Search Results (1,855)

The growing need for efficient and safe high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electric vehicles and grid storage necessitates advanced internal monitoring solutions. This work presents a comprehensive simulation model of a novel integrated optical sensor based on ethylene carbonate-filled photonic crystal fiber (EC-PCF). The proposed design synergistically combines a chirped fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and an extrinsic Fabry–Pérot interferometer (EFPI) on a multiplexed platform for the multifunctional sensing of refractive index (RI), temperature, strain, and pressure (via strain coupling) within LIBs. By matching the RI of the PCF cladding to the battery electrolyte using ethylene carbonate, the design maximizes light–matter interaction for exceptional RI sensitivity, while the cascaded EFPI enhances mechanical deformation detection beyond conventional FBG arrays. The simulation framework employs the Transfer Matrix Method with Gaussian apodization to model FBG reflectivity and the Airy formula for high-fidelity EFPI spectra, incorporating critical effects like stress-induced birefringence, Transverse Electric (TE)/Transverse Magnetic (TM) polarization modes, and wavelength dispersion across the 1540–1560 nm range. Robustness against fabrication variations and environmental noise is rigorously quantified through Monte Carlo simulations with Sobol sequences, predicting temperature sensitivities of ∼12 pm/°C, strain sensitivities of ∼1.10 pm/$\mathsf{\mu }$$\mathsf{\epsilon }$, and a remarkable RI sensitivity of ∼1200 nm/RIU. Validated against independent experimental data from instrumented battery cells, this model establishes a robust computational foundation for real-time battery monitoring and provides a critical design blueprint for future experimental realization and integration into advanced battery management systems. Full article

Growing global supply chain uncertainties significantly threaten China’s forage import security. The evolving characteristics of the global forage trade network directly impact the stability of China’s supply. This study constructs a directed, weighted trade network based on global forage products trade data (2000–2024). Using complex network analysis methods, it systematically analyzes the network’s topological structure and evolutionary patterns, with a focus on their impact on China’s import security. The study addresses the following questions: What evolutionary patterns does the global forage trade network exhibit in terms of its topological structure? How does the evolution of this network impact the import security of forage products in China, specifically regarding supply chain stability and risk resilience? The research findings indicate the following: (1) From 2000 to 2024, the total volume of global forage products trade increased by 48.17%, primarily driven by forage products excluding alfalfa meal and pellets, which accounted for an average of 82.04% of volume annually. Additionally, the number of participating countries grew by 21.95%. (2) The global forage products trade network follows a power–law distribution, characterized by increasing network density, a clustering coefficient that initially declines and then rises, and a shortening of the average path length. (3) The core structure of the global forage products trade network shows an evolutionary trend of diffusion from core nodes in North America, Oceania, and Asia to multiple core nodes, including those in North America, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and Asia. (4) China’s forage products trade network displays distinct phase characteristics; however, imports face significant risks from high supply chain dependency and exposure to international price fluctuations. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended that China actively expands trade relations with potential product-exporting countries in Africa, encouraging enterprises to “go global.” Additionally, China should establish a three-dimensional supply chain security system, comprising maritime, land, and storage components, to enhance risk resistance and import safety. Full article

Melon is a global crop with a value of USD 31 billion. However, up to 30% of yield is lost due to phytopathogens. Essential oils are a sustainable approach to crop protection and storage, enhancing food security and reducing agricultural losses. We evaluated the antifungal potential of clove essential oil and pure eugenol against Alternaria alternata, Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL), Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae (FSC), Rhizoctonia solani, and Verticillium dahliae in vitro. We also evaluated the resistance of melons, including eugenol-poor Cucumis melo cv. vedrantais (CMV) and eugenol-rich C. melo cv. makuwa (CMM), to infection caused by FOL and FSC. Chemical analysis of clove oil reveals that eugenol was the main compound, at 89.28%. Clove oil and eugenol at 300 μg/mL reduced the growth of all fungal species. Pure eugenol exhibited the strongest antifungal activity, with 95–100% growth inhibition. Eugenol-rich melons did not show necrosis or internal rot when inoculated with FSC, and had minimal lesions, while eugenol-poor melons revealed more advanced rot symptoms. Clove oil and eugenol are antifungal alternatives that may improve food safety. These findings demonstrate the high potential of eugenol to reduce postharvest losses in melon and contribute to future breeding programmes aimed at developing contamination-resistant cultivars. Full article

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of storage conditions and gelatin concentration on changes in selected physical properties of freeze-dried coated carrot bars. Freeze-dried carrot snacks were prepared and coated with an addition of 8% and 12% porcine gelatin. They were stored at different temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, and 40 °C) for 3 and 6 months. After this time, selected physical properties of coated freeze-dried products were tested. The study’s results indicated that time and temperature significantly impacted water activity, dry matter content, hygroscopicity, mechanical properties, and color. Based on most of the tested features, the coated freeze-dried product should be stored for 3 months at 25 °C. The water activity was low (0.261), with high dry matter content (96%), a porosity value at 81%, and high hardness, while the total color difference was at 18.2. However, there were no notable changes in the porosity and internal structure of the samples based on storage temperature and duration. The most substantial effect of gelatin concentration on the tested features was observed in the control samples (coated and not stored). Developing sustainable packaging for freeze-dried carrot bars is a future challenge. Edible packaging allows for the use of food industry byproducts and is ecological. Full article

This study addresses the absence of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for tebuconazole and trifloxystrobin in edible rose petals in China by systematically evaluating the residue behavior and dietary exposure risks of these fungicides. An analytical method based on QuEChERS sample preparation coupled with UPLC–MS/MS was developed for the simultaneous determination of tebuconazole, trifloxystrobin, and its metabolite CGA321113 in fresh and dried rose petals. Field trials under the highest application conditions (184 g a.i./hm², applied twice) were conducted to investigate residue dissipation dynamics, storage stability, processing concentration effects, and transfer behavior during brewing. Results indicated that the target compounds remained stable in rose petals for 12 months at –20 °C ± 2 °C. The drying process significantly concentrated residues due to the hydrophobic nature of the compounds, with enrichment factors ranging from 3.0 to 3.9. Brewing tests further confirmed low transfer rates of tebuconazole, trifloxystrobin, and CGA321113 into the infusion, consistent with their low water solubility and high log K_ow values. Residue dissipation followed first-order kinetics, with half-lives of 1.9–2.9 days for tebuconazole and 1.2–2.7 days for trifloxystrobin. Dietary risk assessment showed an acceptable risk for trifloxystrobin (RQ = 22.7%) but a high risk for tebuconazole (RQ = 175.1%). It is recommended to set the MRL for both tebuconazole and trifloxystrobin in edible roses at 15.0 mg/kg. This standard ensures consumer safety while accommodating agricultural needs and aligns with international regulations. For the high-risk pesticide tebuconazole, measures such as optimizing application strategies and promoting integrated management should be implemented to mitigate residue risks. Full article

Insular regions face unique energy management challenges due to physical isolation. Graciosa (Azores) has high renewable energy sources (RES) potential, theoretically enabling a 100% green system. However, RES intermittency combined with the lack of energy storage solutions reduces renewable penetration and raises curtailment. This article studies the technical and economic feasibility of producing green hydrogen from curtailment energy in Graciosa through two distinct case studies. Case Study 1 targets maximum renewable penetration with green hydrogen serving as chemical storage, converted back to electricity via fuel cells during RES shortages. Case Study 2 focuses on maximum profitability, where produced gases are sold to monetize curtailment, without additional electricity production. Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) values of €3.06/kgH₂ and €2.68/kgH₂, respectively, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) values of 3.7% and 17.1% were obtained for Case Studies 1 and 2, with payback periods of 15.2 and 6.1 years. Hence, only Case Study 2 is economically viable, but it does not allow increasing the renewable share in the energy mix. Sensitivity analysis for Case Study 1 shows that overall efficiency and CAPEX are the main factors affecting viability, highlighting the need for technological advances and economies of scale, as well as the importance of public funding to promote projects like this. Full article

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced regulations that affect many shipbuilding industries and related companies. They require building companies to demonstrate strict compliance with these regulations in construction activities going forward. In response, shipbuilding companies are testing various electrification methods, with the ultimate aim of making ships more eco-friendly. In large ships, in particular, constructors often take a gradual route by hybridizing the propulsion system. In many large cargo ships, the adoption of energy storage systems (ESSs) is expected as part of this transition. In practice, the most frequently operating units inside the ship are the generator engines (GEs). Therefore, this study targets the fluctuation rate characteristics of GEs, providing a more realistic basis for ESS sizing. By focusing on smoothing the GE output, this study determines the ESS capacity required to maintain system stability using a simple moving average (SMA) method and evaluates the fluctuation rate of the GEs under various load conditions. Full article

Plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) represent an eco-friendly solution for generating clean energy by converting biological processes into electricity. This work presents the first integration of tin sulfide (SnS)-coated 304 stainless steel (SS304) electrodes into Aloe vera-based PMFCs for enhanced energy harvesting. SnS thin films were obtained via chemical bath deposition and screen printing, followed by thermal treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a crystal size of 15 nm, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed film thicknesses ranging from 3 to 13.75 µm. Over a 17-week period, SnS-coated SS304 electrodes demonstrated stable performance, with open circuit voltages of 0.6–0.7 V and current densities between 30 and 92 mA/m², significantly improving power generation compared to uncoated electrodes. Polarization analysis indicated an internal resistance of 150 Ω and a power output of 5.8 mW/m². Notably, the system successfully charged a 15 F supercapacitor with 8.8 J of stored energy, demonstrating a practical proof-of-concept for powering low-power IoT devices and advancing PMFC applications beyond power generation. Microbial biofilm formation, observed via SEM, contributed to enhanced electron transfer and system stability. These findings highlight the potential of PMFCs as a scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy solution suitable for industrial and commercial applications, contributing to the transition toward greener energy systems. These incremental advances demonstrate the potential of combining low-cost electrode materials and energy storage systems for future scalable and sustainable bioenergy solutions. Full article

The applicability of biochar as a coarse aggregate substitute in concrete to increase sustainability and multifunctionality was investigated. Biochar, a porous carbon-rich byproduct from biomass pyrolysis, was incorporated at various replacement ratios (5–20%) under four water-to-binder (w/b) conditions (0.25–0.40). The key physical, mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties, including the unit weight, porosity, compressive strength, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity, were evaluated via SEM and EDS analyses. The results revealed that although increasing the biochar content reduced the mechanical strength, it significantly improved the thermal insulation performance because of the porous structure of the biochar. At low w/b ratios and 5–10% biochar content, sufficient mechanical properties were retained, indicating a viable design range. Higher replacement ratios (>15%) led to excessive porosity, reduced hydration, and impaired durability. This study quantitatively analyzed the interproperty correlations, confirming that the strength and thermal performance are closely linked to the internal matrix density and porosity. These findings suggest that biochar-based concrete has potential for use in thermal energy storage systems, high-temperature insulation, and low-carbon construction. The low-carbon effect is achieved both by sequestering stable carbon within the concrete matrix and by partially replacing cement, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions from cement production. Moreover, the results highlight a strong correlation between increased porosity, enhanced thermal insulation, and reduced strength, thereby offering a solid foundation for sustainable material design. In particular, the term ‘high temperature’ in this context refers to exposure conditions above approximately 200~400 °C, as reported in previous studies. However, this should be considered as a potential application to be validated in future experiments rather than a confirmed outcome of this study. Full article

Artificial water replenishment has improved the ecological environment of West Lake by introducing external clean water, but pollution issues still persist in some local regions. However, whether enhancing water exchange through internal water diversion within the lake can improve local water quality remains unverified. This study employed the Delft3D hydrodynamic model to simulate the spatiotemporal distribution of local water renewal time in West Lake, revealing that regions with prolonged water renewal times exhibited diminished resilience to water quality disturbances. This study utilized the Random Forest algorithm to determine the responsiveness of West Lake’s water transparency to parameters such as local water renewal time, and further discussed the impact of reducing local water renewal time on transparency under different water quality conditions. The results indicate that the sensitivity of West Lake’s transparency to water quality parameters closely resembles that of lakes with rainwater storage. The primary mechanism by which external water diversion improves transparency is through pollutant dilution, whereas enhanced local water exchange capacity contributes minimally to this effect. This conclusion demonstrates that localized internal water diversion within the lake is only suitable for preventing ecological issues such as regional eutrophication and algal blooms, but cannot effectively improve the overall lake ecosystem. Furthermore, this study identifies key factors affecting water transparency in artificially managed waters, highlighting priority monitoring indicators for similar water bodies. It also provides evidence to support research on aquatic optics and the development of remote sensing algorithms for such waters. Full article

The increasing deployment of stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) power supply systems is driven by their capability to convert solar irradiance into electrical energy. A typical application of such systems is solar-powered water pumping. However, since solar irradiance varies throughout the day, the maximum power output of PV panels may be lower than the load demand. A viable solution to this issue is the integration of hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs) combining batteries and supercapacitors (SCs). In this work, HESS charging and discharging control strategies were developed based on adaptive droop control, which regulates the power distribution between the SC and the battery and limits DC grid voltage deviations. In the developed method, the SC droop coefficient is adaptively adjusted in a stepwise manner depending on the SC state of charge (SoC), while the battery droop coefficient remains constant. The performance of the proposed strategies was evaluated through simulations, showing SC-battery internal loss minimization by up to 50% compared with the scenario without droop control when the SC is discharged first, and only then is the battery engaged. Step response of the converter was investigated experimentally, showing less than a 2 ms response time, and no undesired influence from the proposed control method was detected. Full article

Background: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) causes Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS), impairing quality of life (QoL). Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is the gold-standard surgical treatment for Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO), but its effects on Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) function—assessed via Heart Rate Variability (HRV)—remains underexplored. To our knowledge, this is the first study to correlate HRV with specific LUTS domains pre- and post-TURP, establishing HRV as a potential biomarker for BPH management. Methods: In a prospective study, 242 men with BPH underwent TURP (2018–2024). Inclusion required age ≥ 50 years, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 8, and BOO evidence. HRV (Standard Deviation of Normal-to-Normal Intervals [SDNN], Low-Frequency/High-Frequency [LF/HF] ratio), IPSS, and QoL were assessed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Paired t-tests, Pearson correlations, and multivariate regression (adjusted for age, Body Mass Index [BMI], prostate volume) were used (p < 0.05). Results: HRV (SDNN) increased from 36.97 ± 22.80 ms to 51.67 ± 27.59 ms (p = 0.032), and LF/HF ratio decreased from 1.63 ± 1.60 to 0.73 ± 0.52 (p = 0.028). IPSS fell from 18.5 ± 6.2 to 8.3 ± 4.1 (p < 0.001), with improved voiding (p = 0.004) and storage (p = 0.002) subscores. QoL improved from 3.5 ± 1.2 to 1.8 ± 0.9 (p = 0.003). HRV correlated inversely with IPSS voiding (r = −0.42, p = 0.012; r = −0.38, p = 0.019 post-TURP) and storage subscores (r = −0.29, p = 0.045). Older patients (≥65 years) and those with larger prostates (≥50 mL) showed greater improvements. Conclusions: TURP enhances LUTS, QoL, and ANS function. HRV’s correlation with LUTS suggests its biomarker potential, with possible cardiovascular benefits. Longitudinal studies are needed. Full article

In response to the IMO’s decarbonisation strategy, hydrogen—especially green hydrogen—becomes a promising alternative fuel in shipping. This article provides a comparative analysis of two hydrogen propulsion technologies suitable for a service vessel (SOV) operating in offshore wind farms: hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines. This study focuses on the use of liquid hydrogen (LH₂) stored in cryogenic tanks and fuel cells as an alternative to the previously considered solution based on compressed hydrogen (CH₂) stored in high-pressure cylinders (700 bar) and internal combustion engines. The research aims to examine the feasibility of a fully hydrogen-powered SOV energy system. The analyses showed that the use of liquefied hydrogen in SOVs leads to the threefold reduction in tank volume (1001 m³ LH₂ vs. 3198 m³ CH₂) and the weight of the storage system (243 t vs. 647 t). Despite this, neither of the technologies provides the expected 2-week autonomy of SOVs. LH₂ storage allows for a maximum of 10 days of operation, which is still an improvement over the CH₂ gas variant (3 days). The main reason for this is that hydrogen tanks can only be located on the open deck. Although hydrogen fuel cells take up on average 13.7% more space than internal combustion engines, they are lower (by an average of 24.3%) and weigh less (by an average of 50.6%), and their modular design facilitates optimal arrangement in the engine room. In addition, the elimination of the exhaust system and lubrication simplifies the engine room layout, reducing its weight and space requirements. Most importantly, however, the use of fuel cells eliminates exhaust gas emissions into the atmosphere. Full article

Sex-specific information is crucial for sturgeon culture, conservation, and fisheries management. However, identifying their sex is difficult outside the spawning season. Two recently identified female-specific loci (AllWSex2 and SSM4) are conserved across many Acipenserid species, but they have not been validated for all species within this family. This study aimed to (1) determine whether SSM4 can be used to sex shortnose sturgeon, (2) develop and test a multiplex PCR technique using both ALLWSex2 and SSM4 for sexing shortnose sturgeon, (3) determine if long-term stored blood samples can be used to sex shortnose sturgeon, and (4) test the effect of storage temperature on DNA degradation. DNA was extracted from frozen RBC samples from 36 previously sexed fish. A multiplex PCR was set up using three pairs of primers: AllWSex2 and SSM4, as female-specific loci, and mtDNA, as an internal control. AllWSex2 and SSM4 allowed for perfect discrimination of sex. While long-term storage and storage temperature did cause DNA degradation, the signal was still strong enough after 8 years of cold storage for reliable sex determination. This suggests that researchers now have the ability to re-examine archived/frozen samples to determine the sex of their sturgeon. Full article

Egg quality plays a crucial role in determining shelf life, consumer acceptability, and economic value in commercial egg production systems. This study evaluated the effects of season, storage temperature, and duration on internal and external egg quality. A total of 256 freshly laid eggs were collected during winter and spring, and stored at four temperatures (0 °C, 10 °C, 20 °C, and 30 °C) for 0, 10, 20, and 30 days. The experimental design was a 2 × 4 × 4 factorial design (season × temperature × duration), with 128 eggs collected each in both seasons. Each treatment combination included 8 eggs (2 eggs × 4 replicates). External quality (egg weight and shell thickness) and internal quality (yolk and albumen height, width, pH, Haugh units, and yolk colour) parameters were evaluated at 10-day intervals. Egg weight significantly decreased (p < 0.05) from 67.67 g on Day 0 to 59.39 g on Day 30. Similarly, shell thickness decreased (p < 0.05) from 40.00 mm to 36.00 mm over the same period. Yolk pH increased from 6.68 to 7.16 (p < 0.05), and albumen pH rose (p < 0.05) from 7.30 to 7.60, particularly at higher storage temperatures (20 °C and 30 °C). Yolk and albumen heights decreased significantly (p < 0.05), from 2.03 cm to 1.23 cm and 6.65 cm to 3.88 cm, respectively, indicating structural degradation. Yolk width increased from 2.58 cm to 3.49 cm (p > 0.05), and albumen width expanded (p < 0.05) from 5.33 cm to 9.21 cm, with a notably greater spread observed at 30 °C (14.68 cm). Haugh unit values declined markedly from 98.46 to 60.00 over 30 days (p < 0.05), indicating a significant deterioration in internal egg quality. Seasonal effects were also evident: spring eggs had greater shell thickness (40.60 mm vs. 38.45 mm in winter; p = 0.01) and brighter yolk colour, whereas winter eggs had higher yolk pH values (6.47 vs. 6.28; p = 0.009), and superior yolk and albumen heights. These findings indicate that storage beyond 10 days, particularly above 20 °C, compromises egg quality and that seasonality significantly affects multiple quality parameters. Cold storage and seasonally optimized management strategies are recommended to preserve egg integrity and marketability in commercial poultry systems. Full article