Search

As sustainable urban communities continue to seek alternative energy sources, this study explores the inclusion of renewable resources in the energy mix. With a focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification, parabolic trough solar collectors, dual-loop power cycles, proton exchange membrane electrolysis, and hydrogen liquefaction cycle, this research conducts a comprehensive examination of an integrated system. The primary objective is to provide a diverse range of valuable outputs, including electricity, liquefied hydrogen, desalinated water, and cooling for coastal areas. Through careful analysis of regional geographic features, San Francisco emerges as a suitable location due to its favorable solar radiation intensity and existing LNG transportation infrastructure. The findings reveal that the integrated system has the potential to deliver approximately 5750.4 MWh of cooling, 14988.85 MWh of electricity, and 1,491,084 m3 of fresh water, thereby significantly contributing to the city's utility demands. In terms of data-driven optimization, artificial neural networks serve as intermediary mechanisms to establish correlations between the developed code and the optimization algorithm. The results demonstrate that the optimized system exhibits notable improvements in production capacity. Moreover, significant reductions in the levelized cost of electricity (0.19 Cent/kWh), fresh water (1.22 Cent/m3), and hydrogen (0.08 $/kg) are observed. Although the optimized case entails a 16.11% higher cost rate compared to the base system, it is projected to generate a 25.59% higher profit over its operational lifespan. Additionally, the payback period of the optimized system is shortened by 6.31%, making it an attractive long-term investment for sustainable urban development. [Display omitted] • Designing a solar and LNG-based multigeneration system for coastal areas. • Incorporating a hydrogen liquefaction unit for efficient storage of hydrogen. • Applying dynamic techno-economic and environmental appraisals to analyze the system. • Performing multi-criteria and machine learning approaches to optimize the system. • The payback period of the optimized system has been shortened by 5.31%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) exist extensively in ambient environments and probably influence negatively on human health. However, the potential reproductive toxicity of MPs or MPs + Cd remains unknown. This study was aimed to observe the reproductive changes of male mice treated orally for 35 days with PS-MPs (100 mg/kg), CdCl 2 (5 mg/kg) and PS-MPs plus CdCl 2 mixture. We found that subchronic exposure to PS-MPs damaged mouse testicular tissue structure, reduced sperm quality and testosterone levels. Moreover, the reproductive toxicity in 0.1 μm group was stronger than 1 μm group, and mixture group was more severe than single particle size ones. Meanwhile, co-exposure of PS-MPs and Cd exacerbated reproductive injury in male mice, with an ascending toxicity of Cd, 1 μm + Cd, 0.1 μm + Cd, and 0.1+1 μm + Cd. In addition, we discovered that the testicular damage induced by PS-MPs or PS-MPs + Cd was associated with interfering the miR-199a-5p/HIF-1α/ferroptosis pathway. Promisingly, these findings will shed new light on how PS-MPs and PS-MPs + Cd damage male reproductive function. [Display omitted] • Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) induced male reproductive damage. • The order in reproductive toxicity of PS-MPs was 0.1+1 μm > 0.1 μm > 1 μm. • PS-MPs combination with cadmium (Cd) exacerbated reproductive injury in mice. • MiR-199a-5p/HIF-1α-mediated ferroptosis participated in MPs/Cd-induced testis damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]