Alternative System Research Articles

The development and performance evaluation of an alternative energy-based hybrid cold storage system

The development of cold storage systems with solar-integrated thermal energy storage (TES) could be an exciting alternative energy solution to fossil fuel-based cold storage. For this novel technology to be commercially applicable, significant scientific research is required. Although few attempts have been made in this area, the limitations of existing studies encourage further investigation to advance the field. This research aims to develop a solar-based hybrid cold storage (SHCS) system and perform the techno-economic analysis (TEA) of the system to address the existing research challenges and enhance the understanding of commercial applications. An SHCS of L 4.88 m × W 2.44 m × H 2.44 m has been developed by integrating 500 kg phase change materials (PCM) of ethylene glycol aquas solution, as latent thermal energy storage (LTES), to store energy and provide backup during off-solar time. Three different modes of the power system, Latent Thermal Energy Storage (LTES)-based, Electrochemical Energy Storage (EES)-based (Battery), and no storage; and three types of construction materials, sandwich polyurethane (PUR) panels, sandwich expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels, and concrete were considered in the TEA of the SHCS. The power mode with LTES showed a nearly 1.5 years shorter payback period and 130 % higher net present value (NPV) than the EES mode. The solidification and melting characteristics of the LTES system are uniform at different levels during charging and discharging, which may enhance the heat transfer rate. The PCM system is remarkable in that it maintains a storage temperature of 3 °C in the fresh food chamber for approximately 13 h without an external source of energy. Regarding the construction material of SHCS, sandwich PUR panels outperformed concrete owing to their lower density (40 kg/m3), improved thermal insulation, and modular nature, though the rate of return of PUR panels is slightly lower (0.26 % and 0.81 %) than its counterparts due to its higher initial cost. Overall, it was found that PUR panel-made SHCS integrated with an LTES system provides better techno-economic performance when energy storage is necessary and could be considered to scale up the system in the future for commercial application.

Optimizing Lifelong Learning Opportunity for the Out-of-School Youth and Adults: A Needs Assessment for Empowerment and Educational Advancement

As advocated in UNSDG 4, lifelong learning is crucial in providing alternative learning opportunities to marginalized individuals with limited access to formal education. Through the non-formal and informal education projects under the Alternative Learning System (ALS), the out-of-school youth and adults are given a chance to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enhance their employability, personal development, and overall well-being. This needs analysis research, anchored with the Participatory Learning and Action Approach and the Theory of Critical Pedagogy, aimed at designing innovative non-formal and informal education projects aligned with the needs and interests of out-of-school youth and adults. The data collected from 136 ALS learners showed that the priority projects should focus on pre-employment activities, personality development and career planning, substance abuse prevention, eCommerce and entrepreneurship, cooking and baking, and sports and fitness. Results revealed that the project components are implemented successfully to a moderate extent. The factors that affected its implementation included the need for more sufficient resources, inadequate monitoring and evaluation, and limited opportunities to participate or apply the acquired skills. The ALS learners pinpointed that low interest or motivation, lack of time due to work commitments, low awareness of the programs, and transportation or distance-related issues contributed to low peer engagement.

Experimental study and simulations of hydrogen cooling effectiveness for aviation PEM fuel cells

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are seen as one possible future means of driving the change towards a zero-emission society. In a civil aircraft, fuel cell systems can have multiple potential benefits, such as reduced noise, lowered emissions and higher fuel economy compared to jet aircraft. For controlling the fuel cell temperature, thermal management systems are required which can be optimized for aircraft applications regarding their weight and reliability. In this work, a simplified and light-weight thermal management system relying on hydrogen cooling is presented and analysed. To investigate the feasibility, a test rig and a three-dimensional, singular channel model in ANSYS Fluent were designed. Fuel cell temperature could be maintained within the set threshold in the model and the test rig, thus showing that controlling the fuel cell temperature via the hydrogen reactant flow is a viable alternative thermal management system. Results from the model indicate that both the hydrogen mass flow and hydrogen inlet temperature should be used to control the fuel cell temperature. Furthermore, operating the fuel cell at medium to low current densities is favourable for hydrogen cooling. Future studies will explore alternate flow field designs to facilitate thermal management system relying on hydrogen.

Proteome profiling of Paenibacillus sonchi genomovar Riograndensis SBR5T under conventional and alternative nitrogen fixation

Paenibacillus sonchi SBR5T is a Gram-positive, endospore-forming facultative aerobic diazotrophic bacterium that can fix nitrogen via an alternative Fe-only nitrogenase (AnfHDGK). In several bacteria, this alternative system is expressed under molybdenum (Mo)-limiting conditions when the conventional Mo-dependent nitrogenase (NifHDK) production is impaired. The regulatory mechanisms, metabolic processes, and cellular functions of N2 fixation by alternative and/or conventional systems are poorly understood in the Paenibacillus genus. We conducted a comparative proteomic profiling study of P. sonchi SBR5T grown under N2-fixing conditions with and without Mo supply through an LC-MS/MS and label-free quantification analysis to address this gap. Protein abundances revealed overrepresented processes related to anaerobiosis growth adaption, Fe-S cluster biosynthesis, ammonia assimilation, electron transfer, and sporulation under N2-fixing conditions compared to non-fixing control. Under Mo limitation, the Fe-only nitrogenase components were overrepresented together with the Mo-transporter system, while the dinitrogenase component (NifDK) of Mo‑nitrogenase was underrepresented. The dinitrogenase reductase component (NifH) and accessory proteins encoded by the nif operon had no significant differential expression, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation of nif gene products in this strain. Overall, this was the first comprehensive proteomic analysis of a diazotrophic strain from the Paenibacillaceae family, and it provided insights related to alternative N2-fixation by Fe-only nitrogenase. SignificanceIn this work, we try to understand how the alternative nitrogen fixation system, presented by some diazotrophic bacteria, works. For this, we used the SBR5 lineage of P. sonchi, which presents the alternative system in which the nitrogenase cofactor is composed only of iron. In addition, we tried to unravel the proteome of this strain in different situations of nitrogen fixation, since, for Gram-positive bacteria, these systems are little known. The results achieved, through LC-MS/MS and label-free quantitative analysis, showed an overrepresentation of proteins related to different processes involved with growth under stressful conditions in situations of nitrogen deficiency, in addition to suggesting that some encoded proteins by the nif operon may be regulated at post-transcriptional levels. Our findings represent important steps toward the elucidation of nitrogen fixation systems in Gram-positive diazotrophic bacteria.

Mechanical Metamaterials for Handwritten Digits Recognition.

The increasing needs for new types of computing lie in the requirements in harsh environments. In this study, the successful development of a non-electrical neural network is presented that functions based on mechanical computing. By overcoming the challenges of low mechanical signal transmission efficiency and intricate layout design methodologies, a mechanical neural network based on bistable kirigami-based mechanical metamaterials have designed. In preliminary tests, the system exhibits high reliability in recognizing handwritten digits and proves operable in low-temperature environments. This work paves the way for a new, alternative computing system with broad applications in areas where electricity is not accessible. By integrating with the traditional electronic computers, the present system lays the foundation for a more diversified form of computing.

Improving Reading Literacy Rate of ALS (Alternative Learning System) Students Through Casaup-Literacy Program

ne of the imminent programs the government instituted for this concern is the Alternative Learning System (ALS) which aims at providing opportunities for students who are not succeeding in the traditional classroom setting to obtain academic credit, career exploration activities, and extended teacher/peer support in an alternative setting where the ultimate goal is that obtaining a diploma. The study aimed to determine the reading levels of the respondents before and after the administration of a reading intervention program. The Reading program was conceptualized as an extended service to enhance the reading abilities of the ALS students. It employed the descriptive type of research to gather facts and information regarding the reading performance levels of the respondents. The respondents of the study consisted of 70 students from ALS Program of the DepEd ALS Program. The researchers utilized the Functional Literacy Test (FLT) a standardized reading assessment tool which was administered before the intervention and after the reading program. T-test was used in the treatment of the data. Based on the findings; generally, the respondents’ age ranges from 15-23 with a minimal percentage of the ages 42-51. This shows that students tend to stop their education after attending basic education. The mean results of the pre-test which is 4.0294 are far behind the results of the post-test, which is 9.4411 mean, this indicates a highly significant difference is evident in the statistical treatment. A t-value of -29.583 resulted and a p-value of 0.000 was obtained from the data. This proves a high significance is displayed in the results and that the intervention program has proven its effectiveness in the reading performance of the ALS Students.

Before Westphalia: Imagining An Alternative Asian Globalization

The world order as it is known and understood today was built upon the foundations of imperialism and colonialism. It must be acknowledged that the very epistemologies and vocabularies that we use in the domains of diplomacy, international relations and politics are part of the legacy of Empire as well. This paper asks, is it possible for us to rethink and/or re-imagine an alternative global system that reconnects with the realities of socio-economic and socio-political life across the Asian continent and the world of the Indian Ocean prior to the arrival of Western imperialism? And, if that is indeed possible, would this also open up new opportunities for us to imagine the manner through which we – as postcolonial Asian and African scholars and subjects – represent ourselves and the ‘Western Other’?

Analysis of vascular disruption in zebrafish embryos as an endpoint to predict developmental toxicity

Inhibition of angiogenesis is an important mode of action for the teratogenic effect of chemicals and drugs. There is a gap in the availability of simple, experimental screening models for the detection of angiogenesis inhibition. The zebrafish embryo represents an alternative test system which offers the complexity of developmental differentiation of an entire organism while allowing for small-scale and high-throughput screening. Here we present a novel automated imaging-based method to detect the inhibition of angiogenesis in early life stage zebrafish. Video subtraction was used to identify the location and number of functional intersegmental vessels according to the detection of moving blood cells. By exposing embryos to multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors including SU4312, SU5416, Sorafenib, or PTK787, we confirmed that this method can detect concentration-dependent inhibition of angiogenesis. Parallel assessment of arterial and venal aorta ruled out a potential bias by impaired heart or blood cell development. In contrast, the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid did not affect ISV formation supporting the specificity of the angiogenic effects. The new test method showed higher sensitivity, i.e. lower effect concentrations, relative to a fluorescent reporter gene strain (Tg(KDR:EGFP)) exposed to the same tyrosine kinase inhibitors indicating that functional effects due to altered tubulogenesis or blood transport can be detected before structural changes of the endothelium are visible by fluorescence imaging. Comparison of exposure windows indicated higher specificity for angiogenesis when exposure started at later embryonic stages (24 h post-fertilization). One of the test compounds was showing particularly high specificity for angiogenesis effects (SU4312) and was, therefore, suggested as a model compound for the identification of molecular markers of angiogenic disruption. Our findings establish video imaging in wild-type strains as viable, non-invasive, high-throughput method for the detection of chemical-induced angiogenic disruption in zebrafish embryos.

Identifying regularities of fluid throttling of an inertial hydrodynamic installation

The article presents the results of experimental research conducted on a specially designed setup for pressurizing various types of fluids through throttle orifices. To determine the optimal operating mode of the thermal system, throttle nozzles of different diameters, specifically 1.5 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm, were utilized. One of the primary advantages of vortex heaters is their high heat exchange efficiency. This is attributed to the vortical motions and turbulence generated within the device, which promote more vigorous fluid mixing, thus enhancing heat transfer efficiency. However, vortex heaters do have certain drawbacks. Vortical components may experience wear and require regular maintenance and replacement. Subsequently, during the course of experimental work, an alternative inertia-based hydrodynamic system for heating heat carriers was developed and installed in a laboratory experimental facility. The research focus was on technical water. The results indicated that the static pre-pressure generated by the supply of water from the water main into the system decreases as the rotor's angular velocity increases. Experimental investigations demonstrated that rotor rotation leads to a redistribution of flow characteristics in throttle orifices for both static and dynamic inertial fluid discharge. Given that any static column of liquid results in level flow through throttle orifices, their flow static parameters were established. Furthermore, the research revealed that with the increase in rotor angular velocity, the fluid pressure at the throttle orifices rises, while the share of fluid discharge from the initial static pressure decreases in the overall fluid flow

New insights into the substrate specificity of cholesterol oxidases for more aware application

Cholesterol oxidases (ChOxes) are enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of cholesterol to cholest-4-en-3-one. These enzymes find wide applications across various diagnostic and industrial settings. In addition, as a pathogenic factor of several bacteria, they have significant clinical implications. The current classification system for ChOxes is based on the type of bond connecting FAD to the apoenzyme, which does not adequately illustrate the enzymatic and structural characteristics of these proteins. In this study, we have adopted an integrative approach, combining evolutionary analysis, classic enzymatic techniques and computational approaches, to elucidate the distinct features of four various ChOxes from Rhodococcus sp. (RCO), Cromobacterium sp. (CCO), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PCO) and Burkhoderia cepacia (BCO). Comparative and evolutionary analysis of substrate-binding domain (SBD) and FAD-binding domain (FBD) helped to reveal the origin of ChOxes. We discovered that all forms of ChOxes had a common ancestor and that the structural differences evolved later during divergence. Further examination of amino acid variations revealed SBD as a more variable compared to FBD independently of FAD coupling mechanism. Revealed differences in amino acid positions turned out to be critical in determining common for ChOxes properties and those that account for the individual differences in substrate specificity. A novel look with the help of chemical descriptors on found distinct features were sufficient to attempt an alternative classification system aimed at application approach. While univocal characteristics necessary to establish such a system remain elusive, we were able to demonstrate the substrate and protein features that explain the differences in substrate profile.

Compensative Resistance to Erastin-Induced Ferroptosis in GPX4 Knock-Out Mutants in HCT116 Cell Lines.

Ferroptosis results from the accumulation of oxidized and damaged lipids which then leads to programmed cell death. This programmed process is iron-dependent, and as a fundamental biological process, plays a crucial role in tissue homeostasis. The ferroptosis molecular pathway depends on self-regulatory genes: GPX4; TFRC; ACSL4; FSP1; SLC7A11, and PROM2. Some of them were considered here as ferro-sensitive or ferro-resistance markers. We examined the impact of GPX4 gene knock-out, using the CRISPR/Cas-9 technique, on ferroptosis induction in the HCT116 colorectal cancer cell line. The results confirmed that cells lacking the GPX4 gene (GPX4 KO) should be more susceptible to ferroptosis after erastin treatment. However, the decrease in cell viability was not as significant as we initially assumed. Based on the lipid peroxidation markers profile and RT-qPCR gene expression analysis, we revealed the activation of an alternative antioxidant system supporting GPX4 KO cells, mostly for cellular ferroptotic death avoidance. Increased expression of FSP1 and PRDX1 genes in knock-out mutants was associated with their function-recognized here as ferroptosis suppressors. For such reasons, studies on the role of GPX4 and other crucial genes from the ferroptotic pathway should be explored. Despite promising prospects, the utilization of ferroptosis mechanisms in cancer therapy remains at the stage of experimental and in vitro preclinical studies.

Achieving sustainable built-environment using bamboo composite frame system with cow-dung masonry infills

In today's rapidly urbanizing world, there is dire need for adopting the principles of green/ sustainable built-environment so as to mitigate the ill effects of environmental degradation and climate change. However, demand for housing is on rise in developing countries like India, where sizeable population, especially the low-income strata, still lacks decent quality structurally safe housing. Extensive use of concrete and steel in construction over more than a century has led to detrimental environmental effects such uncontrolled release of greenhouse gases/ pollutants, deforestation and erosion, leading to now visible outcomes of climate change. Bamboo, on other hand provides a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel as a building material since it absorbs the atmospheric carbon dioxide, produces more oxygen than timber producing trees and is a lightweight and renewable building material. Unlike timber, it matures in four to five years and being grass family, is replenishable in nature. However, from structural point of view, the main drawback of bamboo culm is its large slenderness ratio, which renders it weak in resisting bending and compressive loads. This paper presents an alternate structural system utilizing fibre reinforced bamboo composite (FRBC) to overcome the structural deficiency of a single shoot bamboo and build a prototype structure after detailed laboratory evaluation and structural analysis. Structural elements made from FRBC are utilized for fabricating a prototype 3D frame structure, measuring about 24 m2 in plan, representing a modular unit amenable to horizontal and vertical expansion. Eco-friendly materials like cow-dung based bricks and mortar, which offer net zero additional carbon dioxide emissions and circumvent reliance on cement and river sand, have been utilized as masonry infills after structural evaluation. The built structure provides a proof-of-concept demonstration of the feasibility of using bamboo and cow-dung, sustainable building materials, for achieving a structurally safe built-environment. The technology is especially suitable for countries like India which are endowed with tropical climatic conditions. By adopting such environmentally friendly alternatives, the construction industry can create a healthier environment while addressing housing and infrastructure needs in sustainable manner.

Pseudo-doping effect on structural and electrical properties of polyaniline-camphorsulfonic acid

Electroconductive polymers (ECP) are critical for the design of soft electronic and bioelectronic devices. Polyaniline:camphorsulfonic acid (PANI:CSA) is an example of a biocompatible and affordable ECP, whose electroconductivity is highly dependent on chain organization/conformation. PANI:CSA aggregation ordering is overlooked in most works, but it can greatly impact the performance of PANI:CSA-based devices and limit their applicability. A simple and cheap method to avoid random coil aggregation of PANI:CSA is to select solvents with pseudo-doping properties. This work presents a novel alternative solvent system, based on trifluoroethanol (TFE) and hexafluoropropanol (HFP) mixtures, capable of being removed without hampering the structural and electrical properties of PANI:CSA. For the first time, we present a systematic study that compares the performance of solvent systems containing different amounts of TFE and HFP, which, unlike m-cresol, the golden-standard of pseudo-doping, are easy to remove without compromising the ECP’s electroconductivity and biocompatibility. We also evaluate the influence of the processing method, drop-casting vs spin-coating, on the structural and electrical properties of the obtained samples. Samples obtained by spin-coating show a more consistent improvement in electroconductivity (σ(TFE) = 61 S cm−1, σ(TFE:HFP (50:50 vol)) = 70 S cm−1) and more intense near-infrared (NIR) absorption bands. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicate that samples processed with HFP and m-cresol have higher benzenoid content, lower random coil aggregation and more efficient CSA doping. The solvent system comprised of equal parts of TFE and HFP was found to simultaneously enhance the electrical properties and structural ordering of PANI:CSA. We believe our results are critical for the fabrication of PANI-based next generation bioelectronic devices.

The Effects of Breeding Practices and Fertilization on Vegetation in Barren Pasture The Case of Kastamonu

The research was conducted in the pasture of Alpagut village of Kastamonu center (410 25' 48.52''N, 330 55' 20.54D, altitude 851 m) located in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey to determine the changes in pasture vegetation caused by pasture soil improvement and management practices. Fertilization was applied according to pasture soil analysis, brush clearing and alternate grazing system was applied. Pasture vegetation change was measured by modified wheeled loop method in the pre- and post-improvement periods. It was determined that breeding practices increased the proportion of legumes, other families and perennial plants and contributed to the formation of a balanced vegetation. The proportions of declining, reproductive, invasive and annual species were 11.50%, 5.10%, 46.75% and 33%, respectively, before pasture topsoil reclamation, while there was a decrease in annual species in the post-reclamation period. There was an increase in declining, reproductive and invasive species. It was found to be 26.66%, 15.39%, 55.86% and 17.00%, respectively. While Bromus sp., Sanguisorba minor, Fumana arabica, Festuca ovina species were dominant in the pasture area in the pre-improvement period, Bothriochloa ischaemum, Teucrium chamaedrys, Festuca ovina and Astragalus frickii species became dominant after the improvement. It was determined that breeding and management practices increased the area covered with vegetation from 74.00% to 98.00%, the proportion of legumes from 1% to 12%, and the pasture condition and health classification from poor-healthy to moderate-healthy category. It is recommended that the grazing plan for pasture sustainability be maintained.

A new approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: insulin-quantum dots

The potential use of insulin supplementation for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) was aimed to investigate and explore CQDs as an alternative delivery system. CQDs were produced by microwave and characterised. Insulin-loaded Ins-CQDs and in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs were developed. The in vitro release kinetics, penetrations of insulin through excised sheep nasal mucosa were determined. Toxicity of CQDs were calculated on SH-SY5Y cells. The stability and usability of the prepared formulations were assessed. The insulin release from the solution was 70.75% after 3 hours, while it was 37.51% for in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs. IC50 value was 52 µM. The mean particle diameters of Ins-CQDs and in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs varied between 8.35 ± 0.19 to 8.75 ± 0.03 nm during a 6-month period. Zeta potentials ranged from −31.51 ± 1.39 to −24.43 ± 0.26 mV, and PDI values were between 9.8 ± 0.01 to 5.3 ± 3.2%(SD, n = 3) for Ins-CQDs and in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs, respectively. Our results show that Gel-Ins-CQDs represented a controlled release over time and can be used for AD through the nasal route.

Improving the Fast Charging Capability of Lithium-Ion Battery Graphite Anodes by Implementing an Alternative Binder System

An alternative binder system for water-processed graphite anodes for lithium-ion batteries was developed and electrochemically investigated in terms of fast charging capability. The conventionally used binder system for anode coatings, based on CMC and SBR, shows good rheological and mechanical properties, but is limited in its electrochemical performance with respect to high charging currents. However, a marked improvement in fast charging capability is necessary to accelerate the market share of battery electric vehicles. Therefore, we systematically developed an alternative, water-based binder system to improve the fast charging capability of graphite anodes. Thereby, the most promising alternative binder system consisting of alginate, PEO and PVP (2:1:1) showed an improvement in charging performance at 4 C (10 mA cm−2) in the CC-step by more than 150% in 2.5 mAh cm−2 research pouch cells, compared to the reference binder system consisting of CMC and SBR (1:1). The improvement in fast charging capability could be assigned to a reduced ionic pore resistance, as well as a larger active surface area, whereas the pore size distribution, the total surface area, as well as the wettability of the electrode, influence the active surface area. Furthermore, the alternative binder system reveals an improved cycling stability beyond 1,500 cycles.

An analysis of the perceptions regarding the traditional versus alternative educational system

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the perceptions surrounding the traditional and alternative educational systems. The aim of this study is to explore the various perspectives and attitudes towards these two approaches to education, considering their strengths and weaknesses. The analysis draws upon a comprehensive review of existing literature, examining both empirical research and theoretical frameworks. The data was collected with a questionnaire and a logistic regression equation was estimated with the help of SPSS 23 statistical software. The variable of interest was education system (traditional and alternative) and the independent variables were the following attributes: main benefits, capability, growth mindset, gender, age and degree. The findings reveal a wide range of perceptions and opinions, with proponents of the traditional system emphasizing its long-standing effectiveness and familiarity, while supporters of alternative approaches highlight their adaptability and potential for innovation. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these perceptions for policymakers, educators, and students, and suggests avenues for future research.

Compositional skills error analysis: The case of the university environmental engineering first-year students

<span lang="EN-US">The compositional skills are analyzed to determine whether college students have improved their writing ability after the two years additional in the senior high school curriculum. This study examines the errors committed by first-year engineering students. There were 90 student respondents written outputs collected and subjected to Grammarly software. The researchers analyzed the data using the Scheffe test, comparing the difference between clarity, engagement, and delivery. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to test whether there is a significant difference among other variables. Findings revealed that clarity is the most common error committed by the student-respondents. The errors committed between male and female respondents do not show a difference. The K-12 graduates’ compositional errors do not differ significantly from that in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) passers or the old basic education curriculum graduates. It is in delivery that students vary. This finding implies that college students' compositional skills still need strengthening. Instructors are encouraged to provide comprehensive activities and writing exercises to both genders, regardless of their curriculum. It is recommended that University language instructors identify specific interventions to help students struggling with writing. Therefore, providing enough written opportunities and practices is vital to make college students enhance their compositional skills.</span>

Green hydrogen production in a south of Italy region using excess electricity only: real scenario and alternatives

Stating the European Union decarbonisation objectives setting carbon neutrality by 2050, this article proposes a thorough analysis of alternative energy system scenarios deriving firstly from the hypothetical switch-off of a coal-fired power plant, secondly from the the contextual introduction of Hydrogen Valleys’ electrolysers, thirdly from the increase in the peak photovoltaic power matching the switched-off power plant annual energy production. Hydrogen generation, carbon dioxide and excess electricity production as well as grid stabilization are the main investigated aspects. After a brief description of the methodology based on the use of the freeware EnergyPLAN model, authors describe the reference as well as alternative considered scenarios. Main results obtained start from annual CO2 emission and power plant production analysis continuing with the description of electrical grid demand/production imbalance arising if a variable renewable energy source higher production level is introduced. The role of electricity storage thought as the coupling of electrolyser and hydrogen fired gas turbine is then investigated. The total hydrogen production potential based on the use of the solely excess electricity production is determined. The mean monthly power plant, renewable sources and total productions are compared with the demand curve arguing that power plants mostly contributes to the shape of production curve whereas renewable energy sources contribute to increase the total production level so to reach the actual demand values. Lastly, a grid stability constraints analysis ends the proposed results.

A novel G3BP1-GFP reporter human lung cell system enabling real-time monitoring of stress granule dynamics for in vitro lung toxicity assessment

Under various cellular stress conditions, including exposure to toxic chemicals, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), including Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding protein 1 (G3BP1), aggregate and form stress granule complexes, which serve as hallmarks of cellular stress. The existing methods for analyzing stress granule assembly have limitations in the rapid detection of dynamic cellular stress and ignore the effects of constitutively overexpressed RBP on cellular stress and stress-related processes. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, we established a G3BP1-GFP reporter in a human lung epithelial cell line using CRISPR/Cas9-based knock-in as an alternative system for stress granule analysis. We showed that the G3BP1-GFP reporter system responds to stress conditions and forms a stress granule complex similar to that of native G3BP1. Furthermore, we validated the stress granule response of an established cell line under exposure to various household chemicals. Overall, this novel G3BP1-GFP reporter human lung cell system is capable of monitoring stress granule dynamics in real time and can be used for assessing the lung toxicity of various substances in vitro.