bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic-Geological Integrated Study on Sedimentary Evolution and Peat Accumulation Regularity of the Shanxi Formation in Xinjing Mining Area, Qinshui Basin
Authors: Liu Bo , Chang Suoliang , Zhang Sheng , Li Yanrong , Yang Zhihua , Liu Zuiliang , Chen Qiang
Published: March 2022

Accurate identification of the lithofacies and sedimentary facies of coal-bearing series is significant in the study of peat accumulation, coal thickness variation and coal-measured unconventional gas. This research integrated core, logging and 3D seismic data to conduct a comprehensive seismic–geological study on the sedimentary evolution characteristics and peat accumulation regularity of the Shanxi Formation in the Xinjing mining area of the Qinshui Basin. Firstly, the high-resolution sequence interface was identified, and the isochronous stratigraphic framework of the coal-bearing series was constructed. Then, the temporal and spatial evolution of sedimentary filling and sedimentary facies was dynamically analyzed using waveform clustering, phase rotation, stratal slice and frequency–division amplitude fusion methods. The results show that the Shanxi Formation in the study area can be divided into one third-order sequence and two fourth-order sequences. It developed a river-dominated deltaic system, mainly with delta plain deposits, and underwent a constructive–abandoned–constructive development stage. The locally distributed No. 6 coal seam was formed in a backswamp environment with distribution constrained by the distributary channels. The delta was abandoned at the later stage of the SS1 sequence, and the peat accumulation rate was balanced with the growth rate of the accommodation, forming a large-area distributed No. 3 thick coal seam. During the formation of the SS2 sequence, the No. 3 coal seam was locally thinned by epigenetic erosion of the river, and the thin coal belt caused by erosion is controlled by the location of the distributary channels and their extension direction. This study can provide a reference for the research on the distribution of thin sand bodies, sedimentary evolution and peat accumulation regularity in the coal-bearing series under the marine–continental transitional environment.
The Causal Nexus among Energy Consumption, Environmental Degradation, Financial Development and Health Outcome: Empirical Study for Pakistan
Authors: M. Arafat Weal M.Gh. , Haq Ihtisham ul , Mehmed Bahtiyar , Abbas Azeem , Gamage Sisira Kumara Naradda , Gasimli Oruj
Published: March 2022

Pakistan is facing an energy crisis and is also severely affected by climate change. Moreover, Pakistan is not doing well as far as health outcome indicators are concerned. The causal nexus among energy, environment, and health outcomes is well-established in literature. Besides, financial development also grabs the attention of health outcome literature as financial development can play a significant role in improving health outcomes. Thus, this study was conducted to test the causal nexus among energy consumption, environmental degradation, financial development, and health outcomes in the case of Pakistan. This study proxies health outcomes with life expectancy and infant mortality. Time series data have been analyzed through different econometric techniques, such as unit root tests, cointegration techniques, causality techniques, and cointegration regressions. Moreover, this study not just discovers the causal direction among variables but also determines the strength of causality through variance decomposition. Results of the study confirm that all variables of the study are cointegrated in the long run. The causality analysis reveals that unidirectional causality is running from energy consumption and environmental degradation to health outcomes, whereas bidirectional causality is found between financial development and health outcomes in the long run. Besides, this study also determines the effect of energy, environmental degradation, and financial development in the health outcome model and finds that energy and financial development can help Pakistan to improve health outcomes. Policy implications are recommended for Pakistan.
A Case Study of Open- and Closed-Loop Control of Hydrostatic Transmission with Proportional Valve Start-Up Process
Authors: Bury Paweł , Stosiak Michał , Urbanowicz Kamil , Kodura Apoloniusz , Kubrak Michał , Malesińska Agnieszka
Published: March 2022

This paper concerns the start-up process of a hydrostatic transmission with a fixed displacement pump, with particular emphasis on dynamic surplus pressure. A numerically controlled transmission using a proportional directional valve was analysed by simulation and experimental verification. The transmission is controlled by the throttle method, and the variable resistance is the throttling gap of the proportional spool valve. A mathematical description of the gear start-up process was obtained using a lumped-parameters model based on ordinary differential equations. The proportional spool valve was described using a modified model, which significantly improved the performance of the model in the closed-loop control process. After assuming the initial conditions and parameterization of the equation coefficients, a simulation of the transition start-up was performed in the MATLAB–Simulink environment. Simulations and experimental studies were carried out for control signals of various shapes and for various feedback from the hydraulic system. The pressure at the pump discharge port and the inlet port of the hydraulic motor, as well as the rotational speed of the hydraulic motor, were analysed in detail as functions of time. In the experimental verification, complete measuring lines for pressure, speed of the hydraulic motor, flow rate, and temperature of the working liquid were used.
Smart Efficiency Tracking for Novel Switch—LLC Converter for Battery Charging Applications
Authors: Çalışkan Eser , Ustun Ozgur
Published: March 2022

In this study, a novel smart efficiency tracking (SET) algorithm for GaN-based LLC resonant converter for quick battery charging of light electric vehicles is proposed. Conventional frequency modulation (FM) method, single pulse width modulation method (S-PWM) and discontinuous operation mode method (DOM) are used to track the converter efficiency which varies for different loading conditions during the battery charging process. First, the charging modes are explained to define the efficiency variation clearly. Then, the theoretical background of GaN-based LLC resonant converter is presented and the details of design study are given. Third, the principles of three different switching control strategies, the modeling study and the simulation results are put forward. Finally, the details of the implementation of three different switching strategies are presented for the validation of the study. Furthermore, the implementation of the design and its impact on battery charging are discussed. The proposed efficiency tracking method is validated with a 20% efficiency increase for the low loading conditions of GaN-based LLC converter.
A Dynamic Simulation Model for a Heat Exchanger Malfunction Monitoring
Authors: Damiani Lorenzo , Revetria Roberto , Giribone Pietro
Published: March 2022

Modelling and simulation is presented for a finned cross-flow heat exchanger with the aim to heat cold air to be fed to air conditioning batteries for marine purposes. The model employed in this paper is finalized to simulate the dynamic behavior of air and water temperatures fed to the air conditioning batteries operating in cold environments, in order to predict possible troubles owing to the change in input parameters, such as unwanted flow rate variations due to system malfunctions. In the investigated model, heat balance equations are presented and discretized by Laplace transform, which has the advantage to easily account for the different structures of heaters used for the purpose of validation. The model was implemented in the Matlab-Simulink environment for its high capacity of dealing with dynamic systems. The results of the model are satisfactory, as the dynamic behavior of the air stream temperature is correctly reproduced, as compared to experimental data, providing a suitable parameter for malfunctions prediction.
Increasing Energy Efficiency in Well Drilling
Authors: Ivanova Tatiana N. , Biały Witold , Korshunov Aleksander I. , Jura Jerzy , Kaczmarczyk Krzysztof , Turczyński Krzysztof
Published: March 2022

This article provides the results of the first attempt to substantiate the rates of energy consumption and energy savings during the well-drilling process. It is proposed to accept the electrical energy consumption rate as a planned indicator of consumption of resources in the production of a unit of work of a specified quality. For a comprehensive assessment of the efficiency of use of energy resources during production of similar or substitute work, we determined specific energy consumption (designed, planned, actual), which includes direct consumption of all energy types in the production of a unit of work for basic and auxiliary production and operational needs, including from the consumption volume of mentioned resources and energy supply. Classification of consumption rates of electrical energy according to its action period and size scale has been proposed. The composition and amount of energy consumption rates during well-drilling have been described. The technological, expedition, and group rates of electricity consumption for drilling wells during design, survey, and technological work were determined. Electricity input items in drilling operations have been determined. For the first time, a set of measures to reduce energy costs during drilling is shown. The diagram developed for assessment of well performance allows prediction of technological and expedition rates of electricity consumption. Its creation, knowledge/understanding, implementation, analysis, and assessment by means of telemetry will allow evaluation of energy consumption when simulating drilling operations with varying drilling parameters. It will also provide an opportunity to select optimal technological or expedition rates of electricity consumption, taking account of drilling components at each depth: maximum drilling rate under constant weight on bit or maximum penetration. Based on the diagram, organizational and technical measures are proposed to save energy resources and reduce their consumption. The proposed measures allow saving up to 30–40% on energy costs.
Multi-Variant Modal Analysis Approach for Large Industrial Machine
Authors: Dziedziech Kajetan , Mendrok Krzysztof , Kurowski Piotr , Barszcz Tomasz
Published: March 2022

Power generation technologies are essential for modern economies. Modal Analysis (MA) is advanced but well-established method for monitoring of structural integrity of critical assets, including power ones. Apart from classical MA, the Operational Modal Analysis approach is widely used in the study of dynamic properties of technical objects. The principal reasons are its advantages over the classical approach, such as the lack of necessity to apply the excitation force to the object and isolate it from other excitation sources. However, for industrial facilities, the operational excitation rarely takes the form of white noise. Especially in the case of rotating machines, the presence of rotational speed harmonics in the response signals causes problems with the correct identification of the modal model. The article presents a hybrid approach where combination of results of two Operational Modal Analyses and Experimental Modal Analysis is performed to improve the models’ quality. The proposed approach was tested on data obtained from a 215 MW turbogenerator operating in one of Polish power plants. With the proposed approach it was possible to diagnose the machine’s excessive vibration level correctly.
Application of the Linear Programming Method in the Construction of a Mathematical Model of Optimization Distributed Energy
Authors: Rabe Marcin , Bilan Yuriy , Widera Katarzyna , Vasa László
Published: March 2022

The Polish economy is facing a huge challenge regarding the future of energy in Poland. The current energy system is very inefficient, it consumes huge resources that, like countries with high energy efficiency, could be allocated to the development of low-carbon and renewable energy networks. At the moment, the Polish energy sector, related to the coal monoculture, lacks electricity and the entire transmission system is obsolete. The solution may be distributed energy, which can ultimately satisfy energy supplies in less urbanized areas and in rural areas, while guaranteeing the sustainable development of these areas. In order to take up the challenge of better understanding and explaining such a complex reality, it was decided that the research framework of this article will be distributed energy in the region. The aim of the article is to ensure energy security in the conditions of innovative, ecological and open to competition regional energy using local energy resources. Currently, it is believed that distributed energy can be an effective solution to the problem of conventional energy operation.
Methane Storage Capacity of Permian Shales with Type III Kerogen in the Lower Yangtze Area, Eastern China
Authors: Pan Lei , Chen Ling , Cheng Peng , Gai Haifeng
Published: March 2022

Marine–terrestrial transitional Permian shales occur throughout South China and have suitable geological and geochemical conditions for shale gas accumulation. However, the Permian shales have not made commercial exploitation, which causes uncertainly for future exploration. In this study, high-pressure methane (CH4) adsorption experiments were carried out on the Permian shales in the Lower Yangtze area, and the influences of total organic carbon (TOC) content and temperature on adsorption parameters were investigated. The characteristics and main controlling factors of methane storage capacity (MSC) of the Permian shales are discussed. The results show that the maximum adsorption and the adsorbed phase density of these Permian samples are positively correlated with TOC contents but negatively correlated with temperatures. The pores of organic matter in shale, especially a large number of micropores and mesopores, can provide important sites for methane storage. Due to underdeveloped pore structure and poor connectivity, the methane adsorption capacities of the Permian shales are significantly lower than those of marine shales. Compared with the Longmaxi shales, the lower porosity and lower methane adsorption of the Permian shales are reasonable explanations for their lower gas-in-place (GIP) contents. It is not suitable to apply the index system of marine shales to the evaluation of marine–terrestrial transitional shales. The further exploration of Permian shales in the study area should be extended to overpressure stable reservoirs with high TOC contents (e.g., >5%), high porosity (e.g., >3%), and deep burial (e.g., >2000 m).
Robust Sliding Mode Fuzzy Control of Industrial Robots Using an Extended Kalman Filter Inverse Kinematic Solver
Authors: Khanesar Mojtaba Ahmadieh , Branson David
Published: March 2022

This paper presents a sliding mode fuzzy control approach for industrial robots at their static and near static speed (linear velocities less than 5 cm/s). The extended Kalman filter with its covariance resetting is used to translate the coordinates from Cartesian to joint angle space. The translated joint angles are then used as a reference signal to control the industrial robot dynamics using a sliding mode fuzzy controller. The stability and robustness of the proposed controller is proven using an appropriate Lyapunov function in the presence of parameter uncertainty and unknown dynamic friction. The proposed controller is simulated on a 6-DOF industrial robot, namely the Universal Robot-UR5, considering the maximum allowable joint torques. It is observed that the proposed controller can successfully control UR5 under uncertainties in terms of unknown dynamic friction and parameter uncertainties. The tracking performance of the proposed controller is compared with that of the sliding mode control approach. The simulation results demonstrate superior performance of the proposed approach over the sliding mode control method in the presence of uncertainties.
Heating/Cooling Fresh Air Using Hot/Cold Exhaust Air of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Systems
Authors: Khaled Mahmoud , Ali Samer , Jaber Hassan , Faraj Jalal , Murr Rabih , Lemenand Thierry
Published: March 2022

This paper suggests a heat recovery concept that is based on preheating/precooling the cold/hot fresh outside air by means of the relatively hot/cold exhaust air in winter/summer weather conditions. To investigate the feasibility of such a concept, an experimental setup is established to simulate conditions similar to an All-Air HVAC system. The prototype consists of a 6.7-m3 air-conditioned chamber by means of a split unit of 5.3-kW capacity. The heat recovery module consists of a duct system that is used to reroute the exhaust air from a conditioned chamber to flow through the fin side of a fin-and-tube heat exchanger of crossflow type. At the same time, outside, fresh air is flowing through the tube side of the fin-and-tube heat exchanger. A parametric study is performed to assess the amount of heat that can be recovered by varying the mass flow rates on both the duct and heat exchanger sides. The results show that up to 200 W of power can be saved for an exhaust flow rate of 0.1 kg/s and a fresh, outdoor air flow rate of 0.05 kg/s. Environmentally speaking, this leads to a reduction in production of about 1 tons of CO2 per year when the system operates 24 h/day. From an economic point of view, the system is able to return its price after 1.5 years when it is used 24 h per day during hot days at 196-W thermal recovery, whereas it requires at least 6.3 years when it is used during cold days at a 60-W thermal recovery rate, which, in both cases, represents a duration less than the lifespan of an air conditioner.
A Horse Herd Optimization Algorithm (HOA)-Based MPPT Technique under Partial and Complex Partial Shading Conditions
Authors: Sarwar Sajid , Hafeez Muhammad Annas , Javed Muhammad Yaqoob , Asghar Aamer Bilal , Ejsmont Krzysztof
Published: March 2022

The inconsistent irradiance, temperature, and unexpected behavior of the weather affect the output of photovoltaic (PV) systems, classified as partial or complex partial shading conditions. Under these circumstances, obtaining the maximum output power from PV systems becomes problematic. This paper proposes a population-based optimization model, the horse herd optimization algorithm (HOA), inspired by natural behavior, to solicit the maximum power under partial or complex partial shading conditions. It is an intelligent strategy inspired by the surprise pounce-chasing style of the horse herd model. The proposed technique outperforms the standard in different weather conditions, needs less computational time, and has a fast convergence speed and zero oscillations after reaching a power point’s maximum limit. A performance comparison of the HOA is achieved with conventional techniques, such as “perturb and observe” (P&O), the bio-inspired adaptive cuckoo search optimization (ACS), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and the dragonfly algorithm (DA). The following comparison of the presented scheme with the other techniques shows its better performance with respect to fast tracking and efficiency, as well as stability under disparate weather conditions and the ability to obtain maximum power with negligible oscillation under partial and complex shading.
MDIR Monthly Ignition Risk Maps, an Integrated Open-Source Strategy for Wildfire Prevention
Authors: Santos Luis , Lopes Vasco , Baptista Cecília
Published: March 2022

Countries unaccustomed to wildfires are currently experiencing wildfire as a new climate-change reality. Understanding how fire ignition and propagation are correlated with temperature, orography, humidity, wind, and the mixture and age of individual plants must be considered when designing prevention strategies. While wildfire prevention focuses on fire ignition avoidance, firefighting success depends on early ignition detection, meaning that, in either case, ignition plays a major role. The current case study considered three Portuguese municipalities that annually observe frequent fire ignitions (Tomar, Ourém, and Ferreira do Zêzere) as the testing ground for the Modernized Dynamic Ignition Risk (MDIR) strategy, thus evaluating the efficiency of MDIR and the efficacy of the variables used. This methodology uses geographic information systems technology sustained by open-source satellite imagery, along with the Habitat Risk Assessment model from the InVEST software package, as drivers for the MDIR application. The MDIR approach grants frequent update capabilities and fully open-sourced high ignition risk area identification, producing monthly ignition risk maps. The advantage of using this method is the ease of adaptation to any current monitoring strategy, awarding further efficiency and efficacy in reducing ignitions. The approach delivered adequate results in estimating ignitions for the three Portuguese municipalities, achieving, for several months, prediction accuracy percentages of over 70%. For the studied area, MDIR clearly identifies areas of high ignition risk and delivers an average of 62% success in predicting ignitions, thus showing potential for analyzing the impact of policy implementation and monitoring through the strategy design.
The Modelling of Convective Drying Variables’ Effects on the Functional Properties of Sliced Sweet Potatoes
Authors: Savas Elif
Published: March 2022

Drying is a commonly used technology that provides a long post-harvest storage time for produce such as sweet potatoes. Convective drying (CD) is a method that, when conditions are optimized, provides produce with a better appearance and improved textural properties. In this study, changes in water activity (aw), moisture content (MC), rehydration capacity (Rc), shrinkage (Sb) and color attributes were modelled for the optimization of drying factors (temperature, thickness and time) using response surface methodology (RSM). The total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) and antioxidant activity of CD samples (63.79 °C, 4.78 h, 3 mm) were investigated as functional aspects and compared with results for FD samples (−45 °C, one term). Optimum convective drying conditions caused an increase in general antioxidant properties, such as total phenol (TPC), total anthocyanin (TAC), DPPH and CUPRAC. The TPC was 190.94 mgGAE/100 g, the DPPH scavenging activity was 12.05%, the TAC was 11.37 mg/100 g, and the CUPRAC was 0.469 mmolTR/g in convectively dried samples under optimum conditions. Although improved appearance and textural properties are obtained by freeze drying, it is possible to produce sweet potatoes with good appearance and functional properties by optimizing the variables of the convective drying process.
Development of a Duplex TaqMan Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Accurate Identification and Quantification of Salmonella Enteritidis from Laboratory Samples and Contaminated Chicken Eggs
Authors: Xiong Dan , Zhou Yi , Song Li , Liu Bowen , Matchawe Chelea , Chen Xiang , Pelle Roger , Jiao Xinan , Pan Zhiming
Published: March 2022

Salmonella enteritidis is a major causative agent of foodborne illnesses worldwide. As the traditional serotyping and quantification methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive, faster and more convenient molecular diagnostic methods are needed. In this study, we developed and validated a rapid duplex TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the accurate identification and quantification of S. enteritidis. The primers and TaqMan probes were designed based on the S. enteritidis-specific gene lygD and the Salmonella genus-specific gene invA. The melt curve and gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the designed primers had potent specificity for the amplification of lygD and invA. The duplex real-time PCR specifically identified S. enteritidis from a panel of 40 Salmonella strains that represented 29 serovars and 12 non-Salmonella organisms. The duplex real-time PCR assay detected four copies of S. enteritidis DNA per reaction. The intra- and inter- assays indicated a high degree of reproducibility. The real-time PCR could accurately detect and quantify S. enteritidis in chicken organs after Salmonella infection. Furthermore, the assay identified 100% of the S. enteritidis and Salmonella genus isolates from chicken egg samples with superior sensitivity after 6 h of pre-enrichment compared to the traditional culture method. Additionally, the most-probable-number (MPN) combined with qPCR and a shortened incubation time (MPN-qPCR-SIT) method was developed for the population determination of S. enteritidis and compared with various enumeration methods. Thus, we have established and validated a new duplex real-time PCR assay and MPN-qPCR-SIT method for the accurate detection and quantification of S. enteritidis, which could contribute to meeting the need for fast detection and identification in prevention and control measures for food safety.
Design of a Blockchain-Enabled Traceability System Framework for Food Supply Chains
Authors: Wang Lixing , He Yulin , Wu Zhenning
Published: March 2022

Tracing food products along the entire supply chain is important for achieving better management of food products. Traditionally, centralized traceability systems have been developed for such purposes. One major drawback of this approach is that different users of the supply chain have their own systems with their own complexities and distinct features; thus, the interaction among them creates challenges when implementing a single centralized system. Therefore, a decentralized traceability system is favorable for tracing food products along the supply chain. In this study, we develop a supply chain traceability system framework based on blockchain and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The system consists of a decentralized blockchain-enabled data storage platform for data management and an RFID system at the packaging level for data collection and storage. We applied a consortium blockchain to the application. Fabric 2.0 in Hyperledger was chosen as the development platform. The proposed blockchain-enabled platform can provide decentralized data management and its underlying algorithm can guarantee data security. The system includes a creatively designed blockchain-enabled data structure in the RFID tag. When people scan the tag, the relevant information is written in the tag as a block linked to the previous blocks; simultaneously, the information is transmitted to the blockchain platform and recorded on the platform. No battery is required and the system works when there is an RFID reader nearby. The usage conditions included shipment, stocking, and storage. The RFID tag can be directly attached to paper packaging. This approach embeds the blockchain technique into the RFID tag and develops a corresponding system. The new traceability system has the potential to simplify the tracking of products and can be scaled for industrial use.
Dry but Not Humid Thermal Processing of Aloe vera Gel Promotes Cytotoxicity on Human Intestinal Cells HT-29
Authors: López Zaira , Salazar Zúñiga Michelle N. , Femenia Antoni , Acevedo-Hernández Gustavo J. , Godínez Flores Jaime A. , Cano M. Eduardo , Knauth Peter
Published: March 2022

Aloe vera products, both in food and cosmetics, are becoming increasingly popular due to their claimed beneficial effects, which are mainly attributed to the active compound acemannan. Usually, these end products are based on powdered starting materials. High temperatures during the drying process to obtain the starting materials have several advantages, like shortening the drying time, eliminating toxic aloin and reducing bacterial contamination. Nevertheless, there are two major drawbacks: first, at temperatures of 80 °C or higher, structural changes in acemannan, especially its deacetylation (>46%), are triggered, which does not happen at lower temperatures (14% at 60 °C); secondly, a toxic principle is formed at higher temperatures, resulting in a higher cytotoxicity. Thus, two temperature-dependent but opposing effects cause with a median cytotoxic concentration of CC50 = 0.4× a peak of cytotoxicity at 80 °C; at 60 °C this cytotoxic substance is not formed and at 100 °C aloin is more readily eliminated, resulting in a CC50 = 1.1× and CC50 = 1.4×, respectively. The cytotoxic substance generated by dry heat at 80 °C is not a modified polysaccharide because its polysaccharide-enriched alcohol-insoluble fraction is with CC50 = 0.9× less cytotoxic. Moreover, this substance is polar enough to be washed away with ethanol. Additionally, when Aloe gel is heated at 80 °C under humid conditions (pasteurization), the cytotoxicity does not increase (CC50 = 1.6×). Finally, to produce powdered starting materials from Aloe gel, it is recommended to use temperatures of around 60 °C in order to preserve the acemannan structure (and thus biological activity) and the low cytotoxicity.
Evaluation of the Biological Potential of Himanthalia elongata (L.) S.F.Gray and Eisenia bicyclis (Kjellman) Setchell Subcritical Water Extracts
Authors: Gomes Inês , Rodrigues Helena , Rodrigues Carla , Marques Marta , Paíga Paula , Paiva Alexandre , Simões Pedro , Fernandes Virgínia Cruz , Vieira Mónica , Delerue-Matos Cristina , Soares Cristina , Grosso Clara
Published: March 2022

Neuroprotection is a need that remains unmet in treating chronic neurodegenerative disorders, despite decades of extensive research. To find new neuroprotective compounds, extracts of Himanthalia elongata (L.) S.F.Gray and of Eisenia bicyclis (Kjellman) Setchell were obtained through subcritical water extraction applying a four-step temperature gradient. The fractions obtained were screened against brain enzymes involved in neurodegenerative etiology, namely in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, all contributing factors to the progression of neurodegeneration. Results showed no significant enzyme inhibition but strong radical scavenging activities, particularly in the fourth fraction, extracted at the highest temperature (250 °C), highlighting their ability to retard oxidative and nitrosative stresses. At higher temperatures, fractions were composed of phenolic compounds and Maillard reaction products, a combination that contributed to their antioxidant activity and, consequently, their neuroprotective properties. All fractions were evaluated for the presence of iodine, 14 organochlorine and 7 organophosphorus pesticides, and pharmaceuticals used in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (14), psychiatric drugs (8), and metabolites (8). The fractions studied did not present any of the screened contaminants, and only fraction 1 of E. bicyclis should be used with caution due to iodine content.
Influence of Attitudes toward Violence and Motor Impulsiveness on the Violent Behavior of Adolescents at School
Authors: Pina David , Jiménez-Barbero José , Calero-Mora Cecília , Puente-Lopez Esteban , Ruiz-Hernández José António , Galián-Muñoz Inmaculada , Llor-Zaragoza Laura , Vidal-Alves Maria
Published: March 2022

Background: School violence during adolescence has become a major issue worldwide. Both impulsiveness and adolescents’ attitudes toward violence will influence violent behavior against peers at school. Our objective is to study the influence of motor impulsiveness and attitudes on adolescents’ violent behavior at school, as well as to assess sex and age differences. Methods: Cluster sampling was performed, obtaining a sample of 513 adolescents between 13 and 19 years from four centers of secondary education. Results: A strong relationship is found between violent school behavior, defined as relational and overt aggression, and attitudes towards violence perceived as legitimate defense and violence used to cope with problems and social relations. The results showed significant sex differences favoring the boys in all the variables studied, except for motor impulsiveness and relational aggression. In terms of age, we found significant differences only for motor impulsiveness, favoring the older age group (≥15 years). The current findings may provide an important core of evidence to support forensic decision making in pre-trial and court settings, and further contribute to recidivism prevention.
Multistability of the Vibrating System of a Micro Resonator
Authors: Zhu Yijun , Shang Huilin
Published: March 2022

Multiple attractors and their fractal basins of attraction can lead to the loss of global stability and integrity of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). In this paper, multistability of a class of electrostatic bilateral capacitive micro-resonator is researched in detail. First, the dynamical model is established and made dimensionless. Second, via the perturbating method and the numerical description of basins of attraction, the multiple periodic motions under primary resonance are discussed. It is found that the variation of AC voltage can induce safe jump of the micro resonator. In addition, with the increase of the amplitude of AC voltage, hidden attractors and chaos appear. The results may have some potential value in the design of MEMS devices.
Development of New Restorer Lines Carrying Some Restoring Fertility Genes with Flowering, Yield and Grains Quality Characteristics in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Awad-Allah Mamdouh , Elekhtyar Nehal , El-Abd Mohamed , Abdelkader Mohamed , Mahmoud Mohamed , Mohamed Azza , El-Diasty Mohamed , Said Manal , Shamseldin Sahar , Abdein Mohamed
Published: March 2022

This study was carried out using 22 promising restorer lines of rice and their parental lines to study genetic variability and genetic advance for yield and yield-associated grain quality traits and floral traits. These genotypes are evaluated in a replicated trial using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt, during the seasons from 2012 to 2020. Analysis of variance revealed that highly significant variations were observed among the genotypes for all the studied characters. Both GCV% and PCV% were high for the number of spikelets per panicle, the number of filled grains per panicle, and panicle weight. The genetic advance in the percentage of mean was high for days to plant height, panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle, number of filled grains per panicle, panicle weight, grain yield per plant, anther length, anther breadth, duration of floret opening, and head rice percentage. Mean performance of the rice genotypes indicated that the genotypes NRL 59, NRL 55, NRL 62, NRL 63, NRL 66, and NRL 54-2 were promising for grain yield and associated desirable traits. Thus, some of these promising lines can be promoted as a new rice variety and could be used as a source for developing new hybrid combinations in hybrid rice breeding programs. The percentage of advantage over better parent and Giza 178 as the commercial variety was significant and there were highly significant desirable values among the genotypes for all the studied traits in the two years, indicating that the selection is effective in the genetic improvements for these traits.
Beowulf and the Hunt
Authors: Leneghan Francis
Published: March 2022

The presence of hunting imagery in Beowulf has often been noted, but the significance of the figures of the stag and the wolf to the thematic design of the poem has yet to be fully explored. In this article, I first analyse the sustained presentation of the Danish royal hall as a stag, before exploring how the Beowulf poet exploited the various traditional associations of the wolf in the development of the figures of Grendel and Grendel’s mother. Finally, I consider the elaboration of the hunting imagery in the final section of the poem, which focuses on the Geatish Messenger’s account of the pursuit and killing of King Ongentheow by Eofor and Wulf, and the beasts-of-battle motif. The article concludes that the Beowulf poet made extensive use of animal and hunting imagery in order to ground his work in the lived experiences and fears of his audience.
A Web-Based Application to Monitor and Inform about the COVID-19 Outbreak in Italy: The {COVID-19ita} Initiative
Authors: Lanera Corrado , Azzolina Danila , Pirotti Francesco , Prosepe Ilaria , Lorenzoni Giulia , Berchialla Paola , Gregori Dario
Published: March 2022

The pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 has posed several questions about public health emergency risk communication. Due to the effort required for the population to adopt appropriate behaviors in response to the emergency, it is essential to inform the public of the epidemic situation with transparent data sources. The COVID-19ita project aimed to develop a public open-source tool to provide timely, updated information on the pandemic’s evolution in Italy. It is a web-based application, the front end for the eponymously named R package freely available on GitHub, deployed both in English and Italian. The web application pulls the data from the official repository of the Italian COVID-19 outbreak at the national, regional, and provincial levels. The app allows the user to select information to visualize data in an interactive environment and compare epidemic situations over time and across different Italian regions. At the same time, it provides insights about the outbreak that are explained and commented upon to yield reasoned, focused, timely, and updated information about the outbreak evolution.
Evaluating Long-Term Outcomes of a High School-Based Impaired and Distracted Driving Prevention Program
Authors: Buczek Lindsay , Gryder Laura K. , Slinkard-Barnum Samantha , Batra Kavita , Trummel Cassandra , McNickle Allison G. , Fraser Douglas R. , Kuhls Deborah A. , Chestovich Paul J.
Published: March 2022

Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death among teenagers. Many of these deaths are due to preventable causes, including impaired and distracted driving. You Drink, You Drive, You Lose (YDYDYL) is a prevention program to educate high school students about the consequences of impaired and distracted driving. YDYDYL was conducted at a public high school in Southern Nevada in March 2020. A secondary data analysis was conducted to compare knowledge and attitudes of previous participants with first-time participants. Independent-samples-t test and χ2 test/Fisher’s exact test with post-contingency analysis were used to compare pre-event responses between students who had attended the program one year prior and students who had not. Significance was set at p < 0.05. A total of 349 students participated in the survey and were included for analysis; 177 had attended the program previously (50.7%) and 172 had not (49.3%). The mean age of previous participants and first-time participants was 16.2 (SD ± 1.06 years) and 14.9 (SD ± 0.92 years), respectively. Statistically significant differences in several self-reported baseline behaviors and attitudinal responses were found between the two groups; for example, 47.4% of previous participants compared to 29.4% of first-time participants disagreed that reading text messages only at a stop light was acceptable. Students were also asked how likely they were to intervene if a friend or family member was practicing unsafe driving behaviors; responses were similar between the two groups. The baseline behaviors and attitudes of participants regarding impaired and distracted driving were more protective among previous participants compared to first-time participants, suggesting the program results in long-term positive changes in behaviors and attitudes. The results of this secondary retrospective study may be useful for informing the implementation of future impaired and distracted driving prevention programs.
Blood Group Type Association with Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Alexandra Gaube , Alexandru Michire , Stefan Calangiu Filip , Petruta-Maria Draghia , Gabriel Burlacu Mihnea , Dragos-Eugen Georgescu , Teodor Georgescu Mihai
Published: March 2022

Background: We conducted an analysis to check whether the ABO blood group impacts the susceptibility or protection against different types of head and neck cancers. Method: We analyzed the medical records of 61,899 cancer patients from “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology from Bucharest, along with the corresponding blood group type. Data were scraped using Python. For analysis, we used Chi-square test. Results: The blood group count was A (245, 45.12%) followed by 0 (160, 24.66%), B (110, 20.26%), and AB (28, 5.16%). Hypopharyngeal cancer was associated with B group, oral cavity cancer was associated with a lower risk in patients with B group while AB patients had a higher risk for oral cavity cancer (χ2 = 36.136, df = 18, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Blood group B is associated with an increased incidence for hypopharyngeal cancer, whereas, for the oral cavity, was associated lower incidence. Blood antigen A is associated with a higher risk of oral cavity cancer development, independent of B blood antigen.
Breakfast Skipping among a Multi-Ethnic Population of Young Men and Relationship with Sociodemographic Determinants and Weight Status
Authors: AlTamimi Jozaa Z. , Alshwaiyat Naseem M. , Alkhalidy Hana , AlFaris Nora A. , AlKehayez Nora M. , Alagal Reham I.
Published: March 2022

Breakfast skipping is linked with obesity incidence. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of breakfast skipping among a multi-ethnic population of young men residing in Saudi Arabia and its relationship with sociodemographic determinants and weight status. A total of 3600 young men aged 20 to 35 years and living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were involved in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic determinants and breakfast-consumption frequency were collected from subjects by personal interviews. This study defines breakfast skipping as skipping breakfast at least one day per week. Weight and height were measured following standardized methods. The prevalence of breakfast skipping was observed among 52.8% of the study subjects. Nationality was a predictor of breakfast skipping, with the lowest and highest rates of breakfast skipping reported among young men from Bangladesh (14.0%) and Saudi Arabia (86.5%), respectively. Weight status was another predictor of breakfast skipping, as the mean body mass index for breakfast skippers (25.4 kg/m2) was significantly (p-value < 0.001) higher than that for breakfast consumers (24.8 kg/m2). Overweight/obese subjects have a significantly higher rate of breakfast skipping (56.9%) than underweight/normal weight subjects (48.9%). In conclusion, breakfast skipping prevalence is relatively high among young men residing in Saudi Arabia. The findings confirm a relationship between breakfast skipping and sociodemographic determinants and weight status.
Effective Personality as a Protective Factor in Teachers’ Occupational Health
Authors: Di-Giusto Cristina , Martín-Palacio María Eugenia , García-Rodríguez Marta Soledad , Sánchez-Sánchez Francisco Javier , de la Fuente-Anuncibay Raquel , Avilés-Dávila Andrés Fernando , García-Rodríguez Cesáreo Gabriel
Published: March 2022

In recent decades, there has been a growing body of research showing the relationship between teaching work and several health problems, both physical and psychological. Some of these studies relate personal competencies and resources to teachers’ occupational health. Based on the construct of Effective Personality, proposed by Martin del Buey, Martín Palacio, and Di Giusto, the aim was to analyse the relationship between the dimensions of the construct and Teachers’ Occupational Health. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. It was based on the application of the Teacher Health Questionnaire (CSD) and the Efficacy Personality Questionnaire-Adults (CPE-A). The sample consisted of 700 non-university teachers aged between 26 and 66 years, M = 47.65 SD = 8.68. Descriptive, correlational, linear regression, and structural equation analyses were carried out. The results confirmed the relationship between the Efficacy Personality construct and Teachers’ Occupational Health (r = 0.45 **). In addition, the regression analysis indicated the relevance of each factor of Efficacy Personality in the factors of Teachers’ Occupational Health. The variance of Self-efficacy is the most explained by the dimensions of Efficacy Personality (40.2%), with positive relationships. The structural equation analysis confirmed the influence between Efficacy Personality and the factors of Self-Efficacy and Satisfaction, explaining 55.0% of the variance. It is concluded, therefore, that Efficacy Personality has a protective function on Teacher Occupational Health; the higher the Efficacy Personality scores are, the better the results in health gain—Self-efficacy and satisfaction—and the lower the result in health loss—burnout, cognitive affections, musculoskeletal affections, and voice alterations. These results facilitate the design of prevention and intervention programmes for teachers’ occupational health, which strengthen and improve personal and socio-affective competencies.
Effect of Housing Quality on the Mental Health of University Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Morganti Alessandro , Brambilla Andrea , Aguglia Andrea , Amerio Andrea , Miletto Norberto , Parodi Nicolò , Porcelli Chiara , Odone Anna , Costanza Alessandra , Signorelli Carlo , Serafini Gianluca , Amore Mario , Capolongo Stefano
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 outbreak imposed rapid and severe public policies that consistently impacted the lifestyle habits and mental health of the general population. Despite vaccination, lockdown restrictions are still considered as potential measures to contrast COVID-19 variants spread in several countries. Recent studies have highlighted the impacts of lockdowns on the population’s mental health; however, the role of the indoor housing environment where people spent most of their time has rarely been considered. Data from 8177 undergraduate and graduate students were collected in a large, cross-sectional, web-based survey, submitted to a university in Northern Italy during the first lockdown period from 1 April to 1 May 2020. Logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between moderate and severe depression symptomatology (PHQ-9 scores ≥ 15), and houses with both poor indoor quality and small dimensions (OR = 4.132), either medium dimensions (OR = 3.249) or big dimensions (OR = 3.522). It was also found that, regardless of housing size, poor indoor quality is significantly associated with moderate–severe depressive symptomatology. Further studies are encouraged to explore the long-term impact of built environment parameter modifications on mental health, and therefore support housing and public health policies.