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Found 6374 publications
Enhanced Heat Recovery Network with Integrated Sensible Heat Storage Facilities for Energy Intensive Industry
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 120
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 19-24
Description:
Energy-intensive industries contribute large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. An effective strategy to decarbonise these industries is by applying process integration tools to enhance energy efficiency and reduce overall energy consumption. Recent studies showed that thermal energy storage offers significant benefits in energy efficiency enhancement, as it can amplify the energy recovery potential. Despite its potential, studies that applied process integration tools to address heat recovery problems with consideration of heat storage remain limited. This work develops an optimisation framework that aims to determine optimal heat storage type and size based on the total annualised cost (i.e., costs associated with storage facilities and utilities) to form a feasible heat recovery network between plants. The proposed framework is demonstrated through a case study that focuses on optimising the sensible heat storage selection for indirect heat integration between a mixed plastic waste treatment plant and a steel mill. By analysing the performance and effectiveness of the storage media studied, nitrate salt storage medium is selected due to its greatest energy and cost savings of 12.7 % and 20.7 %, when compared to direct Heat Integration. Insights from this provide information on the feasibility of implementing a storage-supported heat recovery network in the energy-intensive industry.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET25120004
EU air passenger rights: challenges and legal developments
Publication Name: International Journal of Tourism Policy
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 5
Page Range: 426-439
Description:
This paper examines the terms and conditions of six major airlines operating in Europe, focusing on consumer protection and air passenger rights. It analyses how key information, such as policies on baggage, rebooking, and refunds, is presented on airline websites, and evaluates the clarity and accessibility of this information for passengers. The research also reviews recent legal developments in the European Union, particularly those concerning delays and market practices. It identifies gaps in consumer protection by assessing airline communication practices and the broader regulatory framework, and concludes by offering recommendations to enhance transparency and strengthen passenger rights in European air travel.
Open Access: Yes
Selection of Heat Transfer Enhancement Technique for Compact Mini and Micro Heat Exchangers Design
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 120
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 475-480
Description:
The need to decrease the sizes and masses of heat exchangers while preserving their performance has stipulated the development of compact heat exchangers with mini and micro channels (MCHE). It is supported by the need for increased recuperation of heat energy, facilitating better energy efficiency with strict limitations for space, material and cost. The adequate substitution of conventional heat exchangers with MCHE requires maintaining the same heat load, not exceeding the allowable pressure losses. The different ways to increase the compactness are analysed, including the change of hydraulic diameter, and the use of various methods of heat transfer intensification by changing the channel geometry and flow structure. The Nusselt numbers and friction factors correlations for plane tubes and criss-cross flow channels of plate heat exchangers are compared. A newer form of the core velocity equation has been developed, which allows comparison of the performance of MCHE heating surfaces with different enhancement techniques in specific process conditions. The results of the calculations illustrate the influence of the channel's hydraulic diameter and length on the MCHE performance for channels with the considered methods of heat transfer intensification. The ways to decrease channel size to mini and micro scales are determined. The recommendations on choosing the best channel geometry and size, depending on specified process conditions and stream nature, are formulated.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET25120080
Sustainable Logistics Strategy Deployment: A BSC-Based Developed QFD †
Publication Name: Engineering Proceedings
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 97
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This paper tackles the logistics dilemma of how to meet customer expectations while at the same time respecting the internal processes and financial interests of the company and ensuring long-term sustainability. In this paper, integrated Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Balanced Scorecard (BSC) techniques developed a method for the structured planning of logistics strategies. BSC, combined with QFD, gives the opportunity not only to “translate” the voice of the customer but also to focus on the company’s interests from four perspectives. For example, for products, we evaluated the interactions between different expectations, and the focus was on the disputes that arise during the expectations. The result of this paper is that Extended QFD provides a new method to formulate the various requirements. This method is suitable for creating a sustainable logistics strategy.
Open Access: Yes
Do regular exercise, gender, and age influence smartphone addiction? Analyzing screen time and smartphone deprivation symptoms
Publication Name: Frontiers in Psychology
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 16
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Headless smartphone use, known as smartphone addiction (SA), is associated with mental health issues and behavioral dependencies. While physical activity (PA) has been suggested as a protective factor, research remains inconclusive. The present study examines whether regular exercise influences SA, smartphone deprivation, and daily smartphone screen time while assessing gender and age as risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study with 701 participants (392 exercisers, 309 non-exercisers) assessed SA with the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) and deprivation feelings with the Hungarian Smartphone Withdrawal Symptom Scale (HSWSS). Daily smartphone use was self-reported. Multivariate analysis of covariance examined the effects of exercise status, gender, and age on SA-related variables. Results: Exercise status did not significantly affect SA, deprivation feelings, or screen time (p > 0.05). However, the correlation between SA and smartphone screen time was stronger (p < 0.05) in non-exercisers (r = 0.407) than in exercisers (r = 0.274). Gender and age were significant predictors: females reported higher SA and usage, and younger age was associated with greater SA, deprivation symptoms, and more screen time. Conclusion: While exercise may not reduce SA, exercisers exhibit a weaker link between SA and smartphone use, suggesting less problematic usage, possibly due to more utilitarian (e.g., sports-related) rather than hedonic use. Females report higher SA, feelings of deprivation, and screen time than males, while age correlates with increased SA, feelings of deprivation, and screen time. Future research should examine psychosocial mechanisms and diverse smartphone usage patterns in addiction in connection with exercise behavior.
Open Access: Yes
In vitro Multi-targeted Anti-cancer Effects of Bavachinin in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Line: Dual Pathway Inhibition and Cytokine Downregulation
Publication Name: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 24
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with aggressive subtypes frequently demonstrating resistance to conventional therapies. Bavachinin, a natural flavonoid derived from Psoralea corylifolia, has exhibited anti-cancer activity in various tumor models; however, its effects on thyroid cancer remain largely undefined. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of bavachinin in the papillary thyroid carcinoma TPC-1 cell line and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: TPC-1 cells were treated with bavachinin (5 - 20 μM) for 24 - 72 hours. Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assay); morphological changes were visualized by confocal microscopy. Migration and invasion were analyzed by wound-healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Cytokine secretion was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene and protein expression levels of protein kinase B (AKT), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Apoptosis was confirmed by assessing the B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein (BAX)/B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) ratio and cleaved caspase-3 activity. All experiments were performed in triplicate, and data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical significance was determined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test (P < 0.05). Results: Bavachinin significantly reduced cell viability, migration, and invasion in a dose-dependent manner (20 μM reduced viability by approximately 50% at 72 hours, P < 0.01). It suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2, downregulated mTOR expression, and decreased secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Apoptosis was confirmed by an increased BAX/BCL-2 ratio and elevated cleaved caspase-3 levels. Conclusions: Bavachinin exerts multi-targeted anti-cancer effects in thyroid carcinoma cells through dual inhibition of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK pathways, along with suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, culminating in apoptosis and impaired invasiveness.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.5812/ijpr-166894
Operating and Cycling Characteristics of European Thermal Power Plants: Insights from Time-series Data Analytics
Publication Name: Cinti 2025 IEEE 25th International Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Informatics Proceedings
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 581-586
Description:
The shift towards a more sustainable energy supply has multiple unprecedented impacts on the European electricity infrastructure. Recently launched energy data hubs and data platforms offer large datasets that can allow for detailed quantitative assessments. The advanced tools of data analytics can make an essential contribution to highlight the multifaceted implications of the energy transition. As a research objective, the paper addresses the altered role and operating conditions of thermal power plants using fossil fuels. The applied methodology relies on a structured data cleaning and technology-specific preprocessing of hourly generation output data of 810 large thermal units located in 19 European countries, covering the period 2016-2024. As thermal power plants are increasingly seen as sources of flexibility, the analysis focused on operational and cycling characteristics. The set of indicators related to utilization and operational flexibility covers capacity factors, load factors, running hours and total startups for hard-coal fired, brown coal/lignite-fired, oil-fired and gasfired units. Unlike studies relying on aggregate country-level statistics, limited to a high-level analysis, the methodology based on unit-level time series provides quantitative empirical evidence on the main implications of the energy transition on the operation of thermal power plants.
Open Access: Yes
BIM and Structural Diagnostics Analysis: State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Publication Name: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 769 LNCE
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 253-267
Description:
Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become a well-established concept within the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management (AECFM) sector of developed countries. The gradually expanding and continuously evolving technological capabilities open up new opportunities and areas in the field of BIM. Due to their complexity, diagnostic examinations have long been conducted through on-site visual inspections or destructive and non-destructive testing in la-boratory conditions. However, technological advancements and the possibilities offered by digital mapping have enabled high-precision on-site measurements and software-based analyses using various algorithms. This study focuses on the current state and possibilities of BIM-based structural diagnostic methodologies. It examines case studies where structural condition assessments and monitoring workflows are carried out within a BIM-based building information system. The study extensively presents and categorizes innovative technological possibilities and methodologies that enable the automation of structural damage detection through BIM methodology. The developed methodologies accelerate workflows, provide accurate digital representations of affected areas and facilitate ongoing damage monitoring within a centralized BIM model. A comparative analysis of diagnostic methods is conducted based on a defined set of criteria, followed by an evaluation of the most effective methodologies and technologies. The conclusions highlight development directions to further improve the efficiency of BIM-based structural diagnostics methodologies and to integrate artificial intelligence capabilities into the field of BIM diagnostics.
Open Access: Yes
OLD AND NEW CHALLENGES IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT – COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY APPROACHES TO IDENTIFYING BENEFICIARY REGIONS
Publication Name: Deturope
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Page Range: 50-74
Description:
Most European countries apply development policy solutions to help disadvantaged regions catch up and seek effective solutions for territorial cohesion. This endeavour has been strongly supported by the European Commission in both the 2013-2020 and 2021-27 programming periods and is likely to remain so in the period after 2028. This is an understandable and logical endeavour, as being 'left behind' in economic, social or geographical terms not only reinforces internal migration flows within the European Community and its Member States but also increases political discontent. A number of approaches have emerged in European countries to identify disadvantaged regions and address their problems. The differences stem partly from the different intervention intentions of individual countries and partly from their different spatial, state and public administration structures. Various development policy solutions have been devised to help disadvantaged regions catch up, taking these factors into account. In Hungary, development policy has placed greater emphasis on the catching up of regions and settlements lagging behind in terms of socio-economic development since the 1980s, but the importance of delimitation in development policy practice has increased since the country's accession to the EU, with the establishment of differentiated support resource allocation mechanisms and targeted support programmes. The methodology currently in use for designating beneficiary regions has been in place since 2014. The socioeconomic changes that have taken place since then have shifted the focus of both scientific and policy interest in recent years towards more location-specific regulatory mechanisms that measure development differences at a lower level and are more sensitive to functional links between settlements. To support efforts in the renewal of the Hungarian regional development toolkit, our study seeks to outline alternative options by analysing Italian and British development policy practices, in addition to presenting Hungarian beneficiary regions. The international examples examined, despite their limitations as presented in the study, provide examples of multi-level governance, development policies based on functional units, and methodologies for measuring development below the settlement level. Current legislation in Hungary allows for changes in this direction, but their incorporation into domestic practice is only possible after careful preparation.
Open Access: Yes
