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1دورية أكاديميةValorization of Biomass and Industrial Wastes as Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Cement Production
المؤلفون: Ofelia Rivera Sasso, Caleb Carreño Gallardo, David Martin Soto Castillo, Omar Farid Ojeda Farias, Martin Bojorquez Carrillo, Carolina Prieto Gomez, Jose Martin Herrera Ramirez
المصدر: Clean Technologies, Vol 6, Iss 2, Pp 814-825 (2024)
مصطلحات موضوعية: waste valorization, alternative fuels, carbon emissions, clinker production, Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering, TD1-1066, Environmental engineering, TA170-171
الوصف: The cement industry contributes around 7% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, mainly from the combustion of fuels and limestone decomposition during clinker production. Using alternative fuels derived from wastes is a key strategy to reduce these emissions. However, alternative fuels vary in composition and heating value, so selecting appropriate ones is crucial to maintain clinker quality and manufacturing processes while minimizing environmental impact. This study evaluated various biomass and industrial wastes as potential alternative fuels, characterizing them based on proximate analysis, elemental and oxide composition, lower heating value, and bulk density. Sawdust, pecan nutshell, industrial hose waste, and plastic waste emerged as viable options as they met the suggested thresholds for heating value, chloride, moisture, and ash content. Industrial hose waste and plastic waste were most favorable with the highest heating values while meeting all the criteria. Conversely, wind blade waste, tire-derived fuel, and automotive shredder residue did not meet all the recommended criteria. Therefore, blending them with alternative and fossil fuels is necessary to preserve clinker quality and facilitate combustion. The findings of this research will serve as the basis for developing a computational model to optimize the blending of alternative fuels with fossil fuels for cement production.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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2دورية أكاديمية
المؤلفون: Rebeca Serrano, David Martin-Hidalgo, Jon Bilbao, Ganeko Bernardo-Seisdedos, Oscar Millet, Luis J. Garcia-Marin, Maria Julia Bragado
المصدر: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 25, Iss 3, p 1682 (2024)
مصطلحات موضوعية: NMR-based phosphoromics, metabolomics, human sperm, seminal plasma, asthenozoospermia, Biology (General), QH301-705.5, Chemistry, QD1-999
الوصف: Phosphorus-containing metabolites occupy a prominent position in cell pathways. The phosphorometabolomic approach in human sperm samples will deliver valuable information as new male fertility biomarkers could emerge. This study analyzed, by 31P-NMR, seminal plasma and whole semen from asthenozoospermic and normozoospermic samples (71% vs. 27% and 45% vs. 17%, total and progressive sperm motility, respectively), and also ejaculates from healthy donors. At least 16 phosphorus-containing metabolites involved in central energy metabolism and phospholipid, nucleotide, and nicotinamide metabolic pathways were assigned and different abundances between the samples with distinct sperm quality was detected. Specifically, higher levels of phosphocholine, glucose-1-phosphate, and to a lesser degree, acetyl phosphate were found in the asthenozoospermic seminal plasma. Notably, the phosphorometabolites implicated in lipid metabolism were highlighted in the seminal plasma, while those associated with carbohydrate metabolism were more abundant in the spermatozoa. Higher levels of phosphocholine, glucose-1-phosphate, and acetyl phosphate in the seminal plasma with poor quality suggest their crucial role in supporting sperm motility through energy metabolic pathways. In the seminal plasma, phosphorometabolites related to lipid metabolism were prominent; however, spermatozoa metabolism is more dependent on carbohydrate-related energy pathways. Understanding the presence and function of sperm phosphorylated metabolites will enhance our knowledge of the metabolic profile of healthy human sperm, improving assessment and differential diagnosis.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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3دورية أكاديمية
المؤلفون: Hagit Kopel, Van Hung Nguyen, Catherine Boileau, Alina Bogdanov, Isabelle Winer, Thierry Ducruet, Ni Zeng, Mac Bonafede, Daina B. Esposito, David Martin, Andrew Rosen, Nicolas Van de Velde, Sten H. Vermund, Stefan Gravenstein, James A. Mansi
المصدر: Vaccines, Vol 11, Iss 11, p 1711 (2023)
مصطلحات موضوعية: mRNA-1273.222, BNT162b2 Bivalent vaccine, bivalent vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, hospitalization, symptomatic disease, Medicine
الوصف: The emergence of Omicron variants coincided with declining vaccine-induced protection against SARS-CoV-2. Two bivalent mRNA vaccines, mRNA-1273.222 (Moderna) and BNT162b2 Bivalent (Pfizer-BioNTech), were developed to provide greater protection against the predominate circulating variants by including mRNA that encodes both the ancestral (original) strain and BA.4/BA.5. We estimated their relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) in preventing COVID-19-related outcomes in the US using a nationwide dataset linking primary care electronic health records and pharmacy/medical claims data. The study population (aged ≥18 years) received either vaccine between 31 August 2022 and 28 February 2023. We used propensity score weighting to adjust for baseline differences between groups. We estimated the rVE against COVID-19-related hospitalizations (primary outcome) and outpatient visits (secondary) for 1,034,538 mRNA-1273.222 and 1,670,666 BNT162b2 Bivalent vaccine recipients, with an adjusted rVE of 9.8% (95% confidence interval: 2.6–16.4%) and 5.1% (95% CI: 3.2–6.9%), respectively, for mRNA-1273.222 versus BNT162b2 Bivalent. The incremental relative effectiveness was greater among adults ≥ 65; the rVE against COVID-19-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits in these patients was 13.5% (95% CI: 5.5–20.8%) and 10.7% (8.2–13.1%), respectively. Overall, we found greater effectiveness of mRNA-1273.222 compared with the BNT162b2 Bivalent vaccine in preventing COVID-19-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits, with increased benefits in older adults.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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4دورية أكاديمية
المؤلفون: Monica Alonso, Hortensia Amaris, David Martin, Arturo de la Escalera
المصدر: Energies, Vol 16, Iss 15, p 5689 (2023)
مصطلحات موضوعية: autonomous electric vehicle, energy storage, home energy management, reinforcement learning, Technology
الوصف: Connected autonomous electric vehicles (CAEVs) are essential actors in the decarbonization process of the transport sector and a key aspect of home energy management systems (HEMSs) along with PV units, CAEVs and battery energy storage systems. However, there are associated uncertainties which present new challenges to HEMSs, such as aleatory EV arrival and departure times, unknown EV battery states of charge at the connection time, and stochastic PV production due to weather and passing cloud conditions. The proposed HEMS is based on proximal policy optimization (PPO), which is a deep reinforcement learning algorithm suitable for continuous complex environments. The optimal solution for HEMS is a tradeoff between CAEV driver’s range anxiety, batteries degradation, and energy consumption, which is solved by means of incentives/penalties in the reinforcement learning formulation. The proposed PPO algorithm was compared to conventional methods such as business-as-usual (BAU) and value iteration (VI) solutions based on dynamic programming. Simulation results indicate that the proposed PPO’s performance showed a daily energy cost reduction of 54% and 27% compared to BAU and VI, respectively. Finally, the developed PPO algorithm is suitable for real-time operations due to its fast execution and good convergence to the optimal solution.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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5دورية أكاديمية
المصدر: Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol 12, Iss 14, p 4611 (2023)
مصطلحات موضوعية: pancreatic cancer, patient-reported outcome measures, patient-reported experience measures, Medicine
الوصف: Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, with a poor overall survival rate. Although certain risk factors have been identified, the origins of pancreatic cancer are still not fully understood. Surgical resection remains the primary curative treatment, but pancreatic surgery is still associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, and most patients will experience recurrence. The impact of pancreatic cancer on patients’ quality of life is significant, with an important loss of healthy life in affected individuals. Traditional outcome parameters, such as length of hospital stay, do not fully capture what matters to patients during recovery. Patient-centered care is therefore central, and the patient’s perspective should be considered in pre-operative discussions. Patient-reported outcome and experience measures (PROMs and PREMs) could play an important role in assessing patient perspectives, but standardized methodology for evaluating and reporting them is needed. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of patient perspectives and different patient-reported measures in pancreatic cancer surgery. Understanding the patient perspective is crucial for delivering patient-centered care and improving outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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6دورية أكاديمية
المصدر: Sensors, Vol 23, Iss 13, p 6119 (2023)
مصطلحات موضوعية: autonomous vehicles (AVs), LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), point clouds, clustering algorithms, Multi-Target Tracking (MTT), object detection, Chemical technology, TP1-1185
الوصف: Autonomous vehicles (AVs) rely on advanced sensory systems, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), to function seamlessly in intricate and dynamic environments. LiDAR produces highly accurate 3D point clouds, which are vital for the detection, classification, and tracking of multiple targets. A systematic review and classification of various clustering and Multi-Target Tracking (MTT) techniques are necessary due to the inherent challenges posed by LiDAR data, such as density, noise, and varying sampling rates. As part of this study, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was employed to examine the challenges and advancements in MTT techniques and clustering for LiDAR point clouds within the context of autonomous driving. Searches were conducted in major databases such as IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, ACM Digital Library, and Google Scholar, utilizing customized search strategies. We identified and critically reviewed 76 relevant studies based on rigorous screening and evaluation processes, assessing their methodological quality, data handling adequacy, and reporting compliance. As a result of this comprehensive review and classification, we were able to provide a detailed overview of current challenges, research gaps, and advancements in clustering and MTT techniques for LiDAR point clouds, thus contributing to the field of autonomous driving. Researchers and practitioners working in the field of autonomous driving will benefit from this study, which was characterized by transparency and reproducibility on a systematic basis.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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7دورية أكاديمية
المؤلفون: Mercedes Torres-Badia, David Martin-Hidalgo, Rebeca Serrano, Luis J. Garcia-Marin, Maria J. Bragado
المصدر: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 24, Iss 11, p 9598 (2023)
مصطلحات موضوعية: bisphenols, BPS, toxicology, spermatozoa, motility, phosphorylation, Biology (General), QH301-705.5, Chemistry, QD1-999
الوصف: Bisphenol A (BPA: 2,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane) is an environmental chemical widely used in the manufacturing of epoxy polymers and many thermoplastic consumer products. Serious concerns about its safety led to the development of analogs, such as BPS (4-hydroxyphenyl sulfone). Very limited studies about BPS’s impact on reproduction, specifically in spermatozoa, exist in comparison with BPA. Therefore, this work aims to study the in vitro impact of BPS in pig spermatozoa in comparison with BPA, focusing on sperm motility, intracellular signaling pathways and functional sperm parameters. We have used porcine spermatozoa as an optimal and validated in vitro cell model to investigate sperm toxicity. Pig spermatozoa were exposed to 1 and 100 μM BPS or BPA for 3 and 20 h. Both bisphenol S and A (100 μM) significantly reduce pig sperm motility in a time-dependent manner, although BPS exerts a lower and slower effect than BPA. Moreover, BPS (100 μM, 20 h) causes a significant increase in the mitochondrial reactive species, whereas it does not affect sperm viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell reactive oxygen species, GSK3α/β phosphorylation or phosphorylation of PKA substrates. However, BPA (100 μM, 20 h) leads to a decrease in sperm viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, GSK3β phosphorylation and PKA phosphorylation, also causing an increase in cell reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial reactive species. These intracellular effects and signaling pathways inhibited might contribute to explaining the BPA-triggered reduction in pig sperm motility. However, the intracellular pathways and mechanisms triggered by BPS are different, and the BPS-caused reduction in motility can be only partially attributed to an increase in mitochondrial oxidant species.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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8دورية أكاديمية
المؤلفون: David Martin, Piero Alberti, Nicolas Demartines, Melanie Phillips, John Casey, Andrew Sutherland
المصدر: Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol 12, Iss 9, p 3245 (2023)
مصطلحات موضوعية: pancreas transplantation, islets transplantation, type 1 diabetes mellitus, Medicine
الوصف: Whole-organ pancreas and islets transplantations are two therapeutic options to treat type 1 diabetic patients resistant to optimised medical treatment in whom severe complications develop. Selection of the best option for β-cell replacement depends on several factors such as kidney function, patient comorbidities, and treatment goals. For a patient with end-stage kidney disease, the treatment of choice is often a simultaneous transplant of the pancreas and kidney (SPK). However, it remains a major surgical procedure in patients with multiple comorbidities and therefore it is important to select those who will benefit from it. Additionally, in view of the organ shortage, new strategies to improve outcomes and reduce immune reactions have been developed, including dynamic organ perfusion technologies, pancreas bioengineering, and stem cell therapies. The purpose of this article is to review the indications, surgical techniques, outcomes, and future directions of whole-organ pancreas and islets transplantations.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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9دورية أكاديمية
المؤلفون: Pedro Arias-Perez, Jesús Fernández-Conde, David Martin Gomez, José M. Cañas, Pascual Campoy
المصدر: Drones, Vol 6, Iss 11, p 369 (2022)
مصطلحات موضوعية: middleware, aerial robotics, computer vision, deep learning, Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics, TL1-4050
الوصف: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are part of our daily lives with a number of applications in diverse fields. On many occasions, developing these applications can be an arduous or even impossible task for users with a limited knowledge of aerial robotics. This work seeks to provide a middleware programming infrastructure that facilitates this type of process. The presented infrastructure, named DroneWrapper, offers the user the possibility of developing applications abstracting the user from the complexities associated with the aircraft through a simple user programming interface. DroneWrapper is built upon the de facto standard in robot programming, Robot Operating System (ROS), and it has been implemented in Python, following a modular design that facilitates the coupling of various drivers and allows the extension of the functionalities. Along with the infrastructure, several drivers have been developed for different aerial platforms, real and simulated. Two applications have been developed in order to exemplify the use of the infrastructure created: follow-color and follow-person. Both applications use techniques of computer vision, classic (image filtering) or modern (deep learning), to follow a specific-colored object or to follow a person. These two applications have been tested on different aerial platforms, including real and simulated, to validate the scope of the offered solution.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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10دورية أكاديمية
المؤلفون: Michelle M.C. Tan, Xingzhong Jin, Craig Taylor, Adrian K. Low, Philip Le Page, David Martin, Ang Li, David Joseph, Nic Kormas
المصدر: Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol 11, Iss 15, p 4466 (2022)
مصطلحات موضوعية: bariatric surgery, long-term outcomes, publicly funded, multidisciplinary management, clinically severe obesity, Medicine
الوصف: Background: Real-world data on long-term (> 5 years) weight loss and obesity-related complications after newer bariatric surgical procedures are currently limited. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the effectiveness and sustainability of bariatric surgery in a cohort with clinically severe obesity in a multidisciplinary publicly funded service in two teaching hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Methods: Patients were adults with complex clinically severe obesity with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 and at least three significant obesity-related comorbidities, who underwent bariatric surgeries between 2009 and 2017. Detailed obesity-related health outcomes were reported from annual clinical data and assessments for up to 9 years of follow-up. Data were also linked with the national joint replacement registry. Results: A total of 65 eligible patients were included (mean, 7; range, 3–12 significant obesity-related comorbidities); 53.8% female; age 54.2 ± 11.2 years, with baseline BMI 52.2 ± 12.5 kg/m2 and weight 149.2 ± 45.5 kg. Most underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (80.0%), followed by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (10.8%) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (9.2%). Substantial weight loss was maintained over 9 years of follow-up (p < 0.001 versus baseline). Significant total weight loss (%TWL ± SE) was observed (13.2 ± 2.3%) following an initial 1-year preoperative intensive lifestyle intervention, and ranged from 26.5 ± 2.3% to 33.0 ± 2.0% between 1 and 8 years following surgery. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), osteoarthritis-related joint pain and depression/severe anxiety were the most common metabolic, mechanical and mental health comorbidities, with a baseline prevalence of 81.5%, 75.4% and 55.4%, respectively. Clinically significant composite cumulative rates of remission and improvement occurred in T2DM (50.0–82.0%) and hypertension (73.7–82.9%) across 6 years. Dependence on continuous positive airway pressure treatment in patients with sleep-disordered breathing fell significantly from 63.1% to 41.2% in 6 years. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery using an intensive multidisciplinary approach led to significant long-term weight loss and improvement in obesity-related comorbidities among the population with clinically complex obesity. These findings have important implications in clinical care for the management of the highest severity of obesity and its medical consequences. Major challenges associated with successful outcomes of bariatric surgery in highly complex patients include improving mental health in the long run and reducing postoperative opioid use. Long-term follow-up with a higher volume of patients is needed in publicly funded bariatric surgery services to better monitor patient outcomes, enhance clinical data comparison between services, and improve multidisciplinary care delivery.
وصف الملف: electronic resource
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