Search Results (225)

Diagenetic anomalies within the Upper Paleozoic coal-bearing strata of the Longdong area, Ordos Basin, represent a complex interplay between thermal maturation and fluid evolution, yet their governing mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study integrates petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction, vitrinite reflectance (Ro) measurements, and fluid inclusion microthermometry to evaluate the discrepancy between organic thermal maturity and mineralogical diagenetic records. The results indicate that the mudstones achieved high thermal maturity, with mean Ro and Tmax values of 2.3% and 555.1 °C, respectively. However, the associated sandstones exhibit anomalous mineral assemblages, characterized by persistent high levels of illite/smectite (I/S) mixed-layer minerals and authigenic kaolinite, which are inconsistent with the anticipated advanced diagenetic stage. Furthermore, homogenization temperatures (Th) of fluid inclusions are significantly lower than expected, implying a localized suppression of illitization. We propose that this atypical diagenetic trajectory is governed by sluggish fluid–rock interactions in a confined diagenetic environment. Specifically, the dissolution of feldspars during acidic diagenesis provided a localized Al³⁺ supply, favoring kaolinite precipitation, while the limited availability of reactive feldspar precursors and pore-fluid retention effectively stalled the progression of illitization. These findings demonstrate that reactant availability and reaction kinetics can decouple mineralogical evolution from organic thermal maturation in coal-bearing sequences. This study provides a novel mechanistic framework for interpreting anomalous diagenetic signatures in heterogeneous sedimentary basins, offering significant implications for reservoir quality prediction in deep-seated, thermally mature strata. Full article

The DIGIT experiment was launched at the Tournemire Underground Research Laboratory (URL) with the aim of determining the effects of temperature on the transfer of tracers mimicking the most mobile radionuclides in the Toarcian clay rock. The properties of this rock are similar to those of the host rocks being considered for a future deep geological repository for high-level radioactive waste (HLW). The experiment involves the monitoring of the interaction between a test water doped with stable halides and deuterium at constant concentration, and the porewater of the Toarcian clay rock under constant ambient conditions, as well as at higher temperature induced by artificial heating. This experiment seeks to partially address questions regarding the potential spread of contaminants during the thermal phase of HL waste packages. Specifically, the in situ experiment aims to evaluate the role of scale effects, thermodiffusion, a process that combines Fick’s law, the Soret effect, and convection in the transfer of radionuclides. This paper is the second part of a companion paper dedicated to predictive calculations and the installation of the experimental device. It presents the main experimental and modeling results obtained since the beginning of the installation and after 20 months of heat at 70 °C. The test was carried out in five phases, finishing with a sampling campaign: a phase 0 called “initial conditions”, followed by a pure diffusion phase (5 months), then three phases in a heated period lasting 1 year and 8 months. In total, 47 rock cores were analyzed, with approximately 170 samples tested by four diffusion methods (radial, outgoing, through and in vapor-phase) to determine the tracer concentrations in the porewater, their water content and their diffusive transport parameters. The results show a decrease in tracer concentrations with distance from the test zone, in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the stratification. The anisotropy of the medium results in greater migration in the direction parallel to the stratification. Thermal properties also confirm anisotropy with a higher thermal conductivity in the direction parallel to the stratification. Finally, an activation energy of 22.9 ± 1.7 kJ·mol⁻¹ could be proposed by NMR for deuterium, indicating diffusion behavior following an Arrhenius law between 30 and 70 °C. The experimental data allowed for the calibration of a 2D axisymmetric numerical model using the commercial finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics^®. The Fick’s law corrected by an Arrhenius law best reproduces the penetration of deuterium and anions. The Soret effect, integrated into certain scenarios, is only significant for anions’ migration, using a fitted Soret coefficient of 0.1 K⁻¹, as proposed in the literature for the Callovo-Oxfordian, the host rock of the Cigéo project in the east of France. The calibration of the simulated data with the experimental data allowed for the characterization of damaged and/or disturbed zones evolving over time. Simulations over 150 years, the duration of the thermal maximum for HLW packages, show that advection—modeled by Darcy’s law—would have a negligible role in this context due to the low permeability of the upper Toarcian. In conclusion, the DIGIT test showed that, for the Upper Toarcian clay rocks at the Tournemire URL in France, diffusion, corrected for the effect of temperature, is the mechanism that characterizes the transport of radionuclide analogues. The study showed that thermodiffusion has a limited influence on deuterium migration but remains significant for anions in the case of a coupling between temperature correction and thermodiffusion. The test also highlighted the impact of temperature on the spatiotemporal development of a damaged and/or disturbed zone. These new and relevant results in the field will need to be confirmed later through additional experiments. Full article

To address the challenges of high thermal loads and limited energy efficiency in an electric tractor operating under complex agricultural conditions, this paper proposes a hierarchical battery thermal management strategy based on liquid cooling. The method integrates an upper-level piecewise linear model predictive control to regulate battery temperature and a lower-level convex optimization scheme for dynamic actuator power allocation among the compressor, cooling fan, and expansion valve. By decomposing the nonlinear thermal dynamics into multiple local subregions, the predictive accuracy is enhanced while maintaining real-time computational feasibility. Comparative simulations reveal that under severe 45 °C ambient conditions, the proposed strategy limits the maximum temperature difference among battery cells to 1.34 °C and average temperature fluctuations to 0.231 °C, significantly outperforming conventional linear baseline methods which resulted in 1.66 °C and 0.349 °C, respectively. Furthermore, the optimized actuator coordination reduces total cooling energy expenditure by 11.4%, effectively minimizing transient peak loads on the high-voltage bus and preserving energy for primary traction tasks. These quantitative results confirm that the proposed control framework substantially improves battery thermal stability and powertrain energy efficiency, demonstrating robust potential for practical implementation in heavy-duty agricultural machinery. Full article

This study establishes experimentally grounded circumferential thermal criteria for heat-shrinkable crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) joint casings by coupling DSC-defined thermal activation with through-thickness thermal lag measured under trench-constrained irradiation. The activation temperature was identified as 140 °C from DSC, while an upper bound of the allowable outer-surface temperature was set to avoid thermal damage during installation. Full-scale temperature mapping revealed persistent circumferential non-uniformity caused by geometric line-of-sight limitations and inter-module gap regions, where the outer-surface temperature remained approximately 10–15 °C lower than directly irradiated locations, and the inner surface exhibited a delayed response due to the low thermal conductivity of PEX. Based on these observations, a two-stage heating sequence—an initial high-power stage followed by a reduced-power soaking stage—was experimentally derived to satisfy dual constraints: achieving inner-surface activation (≥140 °C) while maintaining the outer surface below the conservative outer-surface upper bound (~280 °C) and reducing circumferential temperature differences without surface overheating. Comparative joint tests confirmed that the proposed thermal criteria and sequence promote stable interfacial bonding and cohesive failure in the mastic layer, yielding higher repeatability and smaller strength scatter than conventional manual torch heating. The proposed framework provides experimentally grounded thermal criteria and a transferable procedure for designing heating conditions for heat-shrinkable polymer casing systems under constrained field environments. Full article

We have used long observations of galaxy clusters obtained with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer to search for the 3.55 keV line from sterile neutrino decay. If a lepton-number asymmetry exists in one or more types of active neutrinos in the early Universe, sterile neutrinos can be produced via the Shi–Fuller mechanism. The data consist of 11 clusters observed for a total of 3.1 megaseconds using the Proportional Counter Array. A 2.5$\sigma$ excess of emission over a thermal model is found over the energy span of the 3.55 keV line in the combined spectra of the eight clusters that individually have an excess. These residuals are added to increase the signal to noise ratio of the excess, which is then modeled with a Gaussian to simulate the instrumental spectral response. We find a significant correlation (r = 0.76) for a line centered at 3.6 keV with a model flux of 3.07 × 10⁻⁵ ph cm⁻² s⁻¹. Mixing angle for detected clusters ranges from 2.0 to 21.6 × 10⁻¹⁰. The decay rate inferred from the line flux is strongly correlated (r = 0.87) with cluster temperature, which is due to hotter, more massive clusters having a larger amount of dark matter. Approximately half of the total flux comes from the Coma cluster. The mixing angle for Coma is calculated to be 6.2 × 10⁻¹⁰. We fit the Coma cluster spectrum with two different three-component models. The first includes a Gaussian fixed at 3.55 keV to model soft emission. The flux of the Gaussian is 5.6 × 10⁻¹² ph cm⁻² s⁻¹ or 1.3% of the total flux. The second three-component model uses a second thermal component to model soft emission. This model gives a temperature of 0–17 keV for the second thermal component and a lower temperature for the hot component. This indicates that the second thermal component is modeling high-energy residuals rather than low ones, where the Gaussian is. Though our line fluxes exceed most reported detections and upper limits, they do not overproduce the dark matter. We conclude that some fraction of the marginally detected excess could be attributed to the decay line since low-temperature thermal emission and systematics fail to model it completely. Full article

Background: NexoBrid^® (NXB; MediWound Ltd., Yavne, Israel) (anacaulase-bcdb) is a bromelain-based enzymatic debriding agent approved for eschar removal in burn care. Despite widespread clinical use, histological evidence of tissue-level changes after enzymatic debridement remains limited. This systematic review aimed to evaluate preclinical and clinical studies describing histological findings following bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of thermal burns. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we performed parallel systematic searches of preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) studies across PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus. Included studies reported thermal burns treated with bromelain-based enzymatic debridement and tissue biopsies with histological analysis. Quality was assessed using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias Tool (preclinical) and JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists (clinical). Results: Six preclinical studies (five porcine, one rat) met inclusion criteria. Findings included: selective eschar removal with dermal preservation; protection of the zone of stasis (67% partial- vs. 100% full-thickness necrosis; p = 0.05); viable dermal thickness of 1.1 ± 0.7 mm; and accelerated re-epithelialization (7.4 ± 0.8 vs. 9.1 ± 2.1 days; p < 0.05). Only two clinical studies (n = 9 patients) met the inclusion criteria: one case series (n = 8) and one case report. Clinical findings showed upper dermal homogenisation with preserved deep dermis, vascular congestion correlating with pinpoint bleeding, and pseudoeschar formation via transepidermal elimination. Conclusions: Preclinical evidence supports selective enzymatic debridement with dermal preservation. However, clinical histological data are limited to nine patients after over 13 years of use. This highlights a critical translational gap and underscores the need for prospective clinical histological studies. Full article

Geothermal field characteristics fundamentally control hydrocarbon generation, phase evolution, and preservation, and are particularly critical in deep to ultra-deep hydrocarbon exploration. The Tazhong Uplift is a key area for deep to ultra-deep hydrocarbon exploration in the Tarim Basin; however, its deep thermal regime and controlling factors remain inadequately characterized. This study aims to accurately characterize the geothermal field and crustal thermal structure of the Tazhong Uplift to provide thermal constraints for ultra-deep exploration. We systematically compiled system steady-state temperature data from 24 wells, bottom-hole temperature (BHT) data from 51 wells, and rock thermal property measurements. Using the one-dimensional steady-state heat conduction equation, present-day geothermal gradients at 0–5000 m depths and terrestrial heat flow were calculated, and formation temperatures were predicted at deep horizons (6000–10,000 m). Results show geothermal gradients at 0–5000 m of 18.5–26.7 °C/km (average 23.06 °C/km) and heat flow of 39.3–59.8 mW/m² (average 48.1 mW/m²), both significantly higher than basin averages. The distribution of the geothermal field is jointly controlled by basement structure and rock thermophysical properties. Basement highs typically exhibit elevated geothermal gradients and high heat flow. The dual-layer structure of “upper clastic rocks (low thermal conductivity, high heat production) + lower carbonate rocks (high thermal conductivity, low heat production)” results in a vertical differentiation characterized by a “high-upper, low-lower” geothermal gradient. Notably, the thick Upper Ordovician mudstone acts as a regional “thermal blanket”, significantly reducing geothermal parameters in the northern slope area. Crustal thermal structure analysis indicates a “cold mantle” signature of cratonic basins, with a thermal lithosphere thickness of ~134–145 km and a Moho temperature of ~581 °C. These findings reveal that despite the ultra-deep burial (>8000 m), the “cold” thermal background and the thermal regulation of the overlying diverse lithologies maintain formation temperatures within a range favorable for liquid hydrocarbon preservation, significantly expanding the depth limit for oil exploration in the Tarim Basin. Full article

As a result of global climate change, insects are increasingly being exposed to extreme temperature events; yet population-level variation in heat tolerance and its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated thermal adaptation in four geographically distinct populations of the invasive mealybug Dysmicoccus neobrevipes from southern China. The populations were subjected to acute heat stress across a gradient of temperatures where survival, fecundity, offspring viability, and sex ratio were quantified. We found pronounced geographic divergence in upper thermal limits: populations from warmer regions (Guangdong and Hainan) exhibited better survival, more stable reproductive output, and greater tolerance in offspring compared with populations from cooler regions (Guangxi and Yunnan). Thermal responses followed a nonlinear pattern, with moderate heat often enhancing performance, while temperatures above physiological thresholds triggered abrupt declines. Under heat stress, life-history strategies differed among populations, with some exhibiting stress-induced reproductive investment and others showing vulnerability across all traits. Importantly, acute heat exposure produced cross-generational effects, highlighting that parental thermal history can influence offspring performance. These results demonstrate that population-specific climatic adaptation, nonlinear physiological limits, and life-history trade-offs jointly shape thermal tolerance. Understanding these mechanisms provides a predictive framework for anticipating invasive pest expansion under future climatic warming and informs region-specific pest management strategy development. Full article

To meet the comfort and health needs of the elderly in daily activity environments, a refined temporal and zonal thermal environment design across diverse spaces must align with dynamic changes in their daily activity spatiotemporal trajectories. This constitutes a research gap in the existing literature. This study focused on elderly individuals in rural Xi’an, integrating on-site subjective daily activity questionnaires, thermal comfort field surveys, and continuous thermal environment monitoring to evaluate summer thermal environments based on spatiotemporal activity differentiation. The key conclusions are as follows: (1) Elderly people primarily engage in activities in indoor and outdoor spaces, with considerably fewer activities occurring in semi-outdoor areas. Summer outdoor activities occur between 6:00 and 9:00 and 17:00–21:00, while indoor activities dominate other times. (2) The established adaptive thermal response models indicate indoor and outdoor neutral temperatures are 23.8 °C (Operative temperature) and 28.8 °C (UTCI). Indoor 80% acceptability upper limit is 27.5 °C and outdoor 80% acceptability upper limit is 34.1 °C. These results exhibit distinct differences from those observed in alternative climate zones and urban areas in the same climate zone. (3) The thermal environment of outdoor shaded areas remains within the acceptable range for a longer duration than that of indoors, and kitchens have the worst indoor thermal quality. This evaluation provides supplementary insights into current spatiotemporal thermal environment research. Full article

This study aims to experimentally evaluate and compare the electrical–thermal performance of a 20-cell 18650 lithium-ion battery pack cooled by a pure phase change material (PCM) and a PCM/TiO₂ nanoparticle composite to identify an effective passive thermal management approach for EV battery applications. Using a controlled charging–discharging system, thermocouple-based temperature mapping, and systematic tests across multiple C-rates (0.75 C–1.5 C), the study measures the variations in battery temperature, generated heat, and voltage behavior as functions of depth of discharge (DOD) and state of charge (SOC). The results show that the PCM/nanoparticle mixture markedly improves thermal conductivity, reduces peak temperature by approximately 8–10 °C compared with pure PCM, delays thermal saturation at higher C-rates, and enables a wider safe DOD range with reduced voltage sag and lower heat accumulation. Based on the experimental temperature/voltage trends in this study, limit DOD to ≤40–50% at high power (≈1.5 C), ≤50–60% at moderate power (≈1 C), and ≤60–70% at low power (≈0.75 C) (i.e., target SOC windows roughly 60–100% SOC at 1.5 C, 40–100% SOC at 1 C, and 30–100% SOC at 0.75 C), with an absolute practical upper DOD limit of ~70% to avoid frequent deep discharge damage; these limits keep peak temperatures below ~40–45 °C, reduce severe voltage sag near cutoff, and greatly extend cycle life because shallower cycling (e.g., 50% vs. 100% DOD) produces many times more cycles. These improvements enhance battery safety, performance stability, and cycle life, making the nanoparticle-enhanced PCM a practical, compact, and energy-efficient solution for passive battery thermal management in electric vehicles. Full article

Background: Endoscopic kidney-sparing surgery (eKSS) is increasingly adopted for the management of selected patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Laser energy is central to tumor ablation during eKSS; however, multiple laser platforms with distinct physical and thermal properties are currently available, and their comparative oncological and safety profiles remain poorly defined. This systematic review aims to summarize the available evidence on oncological outcomes and perioperative complications associated with laser-based endoscopic treatment of UTUC and to explore potential differences according to laser technology. Methods: A systematic literature search identified 25 eligible studies published between 1997 and 2024, including 1344 patients treated with laser-assisted eKSS. All included studies were non-randomized, predominantly retrospective, and characterized by moderate-to-serious risk of bias. Holmium:YAG, Thulium:YAG (thu:YAG, continuous-wave and pulsed), thulium fiber laser (TFL), Neodimio:YAG (Nd:YAG), diode lasers, and combination platforms were reported. Results: Ipsilateral upper tract recurrence was common across all laser categories, with weighted proportions ranging approximately from 27% to 52% and substantial inter-study heterogeneity. Progression and conversion to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) were relatively infrequent overall, with numerically weighted proportions observed in thu:YAG-based cohorts. Major complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ III) were rare across all laser technologies, although a trend toward a higher weighted proportions was observed in Ho:YAG- and Nd:YAG-based series. Minor complications were more frequently reported and highly heterogeneous. Conclusions: Available evidence supporting laser selection in endoscopic kidney-sparing management of UTUC is limited and largely descriptive. Thulium:YAG and TFL platforms seem to demonstrate encouraging trends toward lower progression and conversion to-radical-nephroureterectomy rates; however, these findings are derived from heterogeneous, non-comparative studies with limited follow-up. No standard laser platform can currently be recommended over others based on existing data. Prospective, comparative, and methodologically robust studies are required to determine whether laser technologies confer clinically meaningful advantages in oncological control or safety for UTUC treated with eKSS. Full article

Upper E_s4 lacustrine calcareous shale in the Dongying Depression is characterized by strong pore–throat heterogeneity that limits shale-oil producibility. This study quantifies multiscale pore–throat complexity using high-pressure mercury intrusion-based fractal analysis (segmented fractal dimensions D₁–D₃ and a weighted comprehensive fractal dimension, D_c) and evaluates its control on oil occurrence and mobilization using low-field 2D NMR (T₁–T₂) and confocal microscopy before and after high-temperature, high-pressure spontaneous imbibition. Reservoirs show clear scale segmentation, with micropore fractality governing quality differentiation. Imbibition promotes desorption and redistribution from adsorbed to free oil, but effective mobilization is primarily controlled by pore–fracture connectivity: samples with well-connected networks can mobilize both adsorbed and free oil efficiently, whereas poorly connected systems exhibit desorption without effective production, implying that thermal stimulation alone is insufficient without fracture-assisted flow pathways. Movable-oil saturation decreases systematically with increasing D_c, indicating that higher roughness and tortuosity intensify capillary retention and Jamin trapping. D_c provides an actionable criterion for sweet-spot ranking and for designing stimulation–imbibition coupling and water-based EOR strategies in lacustrine calcareous shale-oil reservoirs. Full article

Current research on the participation of inverter-based air conditioners in demand response often prioritizes system performance during regulation periods yet frequently overlooks the prolonged high indoor temperatures that follow. Furthermore, oversimplified user comfort constraints limit the accurate evaluation of peak-shaving potential. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel control framework. First, a differential user comfort evaluation model is established to quantify the adjustable temperature range under varying scenarios. Second, an analog duty cycle grouped rotation control model is developed. By leveraging the variable-frequency characteristics of inverter ACs, this method optimized peak-shaving potential while preventing indoor temperatures from remaining at their upper limits for extended durations. Third, to ensure fairness, a user selection model incorporating a User Impact Factor is introduced as a dynamic ranking criterion for participation priority. Finally, to address the inevitable parameter mismatch in practical engineering, the control strategy is upgraded to a feedforward–feedback closed-loop framework. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed ADC strategy over existing methods. Specifically, compared to existing methods, it achieved a 45–50% reduction in the high-temperature influence factor and a 67% decrease in the standard deviation of user impact, indicating significantly improved thermal comfort and fairness. Furthermore, the framework exhibits strong robustness; even under 20% parameter uncertainty, it restricted the duration of temperature exceedance to within 0.8%, strictly outperforming traditional open-loop approaches in preventing user discomfort. These improvements ensure a more uniform distribution of comfort impacts among users, thereby enhancing both the precision and sustainability of demand-side peak shaving. Full article

Amid China’s pursuit of the “dual carbon” goals, the development and large-scale integration of renewable energy have become a core pillar of the power system transition. However, the intermittency and uncontrollability of wind and photovoltaic (PV) power have intensified peak-regulation conflicts after large-scale grid integration. Traditional coal-fired units lack sufficient flexibility to accommodate renewable energy fluctuations, while their willingness to participate in deep peak shaving remains low due to high associated costs. Addressing these challenges requires both enhanced system-level peak-regulation flexibility and effective market incentives for thermal units. Motivated by the limitations of existing studies that often consider individual flexibility resources or deterministic market mechanisms in isolation, this study investigates a coordinated multi-resource peak-regulation framework combined with an optimized market-clearing mechanism for deep peak-shaving ancillary services. First, flexibility resources are classified, and the peak-regulation mechanisms of source–load–storage coordination and auxiliary service markets are analyzed. Second, a wind–PV–thermal–storage operation cost model is established, followed by a two-layer peak-regulation market-clearing model that explicitly accounts for wind–PV uncertainty. The upper-level model minimizes total system operating costs through the coordinated dispatch of demand response and energy storage, while the lower-level model minimizes power purchase costs under a unified marginal clearing price. In addition, an uncertainty modeling framework based on Information Gap Decision Theory (IGDT) is introduced to manage renewable generation uncertainty and support decision-making under different risk preferences. Case studies are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed framework. The results show that: (1) synergistic peak shaving through energy storage and demand response reduces the system peak–valley difference from 460 MW to 387.87 MW and decreases wind–PV curtailment costs from 355,000 yuan to 15,700 yuan, thereby alleviating thermal unit pressure and improving renewable energy accommodation; (2) the unified marginal clearing price mechanism reduces total system operating costs by 41.07% and significantly lowers the frequency of deep peak shaving for thermal units, enhancing their participation willingness; and (3) the IGDT-based model effectively addresses wind–PV uncertainty by providing optimistic and pessimistic scheduling strategies under different deviation coefficients. These results confirm that the proposed framework offers an effective and flexible solution for coordinated peak shaving in power systems with high renewable energy penetration. Full article

In this study, an adaptive state-of-charge (SOC) boundary strategy (ASBS) is proposed that dynamically adjusts the admissible upper and lower SOC limits of second-life lithium-ion batteries in off-grid photovoltaic battery energy storage systems (PV-BESSs) based on real-time state of health (SOH) and temperature feedback. The strategy is formulated using a unified electrical–thermal–aging model with an online state estimator and ensures both electrical safety and power feasibility while remaining fully compatible with standard energy management functions. Two representative simulations—a single-day operating profile and a continuous thirty-day sequence—demonstrate the effectiveness of the ASBS. In the twenty-four-hour case, the duration spent in high state-of-charge conditions is reduced by approximately 0.30–0.50 h, the abrupt end-of-charging transition is eliminated, and the temperature rise is slightly moderated, all without any loss of energy supply. Over thirty days, the difference between the ASBS and a fixed state-of-charge window remains effectively zero for almost all hours, with only a brief midday deviation of −4 to −5 percentage points and no cumulative drift. Indicators of electrical and thermal stress improve substantially, including an approximate 70% reduction in the root mean square charging current. These results confirm that the ASBS provides a practical and non-intrusive means of mitigating stress on second-life lithium-ion batteries while preserving full energy autonomy in off-grid photovoltaic systems. Full article