Comparisons between Longlining and Trawling for Deep-Water Species — Selectivity, Quality and Catchability — A Review

A regression-based model for estimating the energy consumption of school facilities in Saudi Arabia

A comprehensive review of environmental design in UK schools: History, conflicts and solutions

Saturated steam sterilisers are one of the most energy consumers in hospitals. Induction heating (IH) could be one of the energy saving solutions considering its proven potential in industrial applications such as steam generation (SG) and pasteurisation. Hitherto, there are no studies in literature about this field except one for dentistry. In this review paper, we aim to investigate valuable energy efficient guidelines for designers to promote IH steam generators integration in the medical sterilisation. To do so, we conduct an energy flow analysis based on a process-oriented decomposition. We then detail the previously identified guidelines through a review of the literature on IH-based liquid heating and analyse them throughout the paper. Many key points protrude therefrom: "inductor-susceptor/water" interactions are decisive especially susceptor shapes. A package of susceptor shapes exposed in this paper can be considered. Back heat transfer from the susceptor to inductor is important too. Frequency and turbulence has opposite effects, so should be given the utmost attention. Inductor losses need to be reduced via coil wrapping, water cooling, and multi-coil design for high powers. The energy efficient design of the susceptor includes stray magnetic fields, geometry of the susceptor, skin depth, and the effect of electromotive force due to eddy currents. Susceptor-inductor coupling is relevant too. Finally, the optimisation of thermal transfer to water involves insulation, frequency, discharge losses, turbulence and susceptor shape. Based on these parameters, good designs can be put forward to launch prototypes and explore fully IH opportunities in this field for more energy efficient sterilisers.

Non-sinusoidal voltage in electrical networks is one of the most pressing problems in the field of power quality. In non-sinusoidal modes in electrical networks, in addition to losses of active power at the fundamental frequency, i.e. at the 1-st harmonic, active power losses occur at frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental frequency, corresponding to harmonics from 2 to 40. Additional harmonic active power losses increase losses in electrical networks, creating economic damage for both energy companies and consumers. The paper provides a review of the literature on the topic under consideration. A methodological approach is proposed to assess additional active power losses in overhead power lines. Based on the methodological approach, an analysis of the power quality indicators characterizing the non-sinusoidal mode, measured at the point of connection of 110 kV transmission line to the electrical network, was carried out, additional active power losses were determined.

The applicability of recent innovations to mollusc culture in the western Pacific islands

Trawl fisheries are generally non-selective and often result in unwanted bycatches of juvenile fish, non-quota species, and protected marine life. The ecological consequences of this bycatch include direct mortality, habitat damage, and disruptions to marine food webs. Strategies for reduction of unwanted bycatch fall into two main categories: policy instruments and gear modifications. This essay focuses on the latter, particularly gear modifications that enhance size and species selectivity. Scientific evaluation of the effect of gear modifications on the catch composition in trawls has traditionally been conducted through either paired gear experiments, where the catch of the test gear is compared to the catch of a baseline/control gear, or by recapture of the escapees (e.g. by using codend covers or collection bags). One of the main drawbacks of these methods, apart from that they generally are expensive and difficult to conduct, is that it normally leads to the death of the unwanted catch. New approaches utilizing artificial intelligence and computer vision could potentially reshape the methodologies used in this field. Underwater camera systems can now monitor fish behaviour in situ, while machine learning models automatically detect, classify, and measure fish without physical handling. These technologies reduce experimentally induced mortality, improve data quality, and allow for scalable, non-invasive evaluation of gear modifications. Ultimately, the integration of artificial intelligence into fisheries science supports the broader aims of ecosystem-based fisheries management by providing insights into species-specific selectivity and escapee vitality. This has the potential to improve science-based decision making and promotes sustainable exploitation of marine resources in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Improving accuracy in building energy simulation via evaluating occupant behaviors: A case study in Hong Kong

The importance of this work lies in the application of a combined electrocoagulation/electro-Fenton (EC/EF) treatment for carwash wastewater, offering a cost-effective and efficient remediation approach. During electro-coagulation (EC), experiments were carried out in a cylindrical cell containing 450 mL of carwash wastewater. This process promotes the formation of $$Fe\left( {OH} \right)_{n}$$ (n = 2 or 3) as coagulants, along with $${\text{Fe}}^{3 + } {\text{/Fe}}^{2 + }$$ ions acting as catalysts. The effects of key operating parameters, including applied current, electrode material (Fe and Al), and initial pH, were evaluated, and both COD removal and energy consumption were assessed. In the EF stage, comparative trials were performed in stirred reactors equipped with a Pt anode and a carbon-felt cathode under O₂ bubbling to generate H₂O₂ at the cathode. The hydroxyl radicals produced at the anode surface through water oxidation and in the bulk solution via Fenton’s reagent (Fe2⁺/H₂O₂) promote the oxidative degradation of organic contaminants. The effects of the supporting electrolyte, applied current and the catalytic activity were investigated to optimize electro-Fenton efficiency. Under optimal EC conditions (I = 1 A, Fe electrode, pH = 5.7), 76.58% COD removal was achieved with an energy consumption of 0.987 kWh·m⁻3. Nearly complete COD removal (97.8%) was obtained using the combined process, where residual organics after EC were removed during electro-Fenton treatment at 0.3 A for 360 min.

Over the last two decades the research and development of legged locomotion robots has grown steadily. Legged systems present major advantages when compared with ‘traditional’ vehicles, because they allow locomotion in inaccessible terrain to vehicles with wheels and tracks. However, the robustness of legged robots, and especially their energy consumption, among other aspects, still lag behind mechanisms that use wheels and tracks. Therefore, in the present state of development, there are several aspects that need to be improved and optimized. Keeping these ideas in mind, this paper presents the review of the literature of different methods adopted for the optimization of the structure andlocomotion gaits of walking robots. Among the distinct possible strategies often used for these tasks are referred approaches such as the mimicking of biological animals, the use of evolutionary schemes to find the optimal parameters and structures, the adoption of sound mechanical design rules, and the optimization of power-based indexes.

Changes in added sugar intake have been associated with corresponding changes in body weight. Potential mechanisms, particularly the impact of added sugar intake on appetite, warrant exploration. A systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials investigated the association between added sugar consumption and appetite in overweight and obese adults. A systematic search of Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and CINAHL included studies that examined the relationship between added sugar intake and appetite markers, in comparison with a group with lower added sugar intake. A total of twenty-one articles describing nineteen studies were included in the review. The effect of added sugar on appetite was explored separately by reported comparisons of added sugar type and their effect to three study outcomes: energy consumption (n 20 comparisons); satiety (n 18); and appetite hormones, leptin (n 4) or ghrelin (n 7). Increased added sugar consumption did not impact subsequent energy intake (n 9), nor did it influence satiety (n 12) or ghrelin levels (n 4). Differences in the total daily energy intake were comparable with the differences in energy values of tested products (n 3). Added sugar intake was reported to increase leptin levels (n 3). This review did not find a consistent relationship between added sugar intake and appetite measures, which may be partially explained by variations in study methodologies. There is a need for randomised controlled trials examining a range of added sugar sources and doses on appetite in overweight and obese adults to better understand implications for weight gain.

Harvesting wild populations may contrast or reinforce natural agents of selection and potentially cause evolutionary changes in life-history traits such as growth and maturation. Harvest selection may also act on behavioral traits, although this field of research has so far received less attention. We used acoustic tags and a network of receivers to monitor the behavior and fate of individual Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua, N = 60) in their natural habitat on the Norwegian Skagerrak coast. Fish with a strong diel vertical migration, alternating between shallow- and deep-water habitats, had a higher risk of being captured in the fishery (traps, gillnet, hand line) as compared to fish that stayed in deeper water. There was also a significant negative correlation between fish size (30–66 cm) and the magnitude of diel vertical migration. Natural selection on behavior was less clear, but tended to favor fish with a large activity space. On a monthly time scale we found significant repeatabilities for cod behavior, meaning that individual characteristics tended to persist and therefore may be termed personality traits. We argue that an evolutionary approach to fisheries management should consider fish behavior. This would be of particular relevance for spatial management actions such as marine reserve design.

High flows and deep waters associated with thermal discharge canals invoke safety concerns and preclude the use of conventional fish sampling methodologies. Despite these challenges, it is critical that assessments of thermal effects from power generation do not rely solely on data collected in the plume, but also focus on fish living in the canal, particularly in regions above the zone of tempering influence. We deployed a fixed underwater videography apparatus to monitor the community composition and abundance patterns of fish in the Nanticoke thermal generating discharge canal on the north shore of Lake Erie from February 1, 1999 until July 31, 1999. We also compared the number of species observed using video to angling surveys, visual observations through the air/water interface and two modified netting procedures. Our results indicate that videography permitted the detection of the most species and the highest number of individuals. Variable visibility was the largest limitation of this approach. The addition of infrared lighting for low light conditions and a series of cameras positioned at several depths would be a cost effective, safe, and efficient method of assessing community structure and behaviour of fish in thermal discharge canals.

Located along the northeastern edge of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau in China, the Qilian Mountains are an important ecological barrier in Northwest China. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the plant water sources in subalpine habitats for understanding the ecological and hydrological processes in the Qilian Mountains. Here, based on the samples of precipitation, xylem water, soil water, river water, and spring water collected during May–October 2019 from subalpine habitats on the northern slope of the Qilian Mountains and the measured hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope values (δ2H and δ18O, respectively), the present study gained further insight into plant water sources in this region using the IsoSource model. Water absorption characteristics of shrubs were similar in subalpine habitats. Specifically, plants absorbed water primarily from the topsoil layer (0–30 cm) and rarely from the deep soil layers. Nevertheless, in the dry and growing seasons with high water demand, subalpine shrubs competed for water resources at similar depths. As a result of this competition, the utilization rate of deep soil water improved in some shrubs, expanding the differences in water sources of subalpine shrubs within the same habitat. In addition, in the dry and growing seasons, the water sources of the same subalpine shrub varied across different habitats. Compared with other subalpine shrubs, Salix cupularis Rehder, Salix oritrepha Schneid., Potentilla fruticosa L., Salix sclerophylla Anderss., Rhododendron anthopogonoides Maxim., and Rhododendron przewalskii Maxim. could alter their water use strategies with variations in water conditions, exhibiting a greater drought tolerance. These findings provide valuable information for understanding the subalpine region's eco‐hydrological processes and contribute to the selection of suitable species for the restoration of the subalpine ecological environment under the background of global change.

Energy shortage is one of the major concerns in today’s world. As a consumer of electrical energy, the electric railway system (ERS), due to trains, stations, and commercial users, intakes an enormous amount of electricity. Increasing greenhouse gases (GHG) and CO2 emissions, in addition, have drawn the regard of world leaders as among the most dangerous threats at present; based on research in this field, the transportation sector contributes significantly to this pollution. Railway Energy Management Systems (REMS) are a modern green solution that not only tackle these problems but also, by implementing REMS, electricity can be sold to the grid market. Researchers have been trying to reduce the daily operational costs of smart railway stations, mitigating power quality issues, considering the traction uncertainties and stochastic behavior of Renewable Energy Resources (RERs) and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs), which has a significant impact on total operational cost. In this context, the first main objective of this article is to take a comprehensive review of the literature on REMS and examine closely all the works that have been carried out in this area, and also the REMS architecture and configurations are clarified as well. The secondary objective of this article is to analyze both traditional and modern methods utilized in REMS and conduct a thorough comparison of them. In order to provide a comprehensive analysis in this field, over 120 publications have been compiled, listed, and categorized. The study highlights the potential of leveraging RERs for cost reduction and sustainability. Evaluating factors including speed, simplicity, efficiency, accuracy, and ability to handle stochastic behavior and constraints, the strengths and limitations of each optimization method are elucidated.

The literature on energy citizenship highlights that for citizens to be protagonists of the energy transition meaningfully, they should partake through not only their energy investment and consumption decisions, but also as social and political actors who can shape the energy system. This is especially crucial when looking at the energy poor, since they face multiple injustices. If the energy transition has also to seek fairness and equity, then those who are affected directly by injustices have to be empowered to have a play on how to achieve these goals. In this study, we identify exemplary mechanisms that could ease the journey from passive consumerism to active energy citizenship among the energy poor. To this aim, we develop a conceptual framework using the lenses of empowerment and energy justice and conduct a review of the literature and European projects. We find a majority of mechanisms focusing on empowering the capacity to consume energy and invest in energy efficiency. Other mechanisms empower the role of consumers, but take a broader perspective by acknowledging that the injustices, personal circumstances and often socially structured needs influence the energy poor's capacity to act. Finally, we identify mechanisms with a potential to empower the energy poor's role as political and social actors in the energy system.