bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Divergent Selection Task Offloading Strategy for Connected Vehicles Based on Incentive Mechanism
Authors: Yu Senyu , Guo Yan , Li Ning , Xue Duan , Yuan Hao
Published: May 2023

With the improvements in the intelligent level of connected vehicles (CVs), travelers can enjoy services such as self-driving, self-parking and audiovisual entertainment inside the vehicle, which place extremely high demands on the computing power of onboard systems (OBSs). However, the arithmetic power of a single CV often cannot meet the diverse service demands of the in-vehicle system. As a new computing paradigm, task offloading based on vehicular edge computing has significant advantages in remedying the shortcomings of single-CV computing power and balancing the allocation of computing resources. This paper studied the computational task offloading of high-speed connected vehicles without the help of roadside edge servers in certain geographic areas. User vehicles (UVs) with insufficient computing power offload some of their computational tasks to nearby CVs with abundant resources. We explored the high-speed driving model and task classification model of CVs to refine the task offloading process. Additionally, inspired by game theory, we designed a divergent selection task offloading strategy based on an incentive mechanism (DSIM), in which we balanced the interests of both the user vehicle and service vehicles. CVs that contribute resources are rewarded to motivate more CVs to join. A DSIM algorithm based on a divergent greedy algorithm was introduced to maximize the total rewards of all volunteer vehicles while respecting the will of both the user vehicle and service vehicles. The experimental simulation results showed that, compared with several existing studies, our approach can always obtain the highest reward for service vehicles and lowest latency for user vehicles.
TiN-NbN-TiN and Permalloy Nanostructures for Applications in Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Faley Michael I. , Williams Joshua , Lu Penghan , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E.
Published: May 2023

We fabricated superconducting and ferromagnetic nanostructures, which are intended for applications in transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in a commercial sample holder that can be cooled using liquid helium. Nanoscale superconducting quantum-interference devices (nanoSQUIDs) with sub-100 nm nanobridge Josephson junctions (nJJs) were prepared at a distance of ~300 nm from the edges of a 2 mm × 2 mm × 0.05 mm substrate. Thin-film TiN-NbN-TiN heterostructures were used to optimize the superconducting parameters and enhance the oxidation and corrosion resistance of nJJs and nanoSQUIDs. Non-hysteretic I(V) characteristics of nJJs, as well as peak-to-peak quantum oscillations in the V(B) characteristics of the nanoSQUIDs with an amplitude of up to ~20 µV, were obtained at a temperature ~5 K, which is suitable for operation in TEM. Electron-beam lithography, high-selectivity reactive ion etching with pure SF6 gas, and a naturally created undercut in the Si substrate were used to prepare nanoSQUIDs on a SiN membrane within ~500 nm from the edge of the substrate. Permalloy nanodots with diameters down to ~100 nm were prepared on SiN membranes using three nanofabrication methods. High-resolution TEM revealed that permalloy films on a SiN buffer have a polycrystalline structure with an average grain dimension of approximately 5 nm and a lattice constant of ~0.36 nm. The M(H) dependences of the permalloy films were measured and revealed coercive fields of 2 and 10 G at 300 and 5 K, respectively. These technologies are promising for the fabrication of superconducting electronics based on nJJs and ferromagnetic nanostructures for operation in TEM.
A 3.7 GHz CPW Filtering Antenna with a Pair of Gain Zeros
Authors: Xue Yulei , Dong Yanchen , Huang Weiping , Yan Ruiqiang , Xiang Jiaqiang , Wang Peng
Published: May 2023

In recent years, there has been a development of multifunctional components, including filtering antennas. Co-designing the filter and antenna can effectively reduce the overall size and thus realize high integration. A new coplanar waveguide (CPW) omnidirectional filtering antenna with a pair of gain zeros is presented using separation electric/magnetic coupling (SEMC) paths that greatly enhance frequency selectivity and effectively suppress the spurious responses of the circular patch radiator. The impedance bandwidth of the filtering antenna can also be controlled/adjusted through electric/magnetic coupling. The design results demonstrate that the filtering antenna achieves an omnidirectional pattern with a center frequency of 3.7 GHz, an impedance bandwidth of about 3%, a gain of 2.7 dBi, and a pair of gain zeros.
High-Precision Fitting of Simulation Parameters for Circuit Aging Effect
Authors: Yang Xinhuan , Sang Qianqian , Zhang Jianyu , Wang Shuo , Wang Chuanzheng , Yu Mingyan , Zhao Yuanfu
Published: May 2023

To take the influence of the aging effect on circuit performance into account at the early design stage, it is necessary to establish an accurate aging simulation model. However, there is a great discrepancy in the reversely deduced MOSFET transistor degradation from the aging model. To deal with that problem, a method is proposed in this paper that establishes the conversion relationship between the simulation parameters and the degradation of MOSFET transistor parameters. The degradation values were converted into model parameters that characterize the aging effect in SPICE, and the results show that aging simulation accuracy was improved to within 0.1%, which would bring great convenience to circuit reliability simulation and analysis. Lastly, we analyze the aging effect on the ring oscillator circuit via the model.
Exploring Digital Twins in the Transport and Energy Fields: A Bibliometrics and Literature Review Approach
Authors: Kajba Milena , Jereb Borut , Cvahte Ojsteršek Tina
Published: May 2023

Logistics and transport are major sources of energy consumption that still rely heavily on fossil fuels. Especially in the freight sector, finding means to optimise fuel consumption and energy efficiency are increasingly important. Digital twins’ adaptation in logistics and transport is not as frequent as in production, but their implementation potential is immense. This technology can replicate real environments, allowing verification of various scenarios without real-life application, leading to optimal implementation outcome faster and more efficiently. This paper aims to research digital twins’ use in logistics and transport, focusing on digital twins’ potential and effects to optimise energy consumption. Firstly, previous research on digital twins in specified fields was identified, followed by a quantitative literature review. The latter focused on codifying the selected publications based on criteria such as modality, specific environment, energy consumption, etc. Furthermore, a qualitative overview of 57 relevant publications on digital twins’ use in logistics and transport was made. The main contribution of this paper is the systematic overview of digital twins from the viewpoint of energy optimisation in one of the most energy-dependent sectors. This gives researchers a good starting point for further research and digital twins’ practical implementation cases.
An Easily Scalable Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer System for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Noeren Jannis , Parspour Nejila , Elbracht Lukas
Published: May 2023

This article deals with a LCC-LCC compensated dynamic wireless power transfer system for electric vehicle charging applications. The presented prototype system allows for a power transfer of about 10 kW at 20 cm coil copper to copper distance. With just one circular pickup coil and a very straightforward control scheme, a new coil arrangement enables a seamless power transfer. Furthermore, the system’s design power level is easily adjustable by the size of the the pickup coil. The hardware architecture as well as the software functionality are described in detail. A 20 m test track was built up according to the outlined principle. By measuring the transmitted power, the efficiency and the interference between the primary segments and its effect on the inverter currents are examined. The results show an effective DC to DC efficiency in the range of 91 to 92% and a power fluctuation of approximately 25%.
Techno-Economic Analysis of Thermochemical Conversion of Waste Masks Generated in the EU during COVID-19 Pandemic into Energy Products
Authors: Yousef Samy , Lekavičius Vidas , Striūgas Nerijus
Published: May 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 24 billion pieces of surgical mask waste (WM) were generated in the EU region, with an acute shortage of their management and recycling. Pyrolysis and gasification are among the most promising treatments that were proposed to dispose of WMs and convert them into pyrolysis oil and hydrogen-rich syngas. This work aimed to investigate the techno-economic analysis (TEA) of both treatments in order to assess the feasibility of scaling up. The TEA was carried out using a discounted cash flow model and its data were collected from practical experiments conducted using a fluidised bed pyrolysis reactor and bubbling fluidised bed gasifier system with a capacity of 0.2 kg/h and 1 kg/h, respectively, then upscaling to one tonne/h. The technological evaluation was made based on the optimal conditions that could produce the maximum amount of pyrolysis oil (42.3%) and hydrogen-rich syngas (89.7%). These treatments were also compared to the incineration of WMs as a commercial solution. The discounted payback, simple payback, net present value (NPV), production cost, and internal rate of return (IRR) were the main indicators used in the economic feasibility analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed using SimLab software with the help of Monte Carlo simulations. The results showed that the production cost of the main variables was estimated at 45.4 EUR/t (gate fee), 71.7 EUR/MWh (electricity), 30.5 EUR/MWh (heat), 356 EUR/t (oil), 221 EUR/t (gaseous), 237 EUR/t (char), and 257 EUR/t (syngas). Meanwhile, the IRR results showed that gasification (12.51%) and incineration (7.56%) have better economic performance, while pyrolysis can produce less revenue (1.73%). Based on the TEA results, it is highly recommended to use the gasification process to treat WMs, yielding higher revenue.
Diversity of Spontaneous Plants in Eco-Parks and Its Relationship with Environmental Characteristics of Parks
Authors: Yang Yifan , Yu Qingqing , Fu Dongshi , Hou Yuting , Chen Yanfan , Guo Tingting , Chen Hao , Yan Hai , Shao Feng , Zhang Yinke
Published: May 2023

Suburban areas connect the city and the natural land. This kind of area is subject to high ecological sensitivity. To give full play to the ecological value of spontaneous plants, it was applied to the construction of suburban parks. We need to explore the influence factors of park characteristics on spontaneous plants. This study takes Jiangyangfan Ecological Park as the main research object. We have investigated the spontaneous plants in it and the surrounding parks. Hence, 16 kinds of park environmental characteristic factors were selected to explore their effects on the composition and diversity of spontaneous plants. The results showed that: (1) There were 138 species of spontaneous plants belonging to 126 genera and 62 families in Jiangyangfan Ecological Park. Native plants accounted for 88.10%. (2) The Shannon-Wiener diversity index of spontaneous plants was ranked as Jiangyangfan Ecological Park > White Pagoda Park > Eight Diagrams Field Relic Park > Haiyue Waterscape Park. (3) Among the overall characteristic factors, the park perimeter and the actual accessible area had the most significant positive correlation to the diversity of spontaneous plants (p < 0.05). Among the environmental element characteristic factors, the Shannon-Wiener diversity index of cultivated plants had the strongest positive correlation with the diversity of spontaneous plants (p < 0.01). The number of water bodies presented the strongest negative correlation (p < 0.01). This study provides a useful reference for the rational planning of parks in suburban areas and the construction of sustainable urban and rural landscapes. The research results will contribute to the restoration of the ecological environment.
Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Composition of Mulberry (Morus spp.) under Drought Stress
Authors: Sun Zhiyu , Yin You , Zhu Wenxu , Zhou Yongbin
Published: May 2023

Drought is the most important environmental factor inhibiting plant photosynthesis. In this study, the morphological characteristics, biomass allocation, and physiological and biochemical characteristics of four potted mulberry plants under drought stress were analyzed. The study revealed the drought tolerance differences of four mulberry potted seedlings in semi-arid sandy areas of China. Combined with the results of two-way ANOVA, under normal growth conditions, Shensang No. 1 and Ji’an grew well and produced higher benefits, which was attributed to their larger leaf areas, biomass, and total Chl contents, and there were significant differences between their other traits (p < 0.05). Drought stress led to a decrease in the photosynthetic capacity of the mulberry leaves, and the drought resistance capabilities of the four mulberry trees were different. Among the trees, Aerxiang and Fujia were less affected by drought, and their cultivation in a naturally arid environment was able to achieve certain drought resistance effects. The branch length, total leaf area, and specific leaf area were significantly differently correlated with the biomass components’ dry leaf weight, dry branch weight, dry root weight, total biomass, and root-to-crown ratio (p < 0.05), and there was also a significant positive correlation with the photosynthetic fluorescence parameters GS, PIABS, ABS/RC, and TRo/RC and the biochemical parameters NSC (p < 0.05). Studies have shown that plant biomass and physiological and biochemical characteristics jointly affect plant growth. Our research results will help in the screening of mulberry trees, providing data support for the strategic planning of subsequent breeding, and maximizing the quality and resource benefits of mulberry trees.
Application of MaxEnt Model in Biomass Estimation: An Example of Spruce Forest in the Tianshan Mountains of the Central-Western Part of Xinjiang, China
Authors: Ding Xue , Xu Zhonglin , Wang Yao
Published: May 2023

Accurately estimating the above-ground biomass (AGB) of spruce forests and analyzing their spatial patterns are critical for quantifying forest carbon stocks and assessing regional climate conditions in China’s drylands, with significant implications for the sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems in the Tianshan Mountains. The K-Means clustering algorithm was used to divide 144 measured AGB samples into four AGB classes, combined with remote sensing data from Landsat products, 19 bioclimatic variables, 3 topographical variables, and 3 soil variables to generate probability distributions of four AGB classes using the MaxEnt model. Finally, the spatial distribution of AGB was mapped using the mathematical formulae available in the GIS software. Results indicate that (1) the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of the AGB models for all classes exceeded 0.8, indicating satisfactory model accuracy; (2) the dominant factors affecting the distribution of different AGB classes varied. The primary dominant factors for the first–fourth AGB classes model were altitude (20.4%), precipitation of warmest quarter (Bio18, 15.7%), annual mean temperature (Bio1, 50.5%), and red band (Band4, 26.7%), respectively, and the response curves indicated that the third AGB model was more tolerant of elevation than the first and second AGB classes; (3) the AGB has a spatial distribution pattern of being higher in the west and low in the east, with a “single-peaked” pattern in terms of latitude, and the average AGB of pixels was 680.92 t·hm−2; (4) the correlation coefficient between measured and predicted AGB is 0.613 (p < 0.05), with the average uncertainty of AGB estimation at 39.32%. This study provides valuable insights into the spatial patterns and drivers of AGB in spruce forests in the Tianshan Mountains, which can inform effective forest management and conservation strategies.
On the Pressure and Rate of Infiltration Made by a Carbon Fiber Yarn with an Aluminum Melt during Ultrasonic Treatment
Authors: Galyshev Sergei , Atanov Bulat , Orlov Valery
Published: May 2023

The effect of the infiltration time of a carbon fiber yarn in the range of 6 to 13.6 s on the infiltrated volume under the cavitation of an aluminum melt has been studied. When the infiltration time was more than 10 s, the carbon fiber was completely infiltrated with the matrix melt, and a decrease in the infiltration time led to a monotonous decrease in the fraction of the infiltrated volume. Based on the experimental data, the infiltration rate and the pressure necessary to infiltrate a carbon fiber yarn with an aluminum melt were estimated. The infiltration rate was 20.9 cm3/s and was independent of the infiltration depth. The calculated pressure necessary for the complete infiltration of a carbon fiber yarn at this rate was about 270 Pa. A comparison of the pressure values calculated according to Darcy’s and Forchheimer’s laws showed that the difference between them did not exceed 0.01%. This indicates that a simpler Darcy’s law could be used to estimate pressure.
Performance of Rice Straw Fibers on Hardened Concrete Properties under Effect of Impact Load and Gamma Radiation
Authors: Mahdy Mohamed M. , Mahfouz Sameh Y. , Tawfic Ahmed F. , Ali Mohamed A. E. M.
Published: May 2023

Concrete is an essential artificial building material in modern society. However, because concrete structures have brittle characteristics, they have a limited service life when subjected to dynamic loads. Nuclear emissions and explosions threaten human lives and structures’ safety due to harmful radiation and dynamic effects. Since agriculture has revealed a large amount of by-products that require disposal, the use of such by-products in many sectors is a challenge for contemporary studies. One of the most important areas for the disposal of such waste is construction, and concrete in particular. The utilization of the agricultural by-product rice straw fiber was chosen in this study to replace the usage of artificial fibers in concrete production and present an eco-friendly prospective contender with enhanced static/dynamic performance and gamma shielding characteristics. Different concrete mixtures were proposed in this study to evaluate the aforementioned characteristics. The designed concrete mixtures were conventional concrete with variations in the volume fraction of rice straw fibers (RSF) of 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75%. The desired static properties were compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. Additionally, the drop weight impact test was used in this study to investigate the impact resistance of RSF-reinforced concrete. Finally, the radiation-shielding characteristic of the produced concrete was tested using the linear attenuation test. The results show that adding agricultural by-products of RSF in concrete production slightly enhanced the compressive strength by up to 7.0%, while it significantly improved the tensile and flexural properties by up to 17.1% and 25.8%, respectively. Additionally, a superior impact resistance of concrete was achieved by up to 48.6% owing to RSF addition. Furthermore, it enhanced the gamma shielding capability of concrete by up to 7.9%. The achievements in this study pave the way for utilizing RSF-reinforced concrete in various non-traditional applications.
Fire Egress System Optimization of High-Rise Teaching Building Based on Simulation and Machine Learning
Authors: Zhou Muchen , Zhou Bailing , Zhang Zhuo , Zhou Zuoyao , Liu Jing , Li Boyu , Wang Dong , Wu Tao
Published: May 2023

A fire egress system is one of the most critical aspects of fire emergency evacuation, which is the cornerstone technology of building fire safety. The high-rise teaching buildings on campus, where vast crowds of people gather, need to be qualified for rapid evacuation in the event of a fire especially. Conventional teaching building egress system design places more emphasis on individual elements (e.g., stairwells, evacuation doors, and evacuation walkways) rather than on their co-regulation as a whole. Furthermore, there are not enough holistic and effective optimal design strategies, which is because most of the existing studies rely on experiments or simulations and often suffer from a lack of sufficient data to fully reveal the interactions of individual variables. In this study, the co-effectiveness of stairwells, walkways, and room doors in reducing total evacuation time was investigated by simulation and machine learning. We selected a typical high-rise teaching building as an example and integrated two simulation software, Pyrosim and Pathfinder, to compare the available safe evacuation time (ASET) and required safe evacuation time (RSET). Then, a framework consisting of five factors—stair flight width (SFW), stairwell door width (SDW), corridor width (CW), room door width (RDW), and location of the downward stair flight (LDSF)—was established for the optimization through statistical analysis of big data obtained by the preferred machine learning algorithm. Results indicate that (1) By modifying just one factor (SFW), the total evacuation time (TET) can be reduced by at most 12.1%, with the mortality rate dropping from 26.5% to 9.5%; (2) although ASET could not be achieved either, among 4000 cases of multi-factor combinations, a maximum TET improvement degree, 29.5%, can be achieved for the evacuation optimization compared to baseline model, with a consequent reduction in mortality to 0.15%; (3) it shows that the emphasis of the egress system optimization is on the geometric features of the evacuation stairwell; furthermore, the multi-factor combination approaches have better compromised evacuation performances than the single-factor controlled schemes. The research results can be applied as rational design strategies to mitigate fire evacuation issues in high-rise teaching buildings and, in addition, the methodology suggested in this paper would be suitable to other building types.
Numerical Study of Flow around Two Circular Cylinders in Tandem, Side-By-Side and Staggered Arrangements
Authors: Skonecki Gracjan M. , Buick James M.
Published: May 2023

Simulations are presented for flow around pairs of circular cylinders at a Reynolds number of 3900. The flow is assumed to be two-dimensional and incompressible in nature and the simulations are performed using a RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes) approach with a k-ε model. Simulations are performed for three different configurations of the cylinders: A tandem configuration where the line joining the centre of the cylinders is parallel to the mean flow direction; side-by-side, where the centre line is perpendicular to the mean flow direction; and staggered where the centre line is an angle α to the flow direction. Simulation results are presented for cylinder separations ranging from 1.125 to 4 diameters and for values of α between 10° and 60°. The results are presented and discussed in terms of the lift and drag coefficients, the Strouhal number, the vorticity field and the flow regimes observed. The results and flow regimes are also compared to previous observations at lower Reynolds numbers to investigate the Reynolds number dependence of the phenomena.
Visual Colorimetric Detection of Edible Oil Freshness for Peroxides Based on Nanocellulose
Authors: Jiang Xiongli , Cheng Jun , Yang Fangwei , Hu Zhenyang , Zheng Zhen , Deng Yu , Cao Buyuan , Xie Yunfei
Published: May 2023

Traditional methods for evaluating the edibility of lipids involve the use of organic reagents and complex operations, which limit their routine use. In this study, nanocellulose was prepared from bamboo, and a colorimetric reading strategy based on nanocellulose composite hydrogels was explored to monitor the freshness of edible oils. The hydrogels acted as carriers for peroxide dyes that changed color according to the freshness of the oil, and color information was digitized using UV-vis and RGB analysis. The sensitivity and accuracy of the hydrogel were verified using H2O2, which showed a linear relationship between absorbance and H2O2 content in the range of 0–0.5 and 0.5–11 mmol/kg with R2 of 0.9769 and 0.9899, respectively, while the chromatic parameter showed an exponential relationship with R2 of 0.9626. Surprisingly, the freshness of all seven edible oil samples was correctly identified by the hydrogel, with linear correlation coefficients greater than 0.95 in the UV-vis method and exponential correlation coefficients greater than 0.92 in the RGB method. Additionally, a peroxide value color card was established, with an accuracy rate of 91.67%. This functional hydrogel is expected to be used as a household-type oil freshness indicator to meet the needs of general consumers.
Dietary Exposure to Glutamates of 2- to 5-Year-Old Toddlers in China Using the Duplicate Diet Method
Authors: Zhou Yanjun , Sui Haixia , Wang Yibaina , Yong Ling , Zhang Lei , Liang Jiang , Zhou Jing , Xu Lili , Zhong Yanxu , Chen Jinyao , Song Yan
Published: May 2023

A duplicate diet collection method was used to estimate dietary exposure to glutamates in children aged 2–5 years in selected provinces of China. Daily duplicate diet samples were collected from 86 healthy toddlers over three consecutive days. Glutamates were analyzed using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography–MS/MS (UHPLC–MS/MS). Results showed that the highest glutamates content was found in mixed meals, at 5.12 mg/kg, followed by powdered formula (3.89 mg/kg), and milk and dairy products (2.29 mg/kg). The total mean daily dietary exposure for subjects was 0.20 mg/kg BW, and P95 daily dietary exposure was 0.44 mg/kg BW, both below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) (120 mg/kg BW) recommended by the Joint (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the ADI (30 mg/kg BW) set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Hence it can be considered that glutamates exposure would cause low risk in this group.
Protective Effect of Quercetin and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Extract against Dimethoate Potentiated Fluoride-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Verma Pawan Kumar , Sood Shilpa , Yousuf Rasia , Kumar Amit , Raina Rajinder , Shabbir Muhammad Asim , Bhat Zuhaib F.
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to determine the potential of quercetin and Zingiber officinale (ZO) Roscoe extract to alleviate the renal damage induced by dimethoate (DM) and fluoride (F-) alone and by their combined exposure in rats. A total of 54 adult Wistar rats were randomly allocated to nine groups (n = 6). A sub-lethal dose of DM (1/10th of the median lethal dose) was administered by oral gavage alone and along with F- (4.5 ppm, three-fold the permissible limit) in their drinking water continuously for 28 days. Chromatographical analysis revealed the presence of quercetin, curcumin, and other phytochemicals with strong antioxidant properties in ZO-rhizome extract. Severe changes were observed in the levels of the renal biomarkers and histoarchitecture after co-administration of the toxicants, indicating greater kidney damage. The administration of ZO extract (300 mg/kg) along with either or both toxicants led to a significant restoration of the biochemical markers and renal antioxidant profile and histology.
Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Nanoemulsion-Based Natural Compound Delivery Systems Compared with Non-Nanoemulsified Versions
Authors: da Silva Bruno , do Rosário Denes , Neto Luiz , Lelis Carini , Conte-Junior Carlos
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to develop nanoemulsions with a focus on improving the bioactivity of oregano essential oil (OEO), carvacrol and thymol for possible food applications. Nanoemulsions were prepared with acoustic cavitation using ultrasound. The nanodroplets had average diameters of 54.47, 81.66 and 84.07 nm for OEO, thymol and carvacrol, respectively. The main compound in OEO was carvacrol (74%), and the concentration in the nanoemulsions was 9.46 mg/mL for OEO and the isolated compounds. The effects of droplet size reduction on antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiofilm activity were evaluated. Regarding antioxidant activity, the nanoemulsions performed better at the same concentration, with inhibitions >45% of the DPPH radical and significant differences compared with their non-nanoemulsified versions (p < 0.05). The nanoemulsions’ minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and non-nanoemulsified compounds were evaluated against foodborne pathogens with inhibition ranges between 0.147 and 2.36 mg/mL. All evaluated pathogens were more sensitive to nanoemulsions, with reductions of up to four times in MIC compared with non-nanoemulsified versions. E. coli and S. Enteritidis were the most sensitive bacteria to the carvacrol nanoemulsion with MICs of 0.147 mg/mL. Concerning antibiofilm activity, nanoemulsions at concentrations up to four times lower than non-nanoemulsified versions showed inhibition of bacterial adhesion >67.2% and removal of adhered cells >57.7%. Overall, the observed effects indicate that droplet size reduction improved the bioactivity of OEO, carvacrol and thymol, suggesting that nanoemulsion-based delivery systems for natural compounds may be alternatives for food applications compared with free natural compounds.
Pomegranate Fruit Cracking during Maturation: From Waste to Valuable Fruits
Authors: Fraschetti Caterina , Goci Enkelejda , Nicolescu Alexandru , Cairone Francesco , Carradori Simone , Filippi Antonello , Palmieri Vincenzo , Mocan Andrei , Cesa Stefania
Published: May 2023

The pomegranate is an emerging functional food which is nowadays becoming more and more commercially attractive. Each part of this fruit (peels, arils and seeds) has a specific phytocomplex, rich in anti-oxidant and anti-radical compounds. Among these, punicalagin and ellagic acid continue to be widely studied for their numerous beneficial effects on human health (anti-inflammatory effects, anti-diabetes activity, cardio-protection, cancer prevention). Despite their exceptionally valuable composition and high adaptability to different climatic conditions, pomegranate fruits are highly susceptible to splitting during different stages of ripening, so much so that an estimated 65% of the production may be lost. A “zero-kilometer” approach should therefore be adopted to utilize such a valuable product otherwise destined to be downgraded or even incinerated, with a very high environmental impact. The aim of this work is to highlight and compare the compositional differences between whole and split pomegranates belonging to the cultivar Dente di Cavallo, grown in Apulia (Italy), to assess a valuable role for this split fruit usually considered as waste. The arils and peels are subjected to extraction procedures and the extracts analyzed by CIEL*a*b*, HPLC-DAD and HS-SPME/GC-MS. Moreover, an assessment of the inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase enzymes has also been applied. The data show a better chemical profile in split fruits (namely 60% more anthocyanin content than intact fruit) with very interesting results in terms of α-glucosidase inhibition. The juices obtained by squeezing are also compared to commercial juices (“Salus Melagrana” and “La Marianna”) processed from the same cultivar and subjected to the same protocol analysis.
Protective Effect of Anoectochilus formosanus Polysaccharide against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Xie Anqi , Wan Hao , Feng Lei , Yang Boyun , Wan Yiqun
Published: May 2023

In this study, Anoectochilus formosanus polysaccharide (AFP) was acquired a via water extraction and alcohol precipitation method. The immunoregulatory activity of AFP was first evaluated on cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated mice. Galacturonic acid, glucose and galactose were confirmed to be the main components of AFP. AFP demonstrated the ability to stimulate the production of TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Not surprisingly, the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway by AFP was validated via Western blot analysis. Furthermore, AFP could alleviate Cy-induced immunosuppression, and significantly enhance the immunity of mice via increasing the thymus index and body weight, stimulating the production of cytokines (IgA, IgG, SIgA, IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-γ). The improvement in the intestinal morphology of immunosuppressed mice showed that AFP could alleviate Cy-induced immune toxicity. These results have raised the possibility that AFP may act as a natural immunomodulator. Overall, the study of AFP was innovative and of great significance for AFP’s further application and utilization.
Effect of Sequential Fermentation with Lachancea thermotolerans/S. cerevisiae on Aromatic and Flavonoid Profiles of Plavac Mali Wine
Authors: Mucalo Ana , Budić-Leto Irena , Zdunić Goran
Published: May 2023

In this study, the effects of sequential fermentation of Lachancea thermotolerans/S. cerevisiae on the production of Plavac Mali wines were investigated in comparison with the commonly used inoculation of the commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain and spontaneous fermentation. A total of 113 aroma compounds and 35 polyphenolic compounds were analyzed. Sequential inoculation resulted in a decrease in alcohol content and pH (up to 0.3% v/v and 0.12 units, respectively) and an increase in total acidity (0.6 g/L, expressed as tartaric acid). The wines produced by spontaneous fermentation exhibited the greatest diversity of volatile compounds and the highest concentration of C13 norisoprenoids, lactones, and other compounds. These wines exhibited maximum hydroxycinnamic acids, prodelphinidin monomer units, epigallocatechin, B1, B3, and B4 dimers, and total flavan-3-ols. Sequential inoculation decreased the content of the aromas and polyphenols in the wines. The practical significance of this procedure lies in the selective effect on aroma compounds, the decrease in green aromas, undetectable volatile phenols, and the decrease in bitter and astringent compounds such as gallic acid, flavan-3-ol monomers (catechin and epicatechin), and dimers (B1, B2, B3, and B4). This work demonstrates the potential of sequential and spontaneous fermentation to improve the aromatic characteristics and overall quality of Plavac Mali wines.
Electromagnetic Scattering from Fractional Brownian Motion Surfaces via the Small Slope Approximation
Authors: Iodice Antonio , Di Martino Gerardo , Di Simone Alessio , Riccio Daniele , Ruello Giuseppe
Published: May 2023

Marine and terrestrial natural surfaces exhibit statistical scale invariance properties that are well modelled by fractional Brownian motion (fBm), two-dimensional random processes. Accordingly, for microwave remote sensing applications it is useful to evaluate the normalized radar cross section (NRCS) of fBm surfaces. This task has been accomplished in the past by using either the Kirchhoff approximation (KA) or the small perturbation method (SPM). However, KA and SPM have rather limited ranges of application in terms of surface roughness and incidence angle: a wider range of application is achieved by the small slope approximation (SSA), more recently developed, but the latter has not been applied yet to fBm surfaces. In this paper, the first-order SSA (SSA-1) is applied to the evaluation of scattering from fBm surfaces obtaining an analytical formulation of their NRCS. It is then shown that the obtained SSA-1 expression reduces to the KA and SPM ones at near-specular and far-from-specular scattering directions, respectively. Finally, the results of the proposed method are compared to experimental data available in the literature.
Multifaceted Analysis of the Environmental Factors in Severely Injured Trauma: A 30-Day Survival Analysis
Authors: Jang Sung Woo , Kim Hae Rim , Jung Pil Young , Chung Jae Sik
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Most factors that predict the in-hospital survival rate in patients with severe trauma are patient-related factors; environmental factors are not currently considered important. Predicting the severity of trauma using environmental factors could be a reliable and easy-to-use method. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether environmental factors affect the survival in patients with severe trauma. (2) Methods: Medical records of patients who activated trauma team in the single regional trauma center, from 2016 to 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. After exclusion of young patients (<19 years old), cases of mild trauma (ISS < 16), and non-preventable deaths (trauma and injury severity score <25%), a total of 1706 patients were included in the study. (3) Results: In the Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, older age, night compared with day, and high rainfall were identified as statistically significant environmental predictors of mortality due to severe trauma. The relationship between mortality and precipitation showed a linear relationship, while that between mortality and temperature showed an inverted U-shaped relationship. (4) Conclusions: Various environmental factors of trauma affect mortality in patients with severe trauma. In predicting the survival of patients with severe trauma, environmental factors are considered relatively less important, though they can be used effectively.
Intraindividual Left–Right Side Differences of Sagittal Condylar Inclination (SCI) in Different Skeletal Classes
Authors: Dragus Andi Ciprian , Mihai Augustin , Tanase Gabriela , Burlibasa Mihai , Cristache Corina Marilena
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the most complex and one of the most important joints in the human body due to its essential roles in mastication, swallowing, breathing and speech. Several instruments have been used to track mandibular movements and register the characteristic parameters of the TMJ, among which condylography instruments are validated for the accurate clinical registration of the condylar path. Sagittal condylar inclination (SCI) is one of the most important parameters, together with the Bennett angle and the immediate side shift, used for articular settings in the process of oral rehabilitation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences between the left and right SCI and to assess whether the differences were statistically significant for skeletal class, age, gender, dentate status, TMJ pathology or parafunctional habits. (2) Methods: One hundred and forty consecutive patients, fully dentate or partially edentulous, and with angle class I, II and II, were recruited. Their left and right SCIs were determined with an ultrasonic jaw tracking device. Each subject had to make three protrusive movements and three right and left laterotrusive movements. The software calculated the SCI from the mean of the protrusive movements. (3) Results: The mean values obtained for the right and left SCI were 34.68° (±12.44°) and 34.94° (±13.23°), respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the left and right values for gender, dentate status, TMJ disorders or parafunctional habits. Skeletal class III subjects registered lower SCI means, which were statistically significant for the left SCI. (4) Conclusions: For an optimal functionalization of prosthetic restorations and for an ideal treatment plan, the registration of both the left and right paths of the condyles and the articular disc should be taken into consideration.
Pilot Study: The Effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Latusek Katarzyna , Słotwińska-Pawlaczyk Adrianna , Warakomska Aleksandra , Kubicka-Musiał Magdalena , Wiench Rafał , Orzechowska-Wylęgała Bogusława
Published: May 2023

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with multifactorial aetiology. The relationship between periodontal disease and systemic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerotic, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive disorders has been the subject of many studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on periodontal health in patients suffering from periodontitis and type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted with 14 patients. A total of 369 periodontal pockets in the study group and 431 in the control group were examined. For further analysis, the pockets were classified as moderately deep (4–5 mm) and deep (≥6 mm). All patients received standard non-surgical treatment: scaling and root planing (SRP). Additionally, a series of 30 hyperbaric chamber sessions was carried out in the study group. The following parameters were compared between groups: PD (probing depth), CAL (clinical attachment level), and BOP (bleeding on probing). The results of the study showed significantly better results in terms of PD reduction and CAL gain in the study group in comparison to the control group. Both groups showed a reduction in BOP (bleeding on probing) after treatment. The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy seems to have considerable benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Resident Dentists in Iasi, Romania in the Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Murariu Alice , Baciu Elena-Raluca , Bobu Livia , Stoleriu Simona , Vasluianu Roxana-Ionela , Tatarciuc Monica Silvia , Diaconu-Popa Diana , Huțanu Petruța , Gelețu Gabriela Luminița
Published: May 2023

Dentists play an essential role in the treatment of dental and periodontal traumatic injuries by providing early and correct treatment. The purpose of the present study was to assess the level of knowledge of dental residents regarding dental trauma. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Dental Medicine within the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, Romania on a sample of 366 residents in General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry and Periodontology. To assess their knowledge, a questionnaire was created containing 18 questions about the clinical signs and therapy of dental trauma, with a focus on tooth avulsion. A very low level of knowledge (<25%) was found only for the type of splinting required to maintain an avulsed tooth on the arch. The highest number of correct answers was provided by the residents in Periodontology. Physiological serum as storage medium was recognized by a percentage of 75.9–80% of the subjects, and 60–77% of them recognized pulp necrosis as complication of dental avulsion. The study underlines the need to introduce in the curriculum of all categories of residents additional information, not only in the already existent theoretical form, but also as possible scenarios of various clinical situations.
Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Children: A Comparison between Athletes and Non-Athletes
Authors: Malewska-Kaczmarek Kamila , Podlecka Daniela , Mańkowski Tymoteusz , Jerzyńska Joanna , Stelmach Iwona
Published: May 2023

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a dysfunction of the respiratory tract consisting of transient airflow obstruction. This study is a retrospective analysis of two prospective studies concerning EIB symptoms in two adolescent populations. Our study group included 400 non-athletes and 101 athletes. Due to the similarity of indoor exercise conditions, an analysis was performed on the basis of where training took place. The study aims to assess the EIB prevalence in the following groups of adolescent children: non-athletes and athletes. In “indoor” athletes, the EIB prevalence was 22.4%. Among non-athletes, EIB was diagnosed in 10.2% (p = 0.007). A history of asthma was found in 6.5% of non-athletes and 29.3% of indoor athletes (p < 0.001). The incidence of EIB without asthma was higher in indoor athletes (14.6%) than in non-athletes (9.9%). Athletes achieved higher mean values in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximum expiratory flow rate at 25% (MEF25) parameters. In the group of non-athletes, higher results were observed in forced expiratory volume in one second % of vital capacity (FEV1%VC), MEF50, and MEF75. The findings of the study present the complexity of the EIB diagnosis among children training in an indoor environment.
Optimal Decision-Making of Closed-Loop Supply Chains in E-Commerce Platform Considering Sales Cooperations under Environmental Effects and WEEE Regulations
Authors: Tan Manyi , Pei Fei , He Li , Cheng Hong , Huang Shupeng
Published: May 2023

Nowadays, to achieve carbon neutrality, e-commerce platforms participate in the sales and recycling of electrical and electronic products in consideration of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations and environmental effects. This study builds a Stackelberg game model for an e-commerce closed-loop supply chain (ECLSC) under different sales cooperation modes between a manufacturer of electrical and electronic products and an e-commerce platform. Reverse induction is used to obtain the optimal decision-making and profit of the ECLSC under three sales cooperation modes, considering the influence of environmental effects on optimal decision and objective functions. The results show the following: the sales cooperation mode and environmental cost do not affect the WEEE recovery prices of manufacturers and e-commerce platforms, nor do they affect government subsidy standards for dismantling WEEEs; they are, however, positively correlated with environmental benefits. Furthermore, the wholesale and retail prices of electrical and electronic products under different sales cooperation modes are related to sales cooperation modes and environmental costs. Moreover, the processing fees imposed on the manufacturers are related to the environmental costs of the electrical and electronic products; the thresholds of environmental costs of products for government to levy processing fees are different under different sales cooperation modes. Finally, the environmental cost of products required by the government’s levying of processing fees are the lowest under a hybrid model. Generally speaking, under WEEE regulations, governments should levy more processing fees for electrical and electronic products with higher environmental costs. Meanwhile, increased environmental benefits will always increase the profits of supply chain members, but increased environmental costs do not always reduce the profits of supply chain members, and multichannel product sales do not always generate profits for manufacturers.
Reply to Obegi, J.H. Distinguishing Prevention from Treatment in Suicide Prevention. Comment on “Turner et al. The Paradox of Suicide Prevention. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 14983”
Authors: Turner Kathryn , Pisani Anthony R. , Sveticic Jerneja , O’Connor Nick , Woerwag-Mehta Sabine , Burke Kylie , Stapelberg Nicolas J. C.
Published: May 2023

One of the aims of our paper “The Paradox of Suicide Prevention” is to promote greater discourse on suicide prevention, with a particular focus on the mental health models used for the identification of, and interventions with, individuals who come into contact with tertiary mental health services [...]