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In a hybrid AC/DC microgrid (MG), power quality issues arise when an unbalanced load connects to the AC subgrid, which are not confined to the AC subsystem but extend to affect the DC subsystem as well. This paper investigates the potential power quality issues caused by AC imbalance, including DC voltage fluctuation and AC current harmonics. Multiple control objectives are developed, aiming to eliminate DC fluctuation, reduce AC distortion and imbalance, and achieve negative sequence current sharing among distributed generations in the AC subgrid. To realize these control objectives, a two-layer coordinated control strategy is proposed. The first layer involves local interlinking converter (IC) control to improve the power quality of the DC subgrid, while the second layer focuses on distributed unbalance compensation control to improve the power quality of the AC subgrid. Finally, several experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.

AbstractWe assessed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk associated with smoking and alcohol consumption and their interactions, using both questionnaire data and objective serum biomarkers. Information on smoking and alcohol consumption was collected at baseline from 450,112 participants of the EPIC cohort, among whom 255 developed HCC after a median follow‐up of 14 years. In a nested case–control subset of 108 HCC cases and 108 matched controls, known biomarkers of smoking (cotinine, nicotine) and habitual alcohol consumption (2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyric acid) were annotated from untargeted metabolomics features. Multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed, and multiplicative and additive interaction parameters were calculated. Compared to never smokers, current smokers had a higher HCC risk (HR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.77–3.43) dose‐dependently with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (Ptrend <.001). Compared to light drinkers, HCC risk was higher in former (HR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.70–6.03), periodically heavy (HR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.11–3.54), and always heavy (HR = 5.51, 95% CI = 2.39–12.7) drinkers. Higher HCC risk was also observed in the highest versus the lowest tertiles of cotinine (OR = 4.88, 95% CI = 1.52–15.70), nicotine (OR = 5.80, 95% CI = 1.33–25.30) and 2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyric acid (OR = 5.89, 95% CI = 1.33–26.12). Questionnaire‐assessed smoking and alcohol exposures did not demonstrate an HCC risk interaction at the multiplicative (MI = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.40–1.96) or additive (RERI = 0.71, 95% CI = −10.1 to 23.6; attributable proportion = 0.17, 95% CI = −0.52 to 1.16; synergy index = 1.27, 95% CI = 0.98–1.66) scales. Similar analyses with cotinine, nicotine, and 2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyric acid also did not show interactions between smoking and alcohol consumption on HCC risk. Smoking and alcohol consumption are strong independent risk factors for HCC and do not appear to synergistically impact its risk, but larger studies are needed.

In the quest for effective solutions to address Environ. Pollut. and meet the escalating energy demands, heterojunction photocatalysts have emerged as a captivating and versatile technology. These photocatalysts have garnered significant interest due to their wide-ranging applications, including wastewater treatment, air purification, CO2 capture, and hydrogen generation via water splitting. This technique harnesses the power of semiconductors, which are activated under light illumination, providing the necessary energy for catalytic reactions. With visible light constituting a substantial portion (46%) of the solar spectrum, the development of visible-light-driven semiconductors has become imperative. Heterojunction photocatalysts offer a promising strategy to overcome the limitations associated with activating semiconductors under visible light. In this comprehensive review, we present the recent advancements in the field of photocatalytic degradation of contaminants across diverse media, as well as the remarkable progress made in renewable energy production. Moreover, we delve into the crucial role played by various operating parameters in influencing the photocatalytic performance of heterojunction systems. Finally, we address emerging challenges and propose novel perspectives to provide valuable insights for future advancements in this dynamic research domain. By unraveling the potential of heterojunction photocatalysts, this review contributes to the broader understanding of their applications and paves the way for exciting avenues of exploration and innovation.

Abstract Azo dyes constitute 60%–70% of commercially used dyes and are complex, carcinogenic, and mutagenic pollutants that negatively impact soil composition, water bodies, flora, and fauna. Conventional azo dye degradation techniques have drawbacks such as high production and maintenance costs, use of hazardous chemicals, membrane clogging, and sludge generation. Constructed wetland–microbial fuel cells (CW–MFCs) offer a promising sustainable approach for the bio-electrodegradation of azo dyes from textile wastewater. CW–MFCs harness the phytodegradation capabilities of wetland plants like Azolla, water hyacinth, and Ipomoea, along with microalgae such as Nostoc, Oscillatoria, Chlorella, and Anabaena, to break down azo dyes into aromatic amines. These intermediates are then reduced to CO2 and H2O by microalgae in the fuel cells while simultaneously generating electricity. CW–MFCs offer advantages including low cost, sustainability, and use of renewable energy. The valorization of the resulting algal and plant biomass further enhances the sustainability of this approach, as it can be used for biofuel production, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and bio-composting. Implementing CW–MFCs as a tertiary treatment step in textile industries aligns with the circular economy concept and contributes to achieving several sustainable development goals.

Global soil biodiversity and functions are threatened by water availability thresholds. However, the role of these thresholds in modulating the environmental drivers of soil biodiversity and functions remains poorly understood. Analyzing a global dataset of 383 sites across major terrestrial biomes, we found that water availability threshold (measured by aridity index) reorganizes the relative importance of climate, vegetation, and soil properties in regulating soil biodiversity and functions. In less arid regions, vegetation and soil properties jointly explained the primary patterns of soil biodiversity and functions. Conversely, after crossing such water availability threshold toward more arid conditions, climate became the dominant controlling factor, outpacing other environmental variables. Notably, this water-induced shift in environmental dependence was more pronounced for soil multidiversity than for soil multifunctionality. Our findings highlight the critical role of water availability thresholds in shaping the environmental factors that govern soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions, providing valuable insights into potential ecosystem transformations in the context of on-going global aridification.