bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Oxygen Expansion during Internal Bleaching with Enamel and Dentin: A Comparative In Vitro Study
Authors: Pallarés-Serrano Alba , Pallarés-Serrano Sandra , Pallarés-Serrano Antonio , Pallarés-Sabater Antonio
Published: August 2021

Internal bleaching is a conservative, non-invasive, and simple treatment that is frequently performed in daily clinical practice. The present in vitro study analyzes the oxygen expansion of different bleaching agents resulting from the oxidation reaction when interacting with enamel and dentin. Enamel and dentin were crushed separately until obtaining a fine powder with particles of an approximate size between 0.06 and 0.2 mm. Each enamel and dentin sample were mixed with 37% carbamide peroxide (CP 37%), 30% hydrogen peroxide (HP 30%), sodium perborate (SP) combined with HP 30% (HP 30% + SP) and SP with distilled water (SP). A total of 280 1 mm diameter glass tubes were used with 70 for each bleaching agent (30 for powdered enamel evaluation, 30 for powdered dentin evaluation, and 10 controls). The bleaching agents were placed in the prepared tubes immediately after mixing the components. As expansion occurred, the oil inside the tube was displaced, through which the resulting expansion was evaluated and measured for 10 days. A significant expansion was observed that varied in magnitude according to the bleaching agent and the tooth structure used. Student’s t test and Welch’s ANOVA were used to analyze the data obtained. The highest mean expansion of both enamel and dentin was observed with 30% HP (66.6 mm for enamel, 94.5 mm for dentin) followed by HP 30% + SP (48.6 mm for enamel, 52.7 mm for dentin), CP 37% (38.4 mm for enamel, 52.6 mm for dentin) and finally SP with water (12.7 mm for enamel, 4.4 mm for dentin). It was observed that the expansion in the SP group with enamel was significantly lower than in the rest of the groups, while that registered for HP 30% was significantly higher. (p < 0.001). The results with dentin were similar, with a significantly lower expansion for SP and higher for HP 30% (p < 0.001). The oxygen expansion observed as a result of the interaction between bleaching agents and dental tissues could contribute to improving our understanding of bleaching and its results. These results suggest that bleaching agents react with the organic component of the tooth structure.
Identifying the Role of Gold on Sustainable Investment in Indonesia: The DCC-GARCH Approach
Authors: Robiyanto Robiyanto , Nugroho Bayu Adi , Huruta Andrian Dolfriandra , Frensidy Budi , Suyanto Suyanto
Published: August 2021

This research investigated the performance of a dynamic portfolio that consists of sustainable/ethical stocks and gold. The main purpose of this study is to prove that the inclusion of gold in sustainable/ethical stocks portfolios could produce better performance. Therefore, the method used in this research, DCC-GARCH, was relaxing the basic assumptions in the theory of modern portfolio that is under the assumption of the normality of stock return and securities would have constant correlation. This research used data such as SRI-KEHATI Index (SKI) and Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) in Indonesia as a proxy for sustainable investments. Additionally, this research used gold from 2013 to 2019. This study is able to provide evidence regarding the ability of a dynamic portfolio to minimize the level of portfolio risk. However, this led a lower rate of return. Based on the OLS regression, gold is also proven as a weak safe haven for sustainable investment in Indonesia. Investors who believe in ethical investment may include gold in this time-varying approach when formulating the portfolio to reduce risk significantly. The inclusion of gold in portfolios could produce hedging effectiveness. Overall, this study supports some previous findings regarding the ability of gold as an instrument, which could reduce investment risk if involved in a portfolio.
Lithium-Ion Battery Operation, Degradation, and Aging Mechanism in Electric Vehicles: An Overview
Authors: Guo Jia , Li Yaqi , Pedersen Kjeld , Stroe Daniel-Ioan
Published: August 2021

Understanding the aging mechanism for lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) is crucial for optimizing the battery operation in real-life applications. This article gives a systematic description of the LiBs aging in real-life electric vehicle (EV) applications. First, the characteristics of the common EVs and the lithium-ion chemistries used in these applications are described. The battery operation in EVs is then classified into three modes: charging, standby, and driving, which are subsequently described. Finally, the aging behavior of LiBs in the actual charging, standby, and driving modes are reviewed, and the influence of different working conditions are considered. The degradation mechanisms of cathode, electrolyte, and anode during those processes are also discussed. Thus, a systematic analysis of the aging mechanisms of LiBs in real-life EV applications is achieved, providing practical guidance, methods to prolong the battery life for users, battery designers, vehicle manufacturers, and material recovery companies.
The Learning Activation Approach—Understanding Indonesia’s Energy Transition by Teaching It
Authors: Hernandez Ariel Macaspac , Prakoso Yudhi Timor Bimo
Published: August 2021

Indonesia is an interesting case study for researchers, educators and students of sustainable development and sustainable energy due to its ability to connect the multiple “worlds” it has become part of. Indonesia is an important bridge to Muslim countries, the voice of the Global South in the G20 and a main pillar of the 134-country-strong G77. Indonesia’s development trajectory is also key to the achievement of the Paris Climate Agreement as well as of the 2030 Agenda. This article proposes that one way to understand Indonesia’s complex energy transition is by knowing how to teach it as a case study. By teaching how Indonesia addresses contradictions that would have been unsurmountable for other countries, new insights and values can be gained. Indonesia’s energy transition offers helpful lessons, because of its aspiration to become a developed country by 2045. However, as the methodology of this paper suggests, these lessons can be more valuable when they are achieved through the stages of reflection, interaction and action. By knowing how to teach Indonesia’s energy transition, the value of knowledge can be multiplied. This article begins by showing how Indonesia addresses barriers and caveats by focusing on silver linings and comes up with pragmatic solutions to energy-related issues. This is followed by the “teaching guide,” which provides recommendations as to how the lessons from Indonesia can be embedded into a learning experience. The “learning activation approach” is introduced, which encourages students to systematically reflect on the complexity of selected contexts and understand this complexity by looking at the technical issues and processes that allow decision making.
County Clustering with Bioenergy as Flexible Power Unit in a Renewable Energy System
Authors: Stößel Laura , Poddie Leila , Spratte Tobias , Schelenz Ralf , Jacobs Georg
Published: August 2021

The pressure on the energy sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is increasing. In the light of current greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector, further expansion of renewable energy sources (RES) is inevitable to reduce emissions and reach the climate goals. This study aims at investigating structural characteristics of German counties regarding advantages for self-sufficient power systems based on RES. The modelling of the power sector based on RES is coupled with a cluster analysis in order to draw a large-scale conclusion on structural characteristics beneficial or obstructive for municipal energy systems. Ten clusters are identified with the Ward algorithm in a hierarchical-agglomerative method. The results underline a further need for RES expansion projects in order to close the gap between supply and demand. Only then, bioenergy can effectively balance the offset and support a truly self-sufficient local energy system. While the model results indicate that the majority of the counties are suitable for further expansion, this suitability is to be questioned in cluster 10. High population density is a critical characteristic, because with it come both a high demand and limited sites for further RES expansion projects.
Elliptic Array Luminescent Solar Concentrators for Combined Power Generation and Microalgae Growth
Authors: Talebzadeh Nima , O’Brien Paul G.
Published: August 2021

The full utilization of broadband solar irradiance is becoming increasingly useful for applications such as long-term space missions, wherein power generation from external sources and regenerative life support systems are essential. Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) can be designed to separate sunlight into photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and non-PAR to simultaneously provide for algae cultivation and electric power generation. However, the efficiency of LSCs suffers from high emission losses. In this work, we show that by shaping the LSC in the form of an elliptic array, rather than the conventional planar configuration, emission losses can be drastically reduced to the point that they are almost eliminated. Numerical results, considering the combined effects of emission, transmission and surface scattering losses show the optical efficiency of the elliptic array LSC is 63%, whereas, in comparison, the optical efficiency for conventional planar LSCs is 47.2%. Further, results from numerical simulations show that elliptic array luminescent solar concentrators can convert non-PAR and green-PAR to electric power with a conversion efficiency of ~17% for AM1.5 and 17.6% for AM0, while transmitting PAR to an underlying photobioreactor to support algae cultivation.
An Economically Viable 100% Renewable Energy System for All Energy Sectors of Germany in 2030
Authors: Traber Thure , Hegner Franziska Simone , Fell Hans-Josef
Published: August 2021

To be able to fulfil the Paris Climate Agreement and keep global warming with reasonable confidence at a maximum of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, Germany must set an end to all greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. At the core of this task is the switch to 100% renewables across all sectors on the same time horizon. Conventional technologies fueled by fossil and nuclear energies are, according to the vast majority of current cost calculations, energetically inefficient, too expensive, and too slow in expansion to be able to deliver a substantial contribution to rapid climate protection. We present the first comprehensive energy scenario that shows the way to 100% renewable energy for all energy sectors by 2030. The result of the calculations is a cost-effective energy system that is compatible with the German share of necessary greenhouse gas reduction. This study shows a target system of generation, conversion, and storage technologies that can achieve the transformation to 100% renewable energy in all energy sectors—electricity, heat, and mobility—in time and at competitive costs below the costs of the current system. Moreover, we demonstrate the huge cost effect that arises if southern Germany renounces its onshore wind resources and find that this would substantially increase the need for high-voltage direct-current transmission capacity.
The Critical Capture Velocity of Coal Ash Particles Oblique Impact on a Stainless Steel Surface
Authors: Xie Jun , Ma Haodong , Li Chenxi , Li Shaobai , Zhu Zhengren , Fu Zheng
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the rebound characteristics of coal ash particles impacting on a stainless steel surface are studied experimentally with the background of ash deposition on the heating surface of the boiler. The impact processes of coal ash particles with different incident angles were recorded by high-speed digital camera technology. The evolution of the normal restitution coefficient with incident normal velocity was obtained. Three different static contact theories are used to establish the equations of motion to predict the critical capture velocity of particles. The results show that the normal restitution coefficient first increases and then decreases with the increase of incident normal velocity. The critical capture velocity of particles under the three models was predicted. It is found that the prediction results of the Brach and Dunn (BD) model for the critical capture velocity are close to the experimental results. Taking the particle of size 23 μm as an example, the maximum critical capture velocity predicted by BD model is 1.0611 m/s at 0° incident angle. The minimum value is 0.7940 m/s when the incident angle is 45°.The critical capture velocity of particles decreases with the increase of incident angle and with the increase of particle diameter.
Flame Spray Pyrolysis Engineering of Nanosized Mullite-Bi2Fe4O9 and Perovskite-BiFeO3 as Highly Efficient Photocatalysts for O2 Production from H2O Splitting
Authors: Psathas Pavlos , Solakidou Maria , Mantzanis Asterios , Deligiannakis Yiannis
Published: August 2021

Bi-Fe oxides are stable materials with potential photocatalytic activity under solar light photons. So far, however the photocatalytic potential of pure-phase nanosized mullite-Bi2Fe4O9 has not been studied. Usually, synthesis of pure-phase nanosized mullite-Bi2Fe4O9 is hampered by co-formation with perovskite BiFeO3. Herein we demonstrate that pure-phase mullite-Bi2Fe4O9 nanoparticles prepared by Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) technology are highly efficient O2 production photocatalysts, achieving >1500 μmol g−1h−1. This outperforms all -so far reported- O2 production Bi-Fe-O photocatalysts. We present an FSP-based process for production of a versatile Bi-Fe-O platform, that can be easily optimized to obtain 100% mullite-Bi2Fe4O9 or 100% perovskite-BiFeO3 or their heterojunctions. The phase-evolution of the Bi-Fe-O materials has been studied by XPS, Raman, and EPR spectroscopies. Short post-FSP annealing process impacts the photoactivity of the BiFeO3 and Bi2Fe4O9 in distinct ways. Fe2+ centers in BiFeO3 can improve dramatically its O2 production efficiency, while solid-melt formation in Bi2Fe4O9 is a limiting factor.
Strategies to Increase the Transient Active Power of Photovoltaic Units during Low Voltage Ride Through
Authors: Yan Xiangwu , Liang Baixue , Jia Jiaoxin , Aslam Waseem , Wang Chenguang , Zhang Shizheng , Ma Hongbin
Published: August 2021

Due to a limitation in the magnitude of the three-phase output inverter currents, the output active power of the photovoltaic (PV) unit has been de-rated during low voltage ride through, which brings great instability risk to the power system. With the increase in the penetration rate of new energy, the impact of the power shortage on the system transient stability increases. It is of great significance to analyze the impact of this transient power shortage on system stability. This article explores methods to improve the active power output capability of photovoltaic units during low-breakthrough periods. A transient simulation model of a grid-connected PV generator with low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability is presented, under the condition of meeting the overcurrent capacity of the PV inverter and the requirement of dynamic reactive power support supplied by the PV generator specified in the China grid codes (GB/T 19964-2012) during grid fault. An example system with high PV penetration is built. The change principle and influencing factors of PV transient active power output are analyzed. The simulation model is designed in PowerFactory/DIgSILENT, and several types of three-phase voltage sags are performed in simulation to assess the impact of the active current reference calculation method and the maximum inverter output current (Imax) limit value on the PV active power output. According to the three indexes, namely the maximum active power of PV unit during the fault, the power improvement gradient and the power surge after the fault is cleared. Simulation results showed that using the orthogonal decomposition method to calculate the active current reference can make full use of the current capacity of the converter. Setting Imax to 1.1 rated current of photovoltaic inverter (IN) can reduce the cost-effectiveness ratio of the transient active power output of the PV unit. Therefore, we aim to improve the unit’s transient active power output capacity and realize the optimal effect of improving the transient active power shortage of the system.
Thermodynamic Modeling of Mutual Solubilities in Gas-Laden Brines Systems Containing CO2, CH4, N2, O2, H2, H2O, NaCl, CaCl2, and KCl: Application to Degassing in Geothermal Processes
Authors: Chabab Salaheddine , Cruz José Lara , Poulain Marie , Ducousso Marion , Contamine François , Serin Jean Paul , Cézac Pierre
Published: August 2021

With the growing interest in geothermal energy as a renewable and sustainable energy source, nowadays engineers and researchers are facing technological and environmental challenges during geothermal wells’ operation or energy recovery improvement by optimizing surface installations. One of the major problems encountered is the degassing of geothermal brines which are often loaded with dissolved gases, resulting in technical problems (scale formation, corrosion, reduced process efficiency, etc.) and environmental problems through the possible emission of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 and water vapor) into the atmosphere. In this work, a method to predict, from readily available information such as temperature and GLR, the bubble point pressure of geothermal fluids as well as the GHG emission rate depending on the surface conditions is presented. This method is based on an extended version of the Soreide and Whitson model with new parameters optimized on the solubility data of several gases (CO2, CH4, N2, O2 and H2) in brine (NaCl + CaCl2 + KCl). The developed approach has been successfully used for the prediction of water content of different gases and their solubilities in different types of brines over a wide temperature and pressure range, and has been applied for the prediction of bubble point pressure and GHG emissions by comparing the results with available industrial data of geothermal power plants including the Upper Rhine Graben sites.
A Review on Failure Modes of Wind Turbine Components
Authors: Olabi Abdul Ghani , Wilberforce Tabbi , Elsaid Khaled , Sayed Enas Taha , Salameh Tareq , Abdelkareem Mohammad Ali , Baroutaji Ahmad
Published: August 2021

To meet the increasing energy demand, renewable energy is considered the best option. Its patronage is being encouraged by both the research and industrial community. The main driving force for most renewable systems is solar energy. It is abundant and pollutant free compared to fossil products. Wind energy is also considered an abundant medium of energy generation and often goes hand in hand with solar energy. The last few decades have seen a sudden surge in wind energy compared to solar energy due to most wind energy systems being cost effective compared to solar energy. Wind turbines are often categorised as large or small depending on their application and energy generation output. Sustainable materials for construction of different parts of wind turbines are being encouraged to lower the cost of the system. The turbine blades and generators perform crucial roles in the overall operation of the turbines; hence, their material composition is very critical. Today, most turbine blades are made up of natural fiber-reinforced polymer (NFRP) as well as glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP). Others are also made from wood and some metallic materials. Each of the materials introduced has specific characteristics that affect the system’s efficiency. This investigation explores the influence of these materials on turbine efficiency. Observations have shown that composites reinforced with nanomaterials have excellent mechanical characteristics. Carbon nanotubes have unique characteristics that may make them valuable in wind turbine blades in the future. It is possible to strengthen carbon nanotubes with various kinds of resins to get a variety of different characteristics. Similarly, the end-of-life treatment methods for composite materials is also presented.
Combination of b-Fuels and e-Fuels—A Technological Feasibility Study
Authors: Salbrechter Katrin , Schubert Teresa
Published: August 2021

The energy supply in Austria is significantly based on fossil natural gas. Due to the necessary decarbonization of the heat and energy sector, a switch to a green substitute is necessary to limit CO2 emissions. Especially innovative concepts such as power-to-gas establish the connection between the storage of volatile renewable energy and its conversion into green gases. In this paper, different methanation strategies are applied on syngas from biomass gasification. The investigated syngas compositions range from traditional steam gasification, sorption-enhanced reforming to the innovative CO2 gasification. As the producer gases show different compositions regarding the H2/COx ratio, three possible methanation strategies (direct, sub-stoichiometric and over-stoichiometric methanation) are defined and assessed with technological evaluation tools for possible future large-scale set-ups consisting of a gasification, an electrolysis and a methanation unit. Due to its relative high share of hydrogen and the high technical maturity of this gasification mode, syngas from steam gasification represents the most promising gas composition for downstream methanation. Sub-stoichiometric operation of this syngas with limited H2 dosage represents an attractive methanation strategy since the hydrogen utilization is optimized. The overall efficiency of the sub-stoichiometric methanation lies at 59.9%. Determined by laboratory methanation experiments, a share of nearly 17 mol.% of CO2 needs to be separated to make injection into the natural gas grid possible. A technical feasible alternative, avoiding possible carbon formation in the methanation reactor, is the direct methanation of sorption-enhanced reforming syngas, with an overall process efficiency in large-scale applications of 55.9%.
Forecast of the Demand for Electric Mobility for Rome–Fiumicino International Airport
Authors: Acri Romano Alberto , Barone Silvia , Cambula Paolo , Cecchini Valter , Falvo Maria Carmen , Lepore Jacopo , Manganelli Matteo , Santi Federico
Published: August 2021

Following electrification of automotive transport, studies on the penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) are widespread, especially in defined contexts. As major transport hubs, airports fall within contexts worthy of interest. In this work, a forecast of the demand for electric mobility in an Italian international airport (Rome–Fiumicino) is presented. The main goal of the research is to build up a methodology that allows evaluating the penetration index of EVs that will access the airport parks in 2025 and 2030, to be able to have a preliminary assessment of the number of charging points necessary for serving them. In the paper, first, a wide review of proposed scenarios on the penetration of EVs at international and national level and available data on local automotive transport are presented, as a preliminary study for the definition of reference scenarios for the local context. Then, the proposed methodology is presented and applied to the specific case study. Finally, a preliminary sizing of the required charging infrastructure is reported. The results show that a significant impact on the airport electricity network can be foreseen, and it requires proper planning of adaptation/upgrading actions. The proposed approach can be considered as a reference for similar studies on electrical mobility in other airport areas around the world.
Organic Rankine Cycle for Energy Recovery System
Authors: De Pascale Andrea
Published: August 2021

This book contains the successful invited submissions [...]
Automatic Resonance Compensation for Efficient WPT via Magnetic Resonance Coupling Using Flexible Coils
Authors: Nakamura Sousuke , Baba Katsuki , Miyaura Takahiro
Published: August 2021

With the recent proliferation of mobile and wearable devices, wireless power transfer (WPT) has gained attention as an up-and-coming technology to charge these devices. In particular, WPT via magnetic resonance coupling has attracted considerable interest for day-to-day applications since it is harmless to the human body and has relatively long transmission distance. However, it was difficult to be installed into environment (e.g., utensils and furniture) and flexible objects in the living space since the use of flexible coils leads to the decrease in transmission efficiency due to the collapse of the resonance caused by coil deformation. Therefore, this study proposes an automatic resonance compensation system that automatically compensates the inductance variation caused by coil deformation using a circuit that can electronically control the equivalent capacitance (a capacity control circuit), and thereby maintains the resonant state. An experiment was conducted to verify whether the efficiency was maintained when the coil deformed. The results indicated a transmission efficiency nearly as high as that of the ideal resonant state as well as a highly responsive control, and therefore, the proposed system has a good potential for use in real-world applications.
Automobile Tires’ High-Carbon Steel Wire
Authors: Polyakova Marina , Stolyarov Alexey
Published: August 2021

It is a well-known fact that to manufacture an automobile tire more than 200 different materials are used, including high-carbon steel wire. In order to withstand the affecting forces, the tire tread is reinforced with steel wire or other products such as ropes or strands. These ropes are called steel cord. Steel cord can be of different constructions. To ensure a good adhesive bond between the rubber of the tire and the steel cord, the cord is either brass-plated or bronzed. The reason brass or bronze is used is because copper, which is a part of these alloys, makes a high-strength chemical composition with sulfur in rubber. For steel cord, the high carbon steel is usually used at 0.70–0.95% C. This amount of carbon ensures the high strength of the steel cord. This kind of high-quality, unalloyed steel has a pearlitic structure which is designed for multi-pass drawing. To ensure the specified technical characteristics, modern metal reinforcing materials for automobile tires, metal cord and bead wire, must withstand, first of all, a high breaking load with a minimum running meter weight. At present, reinforcing materials of the strength range 2800–3200 MPa are increasingly used, the manufacture of which requires high-strength wire. The production of such wire requires the use of a workpiece with high carbon content, changing the drawing regimes, patenting, and other operations. At the same time, it is necessary to achieve a reduction in the cost of wire manufacturing. In this context, the development and implementation of competitive processes for the manufacture of high-quality, high-strength wire as a reinforcing material for automobile tires is an urgent task.
Strain-Specific Responses by Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Competition by Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts
Authors: Onetto Cristobal A. , Borneman Anthony R. , Schmidt Simon A.
Published: August 2021

The use of non-Saccharomyces yeast species generally involves sequential or co-inoculation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain to complete fermentation. While most studies have focused on characterising the impact that S. cerevisiae has on the growth and metabolic activity of these non-Saccharomyces species, microbial interactions work reciprocally. Antagonism or competition of non-Saccharomyces species against S. cerevisiae has been shown to impact subsequent fermentation performance. To date, it remains unclear whether these negative interactions are strain specific. Hence, characterisation of strain-specific responses to co-inoculation would enable the identification of specific S. cerevisiae strain/non-Saccharomyces combinations that minimise the negative impacts of sequential fermentation on fermentation performance. The competitive fitness response of 93 S. cerevisiae strains to several non-Saccharomyces species was simultaneously investigated using a barcoded library to address this knowledge gap. Strain-specific fitness differences were observed across non-Saccharomyces treatments. Results obtained from experiments using selected S. cerevisiae strains sequentially inoculated after Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Torulaspora delbrueckii were consistent with the competitive barcoded library observations. The results presented in this study indicate that strain selection will influence fermentation performance when using non-Saccharomyces species, therefore, appropriate strain/yeast combinations are required to optimise fermentation.
Conservative Scoring Approach in Productivity Susceptibility Analysis Leads to an Overestimation of Vulnerability: A Study from the Hilsa Gillnet Bycatch Stocks of Bangladesh
Authors: Faruque Hasan , Matsuda Hiroyuki
Published: August 2021

Despite different approaches used to assign the risk scores for missing information in productivity susceptibility analysis (PSA)—a widely used semi-quantitative risk assessment tool for target and non-target fisheries stocks—for the selected attributes of a given species, no formal comparison has been made between scoring approaches in terms of how well they can predict species vulnerability. The present study evaluated the PSA findings of 21 bycatch stocks of the Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) gillnet fishery of Bangladesh using two different scoring approaches (the conservative scoring approach, CSA; and the alternative scoring approach, ASA) to determine the most reliable approach to minimize false estimates of species vulnerability. Our analysis revealed that the V scores increased by 0.0−0.20 with a mean value of 0.09 for 21 selected bycatches when CSA was applied. The inconsistency between the vulnerability (V)-score-suggested fishing status (V ≤ 1.8 = underfishing, V > 1.8 = overfishing) and the fishing status defined by exploitation rate (E > 0.5 = overfishing, E < 0.5 = underfishing) were 38.1% and 19.0% under CSA and ASA, respectively. Likewise, the consistency between the V-score-suggested fishing status and fishers’ perceived catch trends was found to be higher when using ASA than when using CSA. Our analysis suggests that CSA could overestimate species vulnerability. Therefore, ASA is more reliable than CSA in PSA, which may increase the confidence of fisheries stakeholders in PSA.
Reduced Chemical Kinetic Reaction Mechanism for Dimethyl Ether-Air Combustion
Authors: Zettervall Niklas , Fureby Christer , Nilsson Elna J. K.
Published: August 2021

Development and validation of a new reduced dimethyl ether-air (DME) reaction mechanism is presented. The mechanism was developed using a modular approach that has previously been applied to several alkane and alkene fuels, and the present work pioneers the use of the modular methodology, with its underlying H/C1/O base mechanism, on an oxygenated fuel. The development methodology uses a well-characterized H/C1/O base mechanism coupled to a reduced set of fuel and intermediate product submechanisms. The mechanism for DME presented in this work includes 30 species and 69 irreversible reactions. When used in combustion simulation the mechanism accurately reproduced key combustion characteristics and the small size enables use in computationally demanding Large Eddy Simulations (LES) and Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS). It has been developed to accurately predict, among other parameters, laminar burning velocity and ignition delay times, including the negative temperature regime. The evaluation of the mechanism and comparison to experimental data and several detailed and reduced mechanisms covers a wide range of conditions with respect to temperature, pressure and fuel-to-air ratio. There is good agreement with experimental data and the detailed reference mechanisms at all investigated conditions. The mechanism uses fewer reactions than any previously presented DME-air mechanism, without losing in predictability.
Biallelic SYNE2 Missense Mutations Leading to Nesprin-2 Giant Hypo-Expression Are Associated with Intellectual Disability and Autism
Authors: Young Natalie , Asif Maria , Jackson Matthew , Fernández-Mayoralas Daniel Martín , de la Peña Mar Jimenez , Calleja-Pérez Beatriz , Álvarez Sara , Hunter-Featherstone Eve , Noegel Angelika A. , Höhne Wolfgang , Nürnberg Peter , Obara Boguslaw , Hussain Muhammad Sajid , Karakesisoglou Iakowos , Fernández-Jaén Alberto
Published: August 2021

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurological and developmental disabilities characterised by clinical and genetic heterogeneity. The current study aimed to expand ASD genotyping by investigating potential associations with SYNE2 mutations. Specifically, the disease-causing variants of SYNE2 in 410 trios manifesting neurodevelopmental disorders using whole-exome sequencing were explored. The consequences of the identified variants were studied at the transcript level using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). For validation, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were performed to analyse mutational effects at the protein level. The compound heterozygous variants of SYNE2 (NM_182914.3:c.2483T>G; p.(Val828Gly) and NM_182914.3:c.2362G>A; p.(Glu788Lys)) were identified in a 4.5-year-old male, clinically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay and intellectual disability. Both variants reside within the nesprin-2 giant spectrin repeat (SR5) domain and are predicted to be highly damaging using in silico tools. Specifically, a significant reduction of nesprin-2 giant protein levels is revealed in patient cells. SYNE2 transcription and the nuclear envelope localisation of the mutant proteins was however unaffected as compared to parental control cells. Collectively, these data provide novel insights into the cardinal role of the nesprin-2 giant in neurodevelopment and suggest that the biallelic hypomorphic SYNE2 mutations may be a new cause of intellectual disability and ASD.
The Role of De Novo Variants in Formation of Human Anorectal Malformations
Authors: Dworschak Gabriel C. , van Rooij Iris A. L. M. , Reutter Heiko M.
Published: August 2021

Anorectal malformations (ARM) represent a rare birth defect of the hindgut that occur in approximately 1 in 3000 live births. Around 60% of ARM occur with associated anomalies including defined genetic syndromes and associations with chromosomal aberrations. The etiology of ARM is heterogeneous, with the individual environmental or genetic risk factors remaining unknown for the majority of cases. The occurrence of familial ARM and previous epidemiologic analysis suggest autosomal dominant inheritance in a substantial subset of ARM patients. The implicated mortality and reduced fecundity in patients with ARM would lead to allele loss. However, mutational de novo events among the affected individuals could compensate for the evolutionary pressure. With the implementation of exome sequencing, array-based molecular karyotyping and family-based rare variant analyses, the technologies are available to identify the respective factors. This review discusses the identification of disease-causing variants among individuals with ARM. It highlights the role of mutational de novo events.
Mitochondrial Genetic Heterogeneity in Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: Original Study with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jha Rajan Kumar , Dawar Chhavi , Hasan Qurratulain , Pujar Akhilesh , Gupta Gaurav , Vishnu Venugopalan Y. , Kekunnaya Ramesh , Thangaraj Kumarasamy
Published: August 2021

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial disorder that causes loss of central vision. Three primary variants (m.3460G>A, m.11778G>A, and m.14484T>C) and about 16 secondary variants are responsible for LHON in the majority of the cases. We investigated the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of 189 LHON patients and found a total of 54 disease-linked pathogenic variants. The primary variants m.11778G>A and m.14484T>C were accountable for only 14.81% and 2.64% cases, respectively. Patients with these two variants also possessed additional disease-associated variants. Among 156 patients who lacked the three primary variants, 16.02% harboured other LHON-associated variants either alone or in combination with other disease-associated variants. Furthermore, we observed that none of the haplogroups were explicitly associated with LHON. We performed a meta-analysis of m.4216T>C and m.13708G>A and found a significant association of these two variants with the LHON phenotype. Based on this study, we recommend the use of complete mtDNA sequencing to diagnose LHON, as we found disease-associated variants throughout the mitochondrial genome.
Yeast as a Tool to Understand the Significance of Human Disease-Associated Gene Variants
Authors: Cervelli Tiziana , Galli Alvaro
Published: August 2021

At present, the great challenge in human genetics is to provide significance to the growing amount of human disease-associated gene variants identified by next generation DNA sequencing technologies. Increasing evidences suggest that model organisms are of pivotal importance to addressing this issue. Due to its genetic tractability, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae represents a valuable model organism for understanding human genetic variability. In the present review, we show how S. cerevisiae has been used to study variants of genes involved in different diseases and in different pathways, highlighting the versatility of this model organism.
The Role of the Trabecular Bone Score in the Assessment of Osteoarticular Disorders in Patients with HFE-Hemochromatosis: A Single-Center Study from Poland
Authors: Banaszkiewicz Katarzyna , Sikorska Katarzyna , Panas Damian , Sworczak Krzysztof
Published: August 2021

Type 1 hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal, recessive genetic entity with systemic iron overload. Iron homeostasis disorders develop as a result of HFE gene mutations, which are associated with hepcidin arthropathy or osteoporosis and may cause permanent disability in HH patients despite a properly conducted treatment with phlebotomies. In this study, selected parameters of calcium and phosphate metabolism were analyzed in combination with the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) disorders in patients from northern Poland with clinically overt HFE-HH. BMD was determined by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test with the use of the trabecular bone score (TBS) function. The study included 29 HH patients (mean age = 53.14 years) who were compared with 20 healthy volunteers. A significantly lower TBS parameter and serum 25-OH-D3 concentration, a higher concentration of intact parathormone and more a frequent occurrence of joint pain were found in HH patients compared with the control group. In HH patients, the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis was associated with lower serum 25-OH-D3 and osteocalcin concentrations. In HH, DXA with the TBS option is a valuable tool in the early assessment of the bone microarchitecture and fracture risk. A supplementation of vitamin D, monitoring its concentration, should be considered especially in HH patients with liver damage and liver cirrhosis.
Comparative Mitogenomics and Phylogenetic Analyses of Pentatomoidea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)
Authors: Xu Shiwen , Wu Yunfei , Liu Yingqi , Zhao Ping , Chen Zhuo , Song Fan , Li Hu , Cai Wanzhi
Published: August 2021

Pentatomoidea is the largest superfamily of Pentatomomorpha; however, the phylogenetic relationships among pentatomoid families have been debated for a long time. In the present study, we gathered the mitogenomes of 55 species from eight common families (Acanthosomatidae, Cydnidae, Dinidoridae, Scutelleridae, Tessaratomidae, Plataspidae, Urostylididae and Pentatomidae), including 20 newly sequenced mitogenomes, and conducted comparative mitogenomic studies with an emphasis on the structures of non-coding regions. Heterogeneity in the base composition, and contrasting evolutionary rates were encountered among the mitogenomes in Pentatomoidea, especially in Urostylididae, which may lead to unstable phylogenetic topologies. When the family Urostylididae is excluded in taxa sampling or the third codon positions of protein coding genes are removed, phylogenetic analyses under site-homogenous models could provide more stable tree topologies. However, the relationships between families remained the same in all PhyloBayes analyses under the site-heterogeneous mixture model CAT + GTR with different datasets and were recovered as (Cydnidae + (((Tessaratomidae + Dinidoridae) + (Plataspidae + Scutelleridae)) + ((Acanthosomatidae + Urostylididae) + Pentatomidae)))). Our study showed that data optimizing strategies after heterogeneity assessments based on denser sampling and the use of site-heterogeneous mixture models are essential for further analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of Pentatomoidea.
Compositional Features and Swelling Potential of Two Weak Rock Types Affecting Their Slake Durability
Authors: Selen Lena , Panthi Krishna Kanta , Mørk Mai Britt , Sørensen Bjørn Eske
Published: August 2021

Weak and weathered rocks are well known for their sensitivity to changes in moisture content. Degrading behavior is common in weak rocks with moisture-sensitive mineral components and present numerous stability problems. The slake durability is a measure of the resistance to weakening and disintegration of rock materials which quantitatively distinguishes durable from non-durable rock materials. Several rock material parameters interact on the process of disintegration when exposed to cyclic moisture changes, whereby the content of clay is believed to play a major role. This manuscript evaluates the overall material composition of flysch and serpentinite rocks cored from the wall of the shotcrete-lined headrace tunnel of a hydropower project, including minerals, structure, porosity, the presence of micro-discontinuities, and swelling potential, and links these properties to the slake durability. Further, the different methods used to assess compositional features affecting the durability of weak rocks are evaluated and discussed. The manuscript argues that the mineralogical composition and microstructures present in the intact rock and the content of moisture-sensitive constituents, as swelling clays, control the long-term durability of weak rock material. It is demonstrated that XRD assessments are not sufficient to detect the content of brucite and swelling components, and that methods as thin section and SEM analyses should be carried out in the assessment of weak and weathered rock mass.
Crohn’s Disease: The infectious Disease Incorporated’s Perspective
Authors: Monif Gilles R.G.
Published: August 2021

Infectious Diseases Incorporated (IDI) is an infectious disease think-tank, established in 1973. Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic, recurrent disease of the gastrointestinal tract that has reached epidemic proportions within industrialized nations. CD is said to be without cure. Since 2003, therapeutic interventions have focused on disruption of the pro-inflammatory Th1 response against an unknown antigen. In 2015, the Hruska Postulate was introduced and, in so doing, explained how, in the absence of acquired immunity, newborn infection by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis could cause fixation of the immune system’s Th1 response against the organism. The Hruska Postulate was utilized to answer all the documented epidemiological facts embedded in the natural history of Crohn’s disease and, in particular, why breastfeeding confers protection against the future development of Crohn’s disease. It is Infectious Diseases Incorporated’s (IDI) stated opinion that Crohn’s disease is both preventable and curable if treated appropriately in its early stages.
Identification of Coatings on Persian Lacquer Papier Mache Penboxes by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Luminescence Imaging
Authors: Koochakzaei Alireza , Nemati Babaylou Ali , Jelodarian Bidgoli Behrooz
Published: August 2021

In this study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and luminescence imaging were used to identify the coatings of seven Persian lacquer papier mache penboxes, of which two were contemporary, one was from the Pahlavi era, and four belonged to the Qajar era. First, FTIR was used to identify the nature of the coating. Then, UV-induced visible luminescence imaging at the spectral ranges of 420–680 nm (UVL), 425–495 nm (UVIBL), and 615–645 nm (UVIRL) was performed for further examination. The FTIR results showed that the coatings were made of alkyd resin, oil-resin varnish (Kaman oil), and shellac. In UV-induced visible luminescence images, synthetic alkyd resin showed no fluorescence, which made it distinguishable from the natural organic coatings. While it is slightly challenging to differentiate Kaman oil from shellac based on FTIR results, these two coatings can be easily distinguished by their fluorescence in UVL and UVIBL images. The results suggest that the combined use of spectroscopy and spectral imaging methods can provide substantial information about the organic coatings of historical objects.
Screening of Suitable Plant Regeneration Protocols for Several Capsicum spp. through Direct Organogenesis
Authors: Martínez-López Marina , García-Pérez Ana , Gimeno-Páez Esther , Prohens Jaime , Vilanova Santiago , García-Fortea Edgar
Published: August 2021

Peppers (Capsicum spp.) are recalcitrant to in vitro culture regeneration, making the application of in vitro-based breeding strategies difficult. We evaluated the impact of different combinations of auxins, cytokinins and micronutrients on the induction of direct organogenesis in cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of C. annuum, C. baccatum and C. chinense. We found variation in the regeneration response among species and type of explant. In this way, the average numbers of shoots per cotyledon and hypocotyl explant were, respectively, 1.44 and 0.28 for C. annuum, 4.17 and 3.20 for C. baccatum and 0.08 and 0.00 for C. chinense. Out of the six media, the best overall results were obtained with the medium Pep1, which contained 5 mg/L BAP (6-benzylaminopurine), 0.5 mg/L IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and 0.47 mg/L CuSO4, followed by a subculture in the same medium supplemented with 10 mg/L AgNO3 (medium Pep1.2). The best result for the Pep1 + Pep1.2 medium was obtained for C. baccatum using cotyledon explants, with 8.87 shoots per explant. The explants grown in medium Pep1 + Pep1.2 were the ones with greener tissue, while overall the hypocotyl explants were greener than the cotyledon explants. Our results indicate that there is wide variation among Capsicum species in terms of regeneration. Our results suggest that the synergistic effect of copper and silver resulted in a higher regeneration rate of Capsicum explants. Explants with shoots were transferred to different media for elongation, rooting and acclimatization. Although acclimatized plantlets were obtained for C. baccatum and C. chinense, an improvement in these latter stages would be desirable for a high throughput regeneration pipeline. This work contributes to the improvement of Capsicum regeneration protocols using specific combinations of medium, explant and genotype, reaching the levels of efficiency required for genetic transformation and of gene editing technologies for other crops.