Optimum Temperature Range Research Articles

Morphological, physiological and biochemical insights into heat stress response in mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)

AbstractMungbean (Vigna radiata) is a warm‐season legume crop and plays a crucial role in food and nutritional security in South and Southeast Asia. Being a legume crop, it also plays a role in ecosystem sustainability. However, crop cultivation is facing an imminent threat amid the recent rise in global temperature. The optimum temperature range for mungbean cultivation is 28–35°C, although some genotypes can grow well even up to 40°C of atmospheric temperature. Therefore, in this study, 1515 mungbean accessions were initially screened for heat‐responsive morphological and physiological traits to identify superior genotypes. From this preliminary screening, 75 diverse accessions were selected for a more comprehensive evaluation of heat‐responsive traits. Subsequently, 32 promising genotypes were chosen for an in‐depth analysis of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities under both heat‐stressed and non‐stressed conditions. Certain genotypes, namely IC76475, IC418452 and IC489062, were superior for multiple heat stress‐responsive traits. The phenotypic expression of these genotypes was further validated under controlled environmental conditions. Their heat stress tolerance was confirmed through RT‐PCR analysis of key candidate genes (GmAKT2, Cu/ZnSOD, APX1 and CAT1). The findings from this study will aid in developing mungbean cultivars with enhanced tolerance to heat stress.

Evaluation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Compatibility of Native Isolates of Trichoderma spp. of Kasargod District, India

Aim: To evaluate the selected native isolates of Trichoderma spp. of Kasaragod district for abiotic stress tolerance and compatibility assessment with other biocontrol agents. Study Design: CRD. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, between November 2023 and November 2024. Methodology: The selected Trichoderma isolates Tr-5, Tr-12, Tr-41, Tr-43 (Trichoderma asperellum) and Tr-40 (Trichoderma lixii) were subjected to various abiotic stresses, namely low (4°C, 10°C and 15°C) and high (30°C, 45°C and 55°C) temperatures, salinity (0.5M, 1.5M and 2.5 M NaCl) and drought (10%, 30% and 40% PEG). The PDA was embedded with different NaCl and PEG concentrations to test the salinity and drought tolerance. After 4 days of inoculation (DAI), radial growth of Trichoderma isolates in treatments and controls was recorded. The compatibility of these Trichoderma isolates was checked with the other bio-control agents viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana using the dual culture technique. Results: In the temperature tolerance study, the selected isolates did not show any radial growth at 4°C, 10°C, 45°C, and 55°C.At 15°C, slight mycelial growth was observed, and the optimal range was found to be 30°C for good mycelial growth. The tolerance to salinity was up to 0.5M NaCl, but only in Tr-5 (0.83cm), Tr-12 (0.91), and Tr-40 (0.8) isolates; the mycelial growth was observed at 1.5M NaCl. At 10% PEG, the radial growth of isolates was on par with the control. Upon increasing concentration, radial growth of Trichoderma isolates was decreased/ absent along with sporulation. In the compatibility study, Trichoderma isolates were found to be compatible with P. fluorescens, M. anisopliae, L. lecanii and B. bassiana. But with fungal biocontrol agents, only Tr-40 showed incompatibility with M. anisopliae (66.67%), L. lecanii (33.58%), but was compatible with B. bassiana. Conclusion: In this study, all five native Trichoderma isolates, Tr-5, Tr-12, Tr-40, Tr-41 and 43 showed high tolerance to abiotic stresses at an optimum range of temperature (30oC), NaCl (0.5M), and PEG (10%). The isolates of Trichoderma spp. were compatible with bacterial and fungal bio-control agents except Tr-40.

Integrated thermal and battery management for electric vehicles: Experimental validation and simulation-based optimization of lithium-ion batteries

Electric vehicles (EVs) are pivotal in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainable transportation goals. However, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the primary energy source for EVs, face critical thermal management, safety, and long-term efficiency challenges. This study proposes an integrated thermal and battery management system that combines a water–ethylene glycol-based liquid cooling mechanism with high-conductivity copper tubing to enhance LIB performance, longevity, and safety. Through COMSOL multiphysics simulations, this study examines LIB thermal behavior under varying operational conditions. The results indicate a 20% reduction in temperature peaks, with the battery maintaining an optimal temperature range of 15°C to 35°C, thus mitigating the risks of thermal runaway. Experimental validation using infrared thermography and thermal imaging confirms the system's efficiency, showing a maximum recorded battery temperature of 43.48°C under load conditions, significantly lower than unmanaged battery systems. Beyond thermal management, this work integrates advanced battery management strategies, including state-of-charge estimation, predictive fault diagnostics, active energy optimization, and cell balancing. Experimental analysis further reveals that the proposed system improves heat dissipation, resulting in a more uniform temperature distribution across the battery pack and reduced internal resistance-related losses. Additionally, infrared thermographic measurements demonstrate a 2°C to 3°C temperature uniformity improvement across battery cells, preventing localized overheating. This novel approach bridges the gap between cutting-edge cooling techniques and intelligent battery management, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution for next-generation EV battery systems. The findings have significant implications for enhancing battery safety, improving operational efficiency, extending battery lifespan, and accelerating global EV adoption.

Determination of optimal temperature range and prediction of tool life to ensure hole quality during continuous drilling of CFRP composites

Determination of optimal temperature range and prediction of tool life to ensure hole quality during continuous drilling of CFRP composites

Modulation of Macrophage ferroptosis under the guide of infrared thermography promotes the healing of pressure injuries.

Modulation of Macrophage ferroptosis under the guide of infrared thermography promotes the healing of pressure injuries.

Nepenthes chitinase NkChit2b- 1 confers broad-spectrum resistance to chitin-containing pathogens and insects in plants

Chitinases play critical roles in plant-pathogen/insect interactions by degrading chitin, a key structural component of fungal cell walls and insect exoskeletons. However, current research lacks comprehensive studies on the broad-spectrum disease resistance of chitinases, and novel chitinases with higher enzymatic activity remain underexplored. Here, we report the prokaryotic expression and functional characterization of Nepenthes khasiana-derived chitinase NkChit2b-1, demonstrating its capacity to confer broad-spectrum resistance against chitin-containing phytopathogenic fungi and insect pests. Biochemical assays revealed that NkChit2b-1 exhibits high enzymatic activity within the optimal temperature range (28–42°C) for terrestrial plant growth and the pH range (5.0–6.0) encompassing pathogen-induced apoplastic alkalization in plants. This enzymatic profile correlates with its effective inhibition of mycelial growth in major phytopathogens including Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea, and Magnaporthe oryzae. Exogenous application of NkChit2b-1 conferred enhanced resistance to these pathogens in both model species (e.g., Arabidopsis) and crop species (e.g., tobacco, tomato, and rice). Intriguingly, NkChit2b-1 pretreatment suppressed feeding activity of brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens) nymphs on rice phloem sap and induced mortality in adult BPH upon ingestion. Furthermore, NkChit2b-1 accelerated beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) egg hatching while delaying larval development. In addition, foliar application of NkChit2b-1 on Arabidopsis leaves conferred antifeedant activity against beet armyworm larvae in dual-choice assays. These results collectively indicate the exceptional potential of NkChit2b-1 as an eco-friendly “green pesticide”. The exploration of novel chitinases and combinatorial chitinase strategies may overcome the limitations of single-enzyme formulations, thereby advancing chitinase applications in sustainable agriculture and plant protection.

Modeling and Carbon Emission Assessment of Novel Low-Carbon Smelting Process for Vanadium–Titanium Magnetite

The iron and steel industry, as a major energy consumer, was critically required to enhance operational efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Conventional blast furnace processing of vanadium–titanium magnetite (VTM) in China had been associated with persistent challenges, including suboptimal TiO2 recovery rates (<50%) and elevated carbon intensity (the optimal temperature range for TiO2 recovery lies within 1400–1500 °C). Shaft furnace technology has emerged as a low-carbon alternative, offering accelerated reduction kinetics, operational flexibility, and reduced environmental impact. This study evaluated the low-carbon PLCsmelt process for VTM smelting through energy–mass balance modeling, comparing two gas-recycling configurations. The process integrates a pre-reduction shaft furnace and a melting furnace, where oxidized pellets are initially reduced to direct reduced iron (DRI) before being smelted into hot metal. In Route 1, CO2 emissions of 472.59 Nm3/tHM were generated by pre-reduction gas (1600 Nm3/tHM, 64.73% CO, and 27.17% CO2) and melting furnace top gas (93.98% CO). Route 2 incorporated hydrogen-rich gas through the blending of coke oven gas with recycled streams, achieving a 56.8% reduction in CO2 emissions (204.20 Nm3/tHM) and altering the pre-reduction top gas composition to 24.88% CO and 40.30% H2. Elevating the pre-reduction gas flow in Route 2 resulted in increased CO concentrations in the reducing gas (34.56% to 37.47%) and top gas (21.89% to 26.49%), while gas distribution rebalancing reduced melting furnace top gas flow from 261.03 to 221.93 Nm3/tHM. The results demonstrated that the PLCsmelt process significantly lowered carbon emissions without compromising metallurgical efficiency (CO2 decreased about 74.48% compared with traditional blast furnace which was 800 Nm3/tHM), offering a viable pathway for sustainable VTM utilization.

As-Casting Structure and Homogenization Behavior of Ta-Containing GH4151 Ni-Based Superalloy.

In this paper, the as-cast microstructure, microsegregation, the kinetics of secondary precipitation phase, and thermal deformation behavior in Ta-containing GH4151 alloy (Ta-GH4151) were studied using optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron probe (EPMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mechanical testing and simulation (MTS) and electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). The results indicate that Ti, Ta, Nb and Mo are mainly distributed in the interdendritic region and exhibit negative segregation characteristics, while Cr and W are mainly distributed in the dendritic arm region and exhibit positive segregation characteristics. The initial dissolution temperatures for Laves phase, eutectic (γ + γ') and η phase are 1140-1150 °C, 1150-1160 °C and 1170-1180 °C, respectively. The diffusion activation energies of Nb, Ta and W are 313 kJ/mol, 323 kJ/mol and 345 kJ/mol, respectively. The hot deformation activation energy of Ta-GH4151 alloy after homogenization is 1694.173 kJ/mol. Based on the constitutive equation and hot processing map, the optimum hot deformation temperature and strain rate range are determined to be 1160-1170 °C/0.3-1 s-1. The addition of Ta not only increases the redissolution temperature of the Laves phase, eutectic (γ + γ') and η phase but also increases the segregation of Nb, Ta and W, diffusion activation energy and homogenization. The results are expected to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the modification and accelerated application of GH4151 alloy.

Evaluating Heart Transplant Outcomes Using the SherpaPak Heart Storage System.

The SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System (SCTS) is a novel hypothermic organ transport device which maintains an optimal temperature range of 4-8°C during donor heart transport. Its use in many major transplant centers has increased over the last several years. We retrospectively examined 120 heart transplant patients, 60 using SCTS and 60 using traditional cold storage on ice (TCS), at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) between June 2020 and June 2023. Baseline characteristics were comparable except there were less males in TCS versus SCTS (70% vs. 85%; p = 0.049) and less diabetics (23% vs. 47%; p = 0.07). The TCS group had significantly shorter ischemic times than the SCTS group (177 vs. 204 min; p = 0.008). On analysis, no statistically significant difference was noted in primary graft dysfunction (PGD; 12% vs. 15%; p = 0.59), total length of stay (LOS; 19 vs. 17 days; p = 0.061), 1 year all-cause mortality (12% vs. 8.4%; p = 0.196), and 1 year cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV; 58% vs. 63%, p = 0.333] between these two groups. Multivariate analysis also showed no significant difference in PGD and LOS between groups. We conclude that despite having longer ischemic times in the SCTS group, the post-transplant outcomes were comparable to TCS.

Luminescence Thermometry via Multiparameter Sensing in YV1-xPxO4:Eu3+, Er3.

Luminescence thermometry is a remote temperature sensing technique that utilizes temperature-dependent luminescence properties. Lanthanide-doped materials with two thermally coupled emitting levels displaying a variation in luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) with temperature have been successfully explored to design sensitive luminescent thermometers. However, the low absorption strength of lanthanide parity-forbidden 4fn → 4fn transitions reduces the brightness. Also, this Boltzmann-type thermometer is only sensitive within a limited temperature range. To address these issues, we report here YV1-xPxO4:Eu3+, Er3+ as a luminescent thermometer. This material utilizes the sensitized emission of Ln3+ by strong and broad vanadate charge transfer absorption and has a wide and tunable optimum temperature range by controlling the thermal quenching of Eu3+ emission through a variation of x. The new temperature probe offers a single material with multiple temperature-dependent luminescence properties, viz. the LIR of 2H11/2/4S3/2 emission of Er3+, the LIR of the integrated Er3+ and Eu3+ emission intensities, and the Eu3+ emission lifetime. Both micro- and nanocrystalline temperature probes are reported to achieve relative sensitivities (Sr) from ∼0.5%/K to over 5%/K in a wide temperature range of 300-873 K. To demonstrate practical applicability, the luminescent thermometer was applied to in situ chip temperature detection revealing temperature accuracies better than 1 K.

Study on the influence of dislocation dynamic characteristics in Fe-based Cr–Mo alloy at high temperature

Abstract The dislocation dynamics in Fe-based alloys are significantly different at high temperatures compared to room temperature. Due to the influence of solid solution atom segregation in the crystal, dislocation walls can easily form, leading to fine grain strengthening. This mechanism makes the study of dislocation dynamics in Fe-based alloys highly valuable for practical applications. To explore the influence of dislocation dynamics in Fe-based Cr–Mo alloys at high temperatures and under small strain conditions, the correlation between solid solution atom segregation and dislocation aggregation at different temperatures was investigated using the molecular dynamics method. Under the same strain, the dislocation dynamics are most significantly affected by solute atoms at temperatures around 603 K. At this temperature, the number of C and Cr atomic clusters increases with strain, while the number of Mo clusters decreases, indicating that this is the optimal temperature range for the formation of C and Cr clusters. In the analysis of the coupling effects of solute atoms, it was observed that at 603 K, C–Cr and C–Mo clusters exhibit distinct influences on dislocation dynamics. Cr atoms impede dislocation motion by forming stable structures, whereas Mo alters the energy barrier, which leads to the formation of a Cottrell atmosphere that hinders dislocation motion. The results of this study provide an effective theoretical basis for regulating Fe-based alloys to induce ultrafine grain characteristics.

Innovative Short Process of Preparation and Nitriding of Porous 316L Stainless Steel

Porous 316L stainless steel has a low density and high specific surface area, and is easy to process due to the large number of pores within it, making it ideal for applications such as piping in the chemical and food industries, as a medical tool, or as a fuel cell pole plate material. Nitriding treatment can further improve the hardness and strength of porous stainless steel. In this paper, a method combining vacuum sintering and nitriding treatment was proposed, i.e., 316L stainless steel powder was used as the raw material, and porous 316L was sintered in a vacuum tube furnace, in which the porous stainless steel was nitrided with nitrogen gas during the cooling process. In the research process, thermodynamic calculation and differential thermal analysis were used to determine the optimum nitriding temperature range of 700 °C~850 °C and nitriding pressure of 0.4 MPa~0.8 MPa. With the increase in nitriding temperature and pressure, the nitrogen content in the sample increased, and the nitrogen content of porous 316L stainless steel after nitriding was 0.03%~0.86%. The results show that nitrogen exists exclusively in solid solution at nitriding temperatures of 700 °C and 750 °C. At nitriding temperatures of 800 °C and 850 °C, the nitrogen existed in both solid solution and chromium nitride (CrN), and the Vickers hardness at 0.08 MPa and 850 °C was 135 HV, which was 2.82 times higher than that before nitriding. The compressive strength of the specimens was maximum at a nitriding pressure of 0.04 MPa and 850 °C. The corrosion resistance of the specimens is optimized when the nitriding pressure is 0.04 MPa and the temperature is 800 °C.

Influence of Temperature, Humidity, and Photophase on the Developmental Stages of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Prediction of Its Population Dynamics.

Spodoptera litura (Fabricius, 1775) is a major agricultural pest that primarily targets vegetables, cash crops, peanuts, and sugarcane. It causes damage to leaves, flower buds, and fruits, leading to significant reductions in crop yields. Global climate change may profoundly affect the population dynamics and biological traits of this pest. This research employs a meta-analysis to systematically investigate the impact of temperature variation on the developmental parameters of S. litura. A detailed review of 17 relevant studies reveals that within an optimal temperature range (30 °C to 35 °C), higher temperatures expedite the developmental processes of S. litura, shorten its life cycle, and enhance the reproductive potential of female adults. In contrast, temperatures exceeding 35 °C slow down its development, increase mortality rates, and markedly reduce the egg-laying capacity of females, highlighting the adverse effects of heat stress on growth and reproduction. Furthermore, different life stages of S. litura exhibit varying degrees of temperature sensitivity, with the larval stage being particularly vulnerable to high temperatures, while extreme heat significantly suppresses adult survival. These meta-analysis findings shed light on the biological responses of S. litura to climate change and provide a scientific basis for developing future pest management strategies. As global temperatures rise, moderate warming may facilitate the spread of S. litura populations, exacerbating their threat to crop production, whereas extreme heat conditions could constrain their growth. Consequently, pest control strategies must be more region-specific and aligned with local climatic trends.

Interspecies relationships of natural amoebae and bacteria with C. elegans create environments propitious for multigenerational diapause.

The molecular and physical communication within the microscopic world underpins the entire web of life as we know it. However, how organisms, such as bacteria, amoebae, and nematodes-all ubiquitous-interact to sustain their ecological niches, particularly how their associations generate and influence behavior, remains largely unknown. In this study, we developed a framework to examine long-term interactions between microbes and animals. From soil samples collected in a temperate, semi-arid climate, we isolated culturable bacterial genera, including Comamonas, Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium, and Rhodococcus, as well as the amoeba, Tetramitus. This microbial ensemble was fed to the nematode C. elegans in experiments spanning over 20 nematode generations to assess developmental rate, dauer entry, fertility, and feeding behavior. Our findings reveal that microbes and nematodes create a stable environment where no species are exhausted, and where nematodes enter diapause after several generations. We have termed this phenomenon dauer formation on naturally derived ensembles (DaFNE). DaFNE occurs across a range of optimal temperatures, from 15°C to 25°C, and is dependent on the nematode's pheromone biosynthesis pathway. The phenomenon intensifies with each passing generation, exhibiting both strong intergenerational and transgenerational effects. Moreover, the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway-both systemic and cell-autonomous-is essential for initiating DaFNE, while heritable RNAi effectors are required for its transgenerational effects. These findings indicate that RNA-mediated communication plays a critical role in bacterially induced behaviors in natural environments.IMPORTANCEMicroscopic nematodes are the most abundant multicellular animals on Earth, which implies they have evolved highly successful relationships with their associated microbiota. However, little is known about how nematode behavior is influenced within complex ecosystems where multiple organisms interact. In this study, we used four bacteria and an amoeba from a natural ecosystem to explore behavioral responses in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans over an 8 week period. The most striking finding was the nematodes' commitment to a form of hibernation known as diapause. We have termed this phenomenon dauer formation on naturally derived ensembles (DaFNE). Our results suggest that nematodes in nature may frequently enter hibernation as a result of communication with their microbial partners. DaFNE requires the production of nematode pheromones, as well as the RNA interference pathway, indicating that the RNA communication between nematodes and their microbiota may play a critical role. Interestingly, at higher temperatures, fewer animals are needed to trigger DaFNE, suggesting that a mild increase in temperature may promote diapause in natural environments without causing stress to the animals.

Catalytic hydrogenation of agricultural residues to green diesel: Process optimization with FeMo/Al2O3 catalyst

ABSTRACT Limitations of converting agricultural residues into green diesel include high production costs, particularly for catalysts and hydrogen, and technical viability. Safety risks also arise from high-pressure hydrogenation, requiring precautions and specialized equipment. This research evaluates green diesel from agricultural residues via hydrogenation with FeMo/Al2O3 under optimized conditions. Utilizing FeMo/Al2O3 heterogeneous catalysts, the process demonstrates high precision and efficiency. The catalytic hydrogenation reactors, specifically designed for converting cellulosic biomass into green diesel, ensure both effectiveness and safety, particularly when managing the high pressures and temperatures required. Notably, the highest yield occurs at a specific temperature, with returns decreasing when operating beyond this optimal temperature range. Outcomes derived from experimentation and MATLAB data analysis, exploring catalyst efficiency, green diesel production, catalyst stability, reusability, techno-economic assessment, cost and environmental impact assessment, and life cycle analysis. Petroleum diesel has the highest emissions at 0.88 kg CO2/MJ, followed by biodiesel at 0.8 kg CO2/MJ, and green diesel with the lowest emissions at 0.1 kg CO2/MJ. This indicates that green diesel emits the least amount of greenhouse gases, with petroleum diesel emitting nearly nine times more than green diesel. .

Effect of Different Heat Pipe Lengths on Heat Transfer in Battery Cooling Systems

Nowadays, electric vehicles have become widespread all over the world. Although lithium-ion batteries, which are one of the most commonly used battery types in electric vehicles, have many advantages, they release high amounts of heat during operation, which causes the battery temperature to increase, which in turn causes performance and safety problems. In order to eliminate these problems and keep the batteries in the optimum temperature range, heat pipe systems have been used in recent years and the effect of heat pipe systems on battery cooling performance has been examined in many studies. In this study, battery modules formed with heat pipes of different lengths, 15 cm and 17 cm, were examined at different discharge rates as 1C, 3C and 5C in order to examine the effect of heat pipe length on battery cooling performance. It was observed that the short heat pipe system reduced the maximum battery surface temperature from 23.19°C to 22.93°C at 1C discharge rate, from 29.26°C to 28.94°C at 3C discharge rate, and from 34.12°C to 33.89°C at 5C discharge rate. It was calculated that the temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser sections of the heat pipe decreased from 1.04 °C to 0.83 °C at 1C discharge rate, from 5.36 °C to 4.29 °C at 3C discharge rate, and from 14.91 °C to 11.93 °C at 5C discharge rate in the short heat pipe system compared to the long heat pipe system, and it was determined that the temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser sections was 20% less in the short pipe system, thus faster cooling.

Modeling and Simulation Analysis of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Based on AMEsim Software

In recent years, with the continuous consumption of global oil resources, environmental pollution has become increasingly serious. Therefore, more and more attention has been paid to reducing pollutants emitted by vehicles, and it is particularly important to develop energy-saving, exhaust-free, pollution-free new energy vehicles. Until the problem of battery technology is solved, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can be used as one of the options for the transition from traditional vehicles to new energy vehicles. The power system of hybrid electric vehicles is complex and the optimum temperature range of power components is different. Thermal management of hybrid electric vehicles is from the perspective of the vehicle, to coordinate the relevant matching, optimization and control of the vehicle engine, air conditioning, battery, motor and other related components and subsystems, effectively solve the vehicle thermal related problems, so that each function module is in the best temperature working range, and improve the economy and power of the vehicle. Ensure vehicle safety. An accurate hybrid vehicle model is a prerequisite for establishing a thermal management system. Therefore, this paper takes plug-in parallel hybrid electric vehicle as the research object, and builds a simulation model composed of drive module, engine module, battery module, vehicle control unit, transmission module and motor module based on the AMEsim simulation platform. This paper mainly analyzes the system structure of different hybrid electric vehicles, chooses this paper to study the system structure of hybrid electric vehicles, and matches the parameters of each power component according to the basic parameters and dynamic requirements of the vehicle, builds the vehicle model based on AMEsim software, and carries out the vehicle speed following simulation and dynamic simulation under NEDC conditions The simulation results show that the vehicle speed follows well under NEDC conditions, and the dynamic performance meets the design requirements. It can be considered that the model selection, parameters setting and vehicle control model of engine, drive motor, generator, power battery and other components meet the requirements of this paper. The results show that the simulation model is accurate and reliable.

Combination of Wall Insulation and PCMs in External Walls of Typical Residential Buildings in the UK and Their Impact on Building Energy Consumption

With growing concerns over global warming and the significant contribution of buildings to energy consumption, reducing energy demand in buildings has become crucial. This study addresses this issue by investigating the integration of phase-change materials (PCMs) with wall insulation on the inside surface of building exterior walls as a strategy to reduce energy consumption. The methodology involved conducting simulations using OpenStudio and EnergyPlus software to assess the thermal performance and energy savings of this approach. The parameters evaluated include energy consumption reduction, material selection and thickness, cost savings, and payback period. The results show that combining a 100 mm Celotex TB4000 Insulation Board with a 1 cm PCM RT24HC layer can reduce energy consumption by 65.4%, save approximately GBP 1645.67 annually, and achieve a payback period of 13 years. Additionally, the selection of the PCM phase-change temperature, thickness, insulation layer thickness, and indoor temperature settings are crucial to optimizing the combined effect. Based on these results, it is recommended that designers and practitioners consider these factors when conducting pre-retrofit simulations to ensure that PCM-enhanced insulation operates within its optimal temperature range.

Optimization of Immunogenic Cell Death in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with Virus-like Particle-Based Photothermal Therapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) uses near-infrared (NIR) light and a photothermal agent (PTA) to generate heat to kill tumor cells. PTT is an attractive therapy for highly metastatic tumors─such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)─because PTT is a potent activator of immunogenic cell death (ICD). ICD is characterized by the production of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that help the immune system recognize cancer cells as "nonself." This generates an immune response against the tumor cells and helps to combat both primary and metastatic tumors. However, an unknown thermal window remains in which ICD is most prevalent. Here, we conjugate an NIR-absorbing dye to the surface of bacteriophage Qβ to generate a viral-based PTA. Additionally, we demonstrate that mild PTT (<45 °C) is not enough to cause significant apoptosis in the murine TNBC model. In comparison, hot PTT (>60 °C) effectively eliminates cancer cells but is less likely to induce ICD. An optimal temperature range is moderate PTT (50-60 °C), where effective cell killing and ICD occur. We show an increased surface expression of DAMPs within this range, along with an increased ratio of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines by dendritic cells.

Association between ambient temperature and couple fecundity: Insights from a large-scale cohort study in Yunnan, China.

Association between ambient temperature and couple fecundity: Insights from a large-scale cohort study in Yunnan, China.