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In this paper, an innovative method for managing a smart-community microgrid (SCM) with a centralized electrical storage system (CESS) is proposed. The method consists of day-ahead optimal power flow (DA–OPF) for day-ahead SCM managing and its subsequent evaluation, considering forecast uncertainties. The DA–OPF is based on a data forecast system that uses a deep learning (DL) long short-term memory (LSTM) network. The OPF problem is formulated as a mathematical mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model. Following this, the developed DA–OPF strategy was evaluated under possible operations, using a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The MCS allowed us to obtain potential deviations of forecasted data during possible day-ahead operations and to evaluate the impact of the data forecast errors on the SCM, and that of unit limitation and the emergence of critical situations. Simulation results on a real existing rural conventional community endowed with a centralized community renewable generation (CCRG) and CESS, confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed operation method. The economic analysis showed significant benefits and an electricity price reduction for the considered community if compared to a conventional distribution system, as well as the easy applicability of the proposed method due to the CESS and the developed operating systems.

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into global energy production is rapidly expanding. However, achieving maximum power extraction remains a significant challenge due to the nonlinear electrical characteristics of PV modules, which are highly sensitive to environmental variations such as temperature fluctuations and irradiance changes. This study presents a structured design, testing, and quasi-experimental validation methodology for robust Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control in PV systems. We propose two advanced AI-based nonlinear control strategies: an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System combined with Fast Terminal Synergetic Control (ANFIS-FTSC) for a boost converter and ANFIS with Backstepping (ANFIS-BS) for a Single-Ended Primary Inductor Converter (SEPIC), both of which have demonstrated tracking efficiencies exceeding 99.6%. To evaluate real-time performance, a Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) validation is conducted using an ARM-based STM32F407VG microcontroller. The methodology adheres to a Model-Based Design (MBD) framework, ensuring systematic development, implementation, and verification of the MPPT algorithms in an embedded environment. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed controllers achieve high efficiency, rapid convergence, and robust maximum power point tracking under varying operating conditions. The successful PIL-based validation confirms the feasibility of these intelligent control techniques for real-world deployment in PV energy systems, paving the way for more efficient and adaptive renewable energy solutions.

The West African giraffe is restricted to Niger, but historically it inhabited much of the Sudano-Sahelian zone. The population is concentrated in the ‘Giraffe Zone’ (GZ), an unprotected area with a high human population density. Since the mid-1990s, the giraffe population has steadily increased mainly due to the collective social and conservation initiatives of the government, non-governmental organizations and the local community. In 2018, the first West African giraffe satellite population was established through the reintroduction of eight individuals into Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve (GBR). In this study, we aimed to describe the current state of human–giraffe coexistence, human attitudes towards giraffe and human habits of natural resources use through a questionnaire survey conducted in the GZ and GBR. Although most of the GZ respondents highlighted crop damage caused by giraffe, we also found overall positive attitudes towards the animals. Most respondents from both sites expressed positive attitudes towards giraffe, highlighting that they do not see poaching as a major current threat. However, the giraffe population continues to be directly threatened by habitat loss through firewood cutting, livestock overgrazing and agriculture expansion. Long-term conservation of the West African giraffe is dependent on better habitat protection and understanding of current human–giraffe coexistence through ensuring that giraffe presence will benefit local communities across their range.

This paper studies a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) as a reliable source of the power supply in the case of the connection to the grid. The grid connection imposes restrictions to the power delivered and harmonic content on the HRES. This causes the HRES to use multiple control systems and subsystems, as the normalization of the measurements, the current control, active harmonic compensation, synchronization, etc., described in this paper. Particular attention was paid to interactions in the storage system of the HRES. The durability of the HRES can be increased by the combination of the supercapacitors and batteries. This requires a power management solution for controlling the energy storage system. The aim of the supercapacitors is to absorb/inject the high-frequency fluctuations of the power and to smooth out the power of the batteries system of the HRES. This can be possible owing to the use of a low-pass second order filter, explained in this paper, which separates the high-frequency component of the storage system reference for the supercapacitor from the low-frequency component for the batteries system. This solution greatly increases the reliability and durability of the HRES.

Traditional soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) breeding is time-consuming, often requiring 6–12 years to develop new cultivars due to lengthy cycles and low efficiency. Speed breeding offers a promising solution to accelerate genetic advancement; however, studies optimising light quality for soybean remain limited. This study evaluated two light-emitting diodes (LEDs) setups, blue (BL) LED light in a growth room and red-white (RW) LED in a speed breeding chamber, on soybean growth, reproductive traits, and yield parameters. Four accessions were tested under 8-h light (31.6 ± 4.7 °C) and 16-h dark (24.5 ± 2.3 °C) cycles. The BL LED light provided an intensity of 231.1 µmol photons m −2 s −1 , while the RW LED delivered a light intensity of 513-µmol photons m −2 s −1 . RW significantly reduced time to flowering (29–33 days) and maturity (66–72 days), compared to BL LEDs (33–38 days) to flowering, (90–95 days) to maturity, and field conditions (~ 91–103 days). RW LED reduced generation time by 24–31 days compared to field conditions. Moreover, significant differences were observed in plant height, pod number, and seed yield between treatments, while stem thickness and number of trifoliate leaves remained unchanged. Additionally, freshly dried seeds exhibited high germination rates (83.33–100%), confirming seed viability under rapid cycling. This optimised protocol, utilising RW LED light with an 8-h photoperiod and harvesting at the R6 growth stage (pod-filled), highlights the critical role of light quality in accelerating soybean breeding and provides a refined strategy to enhance breeding efficiency in controlled environments.

Purpose - This paper aims to deal with the integration of energy storage devices (ultracapacitors) in wind energy applications to absorb the short terms fluctuations. The originality of this contribution is focused on energy management related to wind power frequency distribution between the hybrid sources. The robust and simplified control strategies are proposed and applied to DC-DC converters without AC signals measurements. A novel MPPT method is introduced to operate the wind generator at the maximum power regardless of the wind speed variations. The fluctuating part of this power is mitigated by using a UC. The reference current of this last is obtained from a low pass filter. An innovative limitation algorithm of the UC voltage is proposed with aims to ensure optimal operation of the system. The control algorithms are implemented in a PIC18F4431 microcontroller. Some experimental results from this new approach are presented and analyzed.Design methodology approach - This study is organized according to the following main and sub-topics after introduction: frequency distribution principle; wind energy generation; short-term fluctuations storage system; and experimental setup and results.Findings - The simulations results highlight the interest of using ultracapacitors in a wind-diesel system. The experimental results show that the short term fluctuations induced by the wind generator current are effectively mitigated by the ultracapacitors.Originality value - In this paper, an interesting MPPT method is presented. The fluctuations mitigation is realised by using the frequency distribution according to ultracapacitors dynamics. The ultracapacitors voltage control method is proposed with the aim of maintaining optimal operation conditions, and is validated by experimental tests.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that play important roles in regulating gene expression. They are involved in various biological processes, including plant growth, development, hormone signalling pathways and defence responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated the crucial role of miRNA in modulating plant immunity against various pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and oomycetes. In this review, we synthesise recent advances in defence‐related miRNAs in response to pathogens, highlighting their effects on plant–pathogen interactions and their functions in regulating hormone signalling pathways. Additionally, we explore the potential of small RNA‐based technology tools in protecting plants from pathogens, including artificial microRNA, synthetic trans‐acting small interfering RNA and RNA interference techniques, such as spray‐induced gene silencing, host‐induced gene silencing and virus‐induced gene silencing. miRNAs modulate plant immunity against various pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and oomycetes, by targeting pathogen effectors and modulating hormonal signalling.

Purpose - The wind speed is very fluctuant and contains a significant energy. Taking into account the turbulent component in the energy management would increase the profitability of the wind-diesel hybrid system. Sometimes, a diesel generator is used to compensate the requested energy but the storage devices are required to prevent disturbances induced by the wind generator current on the DC-bus. The purpose of this paper is to show how the battery and flywheel (or ultracapacitors (UCs)) are used to mitigate the fluctuations of the wind generator current. The proposed method is based on the filtering of the wind generator current. The high power density sources (flywheel and UCs) are used in aims to improve the batteries' lifetime, which is estimated, in this paper, by using the rainflow cycles counting method. Spectral studies are made and the simulation and experimental results are analyzed.Design methodology approach - This study is organized according to the following main and sub-topics: wind speed characteristics, hybrid system energy management, behavioral simulations results, spectral analysis and batteries' lifetime estimation and experimental setup and results.Findings - The simulations results highlight the interest in using a second-order filter. The experimental results show that the fluctuations induced by the wind generator current are effectively mitigated by the storage devices.Originality value - The spectral analysis of the current for different filters parameters is realized and the application of the rainflow cycles counting method, in this context, is presented. This paper is interesting for the experimental hybrid system design according to the method proposed to control the DC-DC converters.

Mass administration of azithromycin to children younger than 5 years has been reported to decrease child mortality. In this trial, limited to infants 1 to 11 months of age in Mali, azithromycin did not reduce infant or child mortality.

In 2016, Mali reported a bacterial meningitis outbreak consisting of 39 suspected cases between epidemiologic weeks 9 and 17 with 15% case fatality ratio in the health district of Ouéléssebougou, 80 kilometers from the capital Bamako. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens from 29 cases were tested by culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction; 22 (76%) were positive for bacterial meningitis pathogens, 16 (73%) of which were Neisseria meningitidis (Nm). Of the Nm-positive specimens, 14 (88%) were N meningitidis serogroup C (NmC), 1 was NmW, and 1 was nongroupable. Eight NmC isolates recovered by culture from the outbreak were characterized using whole genome sequencing. Genomics analysis revealed that all 8 isolates belonged to a new sequence type (ST) 12446 of clonal complex 10217 that formed a distinct clade genetically similar to ST-10217, a NmC strain that recently caused large epidemics of meningitis in Niger and Nigeria. The emergence of a new ST of NmC associated with an outbreak in the African meningitis belt further highlights the need for continued molecular surveillance in the region.