bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermochemical Conversion Processes as a Path for Sustainability of the Tire Industry: Carbon Black Recovery Potential in a Circular Economy Approach
Authors: Nunes Leonel J. R. , Guimarães Laura , Oliveira Miguel , Kille Peter , Ferreira Nuno G. C.
Published: July 2022

The common use of tires is responsible for the production of large quantities of waste worldwide, which are landfilled or energetically recovered, with higher economical cost and known environmentally harmful consequences. This type of problem must be studied, and all efforts must be conducted to eliminate, or at least mitigate, such high costs. The use of thermochemical conversion processes, such as pyrolysis, can allow the recycling and the reuse of raw materials for the tire industry, namely, in the production of carbon black, usually produced using the controlled combustion of fossil fuels. This article reports the production of torrefied and carbonized waste tire samples using a laboratorial procedure, and their subsequent laboratory characterization, specifically the elemental and proximate analysis. This preliminary approach found that carbon concentration in the produced rubber char reached values higher than 75%, indicating the possibility of its reuse in the production of carbon black to in turn be used in the production of new tires or other industrial rubber materials. The possibility of using this rubber char for other uses, such as energy recovery, is still depending on further studies, namely, the evaluation of the amount of sulfur present in the final product.
Long-Term Chloride Accumulation on Concrete Surface in Marine Atmosphere Zone—Modelling the Influence of Exposure Time and Chloride Availability in Atmosphere
Authors: Meira Gibson Rocha , Ferreira Pablo Ramon , Andrade Carmen
Published: July 2022

Surface chloride concentration (Cs) is a key parameter used to feed models adopted to simulate chloride penetration into concrete and evaluate the initial period of corrosion. Although there are several models that have been proposed for the representation of Cs behaviour in the marine atmosphere zone, such models are still scarce. In this context, we analysed the behaviour of surface chloride concentration in concrete specimens exposed over 12.5 years in a marine atmosphere zone in the northeast of Brazil. The experimental work was carried out in two steps: environmental characterization, which was undertaken for temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind characteristics and sea-salt data; and chloride concentration measurements for the concrete surface considering three different concrete mixtures with w/b ratios of 0.65, 0.57 and 0.50. The results showed that the Cs increase over time followed three stages: a first short stage characterised by an initial dispersion, followed by an increase period and then a final period of stabilisation, which was not fully reached in the present study. This behaviour can be represented by a power function or a sigmoidal function, with a better fit with the latter. Chloride concentration in the atmosphere plays an important role in Cs behaviour. Higher availability of chlorides means higher Cs values. The relationship between Cs and the rate of chloride deposition on a wet candle was analysed and the function Cs=C0+kcs·(Dac)n was the one that best fit the experimental data.
Surface Functionalization of Bamboo with Silver-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets to Improve Hydrophobicity and Mold Resistance
Authors: Balakrishnan Dhivyabharathi , Lee Cheng-I
Published: July 2022

A natural polyphenolic compound was used to assemble nanocomposites. Owing to its stable bioactive properties, bamboo has earned significant attention in material science. Its high nutrient content and hydrophilicity makes bamboo more vulnerable to mold attacks and shortened shelf lives. To produce efficient, multipurpose, long-life bamboo products, a novel technique involving an immersion dry hydrothermal process was applied to impregnate the bamboo with polyphenol-assisted silver-reduced graphene oxide nanosheets. Curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenol found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa, was used in the preparation of curcumin-enhanced silver-reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (Cur-AgrGONSs). The nanocomposites and nanocomposite-impregnated bamboo materials were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. At the same time, a phytopathogen was isolated from infected bamboo products and identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The nanocomposites effectively inhibited the growth of the isolated fungus. The mold resistance and moisture content of both the treated and untreated bamboo timbers were also examined to determine the efficiency of the prepared nanocomposite. The antifungal activity and hydrophobicity of the bamboo materials were significantly enhanced after the incorporation of curcumin-enriched silver-loaded reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (B@Cur-AgrGONSs). This research outcome confirms that the nanocomposite is a well-organized antimicrobial material for different advanced domains.
Effect of Particle Trap on Motion Characteristics of Metal Particles in AC GILs and Parameter Optimization
Authors: Wang Shenghui , Liu Huaqi , Ma Kang , Ou Qi , Geng Hui , Lv Fangcheng
Published: July 2022

Metal particle contamination is an important reason for insulation failure of gas-insulated transmission lines (GILs). Particle trap is the common method for particle suppression. At present, research on the motion characteristics of metal particles near a particle trap and the optimization of trap parameters under AC voltage is insufficient. Based on that, firstly, a dynamic model of metal particles under AC voltage was established, and the motion characteristics of particles in front of the trap were studied, combined with experiments. Then, the influence of trap parameters on the capture effect was analyzed, and the optimization of the trap was realized by simulation. The results showed that, under AC voltage, the randomness of metal particle movement was strong, and the activity was low. The particles mainly moved away from the trap. Among the particles moving towards the trap, some stayed in front of the trap, and some fell into the trap from above. The thickness and height of the trap were the key parameters affecting the capture effect, and with the increase in height and thickness, the capture rate showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The above conclusions can provide a reference for the optimization of a metal particle trap under AC voltage in engineering.
The Variation of Schottky Barrier Height Induced by the Phase Separation of InAlAs Layers on InP HEMT Devices
Authors: Lee Sang-Tae , Kong Minwoo , Jang Hyunchul , Song Chang-Hun , Kim Shinkeun , Yun Do-Young , Jeong Hyeon-seok , Kim Dae-Hyun , Shin Chan-Soo , Seo Kwang-Seok
Published: July 2022

We investigated the effect of phase separation on the Schottky barrier height (SBH) of InAlAs layers grown by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition. The phase separation into the In-rich InAlAs column and Al-rich InAlAs column of In0.52Al0.48As layers was observed when we grew them at a relatively low temperature of below 600 °C. From the photoluminescence spectrum investigation, we found that the band-gap energy decreased from 1.48 eV for a homogeneous In0.52Al0.48As sample to 1.19 eV for a phase-separated InxAl1−xAs sample due to the band-gap lowering effect by In-rich InxAl1−xAs (x > 0.7) region. From the current density–voltage analysis of the InAlAs Schottky diode, it was confirmed that the phase-separated InAlAs layers showed a lower SBH value of about 240 meV than for the normal InAlAs layers. The reduction in SBH arising from the phase separation of InAlAs layers resulted in the larger leakage current in InAlAs Schottky diodes.
Mechanical Properties of Low Carbon Alloy Steel with Consideration of Prior Fatigue and Plastic Damages
Authors: Liu Qing , Tang Zhanzhan , Yang Xuan , He Zhixiang , Xue Hanyang , Zhuge Hanqing
Published: July 2022

Mechanical properties, including the fatigue behavior of metals, are usually determined from damage-free specimens, but it is not well known how these properties change with respect to prior damages; hence, the present work aims to understand the remaining mechanical properties of low carbon alloy steel Q345q with pre-damages. Low-cycle fatigue tests on the damage free specimens, tensile tests on the low-cycle fatigue damaged specimens, and fatigue tests on the plastic deformed specimens were carried out, respectively. The low-cycle fatigue life prediction formula was proposed. The influences of different kinds of pre-damages on the residual mechanical properties were analyzed. Results show that the stable hysteretic loops in the low-cycle fatigue tests are well-stacked. The material illustrates Masing behavior, and it has a good energy dissipation capacity. The ductility of the low-cycle fatigue-damaged materials decreases significantly in comparison with the undamaged ones. The low-cycle fatigue lives of Q345q steel are almost unaffected, so long as the pre-applied tensile strain is lower than 10%.
Comparative Study into Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of HVOF-WC-Based Coatings
Authors: El Rayes Magdy M. , Sherif El-Sayed M. , Abdo Hany S.
Published: July 2022

The main objective of this work was to characterize and compare the microstructural and mechanical properties as well as erosion resistance of WC-12Co and WC-10Co-4Cr coatings. The High Velocity Oxy Fuel (HVOF) process was applied to carbon manganese steel API 2H typically used in oil and gas industries. Microstructural characterization of feedstock powder and coatings was conducted using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDS) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for phase determination, powder particle size distribution, and surface roughness measurement. The average particle size of the former powder was 13.7 µm whereas it was 28.1 µm for the latter. The results showed that the smaller particle size tends to melt easier than the larger one, as deduced from SEM images and surface roughness measurements. EDS and XRD results of both coatings indicated the occurrence of WC decomposition where the powder particle size plays a significant role in these results. Mechanical characterization was discussed through comparing hardness, erosion, and adhesion test results of both coatings. WC-10Co-4Cr coating exhibited higher hardness than WC-12Co as well as higher erosion resistance, due to the extent of decomposition of WC and also to carbide particle size within the coating layer; these are the same reasons for the superior adhesion strength of the former coating compared to the latter one as per ASTM Standard “C633- 13”.
Regional Chemotherapy Is a Valuable Second-Line Approach in Metastatic Esophageal Cancer after Failure to First-Line Palliative Treatment
Authors: Vashist Yogesh , Aigner Kornelia , Dam Miriam , Gailhofer Sabine , Aigner Karl R.
Published: July 2022

Background: Therapeutic options in metastatic esophageal cancer (EC) are limited with unsatisfactory results. We evaluated the efficacy of regional chemotherapy (RegCTx) approach in diffuse metastatic EC using arterial infusion (AI), upper abdominal perfusion (UAP) and isolated-thoracic perfusion (ITP) in 14 patients (N = 8 adenocarcinoma (AC) and N = 6 squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC)) after failure to first-line palliative treatment. Methods: All patients had previously failed first-line palliative treatment attempt with systemic chemotherapy (sCTx). In total 51 RegCTx cycles (12 AI, 3 UAP and 36 ITP) were applied using cisplatin, Adriamycin and Mitomycin C. The outcome was evaluated using RECIST criteria with MediasStat 28.5.14 and SPSS–28.0. Results: No grade III or IV hematological complications occurred. The overall response rate was 41% partial response, 27% stable and 32% progressive disease. Median overall survival (OS) was 38 months (95%CI 10.1–65.9). The OS was better in SQCC with 51 months The RegCTx specific survival was 13 months (95%CI 2.9–23.1) in the entire cohort and 25 months in SQCC patients. Conclusion: RegCTx is a valuable safe approach and superior to the current proposed therapeutic options in metastatic EC after failure to first-line therapy.
Exploring the Species Richness Pattern and Areas of Endemism of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Li Yalin , Wang Yujie , Zhang Hui , Li Shaoyang , Chai Zichao , Ren Guodong
Published: July 2022

Species richness and areas of endemicity (AOE) are the basis of biogeography, which is of great significance for understanding the evolution of species and making conservation plans. The present study aimed to investigate the species richness pattern and AOEs of Tenebrionidae in Xinjiang, China. We collected information on the geographical distribution of 556 species from several sources and obtained 2226 distribution records for the analyses. The AOEs were detected using the parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and endemicity analysis (EA) at 0.5°, 1°, and 1.5° grid sizes, respectively. A total of six AOEs were found, including three mountain ranges (Altai Mountains, Tianshan Mountains, and Kunlun Mountains) and one basin (Junggar Basin), which was largely congruent with the species richness pattern. The results indicated that the complex terrain and stable climate in the mountainous area played an important role in the formation of tenebrionid species diversity and their endemic areas in Xinjiang.
The Impact of Matrix Metalloproteinase-11 Polymorphisms on Colorectal Cancer Progression and Clinicopathological Characteristics
Authors: Huang Hsien-Cheng , Shiu Bei-Hao , Su Shih-Chi , Huang Chi-Chou , Ting Wen-Chien , Chang Lun-Ching , Yang Shun-Fa , Chou Ying-Erh
Published: July 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide and the most prevalent cancer in Taiwan. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-11 is a proteolytic enzyme of the MMP family which is involved in extracellular matrix degradation and tissue remodeling. In this study, we focused on the associations of MMP-11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with CRC susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics. The MMP-11 SNPs rs131451, rs738791, rs2267029, rs738792, and rs28382575 in 479 controls and 479 patients with CRC were analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction. We found that the MMP-11 SNP rs738792 “TC + CC” genotype was significantly associated with perineural invasion in colon cancer patients after controlling for clinical parameters [OR (95% CI) = 1.783 (1.074–2.960); p = 0.025]. The MMP-11 rs131451 “TC + CC” genotypic variants were correlated with greater tumor T status [OR (95% CI):1.254 (1.025–1.534); p = 0.028] and perineural invasion [OR (95% CI):1.773 (1.027–3.062); p = 0.040) in male CRC patients. Furthermore, analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed that MMP-11 levels were upregulated in colorectal carcinoma tissue compared with normal tissues and were correlated with advanced stage, larger tumor sizes, and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database exhibited that the MMP-11 rs738792 “CC” and “CT” genotypic variants have higher MMP-11 expression than the “TT” genotype. In conclusion, our results have demonstrated that the MMP-11 SNPs rs738792 and rs131451 may have potential to provide biomarkers to evaluate CRC disease progression, and the MMP-11 rs131451 polymorphism may shed light on sex discrepancy in CRC development and prognosis.
DNA Methylation of HOXA11 Gene as Prognostic Molecular Marker in Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ignatavicius Povilas , Dauksa Albertas , Zilinskas Justas , Kazokaite Mintaute , Riauka Romualdas , Barauskas Giedrius
Published: July 2022

Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes and hypomethylation of oncogenes might be identified as possible biomarkers in gastric cancer (GC). We aimed to assess the DNA methylation status of selected genes in GC tissue samples and evaluate these genes’ prognostic importance on patient survival. Patients (99) diagnosed with GC and who underwent gastrectomy were included. We selected a group of genes (RAD51B, GFRA3, AKR7A3, HOXA11, TUSC3, FLI1, SEZ6L, GLDC, NDRG) which may be considered as potential tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. Methylation of the HOXA11 gene promoter was significantly more frequent in GC tumor tissue (p = 0.006) than in healthy gastric mucosa. The probability of surviving longer (71.2 months (95% CI 57–85.3) vs. 44.3 months (95% CI 34.8–53.9)) was observed with unmethylated HOXA11 promoter in cancer tissues. Survival in patients with a methylation of HOXA11 promoter either in healthy gastric mucosa or gastric cancer tissue was twice as high as in patients with a methylation of HOXA11 promoter in both healthy gastric mucosa and cancer tissue (61.2 months (95% CI 50.9–71.4) vs. 28.5 months (95% CI 20.8–36.2)). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed the HOXA11 methylation as significantly associated with patients’ survival (HR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.19–4.86). Our results suggest that the HOXA11 gene might be a potential prognostic molecular marker in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.
Omics in Clinical Practice: How Far Are We?
Authors: Sáez María Eugenia
Published: July 2022

The recent development of high-throughput omics technologies has revolutionized the fields of molecular diagnosis and drug development, providing detailed information of cell biology at a degree of resolution never seen before [...]
Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Intensive Care Unit Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Saleem Mohd , Syed Khaja Azharuddin Sajid , Hossain Ashfaque , Alenazi Fahaad , Said Kamaleldin B. , Moursi Soha Abdallah , Almalaq Homoud Abdulmohsin , Mohamed Hamza , Rakha Ehab , Mishra Sunit Kumar
Published: July 2022

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are some of the most common hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Prolonged hospitalization, invasive devices such as catheters, and irrational use of antimicrobial agents are believed to be the major causes of high rates of HAIs. Infections such as pyelonephritis, urethritis, cystitis, and prostatitis are the main concerns in catheterized ICU patients. In these cases, Gram-negative bacteria are the most common bacteria. The present study was undertaken to determine the frequency, antibiograms, disease pattern, and risk factors involved in providing an advocacy recommendation to prevent CAUTI. A total of 1078 patients were admitted to the hospital ICU, out of which healthcare-associated infection was reported in 316 patients. CAUTI was reported only in 70 patients. Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%) was the predominant isolate, with Serratia (3%) and Providencia (3%) species being the least common isolates in this study. The present study provides CAUTI incidence rates in a tertiary care hospital in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, information on the risk factors of common associated CAUTI causative organisms and their antibiogram patterns are also presented. This study provides vital information that can be used to formulate an effective antibiotic stewardship program that can be implemented throughout the kingdom.
Greek Hotels’ Web Traffic: A Comparative Study Based on Search Engine Optimization Techniques and Technologies
Authors: Roumeliotis Konstantinos I. , Tselikas Nikolaos D. , Tryfonopoulos Christos
Published: July 2022

Currently, websites rely heavily on digital marketing, notably search engine optimization (SEO), for success. In the COVID-19 era, hotels have to employ every feasible means to stay afloat despite the bleak business and travel conditions. Many of them have already invested in digital marketing, especially SEO, by applying SEO techniques to their websites to attract more visitors and bookings. This research examines hotels’ websites regarding the SEO techniques they have applied and their impact on web traffic to their websites. During a one-year observation period (February 2021–February 2022), we collected and analyzed web data from 309 top-listed Greek hotels using our own-developed software. By creating and following a specific methodology, we came to valuable conclusions. In addition, we used fuzzy cognitive mapping to develop an exploratory model. From the descriptive analysis and technical SEO perspective, we have concluded that hotels websites’ traffic and, by extension, their long-term viability are inextricably intertwined. Existing and future SEO marketers may benefit from our research’s time-accurate insights on hotel SEO tactics.
Gaussian Amplitude Amplification for Quantum Pathfinding
Authors: Koch Daniel , Cutugno Massimiliano , Karlson Samuel , Patel Saahil , Wessing Laura , Alsing Paul M.
Published: July 2022

We study an oracle operation, along with its circuit design, which combined with the Grover diffusion operator boosts the probability of finding the minimum or maximum solutions on a weighted directed graph. We focus on the geometry of sequentially connected bipartite graphs, which naturally gives rise to solution spaces describable by Gaussian distributions. We then demonstrate how an oracle that encodes these distributions can be used to solve for the optimal path via amplitude amplification. And finally, we explore the degree to which this algorithm is capable of solving cases that are generated using randomized weights, as well as a theoretical application for solving the Traveling Salesman problem.
Work Engagement as a Moderating Factor between Positive Attitude toward Smart Working and Job and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Zammitti Andrea , Russo Angela , Magnano Paola , Guarnera Maria
Published: July 2022

Attitude toward smart working reflects feelings of favorableness towards this object; attitudes influence intentions, which in turn guide behaviors. Recent research confirms the positive influence that attitude toward smart working has on expected usage of it. Despite a direct influence, other factors could interact in the context of opportunities for ICT usage for teleworkers; among these factors, work engagement stands out. In turn, work engagement influences the perception of job satisfaction and life satisfaction. Considering that literature suggests that among the antecedents of work engagement are attitudes, the present study analyzes the role of positive attitude towards smart working on work engagement, and consequently on job satisfaction and on life satisfaction, hypothesizing that work engagement could mediate between positive attitude towards smart working and job and life satisfaction. The participants were 342 workers (115 males and 227 females) in private and public organizations, aged 24 to 66 years. The results showed that a positive attitude towards smart working, along with work engagement as a mediator, positively influences job satisfaction and life satisfaction. This means that employers and human resources managers (HRM) can organize training sessions to enhance the positive attitude toward smart working and this can help workers feel more engaged and satisfied.
The Influence of E-Scaffolding Sources in a Mobile Learning Environment on Students’ Design Skills and the Technology Fatigue Associated with a 3D Virtual Environment
Authors: Al Mulhim Ensaf Nasser , Zaky Yara Ahmed Mohebeldin
Published: July 2022

This article examines the influence of teacher/peer e-scaffolding in a mobile learning environment on students’ design skills and the technology fatigue associated with a 3D virtual learning environment. The sample consisted of 32 postgraduate students who were divided into two groups according to their e-scaffolding source (teacher/peer). The findings showed that peer e-scaffolding outperformed teacher e-scaffolding in the mobile learning environment in terms of students’ development of design skills. The findings also showed that students became moderately fatigued after designing the 3D virtual environments in both experimental groups. This study can act as a guide for teachers and instructional designers by helping them to select the most suitable e-scaffolding source when teaching 3D virtual environment design skills. This may result in better and easier skill development.
Development of Reactive Power Allocation Method for Radial Structure Wind Farm Considering Multiple Connections
Authors: Yoo Deokki , Kang Sungwoo , Jang Gilsoo , Jung Seungmin
Published: July 2022

In recent years, the number of wind farms consisting of type 3 and type 4 wind turbines located within the distribution system has been growing rapidly. Wind turbines can be utilized as a continuous reactive power source to support the system voltage by taking advantage of their reactive power control capability. This paper aims to further develop the reactive power assignment strategy in order to minimize losses in wind farms described in the published paper. We introduce the method of reconfiguration and numbering to apply the algorithm to the wind farm structure and develop the previously-defined allocation ratio into two types of allocation ratios. The goal is to apply the loss minimization algorithm to a wind farm configuration with up to two wind turbines connected to one ring main unit (RMU). The proposed strategy reduces power loss and increases the real power flow in the wind farm by allocating reactive power to connected wind turbines taking into account the resistance value. The proposed allocation technique is validated in a Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS)-based Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation (HILS) environment considering the Dongbok wind farm configuration in Jeju, South Korea. In the simulation, a Raspberry Pi acts as a wind farm controller sending a reactive power dispatch signal to each wind turbine via Modbus TCP/IP protocol. The simulation results mean that, applying the proposed algorithm, we can expect loss reduction effects in the wind farm.
Utilization Optimization of Capacitive Pulsed Power Supply in Railgun
Authors: Cao Genrong , Xiang Hongjun , Qiao Zhiming , Liang Chunyan , Yuan Xichao , Wang Jin , Lei Bin
Published: July 2022

The excitation pulse current used to drive the railgun needs to present very a high magnitude (hundreds of kA) flat-top with very low ripple. At present, the main method to obtain this current is to increase the number of the capacitive pulsed power supply (PPS) modules. However, low utilization and massive volume of the railgun system would occur with this method, hampering the application of railgun. Therefore, the utilization optimization technology of PPS is researched in this paper. In order to obtain highly stable flat-top current, the control strategy of the capacitive PPS is designed, and a new charging voltage configuration is proposed, which significantly decreases the use of the capacitive modules. Besides, a miniaturization transformation scheme of capacitive PPS is proposed based on the control strategy. The result shows that the flat-top current ripple has the biggest influence on the PPS utilization, and the smaller the flat-top current ripple, the lower the utilization. When the current with 200 kA magnitude and 0.75% flat-top current ripple is achieved, an 81.9% decrease of volume and a 428.7% utilization improvement are achieved through miniaturization transformation.
Experimental Investigation of Thermal Bridges and Heat Transfer through Window Frame Elements at Achieving Energy Saving
Authors: Moumtzakis Anastasios , Zoras Stamatis , Evagelopoulos Vasilis , Dimoudi Argyro
Published: July 2022

Windows are responsible for significant amounts of energy loss through typical building envelopes. There have been multiple studies on heat loss through the glazing unit and frame system. This study presents an experimental investigation of a window unit and focuses specifically on the conductance between the structural elements and the frame system of a conventional house in the city of Xanthi, northern Greece. It is obvious that even a perfect window system cannot reduce heat transfer between the base of the frame and the upper surface of the floor. The experimental and simulation procedure of this project includes the installation of an insulating layer in front of the window unit for a variety of frames (solid wood, aluminum, PVC, etc.) at different distances. The main objective of this paper is to determine how effective an insulating barrier can be in respect to different types of frame, glazing, and weather conditions for the control of heat loss. Through the application of this technique, in combination with an appropriate insulating frame and window unit, designers can control the temperature inside the room at close proximity to the windows, in order to contribute to energy saving, aiming towards a building with zero energy demand.
Prediction of Oil Saturation during Water and Gas Injection Using Controllable Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory
Authors: Dong Yukun , Liu Fubin , Zhang Yu , Wu Qiong
Published: July 2022

Oil saturation is a kind of spatiotemporal sequence that changes dynamically with time, and it is affected not only by the reservoir properties, but also by the injection–production parameters. When predicting oil saturation during water and gas injection, the influence of time, space and injection–production parameters should be considered. Aiming at this issue, a prediction method based on a controllable convolutional long short-term memory network (Ctrl-CLSTM) is proposed in this paper. The Ctrl-CLSTM is an unsupervised learning model whose input is the previous spatiotemporal sequence together with the controllable factors of corresponding moments, and the output is the sequence to be predicted. In this way, future oil saturation can be generated from the historical context. Concretely, the convolution operation is embedded into each unit to describe the interaction between temporal features and spatial structures of oil saturation, thus the Ctrl-CLSTM realizes the unified modeling of the spatiotemporal features of oil saturation. In addition, a novel control gate structure is introduced in each Ctrl-CLSTM unit to take the injection–production parameters as controllable influencing factors and establish the nonlinear relationship between oil saturation and injection–production parameters according to the coordinates of each well location. Therefore, different oil saturation prediction results can be obtained by changing the injection–production parameters. Finally, experiments on real oilfields show that the Ctrl-CLSTM comprehensively considers the influence of artificial controllable factors such as injection–production parameters, accomplishes accurate prediction of oil saturation with a structure similarity of more than 98% and is more time efficient than reservoir numerical simulation.
Remote Power Generation for Applications to Natural Gas Grid: A Comprehensive Market Review of Techno-Energetic, Economic and Environmental Performance
Authors: Da Lio Luca , Lazzaretto Andrea
Published: July 2022

The operation of natural gas grids requires electric-powered devices as data acquisition and control systems, surveillance and communication appliances, etc., often located in remote, unpopulated off-the-grid areas, where there is no personnel for surveillance, and maintenance costs are prohibitive. The literature on the power generating systems for these devices is limited to specific applications without a comparison between competing technologies, making their choice a difficult task for natural gas operators. This work presents a comprehensive up-to-date survey of market available technologies for remote power generation in the range of 20–1000 W for gas grid applications: thermoelectric generators, solid acid, direct methanol and solid oxide fuel cells, Stirling engines and microturbines. The work aims at sorting the technologies by techno-energetic, economic and environmental performance while providing specific technological characteristics and limitations. The results indicate well-defined ranges of power in which only some of the technologies are suitable and have very different efficiencies (3–30%). The capital cost of equal power technologies is similar (EUR 5000–30,000) and roughly linear with power (34.8Pel + EUR 6553), whereas operation costs (10–120 cEUR/kWh) and lifetime (0.5–20 yr) significantly depend on the technology. The indications of this review may constitute helpful guidelines to choose properly power generation systems for remote applications.
Impact of Active Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration on Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides and Particle Number Emissions from Euro 5 and 6 Vehicles under Laboratory Testing and Real-World Driving
Authors: Dimaratos Athanasios , Giechaskiel Barouch , Clairotte Michaël , Fontaras Georgios
Published: July 2022

Particulate mass concentration is a crucial parameter for characterising air quality. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) is the primary technology used to limit vehicle particle emissions, but it needs periodic cleaning, a process called regeneration. This study aims to assess the impact of active DPF regeneration on the performance and emissions of Euro 5 and 6 vehicles. The study examined both carbon dioxide (CO2) and pollutant (nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particle number (PN)) emissions for eight vehicles tested in the laboratory and on the road. Apart from the DPF, a wide range of emission control systems was covered in this experimental campaign, including exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), lean NOx trap (LNT) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, revealing the different impacts on NOx emissions. The regeneration frequency and duration were also determined and used to calculate the Ki factor, which accounts for the emissions with and without regeneration, weighted over the distance driven between two consecutive regeneration events. Based on these outcomes, representative emission factors (EF) were proposed for the regeneration phase only and the complete regeneration interval. In addition, the effect of regeneration on efficiency was estimated and compared with other energy consumers. The results indicated a significant impact of DPF regeneration on CO2, NOx and PN emissions, higher in the case of driving cycle testing in the laboratory. The relevant mechanisms behind the elevated emission levels were analysed, focusing on the regeneration period and the test phase following immediately after. The calculation of the Ki factor and the comparison with the official values revealed some weaknesses in its application in real-world conditions; to overcome these, new NOx EF values were calculated, depending on the emission control system. It was revealed that Euro 6 vehicles equipped with SCR could comply with the applicable limits when considering the complete regeneration interval. Finally, it was indicated that the DPF regeneration impact on vehicle efficiency is similar to that of driving with the air conditioning (A/C) system and headlights on.
Research on Thermal Comfort of Underside of Street Tree Based on LiDAR Point Cloud Model
Authors: Zhang Xuguang , Lei Yakai , Li Rui , Ackerman Aidan , Guo Nan , Li Yonghua , Yang Qiusheng , Liu Yang
Published: July 2022

As a major part of the urban green space system, street trees play a corresponding role in adjusting the thermal comfort of the environment and alleviating heat island effects. The correlation between the morphological structure and microclimate factors in the lower canopy of street trees was studied, using data that were captured with vehicle-borne LiDAR to model the morphological structure and geometric canopy features of six key street tree species in the built-up area of Zhumadian City, Henan Province. The regulating ability and differences of canopy geometry on cooling, humidification, shading, and Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) were studied. Research shows that: (1) Canopy Volume (CV), Canopy Area (CA), Canopy Diameter (CD), and Tree Height (TH) have a linear negative correlation with air temperature, relative humidity, and luminosity. TH had significant effects on the air temperature and relative humidity (R2 = 0.90, 0.96), and CV and CD had significant effects on luminosity (R2 = 0.70, 0.63). (2) The oval-shaped plant (Platanus acerifolia (Aiton) Willdenow) had a strong cooling and shading ability, with an average daily cooling of 2.3 °C and shading of 318 cd/m2. The spire-shaped plant (Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don) had a strong ability to humidify, with an average daily humidification of 4.5%. (3) The oval-shaped and spire-shaped plants had a strong regulation ability on PET, and the daily average regulation values were 40.5 °C and 40.9 °C, respectively. (4) The CD of the oval-shaped plant had a significant effect on PET (R2 = 0.49), and the TH of the spire-shaped plant had a significant effect on PET (R2 = 0.80), as well as a significantly higher CV and Leaf Area Index (LAI) than other street tree species. Therefore, selecting oval and spire canopy-shaped plants with a thick canopy, dense leaves, and high CD and TH values as street trees can provide significant advantages in cooling, humidifying, and shading, and can effectively adjust human comfort in the lower canopy understory. This study is the first to apply LiDAR technology to the regulation of urban microclimate. The research results provide a theoretical basis and quantitative reference for street tree design from the perspective of outdoor thermal comfort evaluation and play a guiding role in the application of LiDAR to urban forestry research.
Numerical Simulation of Irregular Breaking Waves Using a Coupled Artificial Compressibility Method
Authors: Dermatis Athanasios , Ntouras Dimitrios , Papadakis George
Published: July 2022

Wave breaking is widely recognized as a very challenging phenomenon to emulate using numerical/computational methods. On that condition, the transition from modelling regular to irregular breaking waves is not trivial. Even though some issues are surpassed in CFD simulations, there still are two substantial problems to account for. The first one entails the proper generation of irregular waves in a numerical wave tank, while the second is the introduction of the turbulent regime of breaking in the solver. The present work addresses these two problems by employing the Stabilized k−ω SST model for turbulence closure and by proposing an efficient and accurate method for irregular wave generation. Apart from that, an artificial compressibility method is used for coupling the system of equations, which solves these equations in a non-segregated manner and overcomes problems pertaining to the existence of the interface in free-surface flows. The methodology is validated through the test case of irregular wave propagation over a submerged breaker bar and a piecewise sloped bottom, indicating the ability of the method to capture irregular breaking wave phenomena. Simulations are in fair agreement with experimental data regarding energy spectra and free surface time-series, while results suggest that the known over-prediction of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) is significantly constrained by the stabilized k−ω SST model.
In-Silico Investigation of Effects of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in PCOS-Associated CYP11A1 Gene on Mutated Proteins
Authors: Muccee Fatima , Bijou Osama , Harakeh Steve , Adawiyah Rabi’atul , Sayyed R. Z. , Haghshenas Leila , Alshehri Dikhnah , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Ghazanfar Shakira
Published: July 2022

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive disorder with multiple etiologies, mainly characterized by the excess production of androgens. It is equally contributed to by genes and environment. The CYP11A1 gene is imperative for steroidogenesis, so any dysregulation or mutation in this gene can lead to PCOS pathogenesis. Therefore, nucleotide diversity in this gene can be helpful in spotting the likelihood of developing PCOS. The present study was initiated to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms in human CYP11A1 gene on different attributes of encoded mutated proteins, i.e., sub-cellular localization, ontology, half-life, isoelectric point, instability index, aliphatic index, extinction coefficient, 3-D and 2-D structures, and transmembrane topology. For this purpose, initially coding sequence (CDS) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were retrieved for the desired gene from Ensembl followed by translation of CDS using EXPASY tool. The protein sequence obtained was subjected to different tools including CELLO2GO, ProtParam, PHYRE2, I-Mutant, SIFT, and PolyPhen. It was found that out of seventy-eight SNPs analyzed in this project, seventeen mutations, i.e., rs750026801 in exon 1, rs776056840, rs779154292 and rs1217014229 in exon 2, rs549043326 in exon 3, rs755186597 in exon 4, rs1224774813, rs757299093 and rs1555425667 in exon 5, rs1454328072 in exon 7, rs762412759 and rs755975808 in exon 8, and rs754610565, rs779413653, rs765916701, rs1368450780, and rs747901197 in exon 9 considerably altered the structure, sub-cellular localization, and physicochemical characteristics of mutated proteins. Among the fifty-nine missense SNPs documented in present study, fifty-five and fifty-three were found to be deleterious according to SIFT and PolyPhen tools, respectively. Forty-nine missense mutations were analyzed to have a decreasing effect on the stability of mutant proteins. Hence, these genetic variants can serve as potential biomarkers in human females for determining the probability of being predisposed to PCOS.
Comparison of the Physical Fitness Profile of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes with Reference to Training Experience
Authors: Wąsacz Wojciech , Rydzik Łukasz , Ouergui Ibrahim , Koteja Agnieszka , Ambroży Dorota , Ambroży Tadeusz , Ruzbarsky Pavel , Rzepko Marian
Published: July 2022

Background: In combat sports, successful competition and training require comprehensive motor fitness. The aim of this study was to diagnose the level of physical fitness and to determine the level of differences between athletes of combat sports characterized by stand-up fighting, such as Muay Thai; and ground fighting, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Methods: The study examined and compared 30 participants divided into two equal groups: Muay Thai athletes (n = 15; age: 24.24 ± 3.24; body height: 174.91 ± 5.19; body weight: 77.56 ± 7.3), and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) (n = 15; age: 22.82 ± 1.81; body height: 175.72 ± 7.03; body weight: 77.11 ± 8.12). Basic characteristics of the somatic build were measured. Selected manifestations of the motor potential of motor skills were also evaluated using selected tests from the EUROFIT test battery, the International Test of Physical Fitness, and computer tests of coordination skills. Relative strength and maximal anaerobic work (MAW) indices were calculated. The strength of the relationship between the effect of motor fitness and training experience was also assessed. Results: The athletes of both groups (Muay Thai and BJJ) presented similar levels of basic characteristics of the somatic build. Motor fitness in the tested groups showed significant differences between the athletes of these sports in static strength (p = 0.010), relative strength (p = 0.006), arm muscle strength in pull-ups (p = 0.035), and functional strength in bent arm hanging (p = 0.023). Higher levels of these components of motor fitness were found for the athletes in the BJJ athletes. In the Muay Thai group, significant very high strength of association was found between training experience and five strength tests. Furthermore, a significantly high strength of association was found in two tests. In the BJJ group, significant relationships with very high correlation were found between the variables in five strength tests. Conclusions: Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes performed better in strength tests (static strength, relative strength, shoulder girdle strength, functional strength). High correlations between the training load and the level of physical fitness were found in flexibility and strength tests in BJJ athletes and most strength tests in Muay Thai athletes.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Trajectories the Year after COVID-19 Hospitalization
Authors: Serra Riccardo , Borrazzo Cristian , Vassalini Paolo , Di Nicolantonio Chiara , Koukopoulos Alexia E. , Tosato Cecilia , Cherubini Flavio , Alessandri Francesco , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Mastroianni Claudio Maria , D’Ettorre Gabriella , Tarsitani Lorenzo
Published: July 2022

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hospitalization has been related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Available information is limited by insufficient follow-up and lack of longitudinal studies. Baseline factors (e.g., sex; obesity) have been related to PTSD, but post-hospitalization factors have not been studied. Objective: This study aimed to analyse prevalence, baseline, post-discharge factors and possible clinical courses of PTSD after hospitalization for COVID-19. Method: 109 patients (94.7% of the original sample) completed a programme of three follow-up telephone assessments during the year following hospitalization. Data included clinical and sociodemographic factors as well as psychometric tools assessing PTSD, social support, and perception of threat to life (PTL). Mixture model analysis was performed to study the longitudinal course of PTSD symptoms. Chronic (>6 months) PTSD predictors were also analysed. Results: 1-year PTSD period prevalence was 23.9%, peaking at six months; 11% of the patients suffered chronic PTSD. Pre- and post-hospitalization factors influenced the onset and course of PTSD over time. These included working status, PTL, and lack of social support. Interestingly, obesity, pulmonary diseases and family cluster infection seem specifically related to PTSD following COVID-19. Inversely, clinical interventions, older age and male gender were protective. Conclusions: PTSD following COVID-19 hospitalization is common. The analysed demographic, social, clinical, and psychological factors predict PTSD symptomatology over time and can modify odds of a chronic course. Clinicians could better identify cases at risk of a chronic PTSD course. Finally, treatment as usual appeared related to a better outcome and should be proposed to patients with PTSD.
Sleep Quality and Aging: A Systematic Review on Healthy Older People, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Casagrande Maria , Forte Giuseppe , Favieri Francesca , Corbo Ilaria
Published: July 2022

Aging is characterized by changes in the structure and quality of sleep. When the alterations in sleep become substantial, they can generate or accelerate cognitive decline, even in the absence of overt pathology. In fact, impaired sleep represents one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This systematic review aimed to analyze the studies on sleep quality in aging, also considering mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. The review process was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. A total of 71 studies were included, and the whole sample had a mean age that ranged from 58.3 to 93.7 years (62.8–93.7 healthy participants and 61.8–86.7 pathological populations). Of these selected studies, 33 adopt subjective measurements, 31 adopt objective measures, and 10 studies used both. Pathological aging showed a worse impoverishment of sleep than older adults, in both subjective and objective measurements. The most common aspect compromised in AD and MCI were REM sleep, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and sleep duration. These results underline that sleep alterations are associated with cognitive impairment. In conclusion, the frequency and severity of sleep disturbance appear to follow the evolution of cognitive impairment. The overall results of objective measures seem more consistent than those highlighted by subjective measurements.