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Multi-Solution Heat Exchanger Network Synthesis for Turbo-Expander-Based Cryogenic CO2 Capture Technology

Publication Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

Publication Date: 2025-01-22

Volume: 64

Issue: 3

Page Range: 1664-1679

Description:

Cryogenic separation of CO2 is a potential technology that can benefit from energy efficiency improvements. However, the current conventional and emerging cryogenic technologies face challenges in terms of high utility consumption. The high utility requirement leads to increasing operational costs and emissions due to the production of required utilities from external energy sources. This issue can be solved if the heat recovery potential of the technology can be realized. Heat recovery enables further improvement in energy efficiency that is required to elevate the feasibility of cryogenic separation. This paper explores heat recovery opportunities between hot and cold streams in a novel cryogenic CO2 capture technology known as Turbo-Expander-based Cryogenic Distillation (CryoDT). This is achieved using P-HENS, a P-graph-based heat exchanger network synthesis tool where multiple feasible heat exchanger network configurations are generated to determine the options that effectively recover process heat to reduce utility consumption. Moreover, the solutions generated by P-HENS are benchmarked with other tools like Aspen Energy Analyzer, by comparing the number of required heat exchangers, along with the associated capital and operating costs. For the predefined hot and cold process streams of the novel technology, the total number of heat exchangers present in the network was lower in the recommended design using P-HENS (i.e., 9 heat exchangers) as opposed to Aspen Energy Analyzer (16 heat exchangers) while maintaining similar energy consumption levels. This indicates that there is a further opportunity to reduce capital costs as a result of less heat exchangers. The CryoDT configuration that is integrated with a heat exchanger network offers significant economic advantages as opposed to other existing cryogenic processes in the market such as the Ryan Holmes and Controlled Freeze Zone (CFZ) processes. Despite its high capital cost, the CryoDT process demonstrates significantly lower operating cost relative to the other two processes. Hence, while the initial investment is substantial, the CryoDT process is much more cost efficient to operate. The low operating cost is attributed to its higher energy efficiency and minimal energy penalties, with only 0.26 GJ/tonne of CO2 compared with 0.82 GJ/tonne of CO2 for the CFZ process and 2.33 GJ/tonne of CO2 for Ryan Holmes. In contrast, the Ryan Holmes process, despite its low capital cost, incurs extremely high annual operational costs, rendering it less economic in the long term. The CFZ process, with its moderate operating cost, presents a balance between capital cost and operational efficiency.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.4c03469

Applying Quadri-Partition Neutrosophic Soft Locally Compact Spaces to Enhance Machine Learning and Uncertainty Management

Publication Name: International Journal of Analysis and Applications

Publication Date: 2026-01-01

Volume: 24

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Within the broader framework of quadri-partition neutrosophic soft bi-topological spaces (QPNSBTS), the concept of quadri-partition neutrosophic soft locally compact space (QPNSLCS) is introduced in this research. It strengthens the theoretical foundation for handling uncertainty in complex topological structures by demonstrating that local compactness, particularly when combined with the Hausdorff requirement, entails the existence of compact neighbors and compactness in subspaces. The key concepts and theorems illustrate how compactness can be effectively used in the context of neutrosophic soft sets, which are a more powerful way to handle unclear and ambiguous data in advanced mathematical and practical applications. Furthermore, a number of machine learning algorithms are used to explore the concept of a tangent similarity between two quadri-partition neutrosophic soft sets. Additionally, the current study includes a number of studies and visualizations to evaluate the effectiveness of different clustering algorithms and dimensionality reduction techniques. Each of the graphics in the findings illustrates a distinct method for viewing and comprehending complex data. The K-means++ initialization (Fig. 6.1) serves as an illustration of how the algorithm's initialization step improves clustering accuracy by choosing centroid (data points) that are widely distributed, reducing the likelihood of subpar clustering performance. More training is required since hidden units are only activated with low activations, according to restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM) activation patterns (Fig. 6.2). Additionally, the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) plots (Fig. 6.4) and Heatmaps (Fig. 6.3) might provide helpful details regarding the organization and segregation of the datasets. The discussion of the results, which can be devoted to their applicability in terms of clustering, dimensionality reduction, and feature learning, is based on these methods and the associated visual models.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.28924/2291-8639-24-2026-38

The Effect of Side Wall Cutout Sizes on Corrugated Box Compression Strength in the Function of Length-to-Width Ratios—An Experimental Study

Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland

Publication Date: 2022-07-01

Volume: 12

Issue: 14

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Packaging made from corrugated cardboard is a widely used solution in modern supply chains for the handling, storage and distribution of goods. These packages are required to maintain adequate protection conditions; however, in many cases, the cardboard box dimensions, handles and/or ventilation holes, quality and their configuration could compromise its protection strength. This study observes and evaluates the performance of corrugated cardboard boxes made with B-flute boards by considering different cutout sizes from the side walls (0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80%) in various box length–width ratios of 200 mm, 300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm and 600 mm in length and a constant 300 mm width and height. Box compression tests were performed in a laboratory, and results were compared with mathematical statistics. In each cutout case, the maximum compression force was observed with the box with dimensions of 400 × 300 × 300 mm. The measurement results showed that the 1.33 length-to-width ratio has the best maximum compression force result. The statistical tests showed that there is no significant difference between the 0% and 20% cutout groups.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/app12146939

The Role of Blockchain and IOT in Reverse Logistics: the Impacts on the Environmental and Economical Sustainability – A Structured Literature Review

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 107

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 433-438

Description:

This paper aims to present the potential of the Internet of Things and Blockchain applications in enhancing the sustainability of reverse logistics processes. Logistics operations play a vital role in supply chain management and are often referred to as the "dynamo" of the process. Reverse logistics is imperative to bridge the gap between forward logistics (the initial movement of goods) and backward logistics (the movement of products in the opposite direction) to close the supply chain loop and achieve a more sustainable operation that is both environmentally and economically efficient. To achieve this objective, the paper undertook a structured literature review using three renowned databases, namely, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science, via a mapping study. The investigation focused on exploring the sustainable aspects of reverse logistics, which can help organizations attain better environmental and economic returns. Additionally, the paper emphasizes how the Internet of Things and Blockchain applications can contribute to more economical and environmentally sustainable management of reverse logistics operations. The results highlight the key strategies, benefits, barriers, research gaps, and future research directions associated with the integration of these technologies in reverse logistics operations.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET23107073

Performance Evaluation and Selection of Appropriate Congestion Control Algorithms for MPT Networks

Publication Name: International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 16

Issue: 2

Page Range: 109-119

Description:

Recent academic research highlights a growing interest in multipath technologies, which offer promising solutions to networking challenges in complex environments. This interest is reflected in the emergence of protocols such as Multipath TCP (MPTCP) and Multipath UDP-in-GRE (MPT-GRE). The development of network protocols, particularly various iterations of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), has been distinguished by congestion detection and control algorithms, such as HighSpeed, CUBIC, Reno, LP, BBR, and Illinois. This paper evaluates the performance and suitability of these algorithms for multipath MPT-GRE networks under varying conditions, including delay, jitter, and data loss at different transmission speeds (both symmetric and asymmetric). Using StarBED resources, we applied delay, jitter, or packet loss to one of two physical paths to simulate congestion. The results demonstrate that some algorithms, HighSpeed and BBR among them, significantly enhance Quality of Service (QoS) metrics and network throughput in multipath MPT-GRE networks. These findings provide valuable insights into their performance and practical applications.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.14569/IJACSA.2025.0160211

Potential barriers and drivers in the growth of blue economy: Perspectives of nautical tourism

Publication Name: Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 8

Issue: 9

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This study investigates the potential of developing a maritime tourism project within the blue economy of Pakistan and explores the factors influencing blue growth and maritime tourism. A quantitative research approach has been adopted. The research gathered primary data from diverse experts and stakeholders within the maritime sector and related industries. The study’s target population comprised on various entities involved in these sectors. A sample of around 250 individuals was selected using a convenient sampling technique. The collected data underwent analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the Partial Least Square (PLS) method. This approach was chosen to explore and understand the intricate relationships between variables in the context of the maritime industry. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) techniques were then employed to scrutinize the data further, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the interconnections among the variables identified in the study. This robust methodological approach enhances the study’s credibility and provides valuable insights into the dynamics of the maritime sector and its associated industries. The findings indicate that a balanced approach, valuing business sustainability, top management support, and enabling innovation structures positively impact blue growth. Additionally, uncertainty avoidance and promoting short-term goals have an appositive impact on the blue economy. Moreover, two potential barriers, Functional strategy, and weak competency, do not significantly affect the blue economy. This study lays the foundation for further exploration and implementation of strategies that promote sustainable growth and development in Pakistan’s blue economy. By integrating the insights gained from this study into policy and decision-making processes, stakeholders can work together to create a vibrant and sustainable maritime tourism sector that benefits both local communities and the environment.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.24294/jipd.v8i9.3173

Updates on subgenus Ixodes in the Mediterranean region: validity of Ixodes festai Rondelli, 1926, reinstatement of Ixodes tatei Arthur, 1959, and a new species closely related to Ixodes gibbosus Nuttall, 1916

Publication Name: International Journal for Parasitology

Publication Date: 2026-04-01

Volume: 56

Issue: 4

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The southern part of Europe is one of the most species-rich regions from the point of view of the genus and subgenus Ixodes . However, numerous unresolved or questionably interpreted issues exist in the context of tick species indigenous to Mediterranean countries, such as the validity of Ixodes festai , synonymy of Ixodes tatei with Ixodes eldaricus (never tested molecularly) or the haplotype heterogeneity of Ixodes gibbosus . In this study, 21 specimens of six tick species from the subgenus Ixodes were compared morphologically with high resolution digital microscopy and also analyzed with molecular-phylogenetic methods based on two mitochondrial genetic markers. The nymphs of I. eldaricus and I. tatei showed differences in the morphology of the scutum and basis capituli. Both the nymph and the females of I. festai could be distinguished from those of I. eldaricus , I. ventalloi and I. acuminatus . A female tick resembled I. gibbosus but was also different from this species, based on its descriptions. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships confirmed with moderate to strong support that all six species examined in this study represent different taxa of the subgenus Ixodes , including a previously unknown sister species to I. gibbosus . The latter is recognized and described here as a new species, Ixodes paragibbosus Hornok and Kontschán, sp. nov. Based on findings of this study, the tick species I. tatei Arthur, 1959 should be resurrected and reestablished. Morphological and phylogenetic comparisons performed here (including the first barcoding sequences of I. eldaricus and I. festai) confirm that the latter is a valid species, distinct from both I. eldaricus and I. ventalloi . For the differential diagnosis of the above species, the results highlight the importance of observing (among other structures) the auriculae, the internal spur of coxa I and the hypostome.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.09.002

Global, regional and national burden of ischemic heart disease attributable to suboptimal diet, 1990–2023: a Global Burden of Disease study

Marcin W. Wojewodzic Dinesh Upadhya Ahmed Bilal Waqar Kazumasa Yamagishi Zhiyong Zou Y. Waheed Suowen Xu Abdul Rohim Tualeka Dakshitha Praneeth Wickramasinghe Mircea Tampa Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe Rasiah Thayakaran Felicia Wu Rajshree Thapa Pugazhenthan Thangaraju Dehui Yin Isidora S. Vujcic Galal Yahya Mohamad Hani Temsah Yunquan Zhang Shoban Babu Varthya Muhammad Umair Marcos Roberto Tovani-Palone Domenico Trico Casper J. P Zhang Madhur Verma Aurora Zanghì Xiao Dong Zhou Dong Keon Yon Bin Zhu Nguyen Tran Minh Duc Habib Yaribeygi Mohammed Zawiah Jibrin Sammani Usman Tommi Juhani Vasankari Loc Tri Vu Peter Willeit Dominique Vervoort Pengpeng Ye Kavumpurathu Raman Thankappan Dipan Uppal Min Seo Kim Ramna Thakur Anggi Lukman Wicaksana Naohiro Yonemoto Stefanos Tyrovolas Chuanhua Yu Yuichi Yasufuku Zenghong Wu Andrea Werdecker Khaled Trabelsi Mary Njeri Wanjau Jacques Lukenze Tamuzi Shuduo Zhou Nguyen Tran Minh Duc Aniefiok John Udoakang Haosu Tang Sojit Tomo Lakshmi Thangavelu Ghazal Zoghi Masayuki Teramoto Toyiba Hiyaru Wassie Georgios Ioannis Verras Joe Varghese Subah Abderehim Yesuf Nathan Y. Tat Anthony Zhong Zhiqiang Zhang Abzal Zhumagaliuly Thang Huu Tran Manish Vinayak Thien Tan Tri Tai Truyen Asokan Govindaraj Vaithinathan Sa’ed H. Zyoud Magdalena Zielińska Asokan Govindaraj Vaithinathan Krishna Tiwari Jansje Henny Vera Ticoalu Nghia Minh Tran Munkhtuya Tumurkhuu Quynh Thuy Huong Tran Jef Van den Eynde Yanzhong Wang Xiaoyue Xu Mohammed Y. Youssef Wanqing Xie Xingxin Wang Hanqing Zhao Yuichiro Yano Yihun Miskir Wubie Claire Chenwen Zhong Salih M.Mustafa Salih Zebari Sa’ed H. Zyoud Yuichi Yasufuku Lakshmi Thangavelu Tewodros Eshete Wonde Rekha Thapar Xing Wang Casper J. P Zhang Liqun Zhang Mohammed G. M Zeariya Era Upadhyay Ali H. Mokdad Marcello Tonelli Iman M. Talaat Mathilde Touvier

Publication Name: Nature Medicine

Publication Date: 2026-04-01

Volume: 32

Issue: 4

Page Range: 1454-1478

Description:

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with dietary risks being its most significant modifiable factor. Here, using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2023, we estimated the mortality and disability-adjusted life years from diet-related IHD across 204 countries. In 2023, a suboptimal diet was responsible for 4.06 million (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 0.74–6.22) IHD deaths and 96.84 million (18.82–142.52) IHD disability-adjusted life years. The global age-standardized death rate of IHD attributable to suboptimal diet decreased by 43.92% (95% UI 34.44–53.23) per 100,000 population from 1990 to 2023. Among dietary factors, low intake of nuts and seeds (9.87, 95% UI 2.84–17.12 deaths per 100,000 population), low whole grains (9.22, 4.73–13.67), low fruits (7.25, 1.54–13.34) and high sodium (7.15, 0.92–17.97) were primary contributors to IHD deaths. The burden was particularly pronounced in low- and middle-sociodemographic index countries. By disentangling dietary risk factors, we identified the portion of IHD burden directly modifiable through food interventions.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1038/s41591-026-04250-8

Deformation Analysis of Different Lithium Battery Designs Using the DIC Technique

Publication Name: Energies

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 17

Issue: 2

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The growing number of electric vehicles and devices drives the demand for lithium-ion batteries. The purpose of the batteries used in electric vehicles and applications is primarily to preserve the cells and extend their lifetime, but they will wear out over time, even under ideal conditions. Most battery system failures are caused by a few cells, but the entire system may have to be scrapped in such cases. To address this issue, the goal is to create a concept that will extend the life of batteries while reducing the industrial and chemical waste generated by batteries. Secondary use can increase battery utilization and extend battery life. However, processing a large number of used battery cells at an industrial level is a significant challenge for both manufacturers and users. The different battery sizes and compositions used by various manufacturers of electric vehicles and electronic devices make it extremely difficult to solve the processing problem at the system level. The purpose of this study is to look into non-destructive battery diagnostic options. During the tests, the condition of the cells is assessed using a new diagnostic technique, 3D surface digitalization, and the fusion of electrical parameters. In the case of surface digitalization, the digital image correlation (DIC) technique was used to estimate the cell state. The tests were conducted on various cells with widely used geometries and encapsulations. These included a lithium polymer (soft casing), 18650 standard sizes (hard casing), and prismatic cells (semi-hard). The study also included testing each battery at various charge states during charging and discharging. The findings help to clarify the changes in battery cell geometry and their localization. The findings can be applied to cell diagnostic applications such as recycling, quality assurance, and vehicle diagnostics.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/en17020323