Search Results (71)

To improve the prediction accuracy of soot load in gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) and the control accuracy during GPF regeneration, this study developed a prediction model to predict the soot mass concentration at the GPF inlet of gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines using advanced machine learning methods. Three machine learning approaches, namely, support vector regression (SVR), deep neural network (DNN), and a Stacking integration model of SVR and DNN, were employed, respectively, to predict the soot mass concentration at the GPF inlet. The input data includes engine speed, torque, ignition timing, throttle valve opening angle, fuel injection pressure, and pulse width. Exhaust gas soot mass concentration at the three-way catalyst (TWC) outlet is obtained by an engine bench test. The results show that the correlation coefficients (R²) of SVR, DNN, and Stacking integration model of SVR and DNN are 0.937, 0.984, and 0.992, respectively, and the prediction ranges of soot mass concentration are 0–0.038 mg/s, 0–0.030 mg/s, and 0–0.07 mg/s, respectively. The distribution, median, and data density of prediction results obtained by the three machine learning approaches fit well with the test results. However, the prediction result of the SVR model is poor when the soot mass concentration exceeds 0.038 mg/s. The median of the prediction result obtained by the DNN model is closer to the test result, specifically for data points in the 25–75% range. However, there are a few negative prediction results in the test dataset due to overfitting. Integrating SVR and DNN models through stacked models extends the predictive range of a single SVR or DNN model while mitigating the overfitting of DNN models. The results of the study can serve as a reference for the development of accurate prediction algorithms to estimate soot loads in GPFs, which in turn can provide some basis for the control of the particulate mass and particle number (PN) emitted from GDI engines. Full article

The evolutionary patterns and influencing factors of the coupling coordination among multiple functions of cultivated land serve as an important basis for emphasizing the value of cultivated land utilization and promoting coordinated regional development. The entropy weight TOPSIS model, coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and Geodetector were employed in this study along with panel data from 125 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) for 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2022. Three key aspects in the region were investigated: the spatiotemporal evolution of cultivated land functions, characteristics of coupling coordination, and their underlying influencing factors. The results show the following: (1) The functions of cultivated land for food production, social support, and ecological maintenance are within the ranges of [0.023, 0.460], [0.071, 0.451], and [0.134, 0.836], respectively. The grain production function (GPF) shows a continuous increase, the social carrying function (SCF) first decreases and then increases, and the ecological maintenance function (EMF) first increases and then decreases. Spatially, these functions exhibit non-equilibrium characteristics: the grain production function is higher in the central and eastern regions and lower in the western region; the social support function is higher in the eastern and western regions and lower in the central region; and the ecological maintenance function is higher in the central and eastern regions and lower in the western region. (2) The coupling coordination degree of multiple functions of cultivated land is within the range of [0.158, 0.907], forming a spatial pattern where the eastern region takes the lead, the central region is rising, and the western region is catching up. (3) Moran’s I index increased from 0.376 in 2010 to 0.437 in 2022, indicating that the spatial agglomeration of the cultivated land multifunctionality coupling coordination degree has been continuously strengthening over time. (4) The spatial evolution of the coupling coordination of cultivated land multifunctionality is mainly influenced by the average elevation and average slope. However, the explanatory power of socioeconomic factors is continuously increasing. Interaction detection reveals characteristics of nonlinear enhancement or double-factor enhancement. The research results enrich the study of cultivated land multifunctionality and provide a decision-making basis for implementing the differentiated management of cultivated land resources and promoting mutual enhancement among different functions of cultivated land. Full article

The presence of pesticides in surface waters has been widely reported worldwide and represents a significant problem that raises concerns on local, regional, national, and international scales. Among these, metolachlor is one of the most widely used herbicides to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in various crops. Despite the existing research, data on the effects of metolachlor on the nervous system of fishes, remain limited. The present study aims to investigate the impact of metolachlor during embryonic development on the formation of the nervous system and the subsequent inflammatory response in zebrafish (Danio rerio), focusing specifically on larvae at 24 h post-fertilization (hpf). To achieve this, transgenic zebrafish lines marking neuronal populations Tg(Hu:GFP), glial cells Tg(gfap:GFP), and circulating macrophages Tg(mpeg:GFP) were employed. Following exposure to sub-lethal doses of metolachlor, we observed a significant decrease in GPF-positive cells marking the neuronal population, accompanied by an increase in apoptotic cells within the brain region. Additionally, treated embryos exhibited a marked neuroinflammatory response, characterized by astrogliosis and the specific accumulation of microglia/macrophage-positive cells in the head region. In situ hybridization and real-time PCR analyses revealed a significant downregulation of the neurogenin-1 (ngn1) transcript and a noticeable upregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (il1b). Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that metolachlor, even at early developmental stages, can have detrimental effects on both the formation of the nervous system and the regulation of immune responses. Full article

To accurately predict the performance of GPF trapping, this study proposes a non-homogeneous dynamic extended capture model for a gasoline particulate filter (GPF). The model consists of a non-homogeneous filter wall sub-model, a filter wall temperature sub-model, a particle size distribution sub-model, and a capture unit sub-model. The distribution of pore size, inlet particles, and growth of the trapping unit were considered in the model to improve its accuracy. A bench test was conducted to validate the model on a GS61 1.5 L direct injection gasoline engine, combined with three particle filters of different structural parameters. Based on the proposed model, the influence of structural parameters and inlet tail gas boundary conditions, as well as the inlet particle’s properties, on the filtration efficiency of the carrier wall was investigated. The results show that the length, cell density, and wall thickness of the carrier wall have a significant effect on the filtration efficiency of the filter wall, while the porosity, mean, and variance in pore size distribution of the carrier wall have a greater effect on the initial filtration efficiency. As for the inlet tail gas boundary conditions and the inlet particle’s properties, the inlet tail gas flow rate and the amount of particles have a significant impact on the filtration efficiency of the GPF. Specifically, GPFs with shorter length, smaller cell density, and thicker walls, while appropriately reducing the porosity and the mean and variance of pore size of the carrier wall, can effectively improve the filtration efficiency. The larger the number of particles, the larger the average particle diameter, and the more dispersed the particle size distribution, the higher the filtration efficiency of the GPF. Full article

In order to meet new real-world emissions standards and reduce particulates emitted by GDI engines, automakers are increasingly adopting gasoline particulate filters (GPFs). The uniformity of axial permeation velocity through porous medium in GPFs significantly impacts filtration efficiency. Consequently, a three-dimensional single-channel GPF–CFD model is developed to investigate the impact of partition coatings and pins on flow characteristics. Different coating amounts are compared by adjusting porosity using a single-channel GPF model, with pins strategically placed along the upper and lower sides of the inlet channel. Simulation results indicate that optimizing porosity and length across different coated sections enhances the consistency of axial permeation velocity, particularly when the ratio of coated length falls within the range of 30–40%. Pins reduce the axial variance by increasing permeation velocity near the inlet surface, with a symmetrical arrangement of four pairs and a height of 0.3 mm yielding optimal performance. Moreover, the combination of partitions and pins shows potential to improve maximum homogeneity by approximately 75%. Full article

In this work, weighted Newton-type inequalities $(\mathcal{WN}-\mathcal{TI})$ for multiple classes of functions by employing generalized proportional fractional $\left(\mathbb{GPF}\right)$ integrals are established. The core step involves establishing a key integral identity under a positive weighting scheme, which underlies all subsequent results. By integrating this identity with $\mathbb{GPF}$ operators, we derive various forms of $(\mathcal{WN}-\mathcal{TI})$ suitable for several function types, including differentiable convex, bounded, and Lipschitz functions. Full article

Particle number concentration (PN) in vehicle exhaust and ambient air describes the number of ultrafine particles (UFPs) below 500 nm, which are recognized as a toxic and carcinogenic component of pollution and are regulated in several countries. Metal nuclei, ash, and organic matter contribute significantly to the ultrafine particle size fraction and, thus, to the particle number concentration. Exhaust gas filtration is increasingly being used worldwide to significantly reduce this pollution, both on diesel particulate filter (DPF) and gasoline particulate filter (GPF) engines. In recent years, the EU has also funded research projects dealing with the possibilities of retrofitting gasoline vehicles with GPFs. This paper presents the results and compares the PN emissions of different vehicles. An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) diesel car with a DPF is considered as a benchmark. The PN emissions of this car are compared with a CNG car without filtration and with gasoline cars equipped with GPFs. It can be concluded that the currently used GPFs still have some potential to improve their filtration efficiency and that a modern CNG car would still have remarkable possibilities to reduce PN emissions with an improved quality GPF. Full article

Background/Objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, and oxidative imbalances. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary supplementations with ‘Arinto’ grape pomace flour (GPF) (WGPF) and ‘Touriga Nacional’ GPF (RGPF) in an animal model of T2DM. Methods: T2DM was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) for 28 days and a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg) on the 21st day. Forty adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control (CT), T2DM, T2DM + Metformin (250 mg/kg), T2DM + 10% ‘Arinto’ GPF (WGPF), and T2DM + 10% ‘Touriga Nacional’ GPF (RGPF). On the 21st day of the experimental protocol, animals were submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test. An oral glucose tolerance test, oxidative stress parameters, biochemical analysis, and pancreas histological analyses were performed. Results: T2DM impaired glucose tolerance, elevated serum triglycerides and cholesterol, increased oxidative damage in the liver, and induced pancreatic histological abnormalities. However, supplementation with WGPF and RGPF demonstrated positive effects, mitigating glycemic and lipid disruptions, ameliorating oxidative stress, and protecting pancreatic Islets β-cells. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the protective effects of WGPF and RGPF in the adverse impacts of T2DM. Additionally, our study emphasizes the innovative use of grape pomace, a winemaking by-product, promoting sustainability by transforming waste into functional foods with significant health benefits. Full article

High-frequency noise exceeding 1 kHz has emerged as a pressing public health issue in industrial and occupational settings. In response to this challenge, the present study explores the development of a graphene oxide–polyethyleneimine (GO-PEI) foam (GPF) featuring a hierarchically porous structure. The synthesis and optimization of GPF were carried out using a range of analytical techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Braunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). To evaluate its acoustic properties, GPF was subjected to sound absorption tests over the 1000–6400 Hz frequency range, where it was benchmarked against conventional melamine foam. The findings demonstrated that GPF with a GO-to-PEI composition ratio of 1:3 exhibited enhanced sound absorption performance, with improvements ranging from 15.0% to 118%, and achieved a peak absorption coefficient of 0.97. Additionally, we applied the Johnson–Champoux–Allard (JCA) model to further characterize the foam’s acoustic behavior, capturing key parameters such as porosity, flow resistivity, and viscous/thermal losses. The JCA model exhibited a superior fit to the experimental data compared to traditional models, providing a more accurate prediction of the foam’s complex microstructure and sound absorption properties. These findings underscore GPF’s promise as an efficient solution for mitigating high-frequency noise in industrial and environmental applications. Full article

Thousands of particle number (PN) counters have been introduced to the European market, following the implementation of PN tests during the periodic technical inspection (PTI) of diesel vehicles equipped with particulate filters. Expanding the PN-PTI test to gasoline vehicles may face several challenges due to the different exhaust aerosol characteristics. In this study, two PN-PTI instruments, type-examined for diesel vehicles, measured fifteen petrol passenger cars with different test protocols: low and high idling, with or without additional load, and sharp accelerations. The instruments, one based on diffusion charging and the other on condensation particle counting, demonstrated good linearity compared to the reference instrumentation with R-squared values of 0.93 and 0.92, respectively. However, in a considerable number of tests, they registered higher particle concentrations due to the presence of high concentrations below their theoretical 23 nm cut-off size. The evaluation of the different test protocols showed that gasoline direct injection engine vehicles without particulate filters (GPFs) generally emitted an order of magnitude or higher PN compared to those with GPFs. However, high variations in concentration levels were observed for each vehicle. Port-fuel injection vehicles without GPFs mostly emitted PN concentrations near the lower detection limit of the PN-PTI instruments. Full article

Reducing vehicle emissions and minimizing the impact of the transportation industry on the environment are key to achieving global sustainable development goals. China-6 emissions standard requires light-duty gasoline vehicles to meet the emissions limit requirements for particulate number (PN) emissions. Therefore, light-duty gasoline vehicles must also be equipped with a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) in addition to the three-way catalytic converter (TWC) and meet the emissions limit requirements within a durability mileage of 200,000 km. Currently, there is very little research on the impact of GPF degradation on the fuel economy and emissions of gasoline vehicles, especially on the newly restricted N₂O emissions. This study adopts the vehicle test method to study the deterioration of emissions of a China-6 light-duty gasoline vehicle with driving mileage. The research results show that the emissions of gasoline vehicles still meet the emissions limit after driving 200,000 km, and the deterioration factors of various emission pollutants are less than the recommended deterioration factors. The gasoline vehicle’s carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission and fuel consumption increase by less than 3%, indicating that the aging of vehicle components, including TWC and GPF, has no significant impact on vehicle fuel economy. Full article

The cell structure of a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) is made up of thousands of individual cells. Although the symmetric square cell structure of the GPF is commonly used internationally, several cell designs have been proposed to reduce the pressure drop in the GPF trapping process. The aim of this paper was to use AVL-Fire software to establish GPF models of different cell structures, mainly including the symmetric square cell structure, asymmetric square cell structure, and symmetric hexagonal cell structure, and analyze the GPF pressure drop characteristics of different cell structures according to the carrier structural parameters and altitude. The results show that compared with the pressure drop of the symmetric square cell structure, the pressure drop of the asymmetric cell structure with inlet/outlet side length ratios ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 is decreased by 4.61%, 9.07%, 12.19%, and 13.22%, respectively, and the pressure drop of the symmetric hexagonal cell structure is decreased by 33.17%. Both asymmetric and symmetric hexagonal cell structure GPFs can decrease the pressure drop during trapping by increasing the cell density. From 200 CPSI to 300 CPSI, the pressure drop of the asymmetric cell structure with inlet/outlet side length ratios ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 is decreased by 20.43%, 20.53%, 20.39%, and 18.56%, respectively, and the pressure drop of the symmetric hexagonal cell structure is decreased by 18.70%. The pressure drop values of GPFs with asymmetric and symmetric hexagonal cell structures show an increasing trend with an increasing filter wall thickness and inlet/outlet plug length. The pressure drop values of GPFs with asymmetric and symmetric hexagonal cell structures show an increasing trend with an increasing altitude, and the larger the inlet/outlet ratio, the more significant the increase in the pressure drop. Full article

Engine lubricants globally face the challenge of meeting the demands of new engine technologies while enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Lubricants must enhance their performance and sustainability, improve reliability in complex and harsh environments, and minimize environmental impact and health risks. This study explores the influence of two different formulations of low viscosity lubricants, tested through actual road endurance trials, on a hybrid vehicle’s aftertreatment system performance and overall emission levels. The study includes 120,000 km of endurance testing in four different challenging environments in China, as well as 90,000 km of endurance testing in a typical urban and highway driving cycle in a large city. Results indicate that emissions from the test vehicles during the 120,000 km and 210,000 km durable Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Cycles (WLTCs) meet China’s Stage 6 light-duty vehicle emission standards, with the 210,000 km Real Driving Emission test (RDE) results also conforming to these standards. Relative to fresh TWC, the light-off temperature increased by a mere 60 °C, and the oxygen storage capacity declined by around 19% following endurance testing. Additionally, the GPF exhibited satisfactory performance after 210,000 km of endurance testing, showing lower backpressure values compared to the fresh-coated samples, with no notable ash buildup observed in the substrate. Drawing on the outcomes of actual road endurance testing, this study illustrates that employing low-to-mid-ash-content, low-viscosity lubricants is both compatible and reliable for aftertreatment systems in present or advanced hybrid technologies. Premium lubricants facilitate vehicles in sustaining compliant and stable emission performance, even amid harsh environments and complex operating conditions. Furthermore, the tested lubricants effectively inhibit excessive aging of the aftertreatment system over prolonged mileage. Moreover, this study discusses the feasibility of rapid aging evaluation methods for aftertreatment systems based on engine test benches, juxtaposed with actual road endurance testing. These findings and conclusions offer crucial references and guidance for enhancing lubricant performance and sustainability. Subsequent studies can delve deeper into the correlation between lubricant performance and environmental impact, alongside optimization strategies for lubricants across various vehicle models and usage scenarios. Full article

Environmental degradation leads to an unsustainable food system. In addition to this issue, the consumption of foods that improve people’s health and well-being is recommended. One of the alternatives is undoubtedly the use of by-products of winemaking, namely in the form of grape pomace flour (GPF). To verify the benefits of using the Touriga Nacional and Arinto (Vitis vinifera L.) flour varieties, analytical determinations were made to identify and quantify different components. In terms of nutritional characterization, the Touriga Nacional GPF showed results that indicate better nutritional quality than the Arinto GPF. The Touriga Nacional and Arinto samples had protein contents of 10.13% and 8.38%, polyunsaturated fatty acids of 6.66% and 5.18%, soluble dietary fiber of 14.3% and 1.7%, and insoluble dietary fiber of 55.1% and 46.4%, respectively. The anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonols presented in samples were detected by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS. Atomic absorption spectrometry revealed elevated concentrations of certain elements in Touriga Nacional compared to Arinto, with the former showing higher levels of aluminum (130 mg/kg) and iron (146 mg/kg) against the latter’s Al (120 mg/kg) and Fe (112 mg/kg) content. GPF could become a valuable ingredient due to its nutritional quality and high content of various polyphenols. Full article

With the construction and development of the smart grid, the power business puts higher requirements on the communication capability of the network. In order to improve the energy efficiency of the space–air–ground-integrated power three-dimensional fusion communication network, we establish an optimization problem for joint air platform (AP) flight path selection, ground power facility (GPF) association, and power control. In solving the problem, we decompose the problem into two subproblems, one is the AP flight path selection subproblem and the other is the GPF association and power control subproblem. Firstly, based on the GPF distribution and throughput weights, we model the AP flight path selection subproblem as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) and propose a multi-agent iterative optimization algorithm based on the comprehensive judgment of GPF positions and workload. Secondly, we model the GPF association and power control subproblem as a multi-agent, time-varying K-armed bandit model and propose an algorithm based on multi-agent Temporal Difference (TD) learning. Then, by alternately iterating between the two subproblems, we propose a reinforcement learning (RL)-based joint optimization algorithm. Finally, the simulation results indicate that compared to the three baseline algorithms (random path, average transmit power, and random device association), the proposed algorithm improves an overall energy efficiency of the system of 16.23%, 86.29%, and 5.11% under various conditions (including different noise power levels, GPF bandwidth, and GPF quantities), respectively. Full article