bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Utilisation of Natural Biosorbents for Effective Methylene Blue Removal
Authors: Güleç Fatih , Williams Orla , Samson Abby , Kostas Emily T. , Stevens Lee A. , Lester Edward
Published: December 2023

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the adsorbent capacity of five distinctly different biosorbents derived from untreated biomasses. The optimal adsorption capacity of seaweed (Laminaria digitata), horse chestnut husk, hazelnut husk, rapeseed residue, and whitewood to remove methylene blue (MB) dye was assessed by analysing the effects of particle size, pH, temperature, and initial dye concentrations. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and adsorption thermodynamics were investigated. The results showed that relatively high MB adsorption capacity was achieved by Laminaria digitata (~180 mg/g), in addition to a reasonable MB adsorption capacity of horse chestnut husk (~130 mg/g), hazelnut husk (~110 mg/g), and rapeseed residue (~80 mg/g). However, whitewood provides a relatively low adsorption capacity of below 20 mg/g. The best fit with experimental results regardless of biosorbent type was a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with the lowest mean absolute percentage error (ε, MAPE < 2.5%) and the highest correlation coefficients (R2 > 0.99). Although the pseudo-second-order kinetic model is often associated with chemisorption, the low enthalpy values (<29.30 kJ/mol) typically suggest that the adsorption process is more characteristic of physisorption, which involves weaker van der Waals forces rather than the stronger covalent bonds of chemisorption. This proposed a multi-step adsorption process involving both physisorption and chemisorption. The adsorption isotherm of Langmuir showed superior fitting results for Laminaria digitata and hazelnut husk. In contrast, rapeseed residue and horse chestnut husk fit better with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The Langmuir adsorption isotherms showed a maximum adsorption capacity of ~500 mg/g for Laminaria digitata, followed by horse chestnut husk (~137 mg/g), hazelnut husk (~120 mg/g), and rapeseed residue (~85 mg/g). The Gibbs free energy was negative for Laminaria digitata < horse chestnut husk < hazelnut husk < 0, which suggests that the removal of MB is thermodynamically favourable, as the adsorption process occurs spontaneously. The results of the study indicate that MB dye removal using untreated biomasses has the potential to be a low-cost valorisation option in the holistic whole life cycle valorisation pathway for Laminaria digitata, horse chestnut husk, and hazelnut husk.
An Improved Biomimetic Olfactory Model and Its Application in Traffic Sign Recognition
Authors: Zhang Jin , He Haobo , Li Wei , Kuang Lidan , Yu Fei , Zhao Jiajia
Published: December 2023

In human and other organisms’ perception, olfaction plays a vital role, and biomimetic olfaction models offer a pathway for studying olfaction. The most optimal existing biomimetic olfaction model is the KIII model proposed by Professor Freeman; however, it still exhibits certain limitations. This study aims to address these limitations: In the feature extraction stage, it introduces adaptive histogram equalization, Gaussian filtering, and discrete cosine transform methods, effectively enhancing and extracting high-quality image features, thereby bolstering the model’s recognition capabilities. To tackle the computational cost issue associated with solving the numerical solutions of neuronal dynamics equations in the KIII model, it replaces the original method with the faster Euler method, reducing time expenses while maintaining good recognition results. In the decision-making stage, several different dissimilarity metrics are compared, and the results indicate that the Spearman correlation coefficient performs best in this context. The improved KIII model is applied to a new domain of traffic sign recognition, demonstrating that it outperforms the baseline KIII model and exhibits certain advantages compared to other models.
DTR-GAN: An Unsupervised Bidirectional Translation Generative Adversarial Network for MRI-CT Registration
Authors: Yang Aolin , Yang Tiejun , Zhao Xiang , Zhang Xin , Yan Yanghui , Jiao Chunxia
Published: December 2023

Medical image registration is a fundamental and indispensable element in medical image analysis, which can establish spatial consistency among corresponding anatomical structures across various medical images. Since images with different modalities exhibit different features, it remains a challenge to find their exact correspondence. Most of the current methods based on image-to-image translation cannot fully leverage the available information, which will affect the subsequent registration performance. To solve the problem, we develop an unsupervised multimodal image registration method named DTR-GAN. Firstly, we design a multimodal registration framework via a bidirectional translation network to transform the multimodal image registration into a unimodal registration, which can effectively use the complementary information of different modalities. Then, to enhance the quality of the transformed images in the translation network, we design a multiscale encoder–decoder network that effectively captures both local and global features in images. Finally, we propose a mixed similarity loss to encourage the warped image to be closer to the target image in deep features. We extensively evaluate methods for MRI-CT image registration tasks of the abdominal cavity with advanced unsupervised multimodal image registration approaches. The results indicate that DTR-GAN obtains a competitive performance compared to other methods in MRI-CT registration. Compared with DFR, DTR-GAN has not only obtained performance improvements of 2.35% and 2.08% in the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of MRI-CT registration and CT-MRI registration on the Learn2Reg dataset but has also decreased the average symmetric surface distance (ASD) by 0.33 mm and 0.12 mm on the Learn2Reg dataset.
Numerical Study of Low-Temperature Ventilation Drying in a Wheat Grain Silo Considering Non-Uniform Porosity Distribution
Authors: Zheng Deqian , Li Liang , Chen Guixiang , Zhou Yang , Liu Kuo
Published: December 2023

The temperature and moisture content inside a grain pile are two important indicators for judging the safety of grain storage. To accurately predict the temperature and moisture content inside a grain pile, a numerical simulation was carried out of the drying process of a mesoscale wheat grain soil based on a thin-layer drying method, considering non-uniform porosity. The effectiveness of this method for wheat piles was verified through a comparison with the experimental data. The influence of different ventilation cage heights and ventilation temperatures on heat and moisture transfer in the wheat grain pile were also studied. The results show the following points. The numerical simulation method in this paper can effectively predict the temperature and moisture content of a wheat grain pile. The non-uniform porosity distribution model can better reproduce the state of ventilation during storage of wheat grain piles than the uniform porosity distribution model. The distribution patterns of flow lines in silos with different ventilation cage heights have certain similarities, but the high-speed airflow area will decrease as the height of the ventilation cage increases. Different ventilation temperatures will significantly affect the areas of high temperature and the rewetting inside a wheat grain pile.
Osteoneogenesis at the Round Window: A Possible Cause of Cochlear Implant Failure?
Authors: Donati Giulia , Nassif Nader , Redaelli de Zinis Luca Oscar
Published: December 2023

Surgery for cochlear implant is a traumatic procedure, with inflammatory responses leading to immediate and delayed intracochlear changes, resulting in newly formed fibrous and bony tissue. This newly formed tissue is thought to affect speech perception with cochlear implants and can also play a role in causing device malfunctioning and soft failures. We present a case of left cochlear implant explantation and reimplantation in a 15-year-old girl, who experienced deterioration of speech perception and device failure associated with osteoneogenesis of the round window, which could represent a cause of cochlear implant failure. To avoid surgical trauma of the cochlear lateral wall, enlarged round window insertion rather than a cochleostomy, soft surgical techniques, and the application of steroids are all important issues to prevent new tissue formation, although special attention should also be given to the trauma of round window borders.
Differential Expression of Circulating Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns in Patients with Coronary Artery Ectasia
Authors: Tsoporis James N. , Triantafyllis Andreas S. , Kalogeropoulos Andreas S. , Izhar Shehla , Rigopoulos Angelos G. , Rallidis Loukianos S. , Sakadakis Eleftherios , Toumpoulis Ioannis K. , Salpeas Vasileios , Leong-Poi Howard , Parker Thomas G. , Rizos Ioannis
Published: December 2023

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as abnormal dilation of a coronary artery with a diameter exceeding that of adjacent normal arterial segment by >1.5 times. CAE is a pathological entity of the coronary arteries and characterized as a variant of coronary atherosclerosis. CAE frequently coexists with coronary artery disease (CAD). While inflammation appears to be involved, the pathophysiology of CAE remains unclear. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), defined as endogenous molecules released from stressed or damaged tissue, are deemed as alarm signals by the innate immune system. Inflammatory agents can generate DAMPs and DAMPs can create a pro-inflammatory state. In a prospective cross-sectional study, we enrolled 29 patients with CAE and non-obstructive CAD, 19 patients with obstructive CAD without CAE, and 14 control subjects with normal (control) coronary arteries age- and sex-matched with the CAE patients, to investigate the differential expression of plasma DAMPs. Patients with CAE and non-obstructive CAD had increased plasma levels of the DAMPs S100B, S100A12, HMGB1, and HSP70, the DAMPs receptor TLR4, and miR328a-3p compared to CAD and controls. Plasma levels of the mir328a-3p target the protective soluble form of the DAMPs receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), and the antioxidant DJ-1 was decreased in both CAE and CAD compared to controls. In an in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cells model, circulating levels of S100B, HMGB1, HSP70 as well as CAE patient plasma induced inflammatory responses. The differential expression of the DAMPs S100B, HSP70, HMGB1, and their receptors TLR4 and sRAGE in CAE versus CAD makes them attractive novel biomarkers as therapeutic targets and therapeutics.
REM Sleep Loss-Induced Elevated Noradrenaline Plays a Significant Role in Neurodegeneration: Synthesis of Findings to Propose a Possible Mechanism of Action from Molecule to Patho-Physiological Changes
Authors: Giri Shatrunjai , Mehta Rachna , Mallick Birendra Nath
Published: December 2023

Wear and tear are natural processes for all living and non-living bodies. All living cells and organisms are metabolically active to generate energy for their routine needs, including for survival. In the process, the cells are exposed to oxidative load, metabolic waste, and bye-products. In an organ, the living non-neuronal cells divide and replenish the lost or damaged cells; however, as neuronal cells normally do not divide, they need special feature(s) for their protection, survival, and sustenance for normal functioning of the brain. The neurons grow and branch as axons and dendrites, which contribute to the formation of synapses with near and far neurons, the basic scaffold for complex brain functions. It is necessary that one or more basic and instinct physiological process(es) (functions) is likely to contribute to the protection of the neurons and maintenance of the synapses. It is known that rapid eye movement sleep (REMS), an autonomic instinct behavior, maintains brain functioning including learning and memory and its loss causes dysfunctions. In this review we correlate the role of REMS and its loss in synaptogenesis, memory consolidation, and neuronal degeneration. Further, as a mechanism of action, we will show that REMS maintains noradrenaline (NA) at a low level, which protects neurons from oxidative damage and maintains neuronal growth and synaptogenesis. However, upon REMS loss, the level of NA increases, which withdraws protection and causes apoptosis and loss of synapses and neurons. We propose that the latter possibly causes REMS loss associated neurodegenerative diseases and associated symptoms.
UAV 3D Modeling and Application Based on Railroad Bridge Inspection
Authors: Tang Zhiyuan , Peng Yipu , Li Jian , Li Zichao
Published: December 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology is vigorously driving the development of digital cities. For experimental objects such as large, protruding, and structurally complex steel truss railway bridge structures, commonly used oblique photography and cross-circular photography techniques can lead to blurring, missing, or lower accuracy of fine texture in the models. Therefore, this paper proposes a real-scene three-dimensional modeling method that combines oblique photography with inclined photography and compares it with oblique photography and cross-circular photography techniques. Experimental results demonstrate that the model generated by combining oblique photography with inclined photography exhibits clearer textures, more complete lines, and higher accuracy, meeting the accuracy requirements of 1:500 topographic map control points. This method plays a beneficial auxiliary role in the inspection of ailments such as steel structure coating corrosion and high-strength bolt loss in steel truss railway arch bridges.
Association of Clostridium butyricum Therapy Using the Live Bacterial Product CBM588 with the Survival of Patients with Lung Cancer Receiving Chemoimmunotherapy Combinations
Authors: Tomita Yusuke , Sakata Shinya , Imamura Kosuke , Iyama Shinji , Jodai Takayuki , Saruwatari Koichi , Hamada Shohei , Akaike Kimitaka , Anai Moriyasu , Fukusima Kazuaki , Takaki Akira , Tsukamoto Hirotake , Goto Yoshihiko , Motozono Chihiro , Sugata Kenji , Satou Yorifumi , Ueno Takamasa , Ikeda Tokunori , Sakagami Takuro
Published: December 2023

The gut microbiota has emerged as a key regulator of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy. Therapeutic approaches aimed at manipulating the microbiota through targeted reconstitution to enhance cancer treatment outcomes have garnered considerable attention. A single live microbial biotherapeutic bacterium, Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 strain (CBM588), has been shown to enhance the effects of ICI monotherapy in patients with advanced lung cancer. However, whether CBM588 affects the outcomes of chemoimmunotherapy combinations in lung cancer remains unknown. We hypothesized that CBM588 augments the effect of chemoimmunotherapy combinations and restores diminished effectiveness in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving dysbiosis-inducing drugs. To validate this hypothesis, we retrospectively analyzed 106 patients with stage IV or recurrent metastatic NSCLC consecutively treated with chemoimmunotherapy combinations. A survival analysis was performed employing univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using propensity scores. Forty-five percent of patients received Clostridium butyricum therapy. CBM588 significantly extended overall survival in patients with NSCLC receiving chemoimmunotherapy. The favorable impact of CBM588 on the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy combinations varied based on tumor-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. The survival benefit of CBM588 in the PD-L1 <1% cohort was higher than that in the PD-L1 1–49% and PD-L1 ≥ 50% cohorts. Furthermore, CBM588 was associated with improved overall survival in patients receiving proton pump inhibitors and/or antibiotics. CBM588-induced manipulation of the commensal microbiota holds the potential to enhance the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy combinations, warranting further exploration of the synergy between CBM588 and immunotherapy.
Exosomal DNA: Role in Reflecting Tumor Genetic Heterogeneity, Diagnosis, and Disease Monitoring
Authors: Xiang Ziyi , Xie Qihui , Yu Zili
Published: December 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), with exosomes at the forefront, are key in transferring cellular information and assorted biological materials, including nucleic acids. While exosomal RNA has been thoroughly examined, exploration into exosomal DNA (exoDNA)—which is stable and promising for cancer diagnostics—lags behind. This hybrid genetic material, combining contributions from both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), is rooted in the cytoplasm. The enigmatic process concerning its cytoplasmic encapsulation continues to captivate researchers. Covering the entire genetic landscape, exoDNA encases significant oncogenic alterations in genes like TP53, ALK, and IDH1, which is vital for clinical assessment. This review delves into exosomal origins, the ins and outs of DNA encapsulation, and exoDNA’s link to tumor biology, underscoring its superiority to circulating tumor DNA in the biomarker arena for both detection and therapy. Amidst scientific progress, there are complexities in the comprehension and practical application of the exoDNA surface. Reflecting on these nuances, we chart the prospective research terrain and potential pitfalls, forging a path for future inquiry. By illuminating both the known and unknown facets of exoDNA, the objective of this review is to provide guidance to the field of liquid biopsy (LB) while minimizing the occurrence of avoidable blind spots and detours.
Entropic Density Functional Theory
Authors: Yousefi Ahmad , Caticha Ariel
Published: December 2023

A formulation of density functional theory (DFT) is constructed as an application of the method of maximum entropy for an inhomogeneous fluid in thermal equilibrium. The use of entropy as a systematic method to generate optimal approximations is extended from the classical to the quantum domain. This process introduces a family of trial density operators that are parameterized by the particle density. The optimal density operator is that which maximizes the quantum entropy relative to the exact canonical density operator. This approach reproduces the variational principle of DFT and allows a simple proof of the Hohenberg–Kohn theorem at finite temperature. Finally, as an illustration, we discuss the Kohn–Sham approximation scheme at finite temperature.
Federated Learning in Medical Image Analysis: A Systematic Survey
Authors: da Silva Fabiana Rodrigues , Camacho Rui , Tavares João Manuel R. S.
Published: December 2023

Medical image analysis is crucial for the efficient diagnosis of many diseases. Typically, hospitals maintain vast repositories of images, which can be leveraged for various purposes, including research. However, access to such image collections is largely restricted to safeguard the privacy of the individuals whose images are being stored, as data protection concerns come into play. Recently, the development of solutions for Automated Medical Image Analysis has gained significant attention, with Deep Learning being one solution that has achieved remarkable results in this area. One promising approach for medical image analysis is Federated Learning (FL), which enables the use of a set of physically distributed data repositories, usually known as nodes, satisfying the restriction that the data do not leave the repository. Under these conditions, FL can build high-quality, accurate deep-learning models using a lot of available data wherever it is. Therefore, FL can help researchers and clinicians diagnose diseases and support medical decisions more efficiently and robustly. This article provides a systematic survey of FL in medical image analysis, specifically based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, X-radiography, and histology images. Hence, it discusses applications, contributions, limitations, and challenges and is, therefore, suitable for those who want to understand how FL can contribute to the medical imaging domain.
Study of Ultra-Broadband Synthesizer of Fast Indirect Type in a 0.5–18 GHz Range for SIGINT System
Authors: Jeon Yuseok
Published: December 2023

In the present study, a new structure (0.5–18 GHz) with excellent phase noise characteristics and a fast switching speed is proposed. Ultra-wideband synthesizers with low phase noises and less spurious signals have been developed to be used as local oscillators and for built-in test (BIT) functions in the field of electronic warfare systems (EW), in which synthesizers are installed at the front-end of devices; this is accomplished by applying an SMT process using a packaged-type device. This paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of PLVCO (old) and DDS reference sources (new) based on two types of frequency synthesizers. At this time, different frequencies can be output from the two ports by different FPGA coding of the internal frequency plan according to the operating frequency. The main RF line will be made a dielectric substrate, RO4350, with a relative dielectric constant of 3.38 and a dielectric thickness of 0.508 mm. In the ultra-broadband synthesizer module, the phase noise of the DDS output (1.25 GHz) was −131 dBc/Hz at 10 KHz offset. The phase noise in the 18 GHz output is expected to be −105.9 dBc/Hz at 1 KHz offset. In particular, by proposing a structure for obtaining a wideband frequency using a single source (DDS), the structure secures reliability from the point of view of a system operating for a long time by implementing a similar circuit within a predictable range.
Charging Dispatching Strategy for Islanded Microgrid Battery-Swapping Stations
Authors: Li Zezhou , Zhu Wu , Wang Guangdong
Published: December 2023

To date, few studies have addressed the charging and discharging schedules of electric vehicle battery-swapping stations in China’s isolated microgrids. Given that battery-swapping is expected to become increasingly widespread, this study innovatively considered distributed power sources, such as wind power and photovoltaic power, to analyze battery-swapping station operation and isolated microgrid operation schedules. Considering the needs of potential future communities that might depend on electric vehicle battery-swapping stations, two scenarios were analyzed, and the most effective integer planning method was adopted. The international algorithm software program YALMIP + CPLEX was used to address the problem, and simulation results proved that the proposed model and its solution method could effectively affect the safe operation and scheduling of islanded microgrid battery-swapping stations and reduce the cost of islanded microgrid operation, with significant advantages.
Improving Audio Classification Method by Combining Self-Supervision with Knowledge Distillation
Authors: Gong Xuchao , Duan Hongjie , Yang Yaozhong , Tan Lizhuang , Wang Jian , Vasilakos Athanasios V.
Published: December 2023

The current audio single-mode self-supervised classification mainly adopts a strategy based on audio spectrum reconstruction. Overall, its self-supervised approach is relatively single and cannot fully mine key semantic information in the time and frequency domains. In this regard, this article proposes a self-supervised method combined with knowledge distillation to further improve the performance of audio classification tasks. Firstly, considering the particularity of the two-dimensional audio spectrum, both self-supervised strategy construction is carried out in a single dimension in the time and frequency domains, and self-supervised construction is carried out in the joint dimension of time and frequency. Effectively learn audio spectrum details and key discriminative information through information reconstruction, comparative learning, and other methods. Secondly, in terms of feature self-supervision, two learning strategies for teacher-student models are constructed, which are internal to the model and based on knowledge distillation. Fitting the teacher’s model feature expression ability, further enhances the generalization of audio classification. Comparative experiments were conducted using the AudioSet dataset, ESC50 dataset, and VGGSound dataset. The results showed that the algorithm proposed in this paper has a 0.5% to 1.3% improvement in recognition accuracy compared to the optimal method based on audio single mode.
Techno-Economic Analysis of a Thermally Integrated Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Compressed Air Energy Storage Hybrid System
Authors: Buchheit Kyle L. , Noring Alexander A. , Iyengar Arun K. S. , Hackett Gregory A.
Published: December 2023

Natural-gas-fueled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems have the potential for high-efficiency conversion of carbon to power due to the underlying electrochemical conversion process while readily facilitating carbon capture through the separation of the fuel and oxidant sources. Compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology can potentially store significant quantities of energy for later use with a high round-trip efficiency and lower cost when compared with state-of-the-art battery technology. The base load generation capability of SOFC can be coupled with CAES technology to provide a potentially flexible, low-carbon solution to meet the fluctuating electricity demands imposed by the increasing share of intermittent variable renewable energy (VRE) production. SOFC and CAES can be hybridized through thermal integration to maximize power output during periods of high electrical demand and then store power when either demand is low or renewable generation reduces power prices. The techno-economics of a low-carbon hybrid SOFC and CAES system was developed and investigated in the present study. The proposed hybrid system was found to be cost-competitive with other power-generating base-load facilities when power availability was considered. The hybrid system shows increased resilience to changes in a high VRE grid market scenario.
Development of Carbon Nanotubes–Graphene–Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Film with Excellent Electrothermal Performance
Authors: Da Yaodong , Wang Youxin , Dong Heming , Shang Qi , Zhang Yu , Wang Huashan , Du Qian , Gao Jianmin
Published: December 2023

Low power density and low heating rate are the key constraints for the development of conductive polymer materials in the field of electric heating. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs)–graphene (GR)–polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite film was prepared by vacuum filtration and spin coating to solve the problem in this study. Moreover, an AC electric field was used to orient the CNTs to enhance the electrothermal performance. The structure and properties of composite films were analyzed. The results show that the composite film with CNT:GR = 2:1 has the lowest permeation threshold, and can heat up within 30 s and stabilize at 260 °C at 10 V. The electric field-oriented CNTs reduced the insulating polymer layer, increasing the heating rate of the composite film by 1.2 times, and increasing the theoretical thermal conductivity. The flexible electrothermal composite film prepared in this study can be used in thermal insulation, deicing, and wearable electronic devices.
Thermal Properties of TiO2 Nanoparticle-Treated Transformer Oil and Coconut Oil
Authors: Induranga Ashan , Galpaya Chanaka , Vithanage Vimukthi , Koswattage Kaveenga Rasika
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the impact of incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles into two types of oils at different temperatures and with varying volume fractions: transformer oil (NYTRO LIBRA) and virgin coconut oil (manufactured by Govi Aruna Pvt. Ltd., Gampaha, Sri Lanka). The nanofluids were prepared using a two-step method by adding CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) surfactant. To minimize nanoparticle agglomeration, this study employed relatively low-volume fractions. Thermal properties by means of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and volumetric heat capacity were measured in accordance with ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard methods using a multifunctional thermal conductivity meter (LAMBDA thermal conductivity meter). The measured thermal conductivity values were compared with theoretical models and previous research findings. It was confirmed that the modification of thermal properties was enhanced by doping TiO2 nanoparticles with different volume fractions.
Optimization Model of Hybrid Renewable Energy Generation for Electric Bus Charging Stations
Authors: Bazzi Ahmed , El Hafdaoui Hamza , Khallaayoun Ahmed , Mehta Kedar , Ouazzani Kamar , Zörner Wilfried
Published: December 2023

This paper introduces a comprehensive approach for sizing grid-connected hybrid renewable energy systems tailored for electric bus fleet operations. The study involves two main steps. First, a mathematical model that optimizes the configuration of such systems by considering daily electric bus consumption, solar irradiance, wind speed, and biomass potential is formulated. The model utilizes Pareto frontier multi-objective optimization to minimize the net present cost, the cost of energy, and greenhouse gas emissions. Second, the model is rigorously applied and tested in a real-world case study in Fez, Morocco, using HOMER Pro; the case study centers on the daily energy requirements of the buses, estimated at 2.5 megawatt hours per day, with a peak demand of 345 kilowatts. Two scenarios are explored, revealing a discernible trade-off dilemma between the full hybrid renewable energy scenario (Scenario 1) and the grid-connected hybrid renewable energy scenario (Scenario 2). In Scenario 2, the grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system demonstrates a notable 42.8% reduction in the net present cost, totaling USD 984,624. Similarly, the levelized cost of energy experiences a significant decrease, reaching approximately 0.08 USD/kWh, marking a 38.1% reduction. However, this apparent economic advantage is juxtaposed with a critical consideration—an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from null to 330,418 kg/year.
Effective Design Methodology of CLLC Resonant Converter Based on the Minimal Area Product of High-Frequency Transformer
Authors: Bartecka Magdalena , Kłos Mariusz , Paska Józef
Published: December 2023

In DC microgrids, CLLC topology is commonly applied for battery integration. It provides galvanic separation, the ability to integrate a high-frequency transformer into the resonance circuit, and the ability to operate in a wide range of voltage. Moreover, it assures zero voltage switching conditions for all switches and zero current switching conditions for secondary side switches, which enables obtaining high efficiency. This paper presents a clear and effective approach to design a methodology for a CLLC DC/DC converter, especially a resonant tank. High-frequency transformer is fully integrated in a resonant tank. Its size is minimal and based on area product parameter Ap. An equivalent scheme for first harmonic approximation analysis is presented with inclusion of parasitic elements. Based on it, the analytical formulas are provided, which enable graphical determination of working characteristics. It was proved that the model increases the accuracy of the results. The conditions of ZVS and maximal magnetizing inductance are established, including parasitic capacitances of secondary side switches and transformer parasitic capacitances. Based on the proposed design methodology, as the proof of concept, a small-power prototype with a GaN transistor was built operating at 364 kHz. Converter losses were determined through analytical expressions and compared with the experimental and simulation results.
Optimal Selection of Switch Model Parameters for ADC-Based Power Converters
Authors: Alsarayreh Saif , Sütő Zoltán
Published: December 2023

Real-time hardware-in-the-loop-(HIL) simulation integration is now a fundamental component of the power electronics control design cycle. This integration is required to test the efficacy of controller implementations. Even though hardware-in-the-loop-(HIL) tools use FPGA devices with computing power that is rapidly evolving, developers constantly need to balance the ease of deploying models with acceptable accuracy. This study introduces a methodology for implementing a full-bridge inverter and buck converter utilising the associate-discrete-circuit-(ADC) model, which is optimised for real-time simulator applications. Additionally, this work introduces a new approach for choosing ADC parameter values by using the artificial-bee-colony-(ABC) algorithm, the firefly algorithm (FFA), and the genetic algorithm (GA). The implementation of the ADC-based model enables the development of a consistent architecture in simulation, regardless of the states of the switches. The simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology in selecting optimal parameters for an ADC-switch-based full-bridge inverter and buck converter. These results indicate a reduction in overshoot and settling time observed in both the output voltage and current of the chosen topologies.
Design, Modeling, and Validation of Grid-Forming Inverters for Frequency Synchronization and Restoration
Authors: Bennia Ilyas , Elbouchikhi Elhoussin , Harrag Abdelghani , Daili Yacine , Saim Abdelhakim , Bouzid Allal El Moubarek , Kanouni Badreddine
Published: December 2023

This paper focuses on the modeling, analysis, and design of grid-forming (GFM) inverter-based microgrids (MGs). It starts with the development of a mathematical model for three-phase voltage source inverters (VSI). The voltage and current controllers consist of two feedback loops: an outer feedback loop of the capacitance-voltage and an inner feedback loop of the output inductance current. The outer voltage loop is employed to enhance the controller’s response time. The inner current loop is used to provide active damping for the resonance created by the LCL filter. A two-layer control scheme is adopted for the GFM inverter control. The primary decentralized control uses droop control and virtual impedance loops to share active and reactive power. Simultaneously, the centralized secondary control addresses frequency and amplitude deviations induced by the droop control. Additionally, a synchronization loop is proposed for seamless reconnection of GFM inverters to the MG and to connect the GFM-controlled MG to the main grid. It has the advantage that the inverter operates in GFM mode even after the synchronization has occurred. The simulation results have shown that the voltage controller ensures a 0.005 s settling time and maintains the steady-state error at its minimum value of 0.1 V. Similarly, the current controller ensures a 0.006 s settling time with a 10−5 steady-state error. The system with the designed controller has a low total harmonic distortion (THD) of 1.46% and improved power quality of the output voltage. Furthermore, a quick restoration time is observed during load steps and tripping events, with a restoration time of 1 s with 10−10 steady-state error. Synchronization is achieved within 0.8 s for the incoming inverters and requires 3 s to synchronize the MG with the main grid, maintaining a steady-state error of 10−9.
Evaluation of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate, Methyl Methacrylate, and Polyvinylidene Fluoride as Encapsulating Materials for Perovskite-Based Solar Cells, Using the Low-Temperature Encapsulation Method in a Cleanroom Environment
Authors: Ocaña Luis , Montes Carlos , González-Díaz Benjamin , González-Pérez Sara , Llarena Elena
Published: December 2023

In this article, the development of a stable perovskite-based photovoltaic device manufactured in a controlled environment, with humidity between 40 and 65%, and encapsulated is presented. Encapsulation using polymers like ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and EVA combined with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was proposed due to the low curing temperatures, insulating properties, and simple deposition processes of these materials. Testing involved subjecting these materials to humidity, temperature, and UV irradiation, following the International Summit on Stability of Organic Photovoltaics (ISOS-T) protocols, and using a 24 W UV lamp. Characterization analyses were carried out using various technologies including digital microscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and electrical simulations. The results indicate that EVA-encapsulated samples displayed higher stability and resistance against external factors compared to PMMA and EVA-PVDF. Specifically, the EVA-encapsulated samples maintained a 15.06% power conversion efficiency (PCE) after the thermal cycles were carried out, reducing only by 0.9% compared to pristine samples. Similarly, after 350 h of UV exposure, they retained a PCE of 13.90%, decreasing by just 9.58% compared to the initial value.
Energy Management in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: A Q-Learning Solution for Enhanced Drivability and Energy Efficiency
Authors: Musa Alessia , Anselma Pier Giuseppe , Belingardi Giovanni , Misul Daniela Anna
Published: December 2023

This study presents a reinforcement-learning-based approach for energy management in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Traditional energy management methods often fall short in simultaneously optimizing fuel economy, passenger comfort, and engine efficiency under diverse driving conditions. To address this, we employed a Q-learning-based algorithm to optimize the activation and torque variation of the internal combustion engine (ICE). In addition, the algorithm underwent a rigorous parameter optimization process, ensuring its robustness and efficiency in varying driving scenarios. Following this, we proposed a comparative analysis of the algorithm’s performance against a traditional offline control strategy, namely dynamic programming. The results in the testing phase performed over ARTEMIS driving cycles demonstrate that our approach not only maintains effective charge-sustaining operations but achieves an average 5% increase in fuel economy compared to the benchmark algorithm. Moreover, our method effectively manages ICE activations, maintaining them at less than two per minute.
An In-Depth Study on the Chemical Composition and Biological Effects of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil
Authors: Kačániová Miroslava , Vukic Milena , Vukovic Nenad L. , Čmiková Natália , Verešová Andrea , Schwarzová Marianna , Babošová Mária , Porhajašová Jana Ivanič , Kluz Maciej , Waszkiewicz-Robak Bożena , Hsouna Anis Ben , Saad Rania Ben , Garzoli Stefania
Published: December 2023

The essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens (PGEO) is identified in the literature as a rich source of bioactive compounds with a high level of biological activity. This study aimed to examine the chemical profile of PGEO as well as its antioxidant, antibacterial, antibiofilm, and insecticidal properties. Its chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), achieving comprehensive identification of 99.2% of volatile compounds. The predominant identified compounds were β-citronellol (29.7%) and geraniol (14.6%). PGEO’s antioxidant potential was determined by means of DPPH radical and ABTS radical cation neutralization. The results indicate a higher capacity of PGEO to neutralize the ABTS radical cation, with an IC50 value of 0.26 ± 0.02 mg/mL. Two techniques were used to assess antimicrobial activity: minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion. Antimicrobial evaluation using the disk diffusion method revealed that Salmonella enterica (14.33 ± 0.58 mm), which forms biofilms, and Priestia megaterium (14.67 ± 0.58 mm) were most susceptible to exposure to PGEO. The MIC assay demonstrated the highest performance of this EO against biofilm-forming S. enterica (MIC 50 0.57 ± 0.006; MIC 90 0.169 ± 0.08 mg/mL). In contrast to contact application, the assessment of the in situ vapor phase antibacterial activity of PGEO revealed significantly more potent effects. An analysis of antibiofilm activity using MALDI-TOF MS demonstrated PGEO’s capacity to disrupt the biofilm homeostasis of S. enterica growing on plastic and stainless steel. Additionally, insecticidal evaluations indicated that treatment with PGEO at doses of 100% and 50% resulted in the complete mortality of all Harmonia axyridis individuals.
Exploring In Vitro the Combination of Cistus × incanus L. and Castanea sativa Mill. Extracts as Food Supplement Ingredients against H. pylori Infection
Authors: Martinelli Giulia , Fumagalli Marco , Pozzoli Carola , Nicotra Giovanna , Vicentini Silvia Francesca , Maranta Nicole , Sangiovanni Enrico , Dell’Agli Mario , Piazza Stefano
Published: December 2023

Cistus spp. have been traditionally used for inflammatory and infectious disorders, including gastrointestinal ailments, in the Mediterranean area. Among them, Cistus × incanus L. is one of the most frequently cited species in the literature for a variety of biological activities which include inflammatory diseases. Cistus spp. aerial parts are rich in polyphenols such as condensed and hydrolysable tannins, procyanidins, and flavonoids, which show gastroprotective activities. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the biological activities of a hydroalcoholic extract from Cistus × incanus L. aerial parts in gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) infected with H. pylori. The extracts inhibited IL-8 and NF-κB induced by H. pylori and showed antibacterial activity after simulated digestion. Since our previous paper reported interesting results on the ability of Castanea sativa Mill. leaf extract to decrease inflammatory conditions in H. pylori-infected gastric cells, the combination of Castanea sativa and Cistus × incanus extracts was also investigated, showing strong anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of bacterial adhesion. This association of botanicals is proposed herein as a novel food supplement capable of counteracting gastric inflammatory conditions.
Effect of Leaf Grade on Taste and Aroma of Shaken Hunan Black Tea
Authors: Wang Kuofei , Xiao Yangbo , Xie Nianci , Xu Hao , Li Saijun , Liu Changwei , Huang Jianan , Zhang Shuguang , Liu Zhonghua , Yin Xia
Published: December 2023

Shaken Hunan black tea is an innovative Hunan black tea processed by adding shaking to the traditional Hunan black tea. The quality of shaken black tea is influenced by leaf grades of different maturity. In this study, the taste and aroma quality of shaken Hunan black tea processed with different grades were analyzed by sensory evaluation (SP, HPLC, and HS-SPME/GC-MS). The results showed that shaken Hunan black tea processed with one bud and two leaves has the best quality, which has a sweet, mellow, and slightly floral taste, as well as a floral, honey, and sweet aroma. Moreover, caffeine and EGCG were identified as the most important bitter and astringent substances in shaken Hunan black. Combined with the analysis of GC-MS and OAV analysis, geraniol, jasmone, β-myrcene, citral, and trans-β-ocimene might be the most important components that affect the sweet aroma, while methyl jasmonate, indole, and nerolidol were the key components that affect the floral aroma of shaken Hunan black tea. This study lays a foundation for this study of the taste and aroma characteristics of shaken Hunan black tea and guides enterprises to improve shaken black tea processing technology.
Immediate Caregiving Environment of Young Children with Autism: Findings from the U.S. National Survey of Children’s Health
Authors: Li Hong , Dodd-Butera Teresa , Beaman Margaret L. , Burtea Rebecca
Published: December 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disability that negatively affects children’s learning, motor behavior, social communication, and interaction. It was estimated that, in 2020, 1 in 36 children aged 8 years in the United States had ASD. Caring for children with ASD might exert significant psychological and emotional distress on parents. Receiving parental emotional support and fostering positive parent–child interactions at home have been identified as beneficial for the immediate caregiving environment for children with ASD. The current secondary analysis of the 2019–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health examined parent–child interactions and accessible sources of emotional support for parents caring for 3–5-year-old children diagnosed with ASD (N = 243). Children with the following characteristics had higher odds of having ASD: male gender; having no private insurance or uninsured; and having less than excellent general health. Among parents, higher odds of caring for children with ASD were associated with accessing emotional support from various sources, especially from healthcare professionals and peers, and spending more time telling stories and/or singing to their children. Given these significant health disparities, educational interventions and strategies are needed to foster a positive home caregiving environment for young children with ASD, including equitable access to parent resources.
The Effect of Complex Alleles of the CFTR Gene on the Clinical Manifestations of Cystic Fibrosis and the Effectiveness of Targeted Therapy
Authors: Krasnova Maria , Efremova Anna , Bukhonin Artem , Zhekaite Elena , Bukharova Tatiana , Melyanovskaya Yuliya , Goldshtein Dmitry , Kondratyeva Elena
Published: December 2023

The authors of this article analyzed the available literature with the results of studying the prevalence of complex alleles of the CFTR gene among patients with cystic fibrosis, and their pathogenicity and influence on targeted therapy with CFTR modulators. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic autosomal recessive disease caused by a defect in the expression of the CFTR protein, and more than 2000 genetic variants are known. Clinically significant variants are divided into seven classes. Information about the frequency of complex alleles appears in a number of registers, along with the traditional presentation of data on genetic variants. Complex alleles (those with the presence of more than two nucleotide variants on one allele) can complicate the diagnosis of the disease, and change the clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis and the response to treatment, since each variant in the complex allele can contribute to the functional activity of the CFTR protein, changing it both in terms of increasing and decreasing function. The role of complex alleles is often underestimated, and their frequency has not been studied. At the moment, characteristic frequently encountered complex alleles have been found for several populations of patients with cystic fibrosis, but the prevalence and pathogenicity of newly detected complex alleles require additional research. In this review, more than 35 complex alleles of the CFTR gene from existing research studies were analyzed, and an analysis of their influence on the manifestations of the disease and the effectiveness of CFTR modulators was also described.
Co-Loading of Black Phosphorus Nanoflakes and Doxorubicin in Lysolipid Temperature-Sensitive Liposomes for Combination Therapy in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Das Chandrima , Martín Cristina , Habermann Sebastian , Walker Harriet Rose , Iqbal Javed , Elies Jacobo , Jones Huw Simon , Reina Giacomo , Ruiz Amalia
Published: December 2023

Black phosphorus (BP) is one of the most promising nanomaterials for cancer therapy. This 2D material is biocompatible and has strong photocatalytic activity, making it a powerful photosensitiser for combined NIR photothermal and photodynamic therapies. However, the fast degradation of BP in oxic conditions (including biological environments) still limits its use in cancer therapy. This work proposes a facile strategy to produce stable and highly concentrated BP suspensions using lysolipid temperature-sensitive liposomes (LTSLs). This approach also allows for co-encapsulating BP nanoflakes and doxorubicin, a potent chemotherapeutic drug. Finally, we demonstrate that our BP/doxorubicin formulation shows per se high antiproliferative action against an in vitro prostate cancer model and that the anticancer activity can be enhanced through NIR irradiance.