Aspects Of Application Research Articles

Hot Topics at the 18th SDEWES Conference in 2023: A Conference Report

The present paper reviews the hot topics at the 18th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (SDEWES) held from 24 to 29 September 2023 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The selected papers, including aspects of biomass energy application, energy saving in building, low-carbon development and climate change adaptation, hybrid application of sustainable energy, energy storage system, and other measures in sustainable development, are published in this Special Issue of Energies. The 12 selected papers in Energies and corresponding literature that relates to the above topics and has been published in the most recent year are reviewed. In particular, diversifying energy applications are trending towards comprehensive integration with more efficient clean energy capacities for global energy procurement, which can also offer increased resilience and sustainability, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance energy security through a mix of renewable sources and innovative technologies. Meanwhile, energy storage has become increasingly important, which can manage the intermittent of renewable energy, stabilize the grid, and improve energy security and resilience against disruptions. In addition to conventional solar energy storage, biomass energy storage, building energy storage, water storage, etc., can also reduce the overall energy costs, deferring investments in additional transmission infrastructure.

Legal education and artificial intelligence: vectors of interaction

Objective: to develop proposals for the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal education. Methods: dialectical methods (analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, systematization, comparison, classification, forecasting), statistical, formal-legal and comparative-legal methods. Used in combination, these methods allow comprehensive analysis of the relationship between AI and legal education. Results: the article reveals the main directions to improve legal education in the conditions of AI development: integration of information and communication technologies and training of specialists able to work effectively at the intersection of law and technology. The advantages and disadvantages of using AI in legal education are identified. Ethical aspects of AI application are outlined, as well as the need to manage the development of technologies based on the principles of fairness, transparency and consideration of human interests. The author states the importance of developing not only specialized knowledge, but also universal competencies that will help students to adapt successfully to the dynamically changing conditions of professional activity. Scientific novelty: a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between legal education and AI was carried out, including the identification of specific opportunities for the AI application in legal education, as well as related risks and problems. The author proposes a systematic approach to improving legal education in the context of AI development, focusing on theneed to revise educational programs in legal areas in terms of integrating information and communication technologies; developing universal competencies in students to adapt to a dynamically changing professional environment; introducing mandatory advanced training for judges, legal practitioners to develop skills for using AI systems. Practical significance: the study results can be used to optimize and adapt the educational programs of law schools to the digital era requirements and to develop effective approaches to the AI application in legal practice and education, taking into account ethical aspects and potential risks.

Retrospect and prospect of Nicotiana tabacum genome sequencing.

Investigating plant genomes offers crucial foundational resources for exploring various aspects of plant biology and applications, such as functional genomics and breeding practices. With the development in sequencing and assembly technology, several Nicotiana tabacum genomes have been published. In this paper, we reviewed the progress on N. tabacum genome assembly and quality, from the initial draft genomes to the recent high-quality chromosome-level assemblies. The application of long-read sequencing, optical mapping, and Hi-C technologies has significantly improved the contiguity and completeness of N. tabacum genome assemblies, with the latest assemblies having a contig N50 size over 50 Mb. Despite these advancements, further improvements are still required and possible, particularly on the development of pan-genome and telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genomes. These new genomes will capture the genomic diversity and variations among different N. tabacum cultivars and species, and provide a comprehensive view of the N. tabacum genome structure and gene content, so to deepen our understanding of the N. tabacum genome and facilitate precise breeding and functional genomics.

A Review of Kirigami/Origami Metasurfaces for Controlling Electromagnetic Waves

AbstractAdvanced kirigami/origami techniques have enabled the flexible transformation of planar patterns into exquisite three‐dimensional (3D) structures and provided a new paradigm to control electromagnetic waves with remarkable reconfigurability and functionality. The practical applications of kirigami/origami metasurfaces are prospective due to their diversified wave‐manipulation capabilities, which demonstrate advantages such as compactness, lightweightness, deployability, and scalability. In this article, a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements in the field of kirigami/origami metasurfaces is provided. This includes the concept of kirigami/origami, the practical implementations of kirigami/origami meta‐structures, and the application aspects of kirigami/origami metasurfaces in the control of electromagnetic waves. In the conclusion, future challenges and promising pathways of this field are also envisioned from the own perspectives.

Fast and selective isoprene gas sensor: Influence of polystyrene size and role of the au catalyst on gas sensing properties

Sacrificial methods using polystyrene (PS) templates are extensively applied in various research fields, particularly for fabricating gas sensors. The many processing advantages of these methods, such as a uniform particle size distribution, ease of manipulation, and potential for functionalization enable the fabrication of intricate nanostructures with precise control of the geometry and surface-area-to-volume ratio. Nevertheless, no previous study has investigated the fundamental correlation between the size of the PS particles used as a template and the performance of the resulting functional gas sensor. In this study, we fabricated In2O3 hollow hemispheres (HHs) with PS template sizes ranging from 200 to 3000 nm to explore the essential aspects for gas sensor applications. Notably, compared to In2O3 thin films, In2O3 HHs-based sensors prepared using a 3000 nm PS template exhibited a larger surface area, particularly when formed in a monolayer, and achieved an enhanced gas response to C2H5OH by approximately 132 times. By decorating In2O3 HHs with Au nanoparticles, the detection of C5H8 at 350 ℃ among various volatile organic compounds was significantly enhanced (increase ratio = 31.7), achieving a response of 483 and a theoretical detection limit as low as 743 parts per trillion (ppt). In addition, the highly porous structure with Au decoration achieved an extremely short response time of less than 2 s. These unprecedented results provide critical insights into conventional sensor technologies and pave the way for potential health-monitoring applications and bioelectronics.

Effect of Electrodeposition Time on the Growth Rate of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are nano-sized carbon that resembles tubes and has the potential to be used in various aspects of applications. Some of the CNT carbon capture methods include arc discharge, lasser ablation, CVD and electrodeposition. The advantage of the electrodeposition method is that the production cost is cheap and the preparation is easy. Electrodeposition is the precipitation of substances by using a direct electric current, with CO2 as the reactant. Factors that affect the growth rate of CNT are voltage, temperature, carbon source, electrode and time. The variation of the electorative time used was 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, 150 minutes, 180 minutes. The data collection process begins by shaping and measuring the weight of the electrode (Ni) with a diameter of 2 cm CNT deposition area. measuring the weight and melting Li2CO3 at a temperature of 750. then the CO2 flow rate setting, voltage setting 5V and time setting were then characterized by SEM-EDX and XRD. The results of the study showed that the optimal time obtained with a time of 120 minutes, the resulting CNT deposition rate was 1,618 g cm-2 h-1. Then based on the characterization of XRD and SEM, it shows that the longer the electrodeposition time, the less impurities are contained in the results obtained.

Development and Usage of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Trainer for Beginners

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed trainer for refrigeration, which is constructed through the specifications of the users. It focuses on the primary usage, functionality, applicability, and safety aspects of the project, as well as how it effectively assists people through innovative means. The project is tested out of 15 respondents that has knowledge regarding refrigeration and air-conditioning, enough to understand the flow of the project its material used, functions, usage and how it works. Based on the comprehensive evaluation the following key findings have emerged. Functionality Excellence, The prototype trainer demonstrates exceptional functionality, achieving an excellent rating. This indicates a high level of effectiveness in performing various task/activity in refrigeration works. Applicability of the device exhibits versatility with high ratings. Its adaptability to diverse environments underscores its broad applicability.User safety of The trainer dependability is further enhanced by the removal of potentially hazardous materials and the addition of overload protection.

Pengaruh Digitalisasi terhadap Aktifitas Pembelajaran Pendidikan Jasmani Olahraga dan Kesehatan pada Lingkungan Pendidikan SMP Negeri 1 Sedayu

This research aims to determine the impact of digitalization on the learning process through several aspects: (1) knowledge, (2) application, and (3) utilization in PJOK (Physical Education, Sports, and Health) learning. This is a descriptive quantitative study using the survey method. The population consists of 221 students from grades VIII A-G at SMP Negeri 1 Sedayu. The sample includes 120 students selected through incidental sampling. Data collection techniques involve the use of a Likert scale with ratings of SS (5), S (4), KS (3), TS (2), and STS (1). The research instrument is a questionnaire tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis is conducted using percentages (%). The results show that the impact of digitalization on the PJOK learning process at SMP Negeri 1 Sedayu is categorized as high in terms of (1) knowledge aspect at 71.35%, (2) application aspect at 69.44%, and (3) utilization aspect at 67.19%. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the influence of digitalization on the PJOK learning process in the educational environment of SMP Negeri 1 Sedayu is categorized as high in the aspects of (1) knowledge, (2) application, and (3) utilization. Therefore, this research aims to assist PJOK subject teachers in considering the use of digitalization in the learning process from various aspects.

A review of advanced helical fibers: formation mechanism, preparation, properties, and applications.

As a unique structural form, helical structures have a wide range of application prospects. In the field of biology, helical structures are essential for the function of biological macromolecules such as proteins, so the study of helical structures can help to deeply understand life phenomena and develop new biotechnology. In materials science, helical structures can give rise to special physical and chemical properties, such as in the case of spiral nanotubes, helical fibers, etc., which are expected to be used in energy, environment, medical and other fields. The helical structure also has unique charm and application value in the fields of aesthetics and architecture. In addition, helical fibers have attracted a lot of attention because of their tendrils' vascular geometry and indispensable structural properties. In this paper, the development of helical fibers is briefly reviewed from the aspects of mechanism, synthesis process and application. Due to their good chemical and physical properties, helical fibers have a good application prospect in many fields. Potential problems and future opportunities for helical fibers are also presented for future studies.

Application of Methodology for Defining the Adjoining Lands and Flooding River Strips in Bulgaria in a GIS Environment Upon Bridge Facility Designing

The "Methodology for defining the adjoining lands and flooding rivers stripes in Bulgaria” (MALFARS) has been developed in 2012 based on the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60. In this article we investigated another aspect of MALFARS application. We have reviewed the possibilities for methodology application upon designing of bridge facilities within the researched river section. The study presents the application of the Methodology for the designing of a bridge facility over the Dzherman River upon the maximum dimensional water quantities calculated for the studied section of the river. We have used GIS instruments to analyze and evaluate the results obtained for the parameters of the maximum runoff and the conductivity of the river section. The results present the defined flooding zones of the adjoining river areas/stripes, good conductivity of the road facility, hydraulic and geometric characteristics of the runoff in the investigated river section in cases of high water levels

Аспекты безопасного использования современных дезинфицирующих средств на молочных предприятиях

The article analyzes the main aspects of safe application of chemical disinfectants widely used at dairy enterprises. Effective disinfection at dairy enterprises is directly related to the production of high-quality, safe and competitive food products. When selecting a disinfectant for use at a dairy enterprise, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary not only for effectiveness, but also a multilateral consideration of its safe use. Increasing requirements to ecologization of milk processing enterprises dictate the search for new combinations of functional components in the formulations of chemical sanitizers. The article shows the necessity of consideration of adhesion properties of disinfectants, their corrosive activity and indifference to various materials used at food processing enterprises. It is suggested to control working chloroactive disinfectant solutions, first of all, obtained by electrolysis method, not only by the content of active chlorine, but also by the value of redox potential. The relevance of research aimed at studying the inhibitory properties of active substances and residual quantities of disinfectants on starter microflora and the importance of a systematic approach to the integrated assessment of all elements of safe use of disinfectants at dairy enterprises is formulated. Keywords: disinfectants, toxicity and hazard, effect on human body, environmental safety, redox potential, corrosivity, chemical contamination, inhibition.

Scope and Application of Hot Melt Extrusion in the Development of Controlled and Sustained Release Drug Delivery Systems.

Controlled-release drug delivery systems (CRDDS) are more beneficial than conventional immediate release (IRDDS) for reduced intake, prolonged duration of action, lesser adverse effects, higher bioavailability, etc. The preparation of CRDDS is more complex than IRDDS. The hot melt extrusion (HME) technique is used for developing amorphous solid dispersion of poorly water soluble drugs to improve their dissolution rate and oral bioavailability. HME can be employed to develop CRDDS. Sustained release delivery systems (SRDDS), usually given orally, can also be developed using HME. This technique has the advantages of using no organic solvent, converting crystalline drugs to amorphous, improving bioavailability, etc. However, the heat sensitivity of drugs, miscibility between drug-polymer, and the availability of a few polymers are some of the challenges HME faces in developing CRDDS and SRDDS. The selection of a suitable polymer and the optimization of the process with the help of the QbD principle are two important aspects of the successful application of HME. In this review, strategies to prepare SRDDS and CRDDS using HME are discussed with its applications in research.

In the Era of pass/fail: Medical student perceptions on optimizing their surgical residency applications

BackgroundIt is unclear how changes to the 2023–2024 Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application will impact future applicants. We investigate students’ perceptions about applying to residency during this transition period. MethodsAn anonymous electronic survey was sent to medical students through social media of a women's surgical society. Questions reflected aspects of the ERAS application. ResultsThere were 415 responses, with 68 ​% planning to apply into surgical specialties (SS) and 17 ​% into non-surgical specialties (NSS). Compared with the NSS group, SS students reported decreased confidence in successfully matching, less attainable applicant expectations, and increased personal sacrifices to pursue their residency of interest. Students interested in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) placed 3-times more importance on the number of publications than General Surgery students. Away rotations were rated significantly more important for Otolaryngology, Orthopaedic, and PRS students. ConclusionStudents applying into surgical residencies experience unique stressors. Values among SS students differed across surgical subspecialties in preparation for the match. Further investigation characterizing the relationship between these values and characteristics of successful resident applicants is warranted.

Methodology for estimating ethanol concentration with artificial intelligence in the presence of interfering gases and measurement delay

Gas concentration detection is a vital aspect of environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and various other applications. Metal Oxide (MOX) sensors have gained considerable attention in this context due to their low cost and ability to detect several gases, although their selectivity is a potential drawback. In this paper, a data-driven approach for the detection and estimation of ethanol concentration using MOX sensors in the presence of interfering gases is presented, with a dual emphasis on the impact of delay between gas transmission and sensor detection and the incorporation of heater current and voltage, alongside sensor current readings. A delay in sensor response can lead to erroneous readings and potentially compromise safety and environmental assessments. To tackle this issue, an incremental method for the identification of the delay length is proposed, and its effectiveness in improving the estimations of gas concentration is demonstrated by implementing three distinct regression techniques: Linear Regression (LR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Random Forest (RF). The analysis is then extended to incorporate the utilization of heater current and voltage, alongside sensor current readings. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in handling measurement delay processing and its robustness to the presence of interfering gases.

Developing a framework for enhancing security testing of android applications

Mobile applications have advanced a lot and now offer several features that help make our lives easier. Android is currently the most popular mobile operating system, and it is susceptible to exploitation attempts by malicious entities. This has led to an increased focus on the security of Android applications. This dissertation proposed the development of a framework which provides a systematic approach to testing the security of Android applications. This framework was developed based on a comprehensive review of existing security testing methodologies and tools. In achieving the study objectives, a test application was run on an emulator, Burp Suite was used as a proxy tool to capture HTTP and HTTPS traffic for analysis, reverse engineering was carried out, static and dynamic analysis were executed, network traffic was captured and analysed with tcpdump and Wireshark, intent sniffing was carried out, fuzz testing was discussed, and a proof-of-concept tool (automation script) was developed. This work covers various aspects of Android applications’ security testing, and the proposed framework provides developers with a practical and effective approach to testing the security of their Android applications, thereby improving the overall security of the Android application ecosystem.

Extreme value analysis of multivariate Gaussian processes with wave-passage effects

Extreme value analysis is a central aspect of random vibration applications. Most studies focus on a univariate process. System reliability necessitates the extreme value across multiple correlated processes, but analytical methods are scarce and confined to low-dimensional problems. Recently, the authors proposed an analytical method for the extreme analysis of multivariate Gaussian processes. The exact upcrossing rate is derived for the maximum process representing the instantaneous maxima over all processes, and the extreme value distribution is obtained from the Poisson approximation. Nevertheless, for applications involving the wave-passage effect that is commonplace in random vibration, the upcrossings manifest in clumps, rendering the Poisson approximation conservative. The clumping from wave-passage is a complex novel phenomenon, differing from the clumping in narrowband processes. This paper extends the prior work by developing an analytical method for predicting the clump size, thereby providing an accurate prediction of the multivariate extreme value while accounting for the wave-passage effect. The method is powerful as it is fast and amenable to high-dimensional problems. Two examples include the propagation of ocean waves and a multi-span bridge subjected to propagating ground motions. The proposed method is shown to accurately predict the clumping factor and the probability of failure, compared to numerical simulations. In contrast, the Poisson approximation using the exact upcrossing rate noticeably overestimates the failure probability.

CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING PERMISSION IN SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Planning permission may be required if the use of the property for short-term residential accommodations (STRA) services constitutes ‘development’ in planning terms. In analysing the possible operational aspects of STRA application in the planning system in Malaysia, the experience of STRA implementation in some selected countries is explored. The article concludes that there are different approaches, which are adopted by different regions concerning the need for planning permission. Most jurisdictions that are “friendly” towards STRAs view that planning permission is not necessary if STRA is managed on a small scale. Hence, it can be concluded that if the scale of the STRA business is big, i.e. ‘commercial’ in nature, planning permission is needed. Alternatively, the local planning authority may consider issuing a provisional or temporary planning permission (TPP), a short-term approval that is only permissible for the transitory nature of the use of land and buildings.

A critical review on synthesis and application aspect of venturing the thermophysical properties of hybrid nanofluid for enhanced heat transfer processes

Recently, nanofluids (NFs) have gathered significant attention among researchers due to their varied properties, which can be made per the requirements. NFs, created by infusing nanoparticles into a base-fluid, enhance their fundamental properties. A hybrid nanofluid (HNF) is a nanofluid (NF) containing different types of nanoparticles, and it is being studied for its customizable properties. Recently, researchers delved into the applications regarding HNFs, particularly in cases relating to heat transfer (HT). This study analyzes HNFs’ preparation methods and thermophysical properties, giving more importance to their applications in HT, including heat-exchange, solar thermal, and cooling systems. Considering stability, the two-step synthesis method is preferred over the single-step method. Multiple research efforts have led to the development of a fluid that possesses superior HT capabilities compared to the base-fluid. However, while bettering HT, an increase in volume concentration (VC) also raised challenges such as increased viscosity and pressure drop, particularly in porous media, necessitating additional pumping power. The use of turbulators and other configurations, along with HNF in systems like parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSCs), enhances solar thermal systems (STSs) by improving their HT capabilities. An advantageous use of EG-based multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) NF in solar collectors (SCs) is their ability to increase thermal efficiency and decrease carbon dioxide emissions, making them an attractive choice for use in SCs. Researchers face significant challenges in determining the ideal composition and concentration of nanoparticles in HNFs to attain optimal HT without causing excessive viscosity that could impede practical usability. Specifically, this study examines the distinctive thermophysical characteristics of HNFs that substantially improve their efficacy in HT applications.

COLOR IMAGE ENCRYPTION THROUGH MULTI-S-BOX GENERATED BY HYPERCHAOTIC SYSTEM AND MIXTURE OF PIXEL BITS

The growing demand for maintaining secure communication channels with the advancements in digital technologies has led to an intensified interest in designing reliable image encryption schemes. Despite various encryption schemes that have been used, some are considered to have insecurity regarding data transmission and multimedia. Motivated by this concern, this paper proposes a new color image encryption algorithm of a multi-key generation-based nD-Hyperchaotic (HC) system. The new algorithm achieves Shannon’s confusion and diffusion principles using a two S-box generation approach, where the first S-box is generated from the proposed nD-HC system and the resulting sequence is used to increase encryption complexity, while the second S-box is generated from ([Formula: see text])D-HC system. Afterward, mathematical analysis is carried out to showcase the robustness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm, as well as its resistance to visual, statistical, differential, and brute-force attacks. The proposed scheme successfully passes all NIST SP 800 suite tests. The cryptographic system demonstrated by the proposed scheme has proven to have outstanding performance through simulation tests, which indicates promising potential applicability aspects in secure and real-time image communication settings.

Combustion and co-combustion of biochar: Combustion performance and pollutant emissions

Biomass is a renewable and clean energy source, offering the potential to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions when it is used as a biofuel. However, the disadvantages of raw biomass such as poor grindability, high moisture content, and low calorific value hinder its widespread industrial combustion. Thermochemical conversion techniques are widely used to convert biomass to biochar, which serves not only as an adsorbent and soil amendment but also as solid fuels alternative to fossil energy. The upgraded biochar exhibits better physicochemical properties and improved combustion performance. This paper focuses on the properties and combustion behavior of biochar as a solid fuel, reviewing common production techniques of biochar and their effects on yields and properties of biochar. It also examines the combustion characteristics and kinetics of biochar in single- and co-combustion scenarios with other fuels, such as coal, sludge, and petroleum coke, analyzing the influencing factors of combustion behavior and kinetic parameters. This study further investigates the emission characteristics during the combustion of biochar, including gaseous pollutants (such as CO, NOx, SOx, and HCl), ash-related issues, and particulate matter (PM) emissions. Additionally, a new fuel type named “bioslurry”, which is developed with biochar as a main material, is introduced. Furthermore, this paper discusses the techno-economic and environmental aspects of biochar application, exploring the feasibility of its industrial production and utilization.