bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of a PVT-Heat-Pump-System Based on Reinforcement Learning–Operating Cost Reduction through Flow Rate Variation
Authors: John Daniel , Kaltschmitt Martin
Published: April 2022

This study aims to develop a controller to operate an energy system-consisting of a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system combined with a heat pump, using the reinforcement learning approach to minimize the operating costs of the system. For this, the flow rate of the cooling fluid pumped through the PVT system is controlled. This flow rate determines the temperature increase of the cooling fluid while reducing the temperature of the PVT system. The heated-up cooling fluid is used to improve the heat pump’s coefficient of performance (COP). For optimizing the operation costs of such a system, first an extensive simulation model has been developed. Based on this technical model, a controller has been developed using the reinforcement learning approach to allow for a cost-efficient control of the flow rate. The results show that a successfully trained control unit based on the reinforcement learning approach can reduce the operating costs with an independent validation dataset. For the case study presented here, based on the implemented methodological approach, including hyperparameter optimization, the operating costs of the investigated energy system can be reduced by more than 4% in the training dataset and by close to 3% in the validation dataset.
Numerical Investigation and Optimization of Cooling Flow Field Design for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Song Jiangnan , Huang Ying , Liu Yi , Ma Zongpeng , Chen Lunjun , Li Taike , Zhang Xiang
Published: April 2022

High temperatures and non-uniform temperatures both have a negative bearing on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The temperature of proton exchange membrane fuel cells can be lowered by reasonably distributed cooling channels. The flow field distribution of five different cooling plates is designed, and the temperature uniformity, pressure drop and velocity of each cooling flow field are analyzed by computational fluid dynamics technology. The results show that while the pressure drop is high, the flow channel distribution of a multi-spiral flow field and honeycomb structure flow field contribute more to improving the temperature uniformity. As the coolant is blocked by the uniform plate, it is found that although the flow field channel with a uniform plate has poor performance in terms of temperature uniformity, its heat dissipation capacity is still better than that of the traditional serpentine flow field. The multi-spiral flow field has the strongest ability to maintain the temperature stability in the cooling plate when the heat flux increases. The increase in Reynolds number, although increasing the pressure drop, can reduce the maximum temperature and temperature difference of the flow field, ameliorate the temperature uniformity and improve the heat transfer capacity of the cooling plate.
Integration and Verification of PLUG-N-HARVEST ICT Platform for Intelligent Management of Buildings
Authors: Korkas Christos , Dimara Asimina , Michailidis Iakovos , Krinidis Stelios , Marin-Perez Rafael , Martínez García Ana Isabel , Skarmeta Antonio , Kitsikoudis Konstantinos , Kosmatopoulos Elias , Anagnostopoulos Christos-Nikolaos , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: April 2022

THe energy-efficient operation of microgrids—a localized grouping of consuming loads (domestic appliances, EVs, etc.) with distributed energy sources such as solar photovoltaic panels—suggests the deployment of Energy Management Systems (EMSs) that enable the actuation of controllable microgrid loads coupled with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Such tools are capable of optimizing the aggregated performance of the microgrid in an automated manner, based on an extensive network of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Modular adaptable/dynamic building envelope (ADBE) solutions have been proven an effective solution—exploiting free façade areas instead of roof areas—for extending the thermal inertia and energy harvesting capacity in existing buildings of different nature (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.). This study presents the PLUG-N-HARVEST holistic workflow towards the delivery of an automatically controllable microgrid integrating active ADBE technologies (e.g., PVs, HVACs). The digital platform comprises cloud AI services and functionalities for energy-efficient management, data healing/cleansing, flexibility forecasting, and the security-by-design IoT to efficiently optimize the overall performance in near-zero energy buildings and microgrids. The current study presents the effective design and necessary digital integration steps towards the PLUG-N-HARVEST ICT platform alongside real-life verification test results, validating the performance of the platform.
Microbial Electrolysis Cell as a Diverse Technology: Overview of Prospective Applications, Advancements, and Challenges
Authors: Radhika Devi , Shivakumar Archana , Kasai Deepak , Koutavarapu Ravindranadh , Peera Shaik
Published: April 2022

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have been explored for various applications, including the removal of industrial pollutants, wastewater treatment chemical synthesis, and biosensing. On the other hand, MEC technology is still in its early stages and faces significant obstacles regarding practical large-scale implementations. MECs are used for energy generation and hydrogen peroxide, methane, hydrogen/biohydrogen production, and pollutant removal. This review aimed to investigate the aforementioned uses in order to better understand the different applications of MECs in the following scenarios: MECs for energy generation and recycling, such as hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen peroxide; contaminant removal, particularly complex organic and inorganic contaminants; and resource recovery. MEC technology was examined in terms of new concepts, configuration optimization, electron transfer pathways in biocathodes, and coupling with other technologies for value-added applications, such as MEC anaerobic digestion, combined MEC–MFC, and others. The goal of the review was to help researchers and engineers understand the most recent developments in MEC technologies and applications.
Stochastic Generation Scheduling of Insular Grids with High Penetration of Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage Systems: South Andaman Island Case Study
Authors: Heistrene Leena , Azzopardi Brian , Sant Amit Vilas , Mishra Poonam
Published: April 2022

Insular grids are fragile owing to lower inertia and the absence of interconnection with other grids. With the increasing penetration of non-dispatchable renewable energy sources, the vulnerability of such insular grids increases further. The government of India has proposed several projects to improve the photovoltaic systems (PV) penetration in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ grid. This paper investigates joint stochastic scheduling of energy and reserve generation for insular grids fed from diesel and gas-based generators, PV, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The proposed stochastic scheduling model considers a wide range of probabilistic forecast scenarios instead of a deterministic model that assumes a single-point forecast. Hence, it provides an optimal solution that is technically feasible for a wide range of PV power forecast scenarios. The striking feature of the model developed in this work is the inclusion of stochastic constraints that represent (i) the coordination between PV and BESS, (ii) reserve constraints, (iii) battery charging/discharging limit constraints, and (iv) non-anticipatory constraints that ensure technical viability of scheduling decisions. The proposed model is validated on the dataset for South Andaman Island. Results reveal the applicability and feasibility of the proposed stochastic dispatch model for different generation mix scenarios.
Energy Performance of a Novel Hybrid Air Conditioning System Built on Gravity-Assisted Heat Pipe-Based Indirect Evaporative Cooler
Authors: Rajski Krzysztof , Sohani Ali , Jafari Sina , Danielewicz Jan , Sayegh Marderos Ara
Published: April 2022

A hybrid air conditioning system, which is composed of a novel gravity-assisted heat pipe (GAHP)-based indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) and direct expansion (DX) cooling coil, is proposed and investigated here. After developing a mathematical model to describe the performance of the GAHP-based IEC, the hybrid system is evaluated during the cooling design day for providing thermal comfort for an office building in Poland. The results are obtained and compared with the combination of a rotary heat exchanger (RHE) and DX cooling coil as the conventional hybrid system. The comparison is performed by analyzing cooling capacity, electricity consumption, and coefficient of performance profiles, which describe the technical, energy, and efficiency aspects, respectively. The results show that the GAHP-based IEC hybrid system is able to enhance the energy performance significantly compared to the conventional one. The proposed hybrid HVAC system improves COP by 39.2% and reduces electricity consumption by 45.0%, according to the design-day of 24 August and the outdoor temperature of 30 °C. As a result, the total operating cost for the assumed cooling season is reduced by 51.7%.
Diagnostic Column Reasoning Based on Multi-Valued Evaluation of Residuals and the Elementary Symptoms Sequence
Authors: Kościelny Jan Maciej , Syfert Michał , Wnuk Paweł
Published: April 2022

The paper concerns a significant problem in the diagnostics of industrial processes, which is the need to achieve high fault distinguishability. High distinguishability results in the generation of precise diagnoses that enable making appropriate security decisions. In the known approaches, the efforts to obtain high distinguishability are focused on the selection of an appropriate set of generated residuals. The paper presents a new method of diagnostic reasoning using the notation of faults/diagnostic signals’ relations in the form of a Fault Isolation System (FIS), which enables the use of multivalent diagnostic signals. In addition, the proposed method uses knowledge (usually incomplete) about the sequence of symptoms. Reasoning was carried out on the basis of simple, physically possible signatures, resulting from the FIS. Assumptions and a diagnostic algorithm are given. The reasoning algorithm works in a step-by-step manner, after observing further symptoms. In each reasoning step, two diagnoses are generated in parallel. A more accurate, but less certain diagnosis is formulated on the basis of the value of all diagnostic signals, and the diagnosis is less accurate, but more reliable, solely on the basis of symptoms. An example of using the method for diagnosing a set of connected liquid tanks is given. The method was compared with other reasoning methods based on columns (signatures) and, also, with row-based reasoning methods. It is shown that the proposed method allows the increase of the distinguishability of faults compared to other methods. The distinguishability grows with the knowledge of elementary symptom sequences. It is also noted that the proposed approach makes possible diagnosing not only faults, but also cyber attacks.
Wave Velocity in Sandstone and Mudstone under High Temperature and Overpressure in Yinggehai Basin
Authors: Liu Zichun , Du Xiangdong , Zhu Zhenyu , Li Xin
Published: April 2022

Wave velocity under different pressure and temperature (PT) conditions plays an important role in the exploration of oil and gas reservoirs. We obtained the mineral composition and porosity of 20 underground sandstone and mudstone samples in Yinggehai Basin via X-ray diffraction and porosity measurements. Using high-frequency ultrasound, the P- and S-wave velocities of four samples under high temperature and overpressure conditions were found to vary significantly, owing to the material composition and porosity. According to the comparison between the experimental conclusion and the well-logging data, the genesis of false bright spot and dark spot gas reservoirs in the study area was analyzed. The variation in P-wave velocity under different temperature and pressure conditions was explained with the PT coefficient. The traditional pressure–velocity and temperature–velocity prediction methods were improved and applied to well-logging data. Herein, the velocity of P- or S-waves of sand and mudstone under high temperature and overpressure via rock physics experiments and the genesis of false bright spot and dark spot gas reservoirs in the Yinggehai Basin was observed. Overall, the results serve as a theoretical basis for seismic exploration in the study area.
The Fractionation of Corn Stalk Components by Hydrothermal Treatment Followed by Ultrasonic Ethanol Extraction
Authors: Zhang Nianze , Tian Chunyan , Fu Peng , Yuan Qiaoxia , Zhang Yuchun , Li Zhiyu , Yi Weiming
Published: April 2022

The fractionation of components of lignocellulosic biomass is important to be able to take advantage of biomass resources. The hydrothermal–ethanol method has significant advantages for fraction separation. The first step of hydrothermal treatment can separate hemicellulose efficiently, but hydrothermal treatment affects the efficiency of ethanol treatment to delignify lignin. In this study, the efficiency of lignin removal was improved by an ultrasonic-assisted second-step ethanol treatment. The effects of ultrasonic time, ultrasonic temperature, and ultrasonic power on the ultrasonic ethanol treatment of hydrothermal straw were investigated. The separated lignin was characterized by solid product composition analysis, FT-IR, and XRD. The hydrolysate was characterized by GC-MS to investigate the advantage on the products obtained by ethanol treatment. The results showed that an appropriate sonication time (15 min) could improve the delignification efficiency. A proper sonication temperature (180 °C) can improve the lignin removal efficiency with a better retention of cellulose. However, a high sonication power 70% (840 W) favored the retention of cellulose and lignin removal.
Editorial on Special Issues of Development of Unconventional Reservoirs
Authors: Rezaee Reza
Published: April 2022

The energy transition to renewable energy is inevitable since fossil fuels are a finite source [...]
Entropy Generation and Natural Convection Heat Transfer of (MWCNT/SWCNT) Nanoparticles around Two Spaced Spheres over Inclined Plates: Numerical Study
Authors: Alfannakh Huda , Souayeh Basma , Hdhiri Najib , Al Nuwairan Muneerah , Al-Shaeli Muayad
Published: April 2022

A numerical study is conducted to evaluate the steady natural convective heat transfer problem and entropy generation of both single wall (SWCNT) and multi wall (MWCNT) nanoparticles with water as a base liquid over two spaced spheres. The isothermally heated spheres are located between two plates of short length. The cooled plates are maintained at different inclination angles. A numerical approach based on the finite volume method and multigrid acceleration was used to solve the governing equations. The effects of nanoparticle type, volume fraction, the inclination angle of the plates and the Rayleigh numbers are well-considered. Results reveal that there is a remarkable enhancement of the average Nusselt number over the plates for MWCNT nanoparticles with 63.15% from the inclination angle 0° to 30°. Furthermore, optimal heat transfer rates over the plates for MWCNT nanoparticles equates to 1.9, which is obtained for the inclination 30° and a Rayleigh number of 106. However, for SWCNT nanoparticles, the same equates 0.9, which is obtained for the inclination 90° and a Rayleigh number of 106. The comprehensive analysis is presented under some well-defined assumptions which show the reliability of the present investigation.
Bibliometric Map on Corrosion in Concentrating Solar Power Plants
Authors: Cabeza Luisa F. , Borri Emiliano , Prieto Cristina
Published: April 2022

Concentrating solar power (CSP), also known as solar thermal electricity (STE), is increasing its deployment worldwide. One of the potential ways to decrease costs in CSP plants is the improvement of corrosion resistance between the heat transfer fluid (HTF) and storage materials, and the materials used for pipes, tanks, containers, and receivers. This paper assesses the literature on this topic (290 publications) through a bibliometric analysis, identifying the trends of the research, the topics of most interest to researchers, and literature gaps. Most documents are from Spain, Germany, and the United States of America. Results show that the most recent approaches for corrosion migration are selective coatings and the use of nanoparticles to reduce corrosiveness. The use of nitrates is changing to other salts such as chloride mixtures and potassium compounds. In addition, the techniques used to evaluate corrosion results are dominated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical testing, but new dynamic techniques are starting to be used, representing the biggest gap that needs to be filled for the testing of components such as solar receivers.
Metal Modified NaY Zeolite as Sorbent for the Ultra-Deep Removal of Thiophene in Simulated Coke Oven Gas
Authors: Wei Fanjing , Guo Xiaoqin , Bao Weiren , Chang Liping , Liao Junjie
Published: April 2022

The ultra-deep removal of thiophene is essential for the conversion of coke oven gas to methane and metal modified Y zeolite has excellent thiophene adsorption capacity. The effects of temperature on chemisorption between metal modified Y zeolite and thiophene and the reductive gases in coke oven gas on the thiophene adsorption performance still remains ambiguous. To address the aforementioned aims, series of NaMY (M = Ce, Ni, Zn and Ag) were prepared via ion-exchanged with Na+ of NaY, and two comparable sets of thiophene adsorption evaluation were conducted in a fixed bed reactor: (1) NaY and NaMY were evaluated at different temperatures in simulated coke oven gas, and (2) NaCeY was evaluated in N2 and different reductive atmospheres. The results show that NaNiY, NaZnY and NaAgY could adsorb thiophene via π-complexation, however, NaCeY mainly through S-Ce bond. Π complexation becomes weak above 150 °C, and the strength of S-Ce bond varies little when the temperature rises to 250 °C. Compared with that of other sorbents, the breakthrough adsorption capacity for thiophene (Qb-thiophene) of NaAgY reaches the highest 144 mg/g at 100 °C, but decreases sharply when temperature rises to 200 °C. NaCeY has relatively low variation in Qb-thiophene from 100 °C to 200 °C. Moreover, Ce(IV) in NaCeY is more favorable for thiophene adsorption than Ce(III) in coke oven gas and the presence of H2 and CO would reduce the desulfurization activity of NaCeY. For the industrial utilization of thiophene ultra-deep removal, NaAgY has an excellent potential below 150 °C, while NaCeY with more Ce(IV) has a good prospect at 150–250 °C.
Energy Planning
Authors: Gielen Dolf
Published: April 2022

This Special Issue focuses on progress in energy transition planning [...]
A Multi-Step Time-Series Clustering-Based Seq2Seq LSTM Learning for a Single Household Electricity Load Forecasting
Authors: Masood Zaki , Gantassi Rahma , Ardiansyah  , Choi Yonghoon
Published: April 2022

The deep learning (DL) approaches in smart grid (SG) describes the possibility of shifting the energy industry into a modern era of reliable and sustainable energy networks. This paper proposes a time-series clustering framework with multi-step time-series sequence to sequence (Seq2Seq) long short-term memory (LSTM) load forecasting strategy for households. Specifically, we investigate a clustering-based Seq2Seq LSTM electricity load forecasting model to undertake an energy load forecasting problem, where information input to the model contains individual appliances and aggregate energy as historical data of households. The original dataset is preprocessed, and forwarded to a multi-step time-series learning model which reduces the training time and guarantees convergence for energy forecasting. Furthermore, simulation results show the accuracy performance of the proposed model by validation and testing cluster data, which shows a promising potential of the proposed predictive model.
Technology-Agnostic Assessment of Wave Energy System Capabilities
Authors: Ruiz-Minguela Pablo , Blanco Jesus M. , Nava Vincenzo , Jeffrey Henry
Published: April 2022

Developing new wave energy technologies is risky, costly and time-consuming. The large diversity of concepts, components and evaluation criteria creates a vast design space of potentially feasible solutions. This paper aims to introduce a novel methodology for the holistic assessment of wave energy capabilities in various market applications based on sound Systems Engineering methods. The methodology provides a consistent hierarchy of performance metrics relevant to the given system of reference, design activity and development stage under consideration as a means to scrutinise wave energy requirements. Full traceability of system requirements and performance metrics is then facilitated by multi-criteria decision tools and aggregation logic, respectively. The qualitative assessment in the case studies has resulted in very different rankings of System Drivers and Stakeholders for the two market applications considered. However, the Stakeholder Requirements and Functional Requirements present a small variation in the weights for the two application markets which results in a quantitative assessment with very similar Global Merit. Finally, the performance benchmark using the Commercial Attractiveness and Technical Achievability concepts enables a more objective comparison in the utility-scale and remote generation markets and a way to concentrate innovation efforts before proceeding to the next development stage.
Influence of Variable Moisture Conditions on the Value of the Thermal Conductivity of Selected Insulation Materials Used in Passive Buildings
Authors: Szymczak-Graczyk Anna , Gajewska Gabriela , Laks Ireneusz , Kostrzewski Wojciech
Published: April 2022

The interest in passive construction that has low demand for thermal energy continues to grow every year. It is related to both the reduction in maintenance costs of buildings and the growing environmental awareness in societies. Passive houses are characterised by very good thermal insulation properties of their external partitions. This paper presents the results of tests on the thermal conductivity for three different types of building materials, assuming their use as thermal insulation. The materials were subjected to water absorption tests during long-term immersion. The purpose of this study was to simulate water absorption caused by long-term water exposure. The tests were carried out on a perlite concrete block, a sheet of polyurethane foam applied by spraying and expanded clay in a loose form in three different fractions. The tested insulation materials were selected due to their different form, structure, and porosity characteristics, which largely determined the value of the thermal conductivity. A perlite concrete block is a new, innovative product, of which manufacturer’s data are not yet available as the product is currently at the stage of detailed research. The results were analysed statistically and used in graphs to show the dependence of the value of the thermal conductivity on moisture content of the samples. The purpose of this study was to indicate the importance of the proper incorporation of insulation materials into buildings, their storage before construction and use in the post-construction phase. Building standards for passive houses place high demands on materials used. In order to fully enjoy the advantages of passive buildings, i.e., lower energy consumption and benefits for the natural environment due to lower consumption of energy generated from non-renewable energy sources, it is necessary to use certified building materials and ensure proper use of objects. The studies quoted in this paper indicate to what extent the influence of moisture content negatively affects the properties of insulation materials in external partitions.
Influence of Internal Rubber Damper on Cable External Viscous Damper Effectiveness
Authors: Li Changzhao , Peng Jiayi , Zhang Mengying , Yang Chao , Cheng Yu , Zhang Yufeng
Published: April 2022

In practice, the internal rubber dampers are widely installed inside the cable guide pipe between the external viscous damper and the cable anchorage. In order to study the effect of the internal damper on the performance of the external viscous damper, the theoretical analysis model of a taut cable with an internal rubber damper and an external viscous damper is established in this paper, where the internal damper is assumed to be a high damping rubber damper with a flexible support and the external damper is considered to be a linear viscous damper. Then, the numerical iterative formula and approximate solution expression for the cable modal damping ratio are derived. Based on the approximate solution, the parameters of the internal rubber damper are analyzed comprehensively, and its influence on the cable modal damping in cable multimode is studied as well. Results show that, except for the support flexibility of the internal rubber damper, other parameters will have a negative effect on external viscous damper effectiveness. From the perspective of cable multimode vibration control, the installation of an internal rubber damper significantly weakens the modal damping, and this effect is more pronounced in lower frequency modes.
Sex-Specific Expression of Non-Coding RNA Fragments in Frontal Cortex, Hippocampus and Cerebellum of Rats
Authors: Fiselier Anna , Byeon Boseon , Ilnytskyy Yaroslav , Kovalchuk Igor , Kovalchuk Olga
Published: April 2022

Non-coding RNA fragments (ncRFs) are processed from various non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), with the most abundant being those produced from tRNAs. ncRFs were reported in many animal and plant species. Many ncRFs exhibit tissue specificity or/and are affected by stress. There is, however, only a handful of reports that describe differential expression of ncRFs in the brain regions. In this work, we analyzed the abundance of ncRFs processed from four major ncRNAs, including tRNA (tRFs), snoRNA (snoRFs), snRNA (snRFs), and rRNA (rRFs) in the frontal cortex (FC), hippocampus (HIP), and cerebellum (CER) of male and female rats. We found brain-specific and sex-specific differences. Reads mapping to lincRNAs were significantly larger in CER as compared to HIP and CER, while those mapping to snRNAs and tRNA were smaller in HIP than in FC and CER. tRF reads were the most abundant among all ncRF reads, and FC had more reads than HIP and CER. Reads mapping to antisense ncRNAs were significantly larger in females than in males in FC. Additionally, males consistently had more tRF, snRF, and snoRF reads in all brain regions. rRFs were more abundant in males in FC and females in HIP. Several tRFs were significantly underrepresented, including tRF-ValCAC, tRF-ValACC, and tRF-LysCTT in all brain regions. We also found brain- and sex-specific differences in the number of brain function-related mRNA targets. To summarize, we found sex-specific differences in the expression of several ncRNA fragments in various brain regions of healthy rats.
Segmenting Individual Tree from TLS Point Clouds Using Improved DBSCAN
Authors: Fu Hongping , Li Hao , Dong Yanqi , Xu Fu , Chen Feixiang
Published: April 2022

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) can provide accurate and detailed three-dimensional (3D) structure information of the forest understory. Segmenting individual trees from disordered, discrete, and high-density TLS point clouds is the premise for obtaining accurate individual tree structure parameters of forest understory, pest control and fine modeling. In this study, we propose a bottom-up method to segment individual trees from TLS forest data based on density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN). In addition, we also improve the DBSCAN based on the distance distribution matrix (DDM) to automatically and adaptively determine the optimal cluster number and the corresponding input parameters. Firstly, the proposed method is based on the improved DBSCAN to detect the trunks and obtain the initial clustering results. Then, the Hough circle fitting method is used to modify the trunk detection results. Finally, individual tree segmentation is realized based on regional growth layer-by-layer clustering. In this paper, we use TLS multi-station scanning data from Chinese artificial forest and German mixed forest, and then evaluate the efficiency of the method from three aspects: overall segmentation, trunk detection and small tree segmentation. Furthermore, the proposed method is compared with three existing individual tree segmentation methods. The results show that the total recall, precision, and F1-score of the proposed method are 90.84%, 95.38% and 0.93, respectively. Compared with traditional DBSCAN, recall, accuracy and F1-score are increased by 6.96%, 4.14% and 0.06, respectively. The individual tree segmentation result of the proposed method is comparable to those of the existing methods, and the optimal parameters can be automatically extracted and the small trees under tall trees can be accurately segmented.
Participatory Modeling in Support of Citizen Science Research
Authors: Jordan Rebecca C. , Sorensen Amanda E. , Gray Steven A.
Published: April 2022

Stakeholder engagement and participation is often an essential ingredient for successful environmental conservation and management. Including stakeholders in participatory environmental research has been an increasingly recognized necessity for understanding the complex nature of social–ecological systems (SES). The public is also essential to help structure environmental problems and decide on management interventions. As a result, new inclusive approaches to scientific research have emerged, such as Citizen Science. While there have been many climate change-related citizen science projects, in this paper, we provide an overview of a specific type of citizen science project. More specifically, we describe a participatory modeling approach to citizen science which can support climate change research.
PIN3 from Liriodendron May Function in Inflorescence Development and Root Elongation
Authors: Li Rui , Pan Yan , Hu Lingfeng , Yang Dingjie , Yuan Mengjian , Hao Zhaodong , Lu Ye , Xiao Fuming , Shi Jisen , Chen Jinhui
Published: April 2022

Auxin, the first discovered phytohormone, is important for the growth and development of plants through the establishment of homeostasis and asymmetry. Here, we cloned the auxin transporter gene PIN-FORMED3 (PIN3) from the valuable timber tree hybrid Liriodendron (Liriodendron chinense × Liriodendron tulipifera). The gene contained a complete open reading frame of 1917 bp that encoded 638 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that LhPIN3 exhibited the highest sequence similarity to the PIN3 of Vitis vinifera. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that LhPIN3 was broadly expressed across different tissues/organs of Liriodendron, with the highest expression level in the roots. Heterologous overexpression of LhPIN3 in Arabidopsis thaliana caused considerable phenotypic changes, such as the root length and number of flowers. Genetic complementation of Arabidopsis pin1 mutants by LhPIN3, driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, fully restored the root length and number of flowers of the pin1 mutant. Overall, our findings reveal that LhPIN3 has similar capacities to regulate the root length and number of flowers of Arabidopsis with AtPIN1.
Assessment of Working Performance and Costs of Two Small-Scale Harvesting Systems for Medium Rotation Poplar Plantations
Authors: Latterini Francesco , Stefanoni Walter , Alfano Vincenzo , Palmieri Nadia , Mattei Paolo , Pari Luigi
Published: April 2022

Considering the increasing need to produce energy from renewable sources, the interest towards Medium Rotation Coppices (MRC) plantations has increased. One of the main issues that require tackling for the comprehensive sustainability of these plantations is related to the development of sustainable harvesting systems. Indeed, as a consequence of the average tree diameters at a breast height (dbh) of about 15 cm, single-pass harvesting typical of short rotation coppice is not applicable. Therefore, these plantations are generally harvested with machinery specifically developed for forest operations, as for instance harvesters, feller-bunchers and forwarders. In the Mediterranean area, the availability of such machines is still limited to a few big forest enterprises. Indeed, the majority of forest contractors carry out their activities in the framework of small-scale forestry, without the financial possibility of purchasing expensive machineries. Thus, the present study had the objective to evaluate the performance of two small-scale harvesting systems in a 7-year-old poplar plantation in Central Italy. The difference between the two systems was the different machinery applied for wood extraction, i.e., a forestry-fitted farm tractor equipped with winch (WINCH) and a fork lift prototype, attached to a crawler tractor (CFL). Extraction via CFL system reached very high working performance with about 21.5 m3 SMH−1 (Scheduled Machine Hours, including delays), comparable to the productivities reported in the literature for forwarders working in similar plantations. Harvesting costs with CFL were 24.74 EUR m−3, of which 4.48 EUR m−3 was for felling with chainsaw, 4.61 EUR m−3 for extraction with CFL prototype and 15.64 EUR m−3 for wood chipping. WINCH showed unsatisfactory results instead, possessing a wood chip production cost of 41.95 EUR m−3, which is practically equivalent to the market price of wood chips.
Effects of Inoculation with Lactic Acid Bacteria on the Preservation of Nannochloropsis gaditana Biomass in Wet Anaerobic Storage and Its Impact on Biomass Quality
Authors: Oginni Oluwatosin , Wahlen Bradley , Wendt Lynn , Walton Michelle , Dempster Thomas , Gerken Henri
Published: April 2022

Wet anaerobic storage of algal biomass is a promising preservation approach that can ensure a continuous supply of these feedstocks to biorefineries year-round. An effective solution to preservation must ensure minimal dry matter loss and a change in biochemical composition during storage. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the preservation of Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass through wet anaerobic storage and its impact on biomass quality. Prior to storage, the algae sample is inoculated with two different strains of lactic acid bacteria and thereafter stored for 30 and 180 days. Each inoculant limited the dry matter loss to <10% (dry basis) after the storage duration. Final pH values (4.3–4.8) indicate that the biomass samples are properly ensiled, achieving the acidic conditions necessary for preservation. Compositional analysis of the biomass after storage shows a reduction in carbohydrate content, a relative increase in lipid content, and no significant change in the protein fraction. Glucose and galactose were the most prevalent sugar monomers. The low dry matter loss and minimal compositional change indicate that wet anaerobic storage is an effective means of preserving algal biomass and ensuring a constant supply of algal biomass feedstock to a biorefinery.
Butanol Production by a Novel Efficient Method Using Mixed Cultures of Clostridium beijerinckii and Arthrobacter sp. in Stirred-Tank and Gas-Lift Bioreactors
Authors: Daengbussadee Chalida , Laopaiboon Lakkana , Laopaiboon Pattana
Published: April 2022

Arthrobacter sp. BCC 72131, an obligate aerobic bacterium, was used to create anaerobic conditions, and Clostridium beijerinckii TISTR 1461 was used as a butanol producer in an acetone-butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation. Sweet sorghum juice (SSJ) medium containing 60 g/L of total sugar supplemented with 1.27 g/L of (NH4)2SO4 was used as a butanol production (BP) medium. Arthrobacter sp. was inoculated into the BP medium in 1-L screw-capped bottles. After 2, 4, 6 and 12 h of Arthrobacter sp. cultivation at 30 °C, C. beijerinckii was transferred into the BP medium to start butanol production at 37 °C. The results showed that C. beijerinckii inoculation after 6 h of Arthrobacter sp. cultivation gave the highest butanol titer (PB) at 12.56 g/L, with a butanol yield (YB/S) and volumetric butanol productivity (QB) of 0.34 g/g and 0.23 g/L·h, respectively. These values are approximately 10–27% higher than those of the control experiment using a single culture of C. beijerinckii TISTR 1461 and oxygen-free nitrogen (OFN) gas flushing to create anaerobic conditions. Field emission scanning electron microscopic (FE-SEM) images of Clostridium cells, as well as protein and free amino nitrogen concentrations in the broth during butanol fermentation were also studied to confirm the results. The butanol fermentation was then carried out in a 5.6-L stirred-tank and a 1.2-L low-cost gas-lift bioreactor by the mixed cultures using the optimal time of Clostridium inoculation. The PB, YB/S and QB values obtained were not significantly different from those in the 1-L screw-capped bottles. Hence, Arthrobacter sp. can be used as a novel method to create anaerobic conditions instead of a traditional method employing OFN gas flushing. Using mixed cultures of Arthrobacter sp. BCC 72131 and C. beijerinckii TISTR 1461 is a practical method to produce butanol on a large-scale, both in complex and low-cost bioreactors.
Recent Developments in Lignocellulosic Biofuels, a Renewable Source of Bioenergy
Authors: Rai Ashutosh Kumar , Al Makishah Naief Hamoud , Wen Zhiqiang , Gupta Govind , Pandit Soumya , Prasad Ram
Published: April 2022

Biofuel consists of non-fossil fuel derived from the organic biomass of renewable resources, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and waste. Energy derived from biofuel is known as bioenergy. The reserve of fossil fuels is now limited and continuing to decrease, while at the same time demand for energy is increasing. In order to overcome this scarcity, it is vital for human beings to transfer their dependency on fossil fuels to alternative types of fuel, including biofuels, which are effective methods of fulfilling present and future demands. The current review therefore focusses on second-generation lignocellulosic biofuels obtained from non-edible plant biomass (i.e., cellulose, lignin, hemi-celluloses, non-food material) in a more sustainable manner. The conversion of lignocellulosic feedstock is an important step during biofuel production. It is, however, important to note that, as a result of various technical restrictions, biofuel production is not presently cost efficient, thus leading to the need for improvement in the methods employed. There remain a number of challenges for the process of biofuel production, including cost effectiveness and the limitations of various technologies employed. This leads to a vital need for ongoing and enhanced research and development, to ensure market level availability of lignocellulosic biofuel.
Fermented Foods and Their Role in Respiratory Health: A Mini-Review
Authors: Kesika Periyanaina , Thangaleela Subramanian , Sivamaruthi Bhagavathi Sundaram , Bharathi Muruganantham , Chaiyasut Chaiyavat
Published: April 2022

Fermented foods (FFs) hold global attention because of their huge advantages. Their health benefits, palatability, preserved, tasteful, and aromatic properties impart potential importance in the comprehensive evaluation of FFs. The bioactive components, such as minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, and other phytochemicals synthesized during fermentation, provide consumers with several health benefits. Fermentation of food is an ancient process that has met with many remarkable changes owing to the development of scientific technologies over the years. Initially, fermentation relied on back-slapping. Nowadays, starter cultures strains are specifically chosen for the type of fermentation process. Modern biotechnological methods are being implemented in the fermentation process to achieve the desired product in high quality. Respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections are the most severe health issues affecting human beings of all age groups, especially children and older adults, during this COVID-19 pandemic period. Studies suggest that the consumption of probiotic Lactobacillus strains containing fermented foods protects the subjects from common infectious diseases (CIDs, which is classified as upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections) by improving the host’s immune system. Further studies are obligatory to develop probiotic-based functional FFs that are effective against CIDs. Presently, we are urged to find alternative, safe, and cost-effective prevention measures against CIDs. The current manuscript briefs the production of FFs, functional properties of FFs, and their beneficial effects against respiratory tract infections. It summarizes the outcomes of clinical trials using human subjects on the effects of supplementation of FFs.
Wear Properties and Post-Moisture Absorption Mechanical Behavior of Kenaf/Banana-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites
Authors: Palanisamy Sivasubramanian , Kalimuthu Mayandi , Azeez Alavudeen , Palaniappan Murugesan , Dharmalingam Shanmugam , Nagarajan Rajini , Santulli Carlo
Published: April 2022

The contribution of natural lignocellulosic fibers to the reduction in wear damage in polymer resins is of interest, especially when two of these fibers can combine their respective effects. Wear properties of hybrid kenaf/banana epoxy composites have been investigated using three different total amount of fibers, 20, 30 and 40 wt.%, at loading forces up to 30 N and to sliding distances of up to 75 m. This demonstrated that the introduction of the highest level of fibers proved the most suitable for consistency of results and containment of wear with increasing load, as was also found from the morphological evaluation of wear degradation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, tensile, flexural and impact properties of as-received and post-water-saturation hybrid composites were examined. The tests revealed a limited reduction in tensile and flexural strength, not exceeding 10% of the initial values, which were very high compared to similar materials, almost reaching 140 MPa for tensile strength and exceeding 170 MPa for flexural strength. In contrast, a higher standard deviation of values was found for impact strength, although the decrease in average values was only slightly above 10%. The results suggest the availability of these hybrids for wear-resisting applications in high-moisture environments, and the even more limited water absorption conferred by banana fibers added to kenaf ones.
Maritime Dispute Settlement Law towards Sustainable Fishery Governance: The Politics over Marine Spaces vs. Audacity of Applicable International Law
Authors: Butt M Jahanzeb , Zulfiqar Khadija , Chang Yen-Chiang , Iqtaish Ali M. A.
Published: April 2022

The present article discusses and analyses the role and contribution of International Maritime Dispute Settlement Bodies in sustainable fishery governance. From a maritime dispute settlement perspective, the discussion on preserving marine biodiversity, including fisheries and ecosystems, is unprecedented. However, dispute settlement impacts on marine biodiversity require serious attention from the viewpoint of effective implementation of the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, International Environmental Law, and United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea. ‘Applicable law’ as primary contention, which could be utilised to preserve marine biodiversity, is preferably employed for ‘ship release’ and ‘delimitation’ issues under dispute settlement mechanisms. Perhaps, the political and legal obstacles in interpreting the ‘law of the sea’ are one area of critique, and the optional dispute settlement mechanism is another. All these significant issues are discussed to develop a rational approach utilising ‘applicable law’ to preserve marine biodiversity and develop sustainable fishery governance. The result will certainly help build a better understanding of the ‘applicable law’ jurisdiction that may be utilised to ensure the sustainability of marine biodiversity.
Incorporation of Tapioca Starch and Wheat Flour on Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Attributes of Meat-Based Snacks from Beef Scraps
Authors: Nimitkeatkai Hataitip , Pasada Kannika , Jarerat Amnat
Published: April 2022

The global demand for healthy snacks with high protein content is growing annually. Meat scraps generated after meat cutting in the slaughtering process are considered a valuable protein product. The aim of this research was to formulate the meat-based snacks obtained from beef scraps by baking at 150 °C for 20 min. The physicochemical properties, texture and sensory profiles of the beef snacks were investigated. Among tapioca starch, modified starch and wheat flour, the texture profiles and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that wheat flour contributed to a firm texture of the products, resulting in significantly (p < 0.05) higher sensory scores for texture. The overall acceptability based on physicochemical and sensory attributes of wheat flour were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than tapioca starch and modified starch. The results showed that the relatively low content of wheat flour at 0.625% (w/w) was of sufficient proportion to provide proper physicochemical properties and texture attributes to beef snacks. In addition, the results also indicated that the desirable properties of the obtained meat-based snacks were influenced by the type and content of starch and/or flour used. This study reveals the benefits of meat scraps as a potential protein-rich source and further applications in other meat-based snacks.
Optimization of High-Pressure-Assisted Extraction of Cadmium and Lead from Kelp (Laminaria japonica) Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Wang Hao , Wang Qiang , Zhu Jiahong , Hu Guixian
Published: April 2022

Kelp (Laminaria japonica) is a popular and nutritious sea vegetable, but it has a strong biosorption capacity for heavy metals. The high content of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) is a threat to the quality of kelp. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of high-pressure-assisted extraction (HPAE) conditions on Cd and Pb removal efficiency from kelp. Pressure intensity (0.1–200 MPa), the number of HPAE cycles (one to five) and acetic acid concentration (0–10%) were optimized using response surface methodology. The pressure intensity had the most significant positive effects on Cd and Pb removal efficiency, while the correlation between acetic acid concentration and removal efficiency was positive for Cd and negative for Pb. The optimum conditions for the removal of Cd and Pb were attained at 188 MPa, with four cycles and with an acetic acid concentration of 0%. At optimum conditions, the experimental values of removal efficiency were 61.14% (Cd) and 70.97% (Pb), and this was consistent with the predicted value, confirming the validity of the predictive model.