Search Results (18,824)

A robust analysis of water use in major food production systems is crucial for improving their productivity and sustainability in water-scarce arid and semi-arid regions like Punjab (India) facing the depletion of groundwater resources. This study aimed to assess blue water use and blue water productivity in dairy farming systems across different farm sizes in Punjab. Comprehensive monitoring and assessment of water use over a full year (from July 2022 to June 2023) was conducted on 24 dairy farm sheds in Punjab, revealing significant variability in their blue water use (measured in L per adult animal per day) and blue water productivity quantified as kg of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) produced per m³ of the blue water consumed. The variability was influenced by factors such as livestock species, farm size (medium with 15–25 livestock, large with 25–100 livestock, and commercial with >100 livestock), bathing and servicing routines, and energy use patterns. The average dairy livestock total blue water consumption varied from 112 ± 14 to 131 ± 19 L per adult animal per day, with 20–40% higher livestock drinking water and about six times higher livestock bathing and serving water used during the summer months. Interestingly, a large share (45%) of the average total blue water consumption is contributed by indirect water consumption via the use of energy (electricity and diesel) in dairy farm sheds. Dairy milk blue water productivity was quantified higher, ranging from 154 ± 11 to 225 ± 59 kg FPCM per m³ in buffalo- and crossbred cattle-based dairy farm sheds. However, indigenous cattle showed a lower blue water productivity ranging from 56 to 97 kg FPCM per m³, reflecting their lower milk yields and limited use of intensified management practices. The state-level water scarcity footprint (WSF) of Punjab dairy farm sheds was quantified at 4870 million m³ world-eq, which showed a significant spatial variation among Punjab districts. However, the results of this study offer novel seasonally and spatially disaggregated benchmarks of blue water consumption, blue water productivity, and the water scarcity footprint of Punjab’s dairy farming sheds. This new information is crucial for the development of locally calibrated and validated models for improving the water productivity and sustainability of dairy farming across Punjab and other similar arid and semi-arid regions in Southeast Asian countries. Full article

Watermelon juice is a nutritious yet highly perishable beverage. Conventional thermal pasteurization ensures safety but degrades heat-sensitive nutrients, color, and flavor. Induced electric field (IEF) is an emerging technology that inactivates microorganisms while better preserving quality. However, its effects on the comprehensive quality retention of watermelon juice during storage remain underexplored. This study investigated the efficacy of IEF treatment on the microbial inactivation and quality preservation of watermelon juice during 25 days of storage at 4 °C. Freshly extracted watermelon juice was subjected to low-temperature IEF at 65 °C (IEF1) for 101 s and 60 °C (IEF2) for 88 s, with conventional pasteurization (65 °C, 30 min) as a control. The results showed that no colonies were detected in the IEF2 group throughout the 25-day storage period. Both IEF treatment and pasteurization effectively inhibited juice acidification. Soluble solids content and electrical conductivity remained stable under refrigeration, and the IEF group showed slower and more controllable acidity on day 25. Notably, the IEF1 group retained the highest lycopene content at the end of storage, while the IEF2 group maintained the highest total phenolic content (TPC). Furthermore, IEF treatment effectively mitigated color deterioration and preserved carbohydrate stability during refrigeration. Flavor analysis revealed that the taste profile of the IEF2 group at the initial storage stage closely resembled that of fresh watermelon juice. Over the 25-day period, the relative content of key volatile compounds characteristic of fresh watermelon decreased by only 3.64% in the IEF2 group. Full article

Background and Objectives: Simultaneous bilateral scapular fractures are exceptionally rare injuries and are most commonly associated with high-energy trauma, convulsions, or electrical injury. Their occurrence following low-energy trauma is extremely uncommon. This study aimed to conduct a scoping review of the literature on simultaneous bilateral scapular fractures, with emphasis on demographic characteristics, mechanisms of injury, fracture patterns, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes. To provide clinical context, the findings are illustrated by a case of a 43-year-old previously healthy recreational athlete who sustained simultaneous bilateral scapular fractures after a low-energy fall directly onto the back. Materials and Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases. Studies reporting simultaneous bilateral scapular fractures were identified and analyzed with respect to demographic characteristics, mechanisms of injury, fracture patterns, treatment modalities, and outcomes. Results: Thirty-seven studies published between 1946 and 2025 were included, comprising a total of 43 patients. Most cases resulted from high-energy trauma (41.9%), convulsions (25.6%), or electrical injury (16.3%). Low-energy trauma and spontaneous fractures were rare. The scapular body was the most commonly involved anatomical region. Conservative treatment predominated and was generally associated with favorable functional outcomes, while surgical intervention was reserved for displaced or intra-articular fractures. The illustrative case involved bilateral comminuted extra-articular fractures of the scapular bodies and spines without associated injuries and was managed conservatively, resulting in complete fracture healing and full, painless shoulder range of motion. Conclusions: The findings of this scoping review, illustrated by the representative clinical case, indicate that simultaneous bilateral scapular fractures may occur even after low-energy trauma in otherwise healthy individuals. Bilaterality alone should not be interpreted as an independent indication for surgical treatment when fractures are stable and minimally displaced. A high index of clinical suspicion and appropriate radiological evaluation are therefore warranted, particularly in emergency and trauma settings, in order to avoid missed or delayed diagnosis, even in cases with seemingly benign mechanisms of injury. Full article

Microelectromechanical systems are being increasingly deployed in nuclear industry robotics, where their great sensitivity and mechanically stable silicon structures enable reliable sensing in radiation-exposed environments. An ultra-thin silicon strain gauge without an oxide substrate layer designed for robotic electronic skin is evaluated under Co-60 γ irradiation, representative of nuclear decommissioning conditions. The sensor performance is evaluated based on electrical measurements conducted before and after irradiation, focusing on cumulative radiation-induced effects. The results show that silicon strain gauge signal maintains a high linearity (R² > 0.99) under strain. Across an accumulated dose range up to approximately 15 Gy, only minor variations are observed, including a resistance increase within 1.3% and a reduction in gauge factor within 5% for most specimens. The radiation-induced resistance increases and sensitivity degradation results in a maximum strain estimation error of approximately 22.5 με (≈3.5%) within the tested operating range below 700 με. Full article

The demand for reliable, compact, and highly dependable energy conversion systems has grown significantly due to their application in renewable energy systems and electric vehicles for transportation. One of the main converters used in this type of conversion system is the DC–AC converter, known as an inverter. The common study of inverter behavior has focused on addressing, in isolation, the topologies and modulation strategies that activate/deactivate the converter switches, whose main objectives are to improve power quality, increase power density under different operating conditions, and reduce losses. Some of the above objectives were addressed by oversized passive filters, which resulted in increased system volume, high cost, and reduced adaptability. This systematic review analyzes and organizes the state of the art regarding the relationship between the selection of inverter topology, modulation strategy (ranging from conventional modulation approaches to more advanced adaptive strategies), and optimization in conjunction with passive components to observe DC bus voltage management. The review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A structured search was performed in IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, MDPI, and Scielo databases up to 2025, retrieving 9547 records. After duplicate removal and multi-stage screening of titles, abstracts, and full-text, 104 studies met the predefined technical inclusion criteria. Eligible studies were required to report quantitative performance metrics, validated modulation techniques, and explicit focus on inverter architectures or DC bus optimization. The selected studies were examined through comparative technical analysis of topology–modulation interaction, harmonic distortion performance, efficiency, and system-level integration. The study highlights the importance of taking a comprehensive approach at the complete system level by designing the elements addressed together, rather than being optimized in isolation for renewable energy and electric vehicle applications. Full article

Efficient thermal management is critical for maintaining the safety, durability, and performance of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs). In this study, a comprehensive numerical investigation is conducted to evaluate the heat transfer characteristics of mono- and hybrid-nanofluids in a microchannel-cooled lithium-ion battery module. A three-dimensional computational model of a 5S7P battery module composed of cylindrical 21700 cells is developed. Battery heat generation during 3C high discharge rate operation is predicted using the Newman-Tiedemann-Gu-Kim (NTGK) electrochemical model, while coolant flow and heat transfer are simulated using the governing conservation equations for mass, momentum, and energy. The cooling system consists of six liquid-cooling plates with circular microchannels. The performance of water-glycol (50/50) coolant is compared with several mono nanofluids of Al₂O₃ and Cu, and hybrid nanofluids of Al₂O₃-Cu, Al₂O₃-MWCNT, Al₂O₃-Graphene, Cu-MWCNT, and Cu-Graphene across multiple coolant flow rates from 1–5 LPM. The results demonstrate that nanofluids significantly enhance convective heat transfer and reduce battery temperature compared with the conventional water-glycol coolant. Among the investigated coolants, the Al₂O₃-Cu hybrid nanofluid (0.45–0.45%) operating at 1 LPM achieves the best overall thermo-hydraulic performance with a performance evaluation criterion (PEC) of 1.065. Further analysis of nanoparticle composition ratios shows that a Cu-dominant hybrid mixture (Al₂O₃-Cu: 0.27–0.63%) slightly improves the PEC to 1.0657, indicating marginally superior cooling performance. The findings highlight the potential of hybrid nanofluids as advanced coolants for microchannel-based battery thermal management systems in EVs, particularly under moderate coolant flow conditions. Full article

As the integrated energy market evolves toward a multi-stakeholder coexistence model, balancing economic efficiency, user well-being, and system-level sustainability among interacting stakeholders has become a key challenge, particularly in the rapidly developing regional integrated energy markets in China. Thus, to satisfy user comfort and energy substitution requirements while achieving cost-effective electricity and heating supply, this study proposes a Stackelberg game-based market trading framework involving an integrated energy producer (IEP), an integrated energy operator (IEO), and a load aggregator (LA). First, the integrated energy market framework and transaction modes are established, and the profit models of IEP and IEO are formulated. Considering users’ energy substitution behavior, user comfort is quantified to explicitly reflect user welfare in market decision making, and a consumer surplus model is developed for LA participating in market transactions. Second, a Stackelberg game framework is constructed to coordinate the strategies of all participants by incorporating source–load energy flows, and the equilibrium solution is proven to be unique and solvable using quadratic programming. Finally, a case study based on historical data from Hebei Province, China, is conducted to validate the proposed strategy. The results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively coordinates the interests of all stakeholders, enhances demand response capability without reducing user comfort, and improves economic benefits for both supply and demand sides in regional integrated energy markets. Full article

Hydrophobic eutectic solvent systems (ESSs) were prepared and characterized using temperature-dependent thermophysical and transport property measurements, supported by thermal analysis. The investigated systems comprise terpene-based mixtures, menthol:octanoic acid (1:2) and menthol:decanoic acid (1:1), and thymol-based mixtures, thymol:butanol (1:1), thymol:hexanol (1:1), thymol:octanoic acid (1:1), and thymol:oleic acid (1:1), as well as salt-containing ESSs based on tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (TBPBr), TBPBr:octanoic acid (1:1), and TBPBr:lauric acid (1:1). Density, dynamic viscosity, and electrical conductivity were measured at atmospheric pressure (p = 0.1 MPa) over 293.15–313.15 K. From density data, molar volumes and isobaric thermal expansion coefficients were calculated. The temperature dependence of viscosity was correlated with both Arrhenius and Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equations. Conductivity results were used to compute molar conductivities, and the coupled conductivity–viscosity behavior was assessed via Walden analysis to quantify deviations from ideal electrolyte behavior and estimate ionicity. Thermal behavior and stability were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DSC). The resulting dataset enables a consistent comparison of volumetric, flow, and ion transport descriptors across fully molecular terpene-based mixtures and TBPBr-containing systems. Overall, the combined transport descriptors, including Walden analysis, provide a practical framework for distinguishing molecular from salt-containing hydrophobic ESS families and support formulation selection for temperature-dependent applications, particularly in biphasic extraction processes. Full article

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter and neuromodulator that regulates many critical brain functions. Accurate monitoring of its level is essential for neuroscience as well as the diagnosis and treatment of many brain diseases. In this work, we developed a new electrochemical sensor, comprising phosphorus-doped graphitic carbon nitride (P-g-C₃N₄) and zeolitic imidazolate framework 67 (ZIF-67), for dopamine detection. In this composite electrode material, ZIF-67 provides numerous adsorption and sensing sites, while P-g-C₃N₄ enhances overall electrical conductivity and stability. Cyclic voltammetry tests reveal the redox behavior of dopamine at the surface of the composite electrode across various pH values and scan rates. Using differential pulse voltammetry, the sensitivity and selectivity of this dopamine sensor were assessed, identifying a limit of detection of 0.39 nM. Further successful quantification of dopamine in urine samples suggests the potential practical use of this new composite electrochemical sensor for detecting dopamine and/or other neurotransmitters. Full article

The increasing demand for energy, rising electricity costs, and the growing need to reduce carbon emissions have driven industries toward the adoption of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS). However, selecting the most suitable ESS for industrial peak-shaving applications remains a complex decision involving technical, economic, and operational considerations. This paper proposes a practical and structured methodology for ESS selection that integrates conventional performance criteria with Industry 5.0 (I5.0) requirements, emphasizing sustainability, resilience, and human-centric industrial operation. Unlike existing multi-criteria decision-making approaches, the proposed framework reduces reliance on expert-based weighting, improving transparency and reproducibility. The methodology is implemented in two stages: initial KPI-based shortlisting of technologies, followed by detailed comparative performance analysis. A case study conducted in a European tire manufacturing plant compares lithium-ion batteries and flywheel energy storage systems under different peak-shaving strategies. Lithium-ion batteries demonstrated superior performance, covering approximately 80% of demand peaks compared with the 73% achieved by the flywheel system, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed methodology for practical industrial ESS selection. Full article

DC distribution systems are increasingly utilized in data centers, electric vehicle charging infrastructures, and microgrids due to their superior power conversion efficiency compared to AC systems. In DC networks, the protection coordination of overcurrent relays (OCRs) is essential for selectively isolating faults and maintaining operational stability. However, the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as photovoltaics, introduces significant challenges by altering the magnitude and rate of change of fault currents. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of various scenarios by varying both the fault location and the points of common coupling (PCC) for DER. The simulation results reveal that specific configurations lead to critical instances of protection mis-operation and failure to operate, which cause coordination failures and compromised coordination time intervals (CTIs). These findings demonstrate that conventional protection strategies may fail to ensure reliability in DER-integrated DC systems due to the dynamic nature of fault current characteristics. In this paper, these diverse scenarios and the resulting vulnerabilities in protection coordination were modeled and verified using PSCAD/EMTDC V5.0. Full article

The high-temperature proton ceramic membranes with simultaneous separation of hydrogen and oxygen exhibit promising applications in the catalytic conversion field. However, their separation performance often relies on external electrical circuits, which limits practical application. To overcome this limitation, doping strategies have emerged as a viable approach to develop triple-conducting (H⁺/e⁻/O²⁻) membranes for simultaneous hydrogen and oxygen separation in non-electrochemical mode. In this study, honeycomb-structured hollow fiber membranes were fabricated, and the effects of varying Fe³⁺ and Y³⁺ doping concentrations on hydrogen and oxygen permeation fluxes were systematically investigated. At the Fe³⁺ doping level of 0.2 mol, the oxygen permeation flux of 0.692 mL min⁻¹ cm⁻² in BaCe_0.6Zr_0.2Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BCZF) was achieved at 1000 °C, while the hydrogen permeation flux was 0.201 mL min⁻¹ cm⁻². The BaCe_0.55 Fe_0.05Zr_0.2Y_0.2O_3−δ (Fe-BCZY) hollow fiber membrane can enhance the hydrogen permeation flux by 75% at 1000 °C. Furthermore, during the simultaneous permeation of hydrogen and oxygen, a 1.7-fold enhancement in hydrogen permeation performance was achieved for the Fe-BZCY hollow fiber membrane at 1000 °C, and with oxygen permeation flux of 1.76 mL min⁻¹ cm⁻² at the same temperature. More significantly, a hydrogen permeation flux of 0.34 mL min⁻¹ cm⁻² can be achieved at 700 °C under simultaneous hydrogen and oxygen permeation, which is favorable for the application of membrane reactors in catalytic reactions. Full article

In semi-arid regions, sustainable groundwater management for irrigation is critical for agricultural productivity and food security. This study presents an integrated methodological framework combining hydrochemical characterization, machine learning (ML) modeling, and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to predict the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) in the Ain Oussera plain, Djelfa Province, Algeria. A total of 191 groundwater samples were collected from November 2023 to September 2024 and analyzed for major ions and physicochemical parameters. Multiple irrigation suitability indices were calculated, including Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium Percentage (Na%), Magnesium Hazard (MH), Permeability Index (PI), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), and Kelly’s Ratio (KR). Five ML models were developed and evaluated for IWQI prediction: Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, K-Nearest Neighbors, and Support Vector Regression. Results showed that 55% of groundwater samples exhibited low to no restrictions for irrigation use, while 19% required high to severe restrictions. The XGBoost model demonstrated superior performance, with the highest R² (0.95) and the lowest RMSE (3.22) among all tested algorithms. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis provided a transparent interpretation of model predictions, identifying electrical conductivity and Sodium Adsorption Ratio as the most influential parameters affecting IWQI, while chloride, sodium, total hardness, and magnesium had minimal impact. Spatial mapping using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation in ArcGIS 10.8 revealed considerable spatial variability in water quality throughout s the plain. This research addresses a critical gap in North African groundwater management by integrating ML predictive capabilities with XAI transparency, providing water resource managers and agricultural stakeholders with interpretable, data-driven tools for sustainable irrigation planning in water-stressed semi-arid environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Stroke is a sudden neurological event caused by disrupted cerebral blood flow and represents a leading cause of acquired disability worldwide. Motor impairments and spasticity are among the most prevalent sequelae, significantly limiting functional independence and quality of life. Non-invasive electrotherapy has emerged as a complementary strategy in neurorehabilitation aimed at enhancing neuroplasticity and improving motor recovery. To systematically review current evidence regarding the effectiveness of non-invasive electrotherapy modalities in the rehabilitation of motor sequelae and spasticity following stroke, and to examine their theoretical and clinical rationale. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The protocol was prospectively registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF). A comprehensive search was performed in Pubmed, Web of Science (WoS), and Scopus for studies published up to 14 November 2023, using the terms “Electric Stimulation Therapy” and “Stroke”. The methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. The levels of evidence were classified according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2). Results: Sixteen studies were included in the review. The analyzed interventions comprised neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), functional electrical stimulation (FES), neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (NMES + rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and afferent electrical stimulation (AES). Overall, the methodological quality of the included studies ranged from moderate to high, with PEDro scores between 6 and 9 out of 10. According to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine classification, most studies corresponded to level 1b evidence, while a smaller proportion were classified as level 2b. A risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool showed that the majority of the included studies presented a low risk of bias across most domains, although some concerns were identified in the domains of randomization and measurement in a limited number of trials. Across modalities, consistency within group improvement in motor function and spasticity was reported. However, between group comparisons with conventional rehabilitation were often inconsistent and did not consistently demonstrate superiority. The variability in stimulation parameters, intervention duration, and outcome measures further limited direct comparisons across studies. Conclusions: Non-invasive electrotherapy appears to be a safe and promising adjunct to conventional stroke rehabilitation. Nevertheless, further high-quality studies are required to clarify the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms and to establish standardized treatment protocols. Full article

This study investigates the phase formation and smelting process of a complex Al-Si-Mn alloy based on thermodynamic diagram analysis (TDA). The Fe-Si-Mn-Al system was analyzed considering binary and ternary subsystems, and the standard Gibbs free energy of formation of selected ternary compounds was calculated using the additive method. Based on these results, phase equilibrium diagrams were constructed, and the system was tetrahedralized, leading to the identification of 15 thermodynamically stable tetrahedra. It was established that compositions of industrial interest are predominantly localized within tetrahedra enriched in silicide and aluminosilicide phases, particularly FeSi-Fe₂Al₂Si-Fe₃Al₁₁Si₆-Mn₅Si₃. Experimental verification was carried out in a 250 kVA ore-thermal furnace using manganese ore, high-ash coal, and quartzite. The smelting process was conducted under slag-free conditions with stable electrical operation. The obtained alloy had the following composition (wt.%): Fe ~ 12.1, Si ~ 44.7, Mn ~ 34.5, and Al ~ 5.1, with low impurity levels (C < 0.5%, S < 0.02%, p < 0.09%). Microstructural analysis using SEM-EDS confirmed the formation of silicide (FeSi, Mn₅Si₃) and aluminosilicide phases, which ensure the structural stability of the alloy. It is shown that the localization of alloy compositions within specific tetrahedra of the Fe-Si-Mn-Al system prevents self-disintegration. The results demonstrate that TDA is an effective tool for predicting phase composition and optimizing the production technology of complex ferroalloys. Full article