bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective Effect of Daidzein against Diethylnitrosamine/Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Male Rats
Authors: Bashandy Samir A. E. , Ebaid Hossam , Al-Tamimi Jameel , Hassan Iftekhar , Omara Enayat A. , Elbaset Marawan A. , Alhazza Ibrahim M. , Siddique Jamal A.
Published: August 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second-largest cause of death among all cancer types. Many drugs have been used to treat the disease for a long time but have been mostly discontinued because of their side effects or the development of resistance in the patients with HCC. The administration of DZ orally is a great focus to address the clinical crisis. Daidzein (DZ) is a prominent isoflavone polyphenolic chemical found in soybeans and other leguminous plants. It has various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antihemolytic, and antioxidant. This present study investigates the protective effect of DZ on chemically induced HCC in rat models. The DZ was administered orally four weeks before HCC induction and continued during treatment. Our study included four treatment groups: control (group 1, without any treatment), HCC-induced rats (group II), an HCC group treated with DZ at 20 mg/kg (group III), and an HCC group treated with DZ at 40 mg/kg (group IV). HCC rats showed elevation in all the HCC markers (AFP, GPC3, and VEGF), liver function markers (ALP, ALT, and AST), inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP), and lipid markers concomitant with a decrease in antioxidant enzymes and protein. However, groups III and IV demonstrated dose-dependent alleviation in the previous parameters resulting from HCC. In addition, the high dose of DZ reduces many hepatological changes in HCC rats. All study parameters improved with DZ administration. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics, DZ is a promising HCC treatment option for clinical use.
Does the Necrotic Portion of Metastatic Lymphadenopathy from Squamous Cell Carcinoma Still Have Tumoral Oncologic Information? Differential Diagnosis of Benign Necrotic Lymphadenopathy Using microRNA
Authors: Shin Eun , Han Seung Hoon , Park Il-Seok , Wee Jee Hye , Lee Joong Seob , Kim Heejin
Published: August 2023

Neck necrotic lymph nodes commonly correspond to metastasis or benign inflammatory conditions such as Kikuchi disease and tuberculosis. Ultrasound-guided biopsy can be used for differential diagnosis, but results may be unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to identify target microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes for the differential diagnosis of inflammatory and malignant necrotic lymph nodes. We selected six inflammatory lymphadenitis formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples that showed internal necrosis and five cancer necrotic FFPE samples. Tissue microarray (TMA) was performed to separate the necrotic and cancerous portions. Total RNA was extracted from six pairs of separated inflammatory necrosis, five pairs of cancer necrosis, and cancer portions. Differentially expressed miRNAs were analyzed by comparing inflammatory necrosis, cancer, and cancer necrosis. Seventeen miRNAs were upregulated in cancer necrosis compared to inflammatory necrosis, and two miRNAs (hsa-miR-155-5p and hsa-miR-146b-5p) showed lower expression in cancer necrotic cells. Nineteen miRNAs that were differentially expressed between inflammatory and cancer necrosis were analyzed for target gene expression; these transcripts demonstrated a clear relationship with cancer. The differentially expressed miRNAs in inflammatory and tumor necrosis were associated with cancer-related pathways. These preliminary results might help in the differential diagnosis of cervical metastatic necrotic lymphadenopathy and avoiding unnecessary excisional biopsies.
Neuroendovascular Surgery Applications in Craniocervical Trauma
Authors: Kim Michael , Subah Galadu , Cooper Jared , Fortunato Michael , Nolan Bridget , Bowers Christian , Prabhakaran Kartik , Nuoman Rolla , Amuluru Krishna , Soldozy Sauson , Das Alvin S. , Regenhardt Robert W. , Izzy Saef , Gandhi Chirag , Al-Mufti Fawaz
Published: August 2023

Cerebrovascular injuries resulting from blunt or penetrating trauma to the head and neck often lead to local hemorrhage and stroke. These injuries present with a wide range of manifestations, including carotid or vertebral artery dissection, pseudoaneurysm, occlusion, transection, arteriovenous fistula, carotid-cavernous fistula, epistaxis, venous sinus thrombosis, and subdural hematoma. A selective review of the literature from 1989 to 2023 was conducted to explore various neuroendovascular surgical techniques for craniocervical trauma. A PubMed search was performed using these terms: endovascular, trauma, dissection, blunt cerebrovascular injury, pseudoaneurysm, occlusion, transection, vasospasm, carotid-cavernous fistula, arteriovenous fistula, epistaxis, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, subdural hematoma, and middle meningeal artery embolization. An increasing array of neuroendovascular procedures are currently available to treat these traumatic injuries. Coils, liquid embolics (onyx or n-butyl cyanoacrylate), and polyvinyl alcohol particles can be used to embolize lesions, while stents, mechanical thrombectomy employing stent-retrievers or aspiration catheters, and balloon occlusion tests and super selective angiography offer additional treatment options based on the specific case. Neuroendovascular techniques prove valuable when surgical options are limited, although comparative data with surgical techniques in trauma cases is limited. Further research is needed to assess the efficacy and outcomes associated with these interventions.
A Review of the Relationship between the Immune Response, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and the Pathogenesis of Sickle Cell Anaemia
Authors: Aboderin Florence Ifechukwude , Oduola Taofeeq , Davison Glenda Mary , Oguntibeju Oluwafemi Omoniyi
Published: August 2023

Sickle cell anaemia (SCD) is a life-threatening haematological disorder which is predominant in sub-Saharan Africa and is triggered by a genetic mutation of the β-chain haemoglobin gene resulting in the substitution of glutamic acid with valine. This mutation leads to the production of an abnormal haemoglobin molecule called haemoglobin S (HbS). When deoxygenated, haemoglobin S (HbS) polymerises and results in a sickle-shaped red blood cell which is rigid and has a significantly shortened life span. Various reports have shown a strong link between oxidative stress, inflammation, the immune response, and the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease. The consequence of these processes leads to the development of vasculopathy (disease of the blood vessels) and several other complications. The role of the immune system, particularly the innate immune system, in the pathogenesis of SCD has become increasingly clear in recent years of research; however, little is known about the roles of the adaptive immune system in this disease. This review examines the interaction between the immune system, inflammation, oxidative stress, blood transfusion, and their effects on the pathogenesis of sickle cell anaemia.
A Variable Step Crow Search Algorithm and Its Application in Function Problems
Authors: Fan Yuqi , Yang Huimin , Wang Yaping , Xu Zunshan , Lu Daoxiang
Published: August 2023

Optimization algorithms are popular to solve different problems in many fields, and are inspired by natural principles, animal living habits, plant pollinations, chemistry principles, and physic principles. Optimization algorithm performances will directly impact on solving accuracy. The Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) is a simple and efficient algorithm inspired by the natural behaviors of crows. However, the flight length of CSA is a fixed value, which makes the algorithm fall into the local optimum, severely limiting the algorithm solving ability. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a Variable Step Crow Search Algorithm (VSCSA). The proposed algorithm uses the cosine function to enhance CSA searching abilities, which greatly improves both the solution quality of the population and the convergence speed. In the update phase, the VSCSA increases population diversities and enhances the global searching ability of the basic CSA. The experiment used 14 test functions,2017 CEC functions, and engineering application problems to compare VSCSA with different algorithms. The experiment results showed that VSCSA performs better in fitness values, iteration curves, box plots, searching paths, and the Wilcoxon test results, which indicates that VSCSA has strong competitiveness and sufficient superiority. The VSCSA has outstanding performances in various test functions and the searching accuracy has been greatly improved.
Hybrid Slime Mold and Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm with Random Center Learning and Restart Mutation
Authors: Chen Hongmin , Wang Zhuo , Jia Heming , Zhou Xindong , Abualigah Laith
Published: August 2023

The slime mold algorithm (SMA) and the arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA) are two novel meta-heuristic optimization algorithms. Among them, the slime mold algorithm has a strong global search ability. Still, the oscillation effect in the later iteration stage is weak, making it difficult to find the optimal position in complex functions. The arithmetic optimization algorithm utilizes multiplication and division operators for position updates, which have strong randomness and good convergence ability. For the above, this paper integrates the two algorithms and adds a random central solution strategy, a mutation strategy, and a restart strategy. A hybrid slime mold and arithmetic optimization algorithm with random center learning and restart mutation (RCLSMAOA) is proposed. The improved algorithm retains the position update formula of the slime mold algorithm in the global exploration section. It replaces the convergence stage of the slime mold algorithm with the multiplication and division algorithm in the local exploitation stage. At the same time, the stochastic center learning strategy is adopted to improve the global search efficiency and the diversity of the algorithm population. In addition, the restart strategy and mutation strategy are also used to improve the convergence accuracy of the algorithm and enhance the later optimization ability. In comparison experiments, different kinds of test functions are used to test the specific performance of the improvement algorithm. We determine the final performance of the algorithm by analyzing experimental data and convergence images, using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and Friedman test. The experimental results show that the improvement algorithm, which combines the slime mold algorithm and arithmetic optimization algorithm, is effective. Finally, the specific performance of the improvement algorithm on practical engineering problems was evaluated.
The Home Environments of Infants of Mothers with Early, Remitted Clinical Depression and No Depression during the First Two Years Postpartum
Authors: Henry Lauren M. , Manian Nanmathi , Esposito Gianluca , Bornstein Marc H.
Published: August 2023

The current study examines stability, continuity, and group and gender differences in the home environments of infants of mothers with early, remitted clinical depression and no postpartum depression, overcoming methodological variations in the extant literature. Fifty-five mothers diagnosed with clinical depression (major or minor depression, dysthymia, or depressive disorder not otherwise specified) at 5 months and fully remitted by 15 and 24 months, and 132 mothers with no postpartum depression (Mage = 32.47; 69.7% European American) completed the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory Infant/Toddler version when their infants were 15 and 24 months old. No differences in stability estimates of the HOME scales were found between the groups. In terms of continuity, controlling for maternal education and infant birth order, HOME responsivity, involvement, and total score decreased, while HOME acceptance increased between 15 and 24 months in the full sample. There were no effects of group or gender. Results may point to the home environment as a key protective factor for infants of mothers with early, remitted clinical depression, or findings may suggest improved maternal parenting cognitions and practices following remission.
State of the Art of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Infection in Children: A Scoping Review of the Literature with a Focus on Predictors of Invasive Infection
Authors: Mariani Francesco , Gentili Carolina , Pulcinelli Valentina , Martino Laura , Valentini Piero , Buonsenso Danilo
Published: August 2023

Currently, it remains unclear why some children develop invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) and how to manage this condition. Therefore, to explore available works in the literature, we performed a scoping review aiming to analyze the current literature on clinical presentation of different illnesses outcomes of iGAS, with a specific focus on predictors of invasive infection, including an assessment of the prodromal stages of the disease and the possible presence of previous non-invasive GAS infections in children that later developed iGAS. Methods: We conducted a systematic search on PubMed and SCOPUS of all pediatric studies reporting iGAS cases, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. For those studies in which multivariable analysis investigating iGAS risk factors was performed, a second review was performed and reported in detail. Results: A total of 209 studies were included. Five studies investigated risk factors for iGAS, the most relevant being varicella infection, chronic underlying illness, presence of the speC gene in GAS strains, acetaminophen and ibuprofen use, children nonwhite, living in low-income households, exposure to varicella at home, persistent high fever, having more than one other child in the home, and new use of NSAIDs. Although we observed a progressive increase in the number of papers published on this topic, no trials investigating the benefits of clindamycin or intravenous immunoglobulins were found and low-to-middle-income countries were found to be poorly represented in the current literature. Conclusions: Our scoping review highlights important gaps regarding several aspects of iGAS in children, including prodromic presentation and optimal treatment strategies. There is also little representation of low–middle-income countries. The current literature does not allow the performance of systematic reviews or meta-analyses, but this work should inform healthcare professionals, policy makers, and funding agencies on which studies to prioritize on this topic.
Exploring the Prognosis: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study of Children with Sensory Processing Challenges 8–32 Years Later
Authors: May-Benson Teresa A. , Easterbrooks-Dick Olivia , Teasdale Alison
Published: August 2023

Sensory integration and processing challenges have been long recognized in children and, more recently, in adults. To understand the long-term prognosis of these challenges, more research is needed on what children with sensory integration and processing challenges look like as adults. Using the Adult/Adolescent Sensory History, researchers followed up with 102 adults who had known sensory integration and processing challenges as children to examine the following questions: What is the current sensory processing status of adults who received sensory-integration-based occupational therapy services as children? And how has the sensory processing status of adults who received sensory-integration-based services changed since childhood? This study compared performance on sensory processing measures completed as children and as adults for a follow-up group of adults. The results revealed that the severity of sensory integration and processing challenges experienced by the follow-up group decreased from childhood, with 51% of the follow-up group now scoring in the “typical” range of sensory processing. Our findings suggest that those children with sensory integration and processing challenges who are recognized and seek occupational therapy services using an ASI approach are likely to have a good long-term prognosis regarding the severity of their sensory processing functioning.
Integrative Analysis of Retusa pertenuis (Heterobranchia: Cephalaspidea) from Arctic and Russian Far East Seas with Discussion of Its Morphology, Validity and Population Structure
Authors: Chaban Elena , Ekimova Irina , Stanovova Maria , Schepetov Dimitry
Published: August 2023

Retusa pertenuis is still formally considered a junior subjective synonym of Retusa obtusa, despite previous data indicating R. pertenuis and R. obtusa differ significantly in copulatory system morphology. In this paper, we study the species identity and population structure of R. pertenuis with an integrative approach combining morphological and molecular data. The external morphology, head copulatory system and gizzard plates were studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We also obtained two mitochondrial (COI and 16S) and two nuclear (H3 and 28S) markers to test the monophyly of R. pertenuis and R. obtusa. Populations from the White Sea, Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan were studied using COI and 18S molecular markers. Our results show that Retusa obtusa sensu lato represents a species complex of at least four species: the nominative species occurring in the North Atlantic, the widely distributed R. pertenuis and two additional species whose identities should be clarified in further studies. Retusa pertenuis geographic range encompasses the North Atlantic, Eurasia’s northern seas, the Canadian Arctic, the Bering Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan. Within R. pertenuis’s range, this species demonstrates a wide variability in shell morphology.
Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Hyperinsulinemia Undergoing Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Cipolla Clelia , Lazzareschi Ilaria , Curatola Antonietta , Lasorella Claudia , Pane Lucia Celeste , Sessa Linda , Rotunno Giulia , Rigante Donato , Sodero Giorgio
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate a potential correlation between results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the auxological/metabolic parameters in a cohort of overweight patients assessed for suspicion of hyperinsulinism. We analyzed 206 patients, comparing those with insulin peak below (nonhyperinsulinemic) and over 100 uIU/mL (hyperinsulinemic) at the OGTT. We found a significant difference in weight (p = 0.037), body mass index (BMI, p < 0.001) and BMI standard deviations (SD, p < 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.001), hip circumference (p = 0.001), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, p = 0.016) between the two groups. Analyzing the median insulin value during OGTT in the whole population, a weakly positive correlation emerged with weight SD (p < 0.001; rho = 0.292) and a moderate positive correlation with BMI SD (p < 0.001; rho = 0.323). We also found a weakly positive correlation with waist circumference (p = 0.001; rho = 0.214), hip circumference (p = 0.001; rho = 0.217), and WHTR (p = 0.016; rho = 0.209) and a moderate positive correlation with the HOMA index (p < 0.001; rho = 0.683). The median insulin value correlates with high triglyceride (p < 0.001; rho = 0.266) and triiodothyronine values (p = 0.003; rho = 0.193) and with low HDL values (p < 0.001; rho = −0.272). In clinical practice the interpretation of laboratory and anthropometric parameters could predict the level of insulin, highlighting also a possible underlying diagnosis of insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia without performing an OGTT.
Ectopic Permanent Molars: A Review
Authors: Alfuriji Samah , Alamro Haifa , Kentab Jomanah , Alosail Lama , Alali Linah , Altuwaijri Nada , Alalwan Rahaf
Published: August 2023

Ectopic permanent molar is a condition in which the permanent tooth deviates from its normal path of eruption. The etiology of this eruption anomaly is multifactorial, with both general and local factors. The principal results suggest that a valid indicator of irreversible consequences is the degree of impaction of the first permanent molar. Self-correction is most common between the ages of 7 and 8, after which help may be required. Accordingly, early management can assist in preventing subsequent potential challenges that could interfere with maintaining a balanced occlusion. Several variables, including the degree of mesial tilting, the level of root resorption, and the condition of the second primary molar, may be crucial in choosing the most effective method of treatment. Interproximal wedging and distal tipping are the two basic therapeutic strategies for ectopic permanent molars. Additionally, the use of fixed or removable appliances might also be required. Delaying treatment until a later stage is not recommended because early diagnosis and treatment are essential for optimal management. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ectopic permanent molars, including their prevalence, etiologic factors, self-correction rates, clinical implications for adjacent teeth, and various treatment techniques, that emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention in the successful management of ectopic permanent molars. In addition, it highlights the importance of future research into the contributing variables of irreversible ectopic molar outcomes.
Chaotic Color Image Encryption Based on Eight-Base DNA-Level Permutation and Diffusion
Authors: Fan Wei , Li Taiyong , Wu Jianan , Wu Jiang
Published: August 2023

Images, as a crucial information carrier in the era of big data, are constantly generated, stored, and transmitted. Determining how to guarantee the security of images is a hot topic in the information security community. Image encryption is a simple and direct approach for this purpose. In order to cope with this issue, we propose a novel scheme based on eight-base DNA-level permutation and diffusion, termed as EDPD, for color image encryption in this paper. The proposed EDPD integrates secure hash algorithm-512 (SHA-512), a four-dimensional hyperchaotic system, and eight-base DNA-level permutation and diffusion that conducts on one-dimensional sequences and three-dimensional cubes. To be more specific, the EDPD has four main stages. First, four initial values for the proposed chaotic system are generated from plaintext color images using SHA-512, and a four-dimensional hyperchaotic system is constructed using the initial values and control parameters. Second, a hyperchaotic sequence is generated from the four-dimensional hyperchaotic system for consequent encryption operations. Third, multiple permutation and diffusion operations are conducted on different dimensions with dynamic eight-base DNA-level encoding and algebraic operation rules determined via the hyperchaotic sequence. Finally, DNA decoding is performed in order to obtain the cipher images. Experimental results from some common testing images verify that the EDPD has excellent performance in color image encryption and can resist various attacks.
YOLO-CID: Improved YOLOv7 for X-ray Contraband Image Detection
Authors: Gan Ning , Wan Fang , Lei Guangbo , Xu Li , Xu Chengzhi , Xiong Ying , Zhou Wen
Published: August 2023

Currently, X-ray inspection systems may produce false detections due to factors such as the varying sizes of contraband images, complex backgrounds, and blurred edges. To address this issue, we propose the YOLO-CID method for contraband image detection. Firstly, we designed the MP-OD module in the backbone network to enhance the model’s ability to extract key information from complex background images. Secondly, at the neck of the network, we designed a simplified version of BiFPN to add cross-scale connection lines in the feature fusion structure, to preserve deeper semantic information and enhance the network’s ability to represent objects in low-contrast or occlusion situations. Finally, we added a new object detection layer to improve the model’s accuracy in detecting small objects in dense environments. Experimental results on the PIDray public dataset show that the average accuracy rate of the YOLO-CID algorithm is 82.7% and the recall rate is 81.2%, which are 4.9% and 3.2% higher than the YOLOv7 algorithm, respectively. At the same time, the mAP on the CLCXray dataset reached 80.2%. Additionally, it can achieve a real-time detection speed of 40 frames per second and 43 frames per second in real scenes. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the YOLO-CID algorithm in X-ray contraband detection.
Optimality of Safe Game and Non-Game Control of Marine Objects
Authors: Lisowski Józef
Published: August 2023

The article presents a model of the process of safe and optimal control of an autonomous surface object in a group of encountered objects. An algorithm for determining the optimal and safe trajectory based on a multi-object game model was proposed, and an algorithm for determining the optimal trajectory was proposed for comparative analysis, not taking into account the maneuverability of other objects. Simulation studies of the algorithms made it possible to assess the optimality of the trajectories for various acceptable object strategies. An analysis of the characteristics of the sensitivity of the safe control—assessed with the risk of collision, both on the inaccuracy of navigation data and on the number of possible strategies of objects, was carried out.
Multi-Scale Spatial–Spectral Attention-Based Neural Architecture Search for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Song Yingluo , Wang Aili , Zhao Yan , Wu Haibin , Iwahori Yuji
Published: August 2023

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are indeed commonly employed for hyperspectral image classification. However, the architecture of cellular neural networks typically requires manual design and fine-tuning, which can be quite laborious. Fortunately, there have been recent advancements in the field of Neural Architecture Search (NAS) that enable the automatic design of networks. These NAS techniques have significantly improved the accuracy of HSI classification, pushing it to new levels. This article proposes a Multi-Scale Spatial–Spectral Attention-based NAS, MS3ANAS) framework for HSI classification to automatically design a neural network structure for HSI classifiers. First, this paper constructs a multi-scale attention mechanism extended search space, which considers multi-scale filters to reduce parameters while maintaining large-scale receptive field and enhanced multi-scale spectral–spatial feature extraction to increase network sensitivity towards hyperspectral information. Then, we combined the slow–fast learning architecture update paradigm to optimize and iteratively update the architecture vector and effectively improve the model’s generalization ability. Finally, we introduced the Lion optimizer to track only momentum and use symbol operations to calculate updates, thereby reducing memory overhead and effectively reducing training time. The proposed NAS method demonstrates impressive classification performance and effectively improves accuracy across three HSI datasets (University of Pavia, Xuzhou, and WHU-Hi-Hanchuan).
Energy-Efficient Solutions: A Multi-Criteria Decision Aid Tool to Achieve the Targets of the European EPDB Directive
Authors: Cumo Fabrizio , Pennacchia Elisa , Zylka Claudia
Published: August 2023

The building and construction sector has a significant impact on the CO2 emissions and pollutants released into the atmosphere, which contribute to climate change. The EPDB Directive mandates the achievement of minimum energy class E for all residential buildings by 2030 and energy class D by 2033. Particularly, in Italy, about 86% of the existing building stock predates the enactment of any energy laws or regulations, making it imperative to apply the energy efficiency interventions. This paper provides a support decision tool for the identification of the standardized interventions in the building envelope, the air conditioning system, and domestic hot water production. This study is focused on a specific construction period class (1976–1990) in six different climatic zones. The methodological approach is based on a cataloguing phase and the definition of ante operam energy classes as well as on case study identification, energy requalification intervention identification, solution simulations, and cost estimation. By simulating the standardized interventions for each climatic zone, a range of possible combinations is identified. The most advantageous ones are determined based on a cost–benefit analysis considering the potential class jump achieved. The research result is a matrix of energy efficiency interventions that is applicable to each climatic zone and can be extended to the existing housing stock.
Digital Twin as a Virtual Sensor for Wind Turbine Applications
Authors: Ibrahim Mahmoud , Rassõlkin Anton , Vaimann Toomas , Kallaste Ants , Zakis Janis , Hyunh Van Khang , Pomarnacki Raimondas
Published: August 2023

Digital twins (DTs) have been implemented in various applications, including wind turbine generators (WTGs). They are used to create virtual replicas of physical turbines, which can be used to monitor and optimize their performance. By simulating the behavior of physical turbines in real time, DTs enable operators to predict potential failures and optimize maintenance schedules, resulting in increased reliability, safety, and efficiency. WTGs rely on accurate wind speed measurements for safe and efficient operation. However, physical wind speed sensors are prone to inaccuracies and failures due to environmental factors or inherent issues, resulting in partial or missing measurements that can affect the turbine’s performance. This paper proposes a DT-based sensing methodology to overcome these limitations by augmenting the physical sensor platform with virtual sensor arrays. A test bench of a direct drive WTG based on a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) was prepared, and its mathematical model was derived. MATLAB/Simulink was used to develop the WTG virtual model based on its mathematical model. A data acquisition system (DAS) equipped with an ActiveX server was used to facilitate real-time data exchange between the virtual and physical models. The virtual sensor was then validated and tuned using real sensory data from the physical turbine model. The results from the developed DT model showed the power of the DT as a virtual sensor in estimating wind speed according to the generated power.
Simple Empirical Relation for an Evacuated-Tube Solar Collector Performance Prediction from Solar Intensity
Authors: Pongboriboon Nattapat , Wu Wei , Chandra-ambhorn Walairat , Wongpromrat Patthranit , Bumrungthaichaichan Eakarach
Published: August 2023

In this paper, the effect of solar intensity on the heat pipe tip temperature in a heat pipe type—evacuated-tube solar collector (HP-ETSC) was investigated. A simple relation was proposed, relating the solar intensity to the heat pipe tip temperature generated from the experimental data. This simple empirical relation was applied in a set of heat transfer equations derived to predict the heating medium temperature at the manifold outlet of the evacuated-tube solar collector. The calculated results corresponding to two types of heating medium, i.e., palm oil and water, were compared with experimental results from the literature. The results show that the average error was 6.41% for the case of palm oil and 4.66% for the case of water. Based on the case of water as a heating medium fluid, it was found that the flow rate of the heating medium fluid affected the accuracy of prediction, as the percentage error increased with the heating medium flow rate. The maximum percentage error increased from only 1.83% for a water inlet flowing at a Reynolds number of about 2.4 × 103 to 15.23% for a water flow rate at a Reynolds number of about 2.6 × 104. The correction factor was added into the correlation to predict the heat transfer coefficients of heating medium fluids. With this correction factor, the maximum error could be reduced from 11.78% to 7.29% for the palm oil case and from 15.23% to 5.57% for the water case. The average errors corresponding to palm oil and water cases could be reduced to 0.74% and 1.26%, respectively.
A New Path towards Sustainable Energy Transition: Techno-Economic Feasibility of a Complete Hybrid Small Modular Reactor/Hydrogen (SMR/H2) Energy System
Authors: Chalkiadakis Nikolaos , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Varvayanni Melina , Stubos Athanasios , Tzamalis Georgios , Tsoutsos Theocharis
Published: August 2023

Small mοdular reactors (SMRs) are nuclear reactors with a smaller capacity than traditional large-scale nuclear reactors, offering advantages such as increased safety, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. By producing zero carbon emissions, SMRs represent an interesting alternative for the decarbonization of power grids. Additionally, they present a promising solution for the production of hydrogen by providing large amounts of energy for the electrolysis of water (pink hydrogen). The above hint at the attractiveness of coupling SMRs with hydrogen production and consumption centers, in order to form clusters of applications which use hydrogen as a fuel. This work showcases the techno-economic feasibility of the potential installation of an SMR system coupled with hydrogen production, the case study being the island of Crete. The overall aim of this approach is the determination of the optimal technical characteristics of such a system, as well as the estimation of the potential environmental benefits, in terms of reduction of CO2 emissions. The aforementioned system, which is also connected to the grid, is designed to serve a portion of the electric load of the island, while producing enough hydrogen to satisfy the needs of the nearby industries and hotels. The results of this work could provide an alternative sustainable approach on how a hydrogen economy, which would interconnect and decarbonize several industrial sectors, could be established on the island of Crete. The proposed systems achieve an LCOE between EUR 0.046/kWh and EUR 0.052/kWh while reducing carbon emissions by more than 5 million tons per year in certain cases.
The Importance of Energy Prosumers for Affordable and Clean Energy Development: A Review of the Literature from the Viewpoints of Management and Policy
Authors: Hu Jin-Li , Chuang Min-Yueh
Published: August 2023

The release of greenhouse gases has led to increases in global temperatures and triggered an unprecedented array of environmental disasters. The aim of net-zero emissions is to increase the share of the world’s energy supplied by renewable sources as well as to influence consumer behavior to improve the balance between energy supply and demand. Appropriate energy policies can encourage consumers to take a proactive role in the transition to more sustainable forms of energy. Given the circumstances, an increasing number of demand-side users now function as prosumers who produce, store, consume, utilize, and manage energy. To understand the state of the energy prosumers’ business model in this changing sector, a review of the literature related to energy prosumers is made, with a focus on energy efficiency, net-zero emissions, Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), energy management efficiency, and Energy prosumer systems. The purposes of this review are (1) to explore the shared models of the energy prosumers, (2) to gain insight into the energy prosumer in different areas, and (3) to identify any gaps in the energy management efficiency research. Finally, we examine the major difference between energy prosumers and their respective relationships to energy sources. The results reveal that for energy prosumer systems, there is still some room regarding how they will financially, equitably, and efficiently adapt to the impact of the new increased renewable energy prosumer business model.
Influence of the Use of EtG Synthetic Fuel in Spark-Ignition Engines on Vehicle Fuel Consumption and Pollutant Emissions
Authors: Biernat Krzysztof , Chłopek Zdzisław , Grzelak Paulina Luiza
Published: August 2023

This article presents the properties of EtG synthetic fuel (Ethanol to Gasoline) as a substitute for fuels in an installation using ethanol from food waste as a raw material. The results of this research on the process of supplying the engine with EtG fuel are presented, in which the operational suitability of this fuel was verified, including environmental requirements. The results of pollutant emission tests from vehicles with spark-ignition engines in dynamic driving conditions in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) type approval tests and the World Harmonized Test Cycle (WLTC) test, both on a “cold” and “hot engine”, are presented. It was found that EtG fuel is characterized by lower emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and methane, and higher emissions of non-methane hydrocarbons compared to E10 commercial gasoline, while the specific distance emission of carbon dioxide for both fuels was very similar.
Development of a Dual Fuel ICE-Based Micro-CHP System and Experimental Evaluation of Its Performance at Light Loads Using Natural Gas as Primary Fuel
Authors: Castaño Mesa Edisson S. , Quintana Sebastián H. , Bedoya Iván D.
Published: August 2023

This study presents the implementation of a micro-generation system and its operation procedure, based on a dual fuel diesel engine using natural gas as the primary fuel and conventional diesel as the pilot fuel. On the other hand, the evaluation and validation results by experimental testing of a model according to International Energy Agency—IEA—Annex 42, applied to dual fuel diesel micro-cogeneration system, are also presented. The control procedure for experimental operation depends of both inputs’ electric power generation demand and desired substitution level due a given natural gas availability. The heat recovery system of the micro-generation system uses a gas–liquid compact heat exchanger that was selected and implemented, where wasted heat from exhaust gases was transferred to liquid water as a cool fluid. Effective operation engine performance was determined by measurement of masses’ flow rate such as inlet air, diesel and natural gas, and also operation parameters such as electric power generation and recovered thermal power were measured. Electric power was generated by using an electric generator and then dissipated as heat by using an electric resistors bank with a dissipation capacity of 18kW. Natural gas fuel was supplied and measured by using a sonic nozzle flowmeter; in addition, natural gas composition was close to 84.7% CH4, 0.74% CO2 and 1.58% N2, with the rest of them as higher hydrocarbons. The highest overall efficiency (electric efficiency plus heat recovery efficiency) was 52.3% at 14.4 kW of electric power generation and 0% of substitution level. Several substitution levels were tested at each engine electric power generation, obtaining the maximum substitution level of 61% at 17.7 kW of electric power generation. Finally, model prediction results were closed to experimental results, both stationary and transient. The maximum error presented was close to 20% associated to thermal efficiency. However, errors for all other variables were lower than 10% for most of micro-cogeneration system operation points.
Optimal Sliding-Mode Control of Semi-Bridgeless Boost Converters Considering Power Factor Corrections
Authors: Ortiz-Castrillón José R. , Saldarriaga-Zuluaga Sergio D. , Muñoz-Galeano Nicolás , López-Lezama Jesús M. , Benavides-Córdoba Santiago , Cano-Quintero Juan B.
Published: August 2023

Sliding-mode control (SMC) is a robust technique used in power electronics (PE) for controlling the behavior of power converters. This paper presents simulations and experimental results of an optimal SMC strategy applied to Semi-Bridgeless Boost Converters (SBBC), which includes Power Factor Correction (PFC). As the main contribution, the optimal coefficients of the SMC strategy are obtained using two metaheuristic approaches, namely the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The main objective is to obtain the sliding coefficients that ensure the best converter response in terms of the input current and output voltage, both during start-up and under disturbances (including changes in load, source, and references). The fitness function to be minimized includes two coefficients, namely the Integrative Absolute Error (IAE) and the Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE), for both the input current and output voltage. These coefficients measure the converter’s effort to follow the control references. The IAE penalizes errors during start-up, whereas the ITAE penalizes errors in the steady state. The tests carried out demonstrated the effectiveness of the GA and PSO techniques in the optimization process; nonetheless, the GA outperformed the PSO approach, providing sliding coefficients that allowed for a reduction in the input current overshoot during start-up of up to 24.15% and a reduction in the setting time of the output voltage of up to 99%. The experimental results were very similar when tuning with the GA and PSO techniques; nevertheless, tuning with the GA technique produced a better response in the face of disturbances compared to the PSO technique.
Empirical Evidence of Reduced Wildfire Ignition Risk in the Presence of Strong Winds
Authors: Shmuel Assaf , Heifetz Eyal
Published: August 2023

Anyone who has tried lighting a campfire on a windy day can appreciate how difficult it could be. However, despite real-life experience and despite laboratory experiments which have demonstrated that fire ignition risk dramatically decreases beyond a certain wind threshold, current fire weather indices (FWIs) do not take this effect into account and assume a monotonic relation between wind velocity and ignition risk. In this paper, we perform a global analysis which empirically quantifies the probability of ignition as a function of wind velocity. Using both traditional methods (a logistic regression and a generalized additive model) and machine learning techniques, we find that beyond a threshold of approximately 3–4 m/s, the ignition risk substantially decreases. The effect holds when accounting for additional factors such as temperature and relative humidity. We recommend updating FWIs to account for this issue.
Mycobiota of Potato-Cereal Soft Wraps and the Production Facility
Authors: Finne Cathrine Kure
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the mycobiota of potato-cereal soft wraps and in the processing area. Potato-cereal soft wraps are cooked, cold-stored and mashed potatoes that are kneaded together, usually with wheat flour, to form dough. In order to identify the main spoilage mould of this product, 150 visible mould colonies from mouldy wraps were identified. Five different mould species were isolated; Aspergillus niger, Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium commune, Penicllium corylophilum and Pencillium discolor. The dominating spoilage mould was Penicillium commune with 83.9% of the colonies. In order to study the mycobiota of the production area, 271 samples of air and surfaces were collected. In total, 647 mould colonies were isolated from air and surface samples. The mycobiota of air consisted of 27 different species within 9 different genera, and the mycobiota of surfaces consisted of 14 species within 4 different genera. Penicllium species were the dominating genera both in air and on surfaces, and Penicillium commune was the dominating species in the processing environment as well. Penicillium commune was found in the bakery and also in other production rooms. Spores from the flour and from soil on potatoes can disperse in the air as aerosols and may contaminate the wraps after baking when the product is cooled before packaging.
Applications of Solution NMR Spectroscopy in Quality Assessment and Authentication of Bovine Milk
Authors: Eltemur Dilek , Robatscher Peter , Oberhuber Michael , Scampicchio Matteo , Ceccon Alberto
Published: August 2023

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is emerging as a promising technique for the analysis of bovine milk, primarily due to its non-destructive nature, minimal sample preparation requirements, and comprehensive approach to untargeted milk analysis. These inherent strengths of NMR make it a formidable complementary tool to mass spectrometry-based techniques in milk metabolomic studies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the applications of NMR techniques in the quality assessment and authentication of bovine milk. It will focus on the experimental setup and data processing techniques that contribute to achieving accurate and highly reproducible results. The review will also highlight key studies that have utilized commonly used NMR methodologies in milk analysis, covering a wide range of application fields. These applications include determining milk animal species and feeding regimes, as well as assessing milk nutritional quality and authenticity. By providing an overview of the diverse applications of NMR in milk analysis, this review aims to demonstrate the versatility and significance of NMR spectroscopy as an invaluable tool for milk and dairy metabolomics research and hence, for assessing the quality and authenticity of bovine milk.
Comparative Studies on the Organogel Formation of a Polyester in Three Different Base Oils by X-ray Analysis, Rheology and Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Jopen Max , Paulus Michael , Sternemann Christian , Degen Patrick , Weberskirch Ralf
Published: August 2023

High-performance greases typically consist of a base oil and polyurea as a thickener material. To date, few alternatives to polyureas have been investigated. Polyesters could be one such alternative; however, little is known about the gelation of such polyesters because, unlike polyureas, they cannot form hydrogen bonds between the polymer chains. Here, we present studies on the gel formation of a polyester based thickener poly(hexane dodecanoate) with 1-octanol endgroups in three different base oils, i.e., a mineral oil (Brightstock 150), a synthetic Polyalphaolefin (Spectrasyn 40) and castor oil (85 to 90 wt.% ricinoleic acid triglyceride). Small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements indicate a strong interaction of the polyester with castor oil and an increase in the crystalline fraction, with an increasing polymer amount from 5 to 40 wt.%. Moreover, infrared analysis of the polyester in castor oil showed gel formation at a minimum concentration of 20 wt.%. The strong interaction of the polyester with castor oil compared to the other two base oils led to an increase in the yield point γF as a measure of the mechanical stability of the gel, which was determined to be 5.9% compared to 0.8% and 1.0% in Brightstock and Spectrasyn, respectively.