bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Validation of PTGS2 Gene as an Oxidative Stress-Related Biomarker for Arteriovenous Fistula Failure
Authors: Hu Ke , Guo Yi , Li Yuxuan , Zhou Shunchang , Lu Chanjun , Cai Chuanqi , Yang Hongjun , Li Yiqing , Wang Weici
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the preferred site for hemodialysis. Unfortunately, approximately 60% of patients suffer from AVF failure within one year. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the occurrence and development of AVF. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, specific oxidative stress-related biomarkers are urgently needed for the diagnosis and treatment of AVF failure. (2) Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was carried out on dataset GSE119296 to screen for PTGS2 as a candidate gene related to oxidative stress and to verify the expression level and diagnostic efficacy of PTGS2 in clinical patients. The effects of NS398, a PTGS2 inhibitor, on hemodynamics, smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and oxidative stress were evaluated in a mouse AVF model. (3) Results: Based on 83 oxidative stress-related differentially expressed genes, we identified the important pathways related to oxidative stress. PTGS2 may have diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy for AVF failure. We further confirmed this finding using clinical specimens and validation datasets. The animal experiments illustrated that NS398 administration could reduce neointimal area (average decrease: 49%) and improve peak velocity (average increase: 53%). (4) Conclusions: Our study identified PTGS2 as an important oxidative stress-related biomarker for AVF failure. Targeting PTGS2 reduced oxidative stress and improved hemodynamics in an AVF mouse model.
Ameliorative Effects of Cumin Extract-Encapsulated Chitosan Nanoparticles on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Grip Strength in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Wu Yu-Chiuan , Su Min-Chien , Wu Chun-Shien , Chen Pin-Yu , Chen I-Fen , Lin Feng-Huei , Kuo Shyh-Ming
Published: December 2023

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a disorder characterized by reductions in muscle size and strength. Cumin extract (CE) possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic properties. Its pharmaceutical applications are hindered by its low water solubility and by its cytotoxicity when administered at high doses. In this study, we have developed a simplified water distillation method using a rotary evaporator to isolate the active components in cumin seeds. The anti-inflammatory effects of CE and its potential to ameliorate skeletal muscle atrophy in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were evaluated. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CE for cells was 80 μM. By encapsulating CE in chitosan nanoparticles (CECNs), an encapsulation efficacy of 87.1% was achieved with a slow release of 90% of CE after 24 h of culturing, resulting in CECNs with significantly reduced cytotoxicity (IC50, 1.2 mM). Both CE and CECNs significantly reduced the inflammatory response in interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β assays. STZ-induced diabetic rats exhibited sustained high blood glucose levels (>16.5 mmol/L), small and damaged pancreatic β islets, and skeletal muscle atrophy. CE and CECN treatments ameliorated skeletal muscle atrophy, recovered muscle fiber striated appearance, increased grip strength, and decreased IL-6 level. Furthermore, CE and CECNs led to a reduction of damage to the pancreas, restoring its morphological phenotype, increasing serum insulin levels, and lowering blood glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Taken together, treatment with CECNs over a 6-week period yielded positive ameliorative effects in STZ-induced rats of muscle atrophy.
Experimental Investigation about Oil Recovery by Using Low-Salinity Nanofluids Solutions in Sandstone Reservoirs
Authors: Liu Nannan , Yagmyrov Shanazar , Qi Hengchen , Sun Lin
Published: December 2023

Production of crude oil from matured oil reservoirs has major issues due to decreased oil recovery with water channeling; however, the low-salinity water flooding technique is more commonly used to maximize recovery of the remaining oil. In this study, we demonstrated a new hybridization technique of combining low-salinity water and nanofluids; this was achieved by using experiments such as contact angle measurement with water of different salinity levels and nanofluid concentrations, core displacement, and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) between low-/high-permeability rock. The trial results demonstrated that the test with KCl-1+NF outperformed those with other compositions by changing the original contact angle from 112.50° to 53.3° and increasing formation production up to 15 cc. In addition, we saw that when 2 PV of KCl-1+NF was injected at a rate of 5 mL/min, the middle pores’ water saturation dropped quickly to 73% and then steadily stabilized in the middle and late stages. Regarding the novel application of the hybridization technique, the insights presented in this paper serve as a helpful resource for future studies in this field.
The Impact of Demographic and Clinical Factors on the Quality of Life in Patients with Neurodegenerative Cerebellar Ataxias
Authors: Tamaš Olivera , Marić Gorica , Kostić Milutin , Milovanović Andona , Đurđević Katarina , Salak Đokić Biljana , Stefanova Elka , Pekmezović Tatjana , Dragašević-Mišković Nataša
Published: December 2023

In neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias, not only ataxia but also extra-cerebellar signs have a significant impact on patients’ health related to quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the various aspects of HRQoL and predictors of QoL in patients with neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias. We included a total of 107 patients with cerebellar degenerative ataxia. Patients filled out the validated Serbian version of the SF-36 used for the assessment of HRQoL. All patients were clinically evaluated using SARA, INAS, and neuropsychological tests to assess their global cognitive status and different psychiatric scales. The most frequent types of neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias were autosomal dominant ataxias (38.3%) and sporadic ataxias (32.7%). Mean age at diagnosis was 35.3 ± 16.23 years, and disease duration was on average 12.1 ± 9.91 years. Mean total SF-36 score was 50.63 ± 20.50. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that in the case of the PHC score, the most significant predictors are the patient’s actual age, severity of ataxia, and ACE total score. For MHC, the Hamilton depression score was the most important predictor. Our study has shown that HRQoL measured by SF-36 in patients with neurodegenerative cerebellar disorders is strongly influenced by impaired mobility and depression.
Intragenic EGFR::EGFR.E1E8 Fusion (EGFRvIII) in 4331 Solid Tumors
Authors: Zheng Lan , Luthra Rajyalakshmi , Alvarez Hector A. , San Lucas F. Anthony , Duose Dzifa Y. , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Fuller Gregory N. , Ballester Leomar Y. , Roy-Chowdhuri Sinchita , Sweeney Keith J. , Rashid Asif , Yang Richard K. , Chen Wei , Liu Audrey , Wu Yun , Albarracin Constance , Patel Keyur P. , Routbort Mark J. , Sahin Aysegul A. , Ding Qingqing , Chen Hui
Published: December 2023

Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII, the deletion of exons 2–7) is a recurrent intragenic EGFR::EGFR.E1E8 fusion that occurs in high-grade gliomas. The presence of EGFRvIII in other solid tumors has not been well characterized. We retrospectively reviewed advanced malignant solid tumor cases tested by a custom hybrid capture 610-gene next-generation sequencing platform from 2021 to 2022. EGFRvIII was identified in 17 of 4331 (0.4%) cases, including 16 of 238 (7%) brain tumors and 1/301 (0.3%) breast tumors. EGFRvIII-positive brain tumors were all glioblastoma IDH-wildtype, most with concurrent TERT promoter mutation (14 of 16), EGFR amplification (13 of 16), and EGFR mutation (8 of 16). The only EGFRvIII-positive breast lesion was a sarcomatoid neoplasm in a young female patient. A separate breast case tested outside our institution with reported EGFRvIII was noted in a young female patient with a malignant phyllodes tumor with stromal overgrowth. Microscopically, both EGFRvIII-positive breast tumors showed high-grade sarcomatoid morphology with brisk mitotic activity. In summary, EGFRvIII is rare, occurring primarily in glioblastoma and rarely in breast sarcomatoid neoplasm, with no instances identified in other tumor types in our series. This select group of patients may benefit from chemotherapy and/or targeted anti-EGFR therapy.
Correction: Dutta et al. Transcriptional Regulation of CCL2 by PARP1 Is a Driver for Invasiveness in Breast Cancer. Cancers 2020, 12, 1317
Authors: Dutta Pranabananda , Paico Kimberly , Gomez Gabriela , Wu Yanyuan , Vadgama Jaydutt V.
Published: December 2023

In the original publication, there was a mistake in Figure 5D as published [...]
High Mitochondrial Protein Expression as a Potential Predictor of Relapse Risk in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with the Monocytic FAB Subtypes M4 and M5
Authors: Selheim Frode , Aasebø Elise , Bruserud Øystein , Hernandez-Valladares Maria
Published: December 2023

AML is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous form of hematological cancer. Proteomics-based stratification of patients into more refined subgroups may contribute to a more precise characterization of the patient-derived AML cells. Here, we reanalyzed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) generated proteomic and phosphoproteomic data from 26 FAB-M4/M5 patients. The patients achieved complete hematological remission after induction therapy. Twelve of them later developed chemoresistant relapse (RELAPSE), and 14 patients were relapse-free (REL_FREE) long-term survivors. We considered not only the RELAPSE and REL_FREE characteristics but also integrated the French-American-British (FAB) classification, along with considering the presence of nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutation and cytogenetically normal AML. We found a significant number of differentially enriched proteins (911) and phosphoproteins (257) between the various FAB subtypes in RELAPSE patients. Patients with the myeloblastic M1/M2 subtype showed higher levels of RNA processing-related routes and lower levels of signaling related to terms like translation and degranulation when compared with the M4/M5 subtype. Moreover, we found that a high abundance of proteins associated with mitochondrial translation and oxidative phosphorylation, particularly observed in the RELAPSE M4/M5 NPM1 mutated subgroup, distinguishes relapsing from non-relapsing AML patient cells with the FAB subtype M4/M5. Thus, the discovery of subtype-specific biomarkers through proteomic profiling may complement the existing classification system for AML and potentially aid in selecting personalized treatment strategies for individual patients.
Quantitative ctDNA Detection in Hepatoblastoma: Implications for Precision Medicine
Authors: Kahana-Edwin Smadar , Torpy James , Cain Lucy E. , Mullins Anna , McCowage Geoffrey , Woodfield Sarah E. , Vasudevan Sanjeev A. , Shea Dan P. T. , Minoche Andre E. , Espinoza Andres F. , Kummerfeld Sarah , Goldstein Leonard D. , Karpelowsky Jonathan
Published: December 2023

Hepatoblastoma is characterized by driver mutations in CTNNB1, making it an attractive biomarker for a liquid biopsy approach utilizing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). This prospective observational study sought to ascertain the feasibility of ctDNA detection in patients with hepatoblastoma and explore its associations with established clinical indicators and biomarkers, including serum Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). We obtained 38 plasma samples and 17 tumor samples from 20 patients with hepatoblastoma. These samples were collected at various stages: 10 at initial diagnosis, 17 during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 6 post-operatively, and 5 at disease recurrence. Utilizing a bespoke sequencing assay we developed called QUENCH, we identified single nucleotide variants and deletions in CTNNB1 ctDNA. Our study demonstrated the capability to quantitate ctDNA down to a variant allele frequency of 0.3%, achieving a sensitivity of 90% for patients at initial diagnosis, and a specificity of 100% at the patient level. Notably, ctDNA positivity correlated with tumor burden, and ctDNA levels exhibited associations with macroscopic residual disease and treatment response. Our findings provide evidence for the utility of quantitative ctDNA detection in hepatoblastoma management. Given the distinct detection targets, ctDNA and AFP-based stratification and monitoring approaches could synergize to enhance clinical decision-making. Further research is needed to elucidate the interplay between ctDNA and AFP and determine the optimal clinical applications for both methods in risk stratification and residual disease detection.
Treatment Optimization in Linac-Based SBRT for Localized Prostate Cancer: A Single-Arc versus Dual-Arc Plan Comparison
Authors: Panizza Denis , Faccenda Valeria , Arcangeli Stefano , De Ponti Elena
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to comprehensively present data on treatment optimization in linac-based SBRT for localized prostate cancer at a single institution. Moreover, the dosimetric quality and treatment efficiency of single-arc (SA) versus dual-arc (DA) VMAT planning and delivery approaches were compared. Re-optimization was performed on twenty low-to-intermediate-risk- (36.25 Gy in 5 fractions) and twenty high-risk (42.7 Gy in 7 fractions) prostate plans initially administered with the DA FFF-VMAT technique in 2021. An SA approach was adopted, incorporating new optimization parameters based on increased planning and clinical experience. Analysis included target coverage, organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing, treatment delivery time, and the pre-treatment verification’s gamma analysis-passing ratio. The SA optimization technique has consistently produced superior plans. Rectum and bladder mean doses were significantly reduced, and comparable target coverage and homogeneity were achieved in order to maintain a urethra protection strategy. The mean SA treatment delivery time was reduced by 22%; the mean monitor units increased due to higher plan complexity; and dose measurements demonstrated optimal agreement with calculations. The substantial reduction in treatment delivery time decreased the probability of prostate motion beyond the applied margins, suggesting potential decrease in treatment-related toxicity and improved target coverage in prostate SBRT. Further investigations are warranted to assess the long-term clinical outcomes.
RSRC2 Expression Inhibits Malignant Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Transcriptionally Regulating SCIN Expression
Authors: Zhao Nan , Ni Chunsheng , Fan Shuai , Che Na , Li Yanlei , Wang Song , Li Yongli , Dong Xueyi , Guo Yuhong , Zhao Xiulan , Liu Tieju
Published: December 2023

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a shorter survival time and higher mortality rate than other molecular subtypes. RSRC2 is a newly discovered tumor suppressor gene. However, the potential functional mechanism of RSRC2 in TNBC remains unknown so far. Multiple bioinformatics databases were used. A Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 analysis, ChIP-seq analysis, ChIP-qPCR, RT-qPCR, Western blot, cell function assays in vitro and a metastatic mouse model in vivo were performed to demonstrate the role of RSRC2 in TNBC. Through the analysis of various databases, RSRC2 expression was the lowest in TNBC tissues compared to other molecular subtypes. The low expression of RSRC2 was associated with a worse prognosis for patients with breast cancer. The transcriptome array, ChIP-seq and bioinformatics analysis identified that GRHL2 and SCIN might have a close relationship with RSRC2. The functional bioinformatics enrichment analysis and functional cell experiments showed that RSRC2 was involved in cell adhesion, cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, RSRC2 expression suppressed SCIN expression but not GRHL2 expression. SCIN re-expression in the RSRC2 overexpression cells or SCIN knockdown in the RSRC2 knockdown cells reversed the cellular function caused by RSRC2. Mechanistically, RSRC2 transcriptionally inhibited SCIN expression. In summary, our study reveals that RSRC2 acts as a tumor suppressor in TNBC development and progression through negatively regulating SCIN-mediated cell function, thus providing a potential target for TNBC treatment.
A Novel Method for Evaluating Early Tumor Response Based on Daily CBCT Images for Lung SBRT
Authors: Luo Wei , Xiu Zijian , Wang Xiaoqin , McGarry Ronald , Allen Joshua
Published: December 2023

Background: We aimed to develop a new tumor response assessment method for lung SBRT. Methods: In total, 132 lung cancer patients with 134 tumors who received SBRT treatment with daily CBCT were included in this study. The information about tumor size (area), contrast (contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)), and density/attenuation (μ) was derived from the CBCT images for the first and the last fractions. The ratios of tumor area, CNR, and μ (RA, RCNR, Rμ) between the last and first fractions were calculated for comparison. The product of the three rations was defined as a new parameter (R) for assessment. Tumor response was independently assessed by a radiologist based on a comprehensive analysis of the CBCT images. Results: R ranged from 0.27 to 1.67 with a mean value of 0.95. Based on the radiologic assessment results, a receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve with the area under the curve (AUC) of 95% was obtained and the optimal cutoff value (RC) was determined as 1.1. The results based on RC achieved a 94% accuracy, 94% specificity, and 90% sensitivity. Conclusion: The results show that R was correlated with early tumor response to lung SBRT and that using R for evaluating tumor response to SBRT would be viable and efficient.
Gallic Acid Protects from Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Kardaş Süleyman , Çınaroğlu Osman Sezer , Bora Ejder Saylav , Erbaş Oytun
Published: December 2023

Sepsis, a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, involves multiple organ dysfunction syndromes driven by free radical-mediated processes. Uncontrolled inflammation in early sepsis stages can lead to acute lung injury (ALI). Activated leukocytes generate reactive oxygen species, contributing to sepsis development. Gallic acid, a phenolic compound, is known for its antimicrobial properties. This study aims to observe gallic acid’s protective and restorative effect on the lungs in an experimental sepsis model. Male Wistar albino rats were subjected to a feces intraperitoneal injection procedure (FIP) to induce sepsis. Four groups were formed: normal control, FIP alone, FIP with saline, and FIP with gallic acid. Gallic acid was administered intraperitoneally at 20 mg/kg/day. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and computed tomography assessed lung tissue histopathologically and radiologically. Gallic acid significantly decreased malondialdehyde, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, CRP levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation indicators. Lactic acid levels decreased, suggesting improved tissue oxygenation. Histopathological examinations revealed reduced lung damage in the gallic-acid-treated group. Computed tomography confirmed lower lung density, indicating less severe inflammation. Arterial blood gas analysis demonstrated improved oxygenation in gallic-acid-treated rats. Gallic acid exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, reducing markers of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. The findings support its potential to protect against ALI during sepsis. Comparable studies underline gallic acid’s anti-inflammatory properties in different tissues. Early administration of gallic acid in sepsis models demonstrated protective effects against ALI, emphasizing its potential as an adjunct therapy to mitigate adverse outcomes. The study proposes gallic acid to reduce mortality rates and decrease the need for mechanical ventilation during sepsis-induced ALI.
Electrowetting and Surface Tension of Chromonic Liquid Crystals
Authors: Marinello Filippo , Ferraro Davide , Meggiolaro Alessio , Cremaschini Sebastian , Zaltron Annamaria , Pierno Matteo , Mistura Giampaolo , Zanchetta Giuliano , Lucchetti Liana
Published: December 2023

In this work, we report on measurements of the contact angle of sessile droplets of aqueous solutions of a chromonic liquid crystal at different temperatures and concentrations and on different hydrophobic surfaces, and we show that the wettability of this complex fluid can be easily controlled by an external electric field. Specifically, electrically induced variations of the contact angle up to 70° were obtained using external DC voltages. Complementary tensiometric measurements of the aqueous solutions confirmed that the observed variations in the contact angle were mainly related to variations in the surface tension, while they did not show an evident connection with the internal molecular order of the liquid crystal droplets. Our study is relevant in view of the use of chromonic liquid crystals in microfluidic devices, where the control of wettability is an important tool for handling fluid flow.
Mechanical Loading Effect on Stress States and Failure Behavior in Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Qiao Da , Yan Wengao , Zeng Wu , Man Jixin , Xue Beirao , Bian Xiangde
Published: December 2023

Under service conditions, apart from the harsh temperature environment, mechanical loading also seriously affects the life of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). A comprehensive understanding of the combined effects of thermo-mechanical loads can help to further reveal the failure mechanism of TBCs. In this work, a portion of a thin-walled circular pipe is intercepted for numerical analysis, and the interface is simplified as a sinusoidal curve. The dynamic growth of thermally grown oxide (TGO) is included into the model. A cohesive model is used for interfacial cracking analysis. The results show that the effects of tensile and compressive loads on the normal stress of the coating are not significant, while the effect on the shear stress of the coating is more obvious. In addition, the in-phase load will delay the occurrence of interfacial failure behavior, while an out-of-phase load can promote the failure. These results will help to better understand the effects of the coupling of mechanical and temperature loads and to provide support and guidance for the design of new TBCs structures in the future.
The Influence of Dental Virtualization, Restoration Types, and Placement Angles on the Trueness and Contact Space in 3D-Printed Crowns: A Comprehensive Exploration
Authors: Lu Tsung-Yueh , Lin Wei-Chun , Yang Tzu-Hsuan , Sahrir Citra Dewi , Shen Yung-Kang , Feng Sheng-Wei
Published: December 2023

The current digital dentistry workflow has streamlined dental restoration production, but the effectiveness of digital virtual design and 3D printing for restorations still needs evaluation. This study explores the impact of model-free digital design and 3D-printing placement angles on restorations, including single crowns and long bridges produced with and without casts. The restorations are 3D printed using resin at placement angles of 0°, 60°, and 90°. Each group of samples was replicated ten times, resulting in a total of 120 restorations. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) value was used to evaluate the surface integrity of the restoration. In addition, the contact space, edge gap, and occlusal space of restorations produced by different processes were recorded. The results indicate that there was no significant difference in the RMSE value of the crown group (p > 0.05). Changing the bridge restoration angle from 0° to 90° resulted in RMSE values increasing by 2.02 times (without casts) and 2.39 times (with casts). Furthermore, the marginal gaps in the crown group were all less than 60 μm, indicating good adaptation. In contrast, the bridge group showed a significant increase in marginal gaps at higher placement angles (p > 0.05). Based on the findings, virtual fabrication without casts does not compromise the accuracy of dental restorations. When the position of the long bridge exceeds 60 degrees, the error will increase. Therefore, designs without casts and parallel placement result in higher accuracy for dental restorations.
A Unified Approach to Two-Dimensional Brinkman-Bénard Convection of Newtonian Liquids in Cylindrical and Rectangular Enclosures
Authors: Siddheshwar Pradeep G. , Lakshmi Kanakapura M. , Laroze David
Published: December 2023

A unified model for the analysis of two-dimensional Brinkman–Bénard/Rayleigh–Bénard/ Darcy–Bénard convection in cylindrical and rectangular enclosures (CE/RE) saturated by a Newtonian liquid is presented by adopting the local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) model for the heat transfer between fluid and solid phases. The actual thermophysical properties of water and porous media are used. The range of permissible values for all the parameters is calculated and used in the analysis. The result of the local thermal equilibrium (LTE) model is obtained as a particular case of the LTNE model through the use of asymptotic analyses. The critical value of the Rayleigh number at which the entropy generates in the system is reported in the study. The analytical expression for the number of Bénard cells formed in the system at the onset of convection as a function of the aspect ratio, So, and parameters appearing in the problem is obtained. For a given value of So it was found that in comparison with the case of LTE, more number of cells manifest in the case of LTNE. Likewise, smaller cells form in the DBC problem when compared with the corresponding problem of BBC. In the case of RBC, fewer cells form when compared to that in the case of BBC and DBC. The above findings are true in both CE and RE. In other words, the presence of a porous medium results in the production of less entropy in the system, or a more significant number of cells represents the case of less entropy production in the system. For small and finite So, the appearance of the first cell differs in the CE and RE problems.
Information Difference of Transfer Entropies between Head Motion and Eye Movement Indicates a Proxy of Driving
Authors: Zhang Runlin , Xu Qing , Wang Shunbo , Parkinson Simon , Schoeffmann Klaus
Published: December 2023

Visual scanning is achieved via head motion and gaze movement for visual information acquisition and cognitive processing, which plays a critical role in undertaking common sensorimotor tasks such as driving. The coordination of the head and eyes is an important human behavior to make a key contribution to goal-directed visual scanning and sensorimotor driving. In this paper, we basically investigate the two most common patterns in eye–head coordination: “head motion earlier than eye movement” and “eye movement earlier than head motion”. We utilize bidirectional transfer entropies between head motion and eye movements to determine the existence of these two eye–head coordination patterns. Furthermore, we propose a unidirectional information difference to assess which pattern predominates in head–eye coordination. Additionally, we have discovered a significant correlation between the normalized unidirectional information difference and driving performance. This result not only indicates the influence of eye–head coordination on driving behavior from a computational perspective but also validates the practical significance of our approach utilizing transfer entropy for quantifying eye–head coordination.
Low-Engine-Order Forced Response Analysis of a Turbine Stage with Damaged Stator Vane
Authors: Zheng Yun , Jin Xiubo , Yang Hui
Published: December 2023

A damaged stator vane can disrupt the circumferential symmetry of the design flow for turbine assemblies, which can lead to a low-engine-order (LEO) forced response of rotor blades. To help engineers be able to better address sudden vane damage failures, this paper conducts a mechanism analysis of the LEO forced response of rotor blades induced by a single damaged vane using an in-house computational fluid dynamic code (Hybrid Grid Aeroelasticity Environment). Firstly, it is found that the damaged vane introduces a family of LEO aerodynamic excitations with high amplitudes by full-annulus unsteady aeroelastic simulations of a single-stage turbine. In particular, the LEO forced response of the rotor blades excited by 3EO is 2.01 times higher than the resonance response excited by vane passing frequency, and the LEO resonance risk of the rotor blades is greatly increased. Then, by analyzing the flow characteristics of the wake and potential field of the stator row with a damaged vane, the localized high transient pressure in the notch cavity and the radial redistribution of the secondary vortex at the stator exit are the main sources of the low-order harmonic components in the flow field. Importantly, the interaction mechanisms in two regions with high LEO excitation amplitude on the rotor blade surface are revealed separately. Finally, an evaluation and comparison of a single damaged vane in terms of aerodynamic performance and LEO forced response was carried out. The results of this paper provide a good theoretical basis for engineers to effectively control the resonance response of rotor blades caused by a damaged stator vane in turbine design.
100% Renewable Electricity in Indonesia
Authors: Silalahi David Firnando , Blakers Andrew , Cheng Cheng
Published: December 2023

The rapid fall in the cost of solar photovoltaics and wind energy offers a pathway to the deep decarbonization of energy at an affordable price. Off-river pumped hydro energy storage and batteries provide mature and large-scale storage to balance variable generation and demand while minimizing environmental and social impacts. High-voltage inter-regional interconnection and dispatchable capacity (existing hydro and geothermal) can help balance supply and demand. This work investigates an Indonesian energy decarbonization pathway using mostly solar photovoltaics. An hourly energy balance analysis using ten years of meteorological data was performed for a hypothetical solar-dominated Indonesian electricity system for the consumption of 3, 6 and 10 megawatt-hours (MWh) per capita per year (compared with current consumption of 1 MWh per capita per year). Pumped hydro provides overnight and longer storage. Strong interconnection between islands was found to be unnecessary for Indonesia, contrary to findings from similar modelling in countries at higher latitudes. Storage requirements for power and energy were found to be smaller than three kilowatts and 30–45 kilowatt-hours per person, respectively. Introducing gas turbines (burning hydrogen or synthetic methane) contributing around 1% of annual generation reduced the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) by 14% and halved the storage requirements by allowing the system to ride through prolonged cloudy periods at lower cost. This work showed that Indonesia’s vast solar potential combined with its vast capacity for off-river pumped hydro energy storage could readily achieve 100% renewable electricity at low cost. The LCOE for a balanced solar-dominated system in Indonesia was found to be in the range of 77–102 USD/megawatt-hour.
Supervised Contrastive Learning for Fault Diagnosis Based on Phase-Resolved Partial Discharge in Gas-Insulated Switchgear
Authors: Dang Nhat-Quang , Ho Trong-Tai , Vo-Nguyen Tuyet-Doan , Youn Young-Woo , Choi Hyeon-Soo , Kim Yong-Hwa
Published: December 2023

Supervised contrastive learning (SCL) has recently emerged as an alternative to conventional machine learning and deep neural networks. In this study, we propose an SCL model with data augmentation techniques using phase-resolved partial discharge (PRPD) in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). To increase the fault data for training, we employ Gaussian noise adding, Gaussian noise scaling, random cropping, and phase shifting for supervised contrastive loss. The performance of the proposed SCL was verified by four types of faults in the GIS and on-site noise using an on-line ultra-high-frequency (UHF) partial discharge (PD) monitoring system. The experimental results show that the proposed SCL achieves a classification accuracy of 97.28% and outperforms the other algorithms, including support vector machines (SVM), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and convolution neural networks (CNNs) in terms of classification accuracy, by 6.8%, 4.28%, 2.04%, respectively.
Exploring the Effects of Voltage Variation and Load on the Electrical and Thermal Performance of Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors
Authors: Tabora Jonathan Muñoz , Correa dos Santos Júnior Lauro , Ortiz de Matos Edson , Mota Soares Thiago , Arrifano Manito Allan Rodrigo , de Lima Tostes Maria Emília , Holanda Bezerra Ubiratan
Published: December 2023

Europe has initiated the transition process toward IE4 efficiency motor classes, setting an example for other regions to follow in adopting higher-efficiency motor standards. However, in some regions, the operating voltage may differ from the nominal voltage according to the IEC 60038-2009. Therefore, the performance of new technologies under conditions of voltage variations (VVs) must also be assessed. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of a 0.75 kW line-start permanent-magnet motor (LSPMM) under different VV magnitudes, including undervoltage and overvoltage, while considering different load conditions. The study incorporates technical, economic, statistical, and thermal analyses to obtain important indicators related to power consumption, efficiency, power factor, and temperature. This study provides valuable insights to specialists regarding the technical and economic impacts of voltage-magnitude variation on LSPMMs.
The Concept of Carbon Accounting in Manufacturing Systems and Supply Chains
Authors: Kaur Rashmeet , Patsavellas John , Haddad Yousef , Salonitis Konstantinos
Published: December 2023

Carbon accounting is primarily a process for measuring, reporting, and allocating greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, thus enabling informed decision-making to mitigate climate change and foster responsible resource management. There is a noticeable upsurge in the academia regarding carbon accounting, which engenders complexity due to the heterogeneity of practices that fall under the purview of carbon accounting. Such plurality has given rise to a situation where diverse interpretations of carbon accounting coexist, often bereft of uniformity in definition and application. Consequently, organisations need a standardised, comprehensive, and sequentially delineated carbon accounting framework amenable to seamless integration into end-to-end manufacturing systems. This research commences with the progressive evolution of the conceptual definition of carbon accounting. Then, it delves into the current state of carbon accounting in manufacturing systems and supply chains, revealing gaps and implementation issues warranting future scholarly exploration.
Automatic Generation Control Ancillary Service Cost-Allocation Methods Based on Causer-Pays Principle in Electricity Market
Authors: Kim Sunkyo , Hwang Pyeong-Ik , Suh Jaewan
Published: December 2023

The electric power system is rapidly transforming to address the urgent need for decarbonization and combat climate change. Integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid is accelerating, creating new challenges such as intermittency and uncertainty. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a new design of automatic generation control (AGC) ancillary service cost allocation based on the causer-pays rule. The proposed design treats reserves as inventory and aims to minimize them by allocating costs among consumers based on the causative factors for AGC operation. Two cost-allocation methods based on the causer-pays principle are introduced. The first method distributes costs according to the changes in loads causing ancillary service operation, while the second method considers opportunity costs. The case study on the IEEE 39 Bus System demonstrates that the proposed methods incentivize consumers to minimize volatility, resulting in reduced reserve requirements for system operation. In particular, the opportunity cost-based approach encourages loads and variable renewable energy (VRE) to actively reduce volatility, resulting in more efficient power system operation. In conclusion, the novel AGC ancillary service cost allocation methods offer a promising strategy for minimizing spinning reserves, increasing the power system’s efficiency, and incentivizing consumers to actively participate in frequency regulation for a more sustainable and reliable electricity market.
An Open-Source Energy Arbitrage Model Involving Price Bands for Risk Hedging with Imperfect Price Signals
Authors: Weber Timothy , Lu Bin
Published: December 2023

The increased uptake of variable renewable energy sources has increased electricity price volatility in many energy pool markets, providing an opportunity for storage systems to profit through energy arbitrage. Comparison between the cost or value of storage systems engaging in energy arbitrage should be performed on a levelised basis due to differences in system lifetime. Existing energy arbitrage models with bid/offer curves and imperfect forecasting are typically computationally expensive and are impractical for calculating lifetime levelised cost metrics. In this work, an open-source modular energy arbitrage model with bid and offer curve inputs was developed for a lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) and pumped hydro system (PHS) to analyse lifetime levelised cost and revenue. The mixed integer linear program scheduling module included a new piece-wise linearised description of PHS charging behaviour for rapid optimisation. A one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis indicated that levelised cost and revenue were highly sensitive to discharging efficiency. In a case study based on Australia’s National Electricity Market, imperfect forecasting with no risk hedging was found to increase levelised costs by up to 24% and decrease levelised revenue by up to 50% relative to perfect price forecasting, despite 95% of prices being forecast to be within $35/MWh of the actual trading price. BESS levelised costs were more significantly correlated with consistent low risk bids (Kendall Tau-b of 0.75), since the undiscounted capital costs contribute to a larger proportion of the overall costs than in the PHS systems.
Front Movement and Sweeping Rules of CO2 Flooding under Different Oil Displacement Patterns
Authors: Qi Xiang , Zhou Tiyao , Lyu Weifeng , He Dongbo , Sun Yingying , Du Meng , Wang Mingyuan , Li Zheng
Published: December 2023

CO2 flooding is a pivotal technique for significantly enhancing oil recovery in low-permeability reservoirs. The movement and sweeping rules at the front of CO2 flooding play a critical role in oil recovery; yet, a comprehensive quantitative analysis remains an area in need of refinement. In this study, we developed 1-D and 2-D numerical simulation models to explore the sweeping behavior of miscible, immiscible, and partly miscible CO2 flooding patterns. The front position and movement rules of the three CO2 flooding patterns were determined. A novel approach to the contour area calculation method was introduced to quantitatively characterize the sweep coefficients, and the sweeping rules are discussed regarding the geological parameters, oil viscosity, and injection–production parameters. Furthermore, the Random Forest (RF) algorithm was employed to identify the controlling factor of the sweep coefficient, as determined through the use of out-of-bag (OOB) data permutation analysis. The results showed that the miscible front was located at the point of maximum CO2 content in the oil phase. The immiscible front occurred at the point of maximum interfacial tension near the production well. Remarkably, the immiscible front moved at a faster rate compared with the miscible front. Geological parameters, including porosity, permeability, and reservoir thickness, significantly impacted the gravity segregation effect, thereby influencing the CO2 sweep coefficient. Immiscible flooding exhibited the highest degree of gravity segregation, with a maximum gravity segregation degree (GSD) reaching 78.1. The permeability ratio was a crucial factor, with a lower limit of approximately 5.0 for reservoirs suitable for CO2 flooding. Injection–production parameters also played a pivotal role in terms of the sweep coefficient. Decreased well spacing and increased gas injection rates were found to enhance sweep coefficients by suppressing gravity segregation. Additionally, higher gas injection rates could improve the miscibility degree of partly miscible flooding from 0.69 to 1.0. Oil viscosity proved to be a significant factor influencing the sweep coefficients, with high seepage resistance due to increasing oil viscosity dominating the miscible and partly miscible flooding patterns. Conversely, gravity segregation primarily governed the sweep coefficient in immiscible flooding. In terms of controlling factors, the permeability ratio emerged as a paramount influence, with a factor importance value (FI) reaching 1.04. The findings of this study can help for a better understanding of sweeping rules of CO2 flooding and providing valuable insights for optimizing oil recovery strategies in the field applications of CO2 flooding.
Integrating Fiber Sensing for Spatially Resolved Temperature Measurement in Fuel Cells
Authors: Muck Nicolas , David Christoph , Knöri Torsten
Published: December 2023

Fiber optic sensors integrated into fuel cell stacks have the potential to significantly enhance the temperature control and health monitoring of fuel cells. Inhomogeneous loading, both within individual cells and across different cells in a stack, leads to the formation of local hotspots that accelerate aging and degrade performance. This study investigates the behavior and feasibility of incorporating polyimide-coated optical fiber sensors into bipolar plates for precise and spatially resolved temperature monitoring. The sensor is successfully integrated into a single cell of a fuel cell stack and positioned on the bipolar plate in direct contact with the membrane electrode assembly. Pre-tests are conducted to thoroughly evaluate the technical properties of the fiber in relation to specific cell requirements. Additionally, a physical prototype featuring the sensor is developed and employed to validate its effectiveness under realistic operating conditions. The temperature measurement obtained via the fiber exhibits a continuous profile throughout the entire length, covering both the active area and distributor region of the cell. Throughout the entire 60 min test period, the measuring system provides continuous and uninterrupted temperature measurements, encompassing the start of the stack, the heating phase, the subsequent stable operating point, and the cooling phase. However, some technical challenges have been identified, as mechanical pressure exerted on the fiber influences the measured temperature. While this work demonstrates promising results, further advancements are necessary to address inhomogeneous loading within fuel cells and hotspot mitigation. The precise monitoring of temperature distribution enables early detection of potential damage, facilitating timely interventions to improve the service life and overall performance of fuel cells.
A Systematic Method for Scaling Coefficients of the Continuous-Time Low-Pass ΣΔ Modulator Using a Simulink-Based Toolbox
Authors: Zaky Bishoy M. , Hosny Mostafa A. , Omran Hesham A. , Elsayed Hussein A.
Published: December 2023

The sigma-delta modulator (SDM) is one of the well-established data converter architectures. It is well-known for achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In the SDM, the integrators in the loop filter could suffer from overloading if the signal swing exceeds its maximum level, which leads to performance and SNR degradation. Thus, scaling the system coefficients is needed, such that there is no overloading for the integrators. In this work, we present a systematic general method that could be used for scaling the signal swings in the continuous-time low-pass sigma-delta modulator (SDM). The proposed method can be applied to any continuous-time low-pass SDM architecture, and it includes the scaling of all the possible combinations of the system coefficients. Moreover, an open-source Simulink-based toolbox that includes the systematic method is presented. This toolbox could help the designer to execute the scaling process and the simulations in an efficient way. In addition to that, a design example is discussed to illustrate the proposed method, wherein the presented toolbox is used for simulations, and the simulation results are shown.
Adult Chironomid (Chironomidae: Diptera) Positive Phototactic Behaviour—A Cue for Adult Population Management and Impact on Insect Biodiversity at Lake Trasimeno, Central Italy
Authors: Pallottini Matteo , Pagliarini Sarah , Catasti Marianna , Giontella Leonardo , La Porta Gianandrea , Selvaggi Roberta , Gaino Elda , Spacone Leonardo , Di Giulio Alessandro Maria , Ali Arshad , Goretti Enzo
Published: December 2023

The positive phototaxis showed by adults of some pestiferous chironomid species, annoying to waterfront residents and businesses, was investigated at Lake Trasimeno (Italy) to develop a strategy against their massive swarms. Two experimental devices (ChiroTraps), located at Passignano sul Trasimeno (PA) and at Sant’Arcangelo (SA), were employed in 2019 and 2020. The total biomass attracted by the traps amounted to 6498.78 g at PA and to 8597.05 g at SA. Chironomids biomass constituted 99.66% and 96.59% of the biomass in these sites, respectively. Only a few specimens of other fauna except chironomids were found at PA. In contrast, the values at SA were considerable, being 91- and 35-fold (number of taxa and weight, respectively) higher than in PA. These results demonstrated that exploiting the light attraction behaviour of adult chironomids is an efficient method for managing their pestiferous populations, thereby reducing the necessity of using insecticides. By comparing the biodiversity in the two sites, it was evident that the differences were linked primarily to the environmental conditions. Finally, it is suggested that light trapping systems should be located in urban centres or floated on the lake surface to maximise the efficiency of trapping chironomids and minimising the impact on biodiversity.
A Type A Response Regulator Is Involved in Growth in Salix Matsudana Koidz
Authors: Yin Peng , Wang Lei , Zhang Junkang , Wang Xue , Wu Di , Xu Jichen
Published: December 2023

The cytokinin signaling pathway is important for plant growth and development. To understand the regulatory process, a type A response regulator, SmRR5, in Salix matsudana Koidz., was characterized and functionally analyzed. Gene expression tests showed that SmRR5 was distinctly higher in the leaves and roots of the fast-growing S. matsudana variety 9901 than in those of the slow-growing variety Yanjing (YJ). The transcript abundance was highest in the meristem zone (MEZ), followed by the elongation zone (EZ) and maturation zone (MAZ) in 9901 roots, but it was identically low in YJ roots. Overexpression of SmRR5 in tobacco plants significantly improved plant height, maximum root length (MRL), lateral root number (LRN), fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), and flowering time compared with wild-type plants. Transcript profiling revealed that multiple genes associated with flowering (SWEET1, FPF1, and COL12), plant growth (YUCCA8, PIN5, and ARF9a), and adventitious root (AR) formation (Hox3, MYC2, and AGL46) were highly expressed in the overexpression of leaves and roots. Thus, SmRR5 effectively facilitated plant growth and development.