Search Results (2,124)

Background/Objectives: Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is composed of various lipid species, some of which exert pro-inflammatory and others anti-inflammatory activities. However, most of the LPC species analyzed to date are reduced in the serum of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared to healthy controls. To our knowledge, the correlation between serum LPC species levels and measures of inflammation, as well as their potential as markers for monitoring IBD activity, has not yet been investigated. Methods: Thirteen LPC species, varying in acyl chain length and number of double bonds, were measured in the serum of 16 controls and the serum of 57 patients with IBD. Associations with C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin levels as markers of IBD severity were assessed. Results: Serum levels of LPC species did not differ between the healthy controls and the entire patient cohort. In patients with IBD, serum levels of LPC 16:1, 18:0, 18:3, 20:3, and 20:5, as well as total LPC concentrations, showed inverse correlations with both CRP and fecal calprotectin levels, indicating an association with inflammatory activity. Nine LPC species were significantly reduced in patients with high fecal calprotectin compared to those with low values. LPC species with 22 carbon atoms and 4 to 6 double bonds were not related to disease activity. Stool consistency and gastrointestinal symptoms did not influence serum LPC profiles. Corticosteroid treatment was associated with lower serum LPC 20:3 and 22:5 levels, while mesalazine, anti-TNF, and anti-IL-12/23 therapies had no significant impact on LPC concentrations. There was a strong positive correlation between LPC species containing 15 to 18 carbon atoms and serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and phosphatidylcholine levels. However, there was no correlation with markers of liver disease. Conclusions: Shorter-chain LPC species are reduced in patients with active IBD and reflect underlying hypolipidemia. While these lipid alterations provide insight into IBD-associated metabolic changes, they appear unsuitable as diagnostic or disease monitoring biomarkers. Full article

Electricity is a significant factor in the life cycle of many products, so the reliability of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data is crucial. The article presents publicly available sources of emission factors representative of Poland. The aim of the study is to assess their strengths and weaknesses in the context of the calculation requirements of carbon footprint analysis in accordance with the GHG Protocol. The article presents the results of carbon footprint calculations for different ranges of emissions in the life cycle of 1 kWh of electricity delivered to a hypothetical organization. Next, a discussion on the quality of the emissions factors has been provided, taking account of data quality indicators. It was concluded that two of the emissions factors that are compared—those based on the national consumption mix and the residual mix for Poland—have been recognized as suitable for use in carbon footprint calculations. Beyond the calculation results, the research highlights the significance of the impact of the selection of emissions factors on the reliability of environmental analysis. The article identifies methodological challenges, including the risk of double counting, limited transparency, methodological inconsistency, and low correlation of data with specific locations and technologies. The insights presented contribute to improving the robustness of carbon footprint calculations. Full article

With the support of the dual-carbon strategy and related policies, China’s offshore wind power has experienced rapid development. However, constrained by the inherent intermittency and volatility of wind power, large-scale expansion poses significant challenges to grid integration and exacerbates government fiscal burdens. To address these critical issues, this paper proposes a multi-market coupling trading model integrating energy storage-equipped offshore wind power into electricity–carbon–green certificate markets for large-scale grid networks. Firstly, a day-ahead electricity market optimization model that incorporates energy storage is established to maximize power revenue by coordinating offshore wind power generation, thermal power dispatch, and energy storage charging/discharging strategies. Subsequently, carbon market and green certificate market optimization models are developed to quantify Chinese Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) volume, carbon quotas, carbon emissions, market revenues, green certificate quantities, pricing mechanisms, and associated economic benefits. To validate the model’s effectiveness, a gradient ascent-optimized game-theoretic model and a double auction mechanism are introduced as benchmark comparisons. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed model increases market revenues by 17.13% and 36.18%, respectively, compared to the two benchmark models. It not only improves wind power penetration and comprehensive profitability but also effectively alleviates government subsidy pressures through coordinated carbon–green certificate trading mechanisms. Full article

This study was conducted in the context of China’s latest “double carbon” policy. The objective of this study was twofold: firstly, to examine the characteristics of traditional Chinese residential skywell; and secondly, to investigate and develop climate-adaptive technologies for these structures. To this end, a study was conducted on the Huizhou skywell architecture in China. Firstly, we obtained a large amount of basic data, such as traditional buildings and skywell parameters in Huizhou through field research and on-site mapping. Second, we combined a large number of parameters and typical cases to analyze the data and determine a more scientifically typical model of Huizhou architecture and experimental coverage of skywell data. Different shapes and sizes of skywell were formed by changing the combination of skywell length and width, and the indoor wind environments of these skywell dwelling models were simulated one by one using PHOENIX (v2016) software. Finally, the data obtained from these simulations are analyzed using the variable control method, and the simulated indoor wind environments of skywells under different scale combinations in terms of skywell length, width, and length–width coupling effects are summarized and compared. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The length of the skywell has a certain effect on all indoor wind environments, and the variation in indoor wind speed is smallest when the length of the skywell is 7.5 m. When selecting the design size of the skywell, the length of the skywell can be increased accordingly. (2) The width of the skywell for the indoor wind environment is divided into two cases, when the length of the skywell is less than 3.75 m, increasing the width of the skywell will make the indoor wind environment more unstable. However, when the length of the skywell is greater than 3.75 m, the width of the skywell is positively related to the comfort of the indoor wind environment. (3) The area of the skywell should not be too large, usually between 11.25 m² and 18.75 m². A slender skywell is more likely to provide a comfortable indoor wind environment. (4) After extensive evaluation, we found that the comfort of the indoor wind environment is high when the width of the skywell is 2 m. The optimum dimensions for the ventilation performance of the skywell are 7.5 m in length and 2 m in width. Full article

The global climate crisis has driven unprecedented agreements among nations on carbon mitigation. With China’s commitment to carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets, the building sector has emerged as a critical focus for emission reduction, particularly because office buildings account for over 30% of building energy consumption. However, a systematic and regionally adaptive low-carbon technology evaluation framework is lacking. To address this gap, this study develops a multidimensional decision-making system to quantify and rank low-carbon technologies for office buildings in Beijing. The method includes four core components: (1) establishing three archetypal models—low-rise (H ≤ 24 m), mid-rise (24 m < H ≤ 50 m), and high-rise (50 m < H ≤ 100 m) office buildings—based on 99 office buildings in Beijing; (2) classifying 19 key technologies into three clusters—Envelope Structure Optimization, Equipment Efficiency Enhancement, and Renewable Energy Utilization—using bibliometric analysis and policy norm screening; (3) developing a four-dimensional evaluation framework encompassing Carbon Reduction Degree (CRD), Economic Viability Degree (EVD), Technical Applicability Degree (TAD), and Carbon Intensity Degree (CID); and (4) conducting a comprehensive quantitative evaluation using the AHP-entropy-TOPSIS algorithm. The results indicate distinct priority patterns across the building types: low-rise buildings prioritize roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems, LED lighting, and thermal-break aluminum frames with low-E double-glazed laminated glass. Mid- and high-rise buildings emphasize integrated PV-LED-T8 lighting solutions and optimized building envelope structures. Ranking analysis further highlights LED lighting, T8 high-efficiency fluorescent lamps, and rooftop PV systems as the top-recommended technologies for Beijing. Additionally, four policy recommendations are proposed to facilitate the large-scale implementation of the program. This study presents a holistic technical integration strategy that simultaneously enhances the technological performance, economic viability, and carbon reduction outcomes of architectural design and renovation. It also establishes a replicable decision-support framework for decarbonizing office and public buildings in cities, thereby supporting China’s “dual carbon” goals and contributing to global carbon mitigation efforts in the building sector. Full article

Methyl groups can be obtained either from the diet (labile methyl groups) or produced endogenously (methylneogenesis) via one-carbon (C1-) metabolism as S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). The essential nutrients folate and choline (through betaine) are metabolically entwined to feed their methyl groups into C1-metabolism. A choline-deficient diet in rats produces a 31–40% reduction in liver folate content, 50% lower hepatic SAM levels, and a doubling of plasma homocysteine. Similarly, folate deficiency results in decreased total hepatic choline. Thus, sufficient intakes of both folate and choline (or betaine) contribute to safeguarding the methyl balance in the body. A significant amount of choline (as phosphatidylcholine) is produced in the liver via the SAM-dependent phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase. Experimental studies using diets deficient in several methyl donors have shown that supplemental betaine was able to rescue not only plasma betaine but also plasma folate. Fasting plasma homocysteine concentrations are mainly determined by folate intake or status, while the effect of choline or betaine on fasting plasma homocysteine is minor. This appears to contradict the finding that approximately 50% of cellular SAM is provided via the betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) pathway, which uses dietary choline (after oxidation to betaine) or betaine to convert homocysteine to methionine and then to SAM. However, it has been shown that the relative contribution of choline and betaine to cellular methylation is better reflected by measuring plasma homocysteine after a methionine load test. Choline or betaine supplementation significantly lowers post-methionine load homocysteine, whereas folate supplementation has a minor effect on post-methionine load homocysteine concentrations. This review highlights the interactions between folate and choline and the essentiality of choline as a key player in C1-metabolism. We further address some areas of interest for future work. Full article

Films of a Ni/Al-layered double hydroxide intercalated with reduced graphene oxide were deposited, by means of a simple and rapid electrochemical synthesis, on Pt electrodes previously submitted to a special cleaning procedure. The aim of the research was to determine whether the better electrocatalytic properties of the Ni(III)/Ni(II) couple, due to the presence of the carbon nanomaterial, as compared to the Ni/Al-LDH alone, could allow glucose detection at physiological pHs, as normally LDHs work as redox mediators in basic solutions. Chronoamperometric experiments were carried out by applying a potential of 1.0 V vs. SCE to the electrode soaked in solutions buffered at pHs from 5.0 to 9.0 to which glucose was continuously added. The steady-state currents increased as the pH solution increased, but at pH = 7.0 the modified electrode exhibited a fast and rather sensitive response, which was linear up to 10.0 mM glucose, with a sensitivity of 0.56 A M⁻¹ cm⁻² and a limit of detection of 0.05 mM. Our results suggest the potential application of Ni/Al-LDH(ERGO) composite for the non-enzymatic detection of glucose or other oxidizable analytes under biological conditions. Full article

The feasibility of utilizing biochar as a static floating material for agricultural applications was researched to prevent evaporation from open water static storage systems or as a floating barrier in slurry pits, for instance. Five types of biochar were created from chips, bark, and pellets of pine and residues from two acacia species using a pyrolysis time between 60 and 120 min and mean temperatures between 380 and 690 °C in a simple double-chamber reactor. Biomass and biochar were characterized for their main properties: bulk density, moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, and pH. Biochar was also evaluated through a basic floatability test over 27 days (648 h) in distilled water. The highest fixed carbon content was observed in pine bark biochar (69.5%), followed by the pine pellets (67.4%) and pine chips (63.4%). Despite their high carbon content, the pellets exhibited a low floatability level, whereas pine bark biochar showed superior static floatage times, together with chip and ground chip biochar. These results suggest that biochar produced from bark and wood chips may be suitable for application as floatability material in water or slurry management systems. These results warrant further research into the static floating of biochar. Full article

Driven by the goal of “double carbon”, we propose an investment proportion optimization method based on cooperative game theory to optimize the investment of multiple entities and evaluate the effectiveness of the new power system. The asymmetric Nash negotiation model is introduced to balance the interests of each investment entity. At the same time, a comprehensive investment benefit evaluation index system covering economic, environmental, and social benefits is constructed, and the overall investment benefit evaluation is obtained by using the Delphi method, analytic hierarchy process, and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. Through the case analysis of the multi-energy complementary energy system project investment, the validity of the multi-subject investment proportion optimization model and the investment benefit analysis model are verified, and the feasibility of the project investment is demonstrated to provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for the research in related fields. Full article

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a central role as an anode in electrocatalytic processes such as energy conversion and storage and the generation of molecular oxygen from the electrolysis of water. Currently, precious metal oxides such as IrO₂ and RuO₂ are recognized as reference OER electrocatalysts with reasonably high activity; however, their widespread use in practical devices has been severely hindered by their high cost and scarcity. It is essential to design alternative OER electrocatalysts made of low-cost and abundant earth elements with significant activity and robustness. We report four new nanocellulose-derived Fe–zeolite nanocomposites, namely Fe/Zeolite@CCNC (1), Fe/Zeolite@CCNF (2), Fe/Zeolite/CNT@CCNC (3), and Fe/Zeolite/CNT@CCNF (4). Two different types of nanocellulose were investigated: nanocellulose nanofibrils and nanocellulose nanocrystals. Characterization with TEM, SEM-EDS, PXRD, and XPS is reported. The nanocomposites exhibited electrocatalytic activity for OER that varies based on the origin of biocarbon and the composition content. The effect of adding carbon nanotubes to the nanocomposites was studied, and an improvement in OER catalysis was observed. The electrochemical double-layer capacitance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the nanocomposites are reported. The nanocomposite 3 exhibited the highest performance, with an onset potential value of 1.654 V and an overpotential of 551 mV, which exceeds the activity of RuO₂ for OER catalysis at 10 mA/cm² in the glassy carbon electrode. A 24 h chronoamperometry study revealed that the catalyst is active for ~2 h under continuous operating conditions. BET surface analysis showed that the crystalline nanocellulose-derived composite exhibited 301.47 m²/g, and the fibril nanocellulose-derived composite exhibited 120.39 m²/g, indicating that the increased nanoporosity of the former contributes to the increase in OER catalysis. Full article

This review article compiled previous reports in the fabrication of hydroquinone (HQ) electrochemical sensors using differently modified electrodes. The electrode materials, which are also called electrocatalysts, play a crucial role in electrochemical detection of biomolecules and toxic substances. Metal oxides, MXenes, carbon-based materials such as reduced graphene oxide (rGO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), layered double hydroxides (LDH), metal sulfides, and hybrid composites were extensively utilized in the fabrication of HQ sensors. The electrochemical performance, including limit of detection, linearity, sensitivity, selectivity, stability, reproducibility, repeatability, and recovery for real-time sensing of the HQ sensors have been discussed. The limitations, challenges, and future directions are also discussed in the conclusion section. It is believed that the present review article may benefit researchers who are involved in the development of HQ sensors and catalyst preparation for electrochemical sensing of other toxic substances. Full article

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are the core technology for implementing net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The performance of PV systems is strongly influenced by environmental factors, including irradiance, temperature, and shading, which makes it difficult to characterize the nonlinear and multi-coupling behavior of the systems. Accurate modeling is essential for reliable performance prediction and lifespan estimation. To address this challenge, a novel metaheuristic algorithm called shuffled puma optimizer (SPO) is deployed to perform parameter extraction and optimal configuration identification across four PV models. The robustness and stability of SPO are comprehensively evaluated through comparisons with advanced algorithms based on best fitness, mean fitness, and standard deviation. The root mean square error (RMSE) obtained by SPO for parameter extraction are 8.8180 × 10⁻⁴, 8.5513 × 10⁻⁴, 8.4900 × 10⁻⁴, and 2.3941 × 10⁻³ for the single diode model (SDM), double diode model (DDM), triple diode model (TDM), and photovoltaic module model (PMM), respectively. A one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) sensitivity analysis is employed to assess the relative importance of undetermined parameters within each PV model. The SPO-based modeling framework enables high-accuracy PV performance prediction, and its application to sensitivity analysis can accurately identify key factors that lead to reduced computational cost and improved adaptability for integration with energy management systems and intelligent electric grids. Full article

This study explored the potential of reusing eggshell powders as a renewable activating agent for producing porous carbon materials from coffee husk. Carbonization and activation experiments were conducted by heating the samples at a rate of 10 °C/min up to 850 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. A custom-designed double steel-mesh sample holder was used to hold approximately 2.0 g coffee husk on the top, with varying masses of eggshell at the bottom to achieve eggshells to coffee husk mass ratios of 2:1, 4:1, 6:1 and 8:1. The results demonstrated that CO₂ released from the thermal decomposition of the eggshell powder significantly enhanced pore development at 850 °C. Compared to the pore properties of carbon material produced without eggshell (e.g., BET surface area of 321 m²/g), the activated carbon samples exhibited substantially improved pore properties (e.g., BET surface area in the range of 592 to 715 m²/g). Furthermore, the pore characteristics improved consistently with increasing eggshell content. Observations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the structural and chemical transformations of the resulting carbon materials. Under optimal carbonization-activation conditions, the resulting carbon materials derived from coffee husk exhibited microporous structures and slit-shaped pores, as indicated by the Type I isotherms and H4 hysteresis loops. Full article

Recently, it has been found that electrochemical sensing technology is one of the significant approaches for the monitoring of toxic and hazardous substances in food and the environment. Nitrofurazone (NFZ) and nitrofurantoin (NFT) possess a hazardous influence on the environment, aquatic life, and human health. Thus, various advanced materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, metal oxides, MXenes, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), polymers, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), metal-based composites, etc. are widely used for the development of nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin sensors. This review article summarizes the progress in the fabrication of electrode materials for nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin sensing applications. The performance of the various electrode materials for nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin monitoring are discussed. Various electrochemical sensing techniques such as square wave voltammetry (SWV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), amperometry (AMP), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and chronoamperometry (CA) are discussed for the determination of NFZ and NFT. It is observed that DPV, SWV, and AMP/CA are more sensitive techniques compared to LSV and CV. The challenges, future perspectives, and limitations of NFZ and NFT sensors are also discussed. It is believed that present article may be useful for electrochemists as well materials scientists who are working to design electrode materials for electrochemical sensing applications. Full article

A novel type of multifunctional hybrid membranes combining modified chitosan, functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and rare earth element ion-imprinted polymers (REEIIPs) were designed and characterized. The synthesized materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray micro-tomography, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The hybrid membranes were also studied in terms of their mechanical and rheological properties. The key element of the proper preparation of hybrid membranes using the casting method in an external magnetic field was to synthesize membrane components with appropriate magnetic properties. It was found that they showed tunable weak ferromagnetic properties, and the increase in modified nanotube addition caused the rise in the membrane’s saturation magnetization, which for Nd-selective hybrid membranes reached 0.44 emu/g. Also, the increase in thermooxidative stability was noted after introducing functionalized nanotubes into polymer matrices, which, in the case of Gd-selective membranes, were stable even up to 730 °C. The rise in the modified MWCNT addition and selection of appropriate REE ion-imprinted polymers improved mechanical (Rm and E values increase even twice) and rheological parameters (almost double growth of E′ and E″ values) of the tested membranes. Synthesized hybrid membranes showed a high rejection of matrix components and an increase in retention ratio with rising MWCNT-REEIIP addition, ultimately reaching 94.35%, 92.12%, and 90.11% for Nd, Pr, and Gd, respectively. The performed analysis confirmed homogeneous dispersion, phase compatibility, network integration, formation of a complex 3D microstructure, and improved operational stability of created hybrid membranes, which is significant for their future applications in Nd, Pr, and Gd recovery from coal fly ash extracts. Full article