bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation and Validation of Unstructured Mesh Methodologies for Modeling Experimental Reactors
Authors: Mager Tom , Fiorina Carlo , Hursin Mathieu , Pautz Andreas
Published: February 2022

This paper summarizes a methodology developed at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne for the neutronic modeling of the CROCUS experimental reactor and proposes solutions to the challenges one may face while modeling a research reactor with a complex geometry. Indeed, the double-lattice configuration of CROCUS makes it difficult to use codes for neutron diffusion and transport relying on a structured mesh description. For this reason, and based on the available in-house competences, we decided to make use of the neutronic capabilities of the GeN-Foam multiphysics solver, which takes advantage of general finite volume methodologies on unstructured meshes to provide sufficient flexibility for the study of unconventional reactor designs. In this work, GeN-Foam is used to build a first SP3 model of CROCUS based on an unstructured mesh to have an explicit modeling of the double lattice and the water gap between the two lattices. Form functions are then used to reconstruct the intra-pin fission rates for validation against measured distributions. We also discuss the limitations of the SP3 approximation of neutron transport in regions with steep neutron flux gradients and the planned future developments.
Vibration Fault Diagnosis in Wind Turbines Based on Automated Feature Learning
Authors: Meyer Angela
Published: February 2022

A growing number of wind turbines are equipped with vibration measurement systems to enable the close monitoring and early detection of developing fault conditions. The vibration measurements are analyzed to continuously assess the component health and prevent failures that can result in downtimes. This study focuses on gearbox monitoring but is also applicable to other subsystems. The current state-of-the-art gearbox fault diagnosis algorithms rely on statistical or machine learning methods based on fault signatures that have been defined by human analysts. This has multiple disadvantages. Defining the fault signatures by human analysts is a time-intensive process that requires highly detailed knowledge of gearbox composition. This effort needs to be repeated for every new turbine, so it does not scale well with the increasing number of monitored turbines, especially in fast-growing portfolios. Moreover, fault signatures defined by human analysts can result in biased and imprecise decision boundaries that lead to imprecise and uncertain fault diagnosis decisions. We present a novel accurate fault diagnosis method for vibration-monitored wind turbine components that overcomes these disadvantages. Our approach combines autonomous data-driven learning of fault signatures and health state classification based on convolutional neural networks and isolation forests. We demonstrate its performance with vibration measurements from two wind turbine gearboxes. Unlike the state-of-the-art methods, our approach does not require gearbox-type-specific diagnosis expertise and is not restricted to predefined frequencies or spectral ranges but can monitor the full spectrum at once.
Energy Evolution and Damage Mechanism of Fractured Sandstone with Different Angles
Authors: Li Xinwei , Yao Zhishu , Liu Xiaohu , Huang Xianwen
Published: February 2022

To explore the influence of crack angle on the mechanical properties, energy evolution, and damage evolution of sandstone, uniaxial loading tests were conducted on sandstones with different crack angles. Through the stress–strain curve, the influence of the crack angle on the mechanical properties was analyzed. Based on energy theories and principles, the influence of crack angle on the energy conversion mechanism was analyzed. Based on crack angle and dissipated energy, a damage model considering the initial damage to the fractured sandstones was established. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The strength and elastic modulus of sandstone decrease with an increase in crack angle, and Poisson’s ratio increases with an increase in crack angle; prefabricated cracks affect the crack initiation position, and accelerate the formation of fracture surfaces. (2) The stress–strain curve was divided into compaction stage, elastic stage, yield stage, and failure stage. The larger the crack angle, the longer the yield stage and the shorter the failure stage. (3) At the peak point, the elastic energy, dissipated energy, and input energy of fractured sandstone always decrease with an increase in crack angle; the energy consumption ratio increases with an increase in crack angle; and the energy storage ratio decreases with an increase in crack angle. (4) The damage variable shows a trend of slow accumulation–steady accumulation–rapid accumulation; the crack angle affects the initial damage of the specimen, and the dissipated energy affects the variation trend of the damage variable.
Research on Optimization of the Thermal Performance of Composite Rammed Earth Construction
Authors: Yu Shenwei , Hao Shimeng , Mu Jun , Tian Dongwei , Zhao Mosha
Published: February 2022

Rammed earth (RE) is a low-tech recyclable building material with good heat storage and moisture absorption performance that can better maintain the stability of the indoor thermal environment and improve indoor comfort. With innovations in and the development of new technology, the field of rammed earth construction technology is gradually expanding. However, deficiencies in the thermal insulation of traditional rammed earth structures make it impossible for them to meet China’s building energy codes in cold regions. This study constructs a comprehensive evaluation index of the thermal performance of rammed earth walls that is based on the heat transfer mechanism, optimizing the thickness of the boundary conditions of the building interior’s design temperature, as well as the energy demand and economic efficiency. This research also offers a new design for the thermal insulation of rammed earth construction by combining the building energy savings design code with WUFI Pro software. This study demonstrates that the optimum thickness of rammed earth construction in Beijing is about 360 mm, the thickness of extruded polystyrene board (XPS) is 50 mm (for public buildings) and 70 mm (for residential buildings), and the structural form of external insulation offers the highest performance benefit. In addition, this work also evaluates the risk of condensation inside composite rammed earth construction, finding that there is a risk of condensation on the exterior side of the wall and at the interface between the insulation panels and rammed earth wall, thus requiring an additional moisture-proof layer. In this study, thermal mass and insulation are fully considered and a design strategy for rammed earth construction given quantitatively, providing a theoretical basis for the application of rammed earth materials in cold regions.
Influence of Nanoparticles on the Degradation Processes of Ester-Based Transformer Insulation Systems
Authors: Pérez-Rosa Daniel , García Belén , Burgos Juan Carlos
Published: February 2022

The use of nanofluids as dielectric liquids for transformer insulation has been widely investigated during the last decade. A number of authors have performed extensive studies on liquids produced from different types of nanoparticles and base fluids, providing evidence of their good dielectric properties. Nevertheless, nanodielectric fluids are still at the research stage, and they are far from being a solution that can be applied to real transformers. One of the aspects that might be clarified is their compatibility with the rest of the materials present in the transformer and their behavior throughout the life of the equipment. This paper studies the aging process of cellulose impregnated with an ester-based nanofluid and compares it with the process that takes place when the impregnation liquid is a natural ester. Accelerated aging experiments were performed, and physical and chemical characterization of the process with several analytical techniques was carried out. The mechanical degradation of the cellulose was studied in terms of tensile strength, and the evolution of moisture in the paper and oil was monitored throughout the aging process. The study was completed with FTIR and XPS tests aimed at studying the chemical changes of the materials during the aging process. The experimental results suggest that the degradation rate of the cellulose is not significantly affected by the presence of nanoparticles. However, the XPS study revealed that the chemical reactions involved in the degradation processes of both types of insulation might differ. Several mechanisms are proposed in this work.
Catalytic Hydrotreating of Crude Pongamia pinnata Oil to Bio-Hydrogenated Diesel over Sulfided NiMo Catalyst
Authors: Plaola Yuwadee , Leangsiri Wanwipa , Pongsiriyakul Kanokthip , Kiatkittipong Worapon , Srifa Atthapon , Lim Jun Wei , Reubroycharoen Prasert , Kiatkittipong Kunlanan , Eiad-ua Apiluck , Assabumrungrat Suttichai
Published: February 2022

This work studied the catalytic activity and stability of Ni-MoS2 supported on γ-Al2O3, SiO2, and TiO2 toward deoxygenation of different feedstocks, i.e., crude Pongamia pinnata oil (PPO) and refined palm olein (RPO). PPO was used as a renewable feedstock for bio-hydrogenated diesel production via catalytic hydrotreating under a temperature of 330 °C, H2 pressure of 50 bar, WHSV of 1.5 h−1, and H2/oil (v/v) of 1000 cm3/cm3 under continuous operation. The oil yield from a Soxhlet extraction of PPO was up to 26 wt.% on a dry basis, mainly consisting of C18 fatty acids. The catalytic activity in terms of conversion and diesel yield was in the same trend as increasing in the order of NiMo/γ-Al2O3 > NiMo/TiO2 > NiMo/SiO2. The hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity was more favorable over the sulfided NiMo supported on γ-Al2O3 and TiO2, while a high DCO was observed over the sulfided NiMo/SiO2 catalyst, which related to the properties of the support material and the intensity of metal–support interaction. The deactivation of NiMo/SiO2 and NiMo/TiO2 occurred in a short period, due to the phosphorus and alkali impurities in PPO which were not found in the case of RPO. NiMo/γ-Al2O3 exhibited the high resistance of impure feedstock with excellent stability. This indicates that the catalytic performance is influenced by the purity of the feedstock as well as the characteristics of the catalysts.
An Improved Partial Shading Detection Strategy Based on Chimp Optimization Algorithm to Find Global Maximum Power Point of Solar Array System
Authors: Elahi Muqaddas , Ashraf Hafiz Muhammad , Kim Chul-Hwan
Published: February 2022

A PV system’s operation highly depends on weather conditions. In case of varying irradiances or load changes, there is a power mismatch between various modules of the PV array. This power mismatch causes instability in the output of the PV system and deteriorates the overall system efficiency. To overcome instability and lower efficiency problems, and to extract maximum power from the PV system, various maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are employed. The success of these techniques depends on the identification of the actual operating conditions of the system. This article proposes a hybrid maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique that is capable of efficiently differentiating between uniform irradiance, non-uniform irradiance, and load variations on the PV system. Based on the identified operating conditions, the proposed method uses modified perturb and observe (Modified P&O) to cope with uniform irradiance variations and chimp optimization algorithms (ChOA) for non-uniform conditions to track the oscillation free maximum power-point. The proposed method is implemented and verified using a 4 × 3 PV array model in MATLAB Simulink software. Different cases of uniformly changing irradiance and non-uniformly changing irradiance are applied to test the performance of the proposed hybrid technique. The load varying conditions are performed by applying a variable load resistor. The authenticity of the proposed hybrid technique is critically evaluated against the well-known and most widely used optimization techniques of modified perturb and observe (Modified P&O), particle swarm optimization (PSO), flower pollination algorithm (FPA), and grey wolf optimization (GWO). The results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed technique in oscillation-free tracking of global maximum power point (GMPP) in a minimum tracking time of 0.4 s and 0.15 s, and steady-state MPPT efficiency of 96.92% and 99.54% under uniform and non-uniform irradiance conditions, respectively.
Social and Environmental Assessment of a Solidarity Oriented Energy Community: A Case-Study in San Giovanni a Teduccio, Napoli (IT)
Authors: Kaiser Serena , Oliveira Mariana , Vassillo Chiara , Orlandini Giuseppe , Zucaro Amalia
Published: February 2022

Renewable energy communities (RECs) are alternatives toward sustainable production and consumption pathways. In 2020, Italy implemented the EU Directive 2018/2001, defining a common framework for promoting energy from renewable sources. The “Famiglia di Maria”, a foundation dealing with social issues in San Giovanni a Teduccio, Napoli (Italy), in collaboration with “Legambiente” and “Con il Sud” Foundations, released the first Solidarity Oriented Renewable Energy Community project in Italy. Therefore, by applying social life cycle assessment (s-LCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, this study aims to: (i) promote the dissemination of RECs in the Italian and European contexts, (ii) suggest REC scenarios for the best social and environmental solutions, and (iii) support the policymakers for sustainable local development. Some key results show that the solidarity-oriented project has already produced mature outcomes about community cohesion. In contrast, technical skills and awareness about environmental issues still need to be further developed and shared among the stakeholders. Finally, social and environmental indicators converge on the self-consumption model as a feasible alternative for energy justice, community empowerment, and economic and market competition independence.
Research on Constant Voltage/Current Output of LCC–S Envelope Modulation Wireless Power Transfer System
Authors: Zhang Lu , Li Huan , Guo Qiang , Xie Shiyun , Yang Yi
Published: February 2022

As a technology that makes power transfer more flexible, wireless power transfer (WPT) technology has become a hot research topic in recent years. However, most of the existing studies are based on a DC–DC WPT system. If applied to AC loads, the traditional system usually contains multiple energy conversion stages, which lead to a low transmission efficiency and therefore higher costs. Besides, the necessary large electrolytic capacitors make the system unreliable and bulky. The goal of this study is to design a reliable and efficient WPT system featuring constant current (CC) and constant voltage (CV) output for AC loads. In this work, an inductor–capacitor–capacitor series (LCC–S) enveloped modulation wireless power transfer (EM–WPT) system is proposed. The design of the proposed system is elaborated in this paper, including the working principle of the system’s power converters, the relationship between CC/CV output characteristics and the input current, and the control strategy of CC/CV output based on an AC–AC boost converter. Lastly, an experimental prototype is configured to verify the CC/CV characteristics. The measured overall efficiency of the system reaches 91% and the power factor of input power supply approaches 1.
Methylation Status of Exon IV of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-Encoding Gene in Patients with Non-Diabetic Hyperglycaemia (NDH) before and after a Lifestyle Intervention
Authors: Fachim Helene A. , Malipatil Nagaraj , Siddals Kirk , Donn Rachelle , Cortés Gabriela Y. , Dalton Caroline F. , Gibson J. Martin , Heald Adrian H.
Published: February 2022

BDNF signalling in hypothalamic neuronal circuits is thought to regulate mammalian food intake. In light of this, we investigated how a lifestyle intervention influenced serum levels and DNA methylation of BDNF gene in fat tissue and buffy coat of NDH individuals. In total, 20 participants underwent anthropometric measurements/fasting blood tests and adipose tissue biopsy pre-/post-lifestyle (6 months) intervention. DNA was extracted from adipose tissue and buffy coat, bisulphite converted, and pyrosequencing was used to determine methylation levels in exon IV of the BDNF gene. RNA was extracted from buffy coat for gene expression analysis and serum BDNF levels were measured by ELISA. No differences were found in BDNF serum levels, but buffy coat mean BDNF gene methylation decreased post-intervention. There were correlations between BDNF serum levels and/or methylation and cardiometabolic markers. (i) Pre-intervention: for BDNF methylation, we found positive correlations between mean methylation in fat tissue and waist-hip ratio, and negative correlations between mean methylation in buffy coat and weight. (ii) Post-intervention: we found correlations between BDNF mean methylation in buffy coat and HbA1c, BDNF methylation in buffy coat and circulating IGFBP-2, and BDNF serum and insulin. Higher BDNF % methylation levels are known to reduce BNDF expression. The fall in buffy coat mean BDNF methylation plus the association between lower BDNF methylation (so potentially higher BDNF) and higher HbA1c and serum IGFBP-2 (as a marker of insulin sensitivity) and between lower serum BDNF and higher circulating insulin are evidence for the degree of BDNF gene methylation being implicated in insulinisation and glucose homeostasis, particularly after lifestyle change in NDH individuals.
The Effects of Environmental Change on Decomposition
Authors: Verhoef Herman A.
Published: February 2022

Litter decomposition processes are regulated by three driving variables: physico-chemical climate, litter quality and decomposer organisms [...]
A CRISPR-Cas12a-Based Assay for Efficient Quantification of Lactobacillus panis in Chinese Baijiu Brewing Microbiome
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Wang Mengchuang , Yang Fan , Zhang Xiaolong , Li Jianghua , Du Guocheng , Wang Li , Chen Jian
Published: February 2022

Although the quantification of key microorganisms in fermentation microbiomes is important for monitoring and regulating fermented food production, conventionally used methods are generally time-consuming, involve complicated operations, and have a high level of equipment dependence. We developed a CRISPR-Cas12a-based quantitative Chinese Baijiu brewing microorganism assay (CQAOB) for Lactobacillus panis, the most important lactic acid-producing fermentative microorganism. We initially verified the feasibility of CQAOB for detecting L. panis, and then optimized the reaction parameters to enhance Cas12a detection sensitivity. The specificity of the developed method was verified via the accurate distinction of L. panis nucleic acids from those of other lactic acid bacteria. The quantitative range and detection time for L. panis were 106–109 copies/μL and 40 min, respectively. Finally, we successfully applied CQAOB for quantifying L. panis count in fermented grains. Given its rapid detection and low level of equipment dependence, CQAOB may make an important contribution to quantifying key microorganisms in brewing processes.
Statistical Comparison and Assessment of Four Fire Emissions Inventories for 2013 and a Large Wildfire in the Western United States
Authors: Faulstich Sam D. , Schissler A. Grant , Strickland Matthew J. , Holmes Heather A.
Published: February 2022

Wildland fires produce smoke plumes that impact air quality and human health. To understand the effects of wildland fire smoke on humans, the amount and composition of the smoke plume must be quantified. Using a fire emissions inventory is one way to determine the emissions rate and composition of smoke plumes from individual fires. There are multiple fire emissions inventories, and each uses a different method to estimate emissions. This paper presents a comparison of four emissions inventories and their products: Fire INventory from NCAR (FINN version 1.5), Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED version 4s), Missoula Fire Labs Emissions Inventory (MFLEI (250 m) and MFLEI (10 km) products), and Wildland Fire Emissions Inventory System (WFEIS (MODIS) and WFEIS (MTBS) products). The outputs from these inventories are compared directly. Because there are no validation datasets for fire emissions, the outlying points from the Bayesian models developed for each inventory were compared with visible images and fire radiative power (FRP) data from satellite remote sensing. This comparison provides a framework to check fire emissions inventory data against additional data by providing a set of days to investigate closely. Results indicate that FINN and GFED likely underestimate emissions, while the MFLEI products likely overestimate emissions. No fire emissions inventory matched the temporal distribution of emissions from an external FRP dataset. A discussion of the differences impacting the emissions estimates from the four fire emissions inventories is provided, including a qualitative comparison of the methods and inputs used by each inventory and the associated strengths and limitations.
Numerical Simulation of Departure from Nucleate Boiling in Rod Bundles under High-Pressure Conditions
Authors: Vadlamudi Sai Raja Gopal , Nayak Arun K.
Published: February 2022

In subcooled boiling flows beyond a certain heat flux, heat transfer is hampered due to a phenomenon known as Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB). Conducting DNB experiments at one-to-one nuclear reactor operating conditions is highly challenging and expensive. Another alternative approach is to use Look-up table data. However, its applicability is limited due to its dependence on rod bundle correction factors. In the present investigation, a state-of-the-art Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model coupled with an extended heat flux partitioning model is used to predict DNB in tubes and rod bundles with square and hexagonal lattices (relevant to Pressurized Water Reactors). In this approach, bubble departure characteristics are modeled using semi-mechanistic models based on force balance analysis. The predicted DNB values are compared with experimental and Look-up table data and found out to be within 1.8% to 20%.
Numerical Investigation and Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) Analysis on a Double-Element Simplified Formula One (F1) Composite Wing in the Presence of Ground Effect
Authors: Bang Chris Sungkyun , Rana Zeeshan A. , Könözsy László , Marchante Rodriguez Veronica , Temple Clive
Published: February 2022

This research paper focuses on a novel coupling of the aerodynamic and structural behaviour of a double-element composite front wing of a Formula One (F1) vehicle, which was simulated and studied for the first time here. To achieve this goal, a modified two-way coupling method was employed in the context of high performance computing (HPC) to simulate a steady-state fluid-structure interaction (FSI) configuration using the ANSYS software package. The front wing plays a key role in generating aerodynamic forces and controlling the fresh airflow to maximise the aerodynamic performance of an F1 car. Therefore, the composite front wing becomes deflected under aerodynamic loading conditions due to its elastic behaviour which can lead to changes in the flow field and the aerodynamic performance of the wing. To reduce the uncertainty of the simulations, a grid sensitivity study and the assessment of different engineering turbulence models were carried out. The practical contribution of our investigations is the quantification of the coupled effect of the aerodynamic and structural performance of the wing and an understanding of the influence of ride heights on the ground effect. It was found that the obtained numerical surface pressure distributions, the aerodynamic forces, and the wake profiles show an accurate agreement with experimental data taken from the literature.
Correction: Chhalliyil et al. A Real-Time Quantitative PCR Method Specific for Detection and Quantification of the First Commercialized Genome-Edited Plant. Foods 2020, 9, 1245
Authors: Chhalliyil Pradheep , Ilves Heini , Kazakov Sergei A. , Howard Stephanie J. , Johnston Brian H. , Fagan John
Published: February 2022

The stated objective of the paper was to provide regulatory laboratories and industry laboratories a complete, legally robust method for the quantitative detection of SU canola [...]
Non-Destructive Measuring Systems for the Evaluation of High Oxygen Stored Poultry: Development of Headspace Gas Composition, Sensory and Microbiological Spoilage
Authors: Dold Jasmin , Kehr Caroline , Hollmann Clarissa , Langowski Horst-Christian
Published: February 2022

As poultry is known to be a perishable food, the use-by date is set in such a way that food safety is guaranteed even with a higher initial bacterial count. This means, however, that some products are wasted, even if they are still safe to eat. Therefore, non-destructive measurement devices might be a good opportunity for individual shelf-life prediction, e.g., in retail. The aim of this study was therefore to use non-destructive measurement devices based on fluorescence quenching (oxygen detection) and mid-infrared laser spectroscopy (carbon dioxide detection) for the monitoring of high-oxygen-packed poultry in different storage conditions. During 15 days of storage, the gas composition of the headspace was assessed (non-destructively and destructively), while total plate count was monitored and a comprehensive sensory evaluation was performed by a trained panel. We were able to demonstrate that in most cases, non-destructive devices have comparable precision to destructive devices. For both storage conditions, the sensory attribute slime was correlated with reaching the critical microbiological value of 107 CFU/g; the attribute buttery was also useful for the prediction of regularly stored poultry. The change in the gas atmosphere as a sign of premature spoilage, however, was only possible for samples stored in irregular conditions.
Soft-Shelled Turtle Peptide Supplementation Modifies Energy Metabolism and Oxidative Stress, Enhances Exercise Endurance, and Decreases Physical Fatigue in Mice
Authors: Zhong Hao , Shi Jinyuan , Zhang Junhui , Wang Qianqian , Zhang Yipeng , Yu Peng , Guan Rongfa , Feng Fengqin
Published: February 2022

The potential of soft-shelled turtle peptides (STP) against fatigue was evaluated. Mice orally supplemented with STP significantly increased the swimming time until tiredness by 35.4–57.1%. Although not statistically significant, STP increased muscle and thymus mass. In addition, the serum lactate, ammonia, blood urea nitrogen content and creatine kinase activity in STP-fed mice were dramatically decreased when compared to the control group. Furthermore, STP supplementation increased the reserves of liver glycogen and muscle glycogen, thus improved the energy metabolism system of mice. STP treatment contributed to increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities as well as a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating an improvement in oxidative stress protection. The Western blot (WB) results indicated that the STP supplement effectively altered the expression of oxidative stress-related protein by modulating the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway. In summary, STP affected NRF2/KEAP1 levels in skeletal muscle, leading to antioxidant activity and a slower time to exhaustion during exercise.
Challenging the Status Quo to Shape Food Systems Transformation from a Nutritional and Food Security Perspective
Authors: Raposo António , Zandonadi Renata Puppin , Botelho Raquel Braz Assunção
Published: February 2022

Food security and nutrition have been prominent elements of the international development agenda [...]
Varied Effects of COVID-19 Chemosensory Loss and Distortion on Appetite: Implications for Understanding Motives for Eating and Drinking
Authors: Turner Lydia , Rogers Peter J.
Published: February 2022

A common symptom of COVID-19 is altered smell and taste. This qualitative study sought to further characterise this altered chemosensory perception and its effects on appetite for food and drink. Eighteen women and two men who had experienced chemosensory loss associated with COVID-19 participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed five major themes. These confirmed that all participants had experienced an altered sense of smell (anosmia, and less frequently parosmia and phantosmia) of variable duration. Loss of taste (ability to detect sweetness, saltiness, etc.) was less common. Participants experienced decreased, no change or increased appetite, with six participants reporting weight loss. Consistent with evidence linking diminished appetite with inflammation, for two participants, decreased appetite preceded anosmia onset. Anosmia reduced enjoyment of food and drink. Compensatory strategies included choosing salty, sweet and ‘spicy’ foods, and increased attention to food texture, and there was evidence that the postingestive rewarding effects of food intake were also important for maintaining appetite. Some participants mentioned increased alcohol intake, in part facilitated by reduced intensity of disliked flavours of alcoholic drinks. The narratives also underlined the value placed on the sociability and structuring of time that daily meals provide. This research adds to the record and analysis of lived experiences of altered chemosensory perception resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and it contributes insights concerning the role of smell and flavour in motivating and rewarding food ingestion.
On the Local Convergence of a (p + 1)-Step Method of Order 2p + 1 for Solving Equations
Authors: Sharma Janak Raj , Argyros Ioannis K. , Singh Harmandeep , Argyros Michael I.
Published: February 2022

The local convergence of a generalized (p+1)-step iterative method of order 2p+1 is established in order to estimate the locally unique solutions of nonlinear equations in the Banach spaces. In earlier studies, convergence analysis for the given iterative method was carried out while assuming the existence of certain higher-order derivatives. In contrast to this approach, the convergence analysis is carried out in the present study by considering the hypothesis only on the first-order Fréchet derivatives. This study further provides an estimate of convergence radius and bounds of the error for the considered method. Such estimates were not provided in earlier studies. In view of this, the applicability of the given method clearly seems to be extended over the wider class of functions or problems. Moreover, the numerical applications are presented to verify the theoretical deductions.
Numerical Algorithm for Calculating the Time Domain Response of Fractional Order Transfer Function
Authors: Bai Lu , Xue Dingyü
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes new numerical algorithms for calculating the time domain responses of fractional order transfer functions (FOTFs). FOTFs are divided into two categories, explicit fractional order transfer functions (EFOTFs) and implicit fractional order transfer functions (IFOTFs). Transforming an EFOTF into an equivalent fractional order differential equation, its time domain response can be obtained by solving the equation by the difference method. IFOTF cannot be transformed into an equivalent equation, so its time domain response cannot be calculated by existing difference methods. A new numerical algorithm is designed for calculating a convolution and its inverse operation, the time domain response of IFOTF can be calculated based on the algorithm. Error analysis shows that the proposed numerical algorithms are of first-order accuracy. Four calculation examples are presented, and the results are consistent with the theoretical analysis.
Structure and Properties of Phosphate-Based Geopolymer Synthesized with the Spent Fluid Catalytic-Cracking (SFCC) Catalyst
Authors: Wan Qian , Zhang Ruobing , Zhang Yimin
Published: February 2022

As a common industrial by-product, the spend fluid catalytic-cracking (SFCC) catalyst was used to prepare phosphate-based geopolymer for the first time. The structure and property of geopolymer with phosphoric acid concentration ranging from 6 to 14 mol/L was characterized by compressive strength measurements, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and 27Al and 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A stable binder was formed with the compressive strength in the range of 9.8 to 30.2 MPa when the acid concentration was between 6 and 12 mol/L. The higher concentration of acid can promote the dissolution of raw materials and formation of geopolymer gels. The coordination of silicon and aluminum in geopolymer gel synthesized with the SFCC catalyst and metakaolin is similar. Compared with the geopolymer with metakaolin, which forms more Si-O-Al bonds, in the networks of geopolymer with the SFCC catalyst, more Si(Al)-O-P bonds were formed. These results indicate that the SFCC catalyst can be an excellent raw material for the synthesis of phosphate-based geopolymer.
Current and Future Approaches to Classify VUSs in LGMD-Related Genes
Authors: Li Chengcheng , Haller Gabe , Weihl Conrad C.
Published: February 2022

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revealed large numbers of genetic variants in LGMD-related genes, with most of them classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUSs). VUSs are genetic changes with unknown pathological impact and present a major challenge in genetic test interpretation and disease diagnosis. Understanding the phenotypic consequences of VUSs can provide clinical guidance regarding LGMD risk and therapy. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the subtypes of LGMD, disease diagnosis, current classification systems for investigating VUSs, and a potential deep mutational scanning approach to classify VUSs in LGMD-related genes.
Risk Assessment-Oriented Design of a Needle Insertion Robotic System for Non-Resectable Liver Tumors
Authors: Gherman Bogdan , Hajjar Nadim Al , Tucan Paul , Radu Corina , Vaida Calin , Mois Emil , Burz Alin , Pisla Doina
Published: February 2022

Medical robotics is a highly challenging and rewarding field of research, especially in the development of minimally invasive solutions for the treatment of the worldwide leading cause of death, cancer. The aim of the paper is to provide a design methodology for the development of a safe and efficient medical robotic system for the minimally invasive, percutaneous, targeted treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, which can be extended with minimal modification for other types of abdominal cancers. Using as input a set of general medical requirements to comply with currently applicable standards, and a set of identified hazards and failure modes, specific methods, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Prioritization, Risk Analysis and fuzzy logic Failure Modes and Effect Analysis have been used within a stepwise approach to help in the development of a medical device targeting the insertion of multiple needles in brachytherapy procedures. The developed medical device, which is visually guided using CT scanning, has been tested for validation in a medical environment using a human-size ballistic gel liver, with promising results. These prove that the robotic system can be used for the proposed medical task, while the modular approach increases the chances of acceptance.
Is It Useful to Question the Recovery Behaviour of Patients with ME/CFS or Long COVID?
Authors: Vink Mark , Vink-Niese Friso
Published: February 2022

For the last few decades, medical guidelines have recommended treating patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) with graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Moreover, doctors have questioned the recovery behaviour of these patients and stimulated them to follow these treatments so that they would be able to go back to work. In this article, we reviewed trials of GET and CBT for ME/CFS that reported on work status before and after treatment to answer the question of whether doctors should continue to question the recovery behaviour of patients with ME/CFS. Our review shows that more patients are unable to work after treatment than before treatment with CBT and GET. It also highlights the fact that both treatments are unsafe for patients with ME/CFS. Therefore, questioning the recovery behaviour of patients with ME/CFS is pointless. This confirms the conclusion from the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which has recently published its updated ME/CFS guideline and concluded that CBT and GET are not effective and do not lead to recovery. Studies on CBT and GET for long COVID have not yet been published. However, this review offers no support for their use in improving the recovery of patients with an ME/CFS-like illness after infection with COVID-19, nor does it lend any support to the practice of questioning the recovery behaviour of these patients.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Use of Protein Supplements among Saudi Adults: Gender Differences
Authors: Alhakbany Manan A. , Alzamil Hana A. , Alnazzawi Esraa , Alhenaki Ghadah , Alzahrani Razan , Almughaiseeb Aseel , Al-Hazzaa Hazzaa M.
Published: February 2022

Saudi Arabia has witnessed recent reforms and positive socio-political changes that have led to increased opportunities for women to participate in fitness centers. This study investigated protein supplement consumption among Saudi females compared with that among males and examined the knowledge and attitudes of the participants toward protein supplement use. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh using a previously validated, self-administered online survey. The questionnaire included items related to the prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practice of protein supplementation. The participants were 354 adults (58.2% were females). The results showed that over 47% of the participants attended fitness centers with more male (80.3%) than female (41%) attendees. Nearly 50% of the participants consumed protein supplements, with males (68.7%) using significantly (p < 0.001) more protein supplements than females (35.6%). The powdered form was most commonly consumed. The percentage of gym attendees (67.8%) who used protein supplements was higher than that among non-gym attendees (32.2%). Gaining muscles (56.1%) followed by compensating for protein deficiency (28.6%) were the reasons for taking protein supplements, with a significant gender difference (p < 0.001). Coaches provided the most information on protein supplements. The participants appeared to be knowledgeable about protein supplements. Although over 68% of protein supplement users suffered from various symptoms, only 20% of the participants thought that there was no risk in taking protein supplements, with significant gender differences. It was concluded that Saudi male participants are twice more likely to attend the gym and consume protein supplements compared with females. Of both genders, those attending the gym consumed more protein supplements than non-gym attendees.
Effect of Nurses’ Grit on Nursing Job Performance and the Double Mediating Effect of Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment
Authors: Cho Hyun-Kuk , Kim Boyoung
Published: February 2022

Nursing performance can be an evaluation indicator of hospitals. Therefore, improving it positively affects the development of nurses, patients, guardians, hospitals, and society. This descriptive correlational study was conducted to provide basic data necessary to improve nurses’ work performance by examining the effects of nurses’ grit on nursing job performance and mediating effects of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The study participants were 186 nurses working at a university hospital in G province, Korea, with working experience of more than six months. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Windows program version 21.0, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression according to the purpose of the analysis in this study. In addition, PROCESS macro was used to test the mediating effect. We examined the mediating effect of job satisfaction and organizational commitment in the relationship between nurses’ grit and nursing job performance. We found that the indirect effect of job satisfaction was significant in that nurses’ grit influenced nursing job performance (B = 0.11, CI = 0.05–0.21). The indirect effect of organizational commitment was also significant in influencing nurses’ grit on nursing job performance (B = 0.12, CI = 0.04–0.22). These findings contribute to the improvement of nurses’ nursing performance. When grit improves, efforts are made to achieve job satisfaction and maintain organizational commitment through focusing on work with steady effort and interest in the goal. Based on this study, enhancing the grit that predicts individual nurses’ achievement can enhance nursing job performance. Nevertheless, interventions to improve job satisfaction and organizational commitment should be developed and implemented.
Response of Tomato-Pseudomonas Pathosystem to Mild Heat Stress
Authors: Scalschi Loredana , Fernández-Crespo Emma , Pitarch-Marin Marcel , Llorens Eugenio , González-Hernández Ana Isabel , Camañes Gemma , Vicedo Begonya , García-Agustín Pilar
Published: February 2022

Higher plants suffer from mild heat stress when temperatures increase by 5 °C above optimum growth temperatures. This produces changes at the cellular and metabolic levels, allowing plants to adapt to heat conditions. This study investigated an increase of 5 °C above the optimum growth temperature (26 °C) of tomato plants in the tomato—Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato pathosystem. A temperature increase above 26 °C affects plant development, the defensive pathways activated against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 (PstDC3000), and the bacterial growth and virulence machinery. The results demonstrated that tomato plants were able to acclimate to mild heat stress, showing no symptoms of damage. Moreover, plants subjected to a 5 °C increase (T31 °C plants) showed higher basal levels of metabolites such as proline and putrescine, which probably act as compatible osmolytes. This demonstrates their importance as key components of thermotolerance. When grown under mild heat stress, plants were less susceptible to PstDC3000 and showed increased accumulation of abscisic acid, jasmonic acid-isoleucine, and spermine. In addition, the temperature increase negatively affected the infectivity of PstDC3000. Inhibition of the genes responsible for quorum sensing establishment and synthesis of flagellin and coronatine was observed in bacteria extracted from T31 °C plants. Analysis of the genes involved in the synthesis of the type III secretion system indicates the important role of this system in bacterial growth under these conditions. As the known resistance mechanisms involved in the defense against PstDC3000 were not activated, the changes in its virulence mechanisms under high temperatures may explain the lower infection observed in the T31 °C plants.
Evaluation of the DRAINMOD Model’s Performance Using Different Time Steps in Evapotranspiration Computations
Authors: Awad Ahmed , El-Rawy Mustafa , Abdalhi Mohmed , Al-Ansari Nadhir
Published: February 2022

The DRAINMOD model is a superior tool used to predict the changes in farmland water balance under different agricultural drainage layouts, fields, weather conditions, and management practices. In the present study, we assessed the sensitivity of the DRAINMOD predictions in farmland water balance to the time step (hourly or daily) in daily evapotranspiration (ET₀) computations for 12-hectares of farmland located at the lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin. The model was calibrated and validated and then was applied twice under two sets of daily ET₀ values, computed using the standardized ASCE Penman–Monteith model (one using the hourly time step (HTS) and the other using the daily time step (DTS)). Regarding daily computed ET₀ values, results show that abrupt diurnal changes in the weather always result in significant differences between daily ET₀ values when computed based on DTS and HTS. DRAINMOD simulations show that such differences between daily computed ET₀ values affected the model’s predictions of the “water fate” in the study area; e.g., adopting HTS rather than DTS resulted in a 4.8% increase, and a 3.1% and 1% decrease in the models’ cumulative predictions of runoff, drainage, and infiltration, respectively. Therefore, for a particular study area, it is critical to pay attention when deciding the best time step in ET₀ computations to ensure accurate DRAINMOD simulations, thereby ensuring better utilization of agricultural water alongside high agricultural productivity.
Do ADR Firms Have Different Dividend Policies Than U.S. Firms? A Comparative Study
Authors: Tong Shenghui , Murtagh James , Proctor Richard
Published: February 2022

This paper examines and compares the dividend policies of American depository receipt (ADR) firms and U.S. firms and identifies the factors that determine these policies for both types of companies. We find that ADR firms have higher dividend yields than U.S. firms, while U.S. firms have higher stock repurchase ratios than ADR firms. Results from univariate comparisons and multivariate analysis show that the determining factors of dividend payout and stock repurchases differ between these two types of firms. This finding holds for the robustness check conducted in this study. This paper provides further evidence regarding dividend policies of ADR firms and sheds light on the differences in dividend policies between non-U.S. firm and U.S. firms.
Gender Diversity on the Board and Firms’ Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Gaio Cristina , Gonçalves Tiago Cruz
Published: February 2022

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has progressively assumed a strategic role in corporate business. In this sense, the board of directors (Board) assumes a preponderant role, since they make decisions about business strategy. One considerably debated characteristic of Board diversity is gender, since women differ from men in terms of personality, communication style, and values. Therefore, this study analyzes the relationship between CSR and gender diversity on Boards, in a sample of European public firms. Results indicate that firms with a higher percentage of women in the Board have higher CSR practices, suggesting that the presence of women can play an important role in terms of CSR decisions, contributing to more social and sustainable firms. Results also suggest that management teams with a higher female percentage associate with better CSR scores, and firms that exhibit both a higher percentage of women on the Board and on the management team improve CSR scores. From an ethical perspective, more socially responsible firms present more trustworthy financial information, and more sustainable economic performance, which decreases risk assessment from their business partners and remaining stakeholders. Thus, results may be of interest to different stakeholders, such as policymakers, investors, and business partners, in order to increase firms’ involvement in CSR.