bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crack Detection of Concrete Based on Improved CenterNet Model
Authors: Kang Huaiqiang , Zhou Fengjun , Gao Shen , Xu Qizhi
Published: March 2024

Cracks on concrete surfaces are vital factors affecting construction safety. Accurate and efficient crack detection can prevent safety-related accidents. Using drones to photograph cracks on a concrete surface and detect them through computer vision technology has the advantages of accurate target recognition, simple practical operation, and low cost. To solve this problem, an improved CenterNet concrete crack-detection model is proposed. Firstly, a channel-space attention mechanism is added to the original model to enhance the ability of the convolution neural network to pay attention to the image. Secondly, a feature selection module is introduced to scale the feature map in the downsampling stage to a uniform size and combine it in the channel dimension. In the upsampling stage, the feature selection module adaptively selects the combined features and fuses them with the output features of the upsampling. Finally, the target size loss is optimized from a Smooth L1 Loss to IoU Loss to lessen its inability to adapt to targets of different sizes. The experimental results show that the improved CenterNet model reduces the FPS by 123.7 Hz, increases the GPU memory by 62 MB, increases the FLOPs by 3.81 times per second, and increases the AP by 15.4% compared with the original model. The GPU memory occupancy remained stable during the training process and exhibited good real-time performance and robustness.
Multi-Scale Heterogeneity of Electrode Reaction for 18650-Type Lithium-Ion Batteries during Initial Charging Process
Authors: Meng Dechao , Ma Zifeng , Li Linsen
Published: March 2024

The improvement of fast-charging capabilities for lithium-ion batteries significantly influences the widespread application of electric vehicles. Fast-charging performance depends not only on materials but also on the battery’s inherent structure and the heterogeneity of the electrode reaction. Herein, we utilized advanced imaging techniques to explore how the internal structure of cylindrical batteries impacts macroscopic electrochemical performance. Our research unveiled the natural 3D structural non-uniformity of the electrodes, causing heterogeneity of electrode reaction. This non-uniformity of reaction exhibited a macro–meso–micro-scale feature in four dimensions: the exterior versus the interior of the electrode, the middle versus the sides of the cell, the inside versus the outside of the cell, and the surface versus the body of the electrode. Furthermore, the single-coated side of the anode demonstrated notably faster reaction than the double-coated sides, leading to the deposition of island-like lithium during fast charging. These discoveries offer novel insights into multi-scale fast-charging mechanisms for commercial batteries, inspiring innovative approaches to battery design.
Adaptive Network Model for Assisting People with Disabilities through Crowd Monitoring and Control
Authors: Falcon-Caro Alicia , Peytchev Evtim , Sanei Saeid
Published: March 2024

Here, we present an effective application of adaptive cooperative networks, namely assisting disables in navigating in a crowd in a pandemic or emergency situation. To achieve this, we model crowd movement and introduce a cooperative learning approach to enable cooperation and self-organization of the crowd members with impaired health or on wheelchairs to ensure their safe movement in the crowd. Here, it is assumed that the movement path and the varying locations of the other crowd members can be estimated by each agent. Therefore, the network nodes (agents) should continuously reorganize themselves by varying their speeds and distances from each other, from the surrounding walls, and from obstacles within a predefined limit. It is also demonstrated how the available wireless trackers such as AirTags can be used for this purpose. The model effectiveness is examined with respect to the real-time changes in environmental parameters and its efficacy is verified.
Molecular and Clinicopathological Biomarkers in the Neoadjuvant Treatment of Patients with Advanced Resectable Melanoma
Authors: Błoński Piotr J. , Czarnecka Anna M. , Ostaszewski Krzysztof , Szumera-Ciećkiewicz Anna , Rutkowski Piotr
Published: March 2024

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is emerging as the best medical practice in patients with resectable stage III melanoma. As different regimens are expected to become available in this approach, the improved optimization of treatment strategies is required. Personalization of care in each individual patient—by precisely determining the disease-related risk and the most efficient therapeutic approach—is expected to minimize disease recurrence, but also the incidence of treatment-related adverse events and the extent of surgical intervention. This can be achieved through validation and clinical application of predictive and prognostic biomarkers. For immune checkpoint inhibitors, there are no validated predictive biomarkers until now. Promising predictive molecular biomarkers for neoadjuvant immunotherapy are tumor mutational burden and the interferon-gamma pathway expression signature. Pathological response to neoadjuvant treatment is a biomarker of a favorable prognosis and surrogate endpoint for recurrence-free survival in clinical trials. Despite the reliability of these biomarkers, risk stratification and response prediction in the neoadjuvant setting are still unsatisfactory and represent a critical knowledge gap, limiting the development of optimized personalized strategies in everyday practice.
Can Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Promote Neurogenesis and Axonogenesis in Subacute Human Ischemic Stroke?
Authors: De Michele Manuela , Piscopo Paola , Costanzo Matteo , Lorenzano Svetlana , Crestini Alessio , Rivabene Roberto , Manzini Valeria , Petraglia Luca , Iacobucci Marta , Berto Irene , Schiavo Oscar Gaetano , Conte Antonella , Belvisi Daniele , Berardelli Alfredo , Toni Danilo
Published: March 2024

Background: Ischemic stroke may trigger neuroplastic changes via proliferation, migration towards the lesion, and differentiation of neuroprogenitor cells into mature neurons. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) may promote brain plasticity. This study aimed to assess rTMS’s effect on post-stroke endogenous neuroplasticity by dosing plasma miRs 17~92, Netrin-1, Sema3A, and BDNF. Methods: In this case-controlled study, we randomized 19 ischemic stroke patients within five days from symptoms onset (T0) to neuronavigated-rTMS or sham stimulation. Stimulation was applied on the stroke hemisphere daily between the 7th and 14th day from stroke onset. Blood samples were collected at T0, before the first rTMS section (T7), and at the end of the last rTMS session (T14). Five healthy controls were also enrolled in this study. Results: Of 19 patients, 10 received rTMS and 9 sham stimulation. Compared with the sham group, in the rTMS group, plasma levels of miRs17~92 and Ntn-1 significantly increased whereas Sema3A levels tended to decrease. In multivariate linear regression analyses, rTMS was independently related to Ntn-1 and miR-25 levels at T14. Conclusions: We found an association between rTMS and neurogenesis/axonogenesis biomarker enhancement. Our preliminary data suggest that rTMS may positively interfere with natural endogenous plasticity phenomena of the post-ischemic human brain.
Cold Atmospheric Plasma Improves the Colonization of Titanium with Primary Human Osteoblasts: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Gund Madline P. , Naim Jusef , Lehmann Antje , Hannig Matthias , Lange Markus , Schindler Axel , Rupf Stefan
Published: March 2024

Several studies have shown that cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment can favourably modify titanium surfaces to promote osteoblast colonization. The aim of this study was to investigate the initial attachment of primary human osteoblasts to plasma-treated titanium. Micro-structured titanium discs were treated with cold atmospheric plasma followed by the application of primary human osteoblasts. The microwave plasma source used in this study uses helium as a carrier gas and was developed at the Leibniz Institute for Surface Modification in Leipzig, Germany. Primary human osteoblasts were analyzed by fluorescence and cell biological tests (alkaline phosphatase activity and cell proliferation using WST-1 assay). The tests were performed after 4, 12, and 24 h and showed statistically significant increased levels of cell activity after plasma treatment. The results of this study indicate that plasma treatment improves the initial attachment of primary human osteoblasts to titanium. For the first time, the positive effect of cold atmospheric plasma treatment of micro-structured titanium on the initial colonization with primary human osteoblasts has been demonstrated. Overall, this study demonstrates the excellent biocompatibility of micro-structured titanium. The results of this study support efforts to use cold atmospheric plasmas in implantology, both for preimplantation conditioning and for regeneration of lost attachment due to peri-implantitis.
Current Knowledge on the Use of Neuromonitoring in Thyroid Surgery
Authors: Wojtczak Beata , Sutkowska-Stępień Karolina , Głód Mateusz , Kaliszewski Krzysztof , Sutkowski Krzysztof , Barczyński Marcin
Published: March 2024

Thyroid surgery rates have tripled over the past three decades, making it one of the most frequently performed procedures within general surgery. Thyroid surgery is associated with the possibility of serious postoperative complications which have a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy and external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) palsy are, next to hypoparathyroidism and postoperative bleeding, some of the most common complications. The introduction of neuromonitoring into thyroid surgery, which enabled both the confirmation of anatomical integrity and the assessment of laryngeal nerve function, was a milestone that began a new era in thyroid surgery. The International Neural Monitoring Study Group has produced a standardization of the technique of RLN and EBSLN monitoring during thyroid and parathyroid surgery, which in turn increased the prevalence of neural monitoring during thyroidectomy. The current status of IONM and the benefits of its use have been presented in this publication.
Aerodynamic/Hydrodynamic Investigation of Water Cross-Over for a Bionic Unmanned Aquatic–Aerial Amphibious Vehicle
Authors: Gan Wenbiao , Zuo Zhenjie , Zhuang Junjie , Bie Dawei , Xiang Jinwu
Published: March 2024

An aerodynamic/hydrodynamic investigation of water cross-over is performed for a bionic unmanned aquatic–aerial amphibious vehicle (bionic UAAV). According to flying fish features and UAAV flight requirements of water cross-over, the bionic conceptual design of crossing over water is described and planned in multiple stages and modes of motion. A solution procedure for the numerical simulation method, based on a modified SST turbulence model and the VOF model, is expressed, and a verification study is presented using a typical case. Longitudinal–lateral numerical simulation analysis investigates the cruise performance underwater and in the air. The numerical simulation and principal experiment verification are conducted for crossing over water and water surface acceleration. The results indicate that the bionic UAAV has an excellent aerodynamic/hydrodynamic performance and variant configuration to adapt to water cross-over. The bionic UAAV has good water and air navigation stability, and the cruise flying lift–drag ratio is greater than 15 at a low Reynolds number. Its pitching moment has the phenomenon of a “water mound” forming and breaking at the water cross-over process. The present method and the bionic variant configuration provide a feasible water cross-over design and analysis strategy for bionic UAAVs.
Negative Media Coverage and Corporate ESG Performance: Evidence from China
Authors: Ge Caixiaoyang
Published: March 2024

Using Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020 as a research sample, this paper examines the relationship between negative media coverage and corporate ESG performance using a two-way fixed-effects model. It is found that, first, negative media coverage can effectively promote corporate ESG performance. Second, the mediation mechanism study shows that negative media coverage positively promotes corporate ESG performance by increasing the degree of corporate financing constraints and information asymmetry and prompting corporations to change their ESG governance level. Third, the results of the heterogeneity test find that the positive relationship between negative media coverage and corporate ESG performance is more pronounced among firms without executives with overseas backgrounds, and the positive relationship between the two is more significant after the promulgation of China’s Code of Governance for Listed Companies in 2018. Fourth, further discussion revealed that negative media coverage has the strongest promotion effect on the performance of corporate environmental governance, followed by social governance performance, and lastly, corporate governance performance. The research in this paper contributes to an in-depth understanding of the impact of negative media coverage on corporate ESG performance and provides empirical evidence to facilitate policy formulation related to the role of media monitoring and to fully utilize the media’s role in corporate ESG governance.
Estimation of Mediastinal Toxicities after Radiotherapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma—A Normal Tissue Complication Analysis of the HD16/17 Trial by the German Hodgkin Study Group
Authors: Oertel Michael , Hölscher Priska , Hering Dominik , Kittel Christopher , Fuchs Michael , Haverkamp Uwe , Borchmann Peter , Eich Hans Theodor
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Hodgkin lymphoma is a hematologic malignancy with excellent outcomes even in advanced stages. Consequently, the importance of treatment-associated toxicity increases. However, the exact estimation of individualized rates is difficult due to different disease extents, treatment strategies and techniques. The following analysis aims at a pre-treatment estimation of relevant mediastinal toxicities. Methods: Normal tissue complication probability calculations were used to evaluate the toxicity rates for the heart, lungs and female breast of patients undergoing radiotherapy for early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma. Overall, 45 Patients of the HD16 and HD17 trials by the German Hodgkin study group were included and risks were calculated using the Lyman–Kutcher–Burman model. Results: The median values for pericarditis, pneumonitis and fibrosis of the left or right breast were 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.7% and 0.6% in the HD16 cohort, and 0.0%, 0.1%, 1.1% and 1.0% in the HD17 cohort, respectively. Correspondingly, none of the included patients displayed any of the evaluated toxicities during clinical follow-up. The use of higher doses (30 Gy) in the HD17 cohort led to an increase in toxicity compared to the HD16 cohort (20 Gy). No significant influence of the planning target volume size or the radiation technique could be found in this study. Conclusion: Both the clinically observed and calculated toxicity rates corroborate the overall low-risk profile of radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. Further treatment individualization will be attempted in the future.
Enhancing Leukemia Treatment: The Role of Combined Therapies Based on Amino Acid Starvation
Authors: Chen Can , Zhang Ji
Published: March 2024

Cancer cells demand amino acids beyond their usage as “building blocks” for protein synthesis. As a result, targeting amino acid acquisition and utilization has emerged as a pivotal strategy in cancer treatment. In the setting of leukemia therapy, compelling examples of targeting amino acid metabolism exist at both pre-clinical and clinical stages. This review focuses on summarizing novel insights into the metabolism of glutamine, asparagine, arginine, and tryptophan in leukemias, and providing a comprehensive discussion of perturbing their metabolism to improve the therapeutic outcomes. Certain amino acids, such as glutamine, play a vital role in the energy metabolism of cancer cells and the maintenance of redox balance, while others, such as arginine and tryptophan, contribute significantly to the immune microenvironment. Therefore, assessing the efficacy of targeting amino acid metabolism requires comprehensive strategies. Combining traditional chemotherapeutics with novel strategies to perturb amino acid metabolism is another way to improve the outcome in leukemia patients via overcoming chemo-resistance or promoting immunotherapy. In this review, we also discuss several ongoing or complete clinical trials, in which targeting amino acid metabolism is combined with other chemotherapeutics in treating leukemia.
A Retrospective View of the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Microenvironment: Novel Markers, Interactions, and Mechanisms of Tumor-Associated Components Using Public Single-Cell RNA-Seq Datasets
Authors: Kim Minsoo , Yang Wonhee , Hong Dawon , Won Hye Sung , Yoon Seokhyun
Published: March 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a significant clinical challenge due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. In search of new treatment targets, not only single genes but also gene pairs involved in protein interactions, we explored the tumor microenvironment (TME) of TNBC from a retrospective point of view, using public single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. A High-resolution Cell type Annotation Tool, HiCAT, was used first to identify the cell type in 3-level taxonomies. Tumor cells were then identified based on the estimates of copy number variation. With the annotation results, differentially expressed genes were analyzed to find subtype-specific markers for each cell type, including tumor cells, fibroblast, and macrophage. Cell–cell interactions were also inferred for each cell type pair. Through integrative analysis, we could find unique TNBC markers not only for tumor cells but also for various TME components, including fibroblasts and macrophages. Specifically, twelve marker genes, including DSC2 and CDKN2A, were identified for TNBC tumor cells. Another key finding of our study was the interaction between the DSC2 and DSG2 genes among TNBC tumor cells, suggesting that they are more tightly aggregated with each other than those of other subtypes, including normal epithelial cells. The overexpression of DSC2 in TNBC and its prognostic power were verified by using METABRIC, a large bulk RNA-seq dataset with clinical information. These findings not only corroborate previous hypotheses but also lay the foundation for a new structural understanding of TNBC, as revealed through our single-cell analysis workflow.
Robotic Bronchoscopy in Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Skouras Vasileios S. , Gkiozos Ioannis , Charpidou Andriani G. , Syrigos Konstantinos N.
Published: March 2024

Background: The widespread use of chest CT has increased the number of detected pulmonary nodules. Nodules with intermediate risk of malignancy warrant further evaluation with PET-CT or sampling. Although sampling with conventional bronchoscopy presents lower complication rates compared to transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB), it is limited by the inability to reach distal airways. To overcome this shortcoming, a new bronchoscopic technique named robotic bronchoscopy (RB) has emerged. Methods: A literature review was used to clarify the rationale behind RB emergence, describe RB procedure, and summarize data regarding its efficacy and safety. Results: The FDA has approved three RB platforms for clinical use. RB is safe, presenting a mortality and complication rate of 0% and 0–8.1%, respectively. Common complications include pneumothorax (0–5.7%) and minor bleeding (0–3.2%). However, its diagnostic yield remains lower than that of TTNB. Conclusions: RB is a promising bronchoscopic technique that aims to overcome the limitations of conventional bronchoscopy and improve upon the current techniques of guided bronchoscopy for the investigation of pulmonary nodules. Despite the lower complication rate, current evidence suggests a lower diagnostic yield compared to TTNB. Additional studies are required to adequately evaluate the role of RB in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.
Investigating the Efficacy of EGFR-TKIs and Anti-VEGFR Combination in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sakharkar Prashant , Kurup Sonali , Deb Subrata , Assaad Kaitlin , Gesinski Dayna , Gayle Erysa J.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in combination with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) agents have shown improved survival outcomes in recent studies. However, its efficacy related to survival outcomes as a first- or second-line agent and based on generations remains to be explored. This study estimated the survival outcomes of EGFR-TKIs plus anti-VEGFR in combination in defined populations of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients overall, as a first- or second line of treatment, with different generations of EGFR-TKIs and EGFR-TKIs plus bevacizumab combination as a subgroup. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases through June 2023 to identify primary research reporting the survival outcomes of EGFR-TKIs in combination with anti-VEGFR agents in patients with advanced NSCLC. Studies that were single-arm, published in non-English languages, and had missing data on survival outcomes were excluded. A meta-analysis was conducted to generate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Methodological quality and risk of bias in studies were assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions risk of bias tool. Results: A total of 20 randomized controlled trials were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 11 (2182 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Patients’ median age ranged from 58 to 68 years; 36% to 70% of patients were female; most of them had IIIa/b to IV stage cancer. In meta-analyses, the EGFR-TKIs plus anti-VEGFR combination resulted in improved PFS (HR, 0.73; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.86; p < 0.00001) in patients with advanced NSCLC but had no impact on OS (HR, 0.93; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.10; p = 0.41). The first line of treatment and first-generation EGFR-TKIs with the combination also improved the PFS (HR, 0.64; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.71; p < 0.00001; HR, 0.63; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.71; p < 0.00001) respectively, however, had no impact on OS. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicated EGFR-TKIs with anti-VEGFR in combination not only improved overall PFS but also showed similar results to a first line and first-generation agent compared to EGFR-TKI alone.
Early Onset of Lung Cancer in Small Areas as a Signature of Point Pollution Sources
Authors: Bidoli Ettore
Published: March 2024

The impact of air pollution on lung cancer (LC) is difficult to detect in low-populated areas due to the potentially unfocused detection of pollutants and/or limited statistical power. This study identified and measured the harmful effect of pollution in small areas by considering the early onset of LC as a signature of pollution. This novel method requires a Bayesian standard curve calculated from the median age at LC onset and the corresponding median age of reference populations. Similar medians gathered from the area/s under investigation permits a probabilistic comparison with the standard curve. Statistically significant divergences can be interpreted as early or late LC onset. The method is exemplified in the Trieste municipality (northeast Italy) using data from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cancer Registry (study population) and from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (reference population). Early LC onset has been observed near the pollution sources. Within 600 m of the iron foundry, onset ranged between 3.2 and 7.7 years earlier in men and between 11.7 and 16.8 years earlier in women. Near the shipyard, early onset was around 4 years in men and 7 years in women, while in the industrial area, early onset was 5 years in women only. Examining early LC onset may speed up the investigation of potential environmental hazards.
Effects of Freshwater Inflow during the Rainy Season on the Benthic Polychaete Community in the Geum River Estuary, South Korea
Authors: Kim Sang Lyeol , Oh Kyung-Hee , Ra Kongtae , Yu Ok Hwan
Published: March 2024

In the estuaries of Korea, the freshwater inflow increases rapidly due to the Changma (Korean summer rainy season). To elucidate the effect of this massive freshwater inflow on the benthic polychaete community, a survey was conducted before, during, and after the rainy season. Comparing the environmental characteristics before and after the rainy season, the salinity and dissolved oxygen decreased, the sand content of sediment was significantly reduced, and silt increased. The number of species decreased sharply, and this change was more considerable at sites closer to the estuary. Loimia sp. and Pseudopotamilla sp., the dominant species before the rainy season, were not found after the rainy season. The massive freshwater inflow during the rainy season has been a tremendous stress on the benthic environment and significantly alters the species composition and distribution of benthic polychaetes.
Global Warming Drives Transitions in Suitable Habitats and Ecological Services of Rare Tinospora Miers Species in China
Authors: Zhang Huayong , Li Zhe , Zou Hengchao , Wang Zhongyu , Zhu Xinyu , Zhang Yihe , Liu Zhao
Published: March 2024

Tinospora Miers is considered a valuable medicinal herb that is suffering from severe habitat degradation due to climate change and human activities, but the variations in its suitable habitats and ecological service values remain unclear, especially in the context of accelerating global warming. In this study, we employed the MaxEnt model to estimate the suitable habitat changes and ecological service values of three rare Tinospora (T. craveniana, T. yunnanensis, and T. sinensis) species in China under four climate change scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585) from 2041 to 2100. The results show that the suitable habitats of T. craveniana, T. yunnanensis, and T. sinensis are mainly distributed in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guangxi, respectively. Under the future climate scenarios, the suitable habitat of T. craveniana and T. sinensis is projected to expand toward the northeast and north, while that of T. yunnanensis will contract toward the northeast. The mean diurnal temperature range is the main environmental factor affecting T. craveniana and T. yunnanensis, while the annual mean temperature is a more important factor affecting T. sinensis. In the SSP245 scenario, T. craveniana and T. yunnanensis are expected to have the highest ecological service values from 2081 to 2100, while they will be relatively consistent in other climate scenarios and chronologies. The case of water protection accounts for the highest proportion of the total ecosystem service values, except for the economic value. This study provides a scientific reference for the diversity conservation of these rare species.
Approaches to Extend FPGA Reverse-Engineering Technology from ISE to Vivado
Authors: Choi Soyeon , Yoo Hoyoung
Published: March 2024

SRAM-based FPGA(Field Programmable Logic Arrays) requires external memory since its internal memory gets erased when power is cut off. The process of transmitting the circuit netlist in bitstream from external memory during power-up in FPGA is vulnerable to malicious attacks such as bitstream theft and tampering. Previous FPGA reverse-engineering methods focus on FPGAs, supported by ISE (ISE Design Suite). This is because ISE provides XDLRC (Xilinx Design Language Routing Configurable logic) and XDL (Xilinx Design language) files, which are essential for reverse engineering. However, Vivado Design Suite (Vivado) does not offer those files, making it impossible to extend the coverage of reverse engineering to the FPGAs supported by Vivado. In this paper, we propose a method to generate XDLRC and XDL through Vivado. According to experimental results, the XDLRC and XDL generated through Vivado, respectively, match 99% and 75% with those generated in ISE for Artix-7 100T. As a result, this paper has expanded the scope of reverse engineering from being mainly focused on ISE to now also include Vivado. It is important to note that this paper does not encourage bitstream attacks through reverse engineering but rather highlights the risk associated with malicious attacks and emphasizes the importance of security.
Remaining Useful Life Estimation Framework for the Main Bearing of Wind Turbines Operating in Real Time
Authors: Vieira Januário Leal de Moraes , Farias Felipe Costa , Ochoa Alvaro Antonio Villa , de Menezes Frederico Duarte , Costa Alexandre Carlos Araújo da , da Costa José Ângelo Peixoto , de Novaes Pires Leite Gustavo , Vilela Olga de Castro , de Souza Marrison Gabriel Guedes , Michima Paula Suemy Arruda
Published: March 2024

The prognosis of wind turbine failures in real operating conditions is a significant gap in the academic literature and is essential for achieving viable performance parameters for the operation and maintenance of these machines, especially those located offshore. This paper presents a framework for estimating the remaining useful life (RUL) of the main bearing using regression models fed operational data (temperature, wind speed, and the active power of the network) collected by a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The framework begins with a careful data filtering process, followed by creating a degradation profile based on identifying the behavior of temperature time series. It also uses a cross-validation strategy to mitigate data scarcity and increase model robustness by combining subsets of data from different available turbines. Support vector, gradient boosting, random forest, and extra trees models were created, which, in the tests, showed an average of 20 days in estimating the remaining useful life and presented mean absolute error (MAE) values of 0.047 and mean squared errors (MSE) of 0.012. As its main contributions, this work proposes (i) a robust and effective regression modeling method for estimating RUL based on temperature and (ii) an approach for dealing with a lack of data, a common problem in wind turbine operation. The results demonstrate the potential of using these forecasts to support the decision making of the teams responsible for operating and maintaining wind farms.
Studying the Improvement of Solar Collector Mechanism with Phase Change Materials
Authors: Rahi Maha Rahman , Ostadi Saba , Rahmani Amin , Dibaj Mahdieh , Akrami Mohammad
Published: March 2024

This study delves into the integration of phase change materials (PCM) in solar thermal collector systems to address this challenge. By incorporating nano encapsulated PCMs, researchers have mitigated concerns surrounding PCM leakage, revolutionizing the potential of solar collector systems to elevate energy efficiency, diminish carbon emissions, and yield manifold benefits. This article comprehensively investigates the design and utilization of solar phase change energy storage devices and examines the transformative impact of employing nano-coated phase change materials (Nano capsules) to augment solar collector performance. The integration of paraffin-based PCM and the insulation of the collector system have been crucial in optimizing heat retention and operational efficacy. The composition of the PCM involves a balanced blend of octadecane phase-change particles and water as the base fluid, designed to maximize thermal performance. Analysis of the experimental findings demonstrates the dynamic thermal behavior of the nano encapsulated phase change material, revealing distinctive temperature profiles about fluid dynamics and absorbent characteristics. Notably, the study emphasizes the nuanced trade-offs associated with the conductivity and melting temperature of the Nano encapsulated PCM, yielding valuable insights into energy storage capacity limitations and thermal performance variations throughout diurnal cycles. Central to the investigation, the optimal nanoparticle proportion is elucidated, shedding light on its pivotal role in modulating PCM performance. Furthermore, findings underscore the complex interplay between nanoparticle volume fraction and thermal fluid temperature, providing critical perspectives on optimizing PCM-enhanced solar collector systems.
Nine-Switch Multiport Converter Applied to Battery-Powered Tramway with Reduced Leakage Current
Authors: Almeida Antonio D. D. , Bradaschia Fabrício , Rech Cassiano , Caldeira Carolina A. , Neto Rafael C. , Azevedo Gustavo M. S.
Published: March 2024

Electrically powered rail transport is constantly increasing in order to meet the high demand for people and cargo transportation, whether with high-speed trains, subways, suburban trains, or electric tramways. In these types of applications, power electronics solutions such as integrated and efficient converters with multiple functionalities are highly desirable. Among these converters, one family stands out for its ability to generating multiple output terminals with reduced number of switches, namely, the nine-switch converter. Therefore, this paper proposes a multiport converter solution based on the nine-switch converter topology that integrates multiple functionalities with a reduced switch count. The converter, responsible for the power drive of the electric tramway, is exclusively powered by a battery. Moreover, it presents a strategically connected passive filter that provides a low-impedance path for high-frequency currents, avoiding leakage of the current circulation in the induction motor. Its phase-shift pulse-width modulation is capable of reducing the high-frequency components of the current delivered by the battery. The energy storage system is designed to optimize the system capacity based on the known real load profile of a public tramway, with a maximum power of 532.1 kW. The control system is designed and applied considering the battery as the energy source. Simulations were performed in the Matlab/Simulink environment to validate the proposed system, along with experiments using a reduced-scale prototype controlled by the dSPACE platform. The results present the converter’s proper operation with integration of the source and AC load, presenting improved features compared with conventional solutions in terms of reduced leakage of the current circulation from the AC load and reduced battery current ripple.
Hydrothermal Liquefaction Biocrude Stabilization via Hydrotreatment
Authors: Dimitriadis Athanasios , Bezergianni Stella
Published: March 2024

The main objective of the manuscript is to investigate mild hydrotreatment upgrading of hydrothermal liquefaction biocrude to improve its stability and energy content. To that end, biocrude hydrotreatment was performed, exploring three different operating windows in order to examine the effect of reaction temperature and hydrogen supply on deoxygenation reactions. A typical NiMo/Al2O3 hydrotreating catalyst was utilized while the experiments were performed in a continuous-flow TRL 3 hydrotreatment plant. The results show that the resulting product has a higher carbon content as compared to the raw feed. The oxygenated compounds were removed, leading to a product with almost zero oxygen and water content, with high energy density. The reaction pathways during the hydrotreatment upgrading of biocrude were investigated via GC-MS analysis and presented in detail in the manuscript. In general, the hydrotreating process was able to improve the quality of the initial biocrude, allowing easier handling and storing for further upgrading, or to be used as an intermediate refinery stream.
Active Disturbance Rejection Control Design with Sensitivity Constraint for Drum Water Level
Authors: Gao Aimin , Cui Xiaobo
Published: March 2024

The drum water level plays a crucial role in the safety and economy of heat recovery boilers. However, the control of the drum water level faces many challenges, such as external disturbances and system uncertainties. To enhance the control performance of the drum water level, a modified active disturbance rejection control (MADRC) optimized with sensitivity constraint is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the control structure of the three-element control system for the drum water level is introduced and analyzed. Based on the regular active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) structure, the structure of the MADRC is introduced and the convergence of the proposed MADRC is proven. Then a modified whale optimization algorithm (MWOA) with sensitivity constraint is applied to optimize the parameters of the MADRC. With different sensitivity constraints, the parameters of the MADRC and comparative controllers are obtained, and their control performance for tracking and disturbance rejection abilities is compared. Moreover, the ability to handle system uncertainties is analyzed. Simulation results and performance indexes show that the proposed MADRC can obtain the best tracking and disturbance rejection abilities with satisfactory robustness. The satisfactory control performance shows that the proposed MADRC has wide application potential for heat recovery boilers and other industrial processes.
Usage of Microencapsulated Phase-Change Materials to Improve the Insulating Parameters of the Walls of Refrigerated Trailers
Authors: Zdun Konrad , Robakowski Piotr , Uhl Tadeusz
Published: March 2024

Climate change is forcing action to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. An extremely important area of high-polluting energy consumption is material transport and, within this, the transport of chilled goods, including deep-frozen goods, is an important contributor. Phase change materials (PCMs) can have an important role in reducing energy consumption for the transport of chilled goods, but the current state of knowledge is not sufficient to bring the solution into popular use. This article includes a study of the effect of implementing microencapsulated PCM (mPCM) in polyurethane foam (PU) on the insulation performance of refrigerated trailer walls in low-temperature transport. In this research, mPCM was used, characterised by a phase-change heat in the range of 170–195 kJkg and a phase change temperature in the range from −10 °C to −9 °C. The studies performed show the potential of using mPCMs to improve the insulation performance of the walls of refrigerated trailers. Containing mPCM in the amount of 5.0% wt. placed throughout the entire volume of the wall can improve thermal conductivity of the wall for up to 15% in peak and 4.5% (0.2792 Wm2K without mPCM and 0.2665 Wm2K with mPCM) in the phase change temperature range. Out of the range of phase change temperatures, the thermal conductivity of the wall with mPCM is worse for 2.72% than in walls without PCM. Problems that need to be tackled were also identified, before the solution can be put into everyday use, i.e., finding the technology to increase the proportion of mPCMs relative to PU.
A Model for Electrifying Fire Ambulance Service Stations Considering Practical Service Data and Charging Strategies
Authors: Yan Yih-Her , Leou Rong-Ceng , Ko Chien-Chin
Published: March 2024

Due to concerns with air pollution and climate change, governments and transport operators around the world have engaged in transforming their fossil-fueled vehicles into electric vehicles (EVs). It is essential to build a model for the electrifying process to minimize the operation costs. This paper presents a systematic analytical approach for the electrification of a fire ambulance service station. This approach begins with the selection of suitable EVs to replace the current service vehicles. Subsequently, an in-depth analysis is conducted to determine the practical utilization of EVs at the station. The model proposes two charging strategies: immediate charging upon an EVs’ return and smart charging. Based on the chosen EVs and charging strategies, a comprehensive assessment of the load profiles for the planned EV charging station is performed. In accordance with the load profiles, a mathematical model to minimize the infrastructure and operation costs of the charging station is proposed. Various pricing schemes are compared to identify the most efficient pricing scheme for the charging station, and economic analyses of the EVs and traditional ambulance vehicles are proposed in this paper. The test results indicate that the progressive pricing scheme is well suited for immediate charging strategies, whereas smart charging should opt for the time-of-use pricing scheme. Selecting the appropriate pricing scheme has the potential to significantly reduce electric energy costs.
Bi-Layer Planning of Integrated Energy System by Incorporating Power-to-Gas and Ground Source Heat Pump for Curtailed Wind Power and Economic Cost Reduction
Authors: Wang Tingling , Huo Tianyu , Li Huihang
Published: March 2024

The popularization of renewable energy is limited by wasteful problems such as curtailed wind power and high economic costs. To tackle these problems, we propose a bi-layer optimal planning model with the integration of power to gas and a ground source heat pump for the existing integrated energy system. Firstly, the inner layer optimizes the daily dispatch of the system, with the minimum daily operation cost including the penalty cost of curtailed wind power. Then, the enumeration method of outer-layer optimization determines the device capacity of various schemes. After that, optimal planning can be achieved with the minimum daily comprehensive cost. The result of this example shows that the improved system can reduce curtailed wind power and system costs, thus improving the overall economy. Finally, the influences of algorithms and gas prices on planning optimization are studied.
Study on the Influence of International Economic Law of Carbon Emission Trading on Environmental Sustainable Development
Authors: Chen Ziying , Kim Jin-Tae
Published: March 2024

With the continuous development of global economic and trade activities, environmental problems have become an important factor restricting the sustainable development of all countries. How to realize the coordinated development of international trade and environmental protection has become a major issue facing the international community. Since China joined the WTO, its share of international trade has been increasing continuously. In order to deeply analyze the influence of international carbon emission trading policy on domestic carbon emissions, we use an input–output model and a GTAP analysis method to theoretically calculate the carbon emissions of the international trade of various departments in Shandong Province. At the same time, the implicit carbon emission index of various industries in 2022 is calculated through the direct energy consumption coefficient. The results show that there are significant differences in the impact of the carbon tariff system on different industries. In terms of the carbon emission index, the food processing industry showed a decrease of 18.99 Mt, while the implied carbon emission of the tobacco, textile and leather manufacturing industry reached 30.56 Mt due to the continuous expansion of trade scale. In contrast, the implied carbon emission level of the metal product processing industry reached 5.3 Mt, while the carbon emission of traditional trading industries such as coal mining was almost unaffected by international trade, and its carbon emission index reached the highest level of 5.89 in 2020. In terms of trade impact, high-trade industries such as the food processing industry are significantly affected by the carbon tariff policy, and their share has dropped from 5.89% to 3.95% in the past decade. The carbon emissions generated by GDP growth established by the GTAP model are more convincing. This model can directly reflect the energy efficiency of a region from the side. Based on the present situation of international trade, this paper analyzes the inequality of the current carbon tariff system, and puts forward some policies to optimize the energy structure to reduce carbon emissions and expand domestic demand to reduce the dependence on international trade. Through the GTAP model, we put forward policy suggestions to optimize the energy structure to reduce carbon emissions and the dependence on international trade by expanding domestic demand.
Protective Activities of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Antagonists against Toxin-Induced Endothelial Injury
Authors: Fakir Saikat , Barabutis Nektarios
Published: March 2024

GHRH regulates the secretion of GH from the anterior pituitary gland, previously associated with cancer progression and inflammation. An emerging body of evidence suggests that GHRHAnt support endothelial barrier function, but the mechanisms mediating these events are not completely understood. In the present study, it is demonstrated that the GHRHAnt JV-1-36 counteracts barrier dysfunction due to LPS or LTA treatment in HUVECs, utilizing the Dextran–FITC assay. Moreover, it is shown in BPAECs that these bacterial toxins increase ROS generation, and that this effect is counteracted by JV-1-36, which reinstates the redox balance. The possible involvement of NEK2 in the beneficial activities of GHRHAnt in IFN-γ- and LPS-triggered hyperpermeability was also assessed, since that kinase is involved in inflammatory responses. NEK2 was increased in the inflamed cells, and JV-1-36 counteracted those endothelial events. Our data support the beneficial effects of GHRHAnt in toxin-induced endothelial injury.
Multi-Endpoint Analysis of Cerium and Gadolinium Effects after Long-Term Exposure to Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Siciliano Antonietta , Spampinato Marisa , Salbitani Giovanna , Guida Marco , Carfagna Simona , Brouziotis Antonios Apostolos , Trifuoggi Marco , Bossa Rosanna , Saviano Lorenzo , Padilla Suarez Edith Guadalupe , Libralato Giovanni
Published: March 2024

The significantly increasing levels of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in seawater are largely due to multiple anthropogenic activities. Their effects on marine primary producers such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum have not been fully assessed. This study focused on examining the long-term impacts of these two commonly occurring REEs, cerium (Ce) and gadolinium (Gd), on marine diatoms by 28 d of exposure. The 72 h effective concentrations that inhibited the growth of 20% (EC20) and 50% (EC50) of the exposed population were used for long-term exposures. The growth, oxidative stress level, photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll fluorescence were assessed in the diatoms, after 7, 14, 21, and 28 d of REEs exposure. Results display a difference in the toxicity induced by the two elements. Exposure to 2.39 mg/L (EC20) and 3.13 mg/L (EC50) of Ce, and to 4.52 mg/L (EC20) and 6.02 mg/L (EC50) of Gd displayed a lower effect on the growth of algae cells, as the response remained below 20% for inhibition or stimulation. Except for GD, the ROS and the activities of SOD, and LPO showed, during the exposure, comparable levels respect to control cells. A change in chlorophyll levels was also observed especially under Ce exposure. Both elements showed changes in photosynthetic performance. This study provides new insights into the different effects of Ce and Gd on P. tricornutum, demonstrating their diverse modes of action on this important primary producer. The findings provide further evidence of the adverse effects of anthropogenic REEs pollution on marine ecosystems.