bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-dimensional dumbbell silicene as a promising anode material for (Li/Na/K)-ion batteries
Authors: Liu 刘 Man 曼 , Cheng 程 Zishuang 子爽 , Zhang 张 Xiaoming 小明 , Li 李 Yefeng 叶枫 , Jin 靳 Lei 蕾 , Liu 刘 Cong 丛 , Dai 代 Xuefang 学芳 , Liu 刘 Ying 影 , Wang 王 Xiaotian 啸天 , Liu 刘 Guodong 国栋
Published: May 2023

Rechargeable ion batteries require anode materials with excellent performance, presenting a key challenge for researchers. This paper explores the potential of using two-dimensional dumbbell silicene as an anode material for alkali metal ion batteries through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our findings demonstrate that alkali metal ions have negative adsorption energies on dumbbell silicene, and the energy barriers for Li/Na/K ion diffusion are as low as 0.032 eV/0.055 eV/0.21 eV, indicating that metal ions can easily diffuse across the entire surface of dumbbell silicene. Additionally, the average open circuit voltages of dumbbell silicene as anode for Li-ion, Na-ion, and K-ion batteries are 0.42 V, 0.41 V, and 0.60 V, respectively, with corresponding storage capacities of 716 mAh/g, 622 mAh/g, and 716 mAh/g. These results suggest that dumbbell silicene is an ideal anode material for Li-ion, Na-ion, and K-ion batteries, with high capacity, low open circuit voltage, and high ion diffusion kinetics. Moreover, our calculations show that the theoretical capacities obtained using DFT-D2 are higher than those obtained using DFT-D3, providing a valuable reference for subsequent theoretical calculations.
Mutual neutralization in low-energy collisions of Na+ + H− ions
Authors: Wang Kun , Dong Chuan , Qu Yizhi , Wu Yong , Lin Xiaohe , Buenker Robert J.
Published: May 2023

The low-energy mutual neutralization (MN) reactions Na+ + H− → Na(nl) + H have been studied by employing the full quantum-mechanical molecular-orbital close-coupling (QMOCC) method over a wide energy range of 10−3–103 eV/u. Total and state-selective cross sections have been investigated and compared with the available theoretical and experimental data, and the state-selective rate coefficients for the temperature range of 100–10000 K have been obtained. In the present work, all the necessary highly excited states are included, and the influences of rotational couplings and 10 active electrons are considered. It is found that in the energy below 10 eV/u, the Na(4s) state is the most dominant exit state with a contribution of approximately 78% to the branch fraction, which is in best agreement with the experimental data. For energies above 10 eV/u, the MN total cross section is larger than those obtained in other theoretical calculations and shows a slow decreasing trend because the main exit states change, when the energy is above 100 eV/u, the dominant exit state becomes the Na(3p) state, while the Na(4s) state becomes the third most important exit state. The datasets presented in this paper, including the potential energy curve, the radial and rotational couplings, the total and state-selective cross sections, are openly available at https://doi.org/10.57760/sciencedb.j00113.00112.
Trajectory equation of a lump before and after collision with other waves for generalized Hirota–Satsuma–Ito equation
Authors: Xia 夏 Yarong 亚荣 , Zhang 张 Kaikai 开开 , Yao 姚 Ruoxia 若侠 , Shen 申 Yali 亚丽
Published: May 2023

Based on the Hirota bilinear and long wave limit methods, the hybrid solutions of m-lump with n-soliton and n-breather wave for generalized Hirota–Satsuma–Ito (GHSI) equation are constructed. Then, by approximating solutions of the GHSI equation along some parallel orbits at infinity, the trajectory equation of a lump wave before and after collisions with n-soliton and n-breather wave are studied, and the expressions of phase shift for lump wave before and after collisions are given. Furthermore, it is revealed that collisions between the lump wave and other waves are elastic, the corresponding collision diagrams are used to further explain.
A reconsideration of photoneutron production through a 5 MeV electron LINAC using MCNP and FLUKA
Authors: Rafiei Mustafa Mohammad , Parsaei Sara , Tavakoli-Anbaran Hossein
Published: May 2023

In the present study, photoneutron production using a 5 MeV
electron linear accelerator (LINAC) was investigated based on new
photoneutron cross-sections (IAEA/PD-2019.2) from the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A detailed reconsideration of a past
study has been done in order to make a photoneutron source based on
a heavy water target. In this regard, new cross-sections of
deuterium and beryllium were added to the library of the MCNP6.1
Monte Carlo code for the simulation of photoneutron production. In
addition, the FLUKA4-3.0 Monte Carlo code was employed for
comparison and data validation. Moreover, the obtained results from
those two codes (MCNP and FLUKA) were compared and discussed with
the theory and the previous study. Finally, it is concluded that the
simulation of photoneutron production through an electron LINAC can
have relatively different results based on the photoneutron
cross-sections and even on the Monte Carlo code used. Therefore, a
special attention should be paid to the difference between
photoneutron cross-sections as well as the difference in Monte Carlo
codes to maintain reliability.
Pacific lamprey inspired climbing
Authors: Van Stratum Brian , Shoele Kourosh , Clark Jonathan E
Published: May 2023

Snakes and their bio-inspired robot counterparts have demonstrated locomotion on a wide range of terrains. However, dynamic vertical climbing is one locomotion strategy that has received little attention in the existing snake robotics literature. We demonstrate a new scansorial gait and robot inspired by the locomotion of the Pacific lamprey. This new gait allows a robot to steer while climbing on flat, near-vertical surfaces. A reduced-order model is developed and used to explore the relationship between body actuation and the vertical and lateral motions of the robot. Trident, the new wall climbing lamprey-inspired robot, demonstrates dynamic climbing on a flat near vertical carpeted wall with a peak net vertical stride displacement of 4.1 cm per step. Actuating at 1.3 Hz, Trident attains a vertical climbing speed of 4.8 cm s−1 (0.09 Bl s−1) at specific resistance of 8.3. Trident can also traverse laterally at 9 cm s−1 (0.17 Bl s−1). Moreover, Trident is able to make 14% longer strides than the Pacific lamprey when climbing vertically. The computational and experimental results demonstrate that a lamprey-inspired climbing gait coupled with appropriate attachment is a useful climbing strategy for snake robots climbing near vertical surfaces with limited push points.
How will climate change affect the spatial coherence of streamflow and groundwater droughts in Great Britain?
Authors: Tanguy Maliko , Chevuturi Amulya , Marchant Ben P , Mackay Jonathan D , Parry Simon , Hannaford Jamie
Published: May 2023

How climate change will affect the spatial coherence of droughts is a key question that water managers must answer in order to adopt strategies to mitigate impacts on water resources. Water transfers from regions with excess to those in deficit are fundamental to such strategies, but only possible if both regions are not simultaneously under drought conditions—these relationships could change in a warming world. Here, we use future simulations (under RCP8.5) of streamflow (186 catchments) and groundwater level (41 boreholes) from the Enhanced Future Flows and Groundwater (eFLaG) dataset to analyse the projected change in the spatial coherence of hydrological droughts at a national scale, with Great Britain as an example. Joint and conditional probabilities of two regions being in drought simultaneously are used to characterise the spatial coherence. The results are sensitive to various uncertainties, including the way drought is defined. However, some key findings emerge. In particular, for droughts defined based on current conditions, our results show that the spatial coherence of streamflow droughts for the ‘far future’ (2050–2089) is expected to increase during the summer everywhere in the country. During the winter, however, spatial coherence may only increase in the South-East, where the sharpest rise in winter droughts is likely to occur. The coherence between groundwater and streamflow droughts shows a more mixed picture, dependant on season and region. One important observation is that, in the South-East during the summer, the proportion of streamflow droughts that coincide with groundwater droughts is expected to decrease. These results provide a valuable insight for water managers to help inform their long-term strategy to overcome future impacts of droughts, including the feasibility of inter-region water transfers and conjunctive use (surface and groundwater) schemes. This flexible methodology has the potential to be applied in other parts of the world to help shape strategic regional and national investments to increase resilience to droughts.
Biopesticide development & registration: challenges & strategies
Authors: Soetopo Deciyanto , Alouw Jelfina C.
Published: May 2023

United Nations Organization (UNO) has an agenda for 2030 for Sustainable Agriculture Development as a part of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It gives more attention to food security, regarding not only food availability but also food healthy and a friendly environment. A large amount of pesticide usage in the world increased by 36% or 4.2 million tons in the last two decades 2000-2019. Unfortunately, biopesticides as a part of pesticides that contribute to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic farming share only 1-5% of pesticides on the global market, while it is believed to have a good prospect to be used widely in the future. Due to the hazardous and harmful pesticides, the world countries apply regulations and registration to minimize the bad effect of pesticide use but these are varied in many countries. The difference between synthetic chemical pesticides and the biopesticide mode of action should be considered to have fair regulations. On the global market, there are 1400 biopesticides products. Innovation on biopesticides due to control pests as well as facing environmental and health issues is quite developed, however, it has some constraints in certain aspects to increase the use to support sustainable agriculture development, such as variability in knowledge, different regulations in any country, and lack of distribution at the farmer level. To encourage the wide use of biopesticides can be recommended some strategies for the national government (1) cut off the use of chemical pesticides, (2) develop some research for the near future, such as redesigning cropping systems, enhancing prophylaxis, (3) support the development of public policies and private initiatives for the transition toward pesticide-free agri-food systems, (4) reduce some requirements in biopesticide registration such as toxicological tests, environmental tests, residual tests, and acute oral and dermal tests.
Exotic whiteflies and Conservation Biological Control in Coconut System
Authors: Josephrajkumar A , Anes K M , Babu Merin , Pratibha P S , Sajan Jilu V , Hegde Vinayaka
Published: May 2023

Exotic pests upset biotic balance, threaten biodiversity and distort the livelihood security of the nation. In coconut, five exotic whitefliesviz., spiralling whitefly,Aleurodicus dispersusRussell, rugose spiralling whitefly,Aleurodicus rugioperculatusMartin, Bondar’s nesting whitefly,Paraleyrodes bondariPeracchi, non-native nesting whitefly,Paraleyrodes mineiIaccarino and palm whitefly,Aleurotrachelus atratusHempel were reported from India. Morphological and molecular identification of these invasive whiteflies were established by puparium and (or) adult taxonomy and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, respectively. Co-existence of nesting whiteflies with other exotic whiteflies regulated population explosion and warranted correct diagnosis of whiteflies in coconut system. Weather parametersviz., precipitation, temperature and humidity play an important role in the gradient outbreak of exotic whiteflies. The aphelinid parasitoids (Encarsia guadeloupaeViggiani,Encarsia dispersaPolaszek), predators (Apertochrysasp.,Cybocephalussp. coccinellidsviz., Jauravia pallidulaMotschulsky,Serangium parcesetosumSicard,Cheilomenes sexmaculata(Fabricius) and entomopathogenic fungusAschersoniasp. reduced the incursion potential by exotic whiteflies. A sooty mould scavenger beetle,Leiochrinus nilgirianusKaszab (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera) that devours sooty mould encrusted on palm leaflets during monsoon phase was reported for the first time from Kerala, India. Pesticide holiday approach, conservation biological control using the aphelinid parasitoids, predators and entomopathogenic fungus as well as in situ habitat conservation ofL. nilgirianusthrough crop-habitat diversification strategy subdued the invasive potential of exotic whiteflies in coconut system by 60%-80% gaining economic benefit to the tune of 17.59 billion rupees. Strict quarantine and systematic surveillance are the need of the hour to combat the biosecurity risks entering the country.
A Conceptual Framework for a Modern Science of Integrated Pest Management for Pests and Diseases of Coconut
Authors: Caoili Barbara L. , Lee Catherine E.
Published: May 2023

The integrated pest management (IPM) approach was introduced to alleviate the negative effects of synthetic pesticide use in any agroecosystem. Initially, IPM is proposed as a multidisciplinary environmentally-sensitive approach that utilizes biological, cultural, genetics, mechanical, physical, and other artificial techniques to manage the pest population. The IPM concept has evolved with various reported history as well as definitions and has been adopted to solve pest problems in different agroecosystems including coconut. This paper revisits the different approaches of IPM in coconut pests as well as the conceptual framework for IPM introduced by Stenberg (2017) and the new integrated pest management paradigm for modern age conceptualized by Dara (2019) to come up with a holistic IPM framework for the efficient control of pests and diseases of coconut for adoption of coconut-producing countries in the region.
The influence of a DC-AC inverter used in a stand-alone vending machine equipped with photovoltaic panels
Authors: Culcea M , Darie E , Gheorghe S , Pecsi R , Savaniu M I
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we present an experimental model of a vending machine equipped with a stand-alone photovoltaic system and a DC-AC inverter used as the power supply for the refrigerator’s compressor. The harmonics generated by the inverter will be monitored using a power analyser and processed with a dedicated software. The acquired data is compared to the data obtained from data acquisition board specially built for the experimental model of the vending machine.
Enhancing Market Readiness for nZEB Implementation
Authors: Aelenei L , Croitoru C , Korczak K , Petran H , O'Rourke-Potocki H , Tzanev D , Sandu M , Mandic D , Gonçalves H , Duarte P , Trindade P , Loureiro D
Published: May 2023

Despite transposing the 2010/31/EU Directive’s requirements creates legal responsibilities at the national level, the nearly Zero energy building (nZEB) principle does not appear to be widely adopted just yet in many nations. Previous studies have shown that the most significant barriers include determining the cost-effective ideal integration of the technologies appropriate for nZEB and the skills constraints faced by the construction industry. In order to meet the challenge of an efficient nZEB implementation, existing certification courses and training programs are still insufficient and inadequate, and hiring experienced specialists for building retrofit and new construction is not common practice. The traditionally conservative real estate industry is nevertheless hesitant to adopt the new building standards and practices, notably in the residential sector, despite a significant movement towards nZEB and extensive energy renovation. In this specific situation, this paper provides a preliminary analysis of the European project nZEB Ready Enhancing Market Readiness for nZEB Implementation, which aims to address the issue of the effective implementation of the nZEB and make use of new possibilities to act at the market level in order to boost the market’s readiness for a successful implementation of the nZEB and to encourage demand for energy-related skills among construction workers and specialists in the countries involved and beyond.
Towards improving passengers safety and comfort based on turbulence tests in aerodynamic tunnel
Authors: Enciu D , Ursu I
Published: May 2023

First, the article outlines the elements of an ongoing research project, aiming to demonstrate that the basic ICAO standard EDR (Eddy Dissipation Rate) index of atmospheric turbulence intensity, defined as the cubic root of the turbulence energy per unit time and mass, can be measured and calculated in Wind Tunnel (WT) according to the basic Kolmogorov concept. This involves showing that EDR index calculated in WT, taking a sufficient number of velocity measuring points, can be an objective measure of turbulence intensity, independent of the body immersed in the fluid. Secondly, it is shown that these measurements are accompanied by intermediate active vibration control tests. For this purpose, a Turbulence Generator was built and installed in the WT and an intelligent wing model with implemented LQG active control was introduced in the WT. These two procedures, complementary in substance, aim to demonstrate the consistency of the flight approach based on the objectivity of this ICAO standard EDR index and the vibration reduction methodology in a turbulent atmospheric environment.
The applicability of decentralized ventilation equipment in radon mitigation from existing homes
Authors: Mareș I C , Catalina T
Published: May 2023

This article exposes the results of radon mitigation in existing homes using decentralized ventilation equipment with heat recovery. The experimental measurement has been conducted in a large study about radon mitigation from existing homes in Romania. Various methods were treated separately to clearly expose the advantages and disadvantages for each method applied. This article focusses on the use of decentralized mechanical ventilation equipment with heat recovery. The analyzed dwelling is located in Cluj County, a radon prone area located in the west part of Romania. The preliminary measurements shown a high radon level inside the analyzed house. To prevent the high radon accumulation in the analyzed dwelling, a decentralized ventilation equipment was installed. The mean radon level inside the house decreases from 510 Bq/m3 (value recorded one year before mitigation), to approximately 361 Bq/m3 after the mitigation methods were applied, showing an reduction efficiency of approximately 30%.
Demand response in the German district heating system
Authors: Ju Yuchen , Lindholm Joakim , Verbeck Moritz , Jokisalo Juha , Kosonen Risto , Janßenc Philipp , Li Yantong , Schäfers Hans , Nord Natasa
Published: May 2023

The renewable energy share in energy supply systems is increasing for carbon neutrality. The realization of carbon neutrality can be supported by demand response (DR) strategies. This paper analyzed the DR control benefits of a German district heating (DH) system. For the first step, in German conditions, three building types were simulated by IDA-ICE software with and without a rule-based DR control. Secondly, a community was established based on the heat demand of the simulated buildings. This paper selected two different production scenarios. One scenario consisted by a biofuel CHP and gas boilers and the other one included a heat pump, an electric heater, and a solar thermal storage. After that, the production of the two scenarios with and without DR was optimized by the HGSO tool and it calculated the total production costs and CO2 emissions. It indicates that building owners and DH producers all earn benefits from the application of demand response. The maximum heating cost saving by DR is 4.9% for building owners. In the optimized two production scenarios, DH producers gain higher financial benefits and there are less CO2 emissions. The maximum total generation cost and CO2 emission savings are 12.6% and 8.6%, respectively.
Dam safety analysis using mathematical modelling and surveys, applied on Buftea Dam
Authors: Alexandru Ilie , Catalin Popescu , Altan Abdulamit
Published: May 2023

Today, statistics show that most of the accidents leading to dam failures occur in the case of embankment dams and, therefore, the authors have chosen to analyse the state of safety in operation of the Buftea Dam in Romania. The need for such analysis is sustained by the fact that the dam has an important role in flood protection on the Colentina River, which flows through a number of localities in the vicinity of the capital city of Romania, Bucharest (Buftea and Mogosoaia among the most important ones).

The paper presents a common advanced mathematical modelling with GeoStudio GeoSlope and Seep/W used to determine the level of water infiltration through the dam body, stability of dam and risk of failure when the dam is operated at different reservoir elevations, such as the normal retention level, the maximum retention level, rapid drawdown scenario and pseudo-static seismic analysis.

These types of analyses are used to determine the safety coefficients and safety status of dams, as part of the current monitoring and early detection of possible processes affecting the structures.
Hydrodynamic and sediment transport modelling for channel bed stabilization
Authors: Stancu Mihai
Published: May 2023

Sediment transport plays an important role in the overall process of navigation along the rivers, as it shapes the fairway continuously. This paper aims to present the partial results obtained in the PhD research regarding measures to be used in order to help stabilize the channel bed. The measures have been proposed and tested based on a calibrated and validated 2-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment transport model. The results show the influence of the proposed measures along the river channel in comparison to the situation where no measures would be taken at all. Furthermore it can help understand the river and sediment dynamics in order to make the best decision upon the location, orientation, geometry and other properties of the proposed measures.
A Study on the Characteristics of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Using SODAR Measurements
Authors: Țiţineanu Iris , Bandoc Georgeta , Degeratu Mircea
Published: May 2023

This paper analyzes the characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer based on data from vertical sounding of the atmosphere using SODAR data. The variation of the mean wind speed and wind shear velocity in the atmospheric boundary layer were analyzed using data collected during nowcasting warnings of convective storms, but also 12 hours before and after the warnings, from 2018 to 2021. Thus, the structure and evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer following thunderstorms were observed. The resulting data are important in understanding the processes that take place in the atmospheric boundary layer during extreme weather events.
Physical modelling of cylindrical shafts: a brief review
Authors: Stan Elena-Mihaela , Popa Horațiu
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a series of physical tests used to model cylindrical shafts in order to study the earth pressure distribution and the induced vertical and horizontal displacements of the adjacent soil. Various methods used to model cylindrical shafts are described: one or more semi-circular aluminium tubes, curved steel segments cut longitudinally or a latex bag filled with a heavy fluid. The results showed that the lateral earth pressure distribution is well correlated with the results based on Terzaghi’s and Berezantzev’s theories. Also, the lateral earth pressure decreases until the active wall displacement is occurred. Based on the physical tests, researchers developed a series of equations that can be used to calculate the vertical and horizontal displacements of the soil.
Numerical assessment of the condensation phenomenon on a vehicle’s windshield
Authors: Ene Alexandra , Teodosiu Catalin , Bode Florin , Georgescu Matei
Published: May 2023

The energy consumption in buildings, transportation, services or processes has been raising constantly in the last years becoming top priority in research fields. As its impact on the environment has become more and more obvious, the transportation sector has been searching for solutions to lower its influence on future generations. Electric vehicles, proposed as an alternative to the internal combustion engine vehicles, still face some difficulties in driving range, cost, and for colder climates, passenger comfort conditions. As the HVAC system represents the highest energy consumption from the auxiliary systems in electric vehicles, this paper proposes to analyse to condensation phenomenon inside the vehicle’s cabin, especially on the windshield. The numerical approach assesses several scenarios of air velocities, temperatures, and thermal power inputs in order to establish the best configuration at the lowest energy cost.
Methodology for energy savings estimation, resulting from the development of a procedure for air pressure check in vehicle tires
Authors: Terziev A , Iliev I , Zlateva P , Ivanov M
Published: May 2023

The presented paper examines the possibilities of implementation of a methodology for evaluation of the energy savings, as a result of developed procedure for checking the air pressure in vehicle tires. The purpose of the developed methodology is to provide an opportunity to estimate energy consumption after checking the air pressure in the vehicle’s tires. The methodology is based on numerous experimental studies and analytical evaluation of fuel consumption as a function of tire pressure in vehicles. The conditions, the practical procedures and the sequence in the assessment of energy savings, after the introduction of the methodology for checking the air pressure in the tires of road vehicles, are defined. The methodology applies to road vehicles with a maximum mass of up to and over 3.5 tons with a nominal air pressure in the tires according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The data is summarized, based on the type of transport, number of vehicles, purpose of use - personal and business vehicles, tire pressure check, established average fuel consumption (gasoline, diesel and LPG) and average mileage of the study. Finally, a computational example is presented, proving that the methodology gives correct results for the evaluation of energy savings, after checking the air pressure in the tires of the vehicle.
Plants biodiversity utilisation in Bardarash, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Authors: Abdulrahman M. D.
Published: May 2023

Plants have been used as medicine by humans from the beginning of recorded history. WHO reports that between 65% and 80% of the population in developing nations uses only natural remedies. It should be noted that the research area was selected due to the rich traditional knowledge of its people and the wide range of flora and fauna found there. The goal of these studies is to strengthen local knowledge by compiling a list of valuable plants for traditional medicine. Expert sampling method was utilised in the study with aid of an in-depth interview guide. Fourty two informants were interviewed from the period of September 2021-June 2022. Dominance of men were observed in the study 73.8 %. Age range of 56-65 dominated the study with 38.1%. The current study uncovered 42 plants from 24: Laminaceae (19.2%), Composite (12.8%), Brassica (6.4%), and Leguminosae (6.4%) and the remaining families each (2.1 %). Leaves and fruits are the most frequent used part of the plant at 24.5 % respectively. For the first time, the ethno botanical application of plant species from Bardarash was documented. Illegal collection, trading, and marketing have jeopardized the quantity and distribution of some high-value medicinal plants. The significance of preserving floral diversity is essential.
Agro living Labs: Creating innovative, sustainable, resilient and social inclusive food systems
Authors: Trivellas P , Mavrommati S , Anastasopoulou A , Grapas C , Kallikantzarou E
Published: May 2023

In response to climate, biodiversity, environmental, economic and social challenges to rural and peri-urban areas, an emergent type of living labs (LLs) has been developed: the ‘Agro Living Labs (ALLs)’. Various EU initiatives (e.g. the European Green Deal, the New European Bauhaus, the Farm to Fork strategy, the Biodiversity strategy) as well as the UN 2030 Agenda, highlight the need to direct towards agroecology. ALLs is a relatively new but very promising approach in agroecology practices. However, more practice-oriented research is needed to better understand how ALLs can help to effectively implement open and user-oriented innovations, to stimulate collaboration between different stakeholders in the community, to trigger cross-sectoral alliances and to build inclusive societies. This study aims to initiate a discussion around key elements of the ‘living lab way of working’ in agroecological food systems. Several scholars converge that we need to shed light upon particular approaches, methods, techniques, and tools that are used in real-life contexts to understand the opportunities offered by ALLs to peri-urban and rural areas. The authors suggest that ALLs, as Co-creating, Agroecological, Socio-Technical (CAST) systems, can help to address food systems crises, and to promote sustainability, integrity, equity, inclusiveness, resilience, circularity and productivity.
Experimental and numerical study of the airflow in bifurcations
Authors: Ramsamy Cella – Miruna , Mateescu Ciprian , Cristea Doru-Daniel , Tanasei Nicoleta – Octavia
Published: May 2023

The paper is dedicated to the experimental studies and numerical modeling of the airflow in a 3D cylindrical bifurcation. The computations are performed with the standard k – ε turbulence model implemented in the ANSYS Fluid Flow (Fluent) code of Workbench 2021R1. The direct visualizations and the numerical results are corroborated, with the aim to investigate the evolution of the vortical structures and the distribution of the flow rate in the bifurcation.
Effect of thermal manikin shape on thermal comfort parameters prediction uncertainties: a numerical study
Authors: Zasimova M A , Stepasheva E D , Ivanov N G
Published: May 2023

The main goal of the study is to evaluate the effect of the thermal manikin shape on the uncertainty of thermal comfort parameters CFD prediction. Numerical simulation of the airflow and heat transfer was carried out in a model room with displacement ventilation where a standing heated thermal manikin is located (test by P.V. Nielsen et al.). Numerical modelling was carried out using three manikin shapes: the detailed one (close to the human body shape), the simplified (block) one, and the single-parallelepiped shape. The 3D calculations were carried out using the ANSYS Fluent CFD package. Turbulence modelling was performed using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach with the standard k-ε turbulence model. The uncertainties in the CFD-predicted draught rating (DR), percentage dissatisfied caused by vertical air temperature difference (PD), the predicted mean vote (PMV) and the predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD), are discussed. The main result of the paper is the quantitative evaluation of the changes in the local velocity, temperature and thermal comfort parameters due to the thermal manikin shape simplification. It was found that the shape simplifications are suitable if the goal of the study is to predict the integral parameters.
Numerical and experimental studies to increase the HVAC fan performance for electrical vehicles – Part 1
Authors: Joldoș Titus , Bode Florin , Opruța Dan
Published: May 2023

Electrified vehicles are more and more present in our days due to current worldwide regulations regarding reducing the greenhouse gases emissions. The transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electrified vehicles has been quite abrupt, in the sense that some components have been changed such as the engine, but others have remained with an outdated design such as those components considered not to affect the new ones. One example in this matter is the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) fan which performance can be improved given the fact that in the electrified vehicle case, the increase of the efficiency for any given component of the vehicle will translate eventually in the increase of the vehicle range. In this study we considered a real HVAC fan, which was 3D scanned, and a numerical simulated study was performed in order to evaluate the energy performances for a given real scenario. Also, the fan was tested experimentally in an industrial HVAC testing facility. The outcome of the study is the analysis of the standard electrified vehicle impeller, and the results were needed for the second part of the study in order to account the differences between these and the new proposed impellers.
Numerical and experimental studies to increase the HVAC fan performance for electrical vehicles – Part 2
Authors: Joldoș Titus , Bode Florin , Opruța Dan
Published: May 2023

A more efficient impeller was developed to replace the HVAC fan from an electrified vehicle in order to lower his energy consumption. This will lead ultimately to an increase of the electrified vehicle range. Three different impellers were designed having the following modifications than the original HVAC fan: a different angle of attack for the blades, changed blade radius, modified blade length, different positioning of the blades, different number of blades. First study consisted in the testing of all three HVAC impellers using the numerical simulation method. In the second part of this study, the most promising new impeller, given the numerical results, was 3D printed and installed in a new casing, specially built for this study. Then the performance of the impeller it was experimentally tested, and the results were compared with the original fan experimental result from a previous study. The main conclusion is that the old impeller is around 240% less efficient than the new impeller and only by changing one simple component in the electrified vehicle design (HVAC fan in this case), the range of the car can grow with approximately 3.84km for each fully charged battery.
Contribution to the modelling of air flows in a conical inlet drying chamber
Authors: Mamoudou Abdoulaye , Fokone Abraham Tetang , Berville Charles , Kuitche Alexis
Published: May 2023

The main objective of this study is to provide input on the mesh and temperature distribution inside the drying chamber for a building-integrated dryer for food preservation to obtain a uniform temperature profile. For this, we varied the angle of inclination of 20° and 30° subsequently we also varied the speed of the air flow of (1m/s; 1,2 m/s; 1,5 m/s; 1,7 m/s and 2 m/s), the temperature at the level of the walls is the ambient temperature it is 25°C and the air inlet temperature is set at 55°C. The results obtained showed that the temperature distribution inside the different drying chambers is almost uniform for an inclination of 30° against for an inclination of 20° it is uniform on the bend of the cone of the diffuser but not in the drying chamber. This uniform distribution reduces the drying time of the product. It can therefore be concluded that the variation in tilt angle and drying speed has a significant effect on the drying time of the product.
Flexible fibrous structure of bacterial cellulose by synergic role carboxymethyl cellulose and glycerol for LiB polymer electrolyte
Authors: Sabrina Qolby , Ratri Christin Rina , Hardiansyah Andri , Lestariningsih Titik , Subhan Achmad , Suliyanti Maria Margaretha , Yudasari Nurfina , Yudianti Rike , Uyama Hiroshi
Published: May 2023

In this work, we report a flexible nanofibrous cellulose nanocomposite with great potential for lithium-ion battery (LiB) polymer electrolyte. Flexible and fibrous material is synthesized using a simple and easy technique by synergistically combining carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and glycerol (Gly). Flexible porous cellulose forms a three-dimensional network for the mobility of Li ions in the polymer electrolyte of LIB systems. We investigated the effect ionic liquid of flexible fibrous cellulose (BC-CMC-Gly) on the electrochemical properties. The surface interaction between Li ions and the porous network is a key parameter demonstrated by the Li-ion emission line at 610.37 nm using laser inductance breakdown spectroscopy (LiBS). The ionic conductivity of BC-CMC-Gly characterized by EIS measurement is about 1.1 × 10−3 S cm−1. According to linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), BC-CMC-Gly, with a potential window of 4.3 V, shows a more expansive window voltage than pure BC (2.75 V) and BC-CMC (3.3 V). This indicates that the electrochemical stability is good, as wide as the range of voltages that the electrode reactions define. The specific capacity of BC-CMC-Gly containing IL is very high, about 27.6 mAh g−1 compared to BC (7.4 mAh g−1) and BC-CMC (11,5 mAh g−1). All these findings clearly show that forming plasticized structures synergistically with CMC trapped in the BC structure results in the largest Li-ion adsorption capacity and electrochemical performance improvement. Thermal stability up to 200 °C and electrolyte uptake of approx. 189% are the beneficial properties of BC-CMC-Gly fibrous cellulose for LiB electrolyte polymer.
Homomesies on permutations: An analysis of maps and statistics in the FindStat database
Authors: Elder Jennifer , Lafrenière Nadia , McNicholas Erin , Striker Jessica , Welch Amanda
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we perform a systematic study of permutation statistics and bijective maps on permutations in which we identify and prove 122 instances of the homomesy phenomenon. Homomesy occurs when the average value of a statistic is the same on each orbit of a given map. The maps we investigate include the Lehmer code rotation, the reverse, the complement, the Foata bijection, and the Kreweras complement. The statistics studied relate to familiar notions such as inversions, descents, and permutation patterns, and also more obscure constructs. Besides the many new homomesy results, we discuss our research method, in which we used SageMath to search the FindStat combinatorial statistics database to identify potential homomesies.
Multiple-scattering frequency-time hybrid solver for the wave equation in interior domains
Authors: Bruno Oscar , Yin Tao
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes a frequency-time hybrid solver for the time-dependent wave equation in two-dimensional interior spatial domains. The approach relies on four main elements, namely, (1) A multiple scattering strategy that decomposes a given interior time-domain problem into a sequence of limited-duration time-domain problems of scattering by overlapping open arcs, each one of which is reduced (by means of the Fourier transform) to a sequence of Helmholtz frequency-domain problems; (2) Boundary integral equations on overlapping boundary patches for the solution of the frequency-domain problems in point (1); (3) A smooth “Time-windowing and recentering” methodology that enables both treatment of incident signals of long duration and long time simulation; and, (4) A Fourier transform algorithm that delivers numerically dispersionless, spectrally-accurate time evolution for given incident fields. By recasting the interior time-domain problem in terms of a sequence of open-arc multiple scattering events, the proposed approach regularizes the full interior frequency domain problem—which, if obtained by either Fourier or Laplace transformation of the corresponding interior time-domain problem, must encapsulate infinitely many scattering events, giving rise to non-uniqueness and eigenfunctions in the Fourier case, and ill conditioning in the Laplace case. Numerical examples are included which demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed methodology.
The principal Floquet bundle and the dynamics of fast diffusing communities
Authors: Lam King-Yeung , Lou Yuan
Published: May 2023

We consider, for

N
≥
2

N \geq 2

, the system of

N
N

competing species which are ecologically identical and having distinct diffusion rates

{

D
i

}

i
=
1

N

\{D_i\}_{i=1}^N

, in an environment with the carrying capacity

m
(
x
,
t
)

m(x,t)

. For a generic class of

m
(
x
,
t
)

m(x,t)

that varies with space and time, we show that there is a positive number

D
∗

D_*

independent of

N
N

so that if

D
i

≥

D
∗

D_i \geq D_*

for all

1
≤
i
≤
N

1\le i\le N

, then the slowest diffusing species is able to competitively exclude all other species. In the case when the environment is temporally constant or temporally periodic, our result provides some further evidence in the affirmative direction regarding the conjecture by Dockery et al. [J. Math. Biol. 37 (1998), pp. 61–83]. The main tool is the theory of the principal Floquet bundle for linear parabolic equations.
Targeting Hypertensive Response to Exercise and the Association of Masked Hypertension With Subclinical Organ Damage: A Mini-Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cuspidi Cesare , Gherbesi Elisa , Faggiano Andrea , Sala Carla , Grassi Guido , Carugo Stefano , Tadic Marijana
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence suggests that a hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) during dynamic or isometric stress tests assessing cardiac function is predictive of hypertension and cardiovascular events such coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. Whether HRE represents a marker of masked hypertension (MH) in individuals with no prior history of hypertension is still unclear. This is also the case for the association between MH and hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) in the HRE setting.

METHODS

We addressed this issue through a review and a meta-analysis of studies providing data on this topic in normotensive individuals undergone both to dynamic or static exercise and to 24-h blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). A systematic search was performed using Pub-Med, OVID, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases from inception up to February 28th 2023.

RESULTS

Six studies including a total of 1,155 untreated clinically normotensive individuals were considered for the review. Data provided by the selected studies can be summarized as follows: (i) HRE is a BP phenotype linked to a high prevalence of MH (27.3% in the pooled population); (ii) MH is, in turn, associated with a greater, consistent likelihood of echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (OR: 4.93, CI: 2.16–12.2, P < 0.0001) and vascular organ damage, as assessed by pulse wave velocity, (SMD: 0.34 ± 0.11, CI: 0.12–0.56, P = 0002).

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of this, albeit limited, evidence, the diagnostic work-up in individuals with HRE should primarily be addressed to look for MH as well as for markers of HMOD, a highly prevalent alteration in MH.
emPDBA: protein-DNA binding affinity prediction by combining features from binding partners and interface learned with ensemble regression model
Authors: Yang Shuang , Gong Weikang , Zhou Tong , Sun Xiaohan , Chen Lei , Zhou Wenxue , Li Chunhua
Published: May 2023

Protein–deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) interactions are important in a variety of biological processes. Accurately predicting protein-DNA binding affinity has been one of the most attractive and challenging issues in computational biology. However, the existing approaches still have much room for improvement. In this work, we propose an ensemble model for Protein-DNA Binding Affinity prediction (emPDBA), which combines six base models with one meta-model. The complexes are classified into four types based on the DNA structure (double-stranded or other forms) and the percentage of interface residues. For each type, emPDBA is trained with the sequence-based, structure-based and energy features from binding partners and complex structures. Through feature selection by the sequential forward selection method, it is found that there do exist considerable differences in the key factors contributing to intermolecular binding affinity. The complex classification is beneficial for the important feature extraction for binding affinity prediction. The performance comparison of our method with other peer ones on the independent testing dataset shows that emPDBA outperforms the state-of-the-art methods with the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.53 and the mean absolute error of 1.11 kcal/mol. The comprehensive results demonstrate that our method has a good performance for protein-DNA binding affinity prediction.

Availability and implementation: The source code is available at https://github.com/ChunhuaLiLab/emPDBA/.
Cation leak: a common functional defect causing HCN1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: McKenzie Chaseley E , Forster Ian C , Soh Ming S , Phillips A Marie , Bleakley Lauren E , Russ-Hall Sophie J , Myers Kenneth A , Scheffer Ingrid E , Reid Christopher A
Published: May 2023

Pathogenic variants in HCN1 are an established cause of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). To date, the stratification of patients with HCN1-DEE based on the biophysical consequence on channel function of a given variant has not been possible. Here, we analysed data from eleven patients carrying seven different de novo HCN1 pathogenic variants located in the transmembrane domains of the protein. All patients were diagnosed with severe disease including epilepsy and intellectual disability. The functional properties of the seven HCN1 pathogenic variants were assessed using two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings in Xenopus oocytes. All seven variants showed a significantly larger instantaneous current consistent with cation leak. The impact of each variant on other biophysical properties was variable, including changes in the half activation voltage and activation and deactivation kinetics. These data suggest that cation leak is an important pathogenic mechanism in HCN1-DEE. Furthermore, published mouse model and clinical case reports suggest that seizures are exacerbated by sodium channel blockers in patients with HCN1 variants that cause cation leak. Stratification of patients based on their ‘cation leak’ biophysical phenotype may therefore provide key information to guide clinical management of individuals with HCN1-DEE.
Athena: Specialty Certificate Examination case for general dermatology and dermatology in primary healthcare
Authors: Tang Gia T , Daunton Adam
Published: May 2023

An Athena case of a 16-year-old teenager with patchy hair loss.
Wartime Cyber Lessons for Everyday Businesses
Authors: Clark Timothy
Published: May 2023

As the war in Ukraine passes its first anniversary, full-stack software engineer Timothy Clark MBCS reflects on what the conflict teaches us about modern information security and how these lessons could be applied.