bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on Light Extraction Behavior of Surface Plasmon-Coupled Deep-Ultraviolet LED in Different Emission Directions
Authors: Ge Mei , Li Yi , Zhu Youhua , Wang Meiyu
Published: January 2022

The light extraction behavior of an AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet LED covered with Al nanoparticles (NPs) is investigated by three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulation. For the transmission spectra of s- and p-polarizations in different emission directions, the position of maximum transmittance can be changed from (θ = 0°, λ = 273 nm) to (θ = 0°, λ = 286 nm) by increasing the diameter of Al NPs from 40 nm to 80 nm. In the direction that is greater than the critical angle, the transmittance of s-polarization is very small due to the strong absorption of Al NPs, while the transmittance spectrum of p-polarization can be observed obviously for the 80 nm Al NPs structure. For a ~284 nm AlGaN-based LED with surface plasmon (SP) coupling, although the luminous efficiency is significantly improved due to the improvement of the radiation recombination rate as compared with the conventional LED, the light extraction efficiency (LEE) is lower than 2.61% of the conventional LED without considering the lateral surface extraction and bottom reflection. The LEE is not greater than ~0.98% (~2.12%) for an SP coupling LED with 40 nm (80 nm) Al NPs. The lower LEE can be attributed to the strong absorption of Al NPs.
The Influence of Angstrom-Scale Roughness on the Laser-Induced Damage Threshold of Single-Crystal ZnGeP2
Authors: Yudin Nikolai , Khudoley Andrei , Zinoviev Mikhail , Podzvalov Sergey , Slyunko Elena , Zhuravleva Elena , Kulesh Maxim , Gorodkin Gennadij , Kumeysha Pavel , Antipov Oleg
Published: January 2022

Magnetorheological processing was applied to polish the working surfaces of single-crystal ZnGeP2, in which a non-aqueous liquid with the magnetic particles of carbonyl iron with the addition of nanodiamonds was used. Samples of a single-crystal ZnGeP2 with an Angstrom level of surface roughness were received. The use of magnetorheological polish allowed the more accurate characterization of the possible structural defects that emerged on the surface of a single crystal and had a size of ~0.5–1.5 μm. The laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) value at the indicated orders of magnitude of the surface roughness parameters was determined not by the quality of polishing, but by the number of point depressions caused by the physical limitations of the structural configuration of the crystal volume. These results are in good agreement with the assumption made about a significant effect of the concentration of dislocations in a ZnGeP2 crystal on LIDT.
Battery-Free Shape Memory Alloy Antennas for Detection and Recording of Peak Temperature Activity
Authors: Wang Wei , Zeng Wenxin , Sonkusale Sameer
Published: January 2022

Economical sensing and recording of temperatures are important for monitoring the supply chain. Existing approaches measure the entire temperature profile over time using electronic devices running on a battery. This paper presents a simple, intelligent, battery-free solution for capturing key temperature events using the natural thermo-mechanical state of a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). This approach utilizes the temperature-induced irreversible mechanical deformation of the SMA as a natural way to capture the temperature history without the need for electronic data logging. In this article, two-way SMA is used to record both high-temperature and low-temperature peak events. Precise thermo-mechanically trained SMA are employed as arms of the dipole antenna for Radio Frequency (RF) readout. The fabricated antenna sensor works at 1 GHz and achieves a sensitivity of 0.24 dB/°C and −0.16 dB/°C for recording temperature maxima and minima, respectively.
Quality Control of Different Types of Honey and Propolis Collected from Romanian Accredited Beekeepers and Consumer’s Risk Assessment
Authors: Mititelu Magdalena , Udeanu Denisa , Nedelescu Mirela , Neacsu Sorinel , Nicoara Anca , Oprea Eliza , Ghica Manuela
Published: January 2022

Honey is a natural product recognized and appreciated for its nutritional value and therapeutic potential. However, the quality of bee honey is essential because various contaminants can seriously affect consumers’ health. In the experimental part of the work, we analyzed different types of honey (linden, black locust, rapeseed and multifloral honey) and propolis, which were collected from Romanian accredited beekeepers who placed beehives in two areas characterized by different industrial activity: area 1 (A1) is an area with intense industrial activity, with other industries existing nearby, including a refinery, while area 2 (A2) is entirely devoid of industrial activity, but with moderate agricultural activity. A total of 144 samples were collected, twelve samples for each variety of honey, propolis and soil, corresponding to each area analyzed. In addition, seven heavy metals and three pesticides were tested for in the samples collected. Finally, the correlation between the degree of contamination with soil pollutants and the contamination of the bee products harvested from the analyzed areas was studied. Cadmium, lead, copper, zinc and the sum of DDT metabolites exceeded the maximum allowable levels in honey samples, with differences between different types of honey.
Charge Compensation by Iodine Covalent Bonding in Lead Iodide Perovskite Materials
Authors: Ruth Anthony , Holland Michael , Rockett Angus , Sanehira Erin , Irwin Michael D. , Steirer K. Xerxes
Published: January 2022

Metal halide perovskite materials (MHPs) are a family of next-generation semiconductors that are enabling low-cost, high-performance solar cells and optoelectronic devices. The most-used halogen in MHPs, iodine, can supplement its octet by covalent bonding resulting in atomic charges intermediate to I− and I0. Here, we examine theoretically stabilized defects of iodine using density functional theory (DFT); defect formation enthalpies and iodine Bader charges which illustrate how MHPs adapt to stoichiometry changes. Experimentally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to identify perovskite defects and their relative binding energies, and validate the predicted chemical environments of iodine defects. Examining MHP samples with excess iodine compared with near stoichiometric samples, we discern additional spectral intensity in the I 3d5/2 XPS data arising from defects, and support the presence of iodine trimers. I 3d5/2 defect peak areas reveal a ratio of 2:1, matching the number of atoms at the ends and middle of the trimer, whereas their binding energies agree with calculated Bader charges. Results suggest the iodine trimer is the preferred structural motif for incorporation of excess iodine into the perovskite lattice. Understanding these easily formed photoactive defects and how to identify their presence is essential for stabilizing MHPs against photodecomposition.
Performance Analysis of Three-Wavelength Multi-Channel Photonic Crystal Filters of Different Sizes
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Laisheng , Zhang Fan
Published: January 2022

Multi-wavelength and multi-channel photonic crystal filters are designed with different sizes considered by using a two-dimensional quadric lattice photonic crystal structure to solve the problems of a multi-channel filter with structure complexity, single-wavelength download, and channel interference. The designed filter consists of a waveguide, reflection wall, multimode microcavity, and output port. Each port can download three different wavelengths. In the communication band from 1.500 to 1.600 μm, the transmittance of each channel is greater than 90%, and the filtering efficiency is high. The size of the non-simplified filter is only 27 μm × 17 μm. On the premise of ensuring low loss transmittance (that is, the transmittance of each port is changed by no more than 10% at the wavelength from 1.5–1.6 μm), the size of the filter can reach 15 μm × 7 μm. This design will greatly reduce the overall structure size of the filter and is suitable for multiplexing and demultiplexing in WDM systems.
Immune Effective Score as a Predictor of Response to Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab Therapy and a Prognostic Indicator for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Wu Xueying , Zhang Chenyang , Zhang Henghui
Published: January 2022

Background: HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) is a highly aggressive phenotype. The role of the host immune features in predictive response to anti-HER2 therapies and prognosis in BC has already been suggested. We aimed to develop a predictive and prognostic model and examine its relevance to the clinical outcomes of patients with HER2-positive BC. Methods: Immune effective score (IES) was constructed using principal component analysis algorithms. A bioinformatic analysis using four independent cohorts (GSE66305, n = 88; GSE130786, n = 110; TCGA, n = 123; METABRIC, n = 236) established associations between IES and clinical outcomes. Results: Genes associated with neoadjuvant trastuzumab therapy response were enriched in pathways related to antitumor immune activities. IES was demonstrated to be a predictive biomarker to neoadjuvant trastuzumab therapy benefits (GSE66305: area under the curve (AUC) = 0.804; GSE130786: AUC = 0.704). In addition, IES was identified as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) in the TCGA cohort (p = 0.036, hazard ratio (HR): 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.449–0.97) and METABRIC cohort (p = 0.037, HR: 0.9, 95% CI: 0.81–0.99). Conclusion: IES has a predictive value for response to neoadjuvant trastuzumab therapy and independent prognostic value for HER2-positive breast cancer.
A Review of Human-Elephant Ecological Relations in the Malay Peninsula: Adaptations for Coexistence
Authors: Lim Teckwyn , Campos-Arceiz Ahimsa
Published: January 2022

Understanding the relationship between humans and elephants is of particular interest for reducing conflict and encouraging coexistence. This paper reviews the ecological relationship between humans and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the rainforests of the Malay Peninsula, examining the extent of differentiation of spatio-temporal and trophic niches. We highlight the strategies that people and elephants use to partition an overlapping fundamental niche. When elephants are present, forest-dwelling people often build above-the-ground shelters; and when people are present, elephants avoid open areas during the day. People are able to access several foods that are out of reach of elephants or inedible; for example, people use water to leach poisons from tubers of wild yams, use blowpipes to kill arboreal game, and climb trees to access honey. We discuss how the transition to agriculture affected the human–elephant relationship by increasing the potential for competition. We conclude that the traditional foraging cultures of the Malay Peninsula are compatible with wildlife conservation.
The Morphological Characteristics and Phylogenetic Analyses Revealed an Additional Taxon in Heteroradulum (Auriculariales)
Authors: Li Jia-Jin , Zhao Chang-Lin , Liu Chao-Mao
Published: January 2022

Auriculariales is diverse, embracing a number of corticioid, poroid, and hydnoid genera. The present study covers a new wood-inhabiting fungal species of Heteroradulum niveum sp. nov that is proposed on the basis of a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. The species is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae with clamp connections; tubular cystidia; two- to four-celled basidia; and allantoid, colorless, thin-walled, smooth, IKI–, CB–, basidiospores (6.5–13.5 × 2.7–5.5 µm). Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA gene regions of the specimens were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out with methods of maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference. These phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS+nLSU indicated that H. niveum is nested in Heteroradulum within Auriculariales. Further study within Heteroradulum on the basis of ITS+nLSU dataset revealed that it formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and then grouped with H. yunnanensis.
Biodiversity Monitoring in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas: Scientific and Methodological Challenges
Authors: Bianchi Carlo Nike , Azzola Annalisa , Cocito Silvia , Morri Carla , Oprandi Alice , Peirano Andrea , Sgorbini Sergio , Montefalcone Monica
Published: January 2022

Biodiversity is a portmanteau word to indicate the variety of life at all levels from genes to ecosystems, but it is often simplistically equated to species richness; the word ecodiversity has thus been coined to address habitat variety. Biodiversity represents the core of the natural capital, and as such needs to be quantified and followed over time. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a major tool for biodiversity conservation at sea. Monitoring of both species and habitat diversity in MPAs is therefore mandatory and must include both inventory and periodic surveillance activities. In the case of inventories, the ideal would be to census all species and all habitats, but while the latter goal can be within reach, the former seems unattainable. Species inventory should be commeasured to investigation effort, while habitat inventory should be based on mapping. Both inventories may profit from suitability spatial modelling. Periodic surveillance actions should privilege conspicuous species and priority habitats. Efficient descriptor taxa and ecological indices are recommended to evaluate environmental status. While it seems obvious that surveillance activities should be carried out with regular recurrence, diachronic inventories and mapping are rarely carried out. Time series are of prime importance to detect marine ecosystem change even in the absence of direct human impacts.
Metabolic Tumour Volume as a Predictor of Survival for Sinonasal Tract Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Suzuki Hidenori , Tamaki Tsuneo , Kodaira Takeshi , Nishio Masami , Nishikawa Daisuke , Beppu Shintaro , Terada Hoshino , Sawabe Michi , Hanai Nobuhiro
Published: January 2022

Background: High uptake of F18-fluorodeoxyglucose parameters for glucose metabolism is related to shorter survival in sinonasal tract cancer with various histological classifications. We investigated whether F18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake parameters are associated with survival outcomes for patients with only squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the sinonasal tract that are treated either with surgery or nonsurgery. Methods: We retrospectively observed F18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake parameters on positron emission tomography with computed tomography for the primary tumour of SCC in 39 patients. Log-rank test or a Cox regression model with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) and hazard ratio (HR) were used for monovariable or multivariable analysis, respectively. We determined cut-off values of the F18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake parameters using the lowest p value for monovariable sinonasal tract cancer-specific survival analysis. Results: Monovariable analysis showed that patients with metabolic tumour volume (MTV) ≥ 21.8 had a shorter cancer-specific, disease-free and local recurrence-free survival than those with MTV < 21.8. After adjusting for age, gender, clinical stage and treatment group in the multivariable analysis, MTV (≥21.8/<21.8) was related to shorter cancer-specific (HR: 3.69, 95%CI: 1.17–12.0), disease-free (HR: 3.38, 95%CI: 1.19–9.71) and local recurrence-free (HR: 5.42, 95%CI: 1.59–20.3) survivals. Conclusions: MTV as advances in diagnostics of sinonasal tract SCC is a predictor.
Review: Colon Capsule Endoscopy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Halder Writaja , Laskaratos Faidon-Marios , El-Mileik Hanan , Coda Sergio , Fox Stevan , Banerjee Saswata , Epstein Owen
Published: January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable disruption in healthcare services and has had a substantial impact on the care of patients with chronic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Endoscopy services were significantly restricted, resulting in long waiting lists. There has been a growing interest in the use of capsule endoscopy in the diagnostic pathway and management of these patients. This review explores the published literature on the role of colon capsule endoscopy in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease as a method for mucosal assessment of extent, severity, and response to treatment. Colon capsule preparation regimens and scoring systems are reported. The studies indicate that, despite inherent limitations of minimally invasive capsule endoscopy, there is increasing evidence to support the use of the second-generation colon capsule in inflammatory bowel disease evaluation, providing an additional pathway to expedite investigation of appropriate patients especially during and after the pandemic.
Recognized and Emerging Features of Erythropoietic and X-Linked Protoporphyria
Authors: Di Pierro Elena , Granata Francesca , De Canio Michele , Rossi Mariateresa , Ricci Andrea , Marcacci Matteo , De Luca Giacomo , Sarno Luisa , Barbieri Luca , Ventura Paolo , Graziadei Giovanna
Published: January 2022

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) are inherited disorders resulting from defects in two different enzymes of the heme biosynthetic pathway, i.e., ferrochelatase (FECH) and delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase-2 (ALAS2), respectively. The ubiquitous FECH catalyzes the insertion of iron into the protoporphyrin ring to generate the final product, heme. After hemoglobinization, FECH can utilize other metals like zinc to bind the remainder of the protoporphyrin molecules, leading to the formation of zinc protoporphyrin. Therefore, FECH deficiency in EPP limits the formation of both heme and zinc protoporphyrin molecules. The erythroid-specific ALAS2 catalyses the synthesis of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), from the union of glycine and succinyl-coenzyme A, in the first step of the pathway in the erythron. In XLP, ALAS2 activity increases, resulting in the amplified formation of ALA, and iron becomes the rate-limiting factor for heme synthesis in the erythroid tissue. Both EPP and XLP lead to the systemic accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in blood, erythrocytes, and tissues causing the major symptom of cutaneous photosensitivity and several other less recognized signs that need to be considered. Although significant advances have been made in our understanding of EPP and XLP in recent years, a complete understanding of the factors governing the variability in clinical expression and the severity (progression) of the disease remains elusive. The present review provides an overview of both well-established facts and the latest findings regarding these rare diseases.
Thermodynamic Rarity Assessment of Mobile Phone PCBs: A Physical Criticality Indicator in Times of Shortage
Authors: Torrubia Jorge , Valero Antonio , Valero Alicia
Published: January 2022

Rising prices in energy, raw materials, and shortages of critical raw materials (CRMs) for renewable energies or electric vehicles are jeopardizing the transition to a low-carbon economy. Therefore, managing scarce resources must be a priority for governments. To that end, appropriate indicators that can identify the criticality of raw materials and products is key. Thermodynamic rarity (TR) is an exergy-based indicator that measures the scarcity of elements in the earth’s crust and the energy intensity to extract and refine them. This paper uses TR to study 70 Mobile Phone (MP) Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) samples. Results show that an average MP PCB has a TR of 88 MJ per unit, indicating their intensive use of valuable materials. Every year the embedded TR increases by 36,250 GWh worldwide -similar to the electricity consumed by Denmark in 2019- due to annual production of MP. Pd, Ta and Au embedded in MP PCBs worldwide between 2007 and 2021 contribute to 90% of the overall TR, which account for 75, 600 and 250 tones, respectively, and increasing by 11% annually. This, coupled with the short lifespan of MP, makes PCBs an important potential source of secondary resources.
Unitarity and Page Curve for Evaporation of 2D AdS Black Holes
Authors: Cadoni Mariano , Sanna Andrea P.
Published: January 2022

We explore the Hawking evaporation of two-dimensional anti-de Sitter (AdS2), dilatonic black hole coupled with conformal matter, and derive the Page curve for the entanglement entropy of radiation. We first work in a semiclassical approximation with backreaction. We show that the end-point of the evaporation process is AdS2 with a vanishing dilaton, i.e., a regular, singularity-free, zero-entropy state. We explicitly compute the entanglement entropies of the black hole and the radiation as functions of the horizon radius, using the conformal field theory (CFT) dual to AdS2 gravity. We use a simplified toy model, in which evaporation is described by the forming and growing of a negative mass configuration in the positive-mass black hole interior. This is similar to the “islands” proposal, recently put forward to explain the Page curve for evaporating black holes. The resulting Page curve for AdS2 black holes is in agreement with unitary evolution. The entanglement entropy of the radiation initially grows, closely following a thermal behavior, reaches a maximum at half-way of the evaporation process, and then goes down to zero, following the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy of the black hole. Consistency of our simplified model requires a non-trivial identification of the central charge of the CFT describing AdS2 gravity with the number of species of fields describing Hawking radiation.
Permutation Entropy-Based Interpretability of Convolutional Neural Network Models for Interictal EEG Discrimination of Subjects with Epileptic Seizures vs. Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures
Authors: Lo Giudice Michele , Varone Giuseppe , Ieracitano Cosimo , Mammone Nadia , Tripodi Giovanbattista Gaspare , Ferlazzo Edoardo , Gasparini Sara , Aguglia Umberto , Morabito Francesco Carlo
Published: January 2022

The differential diagnosis of epileptic seizures (ES) and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) may be difficult, due to the lack of distinctive clinical features. The interictal electroencephalographic (EEG) signal may also be normal in patients with ES. Innovative diagnostic tools that exploit non-linear EEG analysis and deep learning (DL) could provide important support to physicians for clinical diagnosis. In this work, 18 patients with new-onset ES (12 males, 6 females) and 18 patients with video-recorded PNES (2 males, 16 females) with normal interictal EEG at visual inspection were enrolled. None of them was taking psychotropic drugs. A convolutional neural network (CNN) scheme using DL classification was designed to classify the two categories of subjects (ES vs. PNES). The proposed architecture performs an EEG time-frequency transformation and a classification step with a CNN. The CNN was able to classify the EEG recordings of subjects with ES vs. subjects with PNES with 94.4% accuracy. CNN provided high performance in the assigned binary classification when compared to standard learning algorithms (multi-layer perceptron, support vector machine, linear discriminant analysis and quadratic discriminant analysis). In order to interpret how the CNN achieved this performance, information theoretical analysis was carried out. Specifically, the permutation entropy (PE) of the feature maps was evaluated and compared in the two classes. The achieved results, although preliminary, encourage the use of these innovative techniques to support neurologists in early diagnoses.
Validation of an Aesthetic Assessment System for Commercial Tasks
Authors: Rodriguez-Fernandez Nereida , Alvarez-Gonzalez Sara , Santos Iria , Torrente-Patiño Alvaro , Carballal Adrian , Romero Juan
Published: January 2022

Automatic prediction of the aesthetic value of images has received increasing attention in recent years. This is due, on the one hand, to the potential impact that predicting the aesthetic value has on practical applications. Even so, it remains a difficult task given the subjectivity and complexity of the problem. An image aesthetics assessment system was developed in recent years by our research group. In this work, its potential to be applied in commercial tasks is tested. With this objective, a set of three portals and three real estate agencies in Spain were taken as case studies. Images of their websites were taken to build the experimental dataset and a validation method was developed to test their original order with another proposed one according to their aesthetic value. So, in this new order, the images that have the high aesthetic score by the AI system will occupy the first positions of the portal. Relevant results were obtained, with an average increase of 52.54% in the number of clicks on the ads, in the experiment with Real Estate portals. A statistical analysis prove that there is a significant difference in the number of clicks after selecting the images with the AI system.
Blending of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Biocrude with Residual Marine Fuel: An Experimental Assessment
Authors: Rizzo Andrea Maria , Chiaramonti David
Published: January 2022

As with all transport modes, the maritime sector is undergoing a drastic transition towards net zero, similar to the path in which Aviation is already engaged through global decarbonization programs such as CORSIA for the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Emission trading Scheme of the European Union). Maritime indeed shares with Aviation a common element: the difficulty of shifting to electric in the short to medium term. Therefore, the use of sustainable fuels represents the main and only relevant option in this timeframe. As sustainable biofuels will be used as blend components in the case of large-scale deployment, it is necessary to investigate the behavior of bio- and fossil-based fuels when mixed in various percentages, in particular for low quality products such as HTL (HydroThermal Liquefaction) and fast pyrolysis oils from lignocellulosic biomass and waste. Biocrude from subcritical hydrothermal liquefaction of undigested sewage sludge, produced at reaction conditions of 350 °C and 200 bar in a continuous HTL pilot scale unit, was manually mixed at 70 °C with residual marine fuel (low-sulphur type F-RMG-380 per ISO 8217) at two different nominal biocrude shares, respectively 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% in the mixture. While the former blend resulted in the technically complete dissolution of biocrude in the fossil component, the latter sample formed biocrude agglomerates and only partial dissolution of the biocrude aliquot in marine fuel could be achieved (calculated between 14–16 wt.%). The blend with 10 wt.% of SS biocrude in the mixture resulted in compliance with limits of total acid number (TAN), inorganics (in particular vanadium, sodium, silicon and aluminum) and sulphur content, while only the ash content was slightly above the limit.
Optimal Design of a BLDC Motor Considering Three-Dimensional Structures Using the Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Jo Seong-Tae , Shin Hyo-Seob , Lee Young-Geun , Lee Ji-Hun , Choi Jang-Young
Published: January 2022

In this paper, the optimal design of a brushless direct current motor with a three-dimensional (3D) structure using the response surface methodology (RSM) is presented. There were two optimization goals: reduction of the cogging torque and maintenance of the back electromotive force to prevent performance degradation. For motors with a 3D structure, a 3D finite element method analysis is essential, though it requires considerable computation time. Therefore, to reduce the optimal design time, the 3D structure was placed on the 2D plane. Thereafter, a 2D corrected model was applied to the RSM. For the validity of the technique, the analysis results of the initial 3D model, 2D model, and 2D corrected model were compared, and the results of the optimal design 3D model, 2D corrected model, and experiment were compared.
Physicochemical Upgrading of a Biodetergent for Application in the Industrial Energy Sector
Authors: Farias Charles Bronzo B. , Silva Rita de Cássia F. Soares da , Almeida Fabíola Carolina G. , Converti Attilio , Santos Valdemir A. dos , Sarubbo Leonie A.
Published: January 2022

In the industries across the petroleum chain and those involved in energy generation, the use of petroderivatives as fuel oils is common. To clean parts, equipment and environments contaminated by hydrocarbons, they use expensive, toxic products, bringing risks to the environment as well as to workers’ health. Thus, the aim of this study was to check the stability of a biodetergent prepared using atoxic substances for large-scale production and industrial energy sector application. The relationship between volume (4 to 10 L) and stirring time (5 to 10 min) of the formulation at 3200 rpm and 80 °C was evaluated. The hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB), long-term stability (365 days), toxicity and efficiency of low-sulfur, viscous fuel oil removal from metal pieces and floors were investigated. The interaction among operating conditions was shown to influence the features of the product, which achieved approximately 100% stability after a stirring time of 7 min. The emulsion HBL index varied between 4.3 and 11.0. The biodetergent maintained its physicochemical properties during its 365 days of storage and showed high efficiency, removing 100% of the OCB1 impregnated on the metallic surfaces and floors tested. The formulation showed reliability in scale up when submitted to the study of physicochemical factors in the productive process, and safe application, by reducing risks for workers’ health and environment.
Design of a Condition Monitoring System for Wind Turbines
Authors: Park Jinje , Kim Changhyun , Dinh Minh-Chau , Park Minwon
Published: January 2022

Renewable energy is being adopted worldwide, and the proportion of offshore wind turbines is increasing. Offshore wind turbines operate in harsh weather conditions, resulting in various failures and high maintenance costs. In this paper, a condition diagnosis model for condition monitoring of an offshore wind turbine has been developed. The generator, main bearing, pitch system, and yaw system were selected as components subject to the condition monitoring by considering the failure rate and downtime of the wind turbine. The condition diagnosis model works by comparing real-time and predictive operating data of the wind turbine, and about four years of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) data from a 2 MW wind turbine was used to develop the model. A deep neural network and an artificial neural network were used as machine learning to predict the operational data in the condition diagnosis model, and a confusion matrix was used to measure the accuracy of the failure determination. As a result of the condition monitoring derived by inputting SCADA data to the designed system, it was possible to maintain the failure determination accuracy of more than 90%. The proposed condition monitoring system will be effectively utilized for the maintenance of wind turbines.
Evolution of the Olive Oil Industry along the Entire Production Chain and Related Waste Management
Authors: Di Giacomo Gabriele , Romano Pietro
Published: January 2022

The production of olive oil involves the sustainable management of the waste produced along the entire production chain. This review examines the developments regarding cultivation techniques, production technologies, and waste management, highlighting the goals to be achieved and the most reasonable prospects. The results show that cultivation and production technology have evolved to an almost final solution to meet economic feasibility, keeping the oil’s high quality. Continuous horizontal decanters will coexist with traditional mills in many countries with old olive oil production and consumption traditions. High-quality products have conquered markets, especially in the wealthiest countries. At the same time, the exploitation of dried pomace by solvent extraction is increasingly an obsolete practice. However, waste management is still looking for one or a few reasonable solutions that meet modern society’s constraints. The enhancement of some experienced technologies and the full-scale application of emerging technologies and strategies should solve this problem in the short–medium term. A short discussion is reported on the possibility of unifying the nature and the quality of the waste, whatever the olive oil production method is. Furthermore, modern thermochemical treatment for solid wet organic waste disposal is examined and discussed.
Faulty Line Selection Method Based on Comprehensive Dynamic Time Warping Distance in a Flexible Grounding System
Authors: He Yu , Zhang Xinhui , Wu Wenhao , Zhang Jun , Bai Wenyuan , Guo Aiyu , Chen Yu
Published: January 2022

A flexible grounding system is a system in which the neutral point of the power supply is grounded via the arc suppression coil in parallel with a low-resistance resistor. When operating normally or a temporary ground fault occurs, the arc suppression coil is used for grounding, whereas the small resistance is switched on when a permanent ground fault occurs. At present, the problem of low protection sensitivity when a high-resistance ground fault occurs in a flexible grounding system has not been solved yet. According to the characteristics of low waveform similarity between the faulty line and the non-faulty line when a single-phase grounding fault occurred, a new faulty line selection method based on a combination of Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) distance and the transient projection method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the fault transient signal is extracted by a digital filter as a basis for faulty line selection. Secondly, the transient zero-sequence current of each line is projected onto the busbar transient zero-sequence voltage, and the projected DTW distance of each line is calculated. Finally, according to the calculation formula of waveform comprehensive similarity coefficient, the Comprehensive DTW (CDTW) distance is obtained, and the top three CDTW distance values are selected to determine the faulty line. If the maximum value is greater than the sum of the other two CDTW distance values, the line corresponding to the maximum value is judged as the faulty line; otherwise, it is judged as a busbar fault. The simulation results based on MATLAB/Simulink and field data test show that the method can accurately determine the faulty line under diverse fault conditions.
Glare at Outdoor Workplaces—An Underestimated Factor of Occupational Risk
Authors: Sawicki Dariusz , Wolska Agnieszka
Published: January 2022

Lighting is an integral aspect of electrical engineering and public safety, as buildings, public areas—both indoors and outdoors—or any type of workplace must be illuminated in a way to prevent accidents. The sensation of glare, in particular, plays an important role in visual comfort and consequently influences occupational risk. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the problem of glare at outdoor workplaces. We have carried out an assessment of glare at outdoor workplaces in 19 different industrial plants. At 20 task areas (21.5% of the 93 examined) the determined degree of glare exceeded the limits specified in the standard. In eight categories of industrial plants (66.7% of 12 examined) defined in the standard, there was at least one task area where the requirements of the standard in terms of glare limitation were not met. The presented analysis leaves no doubt about drawing the conclusion that glare at outdoor workplaces is mostly underestimated or simply neglected, although it could cause high risk in workplaces.
Does ESG Reporting Relate to Corporate Financial Performance in the Context of the Energy Sector Transformation? Evidence from Poland
Authors: Baran Michał , Kuźniarska Aneta , Makieła Zbigniew J. , Sławik Anna , Stuss Magdalena M.
Published: January 2022

This paper aims to investigate whether the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) score of companies operating in the energy sector is associated with their corporate financial performance (CFP). The research covered data from eight companies with a dominant position in the Polish energy sector. The research used the comparative analysis between ESG performance and accounting-based measures of profitability: return on equity (ROE), return on assets (ROA) and return on sales (ROS). Additionally, reference was also made to the DuPont model. The acquired results do not reveal repetitive dependencies that would facilitate the discovery of a pattern of the impact of the factors of ESG on the financial performance of enterprises. Despite indicating the cases of correlations between the ESG scores and CFP at a high level, indeed sometimes at a very high level, the particular case studies significantly differ from each other. This may be caused by the fact that Polish enterprises from the energy sector illustrate far-reaching specifics, among others, with regard to the key significance of the entities with a prevalent state ownership and strict administrative regulations, which are subject to the energy market, state of development and structure of the whole sector in Poland. Thus, this is also why the mechanisms or dependencies, whose existence it is possible to expect in conditions of free competition, may be weakened or even eliminated in Polish conditions.
The Effectiveness of Soil Extracts from Selangor Peat Swamp and Pristine Forest Soils on the Growth of Green Microalgae sp.
Authors: Yaacob Nor Suhaila , Ahmad Mohd Fadzli , Sivam Ashvini , Hashim Emi Fazlina , Maniyam Maegala Nallapan , Sjahrir Fridelina , Dzulkafli Noor Fazreen , Wan Mohd Zamri Wan Muhammad Ikram , Komatsu Kazuhiro , Kuwahara Victor S. , Abdullah Hasdianty
Published: January 2022

Microalgae are widely utilized in commercial industries. The addition of a modified artificial medium (soil extract) could enhance their growth. Soil extract collected from the Raja Musa peat swamp and mineral soil from the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR), Selangor, Malaysia, were treated using various extraction methods. Carteria radiosa PHG2-A01, Neochloris conjuncta, and Nephrochlamys subsolitaria were grown in microplates at 25 °C, light intensity 33.75 µmol photons m−2s−1 for 9 days. N. conjuncta dominated the growth in 121 °C twice extraction method AFHR samples, with 47.17% increment. The highest concentrations of ammonia and nitrate were detected in the medium with soil extract treated with 121 °C twice extraction method, yielding the concentrations of 2 mg NL−1 and 35 mg NL−1 for ammonia and nitrate of RM soil and 2 mg NL−1 and 2.85 mg NL−1 for the AH soil. These extracts are proved successful as a microalgal growth stimulant, increasing revenue and the need for enriched medium. The high rate of nutrient recovery has the potential to serve as a growth promoter for microalgae.
The Dominant Driving Force of Forest Change in the Yangtze River Basin, China: Climate Variation or Anthropogenic Activities?
Authors: Wang Yiming , Zhang Zengxin , Chen Xi
Published: January 2022

Under the combined effect of climate variations and anthropogenic activities, the forest ecosystem in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) has experienced dramatic changes in recent decades. Quantifying their relative contributions can provide a valuable reference for forest management and ecological sustainability. In this study, we selected net primary productivity (NPP) as an indicator to investigate forest variations. Meanwhile, we established eight scenarios based on the slope coefficients of the potential NPP (PNPP) and actual NPP (ANPP), and human-induced NPP (HNPP) to quantify the contributions of anthropogenic activities and climate variations to forest variations in the YRB from 2000 to 2015. The results revealed that in general, the total forest ANPP increased by 10.42 TgC in the YRB, and forest restoration occurred in 57.25% of the study area during the study period. The forest degradation was mainly observed in the Wujiang River basin, Dongting Lake basin, and Poyang Lake basin. On the whole, the contribution of anthropogenic activities was greater than climate variations on both forest restoration and degradation in the YRB. Their contribution to forest restoration and degradation varied in different tributaries. Among the five forest types, shrubs experienced the most severe degradation during the study period, which should arouse great attention. Ecological restoration programs implemented in YRB have effectively mitigated the adverse effect of climate variations and dominated forest restoration, while rapid urbanization in the mid-lower region has resulted in forest degradation. The forest degradation in Dongting Lake basin and Poyang Lake basin may be ascribed to the absence of the Natural Forest Conservation Program. Therefore, we recommend that the extent of the Natural Forest Conservation Program should expand to cover these two basins. The current research could improve the understanding of the driving mechanism of forest dynamics and promote the effectiveness of ecological restoration programs in the YRB.
Vertical Distribution and Controlling Factors of Soil Inorganic Carbon in Poplar Plantations of Coastal Eastern China
Authors: Wang Sihan , Lu Weiwei , Zhang Fangchao
Published: January 2022

Afforestation is a strategy to protect croplands and to sequestrate carbon in coastal areas. In addition, inorganic carbon is a considerable constitute of the coastal soil carbon pool. However, the vertical distribution and controlling factors of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) in plantations of coastal areas have been rarely studied. We analyzed the SIC content as well as physiochemical properties along soil profiles (0–100 cm) in young (YP) and mature (MP) poplar plantations in coastal eastern China. The soil profile was divided into six layers (0–10, 11–20, 21–40, 41–60, 61–80 and 81–100 cm) and a total of 36 soil samples were formed. The SIC content first increased from 0–10 cm (0.74%) to 11–20 cm (0.92%) and then fluctuated in the YP. In contrast, the SIC content increased with increasing soil depth until 40 cm and then leveled off, and the minimum and maximum appeared at 0–10 cm (0.54%) and 81–100 cm (0.98%) respectively in the MP. The soil inorganic carbon density was 12.05 and 12.93 kg m−2 within 0–100 cm in the YP and MP, respectively. Contrary to SIC, soil organic carbon (SOC) first decreased then levelled off within the soil profiles. Compared with the YP, the SIC content decreased 27.8% at 0–10 cm but increased 13.2% at 21–40 cm, meanwhile the SOC content in MP decreased 70.6% and 46.7% at 21–40 cm and 61–80 cm, respectively. The water-soluble Ca2+ and Mg2+ gradually decreased and increased, respectively within the soil profiles. The soil water-soluble Ca2+ increased 18.3% within 41–100 cm; however, the soil water-soluble Mg2+ decreased 32.7% within 21–100 cm in the MP when compared to the YP. Correlation analysis showed that SIC was negatively correlated with SOC, but positively correlated with soil pH and water-soluble Mg2+. Furthermore, structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that SOC was the most important factor influencing the SIC content in the studied poplar plantations, indicating SOC sequestration promoted the dissolution of SIC. Therefore, our study highlights the trade-off between SIC and SOC in poplar plantations of coastal Eastern China.
Light Competition Contributes to the Death of Masson Pines of Coniferous-Broadleaf Mixed Forests in Subtropical China
Authors: Song Yifan , Yan Ge , Zhang Guangfu
Published: January 2022

In the process of subtropical forest succession, it has long been recognized that population decline of Masson pines in coniferous-broadleaf mixed forest is caused by shading from broadleaf trees. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying the interaction between them. Here, we first chose two sets of Masson pine plots approximately aged 60 years in subtropical mountainous areas in eastern China (i.e., pure coniferous forest vs. coniferous-broadleaf mixed forest). Then, we measured and compared tree height, diameter at breast height, first branch height (FBH), live crown ratio (LCR) of Masson pines between the two sets of plots, and also determined the difference in growth performance of Masson pines relative to their neighboring broadleaf trees in the mixed forest stand. Compared with plots in pine forests, Masson pines in mixed plots had lower tree height and crown breadth, higher FBH, lower LCR, and leaf area. Furthermore, the difference of mean FBH between reference trees (Masson pines) and their neighboring trees (i.e., broadleaf trees) in mixed forest plots was greater than that in pine forest plots, and the ratio of LCR between Masson pines and their neighbors (0.46) in mixed forest was significantly smaller than in pine forest (1.05), indicating that those broadleaf trees around Masson pines probably affected their growth. The mean distance between Masson pines and neighboring trees (1.59 m) in mixed forest plots was significantly shorter than in pine forest plots (2.77 m) (p < 0.01), suggesting that strong competition may occur between reference trees and their neighbors. There was a significant difference in the ratio of crown volume between reference tree Masson pine and its neighboring trees in mixed forests (p < 0.01), indicating that the ratio of biomass synthesis to consumption of pines was much lower than their nearby broadleaf trees in mixed forest. Our results have demonstrated for the first time that Masson pines’ population decline is affected by shade-tolerant broadleaf late-successional species, which can be primarily attributed to the distinctive light transmittance of dominant species nearby (pure pine vs. mixed forest). This study provides a new perspective for future studies on the mechanism of forest succession.
Improving Communications to Increase Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowner (NIPF) Participation in Forest Certification Programs: A Case Study in Arkansas, USA
Authors: Rubino Elena C. , Tian Nana , Pelkki Matthew H.
Published: January 2022

Despite the socioeconomic and ecological significance of the 10.4 million acres of forestland owned by nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners across Arkansas (approximately 58% of forestland in the state), only 5% of this land is certified through the American Tree Farm System. As such, understanding how to improve the reach and content of communications to NIPF landowners is vital for expanding certification participation and subsequent improvement of forest management in Arkansas and throughout the southern United States. To explore current and optimal communications to increase NIPF participation, we employed Berlo’s source–message–channel–receiver (SMCR, 1960) model to analyze survey data collected from Arkansas NIPF landowners regarding their familiarity with, interest in, and information sources for forest certification programs. Our results indicate that NIPF landowners have a relatively low familiarity with certification programs and a low interest in adopting a certification program regardless of personal involvement throughout the certification process, the transparency of on-sight inspections to the public, and the requirements of forest management plans. However, positive correlations were found between self-reported familiarity with certification programs and the perceived usefulness of various information sources, indicating that communications to NIPF landowners have the ability to be influential. Furthermore, the results showed that the greatest perceived benefits to landowners were improved timber growth and health, better management actions, and environmentally-friendly timber harvesting, whereas the most concerning perceived drawbacks were increased record-keeping and paperwork as well as management costs. These findings will offer actionable insights into future messaging campaigns and provide directions for new approaches of reaching NIPF landowners to increase their participation in forest certification.