bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formulation of Laurus nobilis Essential Oil Nanoemulsion System and Its Application in Fresh-Cut Muskmelons
Authors: Ru Qiaomei , Hu Qiong , Dai Chengen , Zhang Xuebing , Wang Yan
Published: January 2022

The objective was to elucidate the influences of Laurus nobilis essential oil nanoemulsion on the quality properties of fresh-cut muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) stored at 4 °C for 8 days. The L. nobilis oil nanoemulsion coating can inhibit changes in the browning index and titratable acidity level of muskmelon samples. The browning index in the slices treated with L. nobilis oil nanoemulsion was 0.095 ± 0.007, as compared with that of the control (0.314 ± 0.018). Meanwhile, L. nobilis oil nanoemulsion treatment maintained total phenolic content, with values ranging from 11.13 ± 0.74 mg GAE/g FW to 9.47 ± 0.75 mg GAE/g FW and inhibited the activities of related enzymes, such as polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase). Moreover, the application of L. nobilis oil nanoemulsion inhibited the proliferation of spoilage microorganisms. The population of the aerobic bacteria of the muskmelon samples subjected to L. nobilis oil nanoemulsion treatment was 5.14 ± 0.47 log CFU/g FW, whereas that of the control was 9.42 ± 0.88 log CFU/g FW after 8 days. Therefore, the tested L. nobilis oil nanoemulsion may contribute to the inhibition of surface browning and enhancement of the shelf life of fresh-cut muskmelons for eight days at refrigerator temperature.
Conservation Tools, Protocols, and Treatments on Painted Surfaces, Metal Leaves, and Finishes in Cultural Heritage
Authors: Nervo Marco
Published: January 2022

The conservation of painted surfaces, metal leaves, and finishes requires a deep knowledge of both the materials themselves and the supports, in addition to the interaction phenomena occurring among them [...]
Benchmarking Plane Waves Quantum Mechanical Calculations of Iron(II) Tris(2,2′-bipyridine) Complex by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Sanna Nico , Benfatto Maurizio
Published: January 2022

In this work, we used, for the first time, a computational Self-Consistent Field procedure based on plane waves to describe the low and high spin conformational states of the complex [Fe(bpy)3]2+. The results obtained in the study of the minimum energy structures of this complex, a prototype of a wide class of compounds called Spin Cross Over, show how the plane wave calculations are in line with the most recent studies based on gaussian basis set functions and, above all, reproduce within acceptable errors the experimental spectra of X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). This preliminary study shows the capabilities of plane wave methods to correctly describe the molecular structures of metal-organic complexes of this type and paves the way for future even complex computational simulations based on the energy gradient, such as Nudge Elastic Band or ab-initio Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics.
A Theoretical Modeling of Adaptive Mixed CNT Bundles for High-Speed VLSI Interconnect Design
Authors: Amin Abu Bony , Shakil Syed Muhammad , Ullah Muhammad Sana
Published: January 2022

The aroused quest to reduce the delay at the interconnect level is the main urge of this paper, so as to come across a configuration of carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles, namely, squarely packed bundles of mixed CNTs. The demonstrated approach in this paper makes the mixed CNT bundle adaptable to adopt for high-speed very-large-scale integration (VLSI) interconnects with technology shrinkage. To reduce the delay of the proposed configuration of the mixed CNT bundle, the behavioral change of resistance (R), inductance (L), and capacitance (C) has been observed with respect to both the width of the bundle and the diameter of the CNTs in the bundle. Consequently, the performance of the modified bundle configuration is compared with a previously developed configuration, namely, squarely packed bundles of dimorphic MWCNTs in terms of propagation delay and crosstalk delay at local-, semiglobal-, and global-level interconnects. The proposed bundle configuration is, ultimately, enacted as the better one for 32-nm and 16-nm technology nodes, and is suitable for 7-nm nodes as well.
An Unexpected Tumor Reduction: Treatment with Olaparib Monotherapy in Heavily Pretreated BRCA2 Mutated Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Prete Alessandra Anna , Procaccio Letizia , Bergamo Francesca , Rasola Cosimo , Nappo Floriana , Zagonel Vittorina , Lonardi Sara
Published: January 2022

PARP inhibitors are largely recognized as active drugs in BRCA-mutated breast and ovarian malignancies. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the PARP inhibitor olaparib has recently been approved as maintenance treatment in patients with germline BRCA mutations reaching disease control after a platinum-based first line chemotherapy, proving significant benefit on progression free survival. On the other hand, little evidence is available regarding olaparib as single agent after progression with standard treatment in BRCA-mutated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A 61-year-old female patient harboring germline BRCA2 mutation was treated at our institution for a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with lung and liver metastases. The patient received three previous lines of treatment with standard therapies, as follows: after the third line treatment failure, we started a further line of treatment with olaparib in off-label prescription. After the first two cycles, a CT scan documented partial response, with complete regression of lung metastases. The response was maintained after four cycles, with further response and clinical benefit. The radiologic and clinical response was maintained for 6 months. This case highlights the potential of olaparib as single agent after progression with standard treatment in BRCA-mutated pancreatic cancer.
Clinical Outcomes and Prognosis Analysis of Younger Bladder Cancer Patients
Authors: Abudurexiti Mierxiati , Ma Jie , Li Yao , Hu Chuanyi , Cai Zhikang , Wang Zhong , Jiang Ning
Published: January 2022

Background: Generally, little is known about prognostic factors in bladder cancer patients under 40 years of age. We therefore performed a retrospective study to identify prognostic factors in these younger bladder cancer patients. Methods: We collected clinicopathological data on bladder cancer patients ≤40 years old diagnosed between 1975 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the differences between groups were analyzed using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazards regression analyses were performed to define hazard ratios (HRs) for cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results: There were statistical differences in race, histological type, cancer stage, tumor size, and surgery treatment groups between overall survival and CSS. Only tumor size and cancer stage were significant independent prognostic risk factors in younger bladder cancer patients for the prediction of CSS. Conclusion: Tumors greater than 30 mm in size and a more advanced stage of bladder cancer were indicative of a poor prognosis in bladder cancer patients ≤40 years old, and long-term follow-up is suggested.
Palaeoecological Analysis and Diversity of Turtles and Other Reptiles
Authors: Pérez-García Adán
Published: January 2022

Reptilia is a very successful monophyletic clade of vertebrates (i [...]
An Empirical Study on Data Validation Methods of Delphi and General Consensus
Authors: Chan Puthearath
Published: January 2022

Data collection and review are the building blocks of academic research regardless of the discipline. The gathered and reviewed data, however, need to be validated in order to obtain accurate information. The Delphi consensus is known as a method for validating the data. However, several studies have shown that this method is time-consuming and requires a number of rounds to complete. Until now, there has been no clear evidence that validating data by a Delphi consensus is more significant than by a general consensus. In this regard, if data validation between both methods are not significantly different, then just using a general consensus method is sufficient, easier, and less time-consuming. Hence, this study aims to find out whether or not data validation by a Delphi consensus method is more significant than by a general consensus method. This study firstly collected and reviewed the data of sustainable building criteria, secondly validated these data by applying each consensus method, and finally made a comparison between both consensus methods. The results showed that seventeen of the valid criteria obtained from the general consensus and reduced by the Delphi consensus were found to be inconsistent for sustainable building assessments in Cambodia. Therefore, this study concludes that using the Delphi consensus method is more significant in validating the gathered and reviewed data. This experiment contributes to the selection and application of consensus methods in validating data, information, or criteria, especially in engineering fields.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Diseases in 2021
Authors:   Diseases Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Dentistry Journal in 2021
Authors:   Dentistry Journal Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Simulation of Cardiac Flow under the Septal Defect Based on Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Wang Zhengdao , Zhang Xiandong , Li Yumeng , Yang Hui , Xue Haihong , Wei Yikun , Qian Yuehong
Published: January 2022

In this paper, the lattice Boltzmann method was used to simulate the cardiac flow in children with aseptal defect. The inner wall model of the heart was reconstructed from 210 computed tomography scans. By simulating and comparing the cardiac flow field, the pressure field, the blood oxygen content, and the distribution of entropy generation before and after an operation, the effects of septal defect on pulmonary hypertension(PH), cyanosis, and heart load were analyzed in detail. It is found that the atrial septal defect(ASD) of the child we analyzed had a great influence on the blood oxygen content in the pulmonary artery, which leads to lower efficiency of oxygen binding in the lungs and increases the burden on the heart. At the same time, it also significantly enhanced the entropy generation rate of the cardiac flow, which also leads to a higher heart load. However, the main cause of PH is not ASD, but ventricular septal defect (VSD). Meanwhile, it significantly reduced the blood oxygen content in the brachiocephalic trunk, but rarely affects the blood oxygen contents in the downstream left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery, and descending aorta are not significantly affected by VSD. It causes severe cyanosis on the face and lips.
Accumulation of Particles and Formation of a Dissipative Structure in a Nonequilibrium Bath
Authors: Yuvan Steven , Bier Martin
Published: January 2022

The standard textbooks contain good explanations of how and why equilibrium thermodynamics emerges in a reservoir with particles that are subjected to Gaussian noise. However, in systems that convert or transport energy, the noise is often not Gaussian. Instead, displacements exhibit an α-stable distribution. Such noise is commonly called Lévy noise. With such noise, we see a thermodynamics that deviates from what traditional equilibrium theory stipulates. In addition, with particles that can propel themselves, so-called active particles, we find that the rules of equilibrium thermodynamics no longer apply. No general nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory is available and understanding is often ad hoc. We study a system with overdamped particles that are subjected to Lévy noise. We pick a system with a geometry that leads to concise formulae to describe the accumulation of particles in a cavity. The nonhomogeneous distribution of particles can be seen as a dissipative structure, i.e., a lower-entropy steady state that allows for throughput of energy and concurrent production of entropy. After the mechanism that maintains nonequilibrium is switched off, the relaxation back to homogeneity represents an increase in entropy and a decrease of free energy. For our setup we can analytically connect the nonequilibrium noise and active particle behavior to entropy decrease and energy buildup with simple and intuitive formulae.
Quantum–Classical Entropy Analysis for Nonlinearly-Coupled Continuous-Variable Bipartite Systems
Authors: Sanz Ángel S.
Published: January 2022

The correspondence principle plays a fundamental role in quantum mechanics, which naturally leads us to inquire whether it is possible to find or determine close classical analogs of quantum states in phase space—a common meeting point to both classical and quantum density statistical descriptors. Here, this issue is tackled by investigating the behavior of classical analogs arising upon the removal of all interference traits displayed by the Wigner distribution functions associated with a given pure quantum state. Accordingly, the dynamical evolution of the linear and von Neumann entropies is numerically computed for a continuous-variable bipartite system, and compared with the corresponding classical counterparts, in the case of two quartic oscillators nonlinearly coupled under regular and chaos conditions. Three quantum states for the full system are considered: a Gaussian state, a cat state, and a Bell-type state. By comparing the quantum and classical entropy values, and particularly their trends, it is shown that, instead of entanglement production, such entropies rather provide us with information on the system (either quantum or classical) delocalization. This gradual loss of information translates into an increase in both the quantum and the classical realms, directly connected to the increase in the correlations between both parties’ degrees of freedom which, in the quantum case, is commonly related to the production of entanglement.
Sublimation Study of Six 5-Substituted-1,10-Phenanthrolines by Knudsen Effusion Mass Loss and Solution Calorimetry
Authors: Brunetti Bruno , Ciccioli Andrea , Lapi Andrea , Buzyurov Aleksey V. , Nagrimanov Ruslan N. , Varfolomeev Mikhail A. , Ciprioti Stefano Vecchio
Published: January 2022

The vapor pressures of six solid 5-X-1,10-phenanthrolines (where X = Cl, CH3, CN, OCH3, NH2, NO2) were determined in suitable temperature ranges by Knudsen Effusion Mass Loss (KEML). From the temperature dependencies of vapor pressure, the molar sublimation enthalpies, ΔcrgHm0(⟨T⟩), were calculated at the corresponding average ⟨T⟩ of the explored temperature ranges. Since to the best of our knowledge no thermochemical data seem to be available in the literature regarding these compounds, the ΔcrgHm0(⟨T⟩) values obtained by KEML experiments were adjusted to 298.15 K using a well known empirical procedure reported in the literature. The standard (p0 = 0.1 MPa) molar sublimation enthalpies, ΔcrgHm0(298.15 K), were compared with those determined using a recently proposed solution calorimetry approach, which was validated using a remarkable amount of thermochemical data of molecular compounds. For this purpose, solution enthalpies at infinite dilution of the studied 5-chloro and 5-methylphenantrolines in benzene were measured at 298.15 K. Good agreement was found between the values derived by the two different approaches, and final mean values of ΔcrgHm0(298.15 K) were recommended. Finally, the standard molar entropies and Gibbs energies of sublimation were also derived at T = 298.15 K. The volatilities of the six compounds were found to vary over a range of three orders of magnitude in the explored temperature range. The large difference in volatility was analyzed in the light of enthalpies and entropies of sublimation. The latter was tentatively put in relation to the rotational contribution of the substituent group on the phenanthroline unit.
Multi-Class Classification of Medical Data Based on Neural Network Pruning and Information-Entropy Measures
Authors: Sánchez-Gutiérrez Máximo Eduardo , González-Pérez Pedro Pablo
Published: January 2022

Medical data includes clinical trials and clinical data such as patient-generated health data, laboratory results, medical imaging, and different signals coming from continuous health monitoring. Some commonly used data analysis techniques are text mining, big data analytics, and data mining. These techniques can be used for classification, clustering, and machine learning tasks. Machine learning could be described as an automatic learning process derived from concepts and knowledge without deliberate system coding. However, finding a suitable machine learning architecture for a specific task is still an open problem. In this work, we propose a machine learning model for the multi-class classification of medical data. This model is comprised of two components—a restricted Boltzmann machine and a classifier system. It uses a discriminant pruning method to select the most salient neurons in the hidden layer of the neural network, which implicitly leads to a selection of features for the input patterns that feed the classifier system. This study aims to investigate whether information-entropy measures may provide evidence for guiding discriminative pruning in a neural network for medical data processing, particularly cancer research, by using three cancer databases: Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, and Primary Tumour. Our proposal aimed to investigate the post-training neuronal pruning methodology using dissimilarity measures inspired by the information-entropy theory; the results obtained after pruning the neural network were favourable. Specifically, for the Breast Cancer dataset, the reported results indicate a 10.68% error rate, while our error rates range from 10% to 15%; for the Cervical Cancer dataset, the reported best error rate is 31%, while our proposal error rates are in the range of 4% to 6%; lastly, for the Primary Tumour dataset, the reported error rate is 20.35%, and our best error rate is 31%.
Effect of Magnesium Additives on Phosphorous Recovery during Sewage Sludge Combustion and Further Improvement of Bioavailable Phosphorous
Authors: Xiao Yi , Ren Xiaohan , Chen Juan
Published: January 2022

Sewage sludge (SS), a solid waste taking up a large amount of public resources, contains abundant phosphorous and urgently needs appropriate recovery, but incineration, the existing popular SS treatment method, fails to reuse phosphorous as a feasible product due to the poor phosphorous bioavailability of SS ash. Based on the mono-combustion of SS, magnesian minerals comprising of magnesium oxide were doped with SS to carry out the behavior of magnesium in phosphorous capture and its sensitivity to subsequent thermochemical modification. Five percent MgO improved phosphorous capture, and its effectiveness was disturbed by sulfur at 900 °C. The more H2O that was pumped into the atmosphere, the more phosphorous was captured by 5% MgO. The capacity of MgO in phosphorous capture was inferior to that of CaO. The utilization efficiency of MgO for phosphorous capture was inferior to that of CaO. A total of 7.2% MgO succeeded in recovering 97.46% phosphorous with 5% H2O at 900 °C. A total of 15.06% hydromagnesite merely promoted 1.85% and 5.13% of the phosphorous relative enrichment factor (RE) in SS ashes without or with 5% H2O, respectively, whereas it recovered 90.21% phosphorous with 10% H2O, supposing a potentiality in phosphorous capture for the direct combustion of wet SS. However, having been improved by magnesium, the bioavailability of phosphorous in SS ash remained extremely limited. Thus, thermal modification by K2CO3 was applied, where the limited bioavailability of phosphorous in the SS ashes was remarkably alleviated; although, SiO2 and sulfate were the main disturbers and led to the production of K2MgSiO4 and K2Mg2(SO4)3. The effective constituents were KMgPO4 and K3CaH(PO4)2 in the final mixed fertilizer. The obtained mixed fertilizer might be suitable for application on acidic soils.
Shale Reservoir Heterogeneity: A Case Study of Organic-Rich Longmaxi Shale in Southern Sichuan, China
Authors: Zhan Hongming , Fang Feifei , Li Xizhe , Hu Zhiming , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2022

Shale reservoir heterogeneity is strong, which seriously affects shale gas reservoir evaluation and reserves estimation. The Longmaxi Formation shale of the Luzhou block in southern Sichuan was taken as an example to characterize the pore distribution of shale over the full scale using micro-computed tomography (CT), focusing on ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS); further, the heterogeneity of the shale pore distribution over the full scale was explored quantitatively within different scales. The results show that shale micropores are dominated by microfractures that are mainly developed along the bedding direction and associated with organic matter, contributing 1.24% of porosity. Shale nanopores are more developed, contributing 3.57–4.72% porosity and have strong heterogeneity locally at the microscale, but the pore distribution characteristics show lateral homogeneity and vertical heterogeneity at the macroscale. In the same layer, the porosity difference is only 0.1% for the sheet samples with 2 cm adjacent to each other. Therefore, in shale core experiments in which parallel samples are needed for comparison, parallel samples should be in the same bedding position. This paper explores the extent of heterogeneity over the full scale of pore distribution from macro to micro, which has important significance for accurately characterizing the pore distribution of shale and further carrying out reservoir evaluation and estimation of reserves.
Development of a Performance Analysis Model for Free-Piston Stirling Power Convertor in Space Nuclear Reactor Power Systems
Authors: Li Huaqi , Tian Xiaoyan , Ge Li , Kang Xiaoya , Zhu Lei , Chen Sen , Chen Lixin , Jiang Xinbiao , Shan Jianqiang
Published: January 2022

Space nuclear reactor power system (SNRPS) is a priority technical solution to meet the future space power requirement of high-power, low-mass, and long-life. The thermoelectric conversion subsystem is the key component of SNRPS, which greatly affects the performance, quality, and volume of SNRPS. Among all kinds of proposed thermoelectric conversion technologies, the free-piston Stirling power converter (FPSPC) has become a preferred conversion technology for small-scale advanced SNPRS due to its moderate waste heat emission temperature and high conversion efficiency, mainly composed of a linear alternator and free-piston Stirling engine (FPSE). For studying the performance of FPSPC, a quasi-steady flow thermodynamic cycle analysis model considering parasitic heat losses has been developed for FPSE. And then the performance analysis model for FPSPC has been established by coupling the thermodynamic cycle analysis model with the mechanical motion model of the piston and volt-ampere characteristic model of the linear alternator. Furthermore, the analysis model was compared and validated by the GPU-3 Stirling engine’s experimental data. The performance parameters of Component Test Power Converter (CTPT) FPSPC designed by NASA for SNRPS were also analyzed. The results show that the amplitudes position of CTPC displacer and piston are 15.1 mm and 11.2 mm, respectively. The corresponding average electric power output of CTPC is 17.316 kW. The input thermal power to the CTPT heater is 66.1 kW, leading to the converter efficiency of 26.2%. The average current and voltage of the CTPC alternator are 86.38 A and 193.15 V, respectively. Among all kinds of parasitic energy losses, the regenerator heat loss accounts for the largest proportion, with an average of about 12.7 kW. The effects of cooler and heater temperature on the performance of CTPC FPSPC were also studied.
Oxidized Nickel to Prepare an Inorganic Hole Transport Layer for High-Efficiency and Stability of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Hsu Chien-Chung , Yu Sheng-Min , Lee Kun-Mu , Lin Chuan-Jung , Liou Bo-Yi , Chen Fu-Rong
Published: January 2022

In this study, we report a perovskite solar cell (PSC) can be benefited from the high quality of inorganic nickel oxide (NiOx) as a hole transport layer (HTL) film fabricated from the physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSC is found to depend on the thickness of NiOx HTL. The NiOx thickness is optimized via quantitative investigation of the structure, optical and electrical properties. With an active area of 11.25 cm2, a PSC module (25 cm2) with a PCE of 15.1% is demonstrated, while statistically averaged PCE = 18.30% with an open voltage (Voc) 1.05 V, short-circuit current density (Jsc) 23.89 mA/cm2, and fill factor (FF) 72.87% can be achieved from 36 devices with smaller active areas of 0.16 cm2. After the stability test at 40% relative humidity (RH) and 25 °C for 1200 h, the highest performance NiOx-based PSC is shown to be about 1.2–1.8 times superior to PEDOT:PSS organic HTL based PSC at the same environment.
Reactive Transport: A Review of Basic Concepts with Emphasis on Biochemical Processes
Authors: Carrera Jesús , Saaltink Maarten W. , Soler-Sagarra Joaquim , Wang Jingjing , Valhondo Cristina
Published: January 2022

Reactive transport (RT) couples bio-geo-chemical reactions and transport. RT is important to understand numerous scientific questions and solve some engineering problems. RT is highly multidisciplinary, which hinders the development of a body of knowledge shared by RT modelers and developers. The goal of this paper is to review the basic conceptual issues shared by all RT problems, so as to facilitate advancement along the current frontier: biochemical reactions. To this end, we review the basic equations to indicate that chemical systems are controlled by the set of equilibrium reactions, which are easy to model, but whose rate is controlled by mixing. Since mixing is not properly represented by the standard advection-dispersion equation (ADE), we conclude that this equation is poor for RT. This leads us to review alternative transport formulations, and the methods to solve RT problems using both the ADE and alternative equations. Since equilibrium is easy, difficulties arise for kinetic reactions, which is especially true for biochemistry, where numerous challenges are open (how to represent microbial communities, impact of genomics, effect of biofilms on flow and transport, etc.). We conclude with the basic eleven conceptual issues that we consider fundamental for any conceptually sound RT effort.
Determining the Social, Economic, Political and Technical Factors Significant to the Success of Dynamic Wireless Charging Systems through a Process of Stakeholder Engagement
Authors: Gadgil Shamala , Ekambaram Karthikeyan , Davies Huw , Jones Andrew , Birrell Stewart
Published: January 2022

Globally and regionally, there is an increasing impetus to electrify the road transport system. The diversity and complexity of the road transport system pose several challenges to electrification in sectors that have higher energy usage requirements. Electric road systems (ERS) have the potential for a balancing solution. An ERS is not only an engineering project, but it is also an innovation system that is complex and composed of multiple stakeholders, requiring an interdisciplinary means of aligning problems, relations, and solutions. This study looked to determine the political, economic, social, and technical (PEST) factors by actively engaging UK stakeholders through online in-depth and semi-structured discussions. The focus is on dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) due to its wider market reach and on the basis that a comprehensive review of the literature indicated that the current focus is on the technical challenges and hence there is a gap in the knowledge around application requirements, which is necessary if society is to achieve its goals of electrification and GHG reduction. Qualitative analysis was undertaken to identify factors that are critical to the success of a DWPT system. The outcome of this study is knowledge of the factors that determine the function and market acceptance of DWPT. These factors can be grouped into six categories: vehicle, journey, infrastructure, economic, traffic and behaviour. These factors, the associated probability distributions attributable to these factors and the relations between them (logic functions), will form the basis for decision making when implementing DWPT as part of the wider UK electric vehicle charging infrastructure and hence support the ambition to electrify all road transport. The results will make a significant contribution to the emerging knowledge base on ERS and specifically DWPT.
Sustainable Development Programming of Airports by Identification of Non-Efficient Units
Authors: Szaruga Elżbieta , Załoga Elżbieta
Published: January 2022

This article concerns the identification of inefficient airports and the exploration of spatial autocorrelation for programming sustainable development. The first research question was: do domestic airports cooperate by shifting passenger service and traffic to the geographically closest airport to respect the idea of sustainable development (in view of the rationalization of energy consumption)? The second question was: do they excessively compete for passengers and the carriers serving them? The aim was to identify ineffective units (taking into account energy consumption, airplane traffic, and passenger movement) and to evaluate the spatial autocorrelation between national airports, which shows whether airports cooperate or compete with each other. The study was conducted on 12 airports. An innovative extension of the data envelopment analysis method using methods in the field of spatial econometrics (including two-dimensional Moran I statistics and local LISA statistics) and artificial intelligence was applied. It was verified that ineffective airports have a non-rationalized structure of inputs to outputs. Based on the map-graph of connections, airports have been identified to which part of airplane traffic service can be transferred. Based on Moran statistics and local LISA statistics, it was confirmed that airports compete with each other. There was a strong polarization of efficient airports.
Finite-Time, Robust, and Adaptive Motion Control with State Constraints: Controller Derivation and Real Plant Experiments
Authors: Jastrzębski Marcin , Kabziński Jacek , Mosiołek Przemysław
Published: January 2022

The paper refers to one of the most important problems in industrial automation and robotics—effective motion control in the presence of state variable constraints. A new, nonlinear, adaptive, robust, and practically applicable motion controller for a motor-driven servo is proposed. The developed controller guarantees that the transient of the motion is practically finished in a predefined time, and after this moment, the desired motion trajectory is tracked with specified accuracy, inviolable, time-variable constraints imposed on the position and the velocity are preserved, and all these features are robust against disturbances and violations of the system’s parameters. This approach, distinguished by the fact that the settling time and the quasi-steady-state tracking accuracy are explicitly available design parameters, has never been described before. The controller is based on a special type of time-varying barrier Lyapunov function (BLF), responsible for the finite-time tracking and for meeting the constraints. The derivation of the controller is based on Lyapunov stability theory. A mixture of robust adaptive, nonlinear control techniques is applied to prove the system’s stability. Numerous simulations and experiments with a real permanent-magnet motor- driven servo prove the practical applicability and usefulness of the presented approach.
Does Agricultural Mechanization Improve the Green Total Factor Productivity of China’s Planting Industry?
Authors: Zhu Yingyu , Zhang Yan , Piao Huilan
Published: January 2022

Agricultural mechanization is an important factor to improve the green total factor productivity of the planting industry, which is the key way to realize the sustainable development and high-quality development of agriculture. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2001 to 2019, this paper uses the stochastic frontier analysis method of the output-oriented distance function to measure the green total factor productivity of China’s planting industry based on net carbon sinks, and empirically studies the impact of agricultural mechanization on the green total factor productivity in China’s planting industry. The main findings of this paper are as follows: (1) Agricultural mechanization can promote the planting green total factor productivity significantly, and this basic conclusion is still robust after using instrumental variables and sub sample regression. (2) The path of agricultural mechanization on planting green total factor productivity is mainly reflected in technology progress and spatial spillover, while the mechanisms of operation scale expansion, factor allocation optimization and technical efficiency change are not significant. (3) With the improvement in the mechanization level, the promotion effect of mechanization on planting GTFP will become clearer. Given these findings, the paper adds considerable value to the empirical literature and provides various policy and practical implications.
Detent Force Minimization of Double-Sided Permanent Magnet Linear Synchronous Machine with 120° Phase Belt Toroidal Windings by Slot-Shift Structure
Authors: Si Jikai , Chai Xiaobao , Nie Rui , Hu Yihua , Li Yingsheng
Published: January 2022

Double-sided permanent magnet linear synchronous machine with 120° phase belt toroidal windings (120°-TWDSPMLSM) suffers from large detent force due to the end effect and slot effect. Many existing methods can reduce the detent force of the 120°-TWDSPMLSM effectively. But they also minimize the back electromotive force (back-EMF) and thrust simultaneously. To alleviate this problem, this paper adopts a method of combining slot-shift structure with rearranging the 120° phase belt toroidal windings (120°-TW) to suppress the detent force and improve the back-EMF and thrust of the 120°-TWDSPMLSM simultaneously. First, the slots on the two sides of the primary part are stagger by an optimal distance to reduce the detent force. The models of the detent force, including the end force and cogging force, is established theoretically, and then verified by finite-element analysis (FA). Then, the 120°-TW are rearranged to improve the back-EMF and average thrust. And the electromagnetic characteristics of the 120°-TWDSPMLSM under different shifted distances are analyzed and compared in detail. Finally, the result shows that the detent force of optimized machine is 70.19% lower than that of the original machine, and the thrust fluctuation reduces 19.21%. Besides, the back-EMF of optimized machine is 6.84% lower than that of the original machine, but 31.86 higher than the machine with shifting slots and without rearranging the 120°-TW. Therefore, the optimal method in this paper is available in the detent force reduction and thrust improvement of the 120°-DSPMLSM.
Study of the Impact of E-Machine in Hybrid Dual Clutch Transmission Powertrain
Authors: Khan Irfan , Ruzimov Sanjarbek , Amati Nicola , Tonoli Andrea
Published: January 2022

Recent studies show that hybrid powertrains with dual clutch transmission are becoming more common. This is mainly influenced by the fact that they have higher efficiency, allow power-on shifting, and are more compact. However, the electric motor attached to the primary shaft of the transmission might represent some critical issues in statics and dynamics due to additional torque, inertia, and working irregularities. This paper aims to investigate the influence of the electric motor integration in the transmission on the reliability of the overall system. The focus is on the investigation of potential over stresses of the ICE bearings due to the bending of the gearbox primary shaft. To achieve the aim, the static and the rotor dynamic analysis of the inner and outer primary shafts is performed. The numerical analyses show the potential critical issues that can arise from the excessive manufacturing and assembling tolerances, the interaction of the e-machine torque irregularities and inertia with the bending dynamics of the primary shafts.
Industrialization and CO2 Emissions in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Mitigating Role of Renewable Electricity
Authors: Mentel Urszula , Wolanin Elżbieta , Eshov Mansur , Salahodjaev Raufhon
Published: January 2022

This study aims to explore the relationship between industry value added, renewable energy, and CO2 emissions in a sample of 44 Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2000–2015. This study makes several important contributions to extant research. While existing research was focused on the renewable energy-CO2 emissions nexus, the current study assesses the moderating role of the renewables sector in the industrialization-CO2 emissions relationship. In addition, this study considers whether EKC relationships will hold after accounting for structural transformations (including industrial contributions to GDPs). Moreover, we are revising the existence of the EKC framework for the Sub-Saharan African countries. Using a two-step system GMM estimator, we found that the share of industry in GDP has a significant positive impact on CO2 emissions, while renewable electricity output reduces CO2 emissions. If causal, a one percentage point increase in renewable electricity output reduces carbon emissions by 0.22%. Moreover, the renewable energy sector then mediates the positive effect of industry value added on CO2 emissions. We also find evidence for the statistical significance of the inverted U-shaped relationship between GDP per capita and CO2 emissions.
Measurement Analysis and Improvement of Vibroacoustic Characteristics of Amorphous Alloy Transformer
Authors: Liu Zhenguo , Zhang Ling , Wu Biao , Jin Ming , Yao Degui , Zhang Dianhai , Chen Dezhi
Published: January 2022

The amorphous alloy transformer has a smaller coercive force and lower specific iron loss. It precedes the conventional silicon steel sheet transformer from the perspective of energy conservation. However, amorphous alloy material has a more significant magnetostriction coefficient, resulting in stronger vibration and acoustic noise. This paper investigates the measurement, analysis, and improvement of vibroacoustic characteristics of one three-phase, four-frame amorphous alloy distribution transformer to reduce environment noise pollution. This study adopts a coupling analysis method of magnetic–force–acoustic multi-physical fields to analyze the vibroacoustic characteristics. It then introduces a novel combination method of magnetic field analysis and an electric circuit to improve the efficiency of magnetic field analysis. This new combination method can greatly reduce the solution time of multiple physical fields through comparison with the traditional field-circuit coupling method. Different from other studies, this paper studies the acoustic and vibration characteristics of an amorphous alloy transformer under both no-load and load conditions. It is found that the load vibration noise of an amorphous transformer is more severe than that of a traditional silicon steel transformer. Accordingly, the study measures the vibroacoustic characteristic with different excitations and load levels under different working conditions to verify the numerical analysis method. Furthermore, according to the analysis results, this paper suggests a few vibration and noise control strategies. In conclusion, the paper deduces an essential basis for exploring strategies of vibration reduction and noise control for amorphous alloy distribution transformers.
Challenges in Ramularia collo-cygni Control
Authors: Mäe Andres , Kiiker Riinu
Published: January 2022

Ramularia leaf spot (RLS), caused by the fungus Ramularia collo-cygni, has recently become widespread in Europe. Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) and demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides are mainly applied for disease control on barley fields, but pathogen isolates with a reduced sensitivity can cause difficulties. There is an urgent need for new spring barley cultivars that are more resistant to RLS development and can inhibit R. collo-cygni epidemics.
Restoration Trajectories and Ecological Thresholds during Planted Urban Forest Successional Development
Authors: Wallace K. J. , Clarkson Bruce D. , Farnworth Bridgette
Published: January 2022

Successfully reconstructing functioning forest ecosystems from early-successional tree plantings is a long-term process that often lacks monitoring. Many projects lack observations of critical successional information, such as the restoration trajectory of key ecosystem attributes and ecological thresholds, which signal that management actions are needed. Here, we present results from a 65 ha urban temperate rainforest restoration project in Aotearoa New Zealand, where trees have been planted annually on public retired pasture land, forming a 14 years chronosequence. In 25 plots (100 m2 each), we measured key ecosystem attributes that typically change during forest succession: native tree basal area, canopy openness, non-native herbaceous ground cover, leaf litter cover, ground fern cover, dead trees, and native tree seedling abundance and richness. We also monitored for the appearance of physiologically-sensitive plant guilds (moss, ferns, and epiphytes) that may be considered ecological indicators of succession. Linear regression models identified relationships between all but one of the key ecosystem attributes and forest age (years since planting). Further, using breakpoint analysis, we found that ecological thresholds occurred in many ecosystem attributes during their restoration trajectories: reduced canopy openness (99.8% to 3.4%; 9.6 years threshold), non-native herbaceous ground cover (100% to 0; 10.9 years threshold), leaf litter cover (0 to 95%; 10.8 years threshold), and increased tree deaths (0 to 4; 11 years threshold). Further, juvenile native plant recruitment increased (tree seedling abundance 0 to ~150 per 4 m2), tree seedling species richness (0 to 13 per 100 m2) and epiphytes colonized (0 to 3 individuals per 100 m2). These and other physiologically-sensitive plant guilds appeared around the 11 years mark, confirming their utility as ecological indicators during monitoring. Our results indicate that measurable, ecological thresholds occur during the restoration trajectories of ecosystem attributes, and they are predictable. If detected, these thresholds can inform project timelines and, along with use of ecological indicators, inform management interventions.
cpSSR and High-Resolution Melting Analysis (HRM) for Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl. Variety Genotyping and Discrimination
Authors: García-Valencia Liliana E. , Pérez-García Jocelyn , Vallejo-Reyna Miguel Ángel , Reynoso-Santos Roberto , Vargas-Hernández Jesús , García-Campusano Florencia
Published: January 2022

The unambiguous identification of varieties within the Pseudostrobus complex is a key step to facilitate tree selection and monitoring in the wild as well as in plantations. Molecular tools provide a powerful approach for species delimitation; however, the use of DNA barcodes in this group has met limited success due to widespread haplotype sharing from lineage sorting, hybridization and introgression. Here, we evaluate the utility of real-time PCR coupled with high-resolution melting (HRM) to discriminate among Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl. var. pseudostrobus, apulcensis and oaxacana, from wild populations in central and southern Mexico, using chloroplast DNA sequence variants located within the clpP, ycf2, trnL(UAA)–trnT(UGU) and trnI(CAU)–trnF(GAA) loci. The markers ycf2/trnL(UAA)–trnT(UGU) produced clear melting patterns that separated the varieties pseudostrobus and oaxacana from type var. apulcensis, whereas clpP discriminated over 60% of var. oaxacana individuals. This assay underlines the usefulness of these less-used DNA regions as potential biological markers and exhibits the effect of geography on allele distribution and the likely presence of hybrids among the species and varieties.
Development of a Culture Medium for Microalgae Production Based on Minimal Processing of Oil Palm Biomass Ash
Authors: Tessari Lorenzo Ferrari Assú , Soccol Carlos Ricardo , Rodrigues Cristine , González Estefania García , Tanobe Valcineide Oliveira de Andrade , Kirnev Paulo Cesar de Souza , de Carvalho Júlio Cesar
Published: January 2022

With the increasing participation of biomass in the world energy matrix, large amounts of ash are produced through combustion, resulting in the need to dispose of this waste to minimize the environmental impact. An alternative is to use ashes as phosphorus supplements in microalgae cultures. The present work describes the development and use of a balanced culture medium based on the minimal processing of oil palm biomass ash to cultivate Arthrospira platensis Paracas, Neochloris oleoabundans UTEX 1185, and Dunaliella salina SAG 184. The acid extraction process of phosphorus (P) was defined by evaluating the following parameters: temperature (20 to 70 °C), acid load (0.01 to 0.03 mols/g of ash) of HNO3, and liquid/solid ratio (50 to 150 mLg−1). The best efficiency of the extraction process was 97%. The use of HNO3 allowed for the production of an extract containing balanced amounts of N and P sources, the BAX medium (Biomass Ash Extract). This medium was efficient for cultivating the three microorganisms studied, reaching biomass concentrations of 2.03, 0.902, and 0.69 g/L or 84%, 82%, and 99% of the control concentrations for A. platensis, N. Oleoabundans, and D. salina, respectively. In a final scaling-up test, A. platensis showed productivity of 0.047 g L−1d−1 in a 120 L tank in a greenhouse. BAX can be an alternative nutrient medium for microalgae cultivation, especially in integration with biomass-fueled biorefineries.
Direct and Molecular Observation of Movement and Reproduction by Candy Darter, Etheostoma osburni, an Endangered Benthic Stream Fish in Virginia, USA
Authors: McBaine Kathryn E. , Hallerman Eric M. , Angermeier Paul L.
Published: January 2022

Direct and indirect measures of individual movement provide valuable knowledge regarding a species’ resiliency to environmental change. Information on patterns of movement can inform species management and conservation but is lacking for many imperiled fishes. The Candy Darter, Etheostoma osburni, is an endangered stream fish with a dramatically reduced distribution in Virginia in the eastern United States, now known from only four isolated populations. We used visual implant elastomer tags and microsatellite DNA markers to directly describe movement patterns in two populations. Parentage analysis based on parent-offspring pairs was used to infer movement patterns of young-of-year and age-1 individuals, as well as the reproductive contribution of certain adults. Direct measurements of movement distances were generally similar between methods, but microsatellite markers revealed greater distances moved, commensurate with greater spatial frames sampled. Parent-offspring pairs were found throughout the species’ 18.8-km distribution in Stony Creek, while most parent-offspring pairs were in 2 km of the 4.25-km distribution in Laurel Creek. Sibship reconstruction allowed us to characterize the mating system and number of spawning years for adults. Our results provide the first measures of movement patterns of Candy Darter as well as the spatial distribution of parent-offspring pairs, which may be useful for selecting collection sites in source populations to be used for translocation or reintroductions. Our results highlight the importance of documenting species movement patterns and spatial distributions of related individuals as steps toward understanding population dynamics and informing translocation strategies. We also demonstrate that the reproductive longevity of this species is greater than previously described, which may be the case for other small stream fishes.