bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from α-Pinene Photooxidation in a Chamber with Purified Air and Ambient Air as Matrices: Preliminary Results
Authors: Li Xinyi , Ren Zhuoyue , Zhang Xiangyu , Pang Xiaodie , Song Wei , Zhang Yanli , Wang Xinming
Published: February 2024

α-Pinene is a biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) that significantly contributes to secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in the atmosphere due to its high emission rate, reactivity, and SOA yield. However, the SOA yield measured in chamber studies from α-pinene photooxidation is limited in a purified air matrix. Assessing SOA formation from α-pinene photooxidation in real urban ambient air based on studies conducted in purified air matrices may be subject to uncertainties. In this study, α-pinene photooxidation and SOA yield were investigated in a smog chamber in the presence of NO and SO2 under purified air and ambient air matrices. With the accumulation of ozone (O3) during the photooxidation, an increasing part of α-pinene was consumed by O3 and finally nearly half of the α-pinene was oxidized by O3, facilitating the production of highly oxidized organic molecules and thereby SOA formation. Although the ambient air we introduced as matrix air was largely clean, with initial organic aerosol mass concentrations of ~1.5 μg m−3, the α-pinene SOA yield in the ambient air matrix was 42.3 ± 5.3%, still higher than that of 32.4 ± 0.4% in the purified air matrix. The chemical characterization of SOA by the high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) revealed that CxHy accounted for 53.7 ± 1.1% of the total signal in the ambient air matrix experiments, higher than 48.1 ± 0.3% in the purified air, while CxHyO and CxHyO>1 together constituted 45.0 ± 0.9% in the ambient air matrix, lower than 50.1 ± 1.0% in the purified air. The O:C ratio in the ambient air matrix experiments was 0.41 ± 0.01, lower than 0.46 ± 0.01 in the purified air. The higher SOA yield of α-pinene in the ambient air matrix compared to that in the purified air matrix was partly due to the presence of initial aerosols in the ambient air, which facilitated the low volatile organic compounds produced from photochemical oxidation to enter the aerosol phase through gas-particle partitioning. The in-situ aerosol acidity calculated by the ISORROPIA-II model in the ambient air matrix experiments was approximately six times higher than that in purified air, and the higher SOA yield in the ambient air matrix experiments might also be attributed to acid-catalyzed SOA formation.
Evaluation of Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) for High Tunnel Greenhouse Tomatoes under Different Irrigation Levels
Authors: Boyaci Sedat , Kocięcka Joanna , Atilgan Atilgan , Liberacki Daniel , Rolbiecki Roman , Saltuk Burak , Stachowski Piotr
Published: February 2024

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of water stress on yield and various physiological parameters, including the crop water stress index for tomatoes in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey. For this purpose, the irrigation schedule used in this study includes 120%, 100%, 80%, and 60% (I120, I100, I80, I60) of evaporation from the gravimetrically. Water deficit was found to cause a stress effect in tomato plants, which was reflected in changes in plants’ morphological and pomological function (such as stem diameter, fruit weight, pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids). Irrigation levels had a significant effect on the total yield of tomatoes. The lowest water use efficiency (WUE) was obtained from the I60, while the highest WUE was found in the I100 irrigation level. The CWSI was calculated using an empirical approach from measurements of infrared canopy temperatures, ambient air temperatures, and vapor pressure deficit values for four irrigation levels. The crop water stress index (CWSI) values ranged from −0.63 to a maximum value of 0.53 in I120, from −0.27 to 0.63 in I100, from 0.06 to 0.80 in I80, and from 0.37 to 0.97 in I60. There was a significant relation between yield and CWSI. The yield was correlated with mean CWSI values, and the linear equation Total yield = −2398.9CWSI + 1240.4 can be used for yield prediction. The results revealed that the CWSI value was useful for evaluating crop water stress in tomatoes and predicting yield.
Extended-Range Forecast of Winter Rainfall in the Yangtze River Delta Based on Intra-Seasonal Oscillation of Atmospheric Circulations
Authors: Xin Fei , Wang Wei
Published: February 2024

The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) is an important economic region in China. Heavy winter rainfall may pose serious threats to city operations. To ensure the safe operation of the city, meteorological departments need to provide forecast results for the Spring Festival travel rush weather service. Therefore, the extended-range forecast of winter rainfall is of considerable importance. To solve this problem, based on the analysis of low-frequency rainfall and the intra-seasonal oscillation of atmospheric circulation, an extended-range forecast model for winter rainfall is developed using spatiotemporal projection methods and is applied to a case study from 2020. The results show that: (1) The precipitation in the YRD during the winter has a significant intra-seasonal oscillation (ISO) with a periodicity of 10–30 d. (2) The atmospheric circulations associated with winter rainfall in the YRD have a significant characteristic of low-frequency oscillation. From a 30-day to a 0-day lead, large modifications appear in the low-frequency atmospheric circulations at low, mid, and high latitudes. At low latitudes, strong wet convective activity characterized by a negative OLR combined with a positive RH700 correlation coefficient moves northwestward and covers the entire YRD. Meanwhile, the Western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) characterized by a positive Z500 anomaly enhances and lifts northward. At mid and high latitudes, the signal of negatively correlated Z500 northwest of Lake Balkhash propagates southeastward, indicating the cold is air moving southward. Multiple circulation factors combine together and lead to the precipitation process in the YRD. (3) Taking the intra-seasonal dynamical evolution process of the atmospheric circulation as the prediction factor, the spatiotemporal method is used to build the model for winter mean extended-range precipitation anomaly tendency in the YRD. The hindcast for the recent 10 years shows that the ensemble model has a higher skill that can reach up to 20 days. In particular, the skill of the eastern part of the YRD can reach 25 days. (4) The rainfall in the 2019/2020 winter has a significant ISO. The ensemble model could forecast the most extreme precipitation for 20 days ahead.
Insights into Oral and Written Competencies in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Melogno Sergio , Pinto Maria Antonietta , Vulchanova Mila
Published: February 2024

The study of language abilities offers privileged insights to access the multifaceted world of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD, henceforth), showing how particular aspects of language may be handled differently as a function of typical neuropsychological features of specific disorders [...]
Different Effect Sizes of Motor Skill Training Combined with Repetitive Transcranial versus Trans-Spinal Magnetic Stimulation in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Hamzei Farsin , Ritter Alexander , Pohl Kristin , Stäps Peggy , Wieduwild Eric
Published: February 2024

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is used to enhance motor training (MT) performance. The use of rTMS is limited under certain conditions, such as after a stroke with severe damage to the corticospinal tract. This raises the question as to whether repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rSMS) can also be used to improve MT. A direct comparison of the effect size between rTMS and rSMS on the same MT is still lacking. Before conducting the study in patients, we determined the effect sizes of different stimulation approaches combined with the same motor training in healthy subjects. Two experiments (E1 and E2) with 96 subjects investigated the effect size of combining magnetic stimulation with the same MT. In E1, high-frequency rTMS, rSMS, and spinal sham stimulation (sham-spinal) were applied once in combination with MT, while one group only received the same MT (without stimulation). In E2, rTMS, rSMS, and sham-spinal were applied in combination with MT over several days. In all subjects, motor tests and motor-evoked potentials were evaluated before and after the intervention period. rTMS had the greatest effect on MT, followed by rSMS and then sham-spinal. Daily stimulation resulted in additional training gains. This study suggests that rSMS increases excitability and also enhances MT performance. This current study provides a basis for further research to discover whether patients who cannot be treated effectively with rTMS would benefit from rSMS.
Optimization Analysis of an Energy-Saving Renovation Scheme for Building Envelopes of Existing Rural Houses Based on a Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation
Authors: Cao Ping , Sun Qingshi , Li Huajun , Jiao Yuanhang
Published: February 2024

In the cold regions of China, the existing rural houses are widely distributed and in large numbers. There are widespread problems such as low thermal performance of building envelopes, high building energy consumption, and poor indoor thermal environments. Reducing the energy consumption of building heating by reforming the envelope structure can reduce the environmental pollution caused by heating. In this paper, the existing rural houses in Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province are taken as the research object, and EnergyPlus software is used to calculate building heating energy consumption, and the schemes are compared and selected via the entropy value method. Based on a comprehensive benefit evaluation, the best scheme for the renovation of building envelopes of rural houses in Tongchuan City is put forward. The research results show that the energy saving rate of buildings can reach more than 50% after renovation. In the evaluation of energy saving, incremental cost, return on investment, carbon emission reduction and unguaranteed hours, the weights are 0.1915, 0.2104, 0.2312, 1755, and 0.187, respectively. The best renovation scheme for rural housing is as follows: the thickness of the XPS board is 90 mm for exterior wall insulation; the thickness of the XPS board is 80 mm for roof insulation; the window-to-wall ratio of additional sunspace is 0.6; and the type of exterior windows is a broken-bridge hollow aluminum window of 6 + 12A + 6 (mm).
Targeting TRPV1 for Cancer Pain Relief: Can It Work?
Authors: Szallasi Arpad
Published: February 2024

Chronic intractable pain affects a large proportion of cancer patients, especially those with metastatic bone disease. Blocking sensory afferents for cancer pain relief represents an attractive alternative to opioids and other drugs acting in the CNS in that sensory nerve blockers are not addictive and do not affect the mental state of the patient. A distinct subpopulation of sensory afferents expresses the capsaicin receptor TRPV1. Intrathecal resiniferatoxin, an ultrapotent capsaicin analog, ablates TRPV1-expressing nerve endings exposed to the cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in permanent analgesia in women with cervical cancer metastasis to the pelvic bone. High-dose capsaicin patches are effective pain killers in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain. However, large gaps remain in our knowledge since the mechanisms by which cancer activates TRPV1 are essentially unknown. Most important, it is not clear whether or not sensory denervation mediated by TRPV1 agonists affects cancer progression. In a murine model of breast cancer, capsaicin desensitization was reported to accelerate progression. By contrast, desensitization mediated by resiniferatoxin was found to block melanoma growth. These observations imply that TRPV1 blockade for pain relief may be indicated for some cancers and contraindicated for others. In this review, we explore the current state of this field and compare the analgesic potential of TRPV1 antagonism and sensory afferent desensitization in cancer patients.
Protein Arginine Methylation Patterns in Plasma Small Extracellular Vesicles Are Altered in Patients with Early-Stage Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bhandari Kritisha , Kong Jeng Shi , Morris Katherine , Xu Chao , Ding Wei-Qun
Published: February 2024

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) contain lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, which often resemble their cells of origin. Therefore, plasma sEVs are considered valuable resources for cancer biomarker development. However, previous efforts have been largely focused on the level of proteins and miRNAs in plasma sEVs, and the post-translational modifications of sEV proteins, such as arginine methylation, have not been explored. Protein arginine methylation, a relatively stable post-translational modification, is a newly described molecular feature of PDAC. The present study examined arginine methylation patterns in plasma sEVs derived from patients with early-stage PDAC (n = 23) and matched controls. By utilizing the arginine methylation-specific antibodies for western blotting, we found that protein arginine methylation patterns in plasma sEVs are altered in patients with early-stage PDAC. Specifically, we observed a reduction in the level of symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA) in plasma sEV proteins derived from patients with early- and late-stage PDAC. Importantly, immunoprecipitation followed by proteomics analysis identified a number of arginine-methylated proteins exclusively present in plasma sEVs derived from patients with early-stage PDAC. These results indicate that arginine methylation patterns in plasma sEVs are potential indicators of PDAC, a new concept meriting further investigation.
A Meta-Analysis and Review of Radiation Dose Escalation in Definitive Radiation Therapy between Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma of Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Liou Yu , Lan Tien-Li , Lan Chin-Chun
Published: February 2024

Esophageal cancer, ranked as the eighth most prevalent cancer globally, is characterized by a low survival rate and poor prognosis. Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) is the standard therapy in the non-surgical treatment of localized carcinoma of the esophagus. Nevertheless, the radiation doses employed in CCRT remain notably lower compared to the curative definite chemoradiation therapy utilized in the management of other carcinomas. In order to increase the local control rates and enhance the treatment outcomes, several clinical trials have used high-dose radiation to analyze the effect of dose escalation. Despite the integration of technically advanced RT schemes such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the results of these trials have failed to demonstrate a significant improvement in overall survival or local progression-free survival. In this review, we investigated previous clinical trials to determine the ineffectiveness of radiation dose escalation in the context of CCRT for esophageal cancer. We aim to clarify the factors contributing to the limited efficacy of escalated radiation doses in improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, we delve into recent research endeavors, exploring prospective radiation dose modifications being altered based on the histological characteristics of the carcinoma. The exploration of these recent studies not only sheds light on potential refinements to the existing treatment protocols but also seeks to identify novel approaches that may pave the way for more efficacious and personalized therapeutic strategies for esophageal cancer management.
Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Scalp: The Role of Imaging and Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Verdaguer-Faja Júlia , Toll Agustí , Boada Aram , Guerra-Amor Álvaro , Ferrándiz-Pulido Carla , Jaka Ane
Published: February 2024

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common subtype of skin cancer. The scalp is one of the most frequently affected locations and is associated with a higher rate of complications, compared to other locations. In addition, it has a characteristic thickness and anatomical structure that may influence both growth pattern and treatment of primary cSCC; while clinical peripheral margins may be easily achieved during the surgery, vertical excision of the tumor is limited by the skull. Despite having a unique anatomy, current guidelines do not contemplate specific recommendations for scalp cSCC, which leads to inconsistent decision-making in multidisciplinary committees when discussing tumors with high risk factors or with close margins. This article provides specific recommendations for the management of patients with scalp cSCC, based on current evidence, as well as those aspects in which evidence is lacking, pointing out possible future lines of research. Topics addressed include epidemiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis, imaging techniques, surgical and radiation treatments, systemic therapy for advanced cases, and follow-up. The primary focus of this review is on management of primary cSCC of the scalp with localized disease, although where relevant, some points about recurrent cSCCs or advanced disease cases are also discussed.
Radiation Segmentectomy for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Practical Review of Evidence
Authors: Mourad Sophia N. , De la Garza-Ramos Cynthia , Toskich Beau B.
Published: February 2024

Radiation segmentectomy is a versatile, safe, and effective ablative therapy for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Advances in radiation segmentectomy patient selection, procedural technique, and dosimetry have positioned this modality as a curative-intent and guideline-supported treatment for patients with solitary HCC. This review describes key radiation segmentectomy concepts and summarizes the existing literary knowledgebase.
Cancer Cell Biomechanical Properties Accompany Tspan8-Dependent Cutaneous Melanoma Invasion
Authors: Runel Gaël , Lopez-Ramirez Noémie , Barbollat-Boutrand Laetitia , Cario Muriel , Durand Simon , Grimont Maxime , Schartl Manfred , Dalle Stéphane , Caramel Julie , Chlasta Julien , Masse Ingrid
Published: February 2024

The intrinsic biomechanical properties of cancer cells remain poorly understood. To decipher whether cell stiffness modulation could increase melanoma cells’ invasive capacity, we performed both in vitro and in vivo experiments exploring cell stiffness by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We correlated stiffness properties with cell morphology adaptation and the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT)-like phenotype switching. We found that melanoma cell stiffness reduction was systematically associated with the acquisition of invasive properties in cutaneous melanoma cell lines, human skin reconstructs, and Medaka fish developing spontaneous MAP-kinase-induced melanomas. We observed a systematic correlation of stiffness modulation with cell morphological changes towards mesenchymal characteristic gains. We accordingly found that inducing melanoma EMT switching by overexpressing the ZEB1 transcription factor, a major regulator of melanoma cell plasticity, was sufficient to decrease cell stiffness and transcriptionally induce tetraspanin-8-mediated dermal invasion. Moreover, ZEB1 expression correlated with Tspan8 expression in patient melanoma lesions. Our data suggest that intrinsic cell stiffness could be a highly relevant marker for human cutaneous melanoma development.
Friction Evolution of Graphite Bearing Impregnated with Polymer Subjected to Vibration Fretting at High Temperature
Authors: Zaïdi Hamid , Tournis Stéphane , Deville Leila , Richard Caroline , Aissa Mohamed , Bouguerra Kaouthar
Published: February 2024

To address friction and wear challenges in dry contacts, manufacturers often employ self-lubricating materials. Graphite and its derivatives stand out as particularly suitable due to their exceptional tribological properties. However, under intense friction conditions, graphite can experience a decline in lubricating efficiency due to severe abrasive wear. This abrasive damage results in elevated activated carbon surfaces with increased surface energy, fostering greater adhesion between sliding surfaces. The low friction coefficient of graphite is not an inherent property but rather a consequence of water vapor adsorption by the material. Beyond 150 °C, desorption of the vapor occurs, leading to a transition in the friction coefficient from µ = 0.1 to µ = 0.6. To address this issue, impregnation solutions for self-lubricating materials have been developed, with various compositions tailored to specific objectives. Common types include molybdenum disulfide, soft metals and polymers. In this predominantly experimental study, the impact of polymer impregnation on the evolution of friction force and wear rate in graphite material bearings subjected to a dry fretting contact under severe thermal stresses at 270 °C was investigated. Additionally, the mechanical stresses in the bearings throughout different phases of our tests were analyzed using a numerical model.
Constructing a Mathematical Model of Product Color Design Based on Data Mining: Case Study of a Thermos Cup
Authors: Liu Wei , Li Jin , Rong Hui , Zhou Ziqian
Published: February 2024

In product design, color is the first element that acts on the human visual senses and significantly influences consumer decisions. This study aimed to analyze consumers’ color preferences for products and explore the mathematical patterns of product color design. Firstly, sales data and images of popular thermos cups from Tmall and Jingdong (JD), two prominent e-commerce platforms in China, were obtained through data mining. Subsequently, this research focused on single-color thermos cups with high sales as the research subject, extracting the hue (H), saturation (S), and value (V) for each cup from the product images. Furthermore, a 3D scatter plot of HSV values was generated using Origin Pro, visually representing the consumers’ color preferences. Finally, this study examined the relationships among HSV values of the popular product colors through multiple regression analysis and constructed a mathematical model for HSV. This method enables manufacturers to gain valuable insights into consumer color preferences, facilitating digital color design and enhancing design efficiency and accuracy.
The Trèmols Herbarium: A European Herbarium from the End of the 19th Century
Authors: Gavioli Laura , Nualart Neus , López-Pujol Jordi , Ibáñez Neus
Published: February 2024

The herbarium Trèmols, preserved in the Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB), was created during the second half of the 19th century by the Catalan chemist and botanist Frederic Trèmols Borrell (Cadaqués 1831–1900). He was a member of important scientific institutions, including the Real Acadèmia de Ciències i Arts de Barcelona, the Societat Botànica Barcelonesa, the Société Botanique de France, and the Société Helvétique pour l’Échange des Plantes. The value of this herbarium lies in the large volume of specimens that it preserves (12,953) and the high percentage (61.9%) of material of foreign origin that it contains. The Trèmols herbarium was completely digitised in 2019 as part of a wider study that is aimed to classify, digitise, document, review, and, finally, make the IBB historical herbaria available to the scientific community. Herein, we provide a general overview of the almost 13,000 specimens of this collection, which can give valuable insight into the flora that existed more than 100 years ago.
Stochastic Volatility Models with Skewness Selection
Authors: Martins Igor , Freitas Lopes Hedibert
Published: February 2024

This paper expands traditional stochastic volatility models by allowing for time-varying skewness without imposing it. While dynamic asymmetry may capture the likely direction of future asset returns, it comes at the risk of leading to overparameterization. Our proposed approach mitigates this concern by leveraging sparsity-inducing priors to automatically select the skewness parameter as dynamic, static or zero in a data-driven framework. We consider two empirical applications. First, in a bond yield application, dynamic skewness captures interest rate cycles of monetary easing and tightening and is partially explained by central banks’ mandates. In a currency modeling framework, our model indicates no skewness in the carry factor after accounting for stochastic volatility. This supports the idea of carry crashes resulting from volatility surges instead of dynamic skewness.
The Impact of the Rule of Law on Energy Policy in European Union Member States
Authors: Wisniewski Radoslaw , Nowakowska-Krystman Aneta , Kownacki Tomasz , Daniluk Piotr
Published: February 2024

Research pertaining to the dual-tier political system within the European Union (EU), specifically concerning the genesis and execution of EU policies, has garnered substantial scholarly attention. These inquiries delve into multifaceted dimensions, encompassing institutional dynamics, procedural intricacies, questions of legitimacy, and intricate relational dynamics entailing international diplomacy with other actors within the realm of international law. Nonetheless, a particularly intriguing and underexplored facet remains: the influence of member states’ compliance with the rule of law on the implementation of EU policies, particularly within the realm of energy policy. This article aims to elucidate the nexus between the realization of energy policy objectives in EU member states and fidelity to the rule of law. The conundrum of establishing a correlation between the indicators of environmentally sustainable energy policy and commitment to upholding the rule of law remains uncharted territory within the existing body of literature. Our analysis centers on a dataset derived from publicly accessible sources, reflecting data from the year 2020.
Optimal Reactive Power Flow of AC-DC Power System with Shunt Capacitors Using Backtracking Search Algorithm
Authors: Arab Meraa , Fadel Waleed
Published: February 2024

In this paper, it is proposed that a two-terminal high voltage direct current (HVDC) be integrated into the power system. Line-commutated converter (LCC)-HVDC is used because of its ability to reduce line losses, which improves overall system efficiency. Shunt capacitors also aid in voltage maintenance by compensating for the reactive power demand. In essence, limiting voltage drops in electrical networks promotes a more efficient power transmission and distribution by lowering resistive losses. In power system investigations, it was discovered that the HVDC link and SCB exist separately. So, for the first time, the backtracking search algorithm (BSA) is used to solve the optimal reactive power flow (ORPF) of a power system with a HVDC link and shunt capacitor banks (SCB). Although BSA simulations on a modified IEEE 30 bus yielded successful results, ABC was also utilized for comparing the outcomes of different methods. Overall, three separate cases of the modified IEEE 30 bus system were examined. When the acquired results are compared to other methods, the suggested algorithm is found to be better at concerning effectiveness as well as performance.
A Comparative Analysis of Actuator-Based Turbine Structure Parametrizations for High-Fidelity Modeling of Utility-Scale Wind Turbines under Neutral Atmospheric Conditions
Authors: Santoni Christian , Sotiropoulos Fotis , Khosronejad Ali
Published: February 2024

This study compared the efficacy of the actuator line and actuator surface models in carrying out large-eddy simulations of a utility-scale wind turbine. A large-eddy simulation with the actuator surface and line models was employed to study the wake flow and power production of the turbine. While both the actuator models were employed for the blade representation, the nacelle was modeled using the actuator surface approach. Both of the actuator models demonstrated agreement in the mean velocity field, power production, and turbulence kinetic energy of the wake flow. Comparing the wake flow, power production, and turbulence kinetic energy results, it was found that the mean discrepancy between the two models was 0.6%, 0.3%, and 2.3%, respectively. Despite the minor discrepancies, both actuator models accurately captured the hub vortex in the wake of the nacelle, evidenced by an energy peak in wind speed spectra at f/fω≈0.34.
Channel-to-Rib Width Ratio Optimization for the Electrical Performance Enhancement in PEMFC Based on Accurate Strain-Stress Simulation
Authors: Chen Xiangyang , Luo Xianglong , Wang Chao , Liang Yingzong , Chen Jianyong , Yang Zhi , He Jiacheng , Chen Ying
Published: February 2024

Although a large channel-to-rib width ratio (CRWR) of the bipolar plate (BP) leads to a large electrical performance of PEMFC, an excessive CRWR leads to excessive pressure and destroys the gas diffusion layer (GDL), thus reducing the electrical performance of PEMFC. Revealing the relationship between the CRWR and GDL is of urgent necessity for improving the electrical performance of PEMFC. In this study, a three-dimensional model of PEMFC incorporating the compressed neo-Hookean theory is developed to accurately depict the stress-strain relationship. Compared with the traditional model incorporating the linear-elastic theory, the current density deviation of the proposed model is decreased from 9.81% to 2.55%. The correlation among CRWR of BP, stress, strain, and elastic modulus of GDL is fitted. The average stress deviation of the correlation from the simulated data is 3.41%. Based on the correlation, when the compressive strength of GDL is 2.5 MPa, the peak permissible CRWR is achieved at 2.91, indicating the peak value of CRWR without damaging the GDL structure. A power density enhancement of 29.04% compared to the conventional case is achieved. The strategies of this study can be used to guide the design of the channel of bipolar plates and enhance the power density of PEMFC.
Enhancing Prescriptive Capabilities in Electrical Substations: A Systemic Impact Factor Approach for Failure Impact Analysis
Authors: Rodríguez Mauricio , Crespo Adolfo , González-Prida Vicente
Published: February 2024

This research looks into a systemic impact factor (SIF) as a complement to enhance the prescriptive capabilities of electric substations with the objective of improving the reliability and robustness of components. As electrical networks become increasingly complex, prescriptive analytical tools are needed to ensure sustained power delivery. The purpose is to develop a framework for evaluating failure effects, including both direct and indirect effects on substation performance. The study makes use of a multi-criteria method that incorporates safety, environment protection, reliability, and network robustness among other factors like SAIDI and SAIFI to determine the actual impact of failures to make better decisions. The methodology is illustrated using a criticality model, and a case study, focusing on operational contexts of the failure. The SIF proposal provides a better understanding of different aspects and their contribution, when a failure event occurs under a given operational context. This factor improves maintenance management by identifying critical equipment and projecting the effects of failure through a specific operation network. A case study in an electrical substation estimates the SIF for each element used in daily operations to improve support services and increase substation dependability. Therefore, SIF is an essential factor to consider in electrical substations for their maintainability and reliability evaluation.
Sustainable Smart City Technologies and Their Impact on Users’ Energy Consumption Behaviour
Authors: Ramli Hidayati , Azizi Zahirah Mokhtar , Thurairajah Niraj
Published: February 2024

Sustainable smart cities (SSCs) target decarbonisation by optimising energy consumption through the emerging capabilities of technology. Nevertheless, the energy consumption behaviour of end users has the potential to compromise the effectiveness of technological interventions, reflecting the importance of active social engagement in realising decarbonisation goals. Although extensive research exists on energy consumption behaviour, little is known about how technology engagement affects it, the nature of these technologies, and their role in SSC. The paper aims to identify, categorise, and investigate the smart technologies that impact household energy consumption behaviours and their integration into the larger SSC system. Following a systematic review of 60 articles from the Scopus database (2013–2023), the study found 45 smart technologies cited, with 49% affecting efficiency behaviour and 51% affecting curtailment behaviour. While these technologies inform the city administration level in the SSC framework, the role of end users remains unclear, suggesting a technocratic approach. The study proposes the Sustainable Smart City Network to facilitate a grassroots approach, identifying five key domains: government policies, smart technology adoption, smart technology engagement, smart city infrastructure, and urban sustainability. The study provides an original contribution to knowledge by unveiling the key technologies affecting energy consumption behaviour and outlining the pragmatic requirements for achieving decarbonisation through a grassroots approach.
Instantaneous Electricity Peak Load Forecasting Using Optimization and Machine Learning
Authors: Saglam Mustafa , Lv Xiaojing , Spataru Catalina , Karaman Omer Ali
Published: February 2024

Accurate instantaneous electricity peak load prediction is crucial for efficient capacity planning and cost-effective electricity network establishment. This paper aims to enhance the accuracy of instantaneous peak load forecasting by employing models incorporating various optimization and machine learning (ML) methods. This study examines the impact of independent inputs on peak load estimation through various combinations and subsets using multilinear regression (MLR) equations. This research utilizes input data from 1980 to 2020, including import and export data, population, and gross domestic product (GDP), to forecast the instantaneous electricity peak load as the output value. The effectiveness of these techniques is evaluated based on error metrics, including mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), and R2. The comparison extends to popular optimization methods, such as particle swarm optimization (PSO), and the newest method in the field, including dandelion optimizer (DO) and gold rush optimizer (GRO). This comparison is made against conventional machine learning methods, such as support vector regression (SVR) and artificial neural network (ANN), in terms of their prediction accuracy. The findings indicate that the ANN and GRO approaches produce the least statistical errors. Furthermore, the correlation matrix indicates a robust positive linear correlation between GDP and instantaneous peak load. The proposed model demonstrates strong predictive capabilities for estimating peak load, with ANN and GRO performing exceptionally well compared to other methods.
Latent Thermal Energy Storage System for Heat Recovery between 120 and 150 °C: Material Stability and Corrosion
Authors: Lalau Yasmine , Rigal Sacha , Bédécarrats Jean-Pierre , Haillot Didier
Published: February 2024

Thermal energy represents more than half of the energy needs of European industry, but is still misspent in processes as waste heat, mostly between 100 and 200 °C. Waste heat recovery and reuse provide carbon-free heat and reduce production costs. The industrial sector is seeking affordable and rugged solutions that should adapt the heat recovery to heat demand. This study aims to identify suitable latent heat materials to reach that objective: the selected candidates should show good thermal performance that remains stable after aging and, in addition, be at a reasonable price. This paper details the selection process and aging results for two promising phase change materials (PCMs): adipic and sebacic acid. They showed, respectively, melting temperatures around 150 °C and 130 °C, degradation temperatures (mass lost higher than 1%) above 180 °C, and volumetric enthalpy of 95 and 75 kWh·m−3. They are both compatible with the stainless steel 316L while their operating temperature does not exceed 15 °C above the melting temperature, but they do not comply with the industrial recommendation for long-term use in contact with the steel P265GH (corrosion speed > 0.2 mm·year−1).
Techno-Economic Planning of a Fully Renewable Energy-Based Autonomous Microgrid with Both Single and Hybrid Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Naderi Mobin , Palmer Diane , Smith Matthew J. , Ballantyne Erica E. F. , Stone David A. , Foster Martin P. , Gladwin Daniel T. , Khazali Amirhossein , Al-Wreikat Yazan , Cruden Andrew , Fraser Ewan
Published: February 2024

This paper presents both the techno-economic planning and a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of an off-grid fully renewable energy-based microgrid (MG) intended to be used as an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Different possible plans are compared using technical, economic, and techno-economic characteristics for different numbers of wind turbines and solar panels, and both single and hybrid energy storage systems (ESSs) composed of new Li-ion, second-life Li-ion, and new lead–acid batteries. A modified cost of energy (MCOE) index including EVs’ unmet energy penalties and present values of ESSs is proposed, which can combine both important technical and economic criteria together to enable a techno-economic decision to be made. Bi-objective and multi-objective decision-making are provided using the MCOE, total met load, and total costs in which different plans are introduced as the best plans from different aspects. The number of wind turbines and solar panels required for the case study is obtained with respect to the ESS capacity using weather data and assuming EV demand according to the EV population data, which can be generalized to other case studies according to the presented modelling. Through studies on hybrid-ESS-supported MGs, the impact of two different global energy management systems (EMSs) on techno-economic characteristics is investigated, including a power-sharing-based and a priority-based EMS. Single Li-ion battery ESSs in both forms, new and second-life, show the best plans according to the MCOE and total met load; however, the second-life Li-ion shows lower total costs. The hybrid ESSs of both the new and second-life Li-ion battery ESSs show the advantages of both the new and second-life types, i.e., deeper depths of discharge and cheaper plans.
Optimization Method of Production System for Coalbed Methane Wells throughout Life Cycle
Authors: Li Chen , Sun Lichun , Zhao Zhigang , Zhang Jian , Wang Cunwu , Lei Gang , Li Yong , Meng Yanjun
Published: February 2024

Different from conventional gas reservoirs, the permeability of coalbeds is affected by stress sensitivity and matrix shrinkage during production. These two conditions lead to lower permeability in the reservoir and affect the production efficiency of the gas well. In addition, coalbed methane wells have single-phase water flow in the initial stage of production. When the reservoir pressure is reduced to its critical desorption pressure, the adsorbed gas in the reservoir desorbs into the pore space and participates in the flow. The flow state in the reservoir changes from single-phase to two phase, and the permeability of the reservoir decreases. The occurrence of these three damage mechanisms is related to the flow rate of fluid in the reservoir. At present, there is a lack of research on the optimization of drainage and production systems considering the damage mechanism of coal reservoirs. This study comprehensively considers how to optimize the production rate of coal reservoirs under the influence of stress sensitivity, matrix shrinkage and two phase flow in the production process to achieve the purpose of production with the least damage to the reservoir.
Selection and Validation of Reference Genes in Sudan Grass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf) under Various Abiotic Stresses by qRT-PCR
Authors: Wang Fangyan , Li Peng , Liu Qiuxu , Nie Gang , Zhu Yongqun , Zhang Xinquan
Published: February 2024

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) can screen applicable reference genes of species, and reference genes can be used to reduce experimental errors. Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf) is a high-yield, abiotic-tolerant annual high-quality forage with a wide range of uses. However, no studies have reported reference genes suitable for Sudan grass. Therefore, we found eight candidate reference genes, including UBQ10, HIS3, UBQ9, Isoform0012931, PP2A, ACP2, eIF4α, and Actin, under salt stress (NaCl), drought stress (DR), acid aluminum stress (AlCl3), and methyl jasmonate treatment (MeJA). By using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder, we ranked eight reference genes on the basis of their expression stabilities. The results indicated that the best reference gene was PP2A under all treatments. eIF4α can be used in CK, MeJA, NaCl, and DR. HIS3 can serve as the best reference gene in AlCl3. Two target genes (Isoform0007606 and Isoform0002387) belong to drought-stress-response genes, and they are highly expressed in Sudan grass according to transcriptome data. They were used to verify eight candidate reference genes under drought stress. The expression trends of the two most stable reference genes were similar, but the trend in expression for Actin showed a significant difference. The reference genes we screened provided valuable guidance for future research on Sudan grass.
Hypervirulent Capsular Serotypes K1 and K2 Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Demonstrate Resistance to Serum Bactericidal Activity and Galleria mellonella Lethality
Authors: AL-Busaidi Basaier , AL-Muzahmi Muna , AL-Shabibi Zahra , Rizvi Meher , AL-Rashdi Azza , AL-Jardani Amina , Farzand Robeena , AL-Jabri Zaaima
Published: February 2024

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is a variant that has been increasingly linked to severe, life-threatening infections including pyogenic liver abscess and bloodstream infections. HvKps belonging to the capsular serotypes K1 and K2 have been reported worldwide, however, very scarce studies are available on their genomics and virulence. In the current study, we report four hypermucoviscous extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing hvKp clinical strains of capsular serotype K1 and K2 isolated from pus and urine of critically ill patients in tertiary care hospitals in Oman. These strains belong to diverse sequence types (STs), namely ST-23(K1), ST-231(K2), ST-881(K2), and ST-14(K2). To study their virulence, a Galleria mellonella model and resistance to human serum killing were used. The G. mellonella model revealed that the K1/ST-23 isolate was the most virulent, as 50% of the larvae died in the first day, followed by isolate K2/ST-231 and K2/ST-14, for which 75% and 50% of the larvae died in the second day, respectively. Resistance to human serum killing showed there was complete inhibition of bacterial growth of all four isolates by the end of the first hour and up to the third hour. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that hvKp strains display a unique genetic arrangement of k-loci. Whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that these hvKp isolates were phylogenetically distinct, belonging to diverse clades, and belonged to different STs in comparison to global isolates. For ST-23(K1), ST-231(K2), ST-881(K2), and ST-14(K2), there was a gradual decrease in the number of colonies up to the second to third hour, which indicates neutralization of bacterial cells by the serum components. However, this was followed by a sudden increase of bacterial growth, indicating possible resistance of bacteria against human serum bactericidal activity. This is the first report from Oman detailing the WGS of hvKp clinical isolates and assessing their resistance and virulence genomics, which reinforce our understanding of their epidemiology and dissemination in clinical settings.
Sirtuins as Players in the Signal Transduction of Citrus Flavonoids
Authors: Lombardo Giovanni Enrico , Russo Caterina , Maugeri Alessandro , Navarra Michele
Published: February 2024

Sirtuins (SIRTs) belong to the family of nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent class III histone deacetylases, which come into play in the regulation of epigenetic processes through the deacetylation of histones and other substrates. The human genome encodes for seven homologs (SIRT1-7), which are localized into the nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria, with different enzymatic activities and regulatory mechanisms. Indeed, SIRTs are involved in different physio-pathological processes responsible for the onset of several human illnesses, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, obesity and diabetes, age-related disorders, and cancer. Nowadays, it is well-known that Citrus fruits, typical of the Mediterranean diet, are an important source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols. Among these, flavonoids are recognized as potential agents endowed with a wide range of beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and antitumoral ones. On these bases, we offer a comprehensive overview on biological effects exerted by Citrus flavonoids via targeting SIRTs, which acted as modulator of several signaling pathways. According to the reported studies, Citrus flavonoids appear to be promising SIRT modulators in many different pathologies, a role which might be potentially evaluated in future therapies, along with encouraging the study of those SIRT members which still lack proper evidence on their support.
Cyclodextrin Polymer-Loaded Micro-Ceramic Balls for Solid-Phase Extraction of Triazole Pesticides from Water
Authors: Yang Xiaobo , Yu Lingli , Chen Shuqi , Liu Miaochang , Miao Qian , Wu Huayue , Gao Wenxia
Published: February 2024

A citric acid cross-linked β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymer was synthesized and loaded on micro-ceramic balls to fabricate the solid-phase adsorbents (P-MCB) for adsorption and extraction of triazole pesticides from water. The stability of β-CD polymer and P-MCB was investigated in solutions with different pH values at different temperatures. The adsorption properties and the influence of kinetics, sorbent amount, pesticide concentration, and temperature on the adsorption capacity were evaluated. The results showed P-MCB had favorable adsorption of 15.98 mg/g flutriafol in 3.5 h. The equilibrium data followed the Freundlich equation, and the adsorption of flutriafol and diniconazole followed the second-order kinetics. The recovery rate of P-MCB for triazole pesticides in water was satisfactory, and the recovery rate was still 80.1%, even at the 10th cycle. The P-MCB had good stability, with a degradation rate of 0.2% ± 0.08 within 10 days, which could ensure extraction and recycling.