bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytoplankton Indicators in the Assessment of the Ecological Status of Two Reservoirs with Different Purposes in Southern Ukraine
Authors: Novoselova Tatiana , Barinova Sophia , Protasov Alexander
Published: May 2022

A comparison of two closely located reservoirs on the Southern Bug River and its tributary in the southern region of Ukraine is carried out. One of them (Tashlyk reservoir on a small river, tributary of the Southern Bug River) is a cooling reservoir (pond) for the nuclear power plant, the other (Alexandrovskoye reservoir, on the Southern Bug River) is used for agricultural purposes, for the production of electricity at a hydroelectric power plant, and as a lower reservoir for a pumped storage power plant. Comparison of the main indicators of phytoplankton in the reservoirs was carried out together with its spatial distribution. It was found that the distribution of coenotic groups of plankton in the cooling reservoir corresponds to thermal conditions. In the Alexandrovskoye reservoir, separate communities of plankton are formed along its length. The description of indicator species of algae in two reservoirs is given. The important role of the catchment basin was demonstrated with statistical maps. It was shown that a significant increase in temperature in the cooling pond did not lead to the depletion of phytoplankton.
The Silent Path towards Medical Apartheid within STEM Education: An Evolving National Pedagogy of Poverty through the Absenting of STEM-Based Play in Early Childhood
Authors: Tofel-Grehl Colby , MacDonald Beth L. , Searle Kristin A.
Published: May 2022

STEM is notoriously uninviting to wide swaths of the population [...]
Effect of Loading Rate and Confining Pressure on Strength and Energy Characteristics of Mudstone under Pre-Cracking Damage
Authors: Zheng Hanghang , Ma Zhenqian , Zhou Lang , Zhang Dongyue , Liang Xuchao
Published: May 2022

In order to explore the deformation and failure law of deep surrounding rock roadway disturbed by strong dynamic pressure, the triaxial mechanical properties of mudstone samples under pre-cracking damage conditions were tested to study the deformation and failure characteristics and energy evolution mechanism in the damage process, under different loading rates and confining pressures. In the mechanical experiment, the specimen is pre-cracked to simulate the damage and failure of surrounding rock during roadway excavation, and the damage degree model of rock specimen is established. The results show that the loading rate and confining pressure have significant effects on the peak strength and energy characteristics of mudstone at the average damage degree of 0.12, and the peak strength increases with the increase in confining pressure and loading rate. Under the same confining pressure, the energy increases first, and then decreases with the increase in loading rate, and the loading rate at the turning point is called the critical loading rate. Under the same confining pressure, the closed stress of mudstone gradually increases with the increase in loading rate, and the closed stress and loading rate show a good linear relationship. Through the fitting relationship, it is found that the fitting correlation coefficient between the closed stress of mudstone and the loading rate is as high as 0.99. The elastic strain energy ratio presents a composite function of exponential function with natural constant e, which is a nonlinear process.
Customer-Centric, Two-Product Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem under Consideration of Weighted Customer Waiting Time in Power Industry
Authors: Ma Xiaxia , Bian Wenliang , Wei Wenchao , Wei Fei
Published: May 2022

This paper introduces a new model of the customer-centric, two-product split delivery vehicle routing problem (CTSDVRP) in the context of a mixed-flow manufacturing system that occurs in the power industry. Different from the general VRP model, the unique characteristics of our model are: (1) two types of products are delivered, and the demand for them is interdependent and based on a bill of materials (BOM); (2) the paper considers a new aspect in customer satisfaction, i.e., the consideration of the production efficiency on the customer side. In our model, customer satisfaction is not measured by the actual customer waiting time, but by the weighted customer waiting time, which is based on the targeted service rate of the end products. We define the targeted service rate as the ratio of the quantity of the end product produced by the corresponding delivery quantities of the two products to the demand of the end product. We propose a hybrid ant colony-genetic optimization algorithm to solve this model with actual data from a case study of the State Grid Corporation of China. Finally, a case study is explored to assess the effectiveness of the CTSDVRP model and highlight some insights. The results show that the CTSDVRP model can improve customer satisfaction and increase the average targeted service rate of the end products effectively.
Residential Fuel Transition and Fuel Interchangeability in Current Self-Aspirating Combustion Applications: Historical Development and Future Expectations
Authors: Zhao Yan , McDonell Vince , Samuelsen Scott
Published: May 2022

To reduce greenhouse gases and air pollutants, new technologies are emerging to reduce fossil fuel usage and to adopt more renewable energy sources. As the major aspects of fuel consumption, power generation, transportation, and industrial applications have been given significant attention. The past few decades witnessed astonishing technological advancement in these energy sectors. In contrast, the residential sector has had relatively little attention despite its significant utilization of fuels for a much longer period. However, almost every energy transition in human history was initiated by the residential sector. For example, the transition from fuelwood to cheap coal in the 1700s first took place in residential houses due to urbanization and industrialization. The present review demonstrates the energy transitions in the residential sector during the past two centuries while portending an upcoming energy transition and future energy structure for the residential sector. The feasibility of the 100% electrification of residential buildings is discussed based on current residential appliance adoption, and the analysis indicates a hybrid residential energy structure is preferred over depending on a single energy source. Technical considerations and suggestions are given to help incorporate more renewable energy into the residential fuel supply system. Finally, it is observed that, compared to the numerous regulations on large energy-consumption aspects, standards for residential appliances are scarce. Therefore, it is concluded that establishing appropriate testing methods is a critical enabling step to facilitate the adoption of renewable fuels in future appliances.
Investigation of a Metallic Interconnect Extracted from an SOFC Stack after 40,000 h of Operation
Authors: Piccardo Paolo , Spotorno Roberto , Geipel Christian
Published: May 2022

An in-depth investigation was performed on a metallic interconnect extracted from an SOFC stack operated for 40,000 h. The characterization was performed on the surface and the cross-section, paying attention to the evolution of the materials due to the interaction with the dual atmosphere of the stack under operating parameters. The interaction between materials (i.e., metal substrate, coatings and atmospheres) and stack components (i.e., current collectors and MIC) generated several modifications that affected the surface and, in some cases, the bulk of the interconnect. The careful metallographic preparation allowed for the performance of an intensive microscopical characterization of the cross-sections all along the interconnect profile, from the inlet to the outlet of the fuel stream. The formation of thermal grown oxides on both sides and their evolution were studied and described. The interconnect, after 40,000 h, was still suitable for operation, but the few bulk changes due to the diffusion of Ni and the TGO that formed at the fuel side suggest the introduction of fuel side coatings to increase the life expectations of the whole stack.
A Comprehensive Societal Energy Return on Investment Study of Portugal Reveals a Low but Stable Value
Authors: Ecclesia Marco Vittorio , Santos João , Brockway Paul E. , Domingos Tiago
Published: May 2022

Energy return on investment (EROI) is a ratio of the energy obtained in relation to the energy used to extract/produce it. The EROI of fossil fuels is globally decreasing. What do the declining EROIs of energy sources imply for society as a whole? We answer this question by proposing a novel EROI measure that describes, through one parameter, the efficiency of a society in managing energy resources over time. Our comprehensive societal EROI measure was developed by (1) expanding the boundaries of the analysis up to the useful stage; (2) estimating the amount of energy embodied in the energy-converting capital; (3) considering non-conventional sources such as the muscle work of humans and draught animals; and (4) considering the influence of imported and exported energy. We computed the new EROI for Portugal as a case study. We find a considerably lower EROI value, at around 3, compared to those currently available, which is stable over a long-time range (1960–2014). This suggests an independence of EROI from economic growth. When estimated at the final stage, using conventional methods (i.e., without applying the four novelties here introduced), we find a declining societal EROI. Therefore, our results imply that the production of new and more efficient final-to-useful energy converting capital has historically kept societal EROI around a stable value by offsetting the effects of the changing returns of energy sources at the primary and final stages. This will be crucial in the successful transition to renewables.
Study of the Accelerated Degradation of the Insulation of Power Cables under the Action of the Acid Environment
Authors: Preduș Marius Florian , Popescu Cristinel , Răduca Eugen , Hațiegan Cornel
Published: May 2022

Over operation time, there are a number of internal and external factors that change the characteristics of dielectric materials that are part of the electrical equipment. In areas with high pollution, an important requirement is the acidic chemical compounds in the soil in which the power cables are laid, which penetrate the insulation by infiltration, resulting in changes in the parameters of electrical insulation and causing a decrease in operating time. The paper is focused on the analysis, through a series of experimental determinations, of the effects of stresses to which the power cables laid in acidic environments are subjected, by simulating the operating conditions in the laboratory, obtaining concrete results. It also describes the direct current test installation used in the laboratory and presents the two stages of testing the cable sample inserted in the electrolyte, the first being a stage of accelerating the degradation of the insulation by supplying higher voltages to require insulation, and the second stage being the testing in the absence of the electric field, under the direct action of the chemical compounds from the installation tank. Given that in alternating current, the electric field causes an additional heating of the dielectric due to energy losses by electric polarization, the test is performed in direct current, precisely to be able to monitor the variation of insulation resistance in relation to temperature and losses through conduction currents, as a result of the Joule–Lenz effect and not as a result of the dielectric polarization process. At the same time, the power of the direct current source used is lower compared to that of an alternative current test source and does not contribute to the generation of electrical discharges during testing.
Quantitative Characterization of Excess Pressure Gradient in the Upper Interval of Es4 Member of Dongying Depression and Its Indicative Significance for Oil Migration and Accumulation
Authors: Zhao Wen , He Sheng , Wang Yongshi , Wang Xiao , Jia Guanghua , Guo Xiaowen , Qiu Yibo , Chen Jiaxu
Published: May 2022

Excess pressure is the main driving force of oil migration in the source-reservoir system of overpressured petroliferous basins. It can reflect the change in driving force for oil migration and its influence on oil accumulation in overpressure transport layers. The drilling stem test (DST) data, well logging data, and seismic velocity data are used to describe the plane distribution of the excess pressures in the Es4s member of the Dongying Depression. Then, the values and directions of the excess pressure gradient, which can indicate oil migration and accumulation, are calculated based on the plane distribution of the excess pressure in the Es4s member of the Dongying Depression. The results suggest that overpressure is widely developed in the Es4s member of the Dongying Depression, and the excess pressure gradually decreases from the center to the edge of each sag, while the variation in the excess pressure gradient is characterized by “low-high-low” in a circular band around the sags. The excess pressure in the sag areas exceeds 15 MPa, but the excess pressure gradient is mainly between 0 and 1 MPa/km. The excess pressure in the northern steep slope zone of the Lijin sag and the northern steep slope zone of the Minfeng sag are less than 15 MPa, while the excess pressure gradient ranges from 1 to 7 MPa/km. The excess pressure in the central anticline belt and the gentle slope belt in the south of the Niuzhuang sag are between 0 and 15 MPa, and the excess pressure gradient is from 0 MPa/km to 2 MPa/km. From geochemical evidence, local oil migration directions indicated by the excess pressure gradient are consistent with those indicated by the ratio parameters of carbazole compounds in crude oil samples, indicating that the direction of the excess pressure gradient can indicate the dominant direction of oil migration driven by excess pressure, and the oil from the Es4s source rock is mainly distributed in the areas with a high excess pressure gradient or the areas with a low excess pressure gradient and low excess pressure (area II).
Advanced Analytics in Renewable Energy
Authors: García Márquez Fausto Pedro
Published: May 2022

This Special Issue, entitled “Advanced Analytics in Renewable Energy”, covers research in this field and shows how to apply it to many different professional areas, e.g., engineering and management [...]
Forecasting Regional Carbon Prices in China Based on Secondary Decomposition and a Hybrid Kernel-Based Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Cheng Yunhe , Hu Beibei
Published: May 2022

Accurately forecasting carbon prices is key to managing associated risks in the financial market for carbon. To this end, the traditional strategy does not adequately decompose carbon prices, and the kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) with a single kernel function struggles to adapt to the nonlinearity, nonstationarity, and multiple frequencies of regional carbon prices in China. This study constructs a model, called the VMD-ICEEMDAN-RE-SSA-HKELM model, to forecast regional carbon prices in China based on the idea of ‘decomposition–reconstruction–integration’. The VMD is first used to decompose carbon prices and the ICEEMDAN is then used to decompose the residual term that contains complex information. To reduce the systematic error caused by increases in the mode components of carbon price, range entropy (RE) is used to reconstruct the results of its secondary decomposition. Following this, HKELM is optimized by the sparrow search algorithm and used to forecast each subseries of carbon prices. Finally, predictions of the price of carbon are obtained by linearly superimposing the results of the forecasts of each of its subseries. The results of experiments show that the secondary decomposition strategy proposed in this paper is superior to the traditional decomposition strategy, and the proposed model for forecasting carbon prices has significant advantages over a considered reference group of models.
Optimal Balance between Heating, Cooling and Environmental Impacts: A Method for Appropriate Assessment of Building Envelope’s U-Value
Authors: Ounis Safieddine , Aste Niccolò , Butera Federico M. , Pero Claudio Del , Leonforte Fabrizio , Adhikari Rajendra S.
Published: May 2022

In Europe, the recent application of regulations oriented to zero-energy buildings and climate neutrality in 2050 has led to a reduction in energy consumption for heating and cooling in the construction sector. The thermal insulation of the building envelope plays a key role in this process and the requirements about the maximum allowable thermal transmittance are defined by country-specific guidelines. Typically, high insulation values provide low energy consumption for heating; however, they may also entail a risk of overheating in summer period and thus negatively affect the overall performance of the building. In addition, the embodied energy and related emissions caused by the manufacturing and transportation processes of thermal insulation cannot be further neglected in the evaluation of the best optimal solution. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the influence in terms of embodied and operational energy of various walls’ thermal insulation thicknesses on residential buildings in Europe. To this end, the EnergyPlus engine was used for the energy simulation within the Ladybug and Honeybee tools, by parametrically conducting multiple iterations; 53 variations of external wall U-value, considering high- and low-thermal-mass scenarios, were simulated for 100 representative cities of the European context, using a typical multifamily building as a reference. The results demonstrate that massive walls generally perform better than lightweight structures and the best solution in terms of energy varies according to each climate. Accordingly, the wall’s thermal transmittance for the samples of Oslo, Bordeaux, Rome and Almeria representative of the Continental, oceanic temperate, Mediterranean, and hot, semi-arid climates were, respectively: 0.12, 0.26, 0.42, and 0.64 W/m2K. The optimal solutions are graphically reported on the map of Europe according to specific climatic features, providing a guidance for new constructions and building retrofit.
The Maritime Sector and Its Problematic Decarbonization: A Systematic Review of the Contribution of Alternative Fuels
Authors: dos Santos Vinicius Andrade , Pereira da Silva Patrícia , Serrano Luís Manuel Ventura
Published: May 2022

The present study seeks to select the most important articles and reviews from the Web of Science database that approached alternative fuels towards the decarbonization of the maritime sector. Through a systematic review methodology, a combination of keywords and manual refining found a contribution of 103 works worldwide, the European continent accounting for 57% of all publications. Twenty-two types of fuels were cited by the authors, liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and biodiesel contributing to 49% of the mentions. Greenhouse gases, sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter reductions are some of the main advantages of cleaner sources if used by the vessels. Nevertheless, there is a lack of practical research on new standards, engine performance, cost, and regulations from the academy to direct more stakeholders towards low carbon intensity in the shipping sector.
Uniform and Non-Uniform Pumping Effect on Ce:Nd:YAG Side-Pumped Solar Laser Output Performance
Authors: Vistas Cláudia R. , Liang Dawei , Garcia Dário , Catela Miguel , Tibúrcio Bruno D. , Costa Hugo , Guillot Emmanuel , Almeida Joana
Published: May 2022

The Ce:Nd:YAG is a recent active medium in solar-pumped lasers with great potential. This study focuses on the influence of two secondary concentrators: a fused silica aspherical lens and a rectangular fused silica light guide; and consequent pump light distribution on the output performance of a Ce:Nd:YAG side-pumped solar laser. The solar laser head with the aspherical lens concentrated the incident pump light on the central region of the rod, producing the highest continuous-wave 1064 nm solar laser power of 19.6 W from the Ce:Nd:YAG medium. However, the non-uniformity of the absorbed pump profile produced by the aspherical lens led to the rod fracture because of the high thermal load, limiting the maximum laser power. Nevertheless, the solar laser head with the light guide uniformly spread the pump light along the laser rod, minimizing the thermal load issues and producing a maximum laser power of 17.4 W. Despite the slight decrease in laser power, the use of the light guide avoided the laser rod fracture, demonstrating its potential to scale to higher laser power. Therefore, the pumping distribution on the rod may play a fundamental role for Ce:Nd:YAG solar laser systems design.
Influence of Pilot Injection on Combustion Characteristic of Methanol–Diesel Dual-Fuel Engine
Authors: Zhou Ao , Jin Hui , Cao Wenhan , Pang Ming , Li Yangyang , Zhu Chao
Published: May 2022

An experimental study regarding methanol–diesel dual-fuel (DF) engines was conducted on a modified engine to explore the effects of pilot injection timing and period on the two-stage combustion process caused by the pilot injection strategy. In this study, the two-stage combustion process was determined according to the first two peaks of the second derivative of an in-cylinder pressure (d2p/dφ2) curve. The results show that the peak pressure rise rate (PRR) tended to decrease with advancing pilot injection timing at a high co-combustion ratio (CCR), which reduced combustion noise. The start of the combustion of the main injection diesel (SOC2) could be advanced by increasing the pilot injection period or advancing pilot injection timing at a 42% CCR. At an 18% CCR, the pilot injection timing and period had no significant effect on SOC2. With the advancement of pilot injection timing, the start of the combustion of pilot injection diesel (SOC1) advanced, and generally, the coefficient of variation of the PRR (COVPRR) of the two-stage combustion process increased first and then decreased. However, with the increase in the pilot injection period, SOC1 almost always remained constant and the COVPRR of the two-stage combustion process generally increased.
Modelling and Simulation/Optimization of Austria’s National Multi-Energy System with a High Degree of Spatial and Temporal Resolution
Authors: Greiml Matthias , Fritz Florian , Steinegger Josef , Schlömicher Theresa , Wolf Williams Nicholas , Zaghi Negar , Kienberger Thomas
Published: May 2022

The European Union and the Austrian government have set ambitious plans to expand renewable energy sources and lower carbon dioxide emissions. However, the expansion of volatile renewable energy sources may affect today’s energy system. To investigate future challenges in Austria’s energy system, a suitable simulation methodology, temporal and spatially resolved generation and consumption data and energy grid depiction, is necessary. In this paper, we introduce a flexible multi-energy simulation framework with optimization capabilities that can be applied to a broad range of use cases. Furthermore, it is shown how a spatially and temporally resolved multi-energy system model can be set up on a national scale. To consider actual infrastructure properties, a detailed energy grid depiction is considered. Three scenarios assess the potential future energy system of Austria, focusing on the power grid, based on the government’s renewable energy sources expansion targets in the year 2030. Results show that the overwhelming majority of line overloads accrue in Austria’s power distribution grid. Furthermore, the mode of operation of flexible consumer and generation also affects the number of line overloads as well.
Evaluation of the Hydropower Potential of the Torysa River and Its Energy Use in the Process of Reducing Energy Poverty of Local Communities
Authors: Tauš Peter , Beer Martin
Published: May 2022

The presented paper deals with the evaluation of hydropower potential in a selected section of the Torysa river in the eastern part of the Slovak Republic. This part of the country was chosen based on the existence of a significant risk of increasing energy poverty in local marginalized communities. Small hydropower plants in the form of mini and micro installations are an ecological and economical way to secure electricity and suppress indicators of energy poverty. The essential part of work focuses on the quantification of the gross (theoretical), technical, and economic hydropower potential of the Torysa river using elevation data obtained by GIS tools and hydrological data provided by The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. The next step identified concrete locations with a suitable head and volumetric flow rate. In the last part, the assessed section of the Torysa river was analyzed in terms of geographical collisions with NATURA 2000 areas, historical heritage elements in the country, and natural water bodies without hydropower potential (i.e., lakes, ponds, etc.). The resulting technical hydropower potential of selected part of Torysa river is 5425 kW and the economic potential is 1533 kW.
Capital Structure Determinants of Forest Enterprises: Empirical Study Based on Panel Data Analysis from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria
Authors: Neykov Nikolay , Krišťáková Stanislava , Antov Petar , Halalisan Aureliu-Florin , Hajdúchová Iveta , Sedliačiková Mariana , Sloup Roman , Šišák Luděk
Published: May 2022

At present, forest enterprises face many challenges in adopting innovative bio-based approaches considering global changes. Due to the specifics of forestry, the choice of financing sources is a complex issue. The aim of this study is to estimate the capital structure determinants of forest enterprises in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria in the context of the relationship between leverage and the factors of its appearance. The evaluation of capital structure determinants was carried out using selected indicators for 18 forest enterprises, with 6 enterprises per country. Data were processed for the period of 2015–2019. The study methodology was based on a Panel Data Analysis with Fixed Effects and Random Effect models and Ordinary Least Squares estimation. The following specific variables were included: liquidity, leverage, return on assets, size of the enterprises, and gross domestic product. The results revealed that the forest enterprises in these three countries can be differentiated by size and form individual functional relationships with the positive influence of enterprise size on liability share. The next significant determinant was found to be liquidity, which has a negative relationship with enterprise leverage. These results will be useful for managers of forest enterprises in decision-making processes to determine the amount of debt and planning investment programme strategies.
Is National Park Affinity Related to Visitors’ Satisfaction with Park Service and Recreation Quality? A Case Study from a Thai Forest National Park
Authors: Seebunruang Jidapa , Burns Robert C. , Arnberger Arne
Published: May 2022

The provision of high-quality national park tourism services depends on an understanding of the role of the national park brand in visitors’ decision-making on visiting parks. The consideration of forest recreation and park brand awareness not only helps to increase the quality of visitors’ experiences but also assists in the management of natural park resources. This study explored whether national park affinity can explain differences in visitor satisfaction with the national park trip, tourism services and facilities, visitor loyalty, and perceptions of recreation quality as well as visitor expenditures. This study classified 400 on-site visitors to the Khao Yai National Park into three national park affinity segments. The results indicated that about two-fifths of respondents had a low national park affinity with less satisfaction with the national park tourism facilities and services and visitor management. This segment reported lower visitor loyalty and that visitors felt more crowded, while no differences in expenditures for the trip were found between the affinity segments.
High-Moisture Extrusion of Mixed Proteins from Soy and Surimi: Effect of Protein Gelling Properties on the Product Quality
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Zhang Jinchuang , Chen Qiongling , He Ning , Wang Qiang
Published: May 2022

The high-moisture extrusion of proteins from plant and animal sources should be a new way for developing alternative protein products with meat-like texture. The protein gelling properties are considered an important factor for the meat-like texture formation during the high-moisture extrusion processing. In this study, the mixed protein gelling properties from soy protein isolate (SPI) and surimi at different ratios (90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50) were investigated to relate to the high-moisture (70%) extruding product textural properties, correspondingly. Results showed that at SPI–surimi ratio 60:40, the heat-induced gelation time was clearly extended and the gel strength became much weaker. During the high-moisture extrusion processing, at SPI–surimi ratio 80:20, the extrudate showed the higher hardness, chewiness, gel strength and fibrous degree, while excessive surimi (more than 40%) in the blends would hinder the fibrous-oriented structure formation. It suggested that SPI may act as the continuous phase that is dispersed by surimi during the high-moisture extrusion processing. Interestingly, it was found that the gel strength of SPI–surimi blends was nonlinearly correlated with the specific mechanical energy (SME) and product textural properties. The study would be helpful for improving the textural properties of alternative protein products from soy and surimi.
Preparation of Magnetic Metal-Organic Frameworks@Molecularly Imprinted Nanoparticles for Specific Extraction and Enrichment of Bisphenol A in Food
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wang Haiyang , Zhang Yongju , Xu Zhixiang , Xu Longhua
Published: May 2022

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with systematically tailored structures have been suggested as promising precursors to the preparation of diverse functional materials. Herein, a facile and versatile layer-by-layer strategy without any special surface modifications has been proposed for the preparation of magnetic metal-organic frameworks (MMOFs) supported molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MMOFs@MIP), which are based on a magnetically susceptible core conjugated with an imidazole-derived self-assembled layer and a silane-based imprinted shell. The obtained MMOFs@MIPs, which integrated the advantages of Fe3O4, MOFs, and MIPs, were characterized and exhibited good magnetic properties, a rapid mass transfer rate, and an excellent adsorption selectivity as well as capacity for the targeted molecular - bisphenol A (BPA). Moreover, the MMOFs@MIPs were employed as adsorbents in magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) to selectively bind and rapidly separate BPA from real samples with satisfactory recoveries ranging from 88.3% to 92.3%. More importantly, the desirable reusability of MMOFs@MIP was also evaluated, and the recoveries still maintained above 88.0% even after five re-use cycles. Furthermore, combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, a novel MSPE-HPLC method was developed, enabling the highly selective and sensitive detection of BPA in a wide linear range of 0.5–5000 μg L−1 with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 μg L−1. This work contributes a promising method for constructing various functional nanoparticles @MOFs@MIP hybrid materials for applications in many different fields.
Some Asian Women Pioneers of Chemistry and Pharmacy
Authors: Núñez Valdés Juan , de Pablos Pons Fernando , Ramos Carrillo Antonio
Published: May 2022

At present, several countries on the Asian continent are still very closed off to the idea of allowing not only the work of women, but also even the fact that they can study university degrees and, after finishing them, go on to practice their professions. In addition, if we go back to the beginning of the 20th century, this situation was even more serious. However, this was not an impediment for some women from these countries to achieve their goals of pursuing higher education and then serving society with their work. This article is dedicated to showing the biographies of three of them, the Indian chemist Asima Chatterjee and Philippine pharmacists Matilde S. Arquiza and Filomena Francisco. The most relevant features of their personal and professional lives are presented and previous biographies about them are completed. The main objective of this work is to show these figures to society and hold them up as references to other people, and the methodology followed has been the search for data about their lives and work that would allow us to complete the previous existing biographies about them. A brief biography on Janaki Ammal, the first Indian woman to obtain a doctorate, is also included.
Applications of Prabhakar-like Fractional Derivative for the Solution of Viscous Type Fluid with Newtonian Heating Effect
Authors: Raza Ali , Khan Umair , Zaib Aurang , Mahmoud Emad E. , Weera Wajaree , Yahia Ibrahim S. , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: May 2022

This article examines a natural convection viscous unsteady fluid flowing on an oscillating infinite inclined plate. The Newtonian heating effect, slip effect on the boundary wall, and constant mass diffusion conditions are also considered. In order to account for extended memory effects, the semi-analytical solution of transformed governed partial differential equations is attained with the help of a recent and more efficient fractional definition known as Prabhakar, like a thermal fractional derivative with Mittag-Leffler function. Fourier and Fick’s laws are also considered in the thermal profile and concentration field solution. The essentials’ preliminaries, fractional model, and execution approach are expansively addressed. The physical impacts of different parameters on all governed equations are plotted and compared graphically. Additionally, the heat transfer rate, mass diffusion rate, and skin friction are examined with different numerical techniques. Consequently, it is noted that the variation in fractional parameters results in decaying behavior for both thermal and momentum profiles while increasing with the passage of time. Furthermore, in comparing both numerical schemes and existing literature, the overlapping of both curves validates the attained solution of all governed equations.
A New Zebrafish Model to Measure Neuronal α-Synuclein Clearance In Vivo
Authors: Lopez Ana , Gorb Alena , Palha Nuno , Fleming Angeleen , Rubinsztein David C.
Published: May 2022

The accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein (α-SYN) is a common characteristic of synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) or Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Multiplications of the wildtype gene of α-SYN (SNCA) and most point mutations make α-SYN more aggregate-prone, and are associated with mitochondrial defects, trafficking obstruction, and impaired proteostasis, which contribute to elevated neuronal death. Here, we present new zebrafish models expressing either human wildtype (wt), or A53T mutant, α-SYN that recapitulate the above-mentioned hallmarks of synucleinopathies. The appropriate clearance of toxic α-SYN has been previously shown to play a key role in maintaining cell homeostasis and survival. However, the paucity of models to investigate α-SYN degradation in vivo limits our understanding of this process. Based on our recently described imaging method for measuring tau protein clearance in neurons in living zebrafish, we fused human SNCA to the photoconvertible protein Dendra2 which enabled analyses of wt and A53T α-SYN clearance kinetics in vivo. Moreover, these zebrafish models can be used to investigate the kinetics of α-SYN aggregation and to study the mechanisms, and potential new targets, controlling the clearance of both soluble and aggregated α-SYN.
Multi-Objective Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm Based on Scale-Free Network for Epistasis Detection
Authors: Gu Yijun , Sun Yan , Shang Junliang , Li Feng , Guan Boxin , Liu Jin-Xing
Published: May 2022

In genome-wide association studies, epistasis detection is of great significance for the occurrence and diagnosis of complex human diseases, but it also faces challenges such as high dimensionality and a small data sample size. In order to cope with these challenges, several swarm intelligence methods have been introduced to identify epistasis in recent years. However, the existing methods still have some limitations, such as high-consumption and premature convergence. In this study, we proposed a multi-objective artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm based on the scale-free network (SFMOABC). The SFMOABC incorporates the scale-free network into the ABC algorithm to guide the update and selection of solutions. In addition, the SFMOABC uses mutual information and the K2-Score of the Bayesian network as objective functions, and the opposition-based learning strategy is used to improve the search ability. Experiments were performed on both simulation datasets and a real dataset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The results of the simulation experiments showed that the SFMOABC has better detection power and efficiency than seven other epistasis detection methods. In the real AMD data experiment, most of the single nucleotide polymorphism combinations detected by the SFMOABC have been shown to be associated with AMD disease. Therefore, SFMOABC is a promising method for epistasis detection.
Analysis of miR-143, miR-1, miR-210 and let-7e Expression in Colorectal Cancer in Relation to Histopathological Features
Authors: Romanowicz Hanna , Hogendorf Piotr , Majos Alicja , Durczyński Adam , Wojtasik Dariusz , Smolarz Beata
Published: May 2022

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules involved in the control of the expression of many genes and are responsible for, among other things, cell death, differentiation and the control of their division. Changes in miRNA expression profiles have been observed in colorectal cancer. This discovery significantly enriches our knowledge of the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and offers new goals in diagnostics and therapy. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of four miRNA sequences—miR-143, miR-1, miR-210 and let-7e—and to investigate their significance in the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Materials and methods: miRNA sequences were investigated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue in colorectal cancer patients (n = 150) and in cancer-free controls (n = 150). The real-time PCR method was used. Results: This study revealed a lower expression of miR-143 in colorectal cancer patients than in the controls. miR-143 was positively correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation (grading). Three out of four analyzed miRNA (miR-1, miR-210 and let-7e) were found to be statistically insignificant in terms of colorectal carcinoma risk. Conclusions: miR-143 may be associated with the development of colorectal cancer.
Vibrio cholerae Chromosome Partitioning without Polar Anchoring by HubP
Authors: Possoz Christophe , Yamaichi Yoshiharu , Galli Elisa , Ferat Jean-Luc , Barre Francois-Xavier
Published: May 2022

Partition systems are widespread among bacterial chromosomes. They are composed of two effectors, ParA and ParB, and cis acting sites, parS, located close to the replication origin of the chromosome (oriC). ParABS participate in chromosome segregation, at least in part because they serve to properly position sister copies of oriC. A fourth element, located at cell poles, is also involved in some cases, such as HubP for the ParABS1 system of Vibrio cholerae chromosome 1 (ch1). The polar anchoring of oriC of ch1 (oriC1) is lost when HubP or ParABS1 are inactivated. Here, we report that in the absence of HubP, ParABS1 actively maintains oriC1 at mid-cell, leading to the subcellular separation of the two ch1 replication arms. We further show that parS1 sites ectopically inserted in chromosome 2 (ch2) stabilize the inheritance of this replicon in the absence of its endogenous partition system, even without HubP. We also observe the positioning interference between oriC1 and oriC of ch2 regions when their positionings are both driven by ParABS1. Altogether, these data indicate that ParABS1 remains functional in the absence of HubP, which raises questions about the role of the polar anchoring of oriC1 in the cell cycle.
Impact of System and Diagnostic Errors on Medical Litigation Outcomes: Machine Learning-Based Prediction Models
Authors: Yamamoto Norio , Sukegawa Shintaro , Watari Takashi
Published: May 2022

No prediction models using use conventional logistic models and machine learning exist for medical litigation outcomes involving medical doctors. Using a logistic model and three machine learning models, such as decision tree, random forest, and light-gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), we evaluated the prediction ability for litigation outcomes among medical litigation in Japan. The prediction model with LightGBM had a good predictive ability, with an area under the curve of 0.894 (95% CI; 0.893–0.895) in all patients’ data. When evaluating the feature importance using the SHApley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) value, the system error was the most significant predictive factor in all clinical settings for medical doctors’ loss in lawsuits. The other predictive factors were diagnostic error in outpatient settings, facility size in inpatients, and procedures or surgery settings. Our prediction model is useful for estimating medical litigation outcomes.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Intergenerational Virtual Service-Learning Intervention on Loneliness and Ageism: A Pre-Post Study
Authors: Ramamonjiarivelo Zo , Osborne Randall , Renick Oren , Sen Keya
Published: May 2022

Background: Service-learning is an effective intervention to solve social issues. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of intergenerational virtual service-learning on loneliness and ageism. Method: This study used a pre-post design. A group of undergraduate students were randomly assigned to a “service-learning” project (n = 18). They were paired with seniors (n = 22) to have at least a 30-min weekly virtual interaction for six weeks. The following scales were used: the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, a one-item researcher generated Likert-rating of loneliness, and two-item researcher generated Likert-rating of student competence. Results: Among college students, the service-learning group showed lower ASD and ageism scores at the post-test compared to the non-service-learning group, t (1, 40) = −2.027, p = 0.049; t (1, 40) = −2.102, p = 0.042, respectively. Among seniors, loneliness scores on the UCLA Scale and the one-item scale of loneliness dropped significantly from pre- to post-interactions with students, t (1, 19) = 2.301, p = 0.033, and t (1, 22) = 2.412, p = 0.009, respectively. Conclusion: Virtual service-learning is an effective way to solve social issues such as loneliness and ageism.
Aging with Disability Symptoms and Ability to Participate in, and Satisfaction with, Social Participation among Persons Aged 45–64
Authors: Putnam Michelle , Morgan Kerri , Heeb Rachel , Yan Yan , Chen Szu-Wei , Stark Susan L.
Published: May 2022

Pain, fatigue, and depression, considered aging with disability (AwD) symptoms, are known to be substantially higher among middle-aged adults with long-term disability compared to their age peers. Participation has been recognized as an important component of health. This cohort survey study reports findings on the relationship between AwD symptoms and ability to participate in, and satisfaction with participation in, social roles and activities using PROMIS measures. Data were collected at three time points from individuals aged 45–64 with an average of two decades of disability duration and primarily living in the state of Missouri, USA. This study reports on Time 1 (T1) and Time 3 (T3), pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic declaration, respectively. Multiple regressions using both individual AwD symptoms and a composite measure demonstrated that having more pain, fatigue, and depression was associated with worse participation outcomes. Lower physical function scores were also related to lower participation scores, as was being female and living with others, and having more income reduced participation. Better physical health and identifying as African American/Black were associated with higher participation scores. Our findings suggest that AwD symptoms, along with other sociodemographic and health factors, play a substantial role in the social participation outcomes for persons aging with disability and remain consistent over time.
Quality Assessment of Small Urban Catchments Stormwater Models: A New Approach Using Old Metrics
Authors: David Luís Mesquita , Mota Tiago Martins
Published: May 2022

Small urban catchments pose challenges in applying performance metrics when comparing measured and simulated hydrographs. Indeed, results are hampered by the short peak flows, due to rainfall variability and measurement synchronization errors, and it can be both difficult and inconvenient to remove base flows from the analysis, given their influence on combined sewer overflow (CSO) performance. A new approach, based on the application of metrics to peak flows for a selected set of different durations, is proposed and tested to support model quality assessment and calibration. Its advantages are: avoiding inconveniences arising from lags in peak flows and subjectivity of possible adjustments; favouring the assessment of the influence of base flow variability and flow lamination by CSOs; promoting integrated analysis for a wide range of rainfall events; facilitating bias identification and also guiding calibration. However, this new approach tends to provide results (e.g., for NSE, r2 and PBIAS) closer to optimal values than when applying metrics to compare the measured and simulated values of hydrographs, so the comparison of results with thresholds widely used in the literature should be done with caution. The various case study examples highlight the importance of using a judicious set of different metrics and graphical analyses.
Corynebacterium striatum Bacteremia during SARS-CoV2 Infection: Case Report, Literature Review, and Clinical Considerations
Authors: Marino Andrea , Campanella Edoardo , Stracquadanio Stefano , Ceccarelli Manuela , Zagami Aldo , Nunnari Giuseppe , Cacopardo Bruno
Published: May 2022

Bacterial infections, especially those in hospital settings, represent a major complication of COVID-19 patients, complicating management and worsening clinical outcomes. Corynebacterium striatum is a non-diphtheric actinobacterium that has been reported as being the causative agent of several different infections, affecting both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Recently, C. striatum has been recognized as a nosocomial pathogen that is responsible for severe infection in critical patients, as well as in fragile and immunocompromised subjects. C. striatum has been described as the etiological agent of bacteremia, central line infections, and endocarditis. We report a case of a 91-year-old woman who was hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, who developed C. striatum bacteremia and died despite antimicrobial therapy and clinical efforts. Furthermore, we discuss C. striatum diagnosis and treatment based on evidence from the scientific literature.