bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomics Study by Amino and Organic Acid Profiling Analyses in Pre- and Post-Milling Barley Using Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Choi Byeongchan , Ji Moongi , Oh Songjin , Lim Jaeyeop , Lee Mi Ja , Paik Man-Jeong
Published: November 2024

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally and provides various nutrients in a peeled form after milling. However, milling causes changes in nutritional composition, including metabolites. Thus, a metabolomics study was conducted to monitor the changes in nutritional composition before and after the milling of Hordeum vulgare seeds (Saechalssal, Hinchalssal, and Yeongbaekchal) focusing on the development and application of new analytical methods for organic acids (OA) and amino acids (AA). Profiling analyses of OAs and AAs were performed using GC-MS/MS. This analytical method showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.995) with limit of detection (0.1 ng, 21.2 ng) and limit of quantitation (0.3 ng, 63.6 ng), respectively. Repeatability varied from 0.1 to 12.4 (% RSD) and accuracy varied from –12.3 to 14.8 (% RE), respectively. Altered levels of 36 metabolites (16 OAs, 20 AAs) were monitored post-milling and compared with pre-milling in the three Hordeum vulgare cultivars. Radar plots of OAs and AAs to corresponding mean levels of each pre-milling group in the three Hordeum vulgare cultivars were easily distinguished from those in each post-milling group. The pre-and post-milling groups of the three Hordeum vulgare cultivars were completely separated by partial least square discriminant analysis, and the lysine, cysteine, glutamic acid, asparagine, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and citric acid were significantly different. Therefore, this study will be useful for monitoring altered metabolites following milling and discrimination of varieties.
Design and Application of a Lightweight Plate-Type Acoustic Metamaterial for Vehicle Interior Low-Frequency Noise Reduction
Authors: Wu Yudong , Yan Wang , Wen Guang , He Yanyong , Deng Shiqi , Ding Weiping
Published: November 2024

To reduce the low-frequency noise inside automobiles, a lightweight plate-type locally resonant acoustic metamaterial (LRAM) is proposed. The design method for the low-frequency bending wave bandgap of the LRAM panel was derived. Prototype LRAM panels were fabricated and tested, and the effectiveness of the bandgap design was verified by measuring the vibration transmission characteristics of the steel panels with the installed LRAM. Based on the bandgap design method, the influence of geometric and material parameters on the bandgap of the LRAM panel was investigated. The LRAM panel was installed on the inner side of the tailgate of a traditional SUV, which effectively reduced the low-frequency noise (around 34 Hz) during acceleration and constant-speed driving, improving the subjective perception of the low-frequency noise from “very unsatisfactory” to “basically satisfactory”. Furthermore, the noise reduction performance of the LRAM panel was compared with that of traditional damping panels. It was found that, with a similar installation area and lighter weight than the traditional damping panels, the LRAM panel still achieved significantly better low-frequency noise reduction, exhibiting the advantages of lightweight, superior low-frequency performance, designable bandgap and shape, and high environmental reliability, which suggests its great potential for low-frequency noise reduction in vehicles.
Current Radiotherapy Management of Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Immunotherapy Era: An Italian National Survey on Behalf of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO)
Authors: Bruni Alessio , Scotti Vieri , Zerella Maria Alessia , Bertolini Federica , Imbrescia Jessica , Olmetto Emanuela , Bennati Chiara , Cuccia Francesco , Miele Marianna , Giaj-Levra Niccolò , Tiseo Marcello , Ciammella Patrizia , Vagge Stefano , Galaverni Marco , Pontoriero Antonio , Badellino Serena , Spoto Ruggero , Alì Emanuele , Borghetti Paolo
Published: November 2024

Background: Extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) treatment has recently been revolutionized by the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors. This survey was conducted to evaluate the current pattern of care among Italian clinicians, in particular about the integration with radiation therapy (RT). Methods: In June 2023, 225 Italian cancer care professionals were invited to complete a 21-question web-based survey about ES-SCLC management through personal contacts and the Italian Association for Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) network. Results: We received 90 responses; the majority were radiation oncologists (89%) with more than 10 years of experience (51%). The preferred management of ES-SCLC in patients with a good performance status was concomitant chemo-immunotherapy (84%). Almost all respondents recommended prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) (85%), taking into account age and thoracic response; PCI was performed mainly between the end of chemotherapy and before starting immunotherapy (37%), with a three-dimensional conformal technique (46%). Furthermore, 83% of respondents choose to deliver thoracic RT in the case of both an intrathoracic and extrathoracic response, with an RT schedule of 30 Gy/10 fractions. Stereotactic RT is increasingly being used in oligoprogressions. Conclusions: Our analysis showed the variability of real-world management of ES-SCLC. Future clinical trials and developments are needed to improve the multidisciplinary treatment of these patients.
Trabectedin for L-Type Sarcoma: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Ön Sercan , Köksal Barış , Arık Zafer , Caner Burcu , Ercan Uzundal Duygu , Yazıcı Ozan , Arslan Benli Burcu , Eylemer Mocan Eda , Güngör Can , Güç Zeynep Gülsüm , Akay Seval , Keskinkılıç Merve , Dik Avcı Hande , Karaca Yayla Burçak , Çakar Burcu , Şanlı Ulus Ali
Published: November 2024

(1) Background: Metastatic L-type sarcomas (liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma) are rare and have a poor prognosis. Trabectedin is an effective agent that can be used after anthracyclines. This study was designed to evaluate the real-life effectiveness and safety of trabectedin. (2) Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted on patients who were treated with trabectedin for metastatic L-type sarcomas at ten tertiary oncology centers between 2015 and 2023. The objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), time to treatment failure (TTF), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in the cohort. Cox regression analysis was used to determine prognostic factors for survival. (3) Results: A total of 98 patients (52% liposarcoma and 48% leiomyosarcoma) were included in the study. The median treatment line was three (range: 1 to 6). Thirteen patients (13.3%) underwent local treatment due to oligoprogression, and dose reduction was required in seventeen patients (17.3%) due to toxicity. The ORR and DCR were 16% and 42%, respectively. The median TTF was 3 months, and the median OS was 10 months. In univariate analysis, a significantly longer median TTF was observed in patients who underwent local treatment (p = 0.008), obtained objective responses (p < 0.001), and underwent dose reduction (p = 0.002). No statistical differences were observed according to the histologic subtype and metastatic site. In the multivariate analysis for OS, it was found that obtaining an objective response was a good prognostic factor (p = 0.003), while the presence of liver metastases was associated with a poor prognosis (p = 0.016). (4) Conclusion: Trabectedin is a suitable option for L-type sarcoma after doxorubicin-based treatments. Survival was not worse in patients who underwent dose reduction. The use of local therapies simultaneously with trabectedin can be effective.
Time to Next Treatment Following Sub-Ablative Progression Directed Radiation Therapy for Oligoprogressive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Colciago Riccardo Ray , Chissotti Chiara , Ferrario Federica , Belmonte Maria , Purrello Giorgio , Faccenda Valeria , Panizza Denis , Canova Stefania , Passarella Gaia , Cortinovis Diego Luigi , Arcangeli Stefano
Published: November 2024

We aimed to evaluate whether progression-directed radiation therapy (PDRT) can prolong the initiation of a subsequent systemic therapy regimen in a cohort of patients with oligoprogressive NSCLC. A retrospective analysis was conducted on NSCLC patients who underwent PDRT for extracranial oligoprogressive NSCLC, defined as limited (up to five) progressing lesions following initial complete, partial, or stable response to systemic therapy according to REC1ST 1.1 and/or PERCIST 1.0 criteria. Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed to identify factors influencing time to next treatment (TTNT), which was considered the primary endpoint. Forty patients were analyzed. First, second, and ≥3 lines of systemic therapy were administered in 22 (58.2%), 14 (27.2%), and 4 (14.6%) cases, respectively. The median total dose was 36 Gy (range: 12–60) in five fractions (1–10), with a median biological effective dose for tumor control (BED10) of 52 Gy (26.4–151.2). After a median follow-up of 11 months (2–50), PDRT delayed further systemic therapy in 32 (80.0%) treatments. Median TTNT was not reached at 8 months (1–47) with a one-year Kaplan–Meier estimate of 81.4% (95% CI: 75.0% to 87.8%). No >grade 3 adverse event was observed. On multivariate analysis, patients with ≥3 lines of systemic therapy and/or with larger CTV volumes did not benefit from PDRT. Despite the use of sub-ablative doses, our findings show that PDRT represents an effective, safe, and viable option for oligoprogressive NSCLC. Patients irradiated early during their systemic treatment course, with a low volume of disease and nonmetastatic oligoprogression, could derive substantial benefits from PDRT.
The Objective Response and Disease Control Rates in Patients with Liver Metastastic Breast Cancer Receiving Transarterial Radioembolization: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Quartuccio Natale , Militano Vincenzo , Pappalardo Marco , Filippi Luca , Bagni Oreste , Moreci Antonino Maria , Ialuna Salvatore
Published: November 2024

Aim: To meta-analyze the utility of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in patients with liver metastatic breast cancer (BC), based on the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Methods: A literature search was performed retrieving studies with (1) at least 10 patients with liver metastatic BC treated with TARE and (2) adequate information to derive ORR and DCR. The ORR is the ratio between patients with liver lesions showing complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) over the total number of patients treated with TARE; the DCR is the ratio between patients with CR, PR, or stable disease (SD) over the total number of patients treated with TARE. Results: Eighteen studies (650 patients) were eligible; the ORR of TARE resulted 50.71% (95% C.I.: 40.04–61.36) and the DCR resulted 88.37% (95% C.I.: 81.89–93.57). Taking into account resin spheres (395 patients), the ORR was 60.35% (95% C.I.: 46.55–73.36) and the DCR was 92.73% (95% C.I.: 87.17–96.80%). Considering glass spheres (144 patients), the ORR was 32.38% (95% C.I.: 18.43–48.16) and the DCR was 82.69% (95% C.I.: 59.29–97.26). Conclusions: This meta-analysis favors the use of TARE in patients with liver metastatic BC either with resin or glass spheres.
Impact of Cardiac Surgery Scar on Heart Rupture Following a Fall from Height
Authors: Napoletano Gabriele , Treves Biancamaria , De Paola Lina , Del Duca Fabio , Ghamlouch Alessandro , Frati Paola , Maiese Aniello
Published: November 2024

Death from falls accounts for a significant number of injuries and fatalities globally, often linked to suicides, workplace accidents, or substance abuse, and rarely to homicidal causes. Injuries from falls vary based on height, impact point, and surface struck, with severe trauma often seen, including visceral ruptures, organ lacerations, and complex fractures. Even minimal external injuries can mask severe internal damage, such as multiple organ ruptures, organ tears, and large vessel lacerations. Blunt cardiac injuries, which occur in 5% to 50% of falls, are significant, especially in falls over 6 m. In 70% of the cases, cardiac rupture is observed at the level of the posterior wall of the heart and occurs due to a contusive action on the heart during the diastolic filling phase. We report a case of a 29-year-old man (weight 95 kg) who died from an 11-meter fall. He had a history of cardiac surgery for the transposition of the great vessels, and an autopsy revealed extensive cardiac rupture, likely worsened by fibrotic adhesions anchoring the heart to the pericardium. Toxicological investigations on peripheral blood showed BAC > 2.58 g/L. Heart scars, macro- and microscopically as a deposit of fibrous tissue, due to previous surgery, may have contributed to the extent of the lesion, suggesting the need for further study on post-operative tissue changes and their effects on trauma from falls.
Interpreting Bar Charts: Effects of 3D Depth Cues on Human Gaze and User Understanding
Authors: Svalina Ana , Banić Dubravko , Kovačević Dorotea
Published: November 2024

Three-dimensional information visualizations are widely used in various fields for their aesthetic appeal. However, using them can sometimes lead to occlusion and distortion, which raises questions about when and why to use them. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of three-dimensional visualizations on human gaze and user understanding and analyze the perception process in detail. Our empirical research consisted of a two-part experimental study that involved both subjective and objective evaluation. We specifically focused on bar charts as they are among the most frequently used types of information visualizations. The results suggest that, for bar chart visualizations with varying gap dimensions, there is no statistically significant difference in user understanding between the two-dimensional and three-dimensional versions. Our findings indicate that, in general, three-dimensional bar chart visualizations are as comprehensible as their two-dimensional counterparts for the gap dimensions examined in this research. This study provides empirical insights demonstrating that both 3D and 2D bar charts are equally understandable, particularly when a specific gap depth is used in 3D visualizations. These findings contribute to the ongoing discussion about the effective use of three-dimensional visualizations and highlight areas for further research.
Building Connections: The Impact of Digital Storytelling on Communication and Leadership Skills Among Disabled Young Adults
Authors: Sitter Kathleen C. , Allemang Brooke , Young Amber P. E. , Herrera Ana
Published: November 2024

Digital storytelling has been applied in research in varied contexts and with varied purposes. Implicit in the process of digital storytelling is the potential to develop and/or enhance a range of individual skills (e.g., multimedia, literacy, communication, etc.). However, further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the potential impact of digital storytelling on skill enhancement for disabled youth. This paper provides an overview of Phase 1 of the study “My life. My story: The Youth Digital Storytelling Project” that utilized elements of a community-based participatory action research approach to host a peer-facilitated digital storytelling workshop for young adults with developmental disabilities aimed at capturing and sharing their lived experiences with, knowledge of, and perspectives on significant life-stage transitions in the areas of education, employment, or living. The results from the pre- and post-workshop questionnaires suggest that the participants improved skills in media literacy, communication, and leadership. Additionally, the participants highlighted the importance of considering the delivery format, fostering connections, and enhancing self-confidence in the development of the workshop’s design and delivery. This research adds to the extant literature demonstrating the potential of digital storytelling as a pedagogical tool, offering implications for the design and implementation of online workshops for disabled youth.
Service-Delivery Models to Increase the Uptake of Non-Communicable Disease Screening in South-Central Ethiopia: A Difference-In-Differences Analysis
Authors: Ketema Bezawit , Addissie Adamu , Negash Sarah , Bekele Mosisa , Wienke Andreas , Kaba Mirgissa , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna
Published: November 2024

Background: Screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a critical step for early detection and the prevention of consequent morbidity and mortality. To facilitate NCD screening, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health has developed screening guidelines. However, like other low- and middle-income countries, interventions to increase the uptake of NCD-screening services in Ethiopia remain ineffective. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of service delivery models to increase NCD-screening service uptake in south-central Ethiopia. Method: A health-facility-based quasi-experimental study design was employed to determine the effectiveness of providing a multiple-NCD-screening service in addition to social- and behavioral-change communication (SBCC) intervention to increase the uptake of NCD-screening services. The interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was adapted from previously published research and used to collect data during the baseline and end-line survey periods. A difference-in-differences analysis was used to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: Compared with routine care, the availability of a multiple-NCD-screening service, together with SBCC intervention, was found to significantly increase the uptake of cervical cancer screening, clinical breast examination, blood pressure measurement, and blood glucose-measurement services, by 18, 9, 44 and 23 percent points, respectively. However, the availability of a multiple-NCD-screening service without SBCC intervention increased clinical breast-examination service uptake by 9% point and blood glucose-measurement service uptake by 18% point without increasing the uptake of cervical cancer-screening or blood pressure-measurement services. Conclusion: The integration of multiple-NCD-screening services accompanied by SBCC intervention that promotes them is an important approach for improving the uptake of NCD-screening services.
Basic Cells Special Features and Their Influence on Global Transport Properties of Long Periodic Structures
Authors: Oliveira Luna R. N. , da Luz Marcos G. E.
Published: November 2024

In this contribution, we address quantum transport in long periodic arrays whose basic cells, localized potentials U(x), display certain particular features. We investigate under which conditions these “local” special characteristics can influence the tunneling behavior through the full structure. As the building blocks, we consider two types of U(x)s: combinations of either Pöschl–Teller, U0/cosh2[αx], potentials (for which the reflection and transmission coefficients are known analytically) or Gaussian-shaped potentials. For the latter, we employ an improved potential slicing procedure using basic barriers, like rectangular, triangular and trapezoidal, to approximate U(x) and thus obtain its scattering amplitudes. By means of a recently derived method, we discuss scattering along lattices composed of a number, N, of these U(x)s. We find that near-resonance energies of an isolated U(x) do impact the corresponding energy bands in the limit of very large Ns, but only when the cell is spatially asymmetric. Then, there is a very narrow opening (defect or rip) in the system conduction quasi-band, corresponding to the energy of the U(x) quasi-state. Also, for specific U0’s of a single Pöschl–Teller well, one has 100% transmission for any incident E>0. For the U(x) parameters rather close to such a condition, the associated array leads to a kind of “reflection comb” for large Ns; |TN(k)|2 is not close to one only at very specific values of k, when |TN|2≈0. Finally, the examples here—illustrating how the anomalous transport comportment in finite but long lattices can be inherited from certain singular aspects of the U(x)s—are briefly discussed in the context of known effects in the literature, notably for lattices with asymmetric cells.
Thermodynamics of the Primordial Universe
Authors: Pereira David Silva , Ferraz João , Lobo Francisco S. N. , Mimoso José Pedro
Published: November 2024

This review delves into the pivotal primordial stage of the universe, a period that holds the key to understanding its current state. To fully grasp this epoch, it is essential to consider three fundamental domains of physics: gravity, particle physics, and thermodynamics. The thermal history of the universe recreates the extreme high-energy conditions that are critical for exploring the unification of the fundamental forces, making it a natural laboratory for high-energy physics. This thermal history also offers valuable insights into how the laws of thermodynamics have governed the evolution of the universe’s constituents, shaping them into the forms we observe today. Focusing on the Standard Cosmological Model (SCM) and the Standard Model of Particles (SM), this paper provides an in-depth analysis of thermodynamics in the primordial universe. The structure of the study includes an introduction to the SCM and its strong ties to thermodynamic principles. It then explores equilibrium thermodynamics in the context of the expanding universe, followed by a detailed analysis of out-of-equilibrium phenomena that were pivotal in shaping key events during the early stages of the universe’s evolution.
Quantum Information Scrambling in Adiabatically Driven Critical Systems
Authors: Puebla Ricardo , Gómez-Ruiz Fernando J.
Published: November 2024

Quantum information scrambling refers to the spread of the initially stored information over many degrees of freedom of a quantum many-body system. Information scrambling is intimately linked to the thermalization of isolated quantum many-body systems, and has been typically studied in a sudden quench scenario. Here, we extend the notion of quantum information scrambling to critical quantum many-body systems undergoing an adiabatic evolution. In particular, we analyze how the symmetry-breaking information of an initial state is scrambled in adiabatically driven integrable systems, such as the Lipkin–Meshkov–Glick and quantum Rabi models. Following a time-dependent protocol that drives the system from symmetry-breaking to a normal phase, we show how the initial information is scrambled, even for perfect adiabatic evolutions, as indicated by the expectation value of a suitable observable. We detail the underlying mechanism for quantum information scrambling, its relation to ground- and excited-state quantum phase transitions, and quantify the degree of scrambling in terms of the number of eigenstates that participate in the encoding of the initial symmetry-breaking information. While the energy of the final state remains unaltered in an adiabatic protocol, the relative phases among eigenstates are scrambled, and so is the symmetry-breaking information. We show that a potential information retrieval, following a time-reversed protocol, is hindered by small perturbations, as indicated by a vanishingly small Loschmidt echo and out-of-time-ordered correlators. The reported phenomenon is amenable for its experimental verification, and may help in the understanding of information scrambling in critical quantum many-body systems.
Evaluating the Development of Pre-Service Primary School Teachers’ Competences in the Context of a Student-Centred Science Visits Course
Authors: Susman Katarina , Vošnjak Matej , Pavlin Jerneja
Published: November 2024

The student-centred approach emphasises active learning, where students take responsibility for their own learning process, in which they are actively involved and integrate new information into their existing knowledge framework. Combining this approach with outdoor learning provides an even more effective teaching strategy. When combining these approaches, the individual needs and interests of the students must be taken into account. The research was conducted as part of The Science Visits Course among 30 prospective primary school teachers in their final years of study. The focus of the study was on the students’ self-assessment of their competences in science education and on the implementation of a student-centred teaching process, including outdoor teaching. Data were collected using online questionnaires and a structured evaluation form to assess students’ plans for a science visit. The research findings suggest that students find this type of work engaging and that it encourages their self-engagement, taking responsibility and working together in a group through sharing ideas and opinions. On the other hand, the student competences important for outdoor education have come to the fore to some extent, but there are still areas that can be improved, especially in the area of science content knowledge.
Teachers’ Attitudes Towards STEM Education: Exploring the Role of Their Readiness via a Structural Equation Model
Authors: Papagiannopoulou Theano , Vaiopoulou Julie
Published: November 2024

Over the past decade, there has been an intensified emphasis on STEM education to correspond with the goals of twenty-first century education. Educators play a vital role in executing a cohesive approach to interdisciplinary teaching and learning; hence, considerable focus has been directed towards the elements influencing teachers’ attitudes. The study aimed to provide empirical evidence illustrating the significant influence of teachers’ readiness on predicting attitudes. This was achieved by developing a conceptual model that explores the factors affecting individuals’ attitudes towards teaching STEM courses. The emphasis was put on self-efficacy, commitment, cognitive readiness, emotional readiness, and teaching attitudes. A total of 494 Greek primary and secondary education teachers participated electronically in the survey, answering according to the TRi_STEM and TASET scales. The validity of the conceptual model was evaluated using a structural equation model (SEM). The results demonstrated a positive association among all six factors. More notably, general attitudes towards teaching impact positively, either directly or indirectly, the four readiness variables and, finally, teachers’ attitudes towards STEM education. The current study contributes to the existing body of the literature by identifying and analyzing critical attributes that substantially impact teachers’ attitudes towards teaching STEM courses.
Physics-Informed Neural Network for Load Margin Assessment of Power Systems with Optimal Phasor Measurement Unit Placement
Authors: Bento Murilo Eduardo Casteroba
Published: November 2024

The load margin is an important index applied in power systems to inform how much the system load can be increased without causing system instability. The increasing operational uncertainties and evolution of power systems require more accurate tools at the operation center to inform an adequate system load margin. This paper proposes an optimization model to determine the parameters of a Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) that will be responsible for predicting the load margin of power systems. The proposed optimization model will also determine an optimal location of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) at system buses whose measurements will be inputs to the PINN. Physical knowledge of the power system is inserted in the PINN training stage to improve its generalization capacity. The IEEE 68-bus system and the Brazilian interconnected power system were chosen as the test systems to perform the case studies and evaluations. Three different metaheuristics called the Hiking Optimization Algorithm, Artificial Protozoa Optimizer, and Particle Swarm Optimization were applied and evaluated in the test system. The results achieved demonstrate the benefits of inserting physical knowledge in the PINN training and the optimal selection of PMUs at system buses for load margin prediction.
A Novel Non-Unit Protection Method for MMC-HVDC Transmission Lines Based on the Ratio of Line-Mode Voltage Second Derivative
Authors: Wang Yanting , Ouyang Jiayuan , Shi Zhaoyuan , Fan Shunyue
Published: November 2024

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology is essential for overcoming the challenges of large-scale renewable energy integration. Line protection is critical for ensuring system safety. However, existing protection methods for MMC-HVDC transmission lines face difficulties in withstanding both high resistance and noise interference, frequently leading to failures in detecting internal high-resistance faults or triggering false operations due to noise. This paper first derives the theoretical expression of the line-mode voltage through analytical methods. By analyzing the second derivative of the line-mode voltage under different fault conditions, this paper constructs a criterion based on the ratio of the integrals of the positive and negative components of the second derivative of the line-mode voltage. This criterion enables effective fault discrimination by utilizing the characteristic differences in the second-derivative waveform. The proposed criterion allows for precise fault identification, requiring only a 0.5 ms time window to detect faults. Additionally, this criterion is highly resistant to transition resistance, remaining unaffected by resistances up to 500 Ω. Moreover, an entropy-based auxiliary criterion is introduced to prevent false operations caused by noise interference. Simulation results using PSCAD/EMTDC demonstrate that the proposed protection scheme can swiftly and reliably detect faults, with a detection time of 0.5 ms and robust performance against both high transition resistance and noise interference.
Harnessing Deep Learning for Enhanced MPPT in Solar PV Systems: An LSTM Approach Using Real-World Data
Authors: Roy Bappa , Adhikari Shuma , Datta Subir , Devi Kharibam Jilenkumari , Devi Aribam Deleena , Ustun Taha Selim
Published: November 2024

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is essential for maximizing the efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. While numerous MPPT methods exist, practical implementations often lean towards conventional techniques due to their simplicity. However, these traditional methods can struggle with rapid fluctuations in solar irradiance and temperature. This paper introduces a novel deep learning-based MPPT algorithm that leverages a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) deep neural network (DNN) to effectively track maximum power from solar PV panels, utilizing real-world data. The simulations of three algorithms—Perturb and Observe (P&O), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and the proposed LSTM-based MPPT—were conducted using MATLAB (2021b) and RT_LAB (24.3.3) with an OPAL-RT simulator for real-time analysis. The data used for this study were sourced from NASA/POWER’s Native Resolution Daily Data of solar irradiation and temperature specific to Imphal, Manipur, India. The obtained results demonstrate that the LSTM-based MPPT system achieves a superior power tracking accuracy under changing solar conditions, producing an average output of 74 W. In comparison, the ANN and P&O methods yield average outputs of 57 W and 62 W, respectively. This significant improvement, i.e., 20–30%, underscores the effectiveness of the LSTM technique in enhancing the power output of solar PV systems. By incorporating real-world data, valuable insights into solar power generation specific to the selected location are provided. Furthermore, the outputs of the model were verified through real-time simulations using the OPAL-RT simulator OP4510, showcasing the practical applicability of this approach in real-world scenarios.
An Optimized Multi-Level Control Method for Wireless Power Transfer System Using the Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Zhao Jianwei , Li Lin , Wu Huan , Luo Bo , Li Huayi , Zhang Yucai , Liu Shanzong , Zhao Lei
Published: November 2024

A Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) system, known for its contactless power delivery, is extensively used for power supply in spacecraft applications. Achieving efficient and stable power transfer necessitates the integration of DC/DC converters on both the primary and secondary sides of WPT systems for power conversion and control. Traditional efficiency optimization methods primarily focus on impedance matching within the wireless power resonance network, often neglecting the overall efficiency optimization of multi-stage DC-DC and WPT systems. This oversight results in suboptimal overall system efficiency despite optimal efficiency in the wireless transmission segment. Additionally, the time-varying nature of mutual inductance and load parameters during power transmission in WPT systems presents challenges for maximum efficiency tracking and power control. This paper introduces a multi-level coordinated control efficiency optimization method for WPT systems utilizing the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. This method takes into account the transmission losses across all power conversion units within the WPT system, establishing a mathematical model for the joint optimization of overall system transmission efficiency and power. The PSO algorithm is then employed to solve this optimization model using estimated mutual inductance and load values. By adjusting the DC/DC converters on both sides, the method ensures optimal overall system efficiency and consistent power transmission. Experimental results indicate that under varying load and mutual inductance conditions, a Series–Series (SS) compensated WPT system using this method achieves a 200 W power output with maximum efficiency tracking, a power output error of 0.63%, and an average transmission efficiency of 86.2%. This demonstrates superior power transmission stability and higher efficiency compared to traditional impedance matching methods.
Investigating the Nexus Between Energy Transition Reporting Practices and Corporate Efficiency in the European Agri-Food Sector
Authors: Zabolotnyy Serhiy
Published: November 2024

The research paper investigates the nexus between energy transition reporting practices and corporate efficiency of listed European companies from the agri-food sector. The study relies on key energy-related and financial indicators and logistic regression analysis conducted on 219 EU business entities publishing their financial and non-financial reports between 2004 and 2023. Based on the distribution of financial metrics in the sample, we assumed that entities reporting data on energy transition, either partially or fully, could achieve higher profitability and simultaneously have lower liquidity than non-reporting companies. The panel data model indicated a strong relationship between the reporting status of a business entity, its revenue, and the time variable, demonstrating that the likelihood of providing information on energy transition was associated with the size of a company and increased systemically over time. However, further regression analysis revealed a lack of a persistent, significant relationship between the key financial indicators and the entities’ energy transition reporting status. Considering the substantial changes in the EU regulatory environment associated with introducing CSRD, we conclude that with increasing legal pressure over time, companies will gradually shift towards standardized industry-related reporting practices, resulting in more consistent and transparent evidence of their energy transition strategies.
High-Frequency Test of Electric Locomotive Arrester and Its PHM Design
Authors: Peng Xinping , Zou Huanqing , Wang Pengfei , Song Kejian , Xie Ganghui
Published: November 2024

The zinc oxide (ZnO) arrester is positioned on the locomotive roof, preventing other onboard electrical equipment from being harmed by external and internal overvoltages. A number of locomotive arrester burnout and explosion accidents occur during traction supply network harmonic resonance, causing train stoppages and power outages in the network. This study first carries out high-frequency tests to investigate the wide frequency band electrical characteristics of the locomotive arrester and prove that the arrester is prone to fault during resonance. Consequently, a prognostics and health management (PHM) methodology for locomotive arresters is proposed, providing online monitoring, fault warning, and health assessment, which is beneficial to the operation and maintenance of arresters in the future.
Research on Voltage Prediction Using LSTM Neural Networks and Dynamic Voltage Restorers Based on Novel Sliding Mode Variable Structure Control
Authors: Xue Jian , Ma Jingran , Ma Xingyi , Zhang Lei , Bai Jing
Published: November 2024

To address the issue of uncertainty in the occurrence time of voltage sags in power grids, which affects power quality, a voltage state prediction method based on LSTM neural networks is proposed for predicting voltage states. For the problem of quickly and accurately compensating for voltage sags, a DVR system based on a new approach law of sliding mode variable structure control is proposed, which significantly reduces chattering, improves response speed, and enhances the robustness of the system. The stability of the system is proven based on Lyapunov stability theory. Simulation experiments are conducted to analyze the voltage state prediction effect based on the LSTM neural network and the compensation effect of the novel reaching law of sliding mode variable structure control under different levels of voltage sag, validating the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed solution.
Control of Large Wind Energy Converters for Aeroacoustic Noise Mitigation with Minimal Power Reduction
Authors: Rivarola Andrea , Gambier Adrian
Published: November 2024

The population is often opposed to wind turbines being erected near their homes, mainly because the machines are noisy, especially at night. In an effort to establish a compromise between the needs of the people and the fulfilment of energy demands, wind turbines have the ability to switch between day and night operation by reducing the rotation speed during the night, resulting in a loss of generated power. The present study investigates simple models for noise emission, propagation, and prediction, with the objective of proposing a control system configuration that continuously adjusts the rotational speed as much as necessary until it matches sound level regulations while minimising power losses. Thus, several approaches are implemented and tested with a very large reference wind turbine. The simulation results of a reference wind turbine show that the approaches provide significant improvements in sound reduction as well as in power conversion.
An Overview of the R&D of Flywheel Energy Storage Technologies in China
Authors: Dai Xingjian , Ma Xiaoting , Hu Dongxu , Duan Jibing , Chen Haisheng
Published: November 2024

The literature written in Chinese mainly and in English with a small amount is reviewed to obtain the overall status of flywheel energy storage technologies in China. The theoretical exploration of flywheel energy storage (FES) started in the 1980s in China. The experimental FES system and its components, such as the flywheel, motor/generator, bearing, and power electronic devices, were researched around thirty years ago. About twenty organizations devote themselves to the R&D of FES technology, which is developing from theoretical and laboratory research to the stage of engineering demonstration and commercial application. After the research and accumulation in the past 30 years, the initial FES products were developed by some companies around 10 years ago. Today, the overall technical level of China’s flywheel energy storage is no longer lagging behind that of Western advanced countries that started FES R&D in the 1970s. The reported maximum tip speed of the new 2D woven fabric composite flywheel arrived at 900 m/s in the spin test. A steel alloy flywheel with an energy storage capacity of 125 kWh and a composite flywheel with an energy storage capacity of 10 kWh have been successfully developed. Permanent magnet (PM) motors with power of 250–1000 kW were designed, manufactured, and tested in many FES assemblies. The lower loss is carried out through innovative stator and rotor configuration, optimizing magnetic flux and winding arrangement for harmonic magnetic field suppression. Permanent magnetic bearings with high load ability up to 50–100 kN were developed both for a 1000 kW/16.7 kWh flywheel used for the drilling practice application in hybrid power of an oil well drilling rig and for 630 kW/125 kWh flywheels used in the 22 MW flywheel array applied to the flywheel and thermal power joint frequency modulation demonstration project. It is expected that the FES demonstration application power stations with a total cumulative capacity of 300 MW will be built in the next five years.
Analytical Characteristics and Clinical Performance of Anti-Müllerian Hormone Immunoassay on the ADVIA Centaur® System: A Comparison with Other Chemiluminescent Methods
Authors: Bogdanovic Jelena , Freeman Kaitlin , Brown Chadwick , Singleton Rachel , Behera Millie , O’Brien Jeanne E. , Zbella Edward , Christenson Robert H.
Published: November 2024

Background: Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and antral follicle count are key in evaluating ovarian reserve (OR) for fertility. The performance of the Siemens Healthineers AMH assay was assessed on the ADVIA Centaur® System. Methods: Analytical characteristics, clinical performance, and method comparison studies were performed in a prospective cohort of 532 women at fertility clinics. Serum AMH levels were determined using ADVIA Centaur, Beckman Access®, and Roche Elecsys® assays. Results: The limit of quantitation for the ADVIA Centaur AMH assay was 0.030 ng/mL. Repeatability was ≤2.9% CV, within-lab repeatability was ≤3.2% CV, and reproducibility was ≤4.4% CV. Results using serum or lithium heparin sample types were equivalent. Diagnostic sensitivity across assays ranged from 77.3% to 90.2% and specificity ranged from 51.0 to 71.0%; corresponding positive and negative predictive values ranged from 66.6% to 74.3% and 74.2% to 83.0%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analyses demonstrated that the assays have a high probability for discriminating between diminished–normal and high OR. ADVIA and Beckman assays agreed according to ADVIA = 1.00 × Beckman + 0.014 ng/mL, τ = 0.909, while a more modest correlation of ADVIA = 1.41 × Roche − 0.024 ng/mL, τ = 0.777 was observed with Roche assay. Conclusions: The ADVIA Centaur assay demonstrates acceptable analytical characteristics and clinical performance comparable to the Roche AMH assay and is essentially interchangeable with the Beckman AMH assay for reliable OR assessment.
Assessment of the Seismic Vulnerability of Florence (Italy) Through Macro-Seismic Methods
Authors: Paoletti Barbara , Tanganelli Marco , Viti Stefania
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the assessment of damage scenarios in urban communities has become one of the central themes in local government policies, aimed at promoting effective seismic risk mitigation and improving the efficiency of rescue systems to manage emergencies. In Italy, the seismic hazard has become a topical issue since the 1982 Irpinia earthquake, and several ventures have been promoted to face the seismic mitigation of complex residential districts. The objective of this research is to define the damage scenarios of the city of Florence, where 97% of the building stock is designed without anti-seismic prescriptions. The urban vulnerability of Florence has been assessed based on the current approaches available in the technical literature, combined with the knowledge provided by the recent investigation on the subsoil. Once the possible damage scenarios have been defined, the resilience of the area has been determined, and the population involved in the evacuation has been estimated.
Unveiling the Dynamics of Canopy Transpiration: A Novel Model Integrating Stomatal and Aerodynamic Resistance in Semi-Humid Forests
Authors: Cao Yongxiang , Wang Yushi , Zhang Naichang , Ning Chendong , Dang Nan , Jia Jianbo
Published: November 2024

Canopy–atmospheric water vapor output resistance (gs) is a key parameter in researching forest canopy transpiration. It is important for quantifying the water vapor exchange in forest ecosystems. However, the method by which gs is determined has been controversial, and it cannot precisely represent water vapor exchange. This study aimed to develop a model to quantify the water vapor resistance between the canopy and the atmosphere in Platycladus orientalis (P. orientalis) forests using sap flow and meteorological factors monitoring data. The resistance model was constructed using the relationship between canopy stomatal resistance (gc) and aerodynamic resistance (ga) from the mechanism perspective, and sap flow data and measurements of meteorological variables were used to model the stomatal and aerodynamic resistance of the canopy. The results indicate that the canopy-atmospheric water vapor output resistance was closer to the measured values and showed a unimodal curve in the diurnal scale, and this change could provide more accurate measurements of tree transpiration. At the same time, the canopy-atmospheric water vapor output resistance was strongly influenced by wind speed and PAR when 0.2 m/s < u < 0.4 m/s (R2 = 0.871, p < 0.01). The stomatal and aerodynamic resistance were also both strongly influenced by wind speed, with the proposed model achieving a high degree of fit (R2 = 0.949, p < 0.01), providing a new tool for analyzing forest transpiration. This research provides a new perspective and technical reference for clarifying the mechanism of forest canopy water output.
The Scale-Dependent Differences in Cooling Efficiency of UGS in Different Functional Areas: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
Authors: Yan Zhaoyang , Wu Tianji , Xuan Le , Li Wenru , Wang Xuhui , Dong Ludi , Yu Kanhua , Wang Yong
Published: November 2024

Urban green spaces (UGS) play a critical role in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect and addressing climate change challenges through their cooling effects. Expanding green space and optimizing its layout are key strategies in urban planning. However, with limited land resources, maximizing cooling efficiency becomes crucial. While previous studies have yet to reach a consensus on the optimal UGS size threshold for achieving maximum cooling efficiency, this study employs high-resolution remote sensing imagery to extract 25,594 UGS patches in Xi’an and explores the scale dependency of UGS cooling effects. Results show that 54.20% of the patches exhibit a “cooling island effect”, reducing surface temperatures by 0.10 ± 0.13 °C to 1.66 ± 1.15 °C. A nonlinear relationship was observed between cooling intensity and UGS size, influenced by vegetation coverage and edge complexity. Further analysis reveals that medium-sized UGS have the highest cooling efficiency. These UGS were categorized into five functional zones to explore the dominant factors affecting cooling efficiency in each zone, and corresponding strategies for improvement were proposed. These findings provide insights into optimizing UGS layout and refining the cooling efficiency thresholds.