bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency of Germline and Somatic BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations in Prostate Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Valsecchi Anna Amela , Dionisio Rossana , Panepinto Olimpia , Paparo Jessica , Palicelli Andrea , Vignani Francesca , Di Maio Massimo
Published: April 2023

In prostate cancer (PC), the presence of BRCA somatic and/or germline mutation provides prognostic and predictive information. Meta-analysis aims to estimate the frequency of BRCA mutations in patients with PC (PCp). In November 2022, we reviewed literature searching for all articles testing the proportion of BRCA mutations in PCp, without explicit enrichment for familiar risk. The frequency of germline and somatic BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutations was described in three stage disease populations (any/metastatic/metastatic castration-resistant PC, mCRPC). Out of 2253 identified articles, 40 were eligible. Here, 0.73% and 1.20% of any stage PCp, 0.94% and 1.10% of metastatic PCp, and 1.21% and 1.10% of mCRPC patients carried germline and somatic BRCA1 mutation, respectively; 3.25% and 6.29% of any stage PCp, 4.51% and 10.26% of metastatic PCp, and 3.90% and 10.52% of mCRPC patients carried germline and somatic BRCA2 mutation, respectively; and 4.47% and 7.18% of any stage PCp, 5.84% and 10.94% of metastatic PCp, and 5.26% and 11.26% of mCRPC patients carried germline and somatic BRCA1/2 mutation, respectively. Somatic mutations are more common than germline and BRCA2 are more common than BRCA1 mutations; the frequency of mutations is higher in the metastatic setting. Despite that BRCA testing in PC is now standard in clinical practice, several open questions remain.
Galectin-3 Is Associated with Cardiac Fibrosis and an Increased Risk of Sudden Death
Authors: Sherpa Mingma D. , Sonkawade Swati D. , Jonnala Vinesh , Pokharel Saraswati , Khazaeli Mahyar , Yatsynovich Yan , Kalot Mohamad A. , Weil Brian R. , Canty John M. , Sharma Umesh C.
Published: April 2023

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is a common postmortem finding among individuals with Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that increased galectin-3 (gal3) expression into the myocardium is associated with higher incidence of fibrosis. Although elevated gal3 expression is linked with myocardial fibrosis, its role in predicting the risk of SCD is unknown. Methods: We reviewed the clinical datasets and post-mortem examination of 221 subjects who had died suddenly. We examined myocardial pathology including the extent of cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in these subjects. In a select group of SCD subjects, we studied myocardial gal3 and periostin expression using immunohistochemistry. To further examine if a higher level of circulating gal3 can be detected preceding sudden death, we measured serum gal3 in a porcine model of subtotal coronary artery ligation which shows an increased tendency to develop lethal cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Results: Of the total 1314 human subjects screened, 12.7% had SCD. Comparison of age-matched SCD with non-SCD subjects showed that SCD groups had excessive myocardial fibrosis involving both the left ventricular free wall and interventricular septum. In pigs with subtotal coronary artery ligation and SCD, we detected significantly elevated circulating gal3 levels approximately 10 days preceding the SCD event. Immunohistochemistry showed increased myocardial gal3 and periostin expression in pigs that died suddenly, compared to the controls. Conclusion: Our study shows that increased gal3 is associated with a higher risk of myocardial fibrosis and the risk of SCD. This supports the importance of larger translational studies to target gal3 to prevent cardiac fibrosis and attenuate the risk of SCD.
The Complex Interplay between Imbalanced Mitochondrial Dynamics and Metabolic Disorders in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Van Huynh Tin , Rethi Lekha , Rethi Lekshmi , Chen Chih-Hwa , Chen Yi-Jen , Kao Yu-Hsun
Published: April 2023

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global burden, with an increasing number of people affected and increasing treatment costs. The advances in research and guidelines improve the management of blood glucose and related diseases, but T2DM and its complications are still a big challenge in clinical practice. T2DM is a metabolic disorder in which insulin signaling is impaired from reaching its effectors. Mitochondria are the “powerhouses” that not only generate the energy as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) using pyruvate supplied from glucose, free fatty acid (FFA), and amino acids (AA) but also regulate multiple cellular processes such as calcium homeostasis, redox balance, and apoptosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer. The mitochondria are highly dynamic in adjusting their functions according to cellular conditions. The shape, morphology, distribution, and number of mitochondria reflect their function through various processes, collectively known as mitochondrial dynamics, including mitochondrial fusion, fission, biogenesis, transport, and mitophagy. These processes determine the overall mitochondrial health and vitality. More evidence supports the idea that dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics play essential roles in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance, obesity, and T2DM, as well as imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics found in T2DM. This review updates and discusses mitochondrial dynamics and the complex interactions between it and metabolic disorders.
Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection for Frost Tolerance in a Diallel Population of Potato
Authors: Tu Wei , Li Jingcai , Dong Jianke , Wu Jianghai , Wang Haibo , Zuo Yingtao , Cai Xingkui , Song Botao
Published: April 2023

A multi-parental population is an innovative tool for mapping large numbers of loci and genetic modifications, particularly where they have been used for breeding and pre-breeding in crops. Frost injury is an environmental stress factor that greatly affects the growth, development, production efficiency, and geographical distribution of crops. No reported study has focused on genetic mapping and molecular marker development using diallel populations of potatoes. In this study, 23 successful cross combinations, obtained by a half diallel cross among 16 parents, including eight frost-tolerant advanced breeding lines and eight cultivars, were used to map the genetic loci for frost tolerance and to create a molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) system. Three candidate regions related to frost tolerance on chromosomes II, V, and IX were mapped by bulked segregant analysis (BSA). Furthermore, six SNP markers associated with frost tolerance from candidate regions were developed and validated. Above all, a MAS system for the frost tolerance screening of early breeding offspring was established. This study highlights the practical advantages of applying diallel populations to broaden and improve frost-tolerant germplasm resources.
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance from Fetal to Adult Life—Indications and Challenges: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Moscatelli Sara , Leo Isabella , Lisignoli Veronica , Boyle Siobhan , Bucciarelli-Ducci Chiara , Secinaro Aurelio , Montanaro Claudia
Published: April 2023

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging offers a comprehensive, non-invasive, and radiation-free imaging modality, which provides a highly accurate and reproducible assessment of cardiac morphology and functions across a wide spectrum of cardiac conditions spanning from fetal to adult life. It minimises risks to the patient, particularly the risks associated with exposure to ionising radiation and the risk of complications from more invasive haemodynamic assessments. CMR utilises high spatial resolution and provides a detailed assessment of intracardiac and extracardiac anatomy, ventricular and valvular function, and flow haemodynamic and tissue characterisation, which aid in the diagnosis, and, hence, with the management of patients with cardiac disease. This article aims to discuss the role of CMR and the indications for its use throughout the different stages of life, from fetal to adult life.
Wind Tunnel Tests of Surface Icing Distribution on Aluminum Alloy and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Blades for Wind Turbines
Authors: Lin Weirong , Lin Xuefeng , Wang Chuanxi , Wu Tong , Meng Zhe , Cai Anmin , Shen He , Li Yan , Feng Fang
Published: April 2023

In cold areas, wind turbines face ice risk. The ice accretion on the blade surface will reduce the output power of wind turbines. To explore the effect of blade material on icing distribution, the blades of aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) were made, and the icing wind tunnel tests were carried out. The icing test is conducted under three icing times (2 min, 4 min, and 6 min) and three ambient temperatures (−5 °C, −10 °C, and −15 °C). The experimental results show that the icing time and ambient temperature are key factors in icing distribution. When the icing time increases, the average thickness of ice on the blade surface increases, and the airfoil profile of the blade changes significantly. When the ambient temperature decreases, the average thickness of ice on the blade surface increases, and the ice type changes from glaze ice to rime ice. The effect of blade material on the icing distribution is significantly affected by ambient temperature.
Switchable Dual-Functional Metasurface for THz Absorption and Electromagnetically Induced Transparency
Authors: Cai Haocheng , Yang Yue , Zi Jianchen , Mao Luhong , Li Jining
Published: April 2023

The metasurfaces based on nanostructure film play an important role in many fields. Usually, the properties and functions of metasurfaces are limited by their structure. Once the metasurface samples are processed, their functions have already been restricted. The dual-function device designed in this work utilizes the phase transition characteristic of vanadium dioxide (VO2). The entire layer of VO2 film is inserted between the double metal micro-nano structure. When VO2 film is in the metallic state after phase change, an isotropic narrow absorber is obtained in the terahertz (THz) region, which consists of a top Z-shaped meta-atom, a middle dielectric layer, and a bottom VO2 film. By adjusting structure parameters of VO2 film, perfect absorption is realized at the frequency of 0.525 THz with the overall absorption beyond 91%. When VO2 is in insulating state, the top Z-shaped meta-atom will interact with the bottom Z-shaped structure, and the resonance coupling leads to the appearance of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The designed metal-VO2 hybrid metamaterial opens possible avenues for switchable functionalities in a single device.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation Gas-Particle Two Phase Flow in Cold Spraying Nanostructured HA/Ti Composite Particle
Authors: Chen Xiao , Xi Zhijun , Liu Hao , Duan Xixi , Gao Qinqin , Li Chengdi
Published: April 2023

HA composite coatings added reinforcement phases could improve the mechanical properties and bonding strength of the coatings. Cold spraying is a feasible surface technology for preparing HA composite coatings. In order to investigate the influence of cold spraying parameters on the deposition behavior of a single HA/Ti composite particle, numerical and experimental investigation of gas-particle two-phase flow in cold spraying nanostructured HA/Ti composite particle were investigated in this study. The results show that the influence of different temperatures and pressures on static pressure was not significant. The effects of gas pressure on the static temperature were tiny under the same inlet temperature and different pressure conditions; however, the static temperature in the entire spray gun cavity increased as the inlet temperature increased under the same pressure and different inlet temperature conditions. There is little effect of gas pressure on the axial velocity of gas flow in the spray gun cavity; however, the axial velocity of gas flow increased with the increase in gas temperature. Meanwhile, the axial velocity of gas flow gradually increases throughout the spraying process. At a gas temperature of 573 K and 973 K, the maximum axial velocities of a gas flow at gas pressure of 2.2 MPa were 778 m/s and 942 m/s, respectively. There is little effect of gas pressure on the axial velocity of HA/30 wt.% Ti particles under the same gas temperature. The axial velocity of HA/30 wt.% Ti particles increased with the increase in gas temperature under the same gas pressure condition. The axial velocity of composite particles decreased with the increase in the particle size under the same gas pressure and gas temperature. At a gas temperature of 573 K and 973 K, the minimum axial velocity of HA/30 wt.% Ti particles with a particle size of 30 μm at a gas pressure of 2.2 MPa was 435 m/s and 467 m/s, respectively. A certain deformation of splats occurred after impacting the substrate, and the splats adhered to the surface of the Ti6Al4Vsubstrate, clearly presenting a flat shape with a central hump surrounded by a ringy band. At a gas temperature of 973 K, particles generated more severe deformation with more cracks and ejecta phenomenon. The splats attached to the substrate were increased as the gas temperature increased.
Modeling of Nonlinear Dynamic Processes of Human Movement in Virtual Reality Based on Digital Shadows
Authors: Obukhov Artem , Dedov Denis , Volkov Andrey , Teselkin Daniil
Published: April 2023

In virtual reality (VR) systems, a problem is the accurate reproduction of the user’s body in a virtual environment using inverse kinematics because existing motion capture systems have a number of drawbacks, and minimizing the number of key tracking points (KTPs) leads to a large error. To solve this problem, it is proposed to use the concept of a digital shadow and machine learning technologies to optimize the number of KTPs. A technique for movement process data collecting from a virtual avatar is implemented, modeling of nonlinear dynamic processes of human movement based on a digital shadow is carried out, the problem of optimizing the number of KTP is formulated, and an overview of the applied machine learning algorithms and metrics for their evaluation is given. An experiment on a dataset formed from virtual avatar movements shows the following results: three KTPs do not provide sufficient reconstruction accuracy, the choice of five or seven KTPs is optimal; among the algorithms, the most efficient in descending order are AdaBoostRegressor, LinearRegression, and SGDRegressor. During the reconstruction using AdaBoostRegressor, the maximum deviation is not more than 0.25 m, and the average is not more than 0.10 m.
Xerostomia: From Pharmacological Treatments to Traditional Medicine—An Overview on the Possible Clinical Management and Prevention Using Systemic Approaches
Authors: Sardellitti Luigi , Bortone Antonella , Filigheddu Enrica , Serralutzu Francesca , Milia Egle Patrizia
Published: April 2023

Despite high incidence rates and severe complications, the management of xerostomia lacks clinical guidelines. The aim of this overview was to summarize the clinical experience derived from the last 10 years of treatments and prevention using systemic compounds. Results showed that the cytoprotective drug amifostine, and its antioxidant agents, are the most discussed as preventive agents of xerostomia in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. In the presence of the disease, the pharmacological treatments have been mainly directed to stimulate secretion of the damaged salivary glands, or to counteract a decreased capacity of the antioxidant system, in view of an increasing of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the data demonstrated low ability of the drugs, together with a great number of side effects, which strongly limit their use. Concerning traditional medicine (TM), valid clinical trials are so limited that neither the efficacy nor the absence of interferences to concomitant chemical therapies can be validated. Consequently, the management of xerostomia and its devastating complications remain a very significant void in daily clinical practice.
Prioritizing Management of Invasive Alien Species of EU Concern—A Northern Perspective
Authors: Jauni Miia , Huusela Erja , Urho Lauri , Hyvönen Terho
Published: April 2023

Invasive alien species (IAS) represent one of the major threats to biodiversity globally. Each member state in the EU is required to compile a management plan for IAS of Union concern. This requires risk assessments to prioritize management measures consistent with the requirements of each EU member state. Here, we review the management priorities for the 88 IAS of Union concern based on the risk assessment scheme developed for Finland. Of 88 species, 52 had not been detected in Finland and 51 species were categorized as species that fail to succeed in Finland. Climatic conditions can be regarded as a major factor limiting the success of those species. Five primary management categories were recognized. Monitoring was deemed the primary management option for 30 species, prevention of entry into Finland for 30 species, prevention of escape into nature for 17 species, prevention of further spread and/or the management of areas with high biodiversity value for 4 species and eradication for 7 species. It is concluded that national management plans should consider local environmental conditions and adjust management options according to national risk assessments.
Rotifers (Rotifera: Monogononta) Associated with Littoral Macrophyte Habitats in Flooded Neotropical Ponds: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Pardo María José , Scott-Frías Joxmer , Soto Luz Marina , Stamou Georgia , Michaloudi Evangelia , Torres Rubén , González Ernesto , López Carlos
Published: April 2023

Rotifers represent an important component of freshwater zooplankton. The high richness of taxa, particularly in littoral macrophyte zones of water bodies in tropical and subtropical flood-prone areas, is a repeatedly reported fact. However, studies on the composition of periphytic rotifers in the Neotropics are reduced and almost non-existent in some regions. A qualitative study on rotifers (Monogononta) associated with littoral aquatic vegetation and their seasonal variation was carried out in three flood-prone ponds in the “Esteros de Camaguán Fauna Reserve” in the Venezuelan plains. For the selection of the collection sites, the two-stage stratified method with proportional affixation was used. Samples of macrophytes and the water associated with them were taken in littoral zones. The percentages of occurrence and numerical frequency were calculated for each rotifer taxa. The faunal similarities and correlations within and between ponds in the same and different climatic seasons were estimated using the Jaccard and Spearman coefficients (α = 0.05), respectively. In total, 102 rotifer taxa associated with 11 species of aquatic macrophytes were identified. The genus Taphrocampa with two taxa plus ten other taxa, are new records for Venezuela and one of them for South America. The taxocenosis and the geographic distribution of the reported taxa reflect a typical composition of the littoral zones of tropical regions. The total richness of both planktonic associated with aquatic vegetation and periphytic assemblages were similar. The highest richness of rotifer taxa coincided with the rainy season and the lowest with the early rainy season. The rotifer fauna presented low similarity values within and between ponds according to seasonality and, with some exceptions, between planktonic and periphytic environments. The importance of sampling periphytic rotifers and the influence of the flood cycle, and the degree of macrophyte development in the structuring of periphytic rotifer communities, were confirmed.
Management of Enterovesical Fistula in a Patient with Crohn’s Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Hsu Ming-Wei , Chen Wen-Chi , Wei Ting-Na , Huang Chi-Ping
Published: April 2023

Enterovesical fistula (EVF) is a rare complication of Crohn’s disease (CD), characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections, fecaluria, and pneumaturia. However, most diagnostic tools have low sensitivity for EVF. Management consists of conservative and surgical approaches. Conservative treatment is usually adopted first. However, the appropriate time to consider surgery remains controversial. Herein, we report on the case of a 34-year-old male who presented with diffuse abdominal pain with fullness for one day. Enteroscopy and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) suggested a fistula between the ileum and urinary bladder; however, cystoscopy did not find an obvious tract. The patient initially received medical treatment, but the symptoms persisted with recurrent urinary tract infections and subsequent bilateral hydronephrosis. He then underwent successful fistulectomy, partial cystectomy, and two segmental resections of the small bowel with end-to-end primary sutures. No complications or symptomatic urinary tract infections were noted during 30 months of follow-up after surgery, suggesting no recurrence of EVF. Surgical intervention is warranted when medical treatment fails or complications occur. Clinical symptoms and laboratory data are often less informative for the diagnosis of EVF, and CT is the most helpful diagnostic modality. Our management strategy provides an option for such patients.
A Narrative Review on Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Need for Increased Awareness
Authors: Di Giorgio Francesca Maria , Melatti Piera , Ciminnisi Stefania , Cappello Maria
Published: April 2023

Recent evidence suggests a link between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and eating disorders, an emerging complex bidirectional association. Indeed, the overlap of symptoms and signs can lead to delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of both conditions, but also the fear of food-induced symptoms, commonly observed in patients with IBD, determines dietary restrictions which in predisposed individuals may induce an overt eating disorder. ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and anorexia nervosa are the eating disorders more frequently reported, while disordered eating and orthorexia nervosa are emerging conditions. Disease worsening due to refusal of therapies in patients with anorexia is also a matter of concern and an increased awareness of the possible association of these conditions by gastroenterologists and dietitians is strongly warranted in order for patients to receive the appropriate counseling.
Study on the Use of Artificially Generated Objects in the Process of Training MLP Neural Networks Based on Dispersed Data
Authors: Marfo Kwabena Frimpong , Przybyła-Kasperek Małgorzata
Published: April 2023

This study concerns dispersed data stored in independent local tables with different sets of attributes. The paper proposes a new method for training a single neural network—a multilayer perceptron based on dispersed data. The idea is to train local models that have identical structures based on local tables; however, due to different sets of conditional attributes present in local tables, it is necessary to generate some artificial objects to train local models. The paper presents a study on the use of varying parameter values in the proposed method of creating artificial objects to train local models. The paper presents an exhaustive comparison in terms of the number of artificial objects generated based on a single original object, the degree of data dispersion, data balancing, and different network structures—the number of neurons in the hidden layer. It was found that for data sets with a large number of objects, a smaller number of artificial objects is optimal. For smaller data sets, a greater number of artificial objects (three or four) produces better results. For large data sets, data balancing and the degree of dispersion have no significant impact on quality of classification. Rather, a greater number of neurons in the hidden layer produces better results (ranging from three to five times the number of neurons in the input layer).
Learning the Nonlinear Solitary Wave Solution of the Korteweg–De Vries Equation with Novel Neural Network Algorithm
Authors: Wen Ying , Chaolu Temuer
Published: April 2023

The study of wave-like propagation of information in nonlinear and dispersive media is a complex phenomenon. In this paper, we provide a new approach to studying this phenomenon, paying special attention to the nonlinear solitary wave problem of the Korteweg–De Vries (KdV) equation. Our proposed algorithm is based on the traveling wave transformation of the KdV equation, which reduces the dimensionality of the system, enabling us to obtain a highly accurate solution with fewer data. The proposed algorithm uses a Lie-group-based neural network trained via the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) optimization method. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed Lie-group-based neural network algorithm can simulate the behavior of the KdV equation with high accuracy while using fewer data. The effectiveness of our method is proved by examples.
Challenges of Industrial-Scale Testing Infrastructure for Green Hydrogen Technologies
Authors: Bollmann Jonas , Pitchaimuthu Sudhagar , Kühnel Moritz F.
Published: April 2023

Green hydrogen is set to become the energy carrier of the future, provided that production technologies such as electrolysis and solar water splitting can be scaled to global dimensions. Testing these hydrogen technologies on the MW scale requires the development of dedicated new test facilities for which there is no precedent. This perspective highlights the challenges to be met on the path to implementing a test facility for large-scale water electrolysis, photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic water splitting and aims to serve as a much-needed blueprint for future test facilities based on the authors’ own experience in establishing the Hydrogen Lab Leuna. Key aspects to be considered are the electricity and utility requirements of the devices under testing, the analysis of the produced H2 and O2 and the safety regulations for handling large quantities of H2. Choosing the right location is crucial not only for meeting these device requirements, but also for improving financial viability through supplying affordable electricity and providing a remunerated H2 sink to offset the testing costs. Due to their lower TRL and requirement for a light source, large-scale photocatalysis and photoelectrochemistry testing are less developed and the requirements are currently less predictable.
Methods and Tools for PV and EV Hosting Capacity Determination in Low Voltage Distribution Networks—A Review
Authors: Umoh Vincent , Davidson Innocent , Adebiyi Abayomi , Ekpe Unwana
Published: April 2023

The increasing demand for electricity and the need for environmentally friendly transportation systems has resulted in the proliferation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generators and electric vehicle (EV) charging within the low voltage (LV) distribution network. This high penetration of PV and EV charging can cause power quality challenges, hence the need for hosting capacity (HC) studies to estimate the maximum allowable connections. Although studies and reviews are abundant on the HC of PV and EV charging available in the literature, there is a lack of reviews on HC studies that cover both PV and EVs together. This paper fills this research gap by providing a detailed review of five commonly used methods for quantifying HC including deterministic, time series, stochastic, optimization, and streamlined methods. This paper comprehensively reviews the HC concept, methods, and tools, covering both PV and EV charging based on a survey of state-of-the-art literature published within the last five years (2017–2022). Voltage magnitude, thermal limit, and loading of lines, cables, and transformers are the main performance indices considered in most HC studies.
Investigating the Potential of Nuclear Energy in Achieving a Carbon-Free Energy Future
Authors: Krūmiņš Jānis , Kļaviņš Māris
Published: April 2023

This scientific paper discusses the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change. The proposed strategy is to reach net-zero emissions by transitioning to electric systems powered by low-carbon sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy. However, the paper also highlights the challenges of this transition, including high costs and lack of infrastructure. The paper emphasizes the need for continued research and investment in renewable energy technology and infrastructure to overcome these challenges and achieve a sustainable energy system. Additionally, the use of nuclear energy raises concerns, such as nuclear waste and proliferation, and should be considered with its benefits and drawbacks. The study assesses the feasibility of nuclear energy development in Latvia, a country in Northern Europe, and finds that Latvia is a suitable location for nuclear power facilities due to potential energy independence, low-carbon energy production, reliability, and economic benefits. The study also discusses methods of calculating electricity generation and consumption, such as measuring MWh produced by power plants, and balancing supply and demand within the country. Furthermore, the study assesses the safety of nuclear reactors, generated waste, and options for nuclear waste recycling. The transition to a carbon-free energy system is ongoing and complex, requiring multiple strategies to accelerate the transition. While the paper proposes that nuclear energy could be a practical means of supporting and backing up electricity generated by renewables, it should be noted that there are still challenges to be addressed. Some of the results presented in the paper are still based on studies, and the post-treatment of waste needs to be further clarified.
Experimental Development of Calcium Looping Carbon Capture Processes: An Overview of Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Toledo Rubens C. , Arce Gretta L. A. F. , Carvalho João A. , Ávila Ivonete
Published: April 2023

Global warming might be mitigated if emissions were interrupted through carbon capture technologies, as there is a significant amount of comprehensive studies on them. An outline of the main gaps and trends of a technology is critical for further development. In this context, this study provides an overview of calcium looping carbon capture processes that have proven their potential and commercial viability. A bibliometric analysis is conducted on both Scopus and Web of Science database by seeking the keywords “calcium looping”, “co2 capture”, and “fluidized bed” in titles, abstracts, and keywords. Word selection was based on a list of relevant papers on the topic. These items of data have been processed and analyzed based on the number of publications and citations by emphasizing recent publication evolution, journal influence, the use of specific keywords, and co-citation. Results reveal that the European Union (EU) leads the rankings on the topic, followed by Canada. Keyword choice might have affected the number of citations. Recent studies used limestone as a sorbent and a dual fluidized bed reactor with a calciner or resistance depending on its size. Most studies are focused on technology scale-up. Although scale-up seems to be a priority, multiple studies are designed to assess the effect of steam generation and SO2 on the process.
Effects of Astronomical Cycles on Laminated Shales of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation in the Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China
Authors: Li Qiqi , Xu Shang , Li Junliang , Guo Ruichao , Wang Guangwei , Wang Yufan
Published: April 2023

Laminated shales are widely developed in the Dongying Sag and have attracted much attention as an oil reservoir. Macroscopically, these shales generally have multi-scale cyclicity, which is closely related to the development of laminae. Therefore, analyzing the origin of their cyclicity is helpful to understanding the formation mechanism of laminated shales and the vertical heterogeneity of shale reservoirs, which are of great significance for continental shale oil exploration and development. In this study, a gamma ray (GR) logging series, high-resolution elemental geochemical data, high-resolution core scanning photos and grayscale data, and mineralogical data were used to characterize the cyclicity of shale at different scales, and their relationship with different astronomical cycles was discussed. The results show that the Es3L and Es4U shale in the Dongying Sag has cyclicity from the meter-scale to the ten-meter scale and then to the hundred-meter scale, which is mainly manifested by periodic changes in organic matter abundance, mineral composition, element abundance, and grayscale. These cycles of different scales coincide with different astronomical periods. Specifically, the hundred-meter scale cyclicity is mainly controlled by the very long orbital period; the ten-meter scale cyclicity is mainly related to the eccentricity cycle; while the precession period is the main driver of the meter-scale cyclicity. Finally, we propose a simplified model for illustrating the formation of rhythmic organic-rich shale. This study is helpful to understanding the origin of continental organic-rich shale and predicting shale reservoir properties.
A Comparison of a Transparent Thermal Insulation System Filled with Refrigerants and a Pig-Fat Based PCM
Authors: Torres Rodríguez Agustín , Morillón Gálvez David , García Kerdan Iván , Silva Casarín Rodolfo
Published: April 2023

In this research sustainable refrigerants are tested as filler gases in Transparent Thermal Insulation (TTI) for the first time. These are compared with pig fat, a readily available material with good thermal inertia that is proposed as an organic phase change material (PCM). The aim of this paper is to compare the thermal behaviour of a Hybrid Air Conditioning System (HACS) with TTI filled with R134a, R1233zd and a pig-fat-based PCM. Numerical simulations using the OPAQUE 3 program and two online platforms are used to evaluate the possible application of TTI and PCM as passive systems. Additionally, three TTI models are used to simulate the heat transfer processes of TTI, PCM and R134a. The velocity of the flow in the air gap is also analysed numerically in both laminar and turbulent states. For the assessment, infrared thermographic imagery is used to measure the temperatures in the HACS, giving values of 46.17 °C by day and 38.05 °C at night. The results show that the heat loss and heat gain in the combination TTI filled with refrigerants and pig-fat-based PCM are between 2.22 and 1.51 W/m2. In addition, the HACS was able to keep a small box warm during the night. The flow in the air gap of the HACS can be controlled by installing Ni-Ti wire actuators with a cooling temperature of 23 °C and a heating temperature of 70 °C. The Ni-Ti wire actuators can open and close the dampers at 23 °C and 51 °C, respectively. By installing a 5-watt solar-power fan, the velocity of the flow in the air gap in the HACS can be increased, thus improving the efficiency of the system. In all the experiments, the pig fat proved to be suitable for use in building applications as a non-flammable organic material.
Implementing Very-Short-Term Forecasting of Residential Load Demand Using a Deep Neural Network Architecture
Authors: Gonzalez Reynaldo , Ahmed Sara , Alamaniotis Miltiadis
Published: April 2023

The need for and interest in very-short-term load forecasting (VSTLF) is increasing and important for goals such as energy pricing markets. There is greater challenge in predicting load consumption for residential-load-type data, which is highly variable in nature and does not form visible patterns present in aggregated nodal-type load data. Previous works have used methods such as LSTM and CNN for VSTLF; however, the use of DNN has yet to be investigated. Furthermore, DNNs have been effectively used in STLF but have not been applied to very-short-term time frames. In this work, a deep network architecture is proposed and applied to very-short-term forecasting of residential load patterns that exhibit high variability and abrupt changes. The method extends previous work by including delayed load demand as an input, as well as working for 1 min data resolution. The deep model is trained on the load demand data of selected days—one, two, and a week—prior to the targeted day. Test results on real-world residential load patterns encompassing a set of 32 days (a sample from different seasons and special days) exhibit the efficiency of the deep network in providing high-accuracy residential forecasts, as measured with three different error metrics, namely MSE, RMSE, and MAPE. On average, MSE and RMSE are lower than 0.51 kW and 0.69 kW, and MAPE lower than 0.51%.
Mitigation of CO2 Emissions from Commercial Ships: Evaluation of the Technology Readiness Level of Carbon Capture Systems
Authors: Bortuzzo Valentina , Bertagna Serena , Bucci Vittorio
Published: April 2023

The challenge of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the shipping sector is a pressing issue that is yet to be fully overcome. While new fuels and technologies hold promise for the future, they are not currently viable solutions on a large scale in the short-term. One strategy that is being considered as a way to reduce CO2 and CO emissions in the immediate future is carbon capture technology. Additionally, the possibility of a carbon tax being implemented in the future further strengthens the case for the adoption of this technology, which is already quite mature and in use in industries, although it has yet to be developed in the maritime sector. In this paper, the authors start from the definition of carbon capture technology to provide a technical overview of the solutions that are currently available to the maritime sector. Given the absolute innovation of such systems for application on board ships, the authors studied their installation and developed appropriate schemes to illustrate the feasibility of integration of these new technologies on board. Furthermore, the authors highlight the different levels of technological readiness of the proposed systems based on their potential for implementation on board commercial vessels.
The Impact of Tree Species on Microbial Community Structure and Soil Function on Forest Plantations in the Central Hardwoods Region (CHR)
Authors: Gardner Terrence G. , Frene Juan P. , Lawson Shaneka S. , Lue Sue Niall D. , Handy Jeffery , Crawford Ralph H.
Published: April 2023

Interactions between above- and below-ground monoculture forest plantation components are critical to tree growth and development. Within the Central Hardwoods Region (CHR), synergistic relationships between tree species and soil microbial community structure and function have received limited research attention. Soil microbes are integral to forest ecosystems as their activities intrinsically promote soil organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem functioning. Here, we examined soils from two perfectly aligned stands of black walnut (BW, Juglans nigra L.) and Northern red oak (RO, Quercus rubra L.) trees. Measurements of selected soil chemical properties, microbial community structure using ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL-FAME), and soil enzyme activities (EAs) were used. Analysis of modifications within microbial communities showed a significant positive response to BW based upon soil EAs and microbial indicators, compared to RO. Seasonal comparisons predictably revealed higher microbial activities during summer. Fungi dominated the soil microbial community structure with a fungal/bacterial ratio of 2:1. Gram-positive rather than Gram-negative bacteria or actinomycetes dominated the bacterial community. The activity of the soil enzymes ß-glucosidase and arylsulfatase increased, but ß-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase decreased. Additionally, acid phosphatase and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi revealed strong correlations. The differences observed in biological properties, specifically microbial communities and EAs, highlight the varied responses to BW and RO soil biology and subsequent soil ecosystem functions. These results indicate that variations in microbial abundance and soil functions occur throughout the course of an entire year.
Responses of Soil Microbial Diversity to Forest Management Practices after Pine Wilt Disease Infection
Authors: Guo Jing , Gong Xiaofei , Yu Shuisheng , Wei Boliang , Chu Liying , Liu Jinliang , He Xiaoyong , Yu Mingjian
Published: April 2023

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is a serious threat to coniferous forests worldwide. However, little is known about how soil microbial diversity responds to PWD and associated management practices. We investigated the community composition and diversity of bacteria and fungi in bulk and rhizosphere soil of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) forests following 0, 1, and 5 year PWD, with the dead pine in a certain plot being either managed (logged and removed from the plot) or unmanaged (maintained as standing dead wood). Both bacterial and fungal alpha diversity decrease after 5 year PWD and logging, with response degree being different between site locations. Alpha diversity of rhizosphere fungi, rather than bacteria, significantly decreases with the disease and logging. We observe an increase in the relative amount of bacterial functional groups involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism after PWD infection and logging practice. With the disease infection, the relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi decreases, while the relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi increases. Compared with logging treatment, unmanaged practice had a weaker effect on soil microbial communities. Our findings provide new insights into the short-term responses of soil microbial diversity to management practices after PWD infection.
Tree Recognition and Crown Width Extraction Based on Novel Faster-RCNN in a Dense Loblolly Pine Environment
Authors: Cai Chongyuan , Xu Hao , Chen Sheng , Yang Laibang , Weng Yuhui , Huang Siqi , Dong Chen , Lou Xiongwei
Published: April 2023

Tree crown width relates directly to wood quality and tree growth. The traditional method used to measure crown width is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Pairing imagery taken by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a deep learning algorithm such as a faster region-based convolutional neural network (Faster-RCNN) has the potential to be an alternative to the traditional method. In this study, Faster-RCNN outperformed single-shot multibox detector (SSD) for crown detection in a young loblolly pine stand but performed poorly in a dense, mature loblolly pine stand. This paper proposes a novel Faster-RCNN algorithm for tree crown identification and crown width extraction in a forest stand environment with high-density loblolly pine forests. The new algorithm uses Residual Network 101 (ResNet101) and a feature pyramid network (FPN) to build an FPN_ResNet101 structure, improving the capability to model shallow location feature extraction. The algorithm was applied to images from a mature loblolly pine plot in eastern Texas, USA. The results show that the accuracy of crown recognition and crown width measurement using the FPN_ResNet101 structure as the backbone network in Faster-RCNN (FPN_Faster-RCNN_ResNet101) was high, being 95.26% and 0.95, respectively, which was 4.90% and 0.27 higher than when using Faster-RCNN with ResNet101 as the backbone network (Faster-RCNN_ResNet101). The results fully confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Species Diversity of Phaeobotryon Associated with Tree Canker and Dieback Diseases in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Jia Haiying , Li Mengyao , Wang Caixia , Ma Rong
Published: April 2023

Withered branch disease is a major threat to the health of forest trees, resulting in the death of susceptible branches and even the whole plant. Botryosphaeriaceae members (e.g., Phaeobotryon spp.) are common pathogenic fungi that cause withered branches, canker and dieback disease symptoms in woody plants. This study aimed to identify the Phaeobotryon species inhabiting tree species with canker and dieback symptoms in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, based on both morphological and phylogenetic approaches. In the current study, branches and twigs showing typical symptoms of canker and dieback were collected from Elaeagnus angustifolia, Juglans regia, Malus pumila, Malus ‘Royalty’, Prunus armeniaca (wild apricot) and Rhus typhina growing on Tianshan Mountain in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. Phaeobotryon species isolated from these samples were characterized based on methods of morphology and molecular phylogeny. As a result, two species were identified: P. rhoinum and a new species Phaeobotryon mali sp. nov. Here, we provide a description and illustrations of this new species for science.
A Context-Aware Edge Computing Framework for Smart Internet of Things
Authors: Ben Sada Abdelkarim , Naouri Abdenacer , Khelloufi Amar , Dhelim Sahraoui , Ning Huansheng
Published: April 2023

The data explosion caused by the rapid and widespread use of IoT devices is placing tremendous pressure on current communication, computing and storage resources. In an ambient ubiquitous computing environment, taking advantage of the context of the application scenario can significantly improve the system performance of IoT networks. Therefore, in this paper, we propose CONTESS, a context-aware edge computing framework with selective sensing that leverages the context information of the sensed environment to improve its applicability to smart IoT systems. CONTESS is composed of two parts: context management, where context acquisition, modeling and reasoning happens; and selective sensing, where data selection happens. We demonstrate the capabilities of CONTESS in the scenario of a parking management system for a smart city environment. We implement CONTESS using linked data and semantic web technologies. We start by designing an OWL-based ontology and then simulating the proposed scenario using the OMNET++ network simulator along with the Veins framework and SUMO traffic simulator. The results show an improvement compared to traditional sensing methods in both communication overhead and the application results.
Chinese Short-Text Sentiment Prediction: A Study of Progressive Prediction Techniques and Attentional Fine-Tuning
Authors: Wang Jinlong , Cui Dong , Zhang Qiang
Published: April 2023

With sentiment prediction technology, businesses can quickly look at user reviews to find ways to improve their products and services. We present the BertBilstm Multiple Emotion Judgment (BBMEJ) model for small-sample emotion prediction tasks to solve the difficulties of short emotion identification datasets and the high dataset annotation costs encountered by small businesses. The BBMEJ model is suitable for many datasets. When an insufficient quantity of relevant datasets prevents the model from achieving the desired training results, the prediction accuracy of the model can be enhanced by fine-tuning it with additional datasets prior to training. Due to the number of parameters in the Bert model, fine-tuning requires a lot of data, which drives up the cost of fine-tuning. We present the Bert Tail Attention Fine-Tuning (BTAFT) method to make fine-tuning work better. Our experimental findings demonstrate that the BTAFT fine-tuning approach performs better in terms of the prediction effect than fine-tuning all parameters. Our model obtains a small sample prediction accuracy of 0.636, which is better than the ideal baseline of 0.064. The Macro-F1 (F1) evaluation metrics significantly exceed other models.