bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Radiation Dose to the Amygdala–Orbitofrontal Network with Emotion Recognition Task Performance in Patients with Low-Grade and Benign Brain Tumors
Authors: Hardy Sara J. , Finkelstein Alan , Milano Michael T. , Schifitto Giovanni , Sun Hongying , Holley Koren , Usuki Kenneth , Weber Miriam T. , Zheng Dandan , Seplaki Christopher L. , Janelsins Michelle
Published: November 2023

Background: Although data are limited, difficulty in social cognition occurs in up to 83% of patients with brain tumors. It is unknown whether cranial radiation therapy (RT) dose to the amygdala–orbitofrontal network can impact social cognition. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 51 patients with low-grade and benign brain tumors planned for cranial RT. We assessed longitudinal changes on an emotion recognition task (ERT) that measures the ability to recognize emotional states by displaying faces expressing six basic emotions and their association with the RT dose to the amygdala–orbitofrontal network. ERT outcomes included the median time to choose a response (ERTOMDRT) or correct response (ERTOMDCRT) and total correct responses (ERTHH). Results: The RT dose to the amygdala–orbitofrontal network was significantly associated with longer median response times on the ERT. Increases in median response times occurred at lower doses than decreases in total correct responses. The medial orbitofrontal cortex was the most important variable on regression trees predicting change in the ERTOMDCRT. Discussion: This is, to our knowledge, the first study to show that off-target RT dose to the amygdala–orbitofrontal network is associated with performance on a social cognition task, a facet of cognition that has previously not been mechanistically studied after cranial RT.
Immune Predictors of Response after Bacillus Calmette–Guérin Treatment in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Rodríguez-Izquierdo Marta , Del Cañizo Carmen G. , Rubio Carolina , Reina Ignacio A. , Hernández Arroyo Mario , Rodríguez Antolín Alfredo , Dueñas Porto Marta , Guerrero-Ramos Félix
Published: November 2023

Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) has been the standard of care for the treatment of high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) for decades, but 49.6% of high-risk and very-high-risk patients will experience progression to muscle-invasive disease in five years. Furthermore, cytology and cystoscopy entail a high burden for both patients and health care systems due to the need for very long periods of follow-up. Subsequent adjuvant treatment using intravesical immunotherapy with BCG has been shown to be effective in reducing tumor recurrence and progression, but it is not free of severe adverse effects that ultimately diminish patients’ quality of life. Because not all patients benefit from BCG treatment, it is of paramount importance to be able to identify responders and non-responders to BCG as soon as possible in order to offer the best available treatment and prevent unnecessary adverse events. The tumor microenvironment (TME), local immune response, and systemic immune response (both adaptive and innate) seem to play an important role in defining responders, although the way they interact remains unclear. A shift towards a proinflammatory immune response in TME is thought to be related to BCG effectiveness. The aim of this review is to collect the most relevant data available regarding BCG’s mechanism of action, its role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses and the secretion of certain cytokines, and their potential use as immunological markers of response; the aim is also to identify promising lines of investigation.
MiRNAs in Alcohol-Related Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Step toward New Therapeutic Approaches?
Authors: Jouve Mickaël , Carpentier Rodolphe , Kraiem Sarra , Legrand Noémie , Sobolewski Cyril
Published: November 2023

Alcohol-related Liver Disease (ALD) is the primary cause of chronic liver disorders and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in developed countries and thus represents a major public health concern. Unfortunately, few therapeutic options are available for ALD and HCC, except liver transplantation or tumor resection for HCC. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of these diseases is therefore of major importance to identify early biomarkers and to design efficient therapeutic options. Increasing evidence indicate that epigenetic alterations play a central role in the development of ALD and HCC. Among them, microRNA importantly contribute to the development of this disease by controlling the expression of several genes involved in hepatic metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis at the post-transcriptional level. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about miRNAs’ functions in the different stages of ALD and their role in the progression toward carcinogenesis. We highlight that each stage of ALD is associated with deregulated miRNAs involved in hepatic carcinogenesis, and thus represent HCC-priming miRNAs. By using in silico approaches, we have uncovered new miRNAs potentially involved in HCC. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting miRNAs for the treatment of these diseases.
Enhanced Soot Oxidation Activity of a CuO-Doped CeO2 Catalyst via Acid Etching
Authors: Zheng Changlong , Wu Xiaodong , Li Zhenguo , Ran Rui , Weng Duan
Published: November 2023

Copper oxides tend to agglomerate on the surface of CeO2, with a high amount of Cu. In this study, a CeO2 catalyst with a high CuO doping amount was treated with nitric acid to improve its catalytic performance for soot oxidation. The effect of acid etching on the structural properties of the CuO-doped CeO2 catalyst were elucidated. The characterization results indicated that aggregated CuO particles formed over CuCe. The acid etching resulted in a remarkable increase in the surface area of CuCe. Additionally, acid etching promoted the formation of surface-adsorbed oxygen species and oxygen vacancy, and reduced the content of CuOx species with weak interaction with CeO2. The soot temperature-programmed oxidation results show the acid etching of CuCe catalyst could reduce the T50 from 443 to 383 °C. The isothermal reaction results also suggest that acid etching of CuCe leads to an increase in reaction rate from 16.2 to 46.0 μmol min−1 g−1.
Lanthanide Oxides in Ammonia Synthesis Catalysts: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Patkowski Wojciech , Zybert Magdalena , Ronduda Hubert , Raróg-Pilecka Wioletta
Published: November 2023

The production of ammonia through the Haber–Bosch process is a large-scale catalytic industrial endeavour with substantial energy consumption. A key area of energy optimisation for this process involves efforts to ease the synthesis reaction conditions, particularly by reducing the operating pressure. To achieve this goal, new catalysts are designed to function effectively at lower pressures and temperatures. In recent years, reports in the literature concerning including lanthanide oxides in the catalysts’ composition have started appearing more frequently. This review article offers a concise overview of the pivotal role that lanthanide oxides play in the field of ammonia synthesis catalysts. The paper delves into the diverse utilisation of lanthanide oxides, emphasising their role in catalytic systems. The review explores recent advances in the design of catalysts incorporating lanthanide oxides as promoters or support materials, highlighting their impact on enhancing catalyst stability, activity, and operation. Three main groups of catalysts are discussed, where iron, ruthenium, and cobalt constitute the active phase. Insights from recent research efforts are synthesised to provide a comprehensive perspective on the application prospects of lanthanide oxides in ammonia synthesis catalysts.
Store-Operated Calcium Entry Increases Nuclear Calcium in Adult Rat Atrial and Ventricular Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Hermes Julia , Borisova Vesela , Kockskämper Jens
Published: November 2023

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in cardiomyocytes may be involved in cardiac remodeling, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We hypothesized that SOCE may increase nuclear calcium, which alters gene expression via calcium/calmodulin-dependent enzyme signaling, and elucidated the underlying cellular mechanisms. An experimental protocol was established in isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes to elicit SOCE by re-addition of calcium following complete depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium and to quantify SOCE in relation to the electrically stimulated calcium transient (CaT) measured in the same cell before SR depletion. Using confocal imaging, calcium changes were recorded simultaneously in the cytosol and in the nucleus of the cell. In ventricular myocytes, SOCE was observed in the cytosol and nucleus amounting to ≈15% and ≈25% of the respective CaT. There was a linear correlation between the SOCE-mediated calcium increase in the cytosol and nucleus. Inhibitors of TRPC or Orai channels reduced SOCE by ≈33–67%, whereas detubulation did not. In atrial myocytes, SOCE with similar characteristics was observed in the cytosol and nucleus. However, the SOCE amplitudes in atrial myocytes were ≈two-fold larger than in ventricular myocytes, and this was associated with ≈1.4- to 3.6-fold larger expression of putative SOCE proteins (TRPC1, 3, 6, and STIM1) in atrial tissue. The results indicated that SOCE in atrial and ventricular myocytes is able to cause robust calcium increases in the nucleus and that both TRPC and Orai channels may contribute to SOCE in adult cardiomyocytes.
PAK in Pancreatic Cancer-Associated Vasculature: Implications for Therapeutic Response
Authors: Ansardamavandi Arian , Nikfarjam Mehrdad , He Hong
Published: November 2023

Angiogenesis has been associated with numbers of solid tumours. Anti-angiogenesis drugs starve tumours of nutrients and oxygen but also make it difficult for a chemo reagent to distribute into a tumour, leading to aggressive tumour growth. Anti-angiogenesis drugs do not appear to improve the overall survival rate of pancreatic cancer. Vessel normalisation is merging as one of the new approaches for halting tumour progression by facilitating the tumour infiltration of immune cells and the delivery of chemo reagents. Targeting p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in cancer has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. Inhibition of PAK enhances anti-tumour immunity and stimulates the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades. Inhibition of PAK also improves Car-T immunotherapy by reprogramming the vascular microenvironment. This review summarizes current research on PAK’s role in tumour vasculature and therapeutical response, with a focus on pancreatic cancer.
Combined Results of Two Cross-Sectional Surveys on the Participation in Clinical Trials and the e-Consent Procedure in the Landscape of Haematology
Authors: Heyrman Bert , Meers Stef , Van De Velde Ann , Anguille Sébastien
Published: November 2023

Despite the motivation of oncology patients to take part in clinical trials, only a minority of them are enrolled in clinical trials. Implementation of new practical procedures can become a barrier that withholds patients from participating in clinical trials. Treating physicians are crucial in augmenting trial accrual. The drivers that promote physicians to allocate patients for clinical trials need further assessment. We conducted two separate cross-sectional surveys, addressing patients with a haematological disease in one survey and haematologists in another survey. The patient survey was filled out by 420 patients. Significant relationships between the willingness to participate in a trial and trial knowledge (p < 0.001) and between doctor–patient relationship and participation willingness (p = 0.007) were noted. Patients above 60 years were less willing to use an electronic consent procedure vs. patients younger than 60 (p < 0.001). The physician questionnaire was completed by 42 participants of whom most (83%) were active in and (94%) motivated for clinical trials. Apart from the patient benefit and scientific interest, prestige was an equal motivator closely followed by financial remunerations. First goal was not to harm the patient. Our study confirms the high willingness of patients for trial participation and the need to rethink the structure of trial organisation. The e-consent procedure is not the method preferred by most patients above 60 years old.
A Systematic Review of the Recent Advances in Superlubricity Research
Authors: Zeng Qunfeng , Zhang Wenling
Published: November 2023

Friction and the wear caused by friction will not only lead to energy dissipation, but will also cause damage to the function of mechanical parts, affecting the precision and lifespan of mechanical devices. Superlubricity as an ideal state of zero friction has become a hot research topic in recent years. There have been many reviews on the concept, origin, and research progress of superlubricity, but, among them, there are more presentations on the research status of solid superlubricity and liquid superlubricity; however, the theoretical summarization of solid–liquid combined superlubricity and high-temperature superlubricity is still imperfect and lacks a systematic and comprehensive review. The mechanism of superlubricity is not explicitly presented in many reviews, which are clearly summarized in this paper. This paper introduces superlubricity from friction, and then introduces the origin of superlubricity, and presents the research progress on superlubricityby separating it into in four categories: liquid superlubricity, solid superlubricity, solid–liquid combined superlubricity, and high-temperature superlubricity. By analyzing the superlubricity system, the mechanism of realizing various types of superlubricity, such as incommensurability, hydration, and oxidation, is summarized. Based on the research progress of superlubricity, the development prospects, opportunities, and challenges of superlubricity in the future are discussed.
High-Permittivity and Bias-Voltage-Insensitive (Ba,Sr,Ca)TiO3·0.03(Bi2O3·3TiO2) Ceramics with Y5U Specification
Authors: Li Wei , Yao Zhonghua , Hao Hua , Cao Minghe , Liu Hanxing
Published: November 2023

Class II ceramics are a material with high permittivity but low reliability of their capacitance and bias voltage due to high the temperature sensitivity of their dielectric permittivity. In this work, a BST-based (Ba0.9−xSrxCa0.1)TiO3·0.03(Bi2O3·3TiO2) (x = 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4) composition with Y5U characteristics was investigated through compositional control to develop high-permittivity and voltage-stable ceramic compositions. Sr doping can increase the breakdown strength (Eb) but decreases the Curie temperature (Tc). The composition at x = 0.3 can obtain optimal comprehensive electrical properties, with high permittivity of 4206, low dielectric loss of ~0.009, and moderate breakdown strength (Eb) of 77.6 kV/cm, which meets Y5U specifications. Typically, a low bias-voltage dependence of capacitance is confirmed with a variation rate of 7.64% under 20 kV/cm. This strategy provides a promising candidate for high-permittivity Class II ceramic dielectrics that can be used in this field.
Long-Term Spatiotemporal Oceanographic Data from the Northeast Pacific Ocean: 1980–2022 Reconstruction Based on the Korea Oceanographic Data Center (KODC) Dataset
Authors: Kim Seong-Hyeon , Kim Hansoo
Published: November 2023

The Korea Oceanographic Data Center (KODC), overseen by the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS), is a pivotal hub for collecting, processing, and disseminating marine science data. By digitizing and subjecting observational data to rigorous quality control, the KODC ensures accurate information in line with international standards. The center actively engages in global partnerships and fosters marine data exchange. A wide array of marine information is provided through the KODC website, including observational metadata, coastal oceanographic data, real-time buoy records, and fishery environmental data. Coastal oceanographic observational data from 207 stations across various sea regions have been collected biannually since 1961. This dataset covers 14 standard water depths; includes essential parameters, such as temperature, salinity, nutrients, and pH; serves as the foundation for news, reports, and analyses by the NIFS; and is widely employed to study seasonal and regional marine variations, with researchers supplementing the limited data for comprehensive insights. The dataset offers information for each water depth at a 1 m interval over 1980–2022, facilitating research across disciplines. Data processing, including interpolation and quality control, is based on MATLAB. These data are classified by region and accessible online; hence, researchers can easily explore spatiotemporal trends in marine environments.
Evolution of Fetal Cardiac Imaging over the Last 20 Years
Authors: Magioli Bravo-Valenzuela Nathalie Jeanne , Malho André Souza , Nieblas Caroline de Oliveira , Castro Pedro Teixeira , Werner Heron , Araujo Júnior Edward
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this article is to describe the evaluation of a variety of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound with different software, such as Cristal Vue, Realistic Vue, LumiFlow, and Spatiotemporal Image Correlation (STIC), with HDlive and HDlive Flow Silhouette modes. These technologies provide realistic images of the fetal heart and cardiac vessels using a fixed virtual light source that allows the operator to freely select a better light source position to enhance the cardiovascular anatomical details. In addition, Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography (FINE) technology, also known as “5D Heart” or “5D”, is a technology that enables the automatic reconstruction of the nine standard fetal echocardiographic views and can alert non-specialists to suspected CHD. Through the use of artificial intelligence, an ultrasound machine is able to perform automatic anatomical and functional measurements. In addition, hese technologies enable the reconstruction of fetal cardiac structures in realistic images, improving the depth perception and resolution of anatomic cardiac details and blood vessels compared to those of standard two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound.
Evaluation of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced and Oxygen-Enhanced Functional Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
Authors: Srinivas Rohit K. , Garg Mandeep , Debi Uma , Prabhakar Nidhi , Dhooria Sahajal , Agarwal Ritesh , Aggarwal Ashutosh Nath , Sandhu Manavjit Singh
Published: November 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by obstruction of airways and emphysematous lung tissue damage, with associated hypoxic vasoconstriction in the affected lung parenchyma. In our study, we evaluate the role of oxygen-enhanced (OE) MRI and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI in COPD patients for assessment of ventilation and perfusion defects and compared their severity with clinical severity. A total of 60 patients with COPD (diagnosed based on clinical and spirometry findings) and 2 controls with normal spirometry and no history of COPD were enrolled. All patients underwent MRI within 1 month of spirometry. OE-MRI was performed by administering oxygen at 12 L/min for 4 min to look for ventilation defects. DCE-MRI was performed by injecting intravenous gadolinium contrast, and perfusion abnormalities were detected by subtracting the non-enhanced areas from the first pass perfusion contrast images. A total of 87% of the subjects demonstrated ventilation and perfusion abnormalities on MRI independently. The lobe-wise distribution of ventilation and perfusion abnormalities correlated well with each other and was statistically significant in all lobes (p < 0.05). The severity of ventilation-perfusion defects also correlated well with clinical severity, as their median value (calculated using a Likert rating scale) was significantly lower in patients in the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) I/II group (3.25) compared to the GOLD III/IV group (7.25). OE- and DCE-MRI provide functional information about ventilation-perfusion defects and their regional distribution, which correlates well with clinical severity in patients with COPD.
Personalization of Minimally-Invasive Aesthetic Procedures with the Use of Ultrasound Compared to Alternative Imaging Modalities
Authors: Beiu Cristina , Popa Liliana Gabriela , Bălăceanu-Gurău Beatrice , Iliescu Carmen Andrada , Racoviță Andreea , Popescu Marius Nicolae , Mihai Mara Mădălina
Published: November 2023

Ultrasonography is a well-tolerated procedure that aids in the targeted esthetic therapies of special cutaneous regions, as well as in the prevention (vascular mapping, identification of previous filler, and others) and management of potential complications (vascular occlusion, external vascular compression, product misplacement or migration, inflammatory reactions, and others). It has lately been promoted as the first-line imaging tool to address injectables. In this article, we aim to review the evolving role of ultrasonography in cosmetic filler procedures, from the fundamental ultrasound characterization of cosmetic fillers to the ultrasound-enhanced detection and management of cosmetic filler complications, including ultrasound’s role in hyaluronidase-guided injections for cosmetic filler dissolution. Furthermore, the paper explores the integral role played by ultrasound in enhancing the precision, efficacy, and safety of additional minimally invasive aesthetic techniques such as mesotherapy, radiofrequency, cryolipolysis, and polydioxanone procedures.
Profiling the Longitudinal Development of Babbling in Infants with Cerebral Palsy: Validation of the Infant Monitor of Vocal Production (IMP) Using the Stark Assessment of Early Vocal Development-Revised (SAEVD-R)
Authors: Ward Roslyn , Hennessey Neville , Barty Elizabeth , Cantle Moore Robyn , Elliott Catherine , Valentine Jane
Published: November 2023

Aim: We compared early vocal development in children “at risk” for cerebral palsy (CP) with typically developing (TD) infants aged 6 to 15 months using the SAEVD-R, investigating potential pre-linguistic markers of communication impairment. Additionally, we sought to examine the agreement between the SAEVD-R and IMP, which uses parent report, in identifying departure from typical vocal development in at-risk infants. Method: Utilising a longitudinal cohort study, >10,000 vocalisations of 33 infants (15 at risk for CP and 18 TD) were assessed at 6, 9, 12, and 15 months using the SAEVD-R. Generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs) compared groups, and Spearman correlations explored IMP ceiling scores and SAEVD-R measures. Results: At 6 months, both TD and CP groups reached SAEVD-R vocalisation level 3 (expansion). By 9 months, 51% of TD infants progressed to advanced babbling (levels 4 and 5), while 80% of at-risk infants remained at level 3. At 12 and 15 months, over 90% of TD children advanced, compared to 67% at 12 months and 53% at 15 months for at-risk infants, who stayed at the pre-canonical stage. Strong correlations were found between IMP scores and vocalisation levels at 9 and 12 months. Remaining at the pre-canonical stage at 12 months correlated with delayed vocal development as per IMP scores. Interpretation: TD infants achieved higher SAEVD-R levels than at-risk infants. At 12 months, IMP scores effectively identified infants with speech-like vocalisation difficulties, demonstrating its clinical utility in identifying atypical vocal development in infants at risk for CP.
Sugar Substitute Stevia Inhibits Biofilm Formation, Exopolysaccharide Production, and Downregulates the Expression of Streptococcal Genes Involved in Exopolysaccharide Synthesis
Authors: AlKanderi Sara , AlFreeh Monerah , Bhardwaj Radhika G. , Karched Maribasappa
Published: November 2023

Background: Acid production by sucrose fermentation disturbs the balance in dental plaque by lowering the oral pH. As a consequence of the profound effect of sucrose on caries initiation and progression, many studies have been directed towards finding non-cariogenic artificial sweeteners that can be used as a substitute to sucrose. Existing literature shows that dietary sucrose upregulates the expression of biofilm associated genes involved in exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the sugar substitute stevia on biofilm formation, EPS secretion, and streptococcal genes encoding glucan-binding proteins (Gbps) and glucosyltransferases (Gtfs), which are essential for the synthesis of EPS. Materials and Methods: Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus gordonii were grown as biofilm cultures with or without stevia and sucrose. Biomass was quantified for biofilm and EPS production by crystal violet staining and the phenol–sulfuric acid method, respectively. Expression of gtfB and gbpB genes was studied by RT-PCR. Results: The quantities of biofilm were significantly lower when grown in the presence of stevia compared to sucrose in both species (p < 0.05). The proportion of EPS in the biofilm pellet decreased with increasing concentrations of stevia in both species but remained nearly unchanged with sucrose with respect to the control. In both streptococcal species, exposure of stevia decreased the expression of gtfB and gbpB genes compared to sucrose (p < 0.05). In comparison to the untreated control, the expression was decreased in the presence of stevia in both species, while it increased 2.5- to 4-fold in S. mutans and 1.5- to 2.5-fold in S. gordonii in the presence of sucrose. Conclusion: The ability of stevia to inhibit biofilm formation, reduce EPS production, and downregulate the expression of gtfB and gbpB genes in S. mutans and S. gordonii may have potential therapeutic applications in controlling dental plaques and caries.
Teaching English as a Second Language in the Early Years: Teachers’ Perspectives and Practices in Finland
Authors: Koyuncu Selma , Kumpulainen Kristiina , Kuusisto Arniika
Published: November 2023

Second language (L2) education in the early years has been steadily increasing worldwide. Since second language education at earlier ages is relatively new in many countries, not much research is available regarding teaching practices in this context. Likewise, limited research attention has been directed to teachers’ perspectives on early L2 teaching. This study investigated what characterises teachers’ pedagogical planning, teaching practices and assessment of language learning, and teachers’ perspectives about the opportunities and challenges in early L2 classrooms within the cultural context of the Finnish education system. The data for this study were gathered through an online survey involving teachers of English (n = 49) as a second language in the early years of primary education in Finland. The results show that the teachers based their pedagogical planning on the curriculum, used a variety of L2 tasks and materials, which they often prepared by themselves, and they mostly used observation, instead of formal exams, for assessing the children’s learning in L2. The results revealed that the teachers’ perspectives to the early start for L2 teaching were positive, which stemmed from the children’s enthusiasm for language learning. The teachers draw attention to challenges such as big group sizes, the diversity in children’s skills (e.g., their prior L2 knowledge, social skills, learning capabilities), and the limited availability of teaching materials targeted for young learner groups in L2 education. The findings demonstrate the opportunities and challenges L2 teachers of early learners face in Finland.
Design of High-Performance Driving Power Supply for Semiconductor Laser
Authors: Feng Bin , Zhao Junfeng , Zhang Haofei , Li Tao , Mi Jianjun
Published: November 2023

High power semiconductor laser is a kind of photoelectric device with high efficiency and high stability, the performance of its drive system directly affects its output characteristics and service life. In order to solve the problems of stability and robustness of the output power of the semiconductor laser, a semiconductor laser driving power supply with high efficiency, low ripple and strong anti-interference ability was developed. In this paper, the topology of the LCC resonant converter is adopted (LCC refers to the type of resonant converter, because its resonator is composed of an inductor L and two capacitors C, it is called LCC resonant converter). The power supply adopts full-bridge LCC resonant power topology. Firstly, a mathematical model is established to analyze the relationship between LCC resonator parameters and output current gain. Secondly, an LCC resonator parameter design method is proposed to reduce the current stress of components, and the variable frequency phase shift (PFM-PWM) composite control strategy and linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) algorithm are proposed, which not only ensures the zero voltage (ZVS) conduction of MOS (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) tube, but also reduces the on-off loss of MOS tube. The PFM-PWM composite control strategy and LADRC algorithm not only improve the power efficiency of the drive power supply, suppress the output current ripple, but also ensure that the output current of the drive power supply is stable when the input voltage, load and parasitic parameters of the circuit change. Finally, the simulation and experimental results show that the power supply can be continuously adjustable in the output current range of 0–40 A, the current ripple is less than 0.8%, and the working efficiency is up to 92%. It has the characteristics of high stability, small ripple, high efficiency, low cost and good robustness.
Performance and Thermal Stress Evaluation of Full-Scale SOEC Stack Using Multi-Physics Modeling Method
Authors: Wang Hao , Xiao Liusheng , Liu Yingqi , Zhang Xueping , Zhou Ruidong , Liu Fangzheng , Yuan Jinliang
Published: November 2023

A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method coupled with multi-physics phenomena is developed and applied for a 10-cell full-scale SOEC stack in this study. Effects of gas flow patterns, operating temperature, and manifold configurations are simulated and analyzed for stack performance and thermal stress. It is demonstrated the hydrogen production and thermal stress obtained in cross-flow mode stack are about 8% and 36 MPa higher compared to that in other flow cases. Furthermore, it is found the temperature gradient is the predominant factor affecting the thermal stress distribution and failure probability. Lastly, a stack arrangement with 2-inlet and 1-outlet is proposed and analyzed to enhance gas distribution uniformity within the cell channels. The findings of this study hold significance as a reference for investigating the impact on the SOEC stack performance and thermal stress distribution.
Short-Term Prediction for Indoor Temperature Control Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Park Byung Kyu , Kim Charn-Jung
Published: November 2023

Recently, data-based artificial intelligence technology has been developing dramatically, and we are considering how to model, predict, and control complex systems. Energy system modeling and control have been developed in conjunction with building technology. This study investigates the use of an artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting indoor air temperature in a test room with windows on an entire side. Multilayer perceptron (MLP) models were constructed and trained using time series data obtained at one-second intervals. Several subsampling time steps of 1 s, 60 s, 300 s, 600 s, 900 s, 1800 s, and 3600 s were performed by considering the actual operation control mode in which the time interval is important. The performance indices of the neural networks were evaluated using various error metrics. Successful results were obtained and analyzed based on them. It was found that as the multi-step time interval increases, performance degrades. For system control designs, a shorter prediction horizon is suggested due to the increase in computational time, for instance, the limited computing capacity in a microcontroller. The MLP structure proved useful for short-term prediction of indoor air temperature, particularly when control horizons are set below 100. Furthermore, highly reliable results were obtained at multi-step time intervals of 300 s or less. For the multivariate model, both calculation time and data dispersion increased, resulting in worsened performance compared to the univariate model.
SEiPV-Net: An Efficient Deep Learning Framework for Autonomous Multi-Defect Segmentation in Electroluminescence Images of Solar Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: Eesaar Hassan , Joe Sungjin , Rehman Mobeen Ur , Jang Yeongmin , Chong Kil To
Published: November 2023

A robust and efficient segmentation framework is essential for accurately detecting and classifying various defects in electroluminescence images of solar PV modules. With the increasing global focus on renewable energy resources, solar PV energy systems are gaining significant attention. The inspection of PV modules throughout their manufacturing phase and lifespan requires an automatic and reliable framework to identify multiple micro-defects that are imperceptible to the human eye. This manuscript presents an encoder–decoder-based network architecture with the capability of autonomously segmenting 24 defects and features in electroluminescence images of solar photovoltaic modules. Certain micro-defects occupy a trivial number of image pixels, consequently leading to imbalanced classes. To address this matter, two types of class-weight assignment strategies are adopted, i.e., custom and equal class-weight assignments. The employment of custom class weights results in an increase in performance gains in comparison to equal class weights. Additionally, the proposed framework is evaluated by utilizing three different loss functions, i.e., the weighted cross-entropy, weighted squared Dice loss, and weighted Tanimoto loss. Moreover, a comparative analysis based on the model parameters is carried out with existing models to demonstrate the lightweight nature of the proposed framework. An ablation study is adopted in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of each individual block of the framework by carrying out seven different experiments in the study. Furthermore, SEiPV-Net is compared to three state-of-the-art techniques, namely DeepLabv3+, PSP-Net, and U-Net, in terms of several evaluation metrics, i.e., the mean intersection over union (IoU), F1 score, precision, recall, IoU, and Dice coefficient. The comparative and visual assessment using SOTA techniques demonstrates the superior performance of the proposed framework.
Safety Risk and Strategy Analysis of On-Board Hydrogen System of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles in China
Authors: Yao Zhanhui , Qi Wei , Wang Jia , Ding Zhensen , Jiang Xiaolong , Hong Yingchen , Li Yuejuan
Published: November 2023

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) represent an important breakthrough in the hydrogen energy industry. The safe utilization of hydrogen is critical for the sustainable and healthy development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In this study, risk factors and preventive measures are proposed for on-board hydrogen systems during the process of transportation, storage, and use of fuel cell vehicles. The relevant hydrogen safety standards in China are also analyzed, and suggestions involving four safety strategies and three safety standards are proposed.
Performance Evaluation of Modified Zinc-Phthalocyanine Groups as an Active Material in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Nowsherwan Ghazi Aman , Nowsherwan Nouman , Anwar Nadia , Ahmed Muqarrab , Usman Yasir , Amin Faisal , Nowsherwan Nadia , Ikram Saira , Irfan Shaheen , Umar Muhammad , Lai Wen-Cheng
Published: November 2023

The increasing demand for energy and electricity and the depletion of fossil fuels are global problems. In recent years, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technologies have gained notoriety for their application in solar energy. DSSCs are considered a promising alternative renewable energy source to both inorganic and organic photovoltaic (PV) cells. Many types of dyes are being investigated to enhance the light-harvesting properties of DSSCs, but the actual realization of these absorbers in cell structure requires optimum parameters. The main aim of this study was to simulate proposed zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPC)-based structures to validate their design, assess their performance for commercial implementation, and optimize the cell parameters for optimum efficiency. To that end, Scaps-1D was employed to evaluate the performance of DSSCs to determine their optimum parameters. We found that ZnPC and isopropoxy ZnPC molecules outperform others molecules because of better optoelectronic properties. Several other parametric effects, such as photoactive layer thicknesses, doping densities, trap densities, and charge carrier mobilities, were also evaluated to observe their impact on device performance. The results show that moderate thickness, low defect density, moderate doping, and charge carrier mobility are favorable for better device performance due to low recombination losses, electrical losses, and better transport of charge carriers. The utmost power conversion efficiency values found for ZnPC- and ZnPC: PC70BM-based DSSCs after optimization were 9.50% and 9.81%. This paper also suggests a practical method for efficiently using DSSC cells by modifying factors that are significantly reliant on DSSC performance and output.
Influence Suppression of Metal Foreign Object in Wireless Power Transfer System Using Improved Grey Wolf Optimizer
Authors: Huang Wencong , Zhu Yuqiao , Hu Ying , Huang Jinying , Ma Chao , Chang Yufang
Published: November 2023

To address the issue of metal foreign objects interfering with the charging area and causing a significant drop in the Wireless Power Transfer system’s output power, a method to suppress their influence is proposed. First, a circuit model with detection coils is established, the system’s coupling mechanism is analyzed, a mathematical model for output power is derived, and mutual inductance deviation measure is quantified. Next, a finite element simulation model with detection coils is created to simplify the coil design and analyze mutual inductance deviation measure caused by various metal foreign objects. The misalignment of transmitter and receiver coils are considered, and an improved Grey Wolf Optimizer is introduced to optimize compensation topology parameters, targeting output power. Finally, a simulation model and experimental platform are built, and the proposed method is verified through simulation and experimentation. The method can achieve optimal output power in limited iterations while satisfying constraints, confirming its correctness and effectiveness.
Confronting the Threat: Analysis of the Impact of MaDIoT Attacks in Two Power System Models
Authors: Rodríguez-Pérez Néstor , Matanza Domingo Javier , Sigrist Lukas , Rueda Torres Jose Luis , López López Gregorio
Published: November 2023

The increasing penetration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices at the consumer level of power systems also increases the surface of attack for the so-called Manipulation of Demand through IoT (MaDIoT) attacks. This paper provides a comparison of the impact that MaDIoT attacks could have on power systems with different characteristics, such as the IEEE 39-Bus (New England) and the PST-16 system (simplified European model), by assuming that the attacker does not have advanced knowledge of the grid. The results for the IEEE 39-Bus system expand and complement the results obtained by previous work. The simulation results show that these systems present significant differences between them with respect to the success probability of an attack, being in general much higher for the IEEE 39-Bus system. In the PST-16 system, the required number of bots to obtain a certain success probability varies depending on the area attacked. However, a high probability of success does not necessarily mean a high impact on the system. This paper shows that the response to the high-impact MaDIoT attacks of the two models considered is very different as the initial impact of the attack on the system also differs, mainly affecting rotor angles in the PST-16 system, and the frequency in the IEEE 39-Bus.
Estimation of Battery State of Health Using the Two-Pulse Method for LiFePO4 Batteries
Authors: Zuluaga Carolina , Zuluaga Carlos A. , Restrepo José V.
Published: November 2023

Nowadays, it has been necessary to investigate battery storage systems as a part of the massification of renewable energies, with a particular emphasis on batteries, which are the most crucial components in these systems. In this study, the two-pulse method is applied to LiFePO4 battery cells to test the effectiveness of this method in this chemistry, based on previous validations in lead-acid cells. As a result, approximate values for the state of health (SOH) and state of charge (SOC) of the battery are obtained, with an estimated average standard error of the mean (SEM) less than 10%. An innovative aspect of the method is the inclusion of Lithium-based chemistry to verify the method and the comparison of the SOH obtained with the strain and temperature of a cell. These measurements can help to complement the information on the state of health of the battery cells. The method’s applicability to lithium-ion cells has been confirmed, although it requires suitable equipment for its correct application. Not all equipment can deliver uniform and controlled current pulses. Finally, it is necessary to consider some restrictions as a minimum current of at least 15% of the battery capacity value is required. The initial characterization may take some time, although parameter values can be found in the literature for certain technologies like lead-acid. The parameter values vary depending on the chemistry.
Life Cycle Assessment of Four Floating Wind Farms around Scotland Using a Site-Specific Operation and Maintenance Model with SOVs
Authors: Struthers Iain A. , Avanessova Nadezda , Gray Anthony , Noonan Miriam , Thomson R. Camilla , Harrison Gareth P.
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) 15 MW Reference Wind Turbine (RWT), on floating platforms, deployed in commercial-scale arrays at multiple locations around Scotland in the ScotWind leasing round. Site-specific energy production and vessel operations are provided by a dedicated offshore wind farm operations and maintenance (O&M) model, COMPASS, allowing service operation vessel (SOV) O&M impacts to be assessed with increased confidence. For climate change, the median global warming impact varied from 17.4 to 26.3 gCO2eq/kWh across the four sites within a 95% confidence interval using an uncertainty assessment of both foreground and background data. As is common with other offshore renewable energy systems, materials and manufacture account for 71% to 79% of global warming impact, while O&M comprise between 9% and 16% of the global warming impacts. High-voltage direct current (HVDC) export cables, floating platforms, and composite blades are significant contributors to the environmental impacts of these arrays (by mass and material choice), while the contributions from ballast, vessel transportation emissions, and power-train components are lower. The results suggest that material efficiencies, circularity, and decarbonizing material supply inventories should be a priority for the Scottish floating wind sector, followed by minimizing vessel operations and the decarbonization of vessel propulsion, while avoiding burden shifting to other impact categories.
Transferred Bacterial Community on the Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria among Aquatic Water, Plant Root, and Sediment When Planting with Chinese Herbs
Authors: Zheng Yao , Hu Jiawen , Xu Gangchun
Published: November 2023

With the development of modern aquaculture, the number of pathogenic bacteria in fish farms has gradually risen. Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and natural products have greatly contributed to reducing bacterial growth and reproduction. To explore the changes in different proportions of Houttuynia cordata Thunb and Jussiaea stipulacea on the bacterial composition in water, roots, and sediments, we conducted 16S rRNA gene sequencing on samples of the same to analyze floating beds (60% H. cordata Thunb and 30% H. cordata Thunb, 30% J. stipulacea named HcT1, HcT2, and Jr, respectively) after 30 days in the presence of tilapia culture water, roots, and sediments with bacterial community changes in the respective experimental groups. The results showed that 4811 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained; the alterations included decreased Spirochaetae, Nitrospirae, and Elusimicrobia in water; a significant increase in Tenericutes, Chlorobi, and Nitrospirae in HcT1 roots; and decreased Firmicutes and Fusobacteria in HcT2 and Jr roots. Actinobacteria, Nitrospirae, Tenericutes, and Chlamydiae increased in the HcT1 sediment; Fusobacteria and Fibrobacteres increased in the HcT2 sediment; and Cyanobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Acidobacteria increased in the Jr sediment. H. cordata Thunb decreased Tenericutes and Deferribacteres, while Chlorobi, Nitrospirae, and Gemmatimonadetes increased with a 60% planting area, whereas Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria increased with a 30% planting area, and Jr only increased Fusobacteria and Fibrobacteres. When planting with herbs, Proteobacteria increased, while Deferribacteres and Elusimicrobia decreased. The pathogenic genera may transfer among the water, plant roots, and sediments, and floating cultivation with herbs may be beneficial for blocking the spread of the pathogenic genera found in the samples.
Out of the Silence: Insights into How Genes Escape X-Chromosome Inactivation
Authors: Peeters Samantha B. , Posynick Bronwyn J. , Brown Carolyn J.
Published: November 2023

The silencing of all but one X chromosome in mammalian cells is a remarkable epigenetic process leading to near dosage equivalence in X-linked gene products between the sexes. However, equally remarkable is the ability of a subset of genes to continue to be expressed from the otherwise inactive X chromosome—in some cases constitutively, while other genes are variable between individuals, tissues or cells. In this review we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the approaches that have been used to identify escapees. The identity of escapees provides important clues to mechanisms underlying escape from XCI, an arena of study now moving from correlation to functional studies. As most escapees show greater expression in females, the not-so-inactive X chromosome is a substantial contributor to sex differences in humans, and we highlight some examples of such impact.