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Found 6341 publications
Impact of Climate Change on Electric Energy Production from Medium-Size Photovoltaic Module Systems Based on RCP Climate Scenarios
Publication Name: Energies
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 16
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The impact of climate change is increasingly evident in various domains today and is gaining prominence in scientific inquiries. Climate change also affects the utilisation of renewable energies. The article examines the effects of 21st-century climate change on the annual electric energy production of medium-sized photovoltaic module systems. The study bases its analysis on three possible scenarios: a pessimistic (RCP 8.5), a less pessimistic (RCP 4.5), and an optimistic (RCP 2.6) scenario. The applied Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) scenarios were developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to enhance comparability in analyses related to climate change. Compared to older linear models, an innovation utilises a more flexible and multidirectional model. One of the article’s key findings is that, for all three examined settlements, the annual yield of the studied photovoltaic systems will surpass the levels of the base year 2010 by the middle and end of the century. Another significant outcome is that, under the three scenarios analysed, the ratio of annual performance variation to annual global radiation variation shows substantial differences by the middle and end of the century compared to the 2010 baseline. In the optimistic scenario, this ratio exceeds 1, whereas in the pessimistic and less pessimistic scenarios, it falls below 1. This ratio does not directly inform about the annual production—which increases in all cases—but rather about the changes in efficiency. These efficiency changes are influenced by the rise in annual average temperatures and the fluctuation in sunny hours yearly. The third finding reveals that under the climate change pessimistic scenario (RCP 8.5), the efficiency decrease is less adverse than in the less pessimistic scenario (RCP 4.5).
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/en17164009
Simulating Noise, Vibration, and Harshness Advances in Electric Vehicle Powertrains: Strategies and Challenges
Publication Name: World Electric Vehicle Journal
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 8
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study examines the management of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in electric vehicle (EV) powertrains, considering the challenges of the automotive industry’s transition to electric drivetrains. The growing popularity of electric vehicles brings new NVH challenges as the lack of internal combustion engine noise makes drivetrain noise more prominent. The key to managing NVH in electric vehicle powertrains is understanding the noise from electric motors, inverters, and gear systems. Noise from electric motors, mainly resulting from electromagnetic forces and high-frequency noise generated by inverters, significantly impacts overall NVH performance. This article details sources of mechanical noise and vibration, including gear defects in gear systems and shaft imbalances. The methods presented in the publication include simulation and modeling techniques that help identify and solve NVH difficulties. Tools like multi-body dynamics, the finite element method, and multi-domain simulation are crucial for understanding the dynamic behavior of complex systems. With the support of simulations, engineers can predict noise and vibration challenges and develop effective solutions during the design phase. This study emphasizes the importance of a system-level approach in NVH management, where the entire drivetrain is modeled and analyzed together, not just individual components.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/wevj15080367
A New Approach to Breast Specimen Orientation: Avoiding Pitfalls with the Specimen Plate Concept
Publication Name: Current Oncology
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 31
Issue: 8
Page Range: 4589-4598
Description:
Accurate specimen marking is crucial during breast cancer surgery to avoid misorientation, which can lead to inadequate re-excision and tumor recurrence. We studied the marking methods at various breast cancer centers to create a tool that would prevent specimen misorientation. An online questionnaire was used to survey marking procedures at major breast cancer centers in Hungary, and a tool was developed using a troubleshooting method. Twelve out of twenty units responded (60%). Nine use an institutionally standardized marking system. Less than half of the surgical teams found specimen mammograms to be unambiguous. In more than 70% of departments, pathologists were uncertain about breast specimen orientation. Ambiguous marking methods caused orientation errors in half of the cases, while unclear marking directions caused the rest. Most pathologists (85%) and surgeons (75%) believed that coronal plane specimen mammography would help solve the problem. A plastic specimen plate has been developed to anchor breast tissue to a coronal breast scheme as seen in mammography images, providing clear localization information throughout the surgical process. There is a lack of standardization in breast specimen orientation and marking in Hungary. An optimized orientation toolkit is being developed to ensure consistent interpretation of specimen mammograms by surgeons and pathologists.
Open Access: Yes
The P-graph application extension in multi-period P2P energy trading
Publication Name: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 200
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
An optimization model that incorporates all combinatorically feasible inter-plant collaboration networks is developed using P-graph. It has been theoretically proven that time-sliced-based energy planning optimization has positive impacts and is capable of achieving carbon emissions reduction goals and minimizing costs simultaneously. However, as the number of entities increased, an exponential growth in possible combinatorial feasible coalitions is anticipated. Therefore, an extension of the P-graph optimization tool that is capable of generating all possible outcomes in multi-period P2P energy trading – PEP (P-graph for energy planning) is developed. The PEP software can be effectively used in modelling complex process networks graphically and solving optimization problems with the combined advantages of combinatorial algorithms and mathematical programming. In this paper, a systematic framework for implementing P2P energy trading using PEP software is proposed and demonstrated using a real-life case study.
Open Access: Yes
An Improved Machine Learning Model for Pure Component Property Estimation
Publication Name: Engineering
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 39
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 61-73
Description:
Information on the physicochemical properties of chemical species is an important prerequisite when performing tasks such as process design and product design. However, the lack of extensive data and high experimental costs hinder the development of prediction techniques for these properties. Moreover, accuracy and predictive capabilities still limit the scope and applicability of most property estimation methods. This paper proposes a new Gaussian process-based modeling framework that aims to manage a discrete and high-dimensional input space related to molecular structure representation with the group-contribution approach. A warping function is used to map discrete input into a continuous domain in order to adjust the correlation between different compounds. Prior selection techniques, including prior elicitation and prior predictive checking, are also applied during the building procedure to provide the model with more information from previous research findings. The framework is assessed using datasets of varying sizes for 20 pure component properties. For 18 out of the 20 pure component properties, the new models are found to give improved accuracy and predictive power in comparison with other published models, with and without machine learning.
Open Access: Yes
Hungarian legislation regarding implementing a forensic DNA elimination database
Publication Name: Forensic Science International
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 361
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The inception of forensic DNA elimination database represents a pivotal advancement in forensic science, aiming to streamline the process of distinguishing between DNA found at crime scenes and that of individuals involved in the investigation process, such as law enforcement personnel and forensic lab staff. In subsequent phases, once familiarity with the database is achieved by its administrators and other stakeholders, and they have accrued sufficient experience, the possibility of expanding the database to encompass first responders—including firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other emergency services personnel—can be contemplated. Key challenges in managing these databases encompass the grounds for collecting samples, ensuring the integrity of both samples and profiles, along with the duration of retention, access to the database, and the protocols to follow when a match is found in the database. This paper outlines the conceptual and detailed legislative framework in Hungary, where the forensic DNA elimination database was introduced in 2022.
Open Access: Yes
Real-Time Dosimetry in Endourology: Tracking Staff Radiation Risks
Publication Name: Diagnostics
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 14
Issue: 16
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: To retrospectively investigate scatter radiation (SCR) exposure among staff in the endourology operating theatre. Methods: During surgeries under fluoroscopic guidance, five professional groups (urological surgeon [US], surgical nurse [SN], assistant surgical nurse [ASN], anaesthetist [A], and anaesthesia care [AC]) wore real-time dosimeters (Philips DoseAware System) on their head and chest over lead aprons between July 2023 and February 2024. The SCR data were analysed and correlated with procedural and patient factors. Results: In total, 249 procedures were performed, including 86 retrograde intrarenal surgeries and 10 percutaneous nephrolithotomies. Median SCR exposure was 38.81, 17.20, 7.71, 11.58, 0.63, 0.23, 0.12, and 0.15 Microsievert (µSv) for US chest (USC), US head (USH), SN chest (SNC), SN head (SNH), A chest (AC), AC chest (ACC), ASN chest (ASNC), and ASN head (ASNH), respectively. There was a significant correlation between DAP and SCR doses detected by USC, USH, SNC, SNH, AC, and ACC dosimeters (p < 0.05). The median chest-to-eye conversion factor (CECF) was 2.11 for the US and 0.71 for the SN. Conclusions: This study, using real-time dosimetry, is among the first to assess staff occupational SCR exposure in endourology. It highlights a substantial SCR exposure, indicating an occupational health hazard that warrants further investigation.
Open Access: Yes
Discriminating Malignant from Benign Testicular Masses Using Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging—A Prospective Single-Center Study
Publication Name: Journal of Clinical Medicine
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 15
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Objective: The objective of this study was to prospectively assess the extent to which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can differentiate malignant from benign lesions of the testis. Materials and Methods: All included patients underwent multiparametric testicular MRI, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and subtraction dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Subsequently, all patients underwent a histopathological examination via orchiectomy or testicular biopsy/partial resection. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression were applied for statistical analysis. Results: We included 48 male patients (median age 37.5 years [range 18–69]) with testicular tumors. The median tumor size on MRI was 2.0 cm for malignant tumors and 1.1 cm for benign tumors (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed for the type (type 0-III curve, p < 0.05) and pattern of enhancement (homogeneous, heterogeneous, or rim-like, p < 0.01) between malignant and benign tumors. The minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was 0.9 for benign tumors and 0.7 for malignant tumors (each ×103 mm2/s, p < 0.05), while the mean ADC was 0.05. The mean ADC value was significantly lower for malignant tumors; the mean ADC value was 1.1 for benign tumors and 0.9 for malignant tumors (each ×103 mm2/s, p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of multiparametric MRI for differentiating malignant from benign testicular lesions were 94.3%, 76.9%, 91.7%, and 83.3%, respectively. The surgical procedures performed included orchiectomy (n = 33; 71.7%) and partial testicular resection (n = 11; 23.9%). Histopathology (HP) revealed malignancy in 35 patients (72.9%), including 26 with seminomas and 9 with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). The HP was benign in 13 (27.1%) patients, including 5 with Leydig cell tumors. Conclusions: Malignant and benign tumors differ in MRI characteristics in terms of the type and pattern of enhancement and the extent of diffusion restriction, indicating that MRI can be an important imaging modality for the accurate diagnosis of testicular lesions.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154390
Adaptive Adjustments in Lower Limb Muscle Coordination during Single-Leg Landing Tasks in Latin Dancers
Publication Name: Biomimetics
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 9
Issue: 8
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Previous research has primarily focused on evaluating the activity of individual muscles in dancers, often neglecting their synergistic interactions. Investigating the differences in lower limb muscle synergy during landing between dancers and healthy controls will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of their neuromuscular control patterns. This study enrolled 22 Latin dancers and 22 healthy participants, who performed a task involving landing from a 30 cm high platform. The data were collected using Vicon systems, force plates, and electromyography (EMG). The processed EMG data were subjected to non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) for decomposition, followed by classification using K-means clustering algorithm and Pearson correlation coefficients. Three synergies were extracted for both Latin dancers and healthy participants. Synergy 1 showed increased contributions from the tibialis anterior (p < 0.001) and medial gastrocnemius (p = 0.024) in Latin dancers compared to healthy participants. Synergy 3 highlighted significantly greater contributions from the vastus lateralis in healthy participants compared to Latin dancers (p = 0.039). This study demonstrates that Latin dancers exhibit muscle synergies similar to those observed in healthy controls, revealing specific adjustments in the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscles among dancers. This research illustrates how dancers optimize control strategies during landing tasks, offering a novel perspective for comprehensively understanding dancers’ neuromuscular control patterns.
Open Access: Yes
