Markus , Adam Robert , Schlegel Stephan
Published: February 2023

Electrical heating rods are a commonly used application for switch point heating in order to keep switch points free from ice and snow. Clamps made of spring steel usually attach the heating rod to the rail. They are localized at certain positions at a distance from each other. Thermal images showed significant temperature differences on the surface of the heating rod depending on the longitudinal position. That might be an indicator of a varying heat transfer due to a changing joint force applied by the clamps. In order to investigate the correlation between the joint force and the heat transfer between the heating rod and rail, the clamping force of newly manufactured heating rod clamps was measured initially. Therefore, a modified tensile test was used. Applied thermal and mechanical loads over a period of 4000 h could reduce the clamping force by 13%. Finally, the correlation between the heat transfer resistance, the joint force and the surface condition was experimentally determined with a heating test setup. Considering only the clamp area, the specific thermal contact resistance will not change due to a change in the joint force. However, surface preconditioning, such as milling or an application of a thermal-conducting paste, is capable of significantly reducing the thermal contact resistance.
Economic Instruments and the Vision of Prosumer Energy in Poland. Analysis of the Potential Impacts of the “My Electricity” Program
Authors: Kuźmiński Łukasz , Halama Arkadiusz , Nadolny Michał , Dynowska Joanna
Published: February 2023

Fossil fuels, which are widely used in Poland, have negative environmental and health consequences. Photovoltaics, used especially by households, contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions and indirectly reduce the problem of smog. However, the high cost of photovoltaic installations forces the use of economic incentives, such as direct subsidies to the installation, under the “My Electricity” program (hereinafter referred to as the program). The development of photovoltaics is hindered by the ineffective functioning of transmission grids. In the current edition of the “My Electricity” program, the main emphasis was placed on the use of electricity at the place of generation through the use of energy storage facilities and the transition to a new billing system, so-called net billing. The program indirectly contributes to the growing popularity of heat pumps as an installation that uses electricity generated on-site. Significant changes in the program inspired the authors of the study to plan and conduct nationwide research; they assessed investment plans for energy storage and heat pumps by potential individual investors, i.e., owners of single-family houses. Based on the results obtained, the authors of the article concluded that the new version of the “My Electricity” program will almost exclusively affect the energy storage market. This impact will stimulate the development and application of this technology. In the case of the heat pump market, the current demand will remain at the same level. The program will contribute to achieving the assumed goals, especially energy consumption at the place of production and reducing so-called low emissions. The program will not affect the demand for heat pumps.
Energy Harvesting for Wearable Sensors and Body Area Network Nodes
Authors: Dziadak Bogdan , Makowski Łukasz , Kucharek Mariusz , Jóśko Adam
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to present new trends in energy-harvesting solutions pertaining to wearable sensors and powering Body Area Network nodes. To begin, we will present the capability of human beings to generate energy. We then examine solutions for converting kinetic and thermal energy from the human body. As part of our review of kinetic converters, we survey the structures and performance of electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and triboelectric systems. Afterward, we discuss thermal energy converters that utilize the heat generated by humans. In the final section, we present systems for converting energy from the electromagnetic waves surrounding a person. A number of these systems are suitable for use as wearables, such as RF harvesters and micro photovoltaic cells.
Control of the Energy Impact of Electric Discharges in a Liquid Phase
Authors: Titov Evgeniy , Bodrikov Ivan , Titov Dmitry
Published: February 2023

This paper describes the scheme and algorithm for controlling a laboratory setup that result in low uncertainty and high convergence with respect to the characteristics of electric discharges under the conditions of variable parameters of a reaction medium. The article presents current and voltage oscillograms when processing hydrocarbon raw materials. Methods for calculating the energy impact of electrical discharge are described. A comparison is made between the parameters of electric discharge with current pulse limitations and those without current pulse duration limitations. The proposed approach to controlling the characteristics of electric discharges provides the same parameters of nonthermal nonequilibrium plasma and, as a result, a regular composition of the products of plasma pyrolysis of hydrocarbon raw materials.
A Systematic Literature Review on Data-Driven Residential and Industrial Energy Management Systems
Authors: Sievers Jonas , Blank Thomas
Published: February 2023

The energy transition and the resulting expansion of renewable energy resources increasingly pose a challenge to the energy system due to their volatile and intermittent nature. In this context, energy management systems are central as they coordinate energy flows and optimize them toward economic, technical, ecological, and social objectives. While numerous scientific publications study the infrastructure, optimization, and implementation of residential energy management systems, only little research exists on industrial energy management systems. However, results are not easily transferable due to differences in complexity, dependency, and load curves. Therefore, we present a systematic literature review on state-of-the-art research for residential and industrial energy management systems to identify trends, challenges, and future research directions. More specifically, we analyze the energy system infrastructure, discuss data-driven monitoring and analysis, and review the decision-making process considering different objectives, scheduling algorithms, and implementations. Thus, based on our insights, we provide numerous recommendations for future research in residential and industrial energy management systems.
Inconsistent Growth Responses of Alpine Rhododendron Shrubs to Climate Change at Two Sites on the Eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Ya-Lei , Wang Ya-Feng , Camarero Jesús Julio
Published: February 2023

Evidence is accumulating that the radial growth of high-elevation Rhododendron shrubs has high dendrochronological potential. However, it remains unclear if the growth responses of alpine Rhododendron shrubs to climate are contingent on site conditions. Herein, the climate–growth relationships of alpine Rhododendron przewalskii Maxim. shrubs were investigated at two sites (NQ, LWQ) at an elevation of 4300 m on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. We collected ring-width data from 53 Rhododendron shrubs. Well-replicated 111-year-old and 51-year-old long shrub ring-width chronologies were built for NQ and LWQ, respectively. Mean shrub growth did not differ between the two study sites. Mean maximum temperature in September of the previous year was significantly negatively correlated with shrub ring-width indices in site NQ, whereas the August minimum temperature of the current year showed a strong negative association with shrub growth indices in site LWQ. Random effects with the shrub level condition exerted a certain influence on shrub radial growth. Results of previous studies in other forest regions across the Tibetan Plateau, along with this study, revealed the diverse responses of radial growth of alpine Rhododendron shrubs to climate change. Thus, both climatic and local-scale variables should be considered when conducting shrub-based dendrochronological studies. A warmer and drier climate in the future could further reduce Rhododendron shrub growth in particular sites and threaten the survival of alpine shrub ecosystems on the eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Differences of Moss Mites Communities at Different Vegetation Succession Stages in Subalpine Wetland (Jiulongchi, Fanjing Mountain), Southwest China
Authors: Chen Hu , Zhou Yuanyuan , Fei Yifan , Wei Qiang
Published: February 2023

Fanjing Mountain, China, is a World Man and Biosphere Reserve, a World Natural Heritage Property, and a Nature Reserve in China. Mites communities have been reported from the Fanjing Mountain. Wetland moss microhabitats provide a unique habitat for mites, and our objective is to document moss mites communities in the subalpine wetlands of Fanjing Mountain (Jiulongchi), with a particular focus on trends in moss mites at different stages of vegetation succession in the wetlands, which have rarely been described, and the research will provide fundamental data for biodiversity conservation in the face of global climate change. The succession sequence from bryophyte (hygrophyte) to shrub (mesophyte or xerophyte) in the open area of Jiulongchi wetland successively includes Polytrichum commune Hedw. (PC), Eleocharis yokoscensis (Franch. et Sav.) Tang et-Cypers sp. (EY-C), Senecio faberii Hemsl (SF), and Indocalamus longiauritus Hand.-Mazz. (IL) four typical communities. In April 2016, we collected moss samples under the four typical communities mentioned above, and analyzed the difference of moss mite communities using PCA, Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric test, and ANOVA. The results showed the following: (1) A total of 9058 moss mites belonging to 49 genera in 3 orders and 69 families were captured in the four plant communities, with the moss mites Parachipteria, Fuscozetes, and Tectocepheus being the dominant taxa of moss mites in Jiulongchi wetland. The core taxa of moss mites at different successional stages were 12 genera, with IL having the largest number of exclusive taxa (20 genera). (2) The abundance of moss mites showed an overall increasing trend from PC to IL habitats, with the number of families and genera showing a pattern of IL > EY-C > SF > PC. The diversity index SF habitat possessed the maximum value, followed by IL, both of which were significantly different from PC. (3) The results of PCA analysis of moss mites showed that the mite community composition of PC habitats differed more from SF and IL, respectively, and less from EY-C. (4) There existed differences in the ecological taxa of predatory moss mites at different successional stages, with the Poronota group dominating the ecological taxa of oribatida. The research indicated that moss mites communities in subalpine wetlands were rich in species composition, and with the succession of vegetation from hygrophyte to mesophyte or xerophyte, the moss mites group as a whole develops in a direction favorable to its diversity, and the differences in moss mites ecological taxa also demonstrated the variability and complexity of the Jiulongchi wetland environment. This research presents the distribution pattern of moss mites in different vegetation succession stages in subtropical subalpine herbaceous wetlands. The moss mites evolution trend in response to climate-change-induced plant community succession needs further investigation.
Inhibition of Chitosan Ice Coating on the Quality Deterioration of Quick-Frozen Fish Balls during Repeated Freeze–Thaw Cycles
Authors: Chang Lixin , Li Ying , Bai Xue , Xia Xiufang , Xu Weidong
Published: February 2023

Chitosan ice coating’s properties and its inhibitory effect on the quality deterioration of quick-frozen fish balls during repeated freeze–thaw cycles were investigated. When the chitosan (CH) coating concentration increased, the viscosity and ice coating rate increased, while water vapor permeability (WVP), water solubility, and transmittance decreased, and 1.5% CH was regarded as the excellent coating to apply to freeze–thaw quick-frozen fish balls. As the freeze–thaw cycles increased, the frost production, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) values, and free water content of all of the samples increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the whiteness values, textural properties, and water-holding capacity (WHC) decreased. Freeze–thaw cycles expanded the aperture between the muscle fibers and the occurrence of crystallization and recrystallization between cells increased, damaging the original intact tissue structure, which were confirmed by SEM and optical microscopy. Compared with the untreated ones, the frost production, free water, and TVB-N of the samples with 1.5% CH decreased during 1, 3, 5, and 7 cycles, and were reduced by 23.80%, 32.21%, 30.33%, and 52.10% by the 7th cycle. The WHC and texture properties showed an increasing trend during the freeze–thaw cycles. Therefore, the chitosan ice coating effectively inhibited the quality deterioration by reducing water loss, the occurrence of ice crystallization and recrystallization, and the pores of the samples.
High-Stability Bi-Layer Films Incorporated with Liposomes @Anthocyanin/Carrageenan/Agar for Shrimp Freshness Monitoring
Authors: Zhang Junjun , Yang Yan , Zhang Jianing , Shi Jiyong , Liu Li , Huang Xiaowei , Song Wenjun , Li Zhihua , Zou Xiaobo , Povey Megan
Published: February 2023

High-stability bi-layer films were prepared by incorporating anthocyanin-loaded liposomes into carrageenan and agar (A-CBAL) for non-destructive shrimp freshness monitoring. The encapsulation efficiency of the anthocyanin-loaded liposomes increased from 36.06% to 46.99% with an increasing ratio of lecithin. The water vapor transmission (WVP) of the A-CBAL films, with a value of 2.32 × 10−7 g · m−1 · h−1 · pa−1, was lower than that of the film with free anthocyanins (A-CBA). The exudation rate of the A-CBA film reached 100% at pH 7 and pH 9 after 50 min, while the A-CBAL films slowed down to a value lower than 45%. The encapsulation of anthocyanins slightly decreased the ammonia sensitivity. Finally, the bi-layer films with liposomes successfully monitored shrimp freshness with visible color changes to the naked eye. These results indicated that films with anthocyanin-loaded liposomes have potential applications in high-humidity environments.
Use of Oenological Tannins to Protect the Colour of Rosé Wine in a Bioprotection Strategy with Metschnikowia pulcherrima
Authors: Puyo Maëlys , Simonin Scott , Klein Géraldine , David-Vaizant Vanessa , Quijada-Morín Natalia , Alexandre Hervé , Tourdot-Maréchal Raphaëlle
Published: February 2023

Although bioprotection is now recognised as an alternative to SO2 for limiting microbial spoilage, it does not guarantee protection against oxidation. This limits its application, more specifically for rosé winemaking. Oenological tannins present antioxidant properties, which could represent an interesting alternative to SO2 to protect must and wines against oxidation. A combination of the inoculation of a bioprotectant yeast strain and the addition of oenological tannins was tested to eliminate sulfites during the pre-fermentative step of rosé winemaking. In this experiment carried out in a winery, two oenological tannins were compared: quebracho and gall nut tannins. The antioxidant efficiency of tannins was compared to that of SO2. Colorimetric assays associated with chemical analyses of anthocyanins and phenolic compounds confirmed that the use of bioprotection alone did not protect the wine from oxidation. An addition of oenological tannins on musts stabilized the colour of bioprotected rosé wine in a similar way that SO2 addition did. Quebracho tannins appeared more efficient than gall nut tannins. The colour differences observed cannot be explained either by the concentration or forms of anthocyanins. However, the addition of tannins led to better protection of oxidation-sensitive phenolic compounds comparable to that obtained with the addition of sulfites.
Development of Indirect Competitive ELISA and Colloidal Gold Immunochromatographic Strip for Endosulfan Detection Based on a Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Zhou Xinghua , Guan Shuoning , Li Na , Zhou Jiayu , Pan Wenwen , Wang Yun
Published: February 2023

Endosulfan, as an effective broad-spectrum insecticide, has been banned in agricultural areas because of the potential harmful effects on human health. This study aimed to develop an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) and colloidal gold immunochromatographic (ICA) strip based on a prepared monoclonal antibody (mAb) for quantitative and qualitative detection of endosulfan. A new mAb with high sensitivity and affinity was designed and screened. The ic-ELISA showed a 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) value of 5.16 ng/mL for endosulfan. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 1.14 ng/mL. The average recoveries of endosulfan in spiked pear and apple samples ranged from 91.48–113.45% and 92.39–106.12% with an average coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 7%, respectively. The analysis of colloidal gold ICA strip could be completed within 15 min by naked eye and the visual limit of detection (vLOD) was both 40 ng/mL in pear and apple samples. In conclusion, both developed immunological methods were suitable and reliable for the on-site detection of endosulfan in real samples at trace levels.
Food Intake of Macro and Trace Elements from Different Fresh Vegetables Taken from Timisoara Market, Romania—Chemometric Analysis of the Results
Authors: Heghedűș-Mîndru Gabriel , Negrea Petru , Trașcă Teodor Ioan , Ștef Ducu Sandu , Cocan Ileana , Heghedűș-Mîndru Ramona Cristina
Published: February 2023

Vegetable consumption is recommended and encouraged by all nutritionists and doctors across the planet. However, in addition to minerals which are beneficial to the body, certain minerals with a negative influence on human health can sneak in. It is very important that in the case of some minerals their content in vegetables is known, so that the recommended limits are not exceeded. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the macro elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Pb, Zn, Co) in 24 samples of vegetables from four botanical families (Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae and Amaryllidaceae), purchased from the market in Timișoara, Romania, both imported products as well as local products. The atomic-absorption-spectrometry technique (FAAS) was used to evaluate the macro elements and trace elements. The values obtained for the macro elements and trace elements were used as input data for the analysis of multivariate data, the principal component analysis (PCA) in which the vegetable samples were grouped according to their contribution of certain mineral elements, as well as according to some of the botanical families to which they belong. At the same time, based on the values obtained for trace elements, an assessment of the risk to human health in terms of consumption of the vegetables studied was carried out. The risk assessment for human health was determined on the basis of the estimated daily dose (EDI), the values of the target hazard coefficient (THQ), the values of the total target hazard coefficient (TTHQ) and the carcinogenic risk (CR). Following the determination of THQ, the values obtained followed the order THQWith > THQCd > THQPb > THQCo > THQMn > THQZn > THQFe. The results on the content of macro elements and trace elements, as well as the assessment of the risk to human health when consuming the assessed vegetables, were within the limits of European Union (EU) and World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO)legislation.