bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of discretionary snack consumption on overall energy intake, weight status, and diet quality: A systematic review
Authors: Cooke Carlton B. , Greatwood Hannah C. , McCullough Deaglan , Kirwan Richard , Duckworth Lauren C. , Sutton Louise , Gately Paul J. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe consumption frequency and portion size of discretionary snacks are thought to contribute to a greater food intake and risk of overweight or obesity in the developed world but evidence from epidemiological studies is inconclusive. To investigate this, we systematically evaluated evidence on the effects of discretionary snack consumption on weight status, energy intake, and diet quality. Articles involving discretionary snacks reported against the outcome measures of any primary, peer‐reviewed study using human participants from free‐living conditions for all age groups were included. A total of 14,780 titles were identified and 40 eligible publications were identified. Three key outcomes were reported: weight status (n = 35), energy intake (n = 11), and diet quality (n = 3). Increased discretionary snack consumption may contribute modestly to energy intake, however, there is a lack of consistent associations with increased weight/BMI. Although cross‐sectional analyses offered conflicting findings, longitudinal studies in adults showed a consistent positive relationship between discretionary snack intake and increasing weight or body mass index. Given that experimental findings suggest reducing the size of discretionary snacks could lead to decreased consumption and subsequent energy intake, food policy makers and manufacturers may find it valuable to consider altering the portion and/or packaging size of discretionary snacks.
Analyzing the effects of economic sanctions: Recent theory, data, and quantification
Authors: Egger Peter , Syropoulos Constantinos , Yotov Yoto V. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInspired by the increased interest in economic sanctions and their consequences, this special issue contains a collection of studies by experts aiming to reflect the recent developments and trends in the literature on economic sanctions. The contributions contain theoretical research on the topic, data collection, and empirical work on the impact, effectiveness and success of sanctions. Moreover, the contributions come from economists and political scientists and are, therefore, interdisciplinary in nature. In this introduction, we highlight each paper in the volume by summarizing its salient features and by placing them in the broader context of the literature on economic sanctions. We also synthesize several takeaways and conclude by identifying questions we believe future research should shed further light on.
Engagement for Life's Sake: Reflections on Partnering and Partnership with Rural Tribal Nations☆
Authors: Schelly Chelsea , Gagnon Valoree , Brosemer Kathleen , Arola Kristin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we reflect on our collective experiences engaging with Anishinaabe Tribal Nations in the Great Lakes region to support Tribal sovereignty in decision‐making for food, energy, and water (FEW) systems. In these diverse experiences, we find common lessons. The first set of lessons contributes new empirical knowledge regarding the challenges and opportunities that rural Great Lakes Tribal Nations navigate for enacting sovereignty in decision‐making. Our experiences illustrate that while Tribal Nations benefit from a broad and deep commitment to sovereignty and many cultural strengths, they are often challenged by shortages in administrative capacity; technical support; and embeddedness in economic, socio‐cultural, and institutional dynamics that must be further negotiated for Tribes to enact the sovereignty to which they are inherently (and legally) entitled. Productive partnerships struggle when university partners fail to acknowledge these realities. The second set of lessons addresses the potential for, and challenges of, effective engagement processes. We find that engagement with university professionals is often mismatched with the priorities and needs of Tribal Nations. Effective engagement with Tribal Nations requires practical knowledge, applied assistance, and grounded, genuine relationships; these requirements often run counter to the institutional structures and priorities imposed by universities, federal funding agencies, and student recruitment. These findings, associated with both empirical knowledge and lessons on process, highlight shared insights on formidable barriers to effective engagement. Based on our firsthand experience working with rural Tribal Nations on FEW decision‐making, we share these reflections with particular focus on lessons learned for professionals who engage, or hope to engage, with Tribal Nations in rural settings and offer opportunities to transform engagement processes to better support the immediate, practical needs of rural Tribal Nations.
The Lingering Banners of Hong Kong ‘National Day’
Authors: Ismangil Milan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWhat remains of a national day after it has passed? Weeks after it has ended banners celebrating China's ‘birthday’ on October first can still be seen all over Hong Kong. As government and pro‐China organizations hang up banners and flags all around Hong Kong, celebrating the birthday of the nation. These flags remind the people in Hong Kong that they are part of China, despite some thinking otherwise. I argue that these banners serve to 1. Remind people of Hong Kong's subordinate position within the nation state of China, 2. Show how the nation is performed, and 3. force the nation onto people as a forceful rather than a banal gesture. Drawing on theories of affect and space, ethnography, and photos taken by the author, this study adds to the theory and process of everyday nation‐making.
Chromosome‐level genome assembly of Prunella vulgaris L. provides insights into pentacyclic triterpenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Zhang Sixuan , Meng Fanqi , Pan Xian , Qiu Xiaoxiao , Li Caili , Lu Shanfa 
Published: January 2024

SUMMARYPrunella vulgaris is one of the bestselling and widely used medicinal herbs. It is recorded as an ace medicine for cleansing and protecting the liver in Chinese Pharmacopoeia and has been used as the main constitutions of many herbal tea formulas in China for centuries. It is also a traditional folk medicine in Europe and other countries of Asia. Pentacyclic triterpenoids are a major class of bioactive compounds produced in P. vulgaris. However, their biosynthetic mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we report a chromosome‐level reference genome of P. vulgaris using an approach combining Illumina, ONT, and Hi‐C technologies. It is 671.95 Mb in size with a scaffold N50 of 49.10 Mb and a complete BUSCO of 98.45%. About 98.31% of the sequence was anchored into 14 pseudochromosomes. Comparative genome analysis revealed a recent WGD in P. vulgaris. Genome‐wide analysis identified 35 932 protein‐coding genes (PCGs), of which 59 encode enzymes involved in 2,3‐oxidosqualene biosynthesis. In addition, 10 PvOSC, 358 PvCYP, and 177 PvUGT genes were identified, of which five PvOSCs, 25 PvCYPs, and 9 PvUGTs were predicted to be involved in the biosynthesis of pentacyclic triterpenoids. Biochemical activity assay of PvOSC2, PvOSC4, and PvOSC6 recombinant proteins showed that they were mixed amyrin synthase (MAS), lupeol synthase (LUS), and β‐amyrin synthase (BAS), respectively. The results provide a solid foundation for further elucidating the biosynthetic mechanism of pentacyclic triterpenoids in P. vulgaris.
Effect of Engine Speed and Biogas Composition on Performance of a Small Biogas-Diesel Dual-Fuel Generator
Authors: Dahlseide Austin , Dev Shouvik , Stevenson David , Guo Hongsheng 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Small diesel generators (&lt; 10-kilowatt (kW) electricity output) are widely used as primary and backup sources of electricity in remote and other off-grid communities in Canada owing to their portability and durability. Major challenges associated with these generators include high costs of diesel and its transportation, as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biogas, which can be produced from the local waste or biomass, can be introduced into a diesel generator to potentially reduce diesel consumption and GHG emissions. The objective of this experimental study is to investigate the impact of engine speed, biogas composition, and intake temperature on the performance of a small biogasdiesel dual-fuel generator.
This study was conducted using a 4-kW diesel generator with a normally aspirated, four-stroke, direct injection, single-cylinder diesel engine. A new intake manifold was installed on the engine to incorporate a biogas dosing port. The biogas was simulated by a mixture of compressed natural gas (composed of more than 95% methane), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen (N2). Exhaust gas temperature and composition were also recorded. Electrical load was maintained at 3.1 kW.
The results of this study indicated that raising the engine speed from 1800 to 3600 rpm increased the diesel consumption rate, thereby increasing the overall GHG emissions. However, NOx emissions were reduced. The impact of the biogas composition was significant, especially the effect of CO2 when compared to N2. Increasing intake temperature improved engine efficiency particularly at higher biogas flow rates. The results highlighted the challenges associated with the application of biogas-diesel dual-fuel technology in small diesel generators with highspeed engines.
Effect of Hydrogen Enrichment on Combustion and Emissions of a Heavy Duty Natural Gas - Diesel Dual Fuel Engine at Low and Medium Load Conditions
Authors: Guo Hongsheng , Yousefi Amin , Dev Shouvik , Liko Brian , Lafrance Simon 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Diesel engines are widely used due to their higher reliability and superior fuel conversion efficiency. However, they generate significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. Natural gas is a low carbon and clean fuel that generates less CO2 and PM emissions than diesel during combustion. Replacing diesel by natural gas in internal combustion engines helps reduce both CO2 and PM emissions. A practical and efficient way to replace diesel by natural gas is natural gas-diesel dual fuel combustion. One concern for natural gas-diesel dual fuel combustion engines is the methane slip which offsets the advantage of low CO2 and PM emissions of natural gas combustion.
Hydrogen enrichment enhances the burning rates and extends flammability limits of hydrocarbon fuels, and therefore has potential to help address the issue of methane slip in natural gas-diesel dual fuel engines. This paper investigated the effect of hydrogen enrichment on combustion and emissions of a heavy duty natural gas-diesel dual fuel engine at low and medium load conditions. About 45% volume based hydrogen was blended with natural gas and introduced into the cylinder via engine intake manifold of a single cylinder heavy duty research engine. Overall 75% diesel was displaced by hydrogen enriched natural gas. The results revealed that hydrogen enrichment reduced methane emissions by about 44 to 58% at the investigated conditions. Meanwhile, hydrogen enrichment also improved engine efficiency at most operation conditions, especially when methane slip was significant. As a result, hydrogen enrichment helped reduce CO2 equivalent emissions by about 17 to 38% compared to natural gas only – diesel dual fuel operation, although the overall energy fraction from hydrogen in the fuel input to the cylinder was less than 15%. Hydrogen enrichment also significantly decreased carbon monoxide emissions. A side effect of hydrogen enrichment was the increase in NOx emissions.
Design of a Novel Impulse Turbine for a Supercharged Single Cylinder Diesel Engine – A Simulation Approach
Authors: Jayaraman Ramkumar , Krishnasamy Anand , A. Ramesh 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Worldwide, single-cylinder engines have never been turbocharged commercially since the exhaust flow from the engine is intermittent. Hence, almost one-third of the energy supplied by the fuel as input to the single-cylinder engine is wasted as output into the atmosphere in the exhaust gas. In the current study, a supercharger was employed to enhance the power output from a single-cylinder diesel engine. A novel impulse turbine was proposed to recoup some energy from the pulsated exhaust flow. This novel supercharged, impulse turbine compounded single-cylinder engine layout was simulated using the commercially available AVL Boost model. Based on the results of the 1D model, an impulse turbine suitable for the supercharged engine was designed. Commercially available CAD modelling software NX was used to generate the 3D data of the designed impulse turbine. CFD analysis was conducted on the designed impulse turbine 3D model using commercially available Converge software. The impulse turbine design was further optimized based on the results of the CFD analysis. Design features like clearances of the turbine rotor, outlet port opening size, number of blades, blade speed, etc., were optimized. Simulated results show that the designed impulse turbine generated about 1.85 kW of power, thereby enhancing the power output of the supercharged engine by 15% at rated power conditions. Overall, the novel supercharged and impulse turbine compounded engine generated 14.65kW of power which was 39% higher than the base NA engine brake power output. Thus, the novel impulse turbine was designed using 1D and 3D simulations. Hence, with a simulation approach, the proposed novel method of employing a supercharged and impulse turbine compounded single-cylinder diesel engine was validated as the novel layout proved beneficial with improved engine performance.
Potential of H2-Assisted Light-Off of Oxidation Catalyst in H2-Diesel Dual-Fuel Engines
Authors: Piqueras Pedro , de la Morena Joaquín , Sanchis Enrique José , Conde Carla , Herreros José Martín , Tsolakis Athanasios 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Hydrogen (H2) appears as a fundamental alternative to conventional fuels to lead the decarbonization of the transportation sector based on internal combustion engine propulsion. Being well assumed that neat H2 combustion demands the analysis of the exhaust aftertreatment systems (ATS) requirements and performance, this is also very relevant when considering dual-fuel strategies. This work addresses the impact of H2 presence in the exhaust gases on the conversion efficiency of CO and THC in an oxidation catalyst operating under representative real driving conditions. A reaction mechanism is proposed to cover the main conversion paths of CO, HC, and H2, including the formation and consumption of high-energy surface reaction intermediates. The mechanism has been implemented into a faster-than-real-time reduced-order model for multi-layer washcoat honeycomb catalytic converters and validated against experimental data. The model is applied to analyze the influence of the H2 concentration on the CO and HC light-off time during a vehicle driving test cycle. A wide span of concentrations, ranging from expected amounts in the exhaust of a dual-fuel Diesel engine to post-injected H2 strategies, was considered. Post-injection interest is analyzed regarding the eventual tradeoff between light-off and cumulative conversion efficiency in driving cycles and increased energy consumption. Additionally, the benefits in light-off time and increased reactivity were also assessed as a potential for catalyst downsizing at the expense of stress on the reactor in terms of bulk mass transfer limitations and pressure drop increase.
Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Ammonia Addition on the Performance of a Stoichiometric Operated Natural Gas Spark Ignition Engine
Authors: Yang Ruomiao , Yan Yuchao , Ou Juan , Liu Zhentao , Liu Jinlong 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Due to the pressing issue of global warming, there has been a significant focus on zero and low carbon fuels within the international community. Among the hydrocarbon fuels available, methane has gained wide usage in spark ignition engines due to its abundance and its relatively smaller hydrocarbon mass ratio. However, in order to further mitigate carbon emissions, there is growing interest in exploring the potential of using ammonia, a zero-carbon fuel, as a partial replacement for methane. Consequently, it is essential to investigate the impact of ammonia addition on the performance of natural gas spark ignition engines. One of the key challenges in studying ammonia/methane engines is that the introduction of ammonia alters the formation mechanism of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and leads to a coupling of fuel NOx and thermal NOx. Consequently, there has been limited research on the NOx emissions of ammonia/methane engines. This study successfully addresses this issue by differentiating between atmospheric nitrogen and fuel nitrogen elements and effectively decoupling the thermal/fuel NOx. This approach provides valuable insights into the effect of ammonia addition on the NOx characteristics of natural gas engines. The results indicate that the addition of ammonia introduces the presence of N2O species, which is not observed in methane engines. The N2O species primarily originates from the cold wall regions formed during the late oxidation process. Furthermore, although ammonia addition increases the concentration of NO in the burning zone, it appears to slightly reduce the NO concentration at chemical equilibrium at stoichiometric operation. This effect leads to stoichiometric-operated engines fueled with 80% methane and 20% ammonia exhibiting lower NOx emissions compared to those fueled with pure methane. These findings suggest that even a modest addition of 20% ammonia to methane fuel has a significant impact on the formation and evolution of NOx, highlighting the need for further studies to explore the NOx emission characteristics in ammonia/methane spark ignition engines.
Combustion Research in Wide DCN Range Synthetic Aviation Fuels in a High Compression Ratio Engine
Authors: Soloiu Valentin , Weaver Amanda , Willis James , Rowell Aidan , Dillon Nicholas 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
An investigation was conducted on the performance and emissions characteristics of two Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthetic kerosenes, Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) S8 and Coal-to-Liquid (CTL) Iso-Paraffinic Kerosene (IPK), in a high compression ratio research engine with separate combustion chamber and using neat ULSD as a baseline. A 50% and a 70% by mass blend S8 with ULSD and a 50% and a 70% by mass blend of IPK with ULSD were analyzed for performance and emissions at 5, 6, and 7 bar Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP) and 2400 rpm.
Additionally, neat S8, neat IPK, and neat ULSD were investigated in the Constant Volume Combustion Chamber (CVCC) for Ignition Delay (ID), Combustion Delay (CD), and Derived Cetane Number (DCN). S8 was found to have the highest DCN at 62 with very short ID and CD while IPK was found to have the lowest DCN at 26 and with the longest ID and CD. ULSD has a DCN between the two F-T fuels at 48. As a result of its long ID and CD, IPK showed extended regions of Low Temperature Heat Release (LTHR) and Negative Temperature Coefficient Region (NTCR) in the CVCC. It was also found that neat IPK, 50ULSD50IPK, and 30ULSD70IPK exhibit little to no ringing events at peak pressure and after High Temperature Heat Release (HTHR).
In the research engine, peak heat release for ULSD, 50ULSD50S8, and 50ULSD50IPK was found to be 24.2 J/CAD, 20.5 J/CAD, and 23.4 J/CAD respectively. Due to the increase of the DCN with the addition of S8 to the blend, the 50ULSD50S8 blend exhibited minimal difference between the pre-chamber and the main chamber as it ignites earlier in the cycle with the flame front traveling quickly to the main chamber. IPK, however, had a short physical ignition delay and a long chemical ignition delay, as indicated by its low DCN, takes longer to ignite and creates a more homogeneous mixture in the highly turbulent pre-chamber. This causes a spike in heat release in the pre-chamber before the flame front propagates to the main chamber. This resulted in 50ULSD50IPK having the highest Peak Pressure Rise Rate (PPRR) and 50ULSD50S8 having the lowest PPRR. While both fuel blends reduced the soot emissions due to their low aromatic content, 50ULSD50IPK showed a 25% reduction in soot when compared to ULSD while 50ULSD50S8 showed only a 6% reduction in soot when compared to neat ULSD. There was a increase in CO emissions with the addition of IPK and a reduction in CO at low load with the addition of S8. With both F-T fuels, CO2 and NOx were found to decrease.
Optimization of the Combustion Chamber Design of a Natural Gas-Diesel Dual Fuel Engine Running at Low Load
Authors: Scrignoli Francesco , Savioli Tommaso , Rinaldini Carlo Alberto 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
A 3D-CFD investigation has been performed to optimize the design of the combustion system of a Dual Fuel (DF) natural gas-Diesel 4-Stroke engine, employed as a gen-set. The novelty of the study is the focus on low load operations (3000 rpm – 2 bar BMEP; 25 % load), where the control of CO and UHC emissions is quite critical, due to the large air excess of the premixed charge. Differently from high load conditions, here the combination of the combustion chamber shape and of the diesel spray patterns plays a fundamental role. Three piston bowl geometries, with same compression ratio (17.5), have been numerically compared: a conventional Omega-shaped bowl (baseline), an open shallow bowl and a hemispherical bowl. For each bowl, five Diesel sprays included angles have been considered: 170°, 150° (baseline), 120°, 90° and 60°. For all the configurations, it was found that performance improves as the spray angle increases. Moreover, the hemispherical combustion chamber behaves significantly better than the baseline in a range of spray included angle between 170° and 120°.
The effect of the Diesel injection strategy has been also investigated, starting from the best combustion chamber configuration (hemispherical bowl with Diesel spray included angle = 170°): Results show that the best SOI for single-Diesel injection is −10 °CA AFTDC.
In comparison to the baseline configuration, the optimized combustion system permits to improve the gross indicated thermal efficiency by 49.3 %, while UHC and CO emissions decrease by about 72 % and 61 %, respectively. The only drawback is the higher value of NOx emissions (+ 41 %), which should be not critical at these low loads.