bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concept mapping sociocultural aspects of cervical cancer prevention among African American women
Authors: Carmack Chakema , Roncancio Angelica , Coleman Taylor M. , McKay Sarah
Published: February 2024

Introduction

For African American women in Houston, cervical cancer mortality is disproportionate to their racial and ethnic counterparts. Most notably, lack of human papillomavirus (HPV) screening and vaccination as well as late diagnosis increase cervical cancer mortality. However, cervical cancer is largely preventable. While previous research has identified a few social determinants that are specifically related to cervical cancer (e.g., education, income, neighborhood), there may be a host of additional social and cultural factors that contribute to a lack of preventative behavior.

Methods

The present study used concept mapping to explore sociocultural determinants of cervical cancer prevention beliefs among young African American women. N = 15 African American women, ages 18–25, participated in a group concept mapping session focused on cervical cancer knowledge, beliefs about women’s health, and how their social environment and culture play a role in their conceptualization of cervical cancer prevention.

Discussion

Five overarching concepts emerged: (1) Screening, (2) Support System, (3) Cervical Cancer 101 (knowledge), (4) Fatalism, and (5) Ease of Prevention.

Conclusion

The present study highlights the use of concept mapping for prevention science, particularly in exploratory studies for understanding cervical cancer screening barriers, avenues for intervention, and public health messaging. We discuss the findings and implications for public health research in cervical cancer prevention tailored for African American women.
Practice and proficiency of Isha Yoga for better mental health outcomes: insights from a COVID-19 survey
Authors: Malipeddi Saketh , Mehrotra Seema , John John P. , Kutty Bindu M.
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unparalleled suffering on a global scale, affecting both physical and mental well-being. In such challenging times, it becomes crucial to identify interventions that can alleviate negative mental health outcomes, such as stress, while promoting positive mental health outcomes, like well-being. We report the effectiveness of a mind–body practise, Isha Yoga, in promoting well-being.

Methods

We conducted an online survey, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Yoga practitioners (n = 1,352) from the Isha Yoga tradition in Karnataka, India. We evaluated stress and well-being attributes using conventional psychometric questionnaires. Subsequently, we requested the Isha Yoga practitioners to share another survey with their friends and family members, assessing similar outcomes. From the respondents of this shared survey (n = 221), we identified individuals who currently did not engage in any form of Yoga or meditation, constituting the non-Yoga control group (n = 110). To enhance the reliability and validity of our study and minimize the limitations commonly associated with online surveys, we adhered to the CHERRIES guidelines for reporting survey studies.

Results

Isha Yoga practitioners had significantly lower levels of stress (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.94) and mental distress (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.75) while reporting significantly higher levels of well-being (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.78) and affective balance (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.80) compared to the control group. Furthermore, expertise-related improvements were observed in these outcomes, and a dose–response relationship was found between regularity of Isha Yoga practice and outcome changes. A minimum 3–4 days of weekly practice showed significant differences with the control group. In addition, we investigated the effect of Isha Yoga on stress and well-being among the healthcare workers (HCWs) in our sample and observed better mental health outcomes.

Discussion

These findings collectively underscore the benefits of Mind and Body practices like Isha Yoga on various aspects of mental health and well-being, emphasizing its potential as an effective and holistic approach for promoting a healthy lifestyle among diverse populations, including healthcare workers, even in difficult circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
CoQ10 and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Fišar Zdeněk , Hroudová Jana
Published: February 2024

The progress in understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is based on the recognition of the primary causes of the disease, which can be deduced from the knowledge of risk factors and biomarkers measurable in the early stages of the disease. Insights into the risk factors and the time course of biomarker abnormalities point to a role for the connection of amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology, tau pathology, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the onset and development of AD. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipid antioxidant and electron transporter in the mitochondrial electron transport system. The availability and activity of CoQ10 is crucial for proper mitochondrial function and cellular bioenergetics. Based on the mitochondrial hypothesis of AD and the hypothesis of oxidative stress, the regulation of the efficiency of the oxidative phosphorylation system by means of CoQ10 can be considered promising in restoring the mitochondrial function impaired in AD, or in preventing the onset of mitochondrial dysfunction and the development of amyloid and tau pathology in AD. This review summarizes the knowledge on the pathophysiology of AD, in which CoQ10 may play a significant role, with the aim of evaluating the perspective of the pharmacotherapy of AD with CoQ10 and its analogues.
Research on Capillary Water Absorption Characteristics of Modified Recycled Concrete under Different Freeze–Thaw Environments
Authors: Zhong Chuheng , Lu Weiyin , Mao Weiqi , Xin Sijia , Chen Jinhui , Zhou Jinzhi , Shi Ciming
Published: February 2024

Recycled coarse aggregate is processed through the second crushing, which causes some internal damage, resulting in its physical indicators being far worse than natural coarse aggregate; its durability is relatively poor, and in the northern region, the soil contains a large number of acidic salt ions from the erosion of concrete, resulting in a decline in its durability. In this test, concrete was made from the single and composite immersion of recycled coarse aggregate using 5% water glass and 8% silane solution and subjected to a rapid freeze–thaw test in water, 3.5% NaCl solution, and 5% Na2SO4 solution, followed by a capillary water absorption test. The study was conducted to test the durability of recycled concrete, establish the initial capillary water absorption prediction model under freeze–thaw in different media, and analyze the internal structure of the RAC group after freeze–thaw using SEM. The test results showed that the composite-modified water absorption decreased the most, which can effectively improve the durability of recycled concrete, and the chloride salt caused the greatest erosion of recycled concrete and had the least clear water. The predictive model has high accuracy and can be used as a reference for capillary water absorption experiments on recycled concrete.
Review of Energy Management Systems in Microgrids
Authors: Eyimaya Süleyman Emre , Altin Necmi
Published: February 2024

Microgrids usually employ distributed energy resources such as wind turbines, solar photovoltaic modules, etc. When multiple distributed generation resources with different features are used in microgrids, managing these resources becomes an important problem. The generated power of solar photovoltaic modules and wind turbines used in microgrids is constantly changing with solar irradiation and wind speed. Due to this impermanent and uncertain nature of renewable energy resources, generally, energy storage systems are employed in microgrid systems. To control the distributed energy resources and energy storage units and sustain the supply and demand balance within the microgrid and provide sustainable and reliable energy to the loads, energy management systems are used. Many methods are used to realize and optimize energy management in microgrids. This review article provides a comparative and critical analysis of the energy management systems used in microgrids. The energy management system can be tailored for different purposes, which are also discussed in detail. Additionally, various uncertainty measurement methods are summarized to manage the variability and intermittency of renewable energy sources and load demand. Finally, some thoughts about potential future directions and practical applications are given.
Biomechanical Simulation of Orthodontic En-Bloc Retraction Comparing Compound Technique and Sliding Mechanics Using a HOSEA Robotic Device
Authors: Sabbagh Hisham , Haas Ellen , Baumert Uwe , Seidel Corinna Lesley , Hötzel Linus , Wichelhaus Andrea
Published: February 2024

En-bloc retraction is a common procedure in orthodontic therapy. The application of palatal root torque moments is required to control incisor inclination during retraction, yet studies comparing forces and moments with respect to different mechanics are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the forces and moments during orthodontic en-bloc retraction using a robotic biomechanical simulation system, comparing two distinct approaches: (I) compound technique [stainless steel (SS) combined with nickel-titanium (NiTi)] using industrially pretorqued retraction-torque-archwires (RTA) in combination with NiTi closed coil springs; (II) conventional sliding mechanics using SS archwires with manually applied anterior twist bends in combination with elastic chains. Two dimensions (0.017” × 0.025” and 0.018” × 0.025”) and ten archwires per group were investigated using 0.022” slot self-ligating brackets. Kruskal–Wallis tests with a significance level of α = 0.05 were conducted. The biomechanical simulation showed that en-bloc retraction was characterized by a series of tipping and uprighting movements, differing significantly regarding the examined mechanics. Collateral forces and moments occurred in all groups. Notably, RTA exhibited fewer extrusive forces. The most bodily movement was achieved with the compound technique and the 0.018” × 0.025” RTA. Sliding mechanics exhibited maximum palatal root torque moments of more than 20 Nmm, exceeding recommended values.
Characterization of NAC Gene Family in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and Functional Analysis of AmNAC24, an Osmotic and Cold-Stress-Induced NAC Gene
Authors: Dorjee Tashi , Cui Yican , Zhang Yuxin , Liu Qi , Li Xuting , Sumbur Batu , Yan Hongxi , Bing Jie , Geng Yuke , Zhou Yijun , Gao Fei
Published: February 2024

The NAC family of transcription factors (TFs) is recognized as a significant group within the plant kingdom, contributing crucially to managing growth and development processes in plants, as well as to their response and adaptation to various environmental stressors. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, a temperate evergreen shrub renowned for its remarkable resilience to low temperatures and drought stress, presents an ideal subject for investigating the potential involvement of NAC TFs in stress response mechanisms. Here, the structure, evolution, and expression profiles of NAC family TFs were analyzed systematically, and a cold and osmotic stress-induced member, AmNAC24, was selected and functionally characterized. A total of 86 NAC genes were identified in A. mongolicus, and these were divided into 15 groups. Up to 48 and 8 NAC genes were generated by segmental duplication and tandem duplication, respectively, indicating that segmental duplication is a predominant mechanism in the expansion of the NAC gene family in A. mongolicus. A considerable amount of NAC genes, including AmNAC24, exhibited upregulation in response to cold and osmotic stress. This observation is in line with the detection of numerous cis-acting elements linked to abiotic stress response in the promoters of A. mongolicus NAC genes. Subcellular localization revealed the nuclear residence of the AmNAC24 protein, coupled with demonstrable transcriptional activation activity. AmNAC24 overexpression enhanced the tolerance of cold and osmotic stresses in Arabidopsis thaliana, possibly by maintaining ROS homeostasis. The present study provided essential data for understanding the biological functions of NAC TFs in plants.
The Comparative Effects of Myo-Inositol and Metformin Therapy on the Clinical and Biochemical Parameters of Women of Normal Weight Suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Gudović Aleksandra , Bukumirić Zoran , Milincic Milos , Pupovac Miljan , Andjić Mladen , Ivanovic Katarina , Spremović-Rađenović Svetlana
Published: February 2024

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multisystem reproductive–metabolic disorder and the most common endocrine cause of infertility. The objective of our study was to determine the influence of myo-inositol (MI) on insulin resistance (IR), menstrual cycle regularity, and hyperandrogenism in women suffering from PCOS with normal BMI and diagnosed IR. Methods: We performed a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) that included 60 participants with PCOS who had IR and a normal BMI. Two groups were formed. A group of thirty patients received MI, and thirty patients in the control group received metformin (MET). Results: A statistically significant reduction in the area under the curve (AUC) of insulin values during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was recorded in both examined groups after the applied therapy with MI and MET. The regularity of the menstrual cycle in both groups was improved in >90% of patients. A statistically significant decrease in androgenic hormones (testosterone, SHBG, free androgen index—FAI, androstenedione) was recorded in both groups and did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: Both MI and MET can be considered very effective in the regulation of IR, menstrual cycle irregularities, and hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors: A Review of Molecular Imaging with High Spatial Resolution
Authors: Xu Jiying , Zhang Pengfei , Chen Yi
Published: February 2024

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful tool for determining molecular interactions quantitatively. SPR imaging (SPRi) further improves the throughput of SPR technology and provides the spatially resolved capability for observing the molecular interaction dynamics in detail. SPRi is becoming more and more popular in biological and chemical sensing and imaging. However, SPRi suffers from low spatial resolution due to the imperfect optical components and delocalized features of propagating surface plasmonic waves along the surface. Diverse kinds of approaches have been developed to improve the spatial resolution of SPRi, which have enormously impelled the development of the methodology and further extended its possible applications. In this minireview, we introduce the mechanisms for building a high-spatial-resolution SPRi system and present its experimental schemes from prism-coupled SPRi and SPR microscopy (SPRM) to surface plasmonic scattering microscopy (SPSM); summarize its exciting applications, including molecular interaction analysis, molecular imaging and profiling, tracking of single entities, and analysis of single cells; and discuss its challenges in recent decade as well as the promising future.
Impact of Acetylation on the Behaviour of Single-Dowel Timber Connections
Authors: Forsman Karin , Serrano Erik , Danielsson Henrik
Published: February 2024

This paper presents an experimental study where the mechanical behaviour of single-dowel timber connections made of acetylated Scots pine is compared with the behaviour of connections made from untreated Scots pine. The main aim was to evaluate the influence of the acetylation on the connection brittleness and also to compare the experimental results to the design provisions of the current European structural timber code, Eurocode 5 (EC5). The experiments included embedment tests and tests with connections loaded parallel and perpendicular to the grain, and, for the latter tests, applying different end and edge distances. The acetylated wood showed a 2% increase in density and a 31% increase in embedment strength compared to the untreated wood. For tests on connections loaded parallel to the grain, all specimens made from acetylated wood failed in a brittle manner, while the connections made from untreated wood and complying with minimum end distance of the EC5 design provisions failed due to embedment failure followed by splitting involving cracking along the grain. The connections made of acetylated wood showed a 13–15% higher capacity than the corresponding specimens made from untreated wood. Thus, to fully utilize the potential of the increased embedment strength parallel to the grain, it is concluded that reinforcement of the joint, e.g., by self-tapping screws or externally applied sheet reinforcement would be necessary if the minimum end distances of EC5 are applied. The current design provisions for loading perpendicular to the grain overestimated the capacities severely with predicted characteristic values being 20–50% higher than mean values from tests for the recommended minimum edge distances. Finally, it was found that the splitting capacity in loading perpendicular to the grain was 10–18% lower for the specimens made from acetylated wood compared to the untreated wood.
Upregulation of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) with Associated pERK Co-Expression and PRC2 Complex Protein SUZ12 Correlation in Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Authors: Chai Jiani , Choudhuri Jui , Gong Jerald Z. , Wang Yanhua , Tian Xuejun
Published: February 2024

EZH2, a subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), is an important methyltransferase that catalyzes the trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). EZH2 is overexpressed in various malignancies. Here, we investigated EZH2 expression and potential signaling molecules that correlate with EZH2 expression in ATLL and other T-cell neoplasms. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was performed for EZH2, pERK, MYC, and pSTAT3 on 43 ATLL cases and 104 cases of other T-cell neoplasms. Further IHC studies were conducted for Ki-67, SUZ12, and H3K27me3 on ATLL cases. All ATLL cases showed EZH2 overexpression. In other T-cell neoplasms, a high prevalence of EZH2 overexpression was identified (86%), except for T-PLL (33%). In ATLL, EZH2 overexpression correlated with pERK co-expression (86%), while only a small subset of cases showed MYC (7%) or pSTAT3 (14%) co-expression. In the other T-cell neoplasms, there was a variable, but higher, co-expression of EZH2 with pERK, MYC, and pSTAT3. In ATLL, enhanced EZH2 expression correlated with higher Ki-67 staining, SUZ12 (another PRC2 subunit), and H3K27me3 co-expression. In conclusion, EZH2 is overexpressed in ATLL and is associated with pERK expression. It correlates with an increased proliferation index, indicating an aggressive clinical course. EZH2 also correlates with SUZ12 and H3K27me3 co-expression, suggesting its PRC2-dependent catalytic activity through trimethylation. Additionally, EZH2 is overexpressed in most T-cell neoplasms, suggesting that EZH2 could function as an oncogenic protein in T-cell tumorigenesis. EZH2 and pERK could serve as potential therapeutic targets for treating aggressive ATLL. EZH2 could also be targeted in other T-cell neoplasms.
Smart Tissue Carriers for Innovative Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals
Authors: Morganti Pierfrancesco , Morganti Gianluca , Chen Hong-Duo , Coltelli Maria-Beatrice , Gagliardini Alessandro
Published: February 2024

The present review was conducted to investigate the possibilities in realizing novel nanostructured tissues containing functional molecules that can be commercialized as solid products (without using emulsifiers and preservatives) for cosmeceutical and nutraceutical applications. After considering the principal concepts regarding skin and mucous features and physiologies, the possibilities in using bio-based, biodegradable and biocompatible materials was explored by investigating the correlations between their structures and morphologies with respect to the characteristics of the skin extracellular matrix (ECM). Regarding the new smart type of biodegradable tissues, their possible composition was reviewed in relation to the skin aging process and to the current contest for novel, innovative cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals that consider the “beauty from within” concept. The barriers to the development of these new tissues were mainly identified due the necessity in defining the claim regarding green products. Moreover, the market growth data regarding these novel products were highlighted to support the idea that the diffusion of smart tissue-based cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals is an opportunity for new sustainable industrial chains in the development of bioeconomies.
Exploring the Challenges of Using Minimal Invasive Surgery to Treat Stress Urinary Incontinence: Insights from a Retrospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Hașegan Adrian , Mihai Ionela , Teodoru Cosmin Adrian , Matacuta Ioana Bogdan , Dura Horațiu , Todor Samuel Bogdan , Ichim Cristian , Tanasescu Denisa , Grigore Nicolae , Bolca Ciprian Nicolae , Mohor Cosmin Ioan , Mohor Călin Ilie , Bacalbașa Nicolae , Bratu Dan Georgian , Boicean Adrian
Published: February 2024

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a significant global health issue that particularly affects females, leads to notable societal and economic challenges and significantly affects the quality of life. This study focuses on the comparative analysis of two established surgical interventions, tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and transobturator tape (TOT), at a single center and applied to 455 women suffering from SUI, with a mean follow-up period of 102 ± 30 months for TVT and 80.4 ± 13 months for TOT. Our findings indicate that, in comparison to TVT, the TOT procedure demonstrates fewer early and late post-operative complications in patient outcomes (1.41% vs. 17.64% and; 5.66% vs. 12.74%, both respectively). However, the TVT procedure shows a modestly favorable outcome in the risk of recurrence of SUI, compared to TOT (0% vs. 3.7%); the TOT procedure has also proven to be more effective in alleviating of urgency symptoms, although not at a statistically significant level (p = 0.072). Univariable and multivariable analysis of factors that predict late complications showed that only obesity can predict a worse outcome [OR]: 1.125 CI 95%: 1.105–1.533, p = 0.037), when adjustments are made for symptoms presented before surgery and procedure type. While both methods are safe and effective, the choice between them should be based on the specific characteristics of each case.
Discrete and Semi-Discrete Multidimensional Solitons and Vortices: Established Results and Novel Findings
Authors: Malomed Boris A.
Published: February 2024

This article presents a concise survey of basic discrete and semi-discrete nonlinear models, which produce two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) solitons, and a summary of the main theoretical and experimental results obtained for such solitons. The models are based on the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equations and their generalizations, such as a system of discrete Gross–Pitaevskii (GP) equations with the Lee–Huang–Yang corrections, the 2D Salerno model (SM), DNLS equations with long-range dipole–dipole and quadrupole–quadrupole interactions, a system of coupled discrete equations for the second-harmonic generation with the quadratic (χ(2)) nonlinearity, a 2D DNLS equation with a superlattice modulation opening mini-gaps, a discretized NLS equation with rotation, a DNLS coupler and its PT-symmetric version, a system of DNLS equations for the spin–orbit-coupled (SOC) binary Bose–Einstein condensate, and others. The article presents a review of the basic species of multidimensional discrete modes, including fundamental (zero-vorticity) and vortex solitons, their bound states, gap solitons populating mini-gaps, symmetric and asymmetric solitons in the conservative and PT-symmetric couplers, cuspons in the 2D SM, discrete SOC solitons of the semi-vortex and mixed-mode types, 3D discrete skyrmions, and some others.
The Impact of Current Account Balance on Economic Growth in South Africa
Authors: Monamodi Nkosinathi Emmanuel
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the impact of South Africa’s current account balance on its economic growth from Q1 2015 to Q4 2022 using Auto Regressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) technique. This study incorporates qualitative variables like COVID-19 to understand its effect on the South African current account and economic growth rate. Generally, the results show that the South African current account deficit impacted economic growth in both the long and short run. COVID-19 also affected the current account significantly in both the long and short run, thus causing more deterioration on the South African current account and subsequently affecting the economic growth rate negatively. This study recommends more competitive export promotion and import substitution by investing in and developing domestic productivity. This study also recommends an acceleration of the tabled COVID-19 recovery initiatives through an alliance between the government and private sector.
How Do Remittances Influence the Mitigation of Energy Poverty in Latin America? An Empirical Analysis Using a Panel Data Approach
Authors: González Bautista María Gabriela , Zurita Moreano Eduardo Germán , Vallejo Mata Juan Pablo , Cejas Martinez Magda Francisca
Published: February 2024

Energy poverty represents a critical challenge in Latin America today, given the social disparities the region faces. In this context, this study focuses on exploring the effects of remittances on the energy poverty of 13 Latin American countries during the period 2000–2020. Panel estimations with fixed and random effects, along with the generalized method of moments, are employed to address potential endogeneity issues. The results suggest that remittances play a significant role in mitigating energy poverty in the Latin American region, particularly in rural areas. Furthermore, it is observed that economic growth and financial development act as mediators, allowing remittances to indirectly contribute to mitigating energy poverty. Although inequality was examined as a potential mediator, the findings suggest that it does not play a significant role in this context. It is concluded that remittances are an appropriate mechanism to improve the quality of life of the population, and their impact is strengthened in a more robust economic environment.
High-Resolution Remote Sensing Image Change Detection Based on Cross-Mixing Attention Network
Authors: Wu Chaoyang , Yang Le , Guo Cunge , Wu Xiaosuo
Published: February 2024

With the powerful discriminative capabilities of convolutional neural networks, change detection has achieved significant success. However, current methods either ignore the spatiotemporal dependencies between dual-temporal images or suffer from decreased accuracy due to registration errors. Addressing these challenges, this paper proposes a method for remote sensing image change detection based on the cross-mixing attention network. To minimize the impact of registration errors on change detection results, a feature alignment module (FAM) is specifically developed in this study. The FAM performs spatial transformations on dual-temporal feature maps, achieving the precise spatial alignment of feature pairs and reducing false positive rates in change detection. Additionally, to fully exploit the spatiotemporal relationships between dual-temporal images, a cross-mixing attention module (CMAM) is utilized to extract global channel information, enhancing feature selection capabilities. Furthermore, attentional maps are created to guide the up-sampling process, optimizing feature information. Comprehensive experiments conducted on the LEVIR-CD and SYSU-CD change detection datasets demonstrate that the proposed model achieves F1 scores of 91.06% and 81.88%, respectively, outperforming other comparative models. In conclusion, the proposed model maintains good performance on two datasets and, thus, has good applicability in various change detection tasks.
Networked Microgrids: A Review on Configuration, Operation, and Control Strategies
Authors: Bordbari Mohammad Javad , Nasiri Fuzhan
Published: February 2024

The increasing impact of climate change and rising occurrences of natural disasters pose substantial threats to power systems. Strengthening resilience against these low-probability, high-impact events is crucial. The proposition of reconfiguring traditional power systems into advanced networked microgrids (NMGs) emerges as a promising solution. Consequently, a growing body of research has focused on NMG-based techniques to achieve a more resilient power system. This paper provides an updated, comprehensive review of the literature, particularly emphasizing two main categories: networked microgrids’ configuration and networked microgrids’ control. The study explores key facets of NMG configurations, covering formation, power distribution, and operational considerations. Additionally, it delves into NMG control features, examining their architecture, modes, and schemes. Each aspect is reviewed based on problem modeling/formulation, constraints, and objectives. The review examines findings and highlights the research gaps, focusing on key elements such as frequency and voltage stability, reliability, costs associated with remote switches and communication technologies, and the overall resilience of the network. On that basis, a unified problem-solving approach addressing both the configuration and control aspects of stable and reliable NMGs is proposed. The article concludes by outlining potential future trends, offering valuable insights for researchers in the field.
Empirical Analysis of Mining Costs Amid Energy Price Volatility for Secondary Deposits in Quarrying
Authors: Patyk Michał , Bodziony Przemysław
Published: February 2024

The outlined methodology for calculating operating costs in open-cast mines and quarries not only facilitates the selection of optimal mining equipment and systems for working lower-grade secondary deposits but also adds significant value in navigating the challenges of fluctuating prices of energy carriers and fuels. Moreover, the study rigorously assesses the impact of mining operations on the performance of deployed mining equipment and the overall viability of the rock mining project. The selection procedure relies on a comprehensive analysis of the technical and economic parameters of selected solutions, providing critical insights to guide decisions regarding the continuation or discontinuation of mining operations. We analyse, based on empirical data, the technical and economic parameters of several variants of mining equipment to be used for the extraction of rocks and stones from secondary deposits in conditions of fluctuation depending on the level of energy prices, in order to find the best configuration in terms of operating costs and potential revenue. In addition to analysing the structure of operating costs, the article presents their correlation with the required profit from the sale of raw materials using the linear correlation method. The results clearly demonstrate the economic viability of mining secondary deposits, taking into account the actual costs incurred by mining companies.
Planning of Reserve Storage to Compensate for Forecast Errors
Authors: Koch Julian , Bensmann Astrid , Eckert Christoph , Rath Michael , Hanke-Rauschenbach Richard
Published: February 2024

Forecasts and their corresponding optimized operation plans for energy plants never match perfectly, especially if they have a horizon of several days. In this paper, we suggest a concept to cope with uncertain load forecasts by reserving a share of the energy storage system for short-term balancing. Depending on the amount of uncertainty in the load forecasts, we schedule the energy system with a specific reduced storage capacity at the day-ahead market. For the day of delivery, we examine the optimal thresholds when the remaining capacity should be used to balance differences between forecast and reality at the intraday market. With the help of a case study for a simple sector-coupled energy system with a demand for cooling, it is shown that the energy costs could be reduced by up to 10% using the optimal reserve share. The optimal reserve share depends on the forecast quality and the time series of loads and prices. Generally, the trends and qualitative results can be transferred to other systems. However, of course, an individual evaluation before the realization is recommended.
Design and Optical Performance Evaluation of the Three-Dimensional Solar Concentrators with Multiple Compound Parabolic Profiles and Elliptical and Rectangular Receiver Shapes
Authors: Mboup Aïssatou , Akisawa Atsushi , Pujol-Nadal Ramón , Martínez-Moll Víctor
Published: February 2024

The compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is a core technology in the field of solar concentration. Nevertheless, it only has one degree of freedom in the choice of its half-acceptance angle. In this study, extending the idea of the three-dimensional CPC, a design method for new kinds of concentrators having a CPC shape at each profile with various acceptance angles in all directions is proposed. The feature of this method is that the receiver can take any shape. Here, elliptical and rectangular receivers are assumed, and the shape and concentration performance of the concentrators with multiple CPC profiles and an elliptical receiver (MultiPro-ECPCs) and the concentrators with multiple CPC profiles and a rectangular receiver (MultiPro-RCPCs) are derived. The new designs are compared to the conventional CPC and a mirrorless flat receiver through ray-tracing simulations in terms of energy distribution on the receiver, optical efficiency, and optical concentration ratio based on axial and solar angles. The results show that in terms of optical efficiency, the MultiPro-RCPCs cover a wider range of incident angles after the 3DCPC. In terms of the optical concentration ratio, the MultiPro-ECPC with a longitudinal half-acceptance angle of 15° has the highest peak value of 19.5, followed by the MultiPro-RCPC. This study enlightens that with the concentration system settings adapted to the acceptance range of the proposed concentrators, a higher concentration can be achieved with the MultiPro-ECPC and MultiPro-RCPC compared to the conventional CPC.
A Comprehensive Review of Compensation Control Techniques Suitable for Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter Operation with Unequal DC Sources or Faulty Cells
Authors: Lingom Pascal M. , Song-Manguelle Joseph , Nyobe-Yome Jean Maurice , Doumbia Mamadou L.
Published: February 2024

A cascaded H-bridge multilevel converter topology is the ultimate solution for energy conversion in various industrial applications due to its exceptional features, such as high modularity and fault-tolerant capability. However, two circumstances can lead to unbalanced operation of the inverter, potentially causing a decrease in its reliability and survivability: unequal DC voltage sources and faulty cells. In recent decades, scientists and engineers have conducted intensive research and meaningful studies to propose control solutions capable of maintaining the stable and continuous operation of the inverter under these operational concerns. Typically, each challenge is addressed separately using a distinct compensation control scheme in the existing literature. The paper aims to offer a comprehensive review of the existing compensation control schemes appropriate for CHBMIs operating under unbalanced conditions. It overviews the most popular control schemes and summarizes their usefulness in such scenarios. The theoretical foundations of each control scheme are presented and discussed, including their operating principles, implementation schemes, advantages, and disadvantages. The paper concludes with suggested future trends that require further research for CHBMIs’ continued growth and adoption in various industrial applications.
Multi-Factor Controlling Diversity of the Ordovician Hydrocarbon Phase in the Tazhong I Block, Tarim Basin, NW China
Authors: Wang Yifeng , Shen Weibing , Li Jian , Zhang Chen , Xie Hongzhe , Chen Shuo , Baima Quzong , Wang Chunhong
Published: February 2024

The distribution characteristics and main controlling factors of hydrocarbon phases in deep strata from petroliferous basins are important for the evaluation of oil–gas resources and decision-making regarding exploration. The distribution characteristics and controlling factors of the Ordovician hydrocarbon phases are systematically analyzed in the Tazhong I block, Tarim Basin, NW China. The results show that the Ordovician reservoirs in the Tazhong I block are characterized as multi-phase reservoirs with a lateral co-existence of condensates, normal oil reservoirs, and heavy oil reservoirs. From east to west, gas-rich in the fault belt and oil-rich in the platform area are presented. Meanwhile, there are regular variations in the geochemical characteristics of the Ordovician hydrocarbon, showing decreasing trends in the gas/oil ratio (GOR), wax contents, dryness coefficients, methane contents, and methane carbonate isotope values (δ13C1) and an increasing trend in oil densities. Because the same Cambrian–Lower Ordovician source for the Ordovician hydrocarbon is observed in the Tazhong I block, the regular variations in the hydrocarbon phases and geochemical characteristics can be interpreted as records of gas invasion, biodegradation, multi-stage filling, thermal cracking, and thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) rather than controlled by the source rock organofacies. This indicated that different kinds of secondary processes for a diversity of the hydrocarbon phase can appear in one region. Our re-construction of the Ordovician hydrocarbon accumulation model in the Tazhong I block encourages future exploration to target gas reservoirs in the fault belt and oil reservoirs in the platform area.
Research on Ultra-Low-Frequency Oscillation Suppression Method of High-Head, Large-Capacity Hydropower Units
Authors: Zhang Sixiang , Li Longyuan , Liu Weijun , Luo Daijun , Zhai Bingjie , He Haomin , Zou Peng , Wang Yuhong , Gao Shilin
Published: February 2024

Aiming at the problem of ultra-low-frequency oscillation (ULFO) caused by an irrational setting of governor parameters of high-head hydraulic turbine units, this paper proposes a method to optimize the additional damping control parameters of the governor to suppress ULFO. Firstly, the mechanism of ULFO is elaborated and the effect of system damping torque on ULFO is analyzed. Secondly, Hamilton’s theory is used to rank the magnitude of each unit’s contribution to the ULFO. Then, the parameters of the damping controller are optimized using the variational modal decomposition–Hilbert transform method and the Grey Wolf Optimization algorithm. It realizes the phase compensation of the hydroelectric unit governor and suppresses the ultra-low-frequency oscillation. Finally, the proposed method is validated using the simulation conducted in CloudPSS. The test results indicate that the proposed method can effectively suppress the ULFO caused by the high-head hydroelectric unit.
Rubber-Tracked Forwarders—Productivity and Cost Efficiency Potentials
Authors: Lundbäck Mikael , Lindroos Ola , Servin Martin
Published: February 2024

The extraction of timber is expensive, energy intensive, and potentially damaging to the forest soil. Machine development aims to mitigate risks for environmental impact and decrease energy consumption while maintaining or increasing cost efficiency. The development of rubber-tracked forwarders has gained renewed interest, not least due to climate change leading to unreliable weather in combination with low tolerance for soil damage. The increased cost of rubber tracks compared to wheels is believed to be compensated by higher driving speed enabled by semi-active suspension. Thus, the aim of this study was to theoretically investigate how the productivity and cost efficiency of rubber-tracked forwarders are affected by variations in driving speed and machine costs. The calculations were made with fixed stand parameters, to evaluate performance in well-defined working conditions, and with parameters from 2500 final felling stands in central Sweden, to evaluate performance in varied working conditions. Scenarios were compared to a baseline corresponding to mid-sized wheeled forwarders. The results show higher productivity with the increased driving speed enabled by rubber tracks and suspension at all extraction distances, with larger differences at long extraction distances. Assuming a 15% higher machine price for the rubber-tracked forwarder and a variable cost increase proportional to speed increase, extraction costs break even with the baseline at 400 m and 700 m extraction distance for moderate and fast driving speed, respectively. Furthermore, a rubber-tracked forwarder is likely to enable access to a larger part of the harvest area during longer seasons. For the studied set of stands, the year-round accessible volumes are estimated to increase from 9% to 92% with a rubber-tracked forwarder. With rubber tracks instead of wheels, good accessibility has the potential to be combined with low soil impact and cost efficiency in a favourable way for both industry and ecosystem.
The Application of Geographic Information System in Urban Forest Ecological Compensation and Sustainable Development Evaluation
Authors: An Liwei , Liu Guifeng , Hou Meiling
Published: February 2024

Urban forests can alleviate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and improve residents’ mental health. By studying urban forests, these resources can be better used and managed to create more livable urban environments. Therefore, the urban forest in the Taishan region is taken as the research object, and the ecological compensation and sustainable development of urban forest in Tai’an City are deeply analyzed by GIS. It divided the area into forest land, water bodies, wetlands, grasslands, and shrubs as the basic ecosystem types. And through secondary interpretation and combination, a complete urban forest information database was established. To evaluate the comprehensive benefits of urban forests, the analytic hierarchy process was utilized to establish a corresponding evaluation index system. Based on the assessment outcomes of the comprehensive benefits of urban forests in the area, a standard accounting method for urban forest ecological compensation was proposed. The results showed that each index of the comprehensive benefits of urban forests and the random consistency ratio were both less than 0.1. This indicated that the matrix calculation results of various indicators of urban forest comprehensive benefits had good consistency. At the target level, the comprehensive evaluation score of urban forests in the study area was 7.69. At the factor level, the weight value of the urban forest landscape structure was 0.675, and the comprehensive score was 7.62. The weight value of urban forest comprehensive benefits was 0.325, and the comprehensive score was 7.82. The quantitative weight value of urban forest greening in the study area was 0.6138, with a comprehensive score of 7.57. Based on the analysis of the issues in urban forests and ecological compensation in the research area of Tai’an City, corresponding ecological compensation strategies have been proposed. It is of great value to study the urban forest of Tai’an city, which can help to formulate more effective urban planning and sustainable development strategies. The research results can also provide a valuable reference and inspiration for the improvement of urban forest ecological environment and biodiversity protection in other areas.
Restorative Effects of Pocket Parks on Mental Fatigue among Young Adults: A Comparative Experimental Study of Three Park Types
Authors: Xu Jingyi , Qiu Bing , Zhang Fan , Zhang Jinguang
Published: February 2024

Urban parks have been proven to effectively reduce mental fatigue among city residents; however, there has been less focus on the mental health benefits offered by pocket parks in densely populated areas from a field experiment perspective. Additionally, there is insufficient evidence providing information on the environmental characteristics that support recovery from mental fatigue. This study was based on 80 young adults aged 19–25 years. Three types of pocket parks were selected: street corners, interblock spaces, and intrablock spaces. Through a field experiment with questionnaire collection, physiological (BP, HR, and LF/HF) and psychological indicators (FS-14 and VAS) were used to explore the relationship between various pocket park features and respondents’ mental fatigue recovery. This study investigated the restorative effects of 10 environmental features by collecting questionnaires. The results suggested that different types of pocket parks have the recovery effect of pocket parks. Four environmental factors, namely, vegetation colour (β = −0.472, p = 0.002), vegetation coverage (β = 0.298, p = 0.046), resting facility comfort (β = −0.336, p = 0.028), and plant species (β = −0.437, p = 0.003), were more predictive of mental fatigue recoverability. However, factors such as neighbourhood hygiene and spatial privacy did not show significant predictive effects. Our findings provide robust evidence for urban park planning and design. In the future landscape design of high-density urban areas, greater emphasis can be placed on the construction of pocket parks. The rational selection and configuration of environmental factors that contribute to recovery effects in pocket parks will contribute to meeting the psychological health service needs of high-density urban populations.
Active Low-Density Polyethylene-Based Films by Incorporating α-Tocopherol in the Free State and Loaded in PLA Nanoparticles: A Comparative Study
Authors: Azevedo Ana G. , Barros Carolina , Miranda Sónia , Machado Ana V. , Carneiro Olga S. , Silva Bruno , Andrade Mariana A. , Vilarinho Fernanda , Saraiva Margarida , Sanches Silva Ana , Pastrana Lorenzo M. , Cerqueira Miguel A.
Published: February 2024

In this work, alpha-tocopherol (α-TOC) was encapsulated in poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles (PLA NPs) and added to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films with the aim of producing an active film for food packaging applications. PLA NPs loaded with α-TOC were produced through nanoprecipitation and dried using two methods (freeze-dryer and oven). LDPE-based films with final polymeric matrix concentrations of 10 and 20 g/kg were then produced through blow extrusion. The results showed that LDPE-based films loaded with α-TOC can be produced using blow extrusion, and a good distribution of PLA NPs can be obtained within the LDPE matrix as observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were affected by the incorporation of α-TOC and PLA NPs loaded with α-TOC, with the observation of a decrease in tensile strength and Young’s Modulus values and an increase in elongation at break. Regarding water vapor permeability, the films showed a reduction in the values with the addition of α-TOC and PLA NPs loaded with α-TOC compared to the LDPE film (control). Films with α-TOC in the free state and loaded in PLA NPs showed antioxidant activity, but their behavior was affected by the encapsulation process.