Daily Energy Research Articles

Does sex differ the relationship between macronutrients adequacy and aerobic power?

Background: Sex is a recognized factor influencing physiological and biochemical changes in response to physical activity and nutrient intake. Dietary intake may impact athletic performance, including aerobic power. However, these effects may be sex-dependent. Aims: to evaluate pattern and adequacy of macronutrient intake; to evaluate predicted VO2max, and investigate potential correlations between macronutrients and aerobic power, stratified by sex. Subjects and Methods: A correlational design was employed, targeting recreational athletes. Participants (n = 52) were recruited using purposive sampling (aerobic dancers n = 15, runners n = 18, pesilat n = 10, badminton players n = 9). Three-day food records were collected and analyzed using the NutriSurvey application to determine dietary intake and macronutrient composition. Predicted VO2max was assessed via the Beep Test. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Health Research Ethics Commission. Bivariate correlation analysis was conducted to explore associations between macronutrients and aerobic power. Results: Mean daily energy intake was 1,417.19 ± 56.12 kcal/day distributed as carbohydrate (46%), fat (40%), and protein (14%). The majority of participants (57.69%, n=30) demonstrated average VO2max, while the remaining 42.31% (n = 22) exhibited below-average values. Interestingly, a significant negative moderate correlation (r -.565 as p < 0.05) was observed between fat intake and predicted VO2max in females only. No significant correlations were identified between carbohydrate or protein intake and predicted VO2max for either sex. Conclusion: Despite consuming a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet, participants maintained adequate energy intake. Notably, fat intake in females displayed a strong negative association with predicted VO2max. Keywords: Sports for all, public health nutrition, cardiorespiratory endurance, physical fitness.

Changes in energy expenditure and physical activity over 15 years of environmental changes: The Maycoba project.

This work aimed to parse out the role of changing environments on body composition, total energy expenditure, and physical activity in the Mexican Pima, a population experiencing rapid industrialization. Using doubly labeled water, we compared energy expenditure and physical activity in a longitudinal cohort of Mexican Pima (n = 26; female: 12) in 1995 and 2010. Body mass and composition were assessed by bioimpedance analysis. To determine the effects of environmental factors on body weight independent of age, we compared the 1995 longitudinal cohort with an age- and sex-matched cross-sectional cohort (n = 26) in 2010. Body mass, fat mass, and fat-free mass all significantly increased between 1995 and 2010. Despite a 13% average increase in body weight, weight-adjusted total daily energy expenditure decreased significantly. Measured physical activity levels also decreased between 1995 and 2010, after we adjusted for weight. Our results suggest that the recent industrialization of the Maycoba region in Sonora, Mexico,has contributed to a decrease in physical activity, in turn contributing to weight gain and metabolic disease among the Mexican Pima.

Study on indoor temperature optimal control of air-conditioning based on Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic policy gradient algorithm

The optimization of HVAC system control affects the thermal comfort of building environment and air-conditioning energy consumption. However, most existing studies concentrate on human thermal comfort and neglects to incorporate air-conditioning energy consumption required to establish a controlled indoor thermal environment within the policy, which results in air-conditioning system high energy consumption. This paper suggests an indoor temperature intelligent control method based on thermal comfort and energy consumption of air-conditioning, and the TD3 algorithm is employed as an intelligent control algorithm to obtain the optimal setpoint that maximizes the joint benefit of the occupant’s thermal comfort and the energy saving rate of air-conditioning system. The air-conditioning indoor temperature intelligent control model based on TD3 algorithm is trained by using the experimental data, and the method is simulated in TRNSYS simulation software to corroborate the efficacy and energy saving rate of the method. The results indicate that the indoor temperature intelligent control model based on thermal comfort and energy consumption of air-conditioning has less optimal adjustment of indoor temperature setpoints, which is more stable for the air-conditioning system and can satisfy the thermal comfort demand at the initial control stage to prevent significant fluctuations in human thermal sensation compared to the linear control method based on thermal sensation and the fuzzy control method based on thermal sensation. Besides, the average daily energy consumption can be reduced by 6.54% and 3.37% respectively, when compared to the linear control method based on thermal sensation and the fuzzy control method based on thermal sensation.

Assessing the Relationship between Dietary Phytochemical Index and Fatigue Severity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Background: Phytochemical-rich foods have anti-inflammatory effects and play a role in the prevention and control of inflammatory diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although some aspects of a diet high in phytochemicals promoting health and preventing chronic diseases are known, further studies are required to confirm the previous findings. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) and fatigue severity in patients with MS. A total of 240 patients aged 18 to 65 years were selected from the MS Association center of Golestan province. A valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the diet, and fatigue severity was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) questionnaire. DPI was calculated using the formula [daily energy from foods rich in phytochemicals (kcal) divided by total daily energy intake (kcal)] and was calculated as 100. Results: After controlling for potential confounding factors, the highest tertile of DPI had a lower prevalence of fatigue symptoms (odds ratio (OR: 0.27; 95%CI: 0.03-0.36; p=0.012) compared to those in the lowest tertile. The average age of the study participants was 31.9±7.7 years, and the fatigue score scale among the participants was 39.31±11.62. Conclusion: In conclusion, a significant inverse relationship between DPI and fatigue severity was observed in patients with MS. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Method to establish time-series building energy data inventory based on frequency for energy-sharing community planning

This study aims to establish a foundation for estimating energy demand according to building types by proposing a method to establish a time-series energy data inventory solely based on energy consumption in countries where typical models or benchmarking data by building types have not been developed. First, we presented the characteristics of energy consumption patterns that can be defined from the energy consumption itself based on frequency characteristics. Then, we defined a method to normalize and classify types of daily energy consumption patterns using this method and validated it with measured data. Finally, based on the results, a generalized method for establishing building time series energy data inventory was proposed. This method has a simple procedure and its result can be interpreted intuitively. It does not require data to be converted into stationary time-series data, unlike statistical methods, and it can avoid data distortion due to building operational errors. Moreover, it is easy to find the reasons for the results because the processes are easy to understand, unlike artificial intelligence methods. This study proposes a method to establish a time-series building energy data inventory by classifying types based solely on energy consumption. Furthermore, it suggests the possibility of its application in the early stages of planning an energy-sharing community.

Thiamine status and genes encoding intestinal thiamine transporters and transcription factors in obese subjects

Background and aimsThe inconsistent data on thiamine status in obese subjects necessitates an examination of genes associated with intestinal absorption of thiamine. We aimed to reveal thiamine status in obese subjects and examine the expression of SLC19A2/3 genes encoding thiamine transporters and Sp1 transcription factor. Methods and resultsThirty-five adult obese subjects and 11 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Small intestine epithelial cells were used for quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the gene expression. The daily thiamine and energy intake were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Thiamine phosphate esters were hydrolyzed to free thiamine, and liquid chromatography with a tandem mass spectrometry-based method was used to measure total thiamine in whole blood. Daily energy intake according to body weight and daily carbohydrate intake were not significantly different between groups after adjustment for sex. Although daily thiamine intake was significantly lower in the obesity group (p = 0.015), obese subjects had significantly higher whole blood thiamine levels than controls (44.96 ± 14.6 ng/mL and 33.05 ± 8.6 ng/mL, p = 0.002). There was a significant positive correlation between whole blood thiamine and BMI (r = 0.342, p = 0.020). SLC19A2 gene expression was lower in those with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 (p = 0.036). A significant positive correlation was found between SLC19A2 expression and whole blood thiamine level (r = 0.310, p = 0.038). ConclusionA possible association between intestinal thiamine intake and total thiamine in whole blood was determined. The transcriptional changes of genes encoding the high-affinity membrane thiamine transporters, especially SLC19A2, probably play a role in this relationship.

Multi-mode monitoring and energy management for photovoltaic-storage systems

The integration of photovoltaic generation systems and variable demand can cause instability in the distribution network, due to power fluctuations and the increase in reactants, particularly in the industrial sector. In response, photovoltaic units have been equipped with local storage systems, which eventually absorb power fluctuations and improve installation performance. However, during this procedure other functionalities that energy storage could provide are neglected. Consequently, this study provides a multi-mode energy monitoring and management model that enables voltage regulation, frequency regulation and reactive power compensation through the optimal operation of energy storage systems. With this objective, a smoothing control algorithm is developed that interacts with parameters of the electrical grid at the common connection point and also allows the compensation of reactive power based on an industrial demand profile. This strategy uses the Long short-term memory neural network of historical demand data prior to energy consumption with a relatively low RMSE of 1.2e-09. The results are previously validated in a development environment using a real-time OPAL-RT simulator and tests in the electrical Microgrid laboratory at the University of Cuenca. This configuration allows establishing a demand forecasting model that improves the supervision, automation and analysis of daily energy production. A series of results are provided and analyzed that demonstrate that the new tool allows taking advantage of the provision of multimode functionalities, achieving optimal voltage regulation and improving power quality by reducing the total harmonic distortion THD (V) and THD (I) indices by 0.5. % and 2 % respectively.

Differences in perceived energy and macronutrient requirements across divisions in NCAA athletes.

Sports nutrition is an impactful component to sports performance. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the sports nutrition knowledge of National Collegiate Athletic Association collegiate athletes and assess self-reported perceived requirements for energy and macronutrient intake. A secondary aim was to evaluate the awareness of physical and emotional perceptions associated with mindful eating. Participants included NCAA Division I (DI, n = 45), II (DII, n = 31), and III (DIII, n = 47) athletes. Athletes completed a validated questionnaire designed to assess sports nutrition knowledge and were asked questions about their perceived dietary energy and macronutrient requirements. Daily energy intake values were calculated using a recommended relative energy intake value of 40, 50, and 60 kcal/kg/day for low, moderate, and high activity levels, respectively. Carbohydrate recommendations were calculated using 4, 6, and 8 g/kg/day, protein recommendations were calculated using relative intakes of 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8 g/kg/day, and fat recommendations were calculated from a relative percentage of total predicted daily energy requirements, equating to 15, 25, and 30% of daily energy. Additionally, athletes completed a questionnaire to assess mindfulness regarding eating habits. Overall, athletes answered 45.5 ± 13.5% of questions correctly on the nutrition questionnaire with significant differences observed between male (48.6 ± 13.6%) and female athletes (43.6 ± 13.2%; p = 0.044), as well as significant differences observed between DI athlete scores (38.8 ± 14.1%) and DII athletes (47.7 ± 11.4%; p = 0.002), and DI athletes and DIII athletes (51.71 ± 11.83%; p = <0.001). All athletes significantly (p < 0.001) underestimated daily energy intake requirements (female, 2,112 ± 575 kcal/day; male, 3,283 ± 538 kcal/day). The mindfulness eating habits total score was significantly higher in male athletes (65.1 ± 6.5) compared to female athletes (60.9 ± 9.5; p = 0.009). Division I, II, and III collegiate athletes have poor sports nutrition knowledge, with Division I athletes having exhibited lower scores compared to Division II and III athletes on the sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire. Athletes from all levels of collegiate sports underestimated their energy and macronutrient requirements. Differences in mindful eating habits among female and male athletes were also evident.

Households in energy transition: Promoting household energy-sufficient routines via app-based peer-to-peer interaction

We engage a community of ca. 200 voluntary Swiss households in using a smartphone app that provides energy consumption feedback and offers peer-to-peer interaction possibilities to share experiences on household routine change. Surveys prior to and three months after app use, in-app usage analytics, and analysis of in-app posts indicate that most households preferred individual-level consumption feedback: app-mediated peer interaction was only performed by a small household subsample, precluding community-level social learning. Most self-reported daily energy routines changed after app use, though effect size was generally small, apart from thermostat settings. Also, we found most app users were already well-informed on energy topics and engaged in energy savings at home. Future research could explore how to better reach alternative audiences for app-based interventions, and improve the effectiveness of social interactions to collectively experiment with new sustainable practices, therefore giving less prominence to individual-level app features.

Performance Evaluation of Air-Based Photovoltaic Thermal Collector Integrated with Dual Duct and Semicircular Turbulator in Actual Climate Conditions

An air-based photovoltaic thermal collector (PVTC) is a system that generates both electricity and heat using air flowing over a photovoltaic (PV) module. This system offers the advantage of easy maintenance; however, it suffers from lower thermal efficiency compared to other PVTCs, mostly owing to the low heat capacity of air. Thus, this study introduces a novel PVTC incorporating dual ducts and semicircular turbulators, which were experimentally evaluated under actual weather conditions in the Republic of Korea. The proposed PVTC was compared with two other types of PVTC: one is a single-duct PVTC with semicircular turbulators, and the other is a dual-duct PVTC without turbulators. The results showed that the thermal efficiency of the proposed PVTC increased by approximately 88.7% compared to the single-duct PVTC with a turbulator and by 9.3% compared to the dual-duct PVTC without a turbulator. The electrical efficiency showed a slight decrease of about 7.2% compared to the single-duct PVTC but an increase of 1.4% compared to the dual-duct PVTC without a turbulator. Overall, the total efficiency of the proposed PVTC increased by 54.2% and 7.7% compared to the single-duct PVTC and the dual-duct PVTC without a turbulator, respectively. These experimental results demonstrate that attaching dual ducts and semicircular turbulators to an existing PVTC increases the daily thermal energy output, which ultimately enhances the total daily energy output.

The effects of oral nutritional supplements on functional outcomes and body composition in patients with solid cancer undergoing systemic chemotherapy: A pilot study.

10074 Background: Cancer cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by significant weight loss and depletion of skeletal muscle mass. Despite its profound impact on the well-being of cancer patients, the effective management of cancer cachexia remains a challenging and underexplored aspect of oncology. This study aims to investigate the potential benefits of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This is single-arm, prospective pilot study. Patients with cancer cachexia undergoing chemotherapy were included. Patients received ONS twice a day for 8 weeks. The ONS contained 200 kcal, 22.5 gram of carbohydrates, 7.5 gram of fat, and 12.5 gram of protein per 200 mL. Primary endpoints were improvements of lean body mass and physical performance. The secondary endpoints were changes of health-care related quality-of-life (HRQoL), nutritional status, and gut microbiomes profiles. EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire, body composition analysis, 4-meter-walk test, hand grip strength test, and fecal microbiome analysis were conducted at baseline and after 8 weeks. The bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V3 and V4 region) was amplified using PCR and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. The QIIME 2 pipelines were used to analyze the raw data. Results: From January 2023 to October 2023, total of 10 patients were included. There were no significant differences of the mean daily energy intake (p=0.62) and calf-circumferences (p=0.2) between baseline and after 8 weeks. However, participants exhibited a statistically significant improvement in hand-grip strength (p=0.002) and 4-meter walk test (p=0.021) after 8 weeks. In the body composition analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, no differences were observed in body weight (p=0.43), fat mass (p=0.62), fat-free mass (p=0.27), and fat-free mass index (p=0.38). Also, no significant differences were detected in the results of HRQoL survey (p=0.85). In the microbiome analysis, no differences of microbiome composition at phylum and genus levels, α-diversity, and β-diversity were observed between baseline and after 8 weeks. Conclusions: While ONS have shown potential in enhancing physical functions of patients with cancer cachexia undergoing chemotherapy, this did not correlate with the anticipated microbiome changes or improvements in body composition. The absence of expected microbiome alterations, despite enriched protein and dietary fiber, underscores the complexity of cachexia and indicates that its management may extend beyond nutritional supplementation alone. Further research should explore the broader context of cachexia, including nutrition, metabolic processes, and the impact of chemotherapy.

Increasing the Volume of Delivered Enteral Feeds Using a Volume-Based Feeding Protocol in a Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit.

Iatrogenic malnutrition is a significant burden to patients, clinicians, and health care systems. Compared with well-nourished patients, underfed patients (those who receive less than 80% of their daily energy requirement) have more adverse outcomes related to nutritional status. Volume-based protocols allow for catch-up titrations, are consistently superior to rate-based protocols, and can be implemented in most settings. This project was conducted in an 8-bed neuroscience intensive care unit in which up to 41% of patients who required enteral feeding were underfed. This quality improvement clinical practice change project used a before-and-after design to evaluate (1) the effect of implementing a volume-based feeding protocol on the delivery of enteral feeds and (2) the effect of a nutrition-based project on staff members' attitudes regarding nutrition in critical care. The effectiveness of a volume-based feeding titration protocol was compared with that of a rate-based feeding protocol for achieving delivery of at least 80% of prescribed nutrition per 24-hour period. Staff members' attitudes were assessed using a survey before and after the project. During 241 enteral feeding days (n = 40 patients), the percentage of delivered enteral feeding volume and the percentage of days patients received at least 80% of the prescribed volume increased after volume-based feeding was implemented. After project implementation, 74 staff members reported increased emphasis on nutrition delivery in their practice and a higher level of agreement that nutrition is a priority when caring for critically ill patients. Using a volume-based feeding protocol with supplemental staff education resulted in improved delivery of prescribed enteral feeding.

A CFD Methodology for the Modelling of Animal Thermal Welfare in Hybrid Ventilated Livestock Buildings

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) may aid the design of barn ventilation systems by simulating indoor cattle thermal welfare. In the literature, CFD models of mechanically and naturally ventilated barns are proposed separately. Hybrid ventilation relies on cross effects between air change mechanisms that cannot be studied using existing models. The objective of this study was to develop a CFD methodology for modelling animal thermal comfort in hybrid ventilated barns. To check the capability of CFD as a design evaluation tool, a real case study (with exhaust blowers) and an alternative roof layout (with ridge gaps) were simulated in summer and winter weather. Typical phenomena of natural and mechanical ventilation were considered: buoyancy, solar radiation, and wind together with high-speed fans and exhaust blowers. Cattle thermal load was determined from a daily animal energy balance, and the assessment of thermal welfare was performed using thermohygrometric indexes. Results highlight that the current ventilation layout ensures adequate thermal welfare on average, despite large nonuniformity between stalls. The predicted intensity of heat stress was successfully compared with experimental measurements of heavy breathing duration. Results show strong interactions between natural and mechanical ventilation, underlining the need for an integrated simulation methodology.

Association Between Dietary Phytochemical Index and Neonatal Thyroid Function.

Background: Thyroid hormones regulate fetal growth and differentiation of several tissues. Maternal dietary patterns may be correlated with changes in the level of neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). We hypothesized that since maternal nutrition affects birth weight and offspring growth, it may also impact endocrine patterns in offspring. This study is aimed at assessing the relationship between maternal dietary phytochemical index (DPI) in the first trimester of pregnancy and neonatal cord blood thyroid hormone levels. Methods: This cross-sectional study is a substudy of a birth cohort. Overall, 216 mothers, aged 16-45 years, were recruited in their first trimester of pregnancy. To calculate DPI, the daily energy percentage of phytochemical-rich foods was divided by the total daily energy intake. At delivery time, TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were measured in cord blood samples using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of mothers was 29.56 (5.50) years, and 47% of newborns were girls. The mean (SD) of DPI in the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles was 25.03 ± 4.67, 33.87 ± 2.18, 40.64 ± 2.10, and 51.17 ± 4.98, respectively. There was not any significant correlation between DPI score with cord serum TSH and FT4 levels in crude and adjusted analysis. Conclusion: No significant relationship between maternal DPI with cord serum TSH and FT4 levels was shown. Limited experience exists about the effect of maternal diet quality indices on neonatal thyroid function, and further studies are needed in this regard.

Low energy intake and nutritional maladaptation in terminal stage IV periodontitis.

Impairment of masticatory function in elderly patients with terminal dentition due to stage IV periodontitis (TDS4P) may lead to lower nutritional intake. The study aimed to report the dietary intake and nutrition status of elderly patients with TDS4P and compare them with those of the elderly Chinese population and the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Fifty-one consecutive subjects (≥55 years old) with TDS4P were enrolled. Average dietary intake was evaluated based on a 3-day 24-h dietary recall (24HR) and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The daily intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, dietary energy as well as macro and micronutrients were calculated and compared with matched national data and the Chinese DRIs. Nutritional status was assessed by Short-Form Mini-Nutritional assessment. Of the subjects, 19.6% (95% CI: 7.2%-28.1%) were at risk of malnutrition. The mean daily energy intake was 1517.4 kcal (95% CI: 1400.5-1634.3) for males and 1110.7 kcal (95% CI: 1001.5-1219.9) for females, which were very low compared with both the national data and the DRIs. Females derived a higher percentage of energy from fat. The mean daily intake of vegetables was 151.4 g (95% CI: 128.1-174.8) by FFQ and 130.9 g (95% CI: 104.6-157.3) by 24HR. Both results were significantly lower than the national reports (95% CI: 310.3-340.1) and the DRIs (300-450 g). Insufficient micronutrient intake, especially vitamins A, C and E, was also found. Elderly subjects with TDS4P had a lower daily energy intake, vegetable and fruit consumption and essential macro and micronutrient intake. More studies are needed to clarify the impact of periodontitis and tooth loss/replacement on nutrition and healthy ageing.

Study on integrated energy microgrid energy purchase strategy with demand-side response in market environment

Integrated energy microgrids (IEM) have emerged as an effective way to improve energy efficiency and promote distributed energy utilization. IEM systems acquire electricity and gas from external markets and supply electricity/heat/cold to users. In this paper, we study the optimal energy purchase strategy for IEM, considering the impact of demand response incentives. Firstly, considering the uncertainties, we construct an IEM medium- and long-term market multi-energy purchase model based on conditional value-at-risk, optimizing the portfolio of electricity and gas purchases, as well as their proportion in total energy amount. Subsequently, based on medium- and long-term daily energy supply curves and day-ahead load forecast results, a spot market energy purchase model is established to optimize the spot purchase of electricity and gas, maintaining the supply-demand balance while minimizing operating costs. Furthermore, we design demand response incentives and develop a master-slave game model between IEM and users to guide the formulation of the energy purchase strategy by incorporating corrected load data as feedback. The energy purchase strategies are resolved by the GUROBI solver, while the optimization of demand response incentives is carried out through the PSO algorithm, all based on the MATLAB platform. The adaptability of the proposed model and strategy is verified.

Peak-shaving cost of power system in the key scenarios of renewable energy development in China: Ningxia case study

Renewable energy has developed rapidly in Ningxia, and it has become the first provincial power system in China whose renewable energy power generation output exceeds the power load of the whole region. The access of a high proportion of renewable energy puts forward higher requirements for the peak-shaving capacity of the Ningxia power system. In order to solve the problem of calculating the peak-shaving cost in the key scenarios of renewable energy development in Ningxia, a quantitative model of the peak-shaving cost of the power system considering time-of-use price is proposed. We take Ningxia power system as an example to study. First, the key scenarios of the Ningxia power system peak-shaving are obtained, and the technical cost characteristic boundaries of various peak-shaving resources are determined. Second, according to the characteristics of typical daily renewable energy and load in Ningxia, the quantification model of the power system peak-shaving cost is established. The model takes the minimum total cost of the power system as the objective function and considers the constraints such as technical output of thermal power units, charge-discharge characteristics of energy storage and time-of-use price mechanism. Finally, the model is solved and the peak-shaving cost and unit output under the optimal scheme are obtained. This example shows that the model can effectively evaluate the peak-shaving cost and unit output of the Ningxia power system under the key scenarios of peak-shaving.

Predicting daily heating energy consumption in residential buildings through integration of random forest model and meta-heuristic algorithms

This research utilizes a sophisticated hybrid model integrating the Random Forest algorithm with meta-heuristic optimization techniques to estimate heating energy consumption in residential buildings. The study addresses key variables including architectural characteristics, occupancy, and ambient temperature. The primary objective is to enhance the prediction accuracy of heating energy consumption using a novel approach combining Random Forest with various meta-heuristic algorithms. The study employs six combinations of the Random Forest algorithm and meta-heuristic optimizers. To mitigate overfitting, K-Fold cross-validation is implemented during model training. The model's performance is evaluated using five statistical indices: coefficient of determination (R2), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Relative Absolute Error (RAE), and Theil Inequality Coefficient (TIC). Results demonstrate the hybrid model's high predictive accuracy, with the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm enhancing Random Forest's performance significantly. Notable statistical achievements include R2 = 0.977201, RMSE = 0.1179, MAE = 0.0573, RAE = 0.0930, and TIC = 0.0187. Additionally, the Ant Lion Optimizer shows excellent convergence, achieving a TIC value of 0.014986 after 101 iterations. The proposed hybrid model significantly outperforms traditional methods in predicting residential heating energy consumption. The integration of Random Forest with advanced meta-heuristic algorithms offers a robust framework for enhancing prediction accuracy in energy consumption modeling.

Experimental Measurement of Fixed-Tilt Solar Panel and Vertical-Tilted Single-Axis Solar Tracker (VTSAT) Real-Time Solar Panel Output Power”

Renewable solar energy is becoming more and more vital, and photovoltaic (PV) solar panel efficiency optimization is essential for sustainable energy generation. This study describes an experiment that uses a solar panel multimeter to measure the output power of a fixed-tilt solar panel and a vertical-tilted single-axis solar tracker (VTSAT) in real time. This measurement indicates that solar panel performance varies with several external factors, including temperature fluctuations. Perform a comparison analysis in this study between a vertical-tilted single-axis solar tracker (VTSAT) and a traditional fixed-tilt solar panel. Two 50-watt solar panels' output data were measured using a solar panel multimeter. Utilizing this comparison analysis, assess these panels' real-world performance. Determining the individual efficiency of the two solar panels will be made easier by analyzing the output figures. Moreover, the goal is to compute the daily energy production produced by every kind of solar panel under standard climatic conditions.

Overnutrition, Hyperinsulinemia and Ectopic Fat: It Is Time for A Paradigm Shift in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

The worldwide incidence of prediabetes/type 2 has continued to rise the last 40 years. In the same period, the mean daily energy intake has increased, and the quality of food has significantly changed. The chronic exposure of pancreatic β-cells to calorie excess (excessive energy intake) and food additives may increase pancreatic insulin secretion, decrease insulin pulses and/or reduce hepatic insulin clearance, thereby causing chronic hyperinsulinemia and peripheral insulin resistance. Chronic calorie excess and hyperinsulinemia may promote lipogenesis, inhibit lipolysis and increase lipid storage in adipocytes. In addition, calorie excess and hyperinsulinemia can induce insulin resistance and contribute to progressive and excessive ectopic fat accumulation in the liver and pancreas by the conversion of excess calories into fat. The personal fat threshold hypothesis proposes that in susceptible individuals, excessive ectopic fat accumulation may eventually lead to hepatic insulin receptor resistance, the loss of pancreatic insulin secretion, hyperglycemia and the development of frank type 2 diabetes. Thus, type 2 diabetes seems (partly) to be caused by hyperinsulinemia-induced excess ectopic fat accumulation in the liver and pancreas. Increasing evidence further shows that interventions (hypocaloric diet and/or bariatric surgery), which remove ectopic fat in the liver and pancreas by introducing a negative energy balance, can normalize insulin secretion and glucose tolerance and induce the sustained biochemical remission of type 2 diabetes. This pathophysiological insight may have major implications and may cause a paradigm shift in the management of type 2 diabetes: avoiding/reducing ectopic fat accumulation in the liver and pancreas may both be essential to prevent and cure type 2 diabetes.