bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Electrochemical Properties of Graphene Incorporated LCZ-Oxide Cathode for Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Ashfaq , Ahmad Khalil , Li Hu , Gassoumi Abdelaziz , Raza Rizwan , Saleem Muhammad , Jafri Syed Hassan Mujtaba , Abbas Ghazanfar
Published: March 2023

Mixed metallic oxides are getting increasing attention as novel electrode materials for energy conversion devices. However, low mixed ionic-electronic conductivity and high operating temperature hamper the practical applications of these devices. This study reports an effective strategy to improve the conductivity and performance of the fuel cell at low temperature by partially incorporating graphene in the Li0.1Cu0.2Zn0.7-oxide (LCZ) composite. The proposed cathode material is synthesized via the cost effective conventional solid-state route. Graphene incorporated LCZ shows excellent performance, which is attributed to the favorable charge transport paths offering low area-specific resistance. An X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) are employed for microstructural and surface morphological analyses, respectively. Electrical conductivities of all the materials are determined by the DC four probe method, and interestingly, LCZ-1.5% graphene exhibits an excellent conductivity of 3.5 S/cm in air atmosphere at a temperature of 450 °C with a minimum value of 0.057 Ωcm2 area-specific resistance (ASR) that demonstrates significantly good performance. Moreover, the three-layer fuel cell device is fabricated using sodium carbonated Sm0.2Ce0.8O (NSDC) as an electrolyte, which can operate at low temperatures exhibiting open circuit voltage 0.95 V and shows a peak power density, i.e., 267.5 mW/cm2 with hydrogen as the fuel.
An Overview on Synthesis, Processing and Applications of Nickel Aluminides: From Fundamentals to Current Prospects
Authors: Sampath Santosh , Ravi Vignesh Pandian , Sundararajan Srivatsan
Published: March 2023

Nickel aluminides have desirable properties for use in high-temperature applications. Nickel aluminides have certain desirable qualities, but for almost a decade in the 1990s, those benefits were overshadowed by the challenges of processing and machining at room temperature. Manufacturing improvements, increased knowledge of aluminide microstructure and deformation processes, and developments in micro-alloying have all contributed to the development of nickel aluminides. Key developments in nickel aluminides, such as their microstructure, alloy addition and alloy development, are given and discussed at length. Methods of production from the past, such as ingot metallurgy and investment casting and melting are addressed, and developments in powder metallurgy-based production methods are introduced. Finally, the difficulties of producing nickel aluminides and possible solutions are examined. This paper gives an overview of the fundamentals, preparation, processing, applications and current trends in nickel aluminides.
Numerical Simulations of Circular Dichroism and Polarization Conversion in VO2-Based Terahertz Metamaterials
Authors: Jin Gui , Ren Yi , Tang Bin
Published: March 2023

Metamaterials with actively tunable functionalities are highly desirable for applications of advanced optoelectronic devices. In this paper, we theoretically present a metamaterial with diversified functionalities by availing of the phase transition characteristics of vanadium dioxide (VO2) in terahertz frequency regions. The research results demonstrate that the function of the designed metamaterial can be switched from giant circular dichroism (CD) to a reflecting broadband half-wave plate (HWP) and a quarter-wave plate (QWP). When VO2 is in the isolating state, the metamaterial exhibits a quite distinct transmission efficiency for circularly polarized lights, thus resulting in a maximum CD value ~0.97 at the resonant frequency. When VO2 is operating in the metallic state, the metamaterial performs like a broadband HWP, in which the nearly perfect linear polarization conversion can be achieved at the frequency range from 3 to 7 THz. Moreover, the structure can play a role of a high-efficiency QWP that can simultaneously convert the incident linear polarized light to left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized light. The calculated ellipticity indicates a good polarization conversion at the frequency of 2.4 THz and 7.4 THz, respectively. The physical mechanism of the discussed features and effects can be explained by exploring the electric field distributions. Furthermore, the structural parameters also exert great influences for achieving giant CD and HWP as well as QWP. The proposed metamaterial may offer a new approach for designing metamaterial devices with multi-functions in THz regions.
Structure Determination and Analysis of the Ceramic Material La0.987Ti1.627Nb3.307O13 by Synchrotron and Neutron Powder Diffraction and DFT Calculations
Authors: Stare Katarina , Stare Jernej , Škapin Srečo Davor , Spreitzer Matjaž , Meden Anton
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the ternary system La2O3-TiO2-Nb2O5 is studied to find new ternary phases with useful electrical properties. The solid solution La3−xTi5−3xNb10−2xO39.5−12.5x was recently identified, and this study focuses on the structural characterization of this solid solution with x = 0.04. The crystal structure, representing a new structural type, was determined from synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction data. The unit cell parameters are a = 7.332 Å, b = 7.421 Å, c = 10.673 Å, α = 84.15°, ß = 80.16°, γ = 60.37°, and space group P1¯. The titanium and niobium atoms are disordered in five different crystallographic sites coordinated octahedrally by oxygen atoms. The eight-coordinated La atoms are embedded in the octahedral framework. Ti and Nb preferentially occupy different sites, and this feature was studied using periodic density functional theory methods. Energies of possible Ti/Nb distributions were calculated and the results agree well with the site occupancies obtained by combined Rietveld refinement of synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction patterns. The geometries optimized by DFT also agree well with the structural parameters determined by diffraction. The general agreement between the theoretical calculations and the experimental data justifies the quantum chemical methods as reliable complementary tools for the structural investigation of ceramic materials.
The Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) Ratio as a Risk Marker for Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Kosmas Constantine E. , Rodriguez Polanco Shanna , Bousvarou Maria D. , Papakonstantinou Evangelia J. , Peña Genao Edilberto , Guzman Eliscer , Kostara Christina E.
Published: March 2023

Atherosclerosis is an immunoinflammatory pathological procedure in which lipid plaques are formed in the vessel walls, partially or completely occluding the lumen, and is accountable for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ACSVD consists of three components: coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease (PAD) and cerebrovascular disease (CCVD). A disturbed lipid metabolism and the subsequent dyslipidemia significantly contribute to the formation of plaques, with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) being the main responsible factor. Nonetheless, even when LDL-C is well regulated, mainly with statin therapy, a residual risk for CVD still occurs, and it is attributable to the disturbances of other lipid components, namely triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Increased plasma TG and decreased HDL-C levels have been associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD, and their ratio, TG/HDL-C, has been proposed as a novel biomarker for predicting the risk of both clinical entities. Under these terms, this review will present and discuss the current scientific and clinical data linking the TG/HDL-C ratio with the presence of MetS and CVD, including CAD, PAD and CCVD, in an effort to prove the value of the TG/HDL-C ratio as a valuable predictor for each aspect of CVD.
Estimation of Lewis Blood Group Status by Fluorescence Melting Curve Analysis in Simultaneous Genotyping of c.385A>T and Fusion Gene in FUT2 and c.59T>G and c.314C>T in FUT3
Authors: Soejima Mikiko , Koda Yoshiro
Published: March 2023

Lewis blood group status is determined by two fucosyltransferase activities: those of FUT2-encoded fucosyltransferase (Se enzyme) and FUT3-encoded fucosyltransferase (Le enzyme). In Japanese populations, c.385A>T in FUT2 and a fusion gene between FUT2 and its pseudogene SEC1P are the cause of most Se enzyme-deficient alleles (Sew and sefus), and c.59T>G and c.314C>T in FUT3 are tag SNPs for almost all nonfunctional FUT3 alleles (le59, le59,508, le59,1067, and le202,314). In this study, we first conducted a single-probe fluorescence melting curve analysis (FMCA) to determine c.385A>T and sefus using a pair of primers that collectively amplify FUT2, sefus, and SEC1P. Then, to estimate Lewis blood group status, a triplex FMCA was performed with a c.385A>T and sefus assay system by adding primers and probes to detect c.59T>G and c.314C>T in FUT3. We also validated these methods by analyzing the genotypes of 96 selected Japanese people whose FUT2 and FUT3 genotypes were already determined. The single-probe FMCA was able to identify six genotype combinations: 385A/A, 385T/T, sefus/sefus, 385A/T, 385A/sefus, and 385T/sefus. In addition, the triplex FMCA successfully identified both FUT2 and FUT3 genotypes, although the resolutions of the analysis of c.385A>T and sefus were somewhat reduced compared to that of the analysis of FUT2 alone. The estimation of the secretor status and Lewis blood group status using the form of FMCA used in this study may be useful for large-scale association studies in Japanese populations.
Thyroglossal Duct Lipoma: A Case Report and a Systematic Review of the Literature for Its Management
Authors: Locatello Luca Giovanni , Graziadio Marilena , D’Orlando Elena , Vallone Alfredo , Miani Cesare , Pegolo Enrico , Rugiu Maria Gabriella
Published: March 2023

Thyroglossal duct (TGD) remnants in the form of cysts or fistulas usually present as midline neck masses and they are removed along with the central body of the hyoid bone (Sistrunk’s procedure). For other pathologies associated with the TGD tract, the latter operation might be not necessary. In the present report, a case of a TGD lipoma is presented and a systematic review of the pertinent literature was performed. We present the case of a 57-year-old woman with a pathologically confirmed TGD lipoma who underwent transcervical excision without resecting the hyoid bone. Recurrence was not observed after six months of follow-up. The literature search revealed only one other case of TGD lipoma and controversies are addressed. TGD lipoma is an exceedingly rare entity whose management might avoid hyoid bone excision.
Precision Medicine for Chronic Endometritis: Computer-Aided Diagnosis Using Deep Learning Model
Authors: Mihara Masaya , Yasuo Tadahiro , Kitaya Kotaro
Published: March 2023

Chronic endometritis (CE) is a localized mucosal infectious and inflammatory disorder marked by infiltration of CD138(+) endometrial stromal plasmacytes (ESPC). CE is drawing interest in the field of reproductive medicine because of its association with female infertility of unknown etiology, endometriosis, repeated implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and multiple maternal/newborn complications. The diagnosis of CE has long relied on somewhat painful endometrial biopsy and histopathologic examinations combined with immunohistochemistry for CD138 (IHC-CD138). With IHC-CD138 only, CE may be potentially over-diagnosed by misidentification of endometrial epithelial cells, which constitutively express CD138, as ESPCs. Fluid hysteroscopy is emerging as an alternative, less-invasive diagnostic tool that can visualize the whole uterine cavity in real-time and enables the detection of several unique mucosal findings associated with CE. The biases in the hysteroscopic diagnosis of CE; however, are the inter-observer and intra-observer disagreements on the interpretation of the endoscopic findings. Additionally, due to the variances in the study designs and adopted diagnostic criteria, there exists some dissociation in the histopathologic and hysteroscopic diagnosis of CE among researchers. To address these questions, novel dual immunohistochemistry for CD138 and another plasmacyte marker multiple myeloma oncogene 1 are currently being tested. Furthermore, computer-aided diagnosis using a deep learning model is being developed for more accurate detection of ESPCs. These approaches have the potential to contribute to the reduction in human errors and biases, the improvement of the diagnostic performance of CE, and the establishment of unified diagnostic criteria and standardized clinical guidelines for the disease.
Performance Characteristics of Oncomine Focus Assay for Theranostic Analysis of Solid Tumors, A (21-Months) Real-Life Study
Authors: Bamba-Funck Jessica , Fabre Emmanuelle E. , Kambouchner Marianne , Schischmanoff Olivier
Published: March 2023

Next generation sequencing analysis is crucial for therapeutic decision in various solid tumor contexts. The sequencing method must remain accurate and robust throughout the instrument lifespan allowing the biological validation of patients’ results. This study aims to evaluate the long-term sequencing performances of the Oncomine Focus assay kit allowing theranostic DNA and RNA variants detection on the Ion S5XL instrument. We evaluated the sequencing performances of 73 consecutive chips over a 21-month period and detailed the sequencing data obtained from both quality controls and clinical samples. The metrics describing sequencing quality remained stable throughout the study. We showed that an average of 11 × 106 (±0.3 × 106) reads were obtained using a 520 chip leading to an average of 6.0 × 105 (±2.6 × 105) mapped reads per sample. Of 400 consecutive samples, 95.8 ± 16% of amplicons reached the depth threshold of 500X. Slight modifications of the bioinformatics workflow improved DNA analytical sensitivity and allowed the systematic detection of expected SNV, indel, CNV, and RNA alterations in quality controls samples. The low inter-run variability of DNA and RNA—even at low variant allelic fraction, amplification factor, or reads counts—indicated that our method was adapted to clinical practice. The analysis of 429 clinical DNA samples indicated that the modified bioinformatics workflow allowed detection of 353 DNA variants and 88 gene amplifications. RNA analysis of 55 clinical samples revealed 7 alterations. This is the first study showing the long-term robustness of the Oncomine Focus assay in clinical routine practice.
Fair Numerical Algorithm of Coset Cardinality Spectrum for Distributed Arithmetic Coding
Authors: Fang Yong , Yang Nan
Published: March 2023

As a typical symbol-wise solution of asymmetric Slepian-Wolf coding problem, Distributed Arithmetic Coding (DAC) non-linearly partitions source space into disjoint cosets with unequal sizes. The distribution of DAC coset cardinalities, named the Coset Cardinality Spectrum (CCS), plays an important role in both theoretical understanding and decoder design for DAC. In general, CCS cannot be calculated directly. Instead, a numerical algorithm is usually used to obtain an approximation. This paper first finds that the contemporary numerical algorithm of CCS is theoretically imperfect and does not finally converge to the real CCS. Further, to solve this problem, we refine the original numerical algorithm based on rigorous theoretical analyses. Experimental results verify that the refined numerical algorithm amends the drawbacks of the original version.
Decision Fault Tree Learning and Differential Lyapunov Optimal Control for Path Tracking
Authors: Bose S. Subash Chandra , Alfurhood Badria Sulaiman , L Gururaj H , Flammini Francesco , Natarajan Rajesh , Jaya Sheela Shankarappa
Published: March 2023

This paper considers the main challenges for all components engaged in the driving task suggested by the automation of road vehicles or autonomous cars. Numerous autonomous vehicle developers often invest an important amount of time and effort in fine-tuning and measuring the route tracking to obtain reliable tracking performance over a wide range of autonomous vehicle speed and road curvature diversities. However, a number of automated vehicles were not considered for fault-tolerant trajectory tracking methods. Motivated by this, the current research study of the Differential Lyapunov Stochastic and Decision Defect Tree Learning (DLS-DFTL) method is proposed to handle fault detection and course tracking for autonomous vehicle problems. Initially, Differential Lyapunov Stochastic Optimal Control (SOC) with customizable Z-matrices is to precisely design the path tracking for a particular target vehicle while successfully managing the noise and fault issues that arise from the localization and path planning. With the autonomous vehicle’s low ceilings, a recommendation trajectory generation model is created to support such a safety justification. Then, to detect an unexpected deviation caused by a fault, a fault detection technique known as Decision Fault Tree Learning (DFTL) is built. The DLS-DFTL method can be used to find and locate problems in expansive, intricate communication networks. We conducted various tests and showed the applicability of DFTL. By offering some analysis of the experimental outcomes, the suggested method produces significant accuracy. In addition to a thorough study that compares the results to state-of-the-art techniques, simulation was also used to quantify the rate and time of defect detection. The experimental result shows that the proposed DLS-DFTL enhances the fault detection rate (38%), reduces the loss rate (14%), and has a faster fault detection time (24%) than the state of art methods.
Correction: Nedelcu et al. Low-Resolution Precoding for Multi-Antenna Downlink Channels and OFDM. Entropy 2022, 24, 504
Authors: Nedelcu Andrei Stefan , Steiner Fabian , Kramer Gerhard
Published: March 2023

In the original publication [...]
Using Video-Based Simulations to Foster pPCK/ePCK—New Thoughts on the Refined Consensus Model of PCK
Authors: Irmer Marie , Traub Dagmar , Böhm Marina , Förtsch Christian , Neuhaus Birgit J.
Published: March 2023

This article aims to investigate relationships between the different realms of PCK by referring to the refined consensus model of PCK. We conducted a pre–post study with an intervention using a video-based simulated learning environment to measure different realms of PCK of 78 pre-service biology teachers. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups receiving different treatments in the form of scaffolds while working on the learning environment during the intervention. Only the participants receiving scaffolds referring to their personal PCK significantly improved from the pre-test to the post-test (FpPCK(1,27) = 9.592, p = 0.005, partial η2 = 0.262, n = 28). These scaffolds encourage participants to use their prior knowledge when reflecting on instructional quality, as shown in the simulation. Although the findings of the present study support the theoretical view of the refined consensus model of PCK, more focus on the personal PCK could be helpful to understand how PCK is acquired and organized “within one teacher”.
Internationalization at Home: Enhancing Global Competencies in the EFL Classroom through International Online Collaboration
Authors: Simões Anabela Valente , Sangiamchit Chittima
Published: March 2023

Higher education institutions today are expected to not only equip students with the skills and qualifications required to succeed professionally, but also to prepare them to develop active learning strategies, build successful interpersonal relations—both at local and global levels—and be active citizens who are able to handle change and uncertainty. Synonymous with the notions of “virtual mobility” or “internationalization at home”, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is an educational approach with the potential to enhance the development of this broader skillset while providing students with an opportunity to interact with peers from across the globe. The purpose of this paper is to present a cross-cultural pedagogical activity implemented within a class of Business Communication undergraduate students from the University of Aveiro (UA), in Portugal, together with volunteer students from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, in Thailand. In this exploratory study, the authors sought to gauge the effectiveness of such virtual global learning approaches and understand how UA students self-perceived their own skillset development. Based on qualitative and quantitative information, it was possible to conclude that students’ perceptions were generally positive and that cognitive, social, and intercultural competencies, as well as other critical 21st-century skills, were successfully addressed.
A Model of Thermally Activated Molecular Transport: Implementation in a Massive FPGA Cluster
Authors: Jabłoński Grzegorz , Amrozik Piotr , Hałagan Krzysztof
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a massively parallel implementation of Boltzmann’s thermally activated molecular transport model is presented. This models allows taking into account potential energy barriers in molecular simulations and thus modeling thermally activated diffusion processes in liquids. The model is implemented as an extension to the basic Dynamic Lattice Liquid (DLL) algorithm on ARUZ, a massively parallel FPGA-based simulator located at BioNanoPark Lodz. The advantage of this approach is that it does not use any exponentiation operations, minimizing resource usage and allowing one to perform simulations containing up to 4,608,000 nodes.
Low-Cost Communication Interface between a Smart Meter and a Smart Inverter
Authors: Piggott Christopher E. , Caruso Zachary , Nenadic Nenad G.
Published: March 2023

The need for a low-cost interface between the grid and small (<250 kW) renewable distributed energy resources (DERs) is growing in importance as the number of small DERs continues to grow. In this study, a system architecture was proposed to investigate paths to an affordable interconnection for small renewable DERs.Then, a low-cost communication interface between a smart meter and smart inverter was installed using a commercially available bridge device. The interface device was selected based on an assessment concluding that it would be able to support the emerging advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network. Next, messages were passed across the experimental end-to-end communication interface to test their speed and reliability. Success was based on whether the key functions defined in the standard IEEE 2030.5 were executed or not, which include set points, disconnect/reconnect, and Volt-VAr optimization. The results of the testing provided detailed insights into the benefits and limitations of the proposed architecture. Intermittency of weather-dependent DERs (e.g., solar and wind) adversely impacts the power quality of a DER, making hourly day-ahead prediction nearly impossible. With this in mind, the investigation also considered the potential of using smart inverter functions to reduce DER’s intermittency.
Imprecise P-Box Sensitivity Analysis of an Aero-Engine Combustor Performance Simulation Model Considering Correlated Variables
Authors: Tang Hongjie , Zhang Shicheng , Li Jinhui , Kong Lingwei , Zhang Baoqiang , Xing Fei , Luo Huageng
Published: March 2023

Uncertainties are widely present in the design and simulation of aero-engine combustion systems. Common non-probabilistic convex models are only capable of processing independent or correlated uncertainty variables, while conventional precise probabilistic sensitivity analysis based on ideal conditions also fails due to the presence of uncertainties. Given the above-described problem, an imprecise p-box sensitivity analysis method is proposed in this study in accordance with a multi-dimensional parallelepiped model, comprising independent and correlated variables in a unified framework to effectively address complex hybrid uncertainty problems where the two variables co-exist. The concepts of the correlation angle and correlation coefficient of any two parameters are defined. A multi-dimensional parallelepiped model is built as the uncertainty domain based on the marginal intervals and correlation characteristics of all parameters. The correlated variables in the initial parameter space are converted into independent variables in the affine space by introducing an affine coordinate system. Significant and minor variables are filtered out through imprecise sensitivity analysis using pinching methods based on p-box characterization. The feasibility and accuracy of the method are verified based on the analysis of the numerical example and the outlet temperature distribution factor. As indicated by the results, the coupling between the variables can be significantly characterized using a multi-dimensional parallelepiped model, and a notable difference exists in the sensitivity ranking compared with considering only the independence of the variables, in which input parameters (e.g., inlet and outlet pressure, density, and reference flow rate) are highly sensitive to changes in the outlet temperature distribution factor. Furthermore, the structural parameters of the flame cylinder exert a secondary effect.
A Review of Wettability Alteration by Spontaneous Imbibition Using Low-Salinity Water in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
Authors: Karimova Marzhan , Kashiri Razieh , Pourafshary Peyman , Hazlett Randy
Published: March 2023

Analysis of fluid flow in naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs), as a highly heterogeneous and complex system, requires a detailed study of the fracture-matrix interactions. The main process of fluid movement between the fracture and matrix is spontaneous imbibition (SI), which can occur in co/countercurrent fluid flow states. In addition, most carbonate rocks are fractured and non-water-wet, which can lead to low oil recovery. Wettability greatly affects the performance of the SI process. Injection of water or chemicals can be insufficient because fluids mostly pass through highly permeable fractures and lead to early breakthrough. Therefore, the wettability alteration mechanism should be applied in NFRs, and low-salinity water (LSW) injection is considered an effective enhanced oil recovery (EOR) approach. In this review, experimental and numerical studies of co/counter-imbibition are analyzed to show the importance of investigating the fracture-matrix interactions. In addition, the review shows the wettability effect on imbibition in fractured rocks. The review of experimental studies of LSW imbibition in fractured carbonates shows the possibilities for implementing an EOR method. However, the wettability alteration process during SI using LSW has not yet been studied, and no simulation models of co/countercurrent flows have yet been provided. Based on this review, more experimental studies are recommended to duplicate co/countercurrent imbibition using LSW. Advanced techniques such as CT scanning, MRI, and NTI can be used to reveal fluid distribution. Using experimental data, numerical models can be developed to characterize dynamic wettability alteration during co/countercurrent imbibition.
Co-Combustion Characteristics of Municipal Sewage Sludge and Coal in a Lab-Scale Fluidized Bed Furnace
Authors: Qu Zuopeng , Wei Xiaotian , Chen Wendi , Wang Fei , Wang Yongtian , Long Jisheng
Published: March 2023

The co-combustion of dry coal and sludge was carried out in a self-built laboratory scale fluidized bed furnace. We used FTIR spectroscopy, high-resolution gas chromatography, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and XRF to capture and dynamically observe the flue gas fly ash and bottom ash. The sludge sample was taken from a municipal sewage treatment plant and its mixing ratio was below 20%. The temperature distribution of the furnace was observed and the emissions of the main gaseous pollutants such as SO2, NOx, and dioxins were measured in the combustion process. The heavy metal contents of fly ash and bottom ash were later detected to analyze the migration characteristics. The results showed that all of the gaseous pollutants measured increased linearly with the sludge mixing ratio. However, it could also meet the 1 metal content of bottom ash and fly ash did not change much. Through the elaboration of the above points, this study can provide guidance for future research on the co-combustion of coal boiler sludge and suggest favorable conditions for the co-combustion of coal boiler sludge.
Research Progress of Low-Carbon Cementitious Materials Based on Synergistic Industrial Wastes
Authors: Li Qian , Li Jiajie , Zhang Siqi , Huang Xiaoyan , Wang Xue , Wang Ying , Ni Wen
Published: March 2023

Cementitious material based on synergistic industrial wastes can be used as a new product for low-carbon transformation. It can aid in resource recycling and suitable consumption and utilisation of various industrial wastes. The proposed material can reduce a large amount of CO2 emitted during calcination in cement production and the decomposition of raw limestone. In addition, the material exhibits high durability and high resistance to corrosion in the marine environment that can further reduce CO2 emissions over the lifecycle of the carbon footprint of the building. Currently, many similar chemical kinetic processes and mineralogical reaction processes of particle migration and rebinding exist in the hydration and hardening reactions, service processes and durability evolution of different industrial waste cementitious systems for low-carbon production. The theoretical basis of preparing various low-carbon cementitious materials (LCCMs) with industrial waste systems is discussed herein, including the two theories of ‘complex salt effect’ and ‘isomorphic effect from tetrahedral coordination of silicon-oxygen’. Further research on LCCM is based on the theoretical foundation of ‘passive hydration kinetics’. Furthermore, this study presents the CO2 reduction potential of LCCM prepared using industrial wastes and provides future research directions in this regard.
Pilot Scheme Conceptual Analysis of Rooftop East–West-Oriented Solar Energy System with Optimizer
Authors: Alkan Savas , Ates Yavuz
Published: March 2023

In recent years, photovoltaic energy has become a popular alternative to traditional fossil fuels due to its renewable and sustainable nature, and the incentives provided by countries to encourage research and development in this field have accelerated the implementation of photovoltaic roofs. One important factor in maximizing the efficiency of solar panels is their orientation to harness maximum irradiation with minimum roof area. In this article, an optimizer-supported east–west-oriented solar power plant installation is experimentally presented to utilize more solar energy with less area compared to wide-area south orientation. Furthermore, an analysis of different angle placements is simulated by PVSOL and PVGIS to test the robustness of the presented approach, and the pros/cons of the features of the east–west and south orientation are discussed comparatively. The obtained results are promising for the ideal placement of solar systems along with the use of optimizers to further enhance their performance, and for the minimization of the economic return of such an investment.
Field Monitoring and Identification Method for Overflow of Fractured-Vuggy Carbonate Reservoir
Authors: Zhang Qiangui , Yan Zelin , Fan Xiangyu , Li Zhilin , Zhao Pengfei , Shuai Juntian , Jia Lichun , Liu Lu
Published: March 2023

Since carbonate reservoirs develop pores and fractures and have a complex formation pressure system, overflow and even blowout seriously threaten the exploration and development of these kinds of reservoirs. According to the overflow characteristics of fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs, a field monitoring and identification method for overflow has been developed. This method is based on the top-down logic framework for early overflow identification, combined with optimized monitoring parameters. The DBSCAN clustering algorithm is used to identify abnormal logging parameters, and thus, a probability weight coefficient of overflow (K) indicated by the abnormal engineering parameters of a gas well can be calculated. K is divided into four early warning response levels of overflow, and the overflow control operation can be made according to the different levels of early warning response. Based on this method, an integrated software system for field monitoring and identification of early overflow is designed. This software system integrates the functions of data collection and management, overflow risk parameter calculation, overflow early warning, and overflow simulation analysis. Finally, according to a case analysis of overflow prediction for a fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoir in Well XX, this method’s prediction stability and accuracy are demonstrated, indicating that it can be used for the overflow early warning in engineering practice.
Flow Field Investigation of a Single Engine Valve Using PIV, POD, and LES
Authors: Hoffmann Jana , Mirsch Niklas , Vera-Tudela Walter , Wüthrich Dario , Rosenberg Jorim , Günther Marco , Pischinger Stefan , Weiss Daniel A. , Herrmann Kai
Published: March 2023

Due to stringent emission regulations, it is of practical significance to understand cycle-to-cycle variations in the combustion of fossil or renewable fuels to reach future emission regulations. The present study aims to conduct a parametric investigation to analyse the influence of the valve lift and different mass flows of an inlet valve of the test engine “Flex-OeCoS” on the flow structures. To gain a deeper understanding of the flow behaviour, an optical test bench for 2D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) are used. Turbulence phenomena are investigated using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) with a quadruple decomposition and the Reynolds stress transport equation. The results show good agreement between the PIV and LES. Moreover, the main flow structures are primarily affected by valve lift while being unaffected by mass flow variation. The turbulent kinetic energy within the flow field increases quadratically to the mass flow and to the decreasing valve lift, where large high-energetic flow structures are observed in the vicinity of the jet and small low-energetic structures are homogeneously distributed within the flow field. Furthermore, the convective flux, the turbulent diffusive flux, the rate of change, and the production of specific Reynolds stress are the dominant terms within the specific Reynolds stress transport equation.
Robustly Cooperative Control of Transient Stability for Power System Considering Wind Power and Load Uncertainty by Distribution Preserving Graph Representation Learning (DPG)
Authors: Yao Fang , Zhang Xinan , Chau Tat Kei , Iu Herbert Ho-ching
Published: March 2023

Aiming at the influence of wind power and load uncertainty on the transient stability of a power system under low carbon mode, this paper first proposes a collaborative preventive and emergency control model of transient stability by distribution preserving graph representation learning (DPG). Second, the uncertainty set of wind power output and load demand is studied, and the mathematical form of the two-stage robust transient stability collaborative control model is proposed. Then, the latest artificial intelligence technology is embedded into the global optimization algorithm of the model so as to further improve the solving efficiency of the algorithm. Finally, based on the developed improved two-stage robust optimization framework, an effective collaborative control method for transient stability is developed. The transient stability prediction and control system developed in this project is not only conducive to large-scale wind power grid connection but also expected to make academic contributions to development of power system transient stability and practical simulation verification.
Vehicle Market Analysis of Drivers’ Preferences in Terms of the Propulsion Systems: The Czech Case Study
Authors: Dudziak Agnieszka , Caban Jacek , Stopka Ondrej , Stoma Monika , Sejkorová Marie , Stopková Mária
Published: March 2023

The automotive sector has been experiencing a rapid development in recent times. Modern trends aim at the progress of so-called sustainable, eco-friendly vehicles, in many cases associated with advanced technologies and assistance systems. It is increasingly common to see cars with electric, hybrid, gas or hydrogen propulsion systems. Such approaches can create a transformation of manufacturing processes towards the growth of new types and fields of technologies and systems in the automotive industry. The manuscript discusses the subject of vehicles with various types of power supply, i.e., propulsion system. The investigation was executed with different respondent groups whereby the analysis was performed predominantly by using two merging criteria such as place of residence and gender of respondents. Following the research conducted, we state that given a variety of variables, the majority of the respondents are convinced that, prospectively, electric and hybrid vehicles in all probability will be the prevailing types of vehicles occurring on the roads of the Czech Republic. However, it is also important to analyze the situation of the current access to energy resources for manufacturing of both kinds of vehicles and, above all, their utilization. Thus, the preferences of drivers are key issues, but it is also necessary to take into consideration the production capacity and investment profitability regarding the purchase of vehicles with modern types of propulsion system.
Analyzing the Impact of Electricity Rates on the Feasibility of Solar PV and Energy Storage Systems in Commercial Buildings: Financial vs. Resilience Perspective
Authors: Badiei Yuness , Campos do Prado Josue
Published: March 2023

The use of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and battery energy storage (BES) systems in commercial buildings has been increasing significantly in recent years. Most of these systems, however, are designed to solely minimize the investment and operation costs. With the increasing concerns about high-impact low-probability (HILP) events, such as natural disasters, and their impact on power system resilience, there is a substantial need to integrate outage risks in power system infrastructure planning problems. This paper examines the impact of various electricity rates on the feasibility of PV and BES systems in commercial buildings for financial and resilience purposes. Simulation studies are conducted using the Renewable Energy Integration & Optimization (REopt) decision support software to optimize the size of solar PV and BES systems for both financial and resilience purposes, considering different combinations of geographic locations, load profiles, electricity rates, and outage durations. The feasibility assessment is conducted by analyzing and comparing the net present value (NPV) for each combination of parameters.
Synergies of Electric Vehicle Multi-Use: Analyzing the Implementation Effort for Use Case Combinations in Smart E-Mobility
Authors: Vollmuth Patrick , Hampel Maximilian
Published: March 2023

Electromobility is generally seen as an efficient means of decarbonizing the transport sector. Ensuring both a broad propagation of electric vehicles and a stable energy system requires intelligent charging strategies in the form of use cases. Most use cases do not combine both the prospect of profit and systemic advantages. This paper analyzes combinations of use cases that merge different use cases to combine profitability and systemic benefits. We present a novel methodological approach for analyzing and comparing the synergies of different use case combinations. The focus is on evaluating the potential for reducing the technical implementation effort resulting from the simultaneous implementation of two to three different use cases. Our findings show that the simultaneous implementation of complex use cases, often involving in-front-of-meter pooling of vehicles, produces the greatest synergies. Combinations that include ancillary services and spot market trading lead to considerable reductions in the implementation effort. Balancing profitability and systemic benefits with little absolute effort requires combinations that include use cases implemented behind-the-meter, for example, optimization of self-consumption. Challenges in the implementation of the combinations investigated arise primarily from technical hurdles and the fact that some use cases have not yet been fully defined in regulatory terms.
Preparation and Application of Directed Vat Set Indigenous Freeze-Drying Lentilactobacillus hilgardii Q19 Starter in Winemaking
Authors: Wang Ling , Huang Gang , Ma Wen , Jin Gang
Published: March 2023

In order to prepare a better direct vat set for malolactic fermentation (MLF) in high ethanol and low pH wines, the high-ethanol- and low-temperature-tolerant strain Lentilactobacillus hilgardii Q19, which was isolated from the eastern foothill of the Helan Mountain wine region in China, was used to prepare a direct vat set by vacuum freeze-drying. A superior freeze-dried lyoprotectant was obtained to create the starting culture by selecting, combining, and optimizing numerous lyoprotectants with higher protection for Q19 by using a single-factor experiment and response surface approach. Finally, the Lentilactobacillus hilgardii Q19 direct vat set was inoculated in Cabernet Sauvignon wine to carry out MLF on a pilot scale, with commercial starter culture Oeno1 as control. The volatile compounds, biogenic amines, and ethyl carbamate content were analyzed. The results showed that a combination of 8.5 g/100 mL skimmed milk powder, 14.5 g/100 mL yeast extract powder, and 6.0 g/100 mL sodium hydrogen glutamate offered better protection; with this lyoprotectant, there were (4.36 ± 0.34) × 1011 CFU/g cells after freeze-drying, and it showed an excellent ability to degrade L-malic acid and could successfully finish MLF. In addition, in terms of aroma and wine safety, compared with Oeno1, the quantity and complexity of volatile compounds were increased after MLF, and biogenic amines and ethyl carbamate were produced less during MLF. We conclude that the Lentilactobacillus hilgardii Q19 direct vat set could be applied as a new MLF starter culture in high-ethanol wines.
A Meso-Scale Petri Net Model to Simulate a Massive Evacuation along the Highway System
Authors: Qabaja Hamzeh , Ashqer Mujahid I. , Bikdash Marwan , Ashqar Huthaifa I.
Published: March 2023

Natural disasters may require that the residents of the affected area be evacuated immediately using a potentially damaged infrastructure. In this paper, we developed a mesoscopic simulation modeling approach for modeling traffic flow over a large geographic area and involving many people and vehicles. This study proposed a novel model, namely, Colored Deterministic and Stochastic Petri Net (CDSPN), which can mesoscopically provide an individual vehicular traffic dynamic. Each vehicle has a unique identifier, speed, distance to go, assigned target, and a specific route. It also proposed a method to automatically construct a Petri net model that represents the evacuation of Guilford County (GC), North Carolina, from standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) shapefiles. We showed that this model could successfully simulate the dynamics of hundreds of thousands of vehicles moving on the highway system towards pre-specified safe targets such as medical facilities, exit points, or designated shelters. The vehicles are assumed to obey traffic laws, and the model reflects the complexities of the actual highway systems. The developed software can be used to analyze in reasonable detail the evacuation process, such as identifying bottlenecks and estimating efficiency and the time needed. An explicit list of 18 assumptions is stated and discussed. The Petri net for GC evacuation is reasonably massive, consisting of 35,476 places and 43,540 transitions with 531,595 colored tokens, where each token represents a vehicle in GC. We simulate the evacuation, develop statistics, and evaluate patterns of evaluation. We found that the evacuation took about 8.7 h.
Zeb2 DNA-Binding Sites in Neuroprogenitor Cells Reveal Autoregulation and Affirm Neurodevelopmental Defects, Including in Mowat-Wilson Syndrome
Authors: Birkhoff Judith C. , Korporaal Anne L. , Brouwer Rutger W. W. , Nowosad Karol , Milazzo Claudia , Mouratidou Lidia , van den Hout Mirjam C. G. N. , van IJcken Wilfred F. J. , Huylebroeck Danny , Conidi Andrea
Published: March 2023

Functional perturbation and action mechanism studies have shown that the transcription factor Zeb2 controls cell fate decisions, differentiation, and/or maturation in multiple cell lineages in embryos and after birth. In cultured embryonic stem cells (ESCs), Zeb2’s mRNA/protein upregulation is necessary for the exit from primed pluripotency and for entering general and neural differentiation. We edited mouse ESCs to produce Flag-V5 epitope-tagged Zeb2 protein from one endogenous allele. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with sequencing (ChIP-seq), we mapped 2432 DNA-binding sites for this tagged Zeb2 in ESC-derived neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs). A new, major binding site maps promoter-proximal to Zeb2 itself. The homozygous deletion of this site demonstrates that autoregulation of Zeb2 is necessary to elicit the appropriate Zeb2-dependent effects in ESC-to-NPC differentiation. We have also cross-referenced all the mapped Zeb2 binding sites with previously obtained transcriptome data from Zeb2 perturbations in ESC-derived NPCs, GABAergic interneurons from the ventral forebrain of mouse embryos, and stem/progenitor cells from the post-natal ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) in mouse forebrain, respectively. Despite the different characteristics of each of these neurogenic systems, we found interesting target gene overlaps. In addition, our study also contributes to explaining developmental disorders, including Mowat-Wilson syndrome caused by ZEB2 deficiency, and also other monogenic syndromes.
Reproductive and Agronomic Characterization of Novel Apomictic Hybrids of Paspalum (Poaceae)
Authors: Brugnoli Elsa Andrea , Zilli Alex Leonel , Marcón Florencia , Caballero Enzo , Martínez Eric Javier , Acuña Carlos Alberto
Published: March 2023

The tetraploid germplasm of Paspalum contains a large diversity that can be used to generate better forages. The objective was to evaluate a group of Paspalum notatum and Paspalum simplex apomictic hybrids for a set of agronomic traits and apomixis expressivity. Forage yield, cold tolerance, winter regrowth, and seed yield were evaluated. The expressivity of apomixis was evaluated in P. simplex hybrids by flow cytometry. Progeny testing with molecular markers was used to determine the genotypic variability in the progeny. Differences within P. notatum and P. simplex hybrids were observed for all traits, and some of them were superior in comparison with the controls. The accumulated forage yield during three years was 988 g m−2 in the P. notatum hybrids, whereas, in P. simplex, the average forage yield per harvest (40 days of regrowth) was 180 g m−2. In P. simplex, the apomixis expressivity varied between 0 and 100%, and 65% of the hybrids showed high apomixis expressivity (superior to 70%). The genotypic mean homogeneity in the progeny was 76% and 85% in P. notatum and P. simplex, respectively. The generation of hybrids with high apomixis expressivity that combine good agronomic performance and homogeneity in the offspring is possible in tetraploid P. notatum and P. simplex.