bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic identification of NF90 target RNAs by iCLIP analysis
Authors: Lodde Valeria , Floris Matteo , Munk Rachel , Martindale Jennifer L. , Piredda Davide , Napodano Catello Mario Panu , Cucca Francesco , Uzzau Sergio , Abdelmohsen Kotb , Gorospe Myriam , Noh Ji Heon , Idda M. Laura
Published: January 2022

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) interact with and determine the fate of many cellular RNAs directing numerous essential roles in cellular physiology. Nuclear Factor 90 (NF90) is an RBP encoded by the interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3) gene that has been found to influence RNA metabolism at several levels, including pre-RNA splicing, mRNA turnover, and translation. To systematically identify the RNAs that interact with NF90, we carried out iCLIP (individual-nucleotide resolution UV crosslinking and immunoprecipitation) analysis in the human embryonic fibroblast cell line HEK-293. Interestingly, many of the identified RNAs encoded proteins involved in the response to viral infection and RNA metabolism. We validated a subset of targets and investigated the impact of NF90 on their expression levels. Two of the top targets, IRF3 and IRF9 mRNAs, encode the proteins IRF3 and IRF9, crucial regulators of the interferon pathway involved in the SARS-CoV-2 immune response. Our results support a role for NF90 in modulating key genes implicated in the immune response and offer insight into the immunological response to the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Fungi anaesthesia
Authors: Adamatzky Andrew , Gandia Antoni
Published: January 2022

Electrical activity of fungus Pleurotus ostreatus is characterised by slow (h) irregular waves of baseline potential drift and fast (min) action potential likes spikes of the electrical potential. An exposure of the myceliated substrate to a chloroform vapour lead to several fold decrease of the baseline potential waves and increase of their duration. The chloroform vapour also causes either complete cessation of spiking activity or substantial reduction of the spiking frequency. Removal of the chloroform vapour from the growth containers leads to a gradual restoration of the mycelium electrical activity.
Adenosine 2A receptor and TIM3 suppress cytolytic killing of tumor cells via cytoskeletal polarization
Authors: Edmunds Grace L. , Wong Carissa C. W. , Ambler Rachel , Milodowski Emily J. , Alamir Hanin , Cross Stephen J. , Galea Gabriella , Wülfing Christoph , Morgan David J.
Published: January 2022

Tumors generate an immune-suppressive environment that prevents effective killing of tumor cells by CD8+cytotoxic T cells (CTL). It remains largely unclear upon which cell type and at which stage of the anti-tumor response mediators of suppression act. We have combined an in vivo tumor model with a matching in vitro reconstruction of the tumor microenvironment based on tumor spheroids to identify suppressors of anti-tumor immunity that directly act on interaction between CTL and tumor cells and to determine mechanisms of action. An adenosine 2A receptor antagonist, as enhanced by blockade of TIM3, slowed tumor growth in vivo. Engagement of the adenosine 2A receptor and TIM3 reduced tumor cell killing in spheroids, impaired CTL cytoskeletal polarization ex vivo and in vitro and inhibited CTL infiltration into tumors and spheroids. With this role in CTL killing, blocking A2AR and TIM3 may complement therapies that enhance T cell priming, e.g. anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4.
Urbanization can help reduce income inequality
Authors: Wan Guanghua , Zhang Xiaoling , Zhao Mengxue
Published: January 2022

The global community has been confronted with rising income inequality, in particular, for those least developed countries (LDCs), since the same level of inequality as in advanced countries would push many LDCs into abject poverty. This paper focuses on income inequality in developing countries, particularly LDCs. First, we demonstrate the infeasibility of fiscal measures in resolving income inequality even in developed countries. Second, we show that inequality in LDCs can be largely explained by urban-rural gap. Third, we uncover the benign impacts of urbanization on urban-rural gap. This leads us to propose an out-of-box strategy—containing income inequality by promoting well-managed urbanization. Fourth, we reveal a misperception that may have contributed to the neglect of urban-rural gap in constituting national inequality. This has possibly caused anti-urbanization mentalities and practices, with adverse distributional consequences. Finally, we provide evidence-based policy suggestions aimed at reducing income inequality and poverty—two major goals of SDGs.
Sedimentation strategies provide effective but limited mitigation of relative sea-level rise in the Mekong delta
Authors: Dunn Frances E. , Minderhoud Philip S. J.
Published: January 2022

The Mekong delta is experiencing rapid environmental change due to anthropogenic activities causing accelerated subsidence, sea-level rise and sediment starvation. Consequentially, the delta is rapidly losing elevation relative to sea level. Designating specific areas for sedimentation is a suggested strategy to encourage elevation-building with nature in deltas. We combined projections of extraction-induced subsidence, natural compaction and global sea-level rise with new projections of fluvial sediment delivery to evaluate the potential effectiveness of sedimentation strategies in the Mekong delta to 2050. Our results reveal that with current rates of subsidence and sediment starvation, fluvial sediments alone can only preserve elevation locally, even under optimistic assumptions, and organic sedimentation could potentially assume a larger role. While sedimentation strategies alone have limited effectiveness in the present context, combined with enhanced organic matter retention and interventions reducing anthropogenic-accelerated subsidence, they can considerably delay future relative sea-level rise, buying the delta crucial time to adapt.
Engineering bacterial surface interactions using DNA as a programmable material
Authors: Kong Yuhan , Du Qi , Li Juan , Xing Hang
Published: January 2022

The research of using DNA as a programmable material for engineering bacterial interactions is just emerging. DNA nanotechnology offers perhaps the most deliberate approach to develop bacteria-based live materials with unprecedented functions.
Orientation effects and figures of merit in advanced 2–2-type composites based on [011]-poled domain-engineered single crystals
Authors: Topolov Vitaly Yu. , Bowen Christopher R. , Krivoruchko Andrey V. , Isaeva Ashura N.
Published: January 2022

Orientation and volume-fraction dependences of figures of merit are analysed for 2–2-type composites based on [011]-poled PZN–xPT single crystals. A large anisotropy of piezoelectric coefficients and modified figures of merit in a 2–0–2 composite is studied.
Three-fold interpenetrated metal–organic framework as a multifunctional fluorescent probe for detecting 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, levofloxacin, and l-cystine
Authors: Liu Han-Fu , Ye-Tao  , Qin Xiao-Huan , Chao-Chen  , Huang Fu-Ping , Zhang Xiu-Qing , Bian He-Dong
Published: January 2022

A robust Zn(ii) MOF with good chemical and thermal stability, was prepared as an effective fluorescent probe for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP), levofloxacin (LVX) and l-cystine (l-Cys) with recyclability.
Portrayal of the color polymorphism in the 5-acetyl-derivative of ROY
Authors: Nogueira Bernardo A. , Carvalho Maria , Paixão José A. , Eusébio M. Ermelinda S. , Lopes Susana M. M. , Pinho e Melo Teresa M. V. D. , Fausto Rui
Published: January 2022

A novel derivative of ROY, AcROY, was synthesized and studied in this work, where 3 different colored polymorphs were identified. The observed polymorphism of AcROY is an interesting case of packing-determined color polymorphism.
Mechanistic studies on the anomalous transport behaviors of water molecules in nanochannels of multilayer graphynes
Authors: Li Li , Fang Fang , Li Jiajia , Zhou Guobing , Yang Zhen
Published: January 2022

There is a nonmonotonic relationship between the diffusion rate of water molecules and the pore size of graphyne membrane, primarily due to the anomalous HB breaking frequency and average HB number fluctuation.
Understanding the evolution of the Raman spectra of molecularly p-doped poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl): signatures of polarons and bipolarons
Authors: Mansour Ahmed E. , Valencia Ana M. , Lungwitz Dominique , Wegner Berthold , Tanaka Naoki , Shoji Yoshiaki , Fukushima Takanori , Opitz Andreas , Cocchi Caterina , Koch Norbert
Published: January 2022

Experimental Raman spectra of molecularly doped P3HT thin films are combined with first-principles calculations on oligomer models to understand and identify the fingerprints for polarons and bipolarons in doped P3HT.
A molecular laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique for the detection of nitrogen in water
Authors: Ma Shixiang , Guo Lianbo , Dong Daming
Published: January 2022

Nitrogen in solution could be detected sensitively by using molecular laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).
Graphene supported CoO nanoparticles as an advanced catalyst for aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane
Authors: Han Xinyu , Liu Yifan , Qi Zhiyuan , Zhang Qilong , Zhao Panfeng , Wang Lan , Gao Lingfeng , Zheng Gengxiu
Published: January 2022

Transition metals are commonly employed as catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexane.
The Pt/g-C3N4-CNS catalyst via in situ synthesis process with excellent performance for methanol electrocatalytic oxidation reaction
Authors: Liang Xiaolong , Dong Fang , Tang Zhicheng , Wang Qingchun
Published: January 2022

g-C3N4-CNS prepared by the in situ synthetic method has a larger specific surface area and more anchoring sites for Pt, which promotes the dispersion of Pt and enhances the electrocatalytic performance.
Molecular origin of fast evaporation at the solid–water–vapor line in a sessile droplet
Authors: Huang Yongfeng , Zhang Cui , Meng Sheng
Published: January 2022

Water molecules at the droplet contact line bear small evaporating energy barrier and own large possibility to evaporate, resulting from the asymmetrical molecule distribution. The droplet evaporation can be enhanced by a large contact line.
The role of acetylated cyclooxygenase-2 in the biosynthesis of resolvin precursors derived from eicosapentaenoic acid
Authors: Cebrián-Prats Anna , Pinto Alexandre , González-Lafont Àngels , Fernandes Pedro A. , Lluch José M.
Published: January 2022

Aspirin-acetylated COX-2, but not COX-2, triggers the biosynthesis of anti-inflammatory E-series resolvins. The role of aspirin in the molecular mechanism of resolvin formation from EPA is revealed by MD simulations and QM/MM calculations.
Electro-oxidation of amino-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Lu Yuanyuan , Li Xiuting , Compton Richard G.
Published: January 2022

A new and generic approach to the study of the oxidation of different forms of CNTs is found by using quantitative single entity and ensemble electrochemistry measurements.
Ultrafast self-healing and self-adhesive polysiloxane towards reconfigurable on-skin electronics
Authors: Tang Miao , Li Zili , Wang Kaiqing , Jiang Yizhou , Tian Mi , Qin Yajie , Gong Ye , Li Zhuo , Wu Limin
Published: January 2022

We develop a novel polysiloxane elastomer with ultrafast self-healing capability, robust mechanical properties, universal self-adhesiveness, and reconfigurability towards any shapes, which is potential for on-skin electrophysiological electrodes.
High strength hydrogels enable dendrite-free Zn metal anodes and high-capacity Zn–MnO2 batteries via a modified mechanical suppression effect
Authors: Zhu Ruijie , Yang Huijun , Cui Wei , Fadillah Laras , Huang Tianhong , Xiong Zetao , Tang Chunmei , Kowalski Damian , Kitano Sho , Zhu Chunyu , King Daniel R. , Kurokawa Takayuki , Aoki Yoshitaka , Habazaki Hiroki
Published: January 2022

Although shear modulus of gel electrolytes is generally far less than that of Zn metal, a modified mechanical suppression effect of hydrogel on the growth of Zn dendrites still can be confirmed, and a Zn–MnO2 cell with high capacity is achieved.
Vacuum vapor migration strategy for atom–nanoparticle composite catalysts boosting bifunctional oxygen catalysis and rechargeable Zn–air batteries
Authors: Zhang Yun-Long , Dai Yun-Kun , Liu Bo , Gong Xiao-Fei , Zhao Lei , Cheng Feng , Cai Jia-Jun , Zhou Qing-Yan , Liu Bing , Wang Zhen-Bo
Published: January 2022

A “vacuum vapor migration strategy” is employed to successfully prepare a novel CoNi–N–C catalyst containing uniformly dispersed CoNi alloy nanoparticles as a conceptually solid–ligand coupling with atomic Co–Nx–C active sites.
Ionic liquid exfoliated Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets for photoacoustic imaging and synergistic photothermal/chemotherapy of cancer
Authors: Lu Beibei , Hu Shunyou , Wu Dong , Wu Chengyu , Zhu Zhenye , Hu Lu , Zhang Jiaheng
Published: January 2022

In this paper, a few layers of ionic liquid (IL)-Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets were synthesized using IL stripping technology and used in photoacoustic imaging and photothermal/chemotherapy synergistic therapy of cancer.
Surface patterning techniques for proteins on nano- and micro-systems: a modulated aspect in hierarchical structures
Authors: Bhatt Maitri , Shende Pravin
Published: January 2022

Surface patterning techniques for proteins on nano- and micro-systems.
Oxygen deficient α-MoO3 with enhanced adsorption and state-quenching of H2O for gas sensing: a DFT study
Authors: Huan Changmeng , Wang Pu , He Binghan , Cai Yongqing , Ke Qingqing
Published: January 2022

The adsorption behavior of H2O molecules on the surface and oxygen vacancies of monolayer α-MoO3.
Incorporation of the poorly soluble drug cefixime inside the micellar core of conventional and gemini surfactants
Authors: Saraf Aparna , Sharma Shweta , Sachar Shilpee
Published: January 2022

The work deals with finding suitable conventional/gemini micellar media for effective cefixime solubilization. Cefixime-micellar formulations were studied in association with major transport and structural proteins to mimic their fate in vivo.
Correlation of ER, PR, and HER2 at the protein and mRNA levels in Asian patients with operable breast cancer
Authors: Chen Chih-Jung , Chen Ting-Hao , Lei Jason , Liang Ji-An , Yang Po-Sheng , Huang Chiun-Sheng , Hsieh Chia-Ming , Tseng Ling-Ming , Liu Liang-Chih , Cheng Skye Hung-Chen , Shih Kuan-Hui
Published: January 2022

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. The estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are the important biomarkers in the prognosis of breast cancer, and their expression is used to categorize breast cancer into subtypes. We aimed to analyze the concordance among ER, PR, and HER2 expression levels and breast cancer subtyping results obtained by immunohistochemistry (IHC, for protein) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, for mRNA) and to assess the recurrence-free survival (RFS) of the different subtypes as determined by the two methods. We compared biomarker expression by IHC and RT-PCR in 397 operable breast cancer patients and categorized all patients into luminal, HER2, and triple-negative (TN) subtypes. The concordance of biomarker expression between the two methods was 81.6% (κ = 0.4075) for ER, 87.2% (κ = 0.5647) for PR, and 79.1% (κ = 0.2767) for HER2. The κ-statistic was 0.3624 for the resulting luminal, HER2, and TN subtypes. The probability of 5-year RFS was 0.78 for the luminal subtype versus 0.77 for HER2 and 0.51 for TN, when determined by IHC (P=0.007); and 0.80, 0.71, and 0.61, respectively, when determined by the RT-PCR method (P=0.008). Based on the current evidence, subtyping by RT-PCR performs similar to conventional IHC with regard to the 5-year prognosis. The PCR method may thus provide a complementary means of subtyping when IHC results are ambiguous.
Commentary on: Xbp1s-Ddit3, DNA damage and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Lemay Sarah-Eve , Bonnet Sebastien , Potus François
Published: January 2022

In this commentary, we discuss new observations stating that spliced X-box-binding protein 1 (Xbp1s)-DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 (Ddit3) promotes monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension (Jiang et al., Clinical Science (2021) 135(21), https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20210612). Xbp1s-Ddit3 is involved in the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress but is also associated with DNA damage repair machinery. Pathologic DNA damage repair mechanisms have emerged as critical determinants of pulmonary hypertension development. We discuss the potential relationship among Xbp1s-Ddit3, DNA damage, and pulmonary hypertension. Although Xbp1s-Ddit3 contributes to the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis and the development of vascular lesions, whether Xbp1s is a friend or foe remains controversial.
Decimation filters with minimum number of additions per output sample
Authors: Dudarin Aljosa , Vucic Mladen , Molnar Goran
Published: January 2022

In multistage decimation filters some stages operate at the low sampling rate, thus reducing the required number of additions per output sample (APOS). State‐of‐the‐art methods for the design of these filters usually consider only two stages. In addition, these methods do not optimize the number of APOS explicitly. This Letter proposes a framework for the design of multistage decimation filters with minimum number of APOS. To accomplish this task, the structures which contain maximum number of stages allowed by specified decimation factor are optimized. As a case study, multistage filters whose stages are cascaded‐integrator‐comb filters are considered. It is illustrated by several examples that the proposed optimum filters ensure smaller number of APOS and higher folding‐band attenuation than those obtained by recent methods for multistage filter design.
Higher‐order sliding mode current controller for grid‐connected distributed energy resources with LCL$\mathrm{LCL}$ filters under unknown grid voltage conditions
Authors: Barzegar‐Kalashani Mostafa , Tousi Behrouz , Mahmud Md Apel , Farhadi‐Kangarlu Mohammad
Published: January 2022

The control of the current injected into the grid with lower harmonics is considered as one of the most important issues for the grid integration of distributed energy resources (DERs). The unbalances and harmonics in the grid voltage usually pollute the current injected into the grid due to the power electronic interfaces, for example, inverters. To address such problems, the present paper proposes a nonlinear higher order sliding mode controller (HOSMC) for grid‐connected three‐phase inverters with filters in order to control the current injected into grid and improve the power quality. The proposed current controller injects the desired current into the grid with lower values of total harmonic distortions (THDs) under any grid voltage condition as well as it reduces the harmonics in the grid voltage. Apart from these, the proposed scheme is developed to provide robustness against parametric uncertainties where these uncertainties are modeled using the Taylor series expansion method. Finally, the performance of the system is evaluated using processor‐in‐loop (PIL) simulations via MATLAB/Simulink platform through the implementation on a system considering the capacity of the DER as 2 kVA per phase and compared with other existing control strategies.
Recent development and future trends of resonance in doubly fed induction generator system under weak grid
Authors: Din Zakiud , Zhang Jianzhong , Xu Zheng , Zhang Yaqian , Milyani Ahmad H. , Cheema Khalid Mehmood , Nawaz Arshad , Song Yipeng
Published: January 2022

In recent years, the wind energy conversion system faces significant challenges for stable and secure operations, especially in the weak grid due to high penetration of wind energy into the grid. Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) is one of the most popular wind turbine generators due to its cost‐effective variable speed and low‐cost partial size power converter. Impedance interaction between series or parallel compensated weak grid and the DFIG system causes sub‐synchronous resonance (SSR) and high‐frequency resonance (HFR). A comprehensive review of the state‐of‐the‐art SSR and HFR in the DFIG system under a weak grid is presented. First, based on features, such as supplementary hardware, linear and non‐linear control strategies, the resonance damping techniques are classified into different types. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of SSR analysis and damping techniques techniques are put forward. Moreover, the latest development of state‐of‐the‐art SSR and HFR analysis and damping techniques are supplemented. Finally, the contemporary and future trends of the SSR and HFR techniques are discussed.
Image segmentation for analyzing galaxy-galaxy strong lensing systems
Authors: Ostdiek Bryan , Diaz Rivero Ana , Dvorkin Cora
Published: January 2022

Aims. The goal of this Letter is to develop a machine learning model to analyze the main gravitational lens and detect dark substructure (subhalos) within simulated images of strongly lensed galaxies.

Methods. Using the technique of image segmentation, we turn the task of identifying subhalos into a classification problem, where we label each pixel in an image as coming from the main lens, a subhalo within a binned mass range, or neither. Our network is only trained on images with a single smooth lens and either zero or one subhalo near the Einstein ring.

Results. On an independent test set with lenses with large ellipticities, quadrupole and octopole moments, and for source apparent magnitudes between 17−25, the area of the main lens is recovered accurately. On average, only 1.3% of the true area is missed and 1.2% of the true area is added to another part of the lens. In addition, subhalos as light as 108.5 M⊙ can be detected if they lie in bright pixels along the Einstein ring. Furthermore, the model is able to generalize to new contexts it has not been trained on, such as locating multiple subhalos with varying masses or more than one large smooth lens.
On-site solar powered refueling stations for green hydrogen production and distribution: performances and costs
Authors: Di Micco Simona , Minutillo Mariagiovanna , Perna Alessandra , Jannelli Elio
Published: January 2022

Today, the hydrogen is considered an essential element in speeding up the energy transition and generate important environmental benefits. Not all hydrogen is the same, though. The “green hydrogen”, which is produced using renewable energy and electrolysis to split water, is really and completely sustainable for stationary and mobile applications. This paper is focused on the techno-economic analysis of an on-site hydrogen refueling station (HRS) in which the green hydrogen production is assured by a PV plant that supplies electricity to an alkaline electrolyzer. The hydrogen is stored in low pressure tanks (200 bar) and then is compressed at 900 bar for refueling FCHVs by using the innovative technology of the ionic compressor. From technical point of view, the components of the HRS have been sized for assuring a maximum capacity of 450 kg/day. In particular, the PV plant (installed in the south of Italy) has a size of 8MWp and supplies an alkaline electrolyzer of 2.1 MW. A Li-ion battery system (size 3.5 MWh) is used to store the electricity surplus and the grid-connection of the PV plant allows to export the electricity excess that cannot be stored in the battery system. The economic analysis has been performed by estimating the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) that is an important economic indicator based on the evaluation of investment, operational & maintenance and replacement costs. Results highlighted that the proposed on-site configuration in which the green hydrogen production is assured, is characterized by a LCOH of 10.71 €/kg.
Smart Design of Green Hydrogen Facilities: A Digital Twin-driven approach
Authors: Gerard Bruno , Carrera Eduardo , Bernard Olivier , Lun Denis
Published: January 2022

This work studies the potentials of Digital Twin solutions for the design of competitive and reliable green hydrogen facilities. A digital twin based on stochastic simulations is proposed to address the uncertainties associated with investment and operating costs, to increase confidence and stimulate investments. Several input assumptions are involved (i.e., capital and operational costs, energy consumption, available energy, among others) to analyse their influence on financial indicators. A set of facility designs with equipment redundancy, and thus different system availabilities, was proposed. Monte Carlo simulation method is chosen to propagate uncertainties onto the project bankability assessment. By applying the proposed methodology, the opportunity index and internal rate of return (IRR) are calculated. A sensibility analysis is also carried out. The simulations illustrate that the design of a facility can be optimized to achieve higher profits, based on a trade-off between investment and availability. This study concludes that digital twin solutions are an opportunity for reducing the uncertainties associated with green hydrogen facility design. Improvements to the proposed model can be achieved by performing a refined simulation, in relation to the calculation of system availability and maintenance costs.
Exsolution in La and Ni co-doped strontium titanate: a suitable anode for running SOFCs on ammonia as alternative fuel
Authors: Cavazzani Jonathan , Squizzato Enrico , Brusamarello Elena , Glisenti Antonella
Published: January 2022

Ammonia exhibits interesting features as fuel to feed Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. Herein, Ni and La co-doped strontium titanate was synthetized using wet chemistry route. Ni nanoparticles emerged via exsolution in reducing environment to decorate the surface. X-Ray Diffraction measurements exhibits perovskite structure was also preserved after the exsolution, as expected. H2 – Temperature Programmed Reduction highlights the great resistance of titanates in anode operation condition. Ammonia conversion in nitrogen and hydrogen were investigated by catalytic tests. It begins to decompose at 560°C and the full yield was achieved at 720°C. Electrochemical measurements were recorded at 800°C using 10% of ammonia in Ar. They were analysed though the model of equivalent circuit and two processes were attributed. Results certify Ni exsolution strongly enhances the hydrogen oxidation and the total polarisation resistance in ammonia approaches to the one in hydrogen.
Experimental characterization of a PEM fuel cell for marine power generation
Authors: Pietra Andrea , Gianni Marco , Zuliani Nicola , Malabotti Stefano , Taccani Rodolfo
Published: January 2022

This study is focused on the possible application of hydrogen-fed PEM fuel cells on board ships. For this purpose, a test plant including a 100 kW generator suitable for marine application and a power converter including a supercapacitor-based energy storage system has been designed, built and experimentally characterised. The plant design integrates standard industrial components suitable for marine applications that include the technologies with the highest degree of maturity currently available on the market. Fuel Cell generator and power converter have been specifically designed by manufacturers to fit the specific plant needs. The experimental characterisation of the plant has been focused on the evaluation of the efficiency of the single components and of the overall system. Results shows a PEM fuel cell efficiency of 48% (when all auxiliaries are included) and an overall plant efficiency, including power conditioning, of about 45%. From load variation response tests, the fuel cell response time was maximum 2 seconds without supercapacitors and increased up to 20 seconds with supercapacitors connected, reducing the stress on the fuel cell generator. Experimental results confirm that PEM fuel cells, when supported by a suitably sized energy storage system, represent a viable technical solution for zero-emission power generation on board ships.
Investigation of gas purging and cold storage impact on PEM fuel cell system performance for aeronautical applications
Authors: Montaner Ríos Gema , Becker Florian , Vorndran Anna , Gentner Christoph , Ansar Syed Asif
Published: January 2022

Durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems under cold weather conditions is essential and a critical challenge for transportation applications. During cold storage the water remaining in the cells can freeze causing damage to the cell components. In order to avoid this degradation, fuel cells are commonly purged with dried gases during shutdown prior to its storage at subzero temperatures. This work investigates cold storage of PEMFC systems at temperatures down to -40°C with the aim of developing a shutdown procedure that leads to minimal degradation due to cold storage, while meets energy efficient and time requirements of aeronautical applications. To that end, several experiments were carried out with two different stacks (a 4 kW liquid cooled and a 100 W air cooled) under a wide range of operating parameters: cathode gas, purge temperature, anode and cathode gas purge flow rates, purge time and cold storage temperature. The fuel cell performance degradation due to ice formation was measured by the polarization curves conducted prior and after every F/T cycle. The effects of these operating parameters on the durability of the PEMFC systems under cold storage are evaluated. The obtained experimental results showed that very long purge process lead to further performance degradation at -10°C than shorter process at -40°C, which indicates that eliminating all remained water in the cells is not only inefficient, but also lead to degradation due to the drying process. Moreover, guidelines to improve shutdown procedure for cold storage of proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems for aeronautical applications are discussed.
Four years of operational data for five hydrogen refueling stations
Authors: Caponi Roberta , Monforti Ferrario Andrea , Bocci Enrico , Fløche Juelsgaard Kristina
Published: January 2022

Worldwide about 550 hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) were in operation in 2021, of which 38%. were in Europe. With their number expected to grow even further, the collection and investigation of real-world station operative data are fundamental to tracking their activity in terms of safety issues, performances, costs, maintenance, reliability, and energy use. This paper shows and analyses the parameters that characterize the refueling of 350 bar fuel cell buses in four HRS within the 3Emotion project. The HRS are characterized by different refueling capacities, hydrogen supply schemes, storage volumes and pressures, and operational strategies. From data logs provided by the operators, a dataset of three years of operation has been created. In particular total hydrogen quantity, the fill amount dispensed to each bus, the refueling duration, the average mass flow rate, the number of refueling events and the daily number of refills, the daily profile, the utilization factor, and the availability are investigated. The results show similar hydrogen amount per fill distribution, but quite different refueling times among the stations. The average daily mass per bus is around 12.95 kg, the most frequent value 15 kg, the standard deviation 7.46. About 50% of the total amount of hydrogen is dispensed overnight and the refueling events per bus are typically every 24 hours. Finally, the station utilization is below 30% for all sites.
Comparative study of Global, European and Italian Standards on Hydrogen Refueling Stations
Authors: Genovese Matteo , Cigolotti Viviana , Jannelli Elio , Fragiacomo Petronilla
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this paper is to give a strategic overview of the existing standards governing the construction and operation of hydrogen refueling stations. A succinct and comprehensive study of hydrogen refueling station standards globally, in Europe, and in Italy is conducted and discussed in light of the new European Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. Among the numerous topics examined, a particular emphasis is placed on the standards in force for on-site hydrogen production via water electrolysis, hydrogen storage, both liquid and gaseous, and refueling protocols for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, on an international level through the provision of ISO, IEC, and SAE standards; on a European level through the examination of the CEN/CENELEC database; and on an Italian national level through the analysis of the UNI database.
A novel approach for the solution of multiobjective optimization problem using hesitant fuzzy aggregation operator
Authors: Ahmad Firoz , Adhami Ahmad Yusuf , John Boby , Reza Amit
Published: January 2022

Many decision-making problems can solve successfully by traditional optimization methods with a well-defined configuration. The formulation of such optimization problems depends on crisply objective functions and a specific system of constraints. Nevertheless, in reality, in any decision-making process, it is often observed that due to some doubt or hesitation, it is pretty tricky for decision-maker(s) to specify the precise/crisp value of any parameters and compelled to take opinions from different experts which leads towards a set of conflicting values regarding satisfaction level of decision-maker(s). Therefore the real decision-making problem cannot always be deterministic. Various types of uncertainties in parameters make it fuzzy. This paper presents a practical mathematical framework to reflect the reality involved in any decision-making process. The proposed method has taken advantage of the hesitant fuzzy aggregation operator and presents a particular way to emerge in a decision-making process. For this purpose, we have discussed a couple of different hesitant fuzzy aggregation operators and developed linear and hyperbolic membership functions under hesitant fuzziness, which contains the concept of hesitant degrees for different objectives. Finally, an example based on a multiobjective optimization problem is presented to illustrate the validity and applicability of our proposed models.
Superdominant Right Coronary Artery with Absent Left Coronary Artery and Left Circumflex Artery with Anomalous Left Anterior Descending Artery
Authors: Singh Bhavneet , Gupta Rekha , Reddy Sreenivas
Published: January 2022

The occurrence of super-dominant “single coronary artery” is an extremely rare and seldom reported phenomenon. The heart is dependent on a single vessel which makes its occlusion, if present, catastrophic. Here, the authors present an extremely rare combination of superdominant right coronary artery coexisting with absent left coronary artery and left circumflex artery with abnormal origin of left anterior descending artery from right coronary sinus. Precise morphological and physiological knowledge and evaluation of these anomalies is a must for opting the best available therapeutic modality and better prognosis.
Panoramic Radiograph and CBCT in Unilateral Mandibular Condylar Hyperplasia—A Case Report
Authors: Rizwana A. , Mohan N. , Kumar P. T. Ravi , Karthik R. , Gokulraj Sabitha
Published: January 2022

Condylar hyperplasia (CH) of the mandible is a rare developmental disorder that results in enlargement of the condyle. It is predominant in females, mostly unilateral and self-limiting. This report presents a case of a 35-year-old female patient with unilateral condylar hyperplasia with an increase in vertical height of mandibular ramus of the affected side. After initial radiographic evaluation, the asymmetry index using a panoramic radiograph was determined and also analyzed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Condylar dimensions in all the planes were measured for both sides using CBCT. This case report emphasizes the importance of CBCT and its role in the diagnosis and assessment of mandibular condylar hyperplasia.
Design and construction of magnetic diagnostics on NanChang spherical tokamak
Authors: Ouyang T. B. , Qian Y. Z. , Liu S. Q. , Yang X. S. , Chen X. C.
Published: January 2022

The NanChang Spherical Tokamak (NCST) is a new compact tokamak (with an aspect ratio of R/a = 1.67) for exploring the merging compression by which the plasma start-up is highly efficient. In this paper, a magnetic diagnostic system is designed, calibrated, and constructed on the NCST to meet the requirements of measurements. Based on detailed testing and analysis, the reliability of the sensors is guaranteed by optimizing the support structure and installation process. In addition, high-precision positioning equipment is utilized to ensure the installation accuracy of the sensors. During the start-up phase of the NCST, plasma currents on the order of a few kiloamperes were measured despite that the commensurate signal of eddy current is also found in the conducting structure. The magnetic diagnostic system is now completely operational and meets the requirements of the physical analysis on the NCST.
Corrosion behavior of 1Cr18Ni9Ti–1Cr11Ni2W2MoV galvanic couples in a simulated marine environment
Authors: Zhu Huaqiang , Liu Fengkun , Long Kailin
Published: January 2022

The corrosion behavior of 1Cr18Ni9Ti–1Cr11Ni2W2MoV galvanic couples with different surface treatments (including chemically passivated, Cd-plated, Cu-plated, and damaged Cu-plated) was studied in a simulated marine environment. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the micro-corrosion morphology and structure of the samples. Polarization curves, galvanic currents, and rates of corrosion of the samples were each measured and determined. The results showed that galvanic corrosion was much more serious on the galvanic couples than monomer corrosion. With increasing corrosion sensitivity under acidic conditions, the specimens were more prone to corrosion. Under neutral and acidic conditions, the average galvanic current densities of the damaged Cu-plated sample were five and eight times those of the Cu-plated sample, respectively, indicating that the integrity of the surface plating improved the corrosion resistance of the samples effectively. In neutral environments, the chemically passivated sample had the highest self-corrosion potential, the lowest corrosion rate, and the best corrosion resistance, while the Cd-plated sample showed the opposite behavior. The corrosion mechanism of the damaged Cu-plated and Cd-plated samples was related to the combined effects of galvanic corrosion and crevice corrosion. As the potential difference between the Cu-plated and the chemically passivated samples was less than 50 mV, the corrosion was relatively weak.
The heat transfer enhancement by unipolar charge injection in a rectangular Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: Wu Jian-Zhao , Wang Bo-Fu , Lu Zhi-Ming , Zhou Quan
Published: January 2022

The heat transfer enhancement achieved by the additional electric field in Rayleigh–Bénard convection (RBC) of a dielectric fluid is numerically studied beyond the Rayleigh number Ra = 105. We carried out direct numerical simulations of RBC in a rectangular enclosure under the strong injection condition with a fixed non-dimensional injection parameter C = 10, a fixed mobility number M = 10, two Rayleigh numbers Ra = 105 and Ra = 106, and two Prandtl numbers Pr = 1 and Pr = 10 to investigate the characteristics of flow structure and heat transfer and evaluate the dependence on these parameters. It is observed that the flow structure exhibits multiple states with various steady or unsteady flow patterns such as four cells, three cells, and two cells (up/down). It is found that the introduction of an electric field is an effective way to achieve heat transfer enhancement. The heat flux is augmented more efficiently for a large Prandtl number and a low Rayleigh number, where the electric field has a strong effect relative to buoyancy. It is also found that heat transfer is most efficient when the flow pattern is in a three cells flow state.
Agar phantoms of biological tissue for fluorescence monitoring of photodynamic therapy
Authors: Khilov A.V. , Shishkova V.A. , Sergeeva E.A. , Kurakina D.A. , Kirillin M.Yu.
Published: January 2022

An approach to fabricating agar phantoms mimicking spectral optical properties of biological tissues with fluorescent inclusions is proposed, which allows one to imitate the problem of optical visualisation of superficial biological tissues after the administration of a chlorin-based photosensitiser. The different arrangement of a fluorescent layer within a phantom makes it possible to simulate biological tissue in the cases of both topical application and intravenous injection of a photosensitiser. It is shown that absorption and scattering spectra of phantoms are in good agreement with the spectra of real biological tissues in the wavelength range of 500 – 800 nm. Changes in spectra of absorption and scattering coefficients of phantoms, as well as in their fluorescent properties induced by the addition of a fluorescent marker (chlorin-based photosensitiser) are demonstrated.
Biosafety of human environments can be supported by effective use of renewable biomass
Authors: Yu Fengbo , Zhao Wei , Qin Tao , Zhao Wang , Chen Yulian , Miao Xinyu , Lin Litao , Shang Hua , Sui Guodong , Peng Daxin , Yang Yi , Zhu Yongguan , Zhang Shicheng , Zhu Xiangdong
Published: January 2022

Preventing pathogenic viral and bacterial transmission in the human environment is critical, especially in potential outbreaks that may be caused by the release of ancient bacteria currently trapped in the permafrost. Existing commercial disinfectants present issues such as a high carbon footprint. This study proposes a sustainable alternative, a bioliquid derived from biomass prepared by hydrothermal liquefaction. Results indicate a high inactivation rate of pathogenic virus and bacteria by the as-prepared bioliquid, such as up to 99.99% for H1N1, H5N1, H7N9 influenza A virus, and
Bacillus subtilis
var
. niger
spores and 99.49% for
Bacillus anthracis
. Inactivation of
Escherichia coli
and
Staphylococcus epidermidis
confirmed that low-molecular-weight and low-polarity compounds in bioliquid are potential antibacterial components. High temperatures promoted the production of antibacterial substances via depolymerization and dehydration reactions. Moreover, bioliquid was innoxious as confirmed by the rabbit skin test, and the cost per kilogram of the bioliquid was $0.04427, which is notably lower than that of commercial disinfectants. This study demonstrates the potential of biomass to support our biosafety with greater environmental sustainability.
Increasing instability of a rocky intertidal meta-ecosystem
Authors: Menge Bruce A. , Gravem Sarah A. , Johnson Angela , Robinson Jonathan W. , Poirson Brittany N.
Published: January 2022

Significance

As climate change increasingly stresses Earth’s biosphere, assessment of biotic responses is critical to human welfare. Although species-level changes have been researched for decades, studies focused at the multispecies level are infrequent, and those testing dynamical responses (species interactions, recovery from disturbance) even rarer. In the well-studied, iconic rocky intertidal ecosystem, annually repeated disturbance experiments in 2012–2019 revealed that the resilience of communities weakened (recovery rates slowed) and variability in recovery rates increased. These changes were associated with increased thermal stresses and shifts in upwelling currents, which can alter growth, decrease colonization rates, and kill organisms.
Conversion from dose-length product to effective dose in computed tomography venography of the lower extremities
Authors: Inoue Yusuke , Yonekura Yuka , Nagahara Kazunori , Uehara Ayuka , Ikuma Hideki
Published: January 2022

For radiation dose assessment of computed tomography (CT), effective dose (ED) is often estimated by multiplying the dose-length product (DLP), provided automatically by the CT scanner, by a conversion factor. We investigated such conversion in CT venography of the lower extremities performed in conjunction with CT pulmonary angiography. The study subjects consisted of eight groups imaged using different scanners and different imaging conditions (five and three groups for the GE and Siemens scanners, respectively). Each group included ten men and ten women. The scan range was divided into four anatomical regions (trunk, proximal thigh, knee and distal leg), and DLP was calculated for each region (regional DLP). Regional DLP was multiplied by a conversion factor for the respective region, to convert it to ED. The sum of the ED values for the four regions was obtained as standard ED. Additionally, the sum of the four regional DLP values, an approximate of the scanner-derived DLP, was multiplied by the conversion factor for the trunk (0.015 mSv mGy cm−1), as a simplified method to obtain ED. When using the simplified method, ED was overestimated by 32.3%−70.2% and 56.5%−66.2% for the GE and Siemens scanners, respectively. The degree of overestimation was positively and closely correlated with the contribution of the middle and distal portions of the lower extremities to total radiation exposure. ED/DLP averaged within each group, corresponding to the conversion factor, was 0.0089−0.0114 and 0.0091−0.0096 mSv mGy cm−1 for the GE and Siemens scanners, respectively. In CT venography of the lower extremities, ED is greatly overestimated by multiplying the scanner-derived DLP by the conversion factor for the trunk. The degree of overestimation varies widely depending on the imaging conditions. It is recommended to divide the scan range and calculate ED as a sum of regional ED values.
Dynamic evolution of expanding Bose–Einstein condensates in the presence of a three-dimensional random optical speckle potential
Authors: Yedjour Afifa , Benmahdjoub Hanane , Boudjemâa Abdelâali
Published: January 2022

We study the diffusion of an expanding Bose–Einstein condensate released from a harmonic trap in a three-dimensional speckle disorder potential. To this end, we use the first Born approximation and examine the density profiles at short and long times. Analytical results are presented in different regimes. The evolution of the density profiles in space and time is deeply examined. We find that at long times and for a fixed disorder strength, the profile of the average atomic density decreases in power law. The time evolution of the typical size of the condensate is explored numerically.
A new constant behind the rotational velocity of galaxies
Authors: Bousder M.
Published: January 2022

The present work is devoted to studying the dynamical evolution of galaxies
in scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity and its relationship with the MOND
paradigm. This study is useful for giving meaning to the presence of a new
gravitational constant. The stability of dark matter is strongly dependent
on matter density. We are interested in calculating the maximum rotational
velocity of galaxies. We show that rotating galaxies can be described by a
new parameter that depends both on the minimum value of scalar fields and on
the effective mass of this field. According to observational data, we have
shown that this parameter is a constant.
Cannibalism's lingering imprint on the matter power spectrum
Authors: Erickcek Adrienne L. , Ralegankar Pranjal , Shelton Jessie
Published: January 2022

The early universe may have contained internally thermalized dark sectors that were decoupled from the Standard Model. In such scenarios, the relic dark thermal bath, composed of the lightest particle in the dark sector, can give rise to an epoch of early matter domination prior to Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, which has a potentially observable impact on the smallest dark matter structures. This lightest dark particle can easily and generically have number-changing self-interactions that give rise to “cannibal” behavior. We consider cosmologies where an initially sub-dominant cannibal species comes to temporarily drive the expansion of the universe, and we provide a simple map between the particle properties of the cannibal species and the key features of the enhanced dark matter perturbation growth in such cosmologies. We further demonstrate that cannibal self-interactions can determine the small-scale cutoff in the matter power spectrum even when the cannibal self-interactions freeze out prior to cannibal domination.